Hi List, I'm new to cycling, and looking for an inexpensive road bike that will fit me. (I'm a female and 5 1.) My local bike shop has last year's Giant OCR3 in size small (compatible w/ 46-53 cm, they say) for $400. It comes w/ toe clips/straps and a 700 x 25 tire. To all of you veteran cyclists out there, does this seem like a good (or decent) deal? Bike shop says Giant has made very few changes between last year's and the current model, and I honestly just want something cheap and reliable- nothing fancy. I'm training for my first ever Century Ride.
Test ride it. And test ride it again. Then some more. Make SURE it fits you. Compact geometry/ limited sizes dont agree with everone. Dont let em tell you "youll get used to it" itll be comfortable or it wont.
I bought an OCR, coincidentally, a couple of years ago simply because it was good value. Problem was it didn't fit and after spending quite a bit if money on new saddles and stems trying to get comfortable on it, I gave up the ghost and sold it. The thing with compact frames is that they are meant to be small....and by small I mean way way smaller than would look right to the untrained eye. You might know this already, but just in case you don't.....
Hi List, I'm new to cycling, and looking for an inexpensive road bike that will fit me. (I'm a female and 5 1.) My local bike shop has last year's Giant OCR3 in size small (compatible w/ 46-53 cm, they say) for $400. It comes w/ toe clips/straps and a 700 x 25 tire. To all of you veteran cyclists out there, does this seem like a good (or decent) deal? Bike shop says Giant has made very few changes between last year's and the current model, and I honestly just want something cheap and reliable- nothing fancy. I'm training for my first ever Century Ride.
Many thanks!
Occasionally I'll see a new OCR 3 sell for $350 on ebay but by the time you add in shipping and insurance you're up to $400. So yes, $400 for an OCR 3 at your LBS with a proper fit is a good deal. Nothing wrong with Sora components either. As you stated ... nothing fancy. Sora fits the bill. Just understand that upgrading the components to 9 or 10 speed may present a problem should that be in your plans.
Good luck on your century. I'm training for my second.
Go for a 2004 OCR 1 ! It's better than the 2005 OCR 1. I own a 2004.5 OCR 1 and I have seen the 2005 OCR 1 - not much change except for the seats, stem, and seatpost. You won't regret the upgraded components on an OCR 1 (vs. an OCR 3). I just bought my OCR 1 from Performance Bike at a clearance price of $849 on Jan 11th, 2005. I love my OCR 1 and have put a rack and panniers on it. It weighs a total of 29.2 lbs with a Journey Axiom rack, two Jandd Commuter panniers, two Weyless Carbon Fiber Cages, a Polar Speed Sensor, and a Cateye Astrale 8 computer. Definitely good for touring or going grocery with! I also have a $3129 custom built Cervelo Soloist Team (Dura Ace & Ksyrium SSC SLs) bike and a 2002 Giant TCR Aero 2. My OCR 1 is my utility / touring bike.
