Triathlon - OCR3 or Trek1500???

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.

PDA

View Full Version : OCR3 or Trek1500???

buckkitty

04-11-06, 03:27 PM

Hi,
I am looking at buying a used bike for triathlons, but not exclusively, I will probably do some road biking as well. That said, I would like to complete a half ironman in the next 6 months. So, should I buy a road bike or a triathlon bike?? I am so confused. I obviously can make a road bike into a (sort of) triathlon bike, but does that really work?

Also, I have found a used Trek 1500 and a used OCR3 Compact frame that are both in my size (5’5’’ female). The OCR has been upgraded to ultegra deraillers, I think the Trek has 105’s. Everything else equal, which is better?

chrisesposito

04-11-06, 04:41 PM

buckkitty, Here's how I decided this...

I spend a lot more time on my road bike (Soloist) than on I do on my pure tri bike (P3), but when I started in this I used a road bike for the first few years. If the course is hilly / twisty (as last Saturday's race was), I'll use my road bike anyway. I slide the seat forward a bit, and use the aerobars more but it works fine. I've had a fitting done on my road bike for both road and tri use, so I have markings on the saddle rails and seat post to know how to adjust them for my intended use that day.

buckkitty

04-11-06, 04:56 PM

Thank you. That makes me feel better about adjusting a road bike to fit for tri's. Do you have any opinions on a bike in the range of 1000-1500?

effectivepull

04-11-06, 10:19 PM

i have an '05 ocr3. i use it for both my road work and sprint tris. I added the profile dromo pro bars and profile carbon aero bars. i also added a specialized toupe saddle. I have the bike set up right now w/ the saddle all the way forward and I can actually get into a really comfortable position. if you want to increase the seat angle even more, you can get a forward bend seat post. i also upgraded the wheels to mavic ksyriums.

people say that the ocr isn't a really nimble bike in terms of steering, but if you know how to handle a bike, the bike will definitely listen to you. the bike is VERY comfortable at high speed - not twitchy at all. i have no problem outmaneuvering others in triathlons - those on tri bikes and road bikes.

as for the components, the 105 is a solid group (mine has an ultegra front deraileur). the weight really doesn't bother me, but i'm very tempted to get the new SRAM group when it comes out.

i hope that helps.