While most manufacturers unveiled their new products on the floor of Interbike, Giant Bikes launched their new line of cyclocross bikes under the lights at the prestigious ‘Cross Vegas cyclocross race, revealing reworked version of their basic TCX, the top of the line TCX Advanced SL, and their women’s specific model, the TCX W. See the whole line after the break.
TCX Advanced SL
Giant recently announced their partnership with the Rabobank cycling team, tapping their top athletes like Lars Boom to advance and develop their ‘cross racing offerings. Over a year later, the TCX Advanced SL is going into production after some prototype testing, including at Cross Vegas last year.
The frame is made of Giant’s own composite, using T-800 raw carbon to create a proprietary material which Giant manufactures in their own facility. The cross-specific tubing adds basic touches like a flattened top tube, and Giant says an integrated seatmast gives more comfort and power while in the saddle on rough terrain. The new design also brings the rear wheel out a bit, giving more clearance between the wheel and the seat tube for when conditions get really nasty.
In the never ending pursuit for a stiffer bike, Giant also used a tapering head tube (1 1/8″ – 1 1/4″) and a huge bottom bracket shell, which will use an 86mm integrated bottom bracket. The bike uses the same custom-colored TRP EuroX-Mag brakes as the aluminum TCX, with internal cable routing for the Shimano Dura-Ace groupset.
The TCX Advanced SL will come in five sizes; S, M, M/L, L, and XL and retail for around $6,700 for a complete bike. The frame will also be sold alone for just under $2,900.
TCX
Giant started with their aluminum TCX 0, their top-tier aluminum racing bike. The frame uses Giant’s ALUXX SL-grade aluminum in their compact road design to provide a stiff ride while not taking all the flex out of the bike, leaving some vertical compliance to make the ride a bit more comfortable. The sloping top tube has been flattened near the seat tube junction to allow for easier shouldering, and Giant added a tapering head tube (1 1/8″ – 1 1/4″) to add some stiffness, paired with a composite fork using an alloy steer tube.
Giant added some nice touches to this model, including custom DT Swiss R1800 wheels to match the color scheme and TRP EuroX-Mag brakes in a custom blue color consistent with the rest of the bike. The TCX comes spec’d with Shimano Ultrega components, and FSA Energy Mega Exo cranks and bottom bracket. Giant used their house-branded Contact stem and bar combo, and a comoposite Giant-branded 30.9 seatpost as well.
The TCX will be available come Summer, and should retail around $2,350 for the complete bike.
TCX W
This one’s for you, ladies. The women’s specific TCX W borrows much of the technology and material from the standard TCX, with tweaks like a shorter toptube and longer headtube to make the bike more comfortable for female racers and riders. Giant also uses its Connect SL women’s handlebar to compliment the custom geometry. Spec’d with a Sram Rival groupset, the TCX W will use Avid Shorty brakes and basic Giant branded aluminum wheels.
MSRP is $1,650 with three sizes being offered; XS, S, and M.
