Advice on TCR Advanced 3

Gromski

Morning all

I've decided that I'm in desperate need of a new bike and, like the rest of the country after reading the C+ review, I'm keen to get my hands on a shiny new TCR Advanced 3.

I trotted down to Cycle Surgery and hopped on the medium (50cm C-C). It's fine in the leg but just a bit more of a stretch in my upper body than I'm used to. I currently ride a Trek 1400 (52cm C-T I think).

I've been trying to find a small frame for a test ride but they've all been sold out for months apparently.

My question is whether or not I should go for the medium and shorten the stem (anyone happen to know what length the standard one is?) or forget it and spend the pennies elsewhere on a bike that will fit out of the box?

Anonymous

The problem with a shorter stem is it can affect the handling of the bike in a bad way, it will become more and possibly too twitchy which on fast descents is a bit of a mare.
Most standard stems on factory bikes are 110 or 120mm. I wouldn't go below 100 personally. I once tried a 90 when I was commuting and had a rucksack on my back. I was soon back on a 120!

Gromski

That's pretty much what I was thinking.

Right, back to the drawing board then and see if I can find a frame that'll fit.

inseine

Don't worry about the seat tube length, you need to get the size with the right length top tube for your build. The Trek has a horizontal top tube so in size 52 the top tube is probably only a bit longer than that dimension whereas the Giant in size 50 has a 55.5 top tube. The next size down (46.5) has a 53.5 top tube which sounds like it would be better for you.
I ride an old TCR in small size (44) but the top tube is 53 IIRC and I'm 170cm.

guilliano

If the TT is too long go for a Defy advanced instead...... although you may want to swap the compact chainset for a double if you are a particularly strong climber. The TT is 1cm shorter and the HT 1 cm higher on the medium frame

gabriel959

I don't understand this urge to buy the giants (and I have got one!). They are poorly specced. £1600 for a 105 bike!

guilliano

As the C+ bike of the year test showed (and as I know as a keen rider/bike shop worker) spec is not the be all and end all of cycling. Giant bikes generally have a VERY good frame for the price and are a good base to upgrade from in the future. The proof of the bike is in the riding, not the kit hanging off it, or Boardman would be the biggest bike brand in the world already.

HonestAl

I've got a TCR Advanced 2 medium, it's got a 100mm stem. I suspect shortening it would liven it up just a little too much. If you like Giant Advanced's I'd definitely suggest you try the Defy, I've ridden it and it's pretty similar and from what guilliano put in another thread, there are plenty of the smaller size.

weeve

medium defo too big.