Should I??

Bean Long said:

Hi all,

I've been in the market for a new bike for months now but still cashing up
before I make my final decision. I have had either a Giant OCR2 or even an
OCR1 in my sights as preferences if I got the reddies, or equivalents in
other brands. Yesterday I saw a Giant OCR Zero at a BS for $700 off ($200
less than the 04 OCR1 they were flogging). Still $1500 for the zero and
right at the top end of my budget but a better machine than I could hope
for. My hang-up is that it might be over-kill for this little peddle
pusher. I'm really just a commuter looking for a change. I've been on
hybrids and MTB's with slicks for years and not had a roadie since I was at
school (even then it was a $100 special from K-Mart). I'm playing with the
idea that a roadie might get me more enthused and even get me into a club
for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike will
be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

--
Coffee'Bean'

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

I would just buy the OCR2 and have a bit of cash left over to buy some good tyres for commuting/training etc. You can also put a rack on the back of the OCR2.

The hardware is not going to make a lot of difference, tiagra is fine at this stage. If you get more serious then buy a better bike in the future.

Bean Long said:

Hi all,

I've been in the market for a new bike for months now but still cashing up
before I make my final decision. I have had either a Giant OCR2 or even an
OCR1 in my sights as preferences if I got the reddies, or equivalents in
other brands. Yesterday I saw a Giant OCR Zero at a BS for $700 off ($200
less than the 04 OCR1 they were flogging). Still $1500 for the zero and
right at the top end of my budget but a better machine than I could hope
for. My hang-up is that it might be over-kill for this little peddle
pusher. I'm really just a commuter looking for a change. I've been on
hybrids and MTB's with slicks for years and not had a roadie since I was at
school (even then it was a $100 special from K-Mart). I'm playing with the
idea that a roadie might get me more enthused and even get me into a club
for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike will
be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

Always get the best frame you can afford (within reason) and worry
about
the groupset & other components later. You'll replace them all
anyway, but you'll keep the frame for a long time.

Also, always testride the thing and make sure it fits you. If
the LBS won't let you take it for a decent testride, go to
another LBS ...

Bean Long said:

Hi all,

I've been in the market for a new bike for months now but still cashing up
before I make my final decision. I have had either a Giant OCR2 or even an
OCR1 in my sights as preferences if I got the reddies, or equivalents in
other brands. Yesterday I saw a Giant OCR Zero at a BS for $700 off ($200
less than the 04 OCR1 they were flogging). Still $1500 for the zero and
right at the top end of my budget but a better machine than I could hope
for. My hang-up is that it might be over-kill for this little peddle
pusher. I'm really just a commuter looking for a change. I've been on
hybrids and MTB's with slicks for years and not had a roadie since I was at
school (even then it was a $100 special from K-Mart). I'm playing with the
idea that a roadie might get me more enthused and even get me into a club
for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike will
be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

--
Coffee'Bean'

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

Ooh, tricky! Ride it first. If you're going for an OCR anyway and that's your frame size then it's not likely to be a problem. All things considered, I'd go for the better bike. You can always save up later for accessories 🙂

Bean Long said:

for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike will
be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

You need a crystal ball. If you become a mad keen roadie, you'll wish
you'd bought the shiny one. On the other hand, if you don't buy the
shiny one and you become a mad keen roadie, you'll end up buying it
anyway and then you'll have two road bikes. You can't have too many
road bikes. 🙂

--
..dt
1996 Diamond Back 'Expert Tg' Roadie (7spd DT shifters, favourite bike!)
2004 Trek 2300 Roadie (9spd Ultegra)
2003 DiamondBack 'Criterium' Roadie (8spd Sora, rain bike)

Thanks for the sage guidance all. This will put more pressure on me to make
a decision if the bike is still there next week. I've done a little bit of
research this morning and it appears I may have been wrong on the year, with
the old stock being 05, not 04 (does that sound right?). Anyway, I'm with
Bleve on the frame issue but it seems the frame on the zero and 1 are the
same. The zero comes with an Ultegra groupset, while the 1 has 105, and the
differences seem to be in the crankset and wheelset. The wierd thing is
they were flogging their old stock OCR1 for 200 more than the sale price of
the zero! Easy decision there!

Cheers,
--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying
"dtmeister" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bean Long said:

for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

You need a crystal ball. If you become a mad keen roadie, you'll wish
you'd bought the shiny one. On the other hand, if you don't buy the
shiny one and you become a mad keen roadie, you'll end up buying it
anyway and then you'll have two road bikes. You can't have too many
road bikes. 🙂

--
.dt
1996 Diamond Back 'Expert Tg' Roadie (7spd DT shifters, favourite bike!)
2004 Trek 2300 Roadie (9spd Ultegra)
2003 DiamondBack 'Criterium' Roadie (8spd Sora, rain bike)

Bean Long said:

Can someone put me out of my misery??

Sure, here's a gun, hand over your cash so I can go and buy the OCR Zero 🙂

If it were me, I'd get the Zero, purely because you're getting more for your money. As has been said, you can get accessories later...

Bean Long said:

Thanks for the sage guidance all. This will put more pressure on me to make
a decision if the bike is still there next week. I've done a little bit of
research this morning and it appears I may have been wrong on the year, with
the old stock being 05, not 04 (does that sound right?). Anyway, I'm with
Bleve on the frame issue but it seems the frame on the zero and 1 are the
same. The zero comes with an Ultegra groupset, while the 1 has 105, and the
differences seem to be in the crankset and wheelset. The wierd thing is
they were flogging their old stock OCR1 for 200 more than the sale price of
the zero! Easy decision there!

One further suggestion - if it comes with Shimano R540 or R550 wheels,
get them to swap them for anything else. Anything ... Those wheels
are nothing but trouble.

Bean Long said:

I believe it has Shimano R550 hubs. What's wrong with them??

The hubs themselves? Not too bad (I haven't heard of them
failing anyway). The wheelset ... they're notorious for
spoke breakage and difficulty of getting replacement parts (even
*with* a big distributor!). we waited 2 MONTHS for spare spokes for
some. They don't use normal spokes.

If you're lucky, the LBS will exchange them for some decent
wheels that won't die on you in the middle of nowhere.

Most Shimano stuff is good, but their bottom end wheels
are [censored].

Bean Long said:

Hi all,

I've been in the market for a new bike for months now but still cashing up
before I make my final decision. I have had either a Giant OCR2 or even an
OCR1 in my sights as preferences if I got the reddies, or equivalents in
other brands. Yesterday I saw a Giant OCR Zero at a BS for $700 off ($200
less than the 04 OCR1 they were flogging). Still $1500 for the zero and
right at the top end of my budget but a better machine than I could hope
for. My hang-up is that it might be over-kill for this little peddle
pusher. I'm really just a commuter looking for a change. I've been on
hybrids and MTB's with slicks for years and not had a roadie since I was at
school (even then it was a $100 special from K-Mart). I'm playing with the
idea that a roadie might get me more enthused and even get me into a club
for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike will
be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

I suspect I´m late replying to this (Kathy posting from Dave´s place!!!)
But I can strongly recommend the OCR zero - VERY happy with my bike!
Every ride it gets easier and easier to ride - and apparently I hit
30kph today on a down hill - without even trying. This compares more
than wonderfully with the hybrid which I had before - where I JUST
managed 29kph - with extreme effort - once - before feeling like I was
dying. Well worth the investment, in my (happy camper) opinion 🙂 Kathy

quote='Bleve'Bean Long said:

I believe it has Shimano R550 hubs. What's wrong with them??

The hubs themselves? Not too bad (I haven't heard of them
failing anyway). The wheelset ... they're notorious for
spoke breakage and difficulty of getting replacement parts (even
*with* a big distributor!). we waited 2 MONTHS for spare spokes for
some. They don't use normal spokes.
[/QUOTE]

True of a lot of factory wheels. I ignored mine for 1500km until I upgraded to open pros, I liked them but the rear is heavy. Maybe maintenance stresses the spokes?

Thanks Bleve. I will ask if they can make an exchange but my feeling is I
will have to shell out for a different wheelset since the whole bike is $700
off retail price. Any recommendations forbetter wheelsets?

--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying
"Bleve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bean Long said:

I believe it has Shimano R550 hubs. What's wrong with them??

The hubs themselves? Not too bad (I haven't heard of them
failing anyway). The wheelset ... they're notorious for
spoke breakage and difficulty of getting replacement parts (even
*with* a big distributor!). we waited 2 MONTHS for spare spokes for
some. They don't use normal spokes.

If you're lucky, the LBS will exchange them for some decent
wheels that won't die on you in the middle of nowhere.

Most Shimano stuff is good, but their bottom end wheels
are [censored].

Thanks Kathy,

Sounds I'm in the same speed ball-park. If the zero is still there this
Saturday then I guess I'll just have to buy it!! Oooh, I'm so excited! Can
you imagine my disappointment if I find the bloody thing gone by the end of
the week.

Cheers,

--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying
"dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bean Long said:

Hi all,

I've been in the market for a new bike for months now but still cashing

up

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

before I make my final decision. I have had either a Giant OCR2 or even

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

OCR1 in my sights as preferences if I got the reddies, or equivalents in
other brands. Yesterday I saw a Giant OCR Zero at a BS for $700 off

($200

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

less than the 04 OCR1 they were flogging). Still $1500 for the zero and
right at the top end of my budget but a better machine than I could hope
for. My hang-up is that it might be over-kill for this little peddle
pusher. I'm really just a commuter looking for a change. I've been on
hybrids and MTB's with slicks for years and not had a roadie since I was

at

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

school (even then it was a $100 special from K-Mart). I'm playing with

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

idea that a roadie might get me more enthused and even get me into a

club

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for some low grade comp riding. So, the question is should I go for the
zero, with a u-beaut frame and group-set etc and get no change from my
purchase, or go for OCR1 or OCR2 I was originally considering and have a
little extra cash to play with?? What a dilemma!! I reckon the bike

will

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be gone sometime this week but if it's there next satuday it's mine....
should I??? Can someone put me out of my misery??

I suspect I´m late replying to this (Kathy posting from Dave´s place!!!)
But I can strongly recommend the OCR zero - VERY happy with my bike!
Every ride it gets easier and easier to ride - and apparently I hit
30kph today on a down hill - without even trying. This compares more
than wonderfully with the hybrid which I had before - where I JUST
managed 29kph - with extreme effort - once - before feeling like I was
dying. Well worth the investment, in my (happy camper) opinion 🙂 Kathy

Bean Long said:

Thanks Bleve. I will ask if they can make an exchange but my feeling is I
will have to shell out for a different wheelset since the whole bike is $700
off retail price. Any recommendations forbetter wheelsets?

I'm a fan of 105 hubs and mavic open pro rims with 32 DT 14 gauge
spokes. The ones I've had have stayed true and indestructable
until the rims have worn out. They're cheap, strong and good enough
for most riding. I raced on them for 2 years.

Bean Long said:

Thanks Dave, I'm 65 kg and hoping to trim down a little (I'd be a jockey
but I'm alergic to horses!). Based on what you've said, I might try out the
550's and see how I go. If I get stuck then it's another experience to add
to the list.

Well kathys clobbered a few kerbs and things.. She weighs a little more
than you. I do think it will be OK. Shimano clearly took a beating on
the early ones. The reputation lingers a bit. 🙂

Bean Long said:

Thanks Bleve. I will ask if they can make an exchange but my feeling is I
will have to shell out for a different wheelset since the whole bike is $700
off retail price. Any recommendations forbetter wheelsets?

--
Bean

Quoted message said:

My experience has been, even with heavily discounted bikes that if the new wheels are an 'upgrade' the bike shop will adjust the price but you won't pay the full whack for the new wheelset.

Last roadie I bought had Ritchey WCS wheels which were too light for me (I don't race and I'm a big bugger). I got a set of wheels made for me - Ritchey DS27 and DS28 OCR rims, DT Swiss Onyx hubs, DT Swiss spokes. Cost me an extra $200.

SteveA

Bean Long said:

Thanks Kathy,

Sounds I'm in the same speed ball-park. If the zero is still there this
Saturday then I guess I'll just have to buy it!! Oooh, I'm so excited! Can
you imagine my disappointment if I find the bloody thing gone by the end of
the week.

Cheers,

Hmmmm... Yes... My FIRST choice of a new bike was a Scott which Bike
Life had for sale - but it took me so long to make up my mind that I
really wanted it (aka could justify the cost...) that it had gone to
another home by the time I went back!
Lesson learned - TRY to make up your mind fairly quickly - OR be
prepared for disappointment... Good luck!! Kathy

Bleve said:

I'm a fan of 105 hubs and mavic open pro rims with 32 DT 14 gauge
spokes. The ones I've had have stayed true and indestructable
until the rims have worn out. They're cheap, strong and good enough
for most riding. I raced on them for 2 years.

This way you can replace just the rear wheel which is relatively heavy.
If they are interchangeable this gives you 20 spare spokes for your front 16.

Consider the pedals too, if you run SPD do you want to stay with that for now?

I've called the LBS and they don't think the bikes will go before I can get
there on Saturday. They have 4 OCR zeros with at least two medium sized
bikes and at least one small. There should be something for me with any
luck. I'm not saying where they are!!

Cheers,
--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying
"dave" <[email hidden]> (well... Kathy actually) wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hmmmm... Yes... My FIRST choice of a new bike was a Scott which Bike
Life had for sale - but it took me so long to make up my mind that I
really wanted it (aka could justify the cost...) that it had gone to
another home by the time I went back!
Lesson learned - TRY to make up your mind fairly quickly - OR be
prepared for disappointment... Good luck!! Kathy

Bean Long said:

I've called the LBS and they don't think the bikes will go before I can get
there on Saturday. They have 4 OCR zeros with at least two medium sized
bikes and at least one small. There should be something for me with any
luck. I'm not saying where they are!!

Cheers,

Well I have my old ratty twitch but fast and dearly loved TCR and Kathy
has her brand new very red and gorgeous zero.. so just at the moment we
aint competition 🙂