This sizing guide helps you find your ideal Giant TCR Advanced size.
The Giant TCR Advanced features a Compact Road Design, a trademark design philosophy developed by Giant in collaboration with Team ONCE in the 1990s.
It features a downward-sloping top tube creating smaller front and rear triangles, resulting in a lighter, stiffer frame optimal for racing. This geometry promotes an aggressive rider positioning for aerodynamic efficiency.
According to Bike Radar’s review, the geometry is as racy as ever, with steep frame angles and a short wheelbase, indicating a performance-oriented design.
| Bike size | Rider height (in) | Rider height (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 5’2″ – 5’7″ | 157 – 169 |
| S | 5’5″ – 5’9″ | 165 – 175 |
| M | 5’7″ – 5’11” | 171 -181 |
| ML | 5’10” – 6’2″ | 177 – 187 |
| L | 6’0″ – 6’4″ | 183 – 193 |
| XL | 6’2″ – 6’6″ | 189 – 199 |
Other important factors to consider
There’s more to a good fit than height beyond the sizing chart. Here are important things to consider from my past experience working at the bike shop, helping hundreds of customers get their right bike size.
Giant sizing vs. other brands
Giant sizes their bikes according to values such as XS, S, M, ML, L, and XL.
These values provide a rough indication of the frame size. However, they may not be consistent across other bike manufacturers. What constitutes a size S in a Giant could be different in another model that uses a similar sizing, such as Scott Addict RC or Specialized Tarmac SL8.
Just relying on these values alone can be misleading.
Understand the stack and reach measurements
If you have a bike that fits you well and is comfortable, use that as a reference point.
Find out its Stack and Reach measurements and compare them against the Giant TCR Advanced’s measurements. Then, pick the closest size.
- Stack is the vertical distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube. Stack height influences how high your handlebars will be relative to your saddle. A higher stack leads to a more upright riding position, which can be more comfortable, especially for longer rides, older riders, and those with less flexibility on the lower back.
- Reach is the horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube. It determines how stretched or compact your riding position will be. A longer reach results in a more stretched-out, aggressive riding posture, while a shorter reach promotes a more upright position.
The Stack and Reach measurements can be found below.
Size up or down, if in between sizes?
The Giant TCR Advanced’s sizing chart has overlapping height limits, causing many cyclists to fall between two bike sizes.
If you’re one of them, there are many things to consider, such as your legs-to-torso proportions and the final look of the bike, taking into consideration the number of spacers, stem length, and the amount of exposed seatpost.
Having said that, generally, I’d recommend sizing down for most cyclists. Here’s why.
The smaller frame has more room to extend reach, and increase stack. It’s easier to make a smaller frame bigger than vice versa. However, there is a limit to these corrective measures to avoid having too many spacers (30mm+) or too much exposed seatpost, which makes the bike look out of proportion.
The smaller frame is also stiffer, more maneuverable, and marginally lighter. If set up right, it’ll have more exposed seatpost, leading to more comfort due to increased seatpost flex.
If you have a normal legs-to-torso proportion, opting for the smaller size would be a better choice.
- If you have longer legs with a shorter torso, consider sizing up to avoid having too much exposed seatpost.
- If you have shorter legs with a longer torso, consider sizing down and using a longer stem to extend reach.
Test ride before you buy
Visit your local Giant dealer to try both sizes to get a feel for what suits you best. Most large dealers can provide a test ride if they have a bike in your size in their demo fleet.
Giant TCR Advanced frame geometry (2021-2023)
The geometry chart below applies to all Giant TCR Advanced frames from the following:
- Years: 2021, 2022, 2023
- Models: Advanced SL, Advanced Pro, Advanced
- Frame material: Carbon
Read more about the frame geometry measurements here.
| Frame Size | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider Height (cm) | 157 to 169 | 165 to 175 | 171 to 181 | 177 to 187 | 183 to 193 | 189 to 199 |
| Rider Height (ft) | 5’2″ to 5’7″ | 5’5″ to 5’9″ | 5’7″ to 5’11” | 5’10” to 6’2″ | 6’0″ to 6’4″ | 6’2″ to 6’6″ |
| Stack (mm) | 517 | 528 | 545 | 562 | 581 | 596 |
| Reach (mm) | 376 | 383 | 388 | 393 | 402 | 412 |
| Top Tube (mm) | 520 | 535 | 550 | 565 | 580 | 600 |
| Seat Tube (mm) | 680 | 710 | 740 | 770 | 800 | 830 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74.5° | 74° | 73.5° | 73° | 73° | 72.5° |
| Head Tube (mm) | 120 | 130 | 145 | 165 | 185 | 200 |
| Head Tube Angle | 71° | 72.3° | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Fork Offset (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Fork Trail (mm) | 72.1 | 64 | 59.2 | 59.2 | 59.2 | 59.2 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 976 | 977 | 980 | 991 | 1006 | 1020 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 | 405 |
| BB Drop (mm) | 72 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Standover Height (mm) | 706 | 725 | 747 | 773 | 800 | 816 |
| Handlebar Width (mm) | 400 | 400 | 420 | 420 | 440 | 440 |
| Stem Length (mm) | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 110 | 120 |
| Crank Length (mm) | 170 | 170 | 172.5 | 172.5 | 175 | 175 |
Bernard Lu has 7+ years of experience working in a bicycle shop, overseeing the retail and workshop operations. He’s a qualified bicycle mechanic who understands a cyclist’s needs and speaks the same cycling lingo.
If you meet him at the cafe, he will happily talk to you for hours about all the intricacies of bikes and cycling tech. Just buy him a coffee next time you see him.