Ok thanks for the advice in my other thread (help a newbie). I visited a couple LBS and other than the shop where the guy totally ignored me I got sme good service. The one shop didn't really have anything in my price range but gave me the number of a guy that works there who fixes up bikes and sells them on the side. The other shop was very helpful and explained a lot to me. They showed me a Giant OCR3 which I read up about and it seems like a really good bike for a total newbie just getting into the sport, the price tag was about $800 CAD, what do you guys think?

The only thing that I would caution you on is the Sora drivetrain. It is OK but unless something has changed for 2007 that bike has Sora 8 speed. Shimano makes some OK stuff but I've never been a fan of Sora or the way the shifers work. A common recommendation on this board is to at least go with Tiagra components and I agree with this. My first road bike had Tiagra and it held up for thousands of miles with no problem, but with the Sora I've heard some negative comments in how well it stays tuned (meaning the shifting stays smooth) and how long the parts last. Of course for every negative comment I hear I'm sure someone can say it is good stuff. We have one rider on our group rides that is using 2005 Sora stuff and I am forever fine tuning the rear DR for her. It gets off just enough to click and clack and drive you nuts.

The OCR 3 retails for 650.00 MSRP but you should be able to get it as low as 600-625.00 (at least around here where I live). The OCR 2 has the Tiagra components for about 250.00 more and I think it is worth it. Plus, the wheels are little lighter. It might be worth saving up a little more money to get the better component group.

One more thing, as is repeated over and over on this board, make sure they properly fit you to the bike and let you ride it around for a 1/2 hour or so to see how you like it before you buy it.

I generally agree with everything Ridgetop has to say. However, I rode a Sora bike quite a it last summer and was very pleased with the shifting. The bike only had a total of 1500 or so miles on it so I really can speak about durability.

Tiagra or better is certainly the way to go if you can afford it but don't fear Sora if that's all you can afford.

You say $600-$625?? are you from the US or Canada? How can they charge $830 than? can you talk a LBS down on price? I'd already be going over my budget buying this bike let alon saving up more for a better bike, but I do apprecaite all the advice. Keep it coming i'm all ears!

thanks
Pete

his $600-625 figure is in USD.

650 USD msrp = 756 CAD MSRP.

$830 CAD is a wee bit high going by that.

can you normally talk LBS down on price? I don't want to get on anyones bad side but if it's common practice....

Speaking from experience, you will not be sorry if you make the stretch to go with the higher-level bike and components. Before I got my (Sora-equipped) bike last year, I thought there was no need to go with more than 8 speeds, carbon frame pieces, etc. since I was a newbie to road riding. Well, within a couple hundred miles I started wishing I had bought the next model up.

Since then I've at least upgraded my shifters, but still wish I'd spent the extra bucks for the rest of the upgraded parts!

I bought the OCR3 for my first road bike and really enjoyed it. Its comfortable, relatively reliable, and a good introduction to road bikes. That being said, I did experience many of the same issues with Sora components as others have mentioned. I also think that if you really get into riding, you'll want a little more performance in the components. Of course, whether you'll need better components is the subject of a whole other thread. But I have enjoyed my OCR3, it has served me well.