[Review] 2014 Giant TCX Advanced 0

THE FUTURE OF CYCLOCROSS

According to Giant, "The 2014 TCX Advanced 0 combines Giant's deep pedigree of world
championship-winning cyclocross bikes with a host of forward-thinking technologies and designs. Last year, Giant assembled a team of engineers, athletes and product developers to rethink the possibilities of cyclocross performance. tapping into Giant's industry-leading engineering and manufacturing capabilities — plus its long history of collaboration with some of the world's top 'cross racers — they set out to create bikes that weren't just light and efficient, but that could significantly boost a rider's level of confidence and control."

 The TCX Advanced features a sub-1050-gram frame made with Giant's Advanced-grade composite material and geometry that's updated with a slightly lower bottom bracket drop and a slightly longer wheelbase compared to previous models. Designed with Finite Element Analysis, which was used to create tube shapes that "enhance the performance and ride quality for cyclocross racing including a flattened and smoothed top tube shape for easier shouldering." It also eliminates the outermost woven composite sheet in order to reduce weight without affecting ride quality, strength or stiffness.

TCR Advanced 1 Brakes Shown

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The biggest news for the TCX Advanced is that it's moved to disc-only compatibility for 2014, complete with post mount tabs front and rear, 135mm rear hub spacing, and the very forward-thinking 15mm thru-axle up front.

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Giant has also moved to a conventional telescoping seatpost with a hidden binder, instead of the predecessor's integrated setup. The new carbon post will use a proprietary D-shaped profile, which the company claims will lend a smother ride than a round traditional form. As has been the trend with its road and mountain bikes, Giant will include house-brand wheels with the new TCX Advanced.

"The wheels on the bikes (both the P-CXR-0 on the Advanced 0 and P-CXR-1 on all other bikes but the SLR 2) are adopted from our mountain bike range, and have a 19mm inner rim width," said James Hibbard of Giant's global on-road marketing department.

"This is ideal for 'cross applications as it opens up the tires profile - helping to create a wider, rounder tire profile. So far, we have had excellent luck with the durability of these wheels, and although they don't have the brand recognition equal to a third-party wheel, like our road wheels, the 'cross wheels were made in conjunction with DT Swiss and really are a value-add from our perspective."

Finish Line Bikes 
8850 Stockdale Hwy. 
Bakersfield, CA 93311 
www.finishlinebikes.com 
661-833-6268