Hi, I am new here. I am going to start doing tri's in 2007. I have run 2 marathons, and countless 1/2 marathons, and many many races I have always been an avid biker, and just decided this year that I think I'll start doing tri's in 2007.:p

So given the fact that the only bike I own is a mountain bike, I have a need (obviously!!) to go buy a road bike.

Went to a local bike shop today and a nice gentleman spent an amazing amount of time with me explaining the bikes, sizes, etc. He put me on a Giant CR1, adjusted the seat (multiple times, poor guy), and off I went. He and I rode some blocks, and it was such a great feeling!!, what a ride, I loved the bike.

I told him I would come back next Saturday and test ride the TREK 1500... but just wanted to see what you all say about the Giant. It sure was a beautiful ride. :D

Is it worth the $1,100?, and if you would go with a different model for a beginner tri person, and if so, which model would you recommend and why?

Thanks for the help. I know sometime us newbies can be a little annoying, but we all start out as newbies at some point... so your patience and time is well appreciated!

Any advice is welcome

(p.s.. posted this in the beginner's forum first, but thought I might get more bites here :) )

Try That Site, It May Be More Helpful.

I had Giant OCR1 and think it was a great bike. I also think it is a great value for the money and the salesperson you were dealing with sounds like a good guy. Good luck and have fun.

i second the OCR1...i dont own one but my good friend and training partner has one solely as his training bike. He's done, i believe, five ironmans and won his age group once as well.

he moved up to a carbon Giant but refuses to get rid of his OCR, its got something like 20k miles on the frame and he still beats it up daily.

Get a TCR if you intend to use your bike 'in anger'. It has a more racey geom than the slacker OCR which is more of a comfort bike really.

TCR = faster, cooler, lighter

OCR = Old mans/tourers bike or for people with dodgy backs/ sit up and beg type

My 2 pence :)

A bit of a blunt take from the rydster, but I agree. If you're athletic, have good flexibility and plan on racing a bit, get a racier bike. Check out the Felts in your price range-always a great value and a racier geometry. OTOH, if after trying a couple racier bikes you prefer the OCR, forget all this analyzing and ride the bike you like the most, it'll work fine.

The OCR1 is as much bang for the buck as there is around the $1000 price point and in terms of "geometry" it really doesn't matter whether you are on OCR or a TCR ... get the saddle and the bars where you want 'em. The OCR has a slightly longer head tube is all. Seat tube angle is the same, head tube angle only .5 different, and slightly shorter chainstays on the TCR. I doubt you'd feel the difference blindfolded.

Lots of serious roadies riding OCRs, so that's fine. The bigger issue is whether you think you'll be serious enough that you'll want something tri specific, which is neither the OCR nor TCR.

wow, thanks everyone... great responses, this is exacty what I need.

Interesting that someone mentioned the "upright" position with the OCR1, because I did feel that a bit yesterday. From my old road days (with the schwinn 10 speeds), I always felt more parallel with the cross bar and stretched out. Maybe it is a matter of tweaking the seat and handlebars more, I'll see. I will go test ride the TCR as well, just to see if I do feel a difference.

I don't plan on biking a bike until around first of 2007 (present to myself with my income tax refund, he he), so I've gots lots of time and research...

... but thanks, keep the replies coming, this is great information :)

Your bar height remedy could be as easy as removing a spacer or flipping the stem. Or it may be that you flat out don't want a bike with a longer head tube, which is fine, but I see plenty of folks get "racy" framesets and then add 2-3 cm spacers. Bar height is a combination of factors of which head tube length is but one.

I did a Tri in 2004 with my TCR2 and the thing was great, no problems.

Fast, comfy, good looking - what more do you want? Heh.

The OCRs are a nice deal for sure - you get a lot of bike with the Giants.

In my case, I ended up getting an entire 105 grouppo whereas a lot of
the manufacturers give you part of one.

Next time I would not hesitate to get a more expensive Giant.

I love my Giant TCRc1...great bike.

if when you do make the purchase they offer a 20% discount on accessories, try and get some synace clip on aerobars, especially if you are into tri. at least try some out.