Giant Trinity Advanced SL 2

It's hard not to go fast on something this sleek and speedy.

Triathlon May 13, 2011

For years Giant’s super-sleek speedster was one of the bikes we got to see at the Tour and cycling world championships, but could only dream about owning. The word is the design was revamped no less than five times, each time painstakingly tested by sponsored riders. Things were all so secretive that for the longest time we didn’t even know what the bike was called. Finally, last year, we all got a chance to ride the bike that Rabobank team members had unleashed during time trials at the premier cycling events. It’s called the Giant Trinity Advanced SL and owning one is guaranteed to get you lots of looks as you wander into transition. This bike looks so fast there’s only one concern you should have if you decide to pick one up: you had better be fast enough to live up to the expectations you’re going to generate.

Giant pulled out all the stops with the design of the Trinity Advanced, spending countless hours in the wind tunnel. Their tests show this to be the most aerodynamic UCI legal bike on the planet. It’s hard to argue with all that even when you just look at this speedy bike.

While there are a few bikes out on the market that feature integrated stem and fork systems, The AeroDrive front end on this bike is truly unique. In addition to a front-end fairing, the integrated handlebar seems to seamlessly continue from the top tube of the bike. There are three different AeroDrive systems that come with the bike to provide a few different headtube height options, enabling you to adjust the bike for the perfect fit. Pretty much any of the options will put the handlebars in an extremely low, aero position, but thanks to a generous selection of spacer stacks and ability to adjust both the length and width of the aero bars, you’ll be able to raise your aero position to find the optimal position.

Because of the extreme aerodynamic position, some fitters will suggest that you go down a size to ensure that you don’t find yourself too low and put too much stress on your back. I’m renowned around the Triathlon Magazine Canada as a fan of the most extreme positions (my saddle is typically quite a bit higher than my handlebars), so we were happy to order our test frame in a size medium – the Trinity Advanced SL frameset is available in three sizes, small, medium and large. Armed with the straight AeroDrive front end, I was in seventh heaven as I laid down on the aero bars and put this rocket of a bike through its paces. Despite the severe limitation in the frame sizes, it’s amazing how much you can customize this bike to ensure that it will fit you perfectly.

As much as your attention gets drawn to the impressive front end of this bike, there are lots of other aerodymanic features to this frame, too. Both brakes are virtually hidden from the wind, although because the front brake uses a side-pull design, the cable does protrude out to the side – which is even more apparent because every other part of this bike seems to be razor thin and geared to slice through the wind. All the rest of the cables are internally routed, including the battery pack for the top-of-the-line SL 0 which comes equipped with Di2. The curved seat post allows the rear wheel to tuck right into the frame and, into that seat post sits the Vector SLR aero seatpost with an integrated internal seatclamp. (Did we mention that Giant really pulled out all the stops on this frame. An internal seatclamp?)

At the end of the day aerodynamics are just one of many important factors when it comes to an outstanding time-trial/ triathlon bike. Like any bike, the performance of the frame is a critical component when it comes to riding fast. You want the frame to be stiff enough so that as you push down on the pedals, all of your energy goes into moving you forward. You don’t have to ride for Rabobank to feel how much of your power gets transferred from each pedal stroke through the powertrain. That’s a combination of Giant’s innovative carbon fibre material, the MegaDrive aero downtube, which is specially designed to ensure stiffness and response through the front end (a critical component for stability and steering), and a beefed up PowerCore bottom bracket.

Giant weaves the carbon fibre used in the Trinity Advanced at its own factory, which is then handcrafted for each model. The end result is a lightweight frame that manages to be every bit as stiff as you need it to be, but also absorbs enough shock so that you won’t feel every bump along the way. That stiffness also means that you’ll enjoy some great cornering and, contrary to everything this bike seems to be designed for, it actually climbs pretty well, too. Most aero set ups will be so far forward that climbing can be a bit of a challenge, but if you’re going to be trying to make this a more all-around bike, you can move the seat-post back a bit to get a bit more climbing power, if that’s what you’re looking for. No, the Trinity Advanced is never going to be your first choice for taking on the alps, but it will do more than admirably on virtually any triathlon course. Get yourself on a flat, or slightly rolling course and you can’t help but fly.

As much as we would have loved to try out the SL 0 with Di2 and Zipp 808/ 1080 wheelset, the SL 2 we rode performed impressively well with it’s Shimano Ultegra components and Giant’s own SL42 aero/composite clinchers. The Ultegra gruppo offered rock-solid shifting, and we were surprised at how stiff and responsive the Giant wheelset turned out to be.

Sure, if you’ve got the cash splurging on the SL 0 will get you a few more stares from those in the know in transition, but you’re going to get pretty much the same attention sporting the SL 2, too. Remember, though, that with that attention comes expectations: everyone is going to assume you’re a speed-demon with this bike. You certainly will have no excuses – it’s hard not to go fast on something this sleek and speedy.