Road Cycling - I Did It! I Bought a Road Bike!

Picked up a Giant OCR 1 today. Only have 10 miles on it so far and love it. What a difference from the hybrid.

Got the bike, seat bag, bottle and holder, pump, computer, patch kit and tube and a nice light set for $1083 including tax. How'd I do?

It sure is nice looking and fun to ride.

Carl:thumbup:

Sounds awesome. Ain't a new bike the best? I remember your posts earlier while you were looking around. OCr was on your list then, I recall. Awesome bike.

Have a blast !! Take a picture of that cassette ... it will never be as pretty as today.

Happy hearty congrats on your new addition. May the wind always be at your back.

Nice one

There's no looking back now, the speed, the mileage,The pain :D They're all addictive.:D

i just turned 10,000 miles on my 'new' bike i've had for 2 years & 10 months. i still consider it a new bike....

Originally posted by webist
Picked up a Giant OCR 1 today. Only have 10 miles on it so far and love it. What a difference from the hybrid.

Got the bike, seat bag, bottle and holder, pump, computer, patch kit and tube and a nice light set for $1083 including tax. How'd I do?

It sure is nice looking and fun to ride.

Carl:thumbup:

That's great! I'm looking at getting my wife an OCR2 (trying to get her interested in cycling). Actually I already brought it home. My LBS, which is not so L anymore since I moved, was kind enough to let me take the bike home for the weekend and let my wife ride it around a bit to see if she likes it before buying because they know it's a haul for me to get out to them and my wife works during their open hours. Unfortunately, our 17 year old cat just passed away this weekend and she's been too depressed to try out the bike yet.

Welcome to the world of real biking.

There is no turning back now.

;)

Congrats on the new bike. I just picked up last year's OC3 model and have been very happy with it. The only complaint I have is the pedals are lower than I'm used so I've had a few close calls on sharp turns when the pedal hits the pavement.
I just competed in a triathalong with mine and it was great. Saw two other Giant bikes there - a brand new OC3 and a TCR.
-Steve

Originally posted by steversk
The only complaint I have is the pedals are lower than I'm used so I've had a few close calls on sharp turns when the pedal hits the pavement.


I've had my OCR2 nearly two months and for the first month I also had a few close calls, but I've learned when to pedal and when not to. I suppose it's part of the learning curve:)

Once again my favorite saying "welcome to the addiction!" :beer:

And the price is cheap compared to a year's worth of golf, orbuying a Bass Boat, or paying you part of the Cardologist bill.:p :mad:

It is so cool seeing all the people finding themselves and the pleasure of road biking.

nice bike... enjoy riding :D

This forum is great!

I just knew folks here would be excited for me! I couldn't wait to tell you. When I mention that I got a new bike to folks I usually hear "That's nice," or "How can a bike cost so much?"

It isn't the top of the line bike at all, but I knew you folks would appreciate that it is my top of the line.

Thanks for the posts.

Carl

Originally posted by webist


"How can a bike cost so much?"



Normally followed by

"you must be off your head"

"that's more than I paid for my car !"

"and haven't you already got a bike ?"

"it's only two wheels and a saddle"




to which the only answer is to smile, there's no point in explaining they won't understand.

Webist, care to keep us (or me at least) updated on your impressions of that OCR1? I was thinking of getting one myself, and I'd love to hear an owners opinion.

Originally posted by webist
This forum is great!

I just knew folks here would be excited for me! I couldn't wait to tell you. When I mention that I got a new bike to folks I usually hear "That's nice," or "How can a bike cost so much?"

It isn't the top of the line bike at all, but I knew you folks would appreciate that it is my top of the line.

Thanks for the posts.

Carl

Yo, Carl, ain't it fun tooling around on some real road wheels? Now the only thing is to watch out...you may never stop riding it...

Way cool, man...:thumbup:

And you are right about this forum...and bikers in general I have learned lately...friendly and supportive bunch...:D

Originally posted by Slothrop
Webist, care to keep us (or me at least) updated on your impressions of that OCR1? I was thinking of getting one myself, and I'd love to hear an owners opinion.

I'll be happy to.

I think I have reached the point where everything has become automatic for me. Took a bit to get completely used to shifting with the brake levers. Had one occasion at the end of a ride where I was kind of feeling in the wrong place for the brakes. Too used to the straight bar on the hybrid :)

Longest ride thus far has been 15 miles. LBS wants the bike to visit after 100 miles or so to make certain things haven't stretched and such. I suppose my opinion of the bike will be more accurate after that point. So far though, I love it.

On rough pavement, it sends much more vibration through me than did the hybrid, but not so much that I feel poorly or have trouble with control.

It is very responsive on turns. Seems like I'm doing a complete right angle turn at 12 mile per hour, especially when using countersteer. Solid grip though.

Front deraileur rubs a bit when trying out lowest two gear combinations. Don't use them anyway, so no problem there. Probably will be taken care of in first adjustment at 100 miles. Shifting is however precise and prompt.

Stock saddle is suprisingly quite comfortable.

The machine literally insists that I stay out longer on rides:) LBS owner said I should expect a 30% increase in results for effort expended. I get that and more. I find myself doing a cadence between 80 and 90.

I'm quite satisfied with the Shimano 105 components. LBS said difference between 105 and Ultegra was primarily one of durability rather than performance. Says I should get 10 years out of 105 easy. That's enough for me.

I must temper my enthusiasm by reminding myself that this is my "first" road bike. Certainly there are many better, but for the $1K I invested, I think I got my money's worth.

Carl

I think the bike looks sharp too.