Giant OCR1 vs. Elite

keydates <[email hidden]> wrote in news:gaBFc.62743$Jz6.31920
@fe33.usenetserver.com:

Quoted message said:

Haven't had much luck getting this answered elsewhere, so I'll try here.
Is it worth the extra $500 for the Elite? Is the full Ultegra groupset,
slightly better wheels and carbon-chainstays/seatstays/seatpost worth
the money? thanks in advance.

Depends on the kind of riding you do. A fast rider might notice the
difference. A slow rider probably will not.

Here are the specs:
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10808&lYear=2004&bikesection=8834Elite

http://www.giant-
bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYe-
ar=2004&bikesection=8834&range=143&model=10769OCR1

--

I guess I should give some background. I'm a recreational rider,
although racing hasn't been ruled out. I ride relatively fast, and for
relatively long distances, although being on a mountain bike certainly
impedes this. On a typical riding day, I ride 1.5-2 hours or 20-30
miles, depending on terrain, etc.

Do some charity rides, ie the MSTRAM (300 miles/5 days), and the
Ironman bike ride (62 miles/1 day, haven't done 100 miles because of
mountain bike).

--

keydates <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Haven't had much luck getting this answered elsewhere, so I'll try here.
Is it worth the extra $500 for the Elite? Is the full Ultegra groupset,
slightly better wheels and carbon-chainstays/seatstays/seatpost worth
the money? thanks in advance.

I looked at the Giant website and I did not see a full Ultegra group
on the Elite model. I saw Ultegra rear derailleur and shifters on
both the OCR1 and Elite. And some kind of Tru Vativ triple crank on
both. The difference between the two bikes is a few upgrades on a few
components that won't make any difference in the world. And the
carbon rear triangle on the Elite compared to the full aluminum on the
OCR1.

$500 difference? In reality no. But the carbon Elite is more
stylish. If having a new stylish bike gets you excited, go for it.
You can waste $500 on many other things and not end up with a stylish
bike.

But if you want an objective economic valuation of the difference
between the Elite and OCR1, there is not a $500 difference in
performance or durability. Having a carbon rear end on an aluminum
bike does not add anything except price and style. But the style
might be worth the price.

russell-<< Having a carbon rear end on an aluminum
bike does not add anything except price and style. >><BR><BR>

Reality, what a concept.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

[email hidden] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

russell-<< Having a carbon rear end on an aluminum
bike does not add anything except price and style. >><BR><BR>

Reality, what a concept.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

But this was the full quote:

"Having a carbon rear end on an aluminum bike does not add anything
except price and style. But the style might be worth the price."

The stylish carbon fiber rear triangle may or may not be worth the
extra price. Bicycle buying isn't all rational and objective. And as
long as someone knows they are buying style, and not performance, then
there isn't anything wrong with paying the extra money.

I bought Chorus instead of Athena a long time ago. Partly, mostly,
for style reasons. I could not rationalize an extra $400 for Record
style though. Although I probably should have found the extra $100 or
so for the Record crankset over the Chorus crankset. The Record
crankset is very stylish.

russel-<< The stylish carbon fiber rear triangle may or may not be worth the
extra price. Bicycle buying isn't all rational and objective. And as
long as someone knows they are buying style, and not performance, then
there isn't anything wrong with paying the extra money. >><BR><BR>

Go to any bike shop, USA, that sells aluminum framesets with carbon ends and
ask any sales guy what those things do. ALL will say some drivel about
performance, weight, stiffness, complience, etc. None will say thay are there
for style.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"