Trek 2001 XO 1

Price Paid:  $600.00 at HighGear, Gillette N

Favorite Ride:
Anything within 20-40 miles

Bike Setup:
48/42 up front. Road cassette on the rear. Using replacement fornt rim until i get stock one fixed. Bottle cage and Cateye speedometer. Everything else standard.

Summary:
Got this thing last year or so. 2001 model, NOS, and substantially marked down from it's $999 price tag. I wanted a new road bike, but at 190lbs, was afraid to damage expensive road componentry w/ hard riding.

Decided to buy it without ever riding it. I was not disappointed. The bike rides great, is a hillkiller, and handles nice. But it isn't as aero [uncomfortable] as a strict road racer, nor as finicky. The standard, non-exotic parts may not be expensive but the frame is both upgrade and race worthy, and the parts held up well.

I have had this for a while now. Though my old-school tendencies led my to purchase a Lemond steel frame (853 reynolds tubing, yeh!)road bike, I like my XO1 and would not part with it. The Shorty cantis provide excellent praking, it has clearance for 25c road tires or even 35c 'cross knobbies in the winter, and 5the barcon shifter can be operated with thick gloves, a plus when it's less than 15 degrees out! Frame is nice 'n stiff in the climbs. Only replacements I've done is I'm running a different front rim until I can get the original trued -- I hit a HUGE pothole -- and I replaced shift cable housing near the rear derailieur which cracked during a winter ride -- rubber not rated to 15 degrees f with wind chill, I guess ;) Other than that, I switched out the 52t steel outer ring of the double for a nice lil CNC'd 48t aluminum ring, but I guess that's an upgrade not a repacement -- and also swapped the rear cassette fer 1 w/ wider (road) gearing. Now it rides even better and kills the hills.

Strengths:
Tough, race worthy frame. Good handling. Nice cranks. Sturdy basic parts. Nice cantilevers.

Weaknesses:
Came with big road ring even tho it's a cross bike; brake pads suck.

Similar Products Used:
Homebuilt cross bike I made outa a Shogun road frame; Raliegh hybrid I converted to a cross bike for commuting.

Price Paid:  $450.00 at From a friend

Favorite Ride:
Any race

Bike Setup:
58cm bike. Weyless stem, seatpost, carbon fork. Splines bb triple Rolf Vector wheelset. Shimano RSX.

Summary:
Didn't plan on buying a cyclocross bike but got such a great deal that I couldn't pass it up. I use it for commuting and for slower training rides. Plan on doing a few cross races this fall.

Strengths:
Great comfortable upright position. Stiff ride but not too bad. I even prefer to ride it more now than my Cannondale road bike. For the money it can't be beat!

Weaknesses:
The welds are kind of ugly. other than that there are no problems.

Similar Products Used:
First cross bike-used my MTB for commuting and cyclocross races.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Micheux forest

Bike Setup:
Thompson stem, Ritchie Pro Cross cranks, Koobie saddle, Easton carbon seatpost. More upgrades to come: Brakes, Drivetrain.

Summary:
I picked up this bike after my GT mtn bike died (yes died). Looking to get into the local cx scene, light (not technical) off road and occasional commute. The frame is stiff (aluminum, duh) but if you want to race on it you'll have to upgrade the components. I actually enjoy riding this off road more than I did my mtn bike. I can climb better and corner better with it. I've heard it described as a glorified touring bike which fits it well. A great commuter ride! I wouldn't say it's race ready right out of the box. Overall good value.

Strengths:
Stiff frame. Rims are bomb proof. Good value for the beginner cx rider or commuter.

Weaknesses:
Component group. Sora? Yikes! To be a decent cx ride it needs at least 105 or Ultegra. Avid brakes need to be upgraded also.

Similar Products Used:
Bikes

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Either road up Mount Royal (The Women's Road World Cup Course in Montreal)

Bike Setup:
RSX FD, Ultegra RD/cranks/bar con shifers, Bontrager Racelite saddle (really comfy), rear MTB fender, water bottle cage for commuting

Summary:
After 2 years of careful budgeting & searching, I got an incredibly great deal on ebay. The previous owner did quite a bit of work on her & I benefited from it! Woo!Hoo! If you need one bike to do a bit of everything, this is IT. Mainly for commuting to work (14km round trip with 2km trail thrown in to liven up the ride) & weekend fun, of course, I hope to race it this season & try my luck out.

Strengths:
Ultegra drive components with bar con shifting, real slick! The Bontrager Jones CX tires offer great grip on the roads & trails alike. This bike does not miss a beat when making the transition from asphalt to gravel to mud.

Weaknesses:
Haven't found one yet!

Similar Products Used:
First cross bike. Demoed Kona Jake. Proud owner& long time rider of an '88 Raleigh Super Grand Prix before I made the switch

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Bicycle HQ

Favorite Ride:
Stubway

Bike Setup:
Mostly stock. Bontrager bits. Trek Frame. Shimano Sora group. Avid Shorty 4 brakes. Aroura Wheels. Bontrager Tires. Wilderness Trail Bike pedals (the thinking man's flats).

Summary:
A fast, fine handling and very comfortable ride. Has been in dirt, on singletrack and in a paceline. Performs well everywhere. Particularly comfortable handlebars. Great stock tires and good wheels. Derailleurs and crank a bit inxepensive, but as a result, so is the bike. Killer looks when polished up. Shifting and braking adequate.

Strengths:
Acceleration, handling, comfort, a terrific bike for the money. I put fenders on it and rode it all winter.

Weaknesses:
Aluminum frame ride qualities - a little harsh. Tires wear quickly on hard surfaces. 105 levers would make shifting easier when in the drops. Bar end plugs fell out. Bontrager logo rubbed off the seat in about ten seconds. if I can find some reasonably priced carbon forks they'll be my next add.

Similar Products Used:
First cyclocross bike. Bought it to fit between a Trek 2400 and Schwinn Rocket 88. It fits in perfectly.