A Road Revolution

The all-new TCR range is the result of a team effort involving Giant engineers and product developers, leading aerodynamics experts, and some of today’s top professional racers. Ever since it made its debut more than 20 years ago as a controversial race bike with compact geometry and a radical new look compared to all other race bikes of that era, the TCR has continually pushed the limits of performance. It has been a staple in the pro peloton since 1998, earning wins at major races around the world for more than two decades.

To create the fastest TCR ever, our team established a nearly impossible goal: Make it even more efficient. To do that, we focused on three key performance factors: class-leading efficiency, advanced aerodynamics and total control. We analyzed every aspect of the bike, from raw materials to all-new manufacturing processes.

In the end, after several years of research, design and development, the new TCR has proven to be significantly more aerodynamic than the previous generation while retaining its best-in-class stiffness-to-weight ratio. Every tube shape has been modified to reduce drag without adding a single gram or compromising the qualities that have made TCR a leading pro-level race bike for two decades. Read on to learn about all the engineering, aerodynamic development and technical details that make this the fastest TCR ever.

Evolution of the Total Race Bike

When the first TCR arrived in the pro peloton in 1998 with Team ONCE, it was surrounded by controversy. With its radical Compact Road geometry, it was a clear departure from the standard road bike design that had prevailed for decades. Here’s a look at the evolution of the TCR over the years.

2004

The 3rd generation TCR debuted at the Tour de France with the T-Mobile squad, which went on to win the team classification at the Tour for three straight years (2004-2006).

2008

The 5th generation TCR Advanced SL was introduced to consumers. It featured a number of breakthrough technologies including a PressFit bottom bracket and integrated cable routing. The following year Team Rabobank rider Denis Menchov won the Giro d’Italia on his TCR.

2017

Team Sunweb rider Tom Dumoulin won the Giro d’Italia general classification on the 8th generation TCR; the team also won both the points classification and the mountains classification at the Tour de France.

2020

After a year of development with CCC Team riders, including a WorldTour win by Greg Van Avermaet on his special Olympic champion’s prototype at the 2019 GP Cycliste de Montréal, the 9th generation TCR Advanced SL was unveiled to the public.

Developing the total race bike

Every bike in the 2021 TCR range was designed and engineered with the following three performance factors in mind.

Class leading Efficiency

Adding aerodynamic elements to a bicycle usually means adding more weight. To achieve the goal of maintaining the best-in-class stiffness-to-weight ratio, it was essential to minimize weight wherever possible to make up for the added mass in the areas of the frame that were modified for aerodynamic improvements. This task was achieved in part by using four new state-of-the-art production processes:
The final frontier of race bike performance is the quest for improved aerodynamics. While weight and stiffness still play an integral role in overall performance minimizing aerodynamic drag remains the single greatest opportunity for real-world gains. Giant’s engineering team combined Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind-tunnel testing to create shapes that function best as a complete system for superior aerodynamic performance. Central to this process is the belief that any product must perform as well on the road as it does in the wind tunnel.
With its fully integrated disc-brake technology, the new TCR Advanced SL Disc delivers superior braking power and greater modulation in wet or dry conditions. This was a critical demand from our pro road racers, who typically race for hours over varied terrain that includes high-speed descents and cornering.

Disc Brake Integration

The new frame is engineered with updated flat-mount disc brake technology for consistent braking power in all conditions. Front (12x100mm) and rear (12x142mm) thru-axle setups produce unrivaled steering precision and stiffness while saving weight.

New Fork Design

To boost steering stiffness, our engineers completely redesigned the fork, from the thru-axle up to the crown, to provide up to 35 percent greater torsional stiffness and improve the aerodynamic flow of air over the non-driveside caliper—without adding any weight compared to the fork on the previous generation TCR. Frame and fork clearance have also been increased on all new TCR models. Riders can now choose high-volume tires up to 32mm* for better cornering grip, rolling efficiency and handling on rougher roads. *on disc-brake models