I hope all my channel subscribers and supporters are doing well out there. Very uncertain times for us all and I am wishing you all the very best. I hope this video comes as a welcomed distraction! Also slight correction in the video re the seat clamp on the Giant. Once you saw the post you have 2.5 cm from the bottom, not ‘2.5 mm’ as I say’. Cam
So the TCR is lighter, stiffer, cheaper and more nimble. The BMC is more comfortable and feels like you have a flat at the rear. Easy decision for me:) Great review!
That is until you ride a BMC ;-) I had a Giant TCR for 3 years (the normal Advanced, without ISP) and now have a BMC Roadmachine 01 (2019 version) with the aero cockpit (12cm, -15° stem), exact same, slammed, position as on the TCR (equal drop of almost 12cm, 58cm frame) The BMC is a lot more comfortable, feels faster and looks so much cooler (nice blue frame, all invisible cables) If you take price out of the equation, I'd always go for the BMC. If you need a budget (if you can call the Giant 'budget' :D )build, the TCR is the way to go, for sure (loved my 30.000km on it)
Its a matter of taste. I prefer the slender looks of the tcr isp. Not a fan of the rainpipe downtube of the bmc. Also, really hard to understand where the BMC adds value compared to the tcr to justify the higher price? The recall on their forks lately and a bad cut open review by Luescher makes me even think the opposite.
Ever since I found out Cam's professional background before youtube, I have been noticing the corporate-style approach in his videos (mainly the structure and flow i.e. 'video agenda', 'KPIs', and similar). Noticing these makes for a fun challenge throughout his videos! Loved the review (comprehensive and detailed as ever) and look forward to the next. Keep up the excellent work :)
Cam. Thank you so much for this review. I'm 52, and am looking to replace my Super SixEvo Disc. I have an employee that her husband is looking to sell his 2019 BMC dura A to me for $1500 USD. With less than 10 rides, never dropped, not a scuff or scratch! This content was enough for me to not have to search sny further. My Cannondale is amazing, I really love the ride but looking for less weight and the discs literally rub me the wrong way. I average 45-60 miles oer week and im really looking forward to this upgrade! Thanks a bunch for taking the time for the breakdown! Truly you have a 2nd calling, educational cycling videos!
I rode quite a few race bikes, but the best to me was my old TCR Composite, except for the confort. Nowadays i have a scott foil, but boy how i miss my old TCR. Looking here for an advanced SL to be the number 2. Cheers from Brasil bro, i really like the channel
You nailed it ! What a great video. Clear , concise , fact based , great production quality and with a finale where you reached the right conclusion !!
I bought a BMC road machine last year and I’m super happy with it. Even more slack than your team machine but for all around solo riding it’s so comfortable. I still have the race bike for those hard group rides and racing but the BMC is my daily driver.
I have a previous generation SLR02 (round seat tube compared to the D shaped one on the SLR01's). When I purchased mine I also had a Cervelo R3, and on a back to back comparison, I thought the Cervelo was too soft. I think the TeamMachines are the Goldilocks of road bikes. Not too soft, not too stiff, but just right. Great review Cam.
Ah, the long awaited Head to Head Review 😅👍 Honestly Cam, watching you compare two sweet road bikes is a WELCOME distraction from these very difficult times. Great reviews and comparison. I'm very happy with my Canyon, thank you very much, but it's great to hear how you talk about these bikes. I ride the Canyon Endurace, which is of course an endurance road bike - and I've experienced the same thing you described so well with the BMC, which is look down to see if I have a rear flat. This is especially the case if my tire pressures are a little low - I run Conti GP 5000's in size 28C. Conversely, the good thing is that running a higher tire pressure easily sharpens up the feeling of the bike. The Canyon Endurace rear end is super soft and I sometimes wish for a stiffer, racier feeling bike. If I could, I'd probably swap it for the Aeroad frame which has a geometry similar to the Endurace but stiffer and racier since the seat tube is straight rather than sloped. The disc brakes are an absolute life saver, giving me super confidence on any decent or heavy braking situation, and although the bike is an SL 7.0 Disc spec with "only" Shimano 105 components, it's an unbelievable bang for the buck. Yes the 105 stuff is heavier - I believe the bike weighs in at 8.2 kilos stock - but as a rider that needs to lose somewhere between 5-10kg to be at ideal body weight, I don't care about 500g of extra weight on my bike. Anyway, it is fun to talk about bikes as a distraction. Hope you Alice and the girls stay safe through all this craziness.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on the Canyon mate. Tyres and tyre pressure definitely make a difference but that flat feeling is frame inspired for sure. We’re well here, thanks for asking, although the world is a very uncertain place right now! Hope all is well with you. Cam
After 4 TCRs, and several other bikes including Cervelo and Specialized SWORKS, they are great bang for your buck. And I think, even after all these years, with a pair of 50mm carbon hoops (and ISP), still one of the sharpest looking bikes in the peloton.
But please, with that tangle of cables coming out of the front , even on the top-of-the-line models, the tcr is a dull bike, lacking personality and a lackluster design because of the unattractive choice to keep the cables outside the frame
I have a BMC SLR03 2017 with 105/Ultegra. It's such an amazing machine for the money. Rides smooth as silk, handles "twitchy" according to my amateur skills, over engineered in every way (mine's been in many accidents and it's fine)
Sad fact is a change of tyres makes an insane amount of difference. The TCR is very sensitive to minor changes (not to say the BMC isn't). In the same shoes I'd pick the TCR (and I did). TCR geometry works for me, I had one when they first came out and I've struggled to find anything else that gives me that same feeling. I'm back on a TCR now and happy. I do think that the compact frameset is of particular benefit to us of a longer body, shorter leg breed!
Thx for the review. I still drive my 90s Centurion with a steel frame. For the training effect😉. Had to do some replacements due to wear. Fulcrum alloy rims, new pedals and second hand Dura Ace Levers. Still works for me.
This definitely helped me a lot. I was really persuaded with all the hype and advertisement of TCR. After your detailed review, I realized that I also myself value comfort more than speed 100%. Thank you so much! I wish you can make more videos similar in this regard. Also will you be covering any gravel related videos?
I had Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0 2015. It was my first road bike and I liked. I am 55 now and preferred an endurance bike. It was very comfortable but found later it lacked acceleration. I bought a very low mileage BMC Roadmachine 01 Two 2018. I love it. It is much faster and in the same time quite comfortable. I agree with you that Giant are likely the best value for money. On the other hand BMC are more refined and sexy. People stop me and ask about BMC. They did never about Giant.
I have a TCR SL and an Emonda SL. So I guess my Emonda stands for your BMC, lol I agree with your review that it replicates most of my experiences with the two bikes. Good work and there's a typo early in the video. ;)
Hey Cam. I’m a bit behind on watching your videos. I’m so happy to watch this double review episode Cam style. Your reviews are the best. I hope everyone is in good health around you. Cheers. Your red BMC 🤤😉
I had a tcr and I changed for a bmc team slr01 i am very happy , it s more confortable with a higher finition frame . Very nice . Thanks for your video which confort me in my choise.
You're getting old Cam... You chose comfort over speed! :-) Great review of both bikes and everything you touched on was spot on in my opinion. I actually chose the TCR for the crits and the fast bunch rides aka Hell ride, North RD and TDB. Both are exceptional bikes but I like a bit of frisky!
I hear you on letting the TCR go. My Giant Defy was extremely capable, but eventually sold for the same reason. It got the job done, just didn't deliver a good vibe. If only Giant could engineer some personality into their bikes, like (insert favourite ride here)...
Very, very interesting! I have a Tarmac SLA06 (2018) clincher and a BMC SLR 01 (2018) Disc. I have the exactly same feeling about my 2 bikes. BMC is confort, very stable, stiff, while Tarmac is agile, stiff, agressive, seams quicker. In the end I think the feeling of riding is completely different, however I could not say that Tarmac is faster than BMC. I am keeping both, but if I have to choice I would keep BMC.
Another great video. I have just moved off a TCR Pro Disc to a Focus Izalco Max Disc for exactly the same reasons as you have concluded. I like my Giant, but I LOVE the Focus. Thats the difference for me
It's not an apple to apple comparison. TCR Advance SL is simply a race machine and Team Machine is more towards an all-rounder. Should have compare a TCR Advance Pro(no ISP) with Team Machine instead.
On paper, I’m choosing the BMC in a heartbeat, unless it came down to cash. The TCR seatpost gives it a Practicality score of 0 for me as I like to play with fit. Also, I’m a big fan of dropped seat stays - They are better aerodynamically, add comfort, and short stays are lighter than long ones. The TCR was novel when it came out, but now it looks dated. Personally, I ordered an Orbea OMX. I ride long, steep descents in hot weather and in wet winters on carbon wheels, so I require discs. The OMX and TeamMachine have similar philosophies with beefy chain stays and down tube for stiffness and slim seat stays, top tube, and seat tube for comfort. Add custom paint and a semi-integrated cockpit (cables through the stem, but I can choose my bars) and the Orbea has some clear advantages. The OMX has more aero shapes too. I’m expecting weight to be in the same ballpark (just a touch more), even with discs. I think you chose the right bike. And with the riding you do, you don’t really need discs. But if you ever get the chance to demo the OMX, let us know what you think.
Jochem - The OMX runs the cables through the underside of the stem and through the center of an oversized top bearing. It uses a standard, tapered steerer tube. Only the top version BMC SLR01Disc frame hides the cables ($4,400 USD vs. $3,500 USD for the Orbea frame), and I believe that the BMC steerer is squared off, which isn’t as stiff, and more prone to breaking than a round tube. The advantage of the Orbea approach is stiffness from front to back wheel. The disadvantage is that the head tube is a bit fatter and less aero. And then there’s price. $900 less AND custom paint!
@@JonFairhurst As far as I can tell, Orbea took the BMC ICS introduced in 2016 and swapped the flattened steerer for a round one. You're right that principally a flattened steerer isn't as stiff as a round one, but it's still so stiff that any torsional movement comes from the bar and stem, not the steerer. It's not more prone to breaking. I can understand how one would think that based on the shape, but in carbon construction that can be solved by changing the layup, resulting in similar or better strength. The only place where it can go wrong is if the carbon layup isn't executed the way it has been specified. Which is something that can happen regardless of steerer shape.
Sharp corners are difficult in carbon. As the layup is done by hand, quality can vary from unit to unit. The nice thing with a round steerer is that one is less likely to get a lemon. While both designs are similar, the BMC is more angular. I prefer the look of the more organic Orbea. The chain stays on the Orbea look strong af. Also, you can’t get hidden cables on the BMC at that price - let alone custom colors.
Same here, have a 2018 tcr team edition and a 2015 bmc slo2 anf for some reason rear tire feels flat but is a good climbler even is in the heavy side both have r8000
I have a 2010 TCR as my spare road bike and it is a great crit racer and is very well built as it has done over 60000km and still going strong. It was my Sons race bike for years, but for sure anything over 120km and I start to get stiff and sore in shoulders, neck and through the saddle. Extremely fast accelerator and rails corners, but even with Aluminum wheels on it is harsh to this old man.
Great video cam, is it true or not that it seems like your mindset has changed from the sworks tarmac vs. cervelo r5 video whereas you went for the tarmac for its aggressiveness. I am very curious how are you going to rank the 4 all-round bikes that you've tested at the moment if money isn’t an issue. Cheers!
Good video. I used to have the 2016 TCR Advanced SL (in that same colourway) and the ride was a noticeably stiffer than the non-Advance SL. My thoughts are that the ISP is what makes it have a stiffer ride.
Hey Cam , once again great review. I'm liking the BMC Teammachine more and more. Just out of curiosity what size tires did you use on the BMC? Given the space on the fork and chainstays what is the maximum tire clearance? taking into consideration modern rims have wide internals nowadays a 25c can be blown up to 30mm. Is the space the same for rim brake and disc brake?
Hey Kenneth, appreciate that. I didn't research tyre clearance to be honest, only because mine a rim and most people will have disc these days. I ride both mine with 25mm tyres.
Great review Cam. While I was watching for the first time all I could think about was.....but which one LOOKS better? Glad you mentioned aesthetics at the 14min mark. I get a lot of comments on my SLR01 Teammachine but none on the Giant other than the 1x setup. Glad you're keeping the BMC. Cheers Peter
@@CamNicholls Hey Cam. As you know my spare bike is a giant defy with a 1x gear setup. I've recently been given an option (cheaply) to transfer everything on the defy to a TCR SL advanced frame same size. What do you reckon? Worth the effort? How would the 1x go on the TCR? Cheers Peter
@@10067498 1X on the TCR will be great, it's a race bike after all. It doesn't make sense for you to have a Defy and a Teammachine. They are both endurance / comfortable bikes. Go for it!
The value for TCR is unbeatable, I have this same model at 2019 color. I run the original very stiff SLR1 carbon wheels using tubeless tires (25). Tubeless is for me the biggest difference compared to my previous Argon 18 Gallium. It allows me to modulate a lot the comfort, just playing a bit with tire pressure. I do feel it very comfortable with lower pressure, but not sticking to the tarmac. On the other hand, if I go close to 100 psi it will get a lot less comfortable and handling more aggressively.
This is actually happened to one of my colleagues, and the story was exactly the same like this one He had a TCR SL, super racy, mega stiff and light, best value for money and he let the TCR go coz it was too stiff Then he changed the frameset to BMC teammachine slr01 and he's sold! Says that BMC is very2 comfy ride though it is a race bike So yeah, I can confirm that BMC is way more comfy consider that it is way more expensive
Fun fact, bmc bikes are made by giant. Giant is the best value for money and their frames also have the best stiffness to weight ratio out of all pro peloton bikes.
Hi Cam. Firstly, thanks for continuing to put out this content. We have been in lockdown here in France for 10 days now and UA-cam is proving a godsend, especially when on the trainer. So, to the point, I have an older model adv sl in size M/L. I am considering getting the newer model. Geometry has now changed and todays frames have a longer reach than the older models, so I am thinking of going to a size M. I am 178cm with a 83cm inseam and think it will work well. Could you possibly share your position dimensions and stem length that you're running on these bikes, it would be a great help in getting an idea of sizing for me. Thanks.
Don't know my seam length, but I am the same height, and I have longer legs that upper body. I would not go any larger than 55cm. All the best over there. Cam
Owning a bunch of bikes after the TCR made me realise how twitchy they are. Also they’ve been slow to increase tyre clearance in this range. The TCR’s still offer excellent value as a pure bred race bike tho.
You rarely talk about your chapter2 Rere anymore, do you still have and ride it? How does it compare to the Giant and the BMC? Just curious..I’ve tried my friend’s TCR, it does feels more responsive for accelerating, bit I’m not that sure
Another great video Cam, thank you! I’ve just bought a new road bike after slogging away on a hybrid here on the Indian roads, and now we’re on lock down fro 3 weeks so stuck in the house and can’t use it. Gutted but we do what we need to do in this crazy times. You mentioned stiff neck, shoulders and lower back after longer rides. Any chance you could make a video on stretches or strengthening to stop or ease this problem? Cheers!
Cheers Roger and sorry to hear. How very frustrating! At least you can stare at it, that’s always a good thing 😃! I’d say raising the handlebars would be your best bet to reduce neck stiffness on the bike. Stretches, I’ll put something in one of my next videos 👍
I am currently deciding between the two (but in my case TCR Advanced, not SL). Your video was a great help so far! Anyway I cannot decide still 😀. Would like to hear what you think if you prefer one over the other for a person with longer legs than average (long leg breed). I would need a very long pulled out seat post on the TCR... appreciate your content!
@@CamNicholls The bike I rode had Zipp 404's. When I mean dead I suppose it's like the communication volume had been turned down, say from a 10 to 7. I also had this feeling of a slow leak from the back end. It was too soft and didn't match the front, leading to an unbalanced feeling. All my opinion of course and others may in fact prefer that. I actuall like a more twitchy and nervous bike with a lot of feedback. Both are exceptional bikes but it's horses for courses I suppose. :-)
Wich quarq model is on Your bikes? I’m looking for a powermeter but i’m not sure how to place them. I also have Shimano ultegra. I like your uploads. Great content
Not really sure, they're both different. But anything Quarq is awesome! Send me an email can I can get you an exclusive code to buy one, if that's your plan. 2cam@camnicholls.com
The TCR frameset is almost twice the price of the BMC! Perhaps you should compare the BMC with another frameset make of comparable price, to be fair? After all, if price is no object, I would pick a BMW 520i over a BMW 320i anyday - coz the 5 series is more comfortable!
Cam - I wouldn’t pay any $ for a Giant TCR Ad ...ever....there is just something unrefined in it - but would walk on broken glass for the SLR01 - such is that’s bike’s design - just primo ....which is only bettered by the Factor 02 (not the VAM though as its top tube is too ropey)
How tall are you Cam? Do you tend to look for a smaller frame as seems to be the trend these days? I own the TCR in a M/L and I am 182cm but always thought it was a little bit too big for me.
Doing a test ride on a 2014 BMC this evening. It’s a steel for 1800 with just 800km on it. Sram red Will I get it? Will be my second race bike in like 30 years...
What is the rider weight limit for both bikes please ? And if the riders body weight exceeds the manufacturers weight limit a few kilometres, would that cause the bike frame to brake or is there a certain safety factor considered for such situations? Appreciate your kind feedback
@@CamNicholls does that mean you have ridden it and find it more comfortable than the SL6 for long rides since you said earlier "Long riding BMC, racing Tarmac" (With all the one on one comparisons it is hard to figure out how things really rank) I don't race but do want a race fit bike. (not an endurance bike) Since they are all high performance would love to know which is the most comfortable (compliance, less harsh) for long ides of BMC (SLR), Specialized (Tarmac), Giant (TCR), Cannondale (Supersix), Trek (Madone, Endoma). (long meaning 50-100 miles) Thanks
Hello cam just asking with all the things going on in the world I may soon be stuck at home for a while so im thinking of buying a indoor trainer have you any tips for one to choose thanks from alan in the UK
I would have to pick the Giant TCR on affordability alone. Which begs the question. How can I go about finding/haggling for the best deal on my next road bike. (Because $5000 is out of my budget) Thanks mate! Incredible breakdown between these two bikes. **By the way, is saying “Mate” as a Californian a total douche move? Because I love that you guys have that.
Hey Cam, what do you say BMC Teammachine SLR02 vs Merida Scultura. Both with 105. Im dying to know the differences between their frame performance and ride quality. One of them is going to be my new ride. Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate it!
I have both, a TCR and a BMC SLR01, and I preferred the BMC untill I crashed it. I've now bought a Yoeleo bike for a budget project & am curious how it will cope vs big brands.
@@CamNicholls ok I get ya thanks always appreciate your content, very useful for me as I have only entered my 3rd of cycling in February keep up the good work
@@CamNicholls Well, Factor got me in touch with their N. America director of products and after a FaceTime conversation we discovered that when the bike was build the anti compression plug (the piece that prevents the headset from getting loose, which without it can be a potential safety hazard) was never installed, thus the constant issue with the headset never would stay tight. Big mistake from my bike shop and proves the importance of following the manufacture recommended installation. Now zero issues. Rob Gitelis (the owner of Factor) contacted me as well. Their director of products was willing to come to my house if after the FaceTime conversation the issue was still persistant. Absolutely amazing customer service from Factor! Now I am back on my Ostro and more in love while riding!
Oo good question, I just wrote my allez off at the tdu, and the local giant dealer has an amazing offer on an old demo tcr sl, so this is a very interesting vid and I was hang for it all week. I felt that the allez compared VERY well to my old bmc rm01 on terms of stiffness, but was a little heavier when in the hills. (It was a a frame swap, so comparison was from memory but VERY comparable)
I hope all my channel subscribers and supporters are doing well out there. Very uncertain times for us all and I am wishing you all the very best. I hope this video comes as a welcomed distraction! Also slight correction in the video re the seat clamp on the Giant. Once you saw the post you have 2.5 cm from the bottom, not ‘2.5 mm’ as I say’. Cam
Be Well yourself, Cam. Thanks for the sage advice.
Awesome content, mate. Agreed. The TCR isn't the most comfortable bike, but it goes 🐎🐎
So the TCR is lighter, stiffer, cheaper and more nimble. The BMC is more comfortable and feels like you have a flat at the rear. Easy decision for me:) Great review!
Yep, basically haha. Could have been a 5 second review.
That is until you ride a BMC ;-)
I had a Giant TCR for 3 years (the normal Advanced, without ISP) and now have a BMC Roadmachine 01 (2019 version) with the aero cockpit (12cm, -15° stem), exact same, slammed, position as on the TCR (equal drop of almost 12cm, 58cm frame)
The BMC is a lot more comfortable, feels faster and looks so much cooler (nice blue frame, all invisible cables)
If you take price out of the equation, I'd always go for the BMC. If you need a budget (if you can call the Giant 'budget' :D )build, the TCR is the way to go, for sure (loved my 30.000km on it)
Its a matter of taste. I prefer the slender looks of the tcr isp. Not a fan of the rainpipe downtube of the bmc. Also, really hard to understand where the BMC adds value compared to the tcr to justify the higher price? The recall on their forks lately and a bad cut open review by Luescher makes me even think the opposite.
@@TLa08 Same experience. Was on a TCR for several years. Been on my current BMC TeamMachine for a couple of years now - loving it!
Love your review and it didn't take 15 minutes of my life! lol
Just bought my TCR SL, size ML, R8050 groupset, 7.3 kg. It really is a special feeling bike, stiff and compliant.
me too
Ever since I found out Cam's professional background before youtube, I have been noticing the corporate-style approach in his videos (mainly the structure and flow i.e. 'video agenda', 'KPIs', and similar). Noticing these makes for a fun challenge throughout his videos! Loved the review (comprehensive and detailed as ever) and look forward to the next. Keep up the excellent work :)
Thanks you mate, very kind words. Much appreciated. Cam
As always, great review Cam! Attention to detail and prep is spot on. 🙌
Thank you Alice. Loves ya. Cam
Apart from Video Agena 😏
The all new Giant TCR Pro Advanced 2021 is even more awesome to ride,please review it soon
Good choice Cam I own a Team Machine SLR01 disc and agree on the comfort factor...
Gareth Lloyd the disc version is more comfortable on both. 🤷🏼♂️
Cam. Thank you so much for this review. I'm 52, and am looking to replace my Super SixEvo Disc. I have an employee that her husband is looking to sell his 2019 BMC dura A to me for $1500 USD. With less than 10 rides, never dropped, not a scuff or scratch! This content was enough for me to not have to search sny further. My Cannondale is amazing, I really love the ride but looking for less weight and the discs literally rub me the wrong way. I average 45-60 miles oer week and im really looking forward to this upgrade! Thanks a bunch for taking the time for the breakdown! Truly you have a 2nd calling, educational cycling videos!
Have 2012 TCR Advanced SL Rabobank ISP, now with 110.000 km and NO SINGLE problem! Just usual servis and lots of fun!
Nice one, sounds like a great machine. Thanks for sharing. Cam
I rode quite a few race bikes, but the best to me was my old TCR Composite, except for the confort.
Nowadays i have a scott foil, but boy how i miss my old TCR.
Looking here for an advanced SL to be the number 2.
Cheers from Brasil bro, i really like the channel
Cheers mate, and thank you for sharing. Very kind words. Cam
You nailed it ! What a great video. Clear , concise , fact based , great production quality and with a finale where you reached the right conclusion !!
Thanks you mate 👍
I bought a BMC road machine last year and I’m super happy with it. Even more slack than your team machine but for all around solo riding it’s so comfortable. I still have the race bike for those hard group rides and racing but the BMC is my daily driver.
Nice one Joe, thanks for sharing
I have a previous generation SLR02 (round seat tube compared to the D shaped one on the SLR01's). When I purchased mine I also had a Cervelo R3, and on a back to back comparison, I thought the Cervelo was too soft. I think the TeamMachines are the Goldilocks of road bikes. Not too soft, not too stiff, but just right. Great review Cam.
So glad to see rim brakes bicycles.
Ah, the long awaited Head to Head Review 😅👍 Honestly Cam, watching you compare two sweet road bikes is a WELCOME distraction from these very difficult times. Great reviews and comparison. I'm very happy with my Canyon, thank you very much, but it's great to hear how you talk about these bikes. I ride the Canyon Endurace, which is of course an endurance road bike - and I've experienced the same thing you described so well with the BMC, which is look down to see if I have a rear flat. This is especially the case if my tire pressures are a little low - I run Conti GP 5000's in size 28C. Conversely, the good thing is that running a higher tire pressure easily sharpens up the feeling of the bike. The Canyon Endurace rear end is super soft and I sometimes wish for a stiffer, racier feeling bike. If I could, I'd probably swap it for the Aeroad frame which has a geometry similar to the Endurace but stiffer and racier since the seat tube is straight rather than sloped. The disc brakes are an absolute life saver, giving me super confidence on any decent or heavy braking situation, and although the bike is an SL 7.0 Disc spec with "only" Shimano 105 components, it's an unbelievable bang for the buck. Yes the 105 stuff is heavier - I believe the bike weighs in at 8.2 kilos stock - but as a rider that needs to lose somewhere between 5-10kg to be at ideal body weight, I don't care about 500g of extra weight on my bike. Anyway, it is fun to talk about bikes as a distraction. Hope you Alice and the girls stay safe through all this craziness.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on the Canyon mate. Tyres and tyre pressure definitely make a difference but that flat feeling is frame inspired for sure. We’re well here, thanks for asking, although the world is a very uncertain place right now! Hope all is well with you. Cam
Bought 2021 TeamMachine ALR Disc TWO yesterday , I am surprised to feel so fast and smooth , love it so much BMC 😍
Me too!
After 4 TCRs, and several other bikes including Cervelo and Specialized SWORKS, they are great bang for your buck. And I think, even after all these years, with a pair of 50mm carbon hoops (and ISP), still one of the sharpest looking bikes in the peloton.
But please, with that tangle of cables coming out of the front , even on the top-of-the-line models, the tcr is a dull bike, lacking personality and a lackluster design because of the unattractive choice to keep the cables outside the frame
I have a BMC SLR03 2017 with 105/Ultegra. It's such an amazing machine for the money. Rides smooth as silk, handles "twitchy" according to my amateur skills, over engineered in every way (mine's been in many accidents and it's fine)
Thanks for sharing Ashif. Cam
Sad fact is a change of tyres makes an insane amount of difference. The TCR is very sensitive to minor changes (not to say the BMC isn't). In the same shoes I'd pick the TCR (and I did). TCR geometry works for me, I had one when they first came out and I've struggled to find anything else that gives me that same feeling. I'm back on a TCR now and happy. I do think that the compact frameset is of particular benefit to us of a longer body, shorter leg breed!
Bought a 2020 team machine love it, its my first decent bike.
Again...TCR all the way.
Loving the Heartwork icon
Very comprehensive review, Cam. Good stuff!
Cheers Kevin, Cam
Thx for the review. I still drive my 90s Centurion with a steel frame. For the training effect😉. Had to do some replacements due to wear. Fulcrum alloy rims, new pedals and second hand Dura Ace Levers. Still works for me.
Nothing sexxxier than a GIANT bike...that TCR is the stuff of dreams!
This definitely helped me a lot. I was really persuaded with all the hype and advertisement of TCR. After your detailed review, I realized that I also myself value comfort more than speed 100%. Thank you so much! I wish you can make more videos similar in this regard. Also will you be covering any gravel related videos?
Thanks for sharing mate and good to hear. No, Gravel is not my forte. Only road. Cam
Does the ride comfort of the bmc, depreciate your sprint capability?
LOL true!! I keep checking the tire pressure cause the BMC is really comfy. Great Bike, hit the description very well...silky and smooth.
I had Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0 2015. It was my first road bike and I liked. I am 55 now and preferred an endurance bike. It was very comfortable but found later it lacked acceleration. I bought a very low mileage BMC Roadmachine 01 Two 2018. I love it. It is much faster and in the same time quite comfortable. I agree with you that Giant are likely the best value for money. On the other hand BMC are more refined and sexy. People stop me and ask about BMC. They did never about Giant.
Top video Cam. As a TCR owner, I can attest to the comfort factor you allude to. It's not uncomfortable, but yeah, could be better.
Cheers mate. Cam
I have a TCR SL and an Emonda SL. So I guess my Emonda stands for your BMC, lol I agree with your review that it replicates most of my experiences with the two bikes. Good work and there's a typo early in the video. ;)
Congrats for choosing the swiss machine 👍. Greetings from Switzerland
Cheers Alain. Cam
Hey Cam. I’m a bit behind on watching your videos. I’m so happy to watch this double review episode Cam style. Your reviews are the best. I hope everyone is in good health around you. Cheers. Your red BMC 🤤😉
I had a tcr and I changed for a bmc team slr01 i am very happy , it s more confortable with a higher finition frame . Very nice . Thanks for your video which confort me in my choise.
You're getting old Cam... You chose comfort over speed! :-) Great review of both bikes and everything you touched on was spot on in my opinion. I actually chose the TCR for the crits and the fast bunch rides aka Hell ride, North RD and TDB. Both are exceptional bikes but I like a bit of frisky!
haha, you are very correct there Karl. It's starting to shine through. Cam
I hear you on letting the TCR go. My Giant Defy was extremely capable, but eventually sold for the same reason. It got the job done, just didn't deliver a good vibe. If only Giant could engineer some personality into their bikes, like (insert favourite ride here)...
Thanks for the video, Finally someone who uses plain english to describe the difference in comfort between two bikes.
Great format. I enjoyed the way you explained the bikes. Looking forward to see what you by to replace the Giant
Cheers Steve, so am I! Not sure if I've said, but thanks for supporting the channel via the memberships. Cam
@@CamNicholls you looked like you needed a coffee
Very, very interesting! I have a Tarmac SLA06 (2018) clincher and a BMC SLR 01 (2018) Disc. I have the exactly same feeling about my 2 bikes. BMC is confort, very stable, stiff, while Tarmac is agile, stiff, agressive, seams quicker. In the end I think the feeling of riding is completely different, however I could not say that Tarmac is faster than BMC. I am keeping both, but if I have to choice I would keep BMC.
Nice one mate, and thank you for sharing. Cam
Another great video. I have just moved off a TCR Pro Disc to a Focus Izalco Max Disc for exactly the same reasons as you have concluded. I like my Giant, but I LOVE the Focus. Thats the difference for me
Interesting to hear Adam, thanks for sharing. Cam
I love the giant tcr,i have the same color with disc brake ⚡but you make your decision and that is respected good luck 💪
Cheers Edward, and thanks for sharing. Cam
Excellent comparison Cam. I am on the same page with you for a comfort oriented race bike. Looking forward for what's to come. Aloha.
Nice one Albert, and cheers 👍
I just picked up the Giant TCR SLR 2014 alloy model and OMG this thing is light and so fast!!
Well done Mate, well done. keep the good work
Cheers Jamie, Cam
you came up with a Doug Score for bikes!
I think the Giant is lighter because of the ISP vs the BMC seatpost? Probably around 100-200g?
Great video Cam👍
Cheers Bondy. Cam
It's not an apple to apple comparison. TCR Advance SL is simply a race machine and Team Machine is more towards an all-rounder. Should have compare a TCR Advance Pro(no ISP) with Team Machine instead.
Being 195cm trust me i have never had a bike that has been too stiff
Very interesting review!
I appreciate the insight!
You have two choices with these bikes.... you can take the GIANT or you can be wrong.... :)
hahaha!
Hah! I also do the look down to see if I have a rear flat on my BMC! (2016 time machine TMR02). Beautiful bike. Comfy & fast.
Thanks for sharing Trevor. Cam
On paper, I’m choosing the BMC in a heartbeat, unless it came down to cash. The TCR seatpost gives it a Practicality score of 0 for me as I like to play with fit. Also, I’m a big fan of dropped seat stays - They are better aerodynamically, add comfort, and short stays are lighter than long ones. The TCR was novel when it came out, but now it looks dated.
Personally, I ordered an Orbea OMX. I ride long, steep descents in hot weather and in wet winters on carbon wheels, so I require discs. The OMX and TeamMachine have similar philosophies with beefy chain stays and down tube for stiffness and slim seat stays, top tube, and seat tube for comfort. Add custom paint and a semi-integrated cockpit (cables through the stem, but I can choose my bars) and the Orbea has some clear advantages. The OMX has more aero shapes too. I’m expecting weight to be in the same ballpark (just a touch more), even with discs.
I think you chose the right bike. And with the riding you do, you don’t really need discs. But if you ever get the chance to demo the OMX, let us know what you think.
What cockpit advantages does the OMX hold over the Teammachine SLR?
Thanks for sharing Jon
Jochem - The OMX runs the cables through the underside of the stem and through the center of an oversized top bearing. It uses a standard, tapered steerer tube. Only the top version BMC SLR01Disc frame hides the cables ($4,400 USD vs. $3,500 USD for the Orbea frame), and I believe that the BMC steerer is squared off, which isn’t as stiff, and more prone to breaking than a round tube. The advantage of the Orbea approach is stiffness from front to back wheel. The disadvantage is that the head tube is a bit fatter and less aero. And then there’s price. $900 less AND custom paint!
@@JonFairhurst As far as I can tell, Orbea took the BMC ICS introduced in 2016 and swapped the flattened steerer for a round one. You're right that principally a flattened steerer isn't as stiff as a round one, but it's still so stiff that any torsional movement comes from the bar and stem, not the steerer. It's not more prone to breaking. I can understand how one would think that based on the shape, but in carbon construction that can be solved by changing the layup, resulting in similar or better strength. The only place where it can go wrong is if the carbon layup isn't executed the way it has been specified. Which is something that can happen regardless of steerer shape.
Sharp corners are difficult in carbon. As the layup is done by hand, quality can vary from unit to unit. The nice thing with a round steerer is that one is less likely to get a lemon.
While both designs are similar, the BMC is more angular. I prefer the look of the more organic Orbea. The chain stays on the Orbea look strong af. Also, you can’t get hidden cables on the BMC at that price - let alone custom colors.
BMC recall after recall on their products good luck with that
that's the problem with commissioned products. you simply can't have full control over qc testing.
Yes Paul, probably something I could have mentioned, but it did not effect my specific model. Cam
For me being on a budget it’s the giant all day. Only because I scour the used market for like new rides. Just missed a 18 pro that sold for $1200 us
That would have been a super deal James! One will come again.
Great review Cam... I have the ALR01, 100% agree with the rear flat tyre feel. What's next on the list? Maybe a SuperSix Evo??
Cheers Dejan, good question! I need to sell the Giant first! But the SuperSix would be a great option. Cam
Same here, have a 2018 tcr team edition and a 2015 bmc slo2 anf for some reason rear tire feels flat but is a good climbler even is in the heavy side both have r8000
I just bought the GVA gold edition! Waiting for the Covid19 to finish and try it!
Lovely stuff, enjoy! When you can! Cam
I have a 2010 TCR as my spare road bike and it is a great crit racer and is very well built as it has done over 60000km and still going strong. It was my Sons race bike for years, but for sure anything over 120km and I start to get stiff and sore in shoulders, neck and through the saddle. Extremely fast accelerator and rails corners, but even with Aluminum wheels on it is harsh to this old man.
Good insights, and thanks for sharing Jack. Cam
Great video cam, is it true or not that it seems like your mindset has changed from the sworks tarmac vs. cervelo r5 video whereas you went for the tarmac for its aggressiveness. I am very curious how are you going to rank the 4 all-round bikes that you've tested at the moment if money isn’t an issue. Cheers!
Good pick up mate, I think I’m getting old and comfort is becoming a priority 😞
Good video. I used to have the 2016 TCR Advanced SL (in that same colourway) and the ride was a noticeably stiffer than the non-Advance SL. My thoughts are that the ISP is what makes it have a stiffer ride.
Thanks for sharing Terrence 👍
@@CamNicholls You're welcome, and thank you for making excellent videos.
Hey Cam , once again great review. I'm liking the BMC Teammachine more and more. Just out of curiosity what size tires did you use on the BMC? Given the space on the fork and chainstays what is the maximum tire clearance? taking into consideration modern rims have wide internals nowadays a 25c can be blown up to 30mm. Is the space the same for rim brake and disc brake?
Hey Kenneth, appreciate that. I didn't research tyre clearance to be honest, only because mine a rim and most people will have disc these days. I ride both mine with 25mm tyres.
@@CamNicholls thanks for the answer Cam. Cheers mate and stay safe.
For me...no doubt, giant TCR !!!
Great review Cam. While I was watching for the first time all I could think about was.....but which one LOOKS better? Glad you mentioned aesthetics at the 14min mark. I get a lot of comments on my SLR01 Teammachine but none on the Giant other than the 1x setup. Glad you're keeping the BMC. Cheers Peter
Nice one, and not surprised to hear Peter. See you around soon. Cam
@@CamNicholls Hey Cam. As you know my spare bike is a giant defy with a 1x gear setup. I've recently been given an option (cheaply) to transfer everything on the defy to a TCR SL advanced frame same size. What do you reckon? Worth the effort? How would the 1x go on the TCR? Cheers Peter
@@10067498 1X on the TCR will be great, it's a race bike after all. It doesn't make sense for you to have a Defy and a Teammachine. They are both endurance / comfortable bikes. Go for it!
@@CamNicholls Thanks mate. Will do. 👍
Nice once love this one a video
The value for TCR is unbeatable, I have this same model at 2019 color. I run the original very stiff SLR1 carbon wheels using tubeless tires (25). Tubeless is for me the biggest difference compared to my previous Argon 18 Gallium. It allows me to modulate a lot the comfort, just playing a bit with tire pressure. I do feel it very comfortable with lower pressure, but not sticking to the tarmac. On the other hand, if I go close to 100 psi it will get a lot less comfortable and handling more aggressively.
Nice one Alvaro, thanks for sharing 👍
This is actually happened to one of my colleagues, and the story was exactly the same like this one
He had a TCR SL, super racy, mega stiff and light, best value for money and he let the TCR go coz it was too stiff
Then he changed the frameset to BMC teammachine slr01 and he's sold! Says that BMC is very2 comfy ride though it is a race bike
So yeah, I can confirm that BMC is way more comfy consider that it is way more expensive
Nice one, thanks for sharing mate. Cam
Fun fact, bmc bikes are made by giant. Giant is the best value for money and their frames also have the best stiffness to weight ratio out of all pro peloton bikes.
How do you know that? It’s no where online and BMC wouldn’t disclose to me.
@@CamNicholls It's fun but not a fact ;)
Hi Cam. Firstly, thanks for continuing to put out this content. We have been in lockdown here in France for 10 days now and UA-cam is proving a godsend, especially when on the trainer.
So, to the point, I have an older model adv sl in size M/L. I am considering getting the newer model. Geometry has now changed and todays frames have a longer reach than the older models, so I am thinking of going to a size M. I am 178cm with a 83cm inseam and think it will work well. Could you possibly share your position dimensions and stem length that you're running on these bikes, it would be a great help in getting an idea of sizing for me. Thanks.
Don't know my seam length, but I am the same height, and I have longer legs that upper body. I would not go any larger than 55cm. All the best over there. Cam
Owning a bunch of bikes after the TCR made me realise how twitchy they are. Also they’ve been slow to increase tyre clearance in this range. The TCR’s still offer excellent value as a pure bred race bike tho.
Thanks for sharing Timbo. Cam
You rarely talk about your chapter2 Rere anymore, do you still have and ride it? How does it compare to the Giant and the BMC? Just curious..I’ve tried my friend’s TCR, it does feels more responsive for accelerating, bit I’m not that sure
A very interesting video. What do you think about the Cannondale Caad13 disc in comparison with the BMC Teammachine alr two disc? thanks.
Another great video Cam, thank you! I’ve just bought a new road bike after slogging away on a hybrid here on the Indian roads, and now we’re on lock down fro 3 weeks so stuck in the house and can’t use it. Gutted but we do what we need to do in this crazy times. You mentioned stiff neck, shoulders and lower back after longer rides. Any chance you could make a video on stretches or strengthening to stop or ease this problem? Cheers!
Cheers Roger and sorry to hear. How very frustrating! At least you can stare at it, that’s always a good thing 😃! I’d say raising the handlebars would be your best bet to reduce neck stiffness on the bike. Stretches, I’ll put something in one of my next videos 👍
I am currently deciding between the two (but in my case TCR Advanced, not SL). Your video was a great help so far! Anyway I cannot decide still 😀. Would like to hear what you think if you prefer one over the other for a person with longer legs than average (long leg breed). I would need a very long pulled out seat post on the TCR...
appreciate your content!
Great comparison video!
Could you also do a comparison between your BMC and a Specialized Tarmac?
Thanks for the suggestion, I appreciate them! Because the new Tarmac is coming out, I would wait for that! But good idea. Cam
@@CamNicholls A new one is coming out? Do you know when? :)
Hi Cam. What year is your Giant TCR? Thanks
Great video and great "Agena" 😉 Sorry, I know that must kill you, we've all been there
Do you perhaps have a vid on your choice of power meter ? It seems you prefer Quarq...
I test rode the BMC. Thought it was nothing special.... definitely way over priced. TCR's though can vary in specs and price.
Same here. I actually found it to be a bit of a dead ride. Maybe I just prefer something a little more lively... Bang for buck Giant --->
@@karlwalters3763 Dead is a good description... almost generic too i'd say.
It possibly depends on the wheels you had. I can image riding with lower spec'd wheels the softness in the rear could feel 'dead'. Cam
@@CamNicholls The bike I rode had Zipp 404's. When I mean dead I suppose it's like the communication volume had been turned down, say from a 10 to 7. I also had this feeling of a slow leak from the back end. It was too soft and didn't match the front, leading to an unbalanced feeling. All my opinion of course and others may in fact prefer that. I actuall like a more twitchy and nervous bike with a lot of feedback. Both are exceptional bikes but it's horses for courses I suppose. :-)
Wich quarq model is on Your bikes? I’m looking for a powermeter but i’m not sure how to place them. I also have Shimano ultegra.
I like your uploads. Great content
Not really sure, they're both different. But anything Quarq is awesome! Send me an email can I can get you an exclusive code to buy one, if that's your plan. 2cam@camnicholls.com
The TCR frameset is almost twice the price of the BMC! Perhaps you should compare the BMC with another frameset make of comparable price, to be fair? After all, if price is no object, I would pick a BMW 520i over a BMW 320i anyday - coz the 5 series is more comfortable!
Cam - I wouldn’t pay any $ for a Giant TCR Ad ...ever....there is just something unrefined in it - but would walk on broken glass for the SLR01 - such is that’s bike’s design - just primo ....which is only bettered by the Factor 02 (not the VAM though as its top tube is too ropey)
Fair call, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the thread. Cam
Good choice 👍
How tall are you Cam? Do you tend to look for a smaller frame as seems to be the trend these days? I own the TCR in a M/L and I am 182cm but always thought it was a little bit too big for me.
Hey Ben, I am 179 cm. The 55cm is perfect. Smaller frame if it works for sure. Cam
How would you compare the stiffness of the TCR to the new Teammachine
FYI, they’re all made in China or Taiwan by two major manufacturers. They just stamp different names on them.
Engineering/product design is massively different though.
How would you compared it to the Specialized Tarmac SL6 Comp? Worth a quick note?
Still my favourite bike of all them! Fast, stiff, reasonable comfort. Love it. Cam
Doing a test ride on a 2014 BMC this evening.
It’s a steel for 1800 with just 800km on it.
Sram red
Will I get it?
Will be my second race bike in like 30 years...
which one you'd prefer bmc or sl7 tarmac?
Haven't ridden he new SL7 so can't say
What is the rider weight limit for both bikes please ? And if the riders body weight exceeds the manufacturers weight limit a few kilometres, would that cause the bike frame to brake or is there a certain safety factor considered for such situations? Appreciate your kind feedback
GIANT TCR is best for me i have this one but not SL version.. geometry is a big factor usually if you want all rounder
Thanks for sharing Jon. Cam
Would love to know how you compare the BMC to the tarmac in terms of comfort with the new sl7 coming out
Love to ride the SL7 !
@@CamNicholls does that mean you have ridden it and find it more comfortable than the SL6 for long rides since you said earlier "Long riding BMC, racing Tarmac" (With all the one on one comparisons it is hard to figure out how things really rank) I don't race but do want a race fit bike. (not an endurance bike) Since they are all high performance would love to know which is the most comfortable (compliance, less harsh) for long ides of BMC (SLR), Specialized (Tarmac), Giant (TCR), Cannondale (Supersix), Trek (Madone, Endoma). (long meaning 50-100 miles) Thanks
Hello cam just asking with all the things going on in the world I may soon be stuck at home for a while so im thinking of buying a indoor trainer have you any tips for one to choose thanks from alan in the UK
If your on a budget, elite zumo, if not then get a wahoo kickr core.
What Ashley said
Thank you
I would have to pick the Giant TCR on affordability alone. Which begs the question. How can I go about finding/haggling for the best deal on my next road bike. (Because $5000 is out of my budget)
Thanks mate! Incredible breakdown between these two bikes.
**By the way, is saying “Mate” as a Californian a total douche move? Because I love that you guys have that.
All good with me 👍
Hey Cam, what do you say BMC Teammachine SLR02 vs Merida Scultura. Both with 105. Im dying to know the differences between their frame performance and ride quality. One of them is going to be my new ride. Let me know your thoughts. Appreciate it!
Could you find and test both 2021 Giant TCR and Specialized Tarmac SL7? Both just came out.
Can’t get my hands on either George, I’ve tried!
How does BMC compare to Specialized? Looking at Roubaix and Teammachine or Roadmachine SLR. Thanks!
Not sure on the Roadmachine, have not ridden it. Can't go wrong with either though
I have both, a TCR and a BMC SLR01, and I preferred the BMC untill I crashed it. I've now bought a Yoeleo bike for a budget project & am curious how it will cope vs big brands.
Thanks for sharing mate, sorry to hear about the crash though!
May I know which tcr model u have?
Did the ride comfort “soft rear end feel” take away from your sprint capability?
Very stiff front end so no. But I’m not a sprinter
@@CamNicholls ok I get ya thanks always appreciate your content, very useful for me as I have only entered my 3rd of cycling in February keep up the good work
Quick question, is this giant tcr a frame that can be considered as endurance frame, which is more relaxed for longer rides?
No Karl, that is the Defy! Cam
@@CamNicholls thank you for the answer cam.
Looking at the 2022 BMC SLR 01 One farmeset- what are your thought? I am replacing my new Ostro Vam due to ongoing headset getting loose issue.
Sorry to hear about that issue. The new BMC is amazing ua-cam.com/video/JM9PibKByXI/v-deo.html
@@CamNicholls Well, Factor got me in touch with their N. America director of products and after a FaceTime conversation we discovered that when the bike was build the anti compression plug (the piece that prevents the headset from getting loose, which without it can be a potential safety hazard) was never installed, thus the constant issue with the headset never would stay tight. Big mistake from my bike shop and proves the importance of following the manufacture recommended installation. Now zero issues. Rob Gitelis (the owner of Factor) contacted me as well. Their director of products was willing to come to my house if after the FaceTime conversation the issue was still persistant. Absolutely amazing customer service from Factor! Now I am back on my Ostro and more in love while riding!
How do you compare the TCR to your previous Allez Sprint in terms of stiffness and responsiveness?
Stiffness is an equal battle. The Giant is more responsive, because it is lighter, and carbon responds better, in my opinion. Cam
Oo good question, I just wrote my allez off at the tdu, and the local giant dealer has an amazing offer on an old demo tcr sl, so this is a very interesting vid and I was hang for it all week.
I felt that the allez compared VERY well to my old bmc rm01 on terms of stiffness, but was a little heavier when in the hills. (It was a a frame swap, so comparison was from memory but VERY comparable)