crouch is great

Hi Everyone,
I'm after some advice from you experienced bikers out there......have decided to get involved in road biking as i'm 33 and looking like it !! A few of my friends have taken up the sport and as a result are looking alot healthier than myself.....have looked on a few sites and taken some advice on a couple of bikes, the Trek 1000 and the Giant OCR 2 as you can see both entry level as i need to start somewhere...can anyone suggest which of the 2 would be better, or any other models/makes... i live in the UK am 6 foot tall and of "big" build.
Your help would be appreciated.
Also which frame size should i be looking at?

botto 

not sure the specs on the Euro/UK OCR 2, or Trek 1000, but I believe that the OCR comes with better stuff - at least 105.

As far as size - a Medium to Medium Large (although I'm not sure if the OCRs come in ML). Ask your LBS.

Lucky07

If you consider yourself a heavy person, I'd inquire about the wheels on an entry level bike like the Trek 1000. You might consider upgrading to a stronger wheelset. Typically the wheels on bike at that level aren't built to last, especially if you're putting a fair amount of weight on them. Good luck.

MichaelW

Any decent entry level road bike can be tweaked for a heavier rider with stronger wheels. There are lots of different brands to chose from and mosr are suitable. Probably a more important decision is which bike shop. They will help you select the correct size , swap any components such as stem (length) , wheels or pedals and check the assembly. You will need the bike shop for service and advice so build a good relationship.
Budget for some accessories, helmets, lights, clothing, tools, spares. It is much easier to negotiate on extra freebies rather than cash off the basic bike.
If you want to use your bike for the commute or in winter , consider a bike that has sufficient tyre clearance and fittings for mudguards (fenders). Trek 1000 is a bit tight for a winter commuter.

crouch is great

thanks micheal, comments are much appreciated

MichaelW

You may get better local info about UK bike brands and local bike shops (LBS) over at cyclingplus.co.uk but stick around here as well.

v1k1ng1001

I'm a larger rider and if I were you I'd look at nicer bikes. I'm thinking trek 1500 or better. I've got a feeling that you'll chew up the components on that 1000 rather quickly which will cost you more money in the long run. Getting a nice wheelset is important!

Have the shop size you up. Test ride some different models.

If you're in a Trek shop, have a look at a Lemond Croix de Fer too. Great bike for the price.

voltman

Crouchy did well today.

munkyv22

I would say the Trek, just because I don't like Giant. I don't know why, I just don't. Well, I do know why, but I'm not going to say it. Fine, I'll say it. For the same reason I hate Kia.

nocondorfx

because theyre slow?

munkyv22

Slowness is just a symptom of being built in an underdeveloped Asian country that is trying to break into an established market with cheaper parts and labor.

voltman

South Korea is underdeveloped?

Basscycle

I'm a pretty avid bass player and have owned and played a ton of basses from many different countries. One thing that I've been seeing is that the Asian countries have become really good at making quality stuff at really reasonable prices. At one point I swore that I'd never buy a Korean made bass. I added one to my arsenal a few weeks back and I'd put it about on par with my American made Fender Jazz for about half the money. I also just bought a TCR that still has the "Made in Taiwan" sticker on it last week. Hey, the U.S. can't produce as good of a product for same amount of cash, they deserve the business.

late

The OCR2 is a pretty cool bike. If you decide to go with it,you might want to upgrade the wheels at the time of sale. Of course, they may be rugged enough, I
almost always pay a few extra bucks to get better wheels.

The thing with both bikes is that you are stuck using skinny tires. I think for guys our size a medium size tire is better. This year I was using a 27c tire ( I think the OCR comes with a 25c) and next year I am going to 30c or even 32c.
The ride is nicer, the tires last longer, and you don't feel beat up after a day long ride.

You have a number of excellent bike makers in England that make bikes like mine. Dawes is one. Thorn is another, but the English manufacturer I would like to do business with is Mercia.. this seems much like my bike when made with long reach brakes
https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frame_audax.asp

This is my bike, but mine doesn't look like that. Mine has fatter tires, a big leather seat, and a distinctly 'lived in' look
https://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php

Oh, you should also take a look at the Specialized Seqouia.

the beef

The XSR-4 wheelset is the weak point of the Giant OCR2. They're heavy and comparatively weaker with the low spoke count. If you can get the shop to swap them out for something else, then the Giant will be a good bet (the Tiagra drivetrain will feel better than the Trek's Sora one).

nocondorfx

Hyundais are from korea. They have leaped up in 15 years from being the bottom, to an actual respectable brand. You make it seem that globalization is a bad thing, and while it may have a few cons, I don't get how someone won't buy a perfectly fine product because of the "made in" sticker.

It reminds me of 'that guy' the one who drives a gmc 1500 with "buy american" bumper stickers on it?

v1k1ng1001

Aren't lower-end Treks manufactured in asia? Most of their componentry is anyway.

baj32161

Oh .

djtrackie

hahah... NO.

FYI, Giant makes some of the Treks out there... Giant is THE world's largest bicycle company.

Modest Proposal

I am by no means an experienced cyclist but I own an OCR2 so I'll put my two cents in. I bought mine about 2 months ago and I really like it. It feels solid and the shifts are pretty clean (less rattly than my friend's 1000). As far as size goes I am 6ft and ride the medium frame also the adjustable stem might help with some of your sizing issues.