TCR upgrade model/year decision?

[Schulzy]

Hi Weight Weenies I need your assistance.

I'm currently looking at upgrading from my 2017 Contend SL 1 Disc to a TCR, in the new year I'll be looking at getting into some local races and continuing with the yearly sportives that I currently ride. I've narrowed my choice down to 3 options and would like a bit of input and opinion on the best way to go, I'll be getting a good discount on both models from my local bike store.

1. 2019 TCR Advanced SL 1 Disc - Weight 7.2kg - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/tcr-a ... -sl-1-disc - Love this bike, it's definitely my first choice, money is a little tight so I'll certainly be squeezing the budget to get it that's for sure. My current Contend has disc and I'm definitely sold on them so that's a no-brainer, but the questions is, is the di2, SL frame with ISP and integrated dual side power meter worth the extra money?

2. 2019 TCR Advanced Pro 1- Weight 7.1kg - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/tcr-advanced-pro-1 - Better bang for buck, am I worth saving the $3000 AUD and going with a rim brake, Ultegra mechanical frame with no power meter that weights about the same as option 1. Whilst my current Contend has discs (which I love) and a left side power meter (105 crank arm that I can put on the ultegra Pro1) I have spent the past few weeks riding a TCR Advanced 3 with Tiagra rim brakes and though the modulation and braking is definitely not as good as disc I don't mind it too much, though the Pro 1 will have carbon rims so I have heard braking is worse again on a carbon surface rim and on top of that the fact that rim brakes will be phasing out in the next few years.

3. Wait until the potential and rumoured 2020 TCR update and continue to ride my near on 10kg alloy contend in the new racing/sportive season. With no information on the rumoured frame update there is no guessing what may be updated (probably a more aero downtube and integrated stem) or what the price could be.

Any and all thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

[jlok]

I'd wait for next year. If we look at the UCI List of Approved Models of Frame and Fork, there seems to be multiple GC bike updates due next year, maybe SuperSix, TCR or Ultimate.

However, if I have to buy now, I'd go for the SL always.

[peted76]

If a new TCR does come out next year it's usually around July/August when the bikes start dribbling into shops..
In answer to your question, if you can afford it I'd personally get the SL model, 100%.

[MagicShite]

Slam the contend, and make it aggressive. Train hard with it. If you don't already have a power meter, get one.

Wait for the new TCR. Delayed gratification = THE BEST

[bedampft]

I just ordered the red 2019 TCR SL Disc Frameset yesterday and it is going to replace my 2019 Propel Disc Frameset which is almost 2 months old.
Why?
Because the TCR is lighter and more comfortable. AND after riding the Propel Disc for ~1500km a really hate the dropbar/stem combination. Heavy, expensive and no alternatives in shape and fit.
The funny thing is, I initially bought the Propel Disc because i didn't want to buy the TCR Disc in its last year, right before the new frame is realesed in August 2019.
But since the MY20 TCR frameset will also have similar, heavy, integrated stem and dropbar, i couldn't care less. The new frameset will also be more aero, but only a bit lighter than the current one. So no gains here. There has been a debate for the new frameset beeing a true weightweenie, as suggested from Giant Taiwan, but in the end, Giant US, and the Europeans had the upper hand. So it gets more aero, because that sells a lot better.

[mcfarton]

I would not race on a bike that I couldn’t afford to replace. If you want it and can afford it, do it and enjoy. Just don’t expect any real gains in speed from a new bike.


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[amngwlvs]

As others have said, SL with disc is the way to go if you can afford it!

[Schulzy]

If a new TCR does come out next year it's usually around July/August when the bikes start dribbling into shops..
In answer to your question, if you can afford it I'd personally get the SL model, 100%.

Would you personally buy the 2019 SL or wait out till the 2020 revamp? I guess if i went the 2019 I could always upgrade the frame later.

I just ordered the red 2019 TCR SL Disc Frameset yesterday and it is going to replace my 2019 Propel Disc Frameset which is almost 2 months old.
Why?
Because the TCR is lighter and more comfortable. AND after riding the Propel Disc for ~1500km a really hate the dropbar/stem combination. Heavy, expensive and no alternatives in shape and fit.
The funny thing is, I initially bought the Propel Disc because i didn't want to buy the TCR Disc in its last year, right before the new frame is realesed in August 2019.
But since the MY20 TCR frameset will also have similar, heavy, integrated stem and dropbar, i couldn't care less. The new frameset will also be more aero, but only a bit lighter than the current one. So no gains here. There has been a debate for the new frameset beeing a true weightweenie, as suggested from Giant Taiwan, but in the end, Giant US, and the Europeans had the upper hand. So it gets more aero, because that sells a lot better.

Do you have any sources or more info on the MY20 or is it just what you have heard? Interested to see how they will make the frame more aero but I'm assuming they will want to maintain the current high stiffness to weight ratio. Will the slightly lighter weight and more aero integrated stem be worth the wait? Or am I better off buying the 2019 now and potentially upgrading to the 2020 frame down the line?

[Noctiluxx]

I would get a lower level grade frame (maybe even used) with better components and wheels while waiting to upgrade to a 2020 SL disk. My rim brake SL is noticeably stiffer and lighter than my friends Advanced Pro.

[sharkman]

That won’t be the advanved pro 0 which is basically an sl without isp. I have both and build up the same there is nothing between them (anything different will be caused by wheels.tyres etc.)


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[Noctiluxx]

My SL has the Mavic Cosmic Carbon SL UST's while my buddies Advanced Pro has 2016 Zipp 303's. Drivetrain on both bikes is DA 9150/9100.

[scapie]

If it was me i would get the lbs to give you some prices for 2018 tcr's, rim brake. there is some very good deals out for even less than 3k. then i would ride that through summer and sell it at then end of winter next year and buy the new 2020 model tcr.

[mpulsiv]

If it was me i would get the lbs to give you some prices for 2018 tcr's, rim brake. there is some very good deals out for even less than 3k. then i would ride that through summer and sell it at then end of winter next year and buy the new 2020 model tcr.

Why bother with consumerism itch for one season? Bikes depreciate value like nothing else. 2020 models will be announced in August.

[REGICYCLE]

Just don’t expect any real gains in speed from a new bike.

I beg to differ... Moving from my entry level chinese carbon frame to my TCR adv pro 1 2017 was a massive and completely noticeable difference. I know where you are coming from, but an entry level 10kg bike to a mid to high level 7kg bike is a large difference.

@Schulzy - Personally I would take the plunge and go for the SL now if you can afford it as you may not like the new TCR's looks anyway.

[scapie]

If it was me i would get the lbs to give you some prices for 2018 tcr's, rim brake. there is some very good deals out for even less than 3k. then i would ride that through summer and sell it at then end of winter next year and buy the new 2020 model tcr.

Why bother with consumerism itch for one season? Bikes depreciate value like nothing else. 2020 models will be announced in August.

1 year, or season as some people say, is a pretty long time. you can do alot of riding in 12 months. why would you spend it riding a suboptimal setup when you can, and want to, upgrade? i don't know about the OP but i've spent all winter thinking about summer. its the best time to be on a bike and so i wouldn't be even wasting 1 weekend.

and as far as depreciating, maybe ... say you bought this https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /103612034 and rode it for a 12 months then put it up online for cheap, $1500. it would sell no worries, maybe you could put it for $1800, it would still be a good buy...so then you have only really outlayed 700-1000 for an entire year. i don't know about you but i would easily get 1k worth of enjoyment out of a bike in 12 months.