Oh, there is one other significant change, but that’s to the sizing. Whereas the ML model was previously closer to the L size than to the M, it now splits the difference between the two. Giant has tweaked the geometry of the TCR with this latest incarnation, but only slightly. The TCR Advanced Pro 1 Disc is built to exactly the same geometry as the TCR Advanced SL 0 Disc, so in terms of fit it’s like getting back on a familiar bike.
Giant opted for truncated ellipse shapes that they say “consistently produce lower drag coefficients at a wider range of yaw angles”, equating to more realistic improvements in real-world riding conditions with varying wind & riding speed. The trick to the aero gain is an overall reshaping of every tube shape on the new TCR to decrease drag, while not adding a single gram to the frameset as a whole. Giant says they did that mostly in improved production, from on-site woven carbon raw material to laser-cut carbon piles, even more precise robotic layup of the carbon plies. Their new ‘ThinLine’ painting process for the top-spec bike is even said to shave 50g off the conventional 7-layer paint that regular bikes get.
Only a handful of times have we run out of gears on a downhill, and we have not looked for more gears on a climb. Giant added their brand power meter into the build, which we have enjoyed immensely. It has integrated seamlessly to our Garmin and Garmin giant KIDS BIKES Connect/ Strava, though others have reported inconsistencies in wattage relay or small cracking in the unit itself. At nearly 1,000 miles completed, the Giant Gavia 25 mm tubeless tires have performed better each time the bar has been raised.
The shape, though still very familiar, has been honed by computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing alongside real world riding – prototypes of the new TCR competed in events throughout 2019. Low weight and impressive stiffness have been hallmarks giant mountain of the TCR for some time. This 2021 model brings aerodynamics to the party, though it’s an evolution rather than aero revolution. Meanwhile, the top tube is attached to the seat tube using a grafting process that combines filament winding and co-moulding.
The early TCR was unique in its ability to excel in mountain stages and time trials. With its aerodynamic advantages, it was especially effective against the clock—Jalabert won several stage race time trials on it, and ONCE became a favourite at every team time trial it entered. This frame’s aero performance sits mid-pack compared to the full list of Zwift road frames, clocking in at 2 seconds faster than the older Giant TCR Advanced SL frame.
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 giant ROAD BIKES 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.
Giant’s TCR Advanced Pro 1 Disc is a lively and efficient road bike that boasts most of the aero features the new, top-level TCR Advanced SL gained earlier this year. Even the massively wide down tube is optimised for airflow when a standard bottle is fitted, according to Giant. The Giant TCR needs no introduction – but here’s a quick one anyway.
This is the ultimate expression of disc-brake carbon know-how from Giant, the biggest player in the carbon-bike business. Any race, any time, this legendary road machine is a proven winner. Fully integrated disk brakes help the TCR Advanced SL Disc brake consistently in a variety of conditions. The new TCR Advanced SL is said to have explosive acceleration and improved climbing efficiency due to its high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Giant says that the bike has 26.3 per cent greater frame/fork stiffness than its competitor, the 2019 Trek Emonda SLR Disc.
Now’s the time to attack the other riders who you just reeled in on the climbs. The only exception is for heavier riders, who may find the cockpit a little too soft for the mass sprint to the finish line. Hill finishes and high watt numbers on the climbs are this bike’s specialty.
Its radical geometry was marked by a “compact” frameset featuring a toptube that sloped downward from the headtube to the seattube. Compact Road was inspired by mountain bikes, which were still relatively new in the early 1990s. Burrows worked with Giant to create the Compact Road frames, which offered several obvious advantages.