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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I
have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. I was hopping around the internet when I stumbled onto this site and thought who better to ask than fellow bikers from around the world. The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500. I'm getting it from my trustworthy LBD, but while I was there I noticed that about 90% of the bikes in their shop happened to be Treks. I asked why THEY thought I should get a Trek over a Giant or Cannondale, and Brian rambled off a list of reasons that really sold me. I returned home to research some more and found what could be the real reason...the LBD Team is fully sponsored by Trek/VW (check out the Landis Team on the Trek site). Now I know these guys and they have helped me a lot over the past years, but it really has my mind twirlling about this 1500. To finally end this story, before I go in tomorrow to not only get measured, fitted, and ordered, but also lay down my hard earned cash, I would like some opinions. I know there are hardcore fans of either company out there, but some honest opinions would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
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#2
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500.
Why get a 2004 model? Around this time of year you can usually pick up a 2003 model higher in the range for the same money. The differences between 2003/2004 models are mostly cosmetic and sales blablabla. "Weezerbot" wrote in message ... I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. I was hopping around the internet when I stumbled onto this site and thought who better to ask than fellow bikers from around the world. The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500. I'm getting it from my trustworthy LBD, but while I was there I noticed that about 90% of the bikes in their shop happened to be Treks. I asked why THEY thought I should get a Trek over a Giant or Cannondale, and Brian rambled off a list of reasons that really sold me. I returned home to research some more and found what could be the real reason...the LBD Team is fully sponsored by Trek/VW (check out the Landis Team on the Trek site). Now I know these guys and they have helped me a lot over the past years, but it really has my mind twirlling about this 1500. To finally end this story, before I go in tomorrow to not only get measured, fitted, and ordered, but also lay down my hard earned cash, I would like some opinions. I know there are hardcore fans of either company out there, but some honest opinions would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#3
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
There is no "better bike". Trek, Giant, Cannondale all make good products.
The best answer is which bike fits best and feels best. It's your butt that's gonna be sitting in the saddle, not your LBS or Lance. I agree, go for a 2003. And be sure to get a red bike, it's well known fact that red bicycles go faster :-) my .02? "Ronald" a écrit dans le message news: ... The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500. Why get a 2004 model? Around this time of year you can usually pick up a 2003 model higher in the range for the same money. The differences between 2003/2004 models are mostly cosmetic and sales blablabla. "Weezerbot" wrote in message ... I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. I was hopping around the internet when I stumbled onto this site and thought who better to ask than fellow bikers from around the world. The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500. I'm getting it from my trustworthy LBD, but while I was there I noticed that about 90% of the bikes in their shop happened to be Treks. I asked why THEY thought I should get a Trek over a Giant or Cannondale, and Brian rambled off a list of reasons that really sold me. I returned home to research some more and found what could be the real reason...the LBD Team is fully sponsored by Trek/VW (check out the Landis Team on the Trek site). Now I know these guys and they have helped me a lot over the past years, but it really has my mind twirlling about this 1500. To finally end this story, before I go in tomorrow to not only get measured, fitted, and ordered, but also lay down my hard earned cash, I would like some opinions. I know there are hardcore fans of either company out there, but some honest opinions would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#4
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
weezerbot- I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike
BRBR lots snipped- I know there are hardcore fans of either company out there, but some honest opinions would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! BRBR Easy one, get the one that fits ya...determined by a real fit, with a real fit person. Not a 'standover, ride around the parking lot' type fit. It's pretty hard to get a'bad' bike these days, but it is easy to get a 'bad fitting' one. Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302 (303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene" |
#5
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
Weezerbot wrote in message ...
I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. Hi, as others have mentioned, fit is number one in importance, after that it is mostly personal preference. I do think it would be worth finding out what the dealer has in 2003's. If he sells Trek, then he most likely carries LeMond and Klein, both are made by Trek. Some things to consider, are that you can always upgrade components, but not the frame. So if your choice is between better components or a better frame, choose the frame. My LBS allows test rides and if you get it down to a couple of bikes, ride them. Have them base the seat height on your current setup, set the same way on both bikes. I just took a look at the 1500, it is a nice bike. The one bike I would ask your dealer about, is what he has in a 2003 or 2002 LeMond. You mightr be able to get a Buenos Aires for your money. The LeMond is a steel frame, which may give you a more comfy ride. That is debatable and the only way to know for sure is to ride both. I am biased towards the LeMonds, because I just recently bought a new 2002 Tourmalet, which has the same frame as the higher end Buenos Aires. Bottom line, buy the bike that fits correctly and that makes you want to ride. Life is Good! Jeff I was hopping around the internet when I stumbled onto this site and thought who better to ask than fellow bikers from around the world. The bike I have picked out is the 2004 Trek 1500. I'm getting it from my trustworthy LBD, but while I was there I noticed that about 90% of the bikes in their shop happened to be Treks. I asked why THEY thought I should get a Trek over a Giant or Cannondale, and Brian rambled off a list of reasons that really sold me. I returned home to research some more and found what could be the real reason...the LBD Team is fully sponsored by Trek/VW (check out the Landis Team on the Trek site). Now I know these guys and they have helped me a lot over the past years, but it really has my mind twirlling about this 1500. To finally end this story, before I go in tomorrow to not only get measured, fitted, and ordered, but also lay down my hard earned cash, I would like some opinions. I know there are hardcore fans of either company out there, but some honest opinions would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! |
#6
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
. The one bike I would ask
your dealer about, is what he has in a 2003 or 2002 LeMond. You mightr be able to get a Buenos Aires for your money. Definitely worth looking into. a Buenos Aires for your money. The LeMond is a steel frame, which may give you a more comfy ride. Definitely will. That is debatable and the only way to know for sure is to ride both. No debate in my mind but there are a lot of great bikes in your price range. For $1200 you can get a steel frame Jamis Quest that is far better riding than any aluminum at that price. Remember, for a while aluminum was more exclusive and came on "better" bikes but now aluminum is cheap (low end treks, specializeds, etc) while quality steel Reynolds 853 and such is exclusive now and signifies a quality bike. I own a Buenos Aires and would not ever think of riding an aluminum frame. My bike may be a few ounces heavier than a Cannondale with comparable components but I still can ride only limited by my abilities not the bike's. Main thing is find something that grabs you and it will be a great bike to you. |
#7
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
Go test ride a Lemond. You can get a lot of bang for your buck and a great
ride on steel for around $1000. It has a little different frame geometry than the Trek, more comfortable in longer rides, but you will have to be the judge of that. They make great frames/bikes. (owned by Trek) Steel vs. Aluminun. |
#8
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
On 20 Aug 2003 13:43:24 +0950, Weezerbot
wrote: I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. If you think tomorrow is the real thing, you are never going to be satisfied, not matter what you buy. Think about it. It is not about what some marketing person in Major Corporation decided you should like, what someone else thinks about what you are riding, whether you have the latest fa$hion $tatement, the most absurd wheel$ or who's logo is on your jer$ey, it is about riding your bike. Isn't it? regards, -- Jan |
#9
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
Jan wrote in message . ..
On 20 Aug 2003 13:43:24 +0950, Weezerbot wrote: I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I have had used bikes in the past that didn't quite fit right or were old technology. Tomorrow is the real thing. If you think tomorrow is the real thing, you are never going to be satisfied, not matter what you buy. I don't believe that. He is [hopefully] going to get a bike that properly fits him, with modern day components, why wouldn't he find that satisfying. Think about it. It is not about what some marketing person in Major Corporation decided you should like, what someone else thinks about what you are riding, whether you have the latest fa$hion $tatement, the most absurd wheel$ or who's logo is on your jer$ey, He is isn't looking at top of line prestige bikes, a $1000 is a reasonable amount to spend on a bike, in this day and time. it is about riding your bike. Isn't it? Well of course it is. And for a lot of people, myself included, having a nicely equiped bike, makes me want to ride, even more. Since I got my new bike, I have increased my distances and due to the better equipment, I have improved my times. Their seems to be a small faction of the biking community that thinks that if you are also into the equipment, somehow you aren't serious about riding. This attitude of just get any old bike, as long as it fits, and ride, dismisses another aspect of the hobby [way of life]. I always wonder what the people who feel this way ride. In another thread, a poster linked to pictures of his customized Paramount. It was beautiful, modern components, custom paint, it just screams, ride me! I look at some of the bikes at my LBS, over my budget, the Felt Fifteen, the Trek 5500, or the LeMond Arrivee and I would buy one immediately, if I could afford it. Would it make me a better rider, maybe a little, better equipment will do that. The point is, that it would make me happy and inspire me to ride even more. Heck, my new 2002 LeMond Tourmalet, inspires me. I see it on the bike rack, on the back of my car, and I just want to ride it. When I got back into biking, last year, I put new tubes, tires, and a saddle on my then 26 year old French 10-speed and rode it all summer. This spring, I had a lot of the components upgraded. I still have and love that bike, but it is the LeMond that I always choose to ride. so, I think it is about riding, it is also about having a bike that inspires and makes you happy. By the way Jan, what do you ride? Life is Good!, Jeff regards, -- Jan |
#10
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Advice on my first 'real' road bike please!
On 20 Aug 2003 13:43:24 +0950, Weezerbot
wrote: I'm about to lay down $1000 tomorrow for my first 'real' road bike. I Congrats! the 2004 Trek 1500. I'm getting it from my trustworthy LBD, but while I was there I noticed that about 90% of the bikes in their shop happened to be Treks. I asked why THEY thought I should get a Trek over a Giant or Cannondale, and Brian rambled off a list of reasons that really sold My LBS sells mostly Treks and has an employee named Brian. Hmm. Naw, they don't have a team. Anyway... You said trustworthy. While their reasons for selling Treks may not all be as objective as you'd like, a trustworthy shop wouldn't sell you a bad bike. However, because they're not objective, they may not try hard to sell you the best bike you can buy. I wasn't interested in Trek when I was ready to drop $1000 on a road bike, so I bought the bike elsewhere. I felt bad about it, because they always take care of me so well' but if they don't have the product I want, then what good is it to give them my money for something I didn't want? I never bothered to build a relationship at the store where I bought my road bike. I bring it to the same LBS I've always gone to, and they still take care of me well. would be appreciated. It's basically the Trek 1500 vs. the Giant OCR. Or if anyone can suggest a better bike in this price range that would be great too!! I bought a Giant TCR2 instead of a Trek 1500. The shop where I bought it was more interested in getting rid of old inventory (it was a "last year's model special") than fitting me, so I had a bit of a time fitting myself, exacerbated by the fact that I bought the bike at the end of the season when I was strong and flexible from riding, and barely rode it until after a LONG winter; I couldn't even get into position on it after that winter. All in all, I'm happy with what I did and where I am now. You will get a great bike whether you buy the Trek 1500 from your favorite shop or the Giant OCR somewhere else. I'd say that, as a choice-maker and a tie-breaker, buy the bike that excites you more; my brightly colored, sleek Giant hanging on the wall calls to me and makes me want to ride. If I had bought the boring Trek, which I wasn't too excited about visually or test-ride-wise, then I probably wouldn't ride half as much. If the Trek is exciting for you, buy it. -- Rick Onanian |
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