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Pro bike: Giant unveils proto 2009 TCR Advanced

Cavendish has swapped from a Selle Italia Signo saddle to the company's Thoork model.

  • Mark Cavendish finds himself on a new version of Giant's TCR Advanced frame for the 2008 season.
  • Giant developed the new TCR Advanced SL Team with input from its pro riders.
  • Team riders say the front end is noticeably stiffer than the current version.
  • A raised rib runs along the the top tube & carries through along the outside of the head tube.
  • The new fork bears a strong resemblance to the current version…
  • …but it is fitted with a tapered & oversized 1 1/8
  • Square profile tubes abound on the new frame.
  • The seat tube is rectangular at the bottom bracket, & becomes round & narrow at the saddle clamp
  • Shimano press-fit bottom bracket cups shed weight…
  • …& also allow for a substantially wider (& stiffer) down tube.
  • Last year's aluminum dropouts look to have been replaced by carbon fiber units.
  • The rear end boasts three-sided seat stays.
  • Team High Road carries into 2008 with Shimano Dura-Ace componentry.
  • PRO provides the team with its bars & stems. Aluminum is still a very popular choice among the pros.
  • Cavendish prefers an anatomic bend.
  • As in previous years, Team High Road continues to train & compete with SRM power meters.
  • SRM's new sensor mount is put to good use here. Wires are still internally routed.
  • A Dura-Ace front derailleur is offered a stable foundation by the riveted braze-on mount.
  • Cavendish will start out the Tour of California this year with a tight 11-23T Dura-Ace cassette.
  • Shimano's wheels have come a long way as shown by its excellent WH-7850-C50-TU carbon hoops.
  • Schwalbe's Ultremo tubulars are carefully glued to the team's rims.
  • Spoke nipples have moved from the hub to the rim.
  • Both hubs sport a more angular look than previous generations.
  • Giant won't say if the pass-through rear brake cable routing will make production.
  • Cavendish has swapped from a Selle Italia Signo saddle to the company's Thoork model.

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Cavendish has swapped from a Selle Italia Signo saddle to the company's Thoork model.

© James Huang, technical editor