Giant TCR Advanced 2 Review | Editor's Choice 2019 | Cycling Weekly

The Giant TCR is a modern classic and is arguably one of the best bikes of its generation. For this year we have stuck with its value offering the Advanced 2, which has all the best bits of the higher-end models, with a slightly lower spec that still offers performance. Although, the TCR comes in over 30 different variants so you are very likely to find one that suits you. A worthy bike for Editor’s Choice.
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[@Johnny-ek3fk]

My first proper bike. Can’t believe how lucky I’ve been with my decision. The bike is everything and more. 👍

[@NARUdaARC]

I was sceptical with Giant bikes previously until I bought a TCR SLR and rode it for an epic century ride. It was a great bike, value for money. Now I ride the last gen Propel. The Giant brand may not be as flashy and glamorous as other italian marquees, but my Propel could easily give my other Italian bikes a run for its money.

[@MaxMax-th7uz]

2023 version is on sale £1799 , still great value ! At Paul’s cycles , down from £2399

[@nickshepherd1653]

The best bike ever made, it’s as simple as that.😀

[@Free__Speech]

Rim brakes 😂😂😂👎

[@lasdasasd]

@@Free__Speech this was 5years ago

[@b3_xee]

I bought this bike a month ago, had the opportunity to test it a few times and I am super happy. I only changed the wheels to 50mm cones on GP 5000 25mm tires. The bike is responsive, stiff and very comfortable. I was able to buy it 300gbp cheaper than the regular price, I recommend it!

[@BikeLife154]

I always come on here and tell people to steer clear of Cannondale, comments which I stand by! However, I owned a TCR for six years and never heard a peep from it. No clicks no creaks. Just an amazing bike! I never needed to remove the cranks for the six years I owned it. It simply worked flawlessly! It is the most common bike on the roads for a reason! Cannondale please take note!

[@brody5211]

Stylish Riding I’m a fan of cannondale a I’ve had a good few but the build quality in them from the factory isn’t good . You need a good dealer to get it right . As for the bb , strangely never had the creaking on any despite the stories . The giants definitely have a better build quality however that hybrid hydro brake thing on some of their disc bikes is a horrendous thing

[@BikeLife154]

Violator agreed that hybrid brake system on Giant is horrendous. It’s not on the higher tier bikes though. I cannot recommend Cannondale at all. Have had years of problems with mine. Never gonna buy again.

[@brody5211]

Stylish Riding what model was it and what happened ?

[@BikeLife154]

Violator 2016 Caad 12. Up to this day it still creaks after multiple different wheelsets and almost every part changed on it including two BBs. I’ve cycled 1000s of km on it and can’t get rid of it. Even the cannondale dealer has tried so many times. Cbear bb now and no joy.

[@brody5211]

Stylish Riding wow what a Monday morning bike they was . That’s a shame though I’ve a caad12 too and running a c-bear bb30-24 reducer and it’s silky smooth. Any creaks I get are either from the gear cables that do creak here and there . Also the seat post . Just greased it up and oiled around it and sorted. It’s amazing how hard it is to find creaks on a bike Shame about the bike as the Caad is such a responsive bike

[@Sir-Prizse]

After I recently damaged a carbon steerer tube as I tightened the stem according to the manufacturer's specify, I'm happy when a road bike has an aluminum steerer.

[@njm3211]

Bought a TCR Zero frameset size Medium in 2005. Built it up with Durace. Love it to this day. Updated over the years. 11 speed, tubeless Mavics, etc...

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

How do you upgrade to a 11sp cassette from a 9sp. Don't you have to change everything including levers...

[@njm3211]

@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 YES

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

@@njm3211 okay about $700

[@njm3211]

@@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834 You can keep the front derailleur and shifter if you like. Just the rear derailleur and shifter need to be 11x. You can get by with 105 or Ultegra depending on budget. Way less than $700.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

@@njm3211 thanks for the tip

[@LucaBonato]

Had the last year one, sold it only because I had a bargain on a canyon ultimate slx disc. Great bike, only downside are: the brakes are not direct mount, the wheelset and the tyres are not so good ( change them and you get easily half a kilo less, no joking ). Same with the saddle, too heavy. Still great price for a full 105 bike

[@ariffau]

Love it when you lads cover 'affordable' bikes. Super bikes raced in the pro peloton is cool and all, but not everyone can afford it. Perhaps do consider taking a look at Giant's alloy TCR in the near future? ;)

[@meDianize]

This one is called the Giant Contend. Definitely not the same kind of bike. But between a Giant TCR Advanced and a Giant TCR Advanced SL, there is not such a big difference (except the weight).

[@ariffau]

@@meDianize Contend is the alloy version of the Defy. The alloy version of the TCR is called TCR SLR, I think?

[@robertlacasse]

Very good review, I'm a big fan of the Giant TCR. Thanks!

[@michaelkaszynski7658]

I am buying this bike and replacing the stock brakes with Campy. Other than that, it's a bike that suits someone who loves to hit pedals hard and stay in big gears. I am not a racer. I am an all day rider.

[@AussieInJapan]

Great videos! Can’t wait to see the Trek Domane video. Picked up the 2020 model and it’s blown me away just how many boxes it ticks.

[@jesus-xr9yo]

How much does this bike weigh cause giant has the tcr for 2022, all other bike brands have gone disc except for entry level. It's nice to see Giant still has a rim model

[@Tuslareb]

I have the 2018 model. Absolutely love it. If I can get a good deal I will buy the 2020 Advanced 1 this year, because I prefer the glossy white color. But: the wheel set is very basic. My bike became 600 gram lighter by buying a set of Hunt wheels.

[@linkinsahan]

Is it comfortable enough for long trips (200-300km) ? Does it ever cause backache or neckache ?

[@Tuslareb]

Sahin G it’s a comfortable frame, but comfort on a road bike is mostly determined by your position. If you want to do 200-300 km rides, just make sure that the saddle and handlebar are perfectly positioned for you. Besides that, to be comfortable on rides that long, you’ll need training and experience.

[@linkinsahan]

@@Tuslareb thanks a lot. Very helpful. I'll consider it when buying one.

[@pbt2005]

Good review. Worth noting that the alloy BB shell steerer and drop outs equate to more road buzz compared to an SL model but totally agree in terms of feel this feels like an SL bike but less compliant. Absolute bargain in relative terms. Fab colour too....

[@kendarcie6613]

How bad is the buzz coming from the alloy steerer tube? Worth it for the pro version to get rid of the buzz?

[@pbt2005]

@@kendarcie6613 I found mine very harsh. Upgrade bars and better tape the answer. But as before very stiff race life feel and great VFM.

[@kendarcie6613]

@@pbt2005 would it be better just to go with the advanced pro to get rid of the front end buzz?

[@pbt2005]

@@kendarcie6613 depends on your pocket. I've has adv adv Pro and SL and in terms of performance no difference aside from the adv being a tiring bike. I think with the sl you are paying for comfort.

[@kendarcie6613]

​@@pbt2005 Is the alloy steerer of the Adv that much buzz-y than the Adv Pro? I have a choice only between the TCR Advanced and the TCR Advanced Pro.

[@linkinsahan]

Nice video! As a rider, this is what i've been looking for after a year of touring bike experience. But i have to pay 16k unit compared to its original price since 1usd is almost 7 tl in Turkey :( i think i will sell one of my kidneys for this beauty. lol. Greetings from Turkey!

[@darrylneiltanyag2487]

One of the best paint jobs Giant has ever done and it's on an affordable bike. Too bad they went back to black and white on the 2021 tcr adv 2.

[@ashleymcavery4132]

Just picked up a TCR advanced 1 disc 2019 for a bargain price and love it so far, definitely going to be looking at some lighter wheels for summer though!

[@phenofinder9145]

Congratulations

[@Mububban23]

The PR2 stock wheels are over 2kg. I got some 1500gram wheels from Chain Reaction/Wiggle and they transformed my bike

[@brody5211]

Will make a huge difference

[@dg2274]

Great bike is the TCR - I had the 2015 model but traded in for a Caad12 which I will say, is probably the best bike I have ridden (Specialized, Ridley, Boardman, Giant is the bikes I've had in my stable). Not taking anything away from TCR as it is great.

[@whichdoctor4858]

What’s the rear OLD on the non disc? And would this take a new Ultegra crankset like the R8000 that’s aimed at the 135mm spacing? Cheers!

[@jerzykryszczynski4892]

Super bike Giant TCR 👍🇵🇱🎄🇵🇱 Chicago 🇵🇱👍🎄🇵🇱

[@taufikabidin412]

Mike Burrows really showed his bike design power when he designed TCR decades ago. That's why HPV designers are the best bike designers as they can think out of the box.

[@charlyvanbuuren739]

My 2007 TCR comp 2 is still going strong...

[@stanislavkindiakov6334]

I am so disappointed, that Giant discontinued this color, it was absolutely the best.

[@iliaserdem2538]

Which one should i get ??? Tcr advanced 2 or advanced 1???

[@user-ku2bm6kw2k]

Beautiful bike!!!!!

[@karolwololo6826]

Giant TCR Advanced 2 DISC-PC 2020 or Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc 2020??? And why?

[@owenchuarbx]

I would love to buy that but I don't really like the local distributor at my area.

[@Jabba1625]

I just had to buy a bike off a local LBS whom I don't like because it being the Merida distributer, I'll just take it back to my favourite LBS, 😁. Giant bikes are neat, I've owned three over the years, worth the investment

[@paul_hd1875]

The value with GIANT as a brand can't be overstated... especially if you're a Crit rider... or competitor... and can't afford a $10K plus road machine. I've been on a Spesh binge since 2018 but as I get more immersed into cycling I'm discovering there's a lot of value in other OEMs.

[@Countrystock]

Great bikes, the only problem I have is that they are too many on the road but I’d still have one. Some great deals on 2019 models

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

What do you mean 'to many on the road'. Perhaps you mean 'common as muck'.

[@comedyman112]

can you run 28c tyres on this? is that the max size?

[@brody5211]

Great value but found it quite dead coming off a caad12 .

[@stuartmclean3843]

What does a 2022 tcr advanced 2 pro compact rim brake weigh??

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

When I was researching my similar comparison video, I wasn't able to find the TCR as listed in rim brake. Is this an Australia only thing?

[@manooms78]

I was wondering the same thing! Did you figure it out?

[@marinebiotechnology6036]

I want to know the weight of the bike TCR Advanced 2 2020.. :)

[@dimitridabidin2757]

7.9kg for a 56 cm size

[@jimmyendless]

Anyone know what caused the price increase for 2021 model?

[@theGhostFacekillah92]

Does anyone know how big you can go with the tyres when changing them, would they run 28mm??

[@paulmesh8089]

I run 28 on my 2018 and it fits.

[@chewepooz]

up to 32mm

[@highfived]

Great bike horrible colour last year model was gorgeous with better graphics and colours. In fact the video makes look good. When I saw one at my local bike shop yesterday it looked worse. All they had to do is make the logo white like the old giant ocr which had a similar colour. Then they may of got away with it. But last years models were so much better. I am going to buy last years Tcr it is gorgeous

[@jim_mountain_88]

So would you go for a TCR or Supersix Evo given the choice?

[@meDianize]

Cannondale seems a risky choice according to the number of people who complain about them.

[@jim_mountain_88]

@@meDianize TCR it is then 😁

[@edchalk9765]

Jim Mountain Having owned both tcr and cannondale super six I would say the tcr is by far the better choice And I now have two one rim other disc

[@CUBEM0RE]

Maybe you can review Java bikes soon?

[@RallyFangio]

Is that bike ready for Di2? Somebody knows?

[@JogBird]

Is this an old design? It should have direct mount brakes

[@LucaBonato]

Next year they will be launching the new tcr... Already spotted at the world championship this year

[@Primetime_dads]

I thought all rim breaks are direct mount, I’m new to cycling but I just bought this bike and it’s getting ready to ship to me. But these are direct mount rim breaks right.

[@j.milleraabamsc9400]

Legendary bike, but why leave out that the wheels are crap?

[@chrisrussell789]

I have this exact bike. What wheels would you suggest are a good upgrade for this bike?

[@dickieblench5001]

@@chrisrussell789 Zondas

[@chewepooz]

wheels are not crap for that amount of money.

[@wsguntoro]

I'm 170cm/5'7 should I go with XS or S ?

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

I am 150 Lbs and use a Giant TCR Advanced 2 small. Excellent. Look to toe overlap with the front toes wheel when turning the front wheel.

[@chriswhite5843]

I'm the same height and have a small frame.

[@bicyclejoelofisoundandvisi523]

I had one in 93 full Dura Ace $1100 was stolen from in front of MOMA.

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

How mean...

[@RajeshKumar-vc4zu]

The price?

[@simongendry1823]

This bike was really easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.

[@jervdog]

Does anyone know what is the widest tire on 2019 giant tcr advanced 2? Thanks

[@ryantodd4764]

I've got a budget of 1500 give or take, any recommendations anyone??

[@spencer.kissack.the.author]

Packet of gear & a coupla brasses?

[@ryantodd4764]

@@spencer.kissack.the.author Useful, ta.

[@kathyfrance2764]

What size wheels?

[@huhuruz77]

28

[@spencer.kissack.the.author]

Please can someone tell me, are Giants all really big?

[@elguero355]

this bike is good for women ??

[@moakim4930]

2:27 a spider??

[@Chris-de2qc]

Swap the tires first.

[@johnpaullaxa5486]

Why I see a trek emonda on it?

[@highfived]

Colour of bike is horrible . Last year Tcr models look so much better

[@jeremyhardeman5243]

2 ads not pog

[@alicangul2603]

"Aero seatpost" lol yeah sure

[@LucaBonato]

Actually the shape is a naca profile, more aero than the troncated ones like the specialized tarmac

[@BikeLife154]

It must be aero because almost every other manufacturer copied Giant’s D shaped seat post design!

[@johnlindsay7301]

Any time I see a bike with rim breaks these days I just see a very dated bike.

[@chewepooz]

what's wrong with rim brakes? and where (in what situation) do you need that difference between rim and disc brakes.

[@gligachaz5047]

I just bought the rim brake version over the disc. Didn't see any point in spending £350 for a slightly heavier, more complicated (for me to work on) system. Never had any problems with rim brakes. I'd have rim brakes on all my bikes if I could.

[@dickieblench5001]

Rim brakes are lighter and more aero