First seen at Cross Vegas during Interbike 2009, the Giant TCX Advanced SL cyclocross rig was shown in prototype form with no firm commitment to production schedule or anything else. But, true to fashion, show it one year and release it the next…and here you are, the official, production ready 2011 Giant TCX Advanced SL, and it’s brought along some friends.
With the new top of the line carbon model, two alloy TCX and a womens specific TCXW model, Giant’s got a full line.
Carried over from the prototype and perhaps most striking on the TCX Advanced SL frame is the use of an integrated seatpost on a ‘cross bike. Giant says its tuned more for comfort than rigidity. Other than that, the bike borrows heavily from its road going siblings with an OverDrive tapered 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ headtube, MegaDrive rectangular shaped downtube and 86mm PowerCore bottom bracket.
The bike gets internal cable routing (it had Di2 on the prototype from Cross Vegas) and the integrated seatmast let them run the brake cable directly out of the rear of that tube, something shown on the prototype originally…and we’re glad to see trick features like that actually make it into production on a major manufacturer’s bike!
Pricing, specs and the other cyclocross bikes after the break…
First up, we know you want to see more photos…so check the post of the prototype and you’ll see most of what we’re talking about.
The TCX gets a ‘cross specific all carbon fork, a flatter top tube and overall tubing that’s slightly thinner than their road bikes. Compared to this year’s top of the line aluminum model, the TCX Advanced SL frame is 18% lighter and 10% stiffer in the front triangle. Claimed frame weight is 1,133g, and a medium, complete bike with Shimano Dura-Ace, FSA and Giant components has a claimed weight of 15.65lb. MSRP is $6,700 USD.
The TCX 0 gets Giant’s Aluxx aluminum alloy, comes in slightly lighter (2% less at 1,400g) and a bit stiffer (5%) at the bottom bracket than this year’s model. It shares the branded MegaDrive, OverDrive and PowerCore frame features as the new carbon model, but uses traditional top-of-the-toptube cable runs and a carbon fork with alloy steerer. Claimed weight for the complete bike is 18.5lbs. MSRP is $2,350.
The TCX 1, above, uses the same frame, which includes a flattened top tube for easier shouldering, with lesser spec for an MSRP of $1,650. Below that, there’s a TCX 3 (2?) for $970.
Giant seems to know how to treat the ladies. They came out with the first ever women’s specific 29er, the Rainier, and now the first women’s specific cyclocross bike (right? leave a comment if we’re missing something here).
Using input from pro sponsored rider Kelli Emmett, Giant tweaked the geometry of the TCXW while maintaining the performance features of their regular ‘cross bikes. A taller headtube and shorter top tube improve reach and rider position, and a slightly taller bottom bracket makes it easier to pedal through corners.
The TCXW will come with SRAM Rival for $1,650.
All models will be available August 1, 2010.
