Giant TCR or Propel?

[dingo24]

Hi,

Chasing some opinions from anyone who is riding a Giant Propel or TCr.

My 2011 TCR Advanced SL is broken again after a poor frame repair. I'm looking at replacing the bike with a Giant TCR SL or a Giant Propel Advanced 2 or Propel Advanced SL. I've been testing a Propel Advanced 2 and it's a great ride.. just a bit heavy (AT) 7.75kg.A TCR SL would be about 400 - 500gms lighter. I've had a quick run a madone 5.9 but prefer the Giant geometry and would prefer to stay with the Giant models. IT's hard to find a good Propel review online... most are a rehash of the Giant sales pitch.

Most of my riding is cyclosportifs, group runs through some hilly country /crosswinds. So my questions are:
Any thoughts on the latest Propel's vs TCR sl's?
Anyone know the weight difference between the Propel Advanced and Advacned SL models?
Is the SL worth the extra coin?

Thks.. Dingo

[Duck!]

The aero brakes on the Propel are widely criticised for being crap. Given you're not chasing those last few milliseconds around a racetrack, pick the TCR purely because of its vastly superior brakes.

[Cmm]

Why not both? I had the same question a few months ago and was mainly directed towards the tcr sl.

A vast majority of advice was same as duck brakes but also versatility.

Disclaimer: I purchased 2 tcr sl's one for me and one for dad. And today have purchased a propel sl so soon will have them both.

[deadrat]

How often are you riding 40km/ph +.....or in solo breakaways in races? If the answer is not often (or at all) do not brother with the propel. The TCR will be a better all round bike in nearly every other scenario. Aero = marketing = hype.

[R12RT]

I've had a Propel Advanced 1 now for about three weeks and covered about 850km.

For the most part it is a very nice bike to ride.

The brakes work fine. They are as powerful as caliper brakes with excellent modulation. However, I am finding they need frequent adjustment. Although this is a quick and easy exercise.

I am not a big fan of the wheels. The ps-slr1wheels are 50mm profile wheel. Gusty side winds are scary with these wheels. Also, I am not convinced of the benefit to performance with these wheels. I am planning to try the Swiss side Gotthards I have been using on my Oppy on the Propel.

Loving the di2!

[dingo24]

Thanks for the replies. I'm trialing at Advanced 2 with Zipp 404's at the moment. If I keep the Advacned 2 It'd etiher keep these or maybe go to C35 as I do a fair bit of hills.

R12RT... did you look at the SL model at all?

[R12RT]

Thanks for the replies. I'm trialing at Advanced 2 with Zipp 404's at the moment. If I keep the Advacned 2 It'd etiher keep these or maybe go to C35 as I do a fair bit of hills.

R12RT... did you look at the SL model at all?

No. I didn't look at the SL. It was over my $4000 budget. As it was the Advanced 1 was $3999.

I didn't really want to buy a Giant. But I loved the look of the Propel and for the money you get a lot of bike.

[warthog1]

I have an aero frame and I love it, Cervelo S5. However I think the aero effect of a frame aint that big. I've rolled alongside riders down hils on various bikes including TCR's. I dont really roll any quicker. Rider position has a much bigger bearing on aerodynamics than the frame.
I ride with a sponsored rider occasionally, who has the choice of propel or TCR and he much prefers the TCR for its more comfortable ride.

[g-boaf]

Thanks for the replies. I'm trialing at Advanced 2 with Zipp 404's at the moment. If I keep the Advacned 2 It'd etiher keep these or maybe go to C35 as I do a fair bit of hills.

R12RT... did you look at the SL model at all?

No. I didn't look at the SL. It was over my $4000 budget. As it was the Advanced 1 was $3999.

I didn't really want to buy a Giant. But I loved the look of the Propel and for the money you get a lot of bike.

At that level, the Propel is actually a quite heavy bike too - consider the aero factor versus the weight factor. I weighed a Propel and the dealer was rather horrified at the numbers, I just told him don't worry about it, I expected it would be like that. Consider in mind of course that I'm already as light as I can go.

The TCR is a very good bike. Mine is a TCR Advanced SL1 ISP 2014 model, but I've another lower model TCR before.

Rider position has a much bigger bearing on aerodynamics than the frame.
I ride with a sponsored rider occasionally, who has the choice of propel or TCR and he much prefers the TCR for its more comfortable ride.

That's absolutely right - the position on the bike can make a few extra km/h.

[R12RT]

The Propel would be considered to be a little porky.

My M/L framed Propel weighs 8.2kg with pedals, cages, and bag. This is about 0.5kg less than my XL framed Oppy. Replacing the original wheels with the Swiss side Gotthards will drop the weight to 8kg.

I weigh 90kg so a kg on the bike is not of concern to me. If I was worried about weight I would be far better off losing 5kg off my weight.

Frame aerodynamics aren't really worth much once you add the unaerodynamic lump of a rider to it..

I bought the Propel because I like the way it rides and I like the way it looks. It is by far the best looking bike that Giant has produced IMO. Value for money also came into it too.

I didn't consider the TCR as I am not fond of the look of the bike. Flame me for that if you wish...

[AUbicycles]

I am not sure if the Propels are any good. This fellow, Marcel Kittel is not a fan anyway.

[BiciBoy]

Running a TCR Advanced SL1 with DA9000 and Reynolds dish wheels.
Light, stiff, very fast.
Probably one of the best all round bikes going around.

[kyloke1]

Got a 2015 Propel Advanced SL0 last week and had a good maiden 85km ride on flats, downhills, climbs and rough bitumen roads. I had the fork cut and stem lowered for a better aero position.
Bike is very responsive to acceleration and directional changes. Climbs just like my Madone 6.9ssl. On rough roads it is a lot bumpier and less compliant although it isn't an issue for me. Cross winds could be a little problem with the 404s. Brakes are just as good as the Dura Ace 9000s, smooth and quiet with a bite even on long steep descents. No alignment issues with the calipers. I was still comfortable and fresh after the ride which I found surprising. BTW, battery is in the seat tube, very neat. Overall, I must say that the bike looks and rides very nicely. DI2 much nicer and smoother shifts than the 9000 on my other one. I really took a punt on this one since I did not have a test ride beforehand. A little overkill to ride on the road especially with the 404s but don't really care.

[dale79]

i have both a 2014 propel LTD and 2014 TCR SL 0

the TCR is a much better bike for all types of riding.. yep the propel looks good but im yet to find a positive over TCR on any ride i have done on it.. TCR SL handles better, turns in better, smoother to ride, seems to transmit power better etc.

i would sell the propel tomorrow and get another TCR SL..

[Drizt]

Very interesting

[dale79]

i also have the upgraded brakes on the propel and there is really zero stopping difference over the dura ace 9000 brakes.. yeh probably got to pull on them a little more but in no way have they ever left me wanting more braking power..

if anyone wants a large propel LTD with some dura ace c24's imbox me lol

[kyloke1]

Before dropping some serious money on the Propel, I did quite a bit of research on what it's like to ride the bike for all occasions. Majority (owners and non owners) commented that the bike is difficult to live with especially on long and rough rides i.e too uncomfortable, too stiff, etc. Anyway, I thought, if I could commute on a Ducati 1199 everyday without any issues (except for reliability issues), surely I can do it with the Propel. BTW, I am not saying it rides better than the Trek, just different. Some will like it, some won't.

[dale79]

ive done 100km + rides on mine, i dont find it uncomfortable or anything like that it just dosnet do anything better than the TCR SL.

[MDL]

I have a TCR 2014, have gone through 4 frames over the years and all covered by Giants warranty. the 2014 with Dura-ace and tubs in a 58cm weights in at 6.8kgs, can't complain. The 2014 frame is alot better handling compaired the previous years. Not as stiff though.

Matthew

[BiciBoy]

2015 Propel here, coming from a 2013 TCR .
It's different, but I love it ..

[kyloke1]

Why is it that you're running DA9000 instead of the 9070Di2? Even the wheels aren't 404s. Did you just get the frame and bolted on the rest of the components? BTW, my longest ride so far on the Propel is 130km in relatively windy conditions. Front a little twitchy occasionally but not too bad.

[Dirty32]

I think BiciBoy got a replacement frame through warranty (from a TCR), and didnt buy the Propel outright.
But, perhaps I am wrong...

[BiciBoy]

I was riding 2013 DA 9000.
Frame was swapped under warranty with 2015 Propel.
Running DA9000 and Reynolds.