The new TCR builds on innovations of the bikes that came before it, achieving greater efficiency, improved aerodynamics, and more seamless integration to elevate the road riding experience. Much has changed in road bikes over the past quarter century, but through it all the TCR has remained at the forefront of innovation. It’s a bike that has kept its focus on one core mission: to give riders a competitive edge in all aspects of road riding and racing.
The original TCR made its debut 28 years ago. Created for the pro racers of Team ONCE, it was an immediate game-changer, signaling the end of one era of road bikes, and the start of another. Now, over a quarter century later, the 10th generation TCR represents years of continual advancements in road bike innovation, packing everything Giant has learned from working with the best professional athletes, engineers, and product designers into the ultimate all-rounder road racing machine.
GENERATION X
The 10th generation TCR carries on a tradition that began 28 years ago. It’s the result of a team effort involving Giant product developers, our in-house aerodynamics team, and the athletes and team technicians from Team Jayco-AlUla. The flagship model of the new range, the TCR Advanced SL, is the lightest, most efficient TCR ever. The entire range also features innovative new features that are largely made possible by new construction techniques.
It's about saving watts, but also about making the most of your road riding experience. Stiffness and weight matter, but not at the expense of ride quality or control. Internal cable routing and a more integrated cockpit improve aerodynamics and offer a cleaner profile, but not at the cost of overly complicated maintenance and adjustment.
KEY PERFORMANCE FACTORS
SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION
The frameset, wheels, cockpit and other parts are engineered, developed and tested together to perform best as a system. The all-new OverDrive Aero steerer tube technology is combined with a Contact SLR AeroLight stem and Contact SLR handlebar to incorporate internal cable routing that also integrates the top cap, cables and spacers in a more aerodynamic, user-friendly setup.
WINNING EFFICIENCY
Featuring a greater stiffness-to-weight ratio than the previous generation, along with new aero tube shaping and a lighter overall weight, this uncompromising race bike delivers explosive acceleration and unyielding pedaling stiffness. The result is race-winning performance in the moments that count.
INTEGRATED AERODYNAMICS
All tube shapes were engineered and developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind-tunnel testing. From the truncated ellipse shape of frameset tubing to a new cockpit design and component integration, it all adds up to a more streamlined profile that gives the frameset a 2.28-watt aero advantage over the previous generation.
OVERDRIVE AERO
The fork has a new D-shaped steerer tube with corresponding spacers that, in addition to improving aerodynamics, also allow the brake and shifter cables or wires to be internally routed through the handlebars, stem and frame/fork for a cleaner profile. This keeps cables hidden from the wind while minimizing the complexities associated with many of today’s road bikes that have completely internal routing.
NEW COCKPIT COMPONENTS
The new Contact SLR AeroLight and Contact SL AeroLight stems used in the TCR range are designed exclusively for the OverDrive Aero system. They feature streamlined shaping and a channel to route all cables and housing for ease of adjustment and maintenance. The superlight and stiff Contact SLR AeroLight stem that comes on higher end models weighs just 123g (100mm), while the aluminum Contact SL weighs 161g.
INTEGRATED SEATPOSTS
Beyond the cockpit, the new TCR range features two seatpost systems depending on the series. The new TCR Advanced SL is crafted with the signature ISP as part of the frameset, an integrated design that saves 40g, improves aerodynamics, and is more compliant than the previous generation ISP. The TCR Advanced Pro and Advanced series use the Variant composite seatpost.
WHEELSYSTEMS
All models feature CADEX or Giant WheelSystems that have been developed and tested for an optimal balance of efficiency, control and overall aerodynamic improvement. The WheelSystems are tubeless ready and fitted with either CADEX or Giant 28mm tubeless tires to provide maximum rolling efficiency and grip along with a reduced risk of punctures and easy setup.
CUTTING-EDGE COMPOSITE MATERIAL
To make the TCR Advanced SL frameset both lighter and stiffer, we create proprietary composite materials from premium raw carbon fiber in our own production facility. Advanced SL-grade composite sheet material, custom woven in Giant’s own manufacturing facility, is used throughout 80 percent of the overall structure to produce a lighter overall frame and fork weight without sacrificing stiffness.
COLD BLADE CUTTING
Whereas previous generations of TCR frames relied on laser-cut composite swatches, cold blade technology is now used to make ultra-precise cuts and eliminate the concern of deformation from excess heat. This translates into fewer (270) and more exacting swatches, which results in lighter overall frame weight.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
The TCR Advanced SL frameset features one-piece mold technology, an entirely new process that uses a single inner bladder (as opposed to the previous generation’s three bladders) to create a one-piece front triangle. The result is lighter overall frame weight without compromising stiffness or aerodynamic shaping.
PRO RACER APPROVED
Giant worked withTeam Jayco-AlUlariders to gather feedback during the development process of the flagship TCR Advanced SL series. At a pre-season training camp in Spain, Filippo Zana, Michael Matthews and Luke Plapp tested final iterations of pre-production models. “I’m super impressed with how this bike climbs, accelerates and feels out on the road,” said Zana. “It’s a great all-rounder bike and a top option for many races, from the one-day classics to tough mountain stages.”