Howdy... been off enjoying week one of the Tour on the telly. How about you? Been quite a first week, eh?
Did want to say I took a little time out this past weekend to buy the Z3. Took it out for 20 minutes which quickly turned into 45.
AFter that, there was no denyin'. This is a much different bike than the OCR C2. More later

Oh , fine choice. They look like a Sports Car just sitting there. Tell us about the Di-2.

When I got the TCR I had a chance of the OCR C1 at a better price but Decided that the more aggressive feel of the TCR suited me better. Think you will find the Z3 will be the same. But pointless talking about it--Where are the pics and have you made any modifications to it yet such as gearing?

Pics are coming soon. So far, I'm going with the 12-30 cassette that came with the bike. Certainly *way* more than adequate for the test ride and, so far, working well with my home roads. Still need to explore that more.

It does look quick standing still and, my, how it just glides on the road! Wish I could tell you more about the DI2 but mine is just the old mechanical Ultegra 6700 I know and love.

Common old Basic Ultegra works well enough and from what I can see on the TDF- Electronic gear changing seems to be causing problems.

I was beginning to struggle on some of our local hills using 50/34 and a 12/27 cassette. Got the Tiagra 12/30 and have that extra gear now that I rarely use but when I need it- I am thankful it is there.

And as you have found out- bikes and components have progressed in the last 5 years. Should give you a few more years before you need N+1 to stay with the fast boys in your local club.

Yep. I like a tight cassette and using the "garnny" ring exclusively for hill climbs. Sure, it's a little extra weight, but, come on. Not that much.

I liked my touring bikes 50-40-24t so much I got a Campag race triple set up with the same gearing.
on my RB1..

granny gear, about, half the teeth count of the big ring.

Got some extra 30t-74bcd Campag chainrings to sell off if any one is interested.. new take-offs.

That is OK, did you get the Compact or Road Cranks?

I just got a compact vintage looking Sugino 48/34 for my old steel Trek. My knees are getting too old to jump up these hills ALL the time. I'll put it on when I go through the bike this winter and see how I like it.

Not sure what "Road Cranks" are but I went with the stock 50/34 with 172.5mm cranks.

I'll be interested to hear how you like 'em since I won't be putting mine on until this winter. I've got close to the same with either 14/26 or 13/25 in the back on my two sets of wheels.

Welcome to the club then. I have a compact Crank set on my Tarmac and a Standard crank and chain ring on my Klein. Normally when they list Compact as an option it is to a Standard 52/53 X 39 front set. Some had 53x42 I believe but mine is a 39. So I was referring to what they call in some of the adds as a Standard Road Crank set with a Chain Ring of 52x39.

16 years of MTB's with 44/32/22 and 12/32 and I used it on the roads locally and the hills were hard. First road bike and 52/42/30 and 12/26 cassette and the hills were just as hard but quicker. Next bike and a compact 50/34 and 12/27 cassette and the hills were still hard but no harder than on the triple with 30/26. Now have a 12/30 cassette and although I "May" use the 30 occasionally- it is only occasionally and the hills are still hard. But that is what they are there for. Flat roads bore me.

I did have a 52/39 crank on the TCR at one point coupled to a 12/25 cassette but I was younger then and did find the hills too hard. So 22/32---30/26 or 34/27 and I found none of them any different. They all hurt on the hills but it does not matter what your lowest gear is for hills. You will use it at some point but you survive.

So my low will be 34/26 and I'll only be suffering longer, lol.....I guess we'll see. Not selling off my 50/39 setup but the Sugino I bought from YellowJersey sure is purdy.

34/50 with 12/30 Ultegra 6700 is the same setup I have on my Roubaix and it has served me very well for the last 2+ years. The only time I wished for a lower gear was going up Hogpen on 6 Gap last year, but I made it. Enjoy your new bike.

Thank you!

Had a very nice ride this evening, too. Came home taking my local "wall" - a 500 foot long climb up a 16% grade. Using my 39x24 was slow & no without effort... but doable. And I still had a (28t) gear to give in the back. Today, using my 34x24 had me attacking the hill. The change in pace was palpable. And I still had a 27t and a 30t to give.

Couple this with a fairly light (17lb) bike with a stiff and lively bottom braket and you can't help but have fun with it.
Compared to my Giant -which I loved- I feel like I'm riding nothing. This is going to be nice.

You have found the same as I have. Compact double on a light bike or Triple on a good bike and there is not much difference. The hills are just as hard but quicker on the compact. Now set the OCR up as a Mountain climbing bike with a 28t granny on the crank and an 11/34 cassette and you will still be riding the Felt.

Good to see the new bike works- or is it that you have improved with all the hills you have to climb?

Good point, Doug... however, the Giant will be going. Don't really need two carbon roadies.
However, I have thought about setting up my Jamis Triple ("steel is real") with a 12-30 (or lower) cassette... maybe a 28T to replace the 30T up front... and making that my mountain bike. Steel really does offer such a nice ride. Might also take the Brooks from the Giant and plop it down on the Jamis.... no way is it going on the Felt. Nuh-uh.

In about 20min I'm out the door to hit a strava course that leaves me wishing for a triple or compact double. With all the hills we have I'm tempted to set up a hill climber. The Trek 460 has a 52/40 and a 14/28 on the back. My granny gear is Jezebel.

Don't want a triple? Try this!

Nah. Gaps too large.

Yikes! Too much for me... though, I'm thinking of dropping my 30T to a 28T up front matched to a 12-20 or 12-32 in back, on my Jamis.
28X32? I'll be able to ride on the ceiling!

I would drop the 30t small chainring down to a 26 and match it to a 12-30. The 12-30 works with the mid-length GS rear derailleurs better than an 12-32. I had a 11-32 on my CX bike but switched for a 12-30 and I find it to be a better combination;

Oh for pete sake. I was just about to go for a ride then I read that part about a 16% grade. Now I'm all tired out from reading that. Exhausted. 16% is crazy. 12% is crazy steep. Once I did a climb with 18% at the end and I nearly died. I gotta go lie down and rest....

This.^^