2011 Giant TCX Women Cyclocross Bike
Giant unveils its first women cyclocross bike called the 2011 TCX W. Giant Factory Off-road team rider Kelli Emmett, helped in the product development by giving valuable input to make the TCX W a shoo-in for women cyclocross. The TCX W will be release on August 2010 at a retail price of $1,650.00.
Abby Cooper, product developer, explains how the new frame came to be. “Everyone knows that women generally have different proportions than men. So the goal was to address women’s unique needs and provide them with a ’cross bike that would improve their experience whether they’re racing or just riding a mix of road and dirt.”
Emmett adds,” I thought a bike with a shorter top tube would handle much better for women, especially on steep drop-offs and other tricky terrain that’s such a big part of cyclocross racing. The 2011 Giant TCX W is a little more upright and the top tube also isn’t quite as high as it is on most men’s bikes.”
The 2011 TCX W frame uses the ALUXX SL aluminum tubing with its geometry and dimensions adjusted to suit women. The 2011 TCX W will have Giant Conect SL handlebars and saddle for women together with SRAM Rival components .
Emmett further praised the TCX W after using its prototype last fall and garnered a bunch of podium finishes. “It has the larger triangle and rounded top tube for easy shouldering and one thing I recommended was a slightly higher bottom bracket, which helps for pedaling through corners—which is really important in cyclocross.”
mmmmmm lovvvit
I have had this bike for 3 weeks now and I am in love with it. It’s my first ‘cross bike, and my other bike is a Cervelo P2C (TT bike). The poor Cervelo is starting to get jealous of the attention I give to my Giant! It is extremely comfortable, and the nice touches of the WSD fit me perfectly- easier shifting, braking, and easier handling with the narrower handlebars. What a fun bike!!! And it looks hot, too.
Unfortunately my TCX-W purchase has not been so pleasant. Has anyone else experienced major shifting issues with this bike ? Admittedly I am new to the double tap shifters, but I have already had one shifter completely replaced (after 8 weeks of ownership) and the derallieur system falls out of adjustment quickly. After numerous trips to the bike shop, a new shifter, finding out the pulley assembly was incorrectly assembled, I still find the shifting for the front rings has a very long throw – takes a lot of force to move all the way and about 30% of the time it drops back into the lower gear and does not engage.
Bought this bike early spring and absolutely love it. Much better ride than expected – can cruise easily above 20 on roads. Great on wet roads and packed gravel. Handles nicely. Haven’t ridden too much off road yet but fall season will tell. Re comment above, I have SRAM Rival double tap on one of my road bikes and (obviously) the TCX-W and have never had a problem – easy shifting, nice small brake levers. Perhaps you got an unlucky set?
I just ordered one after almost 20 test rides of this monster. Im pretty small, ordered the XS frame and haven’t had any issues shifting. Even for small hands. I recall the first thing I said after my ride was, “Wow! It just feels so good in my hands! It just feels so compact in my hands and handles so well!” I can’t wait to start cross season on my new bike!