Price Paid:  $1400.00 at River City Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Rolling Hills

Bike Setup:
Trek Pilot 2.1

Summary:
I've been ridden about 250 miles on my Pilot 21 and have broken 2 spokes already. I'm 6'4, and about 285 pounds. I was told the bike would be able to handle my size.

Strengths:
I love the bike. It's fast and pretty comfortable. I don't notice a big difference in weight between mine and something that is all Carbon Fiber.

Weaknesses:
The wheels are driving me nuts. I've broken 2 spokes already.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Stock Pilot 5.0

Summary:
I upgraded to the Race Lites after my 3rd set of Bontrager Race wheels went bad in 2 years. After 170 miles, my wheel is already out of true. I suspect the design of the Race & Race Lites is just poor. I have been riding the same roads/paths for 30 years using Treks and Cannondales with no issues. I'm not sure why Trek wanted to associate with Bontrager.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
Spokes work loose

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Trek SD

Bike Setup:
stock 2008 Madone 5.2

Summary:
update from previous post on June 2. Another busted spoke on the rear wheel at the 340 mile mark and stranded me 18 miles from home. I've given up on these things. Granted, I am 215 lbs but was assured both at the initial point of purchase and after the first repair that the wheels were strong enough for me. Wheelset warrantied out for a different model.

Strengths:
lightweight. Front wheel seems alright. Perhaps a good choice for a petite rider.

Weaknesses:
Either the strength of these wheels is overstated or there is a serious defect in the manufacturing process.

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Dam Route up Mt. Tam

Bike Setup:
Stock 2005 Madone 5.2

Summary:
Have had nothing but trouble with the Race Lites. I am a Clydesdale and climb a lot of big hills/mountains, but was assured these wheels were "bombproof" and could take anything I could dish out. The original 2005 Race Lites would continually go out of true, causing me to not trust my new bike on the more epic rides (2007 Death Ride). Stuck with my 2000 Trek 5200 with Neuvations for the tougher rides. Trek then convinced me that the 2008 Race Lites were "much stronger" and replaced my original set. Put just 500 miles on the new set then broke a spoke at the start of a climb. I am done with Race Lites, and now Trek changing them out under warrantee for Bontrager Classics (32 spoke). We'll see how those perform.

Strengths:
None that I can think of.

Weaknesses:
Definitely not strong enough for Clydesdales. Avoid these wheels if you are over 150 pounds!

Similar Products Used:
Neuvation low spoke count, Mavic Open Pro 32 spoke, Mavic MA3 32 spoke.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Trek San Diego

Favorite Ride:
Rancho Santa Fe

Bike Setup:
2008 Trek Madone 5.2

Summary:
Wheelset came stock with the 2008 Madone 5.2. Broke a spoke at the 250 mile mark. The thing snapped about 80% of the way towards the hub. Wasn't touching anything and it was the actual blade that broke clean through. Shop mechanics thought it very odd and got me fixed up in 20 mins. Hopefully not indicative of future performance! Otherwise, they perform very well and until the breakage, was happy with them.

Strengths:
Lightweight, laterally stiff, stayed true.

Weaknesses:
broke a spoke at 250 miles.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez