Giant TCX SLR 1 or 2

Ono
Ono Posts: 30
edited February 2015 in Cyclocross
Hi all,
having moved to a new and more spacious place I finally have room for a second bike. I've already got a mountain bike and am looking for another one to commute to work. Innitially I was going to go back to a road bike, as I used to have one a couple of years ago, but then found out about the CX bikes.
I have been looking around and decided to go with the Giant TCX. Now, I'm not sure which one I should go for.
The TCX 2 seems very good value for money (£1049):

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... 221/77317/

The TCX 1 is (£1299) but upgrades the wheelset, chainset, rear mech and the thru-axels:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... /#overview

Any ideas?

Also, the person at the Giant Store put me into two sizes, M and M/L (54.5 and 56), and said that I am spot on in between the two. I'm 6' and 33'' inseam. Anybody riding a TCX that could help?
Cheers!

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    TCX2 seems the better offer... I don't think there's 250 quid of extra wheels in the other... they seem pretty basic too. Mechs are all the same and so are chain sets. Thru axle is an upgrade in MTBiking, in CX much less so
    left the forum March 2023
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,575
    I'm the same height as you, with the same inseam, and I've got a M/L, and I think I'm towards the upper limit of it. The M would be too small.

    I like mine a lot, it's been a reliable race bike this season. I have heavily modified it though, just the frame, forks and seatpost remain from the bike I rolled out the shop on.
  • How Far is too Far
    How Far is too Far Posts: 534
    I would get the TCX1 and spend some money on a better set of wheels.

    I am 5'11" and had a M/L giant before and found it to be a good fit.
  • Ono
    Ono Posts: 30
    Thank you guys for your comments! Andyp, which one is yours TCX1 or TCX2? and How far is to long (love your username mate!) you mean I should go for the more expensive one and put some more money in a new set of wheels? Any suggestions? I'm at the top of my budget already but, if my gf doesn't kill me, I could push it a bit...
    Size wise, I took all possible measurements and put them on the competitive cyclist calculator (road bike section), according to that the M is a better fit (see picture attached), what do you think?
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,575
    Mine is last year's model, so with a 105 drivetrain and FSA Omega chainset (which is a boat anchor). I think it has the S-X2 wheels, which are also very heavy, especially the rear. I replaced the wheels almost immediately with a pair of tubeless wheels (Stan's Iron Cross rims and Novatec hubs), as they are ideal for racing and training. I found the stock wheels very prone to pinch flats when using them off road.

    I still think the M would be too small for you, despite what that fit calculator says. Can you not get your dealer to get both in and try them?
  • Ono
    Ono Posts: 30
    Hi andy, yes, I tried both in the shop and they felt different but both good. This is only based on a few minutes on the trainer though. I am a bit confused as it seems that the bike sizes differ in the UK and US websites.

    http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... /#geometry

    http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... /#geometry

    Yours is the 56cm TT?

    Back to components, given that I would need to swap the wheels anyway, it all comes down to:

    SRL2:
    Fork Advanced-Grade Composite, ALUXX OverDrive Steerer
    Crankset FSA Gossamer Pro Cross, 36/46
    Bottom Bracket FSA MegaExo
    Rear Derailleur Shimano 105

    SLR1:
    Fork Pro-Spec, Advanced-Grade Composite, Full-Composite OverDrive 2 Steerer, 15mm Thru Axle
    Crankset Shimano RS500 46/36
    Bottom Bracket Shimano pressfit
    Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra

    Still worth the extra £250?
  • muttley_109
    muttley_109 Posts: 177
    I have a TCX SLR2 in Medium to sell. I bought it new from Giant and only put 700ish miles on it so its in very good condition. It's a great bike but I found the medium too big for me and i'm 5'10". If it fitted you and you didnt mind a used bike it could be yours for £675. That'll leave you a bit for some new wheels too ;)

    DSC_0227.jpg
    Cannondale CAAD 10
    Genesis Equilibrium Disc 10
    Bird Zero TR
  • Ono
    Ono Posts: 30
    Thanks! But I am afraid that I am planning to use the C2W scheme... That is why I am trying to decide whether I should stretch my budget a bit and go for the TCX1.
    Also, somebody mentioned the Dolan CDX. I had a look at their website and it looks great:

    http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-cyclo- ... -bike.html

    But I cannot try it as I live in London and no LBS would have it... don't know what to do!!! :?
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    I've been looking at that CDX. It looks absolutely fabulous. Wheels are a bit heavy but should be reliable.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • Ono
    Ono Posts: 30
    Do you mind a couple of more questions?
    I'm going tomorrow to try the Specialized, before I hit the button. But I've just seen that Halfords is doing a 15% in all boardmans, which brings the CX Team down to £760:

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... -bike-2014

    Worth considering?
    Also, which tires would you go for?

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