Giant TCR Advanced SL Review

[wpcol_1third id=””class=””style””]

Get the fit right, however, and the Giant TCR Advanced SL proves a trusty, if somewhat stern, riding partner. Firm to the point of intransigence, the ride is also exceptionally stable and, allied to neutral steering that goes where it is pointed without getting carried away, feels as undemanding of concentration after four hours as it does after one.

But, it isn’t notably forgiving of rough roads. The super-stiff OverDrive2 steerer

Giant’s Contact OD2 stem and anatomic carbon ‘bars

[/wpcol_1third] [wpcol_1third id=”” class=”” style=””]

tube adds bending as well as torsional stiffness and is as effective at transmitting bumps as at rider input. The 1 ¼” steerer requires a dedicated stem with oversized clamp; Giant’s Contact OD2 stem is just such an item and, net-forged in one piece, is no piece of flimsy itself.

Indeed, there’s no component in the own-brand finishing kit of the Giant TCR Advanced SL that is anything but robust, from the anatomic carbon ‘bars to the grippy, durable P-SLR1 tyres and matching wheelset.

The wheels are, in fact, largely based on the DT Swiss Tri-Con design, omitting its grouping of spokes in threes in a version of the old “crow’s foot” technique but employing DT’s novel arrangement for spoke location at each end.

It works for DT Swiss and it works for Giant, keeping weight down while offering high spoke tension and the potential for tubeless tyre compatibility thanks to the hole-free (except valve hole…) rim well.

…………………………………………………………………..

“a proper road racing bike that

owes much of its design and

construction to the need to meet

the demands of pro bike racers…

…it is superb.”

…………………………………………………………………..

[/wpcol_1third] [wpcol_1third_end id=”” class=”” style=””]

[hdp-ad 24]
The rear dropouts

[/wpcol_1third_end]