Touring - Buy a new touring bike or use my OCR2 road bike?

Hi folks--
I recently completed my first (fully supported) tour and really enjoyed it. In the future, I'd like to try some self-supported tours closer to home.

On my supported tour, I rode my carbon road bike with only a handlebar bag because the tour company handled all my other gear. However, as I continue touring, I'm going to need to haul my own gear.

Here's my dilemma: I'm torn between trying to rig up my Giant OCR2 road bike for touring, or whether to save up and buy a true touring rig. My 2005 OCR2 has a carbon fork and low spoke count wheels, which probably don't lend themselves to touring. It is, however, a triple and it's paid for and I really only use it for a foul weather/backup road bike. I like the idea of using it for touring, rather than it spending most of its time hanging in the garage.

Suggestions?

"I like the idea of using it for touring, rather than it spending most of its time hanging in the garage."

There's your answer mate. You'll be fine as there are enough adapters out there to make it work for anything less than a cross continent trip. Just go for it.

You could always put a heavier set of wheels and a little wider tires on the bike. Maybe a BOB?

I have a full carbon Trek road bike that’s about 10 years old. Late last year I faced a similar dilemma-put a triple on it and add a trailer. It turned out the cost of upgrading my Trek to a triple front was almost the price of a new bike, so I bought a Trek 520. The difference in ride quality between the two bikes is dramatic! The 520 is much more comfortable by all measures except acceleration and speed. With the knowledge gained and the advantage of hindsight, I made the right choice for me.

Also, I have concerns if your aluminum frame is up to loaded touring, even if you put 36 spoke wheels on it. Even though the frame is overbuilt, it was never designed for touring. The frame may also be either too flexy or too squirrly when loaded. You'd have to try it loaded to find out.

I’m using my 520 to commute as just got my panniers for touring, so it will also become my “quick run” to the store transportation as well.

Finally, welcome to the touring section!

I'd vote the 520,you'll spend a little more (maybe),less aggrivation if you would have chosen the e-bay used route, for example you'll end -upwith TWO bikes,better than ONE bike a nd parts, the Bike will work better. You'll like the 520 for more than touring anyway, have it for a buddy, he can use it ,you use the OCR2 or visa -versa. OCR2s have very nice componts and wheels for fast rides,why sacrifice that ?

I think a burley nomad trailer is a good solution to your dilemma. 250 bucks shipped. just google for links.

I think a burley nomad trailer is a good solution to your dilemma. 250 bucks shipped. just google for links.
This seems like a great option. Thanks for the advice!

I like to live by one simple rule:

"When in doubt, buy another bike."

This has served me very well. :)

About 5 years ago I had an OCR3, which is essentially your bike, but with cheaper components. I suspect it might be a bit of a challenge to set up for comfortable self-supported loaded touring.

Someone has already mentioned a trailer -- I don't think you have any option *but* that for hauling stuff. As I recall, there aren't any braze-ons to mount racks (well, maybe in the back? Or, I suppose you could try those clamp-on racks, but that's probably a bad idea with a carbon fork.) And the chainstays are short.

The triple is a good thing; I don't remember what it came with, but you should probably install the lowest-geared cassette that will fit in the back.

Tires might be problematic. The frame might not have clearance for anything bigger than 25c (maybe 28?)

Of course, I haven't looked at the OCR2/3 lately, maybe it's been redesigned.

Good luck, and have fun!

About 5 years ago I had an OCR3, which is essentially your bike, but with cheaper components. I

The triple is a good thing; I don't remember what it came with, but you should probably install the lowest-geared cassette that will fit in the back.

Tires might be problematic. The frame might not have clearance for anything bigger than 25c (maybe 28?)

Of course, I haven't looked at the OCR2/3 lately, maybe it's been redesigned.

Good luck, and have fun!

I dont think they have changed them much. I would definately agree that he will need to at least change the rear cassette. I have an 05 520 and my climbing ability on steep roads as different as night and day. The 520 gets a bad rap for too high gearing but it is geared way lower then my 2006 OCR3. If the OP know he will be touring on flat terrain then it might be OK as is *if he can get the load carrying problem solved. My thinking would be get a touring bike. There are several good ones available and he might find a good used one if he keeps a lookout. And he should end up not spending a lot more because upgrading cassettes and weheel sets will add up and he still wont have a great touring bike.

I'm torn between trying to rig up my Giant OCR2 road bike for touring, or whether to save up and buy a true touring rig. My 2005 OCR2 has a carbon fork and low spoke count wheels, which probably don't lend themselves to touring. It is, however, a triple and it's paid for and I really only use it for a foul weather/backup road bike....
I think this depends entirely on how much you plan to tour.

If you plan to do some short tours (e.g. 1 week at a time max), I think it'd be fine. I'd swap out the wheels for something with a normal spoke count and use as wide of tires as you can put on the bike. You can leave the carbon fork on as long as you do not use a front rack.

If you plan to do a serious tour (e.g. 1 month or more per tour), I'd get an actual touring bike. Preferably something with a relaxed geometry, wide tires, fenders, bar-end shifters, strong wheels etc.

A trailer will work on any bike, although I wouldn't recommend it if the bike has carbon seatstays.

If you don't want to go the trailer route, how about this, will hold 55 lbs which is more than enough stuff for most. Of course you don't want to use this on a carbon fiber seat post.

Axiom Odysee Seatpost Rack Rear

http://cgi.ebay.com/Axiom-Odysee-Seatpost-Rack-Rear-Disc-Suspension_W0QQitemZ290114843429QQcmdZViewItem

I cannot recommend strongly enough to find something more suitable for touring. Your carbon road bike is designed for speed, not loads. It would be fine for supported tours, but I think you'll discover a number of problems when going selfsupported, not the least of which will be comfort. Having ridden carbon road bikes and chromoly tourers for nearly two decades, my opinion is that the carbon doesn't come close to the comfort of a tourer over the long haul.
IF you decide to use your carbon, then I don't think you will have much choice other than using a trailer to carry your gear. Aside from what others have mentioned about not having attachment points for a rack,your chain stays are probably not long enough to permit a rack and panniers and still have adequate heel clearance.

The most surprising thing I've read in this thread is that although I've ridden thousands of self supported miles in Europe, Canada and the USA, I'm apparently not a serious tourist since none of my tours have been over ten days. Damn this impediment of having to work to make a living to support my cycling habit (oh, and my family, too).

I cannot recommend strongly enough to find something more suitable for touring. Your carbon road bike is designed for speed, not loads....
The Giant OCR2 is actually more of an all-around bike, sort of like the Specialized Sequoia, so the geometry is more relaxed:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/3/11473/

Giant's racing series is the TCR. Also, the OCR2 for that year is (and afaik still is) an aluminum frame with a carbon fork. So if he isn't touring much, it should be OK.



The most surprising thing I've read in this thread is that although I've ridden thousands of self supported miles in Europe, Canada and the USA, I'm apparently not a serious tourist since none of my tours have been over ten days....
What do you want, a set of charts and graphs? :rolleyes: It's a web forum post, not an Oxford Dictionary entry.

If the guy is doing one or two short tours a year, he should be fine. If he's doing more than that, at some point he will realize that he's better off with a dedicated touring bike.

Yeesh.

I really do love this forum. Next to riding and chasing my wife around the house, I can't think of a better time!

I think my plan will be to pick up a trailer (probably the Burley nomad), add a seat-post rack, a handlebar bag and try some touring. I'm in Indiana, so the hills are limited. I, too, work for a living and at the MOST will be able to swing one or two tours a year. They will probably be limited to one week each.

If that all goes well and I find a way to do more tours, I may look into a touring rig. After all, the things I'm adding to my bike now can all pretty much be re-used on other bikes, right?

I really do love this forum. Next to riding and chasing my wife around the house, I can't think of a better time!

I think my plan will be to pick up a trailer (probably the Burley nomad), add a seat-post rack, a handlebar bag and try some touring. I'm in Indiana, so the hills are limited. I, too, work for a living and at the MOST will be able to swing one or two tours a year. They will probably be limited to one week each.

If that all goes well and I find a way to do more tours, I may look into a touring rig. After all, the things I'm adding to my bike now can all pretty much be re-used on other bikes, right?
Yep! Sure enough!