Bike Setup: Original Bontrager OCLV carbon fork, Shimano 105 Hollowtech double crankset,Shimano 105 rear derailleur and brakeset,Shimano Tiagra front derailleur, Shimano Dura Ace aero shifters, Cane Creek 200 aerobrake levers, Shimano R540 SPD-SL pedals,FSA stem, Cateye Strada Cadence cyclocomputer,Ritchey Comp seatpost, Profile Design AirStryke titanium saddle, FSA RD 80 Wheelset with Hutchinson Fusion Long Distance tires
Summary: I have a 2004 model with the baja blue color and silver graphics. I used to use this as my main road rig but since I upgraded to a 2006 FELT F55 I transferred my components/grouppo. However, I converted this bike to a "budget" time trial training bike and have not been disappointed. This baby can "fly" even with this 46 year old engine!
Strengths: Handling and climbing are exceptional. The bottom bracket is stiff enough to be responsive and when I am in the racing tuck I can power up efficiently and maintain my rpm's for a long time. Ride with the rear OCLV seatstay is borderline plush.
Bike Setup: Stock all Ultegra but for the SRAM cassette, and my saddle upgrade. Traded out Shimano 505 clipless peddles for a caged set until I find bike shoes and a pair of Looks - next purchase!
Summary: After 20+ years on a hardtail aluminum mountain bike, the smooth well-damped ride is a pleasure. The bike is light & quick; I have to pay a little more attention but the agility is worth it. This is my first experience with Shimano components; Ultegra group works extremely well - the brakes are amazing.
The Bontrager wheels catch a LOT of side wind, like the quick handling something that requires a litle getting used to. The stock saddle was awful (as countless reviews made clear)and I had a new Koobi waiting when I took delivery of the bike. One decal already peeled off, but all in all a beautiful ride!
Strengths: Good looking bicycle made in USA, light and quick.
Weaknesses: Stock saddle - why doesn't Bontrager just give up on their entry level seats?
Similar Products Used: Only other road bike was a early Fuji 12 speed (circa 1973) tourer. It was stolen, and it's been all-terrain bikes since.
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Bike Setup: See summary. Gotta love the fact that I have Campy on a TREK.(blasphemy?)
Summary: I bought this 2004 frame only with its original OCLV fork on EBay. I had a 2001 Fuji Roubaix which was 7005 series aluminum. The Fuji was extremely light, but with me being 45 years old it was taking a toll on my back. Anyway, I have a 1990's vintage Trek 1200 as a knockaround bike and I wanted a frame with carbon seatstays as well as one made in the USA - hence, TREK was my first choice.
This new rig has some of my old components transferred to it from my Fuji Roubaix: FSA Team Issue triple crank with titanium bottom bracket, Campy Veloce shifters and rear derailleur,Campy Chorus front derailleur,Campy Centaur brakes,Ritchey comp seatpost,Easton E50 stem, Salsa Pro Racing handlebars, Shimano 540 SPD-SL pedals, Selle Italia Prolink gel saddle, Velocity Spartacus Pro wheelset, and Hutchinson Fusion Long Distance tires.
Essentially, after 500 miles I can tell that previously bumpy pavement here in central Texas is definitely smoothed out with the carbon seatstays. I mean, I would ride on some ridged pavement that would castrate me as well as rattle my fillings and now with the 2200 it is very plush. I know that this is a good frame with a good rep.
I used to race in Cat 5 12 years ago, and even now am trying to get back into Cat 5 Team Time trials. Mainly I do fitness riding and charity rides to keep my sanity.
I most likely will keep this rig for 2 or 3 years than go up to full carbon.
Strengths: Plush ride, good climbing and sprinting without flexing in the bottom bracket. Welds are smooth and aesthetically pleasing compared to my old Fuji.
Weaknesses: Still trying to get used to the plushier ride - sometimes I feel that I am not as "in touch with the road" as I was with the Roubaix. But hey, my back feels great.
This bike is about 9 oz heavier than my Roubaix, but I will gladly choose the comfort of the TREK over such a low weight difference.
Favorite Ride: Schomberg to Caledon East - quiet scenic roads, rolling hills
Bike Setup: Stock, but upgraded to Bontrager Race Lite wheelset (fast and very reliable) at time of order. Also upgraded saddle to Koobi AU Enduro (great saddle - check out the reviews for this product on this web site - you don't even know it's there).
Summary: Finally upgraded my Bianchi Sports Touring model after 21 years. What a difference. Can now keep up on hilly club rides. This bike just seems to fly. Has helped me to make a quantum leap in my cycling ability, because this bike is so much more fun to ride. It's so smooth, and it just wants to climb up those hills. I have put more than 2000 kms on this bike and have had a lot of fun with this. The LBS has been very helpful.
Strengths: Smooth, fast, great looking bike (blue colour is very attractive), has got some wow factor (especially after moving up from a 21 year old Bianchi).
Weaknesses: This bike seduced me into the joy of cycling and I have overdone it for the year. Now recovering from an overuse cycling related sports injury :(
Similar Products Used: My 1983 Bianchi, which is a whole lot heavier, works well on the flats, but no comparison on the hills.
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