Touring - Giant OCR Touring 2004

I recently (last weekend) got a Giant OCR Touring 2004 model (XL size, which is about a 60 cm in standard sizing--I am 73 inches tall). So far I have ridden only about 30 miles on it, which is a low number with which to form an opinion, but I like it. I have had no trouble at all with anything on the bike, although the frame does have very large diameter tubes. I had some trouble mounting my cyclocomputer on it and my pump, but eventually I got it on there (with a bunch of zip ties, which look kinda ghetto). I like the size of the tires (32) and the new gear ratios, since last year it was like they just added disc brakes and rack mounts to a normal road bike. I also like the "suicide levers" which are mounted on the handlebar flats. It makes it easier for us "clipless impaired" people to get out of our clipless pedals. The only problem I have had is when I take off the front wheel to mount the bike to the rack in the back of my buddy's pickup and the brake pad pops out sometimes. I had this problem just one or two times, but I think I will carry a rubber-band to keep them secured, just in case. Let me know if you need to know anything!

I just ordered my OCR Touring 2004 and should have it most probably next week. Mine is an XL too (I'm 6' 4"). Your experience is interesting, particularly the popping brake pad problem. Did you try to load your bike with luggage in order to check its behaviour? Do you use front and/or rear rack? For me, this bike will stand somewhere between my Norco Rampage MTB and my Marinoni high-end road bike. I will use it to do lots of mileage during summer vacations. I hope we will be able to share our experience soon.

I just ordered my OCR Touring 2004 and should have it most probably next week. Mine is an XL too (I'm 6' 4"). Your experience is interesting, particularly the popping brake pad problem. Did you try to load your bike with luggage in order to check its behaviour? Do you use front and/or rear rack? For me, this bike will stand somewhere between my Norco Rampage MTB and my Marinoni high-end road bike. I will use it to do lots of mileage during summer vacations. I hope we will be able to share our experience soon.

I have a front and rear rack, and they work great on this bike. I haven't loaded it down yet, but I am planning on doing that this Friday for a short (30 mile) ride, just to see what it acts like. I'll post more later, but so far, with 90 or so miles of riding, it is acting beautifully.

Here it is, I got mine!

I only rode 20 km yesterday and 25 km today, but it seems pretty good. It is incredibly stable: you can ride without holding the bar for as long as you wish. I changed the pedals for Shimanos and the saddle for the same Selle Italia TransAm XO I have on my other two bikes. However, I have some problems finding the perfect position on it. If I slide the saddle backwards, my back aches, and if I slide it forwards, I do not feel comfortable; maybe I will have to get a longer stem, because the frame seems a little short for me (I'm 6' 4''). I still have to ride a few kilometers to know. I also noticed the rear disk has a tendency to squeak: I had to untighten it a little.

More news after some longer rides this weekend. :)

I am definitely interested in hearing about how this bike performs loaded down. Keep posting!

Jennifer

Hello Jennifer,

I'm going for a 300km ride during the last 2 weeks of July, fully loaded. I had some problems fitting a front and rear rack properly because of the disc brakes, but everything is OK now. I will post my feelings as soon as I get back!

Christian

I am definitely interested in hearing about how this bike performs loaded down. Keep posting!

Jennifer

Could you tell me what racks you are using? I had a Performance brand rear rack on another bike and it fits (barely), but I'm looking for something sturdier, and need front racks yet. I'm going to tour on my OCR from Birmingham, AL to Chicago, IL in a month. So far I love the way it rides and have commuted daily to work.

Thanks,
Jody

The only problem I have had is when I take off the front wheel to mount the bike to the rack in the back of my buddy's pickup and the brake pad pops out sometimes. I had this problem just one or two times, but I think I will carry a rubber-band to keep them secured, just in case. Let me know if you need to know anything!

I had thiat same exact problem too. I left the bicycle shop one afternoon and they called me the next morning and said they found my break pad laying on the ground outside. I have not had the problem since. Otherwise, I love he bike. I have been 320 miles on it and have had no problems at all. (Knock - Knock)

The only other thing that I see about the bike is getting it serviced. It is fine to ride in the states, but I would not suggest this bike if going out of the country. You might have a very hard time getting it serviced if something were to happen to it.

Jody,

I had to make lots of trials to find the right racks for this bike. I finally chose some kind of "no name" low-rider rack up front (because the high-end Axiom one required to change the skewer) and an Axiom aluminium disc-brake-compatible rack at the rear. For the front, I had to drill two holes in the rack in order to fit it perfectly horizontal and I added four aluminium 1/4 in. spacers to keep it away from the brake cable and speedometer sensor.

As for the brake pad problem, Chris, I didn't have it, though I drove hundreds of kilometers with my bike on the rook of my car, front wheel off. When I talked about that to my LBS, they said it could happen if you press the brake lever while the wheel is off, for example when you put the bike on a rack. Anyway, I will be careful about it: a good (low-tech) tip is to squeeze some piece of cardboard in the caliper during transport.

Otherwise, these first 1000km with this bike are nothing else but fun and comfort.

Thanks, I guess it will take a little engineering for the racks. The folks at Giant told me to use Old Man Mountain racks, but the idea of having a rack that attaches to the skewer bothered me. I couldn't see changing tires on a fully loaded bike with that system being an easy task. As for the pad problem, I've never had them fall out on my mountain bike. I have though been a little to anxious in putting the wheel on and have wedged it on the back side of the pad.

Thanks,
Jody

Hello all, First Post, be kind :)

I recently purchased a 2004 Giant Ocr Touring, and had the shop put on A Blackburn Exp. Rack, and Axiom Voyaguer Lowrider front rack. At the same time, they added SKS full fenders. I asked if they had any issues with the additions and from what they said it was pretty easy, but they have done it before, and have experience. On the back, the fenders were put on first (inside) and then the rack (outside).

I'm taking it out this weekend for a 4-500km mini tour.

Some pics of the bike on my personal home page:
http://members.rogers.com/tblboy/v2/ocrtouring.html

Roo,

Thanks for the pics... I feel better about the racks fitting now, I like that Axiom up front! I'm going with a Jandd Expedition in the back. Performance has a special going on Jandd Rack and Pannier Combo. So far I'm really enjoying my OCR, I grab it over my Trek 2300, just because it rides so much more comfortably.

Hate to dig up a old thread but today I bought my OCR Touring should have it by the end of next week. I was wondering if anyone knew for sure the color/year combos for these bikes. I have seen a Silver Model and a Black/Grey Model but no years that corspond to which is which. When I placed my order though my LBS today Giant said on the phone the 2004 was "silver" but they consider the black/grey silver also.

Also has anyone seen the 2005's yet? This past week was the big 2005 bike show.

As far as I know, the 2003 was light grey and the 2004 (like mine) is dark grey. No idea what the 2005 colors are/will be.

Well I had hoped for the darker one like roo has but it seems that the Giant site shows the correct model after all http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8834&range=149&model=10807
Is the 2004 OCR Touring amd its Silver
I can only guess that the 2003 is the Blackish one.

Btw, went for a 3hr ride after getting it and love the bike its a joy to ride and quite a head turner.

Here is a pic of my ocr touring fully loaded. I have done 2 tours this year. I love it!

http://www.highego.com/photogallery/081504Photos/DSC00030.JPG

Looks great, Can't belive you got the black one to. Its odd because that paint job isn't on Giants offical site.

Could you guys that have them already equiped post what racks your are using? I saw Roo said the blackburn Expdition would fit on the back but I was at the LBS today and the mounting didn't look that great. They recomended we get a "big bolt" for it sounds a bit dodgy if I am planing to put 60lbs of panniers on it

pletcgm... I was drooling over the Arkel panniers you got on that thar bike. How do they perform? I'm looking to get Arkels for my 2004 but I'm concerned about how waterproof the covers are.

Bravewolf

Looks great, Can't belive you got the black one to. Its odd because that paint job isn't on Giants offical site.

I noticed that myself when I decided to get the 2004. The pictures are different, so it's not a case of the 03 pic in the 04 page... Roadbikereview.com shows the dark grey model. Wierd... maybe they're only giving out the silver one to SPECIAL people... :P

pletcgm... I was drooling over the Arkel panniers you got on that thar bike. How do they perform? I'm looking to get Arkels for my 2004 but I'm concerned about how waterproof the covers are.

Bravewolf

Take a look at this pic from my tour in April. It was raining that day and I had all the panniers covered. I also have the inside bags for double protection.

http://www.highego.com/photogallery/041104Photos/Nashville%20-%20Tupelo%20Sign.JPG

I just finished a 1500km tour of Nova Scotia with my OCR touring. It went without a hitch and I found the bike to be great - very comfortable and no problems. I've set it up with Tubus Tara front and Cargo back racks and panniers from Serratus (available at Mountain equipment Co-op in Canada).

For extra's, get the Performance dashboard extender for about $15. I mounted dual lights, cyclometer and bell on it. Thinking of adding another if I add a horn.

Colors for 2005-- Giant still has not updated their web site. LBS said no real changes for 2004 except price, but like to verify.

Fenders-- a pain. SKS had to be bent to fit and look a bit tacky. I wish Giant would offer a nice fender so it'll look nice.

Brakes-- Haven't learned yet how to adjust the rear disc brake. Slight bit of drag here.

Cassette-- I swapped out the 11-31 for a 12-23. I am hurting on one hill but smooth, smooth transitions for most of ride. If I had it to do over, I would use the 12-26 cassette.

Bike rack-- real pain. Unfortunately I let Performance put one on. Would use OMM if it fails.

Only about 35 miles on bike, but expect a good life with it.

Cassette-- I swapped out the 11-31 for a 12-23. I am hurting on one hill but smooth, smooth transitions for most of ride. If I had it to do over, I would use the 12-26 cassette.

I am just curious. Why did you swap out the cassette? I would think that you would want the extra comfort of the 11-32, especially with the load on.

I am just curious. Why did you swap out the cassette? I would think that you would want the extra comfort of the 11-32, especially with the load on.

Excellent question. First because it was a free LBS service and secondly it seemed to help me get back to biking.

Here's the details

STOCK CASSETTE
====================
Shift Sequence
H1, H2
M1
H3
M2
H4
M3
H5
L1
H6
M5
h7
m6
h8
m7
h9
m8
l6
m9
L7, L8, L9

gears: 22 Doubles shifts == 18


---

Gear GI GI%
h1 130.5 8.3%
h2 119.6 11.9%
m1 105.4 2.7%
h3 102.5 5.8%
m2 96.6 7.1%
h4 89.7 7.7%
m3 82.8 3.7%
h5 79.7 5.6%
l1 75.3 9.2%
h6 68.3 5.8%
m5 64.4 7.1%
h7 59.8 7.7%
m6 55.2 7.1%
h8 51.3 5.8%
m7 48.3 7.1%
h9 44.9 7.7%
m8 41.4 4.8%
l6 39.4 8.1%
m9 36.2 4.8%
l7 34.5 14.3%
l8 29.6 12.5%
l9 25.9 0


painful gear shifts== 3. M1 to H2, L9 to L8 , and L8 to L7 where Gear inch change is greater than 10%


Gears Available at cadence 60
Gears Available L Crank M Crank Hi Chank All
< 10 mph 6 3 2 11
< 15 mph 3 4 3 10
< 20 mph 0 2 2 4
> 20 mph 0 0 2 2



MY CASSETTE 12-23
==================
Gear shift sequence: High to low
H1, H2, H3, H4, H5
M3, M4, M5, M6
L2 {H8**
M7, M8
L5, L6, L7, L8, L9

Gears available 17, double shifts 4

Gear details
Gear Reference Gear Inches Percentage change in Gear Inches
h1 119.6 7.7%
h2 110.4 7.1%
h3 102.5 6.7%
h4 95.7 6.3%
h5 89.7 7.7%
m3 82.8 6.7%
m4 77.3 6.3%
m5 72.5 5.9%
m6 68.2 6.6%
l2 63.7 4.2% 10.5% skip L2
m7 61.0 9.5%
m8 55.2 6.3%
l5 51.8 5.9%
l6 48.7 10.5%
l7 43.6 9.5%
l8 39.4 8.7%
l9 36.0 0.0%

Hard painful shifts == 1, from L7 to L6. Optional my choice from M7 to M6, if I want to avoid the
double shift from M7 to L2, and L2 to M6.

Gears available at slow cadence of 60

Gears Available L Crank M Crank Hi Chank All
< 10 mph 5 1 0 6
< 15 mph 4 5 3 12
< 20 mph 0 3 4 7
> 20 mph 0 0 2 2





Again thank you for asking, here is the best summary of the options, all using a SRAM cassette
SUMMARY
Mtb Cassette Road Cassette Road Cassette
11..32 12..23 12..26
< 10 mph 11 6 7
< 15 mph 10 12 13
< 20 mph 4 7 5
> 20 mph 2 2 2

gears 22 17 19
painful shifts 3 1 1
double shifts 18 4 7


So, to make a long discussion short, I wanted:
-- more gears available between 10..15 mph
-- few painful shifts
-- few double shifts
-- more gears available between 15..20 mph.

Now I would have put in the second road cassette, as the 23tooth doesn't quite give enough on one hill I travel.
I will keep current 12..23, as in a few months I expect to be able to handle today's tough hill ok.

If you want this easier to read, I can send you the working spreadsheet. Unfortunately I don't know how to reply with clean tables of data.


Did this help, or just make it more confusing?

Ok, short answer: don't have much of a load on and do not plan to go touring. I wanted a touring quality bike for commuting so I would hopefully have fewer problems.

Short enought?