I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a fan of integrated seatposts (ISP), but until today my objections pivoted mostly around the lack of flexibility they impart to consumers. Once you cut that ISP, the bike is personalized to you; assuming you got it right and didn’t accidentally cut it too short (DOH!).

Once it’s shortened, it’s no longer possible for anyone who’s taller that you to ride the bike. Which impairs the resale story for the bike dramatically; my cynical self would say is likely to be one of Giant’s design goals, but who knows. The other problem I have with them is that, at least in larger frame sizes, it can be difficult to travel with an ISP bike. Because they often don’t fit in bike boxes.

The potential for damage to the ISP totaling the bike was always lurking in the back of my mind, but never having owned one of these, the possibility of that outcome never really hit hard enough to make it on my list before – until now. That the 2020/2021 TCR is “designed” to fail is a massive problem…