As above really, i tried the TCR recently and put about 50 miles on it. I really liked it, comfortable, 11 speed ultegra was nice too. Before parting with cash though i wondered if anyone had tried the propel, specifically the 3 with 105.
My riding would be abit of everything, from training rides to TTs. Any opinions?
Tough but nice choice to have! I've never riden a TCR but have had a demo of a Propel and it was a very nice ride - alot more compliant than i was expecting from an aero road bike. My only reservation would be over the front brake. Maybe im just a luddite but im not convinced such brakes aero advantage outweigh the slightly poorer performance.
What sort of riding do you want to do? Both are superb frames and have identical geometry. The wheels on the Propel are modest and there is a premium over the TCR. Either will be comfortable if appropriately sized. I have an alloy tcr and it is an excellent frame - till i did the rear stay in with a rear mech.
You may struggle to find a Propel because most of the popular sizes have already sold out predelivery. I have a frame only on order. For me the choice was between TCR Advanced SL or Propel Advanced. I have a Giant Defy Advanced SL too, so the new frame is for racing. i also have the aero wheels. I'd go with the Propel if you can find one, but would not at all be upset with the TCR. And if you need spacers to raise the bars, i'd look at a Defy. All are superb.
Do you like orange? The most important question 😉
I have an advanced and love it, can't comment on the propel but same geometry . Either would be great !
I would have the TCR all day. Propels look like gates.
Advanced with Ultegra, not that there's a lot wrong with either...
Propel if I was never going to use it outside of racing, otherwise a TCR.
^ what he just said.
Just got a TCR 1 and it's superb, can't comment on the Propel but they get very good reviews
Love my TCR, brilliant bike. Got it just before the Propel came out. Would be a tough decision but I think I'd still go TCR.
/\This/\Love my TCR, brilliant bike. Got it just before the Propel came out. Would be a tough decision but I think I'd still go TCR.
SL with Red if we're showing off!
TCR is lighter as well remember
I just scoped out both bikes too recently but then chose a Cervelo, but hey. 😆
The Propel I had on test was bloody good, I mean really bloody good. Solid and fast and compliant back end. I initially thought it would shake my fillings out rattling along the lanes in Hampshire where I do most of my riding but nope, it flew over most of what I threw at it, very very nice bike.
I also tried a TCR with Ultegra on and that too was a blooming nice bike, bit lighter in feel and a bit whippy on the back end when hacking and climbing, which lets face it is what it's designed for. I really liked that too..
If I had to choose either it would be the Propel, reason? well I hack along the lanes at speed and the bike just felt right for that, I could get out the sadle and stomp and the thing just flew fast and light.. As for looks, well it looks whay better than Cervelos S5..
Just bought a TCR Advanced 1. Amazing bike, light, stiff and very fast. Haven't tried a Propel though.
I m using a Propel 2014 the advanced SL ISP ! it s like a [b]rocket especially on flat road or little hill. I ve used two different TCR before and i personnally prefer the Propel. The best is using two wheelset with it to maximize the performances. The Zipp 404 is perfect but for climbing respectable Hill , you d better use rigid low profile wheels.
Big changes due for the TCR in 2016 so I hear. I was buying a 2015 Defy Advanced SL ISP but that's disc only now.....so?
See if you can find one of last year's Defy SL's. If I had to choose just one bike for all duties, it would be my Defy SL. My Propel is a fantastic bike, I raced it again last bight and it brought the expected smile to my face (but not result!). But the Defy offers at least 4/5ths of the performance and is so easy over longer distances. It is also half a kilo lighter.
The TCR sits between the two IMHO, you can ride it all day and is slightly more racy than the Defy. Probably why it isn't going to be discontinued.
Personally, I'm not a fan of discs because I have two high-end bikes and three sets of wheels. So get looking!
I've had both, (3 TCRs) now with Propel. The geometry is exactly the same for both, so fit and handling is a given. Most would be surprised how all day comfortable the Propel is. And, I'd challenge Omar's comment re the brakes, my experience is that they are notably more powerful than a regular calliper, I rate them highly. HTH
I bought the propel in the end. Very happy with it. Have done plenty of all day rides and plenty of climbing on it too. Feels great no discomfort at all. The brakes are also fine, although I had the ALU brakes, I hear the carbon ones can be flexy.
The geometry is exactly the same for both
Only on paper - I found that I needed a 110 mm stem on the Propel to exactly match the position on the TCR. Annoying as I'd already bought a nice Ritchey 100 mm WCS carbon Overdrive stem - the TCR was a standard diameter.