Fully integrated cable routing, for example, is great for cutting drag. Fingers crossed the expanded compatibility list is released soon. Having ridden a 2009 Giant TCR Advanced SL for around six years, I thought it would be interesting to see how much 11 years of industry progress has changed things. At 60psi, the tyres measure just under 29mm wide on the Giant SLR1 rims. Id fitted some 32mm Schwalbe Pro One TLE tyres to the TCR, but hadnt made any other concessions to off-road conditions. Theres nothing wrong with the stock tyres, but these are always going to be an easy upgrade target for someone looking for cheap performance gains. a superbike with a radical, wind cheating cockpit and 60mm aero wheels. The ability to run lower pressures than with inner tubes, without any risk of pinch flatting, certainly helps on the South Wests less than pristine roads. These cranks both have larger 130BCD chainrings though, meaning they would increase the gear ratios slightly. There may be an issue with the hookless rims though. This is Giants updated list of the tyres approved for use on its hookless rims. These 700 x 28c tyres weigh around 333g per tyre on average, and have a file tread designed to maximise grip without harming rolling resistance. As we rolled out, I did wonder whether I might be under-biked. It could also be a real issue if you need an urgent replacement and your local shop doesnt hold stock of approved tyres either, or if you find yourself needing a new tyre in the middle of a ride (as has happened to me before). Its hard to say at this point whether this change affects how good value the bike is. While some in our group opted for off-road shoes and cleats, I stuck with road shoes and Favero Assioma Duo power meter pedals. The first model in the TCR series was created in 1995, the brainchild of legendary bike designer Mike Burrows, who had previously designed the, Since then, iterations of the TCR have regularly featured in our, winning the coveted award outright in 2018, As the world of road bikes has pushed increasingly towards optimising features such as. Ive long been a convert to the benefits of indoor training, though. The only deviation from Shimano in the drivetrain is the KMC X11 SL-1 chain. However, as things stand, its a significant limitation that makes me seriously question whether, were I looking to purchase a new bike right now, I would actually want to buy this bike instead of a competitor option with different wheels. My initial reaction is that it doesnt, as many bike brands are, for various complicated reasons, currently raising their prices by significant amounts across the board. Simon hopes the latest TCR might be the perfect all-round road bike at a great price. Theres nothing wrong with the stock tyres, but these are always going to be an easy upgrade target for someone looking for cheap performance gains. Overall, the spec is very solid. It handles practically everything you can reasonably throw at it with aplomb. Nice to have when youve spent months and years training to pull every last drop of horsepower from your engine, and it does make a bike look great too. As Ive commented in my updates throughout this long review, the frameset is fantastic. I think, Ideally, Id like to try something fast such as the. |, EUR 3,350.00 While my old TCR is a size M, I went for a ML this time because the M was always a little too small for me (I bought it. The good news is the 40cm version is nice and narrow (its around 37cm at the hoods), it looks very smart and, if paired with a Deda DCR stem, its also possible to run both gear and brake cables fully internally, if thats an option on your bike. Trail, the horizontal difference between the tyre contact patch and the steering axis, has also increased by 2mm to 59.2mm. Giant continues to stress it is working with tyre manufacturers to expand this list, and its likely delays associated with the global pandemic are partly to blame for the lack of updates this past year, but I just cant get past the fact that these rims still restrict tyre choice so heavily. Its a little heavier, and it doesnt have the bling factor of Ultegra or Dura-Ace, but it works brilliantly and I think the black finish looks very smart, at least when its brand new. , it started to look as if the TCR, with its almost singular focus on its stiffness to weight ratio, was arguably being left behind. The handlebar is an updated version of Dedas Surperzero handlebar we reviewed in 2017. Unofficially, though, it handles fantastically and can certainly be used on light gravel, farm tracks and the like, especially if its dry. On the 2020 frame, the gear cables were routed through the front of the head tube, but on the 2021 frame they enter the frame via the down tube. Its a reflection of the current state of the world (or at least the UK, anyway) that I sadly havent been riding this bike outside much recently. The TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc has a full Shimano 105 R7000 drivetrain. Simon joined BikeRadar in 2020, but has been riding bikes all his life, and racing road and time trial bikes for over a decade. Unless you like a very low hood angle, you have to run the shifters right at the bottom of the clamping area and tilt the whole handlebar up to get your preferred hood angle. Its plenty stiff without being overly harsh, handles fantastically and looks great. But it does make the bike feel detectably more direct when sprinting or when going through fast, sweeping corners, and that can make you feel more confident in pushing the bikes limits. Giant did say that testing with other brands of tyres was ongoing though, and that an updated list would be released in due course. I did need to use a Schwalbe Tyre Booster to seat the bead (my Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive Tall track pump wasnt enough to get it done), but the set up was otherwise pain-free. Some soapy water and removing the valve cores helped, and I only needed a standard track pump to seat the beads. Other than the odd puncture, nothing on the TCR has broken or gone wrong, which is a testament to Giants manufacturing quality. As you can probably tell, Im quite torn with this bike at this point. The 700x32c Schwalbe Pro One TLE Transparent tyres measure around 31mm when inflated on the Giant SLR 1 rims. Consumers also need to be aware that this is not just a performance issue, but also one of safety. Though it no longer represents the absolute leading edge of road bike design, the TCR retains a wonderful balance of characteristics that make it a joy to own and ride most of the time. , but the flat shape is possibly something I could get used to. And that difference certainly seems to be far greater than the performance difference between hooked and hookless rims, which then begs the question; is it currently worth it? Hopefully by the time of my next update to this review, there will be more progress on this issue to report on. Im never going to test frame stiffness to its limits with my willowy figure, but climbing out of the saddle or sprinting (if you can call it that) felt purposeful and composed. Thats been quite useful though, because its provided plenty of opportunities to compare this bike to its peers. Plus, Ill reiterate what I said at the beginning of this almost Homeric epic, about it being a smart move on Giants part to spec a Shimano 105 groupset and high-quality wheels at this price point. The next thing I want to change is the stem and handlebar set up. One of the first things Ill always look to add to any bike is a. , and since this model doesnt come with Giants own Power Pro power meter pre-installed, Ill be doing the same here. I wish more brands would offer a choice of handlebar widths and stem lengths when purchasing a bike. I would definitely do a similar ride on the TCR again in the future, though. For many, especially those who arent as obsessed with rolling resistance charts and tan-wall aesthetics as I am, the selection of compatible tyres Giant offers will be more than enough choice. Despite the explosion of interest in gravel and adventure cycling, Im a roadie at heart. Despite a price increase since 2020, I also think this particular model in the TCR range represents excellent value compared to the competition. Stay tuned for the next update. If thats the case, its likely the review score will change again to reflect this. on a long-term basis, and Im looking forward to trying out some chunkier race tyres now that the clearances have been increased to 32mm. As things stand, Giant has only a short list of approved tyres and it only has Giant and Cadex (Giants in-house brand) tyres on it. Others will doubtless feel differently (and many have told me so in the comments), but for me, its a dealbreaker. As Ive commented before, I do think the Giant SLR-1 rims could be wider. My size medium/large (ML) weighs 7.87kg with the included composite out-front computer mount, but without pedals or bottle cages. Lastly, its been a very reliable bike. Given the changing seasons and what the worsening weather will do to the roads, something more voluminous could be on the cards. Fortunately, it was a relatively dry day. Classic 24mm because it fits a Shimano bottom bracket too. Giant told us it feels it has been more stringent in its safety testing than other wheel brands, but either way, it has designed a wheelset that doesnt offer compatibility with the vast majority of tyres currently on the market, and thats a serious limitation. Hopefully its the former and Im just doing things right. Im hoping its a race-ready package out of the box, with enough practicality to let me have fun across all kinds of roads. Before joining BikeRadar, Simon was a freelance writer and photographer, with work published on BikeRadar.com, Cyclingnews.com and in CyclingPlus magazine. I initially pumped the tyres up to around 60/62psi (front/rear), but Ill have to experiment with this to find the sweet spot for my local roads. The Shimano 105 R7000 crankset has 52/36t chainrings. As the TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc has a Shimano BB86 press-fit bottom bracket, I can use the SRM from my, , but I could also use a recently acquired. As for the TCR, Id still like to swap the tyres out for something different, just to see how it affects the bikes performance. Ill caveat all of this by stressing there is nothing particularly wrong with the stock Giant Gavia Course 1 tyres they seem like fine training tyres. The frameset, yes, in a heartbeat. Other than those things though, its hard to pinpoint anything else that needs upgrading. Theres an 11-30t cassette out back. For those of you whove been following this review, youll know the rims and tyres (or, more specifically, the compatibility limitations) have been a sticking point for me. The Shimano 105 R7000 hydraulic disc STI levers are a bit chunkier than the rim brake versions. Its a stout, oversized hunk of hollow carbon fibre. . , and Giant has specced 52/36-tooth chainrings and an 11-30-tooth cassette out back, paired with a short-cage, The Giant SLR-1 42mm tubeless carbon wheels are 24mm wide externally, 19mm internally and have, Giant TCR Advanced Pro Disc (full-composite OverDrive 2 steerer), Giant SLR-1 42 Carbon Disc WheelSystem (42mm front and rear), Shimano 105 R7020 hydraulic disc brakes (160mm rotor front, 140mm rotor rear), Giant Contact SL, 42cm (centre to centre), Giants TCR is a long standing design, so the geometry has been pretty settled for a while, but there are a few tweaks for, With parallel 73-degree seat tube and head tube angles, its slightly slacker than some competitors, such as the. As weve noted elsewhere, it does mean that some popular options such as, Ill give the saddle a little more time before I decide whether to swap it out or not. Its not been . However, in my experience, this usually means compromises elsewhere in the spec, most often at the wheels. This makes sense given the increased tyre clearance and general industry trend towards making road bikes more capable on mixed surfaces. Ill also admit to being concerned about whether going so well in January is actually a good thing can I expect to keep improving at this rate into the spring and summer, when real life racing will (hopefully) resume, or am I setting myself up for a quick plateau and eventual decline? If youre looking for a bike to race criteriums though, this years TCR perhaps edges away from that a little bit. The obvious problem is that tyres are a consumable item, whether simply through wear or damage, so you will have to replace them eventually. Bottom bracket drop has also increased 2mm to 67mm, to maintain a similar bottom bracket height to the previous model while using larger tyres (tyre clearance is officially rated as 32mm on the new model). The stiff front end doesnt make it a comfortable ride off-road, but the handling remains precise and confident. For a final point of comparison I recently returned to my 2009 Giant TCR Advanced SL. , but it works brilliantly and I think the black finish looks very smart, at least when its brand new. Im currently testing Faveros Assioma Duo pedals, and these would fit seamlessly onto the original 105 R7000 cranks. Of course, those arent things that need to be done regularly, and you can always drop the bike off with your friendly local mechanic, who will no doubt be thrilled to take on the challenge. , but its still in classic road race bike territory. And thats all before we consider that tyres are one of the most important components on any bike in determining performance. You might not have much luck looking for a compatible tyre in a small independent bicycle shop at the foot of a French Col, for example. Id be tempted to swap the rear derailleur for a long cage (GS) version at some point, so I can use an 11-32t or 11-34t cassette if I need to tackle any super-steep climbs. The TCR isnt an endurance bike by any measure, but given it now has 32mm tyre clearance Im eager to see how it performs on some truly rough stuff. The first model in the TCR series was created in 1995, the brainchild of legendary bike designer Mike Burrows, who had previously designed the Lotus 108 and 110 bikes. The Giant SLR-1 42mm tubeless carbon wheels are 24mm wide externally, 19mm internally and have hookless rims. The paint job is a clear gloss coat over the carbon frame with painted logos in chrysocolla (which is a green-blue sparkly mineral). Some of these new features appear to have been borrowed from or inspired by the Liv Langma Advanced Pro Disc, which fills a similar performance niche as the TCR for Giants womens-specific sister brand. Giant hadnt yet taken delivery of spare stems for the 2021 TCRs, so I took the opportunity to try something slightly different the Giant Contact SLR Flux OD2 stem (RRP 219.99). Such limited compatibility limits your options considerably whenever that time comes. Despite a year now having passed, Giants list of compatible tyres (meaning tyres that are safe to use on Giant and Cadex hookless rims, according to Giants internal testing) stands at just 15 tyres, most of which are Giant or Cadex branded. The fact that it was dry helped, of course. Giants website also now includes information on tyres that failed its testing protocol. Its obviously impossible to assess the performance of a bike when its attached to an indoor trainer, but it is great for testing saddles because the increased heat and sweat generated by cycling indoors can amplify the effects of any issues. You also need to pick your lines carefully and avoid big holes. With parallel 73-degree seat tube and head tube angles, its slightly slacker than some competitors, such as the Specialized Tarmac Disc or Trek Emonda Disc, but its still in classic road race bike territory. In Giants defence, its obviously a good thing if its safety testing is of a higher standard than other brands. Giant only offers one paint job per spec, so if you want something different youll have to choose a differently specced model to get it. Im not going to compare them directly because they fill different niches, but its interesting to note that what was arguably once the most progressive bicycle in the peloton the TCRs compact frame design revolutionised road bike design when the first iteration launched back in 1997 now represents more traditional road bike design. Our long-term test gives us the opportunity to truly get to grips with these machines, so we can tell you how they perform through different seasons and on ever-changing terrain. Whether those differences are worth the 170 premium versus the standard alloy stem is a harder question to answer, but that will ultimately be a personal decision. The Advanced Pro 2 model comes with a complete Shimano 105 R7020 groupset (with the exception of the chain, which is upgraded to a KMC X11 SL-1) and a full suite of Giant components and finishing kit. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. It doesnt feel like a superbike with a radical, wind cheating cockpit and 60mm aero wheels, but I believe in physics and Ive little doubt the redesigned truncated ellipse tube shapes are likely more aerodynamically efficient than they were previously, as Giant claims. As you might be able to infer then, Im not convinced the marginal benefits of this particular rim design currently outweigh the downsides of such significantly reduced tyre choice. Ive never felt like its held the bike back in any way. The move to a slightly wider internal width rim (up to 19mm from 17mm) is welcome because this improves tyre profile, but I think they could be wider externally. Its not been long since my last update to this review, and Ive actually spent much of that time riding other bikes. Somewhat surprisingly, it does make a noticeable difference to the TCRs front-end stiffness. Consequently I cant shake the feeling that, even with the more premium options, I could still be missing out on some cheap speed. After all, even worshippers at the Holy Church of Aerodynamics (like myself) have to admit that not everyone races, or cares about riding as fast as possible, but its an odd quirk of fate that the TCR has come to fill that niche. The Giant SLR-1 42 wheels are shod in Giants Gavia Course 1 25mm tubeless tyres. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the situation remains largely unchanged. 3,000 is a lot of money to spend on a bike, but you could easily spend a lot more. First of all, it inevitably meant updating my FTP setting, and in one fell swoop all my future workouts got quite a bit harder. Originally developed in conjunction with the Liv Langma, the womens-specific equivalent of Giants TCR (which, incidentally, went aero long before the TCR did), it nevertheless matches nicely with the new TCR. Its a lightweight carbon road racing bike, after all, and isnt designed to be a rugged workhorse. Considering the performance of the current generation of 105 is so close to that of mechanical Ultegra, I think its a smart compromise to keep the price down and still spec the high-end wheels because they make a much larger difference to performance. Sadly, the TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc now costs 3,499 in the UK, 300 more than it did previously. Its a finely balanced spec and Giant deserves a lot of credit for putting it all together at this price point. Giant recently announced that five new tyres had been added to its approved list, but that only brings the total number of approved road tyres to 12, and the Continental GP5000 TL which many (including myself) consider to be one of the best road racing tyres currently available has been explicitly ruled out. One thing that has changed in the interim is the price. Both the Gavia Course 0 and Cadex Race tyres, for example, have higher TPI counts, thinner casings and lower claimed weights, which should make them faster than the stock tyres. While the old adage, theres no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing is fine for fellwalkers and Highlanders (it was apparently Alfred Wainwright, the famous fellwalker and writer, who first wrote those immortal words in his book, A Coast to Coast Walk), icy road conditions can be quite dangerous for cyclists, and I prefer not to take my chances when temperatures are hovering around zero degrees. The exposed cables might look a little dated at first glance, but on a bike that purposefully hasnt gone all-in on aerodynamic efficiency (if you want that, Giant has the Propel), I think the added simplicity is well worth the small drag penalty. The difference in size isnt enormous, but it makes the saddle to bar drop a little less aggressive, which should make for a more sustainable crouch position on the bike. Already have an account with us? A fantastic all-round road bike that delivers in almost every area, but the hookless rims aren't for this tyre obsessive, Simons Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc long-term review, GBP 3,499.00 RRP As were always saying, better tyres are one of the cheapest, easiest and best ways to upgrade your bike. The Cadex Classics tyres mounted and inflated very easily on the Giant rims. Theres still plenty of room left in the frame and fork too. We also use them as test beds for the latest kit, chopping and changing parts to see what really makes the difference and help you decide which upgrades are worth spending your money on. Tubeless set up was mostly pain-free, although a tyre booster was needed to seat the bead. After it debuted at the Tour de France in 1997, ridden by the ONCE team, most other manufacturers followed suit and moved to sloping top-tube designs. My 36cm handlebar didnt present any handling issues on the rough stuff. Cadex has recently released a Classics tubeless tyre, which comes in a 32mm size (which is the maximum tyre size the TCR can now accommodate). The 2021 TCR saw a welcome change in design parameters though, with overhauled tube shapes and an increased focus on all-round efficiency. They went on the rims without needing tyre levers, and, with the valve core removed and a bit of soapy water applied to the beads and rims, I was able to seat the beads straight away using a standard track pump. Taking in an array of spooky tunnels, canal towpaths, farm tracks and gravel roads around the Bristol and Bath area, everyone else in the group turned up on a gravel bike or a cyclocross bike. Hopefully, I can get my hands on a set and see how the TCR stands up to winter riding. At a pound under 3,500, the Advanced Pro 2 Disc model is the cheapest in the Advanced Pro Disc range, but still comes specced with fancy carbon wheels and a slew of smart component choices. What Im most interested in is how easy they are to install on the SLR-1 hookless rims, and what the ride quality is like. At the time of the initial release, tyre compatibility was strictly limited to a selection of Giant and Cadex tyres, in certain sizes, that had been stringently tested for safety. Pedalling stiffness is more than adequate for someone like me. In a head-to-head race situation, bikes such as the Aeroad, or Giants own Propel aero bike, would almost always be quicker. For road racing to light gravel, theres little it cant turn its hand to. The hubs take centerlock disc brake rotors and have 12mm thru-axles front and rear. , on bikes at a similar price point. Is this stem going to make you faster while riding along in a straight line? Its also reassuring to know that Giant designed and tested the aerodynamics of the new TCR with two bottles in place, which is often overlooked. |, Bike_radar, br_bikes, br_bikesRoadAndAllNonMTB, a/7/1/e/a71e1bb3e48b259001c877f53fe887ac542d14d9_Giant_TCR_Advanced_Pro_2_Disc_2021.jpg, Solid all-round spec for the price; 32mm tyre clearance; lively ride quality and confident handling, Hookless rims and 1in steerer limit aftermarket upgrade options, The Giant TCR is one of the truly classic road bikes. At some point in the future, when standardised hookless rims and tubeless tyres become the norm for performance oriented road and gravel wheels, this issue will likely be solved. I would have chosen a full-on aero road bike such as. They come in what is without a doubt the fanciest box Ive ever seen for a road tyre. Officially, the TCR is intended for use on paved roads only, so in that sense, its a no. Standing on the pedals for the first time the most immediately noticeable characteristics of this bike are its smoothness and confident handling, especially at speed. I put 53psi in the rear tyre and 50psi in the front, and the tyres measured around 31mm at those pressures. Giant does also have other, more premium, racing tyre options, that can be used on these wheels if youre looking for those marginal gains. if I still raced, but an all-round bike such as the TCR is a little more versatile and easier to live with. No. Nevertheless, Giant still produces the Advanced level carbon fibre in its own composite factory (rather than purchasing pre-made sheets), so it can better control the quality. The TCR Advanced Pro Disc is the second-tier frameset in the TCR range. The smoothness is likely helped in part by the tubeless wheels and tyres. The short length felt great when riding in aggressive positions, but the flat side to side profile is quite different to what Im used to when sitting more upright. It climbs well, ticks along on the flat, and descends without any fuss. I think a tan wall option would provide a great visual contrast to the gloss black frame too. These changes all point towards a bike thats slightly less aggressive and a little more stable and slower handling than the previous model. Stack is unchanged versus the 2020 model, but reach decreases 5mm. Personally, I wouldnt buy the wheels as things stand, though. Coming from a bike with a 130mm stem and 36cm traditional bend handlebars, the front end feels comically short and wide with its 110mm stem and 42cm compact handlebars. The Shimano 105 drivetrain continues to perform excellently. For me, the only real low point has been the hookless rims and the tyre compatibility restrictions this entails. These come set up tubeless and measure 27.6mm at 60psi. I didnt suffer any punctures either, which had been a slight worry given the Pro One TLE is a reasonably lightweight road racing tyre.