Looking for new bike. Surley anyone?

[spokewench]

If you are interested, I'd do a search in threads for ocr or giant. There have been many discussions here re giants.

I love mine! It is a TCR - more race specific than the OCR. They are light, handle nicely and ride with a good feel. My girlfriend has an OCR - she likes to sit a little more upright than I do and she loves it too.

Happy bike hunting!

[Torrilin]

*g* that's why I said to try *lots* of bikes. It's not a bad idea to try everything your LBS has that can fit a rack. If there are other shops close that sell different bikes, try there too.

[Surlygirl]

Here is one review. Keep in mind the Giant is aluminum and the Surlys are steel. I think I'd choose steel for touring, the ride is cushier. Can you run fat tires on the Giant, how about rack mounts. Just things to think about. Read some reviews and check some of the touring sites like crazyguyonabike and see what people are riding just so you have more to go on.


(Clint Clemens)


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GIANT OCR1, $999
THE PITCH >> A weekend workhorse for club riders, charity cruisers, and heart-rate checkers.
YOUR MONEY BUYS... At two ounces shy of 22 pounds, including Shimano pedals, the OCR1 is porkier than the other rigs on these pages, but you're getting bomber durability and a comfortable ride at a fetching price. Giant built the frame with 6061-T6 aluminum, a gold-standard bike-tubing alloy, and added a bump-dampening carbon-fiber front fork, taller head tube, adjustable stem, and slightly longer wheelbase. The rider pedals in a somewhat upright, stable stance, which lends confidence to those who might otherwise get the jitters crouched over a carbon-fiber hot rod. To keep the price under a grand, Giant marries a mixture of Shimano and SRAM parts in the drivetrain. Meanwhile, a carbon-fiber seatpost and beefy 25cm tires—road bikes typically run 23's—help soften the bumps.
THE RIGHT BIKE FOR YOU? Punish your shiny blue OCR1 with a decade's worth of rain, sleet, slush, and snow, or take on 10,000 miles of road-expansion joints—it'll still be there for you. Giant's forgiving, compact geometry invites new roadies to build up their mileage and confidence without endless ibuprofen hits. On the other hand, in tests this bike climbed and accelerated like an 18-wheeler: slowly. "I wouldn't attack my own shadow," said one tester. But remember: You're not chasing trophies, just having a blast. This bike rewards with quick handling during evasive maneuvers and near-gyroscopic stability on ripping descents. Get the OCR1 up to its ideal cruising speed, around 17