Thoughts on the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500?

[Oz]

Howdy,

Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes. The
reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the quality and
ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike. They wrote that
it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking bike and comes with the
Trek name brand but I am concerned about the componentry. The Trek website
indicates that the front derailleur is Shimano 2203 and the rear derailleur
is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a lower quality than Sora components so I'm
wondering if this bike is really a good buy or would it make more sense to
spend a couple of hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike) which
has a Tiagra front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for
about $400 more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike) which
has a 105 front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.

Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to beyond.

Rob

 

[Kristian M Zoerhoff]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes. The
> reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the quality and
> ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike.

8-speed rear sprocket. 24 gears total, assuming it still comes with the
triple front chainwheel like my '05 did.

> They wrote that
> it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking bike and comes with the
> Trek name brand but I am concerned about the componentry. The Trek website
> indicates that the front derailleur is Shimano 2203 and the rear derailleur
> is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a lower quality than Sora components so I'm
> wondering if this bike is really a good buy or would it make more sense to
> spend a couple of hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike) which
> has a Tiagra front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for
> about $400 more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike) which
> has a 105 front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.

My guess is you'll never use the extra few gears you'll get on these
models, so don't let the gear numbers influence you. If you're worried
about the components, feel free to upgrade, but I've got over 800 miles
on my Trek 1000 since last September (including riding all winter), and
it's performing just fine. Take care of the bike, and it will take care
of you.

> Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to beyond.

The 1000 does a very good job of that; I'm more than happy with mine
thus far.

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ [email protected]
(_)/ (_)

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Thu, 11 May 2006 23:34:45 +0000, Oz wrote:

> Howdy,
>
> Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes.
> The reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the
> quality and ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike.
> They wrote that it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking bike
> and comes with the Trek name brand but I am concerned about the
> componentry. The Trek website indicates that the front derailleur is
> Shimano 2203 and the rear derailleur is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a
> lower quality than Sora components so I'm wondering if this bike is
> really a good buy or would it make more sense to spend a couple of
> hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike) which has a Tiagra
> front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for about $400
> more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike) which has a 105
> front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.

But does it have 105 shifters?

> Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to
> beyond.

Derailleurs don't make any difference -- they all work pretty much the
same. It's a common misconception that the derailleur is largely
responsible for shifting performance. Bike makers take advantage of this
by "upgrading" the rear derailleur, as a visible change that makes people
think they're getting a better deal.

More expensive equipment groups are lighter and better finished, but no
single piece is a significant improvement. The weight differences are
usually an ounce or two per component.

The main difference between Sora and Tiagra is that the Sora shifters
can't be shifted easily from the drops. Otherwise they work great. The
extra gear doesn't matter. I promise you'd never miss it.

The difference between Tiagra and 105 is weight, finish, and that 105 can
use Shimano's integrated Flight Deck computer.

Equivalent bikes from other manufacturers may be as good as Trek's, but
Trek has the best reputation for warranty service. If you're comfortable
with your local Trek dealer, that's a big plus too. Don't forget Trek
includes Lemond and Klein.

Matt O.

 

[Oz]

What are your thoughts on the Trek 1000 vs. the Giant OCR3? I currently
ride an OCR3 and it's a decent enough bike but I'm thinking about giving it
to my son and moving to a Trek or Specialized.


"Kristian M Zoerhoff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
>>
>> Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes.
>> The
>> reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the quality
>> and
>> ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike.
>
> 8-speed rear sprocket. 24 gears total, assuming it still comes with the
> triple front chainwheel like my '05 did.
>
>> They wrote that
>> it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking bike and comes with
>> the
>> Trek name brand but I am concerned about the componentry. The Trek
>> website
>> indicates that the front derailleur is Shimano 2203 and the rear
>> derailleur
>> is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a lower quality than Sora components so I'm
>> wondering if this bike is really a good buy or would it make more sense
>> to
>> spend a couple of hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike)
>> which
>> has a Tiagra front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for
>> about $400 more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike) which
>> has a 105 front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.
>
> My guess is you'll never use the extra few gears you'll get on these
> models, so don't let the gear numbers influence you. If you're worried
> about the components, feel free to upgrade, but I've got over 800 miles
> on my Trek 1000 since last September (including riding all winter), and
> it's performing just fine. Take care of the bike, and it will take care
> of you.
>
>> Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to beyond.
>
> The 1000 does a very good job of that; I'm more than happy with mine
> thus far.
>
> --
>
> __o Kristian Zoerhoff
> _'\(,_ [email protected]
> (_)/ (_)

 

[landotter]

If ya like the 1000's feel, get it. Tiagra is fine stoff. If you yearn
for a 105 rear mech, buy one and fit it for $50. Ultegra is lovely, but
not really any more functional than 105 for every day use.

Front derailleurs aren't that big a deal, and even the cheapie Shimanos
shift just fine. I think I've got that same one on one of my city rides
and it does the job perfectly. Again if you want a schmancier one, it's
only a matter of $30 or so to upgrade to 105 level.

What else entails the jump in price? If it's markedly better rims or
crankset, it might be worth considering going up a notch.

Otherwise, for a training/sport ride, anything Sora on up is just
dandy. You can always upgrade a particular component you're not happy
with.

Upgrading things like wheels and frames are much more expensive if you
don't agree with them.

/salt

 

[catzz66]

Oz wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes. The
> reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the quality and
> ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike. They wrote that
> it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking bike and comes with the
> Trek name brand but I am concerned about the componentry. The Trek website
> indicates that the front derailleur is Shimano 2203 and the rear derailleur
> is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a lower quality than Sora components so I'm
> wondering if this bike is really a good buy or would it make more sense to
> spend a couple of hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike) which
> has a Tiagra front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for
> about $400 more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike) which
> has a 105 front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.
>
> Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to beyond.
>
> Rob
>
>

One of my daughters just bought a Trek 1000 and it seemed reasonably
priced to me. If you time your purchase right, you may be able to get
it on sale, making it an even better deal. The Trek 1000 seemed like a
pretty good value for the money to me. She paid 599 US in the middle of
a five day sale.

Like others have said, there is not a whole lot of practical difference
between 8 and 9 speed cassettes. You use what you have.

 

[Kristian M Zoerhoff]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> What are your thoughts on the Trek 1000 vs. the Giant OCR3? I currently
> ride an OCR3 and it's a decent enough bike but I'm thinking about giving it
> to my son and moving to a Trek or Specialized.

I've never ridden the OCR3, so I really can't say. My last bike was a
Giant Option hybrid, before that (waaayyyy before that), was an old Free
Spirit 10-speed that I got in 1989 for my freshman year of high school
(lived too close to qualify to ride the bus).

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ [email protected]
(_)/ (_)

 

[wvantwiller]

"Oz" <[email protected]> wrote in
news[email protected]:

> Howdy,
>
> Been spending some time looking at the Trek 1000, 1200 and 1500 bikes.
> The reason why is that Bicycling Magazine recently raved about the
> quality and ride of the 1000 (an 8 speed bike) as an entry level bike.
> They wrote that it is the best bike for under $1,000. Nice looking
> bike and comes with the Trek name brand but I am concerned about the
> componentry. The Trek website indicates that the front derailleur is
> Shimano 2203 and the rear derailleur is Tiagra. Shimano 2203 is of a
> lower quality than Sora components so I'm wondering if this bike is
> really a good buy or would it make more sense to spend a couple of
> hundred bucks more and get the 1200 (a 9 speed bike) which has a
> Tiagra front derailleur and a 105 rear derailleur? Of course, for
> about $400 more than the 1000 you can get the 1500 (a 9 speed bike)
> which has a 105 front derailleur and an Ultegra rear derailleur.
>
> Just looking for a bike that will take me from mid-entry level to
> beyond.
>
> Rob
>
>
I find that when I get lazy and drop the routine for a week or so, the
extra bottom gears on a 9 speed/3 chainring setup come in very handy. It
lets me slack off, yet get back into shape without much pain.

Also, I bought a used Lemond with a 105 shifter group tied to Sora
shifters, and after the first downhill curve at 20mph which needed a gear
shift, I shipped it off to the Local Bike Shop to upgrade to the 105
shifters. The need to take my hands off the drops made it abundantly clear
that having everything available from one position was the best way to be
riding. So, I'd strongly advise against anything with a Sora shifter
setup. The Tiagras on the 1200 are just as servicable as the 105s.

My choice until the Lemond became available was the Trek 1500, and I've
just about got that spec now.

The only other recommendation I'd make is if you're going to pop for a good
bike, you might as well start getting used to using clipless pedals. They
make a world of difference.

After years with a stem-shifting, toe-clip Schwinn, going all the way with
good a good STI system and clipless pedals now makes me wonder how I
managed all that time.

 

[Oz]

"wvantwiller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Oz" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news[email protected]:

> I find that when I get lazy and drop the routine for a week or so, the
> extra bottom gears on a 9 speed/3 chainring setup come in very handy. It
> lets me slack off, yet get back into shape without much pain.
>
> Also, I bought a used Lemond with a 105 shifter group tied to Sora
> shifters, and after the first downhill curve at 20mph which needed a gear
> shift, I shipped it off to the Local Bike Shop to upgrade to the 105
> shifters. The need to take my hands off the drops made it abundantly
> clear
> that having everything available from one position was the best way to be
> riding. So, I'd strongly advise against anything with a Sora shifter
> setup. The Tiagras on the 1200 are just as servicable as the 105s.
>
> My choice until the Lemond became available was the Trek 1500, and I've
> just about got that spec now.
>
> The only other recommendation I'd make is if you're going to pop for a
> good
> bike, you might as well start getting used to using clipless pedals. They
> make a world of difference.
>
> After years with a stem-shifting, toe-clip Schwinn, going all the way with
> good a good STI system and clipless pedals now makes me wonder how I
> managed all that time.

Okay. I'm a believer. I appreciate your comments and thoughts in this
thread.

I currently ride a Giant OCR3. The component group on this bike is Shimano
Sora. I would like to upgrade the components to Shimano 105 or Tiagra. Is
it practical/sensible to upgrade the components to Shimano 105 or Tiagra??
Mind you, the Giant OCR1 currently has Shimano 105 components. So, if I
upgraded to 105 components I would be making my OCR3 an OCR1. Would this be
practrical to do?

Rob

 

[catzz66]

Oz wrote:
>
> Okay. I'm a believer. I appreciate your comments and thoughts in this
> thread.
>
> I currently ride a Giant OCR3. The component group on this bike is Shimano
> Sora. I would like to upgrade the components to Shimano 105 or Tiagra. Is
> it practical/sensible to upgrade the components to Shimano 105 or Tiagra??
> Mind you, the Giant OCR1 currently has Shimano 105 components. So, if I
> upgraded to 105 components I would be making my OCR3 an OCR1. Would this be
> practrical to do?
>
> Rob
>
>
>

If it were me and nothing was broken or worn out, I would probably just
ride it as is unless I felt confident enough to order the parts and
change things out myself.

 

[wvantwiller]

"Oz" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> "wvantwiller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Oz" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news[email protected]:
>
>> I find that when I get lazy and drop the routine for a week or so,
>> the extra bottom gears on a 9 speed/3 chainring setup come in very
>> handy. It lets me slack off, yet get back into shape without much
>> pain.
>>
>> Also, I bought a used Lemond with a 105 shifter group tied to Sora
>> shifters, and after the first downhill curve at 20mph which needed a
>> gear shift, I shipped it off to the Local Bike Shop to upgrade to the
>> 105 shifters. The need to take my hands off the drops made it
>> abundantly clear
>> that having everything available from one position was the best way
>> to be riding. So, I'd strongly advise against anything with a Sora
>> shifter setup. The Tiagras on the 1200 are just as servicable as the
>> 105s.
>>
>> My choice until the Lemond became available was the Trek 1500, and
>> I've just about got that spec now.
>>
>> The only other recommendation I'd make is if you're going to pop for
>> a good
>> bike, you might as well start getting used to using clipless pedals.
>> They make a world of difference.
>>
>> After years with a stem-shifting, toe-clip Schwinn, going all the way
>> with good a good STI system and clipless pedals now makes me wonder
>> how I managed all that time.
>
> Okay. I'm a believer. I appreciate your comments and thoughts in
> this thread.
>
> I currently ride a Giant OCR3. The component group on this bike is
> Shimano Sora. I would like to upgrade the components to Shimano 105
> or Tiagra. Is it practical/sensible to upgrade the components to
> Shimano 105 or Tiagra?? Mind you, the Giant OCR1 currently has Shimano
> 105 components. So, if I upgraded to 105 components I would be making
> my OCR3 an OCR1. Would this be practrical to do?
>
> Rob
>
>
>
>
I only upgraded the shifters because I already had the 105 hardware at the
chain end of the front and rear derallieur setup. That means that
fortunately the overall range of motion was designed into the system; all
we had to do was change the system to make smaller changes WITHIN that
existing ranges. I got the old "That shouldn't be too much trouble" from
the bike shop, and then we ended up with having replace the chain because
we forgot that issue when going from 8 speed to 9 speed.

When you have to upgrade more, you might run into other problems like frame
alignment, tolerances, and clearances that would leave you with a 90%
effective bike, with constant chatter in some combinations or even some
impossible combination.

From the Giant website, the OCR1 has 10 speed components on the 105s, so
you can see how the situation has changed from when I had this work done
just last year.

 

[[email protected]]

I bought an Ibex online,
and according to Mtbr.com,
the components are good quality, for the money.

I'm not an expert, or affiliated.
This is just info about a non-big name company.
Worth looking at is all.

any who consider this OT Spam, sorry
waterboy

 

[Oz]

"catzz66" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Oz wrote:
>>
>> Okay. I'm a believer. I appreciate your comments and thoughts in this
>> thread.
>>
>> I currently ride a Giant OCR3. The component group on this bike is
>> Shimano Sora. I would like to upgrade the components to Shimano 105 or
>> Tiagra. Is it practical/sensible to upgrade the components to Shimano
>> 105 or Tiagra?? Mind you, the Giant OCR1 currently has Shimano 105
>> components. So, if I upgraded to 105 components I would be making my
>> OCR3 an OCR1. Would this be practrical to do?
>>
>> Rob
>>
>>
>>
>
> If it were me and nothing was broken or worn out, I would probably just
> ride it as is unless I felt confident enough to order the parts and change
> things out myself.

Sounds like a great idea. I really can't justify spending the money on new
components or a new bike anyway. If I were riding a lot of miles everyday
of the week that would be a different story but I don't.

Thanks for the sound advice.

Rob