Each week in our tech Q&A series, we tackle your most intriguing cycling queries with insights from the BikeRadar team and trusted industry experts. This time, we delve into whether an older high-end bike can really ride better than a newer model – or if it’s all in your head.
I own and ride a 2022 Giant TCR Advanced Pro but was surprised by how much better my pal’s older 2018 Wilier Cento Air Disc felt on a test ride. I’m not sure if this improvement is real or simply perception, based off things like nostalgia and aesthetics. Can older premium bikes really outperform newer ones? Paul, via email
Several of the tech team here at BikeRadar ride a Giant TCR, with senior technical editor Warren Rossiter owning a 2018 model.
While more recent iterations have seen tweaks such as increased tyre clearance, internally routed brake hoses and a small reduction in frame weight, these changes generally haven’t been sufficient to warrant an upgrade just yet for Warren.
The main issue that could affect that, though, is the matter of tyre clearances. Warren’s 2018 TCR will accommodate a maximum of 28mm tyres, the same as the Wilier Cento Air.
The more recent trend for wider tyres brings a whole host of potential benefits; improved comfort, reduced rolling resistance and a greater level of grip are all worthy of upping the rubber.
However, if you’re limited on tyre clearance, you’d have to switch out for a new frame at the least before you could experience these benefits.
It’s certainly curious that you’ve found the Wilier Cento Air to feel speedier compared to your own TCR. The Wilier is an aero road bike rather than an all-rounder race rig, and has a slightly less aggressive front end, slacker head tube angle and slightly longer wheelbase when compared to a TCR of the same top tube length. This will likely make the Wilier feel more stable at speed in a straight line, especially combined with the aero-centred design.
It’s worth remembering that the Cento Air was one of Wilier’s top-end models at the time too, made with the highest grades of carbon fibre available in 2018. Weighing in at 990g for the frameset, that was impressive for an aero design at the time. Compare that to your TCR, which is Giant’s second-tier carbon fibre layup as the Advanced Pro model.
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Thirdly, it could be that the Wilier is better aligned with your personal preferences. While Warren enjoys the relative simplicity of the TCR, which has barely changed in terms of its solid geometry over the years, with an agile feel, there will of course be others who prefer different models.
You can certainly save some cash when it comes to buying premium second-hand bikes rather than new ones, and with the number of uncertainties and tariff implementations in the world right now, that may only become a more popular choice as new bike prices head skyward.
Whether old bikes are explicitly better than new ones is a tough one to argue, but it sounds as though you may have found a bike that suits you well – and that’s more important than a recent model year.
Do you have a cycling question you want answered? Every month, we’ll select the most interesting questions and bring you an expert-level response from our unparalleled access to the greatest minds in cycling, both on the BikeRadar staff and across the industry. Send your questions to podcast@bikeradar.com
