Orbea Aqua TSR CR - advice

Tommy2x

Hi all,

I'm about to purchase my first ever road bike and have concluded this bike is my #1 choice (the #2 being the Giant Defy 3 - similar price point).

Does anyone who has this bike have more details for me on the Orbea gear on it (brakes, pedals, etc)?
What's the quality like?
How does it rate against the rest of the Sora/Tiagra gear fitted?
What would you/have you upgraded?

Also, since Ithis is the first bike I've bought in over 10 years, I'm a true novice. Is 34/50 a compact or a double? I really need a compact due to my current fitness levels!

thanks in advance

Tommy2x

deswahriff

...just waiting for mine to be delivered! Orbea bikes in general are highly regarded - I must admit I didn't do any research on the, I guess, generic bits like brakes, bars etc. on the basis they'll be pefectly adequate. I'll be replacing the pedals with Look Keo Classics anyway, the only other upgrade I'm thinking of in the short term might be a carbon seat post.
The 34/50 is a compact (or a double!), as opposed to a triple. Compact seems to be the common description (it confused me for a while too - visions of tiny cog wheels!!) ...

Tommy2x

Thanks for the reply, I'm probably going in tonight to order mine (C2W scheme)

Did you test ride any others before choosing the Orbea?

I agree on the pedals - that'll be my first upgrade too, along with some road shoes. I've never ridden clipless but it sounds like it's a must-have. Will find out once I start commuting to work (13 mile round trip).

deswahriff

..tried the Giant Defy and also the flat bar version...preferred the Orbea, though I'm having a shorter stem fitted.

..I only started clipless on my hybrid recently (wanted to get the falling over out of the way on the old bike!), no problems so far and does make a difference..

fludey

I have the earlier Orbea Aqua with Sora kit, must say the bike has been great only issue I have had is the crank needing a tighten after developing a creek!
Ive left it just as it came from the shop, must say thou didnt come with pedals so put a set of Ultegra pedals on it.
The only money I have had to spend on it was for two new tires and thats it.

So its a thumbs up on the Orbea from me, cant comment on the Giant as never had one.