Behold, a major new triathlon bike is born – Giant’s Trinity Advanced Pro, described as being ‘significantly faster’ than its UCI-legal TT brethren when its integrated storage and hydration systems are attached.
So what’s new? Well, more than 250 frame configurations were developed and tested using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) before the design was finalised, in close partnership with the Aero Concept Engineering facility in Magny-Cours, France.
What’s grabbed our attention though is the involvement of a dummy called Grischa – according to Giant, an exact 1:1 scale mannequin based on its test rider Grischa Niermann and featuring anatomically correct articulating legs. This apparently helped engineers measure drag not only in static terms, but also examine what it looks like when a rider is pedalling.
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In terms of aero gains, the triathlon-specific components are said to reduce drag by over the TT configuration by an average of 15 watts at 50kph across 0-30 degrees of yaw – which is impressive.
Comparing the finished design with four key competitors (Specialized Shiv, Trek Speed Concept, Scott Plasma 5, Cervelo P5-6) which were all outfitted with hydration and storage systems, Giant came up with the following table:
“We tested each of these bikes with and without their hydration and storage units with the goal of understanding which would be the most aerodynamic in a race-ready configuration,” said Giant’s Nixon Huang.
“The Trinity was competitive with the others when tested bare. And with the add-ons necessary for real-world triathlon racing, it was not only the fastest, but it was also the only bike that proved to be more aerodynamic with its hydration and storage components than without.”
Other highlights include an AeroDrive Tri fork that boasts a triathlon-specific 5:1 airfoil shape, and new AeroDrive Tri Base Bar, again featuring a 5:1 airfoil shape and a reversible design that offers 40mm of height adjustment. Both front and rear SpeedControl brakes are integrated and hidden from the wind, with the front brake designed to match the profile and trailing edge of the fork, and the rear featuring an innovative fairing that's claimed to save 3 watts of drag at 50 kph.
The integrated AeroVault System’s front hydration unit provides up to 700ml of volume, depending on frame size, with an easy-access port on top. Additional hydration comes with the AeroVault down tube bottle, a 440ml unit that’s hidden from the wind by the frame’s specially designed downtube.
The AeroVault storage box is integrated into the top tube behind the stem. It provides 290ml of storage for on-bike nutrition or spare items. Its shape improves aero performance and maximises standover height – a common weakness with aftermarket storage options. The soft cover allows access from either side of the box and stops water and sweat from getting inside. It can also house the junction box for Shimano Di2 models, allowing easy adjustments and battery charging.
Giant's Trinity Advanced Pro 1
The range is topped by the Giant Trinity Advanced Pro 0, featuring Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupset and costing $7,200 / AU$7,499 (British pricing has not yet been released). The Trinity Advanced Pro 1 will cost $4,950 / AU$5,999 and comes with Ultegra Di2, and the Trinity Advanced Pro 2 is priced at $3,400 / AU$3,999 with Ultegra mechanical. Four sizes of each will be available when it goes on sale in November.
The more affordable Giant Trinity Advanced
Giant has also created a more, shall we say, ‘attainable’, version of its flagship triathlon bike, called the Trinity Advanced. It features the same frame as the Advanced Pro series but comes without the AeroVault System, rear brake fairing or AeroDrive fork, stem and base bar. It will cost $2,250 / AU$2,999 when it goes on sale next month, with UK pricing again to be confirmed.
Trinity Advanced Pro TT frameset
The Trinity is also available in a time trial configuration, as a frameset only. It will include a UCI-legal fork, the AeroVault down tube water bottle, a specially designed AeroDrive TT composite base bar, and SpeedControl SL brakes. There's no word yet on US pricing, and it won't be available for sale in Australia.
