Giant Bicycle Inc. OCR 3

Price Paid:  $550.00 at The Bike Shop, Lawer

Favorite Ride:
MS 150 Red River Challenge

Bike Setup:
Ultegra pedals, Fizik Pave saddle,

Summary:
It's a great entry level bike, and Giant delivers a ton of bike for the money (I think more than the cannondales and treks I've tried at this price range). I would tell most riders planning on riding over 2000 miles a year to go ahead and step up to the Tiagra components with the OCR 2. Sora triple components don't respond well, but that's why they're cheap. Wheels are fine for the bike, they aren't kysriums, but they aren't $400 a wheel either. As with most things you get what you pay for, and this is a solid entry level bike (mine has 10,000 miles on it).

Strengths:
Good entry level bike for someone just starting the roadie scene. Solid frame, love the compact geometry.

Weaknesses:
Adjustable stem isn't stiff enough for big climbing or racing.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Zurich, Trek 850, Giant OCR 2, Cannondale 600, Trek 1200

Price Paid:  $450.00 at Criterium

Favorite Ride:
training

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
Love it - heavier rider but still have faith in it. Great beginner bike that is good enough at stock to upgrade components and build around.

Strengths:
what you get for money

Weaknesses:
??

Similar Products Used:
Sekai

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Try It Again Sports,

Favorite Ride:
seattle lakes area trails

Bike Setup:
Now, 105 front derailleur - removed granny gear. Ultegra rear derailleur. Ultegra freehub. Good 36 hole velocity rims. Look carbon pro pedals. Still stock are the crankset, cogs, shifters, brakes.

Summary:
The structural parts are fine - frame, stem, fork, bars & seatpost, are all very nice. Only had some trouble from the adjustable stem & clamp - has to be tightened. It rides very well as long as you don't mind the low CG.

Strengths:
Good, strong, lightweight frame. Not as rigid as most aluminium.

Weaknesses:
Shimano SORA group. I've replaced everything so far with 105 and Ultegra, except crankset & cogs. they're next. I had the rear wheel start breaking spokes quickly and had it rebuilt - with ultegra hub. Giant used no-name hubs and spokes. Replace these right away, its cheaper than having them wear out on you. In fact if I could do it again I would upgrade it when I bought it.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first road bike - my last bike was a top-model Giant MTB and I had no problems with it at all.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Jones Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
50.14 mile round-trip on PCH

Bike Setup:
stock everything except ultegra derailleurs...hope to have a full-ultegra bike by the end of summer and a 540 wheelset and some lighter tires, maybe some carbon in there somewhere too

Summary:
after recovering from knee surgery, i wanted something to get back into shape. running was pretty much out of the question, so i bought a road bike and started riding. this bike works OK for me so far.....but i'm slowly upgrading everything to Ultegra and plan on putting a Shimano 540 wheelset on there too. i rode a little over 50 miles yesterday and the bike was great. a little harsh perhaps but a carbon post and/or bars will fix that!

Strengths:
price, saddle. tires are heavy but freakin bulletproof. great for training.

Weaknesses:
weight, group (well what do you want for 600 bucks, DA? dream on)

Similar Products Used:
nope, just started road-riding 7 months ago

Price Paid:  $480.00 at Jones Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
anytime not going to school

Bike Setup:
Stock with rack and nashbar basket, wedge,.

Summary:
Good bike, looks great, goes fast and gets me where I'm going to, very useful for me in getting around town and going to class.

Strengths:
Speed, geometry

Weaknesses:
Sometimes I have problems shifting, looks too nice to lock on college campus with less than two locks which gets to be a hassle

Similar Products Used:
Old beater bike.