2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

CKinnard
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2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:42 pm

I'm getting my Madone 5.9 upgraded to Di2, after a mech shifter broke. But it will be out of action for another 2-3 weeks while the groupo is shipped from the UK.

So I've been looking for a budget backup bike. I've considered used, Chinese frames, Reid sub $1000's with 105, etc.
But I keep coming back to the fact buying new with a reputable warranty trumps the typical prices people want for used, and Chinese frames are not that cheap these days with fx and groupset costs, etc.

My best choices so far :

2014 Giant TCR SLR - lighter alloy frame, race geometry, complete pro compact 6800 groupo....price $1500! It's by far the cheapest bike I've seen with full 6800.

2014 Giant TCR Advanced 1 - carbon composite frame, same spec as above. price $2000! another very reasonable price.

The only issue I can see is both bikes have
- proprietary stems and seat posts
- the pro compact chainrings will be a little less comfortable on steeper climbs.
- the P-SL1 wheelset is almost 1800g so not a race wheelset by any measure in my books.

I'm interested in people's experience with either of these bikes.
I'll probably go with the alloy frame for longevity and robustness and put the extra $s towards a lighter wheelset.

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Carrots
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby Carrots » Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:04 pm

Whilst I've not ridden the Giant alloy, it's been given a few ticks from what I recall as a crit bike.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:11 pm

yeah that's what I've read here and other forums. and the industry reviews seem all good. the handling really impressed me - shorter chainstays, lower headtube, and shorter wheelbase than I'm used to.

A few guys I know who have ridden a lot of bikes say the CAAD10 is the best of the alloy framesets, but they're ~aud1200 alone.
I picked up one and they are unbelievably light. which might explain why one of the guys has 2 dents in his after the wind blew it over.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby wgc138 » Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:00 pm

My first few weeks of riding the TCR SL, I'm really enjoying it and by far the most fun on the bike for quite sometime. Its very responsive and extremely stiff, in comparison with series 5 madone and tarmac sworks.

One thing for sure is I cant wait until the next iteration of TCR.

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Duck!
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby Duck! » Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:11 pm

CKinnard wrote: The only issue I can see is both bikes have
- proprietary stems and seat posts
- the pro compact chainrings will be a little less comfortable on steeper climbs.
What's your concern with post & stems? The post has a two-position head allowing for offset adjustment. Giant seem to have sorted their stem supply out (they did have stock problems with aftermarket stems to suit the 1 1/4" steerer early on), but FSA, Ritchey & possibly some others also offer stems to suit.

Chainrings can be changed easily enough.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:32 pm

Thanks Duck.
I've got standard 110,120,130 stems which I bought to experiment with on my previous bike.
As I've lost weight and loosened my spine of the years, I've moved on from the standard 110.
I think the 56cm model comes with 100, and want to put a 120 or 130 on it. Though don't want to have to buy both.
I was also considering a -17 degree stem, and the LBS didn't think Giant made them, only a 7or8.

So the chainrings on the pro compact (52/36) can be simply unscrewed and 50/34 put on?
As this is a 2014 model with ultegra 6800, I presume the crank is 4 spoked, not 5.

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JdM
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby JdM » Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:37 pm

I have a TCR Advanced 1 - pretty happy with it. Seems to be a pretty good all rounder, although my experience of road bikes is limited. Pretty stiff compared to some of the other bikes I tested and very responsive, turns well, although my bike handling skills certainly don't do it justice.

Are there really some of those TCR SLRs still in stock? $1,500 is a stellar price, I'd grab that for sure. If there isn't one in your size you could also consider the SLR 2 which has 105 5800 instead.

Agree re the wheels, I cannot wait to ditch mine for something better. Then again, if it's your back up bike is that really an issue? Can you pop the Madone wheels on it for instance while it is out of action?

I don't have any issues climbing with the crank set so far - you could always swap out the cassette for a 28 if you wanted a little more I guess?

The seat post does limit your rear light options a little, but it's not an absolute deal breaker IMO. Don't have any issues with the stem and my bike fitter was happy with it to stay on the bike :D (the saddle went though)

Is there that big a difference between a 32T and a 30T? (genuine question - I'm interested in the answer myself)
CKinnard wrote:As this is a 2014 model with ultegra 6800, I presume the crank is 4 spoked, not 5.
Yep, 4.
2014 Giant TCR Advanced 1

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby Duck! » Mon Mar 30, 2015 12:56 pm

CKinnard wrote:Thanks Duck.
I've got standard 110,120,130 stems which I bought to experiment with on my previous bike.
As I've lost weight and loosened my spine of the years, I've moved on from the standard 110.
I think the 56cm model comes with 100, and want to put a 120 or 130 on it. Though don't want to have to buy both.
I was also considering a -17 degree stem, and the LBS didn't think Giant made them, only a 7or8.

So the chainrings on the pro compact (52/36) can be simply unscrewed and 50/34 put on?
As this is a 2014 model with ultegra 6800, I presume the crank is 4 spoked, not 5.
No luck with that sort of rise with an OD2 stem, even from one of the non-Giant suppliers, all will be around the 6-8*mark.

Chainrings; yes 6800 is the four-arm spider, so all available ring combinations will fit, no need to swap the whole crank.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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CXCommuter
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CXCommuter » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:25 pm

Duck! wrote:
CKinnard wrote:Thanks Duck.
I've got standard 110,120,130 stems which I bought to experiment with on my previous bike.
As I've lost weight and loosened my spine of the years, I've moved on from the standard 110.
I think the 56cm model comes with 100, and want to put a 120 or 130 on it. Though don't want to have to buy both.
I was also considering a -17 degree stem, and the LBS didn't think Giant made them, only a 7or8.

So the chainrings on the pro compact (52/36) can be simply unscrewed and 50/34 put on?
As this is a 2014 model with ultegra 6800, I presume the crank is 4 spoked, not 5.
No luck with that sort of rise with an OD2 stem, even from one of the non-Giant suppliers, all will be around the 6-8*mark.

Chainrings; yes 6800 is the four-arm spider, so all available ring combinations will fit, no need to swap the whole crank.
Big nod for the TCR SLR1- love riding it- only issues are an occasionally creaky seatpost (sand/grit needs cleaning out) and the wheelset. Was initially concerned about the chainset, coming from a compact and CX gearing but I don't really notice it at all. No "aluminium stiff ride" either- pleasant enough even after 150km of hills.
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:54 pm

JdM, I'm upgrading my current bike to 11speed ultegra Di2....from 10 speed ultegra 6700. All my wheels are 10 speed :(
I've been told Shimano 10 speed wheels require not only a new freehub but also re-dishing to work with 11 speed.

As for 30T vs 32T, I don't understand your point. I'm an older guy so run a 11-28 cassette on my endurance wheels and 11-25 on race wheels.
Did you mean to ask about stem length? I find 1cm stem variations make a massive diff. I tend to spend up to 20 minutes on the drops at a time when doing intervals and in races and that's when ideal stem length is important.

My current bike has an ETT of 575mm with 130mm stem.
The Giant TCR SLR large has 585mm ett and felt a little too large. when I tried the m/l (size 56) with its 570mm ETT, I felt I could manage if I used a 120 or 130mm stem. I won't necessarily need a 130 because I'll have a tad more saddle:bar drop.

Thanks again Duck. The -17 results in a more horizontal stem (considering most head tube angles are 90-17= 73)
I honestly don't know why they don't make 17 the standard. It would lift the bars a lot higher when reversed.

Thanks CX. I appreciate your experience.

Incidentally, I just phoned the LBS to get the weight sans pedals pretty much bang on 8kg exactly. The wheels weigh around 1800g, so married with Pro-Lite Braccianos at just under 1500grams, that would be good enough for racing in my view, and as a backup.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby JdM » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:00 pm

CKinnard wrote:JdM, I'm upgrading my current bike to 11speed ultegra Di2....from 10 speed ultegra 6700. All my wheels are 10 speed :(
I've been told Shimano 10 speed wheels require not only a new freehub but also re-dishing to work with 11 speed.
I see. Makes sense. I guess you'll be able to play swaps later if you're upgrading.
CKinnard wrote:As for 30T vs 32T, I don't understand your point. I'm an older guy so run a 11-28 cassette on my endurance wheels and 11-25 on race wheels.
Did you mean to ask about stem length? I find 1cm stem variations make a massive diff. I tend to spend up to 20 minutes on the drops at a time when doing intervals and in races and that's when ideal stem length is important.
Apologies - I wasn't super clear. I was referring to the small chain rings, just wondering how big the difference between the 30T you're saying you would prefer is over the 32T that comes on the Giant TCR (I'm wondering whether it's worth myself making the change if I go to tackle some real Audax rides with lots of climbing).
2014 Giant TCR Advanced 1

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:12 pm

chainrings are actually
compact 50:34 m current bike
compact pro 52:36 on the TCR SLR
I do some pretty gnarly climbs occasionally (Brisbane - Mt Glorious front side, and less often backside). Small changes make a massive diff to me when faced with anything over 15% for longer than 80 meters.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby su-pista » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:18 pm

The SLR 1 from last year was standard overdrive, so standard oversize 1-1/8 stem. The adv 1 will be od2 which takes a 1-1/4 stem.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby JdM » Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:18 pm

In have no idea why I wrote 30 and 32 - 34 and 36 is what I actually meant :oops: Oooops.

Thanks for that.
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby Dirty32 » Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:29 pm

I have a TCR Advanced 0, but if I needed a cheaper bike for the commute or to bash around a little bit I wouldnt hesitate on the TCR SLR (not that I have ridden one before). I have read that they ride very, very well... The only other alloy bike id consider would be a CAAD10, but as mentioned, they often arent nearly as cheap as the TCR SLR seems to come up.
CKinnard wrote: The only issue I can see is both bikes have
- proprietary stems and seat posts
- the pro compact chainrings will be a little less comfortable on steeper climbs.
- the P-SL1 wheelset is almost 1800g so not a race wheelset by any measure in my books.
Really??

The stems are not that bigger issue. There are various manufacturers now making stems to suit the OD2. Normal Giant ones are cheap, but you've got options with Zipp, FSA, Syntace and a few others, I think. The seatpost... Yeah, ok. But the one that comes with is fine.

As mentioned, the chain rings can be swapped out easy and cheap enough. Hell, a brand new 6800 crankset in your preferred arm length and chain ring ratio can be bought for around $200 these days, which is probably less than you'll spend looking for smaller rings... You could have both to choose from, keep the 52/36 and swap in a 50/34 for those really steep days. Its not something that should be holding you back.

The wheels arent light, but when you are only paying $1500 - $2000 for the whole bike, what can you expect? A good Sub-1500g race wheelset is gonna cost you the same amount again, by themselves... You cant really ask for that, + the running gear the frame and the finishing kit, for what you are looking to spend on a cheap, back up bike now... Can you?! You'd have to double your budget if you were wanting something comparable with a good, race wheelset on it as standard.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:42 pm

Dirty32 wrote:Really??

The stems are not that bigger issue. There are various manufacturers now making stems to suit the OD2. Normal Giant ones are cheap, but you've got options with Zipp, FSA, Syntace and a few others, I think. The seatpost... Yeah, ok. But the one that comes with is fine.

As mentioned, the chain rings can be swapped out easy and cheap enough. Hell, a brand new 6800 crankset in your preferred arm length and chain ring ratio can be bought for around $200 these days, which is probably less than you'll spend looking for smaller rings... You could have both to choose from, keep the 52/36 and swap in a 50/34 for those really steep days. Its not something that should be holding you back.

The wheels arent light, but when you are only paying $1500 - $2000 for the whole bike, what can you expect? A good Sub-1500g race wheelset is gonna cost you the same amount again, by themselves... You cant really ask for that, + the running gear the frame and the finishing kit, for what you are looking to spend on a cheap, back up bike now... Can you?! You'd have to double your budget if you were wanting something comparable with a good, race wheelset on it as standard.
Yes Dirty, the stems were an issue because I've already got a good range of stems from 100 to 130mm. I preferred not to buy more.
I've also got a spare ultegra 6700 chainset ready and waiting, but my LBS tells me it will require a BB change or adapter.

Re wheelsets, the Pro-Lite Bracciano is looking like very good value these days....1482grams, and only AUD419.
change to 170gram race tires, and gross weight drops from 8.0kg to 7.6kg, which makes a pretty sweet crit bike running alloy frame and wheels, and ultegra.....all for under AUD2000.

Anyway, on another note regarding the upgrading of my main carbon roadie to Di2. I ordered the groupo through Ribble for ~AUD1350...was the cheapest of the online stores. and I was factoring in having to pay gst via customs. So today I get an Australia Post first notice that my Di2 groupset had arrived in Customs, so filled out the Customs Declaration N10 form and emailed it back....hopefully the package will arrive the week after Easter. As the package is over $1000, I'll be paying GST, possibly import duty, and a $48 customs processing charge... :roll: what a rort!!! And when I phoned customs to clarify a few points, they try and talk me into paying an Australia Post customs officer $50 odd to process it so I get it a lot quicker. :roll: frgn amazing!!! for a $1000 package, the govt thinks I should pay a 25% levy (10GST, 5% customs duty, 5% customs processing fee, 5% customs broker fee)

Anyway, my big announcement today is I couldn't bear going through Easter without a ride....so had been looking carefully at getting a CX bike as well....and came home with this

Image

Bought it from "For the Rider" (who have to be Brisbane's best off road bike shop)....then took it by my mechanic to get his view on swapping out the 46:36 chainset to my 50:34. I thought it might just be a straight swap of chainsets,but he says a BB adaptor is required $60 odd.

So the 2015 Giant TCX SLR 2 becomes my first adventure bike, or gravel grinder!

First impressions :
- the spyre disc brakes aren't the best I've felt, but I'm not the most aggressive off road rider.
- riding the 60psi 35mm tires over gutters and grass near the shop was great. I really like the handling and steering responsiveness. The ETT is same as my current roadie.
- 105 5800 shifting is very precise.....much better than ultegra 10 speed 5700 in my view, though not as good as 6800.
- it's obviously a lot heavier than my roadie at 10.1kg. But that's with knobbly 35mm tires and 24mm wide rims. It's made from Giant's Aluxx SLR alloy.

The price was right at $1614. with 5800 levers and ders, internal cabling, neat welds, and red, black, and white paintjob.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby cyclotaur » Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:26 pm

You'll end up riding that bike a lot more than you expected to....
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:32 am

U might be right cyclo. First real ride this morn. In the drizzle. And heavy traffic. The 35mm knobblies give lots of stability at low speed but naturally make a big diff over 25kph. Once again i am very impressed w the 5800 shifting. Might get my mechanic's view on the brakes.

I do intend doing more riding closer to nature....ageing gracefully. :)

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby cyclotaur » Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:23 am

So your new TCX probably costs about the same as the new Di2 grouppo .... of course if money is no object, then lucky you !
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby Duck! » Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:21 pm

CKinnard wrote:
I've also got a spare ultegra 6700 chainset ready and waiting, but my LBS tells me it will require a BB change or adapter.
Why would they have said that?
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CXCommuter » Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:07 pm

CKinnard- from me- :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: - when buying my TCR SLR a new TCX was my other shortlisted item.
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby JdM » Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:20 pm

Have you ridden either of the TCRs yet? Thoughts on them if you have? Enjoy getting muddy over Easter on the other purchase :D
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby warthog1 » Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:28 pm

CKinnard wrote:
Anyway, my big announcement today is I couldn't bear going through Easter without a ride....so had been looking carefully at getting a CX bike as well....and came home with this

Image

Bought it from "For the Rider" (who have to be Brisbane's best off road bike shop)....then took it by my mechanic to get his view on swapping out the 46:36 chainset to my 50:34. I thought it might just be a straight swap of chainsets,but he says a BB adaptor is required $60 odd.

So the 2015 Giant TCX SLR 2 becomes my first adventure bike, or gravel grinder!

First impressions :
- the spyre disc brakes aren't the best I've felt, but I'm not the most aggressive off road rider.
- riding the 60psi 35mm tires over gutters and grass near the shop was great. I really like the handling and steering responsiveness. The ETT is same as my current roadie.
- 105 5800 shifting is very precise.....much better than ultegra 10 speed 5700 in my view, though not as good as 6800.
- it's obviously a lot heavier than my roadie at 10.1kg. But that's with knobbly 35mm tires and 24mm wide rims. It's made from Giant's Aluxx SLR alloy.

The price was right at $1614. with 5800 levers and ders, internal cabling, neat welds, and red, black, and white paintjob.
Great choice 8) Nice lateral thinking. It looks like alot of bike for the money
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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby CKinnard » Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:23 pm

cyclotaur wrote:So your new TCX probably costs about the same as the new Di2 grouppo .... of course if money is no object, then lucky you !
yeah I know the Di2 was an extravagance, and could have paid for a TCR SLR with 6800 groupo pretty much.
I should have just got 6800 groupo for the carbon bike, and I wouldn't have had the customs hassles (aud700)...or just bought the lever that broke.

but to tell you the truth, I had it in mind to give my mechanic extra work, as he's been brilliant with his service and advice for years.
re the value of money, I've only had one bike at a time, and have watched mates get N+1 over the years, and resisted every time they tell me I need to upgrade or get a mtb, cx, etc.
So my current spend comes after decades of frugality.

Anyway, first ride this morning in the drizzle after flash floods, so in its element! And I am seriously impressed with 105 shifting.

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Re: 2014 Giant TCR SLR and TCR Advanced 1

Postby cyclotaur » Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:21 pm

Fair enough, similar rationale here re frugality. I've recently sold my first 2002 roadie for $300 to a happy new owner, and picked up a secondhand Defy 1 last year for $650.

But for the past 3.5 years my go to bike has been my CAADX 105 which has now done nearly 30000kms and is still going strong.

I've been tempted by the TCR SLR 1 (2014) which is very cheap now with full Ultegra 11sp but I fear the geo would be too harsh for my old bones.

I may upgrade the Defy 1 with a 5800 group ($500?) one day though. Or maybe even the Ultegra....
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