Giant OCR 2 for commuting
 

I am this close to purchasing the Giant OCR 2 for approx $960. I plan on adding fenders and eventually a rack (both fully capable with the OCR 2), while running front and rear lights along with a computer.

I have researched this bike extensively, and while expensive for a commuter I am sold on the quality of parts, options for adding fenders/racks etc, and the overall value I get out of such a bike. Not to mention the bike is very fast, also is fully capable of longer rides including touring. It might be one of the best bikes out there for its price/capabilities.

Does anyone own one already? or perhaps has an opinion of the bike or its main competitors?

Any comments would be much appreciated

I seriously considered one of the OCR series before running across a Specialized Allez for a very good price. There are the usual knocks against using newer road bikes for commuting:

- not much clearance for using wider tires
- few, if any, full fender options
- lack of eyelets for mounting racks
- uncomfortable riding position for some
- not as durable
- rougher ride
- etc.

As you know the lack of eyelets doesn't apply to all road bikes and it sounds like you're satisfied with your options for fenders. The durability issue I think is overstated and the rougher ride depends a lot on the particular road bike and tire choice.

In other words, if you're happy with it, then that's all that matters.

all legit things to note. Thanks for the reply, Ill be sure to note everything

I ride an ocr3, essentially the same bike. I put a rack on the back for commuting. You're hosed for a front fender option unless you go with some ziptied raceblades. I find it a great bike for all around riding. I commute with mine, group rides, and have done a bunch of centuries. It's plenty fast, and if you really wanted to, it has the clearance for 28's (I used my wife's 700x28's when my wheels weren't road worthy).

Thanks nvr, with the ocr 3 is comes with the extra set of breaks for the tops correct? how do you find these? I may look into adding a pair depending on how the ocr2 feels on the road in traffic

What makes you say 'the OCR is fast'. Is that what the salesmen said.

harrison - the inline brakes came with mine, I hated them so I took them off. You can buy them from performancebike or nashbar...or you can have mine for $10 :) And get rid of that damn squeaky adjustable stem!

Any bike can be very fast, just depends who's spinning the pedals. It's gawd awful heavy for a road bike, but you'll only tell on the hills. Just lose the gut. I still want a new bike, but I've become attached to this one.

you took them off? intresting. they only cost about 40 plus instal but thanks!

Im coming from a mountian bike converted to the street, so even an entry level road bike like this is going to be super fast for me

compared to what I was/am riding a khs atlite 150 mountian bike converted to a commuter, an entry level road bike like the ocr is going to be fast as hell

If he doesn't want them, I do. :)

PM sent.....

I thought the same thing. I didn't really notice much of a difference in speed moving to a road bike. I think I may have saved five minutes on my 23 mile each way commute. The rougher ride from the skinny tires just wasn't worth it.

Now I'm back to my converted MTB (with an xtracycle attachment). I can't see a real reason to pull out the road bike again.

As long as your comfortable. My speed on the OCR grew increasingly slower as discomfort set in. After a steady diet of riding the OCR, my speed was ridiculously slower because of the body position and seat. That's one of the things that makes bike purchase difficult, you never know how well your body is going to adapt to one versus another.

I bought an OCR 2, and for riding on clean, well-kept pavement, it really rocks, but I can't bring myself to subject it to my commute.

The roads I have to ride to and from work are a nightmare of glass, metal debris, potholes and no shoulders, which pretty much necessitates a mountain or hybrid bike. There are times when I have to ride off the road in the grass, which is a huge no-go on my OCR, plus the amount of tire-slashing garbage on the road would have me fixing flats every day.

Of course, if you can make it work, and the road conditions allow, the OCR is a good, fast entry level bike that will get you from point A to point B.

intresting input everyone, looks like I will have to keep note of tire selection

Michelin pro2race for most of the year, and the only flat I got was a 3 inch nail that went through the tire, tube, and poked a hole in the rim. Pro3race on there now...I love these tires, but only have a little over 100mi on them. I hear the conti gp's are good too.

I personally bought the Giant FCR3 road hybrid. It gives a little wider clearance for tires than the OCR and enough eyelets for mounting racks wherever you may want one. Plus the cost difference was more than half, so.... Hope you enjoy your OCR, I enjoy mine.

I was thinking, it cant be any worse for a person who rides a fixed gear?

I have looked at the FCR series, I really really like what they have to offer, but what turned me onto the OCR is the fact that I will want to do some long distance rides/touring in the future. but those are awesome bikes, I think they are perfect for the price

I wouldn't want to commute every day on an aluminum frame road bike, but that just me. I caution all people picking up cycling again after many years not to jump in and buy a traditional "road racing" bike. I made this very mistake myself. It wasn't until I rode for a couple of years that I truly understood what I wanted in a bicycle.

Light and aggressive geometry bikes aren't necessarily the best bikes for commuting. Some people love them but I prefer a little more relaxed geometry with the seat height close to even or only slightly above the bars, and a little shorter top tube.

Many on this forum would suggest looking into the Jamis Aurora or Nova, Surly Cross-Check of LHT, and the Bianchi Volpe -- all of which are better "all-around" bikes near your price range than the OCR2

While this can be true and will vary, of course, from person to person, I find the my OCR very comfortable. I mostly ride in the drop position and an am in pretty good shape (M, 5'8", 155 lbs) and while I don't have any experience on traditional geometry road bikes, my OCR doesn't leave me wanting something different.

I have a 2007 OCR1 and beat the crap out of it commuting and getting around Seattle. I've replaced the stock tires with 28c Serfas Seccas which have a bit more width and at least some flat protection. I use the Planet Bike EZ Fenders (clip-ons), but generally only have the rear one on and don't bother with the front. Another person here on BF was able to mount full fenders on his OCR2 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=#post6153176), but I haven't yet explored that option as of yet. I used a rack and panniers for a while but didn't really dig the whole pannier thing and now use a really big, really expensive and comfy messenger bag. It's been a reliable, easy to work on, bicycle.

It is fast, and it is a fun bike to get around on. Certainly compared to a racing bike I'm guessing it's rather slow, but I really wouldn't want to have anything much more expensive as my main bicycle without doing the double U-lock or U-lock and Fahgettaboutit chain approach (I use a single Evo Mini and selectively add a cable when I feel appropriate).

Right now I commute on a road bike for most of the year and mountain bike with studded tires for the winter. I like the Volpe as an all-around bike and thought about getting one, but I do race in a couple of triathlons a year so my Specialized Allez is a better choice. If I could have only one bike, the Volpe might just be the one.

A lot of Aluminum bikes now have carbon forks, seat stays, and seat tubes for a ride that's closer to a steel bike. I'm not sure about the OCR but I think it at least has a carbon fork.

All the OCRs have carbon forks. I know the 2007 OCR3 doesn't have a carbon seatpost but my OCR1 does. I've never ridden a steel frame road bike, but the OCR1 doesn't seem to give me a rough ride.

If by "fenders" you mean the partial-coverage ones that don't go through the fork, then sure. But there's definitely no clearance between the seatstays/brakes and the tires for a real fender.

As to a rack, there are eyelets on the dropout, but no bosses on the frame. If you can rig it so the upper part of the rack attaches to the seatpost, you should be good.

For what it's worth, I'm going off of the 2003 version I have, so your mileage may vary.

See my above post regarding this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=#post6153176. I haven't tried this yet, but it looks like it can work. I'm still just using Planet Bike SpeedEZ (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7017.html) fenders which are much better than the blade things.

Again, not correct. I attached one of these, http://www.topeak.com/t8/products/ra...rerdiscmnt.php, to my OCR1 fine. I wanted the non-disc brake version, but that's what my LBS had at the time.

so after reading the comments in this thread it is apparent there I should focus on a few things

how the OCR will ride of rough/pothole filled streets
the clearance for fullfenders
clearance for assorted types of tires
carbon fork + seatpost = good for commuting? avaible?

I went to another bike shop than my usuall today, the sell Treks/specialized/and Kona
the Trek 1.2/1.5 is the direct competor to the OCR series, while cheaper the parts are lacking

I talked to the shop owner about commuting with a rodie/ we talked cyolocross for a little. While not ideal for long road touring, it is a matter of switching out tire combanations. and the major plus was the amazing amount of clearance for real Full fenders + assorted types of tires, not to mention racks.
The one bike I was looking at was the Kona Jake

basically I have a ton of more options to think about

I will be test driving the Giant OCR 2, Kona Jake, and the Trek 1.2. And perhaps others depending on how much search keeps unfolding. It just sucks that I have to wait, the weather up there (northeast) is pretty ugly this time of year.

thoughts>?