Affordable competition racers: Giant TCR Advanced 1

Giant TCR Advanced 1

By far the cheapest bike is the Giant TCR Advanced 1 due to its simpler components with a handicap in this comparison. All the more astonishing is the total weight of the economy version: with 8.3 kilogrammes it is even lighter than some of its more expensive competitors. The fact that the difference in grades to the four times more expensive TCR Advanced SL is nevertheless large, is due among other things to the sensationally low weight of the High-end wheel from only 6.6 kilos. The less expensive frame set, which unlike the professional model comes with an adjustable carbon seat post, is not overly heavy and offers decent suspension comfort - making it a good basis for later tuning.

The fact that the tested set-up does not seem very lively is mainly due to the heaviest wheels in the test. Just changing the heavy tyres would help, because the wider-than-specified tyres roll quite slowly. If you want to stay in the race, you should at least invest in fast wheels: The frameset isn't one of the fastest anyway, and with its flat rims the affordable Giant brings up the rear in the wind tunnel test. A tip is therefore also the next most expensive one TCR Advanced 1+which is equipped with aerodynamically better and lighter carbon rims for an extra 300 euros (see test in TOUR 4/2021). One advantage for hobby mechanics on all TCR models is the simple stem and external wiring, which makes adjustment and maintenance work much easier compared to integrated cockpits.

Other models in the test

• Canyon Aeroad CF SL 8 vs. Canyon Aeroad CFR Disc MVDP
• Lapierre Xelius SL 6.0 vs. Lapierre Xelius SL 75TH
• Merida Scultura 7000 vs. Merida Scultura Team
• Specialised Tarmac SL 7 Comp vs. Specialised S-Works Tarmac SL 7
• Wilier Zero SL vs. Wilier Zero SLR
• What distinguishes expensive professional racing bikes from inexpensive models

Facts about the Giant TCR Advanced 1

• Price 2899 Euro >> available here
• Weight 8.3 kilos
• Aerodynamics 240 Watt****
• Info www.giant-bicycles.com

Frame sizes** S, M, ML, L, XL

Seat/top tube/head tube 505/565/165 millimetres

Stack/Reach/STR*** 570/388 millimetres/1.47

Wheelbase/caster 995/55 millimetres

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1056/397/58 grammes

Drive/Circuit Shimano Ultegra (2x11, 52/36, 11-30 t.)

Brakes Shimano Ultegra (160/140 mm)

Wheels/tyres (weights)***** Giant PR-2 Disc/Giant Gavia Course 25 mm (front/rear 1,461/1,945 grams) 3406

The expensive model: Giant TCR Advanced SL

With the TCR Advanced SL Giant wants to give the Team BikeExchange the best mountain machine in the peloton (in the picture Simon Yates at Paris-Nice). In the most important discipline for this, the bike is far ahead: only 6.6 kilos is the weight of the pro bike we tested - one of the lightest disc racers in the peloton. This is mainly due to the Cadex wheels with Carbon spokeswhich are aerodynamically good. However, they can only alleviate the biggest weakness of the frameset, its moderate aerodynamics: The TCR is not made for sprints and solo escapes.

Facts about the Giant TCR Advanced SL

• Price 11699 Euro
• Weight 6.6 kilos
• Aerodynamics 227 watts****
• Info www.giant-bicycles.com

Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 799/378/46 grammes

Drive/gear shift SRAM Red eTap AXS (2x12, 48/35, 10-33 t.)

Brakes SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm)

Wheels/tyres (weights)***** Cadex 42 Carbon/Cadex Race 25 mm (f./h. 1,112/1,398X grams)

*Weighed weights. **Manufacturer's specification, test size bold. ***Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach)1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position. ****Aerodynamics Theoretical pedalling power required to overcome the air resistance at 45 km/h, measured in a wind tunnel with a pedalling dummy leg. *****Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.