Road Cycling - trek 1000 or giant ocr3?

Im looking for an entry level bike at an entry level price. Which would any of you recommend? I do not know much, other than what Ive read, and any assistance is greatly appreciated.

test ride them. when i was looking i looked at the trek 1000, ocr3 and the cannondale r400 sport...in the end the C'dale felt best to me...and its still running smoothly and i have no regrets getting it.

Thanks for the response. I'd love to hear from others, but I will go test ride them.

The Trek. The OCR is shaped like a girl's bike :lol:

Just kidding. Try everything you can afford from whatever shops you would like to do business with.

I just bought an OCR3, but this is my first road bike and I've ridden it only once so far, so I guess I can't contribute too much at this point!

I just bought an OCR3, but this is my first road bike and I've ridden it only once so far, so I guess I can't contribute too much at this point!
Hey, you still posted a reply. That's all that matters! :D

I do like the replies as well, so thanks.

no other opinions?

Im looking for an entry level bike at an entry level price. Which would any of you recommend? I do not know much, other than what Ive read, and any assistance is greatly appreciated.


Test ride them, then decide. My Trek 1000 is older and weighs about 24-25 pounds. I saw a guy on our century with a brand new one, and it felt like my 20 pound Lemond Zurich. I haven't checked out the Giant OCR3 yet, since at Performance they always put a TCR2 carbon fiber bike right next to them.

i have a 2001 trek 1000 and have no regrets. its excelent for the money and as the guy from my LBS put it; "Trek doesn't make crap" its a good bike

There we go! Thanks for the strong opinions. That is actually what I am looking for. I want to be swayed. It makes me feel like I am making the right choice.

Don't know if it matters to you, but the main reason I made sure to test ride the OCR3 is that it has a carbon fork, which was otherwise unheard of in my price range (like you I was looking entry-level).

There we go! Thanks for the strong opinions. That is actually what I am looking for. I want to be swayed. It makes me feel like I am making the right choice.

The new Trek 1000 also has a carbon fork. I had a 2003 Trek 1000 (no carbon fork) and love it. It handled great. I love Trek's geometry. I rode Specialized, Giant, Lemond, Cannondale and still came back to the Trek. If Lance rides one (a better model) than how bad could it be?

But that is me. I really suggest riding a few to make up your own mind; that is most important. You cannot go wrong with any of these bikes.

I am going throught he same process of trying to find a bike to get me started and I found out that at the entry level all the bikes are pretty much the same. I was also looking at a Specialized allez. It is like the guy at the local bike shop told me. "Service is the main thing" he told me to find a good store with good service. The main reason I am leaning toward the Specialized is because the guys at that shop will fit me on the bike for free. They have offered to let me go on rides with them and just other stuff to help me get started riding but, I think you will be happy with whatever bike you choose.

Im looking for an entry level bike at an entry level price. Which would any of you recommend? I do not know much, other than what Ive read, and any assistance is greatly appreciated.
boston-
I just got back into riding after taking about 4 years off. I have a older '91 Fuji DelRey (touring) which I still love, but wanted something a little lighter and faster. I checked out Specialized, Giant & Lemond. I test rode the OCR3 and it seemed pretty decent and a good price. I finally went with a Lemond Reno(similar to trek 1200, I think?) for three main reasons: I liked the finish (welds, paint, etc.) and, I wanted a little better group(105/tiagra) and, the shop that sold it too me was outstanding in helping me to get the right fit. I also figured if I'm going to own a bike for quite a while, I might as well start in the "middle" somehere, and, if I decide to at some point, I could always upgrade to ultegra. I went with the triple, which I got for $820., a pretty decent price. It is a great bike, I really like it!
My advice is to buy the absolute best you can possibly afford NOW, as upgrades later will be expensive, and, make sure it fits YOU.
Just my 2 cents! ;)

ocr's fine. adjustable stem. semi-touring geometry. good value. and a very light bike.

sd

When I first started cycling, I had an OCR 3 and just loved it! I even upgraded most of the components on it. It's still a great bike, even though I don't ride it anymore. I bought a Giant TCR. I keep it mainly if someone else wants to ride with me and needs to borrow a bike, that is if they are within my height range.

So yes, I would recommend the OCR3!

Im looking for an entry level bike at an entry level price. Which would any of you recommend? I do not know much, other than what Ive read, and any assistance is greatly appreciated.
I have the 2004 giant TCR Alloy and I just love it. But getiing back to the ocr3, it won the 2004 editors choice of bicyling magazine. you can read about it in their web site www.giant-bicycles.com

Im looking for an entry level bike at an entry level price. Which would any of you recommend? I do not know much, other than what Ive read, and any assistance is greatly appreciated.

I ride an OCR 1, which I'd recommend over the OCR 3. With the OCR 1 you'll get the top end components. Mine has the 105's but the new ones have the Ultegra. Perhaps the OCR 2 comes with the 105's now? Anyway, I'm 5'4 and 125 lbs and about 3 months into the sport. The compact frame is perfect and the adjustable stem came in handy when I was first starting to ride. Now, it's down all the way :D . The bike is light, sturdy and always gets comments. Last week was my longest ride yet at 32 miles and the bike and I were one the entire time. :D

If price is an issue buy used if you can. I found mine used at the local bike shop and paid $700 out the door (yes, for a "used" OCR 1 that had about 15 miles on it).

In regards to the TREK, I saw them but did not try one. I'm sure the TREK would be just fine but do recommend that you get at least Shimano 105 components.

i have an ocr 3 that i got about a week ago, so far i have put about 50 miles on it and i love it, plus the paint job is slick :) which in the end is what did it for me.

The new Trek 1000 also has a carbon fork. I had a 2003 Trek 1000 (no carbon fork) and love it. It handled great. I love Trek's geometry. I rode Specialized, Giant, Lemond, Cannondale and still came back to the Trek. If Lance rides one (a better model) than how bad could it be?

But that is me. I really suggest riding a few to make up your own mind; that is most important. You cannot go wrong with any of these bikes.

The 1000 still comes with an aluminum fork I believe. I would double check the site, but i'm 90% sure it's just a straight aluminum fork. I know the OCR3 is not being spec'd with a carbon fork. I went from a a 2003 Trek 1000 to a 2004 TCR composite 2 and the geometry seems the same to me. The giant does have a shorter wheelbase which makes it a bit more responsive, but they're both just as comfortable position wise.

2004 ocr3 has cf fork... i rode the 2003 version also... it was a more harsh ride

My gf was undecided over it too but they both seem to be basically the same bike and the LBS could get her the OCR3 for $500 while the 1000 was $575. The money she saves can get her a pair of clipless pedals.

i got a trek 1000 a couple of years ago. nice bike, and i dont plan to upgrade any time soon.

ecco

The new Trek 1000 also has a carbon fork. I had a 2003 Trek 1000 (no carbon fork) and love it. It handled great. I love Trek's geometry. I rode Specialized, Giant, Lemond, Cannondale and still came back to the Trek. If Lance rides one (a better model) than how bad could it be?

But that is me. I really suggest riding a few to make up your own mind; that is most important. You cannot go wrong with any of these bikes.

the new TREK 1000? the 04 model? i am looking at buying one but it didnt have a CF fork. the "new" ones are suppose to be in around august. if i can get a CF fork i guess im waiting.

P.S. Lance is the man so you know trek is making good bikes at any price level.

i just checked the trek site the 1000 is a aluminum fork and the 1200 and 1500 are CF. those are the 04 models didnt see anything about the 05

I got a lemond nevada city about 6 weeks ago - costs about the same as a trek 1000 and comes with a carbon fibre fork. It's even made by trek. I've done 500 miles on it so far and it's been just about perfect apart from one incident with a deer that left me needing a new front wheel.

Had my wife bike shopping when she was out of town, & a dealer told her the '05 Trek 1000 would have carbon fork.

I bought a Trek 1500 in May for $1000. Good "Price Point" as the bike shop guy said. CF fork, Ultegra Rear, 105 shifters. I'm happy.
The OCR's geometry felt funny to me, and I'm sensitive about that, because I bought a Nishiki Tri-A years ago without understanding the difference of Triathlete bicycle geometry, and I could never understand why I was always feeling out of position on the bicycle. So heed the advice of those above who advocate test rides/bike fit.

Had my wife bike shopping when she was out of town, & a dealer told her the '05 Trek 1000 would have carbon fork.

do you know who told her that. i am looking to buy a 1000 and if i know for sure it will have one i will wait till aug/oct for the "new" 1000. did she say anything about if their will be a price change?

Steve

i cant seem to find any info on the trek site about this. im gonna wait i just bought an AFCII for my car anyways. cant spend all my money on these hobbies :D ;)

-Steve

The Trek 1200 Has better componets on it than the Trek 1000 If you can afford it I would get the 1200. I went to by me a bike yesterday. I was going to get the Trek 1200 intill I got to the Bike store and saw that for $50.00 more I could get the Trek 1500.It has a lot of better componets than the 1200. I spent $ 850.00 for it.
Good luck from Fortworth,Tx.