Differences in Giant TCR versus OCR?
 

I'm told the TCR is more of a traditional geometry and the OCR is more relaxed. I have found a great deal on a2006 TCR C2 but am afraid that it will be less comfortable on longer rides than the more "relaxed" OCR C2. Will I really tell a difference? How do you guys with the TCRs feel about long distances on your TCR. Also have you ridden an OCR? I rode both bikes yesterday and found little difference in the way they felt.
Comments please

You are right that the TCR is supposed to have a more race oriented design but like you, I didn't feel any difference between my OCR Composite and the TCR Composite except that with 25mm tires on my OCR and 23 on the TCR, my OCR felt like it soaked up the bumps a little better. I really like my OCR 3 Comp.

I have the FCR that I have converted for all intents and purposes into an OCR.

This image is crude, but you should get the basic idea. I'm sure you could get an OCR to fit pretty close to a TCR.

http://www.zaftig.net/images/OCR-1.gif

I just had a quick look at the geometry specs between the bikes because I'm alway's curious as to what they are building these days and there's not much difference in them geometry wise.

Only 2 things are consistently different. The OCR's have a longer chainstay by 11 mm across the board and the OCR's have a taller head tube by 15-20 mm.

The head tube angle is mostly half a degree steeper but not in every case and the seat tube angle differences was rather peculiar. Often the TCR had the more RELAXED seat tube angle by half a degree but I think the OCR was steeper as a dodgy way to make its top tube length look shorter.

What does this mean to you? Well it depends on what you can feel to be honest. If the handlebars aren't too low on the TCR then that's the most important comfort factor straight up. If you feel you wan't the handlebars higher than you can get them on the TCR then maybe the OCR is better. The OCR with its consistently longer chainstays will be a tad more comfortable on long rides and the steering is a little sharper on the TCR's.

Back when I was comparing the aluminium OCR's with TCR's the TCR's were just made a little better. The TCR's were much stiffer than the OCR's than the specification differernces would explain. A few corners were cut with the OCR's to keep costs down but I don't know whether that's the same with carbon frames as well.

Regards, Anthony

I own a TCR Team Advanced,and I've rented an OCR. As set forth above, biggest difference will be fit. The OCR will tend to set up with less drop from the seat to the handlebars. If you can get the TCR set up with the righamount of drop for you, I don't think you'll notice much if any comfort difference. The TCR will be a tad stiffer, but any diference in the ride is proably not as great as the diference between 23mm and 25mm tires.

trc - double

ocr - triple

If you are comparing composite bikes there tube shapes are quite a bit different. The OCR has wide tubes that are kind of "flattish" on the vertical plane. This is supposed to give the frame a smother ride with more vertical compliance. The TCR has large round tubes for stiffness and power transfer.

I went from an OCR to a TCR comp and I'm actually more comfortable on the TCR. It could be a better fit, better saddle, the dampening of the carbon or something else, but that's my experience. YMMV

Some decisions are tough. Both bikes are priced similarly, and both a going to be great bikes. It all comes down to fit and feel. When I rode these bikes, it is hard to say. I have ridden two identical bikes, but set up slightly different, which made a bigger difference in ride feel than an entirely different bike. It is difficult to discern the difference when ridding a quick spin around a bike store parking lot.

Thanks for all the replies,
I think I'm getting a little closer

I have never ridden the OCR, but I have placed all of the mileage shown below on a TCR C2, including my last long ride of 140+ miles shown here:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Essex-20070127

Oh, and btw, the Tufo tires that I ride are 21 mm @ 95 psi.

I have an OCR, never rode a TCR. I almost got the TCR instead last year, as they were the same price. But in my area there are times I really appreciate the bailout gear of the OCR's triple. Especially since I am not in as good of shape as NoRacer.

-D

Yet to be determined, -D. ;)

I have decided to pull the trigger on the OCR C2 - Only because I am worried that my back (which has a fused L4-L5) could give me some potential issues with the more aggresive geometry.
I want to thank all of you guys that have replied, and I truly think that both bikes are pretty awesome for the money. I was able to get either the OCR C2 or the TCR C2 price down to $1600 here locally.

Thanks again

I think the OCR was a good choice for you. I have a 2006 Giant OCR Composite Limited model and have been very pleased with it. Like you, I also have a fused L-4-L5 and wanted something a little more upright and with a little more relaxed geometry. I tried riding the TCR and it was slightly uncomfortable for me. Have fun with your new bike!

Just curious, which shop are you looking at down there? The only Giant dealer I know offhand near Severn is Bike Doctor.

-D

Oh gee let's see. yuo have already done more in mileage in 2007 than I did last year.

That being said, I have a riding buddy with a TCR. He is in better shape than I am. I am usually just trying to keep up. But on the steep hills around here I can get past him. While he is mashing up and tacking back and forth I buzz past at 80RPM in the granny gear. He usually yells at me.

-D

Bike Doctor in Arnold
Family Bike Center in Crofton
Bike Doctor in Crofton/Gambrills does not carry Giant that I know of.


I went to the Giant Website and pulled down a huge list of Giant Dealers in Maryland
I have been shopping and researching for a while and boiled it down to these two bikes in carbon. I rode some Treks and Cannondales, but couldn't get into carbon for the money I had to spend.

I like the Family Bike Center in Crofton, Nice people there. It's close to home for me.

I rode both to test them and like Damage24 - I found that TCR slightly more comfortable. Now that I've put a few thousand miles on my TCR Comp 2, I'd like to ride an OCR for comparison, but damn, I love my TCR.

In the end it's all about comfort and fit and that's all very personal. I rode the TCR and the OCR and ended up with the OCR. All measurements aside....it just felt better.

I went with the TCR C2, and I've had two surgeries at L5 S1. My first road bike was a Trek 1500, now there's a hugh difference in geometry. I've got a few hundred miles on the TCR since late last year, and I love it. Either way, you can't go wrong. $1600 is a great price.

like others have said you need to ride each to determine which fit works for you. that being said, i picked up my 06 TCR C2 in August. I did three centuries on it with no issues. I only have 1300 or so miles on it so far but comfort wise on those longer rides it was perfect for me. well, i dont care for the seat, but again that is a personal choice/issue. later.

Yeah. I didn't like the Alliante Sport either and went with a Selle Italia SLR. After breaking the nose off of that saddle (after losing the SLR's cover and then peeling off the remaining EVA padding), I switched back to the Fizik and it felt ok. I guess my butt became desensitized by the SLR.

I have a '05 OCR2 and a '06 TCR c3. I love the TCR! I haven't had a problem with the fit and climbing on the compact double has actually made me better.

I did something very stupid on my first ride, I took it out for 62 miles and cramped like crazy. I had a couple of tweaks I had to make but afterwards I was fine.

You'll enjoy both!

Just ride!

or all of those years at Oz.

http://sword.borderline-angel.com/Sh...OZ/cast012.jpg