Giant hasn’t adopted the current fashion for dropped seatstays, but the sloping frame design already has plenty of vibration-damping comfort.
The new chassis looks similar to the model it replaces. Yet Giant says that by moving the tube shapes over to aerodynamically-optimised ones, it’s shifted the TCR’s aero advantage to the extent that, at a constant 200 watts you’ll save a claimed 34 seconds over 40km.
The TCR was the most expensive bike I had on test but that meant a jump in components. Shimano provides Ultegra throughout in all but the chainset, brake rotors and 105 cassette. Ultegra’s mechanical smooth, slick shifting is as good as anyone needs, and the braking is superb, even with the RT70 rotors.
The finishing kit comes from Giant and the cockpit is quality alloy stuff. The Approach saddle is fairly flat in profile and well padded – I had no issues but it wouldn’t be a first choice. Giant keeps the composite seatpost making the most of the D-shape design, adding compliance and keeping weight low.
