Let me make a clean confession.
Up until now, Circles has been an "electric" virgin.
When would we finally have our first time—our "electric" debut?
Seeing other shops dealing in electric shifting,
honestly, I felt a bit impatient.
It sounds like an excuse,
but it was simply a matter of timing and lack of opportunity.
It has been some time since 2009,
when Shimano announced the electronic gear system, Dura-Ace 7970 "Di2."
And this autumn, Shimano released the more affordable
Ultegra 6770-series Di2,
and I am sure you are aware that many manufacturers
have already released complete bikes using the 6770 series
as their 2012 models.
Giant TCR Advanced Zero ￥399000 (Size M 500mm)
Leading the charge in "electric" complete bikes,
Giant (the giant machinery manufacturer) has announced the
TCR Advanced Zero, which comes with electronic Ultegra,
making "electric" much more accessible to everyone.
This is our first time with the excitement and thrill of "electric."
Let’s take a closer look together.
Giant Full Composite Overdrive 2 Column
Can you tell the difference in thickness between these two forks in the photo?
The one on the left is the TCR's fork.
If you look closely, you can see that it tapers
toward the base of the steerer tube.
This is the new "Overdrive 2" standard,
which is thicker than the common tapered forks currently on the market
(1-1/2" lower bearing, 1-1/4" upper bearing).
This allows for a 34% increase in rigidity compared to the previous model
without adding any weight.
Power Core (BB 86)
The heart of a carbon bike that firmly supports your pedaling.
The bottom bracket is what they call "Powercore";
you might be more familiar with the term BB86.
The only press-fit BB released by Shimano
is installed in this "Powercore."
Powersense
We live in an age where cyclists can obtain a wealth of information.
If you attach one computer to your cockpit,
you can display speed, as well as power output, cadence,
and all sorts of other information in real-time.
If you have a wireless system called ANT+,
you can consolidate it all into one device.
Giant Ridesense is a frame-integrated sensor equipped with that ANT+.
The battery box also has a mount
so it can be attached to the chainstay.
Since it is a complete bike, it naturally comes with a charger.
DT Swiss TRICON R1700 Giant Limited
Finally, the wheels.
Many complete bikes come with "cheap" wheels
to cut costs, but as expected, world-leading company Giant is different.
They actually put DT Swiss TRICON R1700s on a complete bike.
The rim, hub, and spokes are all Swiss-made.
And on top of that, they are tubeless-compatible.
(*The complete bike comes with tubed-type tires.)
This TCR Advanced Zero is a concentrated dose
of the "now" in cycling.
Quite frankly, it is a "must-buy."
For anyone wanting to get into road biking,
this is a great bike with absolutely nothing to complain about.
Your first bike being an electric bike?
Why not?
I think some people will be drawn to the "whir-click" sound
that the electric shifting makes.
We have it on display in the shop, so please come and check it out.
Something that is sure to increase from here on out is...
The "E-Generation": the electric bike generation.
How do these next-generation folks
imagine the bicycles of the future?
My interest knows no bounds.
Better late than never, I am considering buying one
to join the "E-Generation" myself.
(As an "Old Type," I can't be truly one of them, but I want to get closer.)
Writing this, I suddenly remembered
the MAVIC Mektronic announced in 1999.
While Di2 is wired, Mavic released a wireless component
over a decade ago (and the front was manual!).
I have bitter memories of being scolded by a customer I sold one to,
because it suffered signal interference during a race and stopped working.
I don't know if that history had anything to do with it, but
Shimano opted for reliable wires, and I believe that because of Mektronic,
we now have the current Shimano Di2,
and the soon-to-be-released Campagnolo EPS electronic system
(planned for Super Record 11s and Record 11s).
Every time something new comes out,
"There's no way anything better than this can be made,"
I think—but new things are always born.
What will come after electric?
I find myself wondering about that as I look at the TCR.
==SAL==