I am gearing up to buy a 2005 Giant OCR3. However, I have a friend who is selling a 2003 version of the same bike. Have there been any upgrades made to this bike over the last 2 years, that I couldn't live without (for half the price)?
I am gearing up to buy a 2005 Giant OCR3. However, I have a friend who is selling a 2003 version of the same bike. Have there been any upgrades made to this bike over the last 2 years, that I couldn't live without (for half the price)?
i have a giant ... why are you particular to this bike ? i would sell you my 03 TCR 1 ELITE. But i am going to tell you a compact frame is not for everyone. Compacts come in 3 sizes ... other traditional road frames come in 6 sizes so i think you can get a better fit on a standard frame. Although if you know its a good fit for you no worries then. I am sure my next bike will not be a compact.
chris
I only know of road bikes what I have read on-line, in a few books and from about 4 local bikes shops. Of the ones that I tested last week, I was most comfortable on it. I'm 5'1" and teeter b/w 112 and 118. I think I should be fine on a compact bike unless there are some considerations other than rider size.
so you are going to be a "SMALL" ?
I suggest you look at a TCR 2 if you are going to get a giant, the OCRs are only 8speed. The TCR 2 would be a better value for the parts you would get on the bike.
Let me ask have you tried any other brand bikes ?
[QUOTE=christri25]. But i am going to tell you a compact frame is not for everyone. Compacts come in 3 sizes ... other traditional road frames come in 6 sizes so i think you can get a better fit on a standard frame.
chris[/QUOTE]
This is very true. Make sure you get out there and test ride (preferably for 15 miles or a weekend) The frame may feel ok to begin with, but after a few miles, some fit problems may arise. Nothing beats a road test, def. not a jaunt around the parking lot.
Also remember that TCRs and OCRs are not tri bikes... they are road bikes. If you are going to make it into a tri bike, youre gonna want a set forward seat post and short aero bars. With out the seat forward post, you will be at way too lax of an angle to prperly utilize standard bars and should look into something like the PD GT Jammer.
On another note, I sure did pass a lot of Giants in my race this morning ;)
[QUOTE=Triguy98]
On another note, I sure did pass a lot of Giants in my race this morning ;)[/QUOTE]
HEY! I resemble that remark! :p
Thanks for the input so far. I'm still trying to figure all of this out. The other brands that I have tried so far are Trek, Bianchi... gosh, I have forgotten the other few just that fast. But like I said, I felt most comfortable on the Giant. I do not believe that there was ever a TCR in my size at any of the stores for me to try. I don't know if I didn't look serious about purchasing a bike or what, but no one seemed to be very eager to teach me a lot, measure me, give me a long test drive, or even make the sell. I thought that I had read here about retailers giving long bike rides, but that seemed not to be an option anywhere I went. That's why I came back here to do a little more research.
For now, I'm fine with a road bike, as opposed to a tri bike. This is all new for me, so I'm not planning to go hog wild and get the most, best, or even fastest. I just want to experience a race first. If it turns out that I need or want more, I can upgrade at that time.
Decisions, desicions...
I have had 3 different giants and I have loved them all. The most important is fit if you felt the most comfertable on the giant than get that but if you feel better on something else then get that. Ya giant makes compact frames but that works for a lot of people and if it fits then it fits.
trianything - i really feel for your value check out a TCR 2 or TCR 1. The parts on the OCR 3 are very low end. "IF" you feel after a couple of months all of the riding and tri is not for you then you can stand a good chance of putting a TCR 1 or TCR 2 on ebay and get back a portion of your investment. If you bought an OCR3 with the components on the bike it would be hard to sell. So you may spend a little more but you are getting a lot better bike with some retail value left in it..... Don't feel bad, I didn't get helped much at my bike shop till i was looking at a ride that was like three thousand dollars :)
Hi trianything,
I'm very similar to you and am new at this tri thing. I have to say i bought a 2006 version of the OCR3 and am more than happy with it. I know it's not top end, but as a first proper racing bike i can't knock it. You could buy the more expensive TCR's but in the UK they are at least 3 times the price, great if you can afford such machines, but i wouldn't have though a beginner model!
As regards equipment upgrades from the 2004 model, as far as i can tell they appear to be minor (i'm no expert but check the Giant website for full spec). I'd say if the bike is in good condition you feel comfortable on it, go for it, save yourself the money, enjoy the bike for what it is, a great bike for a beginner.