Trek/Giant/Specialized??? - First Road Bike

[fatboytri]

Advice appreciated on which may be best for a new triathlete aiming to get round a couple of sprints next (this?) season.

I was looking at three bikes - Trek 1000 Triple, Specialized Allez Triple or the Giant SCR 2.0. Probably 2006 models to save a few pennies.

I'm currently favouring the Trek but would be interested in any feedback or views on the best to choose.

Cheers

FBT ;D

[xavier]

How about a Giant from the OCR range? The SCR isn't really in the same category as the Trek 1xxx series and Specialized Allez

I've always thought that the Treks were slightly overpriced. The Allez is cheaper and good and solid, and so are the OCRs from Giant

Xav

[bluepoolshark]

I got my first road bike a couple of months ago. Specialized Allez Sport, absolutely love it, although you should go for whatever feels the most comfortable for you.

[fatboytri]

Errrmmm I did mean Giant OCR not SCR (and I wasn't even drunk). The spec on the Trek seems to be higher than the Giant OCR 2 and the Allez.

I'm also a bit wary when a shop shoves a particular bike "down yer throat" - i.e. Evans Cycles and all things Specialized. I was all sold on a Cambridge Audio stereo until I realised that Richer Sounds own Cambridge etc... I'm kinda suspicious of that kind of relationship.

My LBS does Giant so I might give one a test ride to see before I go to try the others.

[xavier]

The Trek has a Tiagra rear derailleur and a carbon seatpost over the Giant. That's about £30 of upgrade if you look on eBay (for brand new stuff!), and just isn't worth it.

www.devercycles.co.uk/dever-a-bike-2006.asp?pid=XBGNTOCRT0306

Would do it! I used to have a Giant OCR 3, and have ridden Trek 1000s, 1200s and Spec Allez's before, and basically the cheapest wins as they're all pretty similar. It's a shame Giant don't do the awesome pastel colours for the OCRs anymore though

www.raddiscount.de/images/shop/P03479_BILD1GROSS.jpg

Xav

[fatboytri]

Thanks for your viewpoint.

I was looking at a 2006 Trek at £399 so that seems a marginal decision even if I did know how to change a rear derailler (which I don't). I had decided to spend the extra £75 to get the OCR2/1000 level bike as I was a bit disappointed with my MTB and wished I'd spent the extra to get a Cape Wrath.

I think I will definately take a bit more time and test ride all three now rather than impluse buy on the web.

[ray]

went through thesame thing last year
went for the trek as it had a better set up and had carbon seat pst and front forks

[quadzilla]

fatboytri said:

I was all sold on a Cambridge Audio stereo until I realised that Richer Sounds own Cambridge etc... I'm kinda suspicious of that kind of relationship.

You learn something new everyday! I got my Cambridge amp from Richer Sounds and I didn't know that!

[whisk]

Just out of interest, why are you so keen on getting a triple? Do you live in a particularly hilly area or are you planning on doing any mountainous rides on it? I would have thought that a triple would be overkill for most tris and once you get a few good miles in the legs you'll be regretting the extra weight of a 3rd chain ring that you won't use much. Just my twopenneth and I'm sure someone will be along to contradict me.