[rcnute]

The front end of my TCR Limted is a little flexible. Wondering if a new fork would help. What would you recommend?

 

[Italianrider76]

Are you sure it's not the front wheel or even the stem which are flexy? I ride a TCR and the front fork seems plenty stiff.

 

[Mr. Versatile]

If you really want stiff, get an aluminum fork.

 

[rcnute]

I don't think it's the wheel. Could be the stem--it's a Forgie with one stem bolt and two bolts for the bars.

 

[wzq622]

I broke my stock TCR fork a couple of years ago and replaced it with an Easton EC90 SL fork.

So far, the new fork has been incredible.

 

[daneil]

I'll second the EC90SL. It's a great fork replacement for the TCR. Just keep in mind that the TCR has I believe a 50mm rake, something that's kind of hard to find. The replacement with a 45mm rake will change the ride characteristics a bit.

FYI I had that Forgie stem on one of my bikes and I found it to be a little flexy as well. I believe it was 120 or 130mm.

 

[mantraxl]

My last bike was an XL TCR Composite2, and I found the front end a bit flexible as well, though I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with the fork, stem, or handlebar. In my estimation, it was an issue of torsional frame flex, esp due to the top tube. I briefly pondered having the toptube reinforced by a carbon specialist, but never did it.
I think that stiff bars would make the most difference, a stiffer stem would help a bit, and the fork not so much (Giants forks are fine by me). That having been said, none of it will change the fact that the front half of the frame is wiggly.

For frame stiffness, sit with your legs gripping the saddle, grip the bars above the brake hoods, lock your arms and rock your shoulders side-to-side... you'll be able to look down and see the frame moving side to side. to check the bar/stem, keep stabilizing the bike with your legs, but grab the ends of the drop and try to twist the opposite ends of the bars up and down. Look and see how much the ends of the bars are moving relative to one another. Now just think how much its all moving around when you sprint out-of-the-saddle.

 

[daneil]

Well that's a good question for the OP. Is this an alloy TCR or the Carbon. If i remember correctly the first few years of the carbon were a little soft in the front. The alloys were never soft, always rigid as hell machines.