Giant TCR Advanced Pro 105 Carbon Disc Road Bike - L 58cm

Back in 1997, Giant introduced a bike to the racing world that fundamentally changed the industry. That bike was the Mike Burrows designed TCR.

It was unusual in that it featured a sloping top tube as well as smaller front and rear triangles. After initial resistance from the UCI (the frame was banned) the improved stiffness, lower weight and more responsive handling of the Compact Road geometry, Giant's TCR was much imitated and it remains the bedrock of all modern sloping and compact frame geometries. The TCR has remained in the range ever since and is the mainstay of their race range.

For the 2016 season, to celebrate 20 years of the TCR (it was designed in 1995/6) Giant had the desire to re-design the TCR platform to be equally as impactful as it's forbear. With enhanced carbon engineering and resin processes the all new TCR Advanced has lost a serious amount of weight without sacrificing it's best-in-class stiffness. As ever its precise handling is it's hallmark and the TCR Advanced is a beautifully reactive bike to ride, delivering the rider confidently into the corners and launching them out the other side without a sniff of instability.

While the TCR is predominantly a race bike platform with it's aggressive, aero position and longer top tube, prospective purchasers certainly shouldn't rule it out based on the moniker. The re-working of the frame and the introduction of Giant's new Variant seatpost means that the TCR Advanced range is more comfortable than ever, keeping you fresh on longer rides.

Giant only uses the finest quality Japanese Torayca carbon fibre in all their frames:  the ‘Advanced’ a T700 and the ‘Advanced SL’ a T800 fibre.  

While the Advanced Pro has more in common with the SL, it also shares much with the Advanced range. Giant produce the TCR Advanced and Advanced Pro with the same T700 fibre and the distinctions between the Advanced and PRO ranges come down to the finishing kit, steerer tube material on the fork (Aluminium on the Advanced and Carbon on the Pro / SL), Headset/headtube interface (traditional tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" on the Advanced) and wheels. Fundamentally then, the TCR Advanced range offers serious value for those looking to get the most for their money or wish to take a longer upgrade path. 

Aside from the entry level Advanced 3, the range uses Giant's aluminium PR2 (or PR2 Disc) wheelset with finishing kit also standardised throughout in the form of Contact and Connect handlebar and stem. Giant's Contact Forward saddles adorn all models and sit on top of Giant's impressively comfortable Variant carbon seatpost. This makes viewing the range pretty simple from a potential purchase perspective, since the only thing to consider is groupset and this will largely be dictated by budget.

Giant were one of the first to heavily commit to the disc brake revolution in their carbon Defy ranges for 2016. It is no surprise then that 2017 sees the technology filter into their TCR range and their are 3 bikes on offer, including this Advanced 1 Disc model. Mounting disc brakes to frames that have been optimised for performance presents unique challenges. The most obvious of these is the potential addition of weight, the less obvious is the need to mount the caliper and rotor without interfering with the geometry of the bike, which is what ultimately lends the TCR it's renowned ride feel and responsiveness. Both these problems have been addressed with clever engineering. Giant employ a flat-mount caliper similar to Cannondale and this helps minimise weight on the frame. Unlike other brands though, rather than lengthen the chain and seat stays in order to house the new technology (less of an issue on endurance bikes), Giant have come up with a clever spacing option on the rear axle which allows for the additional space required but that does not interfere with the handling of the bike. In addition, Giant use their own disc-specific hubs and forks which neatly employ 12mm Thru-axle technology to maintain front end stiffness and sure-footed handling.

The new TCR Advanced 2 DISC uses Shimano's 105 5800 11 speed components in conjunction with Giant's TRP engineered CONDUCT hydraulic brakes that combine cable pull from the lever with hydraulic actuation at the rotors and 160mm discs for improved control and stopping power in all conditions, while the legendary TCR handling remains.

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