Geometry question - Allez to TCR
Discussion
I'd appreciate some help from those who understand geometry better than me. I've put a deposit down on a Giant TCR, which in theory I thought would have a similar geometry to my current Allez. However, looking at the numbers I worry that it might be a bit more aggressive than the Allez which I am used to.
I've found the following comparison between the 2 bikes which is useful, and in particular I think the 19mm lower stack height is the concern. Will this cause me to lean further forward putting more weight onto my wrists and shoulders, and also require greater flexibility in the hamstrings?
In an ideal world I'd find one to take for a test ride but due to such limited stock I don't have that luxury, so any advice would be welcome.
I've found the following comparison between the 2 bikes which is useful, and in particular I think the 19mm lower stack height is the concern. Will this cause me to lean further forward putting more weight onto my wrists and shoulders, and also require greater flexibility in the hamstrings?
In an ideal world I'd find one to take for a test ride but due to such limited stock I don't have that luxury, so any advice would be welcome.
Yes to both. If you strengthen your core it will ease the weight on your hands. You can ad 20mm of spacers to get the same bar height( if you run no spacers on the allez) it will look s
t.
The tcr is a race bike with race bike geometry. Buy a more endurance focused frame with more relaxed geometry imo.
t. The tcr is a race bike with race bike geometry. Buy a more endurance focused frame with more relaxed geometry imo.
Edited by sam.rog on Tuesday 11th May 12:03
I went from the same 2014 allez to the 2018 TCR. I'm not sure the geometry has changed much between the 2018 and 21 so should be vaguely relevant.
Generally found the transition fine, had a bike fit to help with comfort (and binning the standard saddle). I rode the Allez with all the spacers but ride the TCR with around half of them removed without any issues.
The TCR is a cracking bike and feels so quick
Generally found the transition fine, had a bike fit to help with comfort (and binning the standard saddle). I rode the Allez with all the spacers but ride the TCR with around half of them removed without any issues.
The TCR is a cracking bike and feels so quick
Don't forget, that's comparing frame geometry and not taking into account any of the handlebar, stem or spacers.
You'll be able to get in the same position using spacers or a different stem/bars etc.
It won't make a whole lot of difference because there is less reach. so yes, there is potential the bars are lower, but then they will be closer to you.
In stock form with the many spacers that will come on it, it's hardly an aggressive bike.
You'll be able to get in the same position using spacers or a different stem/bars etc.
It won't make a whole lot of difference because there is less reach. so yes, there is potential the bars are lower, but then they will be closer to you.
In stock form with the many spacers that will come on it, it's hardly an aggressive bike.
I run a TCR advanced and find it very comfortable, even on longer rides. I get that it is slightly more aggressive than the Allez (which I haven't tried) but I am perfectly comfortable in the saddle for a few hours and I am a fairly big chap at around 85kg.
As others have said, you can always alter a few things to ease it off slightly if you want to ride more "upright".
It is a quick bike, though :-)
As others have said, you can always alter a few things to ease it off slightly if you want to ride more "upright".
It is a quick bike, though :-)
Rich135 said:
I run a TCR advanced and find it very comfortable, even on longer rides. I get that it is slightly more aggressive than the Allez (which I haven't tried) but I am perfectly comfortable in the saddle for a few hours and I am a fairly big chap at around 85kg.
As others have said, you can always alter a few things to ease it off slightly if you want to ride more "upright".
It is a quick bike, though :-)
As others have said, you can always alter a few things to ease it off slightly if you want to ride more "upright".
It is a quick bike, though :-)
I also have a 2021 TCR Advanced (ML size) and it’s also okay for me - my previous bike was a Cube Attain so also endurance focused.
The TCR includes approximately 6cm of spacers so unless you’re using all of the spacers on your Allez, I reckon you’d be okay provided you buy the correct size TCR.
Thanks all, useful comments although consensus seems that it is more agressive but can be similar with the right fit. I use about 2cm of spacers on the Allez, so might be able to make it work with the TCR of that comes with 6cm of adjustment therr.
The alternative is that I find a Defy which is marginally the other way, and might also offer slightly more comfort on the crappy roads. Just worried it might not feel as nimble or quick, but I'd hope is still an improvement over the Allez.
The alternative is that I find a Defy which is marginally the other way, and might also offer slightly more comfort on the crappy roads. Just worried it might not feel as nimble or quick, but I'd hope is still an improvement over the Allez.
The 2021 TCR has received rave reviews since it was released and all models offer good value so I’d suggest buying the TCR if you can get into a comfortable position on it.
I ride mine on a mixture of really st and a little bit st roads and find it perfectly okay in terms of comfort. It’s not a magic carpet ride but you wouldn’t expect it to be.
I ride mine on a mixture of really s
t and a little bit st roads and find it perfectly okay in terms of comfort. It’s not a magic carpet ride but you wouldn’t expect it to be.MrBarry123 said:
The 2021 TCR has received rave reviews since it was released and all models offer good value so I’d suggest buying the TCR if you can get into a comfortable position on it.
I ride mine on a mixture of really st and a little bit st roads and find it perfectly okay in terms of comfort. It’s not a magic carpet ride but you wouldn’t expect it to be.
Thanks, which TCR advanced model do you have out of interest? Not expecting a magic carpet ride, but expecting a carbon TCR on tubless to be more comfortable than my aluminium AllezI ride mine on a mixture of really s
t and a little bit st roads and find it perfectly okay in terms of comfort. It’s not a magic carpet ride but you wouldn’t expect it to be.The TCR has a ‘compact’ frame. T.C.R. Stands for Total Compact Road ( or race ). To cut a long story short, it has a downward sloping top tube, the frame feels ‘scrunched’ in comparison to an equally sized Allez. Bike frames are usually sized according to the top tube length 55cm frame = 550mm top tube. With a compact frame, that is an ‘effective top tube length’. most people find an equally sized compact frame will feel smaller than the standard or semi compact comparison. The key measurements on any frame as far as ‘feel’ are concerned are stack, reach and effective top tube. The other parameters don’t effect the feel and handling quite as much, but they’re still important to getting a perfect fit.
rossmc88 said:
I would get a Defy if it was me. I used to have a Allez and found a Defy much more comfortable and faster
I think if I had went for a Defy, rather than my TCR, I wouldn’t have ended up buying another gravel bike on the top.I would consider a Defy also. My TCR is quick, but it’s harsh. Even now the weather has improved, I’m struggling to convince myself I want to take the TCR off the turbo and put it back on the road.
TCR is a fantastic bike but you really need to question what you are using it for.
If you're not racing and the wrong side of 30 you'll almost certainly be better of with an endurance geometry bike. Defy, Roubaix, whatever
When my brother bought his Defy, the guy in the shop said most people still buy TCRs when they would be better off with a Defy. TBH I'd struggle to choose a Defy over a TCR as the Defy is goppingly ugly.
I bought a Focus Paralane last year and haven't ridden my racing by since. It's slower for sure but more comfortable and I ride it more often and further than my older bike (Time VXRS).
Endurance bikes look ugly and out of proportion but then so does a racing bike with a ludicrous number of spacers.
If you're not racing and the wrong side of 30 you'll almost certainly be better of with an endurance geometry bike. Defy, Roubaix, whatever
When my brother bought his Defy, the guy in the shop said most people still buy TCRs when they would be better off with a Defy. TBH I'd struggle to choose a Defy over a TCR as the Defy is goppingly ugly.
I bought a Focus Paralane last year and haven't ridden my racing by since. It's slower for sure but more comfortable and I ride it more often and further than my older bike (Time VXRS).
Endurance bikes look ugly and out of proportion but then so does a racing bike with a ludicrous number of spacers.
If you're still unsure, then use this website to work out what you need to do to the Allez to get the same stack/reach as the TCR and give it a go.
Stems are cheap on ebay so you can play around and work out what the TCR position may feel like
It takes into account number of spacers and the stem length/angle so is much better than just using the normal frame geometry. I'm sure the shop will tell you how many spacers etc is under the stem on the TCR from factory.
http://www.bikegeo.net/
Stems are cheap on ebay so you can play around and work out what the TCR position may feel like
It takes into account number of spacers and the stem length/angle so is much better than just using the normal frame geometry. I'm sure the shop will tell you how many spacers etc is under the stem on the TCR from factory.
http://www.bikegeo.net/
oddman said:
TCR is a fantastic bike but you really need to question what you are using it for.
If you're not racing and the wrong side of 30 you'll almost certainly be better of with an endurance geometry bike. Defy, Roubaix, whatever
When my brother bought his Defy, the guy in the shop said most people still buy TCRs when they would be better off with a Defy. TBH I'd struggle to choose a Defy over a TCR as the Defy is goppingly ugly.
I bought a Focus Paralane last year and haven't ridden my racing by since. It's slower for sure but more comfortable and I ride it more often and further than my older bike (Time VXRS).
Endurance bikes look ugly and out of proportion but then so does a racing bike with a ludicrous number of spacers.
I am not that young or fit and went from endurance bike to hiring an aero race one. Loved it, and bought shortly afterwards. The 'feeling' is real. I like the sense of aggression going into corners, down hills etc, and felt far less willing to ride the endurance one hard after a bit. The fact i feel road surfaces or potholes a bit more is immaterial for me.If you're not racing and the wrong side of 30 you'll almost certainly be better of with an endurance geometry bike. Defy, Roubaix, whatever
When my brother bought his Defy, the guy in the shop said most people still buy TCRs when they would be better off with a Defy. TBH I'd struggle to choose a Defy over a TCR as the Defy is goppingly ugly.
I bought a Focus Paralane last year and haven't ridden my racing by since. It's slower for sure but more comfortable and I ride it more often and further than my older bike (Time VXRS).
Endurance bikes look ugly and out of proportion but then so does a racing bike with a ludicrous number of spacers.
Also started off with ugly level of spacers but have gradually reduced. Its not that serious an issue.
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