80miletrip

Hello, my roadie friends! I've been researching for a few weeks now for a new race bike. I've looked at other brands and my choices narrowed down to these two bikes. They are almost identical in price but the Giant TCR has power meter installed so I feel like it's a better deal. I need your input on what would be a better choice. Both bikes have the same drive train (Ultegra Di2) and both have carbon rims. The TCR also has tubeless tires. I've never used tubeless tires before. Is there a significant advantage of tubeless? Also, if you have any suggestion/s in this price range ($5k-5,500 USD) please let me know so I can consider and look at them also. Thanks in advance.

hefeweizen

I have a 2016 TCR. I like it so much I bought a second one, a
discounted 2019.

I really did not care that the bike came set up tubeless. Second ride
on it I got home and was wiping the bike down. I saw something on
the front tire. Looked like gum or something. Yep had a puncture on
the second ride and did not even know it.

Kimmo

You tend to get more bang for buck from bigger companies.

Dean V

I am surprised that they are both the same price. Specialized is usually at the more expensive end of the spectrum and Giant the opposite for similar spec bikes.
Giant is more often discounted too, at least here in New Zealand.

rower2cyclist

There are tons of threads on tubeless vs clincher tires so I'll refer you to those. But have to say Giant's tubeless is trash. I had a sidewall cut third ride in and had to walk the bike for a mile to the closest shop. I read it on other forums that people have had similar experiences. It wasn't fun. You'll probably wanna get a new pair of GP5Ks or Schwalbe tubeless tires if you want to get the TCR so keep that in mind.

However, you'll also have a working power meter on the bike. It's the new generation Power Pro (MY20). It just works. Let's say a decent PM costs $500-1000 depending on the brand. Power Pro retails for ~$900. So that's def a huge difference-maker if you like training with a PM. Giant has pretty great customer service too. They replaced my broken PM no questions asked. I had no idea it was under the warranty.

I can't comment on the ride qualities since I never owned a Tarmac but owned a Roubaix before. Spesh makes damn fine bikes. I love my TCR tho. It just flies on the flats and climbs. I am running 28mm Specialized turbo cotton tires with plenty of room.

That 2020 TCR in metallic red is also pretty nice. It's similar to candy red sworks disc frameset for half the price. Good luck.

Lrdchaos

I looked at both of those bikes in earlier this year, I ended up with the Giant Tcr advanced pro 0 disc. Both bikes were fantastic, ride well and came fairly well spec’d out. I ended up with the Giant TCR, mainly due to price. My giant dealer will negotiate, the specialized dealers want retail and act like I should be happy that they don’t sell them for more.

I will say that I immediately swapped the factory giant tires for a set of Pro one’s set up tubeless. The bike is light, fast and smooth. I’m 100% happy with my choice, but I don’t think you can go wrong with the Tarmac either.

OldTryGuy

One deciding factor for the purchase of my Propel Advanced SL was that Giant manufactures the carbon fiber used for production as apposed to purchasing the CF from a source as most other manufacturing companies need to do.