Because the world of motorcycle design is influenced increasingly more by computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel testing and, effectively, knowledge, whereas being certain by the UCI’s rulebook, it feels as if the obtainable positive factors are getting smaller and smaller. Aero bikes seem like converging on a single remaining kind, and light-weight bikes, hamstrung by the UCI’s 6.8kg minimal weight restrict, are for probably the most half merely getting marginally higher aero credentials courtesy of sooner wheels, minimally refined tube shapes and built-in cockpits.
With that in thoughts, right now is the day that Big, the largest bike model on this planet with a claimed manufacturing unit capability of one million bikes per yr, launches the tenth technology of its flagship light-weight race bike, the TCR.
At first look – and second look, if we’re being truthful – it appears to be like remarkably just like the outdated one. The one apparent clue suggesting it is new is the dearth of cables on the cockpit, which tells us Big has lastly caught up with the opponents and given the TCR an built-in entrance finish.
After all, in line with the model’s launch, hiding the cables away is only one of a large number of enhancements that its engineers have discovered, and it would not be a motorbike launch with out some superlative claims of higher aerodynamics, stiffness, compliance and weight, so let’s get caught into the main points to see what Big has been as much as for the previous three years.
Headline figures
Big says the 2025 TCR is the “lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic” TCR so far.
The headline figures are a 2.28-watt aerodynamic enchancment for the Superior SL body, rising to 4.19 watts for a full bike.
There is a 75-gram weight saving for a similar body, with a 56cm body tipping the scales at 690g. Nonetheless, this saving drops to 38 grams whenever you take a look at the body and fork collectively, and consider the newly redesigned headset and spacers. Mixed, the TCR Superior SL module ideas the scales at 1,359g.
There’s additionally a claimed stiffness-to-weight ratio enchancment of three.38%, which comes as a mix of the aforementioned weight saving and a 0.53% improve in pedalling stiffness.
Big additionally says the tyre clearance has grown barely to 33mm, up from 32mm on the outgoing mannequin.
The vary will proceed to boast three mannequin ranges. The highest-tier Superior SL will retain the built-in seatmast, whereas the second-tier Superior Professional and third-tier Superior fashions will use a extra normal seatpost.
The body
A development we have seen in latest months, equivalent to with the Issue Ostro and the Specialised Tarmac SL8, has seen manufacturers put all their aero eggs within the entrance basket – ie, making the entrance of the bike as aero as doable – whereas lowering weight on the rear (the place airflow is already turbulent and thus any aero tube shapes are much less significant).
Nevertheless it seems Big has taken a unique method. Regardless of saying that the “down tube, head tube, and cockpit parts have been completely reengineered” Big says probably the most vital aero positive factors had been achieved within the “down tube, seat submit and fork shaping,” which covers the center, rear, and entrance of the bike respectively. It would not give too many specifics, past including that the bike was designed to be quickest with two water bottles and cages in situ.
Big additionally says that it has completed away with the lasers that had been launched for the earlier bike. The pc-guided laser chopping expertise was mentioned to enhance the accuracy when chopping swatches of carbon fibre previous to laying them into the mould. This would cut back the quantity of additional materials, which would cut back the burden of the body. This time spherical, the lasers have been changed with “ultra-precise cold-blade” expertise, which Big says are much more exact whereas additionally lowering the prospect of deformation as a result of warmth.
Upon laying this up, that is then set with ‘CNT’ resin that makes use of ‘Carbon Nanotube Know-how’. Big claims this features a microscopic polymer that strengthens the layers of carbon, whereas additionally that includes ‘vibration-absorbing particles’ that assist disperse the thrill you get from the street. General, Big says that is 14% extra impression resistant than normal resin.
New wheels and tyres
When Specialised launched the Tarmac SL8, greater than half of the whole aero enchancment over the SL7 was attributed to the one-piece Roval cockpit. It seems there is a comparable story with the TCR, because the bike is accompanied by a pair of latest wheels, some fast-rolling Cadex tyres, and a light-weight handlebar (beneath).
Accompanying the flagship TCR Superior SL at launch is a brand new pair of Cadex Max 40 wheels. These boast a powerful weight of 1249g in a 40mm depth. It is not clear whether or not the 4.19-watt saving that Big claims takes these wheels into consideration, or whether or not there’s potential for additional acquire right here.
There are not any particular aero credentials attributed to the wheels, however they arrive fitted with the identical deep-bladed aero spokes launched on the 50 Extremely Disc wheels final yr, which had been reviewed to excessive acclaim by our professional, Josh Ross.
There are additionally two similarly-specced second- and third-tier wheelsets launching right now, the Big SLR 0 40 and the Big SLR 1 40. These are each additionally 40mm deep, tubeless suitable and disc brake solely. The SLR 0 40 weighs 1339g per pair, whereas the SLR 1 40 weighs a bit extra at 1443g.
All three new wheelsets include a 22.4mm inside width and are hookless. Given the latest furore about hookless security, you may select to double-check tyre compatibility, otherwise you may favor to run the brand new Cadex tyres which additionally launch right now.
These are known as the Cadex Race GC Tyres, and get a 240tpi light-weight race casing together with distinctive protruded shoulders which Big says provides traction when cornering. They’re solely obtainable in a 700x28c measurement, weighing 279g per tyre.
New handlebar
The most important aesthetic distinction for the brand new TCR is the mixing of cables on the cockpit, and that comes courtesy of a brand new duo of Big Contact handlebars. The highest-spec mannequin is the Contact SLR, made out of carbon fibre and weighing in at 165g. The second-tier mannequin is the Contact SL, made out of alloy, and weighing 247g.
Each fashions are available sizes 36cm to 44cm, and the flare varies between eight and 11 levels relying on the width. Each supply built-in cabling, and can be found aftermarket.
The aftermarket value of the handlebar, wheels and tyres is at present unknown.
Fashions, pricing and availability
The TCR vary is obtainable in three tiers, with choices at every tier overlaying each SRAM and Shimano groupsets.
On the prime of the tree, the Superior SL is accessible as a frameset, with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Shimano Ultegra Di2, or SRAM Power AXS. A couple of weeks in the past, images of a new SRAM Pink groupset had been leaked on-line, suggesting a launch is on the horizon. The dearth of a SRAM Pink spec provides gasoline to the hearth {that a} new flagship groupset is on the way in which from the American model.
- TCR Superior SL 0 Dura-Ace: £11,999 (USD $12,500, EUR €12,299)
- TCR Superior SL 1 Ultegra Di2: £8,799 (USD $TBC, EUR €TBC)
- TCR Superior SL 1 Power AXS: £8,999 (USD $TBC, EUR €TBC)
- TCR Superior SL frameset: £3,499 (USD $3,800, EUR €3,699)
The second-tier Superior Professional mannequin can also be obtainable as a frameset, in addition to with Shimano Ultegra Di2, 105 Di2, 105 mechanical, or SRAM’s wi-fi Power or Rival groupsets.
- TCR Superior Professional 0 Power AXS: £6,699 (USD $TBC, EUR €6,999)
- TCR Superior Professional 0 Ultegra Di2: £6,499 (USD $6,500, EUR €6,499)
- TCR Superior Professional 1 Rival AXS: £4,999 (USD $TBC, EUR €5,100)
- TCR Superior Professional 1 105 Di2: £4,899 (USD $5,500, EUR €4,799)
- TCR Superior Professional 2 105: £3,999 (USD $TBC, EUR €2,800)
- TCR Superior Professional Frameset: £1,999 (USD $2,400, EUR €2,499)
The third-tier TCR Superior mannequin just isn’t obtainable as a frameset, however might be purchased with a alternative of SRAM Rival AXS, two variants with Shimano 105 Di2, or with Shimano 105 mechanical.
- TCR Superior 0 105 Di2: £3,699 (USD $TBC, EUR €TBC)
- TCR Superior 0 Rival AXS: £3,799 (USD $4,700, EUR €3,999)
- TCR Superior 1 105 Di2: £3,199 (USD $TBC, EUR €3,499)
- TCR Superior 2 105 mechanical: £2,699 (USD $3,200, EUR €2,799)
