Iconic road bike enters its 10th generation with weight savings and aerodynamic improvements
The new Giant TCR has arrived, with under-the-skin refinements said to contribute to savings in weight, and improvements in aerodynamics and stiffness.
Giant says it has utilised its carbon expertise and control of the manufacturing process to cut 60 pieces from the frame’s layup, which has helped it achieve a 690g claimed frame weight – 75g lighter than the 2021 version.
The new TCR also features fully integrated cable routing for the first time, thanks to its use of Giant’s OverDrive Aero system, which debuted on the 2023 Giant Propel.
Thanks to this and modifications to the tube shapes, the top-spec Advanced SL is claimed to be 4.19 watts more aerodynamically efficient than the previous equivalent bike at 40kph, while both the frame and fork are said to be stiffer than before.
Giant’s high-end component brand Cadex has also been involved in the design process, which the brand says results in optimum system performance.
At launch, the new TCR is priced from £2,699 ($3,200 / €2,799 / AU$3,799) for the Advanced 2 with Shimano 105 R7100, up to £11,999 ($12,500 / €12,300 / AU$13,799) for the Advanced SL 0 model with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200.
Whether these changes will be enough to satisfy the demands of existing TCR fans remains to be seen, but initial impressions suggest this is the best version of the TCR yet.
With that in mind, click through to read our review of the new Giant TCR Advanced SL 0, or keep reading for all the details about the latest version of this iconic road bike.
New Giant TCR – what you need to know
- Three frameset tiers: Advanced, Advanced Pro and Advanced SL
- Advanced SL frame weighs a claimed 690g (size medium)
- Advanced SL 0 is claimed to weigh 6.4kg (size medium)
- Claimed to be 4.19 watts more aerodynamically efficient at 40kph (as a complete bike) than the previous Advanced SL
- New Contact SLR handlebar weighs 160g
- 270 precision-cut carbon pieces in each frame
- 11 hours＋ to make an Advanced SL frame
- Claimed weight of 1,249g for the Advanced SL 0’s new Cadex Max 40 wheelset
Subtle frameset tweaks
The frameset may look relatively unchanged, but there are some subtle differences.
To improve the aerodynamics, Giant says it has reduced the frame’s surface area by 2 per cent. Visibly, much of this reduction comes at the junction between top and seat tubes.
It’s also here that the seatstay yoke has been reduced further because this newest iteration will not have a rim brake version, negating the need for a larger yoke on the overall design.
Rim brake fans will have to settle for snapping up the last examples of the ninth-generation TCR rim brake frameset, just as BikeRadar contributor Joe Norledge has.
The fork and down tube have been reprofiled, with Giant claiming they’re lighter and more aerodynamically efficient, while tyre clearance has increased from 32 to 33mm.
The ISP (integrated seatpost) design remains on the top-tier Advanced SL version of the TCR, moving to a D-shape profile compared to the previous bladed shape.
The biggest change visually, however, is at the front – the TCR now features full cable integration. The new front end comprises a D-shaped steerer (much like the brand’s Propel aero bike), which enables the brake hoses to route through the bar and stem down through the head tube.
Unlike many of the TCR’s rivals – such as the latest Cannondale SuperSix Evo and Specialized Tarmac SL8, which now feature a threaded BSA bottom bracket, Giant has stuck to a press-fit BB86 design.
Carbon fibre expertise
Under the skin, Giant says the frame has benefitted from new technical advancements to achieve its claimed 690g weight (size medium) and 4.19-watt aerodynamic improvement (at 40kph) compared to the old bike.
Giant says the frameset is marginally stiffer too, which helps improve handling and power transfer.
The brand says it has achieved this by weaving its own carbon fibre material to better control the fibre orientation, bringing more control over the stiffness-to-weight ratios.
It has also implemented a new high-precision ‘cold-cutting’ technology, where previous models’ carbon pieces were laser-cut. The earlier method, it’s said, could lead to some distortion of the fibre edges.
According to Giant, achieving the desired strength previously meant engineering more overlap between the layers’ edges – ostensibly, more material and more complexity in the layup of the component carbon fibre pieces.
The new cold-cutting technique is said to have enabled the brand to reduce this fibre overlap and cut more accurately. In turn, fewer pieces now make up a frameset.
The previous-generation TCR frame involved 330 pieces going into each mould. The new TCR requires only 270. The result is a frame that’s claimed to weigh 690g (size medium) compared to the previous generation’s 765g.
690g may not sound super-light compared to the likes of Specialized’s S-Works Aethos (585g, size 56cm), but Giant argues the new TCR has superior aerodynamics, while its weight also includes the seat mast.
Efficient and aerodynamic
The new frameset’s tube shapes were informed by a combination of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) modelling and wind-tunnel testing at the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad, Germany.
Giant says it tested the bike at 24mph (40kph) wind speed, using a dynamic
mannequin, across a range of yaw angles from ＋20 to －20 degrees.
The brand claims a dynamic mannequin more accurately reveals the aerodynamic effects of a rider pedalling, compared to a more commonly used static mannequin.
Updated truncated ellipse tube shapes, combined with the new co-developed cockpit and cable integration, are said to confer a net aerodynamic improvement of 2.28 watts over the previous frameset.
A complete TCR Advanced SL 0 is claimed to be 4.19 watts more efficient over the equivalent previous model, including two bottles and cages, thanks to its new Cadex Max 40 wheelset.
In respect to stiffness, Giant says the fork sees a 1.2N/mm improvement over the previous model and the frame 2.04N/mm.
In percentage terms, this represents a 0.53 per cent improvement, although Giant says the total system efficiency – which describes the frameset’s stiffness in the context of its weight – has improved by 3.38 per cent.
System integration
The frameset was designed with dedicated components in mind – developed with sibling components brand, Cadex.
The Advanced SL and Advanced Pro series bikes both use a D-shaped steerer (called OverDrive Aero), which fits to a new Contact SLR or SL stem and matching handlebar.
The bar is said to be stiffer and feature a more aerodynamic shape, with the top section moving away from the D-shaped cross-section of the previous Contact SLR bar, to a new egg-shaped cross-section.
Giant claims its slightly raised edge helps riders maintain a more aerodynamically efficient position while tucked on the hoods.
The bar is said to weigh only 160g in a size 42cm (measured centre-to-centre).
The TCR Advanced series uses a semi-integrated cable-routing design, utilising Giant’s alloy Contact AeroLight stem and Contact handlebar.
The new range includes two different seatpost systems, depending on the series. The TCR Advanced SL uses an integrated seatpost (ISP) that saves a claimed 40g over the telescoping design on the Advanced Pro and Advanced bikes.
Giant says it contributes to the overall aerodynamic savings and adds more compliance over the previous-generation ISP.
The TCR Advanced Pro and Advanced series use the Variant composite seatpost – this has a proprietary shape that’s integrated with the frameset.
Models above the Advance 1 also feature new Cadex or Giant-branded wheelsets.
The updated rim profiles are wider, with a 22.4mm internal width and 28mm external width, to optimise their performance with wider tyres.
Giant says the wheelsets were developed in conjunction with the new TCR frameset to offer optimal system performance.
As with all of the latest Giant and Cadex wheels, they use hookless rims. Bikes will be specced with either Cadex or Giant 700 x 28c tubeless tyres.
The premium Advanced SL 0 comes fitted with the latest Cadex 40 Max wheelset – a new carbon-spoked road wheelset that has a claimed weight of only 1,249g and is said to outperform major rivals in terms of stiffness-to-weight.
2025 Giant TCR range
At launch, there are 12 complete builds of the 2025 Giant TCR. Three feature the top-tier Advanced SL frameset, while five feature the Advanced Pro spec frameset.
The range is underpinned by four Advanced carbon bikes, with two frameset options (Advanced SL and Advanced Pro).
Availability is territory-dependent (see prices).
Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 Dura-Ace
- Pricing: £11,999 / $12,500 / CAN$15,499 / €12,300 / AU$13,799 / ¥79,800
- Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR, 10.5-degree flare
- Stem: Giant Contact SLR Aerolight
- Seatpost: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Integrated Design
- Saddle: Cadex Amp, carbon rail
- Power meter: Shimano R9200-P
- Wheelset: Cadex Max 40
- Tyres: Cadex Race GC Tubeless 700x28c
Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 Ultegra Di2
- Pricing: £8,799 / $N/A / CAN$9,999 / €8,300 / AU$9,499 / ¥52,800
- Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR
- Stem: Giant Contact SLR Aerolight
- Seatpost: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Integrated Design
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SLR, carbon rail
- Power meter: Giant Power Pro
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 Force AXS
- Pricing: £8,999 / $N/A / CAN$N/A / €8,500 / AU$N/A / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR, 10.5-degree flare
- Stem: Giant Contact SLR Aerolight
- Seatpost: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Integrated Design
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SLR, carbon rail
- Power meter: Quarq
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia COURSE 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Force AXS
- Pricing: £6,699 / $N/A / CAN$8,299 / €6,999 (GER) / €6,800 (FRA) / AU$N/A / ¥40,800
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: SRAM Force AXS
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SLR
- Stem: Giant Contact SL Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL, stainless steel rail
- Power meter: Quarq
- Wheelset: New Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Ultegra Di2
- Pricing: £6,499 / $6,500 / CAN$7,999 / €6,500 / AU$8,199 / ¥37,800
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL
- Stem: Giant Contact SL Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL, stainless steel rail
- Power meter: Giant Power Pro
- Wheels: Giant SLR 0 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 Rival AXS
- Pricing: £4,999 / $N/A / CAN$6,899 / €5,100 / AU$N/A / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL
- Stem: Giant Contact SL Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL, stainless steel rail
- Power meter: Giant Power Halo
- Wheels: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700x25c (28mm effective), 170 TPI, folding
Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1 105 Di2
- Pricing: £4,899 / $5,500 / CAN$6,599 / €4,799 (GER) / €4,700(FRA) / AU$6,799 / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL
- Stem: Giant Contact SL Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL, stainless steel rail
- Power meter: Giant Power Pro
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2 105
- Pricing: £3,999 / $N/A / CAN$N/A / €2,800 / AU$N/A / ¥23,800
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact SL
- Stem: Giant Contact SL Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Fleet SL, stainless steel rail
- Power meter: Giant Power Pro
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced 0 105 Di2
- Pricing: £3,699 / $4,700 / CAN$N/A / €3,999 (GER) / €4,000 (FRA) / AU$5,199 / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact
- Stem: Giant Contact Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Approach, steel rail
- Power meter: No
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 1 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced 0 AXS
- Pricing: £3,799 / $N/A / CAN$5,499 / €N/A / AU$N/A / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Groupset: SRAM Rival AXS
- Handlebar: Giant Contact
- Stem: Giant Contact Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Approach, steel rail
- Power meter: No
- Wheelset: Giant SLR 2 36 Carbon Disc Wheel System
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 1 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced 1
- Pricing: £3,199 / $N/A / CAN$4,499 / €3,499 (GER) / €3,500 (FRA) / AU$4,999 / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2 R7100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact
- Stem: Giant Contact Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Approach, steel rail
- Power meter: No
- Wheelset: Giant P-R2 Disc, alloy
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 1 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced 2
- Pricing: £2,699 / $3,200 / CAN$N/A / €2,799 (FRA) / AU$3,799 / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite
- Groupset: Shimano 105 R7100
- Handlebar: Giant Contact
- Stem: Giant Contact Aerolight
- Seatpost: Giant Variant, carbon
- Saddle: Giant Approach, steel rail
- Power meter: No
- Wheelset: Giant P-R2 Disc, alloy,
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 1 Tubeless, 700 x 25c
Giant TCR Advanced SL frameset
- Pricing: £3,499 / $3,800 / CAN$4,499 / €3,699 (GER) / €3,700 (FRA) / AU$5,299
- Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Seatpost: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Integrated Design
- Bottom Bracket: BB86 press-fit, not included
- Extras: Headset, spacers, axles, out-front computer mount
Giant TCR Advanced Pro frameset
- Pricing: £1,999 / $2,400 / CAN$N/A / €2,500 / AU$N/A / ¥N/A
- Frame: Advanced Grade Composite
- Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
- Seatpost: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Integrated Design
- Bottom Bracket: BB86 press-fit, not included
- Extras: Headset, spacers, axles, out-front computer mount