I have the opporutnity to pick up a brand new Giant TCR-0 for $A2.5K - a pretty good deal. I am only able to have one bike, which ultimately I need for half and full IM’s, but which I will train on as a road bike (bunch rides now and then solo rides in TT position closer to race dates at the end of the year.)
I am keen to know if anyone has gone through the process of setting up their Giant with a more agressive seat angle (76deg), and how the handling is? Any other thoughts?
Double check the top tube length my friend… double check the top tube length.
I second that… My top tube is too long =(
I have mine set-up with tri bars and love it! I’ve since removed the xlab, as my ironman race is over and I absolutely hate those things!!
The thing that scares me is that the LBS I am buying from are NOT tri specialists. I am not even sure that when they fit me on the bike that they would understand too much about the best possible fit for the tri position at all. Is there any way for me to fool proof the process, so I am not walking away with a shit fit?
Thanks heaps.
What about the TCR Aero-1?
I believe it has a steeper seat angle than the regular TCR??
Will someone correct me if I’m wrong?
At anyrate, would be a better choice if it is already steeper, do not know if the top-tube length will be an issue with your torso…
The general way to do this is either with a Thomson setback post or a Profile-design fast forward post. The Thomson is not as aggressive, and can get you at about 76 degrees- the Profile is more like 78-79 from what I understand. This of course also depends on the seat tube angle of the bike to begin with, as well as where the saddle is clamped on its rails. And as the others have said, make sure the TT length is right. When you put a forward facing seat post, it will effectively shorten the top tube quite a bit (a good thing). My road bike has a 73 degree seat tube angle and a setback post with a 58.2 cm top tube (100mm stem). My tri bike has a 78 degree seat tube angle, non setback post, and a 56 cm top tube (100mm stem as well). Assuming the fit on your current ride is good, I’d try to match the top tube length to that. Get close, and you may have to shorten or lengthen the stem a tad. Once you steepend the STA with the forward post, it will hopefully shorten your top tube the appropriate amount. Before I had a dedicated tri bike, I would convert my road bike for the months before and during racing. This included a Thomson forward post (and the saddle mostly forward on the rails), a -10 degree stem, no headset spacers, and my Syntace C2 clip ons. It fit me quite well for a rigged setup and took me to some good results.
Oddly enough…I put an ad in the classifieds this morning for my TCR.
As folks have mentioned, Giant’s sizing is nuts. I’m 5’11" and riding a small TCR (below) for TT.
You asked a loaded question…which needs clarification.
or
In my case, it’s a big decision as I’d take (2) different sizes…
The small has a 74 seat tube, however, the Burrow’s post is set-back. As pictured, my seat height is 76cm and the set-up is 3cm behind BB.
In short, I am looking to buy the most versatile bike possible. If someone asked me if I was a triathlete or a roadie, the answer would always be triathlete. However, riding all year round on a tri bike doesn’t give me the flexibility of bunch riding during winter for fitness and fun, hence the decision to go with a road bike and then try to adapt it as best possible for triathlon.
If I had the dosh, I suppose I would buy a Soloist, which fulfils my requirements to a tee.
Thanks for everyone for the education - looks like I needed it (and more).
Chris
My 2 cents is that it really depends on fit. Giant certainly doesn’t make it easy with their lack of sizes…
I also own a Soloist (54cm). There are quite a few similiarities b/w the bikes (chainstay) and both I’d consider both very responsive.
In my case, I’m pretty lucky as I “could” (but won’t) jam my Soloist seat forward to 76, take out a few spacers, shorten the neck by 2cm (to 100mm), toss on some Carbon Strykes and basically have the same position as the Giant above…
I ride an aluminum TCR for road racing/crits and the carbon TCR for tris. I like how comfortable it is. Using the Arione Tri puts me in a plenty forward position after years of being a back of the saddle big gear mosher. I like how the carbon keeps me fresh for the run. I too use a small as I am 5’ 7", but find the bike to have the perfect cockpit for tight stuff and the flats. I give the bike a perfect 10 and I have had lots of them. good luck,
seamus
I tried it and rode it this way for a season but the handling went to sh*t downhill. The top tube length was just too long so I used a fast forward post to compensate. It still handled well except on descents which were quite frankly bloody frightening. …
How much is a soloist in Aus ? I don’t think they are much more. My girlfriend uses a Thomson zero off set seatpost to ride at 76 degrees. When I had my giant I used a 80mm stem and it handled like a dog.
On my 03 TCR aero that has the same geometry and TT length as the standard TCR I used a set of Vision Mini clip ons with bar end shifters. I actually like the short extensions, you could also get a set of Vision Tech standard clip ons and cut off the upturned ends.
I find this puts me back in a better position for producing power. For some reason forward positioning didnt work for me.
I would say get one specifically sized for road use and put some shorty aerobars onto it.
since we’re on the Giant subject. Anyone have a TCR Aero frame in a size XS?