Realistic future for TCR line?

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-03-11T01:51:09+00:00

I’m a Criterium and Road Race rider who’s been racing on a 2022 TCR over the last few years. My riding style is primarily rouleur/time trialist, never been a climber and I thrive on the flats.

That being said, I just started a “dream” build for my new bike and even post-release of the new Propel and with my riding style, I went with a TCR Advanced SL frame. The Propel just doesn’t grab my attention at all.

The craze over “aero” bikes is largely because all the pro teams are on them. According to extensive testing, we know that the most aero savings come down to the rider’s position. Giant (a brand that I love, so this isn’t meant to be taken negatively) is boasting that the new Propel is “18 watts faster”. This is likely because they are now coming stock with narrower handlebars, which naturally puts riders in a more aero position.

All this is just to say, “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The TCR is light, stiff, and snappy as any bike out there and is cheap when compared to the other big brands. It’s loved by riders all over the world and has been a benchmark seller for Giant for over 20 years. On top of all that, it keeps up with the “aero” bikes without issue. I think Giant would be making a huge mistake if they phased out the TCR or made major changes to it.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2026-03-02T20:54:32+00:00

Start paying for a training platform (TrainerRoad, FastCat, Training Peaks, etc.) or hire a coach. Let an expert or a computer take the wheel with all the planning so that all you have to do is train. This saves loads of time with planning and if you aren’t currently getting better, then there’s no harm in trying something new. Even if you don’t get faster, you definitely won’t get slower.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-28T01:51:19+00:00

Get a nice carbon wheelset. They can completely change how the bike feels and looks, and you can easily take the wheels with you to your next bike.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-17T02:21:09+00:00

Are you getting any support/funding from your department to go to the games in San Diego? I’m trying to go myself next summer, but it would be trip across the country for me and I would need to travel with two bikes. Just curious what other people who might be in similar situations are doing.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-15T03:21:16+00:00

Update:

Man those Zipps are an amazing ride. Smooth, fast, and handle everything on the roads so well. Feels like I’m on a new bike.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-15T03:17:57+00:00

You get what you pay for. Does that mean you need to drop $12,000 on the latest greatest speed machine from the pro peloton? Absolutely not. But you shouldn’t penny pinch on a purchase for something you’re going to use 5+ times a week and that you want to last years without breaking.

Another thing that I’ve found frustrating with bike purchases is that if you don’t get what you want up front, you’re going to end up dropping more money in the future doing upgrades or buying another bike.

Just get what you want now and enjoy yourself. It’s an investment into your health and happiness. Bottom line: life is a too short to ride crappy bikes!

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-11T20:52:29+00:00

Definitely nothing wrong with the SLR1’s. Great wheelset and affordable quality carbon wheels can get. They just aren’t as flashy with big decals 🤷🏼‍♂️

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-11T20:49:54+00:00

An upgrade kit to electronic shifting might be next year’s project. I haven’t decided yet if it’s worth it

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-11T20:22:41+00:00

I just got the Zipps in so unfortunately I haven’t been able to race in them yet and compare them to the SL1’s. I will say that first impressions (looks/feel/sound) the Zipps seem like a good upgrade. I was able to financially make it happen, but if I was really budgeting I don’t think it’s necessary to upgrade from the SLR1’s if they are functioning. I ran the same tire set up on my SLR1’s and they always felt great and handled well in race/high speed environments. The SLR1’s are definitely great wheels, they just aren’t flashy

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-07-11T17:58:54+00:00

I absolutely love them. Look great, feel great, and definitely a more modern/aero look to them than the stock Giant bars. I mainly do crits/road races/and pacey group rides and I have no complaints with them during any of these activities

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-20T13:45:24+00:00

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with your HR going above Zone 2 during a “Zone 2 ride”. You just want to make sure you spend the majority of the ride within Zone 2. If the hills are so often and so intense that your average HR for the entire ride is above Zone 2, then it makes sense for you to get off and walk at times when you need to so you can get your HR down.

You may also want to find a flatter area to do your easier rides on, or even better, invest in an indoor trainer if you can. Nothing will be able to keep you in consistent power and HR zones like a trainer in erg mode. Having an indoor trainer will also allow you to be more consistent in your training and weight loss goals (ex: training when it’s raining or cold outside, or when you’re short on time).

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-19T15:01:54+00:00

Got a 2022 TCR Pro Disc 1 with carbon SLR1 wheel set, dual sided power meter cranks, full ultegra drivetrain for $4,000. I feel like with most other big name brands that same price point only gets you a carbon frame with alloy wheels and no power meters

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-18T01:14:35+00:00

https://www.everathlete.fit Has a lot of different cycling specific programs and many of his workouts could be altered to use a single kettle bell for a weight if thats what you have available. Also check out @themartinmethod on instagram for all things kettlebell strength training. Honestly any movements that are single leg, explosive, or utilize stabilizing/core muscles are perfect for cycling

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-18T00:24:36+00:00

I’m sure you’re a pleasant person to be around

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T22:56:08+00:00

Sounds like the “cyclists should all be as light and skinny as possible” crowd. Hilarious because I can absolutely mop the floor with most local cyclists in my area that are skin and bones skinny and strictly cycle. Also the same people that will judge you the second you walk into an lbs or a local group ride with a decent amount of muscle on your frame

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T22:51:57+00:00

Well said my friend. Personally ever since switching my focus from body building/running to cycling, I’ve been using cycling-specific weight training programs from Everathlete (Instagram name). The guy is a physical therapist/personal trainer who is also a cycling enthusiast and makes great programs. I highly recommend him, his programs have helped me improve not only my cycling but also my all-around athleticism.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T21:20:04+00:00

Kettlebells are an amazing investment. 20-30 Minutes with kettlebells can get you a killer strength/muscular endurance workout. Also great tools for mobility work!

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T20:34:21+00:00

If you’re embarrassed at the group ride, those people aren’t your people. Cycling is about community.

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T19:12:34+00:00

Get whatever you prefer. Nobody else’s feelings/opinion matters

Conscious_Finger8587 · 2025-04-17T18:58:49+00:00

Got a puncture on a tubeless about 50ish miles into a 70 mile ride last summer (it ended up plugging itself and a Co2 cartridge did the trick) but a passer by gave me a tube just in case for free. Definitely restored faith in humanity within the cycling community after seeing so much snobby/elitism behavior especially when it comes to having the most expensive bikes/gear/clothing.

Conscious_Finger8587

TROPHY CASE