Giant Bicycle Inc. 2001 OCR 1

Price Paid:  $840.00 at Performance Tustin

Favorite Ride:
Giant OCR 1

Bike Setup:
Stock except the pedals.

Summary:
Great bike!! Got back into biking after a 15 year hiatus (Pathetic I know). Needed a bike for training and losing weight. Thought of getting a higher price Cannondale with less impressive gearing. Researched the Giant and like others this by far a superior value for the money. Been riding about 7 months and have about 500 miles on the bike. Flawless so far. I actually like the saddle. It was a stock bike. I agree with the comment on the stem. Why go cheap on this. Haven't replaced it yet but will. This bike got me the bug to ride everyday cause it is smooth and fits my 5 11 frame well. I'm looking to get more of a racing bike in the near future. Will not get rid of this ride. A great training bike but also good on longer rides. Love this bike.

Strengths:
Total package under 900 with 105s do I need to say more.

Weaknesses:
Stem.

Similar Products Used:
Can't remember been too long. I think a Motobecane. Boy am I dating myself.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
A good bike for the price.
Well, that's what everybody says)

Strengths:
shimano 105 components.
Carbon fork.
Cinelli handlebar(cool!)

Weaknesses:
The rims and rim tapes....
If you want to ride long distance you'd better replace the rim tapes to decent ones or you'll be in trouble.(I've experienced 4 times of flat tire. Can you believe that? Neither do I.)
This rim is a tube eater!

Similar Products Used:
It's my first roady.
I've ridden mountain bikes.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Crazy Cat

Favorite Ride:
Quiet roads

Bike Setup:
Basically stock except the seat which I
replaced with specialized body geometry
sport. I also r

Summary:
The OCR 1 is a great bike for the price, especially for those who
want a decent bike with a limited budget. I have ridden about 1600
miles in the past six months and have enjoyed the bike for the most
part. The ride is smooth, however, it makes a lot of noise when
under stress. I also had a spoke problem on a long ride which I
not mention but I read another review for this bike with the same
problem. I also had to replace the seat which I thought was very
uncomfortable. Even though I have had a few complaints about the
OCR 1 I would still recommend it. It comes with a complete 105
Shimano groupo and it shifts smoothly

Strengths:
Great value for the price and the 105 Shimano groupo. Other bikes
with similar specs. are more expensive. It has a decent fork and
it is a good looking bike.

Weaknesses:
The bike makes a lot of noise while
climbing. I have taken it to the shop a
few times but the problem seems to keep
coming back. I also had to change the
seat.

Similar Products Used:
It is the first road bike I have owned.

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Cyclepath, Oakville

Favorite Ride:
Local

Bike Setup:
Stock except Rolf Vectors, 9cm Stem, and Flight Gel saddle

Summary:
This is my first new road bike in 15 years. I have been riding and racing MTB's for 10 years and decided to give the road thing a try for training and early season fitness. I'm hooked and find myself on the road more and more. This bike is by far the best value I found, I paid $1389 Canadian, with similarly equipped bikes costing $300-400 more. Its fast, stiff and quiet. The 105 components shift as well as my XTR equipped MTB's, and there doesn't seem to be any parts that scream to be replaced except for THAT STEM!! What was Giant thinking with this, my Med bike came with this rediculously long, flexy adjustable stem. I replaced it before leaving the shop, any good shop should do the same for you. I also traded the stock wheelset for a Rolf Vector wheelset, partly for looks and partly for the great reviews they have recieved on this site. Time will tell if this was a good decision or not, but they look great (Annodized Blue rims, black spokes and hubs). I use Flight Gel saddles on all my bikes, they are just the most comfortable for me so I cant really comment on the stock saddle, although it looks to be a nice Selle Italia saddle. This bike has identical geometry as the top of the line Pinarello's (except for the sloping top tube) so you know the handling is spot on. Overall, I can't believe how much bike I got for the money, its a real bargain. I would not hesitate to recommend this beauty to a friend. I would give it more than 5 value stars if I could.

Strengths:
VALUE, nice frame and fork, lateral stiffness, excellent shifting and handling

Weaknesses:
STEM, thats it.

Similar Products Used:
Tried Trek 2200, Pinarello's

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Pacific Bicycle, Saratoga CA

Favorite Ride:
Mount Hamilton

Bike Setup:
Stock except for saddle

Summary:
I bought this bike to spur me to get back into shape after breaking my leg, because I couldn't cope with the impact of mountainbiking. A good move, I now find myself commuting a 50-mile round trip to work and loving it.

Perhaps it's because I'm light and the bike is small, but apart from the saddle (how can a saddle look so good and be so bad?), I've had none of the problems other reviewers have suffered.

The best package for the money bar none, even at full retail (which I certainly didn't pay).

Strengths:
Equipment, looks, handling

Weaknesses:
Terrible saddle

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Supersport, Lemond Tourmalet