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Giant unveils seven new road models for 2009

  • The Aeryn Alliance uses an aluminum lower half paired with a carbon fiber top half for reduced cost, better stiffness and good ride quality.

    The Aeryn Alliance uses an aluminum lower half paired with a carbon fiber top half for reduced cost, better stiffness and good ride quality.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The two-bolt seatpost head holds tight and cleverly integrates both 10mm and 23mm offsets without having to swap parts.

    The two-bolt seatpost head holds tight and cleverly integrates both 10mm and 23mm offsets without having to swap parts.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A more conventional bonded modular monocoque construction is used for the standard TCR Advanced.

    A more conventional bonded modular monocoque construction is used for the standard TCR Advanced.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • There isn't quite as much flaring up here as on the TCR Advanced SL but the proportions are still awfully big.

    There isn't quite as much flaring up here as on the TCR Advanced SL but the proportions are still awfully big.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The top tube of the TCR Advanced is vaguely trapezoidal in profile.

    The top tube of the TCR Advanced is vaguely trapezoidal in profile.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Standard TCR Advanced frames are equipped with conventional aero-profiled seatposts and a slightly cutout in the seat tube.

    Standard TCR Advanced frames are equipped with conventional aero-profiled seatposts and a slightly cutout in the seat tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • There's a lot of beef up here and the solid front end promises sharp handling and braking.

    There's a lot of beef up here and the solid front end promises sharp handling and braking.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The TCR Advanced's head tube is also noticeably oversized and houses a 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube.

    The TCR Advanced's head tube is also noticeably oversized and houses a 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The standard TCR Advanced is all-new as well and while it uses slightly lesser materials, the overall feel is very similar to the full-blown TCR Advanced SL.

    The standard TCR Advanced is all-new as well and while it uses slightly lesser materials, the overall feel is very similar to the full-blown TCR Advanced SL.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Relatively slim seat stays contribute to the (reasonably) comfy rear end. Standard seatpost versions sport a deeper seat tube profile than the roughly round shape of the ISP frame.

    Relatively slim seat stays contribute to the (reasonably) comfy rear end. Standard seatpost versions sport a deeper seat tube profile than the roughly round shape of the ISP frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant's 'Fusion' process is used at the seat cluster on the new TCR Advanced SL. The joint is wrapped but then re-baked in a mold for better compaction and joint strength.

    Giant's 'Fusion' process is used at the seat cluster on the new TCR Advanced SL. The joint is wrapped but then re-baked in a mold for better compaction and joint strength.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Defy Advanced is Giant's new 'performance' bike for 2009 with a slightly more relaxed geometry than the TCR series.

    The Defy Advanced is Giant's new 'performance' bike for 2009 with a slightly more relaxed geometry than the TCR series.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A taller head tube and longer chain stays make for a more upright fit and more stable handling.

    A taller head tube and longer chain stays make for a more upright fit and more stable handling.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant is using tapered and oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerers on the majority of its road lineup, including on the new Defy Advanced.

    Giant is using tapered and oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerers on the majority of its road lineup, including on the new Defy Advanced.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Bladed fork blades help slice through the air.

    Bladed fork blades help slice through the air.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Need to go faster? Women have their own version of the TT/tri-specific Trinity called the Aeryn.

    Need to go faster? Women have their own version of the TT/tri-specific Trinity called the Aeryn.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant has wholeheartedly adopted the press-fit bottom bracket standard.

    Giant has wholeheartedly adopted the press-fit bottom bracket standard.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • All of the Defy Advanced's major tech features are included here but the geometry has been adjusted for women's typically-shorter torsos.

    All of the Defy Advanced's major tech features are included here but the geometry has been adjusted for women's typically-shorter torsos.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Avail Advanced is the women's-specific version of the Defy Advanced.

    The Avail Advanced is the women's-specific version of the Defy Advanced.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Sorry, you won't be fitting your Thomson seatpost in here but Giant has thankfully gone to the trouble of including a rather nice bit here for you already.

    Sorry, you won't be fitting your Thomson seatpost in here but Giant has thankfully gone to the trouble of including a rather nice bit here for you already.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The aero seatpost profile carries through to the top portion of the seat tube.

    The aero seatpost profile carries through to the top portion of the seat tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Yup, press-fit cups can be found here, too.

    Yup, press-fit cups can be found here, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Although pegged as a 'performance' rig and not a full-blown race machine, there's still plenty of beef to be found around the Defy Advanced bottom bracket shell.

    Although pegged as a 'performance' rig and not a full-blown race machine, there's still plenty of beef to be found around the Defy Advanced bottom bracket shell.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The front end of the Defy Advanced isn't quite as humungous as the TCR bikes and provides a noticeably softer ride.

    The front end of the Defy Advanced isn't quite as humungous as the TCR bikes and provides a noticeably softer ride.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The newly refined seatmast head is far cleaner looking and offers 10mm or 23mm of setup simply by flipping the clamp hardware 180 degrees.

    The newly refined seatmast head is far cleaner looking and offers 10mm or 23mm of setup simply by flipping the clamp hardware 180 degrees.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Production TCR Advanced SL bikes will all be equipped with integrated seatmasts. Bare frames will be offered with standard posts but the integrated design actually flexes more fore-aft for increased comfort.

    Production TCR Advanced SL bikes will all be equipped with integrated seatmasts. Bare frames will be offered with standard posts but the integrated design actually flexes more fore-aft for increased comfort.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant was ridiculed ten years for its then-radical compact frame geometries but few are still laughing now.

    Giant was ridiculed ten years for its then-radical compact frame geometries but few are still laughing now.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The matching fork's stout legs and 1 1/4" steerer tube base

    The matching fork's stout legs and 1 1/4" steerer tube base

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The trick rear brake cable routing

    The trick rear brake cable routing

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • How much stiffness do you want?

    How much stiffness do you want?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The seat tube certainly isn't much narrower

    The seat tube certainly isn't much narrower

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The top tube and down tube of the TCR Advanced SL

    The top tube and down tube of the TCR Advanced SL

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Giant's use of the new press-fit bottom bracket format

    Giant's use of the new press-fit bottom bracket format

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new TCR Advanced SL's defining feature

    The new TCR Advanced SL's defining feature

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Naturally, the giant down tube also provides plenty of room

    Naturally, the giant down tube also provides plenty of room

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Dura-Ace version is only slightly more sedate

    The Dura-Ace version is only slightly more sedate

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The huge down tube uses a rounded rectangular profile

    The huge down tube uses a rounded rectangular profile

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • In spite of current trends,

    In spite of current trends,

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Giant's new TCR Advanced SL is noticeably stiffer and more comfortable than the previous version. It looks better, too, especially in top-flight trim as seen here with SRAM Red and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels.

    Giant's new TCR Advanced SL is noticeably stiffer and more comfortable than the previous version. It looks better, too, especially in top-flight trim as seen here with SRAM Red and Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Dura-Ace version is only slightly more sedate with a purposely black-and-white paint job.

    The Dura-Ace version is only slightly more sedate with a purposely black-and-white paint job.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • In spite of current trends, Giant is sticking with one-piece aluminum dropouts and fork tips instead of carbon fiber.

    In spite of current trends, Giant is sticking with one-piece aluminum dropouts and fork tips instead of carbon fiber.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The trick rear brake cable routing apparently isn't just for show; it virtually guarantees that you'll never rub your leg on the housing and the centered position underneath the down tube easily accommodates reverse-style lever setups.

    The trick rear brake cable routing apparently isn't just for show; it virtually guarantees that you'll never rub your leg on the housing and the centered position underneath the down tube easily accommodates reverse-style lever setups.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The seat tube certainly isn't much narrower at the bottom bracket, either, and the asymmetric chain stays are wide-set, too.

    The seat tube certainly isn't much narrower at the bottom bracket, either, and the asymmetric chain stays are wide-set, too.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant's use of the new press-fit bottom bracket format allows the down tube to reach roughly 80mm across in width.

    Giant's use of the new press-fit bottom bracket format allows the down tube to reach roughly 80mm across in width.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Naturally, the giant down tube also provides plenty of room for a correspondingly huge logo.

    Naturally, the giant down tube also provides plenty of room for a correspondingly huge logo.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The huge down tube uses a rounded rectangular profile that contributes to the claimed 42 percent increase in overall rigidity over the previous TCR Advanced.

    The huge down tube uses a rounded rectangular profile that contributes to the claimed 42 percent increase in overall rigidity over the previous TCR Advanced.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The matching fork's stout legs and 1 1/4" steerer tube base make for a noticeably reassuring feel when the stoppers are clamped hard.

    The matching fork's stout legs and 1 1/4" steerer tube base make for a noticeably reassuring feel when the stoppers are clamped hard.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • How much stiffness do you want? The TCR Advanced SL's top tube flares noticeably up front.

    How much stiffness do you want? The TCR Advanced SL's top tube flares noticeably up front.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The top tube and down tube of the TCR Advanced SL is actually a bit wider than the head tube. Fore-aft stiffness under braking and steering precision were superb.

    The top tube and down tube of the TCR Advanced SL is actually a bit wider than the head tube. Fore-aft stiffness under braking and steering precision were superb.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new TCR Advanced SL's defining feature is arguably the tremendously reinforced head tube which houses a tapered and oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube.

    The new TCR Advanced SL's defining feature is arguably the tremendously reinforced head tube which houses a tapered and oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Giant's new TCR Advanced SL

    Giant's new TCR Advanced SL

    Photo credit © James Huang