Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
C-Rob
I'm also interested in a TRek 1500... Unfortunately here in the UK they're very pricey!
I came across other threads indicating you can get bikes of same quality / specification for less, but these threads lacked specific information as to what make / model.
I'll be interested if anyone else has views on this... please share.
Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
C-Rob
Hi Rob,
I own a Trek 1000 and have ridden it for 25,000 km's.I recently upgraded to a higher end bike but I loved the Trek 1000.It is a good bike for the money if your budget concious and will last you as long as you take care of it.I looked at the Trek 1200 but for the money it was only slightly better,now that may have changed.Good Luck and if you have any questions just ask.
Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
C-Rob
Too many people buy a botton end bike like a Trek 1000 and then start throwing money at upgrading everything on it.Makes no sense.A 1000 works as is for others. You have to decide where you fit in the big scheme.
Thanks for the reply's. I guess in the big scheme I want a bike that will get me thru the winter (I live in Wisconsin, USA) and then allow me to race a few times next summer. My budget is extremely small and Im wondering if spending the extra $3-500 is worth it? I mean a year from now my financial situation will be much better, but I also dont want to wait a year to get a bike. Thanks again all.
I have a Trek 1500, LOVE IT. I'm in college still, so I am on a limited budget and I've started racing. It's a GREAT bike. I do know that down the road I will be buying a much better bike. But for now, I ride with what I have and LOVE it!
As of right now, it is all the bike I need. Yes, I will do some subtle upgrades over these couple of years, but it is a SOLID bike.
Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
C-Rob
CRob, Congrats on college. I know all about those loans; I just finished paying off mine. 45k, but well worth it. I do not know much about the 1500, but you may want to reconsider the 1000. I just got back into cycling after a 10 lay off (I quit riding right after graduating from college - had to grow up and get a job). Anyway, I did not want to spend a couple of grand, and not use the bike, so I decided to get an entry level road bike just incase I did not stick with it. So far, so good - riding over 50 miles a week, and love the 1000. I upgraded the pedals, threw on an Astrale 8, and love it. If I continue riding, I will upgrade bikes in few years. If you can not find significant differences in the two bikes, then the 1000 may be the best bike for your buck.
Where do you live in Wisconsin? I live in Eau Claire and a couple weeks ago I bought a 2004 Trek 2100 at Scheels in Eau Claire for $850 (was $950 but they gave me $100 trade-in on my 10 year old cheap Trek road bike). They were dumping the 2004's and may still have a few left - 2 weeks ago they had some of nearly every model left and they were all priced quite low to make room for the 2005's.
I'm also interested in a TRek 1500... Unfortunately here in the UK they're very pricey!
I came across other threads indicating you can get bikes of same quality / specification for less, but these threads lacked specific information as to what make / model.
I'll be interested if anyone else has views on this... please share.
Thanks in advance
jon, just take into consideration the Trek 1500 you have in the UK & here in Australia (international version) is better equipped than the U.S model. eg: we get full Ultegra whereas the U.S model is a mish-mash of 105 & Tiagra components.... Just something to consider when reading posts comparing other bikes to the 1500. I just purchased the 2004 1500, and love it to death.
Im interested in getting started in cycling with hopes of racing a few times next summer and then becoming very serious in 2006 or so. I just graduated college (23 yrs old) where I ran track. I've always been interested in venturing beyond running and love the speed of cycling. Anyways the real question I have is with a very limited income and nice large college loans to repay, is $1000 both decent enough to last a couple years and is it really that much better than say a Trek 1000? If anyone could help me out I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
C-Rob
I have recently bought a similar bike to the 1500 a specialized allez elite and its working great for me. I'm sure that the 1500 will be fine and only if you start getting really good and entering higher level races will you need to even start thinking of upgrading.
Where do you live in Wisconsin? I live in Eau Claire and a couple weeks ago I bought a 2004 Trek 2100 at Scheels in Eau Claire for $850 (was $950 but they gave me $100 trade-in on my 10 year old cheap Trek road bike). They were dumping the 2004's and may still have a few left - 2 weeks ago they had some of nearly every model left and they were all priced quite low to make room for the 2005's.
I live down by Kenosha and visited Wheel and Sprocket and some other places around Milwaukee. I may have to find a Scheels though and check it out. Thanks.
jon, just take into consideration the Trek 1500 you have in the UK & here in Australia (international version) is better equipped than the U.S model. eg: we get full Ultegra whereas the U.S model is a mish-mash of 105 & Tiagra components.... Just something to consider when reading posts comparing other bikes to the 1500. I just purchased the 2004 1500, and love it to death.
sAw.
Same case as I do. My previous group was a very old 7-speed Shimano. The jump to Ultegra-STI was the best part of the bike. The frame is very well finished (it is the same for US and International). Some parts you will probably upgrade it, but the core of the bike is very, very good.
And, (someone can help me on that because I still have to check this out) this frame looks like just have won the Women´s Olympic Race with Kate Allen. If the pictures look like what I think, it is great for the ego 😉.
If this is real, I still want to find a good picture to post it. If not, I will erase this part of the message later...
