So after being around here for a while I realize I should test EVERY bike that I am looking at, however I am in a predicament where that might not be possible. I'm not in my home town right now and there's a LBS that has a 2008 Giant OCR A1 for $1000. I don't know a lot about Giants because they didn't have any bikes that I was going to look at when I got home in my price range. Anyway down to the details. I'm 5'6 and this bike is a 54. I had tried a Trek 52 before and I thought that was a good size and I was staying away from the 54s. However, this LBS was great and swapped out the stem on this for a shorter one and when I did a test ride it felt great! The bike I have now is a Fuji Palisade from the 80s and so basically any bike I get will feel a lot different. My my budget was $1400 max and when I got back home I was going to look at BFs favorite a caad9 5, along with a specialized allez sport and a jamis ventura sport. I was also wanting a bike rack and since I'm not in town I'll be forced to buy one, which is kinda awesome but I would have to hold off on that if I were to buy any of the above since they are more expensive. So the questions... are the other bikes, mostly the caad9 5, worth holding off on and waiting to test ride until I get back? I will be leaving on Thursday so don't have a lot of time to decide. Is $1000 for this bike even much of a steal? Also I just thought of this, I've got a long way to go, over 1200 miles and the roads probably won't always be great. If I decide to buy this will dust, rain and the elements affect the bike in any way? That last one might be a stupid and obvious question but this bike is looking really good and I wasn't planning on buying one while I'm away.

I am also looking into racing next spring if that makes any difference.

Thanks,

Adam

Unfortunately I am fairly new to cycling and I haven't ridden a caad9 so I can't offer much advice there but I can tell you that I bought that same exact bike in a small for about the same price last year. I personally love my Giant OCR A1 and feel it rode smoother than the other bikes that I tested in that price range. I haven't had any problems with it so far with over 500 miles on it and I absolutely love to ride it. As far as racing I would say this bike might not be exactly what you are looking for as it feels like it has a bit more of an upright ride position compared to other bikes I see but that could be partially due the frame size I have. Hope this helps you with your decision.

My friend has that bike, the 2008 OCR A1. It is what persuaded me to get the Defy Advanced 3. For $1000, that seems like a fairly decent deal.

Is the bike new/used, and if used how many miles? Is it the full 105 component package?

The bike is new and has full 105 components.

Pretty decent. I got my bike for 1700 plus tax.

Seems like a good deal for $1000. I have a 2008 OCR A0 that I got last year at an end of season sale for $1450. Same frame but better wheels and components. It's a very smooth riding bike. The carbon top half, forks, and seat stays do a nice job with road buzz, but it wouldn't be a bike I'd consider for racing. It does have an upright riding position by design, and it's a pretty heavy bike. Consider the CAAD if you are serious about racing.

Anyone else? I'd like to get as many opinions as possible,

I got my 2008 OCR A1 on end-of-season sale last season for like $1200. It's a very nice bike for the money, IMHO, but it's not really a race bike. It's Giant's relaxed-geometry line, and I've ridden with people on TCRs that are definitely in a more aggressive position than I can achieve. That said, I'm not planning on racing, so it doesn't bother me. I've swapped out the pedals (the SPDs weren't cutting it) and the saddle, but other than that, I've got 1000 miles or so on mine and like it.

For $1000, I'd say go for it if you weren't planning on racing. But you said you are, so I'd have to recommend looking to something else.

Synopsis...

The bike seems big. I'm the same size and I take a Giant TCR "small" which I believe is about a 52.