RoboCheme

I'm 55 years old (5’9”, 160 lbs) and I'm thinking of getting back into road cycling since my son has sparked my interest by joining his college racing team. He bought an '04 Fuji Professional (great deal - $1800 new with 180$ worth of store coupons) so I have to keep up. I'll be upgrading from my 21 year old steel Centurion (23 lbs), so I hope the technology has improved. I run now, but cycling is probably better on the ol' knees. I doubt that I'll ever race, but a biathalon sounds intriguing.

Based on what I've read, carbon and compact geometry help to give the smoothest ride and the geometry provides a more upright position, which is probably easier on the back. All true? That's why I'm gravitating toward the Giant OCR Composite 2 (carbon with Ultegra's, $2050 list). Any other suggestions in the $2000-2300 price range?

I also like the Bianchi 928 Carbon/Veloce and the Cannondale R1000 (Al/carbon). Are the Campy Veloce’s roughly equivalent to Ultegra’s?

zacster

The Giant is a good choice for the money. I test rode the TCR comp 3, with 105 and was very impressed. I ended up buying something else (Kuota), but you'll be pleased with it.

biker7

Hi RoboCheme,
I too am at the half century mark so can relate. Still run 'eh?...hehehe....you will like cycling better. To answer your question for $2K+ there isn't a bad apple in the barrel. You can purchase a nice steel or aluminum bike with good component group for $1.5K and for just over $2K can purchase a nice carbon bike. Its all personal preference really. I prefer steel as many others on the forum but the virtues of a carbon bike are hard to deny if you want to spend the money.
Best of Luck and let us know what you get.
Cheers,
George

jjmolyet

I recently purchased and OCR Composite 3, I really like it and I find it very comfy! I believe the frames(composite 2-3) are identical other than the color(blue/orange). If you can find the OCR Composite frame and you think it is right for you, grab it. I have not found it in a bike store since I purchased mine. When I tell salesmen what I ride they almost don't believe me, they all say "are you sure it is the COMPOSITE". I have heard the same story from several bike stores, these bikes are really hard to find. A salesman told me he might get one in July if he is lucky. I am not sure where you are from, but in Ohio they are rare. Happy hunting and enjoy riding with your son, love that father/son bonding time.

pearcem

check out the specialized roubaix and the trek pilot series. both are compsite, and both are geared for a performance comfort position that keep you a little more upright. they also have some interesting comfort features that really help to damp vibrations. Both offer models in your price range, and both are compact geometry, i think. if you're sold on carbon, good for you. everyone i know that rides carbon loves it, but you may want to test ride steel, too. i went from aluminum to steel and i love it. I have a carbon fork and seatpost, which help to damp the high frequency vibration, and the steel helps to suck up the bigger bumps. no matter what bike you get, make sure to get a good fit. you may even be better off spending a little less on the bike and spending some cash on a prefessional fit, but it is up to you. your shop's fit job should be pretty good for most people. Oh, and about the veloce/ ultegra. the new ten speed ultegra is supposedly between cenataur and chorus, while the 9 speed ultegra is between veloce and cenataur. I have 9 speed ultegra and love it. for someone like you (a mostly recreationaly rider, maybe some duathlons, etc. . . ) either one should be perfect for the job. The new tens speed ultegra stuff is supposed to be really great, but i have not ridden it. good luck

RoboCheme

Thanks for the input. The father/son bonding thing is a bit overrated since we may take off together, but then he's gone and we meet for lunch somewhere where I buy.

I'm curious about the recommendations on steel. I'm riding steel now (albeit 21 years old) and it weighs a ton. Have they changed the metallurgy and design enough so that the weight is comparable to Al and/or carbon?

ShinyBaldy

you'll be hardpressed to find another bicycle company offering the components with a quality frame like that one... but the Specialized comes to mind as mentioned above.... as well as the Pilot.

biker7

yes...the metalurgy has evolved but only the real high price steel bikes will be weight competitive and at the end of the day carbon wins the weight contest. I personally think weight is overrated as you have to live with the ride every minute you are on the bike. Since you aren't a real heavy guy, you may like a nice steel bike...I sure do. My new Bianchi Veloce with 631 Reynolds frame weighs about 20#. If you have $2500 to spend, I would go carbon personally since you want to keep up with the kid
Good Luck,
George

Cycleman1958

The first thing is fit. Ride all these bikes the posters talk about and then you will know. I spent a summer riding them all and kept coming back to Giant OCR1 small compact frame for fit, but the price and componentry was just right. I am somewhere over 2000 miles on this bike including a few centuries and have never been happier. This model only has a carbon fork, the rest is aluminum. Still, no problems. You will want to upgrade the tires right away however. 4 flats in the first 400 miles was too much.

RoboCheme

Well, I just wanted to close the loop; I decided to go with the Giant OCR Composite 2.

All the bikes I tried were in the $2000-$2200 range. I first tried the OCR. It was fine, although I was in street clothes. I then test rode the Bianchi 928 Carbon Veloce and that convinced me that the compact frame was the way to go since I could really tell that there was much more of a forward lean with the conventional geometry.
Then, I tried the Specialized Roubaix Elite. It was OK, but I wasn't impressed with the 105/Ultegra 9 componentry (I didn't want to buy componentry that's being phased out.)
Then I rode a Trek Pilot 5.0. Again, this was OK. (This is probably heresy, but the rides all seemed the same and fine with me.), but this was a strange combination of 105's and a Dura Ace rear derailleur 9. Again, the discontinued product thing.
The last bike I tried was the Klein Rive X. Again, the ride was fine (talk about your easy to please consumer), but I didn't like how the Veloce front derailleur operated. It either didn't change gears or, once in awhile, would skip two.
So, I went back to the Giant and tried it again with shorts. It felt fine (I know, a broken record). So the bottom line is that I'm going with it because it seems like a good value: carbon frame with all Ultegra 10 componentry, decent wheelset.

I put down a deposit and I can't wait.

velocipedio

the truth is that, if you're relatively new to road cycling, you'll be hard pressed to tell much difference between comparable bike models. even for experienced riders, it can be difficult until you ride something that's just not right for you. in fact, it's easier to sense a poor choice than a good choice.

having said that, and for future reference, the compact geometry does not provide a more upright position, the higher headtube or stem rise does, though compact frames are sometimes convenient for allowing higher headtubes with less standover.

roadwarrior

The OCR composite is a bit taller in the front and they beefed up the headtube/downtube area versus the TCR racing frame...and the OCR has a longer wheelbase which also helps with comfort.
Giant's got a real niche here in the mid-pack price (around $1500-1600) range. OCR3 is about $1,600 with 105...