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Giant crosses into gravel racing with new TCX Advanced SX

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TCX_ADV_SX_RED_2017

As popularity in gravel racing continues to grow, more and more brands are looking to add another model. Call it gravel racing, aggressive gravel, any road, whatever, for Giant, that means the recent announcement of the new TCX Advanced SX. With a frame bred from cyclocross racing, the SX fills the void with a race ready gravel runner built for longer rides.

Check past the break to see what sets it apart from the rest…

Images c. Giant Bicycles
Images c. Giant Bicycles

While it may look similar to their cross bike, the Giant TCX Advanced SX offers the best of both worlds. With the racing geometry of the TCX cross family and the comfort of an AnyRoad, the SX provides a great mix of dirt, gravel, and paved capabilities.

It’s equipped with Sram’s Apex 1 drivetrain, taking away the extra weight of additional chainrings, cables, and derailleur. Naturally, the brakes are fueled by the Apex 1 hydraulic system. The SX takes advantage of Giant’s Advanced-Grade carbon frame, and a fork with an Overdrive 2 steerer (1 1/4 – 1 1/2″). It’s available in a range of sizes from small to XL (50 – 56.5 cm), and comes in neon red color with black accents.

TCX_SX_EQUIPMENT

Setting the SX apart from its cross relatives are gravel worthy 40 mm tires that provide more stability over loose terrain. Also, the rugged 32 rear/28 front spoked wheels with 142×12 and 100x12mm thru axles ensure that the bike will hold up wherever you go.

Wearing a price tag of $2,150 the Giant TCX Advanced SX offers great value.

giant-bicycles.com

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Ck
Ck
7 years ago

So they kept the CX focused geometry, but built the layup to be more comfortable? After having ridden a few bikes recently with actual gravel geometry (longer wheelbase, more BB drop, higher stack), the layup is far from my main consideration when purchasing a bike specifically for gravel riding/racing and not CX racing. Tires matter so much more than layup. This is a half-assed attempt to cash in on the gravel market without shelling out money for new frame molds with actual gravel geometry.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago
Reply to  Ck

Doesn’t look like cross geometry to me.

Ck
Ck
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

It’s the same geo they’ve had on the TCX for the last few years.

DB
DB
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Didn’t the whole gravel market start as a half-assed attempt to cash in on selling cross bikes to roadies without shelling out money for new frame molds? I don’t think it changed until the industry realized that people would actually buy a whole new bike even when a cross bike would be more versatile. I say kudos to Giant for making a bike that is more universal, and therefore, more fun.

Kevin Capo
7 years ago

Thats one sexy looking bike!

blackthorne83
blackthorne83
7 years ago

Ck, Giant has a gravel bike. It’s called the Anyroad. It even says so in this article. The SX moniker is used for progressive models in any given lineup, for example, the Trance SX (bigger fork), and the old Reign SX (burlier + bigger fork). In this case, they’ve tweaked the TCX model for a gravel-focused intended use. Total win win, I already bought a Specialized Diverge but this bike kills it in terms of looks and simplicity.

A little research can go a long way.

blantonator
blantonator
7 years ago

BB Height would be great… thank.

JD
JD
7 years ago

As a non-racing weekend warrior on the rainy west coast this is getting pretty close to my ideal spec for a commuter/all-rounder. Half my long rides are often on dirt or gravel. Throw in wireless rear shifting and I think it would be perfect.

Anyone know if this has hidden rear fender mounts? Looks like the fork has them.

matt moseley
matt moseley
7 years ago

so. tires and a 1x = gravel. gotta love marketing.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
7 years ago
Reply to  matt moseley

Apparently the 2016 DK200 winner Ted King may have something to say about that. And many others, myself included. 1x for CX and gravel racing, 2x for adventure. There’s a point where blaming marketing for everything starts to sound a lot like crying wolf.

Ano
Ano
7 years ago

Yep, had nothing to do with the fact that he’s Ted frickin; King and everything to do with the 1x drivetrain (of which he’s a SRAM supported rider).

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
7 years ago
Reply to  Ano

Lot’s of people racing 1x other than supported riders because it makes frickin sense. But we’re all victims of marketing, right? Pffft!

Justin
Justin
7 years ago

1-1/4″ -> 1-1/8″ tapered aluminum steerer. No go.

Necromancer
7 years ago
Reply to  Justin

I’s a full carbon fork that’s 1-1/4 to 1-1/2

Craigarelo
Craigarelo
7 years ago

Seems like a great bike for the money

Gary
Gary
7 years ago

What is the BB drop? That is the big question.

MrJunge
7 years ago

Yep – fender and or rack mounts and I can go anywhere….without them I will shop elsewhere

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
7 years ago

What are these bikes being called now, asphalt sanders? Concrete cremators? Aggregate abolitionists? Fireroad f***ers?

Burton
Burton
7 years ago

I was not aware that Giant could make a bike that has an almost horizontal top tube.

Burton
Burton
7 years ago

I was not aware that Giant could make a bike with an almost horizontal top tube.

jeffle
jeffle
7 years ago

40×11-42 isn’t a tall enough gear for many gravel races. A compact double, or 44×10-42 like the Cannondale Slate would be more suitable.

Eric Hancock (@eric_d_hancock)
Reply to  jeffle

40×11 gives you 28mph; that is really sufficient for most people.

That being said, I’d be more excited if this had a double up front and tighter ratios in back. Looks nice otherwise.

Dinger
Dinger
7 years ago

40×11 got me dropped on a paved downhill at a gravel race I did last year.

For my preference, the range is less an issue than the large gaps between gears.

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

Is that the name of a bike or a computer chip. Good lawd, through a couple numbers in there and it could be made by Intel.

Matt
Matt
7 years ago

Throw. I got autocorrected.

typevertigo
typevertigo
7 years ago

I’ve got a TCX myself (the SLR 2 aluminum version), and at first glance this doesn’t look all that different. No detailed photos of the rear triangle and fork, but if I had to take a guess, maybe this SX model has slightly greater clearance there.

The regular TCX can comfortably fit 35 mm tires (mine came stock with those), but I’ve never tested fitment of a 40.

STeeLRideR
STeeLRideR
7 years ago
Reply to  typevertigo

I’ve had a TCX Advanced for a few years and have been rocking 40’s for the most part…fit easy. So I would say this is exactly the same frame as their current CX lineup but with a different build kit.

Markarwells@gmail
Markarwells@gmail
7 years ago
Reply to  STeeLRideR

The point is the speed of a road bike without the limits of it, basically in one ride do trails, gravel roads, and road in one ride, it never gets boring

Marin
Marin
7 years ago

Haha, what’s the point in these “Gravel” bikes? If the path is so rutted and covered in stones you’re better off with 29er with some suspension, and if you plan on riding road more woth occasional detour to lught gravel paths you’re better off with endurance or regular road bike with tad more clearance and 28-32mm tires which are still fast on road.

Tumba
Tumba
7 years ago
Reply to  Marin

Defy?

MrJunge
7 years ago
Reply to  Marin

Hasnt been my experience. I see the shocked look on people faces when they see me coming in remote places. They see my smiling face. All on 700x35c with no suspension

Ellery
Ellery
7 years ago
Reply to  Marin

A 29er with f/s is really slow and a lead weight afer 4 hours on dirt/gravel roads. Speking from experience. That’s why light bikes like these exist with drivetrains that resembles that of a mtb recently.

Lumpa Lumpa
Lumpa Lumpa
7 years ago

@ Marin Ok, and if you want to ride both, everywhere, with the same bike….?

Heffe
Heffe
7 years ago

While it’s great for CX, I can’t see 1X for gravel if we’re talking about long rides over undulating terrain. Not enough range for normal people.

Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
7 years ago

How come gravel bikes do not need FT Der? CX bikes have always had FT Der till recently. Seems weird to me to limit the bike options.

blackthorne83
blackthorne83
7 years ago

The only reason for the existence of the front derailleur is for more gear range. Otherwise, it is heavy, ugly, and hard to clean. I would gladly, as proven in the mtb world, trade a couple high gears for less weight, simplicity, and cleaner lines. You could even argue that losing a pound of metal bits gains you another gear!!

Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
7 years ago

Exactly, why give up the gear range… climb big mountains, go down big mountains. Wider gear range.

jim rawson
jim rawson
7 years ago

I for one will never go back to a front der bike. It is the most antiquated and fallible feture to the modern bicycle. I have been selling and servicing bikes since 1991 and am glad to see it go for the majority of enthusiasts.

Marin
Marin
7 years ago

Good luck going with 1×11 or 12 for road.
I can understand it for mtb as I’m using it for the last couple of years myself and won’t go back, but on road it’s not bad at all especially considering shifter and brakes and weight penalty is non existent.

Larry
Larry
7 years ago

10 to 42 1×11 is the sh*t. Having 11 to 42 is like almost having 1×11!!! Thank you Sram!

WW555
WW555
7 years ago

This article says “Giant crosses into gravel racing…” I have found that as an average rider, a 100 mile gravel RACE is way different than a 100 mile gravel RIDE. The speeds that a racer carries up and downhill are surprising fast. If I am out on an adventure ride, some nice low gears are cool so I can check out the scenario and enjoy the ride, but when racing, its a focus on hardback, smooth lines and you are hammering it out the whole time. I have a Giant SLR with a SRAM CX1 grouo with 11-36 and I just swap out my front chainring from 34 to 40 depending if I am gravel riding or racing gravel or CX. I also have 40s for gravel and racing CX and they work great! My CX1 group and wheel set cost more than this whole bike…ITS A GREAT VALUE & starting point for gravel/CX racing/riding!!!

BR
BR
7 years ago

I own one. Go ride it… The bike rocks!

Brett
Brett
7 years ago

Does anyone know when they or if they will be for sale in Australia?

Tim Matthews
Tim Matthews
7 years ago

I’m in the UK and my LBS advised Giant have told them it’s only being released in the US. Fortunately for me, a dealer in Germany has somehow acquired a few and I have one arriving tomorrow 🙂

Tim Matthews
Tim Matthews
6 years ago
Reply to  Tim Matthews

Absolutely fantastic bike and ride, love every bit of it and two Strava KOM’s already, highly recommend and don’t regret my decision to trade for XtC Advanced and Defy Disc 1 at all!!

Chris
Chris
7 years ago

What is the BB drop? The Crux has a nice and low 70 mm drop. I fear the TCX not that much drop.

Esa
Esa
7 years ago

I have SX as well now. It has aluminum tapered steerertube. Just wondering do the Advanced Pro have full carbon forks with carbon steerer as well??? Other than that this is a killer. No places for mudguard, and at least I don’t need one. The holes in fork are for moist to get out.

We had -25% of discount in sports store and it had Advanced SX Medium size on floor. i got 2017 brand new SX with -25% discount althought I was about to buy the Advanced Pro2 soon. I will update this more towards the CX, Different handlebar, Gearing narrower rear 11-32, front 42 (power legs) Any tighter climb, I run faster,.I buy a tubular wheelset and glue 33mm tires. These 40mm tires tend to teach you too comfy and too grippy feeling. ;). I replace those with 33mm clinchers.

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