Can a Giant OCR 1 be used for loaded touring?
12-04-03, 09:17 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can a Giant OCR 1 be used for loaded touring?
I like this bike, the OCR 1, but it does not have touring bike geometry. It does have a triple chain ring. What would have to be done to make it a good tour bike.... Has anyone toured with a OCR 1?
Rob
Rob
12-04-03, 09:25 PM
#2
MaNiC!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 1,600
Bikes: 2004 Cervelo Soloist 105, 2005 Apollo Apex, 2006 SCOTT Speedster S30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfclan333
I like this bike, the OCR 1, but it does not have touring bike geometry. It does have a triple chain ring. What would have to be done to make it a good tour bike.... Has anyone toured with a OCR 1?
Rob
Rob
Brendon
12-04-03, 09:28 PM
#3
MaNiC!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Posts: 1,600
Bikes: 2004 Cervelo Soloist 105, 2005 Apollo Apex, 2006 SCOTT Speedster S30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by NZLcyclist
I wouldnt load it with paniers and such, the wheels wouldnt cope with the weight etc....but seeing how it has a triple yeah it may be good towing a trailer? I would get some aerobars as well that would give a more comfortable long distance ride. And get an aqua rack for extra bottle carrying.... I'll attatch a photo...I can carry 4 bottles on my bike and up to 3 in the jersey pockets! You could carry 7 bottles this way, and if you were wanting easy access to repair tools and food you cold get a handlebar bag.
Brendon
Brendon
12-05-03, 11:45 AM
#4
cycles per second
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,930
Bikes: Early 1980's Ishiwata 022 steel sport/touring, 1986 Vitus 979, 1988 DiamondBack Apex, 1997 Softride PowerWing 700, 2001 Trek OCLV 110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
48 Posts
Well, you don't *need* touring geometry to tour. I only tour about once every 4 or 5 years which does not justify buying a special purpose touring bike. So I tour on my sport/racing bike. All I do is put on a rack, change to wider tires, and put on a bigger cassette and I'm good to go.
The OCR 1 does not look like it has eyelets for a rack. You don't absolutely need them on the seat stays as you can use a brake mount rack, but IMO the bike needs them on the drop-outs. You can probably mount a rack with clamps if the bike does not have drop-out eyelets, but it won't be as secure.
The wheels of the OCR 1 may not be up to loaded touring. But that depends on how much you weigh and how much gear you bring. I would recommend getting a new pair of wheels.
The gearing of the OCR 1 may also not be sufficient for loaded touring. But that also depends on the terrain you plan to tour in. I believe the crank is 30/42/52 paired with a 13-26 cassette. That's not even 1:1 for the low gear. You can get a bigger cassette, but the rear derailer is limited to 27T or 28T so really you can't get much lower unless you also replace the rear derailer. But I think you could get by with the gearing as long as you don't tour in the mountains or really hilly areas.
The OCR 1 does not look like it has eyelets for a rack. You don't absolutely need them on the seat stays as you can use a brake mount rack, but IMO the bike needs them on the drop-outs. You can probably mount a rack with clamps if the bike does not have drop-out eyelets, but it won't be as secure.
The wheels of the OCR 1 may not be up to loaded touring. But that depends on how much you weigh and how much gear you bring. I would recommend getting a new pair of wheels.
The gearing of the OCR 1 may also not be sufficient for loaded touring. But that also depends on the terrain you plan to tour in. I believe the crank is 30/42/52 paired with a 13-26 cassette. That's not even 1:1 for the low gear. You can get a bigger cassette, but the rear derailer is limited to 27T or 28T so really you can't get much lower unless you also replace the rear derailer. But I think you could get by with the gearing as long as you don't tour in the mountains or really hilly areas.
12-05-03, 12:15 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
You cant fit rack and panniers , but a Bob trailer may work for a 2 week tour. The low-end Giants are not ultra-light, so you should have enough metal to withstand the stress of towing.Thats no guarentee though.
With a decent trailer, you dont need to load your frame up with extra bottles etc. Just fit a bar bag and maybe a large saddle bag, for day-trips.
However you carry your luggage, you still have to haul it, and you will probably need lower gears. Consider using a gearing system just for loaded touring, and switching back for normal use.
A mid-range MTB crank will shift your gear ratios down, and a wider cogset wil help. You may need a long rear mech. Mongrel road/MTB gearing is std practice for tourists.
With a decent trailer, you dont need to load your frame up with extra bottles etc. Just fit a bar bag and maybe a large saddle bag, for day-trips.
However you carry your luggage, you still have to haul it, and you will probably need lower gears. Consider using a gearing system just for loaded touring, and switching back for normal use.
A mid-range MTB crank will shift your gear ratios down, and a wider cogset wil help. You may need a long rear mech. Mongrel road/MTB gearing is std practice for tourists.
