Giant’s new TCR Advanced SL is noticeably stiffer and more comfortable than the previous version. It looks better, too, especially in top-flight trim as seen here with SRAM Red and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels.James Huang
The Dura-Ace version is only slightly more sedate with a purposely black-and-white paint job.James Huang
The new TCR Advanced SL’s defining feature is arguably the tremendously reinforced head tube which houses a tapered and oversized 1 1/8″-to-1 1/4″ steerer tube.James Huang
The top tube and down tube of the TCR Advanced SL is actually a bit wider than the head tube. Fore-aft stiffness under braking and steering precision were superb.James Huang
How much stiffness do you want? The TCR Advanced SL’s top tube flares noticeably up front.James Huang
The matching fork’s stout legs and 1 1/4″ steerer tube base make for a noticeably reassuring feel when the stoppers are clamped hard.James Huang
The huge down tube uses a rounded rectangular profile that contributes to the claimed 42 percent increase in overall rigidity over the previous TCR Advanced.James Huang
Naturally, the giant down tube also provides plenty of room for a correspondingly huge logo.James Huang
Giant’s use of the new press-fit bottom bracket format allows the down tube to reach roughly 80mm across in width.James Huang
The seat tube certainly isn’t much narrower at the bottom bracket, either, and the asymmetric chain stays are wide-set, too.James Huang
The trick rear brake cable routing apparently isn’t just for show; it virtually guarantees that you’ll never rub your leg on the housing and the centered position underneath the down tube easily accommodates reverse-style lever setups.James Huang
In spite of current trends, Giant is sticking with one-piece aluminum dropouts and fork tips instead of carbon fiber.James Huang
Giant was ridiculed ten years for its then-radical compact frame geometries but few are still laughing now.James Huang
Production TCR Advanced SL bikes will all be equipped with integrated seatmasts. Bare frames will be offered with standard posts but the integrated design actually flexes more fore-aft for increased comfort.James Huang
The newly refined seatmast head is far cleaner looking and offers 10mm or 23mm of setup simply by flipping the clamp hardware 180 degrees.James Huang
Giant’s ‘Fusion’ process is used at the seat cluster on the new TCR Advanced SL. The joint is wrapped but then re-baked in a mold for better compaction and joint strength.James Huang
Relatively slim seat stays contribute to the (reasonably) comfy rear end. Standard seatpost versions sport a deeper seat tube profile than the roughly round shape of the ISP frame.James Huang
The standard TCR Advanced is all-new as well and while it uses slightly lesser materials, the overall feel is very similar to the full-blown TCR Advanced SL.James Huang
The TCR Advanced’s head tube is also noticeably oversized and houses a 1 1/8″-to-1 1/4″ steerer tube.James Huang
There’s a lot of beef up here and the solid front end promises sharp handling and braking.James Huang
Standard TCR Advanced frames are equipped with conventional aero-profiled seatposts and a slightly cutout in the seat tube.James Huang