Giant TCX cyclocross bikes have been raced at the highest level for almost 20 years, including by Lars Boom at the 2008 world championship and more recently by Lars van der Haar, taking him to nine World Cup wins.
The 2021 TCX Advanced Pro builds on this and is the first major update the bike has seen since 2015. Giant says that the new TCX Advanced Pro frameset is 17 per cent lighter than its predecessor, but just as stiff.
It’s also upped the comfort levels with a new D-Fuse SLR seatpost – which is claimed to be 20 per cent more compliant than the current D-Fuse SL – and a re-engineered fork.
Giant quotes a frame weight for the new bike of 850g, down from 1,050g, while fork weight drops to 400g from 460g for a total weight saving of 260g.
Other changes to the frame include new asymmetric chainstays. There’s also clearance for tyres up to 45mm wide.
The seatpost clamp has been moved, dropping down the seat tube to the top of the lowered seatstays and moving from the front to the rear. It’s designed so you can swap out the supplied D-Fuse SLR D-shaped seatpost using an adaptor for a standard round 30.9mm post or a dropper.
Giant says that the changes make the new bike more agile and responsive wherever the terrain, as well as smoother riding.
Its front triangle is moulded in one piece, with tube shapes designed to enhance performance and ride quality as well as a shoulder-friendly flattened top tube.
The top-spec of the new TCX Advanced Pro comes kitted out with carbon wheels and tubeless tyres as stock.
At launch, two models will be offered: the TCX Advanced Pro 1 and 2, both with single ring groupsets, the former getting Shimano GRX and the latter SRAM Apex 1/Rival 1.
There are four sizes – S, M, ML and L – with the Advanced Pro 2 also offered in XS.
The Advanced Pro 2 will be available first and there’s a frameset-only option too. UK prices are to be announced.
TCX Advanced Pro 1 specs
- Frame/fork: Advanced Grade Composite carbon
- Gearing: Shimano GRX RX-810 40t chainset, 11-34t cassette
- Brakes: Shimano GRX RX-810 hydraulic
- Wheels: Giant SLR-2
- Tyres: Maxxis All-Terrene 33mm
- Bar: Giant Contact SL
- Stem: Giant Contact SL
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse SLR carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL
TCX Advanced Pro 2 specs
- Frame/fork: Advanced Grade Composite carbon
- Gearing: SRAM Apex/Rival 40t Rival chainset, 11-36t cassette
- Brakes: SRAM Apex 1 hydraulic
- Wheels: Giant P-X2 Disc
- Tyres: Maxxis All-Terrene 33mm
- Bar: Giant Connect
- Stem: Giant Contact
- Seatpost: Giant D-Fuse carbon
- Saddle: Giant Approach
