Is it actually an upgrade? Giant TCR

[andrich]

Hey guys,

I have a question regarding upgrading my bike.
I currently ride a 2012 Giant TCR SL. Its got Ultgra 6800 groupset with Dura Ace 7900 C35s.
I have been tempted to upgrade to a newer model but i am tossing up weather it would actually be worth it.
I bought my current TCR second hand but i would look to buy new this time. This means, however, that due to $$$ i would not be able to get a current model SL. I think i can stretch to an Advanced Pro 1.
The question is would this actually be an upgrade? i would transfer my C35s and it would be a 6800 groupset.
Any thoughts would be great

thanks

[open roader]

An upgrade is only an upgrade if it feels like an upgrade to you. Only you can answer that.

If it were me I'd not bother as I can't see how an already excellent race frame like a 2012 TCR SL is going to feel like an ordinary ride a few years later compared to current frame offerings from the same manufacturer.
(I rode a 2009 TCR Adv. 1 for a couple of years and test rode a 2011 TCR SL and really didn't think there was so much wow factor difference.)

Ultegra 6800 and DA C35 wheels is already a nice level of equipment.

Unless you are racing regularly (or better still getting paid to race) and are so fit that you can really eek out the benefit of a bit less weight and a bit more aero than I'd stick with your TCR SL or try something quite different.

[andrich]

Thanks for the reply.
Thats pretty much the same thought that i had. There is nothing wrong with my current bike so with everything considered i dont think it would be worth updating at this stage
thanks again
Cheers

[Duck!]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

[open roader]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

Now there is some worthy lateral thinking / food for thought.

I'm a Campagnolo rider so not an issue..............

[dmwill]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

Inside of cassette spider machined?

[jasonc]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

petal665 could have modified (shaved) the freehub

[mikgit]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

isn't the OP already running 11 speed on those wheels with the 6800?

I currently ride a 2012 Giant TCR SL. Its got Ultgra 6800 groupset with Dura Ace 7900 C35s.

[Jesmol]

Yeah, thats an easy fix, Running RS-80 C50's with 11 speed here

[Duck!]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

isn't the OP already running 11 speed on those wheels with the 6800?

I currently ride a 2012 Giant TCR SL. Its got Ultgra 6800 groupset with Dura Ace 7900 C35s.

7900 wheels are 8/9/10-sp. compatible and not upgradeable. 11-sp. didn't come on stream until 9000.

[mikgit]

Only thing I'm wondering is how you get the 11-sp. groupset to work with the 10-sp. rear wheel....

isn't the OP already running 11 speed on those wheels with the 6800?

I currently ride a 2012 Giant TCR SL. Its got Ultgra 6800 groupset with Dura Ace 7900 C35s.

7900 wheels are 8/9/10-sp. compatible and not upgradeable. 11-sp. didn't come on stream until 9000.

yeah but he's already running 6800 on them, thats 11 seed only isn't it?

[Duck!]

You're missing my point. 7900 wheels are not 11-sp. compatible. So something, somewhere, is incorrect in the spec listing.

[mikgit]

no i get your point, just saying.
it either he's done some dodgey conversion like some people seem to have done - unlikely
it's not those wheels at all - possibly
its got a different hub - maybe (assume someone might make one)
it not 6800 - probably
It just that its not impossible he's running 11 speed now, just not likely.

[Lukeyboy]

The lock ring is just managing to hold on

[g-boaf]

An upgrade is only an upgrade if it feels like an upgrade to you. Only you can answer that.

If it were me I'd not bother as I can't see how an already excellent race frame like a 2012 TCR SL is going to feel like an ordinary ride a few years later compared to current frame offerings from the same manufacturer.
(I rode a 2009 TCR Adv. 1 for a couple of years and test rode a 2011 TCR SL and really didn't think there was so much wow factor difference.)

Ultegra 6800 and DA C35 wheels is already a nice level of equipment.

Unless you are racing regularly (or better still getting paid to race) and are so fit that you can really eek out the benefit of a bit less weight and a bit more aero than I'd stick with your TCR SL or try something quite different.

Unless the OP has done something quite interesting, then 6800 with those wheels isn't going to work, as those are 10 speed only. Mind you, I've converted old 10 speed wheels to 11 speed, but it's not cheap.

For the OP, I have a 2013 TCR Advanced SL that I upgraded to Dura Ace 9000 and a few other nice components. That bike is very light, with heaps of room left to make it lighter if I wanted to. I'd put it up against any of the newer bikes. It is great, and I don't think a newer Giant is superior.

[andrich]

Hey guys,
so much speculation regarding the wheels and running 11 speed....lol
I can confirm its definitely a 6800 11 speed ultegra group set.
I can confirm it is definitely a 7900 wheelset.
I can confirm that the 11 speed setup is working fine with the 7900 wheels.

I bought the wheels as 11 speed compatible wheels. The previous owner modified the hub to suit the 11 speed cassette. The lock ring has plenty of thread and it was an easy fit so its definitely working fine. Iv done well over 3000km on it without an issue.

G-boaf- ohk great sounds like you have a good set up. I think im leaning towards the same (keeping it and just upgrading bits and pieces if i see the need).
thanks

[g-boaf]

The Advanced SL frames are excellent - if you have one, hang on to them.