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Nuub Help! OCR vs. FCR

Started by musictom · · Last activity · 6 posts · 1,479 views

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01 / Original postNuub Help! OCR vs. FCRmusictom · 27 Jul 2006 02 / This pagePosts 1–6Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #6musictom · 1 Aug 2006

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Bike buying advice
Published
27 July 2006
Last activity
1 August 2006
Original author
musictom
Posts
6
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Public discussion
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1,479
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Topics
Frame sizingCommutingPunctures and flats

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  1. Original post
    musictom
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi,
    I'll try not to bore you with too much info.

    I'm 45, 6'0", 220 (about 30-40 lbs. to go), and looking to get into cycling after about 15 years out.

    My biggest question: how do I know after 1-2 test rides, what bike I'll be comfortable with: Ideally, I'd like to commute about 3 days per week (only 10 miles round trip), do some longer weekend rides, and have fun with the family.

    I'm not looking for a mountain bike, but trying to decide between a road and a hybrid. I'd simply buy a road bike (REALLY like the Giant OCR series, plus there's an LBS in my town that carries them), but is that kind of bike going to be comfortable to just putter around the neighborhood with my wife and friends? And am I giving up a lot in terms of performance by going from the OCR to the FCR? I'm not looking to do any racing, etc., but also want the most performance I can get. 🙂

    I suppose it boils down to: can one determine in a quick test ride whether or not a bike is going to be comfortable enough for casual use?

    I certainly appreciate all the non-biased knowledge on this forum!! TIA for any light you can shed on my decision.

    Tom

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  2. gclark8
    Archived post
    #2

    For the "older" rider the flat bars of the FCR (CRX) is more practical, less back problems and better for conversation. 🙂 Both my bikes are flat bar road bikes. You may wish to consrder better tyre options if fast commuting, 23mm Conti Ultra Gator Skins are good on a FCR.

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  3. mikesbytes
    Archived post
    #3

    I'm a 45 year old and the happy owner of a OCR2-05. Which bike you buy does boil down to personal taste, I would go for the OCR simply because drop handlebars give you 3 positions to put your hands, so you can change your riding position. Also the ride position on the OCR is probably a little bit lower, ie you are leaning forward a bit more and this means that the ride is less tiring, as you have less wind to push against.

    I don't know if you have any back problems and if you do have them, then you should first consider that first. I'm not the one to answer on back problems, if you have a busted shoulder then I can help.

    Since you are getting back into it after 15 years away [we committed some sins against our bodies in our 30's], you may be better to pick up a cheap bike use it for 2 years and then upgrade once you have this experience under your belt.

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  4. musictom
    Archived post
    #4

    Thanks for the advice, guys. Most appreciated.

    So, assuming I'm going to look for a flat bar road bike, is there anything else I should look at beside the FCR series?

    Thanks!

    Tom

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  5. mikesbytes
    Archived post
    #5
    musictom said:

    Thanks for the advice, guys. Most appreciated.

    So, assuming I'm going to look for a flat bar road bike, is there anything else I should look at beside the FCR series?

    Thanks!

    Tom

    As GClark8 mentioned, go for some better tyres, the cheaper ones tend to puncture too easily and get cleated pedals and shoes, it makes the riding so much better. I would get your Local Bike Shop (LBS) to sell you everything as a package as you will get a much bettter deal than if you purchase separtely.

    Cost wise, the better tyres give you roughly the same $ mileage as the cheap ones as the cheap ones wear out quicker. The shoes are incredibly hard wearing. Mine have lasted 4 years at 10,000K per year.

    Tyre size wise, I use 23mm as per GClark8's recommendation. 23mm is probably the most common size used on road bikes, however if you consider youself a bit rusty, you could consider 25mm as they are only slightly slower than 23mm and could provide you a bit more confidence. Like everthing else, it boils down to personal choice.

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  6. musictom
    Archived post
    #6

    Well, I just test-rode an FCR today.

    I felt much too upright on that style bike. Must be too many years of commuting on my R6 sportbike. 🙂

    So I'll look for a true roadbike.

    Thanks all, for the advice.

    Tom

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