This article compares the Giant TCR Advanced and Pinarello F.
I’ll help you understand the bike model lineups, specifications, and suggested retail prices in USD. I’ll explain the carbon fiber technology (Giant Advanced Composite and Pinarello TorayCa Carbon) and innovative frameset technologies on each bike.
The objective is to provide you with a clearer understanding of Giant TCR Advanced and Pinarello F.
| Giant TCR Advanced | Pinarello F | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bike | All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Frame material | Advanced-SL carbon Advanced carbon | TorayCa T900 carbon TorayCa T700 carbon |
| Frame sizes | XS, S, M, ML, L, XL | 430, 465, 500, 515, 530, 545, 560, 575, 595 |
| Groupset | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) | Shimano, SRAM (12-speed) |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc | Hydraulic disc |
| Cabling | Internal | Internal |
| Price (USD) | $6,500 to $12,200 | Check with local retailers |
Giant TCR Advanced
The top-tiered Giant TCR Advanced SL uses the super light Advanced-SL carbon, has an integrated seat post, and is specced with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) or SRAM Force eTap AXS. The Giant TCR Advanced Pro sits in the mid-range, uses a lower-grade carbon fiber (Advanced carbon), and is slightly heavier.
The framesets are available in the Advanced SL and Advanced Pro versions for those looking to custom-build their bikes.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset | Retail price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 | Advanced SL carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | CADEX 36 | $12,200 |
| Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 | Advanced SL carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Giant SLR 1 36 | $9,200 |
| Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 AR | Advanced carbon | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Giant SLR 1 36 | $6,700 |
| Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 | Advanced carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Giant SLR 1 36 | $6,500 |
Giant TCR Advanced vs others
Pinarello F
The Pinarello F, announced in February 2023 is a new series of road bikes that replaces the Pinarello Prince, which was a popular model for many years.
The Pinarello F is designed to be a more affordable version of the Pinarello Dogma F, which is the flagship race bike of the Italian brand. The Pinarello F has the same competition geometry as the Dogma F but uses a lower grade of carbon fiber to lower the overall cost. It carries all the distinctive features of the Dogma F, such as the Onda fork, the asymmetric frame, and the TiCR internal cable routing.,
The Pinarello F comes in three models; F9, F7, and F5, and only with Shimano Di2 groupsets. The difference between the F series models lies in the carbon fiber grade and groupset.
| Model | Frame material | Groupset | Wheelset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinarello F9 | Toray T900 carbon | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) | Most Ultrafast 40 |
| Pinarello F7 | Toray T900 carbon | Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) | Most Ultrafast 40 |
| Pinarello F5 | Toray T700 carbon | Shimano 105 Di2 (R7100) | Most Ultrafast 40 |
Pinarello bikes
Giant vs Pinarello carbon fiber
Giant Advanced Composite Carbon
Giant’s Advanced Composite Carbon is a proprietary carbon fiber technology used in constructing bicycle frames. It’s a high-quality composite material with carbon fibers embedded in a resin matrix.
Using Advanced Composite Carbon, Giant can design frames with specific performance characteristics tailored to different riding disciplines. The material offers excellent vibration-damping properties, enhancing comfort and reducing fatigue on long rides. It also provides efficient power transfer, enabling riders to maximize their pedaling efficiency and accelerate easily.
The Giant Advanced Composite Carbon is available in standard and SL (Super Light) versions.
- Advanced SL represents the pinnacle of Giant’s carbon fiber engineering and construction. Advanced SL frames undergo additional optimization, utilizing a higher grade of carbon fiber and meticulous layup techniques. It’s found in Giant’s top-of-the-line bikes.
- Advanced is a step down from the top-tier Advanced SL carbon fiber, but it still offers an impressive balance of performance and value for money.
Pinarello TorayCa
Pinarello uses Torayca carbon in their bikes due to the material’s performance characteristics and the consistency of its quality. Toray’s manufacturing processes ensure a high level of control over the properties of carbon fiber, resulting in a reliable and predictable material.
Different grades of Torayca carbon are used in Pinarello bikes, which are distinguished by their moduli. The T in T1100, T900, T700, and T600 refers to Torayca, and the number denotes the grade of the carbon fiber.
A higher number equates to a higher grade of carbon, which in turn offers more stiffness and less weight, but also typically costs more to produce.
- T1100 carbon is the top Pinarello’s carbon offering. This high-end carbon fiber blend is created for the ultimate stiffness-to-weight ratio. Utilizing the highest quality carbon fiber available, Pinarello designs frames with T1100 Carbon for their flagship, Pinarello Dogma F series.
- T900 carbon is another high-quality carbon fiber offering from Pinarello, albeit slightly less stiff and lightweight than T1100. It’s used in the Pinarello F series road bikes, such as the F9 and F7.
- T700 carbon is a step down from the T900 but still offers a solid balance between weight, stiffness, and cost. It’s found in mid-range models, such as the Pinarello F5.
- T600 carbon is the entry level of Pinarello’s carbon range, is heavier, less stiff, and more comfortable. It’s used in the Endurance road bike series, the Pinarello X.
Frameset technologies and innovations
Giant TCR Advanced and Pinarello F framesets incorporate advanced technologies to enhance their bikes’ performance and ride characteristics.
Here’s an overview of the technologies used in each bike model.
Giant TCR Advanced
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Advanced Composite Technology | Utilizes Giant’s High Performance Grade raw carbon material and Modified Monocoque Construction technique to create a custom frame material. This carbon composite offers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, balancing lightweight performance and strength. |
| OverDrive 2 | Features advanced steerer tube technology with oversized headset bearings and a tapered steerer tube (1 1/2″ lower, 1 1/4″ upper). This design optimizes the front-end steering performance, resulting in superior steering stiffness, enhanced control, and precise handling. |
| Compact Road Design | Originating with the professional Team ONCE in the 1990s, Compact Road Design revolutionized high-performance road bikes. It involves a downward-sloping top tube, creating smaller front and rear triangles for a lighter, stiffer bike. The design also enables riders of all sizes to find a perfect fit and maintain optimal power transfer. |
| PowerCore | Incorporates a massively oversized bottom bracket/chainstay area with a fully integrated 86mm wide bottom bracket design (92mm wide for off-road bikes). The asymmetrical chainstays provide additional stiffness on the drive side and stability on the non-drive side, ensuring efficient power transfer and precise handling. |
Pinarello F
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| TorayCa carbon fiber | Pinarello F series uses different types of carbon fiber to best suit each rider’s needs. The F9 models use TorayCa T900 UD, which is incredibly strong and lightweight. The F7 models use T900 carbon fiber, which offers the ideal balance between responsiveness, weight, and vibration absorption. |
| Nanoalloy Technology | Implemented in the carbon fiber resin, this technology uses microscopic nanoparticles to form a composite material highly resistant to impacts and fatigue. This means the bike frame maintains its structural integrity under stress and over time, reinforcing the quality of the Pinarello F. |
| TiCR | Total Internal Cable Routing (TiCR) is the state-of-the-art internal cable routing system that sets the standard across the whole bike industry. This system is versatile, accommodating both wireless and electro-mechanical group sets. TiCR completely conceals the cables within the bar/stem or integrated handlebar. This not only enhances the bike’s aesthetic appeal but also significantly improves aerodynamic performance and protects the cables from external elements. |
| Asymmetric frame | The Pinarello F series has an asymmetric frame that compensates for the unbalanced forces generated by the drivetrain. The right side of the frame is stiffer and stronger than the left side, to improve power transfer and efficiency. The asymmetric frame also enhances the handling and stability of the bike |
| FlatBack Profile | The FlatBack Profile is a significant aerodynamic feature in the Pinarello F. Essentially, it’s a truncated aerofoil design that provides an aerodynamic advantage while adhering to the 3:1 rule set by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). By using this design, the bike achieves excellent aerodynamic performance with minimal lateral wind resistance. This means less energy is expended fighting wind resistance, leading to greater speed and efficiency. |
| Onda Fork | The Onda Fork is a distinctive Pinarello technology that has been around since 2000. This fork’s unique design offers precise steering abilities, stability, and a notable reduction of both longitudinal and lateral shocks. It does this by effectively absorbing road vibrations and dissipating them before they can reach the rider, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable ride. |
Where to buy
Giant retailers
- Giant retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Giant retailers.
Pinarello retailers
- Pinarello retailers. Use this tool to find your nearest Pinarello retailers.
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.