The components seemed to work together well, especially the impressive carbon-spoked wheels from Giant’s wheel brand, Cadex. The TCR simply had a neat quality about it – a clinical efficiency of energy. I was also a little surprised to see 25mm tyres, especially as the TCR now officially has clearance for 32mm tyres. But Giant has opted to spec tubeless as standard, which I applaud. While Giant has long outfitted its bikes with house-brand wheels, top models are now equipped with its new Cadex premium carbon models.
This involves hand-weaving the top tube and seat tube together and then re-moulding the area under heat and pressure, which Giant claims creates a much stronger, yet lighter junction than traditional carbon moulding processes. For the latest TCR, Giant has taken raw carbon fibre and weaved the materials to its exact specification to create the lightest set of raw pieces ever put together for a Giant bike. The 2021 TCR Advanced SL Disc frame comes with a headline claimed weight of 765g. Stiffness-to-weight ratio has also been improved, according to Giant, while a smattering of aero touches have made the new frame faster in the wind tunnel. Hookless rim design enhances overall durability, and offers a wider inner rim width without adding extra weight. It also helps to create a more round tire shape providing superior grip and handling as well as added sidewall support when cornering.
Speed on the TCR Advanced SL0 has the same quality; it’s a calm and natural state of affairs in the saddle, even fighting for position in a tight-knit group. This is where the TCR’s most quantifiable gains can be found compared to previous generation models. Every tube shape was analyzed, engineered and tested to create an overall structure with significantly lower drag at a wider range of yaw angles. The result is a TCR that’s faster than ever in sprints and solo situations.
The Advanced 2 Disc is the Shimano 105-equipped model and the one Giant hopes will prove a popular, affordable version of the TCR. The Advanced Pro 0 disc comes equipped with Ultegra Di2 and Giant’s giant mountain 42mm deep carbon SLR-1 wheelset. We’ve got the 2021 TCR Advanced SL 0 set up and ready to go as soon as Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed and it’s once more safe to test bikes to the full.
Every bike, it seems, has got lighter and more versatile in 2020. Early in the year, Giant got the revamp train rolling by making its TCR Advanced SL 0 lighter, more lithe, and frankly, more fun to ride. And notably, the bike does not feature dropped seatstays, bucking the trend du jour of bike giant KIDS BIKES design. Because of its incredible stiffness, Giant’s TCR Advanced SL harnesses 100% of your energy, resulting in unparalleled quickness, agility and speed. The frame or fork or components or accessories have cosmetic blemishes. The bicycle has some mechanical issues and a tune up is necessary.
A reasonable assumption therefore is that todays equipment provides no real world advantage over the equipment used in the 90s. If you want to go faster, don’t bother wasting money on a newer model. Do some stretching to get lower, wear a tight jersey and lose weight. The 2021 TCR range also features new Giant saddles including the Fleet and Approach. Both the Fleet SLR and Fleet SL have a wide shape with a short nose and ergonomic cutout for enhanced comfort and support, plus a side curve that provides added freedom of motion. In the efficiency department, Giant says the new frame’s high stiffness-to-weight ratio is top of the marquee.
We also like the rather tall bottom bracket, which enables pedaling through more corners, and the short head tube for a low and aggressive position. Giant engineers, product developers, aerodynamics experts, and racers such as Greg Van Avermaet and the UCI World Tour CCC Team were all consulted for the project. Giant claims the resulting bike is significantly more aerodynamic than the previous generation while retaining its hallmark stiffness-to-weight ratio. Every tube shape has been modified to reduce drag without adding weight or compromising the quality of the product. TCR Composite delivers sharp handling and snappy acceleration with just enough compliance for racing and long training days.
These top-tier models are also typically equipped with top of the line specifications and components suitable for maximum performance. As stiff as the bike is, it falls a step short of the other-worldly reactivity bikes like the new Émonda possess when jumping from slow speeds. The Giant is crisp and quick while accelerating on a steep pitch, just not quite as crisp and quick as the top two or three disc bikes in the peloton. Sure, the rear end is very short, but whatever has happened to beef up the stays for the rear disc brake seems to have robbed a fraction of the bike’s liveliness.
The frame & fork have no visible or detectable blemishes or damage. All components, parts, and accessories are clean and free of any visible & detectable blemishes or damage. Tires and grips/handlebar tape are original spec and in pristine condition. Bicycling Australia is the magazine of choice for road cyclists looking for high quality information and entertaining articles that will help them become better riders. It features a number of breakthrough technologies including a PressFit bottom bracket and integrated cable routing. Team Columbia-Highroad rider Mark Cavendish wins four stages on it at the Tour de France.