Giant Bicycle Inc. 2000 OCR 2

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Budget Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Hotter "N Hell Hundred

Summary:
This was my first actual competitive road bike. I really like it because it is quick comfortable and great for climbing hills. I just tried a brand new Cannondale Synapse and by old OCR2 beats it hand down. The Synapse is more comfortable with its all carbon frame but the OCR2 has more top end power.

Strengths:
Quickness, top end torque, comfortable, looks impressive. Excellent price for what you get.

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy but still fast.

Similar Products Used:
2009 Cannondale Synapse

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Simon Porteus

Favorite Ride:
Giant OCR 2 2000

Summary:
I thought this bike was a beast to begin with, and it was! Now i've got a Columbus Muscle fork and Dura Ace/Mavic Open Pro wheels and it's out of this world. It's lighter than some £2000 bikes I've seen and it's only got Sora! Does tend to creak a bit and the bottle cage and seat clamp are starting to fail, but only minor things.

Strengths:
Speed and cool looks!

Weaknesses:
Creaking can be annoying

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Primeau Velo

Favorite Ride:
Route des Vins, Sutton, Qc, CAN

Bike Setup:
I have heavily modified it: Ultegra Group, Giant/FIR bladed wheels, Campagnolo Daytona Crank and BB ( no more creaks....), San Marco Era Race saddle ( no more pain on long rides ), Mavic"feel the G-Forces" SSC Brakes, Look P396 "laurent Jalabert edition"

Summary:
Great starter bike. I had a 4 year Mountain bike racing stint following my 10 years+ of Road biking and chose the OCR2 to get back to road racing. Amazing responsiveness

Strengths:
Responsiveness, Climbing.

Weaknesses:
Components.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R800

Price Paid:  $400.00 at DeVer Cycles South L

Bike Setup:
Stock(ish) Giants.

Summary:
I bought this bike as a route into road riding having read some glowing reviews about its performance. I must say that having ridden it for a decent length of time I wholeheartedly agree with the reviews. I think that anyone would be hard pushed to find a bike at similar money that is capable of beating this.
As with any bike there are gripes. The bottom bracket creaks so loud I don’t need a bell. The stem comes loose when you are out of the saddle and pulling on the bars, this gives it a very disconcerting 'broken bar' feeling.
The stock bike is also a bit twitchy on the limit, once over 40mph it gets skittish. This could probably be remedied by upgrading to a better wheel/tyre set as I have.
All in all I am very satisfied with a bike that has performed admirably and has ensured its place as my second bike of choice.

Strengths:
Price, lots of bike for the money.
Nice frame.
Very upgradeable.

Weaknesses:
Creaks like a castle drawbridge.
Bit twitchy at 40mph plus.
very skid prone in the wet (stiff).
Adjustable stem loosens under stress.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500. Giant TCR1.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Stock so far.

Summary:
Excellent value for the money. Few, if any, other bikes offer this level of frame quality and general quality as the OCR.

The aluminum frame is the shining star, it's one of the stiffest frames I've ever ridden and is incredibly light as well. Quality of welds is excellent. The bike responds instantly to pedal strokes, and seems to want you to stand up and pound some 1 min sessions on it.

New for 2002 is the Shimano Tiagra component group on this model(except for wheel hubs which are still Sora). They work well, and you can shift from the drops if you want. No complaints.

Seat is kind of firm for my taste, and the stock handlebar is kind of thin for my hands, I'd prefer something thicker.

Great looks and paint job round out a great bike.

If you're looking for a very good sport/recreation/casual racer bike, and don't want to pay a fortune, you need to get this (or the OCR1 or OCR3, depending on component group you want, they all have the same excellent frame). The frame is good enough that over the years you could simply upgrade components on it to get lighter etc, but the frame is worldclass in any case.

Strengths:
Truly unbelievable frame at this pricepoint. Looks great. Decent components

Weaknesses:
Typical aluminum bike ride (i.e., harsh). Seat's kind of firm, but that's a personal preference item. Handlebar is kind of thin, you may consider upgrading.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale R500