Giant OCR3, trek 1000, or Specialized Allez 24??

[bboyturtle]

I'm a new rider and I'm trying to figure out what bike I would want. I came up with these 3 (Giant OCR3, trek 1000, or Specialized Allez 24). Can anyone give me feedback about these bikes. I've been reviewing these 3 bikes and I'm leaning towards the Giant OCR3. I just wanted to hear your opinion.

 

[RalleighOke]

Originally posted by bboyturtle
I'm leaning towards the Giant OCR3. I just wanted to hear your opinion.

Don't stop leaning

I also prefer the OCR3 - Although not much different to the Trek, the bike is just much better looking (and where I stay also a bit better priced).

 

[guidebar]

Originally posted by bboyturtle
I'm a new rider and I'm trying to figure out what bike I would want. I came up with these 3 (Giant OCR3, trek 1000, or Specialized Allez 24). Can anyone give me feedback about these bikes. I've been reviewing these 3 bikes and I'm leaning towards the Giant OCR3. I just wanted to hear your opinion.

I own the Trek 1000 and I am very happy with it's performance and it is a comfortable bike to ride.I also looked at the Giant OCR3 and just found the Trek was a bitter fit and ride (for me).Also I had trouble with the stock rims and Trek sent me the Bontrager selects and the bike is 100% Their customer service is amazing as they didn't even question the rims and sent them to my bike shop NO CHARGE!
Oh and by the way LIFETIME warranty on the frame and the 2004 are even better than mine!

 

[Insight Driver]

When looking for a bike for our son, my wife and I looked at all three bikes. Although I leaned toward the Giant OCR3, the Trek 1000 model is the one we chose because the LBS had the smallest frame they make on the floor. The smallest Giant frame is too big for our boy who is going on 11. The components on the Giant were a step up from those on the Trek for the same price in my area.

If the bike fits, I think you may get more bang for the buck with the Giant.

In one month, as well, just so you know, the rear wheel on my son's bike needs to be trued. On my Giant OCR2 my wheels are still true three months later. I would not knock a bike for wheels needing truing after a month, but it does say something about quality of the build of the wheels.

 

[siltrek 04]

For what its worth ,,, I've had my Trek 1000 since 9/7 and have put on 80 great miles since..... nice fit.... very happy.. with it.

 

[bigfloppyllama]

I can't say I've ridden the Specialized, but I personally preferred the Trek to the Giant. Something about the sloping top tube just left me feeling uneasy. I’ve put about 1500 miles on my bike in the last 2 months, and it’s been a dream the entire way. I’d base the purchase on the price and the local shop (assuming that’s where you plan on buying from). The difference between the two local stores was enough for me to go with the trek dealer and I couldn’t be happier with their service.

Sorry to lead the topic astray, but speaking of the 2004 Trek 1000, what exactly has changed that has made the suggested retail value so much lower than that of the 2003 (something like $670 for the 2003 vs. $570 for the 2004)? My friend is looking at the 1000 for his first bike and can have the 2003 model for about $20 cheaper but if the 2004 is better I’ll just advise him to go for that.

 

[bboyturtle]

Wait a minute. I was surfing the internet and saw IBEX classic on sale. hmmmm.... Ahhh, What to do. I could save a lots of money on something i never heard about.

 

[micman75]

Bigfloppyllama,
I'm not sure where you are from but here in Aust, we are seeing a bit of drop in price for the new 04 bike too.
The difference in price is due to a strong Aussie Dollar.

bboyturtle,
I can't say much about Trek and Specialised, but I have a Giant OCR3 and have had no problems with it. It is very fast off the mark and feels very light and compact. Some people don't like the sloping top tube but I feel it gives me a sense of "freedom" if you know what I mean. (plus it looks nice). The OCR3 is substantially cheaper than the entry level Treks or Specialised.

The 04 models are now out and have a few new improvements (alloy forks, improved frame etc) for the same price as last year cos of the strong dollar (pushing US.70!)

 

[bboyturtle]

Thanks Micman75,

I'm gonna buy a bike this week. I have this friend who knows the dealer of some LBS and he said he had connections to lower the price even more! Hotness. Im planning to buy a Giant OCR3 (maybe OCR2 if the price is THAT GOOD). I can use that money to buy a jersey or sunglasses. The only thing i hope is that they have a variety of colors to choose from.

Thanks for everyone for help. Giant OCR it is.

 

[Insight Driver]

Originally posted by bboyturtle
Thanks Micman75,

I'm gonna buy a bike this week. I have this friend who knows the dealer of some LBS and he said he had connections to lower the price even more! Hotness. Im planning to buy a Giant OCR3 (maybe OCR2 if the price is THAT GOOD). I can use that money to buy a jersey or sunglasses. The only thing i hope is that they have a variety of colors to choose from.

Thanks for everyone for help. Giant OCR it is.

I have a Giant OCR2.. they only come in one color..blue with the Giant logo down the side and some white and grey design trim. I'd go with that over the OCR3. My wife, on the other hand has an OCR1. Her bike is better than mine, and about $300 more than mine (I got mine around $700 in California). She got the better bike on the recommendation of our LBS so it would give her a bit of advantage to keep up with me. I still have to drag a car battery around as a handicap, though.

 

[Gilders]

Thought about buying Trek, spoke to a number of different bike stores, most of which recommended OCR, aimed to buy OCR2, came out with OCR1.

I'm happy, bike stores's happy.