Publication-Men's Fitness

Date-March 2007

Title-"Ready to Roll"

Findings:

• "An affordable rig ($1400) that's good enough to race, the TCR A1 comes loaded with Shimano's reliable 105 component group, aerodynamic Xero wheels, and a supercomfy Fi'zi:k seat."
• "Light and stiff in the right places, the A1's frame is definitely worth upgrading when you become hopelessly addicted to (bike) speed."
• "Featured with Look Keo Sprint clipless pedals ($140@lookcycleusa.com). "

Publication-Bicycling

Date-April 2008

Title-Giant TCR A1

Findings:

• Efficiency and comfort in one package
• The TCR A1 is made with Giant's Alliance technology, which combines carbon and aluminum to produce a frame with a stiff, aluminum-like ride, but without the harshness associated with alloy frames. The carbon seatstays, seat tube and top tube are comolded to the alloy chainstays, bottom bracket, down tube, head tube and seat-tube stub. For extra vibration damping, the carbon seat tube passes through the seat-tube stub and runs all the way to the bottom bracket.
• We happened to have an all-carbon Giant TCR C3 ($1900) with identical geometry, drivetrain, and wheels to the TCR A1, so we couldn't resist riding them back to back. Both cornered with agility and hurled down descents with confidence. The Alliance construction added resilence and a touch of liveliness to the ride of the TCR A1, a characteristic often missing from midpriced alloy frames. The TCR C3 frame overhadowed the TCR A1 in terms of ride quality and overall feel, but fell short in bottom-bracket deflection. The TCR A1 felt much more like a pro bike in terms of raw pedaling efficiency. This should interest big riders who flex most bikes, but seek a bit more comfort. Tiagra brakes are better than the soft-feeling generic brakes often found in this price range.
• BUY IT IF: You like the efficiency of aluminum, but want a more forgiving ride.
• FORGET IT IF: You fret over the weight: the cheaper carbon and heavier, albeit quality, add grams.