*Works great my **Latest.Bike** I have a bad knee so I still get exercise but the bike assists me. I am a big guy so I didn’t think it would go as fast but it works great.*

The tcr coming within 2 points for less than 50% of the sl7 price makes it a win automatically. Take a couple grand and upgrade to di2 and better wheels and then It's easily ahead.

@brysonszy6306

2 жыл бұрын

Can't compare a 2 point difference with a price category included, should see it more like a $9000 44/60 SL7 and a $4000 36/60 TCR. I wouldn't mind getting 80% of the bike for 45% of the price.

@brysonszy6306

2 жыл бұрын

Also don't think the TCR's wheels are 62.5% worse, or that the bike is over 50% worse in terms of speed. Much exaggerated claims by NorCal, quite disappointed by the biased ratings.

@geraldtone5914

2 жыл бұрын

@@brysonszy6306 Yea those claims that were made about the cables slowing the bike down due to aerodynamics sort of threw me off.

@jelle7224

2 жыл бұрын

@@brysonszy6306 The ratings are all in the category of top tier performance bikes. The TCR got a 8/10 for price despite being $4.000. That's super expensive for a bike in most contexts but relatively reasonably in the category.

@Jamess92

2 жыл бұрын

@@brysonszy6306 yeah winning races with a bike that is 50% worst in terms of speed

SL 7 should get a 0 for price

I’ll be honest. I considered the giant TCR. It’s an amazing bike and would definitely not hold me back, but I ended up building up an SL7 S works frame set and building it myself because this was my mid life crisis 40th birthday present to self and I just think it looks nicer. Either way I’m riding more and enjoying it. Well aware the Giant is a better value, but I wanted to treat myself, which I hardly ever do. I went 12 years with my old bike before building the SL7.

@JFomo

2 жыл бұрын

Yoooooo I'm actually doing the same thing!! 40th coming at the end of the month and my Tarmac SL7 is just about ready. Not the Sworks though but the white with snake eyes.

@jaredjackson8097

2 жыл бұрын

@@JFomo enjoy it! There are so many worse things we could be spending money on. You really just have to tune out the shit talking “dentist” comments from folks who don’t have them. I’m just a single dude with no kids who is fairly frugal with everything else. 😂 It’s an amazing bike. It was super easy to build up as well. Specialized gets a lot of hate because they do pull some BS, but the SL7 is fucking dope. Simple as that.

@redsoxfan5240

2 жыл бұрын

Could've gone with the Giant Propel if you're into more of the aero look!

@jaredjackson8097

2 жыл бұрын

@@redsoxfan5240 No thanks. Stem and integration looks terrible to me. To each their own. I love my SL7.

@yamaha893

2 жыл бұрын

hey, i like your house tracks! very cool!

Giant owns their own factory and has far greater quality control on their frames than all the other large bike brands. 👍

@chiuyincheng

Жыл бұрын

Merida own 49% share of Specialized. Majority of Specialized should be made by Merida. Merida is 2nd largest bike manufaturer in Taiwan. I think both Giant & Merida offer good bike with similar level of quality control.

Both are of course very capable bikes. I'd take the Giant TCR Advanced Pro any day over a Specialized SL7, much more bike for the money. In fact I bought a Giant TCR myself with the worst wheels possible (their PR-2 wheelset) and Ultegra DI2, then bought a very good wheelset and put latex tubes and Conti GP 5000 on the wheels, and it's more than enough. Future upgrade will be the bars.

Another key point: as much as I want to like an American bike company, but Specialized isn't nice to small dealers. Giant, on the other hand, is a great company for helping out small dealers.

@nhatminhang6969

Жыл бұрын

Hey do you have similar assessment for other brands, I would take that into consideration for my purchase.

@brianwright9514

Жыл бұрын

@@nhatminhang6969 heard that from people that own/run bike shops about both Specialized and Trek.

Speed rating is really off… these cables are maybe 3-4 watts… in fact, TCR with di2 is 0.5 watts off SL7…. So speed wise it’s not really a 4/10 vs 8/10 at all… more like 6/10 for TCR with mechanical.. imo :)

@robertcaspari9827

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Marcin, do you have a source for these numbers? Would love to look it up. :)

@mcspikesky

2 жыл бұрын

Both having disc brakes too, which is more Watts lost and weight gained so moot!

@nicosf100

2 жыл бұрын

yeah the frontal area of the cables is so small, I dont think it's even a 3-4 watts difference

Great review! Especially for 8 minutes 🙌 Always quality content.

Thank you for making this video! I always appreciate your opinion and LOVE your channel! Thank you for all the time and effort!

The Tcr Advanced Pro Disc with Ultegra gets SLR1 wheels in Australia, not the heavier SLR2. The SLR1 wheels are 62 grams lighter than the Roval CL50.

@LotusProds

2 жыл бұрын

The wheels in aus are better than the stock he was talking about?

@Yeblad

2 жыл бұрын

Correct, the advanced pro disc 1, with ultegra mech, gets the SLR1 42mm deep wheels. They weigh the same as zipp404s, but arent as wide. Also, the PRO versions gets the wider steerer tube at the top so the Zipp stems wont fit. Jeff doesn't have a pro 1 version.

I have a 2012 Giant TCR advanced mechanical, and I love it. Serves really good on climbs

You posting this now was perfect timing. I’m looking to replace my 2009 Trek Madone and hadn’t even considered the Giant. Definitely going to check it out. I’m a MTB racer who rides road maybe once a week so it sounds like a good fit for me.

@redsoxfan5240

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely consider Giant. Giant always provides great value!

@LotusProds

2 жыл бұрын

We’re both in the same boat

I loved the honesty to say that you prefer the sl7! Congrats!

Let’s be honest, specialized is more of a marketing company than it is a bike company. That’s from someone who owns two tarmacs including an sl7. My next bike will be a giant.

My wife surprised me with a new Bianchi a couple years back (blessing and a curse). I love it, and her for it of course...and it's such a beautiful bike, but the thing's an absolute tank, and not the bike I had my heart set on. I really wanted the TCR because it's actually obtainable......but when you wife buys you a new bike, the curse is that you're stuck with it....for a very very long time. The TCR Advanced Disc 0 was what I really wanted.

When I looked up the official specs on the wheels, the Giant wheels are listed as only 30g heavier, and 8mm less deep. Personally I'd prefer the Specialized wheels for the width and the hubs, but based on the features actually discussed in the video, the specs seem a lot closer than the description would suggest.

I appreciate the honest review!

9000 dollars in my area can literally buy the top spec TCR (10000 MSRP with 10% discount). Cadex wheels, Dura ace electronic hydraulic discs, way better spec than the tarmac what so ever.

Thanks for a great post Jeff...as always👌A few things I don't get though. For all your ability, the level you compete at, the training you put in and the amount of competing you do, I really dont understand why you were given a 1x Rival SL7 last year (expensive commuter/gravel setup) and then a stock mechanical ultegra giant (enthusiast level weekend rider) as a team bike for a National Cat1 title contender??? Dont'get me wrong, I love to see you mixing it up and performing on upper/mid level equipment and showing its not all about the bike, but surely for all the efforts you, your team and your sponsors go to to get the whole team competing at the level you do, you are surely worthy of top level componentry commensurate with the riding you are doing. Forgive me if I speak out of turn here for I'm not familiar with the budget of Team Mikes Bikes, but It seems as if your equipment is provided as a token gesture by sponsors indifferent to the technical requirements of Crit racing and is focused on attendance rather than competion...which is certainly not the philosphy I pick up from you! Anyways, best of luck, love your work, love the NorCal channel.

@sirdmayo

2 жыл бұрын

So looking forward to his response to this so I can learn!

@hail_sagan2830

2 жыл бұрын

The 1x was Force AXS HRD, not Rival.

Your honesty is much appreciated.

Let’s not forget the 2022 Tcr adv pro 1 comes with a power meter too .. it’s best bike for entry level, upgrade handle bars and wheels and price still under specialized

@hail_sagan2830

2 жыл бұрын

The SL7 Pro also came with a power meter

Speed is 4/10 vs 9/10? Lol 😂 how many watts do those cables lose for Giant to have half the points? Drivetrain is also double the points for the Specialized? Ok, i can't take this video seriously at all 😂

@brucewayne3141

Жыл бұрын

sponsored by Specialized

I don’t understand the speed scale your using. A 4/10 in speed for a $4000 bike and the SL7 with a 9/10 and costs $9000 must be coincidence for the price. Giant describes the TCR as: Advanced aerodynamics This is where the TCR’s most quantifiable gains can be found compared to previous generation models. Every tube shape was analyzed, engineered and tested to create an overall structure with significantly lower drag at a wider range of yaw angles. But you’re saying that cables make it so slow that it gets a 4/10?

@shinn43

2 жыл бұрын

He mentions the airfoil design is "cylindrical" it's less aerodynamics. Very hard statement to provide given he has no empirical data as proof the SL7 airfoil shape is LESS efficient than the TCR airfoil in an IDEAL condition let alone real world condition.

Someone has been spoilt by electronic shifting 😂 but yeah electronic is great for racing with. Giant bikes are great value and the specialized being 1x is so weird. Why would they do that on a race bike?

@caseyb6083

2 жыл бұрын

For what it’s worth, running 1x is relative and can be amazing depending on where you live. I used to live in WI and most of the riding I’d do was relatively flat with some rolling hills; did plenty of fast group rides/races and had no problems with gearing, saved a little weight with no FD, and overall just less parts/maintenance to do. Fast forward and now I live in CO and I switched to 2x immediately once I moved :)

@hail_sagan2830

2 жыл бұрын

The smallest gear on the 1x build is actually a lower ratio than the smallest gear on the Giant in this video. 46/36 = 1.27:1, 39/28 = 1.39:1. The biggest gear on the 1x is slightly smaller, but if you’re spinning out 53/11 on a flat crit course you should probably be a World Tour pro. Add to that, there are usually only 14 distinct gear ratios in a 2x11 drivetrain, so with a properly spaced cassette that places the gaps in the bigger cogs where it is much less noticeable, you don’t lose much. Riders win gravel events on 1x drivetrains with massive gaps all the time, and tbh I’d rather not have to think about front derailleur shifts in a crit anyway.

Nice comparison! I bought the exact same bike (Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1) last year, but mine came with the SRL-1 wheelset instead of SLR-2 and a dual-sided power meter as well. The SRL-1 wheels are pretty light in my opinion in comparison with other major brands with a similar rim profile.

@waynehiggins899

Жыл бұрын

Same as me but my TCR is rim brake

@tubesazzad

Жыл бұрын

@@waynehiggins899 that is even better. I didn’t have any choice due to bike shortages.

11,000 miles (17,600 km) in one year....Whoa... mad respect man!!! Can you share some info on training plan (which zones, how much intensity? base, polarized, what not) and also some off bike work that you did earlier on and what you do to maintain those gains and diet info? Would be really helpful for amateur cyclists like me.

The new 2023 Giant Propel being ridden in the Tour De France right now looks like a great bike. I’m not a fan of the current version though. Can’t say I would choose a TCR over the Tarmac, but I would choose the next Propel over the Tarmac. I wish Specialized would have kept the Venge in the lineup… but it probably made sense from a business and manufacturing/perspective to just make the Tarmac a bit more aero and and stop offering the Venge.

Wait for the new Propel. Aero up front, TCR at the back. Will do it all 👌🏼

Rim brake for the win

Hey Jeff, nice video, as a Sur American our most important category is "convinience" hahah, I got a 2022 propel, Giant fan here, and happy that you got that TCR, next time you can add a new category "Looks" or "Style" in which I will rate the TCR 10/10 with that slim shape and high profile wheels, un saludo desde Colombia! 🥰🥰

Regarding any aerodynamic drag of the external cables, it’s true that a cylinder shape generally has more drag compared to a foil. However, diameter is a factor. The relatively small diameter of the cable results in negligible increase in drag.

I've tested both my slr1 and roval clx64 wheelsets on dead flat no traffic road for three rounds, and I didn't see any difference at 23-24mph

@octaviakf

2 жыл бұрын

When did you see a difference?

@joshuasherer3294

Жыл бұрын

He has SLR2s on that bike and they are not as good as the SL1. I have SL1s and actually really like them other than they could be a bit wider.

@benhardwick1970

Жыл бұрын

@@joshuasherer3294 yea I have the SLR1 as well. They certainly not a bad wheel but only 17mm internal width.

Thanks! I would love to see a head to head constant power time trial like you did with the SL6 v SL7. I guess you’d need to use the sworks bike since the old team bike is gone.

For non-racers which is 90% of the riding population-TCR, but for the pro/1/2 peloton , or criters SL7. Edit: Michael Mathew’s just won Stage 14 (Tdf) against cream of the crop climbers and punchers on a giant TCR SL.

The TCR is my absolute dream bike! The Orca Aero and CAAD13 are also some favorites of mine. I’m curious to know if you’ve ever been on either of these, and if you’d recommend either of them over a more racing/criterium-oriented bike? Edit: I’m just a casual to intermediate level road cyclist, but I’m hoping to also get a bike that can be competitive in a race, as you have inspired me to get into racing!

@87togabito

2 жыл бұрын

Why would you bother with racing? It’s a complete waste of time for anyone who aspires to actually own their bike, rather than be made to ride a bike they don’t own.

If you throw a sram force etap axs on the TCR and use a RED 50/37 chainring up front, you would eliminate 2 out of 4 cables in the wind, maintain the easy to work on benefits, have electronic shifting, faster crit speed and have the TCR score above 50 points. I built my tcr up with zipp303 wheels, force axs completely - works like a dream and solves some issues you are having. built came in at 4200€ 7,0kg weight

I like how you said "easy to work on" for the giant and put a clip of the mechanic hammering away at the press fit BB

Great video. Would’ve loved a mention of the 2 year crash warranty on the frame/carbon bits from Giant

Hey Jeff, I appreciate you coming up with a final score and giving your personal input/opinion - especially since the easy answer would be to say you like the free bike you're on right now. But my question to you is, since you had to make more upgrades to the Giant to get it to your liking, what were the final weights and prices "all in" for the two bikes when all said and done? Starting with a $4k bike but spending 3 or 4 grand to upgrade is a tough pill to swallow.

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

it's a personal choice what you want to upgrade, but my wheels/cockpit probably like $2-2.5k. I still don't think it's on the level of the spec but honestly splitting hairs at that point, and it's still 2.5k cheaper.

@sunshinecycling

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorCalCycling Gotcha. Thanks. The Specialized SL7 is definitely a premium bike at a premium price.

@jonathanz9889

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorCalCycling Did you also upgrade some parts to DuraAce like the chain ring? I think it would only be a fair comparison of what you're actually riding vs what you used to ride. It says something about the stock setup when you end up with some many upgrades

With a 5k difference in price...TCR hands down.

This might be way off topic, but I have addressed this comparison at the bottom of the spectrum. The entry level Tarmac and TCR 105 level. I’ve had both and both come with crap wheels. I’d like to see a review on these. For me, it’s the TCR. It’s definitely lighter. Both are great

The 2023 Propel looks 🔥hopefully you guys get the upgrade

I want the one with the creaky seatpost because it looks so good. And with 60 mm sails on both ends because those watts are so important to us non pros. I'll gladly risk it for 0 rewards. Stop slagging mechanical shifting. It works fine properly set up. Ive never had a cable stretch that required any re-adjustment.

Swap your group set for a mechanical axs groupset, convenience on brakes, clean set up and swap those wheels with cadex. I run that set up on my TCR adv sl 0, I hit 15.2lb on a size large L much faster too with normal convenience for maintenance.

Thanks for posting, I've enjoyed watching many of your crit action videos. I have a dumb question; is there a reason your sponsors didn't offer the propel? I would have thought they would have given a Cat I crit rider their most aero offering. IMO, it's hard to find anyone who feels the SL7's are fairly priced, and maybe only a comparison to Pinarello makes them appear reasonably priced, but you also rarely hear from riders who don't like the SL7 that they already have. I thought you had a top end SL7 before the white one, but maybe that was a venge; I honestly can't remember.

$4000 vs $9000 - on that alone, Giant wins. You could upgrade everything to beyond the Spesh and still be cheaper, with two sets of wheels, powermeter, and have enough left over for a aero helmet, shoes, and new kit!- which would give you much more gains than any bike frame... and you would still have money left over for race entry fees and gas $!!! The weight has more to do with the components. TCR can well be light as or lighter than the Tarmac.

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

the giant did win on the 4k vs 9k, that was the first category

@hail_sagan2830

2 жыл бұрын

Uhhh, what? If you want to go “beyond” then you’d be looking at $2700 for a SRAM RED AXS groupset and ~$2000-2500 for a wheel set, which puts you right about $9k without including tires, a power meter, handlebar, or stem, let alone any of the other things you mentioned.

Liked that video before I even watched it. Great review of bikes I can’t afford.

Jeff, it's just us, we've known each other for a long youtube time now. So you can say it, we won't mind. You'd much rather have a Propel to compare things with, we understand. (Also a message to Specialized : Guys, what were you thinking ? Enough with being silly, it was fun for a year or 2, we all laughed ahah, but now come to your senses and bring back the Venge, will ya?)

"Having a mess of cables at the front of the bike will slow you down" *Races with front and rear GoPros* Hmmmmm ;)

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

Content is king 🤣

The new Propel looks sick!!!

TCR a 4/10 for "speed" because of external cables. No chance lol

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

external cables, non aero tube sections, non integrated cockpit. I stand by my [subjective] rating 😅

Giant TCR is the humble bike and not fancy but it does its' job.

Both bikes are amazing..I own both(2021 tarmac s-works SL7 build w 12 speed di2) and the (TCR advanced pro with sram red)...i prefer the TCR when it comes to price straight from the company(more bang for your buck)and I prefer the SL7 s-works tarmac due to performance because it's slightly faster and more nimble to me..I think people get mad at specialized prices more than their performance..I find my Sl7 equipped with the shimano di2 12 speed slightly lighter and faster than my TCR equipped with sram red..I have no loyalty to a brand and I think it all comes down to preference..its the same as xbox vs playstation and coke vs Pepsi in the 80s...lol..you can always swap drive trains, add light carbon wheels, etc to make a bike lighter..thats why I own both.

Very good and fair assessment. I’d pick Giant and selectively upgrade over time.

What replacement stem/handlebars did you use? The only replacements I can find are from Giant.

Which stem and handlebar did you use on TCR? How about spacer and headset cap?

If i have 4k i’ll get the Canyon 😬

Well i took my tcr(rim brake) put some reynolds, force shifting and red crankset and i can say it worth the money

Hey Jeff. I have a 2021 TCR advanced Pro Disc 1. The ultegra mechanical version like yours. If you had the SLR1 wheels that come on the PRO version, they weigh the same as Zipp 404s (~1450g and not as wide, yes) Your bike is fitted there with the SLR2 wheelset. (~1550g) Also, if you had the PRO version, the Overdrive steerer would be too wide for your Zipp stem there, at least I'm pretty sure. I conclude you have the TCR advanced 1. Not the advanced PRO. I too wish you still had that sweet sweet S works.....

Nice review! But between the two, which is more comfortable? Thanks

0:17 Is there any reference to Counter Strike here ? Or is it only the video editor choice for the smoke sound effect ahah ! It would be nice if you play CS ;) (a bit out of the main subject ahah)

Tbh that mixed bike on the thumbnail looks awesome

I’m in France and I got the TCR pro disc 1. SRL 1 wheels, power metre and mechanical ultegra for €3750. SL7 was €5500 no power metre and €40 alloy wheels. So obviously brought the TCR! But if I already had a decent pair of wheels I may have thought more about the SL7. As for external cables, pros still have external cables so if it was that big a deal then they wouldn’t do it! You save a watt or 2 max.

Lol, in a sprint @ 40mph the fist thing to disturb the air is your body going crazy, the cables are not even in the same post code aero-wise. I expect more from you mate.

I’m moving from a emonda sl frameset to Allez sprint frameset. I’m doing this because the Emonda is a bit too small and I do not cat about the ~2-3 lbs difference between the frameset. Thoughts

@fredrik3018

2 жыл бұрын

Both are great bikes, I would personally choose the emonda SL though. But you're better off riding a bike that fits you properly!

I see your point as team bikes, but if you were self-financing the equipment would you still rather spend $9200 on the tarmac switched to 2x than $5500 for TCR with winspace, and gp5000s?

@87togabito

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll buy the tarmac if I liked it more, especially so if self-financed, since we aren’t restricted to whatever the team wants us to ride. That’s the nice thing about a casual weekend cyclist. You can buy whatever bike you want because you don’t have to care about what the sponsor or some silly race result might say.

@jaredjackson8097

2 жыл бұрын

I’d still buy the Tarmac. The difference in cash over the 5 to 10 years I will be riding the bike is really not that big of a deal.

Biggest pro for the Giant just went out the door with the new model!

Im assuming you kept the Sworks tarmac, then it makes sense you sold the pro tarmac then. Heres my tip, my SL6 I taped up the hydraulic brake cables so its cleaner.

TCR has a proprietary seatpost, right? As well as proprietary steerer spacers. After having a specialized with the SCS hub spacing, I’m am completely out on proprietary stuff.

awesome. Your coming to Chicago?!? Are you planning any meet and greets? Night rides?

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

I'll be there 25-28th

I'd say the Canyon Aeroad is by far the best bang for your buck race bike at the moment. Comes with a 58/62mm aero wheelset and 105 groupset for 3500 euros, or Ultegra for 300 bucks more.

@johndef5075

Жыл бұрын

Does it have that creaky seatpost? I would never buy a Canyon anything after seeing how they treat their customers.

@jeffreycuellar241

Жыл бұрын

Yah the canyon has seat post issues, it sounds real bad according current owners and past owners.

When you are using the sl7 did you changed the chainring for racing?

I've seen this video a couple of times and find it to be the best comparison between these two bikes. Something to keep in mind. The comparison is for 4k vs 9k bike. The gap there is huge, and the end results were very close. U spend 4k in a tcr put in 3-4k in upgrades would u say tcr would surpass tarmac?

What’s the price differential now that you’ve had to change the bars, stem, wheels, and tires?

I lol'd when he mentioned the aero benefits of no cables. No way that makes a difference.

hey guys and jeff, how much faster would you be on a 300 meter sprint if you are using carbon 50mm deep wheels against aluminum 35mm wheels? all external factors aside.. would it potentially add 2-3 kph to it assuming you go up to 54 kph on the alu wheels?

@renatoslife5373

2 жыл бұрын

If the rider is better than you will beat you in a Walmart bike my friend😂

Got an orba orca M20, ultegra mechanical, disc brakes and integrated cables for 3400 dollars. Weighs 19 pounds. Great value. You can also lower the stem to your needs. I will upgrade the wheels though and put a carbon ergo handlebar. Will be close to 18 pounds for about 4300 dollars with the upgrade. Personally I find ultegra mechanical the sweetspot. Everything di2 is just that much pricier and the money is better spent elsewhere.

Maybe the categories could be weighted and personalized for each person as a 10 in price isn’t necessarily as important as a 10 in wheels for instance.

would be interesting to see your time on your regular training rides, the rides you do for years. do you see any differences in time between both bikes?

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

good idea but there's just too many variables to consider and the difference isn't that big

on the topic of 1x chainsets, jumbo visma absolutely crushing this year on their 1x Cervelo S5s both Roglic and Vingegaard taking huge wins so the proof is absolutely in the pudding now, willing to bet Jumbo is running 1x at TDF in more stages than one

Hey Jeff, why did you go for the tcr instead if the propel?

@cornishcat11

2 жыл бұрын

team bike not his choice

The convenience factor of external cable routing is exaggerated imo. People don’t change their stem height that often and some bike boxes nowadays allow you to pack your bike without removing the handlebar. By the way, the new Propel looks super good, I hope you’ll get to try it when it comes out.

@cedward690

2 жыл бұрын

New propel 2023? Is that from TDF?

@BLaZEjjp

2 жыл бұрын

If you remove the convenience scores: Specialized: 44/60 Giant: 35/60

The aerodynamic disadvantage of the exposed cables is highly debatable. They are most likely already in turbulant air from the wheels. The wheels are the first thing hiting the air. Otherwise great video.

bravo for no sugar coating

Jeff, I have to apologize for ever doubting you man. I thought for sure this was just going to be sort of an ad for your new bike sponsor, and that you would only have great things to say about your new bike. I should have known better. You gave a brutally honest opinion about both bikes. Kudos to you and again, sorry for doubting you.

win tunnel says exposed cables only adds 12 seconds in 40km race, its something but certainly not enough to care... for me anyways : / . All the extra hassle of dealing with those internal cables is a complete pita, only worth it for top level riders who don't pay for the bike and have a mechanic to deal with all the BS haha

Is the Allez Sprint Comp a worthy option over entry level carbon race bikes? It gets the aero seatpost and fork from the S works

@fredrik3018

2 жыл бұрын

It absolutely is. Hey, Jonny Brown even won the US championships 4-5 years ago on an Allez - altough a very upgraded one!

@thecarsavant

2 жыл бұрын

@@fredrik3018 Awesome! I'd be throwing a set of carbon wheels on immediately. Everyone likes to hate on the welds but I don't mind them. Do you think it's a better platform to build off of compared to say an Émonda SL5?

@fredrik3018

2 жыл бұрын

@@thecarsavant I mean Emonda is a carbon bike and lighter, so maybe not "better". But personally i like the look of the Allez more and it's a great bike so i think you'd be happy with it.

@thecarsavant

2 жыл бұрын

@@fredrik3018 Thanks man! I'd choose it for straight-line speed, smashing Strava segments, and Cat 4/5 crits

Those cables May actually trip the air before it smacks into your legs...Just a thought.

Sram offers 50/37chainring in red level if you don't like 48 to 10, and that is similar to 52 to 11

Nice comp video tho thanks!

I got elitewheels ent rim brake wheels for $378 during prime day. 50mm deep, weigh less than 1500g, why spend more than $378 for a nice set of carbon wheels?

Good run-down of the two bikes Not sure why you gave such high marks to the Specialized drive train given you had to upgrade the front chain ring (did that require a new spider or just addition of a chain ring?). Also, your upgrades (wheels, bar, stem) on the Giant added what, $2K or more to the cost of the thing? so you've got $8K vs $6K. For amateurs, cost is always the thing driving self-fuded equipment. Maybe a better question, is "which one would you spend your own money on?" Looks like the Giant offers better performance value for money despite it's shortcomings. Lately, I'm more interested in the value carbon race bikes as Specialized and Trek have gone off the rails price-wise. Giant, Canyon and Factor seem to be in the 'value' category. Honestly, it's kind of annoying as Specialized an Trek seem to be gouging because they can. I'm looking forward to a new crop of value bikes with Ultegra DI2 components including power meter as the sweet spot for my next bike. Sadly, Campy remains a fashion/unobtainium brand from a cost standpoint. Oh, one other thing about micro adjust on manual cables: I can't tell if/where there's a barrel adjust on the cables but Shimano had a really neat clicky, micro-adjuster. On my (now vintage) Trek, I replaced the down-tube campy barrel adjuster with the Shimano for excellent results.

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

kinda summarized this at the end of the vid - do you want a race bike that's ready to go, but willing to pay more? specialized. Do you want a capable race bike but may require some upgrades/customizations for it to reach it's full potential? Giant. You'll probably pay less even after upgrades with the giant, but specialized offers a complete package.

@bigwave_dave8468

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorCalCycling Apples & Oranges :-)

4:03 He says "I don't think the speed difference in these two bikes is super obvious" then goes on about you wouldn't hop on the specialized and feel faster....then he rates the Giant a 4/10 and the Specialized a 9/10. How bizarre.

@NorCalCycling

2 жыл бұрын

my point is, you wont get on the spec and immediately feel the difference in speed, but plop those bikes in a wind tunnel and i'm willing to bet the spec is faster. the Giant has external cables, non aero tube sections, and a non integrated cockpit. it's not huge, and things like body position, strategy, nutrition and training are all more important especially if you're new to the sport.

@vanillaflyweight

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorCalCycling regarding speed/aero difference are you able to compare the bike in the specialized Win Tunnel? Track down a buddy with an SL7 if required haha

@aedsy

2 жыл бұрын

@@NorCalCycling I am sure the Specialized probably is marginally faster. Given you would need a wind tunnel to detect the difference I was just amazed by the difference in rating. If we were talking 4/10 vs 4.5/10 for those marginal gains then I would not disagree.

Today is the day! I ordered my Giant TCR Advanced 1 on mechanical Ultegra for just 1970 Euro(about 2100 $). For this money you can only get aluminium Specialized Allez on v-brakes 😅

To fairly compare TCR and SL7 Pro, you should normalize the difference in cost between the TCR ($4K) and SL7 ($9K). Put $5K of upgrades towards the TCR. Now who wins?

The advanced SL is a more direct competitor to the SL7 Pro.

More power Scotty. Aero smero

Curious how a bike that you couldn't ride with original 1x setup was scored 8/10?

@rsam346

2 жыл бұрын

This.

What handlebars do you have on your tcr there?