Giant Ocr3 Composite
 

Chance to purchase a GIANT OCR3 COMPOSITE 2007 new retail $1,600.00 for $1,090.00 -still new just did not sell at this remote retail store. This is the composite OCR3- not the regular OCR3 which is a lot less.

Looking for feedback on OCR3 COMPOSITE in general and specifically the XERO XSR-3 RIMS - variable reviews.
And feedback on the TEKTRO R730 Long Reach brake calipers. I do not think these could be changed out since they are Long Reach - might that be a big deal?

The shop is 3.5 hours away so I do not want to make an uniformed decision.

Thanks in advance to all responders.

I got a 2006 OCR C1 in Dec at a similar discount, so your 2007 looks like a great price. The OCR C3 has the same frame as mine. I'm really happy with it, although I still need to get the fit dialed in. The geometry took some time to get adjusted to, but the way that CF frame absorbs road shock and vibration was an immediate plus. And in general, it does everything a little (in some cases a lot!) better than my steel road bike: shifting, braking, handling. It inspires confidence. Bicycling gives this frame a big thumbs up! And they give Giant a lot of points for providing the high end frame starting at the C3 price point. For example, you get the same frame as the Dura-Ace equipped $4K+ OCR C0. This is not the case with Specialized, which was the main competition for what I was after.

Btw, check out the "most undervalued bike company" thread to see what people have to say about Giant CF frames.

My fiancé rides one and she loves it!

Have an 06. Love it. I am not an experienced enough rider to comment on wheel sets, but with a good fitting, and changing the seat, I have ridden for over 5 hours (Metric century, slow metric century) without a complaint about the bike. I can complain about the rider, as this part of the equation needs much improvement. Is the 07 a triple or a compact?

*edit*
MSRP is $1850, $1100 is a screaming good deal.

INDYV8a,

Thanks for reply. I saw this bike last spring 07 and I think it was compact, not triple. I finally decided to on a new one this year as I did not buy one last year. Come to think of it this might be an 06 instead of 07.
I called today just to see if they might still have it and and they do - 2 in fact. I told them I call back if I want to pursue it. the shop is about 3.5 hours from me so I want to be sure first.

Thanks sunburst,

That is info I can use. This might even be an '06. They were wanting to sell it in spring 07 and I was not ready. I called today and they still have 2 left. Both @ the reduced price. Do you have the long reach brake calipers - TEKTRO R730? Sounds like you like them. You've had no problems with the wheels?

I had the XSR-3 wheels and put a couple thousand miles on them. They are brick-heavy weighing in at 2114g WITHOUT skewers. While aesthetically pleasing, the problem is that they are nearly impossible to true due to their widely spaced paired-spoke design. I had one keep going out of true on me, so I eventually upgraded from them.

That said, you are getting a pretty good deal on a carbon frame 105 component bike. Ride the wheels until they start giving you problems then upgrade the wheelset. Of everything on that bike, the wheels are going to be the first thing you will want to upgrade on (or at least the most cost effective dollar-per-gram).

Regardless of how great of a deal it is and how much everyone else loves it, you have to realize that you still have to go test ride it before you buy it or all your money might be a waste. I'm not saying you won't like it, and the price is sweet for sure, but you should still test ride it to make sure everything works out and they can fit you to it.

Good luck. Looks like you're in for a nice bike!

The only let down on this bike for the price is the wheels. Heavy and for me- they do not ride well. Not bad and they are better than the Formula hubs and Alex rims on some of some of the lower models.

The brakes are not a problem on efficiency and "Can" be changed for something better later- if required. Wheels though- look on them as something to be upgraded and then they can be used as foul weather wheels.

The OCR Carbon is the same frame throughout the range and rides well. Good bike for a good price.

Saying that the wheels are not good- They are not that bad- just not as good as I would like them but that goes for a lot of wheels. And My OM wheels are back on the OCR as that is the foul weather bike now.

Interesting timing on our respective purchases. I also saw and test rode mine in the spring/summer of '07 but wasn't ready to buy. Also, the compact geometry, with its more upright position seemed too odd to me. Then I saw it on sale again in Dec. I test rode it one more time and again thought the position too odd for a road bike. Then one day I was riding a mt. bike that I converted for the street (no shocks, bald tires) and realized that I loved this position on the mt. bike, so I gave the Giant another chance. One thing that helped me was taking the saddle off my road bike (which felt perfect!) and putting in on the Giant for one last test ride. Then I bought it.

So anyway, the OCR C1 has different brakes and wheels than yours, so I can't comment. I got an incredible deal on an Ultegra-equipped bike for my son that will probably see a wheel upgrade, if he continues to ride and really gets into it. So for the price you're getting, I'd go for it, and upgrade later if your enthusiasm/abilities/pocketbook warrants it.

Btw, the wheels on my old Trek can in no way compare to the ones on the C1. In fact, Mavic lists the Ksyriums for more than the list price of my Trek in 1987!
However, the Trek still feels great to me, and I don't detect any deficiencies in the wheels. Maybe I'm not a good enough rider to appreciate the difference. You may not be either ... yet.

I have the 2005 Composite Limited and absolutely love it. Best road bike I've ever owned. It's comfy, fast, beefy (look at that head tube juncture) and stable.

I sold the default wheels back to my LBS, and got some hand-built Dura-Achee / Deep V's. So, I can't comment on the wheels other than saying that's a highly recommended upgrade. Ask the LBS, maybe they'll work with you.

The Tektro brakes are fine. I was told the Shimano R600's are better - so I have a set of those coming in the mail, and if you want, I'll let you know how they are.

I test road a '07 OCR A1 (red and silver in color)which is the composite frame with 105 and the Tektro long reach brakes and Xero wheels. It too was a leftover. The bike felt fine, and the LBS worked with me to get a decent fit by swapping the stem and saddle position. They had a good deal on it, but on the test ride the Xero front wheel would rub the front brake pad while turning, or shifting my weight. So I talked to them about it and they said they could tighten up the spokes. I didn't think that would help, and passed on the deal.
For the price the frame is nice, but like other said, get new rims. I didn't purchase this bike because of the wheels.
3.5hrs is a pretty far ride for a deal.

I have a 2005 and have been happy with them. I am going to treat myself to a new wheelset this season. Although the stock Xero wheels are still holding up.

-D

Its a great frame and great value, especially at the price you are getting it .

Hey Schnee,

If you think about it I'd like to know if you are able to notice much difference with the shimano vs tektro calipers.

Just my .02 on this topic. I bought a lightly used 2005 OCRC3 last spring and promptly put almost 3000 miles on it since the beginning of May. Granted, it's my first road bike, but I did test ride a small number of other frames before finding this on Craigslist. I paid $900 and thought it was a pretty good deal. I've left the drivetrain alone, but have upgraded, seatpost, seat, handlebars, and put some look pedals on. This year is probably going to see an upgrade in wheels. I'm excited to see what the bike will do with different wheels.

Rick

You can upgrade stuff if you want. Maybe the LBS will do the upgrade when you buy the bike and swap out components if you'd like or just wait till you have the cash and buy when someone's upgrading. The Giant is a good bike if it fits you. Ride one before driving 3.5 hours. Make sure the LBS is selling you what you think s/he is selling you.

He upgraded his rims (and braking surfaces, strength of rim) immediately. There's a chance. If he upgraded his calipers, I'm guessing new/different brake pads came with them so that's another change. Hard to tell which upgrade caused the greatest change.

Remember - brakes aren't for stopping - they're for slowing down. :D

You've now motivated me to be all scientific and use the old pads on the new brakes.

I'll owe my mechanic some more beer, that's for sure. :D