Choosing a starting bike (Trek 1000 or 1500) - Page 2

I was looking at the Trek 1500 and Trek 1400 as a starting bike also.. Only in the last month, i purchased a second hand Trek 1000 off a friend, and have found it to be a great investment.. I realised that I have taken to road cycling and really enjoy riding , it was a great starting bike and i saved alot of money.. It has given me the chance to save a little more, and possibly buy above the 1500 when i choose to upgrade... Just a suggestion...

In January 2005 I bought a 2004 TREK 1200 at a knock down price and have been very pleased with it - The Tiagra gear change has stayed in tune for the whole year.

I rode a steel bike before and my wife used to zoom ahead downhill on her Cannondale R600 - now I zoom ahead and she lags behind.

I have gone from strength to strength on it and the bike always puts a smile on my face.

Why don't you try it as standard and upgrade the components later if you really think you need to - you might be surprised how good it is.

I compared it to a Specialised Allez and liked that as well but I got a better deal on the TREK.

Good tips, all of these. May I add another one? If geometry and comfort are issues (and they should be) you also may want to give LeMonds a look. They do have a more relaxed geometry and are a very comfortable ride. They have a few nice models in your price range. You can get their entry level Etape (Sora/Tiagra)for roughly $600, or the next model up Reno (Tiagra/105) for roughly $780, or the Tourmalet, (105/Ultegra) which is the bike I own for roughly $1050. All are fine bikes for the beginner. I have test ridden Trek, Specialized and Giant and the LeMonds just felt more comfortable and gave me a better ride. Go out and ride as many bikes you can find in your price range and chhoose from them. If you can't make up your mind based on ride and componenets, get the one that looks best to you. You will feel better riding a cool looking bike IMHO.

This is the fun part.

Cheers

Brian

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"Don't think, feeeeeeeeeeeeel....
It is like a finger, pointing away
to the moon......
Don't concentrate on the finger,
or you'll miss all that Heavenly glory."

Bruce Lee
"Enter The Dragon"

In order to upgrade that eight speed crap, youve gotta change cassettes, too. And possibly the RD, depending on what you're bike has. For future reference of others, DO NOT waste your time with an 8 speed bike with Sora (the shifters with the thumb buttons on the side) The couple hundred dollar increase between the two is easily justified. Better cranks, hubs, shifters, cassette, it all adds up.

But since the purchase was made, enjoy your new bike.

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'05 GF Cake DLX SRAM X-9, 'Zocchi MX Comp, Avid BB7
Trek Equinox 7: 105, all stock, all fast
'99 GT XCR5000: LX/XT, Avid SDs, Judy XC
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Life is short, ride hard. BONZAI!!!!