$450 for a 2001 OCR 2?
 

I'm looking for a used entry-level road bike. I ran across a 2001 Giant OCR 2 locally. The seller wants $450. It's in good shape, but the price seems a bit steep for a nearly 8 year old bike with Sora components.

What does the BF crowd think?

That's to much. Unless it was unridden NOS. New they are in the $800 range.

Get a look at it, f it's in great shape, with good tires etc. $300. Otherwise pass.

Pretty much yeah. When you can get a new Tiagra bike for 500-600.

Thanks guys. I've been commuting for a couple of weeks now, and have gotten to the point where I feel like I need to go faster, and my old beater just isn't going to cut it. It's a 1992(!) Specialized HardRock with crap 200GS components, and with hubs, freewheel, and chainrings that all saw a lot of XC racing way back when I was a junior. The rear wheel is hard to keep true.

Overall, at this point I feel like I would be better served just buying a newer bike than putting any sort of money into the old one.

Any suggestions? I would like to keep it under $400.

OCR 2's had Sora back then? What did the 3's have?

I picked up a 2005 Entry level Allez late last fall for $350. They probably could have gotten $450 during the summer if they were patient. It has a carbon fork and seat stays which the older OCR may not have so it's not a direct comparison. On the other hand the OCR 2 is the middle bike in the OCR series and may have better components, that's why I'm kind of surprised it came with Sora.

I wouldn't go for a new road bike for under $400. BikesDirect has a few in the $400-$500 range but those are 2203/Sora level bikes.

BD has a few bikes in the $400 range:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

But they scream to be put out of their misery.

If you can bump it up to about $500-600 depending on your size, get the bike I have:
http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Horse-Tri...741039&sr=8-12

Definitely agree about not getting a NEW road bike in that price range, which is why I'm trying to hunt around for a good deal on a (gently) used 6-7 year old bike with (relatively) new, and decent components. I'm not good enough to need a new bike, and I figure if I get a decent frame, I can upgrade components as my skill level increases, and eventually transfer them over to a newer, better frame if need be.

For $400-$500, you can find a gently used 1-3 year old bike. A bike drops in value pretty quickly.

If you can't find any, I can personally vouch for the amazon iron horse... for entry level it's an excellent price.

Wow...I surely haven't seen any $400-500 1-3 year old bikes in my searches. I suppose it might be better to wait until the winter and see what bargains pop up.

Waaaaaaay too much. I bought a 2003 OCR2 at like-new condition for $400, and this was a couple of years ago (thus, a 3 year old bike then). And that was with clipless shoes thrown in, and I didn't haggle.

For a 2001, I'm thinking $250 if it's in very good shape. If the "nova" in your username means "Northern Virginia", you can definitely get a better deal locally.

I just got a Redline Conquest Sport (07) from my LBS for $400 - MSRP $700. They also had a Cannondale synapse 4 for $750 marked from $950, but I didn't think same parts justified double the price.
In all the Redline was a fantastic bike that I got at a great price, new.

Yeah, that's what "nova" implies.

Besides Craigslist, what other avenues might I explore for a good deal on a bike?

I haven't seen squat at any of the LBS's around here.

I got mine off Craigslist. I'd just look for a while; there may not be a good deal on there at any given time, but over a few days or a week there should be. I took a quick look on there today and admittedly it looked a little weak, but it varies. You have to get good at scanning, because admittedly 90% of the posts on there are either crappy Walmart bikes, junky older bikes for cheap, or junky older bikes that the owner thinks are "vintage" and obscenely overpriced. But if you're willing to be patient and trudge through the crap, you can get a good deal.

There's also a pretty well reputed guy who runs Bulldog Bike Restoration in Arlington who picks up older bikes, gives them some love, and resells them at very fair prices.

What kind of bike are you after?

You are going to do much better with a gently used bike in that price range than going new.

Take your time with CL and eBay. I don't know how to explain it, It's a zen thing, after a few close calls the right bike will show up. You will be ready, and it'll all work out.

In the meantime ride a lot, and get to know what you really are looking for in a good commuter.

I'm after a fairly modern entry-level road bike without spending a fortune. Ideally, it would have an aluminum frame, brifters, and a triple crank. I have no need to add racks or any other gear aside from a small saddle bag that I already have.

My commute is entirely over paved multi-use trails and roads, and as such, I would like to find a bike that will get me back and forth to work, as well as let me do some longer distance training on the weekends.

I'm currently on my 17-year-old beater MTB that I updated with slicks, and it just isn't cutting it. I want something a little more sporty without breaking the bank.

I will definitely keep the beater to ride in less-than-ideal conditions and for the odd trail ride.

I should add:

For those familiar with the DC area, my commute is via the Custis Trail/Mt. Vernon trail to Capitol Hill...around 9 miles each way.

Another part of the impetus behind my road-bike search is that my beater has seen better days. The frame is solid, but without a new wheelset, cassette, chain, and probably crankset, it's not going to hold out much longer under 80 mile per week riding.

To much...
Sora? I didn't think the OCR2's had Sora in 2001. I got a new one in 2007 which had Tiagra/105. for $800.

From what Bikepedia tells me, the OCR 2 and 3 both had Sora, but the OCR 3 didn't use Sora brakes. The OCR 1 used 105/Tiagra.


And I should also correct myself at this point. I was looking at two different ads. The $350 bike is an OCR 3. There is an OCR 2 available for $450. Both 2001 models.

My thought at this point is to offer $250 or $275 for the OCR 3, and pick up a set of 105, Tiagra or Ultegra brifters from ebay to improve shifting and be able to shift from the drops. Is going from Sora to a higher-level brifter a straight swap?

The upshot to the OCR 3 is that the seller is including a set of clipless pedals with the bike, and I've spoken to the seller and they have informed me that the bike has about 600 miles on it.

The OCR 2's asking price seems to be just astronomical for a bike that retailed for <$800 brand new. The seller says it was a gift and that it's been ridden twice, probably less than 50 miles on the bike. I might offer him $300 and see if he laughs me off the stage. If not, and the bike is really in that great of shape, it might be a decent bargain.

Thoughts?

Price seems high to me, but a check of ebay seems to show these bikes holding their value.

If you're wanting something other than Sora, I'd look for a bike that already has it. Yes, you can swap the shifters as long as you stay with the same number of speeds (9-speed?). Changing to 10-speed would incur additional costs.

M'eh. The price point difference between Sora and higher-level components tends to put it out of my price range, but I could get the Sora-equipped bike for a price that won't wreck my bank account, and gradually upgrade components as my skill and wallet grow.

Is this generally a bad idea?