Giant TCR too big?

[Rocket-Boy]

How does the stem feel? 80mm is pretty short and twitchy

I ran a 50mm on my Argon for quite a while, it was interesting in the corners to say the least!

[DieselnDust]

"Giant works out their front end geometry to be able to work with a 80mm stem" do you have anything to back this up?

 

That bike in a Large came equipped with a 110mm stem. Full spec list on the exact year model is here: 

 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/tcr-advanced-pro-0---ui2-2017

 

 

I'll have to dig it out, it was an interview with Mike Burrows a few yeas ago on the 20th anniversary of the TCR. In there he stated that the original design was developed to cater for a broad range of body types through simple adjustments to stem length, height and saddle adjustment (one of the reasons the STA has remained unchanged since the bike was introduced. To a large degree they were successful but with the shorter stems they just don't steer as well as bike that fits properly. The downside to having a narrow range of sizes (originally the TCR was only available in S, M, L and XL, the M/L was introduced around 2003 IIRC).

Edited March 2, 2021 by DieselnDust

[Tomik]

I'm going to throw a spanner in the works...I rode a 2018 Cervelo R3 56 with a 90mm stem. Handled perfectly. But that's probably down to the Cervelo being an amazing bike. It was fine with an 80mm stem too. I'm 1.85cm btw, but with a shorter inseam of 83cm. 

 

Loved the shorter reach and slightly taller stack and the compliance of the frame. Not convinced a TCR is an upgrade unless your R3 is old/outdated. I just switched to a BMC TeamMachine SLR01...long and low...and it's also a 56 but a completely different ride (with a 120mm stem until the 100mm arrives). Can't say it rides better than the Cervelo...but the Dura-ace Di2 and disc brakes sure are nice. 

 

If I were to go Giant, it would be a M/L - geo closer to the Cervelo. (assuming the Cervelo worked well for you).

[DieselnDust]

"Giant works out their front end geometry to be able to work with a 80mm stem" do you have anything to back this up?

 

That bike in a Large came equipped with a 110mm stem. Full spec list on the exact year model is here: 

 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/tcr-advanced-pro-0---ui2-2017

 

 

I think you've misinterpretted what I said. The geo is worked out to perform optimally with the supplied stem length but the bike has enough stability to perform satisfactorily with an 80mm stem hence Giant makes stems that short for the TCR. The ideal range is 90mm to 130mm with performance optimised for the supplied stem length for the size.

[lechatnoir]

yes my bike is to big for me, but its what I bought. I could not be picky at the price.

After a bike fit I went to an 80mm stem, maybe I'm not at that level of cycling, but I honestly dont feel the negatives to the handling that everyone speaks about.

 

I rode a bike that was too big for me, and after a bikefit, dropped from a 110mm to 90mm stem... I found the handling sharpened up quite nicely. My hips opened up nicely and my neck thanked me.

[Duane_Bosch]

Technically I should be on an S but I'm on a M TCR.

 

I ran an 80mm stem to take into account the size issue. Works fine for me but I'm hardly a serious cyclist. I'm currently running the stock 100mm boy.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Duane_Bosch

[TNT1]

My hips opened up nicely 

I've heard/seen a lot of comments similar to this regarding hips opening and cycling.

 

I'm always confused.

 

I mean I genuinely don't know what that means. I default to wondering why you're giving birth or some such weirdness.

[TNT1]

yes my bike is to big for me, but its what I bought. I could not be picky at the price.

After a bike fit I went to an 80mm stem, maybe I'm not at that level of cycling, but I honestly dont feel the negatives to the handling that everyone speaks about.

Last week I was going at over 90km/h down some mountain pass, and I was grateful I had gone up from the 80mm stem to the 100 and slammed it. I know I would have felt far less in control with the shorter, higher setup that was on the bike when I bought it. 

 

(also, I was so anti the aero frame story, but the Foil really comes into it's own - and it is more than capable on the  uphill as well. I set a pb up God's Window and Kowyns (after 20 years+ of setting my previous best marks in race situations))

Edited March 2, 2021 by TNT1

[Pure Savage]

"Giant works out their front end geometry to be able to work with a 80mm stem" do you have anything to back this up?

 

That bike in a Large came equipped with a 110mm stem. Full spec list on the exact year model is here: 

 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/tcr-advanced-pro-0---ui2-2017

Just from looking at the geo, the Giant has a slacker head angle than something like a Superix, Maybe this makes shorter stems a little easier.

[Pure Savage]

I rode a bike that was too big for me, and after a bikefit, dropped from a 110mm to 90mm stem... I found the handling sharpened up quite nicely. My hips opened up nicely and my neck thanked me.

Is sharp not another name for twitchy? 

 

Depends what feel you prefer I guess. 

[gummibear]

 

I have a TCR Large which has the effective top tube length of 57cm.

 

I am 183cm with in seam of 88cm. My thinking is:

 

- Your seat height will be slightly lower than mine. I run about 20mm of spacers under the stem to end up with a drop of 8cm, you can probably get rid of the spacers to achieve a similar drop.

 

- I have an 80mm stem to get the correct fit. It seems like you're torso might be slightly longer than mine (being the same length but smaller in seam), so you might end up with a slightly longer stem.

 

This might be oversimplified but I think the frame will work for you. A proper fit is always a good idea. 

 

I actually bought mine from a guy in PE on bikehub a few years back and I've been very happy with it!

 

(Pic was with a 100 or 110mm stem)

Thanks for your reply Andy . I have a pic attached of my current (Cervelo) saddle height and stem height from front wheel axle . The bike has a 110mm stem on it 

 

 

 

Sweet ride but it has rim brakes    

[Andy_P]

Sweet ride but it has rim brakes    

 

Froomey approves 

[DieselnDust]

I ran a 50mm on my Argon for quite a while, it was interesting in the corners to say the least!

 

 

do you also have a chainring tatoo on your calf muscle?