Test: The Giant TCR has been one of the most successful racing bikes on the professional scene for years. However, over time, more and more recreational athletes and hobby drivers also found fun in the Giant TCR models, which have always been known for their high-quality workmanship and balanced race performance. Of course, the models have been continuously developed and improved year after year, as befits a long-running favourite. One of the biggest cuts came from the introduction of disc brakes, which required the entire frame design to be redesigned. Nevertheless, Giant is also pursuing a line of wheels with rim brakes, allowing fans of classic concepts modern driving fun at the highest level. This is also the case with the new Giant TCR Advanced 1, which is based on the high-end TCR Disc but is still equipped with rim brakes. You can find out what the bike is ultimately capable of here!
Speed, weight, stiffness, handling and comfort - these are the factors that characterize a racing bike. The art is to harmonize and coordinate all areas. However, manufacturers often only focus on their top models during development and then transfer these concepts to the cheaper models and entry-level variants. But especially for a beginner in the sporty racing bike sport, it is crucial to have a well-balanced bike under your butt, because with little experience it is often difficult to compensate for the deficits of the bike with riding skills and your own performance. For example, a very stiff frame is also correspondingly direct and aggressive in handling and needs to be mastered by the driver. But if you are just less experienced, such a bike can quickly no longer be fun.
With the new Giant TCR Advanced, the developers have based themselves on the TCR top model with disc brakes, but have not simply broken down the concept onto the entry-level platform and designed it for rim brakes, but have also used clever manipulations to ensure that the TCR Advanced 1 is a balanced and sporty entry-level model will bring a lot of driving pleasure.
Giant Advanced TCR 1 – The performance factors at a glance
To enable this alignment and to get a complete driving experience, the Giant TCR Advanced focused on four performance factors. The main goal: An efficient road bike with just the right balance between stiffness, low weight and the right comfort on the road. All factors combined with improved aerodynamics for extra speed.
The main reason for this balance is probably the advanced-grade composite fiber of the TCR Advanced frame, which sheds every unnecessary gram and still provides the stiffness required for an efficient riding style. Here, the "Modified Monocoque Construction" system was used, through which the front triangle can be formed in an in-house manufacturing process as a continuous part. For the advanced carbon frame, the series production was changed from the ground up, so that the set weighs 1266 grams including the seat post.
In order to bring the fibers into the fastest form, the frame of the Giant TCR Advanced 1 was tested under real conditions with a pedaling rider, spinning wheels and 2 drinking bottles in the frame in the wind tunnel. Each tube shape has been analyzed, engineered and tested to produce an overall structure with significantly lower drag over a wider range of yaw angles. According to the manufacturer, the Giant TCR Advanced should be around 40 seconds faster than its predecessor on a 200km lap with 34 watts of power. For orientation at 200 watts on average, our tester averaged about 30 km/h, so definitely not just an advantage in the high-speed or race area.
But since all the improvements would hardly be of any use if you don't get good handling and pleasant comfort, the Giant also focuses on these points in particular. Among other things, the OverDrive steerer system and the MegaDrive down tube ensure precise handling. The frame in combination with the Variant seat post was developed for an ideal mixture of aerodynamics and flexibility and also provides extra comfort on longer rides.
TCR Advanced – geometry and seating position
Some changes have also been made to the geometry and seating position of the new TCR Advanced. Among other things, the wheelbase grew by 4 to 5 mm across all sizes. In addition, the small frame sizes got a little more reach, which means that you should definitely sit on smaller models in a sporty way. In addition, the head tube length has been reduced by 3 mm everywhere. Steep seat and head angles and the still very short wheelbase with short chain stays ensure a lot of agility, directness and a sporty riding experience. For beginners who want to take it a little easier, we recommend choosing the next larger frame to be a little more relaxed on the road.
Giant TCR Advanced Geometry
| XS | S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 490 | 520 | 540 | 560 | 580 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 515 | 530 | 545 | 560 | 575 |
| head tube (in mm) | 105 | 125 | 145 | 165 | 185 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 422 | 422 | 422 | 422 | 422 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 71 | 72 | 72.5 | 73 | 73.3 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 75 | 74.5 | 74 | 73.5 | 73.1 |
| Reach (mm) | 373 | 377 | 380 | 384 | 388 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 529 | 551 | 572 | 593 | 613 |
This is how the Giant TCR Advanced drives!
The Giant TCR Advanced 1 shines in a matt black carbon look and white lettering, making it look extremely high quality. The curved shapes and rounded edges also convey high quality and first-class workmanship. Our test bike came in the variant with rim brakes, a mechanical Shimano Ultegra 11-speed group and in-house wheels and attachments. The features, which are only introduced very late in the frame and disturb the otherwise clean picture, are a bit ugly.
As soon as you tried the TCR Advanced for the first time, you could feel that it was a bit different compared to its predecessor. The revised tube shapes in combination with the improved carbon layup ensure great power transmission. This is not only noticeable through explosive acceleration and made life a lot easier for us after unwanted stops such as at traffic lights, but also offered its advantages uphill and on flat sections of the route. Thanks to the improved aerodynamics, you could have quite a bit of fun and let it run properly even without high-profile wheels. The aforementioned OverDrive steerer system and MegaDrive down tube are probably the main culprits when it comes to handling. This is extremely precise and direct, which allowed us to really have fun on descents and take turns at high speeds. Both properties complement each other so well that you only want to ride technical sections with many accelerations. But be careful: As agile as the bike is, we missed a little smoothness at higher speeds. Less critical for experienced athletes, but for beginners this can quickly become a problem, which makes you feel uncomfortable. So it's best to take it easy and approach the higher speed.
On the other hand, the seating comfort is again very pleasant, the Giant TCR Advanced is still a bit hard at the front, especially thanks to its seat post and the in-house saddle, which offers enough flex to be comfortable even on bumpy routes. The tubeless tires also support this driving experience.
The other add-on parts and components fit into the overall concept without much fuss and work as they should. Of course, we had to get used to riding a bike with rim brakes again after many kilometers exclusively on disc bikes. Of course, the braking power and performance cannot be compared to that of disc brakes, but after a while you get used to the usability of the rim brakes and get along with them so well.
All photos: © Enrico Wagner/Velomotion
