adog

Hi, I'm buying either a Giant 2006 OCR 3 composite with Shimano 105 components or a Giant 2006 OCR 1 with Ultegra components. The OCR 1 is about 2 months old so it's used but it has better parts for just $200.00 more. Which would be the better bike to go with? My friend says carbon in the forks and seat post make the OCR 1 a nice ride but I'm not sure how that compares with the ride of a carbon frame? Is there THAT much dampening by the carbon? Are Ultegra components THAT much better that I would prefer them to the 105 components?

Thanks,
Adog

johnny99

Do they both have 10 speed drivetrains? Do they have the same wheels?

agracer

Test ride them both. Then get the composite frame. You're rear, back, shoulders, and hands will thank you at the end of those long rides.

MONGO!

Get the more expensive one, silly.

adog

Yup, same 10 speed drivetrains.

adog

The composite frame makes mores sense over ultegra parts then?

bigbossman 

To me it does, if you're a long distance rider. No question about it - the CF will be more comfortable over 50 - 100 miles.

MONGO!

It's cheaper to add a carbon fork and seat post than it is to upgrade the group from 105 to Ultegra.

wrxrider

I bought a Giant OCR C2 a month ago on ebay from a seller named a.b.commerce (I have no relationship w/ him other than that). The bike was adverstised as having "less than five miles on it." I suspect it had never been ridden. It arrive in three days perfectly packed. Seller has lots of feedback and a 100% rating. It was an '06 and cost me about 63% of what a "new" one would have cost. First off, I like the bike a lot. I wanted a carbon bike for the softer ride and if the geometry leads to a more comfy position in the saddle, I'm all for it. I'm 49 and was looking for a bike to do 30-100 mile group rides and charty longer rides. I'd take a look at this guy's sales on ebay: he sells mostly Giant. you might end up w/ more bike than you thought you could get at a cheaper price.

adog

Rats the shop is sold out on the Giant OC3 Composite. Would the Felt F5C be a good substitute?

bigbossman 

I thought they had very different ride characteristics when I test rode them. You need to ride the hell out of some floor models, and see how they feel to you.

How the bike fits and feels is more important than brand/trim level.

dekindy

The general consensus is to go for the better frame, in this case the OC3 Composite, because the components will eventually wear out and have to be replaced anyway. As long as you get 105 level components or better, go with the better frame, which is the OC3 Composite. That is what I would do and recommend.

I test rode a lot of bikes and almost went for carbon instead of steel. I ended up with a Serotta Fierte steel but came very close to purchasing a Giant OCR 2, 3, or Limited. It was between these two at a Labor Day Sale and the OCR came standard with a non-Ultegra crank and they could not seem to get the front derailleur adjusted correctly. I decided then and there to go all Ultegra, like my old bike ony they were 600 back then, and got a great deal on the Serotta. I reallly like the Serotta but have often wondered if I would have eventually liked the Giant better. I was really torn between the two. I was also considering Trek Pilots and Specialized Roubaix's. My buddy got a Roubaix with 105's and loves it.