Introducing the all new OCR Composite! The same fomulaOne composite frame technology found on our TCRs, with revisions to the frame tube shape and geometry for a more upright riding postion, comfortable ride and triple front chainring gearing.
Strengths: Good balance of light weight, stiffness, ride quality. Bike is very stable on fast descents and as nimble as my 250 lb. body can make it on climbs.
Weaknesses: Stock wheelset is terrible for a rider of my size. Started popping spokes after 500 miles on rear. I upgraded to handbuilt 32H Mavic CXP 33's and they are great.
Bottom Line:
Over 30K miles in the past 4 years and this bike is still great. I have never had such an all around great riding bike for the road.
Similar Products Used: Tommaso Velocita, Specialized Allez, KHS Flite
Bike Setup: Stock derailleurs and brakes, upgraded wheels as mentioned above and changed out the crank to Ultegra from Truvativ Roleur.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
philipaparker
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2010
Strengths: Super comfortable road bike. Great components, and geometry.
Weaknesses: The seat while comfortable lacked support. Frame color is two tone shiny black and dull black.
Bottom Line:
Ok I know Giant makes most of the bikes on the planet. They have those huge factories in Taiwan. Their own brand is used by elite racers (TCR models), then they have their consumer aluminum bikes.
This OCR C1 fell out of their line up for some unknown reason. The bike is an endurance road machine. Very comfortable with high end components. Ultegra throughout with a Dura Ace rear deraileur, compact crankset, Mavic Ksynium Elite wheels, Michelin Pro Race tires. The Shimano compact crank 50/34 married to a 12/27 cassette makes climbing a breeze. Just what you need here in the hills of San Francisco and Marin. The frame geometry makes for some stable fast decents after laboring up those hills. The thing really sticks to the road.
I changed out the seat to a Selle Italia Prolink, my personal favorite. The Fizik Aliante Delta w/magnisium rails although supper comfortable just wasn't for me.
Everything else is stock. Except the addition of my Garmin. I'll be doing a couple of spring centuries on this bike. I don't know why Giant stopped making these. Their new model is the Defy.
If you are looking for a comfortable ride that climbs well, this is the bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Roubaix (which I sold after buying the Giant) Look 555
Bike Setup: FormulaOne full composite frame and fork. Shimano Ultegra shifters and front derailleur, Dura Ace rear derailleur, Shimano BR650 Brakes, Ultegra 12/27 Cassette and Ultegra Chain, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset, Michelin Pro Race Tires, Selle Italia Prolink saddle, Race Face Revolution handle bars and stem.
Weaknesses: Probably not as fast as other bikes, but, hey, I figure I'm not going to win the NZ Ironman, so may as well enjoy the day.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike a couple of years ago for the NZ Ironman 2007. Currently in training for Ironman 2009, and really starting to enjoy this bike. Have now done over 4000 kms, and riding about 4 X per week. Comfort is great, especially on the hard chip roads around New Zealand. The deal I got for this bike was great. Certainly worth going for the carbon fibre frame / forks etc.
Strengths: Absorbs road shock very well, and with the more upright seating position, and relaxed geometry decreases strain on the lower back for longer rides.
Weaknesses: Heavy wheelset, and cassette make for more sluggish acceleration and less spirited ride. Have Sram bb inspected, there are issues here and with others I've spoken with.
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike now for about 8 months, and mainly use it for longer commutes, and weekend fun. This bike is the best thing in the world for my back. The ride is very complient. However, unlike some of the other reviewers, I do not feel this bike is fast. It has a heavier wheelset and cassette, and doesn't respond to fast to accelerations like a good race bike would. Why?, because it's not designed for that. This is a comfort bike, with elevated handlebar stem, longer wheelbase, shorter top tube, and wider 25c tires, it's just what the doctor ordered for comfort. It would be faster with a lighter wheelset, thinner tires, and a lowered stem, maybe the top end model of this series. But, my back likes it just the way it is. I do, however, ride a racing saddle. Ex racer.
Strengths: Bike is very light and stiff. I'm 200 lbs and the bike has no flex what so ever! I really love the coloe..Titanium grey/black..I also love the Mavic rims..straight pull spokes-very sweet! In addition the value of the bike is awesome even at 3K.
Weaknesses: Nothing really..
Bottom Line:
Oh my god I love this bike!!! I am a mountain biker,,,I bought this bike to increase my mileage behing my mountain biking (endurance racing). My bicycle has a mix of Dura ace and ultergra...The only thing I'm going to change out (next month or so) is the saddle (preference thing). I'm very happy!!
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Internal cable routing?
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