Giant TCR 1 (1996)

Mike Burrows’ compact geometry simplifies frame sizing and almost gets banned

With lax regulation regarding the styles of bikes admissible in competition, things in the 1990s often got a bit crazy. One of the more thoughtful and enduring innovations was Mike Burrows’ invention of compact geometry.

Before coming up with the controversial MCR (see previous page), in 1986 the British engineer designed the most famous of his bikes for the Taiwanese manufacturer. The aluminium TCR boasted a frame whose geometry has influenced everything that came after.

‘I remember walking past the bike shop and thinking how cool and radical the design of the TCR was,’ says Anderson. Unlike traditionally proportioned frames, the low-slung TCR was both stiffer and lighter. ‘Plus it had a smaller rear triangle allowing it to offer better power transfer.’

From an industry standpoint, its ability to fit a wide range of riders meant Giant only needed to produce it in three sizes. This allowed Giant to massively increase efficiency and lower costs, and it could bring its compact bikes to market with greater economies of scale and lower prices. Aided by Taiwan’s cheaper labour costs, it marked a huge market shift.