Robert Frost

After looking around for a bit, I decided to order a 2008 Giant OCR3 (in red). It's my first road bike after several years of riding fixed and hybrid/flat-bar commuter bikes. I was very pleased with my choice until I noticed that the 2008 OCR3's components had been downgraded from SORA to 2200. Having never heard of 2200 before but trusting that Giant wouldn't put Wal-mart components on a bike with a carbon fork, I jumped on the many bike forums to double-check.

The overwhelming consensus seems to be that 2200 components are downright awful. My question is quite simple: how awful? So awful that I shouldn't expect to shift at all? That my components will warp immediately? So awful that I should call the bike shop and struggle through explaining in Japanese that I need to cancel my order? (The bike arrives in 3 days.)

The rest of the bike seems to me to be up to the price tag in quality but from what I'm hearing on the forums, the components are not. I don't plan on ever riding competitively - pretty much only for exercise and touring with my girlfriend on her Newest.

What should I do? Should I cancel the order which would be a hassle? Will the bike be ridable or have everyone's comments about 2200 components been grossly overstated? (For those who will say, "You should check out the Trek 1.2" - it seems that Trek is a bit tougher to get out here, especially on my island.) Help appreciated.

the beef

Not awful - IMO same quality as 8-speed Sora (but not on par with newer 9-speed Sora). However, it is worth noting that 8-speed drivetrains are virtually obsolete. Modern road bikes almost all feature 9 or 10 speed drivetrains. It's not that the extra cog is really that much better; it's simply that running a 9 or 10 speed drivetrain opens up your options for replacement parts or compatible upgrades.

That said, I would consider canceling the order and maybe looking to see if you can get a on sale or used 9/10 speed road bike. The OCR2 or OCR1 is one to consider; if you can find a last year's model you may not have to pay too much. Looks like you already know your size, so it shouldn't be too hard. It's worth it in my opinion, as my first bike was 2200 as well and I ended up selling it within 3 months for a 9-speed bike. Of course, this may have come from Bikeforums envy, but I don't regret it.

Let us know how it turns out.

Zinn-X

Oh, I would cancel the order, but that's just me. If you're strapped for cash, try to find a bike without the carbon fork but with some decent entry level components. You're talking about components that are below entry level. It's not really a question of the bike falling apart per se, but it may just as well fall apart if it's not a pleasure to ride. I've owned two bikes with bottom of the barrel components before, and I've gotta say, it's just not worth it if you plan on doing any serious amount of riding.

Robert Frost

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll consider canceling but I'll have to make a decision quick. I feel bad because this guy in his little shop really helped us out but that doesn't make the final product any better or the price any lower. I wonder why the hell Giant would do that other than for cost cutting? They gave OCR3 a carbon fork so they took away SORA components - what sense does that make?

One other question: what are the upgrading options like. Like, and this may sound silly but I don't know too much about gears, what are the possibilities when it comes to upgrading your drivetrain? If you replace your rear hub/cogs, is it possible to upgrade to a 9-speed? Potentially silly question.

Zinn-X

If you're concerned about messing with the local bike shop, you could just bite the bullet and buy a slightly nicer bike from him.

You could upgrade to a 9 speed, but you'd need a new rear hub, cogs, and shifters. It's very expensive to upgrade your drivetrain and cheaper to buy what you wanted in the first place.

Phantoj

No, 8-speed and 9-speed (and 10-speed non-D/A) use the same hub. Upgrading would require shifters, cassette, chain. Note that the last two are wear items.

JMT114

The OCR 3 has had a carbon fork for at least a few years. I'm guessing they are just cutting costs in order to keep the same price point for their bikes. I have a 2007 OCR 2 (same frame and fork as the OCR3) and it has Tiagra components and a 105 rear derailleur. This year they have downgraded to a mix of Sora and Tiagra components but the MSRP stayed the same.

supton

The prices on everything seemingly went up this year. We grabbed our bikes when we could, for fear of having to pay more to get what we wanted in '08.

OP, did you try riding the bike yet? While you shouldn't ride something you cannot afford, test rides can give a lot of insight. Wife and I thought that Sora shifting was kinda clunky, 2200 was the same. Reminded us of how our MTB's shifted. Tiagra, however, was much smoother. Plus, with bikes that fit better than my old one, riding in the drops was finally a comfortable option--but neither of us could work the thumbshifter from the drop on Sora/2200. We quickly decided that spending a few extra hundred, going 9 speed and Tiagra, just made more sense. For us.

Robert Frost

I haven't gotten a chance to ride them yet so I guess I will see this Saturday when we pick them up. If the shifting really is as awful as many are saying, I may have to continue looking. I don't think I will cancel the order as of right now. We are buying two bikes from the LBS either way so even if I don't end up picking up the OCR 3, I'm gonna be picking something up. The toughest part about living in the north of Japen is the complete lack of a used market. I don't know where it all goes but there are very few used bikes out here and if you do find them used, they are the same price they were new (try making sense out of that). Because of that, buying new seems to be the best way to go as of right now and the only bike in my price range (1200 for two bikes) with Sora components is a Louis Garneau with a hideously heavy frame and aluminum fork.

The bicycle gods are not looking favorably on me.

Treefox

Isn't 2200 now the same as the old 8-speed Sora now that the new Sora is out?

I could be wrong, but I think it's the exact same bike as in the past, just the Sora line has moved up.

So it'd be the exact same as a 2006 model, except that the shifters won't say Sora? There were, we may recall, the 7-speed shifters which looked exactly like the old Sora except for the branding. There also was an 8-speed Tiagra which was the same, just not called Tiagra - and a 9-speed non-Ultegra Ultegra.

The fact that's it's got eight speeds in back, rather than seven, would suggest this is the case. (that is, you are getting Sora, it's just not called Sora anymore because the Sora branding has gone elsewhere. It ought to be the same as the 2006 Sora components)

I'm not sure I'd stress over it too much...

maddyfish

^^^^^Don't know about what he said, maybe? But old (last years) 2200 shimano is not good. The shifters feel bad. Cheaply made, and poor operation. Very slow shifting. Maybe 2200 moved up to the old 8 speed SORA parts, if so then they would be barely functional, if they are still what they were, cheap department store stuff, then they are junk.

Robert Frost

I'm really hoping for the rebranding because I do love the frame, fork, headset, wheelset for the price. I guess I'll have to wait for the test ride to see. I'll report back once I've gotten on the bike. I'll also see if the owner knows anything about the new/old 2200/Sora components. Maybe he's got a scoop - doubtful.

MrCrassic 

My bike has an 8-speed Sora FD/RD from 2000, and it shifts very good even up to this day...

However, I can say that when Shimano goes low-end, they go LOW. Not related to the 2200, but I had their Acera FD/RD on a Wal-Mart bike, and GOD it was an awful shifting experience. Some gear shifts would take more than 15 seconds to complete, I wasn't able to shift out to the big ring stock, always clunky shifting, etc. etc. etc.

From what I understand, the 2200 is the lowest component group you can get for a road bike. I would definitely not take any chances, even if it is indeed the 8-speed Sora of the past.

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