new TCR more relaxed than Defy?

nick9one1

I've just bought a TCR Comp 3 to replace my Defy 5 and love it, but have a couple of questions.

1. I was under the impression that the TCR is more "racey" than the Defy. It certainly looks it, but as soon as I sat on it I could tell the geometry felt more comfortable (to me). After cycling the bike home through London I stood it beside my Defy. Both bikes are Small (52cm), but the TCR has a rise in the stem, and as a result the bars are a couple of centimeters higher. I know there must be other differences in the geometry, but this seems quite significant to me.

2. I expected the Comp to have the integrated Ant+. It does have a hole in the frame where the sensor 'should' be. To me it looks like the sensor has fallen off or not been fitted. Although I don't currently have anything to connect/test it so maybe it is there?!

Defy at the front TCR behind (notice the lower handlebars on the defy).
Ignore saddle differences, a friend rode the Defy yesterday and lowered the saddle.

nferrar

Is that how it came from a bike shop or did you assemble it? Either way it just needs the stem flipped, I'd have thought it should be sold with it the other way and only done the way yours is if a fit suggests it or a customer requests it.

nick9one1

Its how it was supplied, I just had a look on Giants website and the stem shown in the image looks like it has less of a rise (more like the Defy stem).
I wonder if the bike shop fitted a different stem than was supplied for some reason?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.tcr.composite.3/11825/56729/#specifications

6wheels

Dunno whether it's optical illusion or my eyes , but the TCR's top tube looks a lot shorter than the Defy's. If it is , perhaps that makes a difference.

t4tomo

with the photo at that angle its impossible to tell anything except the stem is on upside down on the TCR and thus the bars are at an odd angle.

I think you also have 3 spacers under the stem - can flick one or 2 of those above the stem if you want the bars lower.

nick9one1

I realise the picture isnt the best, but it was just to illustrate the shape of the stem. The defy's stem is almost horizontal, and the TCR's points up at an angle. As a result the handlebars are 2cm higher on the TCR.

top tubes are the same length - both bikes are small size and about 52cm.

the setup isn't causing me a problem - its actually more comfortable than the Defy. It's just that the TCR is supposed to have a more aggressive stance, but higher bars seem to suggest the opposite? Unless like you mentioned the stem is just on upside down.

TheRealGuybrush

The stem shouldn't have been fitted that way. The stems are fitted pointing down, out of the box so that stem has been flipped before final assembly. (Possibly the shop had issues selling the more aggressive TCR so started flipping stems so customers found them more comfortable?)

With regards to the RideSense (ANT+), only the Advanced and Advanced SL bikes come with it fitted. The Composite level of bikes are compatible with it, however it is an additional purchase.

Also, the Defy has a shorter top tube, taller headtube, and longer chainstays.

Also, your saddle looks like it's pointing down, did you do that yourself, or is it another indication the bike wasn't assembled to the best of the shops ability?