Why Giant's Advanced SL bikes don't have Thru Axles
04-03-20, 12:17 PM
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Why Giant's Advanced SL bikes don't have thru-axles
This unfortunate situation around the world has resulted in me having much more time (too much time) to spend on the internets. Spring is not fully installed yet and I can't ride outside very far, but I still manage to ride a few kms per day.
One of the things I hadn't realized prior to a few days ago was that Giant's Advanced SL frameset did not have thru-axles while the rest of the lineup did (Advanced & Advanced Pro). I always thought thru axle was better & stiffer, but now I'm wondering why the manufacturer's highest quality frames have QRs. Any thoughts?
The discussion is officially open.
One of the things I hadn't realized prior to a few days ago was that Giant's Advanced SL frameset did not have thru-axles while the rest of the lineup did (Advanced & Advanced Pro). I always thought thru axle was better & stiffer, but now I'm wondering why the manufacturer's highest quality frames have QRs. Any thoughts?
The discussion is officially open.
Last edited by eduskator; 04-03-20 at 12:33 PM.
04-03-20, 12:25 PM
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If I were go pull a guess out of my ass, I'd say that they're not on the same update schedule; maybe the SL was the last update before the decision to go all-in on TAs.
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04-03-20, 12:33 PM
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I would make the same guess as @WhyFi. Definitely it's not because there's something wrong with TAs that only Giant knows about.
A lot of hubs, DTs for example, have changeable end caps so you can move wheels between bikes with different systems.
A lot of hubs, DTs for example, have changeable end caps so you can move wheels between bikes with different systems.
04-03-20, 12:42 PM
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Okay, I looked at the Giant USA website and I don't know what you're talking about - for both the Propel and TCR, the Advanced SL models have TAs. 
Where were you seeing these SLs with QRs?
Where were you seeing these SLs with QRs?
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04-03-20, 01:04 PM
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US: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tc...-frameset-2020
04-03-20, 01:07 PM
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What? Canadian website does not show current available frameset as being TA: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/tc...ed-sl-frameset
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04-03-20, 01:33 PM
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My 2019 TCR SL doesn't have thru-axles either! Oh wait, its rim brake 
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04-04-20, 02:41 PM
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This unfortunate situation around the world has resulted in me having much more time (too much time) to spend on the internets. Spring is not fully installed yet and I can't ride outside very far, but I still manage to ride a few kms per day.
One of the things I hadn't realized prior to a few days ago was that Giant's Advanced SL frameset did not have thru-axles while the rest of the lineup did (Advanced & Advanced Pro). I always thought thru axle was better & stiffer, but now I'm wondering why the manufacturer's highest quality frames have QRs. Any thoughts?
The discussion is officially open.
One of the things I hadn't realized prior to a few days ago was that Giant's Advanced SL frameset did not have thru-axles while the rest of the lineup did (Advanced & Advanced Pro). I always thought thru axle was better & stiffer, but now I'm wondering why the manufacturer's highest quality frames have QRs. Any thoughts?
The discussion is officially open.
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