Giant Bicycle Inc. OCR Elite

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Two Wheels One Plane

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
SA River

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra with Look carbon pedals.

Summary:
I absolutely love this bike. I am 6'1" and weigh 225 lbs. The bike has no problem with my large frame. It likes to go fast, is non-fatiguing, stiff enough for the speed monster and the climber, and never beats you up on the bumps. This bike was Bicycling Bike of the Year in '05 for a good reason. I upgraded the cranks to Ultegra and swapped out the triple in the front to a double; otherwise, the bike is stock.

Strengths:
Price to performance ratio is unbeatable. The bike is "now" full Ultegra, comfortable to ride, and can stay up with the grinders.

Weaknesses:
Triple / Truvativ crank.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi, Specialized 1000

Price Paid:  $800.00 at e-bay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
bluegrass parkway

Bike Setup:
Standard except upgraded wheelset (Cane creek Velos - a must) and FSA carbon double crank.

Summary:
Not have'n ridden a bike for many years, I was not sure what I was getting into with this bike. After several thousand miles this past yeat, I must say I made a great investment - smooth and supple, yet responsive and light. Super comfortable ridding position - combination of carbon forks and seat stays etc with more upright frame make for a pleasurable century as well as spirited weekend rides!

Strengths:
Light, supple, fast, comfortable and yet easy on the neck. Plus nicely equipped with full ultegra 9 speed - hard to beat for money.

Weaknesses:
Triple is OK, crank is nothing special. Wheelset average.

Similar Products Used:
Much more confortable than my more recently acquired Trek 5200.

Price Paid:  $1489.00 at Mikes bike shop

Favorite Ride:
72 miles around lake tahoe

Bike Setup:
The ultegra components work great, nice even shifting

Summary:
The carbon triangle, seatpost and fork really smooths out the ride. Quick acceleration.

Strengths:
Light and built for comfort, but has performance in mind. weighs a hair under 20lbs.

Weaknesses:
5 year warranty, even though giants website states a lifetime warranty

Similar Products Used:
peugeot special edition

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bike Masters

Bike Setup:
Stock other than EC90 Equipe bars and Shimano R540 pedals.

Summary:
This is an awesome bike. I think it has a smoother more comfortable ride than the steel bikes I tested and less frame flex. It has very responsive handling without being twitchy. The Ultegra components shift very smoothly. I'm also quite happy with the wheels so far. When I bough the bike originaly I was concerned of their quality since I coudln't find any information on them online. After an 84 mile ride on this bike I didn't feel beat up at all!

Strengths:
Smooth, reasonably light (19.5 lbs), stiff, great value for the money, looks sharp.

Weaknesses:
The material covering the Fizik saddle tears easily. I can make the TruVativ crank flex, but not under normal cirucumstances.

Similar Products Used:
Test road a Bianchi Eros, Felt F60, and Giant OCR1 and OCR2.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Camarillo Bike Co.

Favorite Ride:
Point Mugo

Bike Setup:
large Frame
Stock components
Formula XSr-2 wheels, Ultegra Shifters, brakes and derailers
Time Impact Pedals
Truvativ cranks

Summary:
This is my 1st road bike in 15 years. Been Mt Biking for 10 years. I wanted a fast yet comfortable ride. I ride a full sustension MT bike. What a great feeling. The bike kept pushing me to go faster. Ted at Cam. Bikes did a great job setting it up and dialing it in.

Strengths:
Tight responsive feeling. fit and finish very good. Absorbs the bumps and road chatter. When I hammer it wants more. Ultegra shifting is effortless and smooth

Weaknesses:
No gear indicator. Sorry that is from the Mt biker in me.