wolfclan333
12-04-03, 08:17 PM
I like this bike, the OCR 1, but it does not have touring bike geometry. It does have a triple chain ring. What would have to be done to make it a good tour bike.... Has anyone toured with a OCR 1?
Rob
Rob
Touring - Can a Giant OCR 1 be used for loaded touring?
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NZLcyclist
12-04-03, 08:25 PM
I like this bike, the OCR 1, but it does not have touring bike geometry. It does have a triple chain ring. What would have to be done to make it a good tour bike.... Has anyone toured with a OCR 1?
RobI wouldnt load it with paniers and such, the wheels wouldnt cope with the weight etc....but seeing how it has a triple yeah it may be good towing a trailer? I would get some aerobars as well that would give a more comfortable long distance ride. And get an aqua rack for extra bottle carrying.... I'll attatch a photo...I can carry 4 bottles on my bike and up to 3 in the jersey pockets! You could carry 7 bottles this way, and if you were wanting easy access to repair tools and food you cold get a handlebar bag.
Brendon
RobI wouldnt load it with paniers and such, the wheels wouldnt cope with the weight etc....but seeing how it has a triple yeah it may be good towing a trailer? I would get some aerobars as well that would give a more comfortable long distance ride. And get an aqua rack for extra bottle carrying.... I'll attatch a photo...I can carry 4 bottles on my bike and up to 3 in the jersey pockets! You could carry 7 bottles this way, and if you were wanting easy access to repair tools and food you cold get a handlebar bag.
Brendon
NZLcyclist
12-04-03, 08:28 PM
I wouldnt load it with paniers and such, the wheels wouldnt cope with the weight etc....but seeing how it has a triple yeah it may be good towing a trailer? I would get some aerobars as well that would give a more comfortable long distance ride. And get an aqua rack for extra bottle carrying.... I'll attatch a photo...I can carry 4 bottles on my bike and up to 3 in the jersey pockets! You could carry 7 bottles this way, and if you were wanting easy access to repair tools and food you cold get a handlebar bag.
Brendonheres the pic i forgot
Brendonheres the pic i forgot
Gonzo Bob
12-05-03, 10:45 AM
Well, you don't *need* touring geometry to tour. I only tour about once every 4 or 5 years which does not justify buying a special purpose touring bike. So I tour on my sport/racing bike. All I do is put on a rack, change to wider tires, and put on a bigger cassette and I'm good to go.
The OCR 1 does not look like it has eyelets for a rack. You don't absolutely need them on the seat stays as you can use a brake mount rack, but IMO the bike needs them on the drop-outs. You can probably mount a rack with clamps if the bike does not have drop-out eyelets, but it won't be as secure.
The wheels of the OCR 1 may not be up to loaded touring. But that depends on how much you weigh and how much gear you bring. I would recommend getting a new pair of wheels.
The gearing of the OCR 1 may also not be sufficient for loaded touring. But that also depends on the terrain you plan to tour in. I believe the crank is 30/42/52 paired with a 13-26 cassette. That's not even 1:1 for the low gear. You can get a bigger cassette, but the rear derailer is limited to 27T or 28T so really you can't get much lower unless you also replace the rear derailer. But I think you could get by with the gearing as long as you don't tour in the mountains or really hilly areas.
The OCR 1 does not look like it has eyelets for a rack. You don't absolutely need them on the seat stays as you can use a brake mount rack, but IMO the bike needs them on the drop-outs. You can probably mount a rack with clamps if the bike does not have drop-out eyelets, but it won't be as secure.
The wheels of the OCR 1 may not be up to loaded touring. But that depends on how much you weigh and how much gear you bring. I would recommend getting a new pair of wheels.
The gearing of the OCR 1 may also not be sufficient for loaded touring. But that also depends on the terrain you plan to tour in. I believe the crank is 30/42/52 paired with a 13-26 cassette. That's not even 1:1 for the low gear. You can get a bigger cassette, but the rear derailer is limited to 27T or 28T so really you can't get much lower unless you also replace the rear derailer. But I think you could get by with the gearing as long as you don't tour in the mountains or really hilly areas.
MichaelW
12-05-03, 11:15 AM
You cant fit rack and panniers , but a Bob trailer may work for a 2 week tour. The low-end Giants are not ultra-light, so you should have enough metal to withstand the stress of towing.Thats no guarentee though.
With a decent trailer, you dont need to load your frame up with extra bottles etc. Just fit a bar bag and maybe a large saddle bag, for day-trips.
However you carry your luggage, you still have to haul it, and you will probably need lower gears. Consider using a gearing system just for loaded touring, and switching back for normal use.
A mid-range MTB crank will shift your gear ratios down, and a wider cogset wil help. You may need a long rear mech. Mongrel road/MTB gearing is std practice for tourists.
With a decent trailer, you dont need to load your frame up with extra bottles etc. Just fit a bar bag and maybe a large saddle bag, for day-trips.
However you carry your luggage, you still have to haul it, and you will probably need lower gears. Consider using a gearing system just for loaded touring, and switching back for normal use.
A mid-range MTB crank will shift your gear ratios down, and a wider cogset wil help. You may need a long rear mech. Mongrel road/MTB gearing is std practice for tourists.