Tri Bikes for 2007

You can see the change in Giant's approach to geometry when you look at the new Trinity Alliance versus the older Trinity Composite. In size small the older, more expensive, all-carbon bike is taller by a half-centimeter, and shorter by 2.5cm. Why is the older model that much shorter? Because it's shallower, and angling the seat tube back drags the top tube back with it, which drags the head tube back as well.

This makes the older Trinity Composite fit a long-legged, short-torso'd rider better, assuming one can move the saddle forward to a point where one needs it. That task is made easier by the "ways" on top of the seat post (right), which allow for forward movement of the clamp hardware.

Indeed, I just fitted a very long-legged pro on T-Mobile's cycling team, and her all-carbon Magenta frame accommodated her long legs and short torso quite easily. I must add, though, that these not-for-sale Magenta bikes sit a bit lower to the ground than the for-sale Composite frames, with head tubes more like those on the new Trinity Alliance.

And, the carbon/aluminum Trinity Alliance is an all-around better geometry for the typically-proportioned rider, and it also comes in a size smaller. The XS in this size is 2cm shorter than anything available in the all-carbon bike because the head tube is 2cm shorter. But that still makes the Trinity Alliance in XS all of 4cm taller than the smallest size Felt makes (and the Cervelo, QR and Kestrel models in XS are sized like the Felt). This means somebody 5'5" or 5'4", or shorter, might find the Giant a difficult bike on which to fit, and this is all due to the Giant's 700c wheel.

For bike makers who feel compelled to make their smaller tri bikes in 700c, it might be time to consider raising the bottom bracket height. While this raises the rider's center of mass and is, on paper, counterproductive in terms of handling, the difference is incremental and increases the range of riders the bike will fit.

All that established, the Trinity Alliance is a fabulous value, and at price points of $2000 and $3000 complete (depending on the kit) these bikes vault Giant into the top rung of tri bike values. The geometries are a thematic match with with Felt, QR and Cervelo, and the frame features and spec are unassailable. For riders starting at 5'5" (more so at 5'7") this is an often overlooked, not fully appreciated, bike that is under-represented in triathlon's transition racks.

Read more about Giant's tri bikes here.

SMALL BIKE CENTRAL