Summary: I love this bike. I bought it from a touring company so they upgraded the wheels. Do not have a problem with Sora, but did recently upgrade rear to Deore. I only use the bike from early spring to late fall. Too nice for the snow. I mostly tour with it and have racks front/back. It handles weight no prob.I do not race but have been able to pull in riders with pricier bikes. Paint job was a bit banged up when I got her but the yellow and blue are very nice. I named her Lucy.
Strengths: Fast bike, quick and responsive. If you are thinking of doing touring I recommend this bike (change up the rims if bought new) I bike and camp so carry all the gear to do so. Fells great under the weight.
Weaknesses: I was a bit limited on tire size. I run 700c x 30 IRC tandem tires. On the rear Mavic A319 on the front Mavic Aurora. Takes my 200lbs plus gear with ease.
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Favorite Ride: nj roads, mostly thru the great swamp to Madison NJ
Bike Setup: Currently the TREK 1000 is my fixed gear, having just undergone a conversion. I replaced bb, cranks [with 175mm] and have a 43tooth chainring... and of course replaced the wheels. Currently running 43x18 fixed gear with a bottle cage and removeable light. Waiting on a cyclocomputer til I get cash.
Summary: My first store bought road bike. Also my first aluminum bike and the first bike I ever had with indexed shifting. The bike came in yellow with blue decals, Sora components and a triple chainring. 170mm cranks. Cool looking rims but somehow they kept needing work to stop wobbles.
Strengths: Nice stiff frame, a few easy gears in the back to help with hills, great paint job.
Weaknesses: Sora is bottom of the totem pole in terms of Shimano componentry; the wheels were constantly coming untrue and I rode terrified of bent rims, even though I've virtually memorized the potholes in most of the roads I ride regularly. Plus the cranks are 175, not 170 millimeter.
Similar Products Used: TREK X-01 cyclecross bike [2001] and an old lugged steel frame Nishiki Modulus with indexed downtube shifters.
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Bike Setup: stock but have replaced derailers, added clipless peddles, computer, and water bottle cages
Summary: This bike is the third road bike I've had. It is a great ride and I love the color scheme. It handle well and corners nice. I am a larger rider and find the bike a pleasure to ride. I have riden on two, two hundred mile bike rides and the bike was great. Yes there are things that could be better sora(upgrading to 105), I've upgraded to clipless peddles, handle bars are to low for me. I had a great trouble getting it to shift right. I replaced the derailers w/ 105s and most of the trouble went a way I can't wait until I upgrade the shifters to 105 also.
Strengths: price, ride
Weaknesses: sora componets, clip peddles.
Similar Products Used: 80's univega, used 70's nishiki, motiv mtb
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Summary: I've oowned this bike for two years and have made several upgrades since I purchased it.I upgraded the wheels to Ultegra hubs with Mavic Open Pro rims.I added Conti Grand Prix 23 tires. I changed out the cassette to Ultegra also.The 11x28 was too wide of a range.I went to 13x26.I also upgraded the saddle to a Selle Italia Genuine Gel and added SPD pedals.With all these upgradeds the bike rides much better.The frame is stiff but not uncomfortable.If you want a bike for recreational riding or non competitive group or charity rides you can't go wrong.This bike is not for RACING.If you plan on racing I would suggest something different.But for an entry level road bike it probably is the best deal.
Strengths: Frame and price.Shimano Sora for non racers is great.The yellow paint is beautiful.
Weaknesses: Wheel are weak.The cassette is too wide of a range for consistant cadence.I din't like the saddle but thats a very subjective thing.
Similar Products Used: None
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Bike Setup: Stock with Spinergy R2+ wheel, Selle Italia Century Gel saddle, Look P236 paddles, Profile Design Ai
Summary: I take back the bad stuff I said about this bike earlier. It's really a pretty decent bike, if you over look the components. I upgraded here and there, mostly for comfort. I can use this bike and whoop up on people with Litespeed, Merlin, etc. Since I use it for triathlon, the shifting-dilemma is not that be of a problem for me.
The bottom line is that if you are a crappy biker, no bike will make you a racer. Take Eddy Merckx for example, he had one of the fastest Tour de France stage time riding on a 70s steel bike.
I will definitely get a better bike after college and when I start making my own money. Right now $30000 tuition is keeping my budget tight.
Strengths: Cheap, good value
Weaknesses: Heavy bike
Similar Products Used: None
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