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Submitted by
Joe Twomey
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: September 10, 2009
Strengths: Great frame and fork to start with in terms of making it my bike. I absolutely love the geometry and comfort. The low price has allowed me to make numerous changes to tweak the feel to my specifications and riding style.Weaknesses: Truvativ bottom bracket was not durable. My next upgrade is a Koobi AU Enduro seat to replace the limited-distance stock unit. I am considering a handlebar change at some point, but the stock setup is not too bad.Bottom Line: This is an update to my earlier review. Since then, I have upgraded my crankset to a double FSA Carbon Team Issue 53/39. Great crank, but you must follow the installation instructions re: yellow Loctite. The stock Truvativ bottom bracket fell apart after 700 miles, not impressive. I upgraded to a ROL Volant wheelset, MUCH better than the Xero wheels. Highly recommended. These changes saved ~1 lb each and weren't too expensive ($160 and $300 respectively). Changed the chain after ~2200 miles and installed a 2009 Dura Ace chain. Again, very noticeable improvement in shift quality. Changed out the triple front derailleur to a double Ultegra as I was trimming the triple frequently after the crank change. Changed the front brakes to Cane Creek SCR-3Ls. Another big improvement over the stock Tektros. Altogether, these small upgrades have really improved the feel and quality of the bike. I believe that in opting for the lower end of the price line I was better able to upgrade to a higher equivalent, but choose the components that I desired rather than depend on Giant to choose for me (the OCR C line frames are all the same).
Favorite Ride: Tour de Teq.
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At: Derby Cycle Center
Similar Products Used: Raleigh Technium Tri-Lite Pro
GT Avalance 1.0
Bike Setup: Giant OCR C3 carbon frame and fork
ROL Volant wheelset
Shimano 105 shifters and rear derailleur
Shimano Ultegra front derailleur (double)
FSA Carbon Team Issue crankset
Nashbar Look-compatible pedals
Shimano Dura Ace chain (2009)
Shimano Flight Deck wireless computer
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
mb7
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: September 24, 2008
Strengths: Great Price for carbon bike, Shimano 105 components, climbs well, decends fast, looks good. Comfortable geometry. Great service from LBS.Weaknesses: Stock Michelin tires flatted 5 times in 5 rides, switched to Gatorskins. ('08 model has Michelin Lithions I think, so maybe better ?). Not an outright race machine - but that is not what I needed.Bottom Line: Great bike for 40yr old recreational / charity rider. I found a new '06 model in summer of '08 - so big discount at LBS, giving me full carbon bike at aluminum price. Accelerates, climbs and descends well. I had a lot of flats with the Michelin Dynamic tires, so changed to Conti Gatorskins, with no problems since. Geometry is more upright than pure race bike - so comfortable - and stock saddle is well padded for 50km+ rides. Xero wheel set is not highly rated on these boards and slightly heavy - but mine rolls fast and no problems so far.I was overtaking everyone on a recent ride on the downhills with no pedaling (Maybe that's the beer gut factor though)! May try Neuvation upgrade soon.
Favorite Ride: Calaveras
Price Paid:
$1299.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Tried Specialed Allez Elite, Canondale Synapse and a couple of others in $1000-$1200 range. Discounted Giant was no brainer at this price. No problems burning past friends on the Allez, Fuji Team and even Trek Madone bikes.
Bike Setup: Stock except Gatorskins, Keo Carbon pedals
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
daddydarrin
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: August 6, 2008
Strengths: Handling and responsiveness. Solid components and comfort. It is a cool looking bike that is not flashy or a rolling advertisement.Weaknesses: If I was a pro, I might come up with weaknesses. Seat is comfy, 105's are fine for my level. I ride a medium and am thinking about a shorter stem to cut my reachBottom Line: A great Ride. I upgraded from an OCR1 and am very happy with the responsiveness and smooth ride. The bike glides down the roads and gets up and goes when I need it to. For under 2000 dollars who can ask for more?
Favorite Ride: 18 mile uphill 1000 foot gain ride home
Price Paid:
$1799.00
Purchased At: High Sierra Cycling
Similar Products Used: Giant OCR 1
Bike Setup: Stock except for Speedplay frog pedals and Flightdeck computer. I did change the brake pads to Ultegra and those grab better than the stock pads
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
PJT
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Strengths: Full carbon F/F at a low price. Easy sizing. Fit and finish is flawless. I absolutely love the tasteful paint job and minimalist graphics.Weaknesses: No name brakes as a cost-cutting measure. Probably a pound heavier than the other ones that I was considering, but I didn't feel that was worth $1000+.Bottom Line: I bought this bike to ride recreationally on the weekends and to commute during the week (34 miles roundtrip). I originally looked at the Trek Pilot and Specialized Roubaix series, but considered them too much money for the bike. I knew I wanted full carbon after spending my preceding time on aluminum frames. I decided on the OCR instead after doing some research (at first I thought about the TCR, then I reminded myself that I am in my low 40s). Last week, I put 150 miles on it in the heat of the day (NW Florida, 96-98 deg F) with no comfort issues whatsoever. I wasn't sold on the compact triple crank (it's FLAT here), but the top two chainrings (50/39) have provided enough gear inches when combined with the rear cogs to keep me happy (I usually spin @ 100-110 RPM). I actually like the spread between shifts as I can make slight adjustments to keep RPM in the proper range. The frame damps out road vibration but is not overly flexible (I am 205 lbs at 6' 2"). I have noticed some spoke creak when out of the saddle, but I expect that to go away after the first trueing and re-tensioning. The 105 components are up to the task, as one would expect. The only upgrades planned would be the brakes to 105 and to replace the handlebar with a carbon unit. Other than that, I am very satisfied, especially when I look at my friend's high-end Trek, which cost him 4x used what I paid new. If you're looking for full carbon at a low price and you want a longer distance bike, consider this one seriously.
Favorite Ride: Giant OCR C3 triple
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At: Derby Bicycle Center
Similar Products Used: Raleigh Tri-lite Pro
GT Avalanche 1.0 (set up as a commuter)
Bike Setup: OCR C3 Triple (L), 105 STI shifter/brake levers, 105 rear derailleur, Ultegra front derailleur, Truvativ cranks, Look compatible pedals, Easton stem/handlebars, Xero Lite wheels, Fizik saddle
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cerebrum
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008
Strengths: So far...everythingWeaknesses: Haven't noticed anything yet.Bottom Line: This is my first road bike, so I don't exactly have much to compare it to, but every time I ride this bike I love it more. I've been riding my father-in-law's old Fuji mountain bike as a commuter, but wanted to upgrade and do more pleasure riding. As soon as I got on this one for a test ride I fell in love. It's super responsive, and very forgiving when you end up on the rougher paths, which is great because a lot of the roads in my area are in pretty sad shape. I especially love the way the bike seems to come to life with each pedal stroke, which I guess is par for the course with a carbon frame, but it still brings a big smile to my face. I've only have the bike 3 days, but I've already logged almost a hundred miles, and my weekend just started. Giant made a killer bike for a great price with this one, full 105 components, Crank Bros. pedals, and great looking, light weight Xero wheels, all on a beautiful full carbon frame and under $2,000...I may not be that experienced a rider, but it seems like that's a hard deal to beat.
Favorite Ride: Everything I've tried so far
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At: Skyline Cyclery
Similar Products Used: Test road a few different Specialized models and a couple of Treks...
Bike Setup: Stock setup except a Specialized Indie Xc Sport Saddle
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Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)
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