Giant TCX SLR 1 The Bike Any X Roads

 Giant TCX SLR 1 The Bike Any X Roads google doc

This high-performance cyclocross bike helps you conquer the most challenging courses on dirt road, sand or mud and is also up for gravel road adventures. The superlight ALUXX SLR aluminium frame and composite fork help you get up to speed quickly, and the 15mm front thru-axle gives you smooth, confident cornering. Disc-brake technology boosts control on tight CX courses or wide-open dirt road descents, while asymmetrical chainstays add pedalling stiffness and a D-Fuse seatpost smoothes out rough terrain.

• ALUXX SL-grade aluminum frame with D-Fuse SL composite seatpost
• Composite fork with composite OverDrive 2 steerer
• Giant SX-2 rims, Giant Sport Tracker hubs, stainless spokes
• Shimano 105 11-speed shifting
• TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes
• Colour: Black / Green / Blue
• Sizes: S, M, M / L, L

The TCX SLR1 we've got here is the most expensive of the two aluminium SLR models in the range. It has a frame constructed from Giant’s own ALUXX SLR grade aluminium, coupled to a carbon fibre fork. There’s a 15mm thru-axle on that fork, but a regular quick release rear wheel. Some of Giant’s rivals have moved fully to thru-axles front and rear. 

A key feature that sets this new bike apart from the one we tested all those years ago is what Giant calls the D-Fuse seatpost. The seatpost has a D-shaped profile which is designed to provide a bit of deflection. And with integrated seat clamp, there's more seatpost outside of the frame available to flex under load. Giant has since taken this technology onto its Defy endurance road bikes.

Giant TCX SLR 1 The Bike Any X Roads google doc

For your £1,249 you get most of a Shimano 105 11-speed drivetrain, with an upgraded Ultegra rear mech and a cyclocross-specific 36/46 Shimano RS500 chainset. That’s combined with an 11-28t cassette, which is an ideal setup for cyclocross racing. Though if you are setting it up predominantly for road, the top-end might be a bit lacking.

There’s a set of the excellent TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, using cables rather than hydraulics, with 160mm rotors at both ends. Giant’s own P-X2 Disc wheels feature sealed bearings in the hubs and are fitted with Maxxis Mud Wrestler 33mm tyres. They have a Kevlar folding bead to save weight. 

Giant TCX SLR 1 The Bike Any X Roads google doc

And as for the handlebar, stem, seatpost and saddle, that’s all Giant own-brand kit. Contact aluminium bars and stem, a composite seatpost and a Performance Road saddle.

With the cyclocross season in full swing, the TCX is being put through its paces, so watch out for a full review soon.