TEST RIDES ~ thoughts, meanderings and musings

[ehirsch83]

Alright Sandra,
A)You deserve it!! My mom is a year or two older then you(I forgot how old she is... I always guess younger!) and she just bought herself a new road bike, because after riding her Giant OCR for 3 years, she decided she DESERVED a new bike. She loved her bike, but she saw everyone else around her getting a new bike so she decided that it was time for her to get a new one. Now, my mom may ride anywhere from 0-4 times a week, her rides lasting anywhere from 8-25 miles. Her speed is slow, but she loves going out there and since she loves it, she deserves to have a bike she truly enjoys.

So what I am saying is, You DESERVE it, from everything you have told us on these boards, you love riding bikes and you seem to have done a pretty good job raising a great family, now it is time for you to splurge on yourself a little

Now the other thing I am going to say, I work at a LBS that sells both Giant and Jamis- I think they are both awesome bikes and what it comes down to is which one you feel best on, in my opinion neither bike is a better product. They are both great quality for what you are going to pay.(I have had 2 giants,ridden my mom's old OCR and have test ridden a Jamis, I loved all 4 bikes)

p.s. don't be afraid to put it on a bike rack! that is what they are made for :-)

[sandra]

Now the other thing I am going to say, I work at a LBS that sells both Giant and Jamis

Please talk to me about the geometry of the OCR 1 WS in a medium compared to the geometry of an Aurora (possibly a 50?). Studying the numbers, it's hard to see how they could compare.

Of course I haven't ridden the Aurora yet, but geometry is confusing to me.

[Geonz]

(In defense of frugality... I *do* think of what else the dollars could buy. There's nothing wrong with frugality :-) I get an awful lot of joy from my only semi-precious steeds.... and really expensive things make me nervous.)

[SouthernBelle]

Sandra, I'm the same age as you. (I'll be 53 in July). I ride the full carbon OCR C3 from '05. I think a bike that is comfortable, fast, and will get you out riding and enjoying it is worth every penny. Giant's lifetime warranty made me feel great about the carbon. I've used and abused Black Beauty and she still shines like a new penny. If I were buying another bike, new, I would look at another Giant.

Besides I think your resale on that bike would be great. Carbon isn't getting any cheaper.

Go ahead and ride some other bikes. Any excuse to go to NOLA. But I have a sneaking suspicion you are going to come back to the Giant.

[sandra]

And what about bar end shifters. I've never had/tried them. If you don't spend much time riding in the drops, are they inconvenient?

[Zen]

That is a beautiful bike.
Classy, I tells 'ya.

Frugality is a good thing but age does have its privileges.

If you can afford it and it feels good, do it.

[sandra]

This one's really not bad though.

[SlowButSteady]

Sandra, I have the Giant OCR A1W In the gold-black-silver.

Hotawmighty, it's a beautiful machine.

Mine is frame sized XS. I'm 5'2" with really short legs.

I upgraded from a Trek 1000WSD.

Besides the structural/mechanical upgrade, I really did it for two reasons that are probably not applicable for you:

1. I wanted a bike w/ 700c wheels. The Trek's were 650c. I felt like I might be able to keep up better on club/group rides with bigger wheels. So far, I'm still as slow as molasses. But the frame geometry of the Giant XS allowed for 700c wheels where the 48cm Trek had 650c wheels. I don't quite have the standover room on the Giant that I should have. But then I'm a very short woman of very wide proportions and I probably looked like a circus clown riding a teeny-weeny bike on that Trek.

2. Color. Sounds petty, but I did not want a pastel colored bicycle. Most of the bikes I was looking at that might fit me were in colors that made me want to vomit. And I wanted a bike in a primary color that was not the color of my old bike and didn't match the color of anybody in my club. That gold/black/silver OCR A1W is one pretty bicycle. Unfortunately, that bike's beautiful color scheme clashes with all of my cycling clothes, gloves, helmet....I have an orange helmet, spring green gloves.......and some goshawful jersies. Nothing looks good with it.

Anyway, the Giant OCR A1W is a fine bicycle, and she's a looker.

Other things: gear shifting is smoother. The Giant is a double and my Trek was a triple. It's easier for me to keep up with the gears since I'm mechanicially challenged. I find myself pedaling better, cross-chaining less. Just generally riding in a more suitable gear more often.

Just from a human standpoint, don't settle for one bike because if you have your heart set on another, you may not be satisfied.

[Crankin]

Sandra, if you can afford it, buy it. I am 54, and I have a bike that costs more than what you are considering. So what? I wouldn't have bought it if I couldn't pay for it and I don't think you would either.
And yes, it sure beats spending money or cigarettes, medication, or surgery.

[sandra]

Let me say that it is NOT so much affording it as it is balancing cost vs. how much I ride. I'm probably a lightweight compared to most of you. A Fred. I love to ride, but I may not ride as much or as far or get nearly as many miles as most of you do. And I don't commute to work, etc. It's just a pleasure bike for me.

So, for HOW I ride, it seems expensive. The OCR 1 is the exact same bike and components minus some of the carbon. And it is a pretty bike too. I didn't care at all for the blue of the OCR 3. It's just not me.

[withm]

If you buy a bike that you love, you will most likely end up riding a lot more, further justifying the initial investment.

[ehirsch83]

Hey Sandra,
I'm on my way out the door to work, but I just checked the forums- when I get back I will write about the differences in geometry!

[Starfish]

Hey Sandra, a couple thoughts.

My mom was raised in Nebraska during the 30's. She was always frugal with herself (though generous with others). And, I saw two sides to her frugality. (1) Sometimes her frugality really pleased her...it tickled her and made her smile to save on some things. (2) Sometimes her frugality was all about the voices in her head from her upbringing giving her guilt induced messages that no longer really fit the truth of the situation, and were all about her low opinion of what she deserved.

Only you know if either one of these scenarios might be applicable to this situation for you. I saw my mom pass up a lot of pleasures due to reason number 2...things she absolutely could have afforded and would have enjoyed. This made those of us who loved her quite sad. If your husband is encouraging you, I would say really, really consider getting the bike you want.

It is tempting to toss numbers and justifications at you as to why I believe the bike is not as big a risk as you might feel (i.e. it really doesn't need to be perfect...it would not be the end of the world to resell it, etc.). But, maybe this is an opportunity to try on a new mindset, especially when your husband is so supportive, and when you're not talking about a truly huge purchase, like a house, or a lifetime commitment like adopting a baby, or other such decisions.

Hope this doesn't sound too preachy. I say go for it, Sandra.

[Harley]

I vote for your buying the Giant OCR A1W!!! Very cool, beautiful bike. Sounds like the ride is just what you are looking for. Go for it!

You are NEVER too old! I am 58 and just bought a Bianchi C2C. I consider myself a casual rider, haven't ridden a road bike in 17 years. I'm doing it because I want to and still can. Riding relaxes the mind, brings the body into balance, keeps you young. It doesn't matter if you ride 5 miles or 50. If you love something, then do it with style.

If you look fast, you don't have to be fast

[KnottedYet]

Bike love is a beautiful thing.

Don't worry about How you ride vs the $$ of your bike.

Go for the love!