..and the Trek won. Both in ride quality and $price. Who'd a thunk it? I was not a Trek fan until I rode this, I always liked the smaller, independant frame shops. But I guess making thousands of OCLV frames gets them pretty far up on the learning curve! Very nice bike, and the whole bike costs what the framesets for #1-3 cost. (w/Ultegra at least).
..and the Trek won. Both in ride quality and $price. Who'd a thunk it? I was not a Trek fan until I rode this, I always liked the smaller, independant frame shops. But I guess making thousands of OCLV frames gets them pretty far up on the learning curve! Very nice bike, and the whole bike costs what the framesets for #1-3 cost. (w/Ultegra at least).
The IF still wins the "cool" contest though.
Forget 'cool', if you just want a good bike, Trek really is excellent. Even my 'B' bike Trek 1000, is really nice to ride. I'd prefer to be uncool but enjoy the ride, thanks.
nah, was just kidding 😄 but C'Dales not "cool"? My R700 and I are very upset and just a little bit shocked 🙁
At least in the Seattle area, there seems to be a fetish for oscure bikes. You know, some Italian make no one's heard of, etc. Actually, this was true in Boston too.
I used to have a Guerciotti. That would have been perfect. It's all kind of silly.
In that list, you have 2 very boutique brands, which isn't really fair. The Orca is also on a different hotness level to the Trek. Treks are good bikes, but so freakin boring. The new Madone looks interesting, but still a proprietary seatpost, BB and no replaceable derailleur hanger.
Cannondales are great, but only moderately cool. They are about as 'cool' as specialized. Not unique, but they make great stuff.
Messed with the new Madone today at the local Trek store. Man, very sweet indeed. The integrated BB is cool as is the headset and Seatmast design. Trek really did an excellent job with the new geometry.
In that list, you have 2 very boutique brands, which isn't really fair. The Orca is also on a different hotness level to the Trek. Treks are good bikes, but so freakin boring. The new Madone looks interesting, but still a proprietary seatpost, BB and no replaceable derailleur hanger.
Cannondales are great, but only moderately cool. They are about as 'cool' as specialized. Not unique, but they make great stuff.
Don't forget proprietary fork (1 1/2 inch steerer!:eek: ), and proprietary cyclometer if you want to use the speed sensor that is built into the fork.
I can't wait for the shop I work at to get the new Madones in so I can check them out in person!
they look less interesting than a brick wall (they have improved this)
though they fixed their head tube
so that gets them a little extra respect.
Trek still makes very quality bikes. Now they are breaking out and doing something most other North American manufacturers wouldn't dare to do. Plus, these machines are extremely stiff and strong at a very affordable price. The seatmast they have now is so much nicer than all the other fully integrated seatposts in that you don't have to CUT the entire seatpost just to change seat height.
