Giant TCR Advanced 3 Review

Reviewer: Dan Duguid

6-Nov-2008 | 1 Review

Rating:

£1,599.99 (at time of review)

Pros

Stiff but absorbs road shock well
Race-bike responsive
Wide, rigid bottom bracket

Cons

27.2mm seatpost might improve comfort

See verdict and spec

The Giant TCR Advanced 3 is one model down from the top of the TCR range

Sitting one down from top in the TCR range, the Advanced has many of the same features of its pricier siblings.

Characterised by the large head tube and its junction to the triangulated top and down tubes the front end gives a responsive ride, feeling direct through tight turns and with plenty of road feel being transmitted to the rider without being unduly uncomfortable at the front.

With a boxy chainstay and seatstay design, the rear end is equally matched to the front, with a positive, whippy response to the rider’s input. The wide, 86mm bottom bracket integration no doubt helps with pedalling stiffness.

Giant’s Vector seatpost design is lightweight and aerodynamic and yet the bike absorbs road shocks well, but I cannot help feeling that it could be improved further with a regular 27.2mm post.

GIANT TCR ADVANCED 3: SPEC
Distributor Giant UK 0115 977 5900
Price £1,599.99
Frame Advanced Composite Technology
Fork Advanced Composite Overdrive
Size range S, M, ML, L, XL
Weight 17.1lb (8.1kb)
Groupset Shimano 105
Wheels Mavic/Formula
Size tested M

Verdict

Giant has produced a well-tuned bike that is not unduly uncomfortable and with excellent race bike responsiveness that puts it up there with the best.

User reviews

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John Miles

March 13 08:14

I find your review simply filled with tech speak? What about writing a review for the novice cyclist? It's like you're writing a corporate brochure for online trading or something, come on lighten up a little. Tell your readers how it handles, how light and responsive it is, maybe compare it to a Cervelo or Trak (then you can link to that review also). I really did not want to investigate this any further. I'm new to cycling and I'm constantly looking for websites that explain stuff for the novice user, how about aiming the content to newbies and not professional cyclists who know about the bike talk? Apart from that, you guys do a great job.