koolerb

I'm looking at a 2012 Giant TCR Carbon at a good price. All the reviews I can find are on the TRC Avanced. I believe there were three levels of carbon frame With this one being the lowest and the Advanced being the highest. Anyone have any experience or opinions on the entry level carbon frame?

lsberrios1 

I think it goes like this from lowest to highest level

1) SLR

2) Composite

3) Advanced

4) Advanced SL

5) Advenced SL Ltd.

They are awesome bikes. I have an advanced SL and I am hesitant to believe that there could be anything better out there.

rpenmanparker 

I ride an Advanced and find it wonderful. A bit heavier than it needs to be, but otherwise perfect.

Canadian_giant

I've been riding a 2012 TCR Comp 1 for 2 years now and couldn't be happier. Love the bike! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

rms13

Also riding an Advanced SL and could not be happier. I doubt there is a better frame for the price point. Haven't ridden the regular advanced but I'm sure it's great too. I believe it's a little heavier and less stiff than the SL but that may be better for a lot of people

T800CF

Aluminum

Aluxx - 6061

Aluxx SL - 6011

Aluxx SLR - 6011A


Carbon Fiber

CoMax - Not sure since it's new

Composite - T600 - wonder if Giant still makes Composite frame for some countries

Advanced - T700

Advanced SL - T800

fried bake

sl4 owner here but to me the most notable difference in this frameset and others i have owned/ridden is the OD2 oversized steerer tube, which provides great feedback and front end stability.

mercator

I've got the TCR Advanced, but have ridden the TCR C and the only difference I could see was that it was (slightly) heavier and typically speced with lower tier components. The ride is the same.
If a TCR fits you - it's a great bike.

lsberrios1 

The only issue with this is that you are limited to oversize stems and there aren't many offerings aroung. I dont mind it since i like their sprinters stem but if you'd like to go custom you are limited.

RollCNY

I spoke with a Giant rep in early 2013 about the differences between the composite and advanced frames, and his statement was that they are designed with the same targeted ride characteristics, but the composite uses more of a lower grade carbon to get there. So the only difference, per this guy, was weight. If it helps, the rep was at Epic Cycles in Fayetteville, and may still be available for questions through that shop.

koolerb

Thanks for all the feedback. It's not spec'd bad, all Ultegra, but it is 10 speed I believe. I hear the Giant wheel set isn't bad.

koolerb

RollCNY - If that was when they had their annual Giant day with the factory rep and trailer full of bikes I probably talked to the same guy. That was when I bought the Defy. I wasn't shopping a TCR back then but did take a TCR Advanced out for a test ride and it was a hot rod. I'm on the fence right now as to weather or not I want to spend the money to add a racing geometry bike to the stable. It will be 2 or 3 lbs lighter than the Defy and should be a little more aero with the lower riding position.