Trek vs. Giant

I have a Trek 7200 Hybrid and like it lots... the issues in changing gears I think are more operator error than anything. I bought it at the end of July and have 570 miles on it. I do like to ride bike.

So, now I am considering my next purchase... a road bike. I figure that I can spend the winter shopping around. Yesterday I went to one shop that sold Cannondales and Giants. They have a 05 OCR 2 for approx $1500, carbon frame, etc. It's a year end clearance sort of deal. The salesman explained that the OCR 2 is built for comfort and that the carbon frame will absorb the road vibration, etc....

I have been eyeing the 06 Pilot 2.1. The second bike shop has an 05 Pilot 2.1 for around $1100, it has the toe straps, but not clip ons. That sales person explained that a full carbon frame is so finicky. He said that Giant carbon frames are more likely to crack and really only have a life span of 5 years or so. Trek alumnium frames are super tough. The Pilot has Carbon forks and seat posts... they absorb the road vibration. And, as long as a frame doesn't break due to abuse, Trek will guarantee their products for life.

Now, I haven't ridden any of these bikes. The weather and my attire weren't ideal for testing bikes. I know that will be my test. I have a gut feeling that I may go with a WSD model, in which case, I'll probably wait for the '06 models to come in. I know that both shops think their gear is the best. I also figure that Giant isn't your bottom of the barrel equipment either... So I plan to scour through posts here to see what others think.

Also, do you guys enjoy the Trek S.P.A. bikes? The sales guy raved about them... of course, he would.

I also don't really know how much bike I *need*. If I should check out a model that's a little more affordable... though I know that $1500 is still a moderately priced bike compared to other models. I look at it as an investment. I'll test drive a couple bikes that are less expensive too.

And, I realize that Trek has full Carbon bikes too and that even their Alpha Alumnium bikes have the carbon forks and seat posts too. Ahh... so much to consider!!

First what's wrong with your current bike? Why do you want a new bike? Nobody can really give you advice about a bike until you tell us what you're looking for. :)

Here's my .02.

There's two things to look for in a bike - frame and components.

The only thing that matters about the frame is the fit and handling. Material choice is so overrated. Yes metal will last longer than carbon fiber. But you may grow tired of the bike before it is even an issue. Things like speed and road dampening can be changed with tire selection. So buy a frame that fits and don't worry about anything else.

In the price range you're looking at Shimano is really your only choice for components. 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace are the three levels. Dura Ace is too expensive and less reliable because it's built to be lightweight for racers. Lance does not ride the same bike year after year. :D Ultegra is a little smoother, but 105 is fine.

Kudos to you for being skeptical about what the bike saleman has to say about his product and that of his competition.

Have fun shopping!

Veronica

I want to do the Tour de Kota... (South Dakota's multiday bike tour) next summer and I'd like to do the local MS150. I know that it's possible to do these things on a hybrid... lots of people do. However, lots of people recommend getting a roadbike as long as I'm looking to do long mileage rides anyway. Just putting clipless pedals on my current bike would help loads... but the additional hand positions available on a road bike would be really nice too.

Also, on kind of a superficial note... The color scheme kinda draws me toward some bikes. :o For instance, pink bikes are very pretty, they're just not me. But, they're also out of my price range... so it's cool. Though, I prefer black or maybe dark blue to the crystal blue and red. But, those are just details. :)

Hammer, glad you started this thread, as I need to learn about what I require for my first road bike, too. When I told my trainer at the gym that I want to do a century by next fall, he kinda made a face and said, "a century would be pretty difficult on your hybrid. Think about getting a road bike in the spring - do research this winter." The bad news for me is that I only spent $1500 on my CAR! (artist married to artist, 'nuff said.) So I gotta find my parameters and let help from the second-hand angels.

I agree with you on the pink issue. Now fuschia I could live with! Happy hunting!

My first road bike was a Giant OCR3 which I got spring of last year. It was a great starter bike for me that tought me what I needed to know about cycling. The components were not great and the thing weighed a ton. But I needed to get something inexpensive to see if I'd even stick with cycling. Anyhow a year later I still loved it so I upgraded to a Giant TCR Composite 2 which I love. An OCR2 would be a great first road bike but test ride the ones you are interested in to determine what's best for you.

I have a Trek 1000 SL 50 cm bike. I just bought it but I absolutely love it. It is so comfortable and easy to use. Absolutely no complaints. All I've added are new pedals (Shimano mountain bike pedals cause I like the shoes!) and a Cateye. Oh - and it looks cool too - it's orange and yellow - spiffy!

I was talking online with a guy in our local bike club. The shops that I went to are in a town 50 minutes away. He prefers the shop that sells Giants. But, our in town LBS is a Giant dealer too. I would've bought a Giant Hybrid, but he didn't seem to eager to sell and ended up not having quite what I wanted, so I just went with Trek.

I took my bike in for a tune up. He asked about my mileage, I said I thought that I was doing well, I liked to ride. I said that I'd like to look into a roadbike and he says, "So soon?" I told this to the bike club guy... He said that the shop owner isn't really much of a salesman. He's much happier to fix them. And, I guess that people say he's got a good guy quality, doesn't want someone to dive into too much bike that they don't need and then be unhappy with it.

So, I was talking to the bike club guy... He said that he told the LBS guy that I may be looking for a bike. ANd I reminded him that I had told him too. But, my friend said that he'd go shopping with me if I wanted. He recommends the Giant dealer in Sioux Falls over the Trek dealer. He was going to explain something, but a kid got hurt and he had to get offline.

I purchased the Giant OCR1 this spring and have been very happy with it. It uses Ultegra componets, has a carbon seat post and front fork, upgraded wheels and Shimano SPD pedals. It's light, I can't remember what the weight is but I carry it upstairs with ease everyday I ride to work. And if I didn't pack so much extra "stuff" with me it would be even lighter.

The Giant's compact frame was a perfect fit for me. I did have a taller stem add for my handlebars and extra brake levers added to the top as well. One thing I liked about the bike, it has pre drilled holes for a rear rack so all I had to do was attatch one. It's a tough bike. I've put over 1200 miles on it since May, plus a few falls and have had no problems.

The best I've done this year is about 50 - 60 miles at one sitting. I have great plans for next year including at least one century, the Seattle to Portland ride, and my everyday communting. I fully expect my OCR1 to carry me through it all! BikerHen

Well, I bit the bullet and test rode my first roadbike today. I went to our LBS and tried the OCR 3. Now, this guy isn't a huge salesman, he's teased me about springing for a roadbike already... So, when he recommends a bike, I'm inclined to believe that he just wants people to be happy with the bike. That's also what a friend of mine has said about the guy.

Anyway. He said that another fellow purchased the OCR 3 and has logged thousands of miles on the bike and has been really happy with it. LBS guy likes the OCR 3 because the stem has a pivot point and he can adjust it so that it fits me better. And it's so light! I couldn't believe it. Who cares that it's an aluminum frame... the OCR 3 is lighter than the videocameras that I use at work by 10-15 pounds! It's crazy!

I told him that so far the OCR 3 is my favorite. He laughed. I'll test some others. He said that he'd be able to adjust the distance to the brake levers, when I'm in the drops, I would like it if there was just a *little* less reach there. And, when I'm down in the drops, I felt a little hunched over. But, he thought that he could adjust the stem to make it more comfortable. If I got more serious, he could analyze the fit even more.

hammer... here' s what I recommend to EVERYONE who is buying a bike... test ride every single bike you can get you hands on... when you ride the one that feels right, THAT is your bike!

I desperately wanted the Trek Project One bike a few years ago. It just did NOT fit my body. WSD does not work for me either since I have a longer than normal torso for a chick... sigh...

so I rode Trek, Giant, Specialized, Lemond, De Rosa, and then I decided to ride this Litespeed that was in a shop... I did 2 laps around a parking lot and that was it. I knew I found my bike. Not one single regret since buying it!

I say get the best frame you can for the $$$... components can be upgraded. I have never heard of someone cracking their CF frame with normal riding... yeah, if you crash, hard, you could break the bike. But if you crash THAT hard the bike will no doubt be the least of your concerns.

As to components, I can tell a big difference between 105 and Ultegra. The only difference I can tell between Ultegra and DuraAce is in the shifters (DA is a little smoother) and the massive price difference (DA is WAY more expensive)... but you should ride all of them and then decide what you need.

To me, buying a bike is like buying a car. You have to test drive as many as you can to be sure you get the one that is best for you... and at the price of bikes, it's an investment too... so ride a bunch!!! Good luck with it... :)

I've ridden the Trek 1000 WSD, Trek 1200, Pilot 2.1, Bianchi Brava, Eros and Giro, Giant OCR3, OCR 3 Composite and I think that I rode an OCR2... can't remember if I only rode 1 or if I rode 2 bikes at that shop...

I don't like thumbshifters much. OF the Treks, the pilot was my fave. It put me up a bit and didn't place strain on my neck. Though, I suspect that I'll get used to the angle, I'm used to an upright hybrid. That bike is something like $1499.

The OCR 3 composite had me at a bit of an angle, but not as much as some of the other bikes. That did feel like I would get used to it. But, I don't think that I really *need* an all carbon bike. The OCR 1 has better components, carbon forks and is rather affordable. The LBS in town is a Giant dealer and it would probably be rather cost effective for me to get a bike and have him service it. He said that he could order in an OCR1 if I wanted.

The Bianchi bikes seem alright, I like the idea of steel. But, I'd like better components than the Brava offers. And other people online suggested that it's too much of an entry level bike, in their humble opinions. The ERos was set up with a two inch difference between seat and handlebars. That strained my neck... though some people like that drop. I don't know what's appropriate for me. The Giro seemed to split the angle diff and I liked that pretty well too. '05s Brava $679 Eros $1099 Giro 1299

I'm just trying to figure out my budget in my head. I need to pay for a U2 ticket yet... plane tickets in the spring... :D And, I need to afford to do the Tour de Kota next summer. But that's a long time off yet. Mmmm.... a bike purchase could be looming. The shops in the other town have financing... But, layaway with the LBS here would be acceptable too. I can pay on it over winter and use my credit card if I get antsy. ;)

Hammer...


What size are you looking for?? My LBS has a Pilot 2.1 on sale from 1999
down to $999, and I know for a fact they do shipping.

karen

I was riding like a 54-56 cm bike.

[QUOTE=latelatebloomer]The bad news for me is that I only spent $1500 on my CAR! (artist married to artist, 'nuff said.) [QUOTE]

The saying here is:

"You know you're in Colorado when you have a $3000 bike on top of your $800 car"

or

".....when you own your car and make payments on your bike"

:p