Price: $2,249

Weight: 2.2 lbs (frame)

Components: Shimano 105, Cinelli, Selle Italia

Frame & Fork: ALUXX Sl butted aluminum, carbon composite fork

Geometry: 73° head tube, 73.5° seat tube, 21.85cm top tube

Sizes: S, M (tested), L

Comments: “Good things come in small packages.”

www.giant-bicycles.com

It has been four years since Giant introduced the revolutionary compact
road frames to the international race circuit, and it continues to stick
with the race-proven lighter/smaller/stiffer concept for 2002. Over those
same four years, Giant continued to receive invaluable input from members
of Team ONCE, and has pushed compact frame innovation to the edge.

The origin of the compact frame stems from Giant’s relationship with Mike
Burrows, one of the world’s most innovative and prominent bicycle
designers. Burrows set out on a quest to produce a stiffer bike at a lower
weight than a standard frame and to produce a better-fitting bike for
everyone. This goal was achieved by using a sloping top tube with
larger-diameter thin-wall tubing. The larger-diameter tubing in the main
frame makes the bike stiffer and lighter, providing less frame flex during
acceleration, descents, or in cornering. The sloping top tube also meant
Giant could create a smaller rear triangle.

Less frame material equals less
weight and the stiffer smaller rear end reduces flex under acceleration
even more. But Burrows’ ingenuity didn’t stop there. By compiling frame
geometry data from a number of standard frames, he distilled the large
number of standard sizes into three sizes: small (44cm), medium (50cm), and
large (55cm). Coupled with seven seat posts of varying lengths and the wide
variety of stems on the market, the three compact frames provide a much
broader range of sizing possibilities than traditional-style frames, making
rider fit quick and easy. I had no problem fitting onto the Giant TCR 2.

The 2002 TCR 2 features the same Super-light ALUXX SL butted aluminum
compact frame as all of the TCR models, including Giant’s top-of-the-line
TCR Team. The frame also features Giant’s carbon straight blade 1-1/8-inch
fork with alloy steerer, FSA-Integrated cartridge-bearing headset, and SL
carbon composite aero seat post with 27.2mm micro-adjust. The TCR 2’s
drivetrain is pure Shimano 105, with a 12-25T 9-speed rear cassette, the
perfect choice for budget-conscious riders looking to get into some serious
racing. Mavic CXP 21 32H rims and a set of Hutchinson Carbon Comp
Kevlar-bead folding 700x23c tires ensure the road runs smooth. All in all,
the 2002 TCR 2 is much like the 2001, with slightly beefier tubes in the
rear triangle for greater flex reduction.

The only real difference between the TCR models is the components, fork
steerers, and the colours. Like the TCR Team, this year’s TCR 2 is done up
in the blazing yellow tones of Team ONCE and flashed out with some very
cool scale-like decals.
Getting on a compact frame for the first time always feels a little odd,
but it doesn’t take long to feel the advantages kick in. A quick sprint
proves just how tight these frames are and how little flex you get out of
one under acceleration. The TCR 2 was very responsive on the climbs, with
each pedal stroke driving the bike forward and up, and provided
confidence-inspiring control on all of the descents I threw at it.

The bike
tracked very well through corners and kicked up to speed fast. The Shimano
component package performed flawlessly on the TCR 2, and the Mavic wheel
set was solid.
For those riders looking to dip their toes into category racing or for
those looking to get from A to B faster than you can say ONCE, the TCR 2 is
an excellent starting point.