OCR3 or Trek1500???

[buckkitty]

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]

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]

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]

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.