What is the Giant TCR?
The TCR is an all-round race bike that's designed as a jack of all trades for riders with good foundational fitness and good road bike handling skills.
It's geometry mimics that of Giant's Propel (the aero bike). Except it's lighter.
As a race bike, it's handling is definitely on the sharper (as opposed to the calmer) end of the range.
Giant's intent for the TCR is to be ridden at higher speeds; attacking and pushing the envelope.
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You'll love the TCR if...
If you're a rider who is comfortable riding at high-speeds and you
prefer a bike that changes directions fast with minimal input.
Riders that will enjoy the TCR most are:
- Those who have at least some (current/recent) experience riding a road bike.
- Those with good basic strength and cardio (because you'll be pushing harder gears).
- Those that have good flexibility (because the TCR places you in an aggressive position).
If you didn't tick any of the above...then you won't like the TCR.
Go with Giant's Defy instead.
You'll love that so much better.
Pinky promise.
Whoa, 3 different TCR? Yes ser.
Giant has 3 different TCR product lines:
- TCR Advanced
- TCR Advanced Pro
- TCR Advanced SL
Within each TCR family, there are a couple of price points.
We'll explain what each TCR is in the next section.
TCR Advanced. A new rider's weapon.
TCR Advanced road bikes are designed for riders who are buying their first decent road bike.
It actually uses the same frame as the higher level TCR Advanced Pro too.
The old TCR Advanced fork used a combo of aluminium and carbon.
The new one?
It’s now full-carbon; making the bike lighter and the front end more responsive.
For 2025, the range starts with the TCR Advanced 2 ($3,799.00).
This build kit uses the latest Shimano 105 12-speed group set and Giant alloy wheels.
It’s perfect for someone who wants to start out on an affordable-performance package.
Next is the TCR Advanced 1.
The difference between the Advanced 2 and Advanced 1 is the upgrade to Shimano’s latest 105 Di2 group set; semi-wireless electronic gears deliver smooth, fast and very reliable gear shifting.
TCR Advanced Pro. The sweet spot.
For 2025, Advanced Pro bikes get two upgrades over the Advanced bikes:
- Lighter/stiffer Advanced SL full-carbon fork.
- Carbon wheels.
The new Advanced SL fork upgrade delivers better front end steering and improved overall handling.
Giant has two TCR Advanced Pro models for riders:
- TCR Advanced Pro 1 $6,799.00
- TCR Advanced Pro 0 $8,199.00
The extra 1,400 bucks gets you the following:
- Carbon handlebars
- Better gears (Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic vs. Shimano 105 Di2 electronic)
- Better brakes (Shimano Ultegra)
- Better wheels (Giant SLR 0)
TCR Advanced SL. The Big Dog.
The TCR Advanced SL’s are the best in class for handling.
Where the Advanced and Advanced Pro frames are very alike, the TCR
Advanced SL chassis is a completely different beast altogether.
First, the physical carbon material is different.
It’s a lighter and stiffer weave that minimises excessive resin use.
Manufacturing differences also result in less joins which equals a frame that has a better stiffness-to-weight ratio.
The result?
Superior handling and climbing for those that love to push their limits.
For MY2025, riders get 3 options:
- TCR Advanced SL 1 $9,499.00
- TCR Advanced SL 0 DA (Dura-Ace Di2) $13,799.00
- TCR Advanced SL 0 Red (latest SRAM Red AXS E1) $14,199.00
The notable upgrade between the SL 1 and both SL 0's is the CADEX Max 40 wheels.
Theoretical wheel set weight is 1,249g (vs. 1,339g for the SLR 0 wheels on the SL 1). Plus ceramic bearings.