udden constriction of free time

A sudden constriction of free time caused by the recent arrival of my first child has played its part, but the bigger issues of another national lockdown and the treacherous winter conditions, have largely confined me and the TCR to the smart trainer these past couple of months. Well done Giant. if I still raced, but an all-round bike such as the TCR is a little more versatile and easier to live with. 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). Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. 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. My size medium/large (ML) weighs 7.87kg with the included composite out-front computer mount, but without pedals or bottle cages. Its a little too short and far too wide for my tastes right now. Its not been love at first sit, but the flat shape is possibly something I could get used to. Trying to detect aero improvements from the wheels or frame is a fools errand unless you have. 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. 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. If only Schwalbe would finally release the tan wall version in the UK, I could sleep soundly. These cranks both have larger 130BCD chainrings though, meaning they would increase the gear ratios slightly. Officially, the TCR is intended for use on paved roads only, so in that sense, its a no. If youre looking for a bike to race criteriums though, this years TCR perhaps edges away from that a little bit. Ive never felt like its held the bike back in any way. The RRP has increased, but relative to other bikes on the market the TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc still represents pretty good value for money. Despite a price increase since 2020, I also think this particular model in the TCR range represents excellent value compared to the competition. The smoothness is likely helped in part by the tubeless wheels and tyres. Canyon reckons it can save up to 3 watts in extreme cases. The Shimano 105 R7000 hydraulic disc STI levers are a bit chunkier than the rim brake versions. For a final point of comparison I recently returned to my 2009 Giant TCR Advanced SL. 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. The Advanced Pro 2 model comes with a complete. Others will doubtless feel differently (and many have told me so in the comments), but for me, its a dealbreaker. Its a minor point, but testing by aero wheel pioneers such as HED and Zipp has shown that rims need to be around 105 per cent of the width of the tyre to maintain optimum aero performance. Because of the 1 inch oversized steerer tube, aftermarket stem options are very limited, meaning Ill most likely have to get a direct replacement for the stem from Giant. Giant does also have other, more premium, racing tyre options, that can be used on these wheels if youre looking for those marginal gains. , but I believe in physics and Ive little doubt the redesigned truncated ellipse tube shapes are likely more aerodynamically efficient than they were previously, works as flawlessly as youd expect. I think it also looks very cool. Fortunately, it was a relatively dry day. Other than those things though, its hard to pinpoint anything else that needs upgrading. Being part of the Giant/Cadex family, its fully compatible with the wheels (something Ive covered in detail in an earlier update; see below) and promises a mixture of speed, grip and puncture resistance suitable for rough roads. 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. The obvious problem is that tyres are a consumable item, whether simply through wear or damage, so you will have to replace them eventually. One of the big selling points for this new generation TCR is the increased tyre clearance (disc brake TCRs can now accommodate tyres up to 70032c), so Id been keen on testing it out with some big but racy tyres. Would I buy it? Its been just over a year since Giants TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc arrived for testing, and that means its time to wrap up this epic and give you my final conclusions. Get a Snycros iS Couple bottle cage when you subscribe to Mountain Biking UK today! Theres an 11-30t cassette out back. Im currently testing Faveros Assioma Duo pedals, and these would fit seamlessly onto the original 105 R7000 cranks. It also receives a standard telescoping seatpost, rather than the integrated seatpost Advanced SL models have. As were always saying, better tyres are one of the cheapest, easiest and best ways to upgrade your bike. Giant is explicitly saying that tyres not on its approved list are unsafe to use on its hookless road rims. 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. The hubs take centerlock disc brake rotors and have 12mm thru-axles front and rear. 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. 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. Giants website also now includes information on tyres that failed its testing protocol. My only notable reservation is around the wheels, and their current lack of tyre compatibility with third-party options (more on this later). As previously discussed, the 2021 Giant and Cadex carbon wheels are based around a new hookless rim design. Shimanos 105 R7000 groupset is still going strong. Its amazing how much motivation a virtual group ride can elicit. You also need to pick your lines carefully and avoid big holes. As I mentioned in my last update, Id been excited to finally try the TCR out with some faster, wider tyres. 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. Unofficially, though, it handles fantastically and can certainly be used on light gravel, farm tracks and the like, especially if its dry. Saddle choice can be highly personal, though, so its not necessarily a bad one. Reach hasnt gone down on all sizes though, instead Giant has tweaked both stack and reach figures across the range to make the jumps between sizes a little more consistent. They feel okay on the road, but theyre not competitive in terms of weight (Giant quotes 375g per tyre, which is around 110g heavier per tyre than a 28mm Schwalbe Pro One TLE), and their 60TPI (Threads Per Inch) casings suggest rolling resistance figures wont wow either. Fully integrated cable routing, for example, is great for cutting drag. While the 2009 bike still impresses, the 2021 TCR is undoubtedly far more refined, particularly in how it balances stiffness and ride quality (the 2009 TCR feels extremely rigid in comparison). The TCR Advanced Pro Disc is the second-tier frameset in the TCR range. Ive been using this bike for cheery jaunts with friends, fast group rides, solo training rides and Ive even taken it on a tiny amount of gravel. One thing that has changed in the interim is the price. I would have chosen a full-on aero road bike such as. As the TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc has a Shimano BB86 press-fit bottom bracket, I can use the SRM from my 2009 TCR Advanced SL, but I could also use a recently acquired Verve Infocrank Classic 24mm because it fits a Shimano bottom bracket too. The Shimano 105 R7000 crankset has 52/36t chainrings. I suspect many, if not most, dedicated cyclists will change at least one of those components after buying a new bike, and besides it being an added cost, it also feels a little wasteful to be left with unwanted components. Other than the odd puncture, nothing on the TCR has broken or gone wrong, which is a testament to Giants manufacturing quality. Simon writes reviews and features on power meters, smart trainers, aerodynamic bikes and kit, and nerdy topics like chain lubricants, tyres and pro bike tech. Some choose a bike from their favoured discipline and ride it hard for a year, others opt for a bike that takes them outside of their comfort zone. Some soapy water and removing the valve cores helped, and I only needed a standard track pump to seat the beads. 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. Ill likely look at replacing them with something better looking when they wear out. The Shimano 105 drivetrain continues to perform excellently. The chainstays remain short at 405mm, and the wheelbase has increased 6mm to 991mm. , 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. 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. There are a number of different specs to choose from in the Advanced Pro Disc range, with the main variation being the level of groupset. Its plenty stiff without being overly harsh, handles fantastically and looks great. The TCR Advanced Pro 2 Disc handled itself impressively on the off-road sections. 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 second-hand). Personally, I wouldnt buy the wheels as things stand, though. 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. Cheap wheels and tyres are so often the weak point for race bikes, and Giant has got the balance right here. The only thing I changed before riding was to remove the chain and strip the factory grease from it, so I could throw it in the slow cooker with some wax and get it properly lubricated. SUMMER SALE | Try 3 issues of Cycling Plus magazine for 5 + Get a pair of Lusso cycling socks! As I mentioned in my initial review one of the very first things I knew I wanted to change was the fit. The handlebar is an updated version of Dedas Surperzero handlebar we reviewed in 2017. 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). Set-up was easy. , but its still in classic road race bike territory. Is this stem going to make you faster while riding along in a straight line? Installing the Cadex Classics tubeless tyres was very easy. Given the 2021 TCR Advanced SL Disc frameset has an RRP of 2,399, getting a full bike with an outwardly very similar frame and carbon wheels for only 600 more looks like great value on paper. The paint job is a clear gloss coat over the carbon frame with painted logos in chrysocolla (which is a green-blue sparkly mineral). Consequently I cant shake the feeling that, even with the more premium options, I could still be missing out on some cheap speed. Its a little heavier, and it doesnt have the bling factor of Ultegra or. 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. First of all, it inevitably meant updating my FTP setting, and in one fell swoop all my future workouts got quite a bit harder. As weve commented elsewhere though, it appears that some wheel manufacturers (including Giant in this instance) have raced ahead of tyre manufacturers, perhaps forgetting that the two are integral to each other. Ill look at swapping the stem for a 120mm or 130mm option and the handlebars for something around 36 to 38cm with a deeper drop, perhaps with an aero top-section too. 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 new TCR is an extremely competent road bike. I would probably want to do this anyway because it maintains the aesthetic integration with the new aero-profiled headset spacers, but its something to be aware of. These changes all point towards a bike thats slightly less aggressive and a little more stable and slower handling than the previous model. To see all of theBikeRadarteams 2020 bikes and stay up-to-date with the latest developments visit our long-term review hub. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? The only deviation from Shimano in the drivetrain is the KMC X11 SL-1 chain. Before joining BikeRadar, Simon was a freelance writer and photographer, with work published on BikeRadar.com, Cyclingnews.com and in CyclingPlus magazine. 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. 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. At the start of the year, every member of theBikeRadarteam selects a long-term test bike to ride over the course of the following 12 months. A Google search throws up a number of people complaining about the same problem, so, disappointingly, I dont believe this is an isolated issue. However, in my experience, this usually means compromises elsewhere in the spec, most often at the wheels. Its a bike that hasnt just blindly followed all of the latest trends but delivers in spades on what actually matters, on almost every front. I ran the tyres tubeless, with 60ml of sealant per tyre. Tyres are so integral to a bikes performance and it would be disappointing if compatibility with third-party manufacturers is so limited. 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. This affects the angle and reach of the drops too, as well as the orientation of the aerofoil top section. The fact that it was dry helped, of course. For general riding around Bristol though, the 11-30t cassette should provide sufficient range when paired with the stock 52/36t chainrings up front. Ill give the saddle a little more time before I decide whether to swap it out or not. 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. Trail, the horizontal difference between the tyre contact patch and the steering axis, has also increased by 2mm to 59.2mm. Its not that there are no good options on the list the Schwalbe Pro One TLE and Cadex Classics tyres Ive tested this past year are both excellent options but Im not yet convinced the purported benefits of hookless technology outweigh the negatives, such as restricted tyre choice (Ive gone in to why in exhaustive detail in previous updates below). 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. 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. 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. One great bonus was that the wheels came set up tubeless, with sealant added. Ideally, Id like to try something fast such as the Schwalbe Pro One TT or perhaps atyre from Challenges new HTLR range, but Ill have to wait for Giants updated compatibility list to find out whats approved. I think, Ideally, Id like to try something fast such as the. 42cm bars are undoubtedly the current de facto standard on bikes of this size across the industry, but theyre not for me. 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. The Giant SLR-1 42mm tubeless carbon wheels are 24mm wide externally, 19mm internally and have hookless rims. While some in our group opted for off-road shoes and cleats, I stuck with road shoes and Favero Assioma Duo power meter pedals. Its a curious change because as well as interfering with my knees, it also leaves a greater amount of exposed cable compared to the 2020 frame, which isnt good from an aero perspective. The next thing I want to change is the stem and handlebar set up. 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. As the world of road bikes has pushed increasingly towards optimising features such as aerodynamics, it started to look as if the TCR, with its almost singular focus on its stiffness to weight ratio, was arguably being left behind. 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 can probably tell, Im quite torn with this bike at this point. 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. My initial impressions of it still largely stand true. Cadexs new Classics tubeless tyre is a racy tyre beefed up to handle rough roads. Theres still plenty of room left in the frame and fork too. But that doesnt solve the issue of whether youll always be able to get your hands on those tyres at short notice if you need them urgently, or whether your bike shop of choice whether online or in the real world will be sufficiently informed enough to ensure they dont inadvertently sell you a set of unapproved (and therefore unsafe) tyres. Id fitted some 32mm Schwalbe Pro One TLE tyres to the TCR, but hadnt made any other concessions to off-road conditions. Had it rained, mud and grip would have been bigger issues, especially when descending. 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. 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. 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. 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). , but it works brilliantly and I think the black finish looks very smart, at least when its brand new. Supply of compatible tyres isnt limited online (however, Giant and Cadex tyres arent available from all major retailers, such as Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and Evans), so you could stock up on spares and carry them with you to avoid such a situation, but thats quite an inconvenience. As we rolled out, I did wonder whether I might be under-biked. The 2021 TCR saw a welcome change in design parameters though, with overhauled tube shapes and an increased focus on all-round efficiency. Simon hopes the latest TCR might be the perfect all-round road bike at a great price. Stay tuned for the next update. If properly maintained, Id expect this bike to last a very long time. The frameset is excellent and it features a number of great components, but theres simply no denying that the tyre compatibility issue just hasnt improved to the degree Id hoped. , on bikes at a similar price point. With lockdown restrictions easing and a glorious period of warm, sunny weather after my initial review was published, Ive had plenty of time to get out and ride this bike (in between racing my time-trial bike). 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. 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. That meant a slightly longer stem and a narrower, deeper handlebar. I wasnt so immediately enamoured with the saddle. Its also an interesting build at a key price point. The frameset, yes, in a heartbeat. Despite the explosion of interest in gravel and adventure cycling, Im a roadie at heart. The only real negative I discovered on my first ride was that my knees occasionally hit the gear cables when climbing out of the saddle. Overall, the spec is very solid. Since then, iterations of the TCR have regularly featured in our Bike of the Year tests, with a cheaper model winning the coveted award outright in 2018. Raphas A Day In Hell a Paris-Roubaix tribute ride organised by the brands regional teams provided a perfect opportunity. The kind of thing you sometimes see on sprinters bikes. Ive long been a convert to the benefits of indoor training, though. The stiff front end doesnt make it a comfortable ride off-road, but the handling remains precise and confident. 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. . 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. 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. The most notable of those is probably the new 2021 Canyon Aeroad. , but the flat shape is possibly something I could get used to. The Advanced Pro 2 is the only model in the Advanced Pro range that doesnt come with a Giant PowerPro power meter specced though, because its only available on Ultegra level cranksets. Pedalling stiffness is more than adequate for someone like me. 3,000 is a lot of money to spend on a bike, but you could, The only thing I changed before riding was to remove the chain and strip the factory grease from it, so I could throw it in the slow cooker with some wax and get it, The smoothness is likely helped in part by the. The Giant SLR-1 42 wheels are shod in Giants Gavia Course 1 25mm tubeless tyres. There are only five approved tyres by third-party manufacturers three from Maxxis and two from Schwalbe. 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. This means the frame is built with Giants Advanced level carbon fibre, rather than the Advanced SL carbon found on the more expensive SL models. 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. My 36cm handlebar didnt present any handling issues on the rough stuff. 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. Given this, it looks like the best choice for racing might be Schwalbes Pro One TLE, which Giant has approved for use on its hookless rims. Simon joined BikeRadar in 2020, but has been riding bikes all his life, and racing road and time trial bikes for over a decade. I think a tan wall option would provide a great visual contrast to the gloss black frame too. Details of the testing protocol are now also publicly available on Giants website. If thats the case, its likely the review score will change again to reflect this. Its worth noting you can easily find Shimano Ultegra R8000, or occasionally even Ultegra Di2, on bikes at a similar price point. 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). Its possible this issue could be solved simply by shortening the cables a few centimetres though, so they hug the head tube more closely. They come in what is without a doubt the fanciest box Ive ever seen for a road tyre. Tyres from popular brands like Continental, Vittoria and Pirelli are explicitly ruled out. However, in my experience, this usually means compromises elsewhere in the spec, most often at the wheels. I wish more brands would offer a choice of handlebar widths and stem lengths when purchasing a bike. And thats all before we consider that tyres are one of the most important components on any bike in determining performance. 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. Thats been quite useful though, because its provided plenty of opportunities to compare this bike to its peers. Other people may get on with it straight away, but Ill need a few more rides to decide whether were going to be long-term friends or not.

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