Price Paid:  $700.00 at Bicycle World

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Trek 1000

Summary:
The Trek 1000 is my first serious bike purchase. I currently am a road racer/triathlete-in-training. This bike has never let me down. It performs well and stands up to wear and tear well. I've never had to have it worked on professionally. I would definitely recommend this bike to a newbie!!

Price Paid:  $600.00 at bke tech medford

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
mount laurel to red lion

Summary:
THIS IS MY FIRST ROAD BIKE AND I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT WAS A ENTRY LEVEL AND PRICED RIGHT. I BOUGHT THE ORANGE FLASH COLOR IN 54 CM AND THE BIKE HAS PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY. AFTER 600 MILES I UPGRADED THE TIRES AND ADDED A SELLE SAN MARCO SEAT FROM NASHBAR. I SHOP THERE AND REI OUTLET MOST OF THE TIME. I ADDED SPEEDPLAY CHROM ALLOY PEDALS AND RETAPED THE BARS. THE BIKE HAS ALMOST 3000 MILES ON IT AND I LOVE IT. TOP SPEED GOING DOWN THE OCEAN CITY BRIDGE WAS 36 MPH AND IT FELT GREAT. I FILL UP THE TIRES BEFORE EVERY RIDE AND GET THE BIKE SERVICED ABOUT 2 TIMES A YEAR AT BIKE TECK IN MEDFORD. CHRIS TOOK OVER FROM MR LEE AND IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

Strengths:
PRICE RELIABILITY COLOR ALUM FRAME COMPONENTS.

Weaknesses:
BRAKES

Similar Products Used:
SPEEDPLAY,SELLE SAN MARCO,NASHBAR STUFF

Price Paid:  $750.00 at Horrible LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
CMR

Bike Setup:
factory setup other than upgraded tires due to too many flats

Summary:
I bought this bike hen I decided that there was no mtb around the area. I went to my horrible LBS and they told me this was a great road bike and had great comps. It was my bad for not doing more research. I can't complain though this bike got 2 years of riding and have sense sold it to another new rider.

Strengths:
The bike works if you are just wanting to ride around town and not wanting to do more than 30 miles. Frame is nice but could be a little stiffer.

Weaknesses:
Components stink, tires are bad, and seat makes my butt go numb. I can't complain to much I only paid 750.

Similar Products Used:
Douglas Matrix with Full DuraAce. I highly recommend this bike it rocks. Trek 5200, Trek Madone 4.5, and Specialized Allez Comp.

Price Paid:  $699.00 at Jax's Bicycles

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Anything along the beach

Bike Setup:
Stock with Look pedals for the first year. Now: Mavic Aksium wheels, Shimano 105/Ultegra drivetrain, Selle Italia SLR saddle, and Bontrager Race Lite tires.

Summary:
If you're looking to get into road cycling this is probably the best one to get.
I bought the bike end of '06. As a stock model, it was perfect, I had no problems with any of it's components, and as long as you maintain it, it should last for a long time. This was my introductions to road cycling, so I was looking for an entry level bike, tested a few others but the stiffness, looks and handling convinced me that this was the bike to buy. Now over the last two years I've eventually upgraded most of its components, but the frame still holds. For the price you can't go wrong.

Strengths:
Stiff, good for the price, and one of the best intro road bikes.

Weaknesses:
The front derailleur can be a little tricky to get used to since it comes with a triple chain ring, makes some noise when shifting.
Tires may also need replacement after your first 500 miles or so.

Similar Products Used:
None, this is my first road bike. Tested the Specialized Allez, Giant OCR, Schwinn Fastback, Felt, all entry level.

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Bicycle Outfitter

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano clipless pedals and a Selle San Marco Ponza saddle.

Summary:
I bought this bike for my first bike since I was on a budget. I heard this was the best entry level bike for the money, and I'll have to agree. If you're just starting out and you need a decent bike at a decent price, this is the bike to get.

Strengths:
Overall, there are no real "strengths" to the bike, but you get a good bang for your buck.

Weaknesses:
The seat is fine for beginners, but it is a little big for my preference.
The nylon strap pedals will start to hurt if you're on the bike a lot.
The bike is kinda of heavy; somewhere about 21.5 dry.
THE WHEELS! If you can get a different set of wheel somewhere for a pretty good price, please replace the stock ones.

One last thing, the brake that came with the bike were a little too short on the front and caused the pads to rub the tire. Trimming the pads down a little bit will get you around the problem, but you lose some of your stopping power.

Similar Products Used:
Connandale CAAD9