Giant OCR3 vs Specialized allez

LordViperScorpn · Jun 1, 2004

Ok first off I just want to say that I am new to cycling. If you couldnt tell and that every cyclist I have talked to has been really helpful. The people I have talk to have all been willing to provide information and give me tips and what not so that is pretty cool. With that said I am a poor college student so even the cheaper bikes seem out of my price range. I have been to several stores around my college and in other cities where I frequently visit. So far my top two choices are the Specialized Allez or the Giant OCR3. These two bikes seem very similar to me. I was just wondering if you guys to give me some info on which bike you prefer or if there is a better bike out there around this price.

jimbooffa · Jun 1, 2004

Originally posted by LordViperScorpn
Ok first off I just want to say that I am new to cycling. If you couldnt tell and that every cyclist I have talked to has been really helpful. The people I have talk to have all been willing to provide information and give me tips and what not so that is pretty cool. With that said I am a poor college student so even the cheaper bikes seem out of my price range. I have been to several stores around my college and in other cities where I frequently visit. So far my top two choices are the Specialized Allez or the Giant OCR3. These two bikes seem very similar to me. I was just wondering if you guys to give me some info on which bike you prefer or if there is a better bike out there around this price.

I bought a giant OCR3 for my wife mostly because of price ($399 for an 03 model). We didn't test ride the bike. This was before I came across this forum. I am glad that I waited and researched and test rode several bikes before I bought my bike. It is not fair to compare the OCR3 to the bike I bought but I can compare it to the bike I bought off of Craigslist for $75. I liked the ride of the cheaper bike much better although the OCR3 looked fantastic. The OCR3 has a cheap feel to it. Shifting is clunky due to Sora components. I think you may be better off finding a good used bike.

As far as Specialized I ended up buying a Specialized but I didn't ride the Allez.

SunBurnt · Jun 12, 2004

Originally posted by LordViperScorpn
Ok first off I just want to say that I am new to cycling. If you couldnt tell and that every cyclist I have talked to has been really helpful. The people I have talk to have all been willing to provide information and give me tips and what not so that is pretty cool. With that said I am a poor college student so even the cheaper bikes seem out of my price range. I have been to several stores around my college and in other cities where I frequently visit. So far my top two choices are the Specialized Allez or the Giant OCR3. These two bikes seem very similar to me. I was just wondering if you guys to give me some info on which bike you prefer or if there is a better bike out there around this price.

Hey! I am also looking at the OCR 3 bike (coz I can't afford a cannondale or trek)...

It looks good enuf, but I had heard that the Sora groupo isn't smooth

Just wondering if you had bought it since your last post?

bikerbrian · Jun 12, 2004

I have a specialized allez with sora. It is a nice bike and although the shifting may not be as smooth as the more expensive stuff it will serve you well. If you decide to move to a better group in a year or two, like I am, that's great. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's me making the bike slower, not the other way arround.

SunBurnt · Jun 12, 2004

Originally posted by bikerbrian
I have a specialized allez with sora. It is a nice bike and although the shifting may not be as smooth as the more expensive stuff it will serve you well. If you decide to move to a better group in a year or two, like I am, that's great. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's me making the bike slower, not the other way arround.

For the sora shifters, how do you perform the shiftings?
Do you need a lot of wrist/finger strength to achieve that?

I know many had asked about the difference in the performance of different groupo, which is rather a personnal preference.

But... in terms of ease of reach, accessibility and comfort, like for example... if you need to twist your hand this way or that, or if you need to have hands of a rubber-man, how is the positioning of the shifters compared to the Tiagra/105/Ultegra/DA?

bikerbrian · Jun 12, 2004

Originally posted by SunBurnt
For the sora shifters, how do you perform the shiftings?
Do you need a lot of wrist/finger strength to achieve that?

I know many had asked about the difference in the performance of different groupo, which is rather a personnal preference.

But... in terms of ease of reach, accessibility and comfort, like for example... if you need to twist your hand this way or that, or if you need to have hands of a rubber-man, how is the positioning of the shifters compared to the Tiagra/105/Ultegra/DA?

The sora shifters are like campy shiters with a thumb shifter and an index shifter. It's great if you're riding with your hands on the hoods but if you're in the drops its a real pain to have to reach up to shift.

SunBurnt · Jun 12, 2004

Originally posted by bikerbrian
The sora shifters are like campy shiters with a thumb shifter and an index shifter. It's great if you're riding with your hands on the hoods but if you're in the drops its a real pain to have to reach up to shift.

Amatuer questions here

How many ways to hold the handle?
1) like a mtb (elbow straight, hands horizontal)
2) the drops (elbow bent, grip vertical and facing forward)
3) end of the drops (elbow straight, grip facing the road)
4) no hands!

5) eh....

Can you shift SORA gears when not moving?
Or you have to down shift before coming to a stop?

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Giant OCR3 vs Specialized allez

LordViperScorpn

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jimbooffa

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SunBurnt

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bikerbrian

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