Trek 1500

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Ultimate bicycle

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Farm Country of NC/SC border

Bike Setup:
stock componenets, except for Fi'zi:Arione K:ium Rail 225 saddle, cats eye computer, Shimano clips, Iron Man Carbon Stryke tri bars, REI Aqua rack and Aero bottle.

Summary:
Great bike and has been fantastic first road bike purchase. I am triathlete but this is my trainig and racing bike. comfortable, light, performs well in every area.

Strengths:
A lot of bike for the money, very reliable, fast and true.

Weaknesses:
seat, but replaced it almost immediately with nice Fi'zi:k. Some minor gear slippage if pressured on tough hills.

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Price Paid:  $920.00 at The Bike Shop (Fort

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Arches National Park

Bike Setup:
Stock frame, headset, fork
Bontager RL inform seat
Bontager RXL stem and RXL Carbon Bars
Bontager RL Wheels
Contanetal Gaterskin ultra tires
Shimono clipless pedals
Trek incite 9i computer
Ultegra 11-24 cassette

Summary:
I've got around 4500 miles on her and no problems yet. Also no matter what I throw at her for roads hilly or pancake, it tackles with no lag. A fast road bike on at a shoestring price. A+++ bike

Strengths:
105 and Ultegra parts
Carbon seat post and fork
Piant makes it look like a fine sports car

Weaknesses:
Seat must be replaced
Tires and rims are lacking compared to the rest of bike

Similar Products Used:
2000 Trek 520
2004 Giant OCR2

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at La Jolla Bike shop

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Torrey Pines in La Jolla

Bike Setup:
Specialized Avatar 143 seat and shimano pedals, stock otherwise.

Summary:
An awesome bike. As others have said, I also replaced the seat when I first bought it. It makes you want to go fast wherever you go. You can hammer on the pedals with no noticeable frame flexing. When I purchased it, the only other bikes that could compare were over $1200 (without pedals). Sadly I am poor and have to sell it!

Strengths:
Stiff frame for out-of-saddle hammering. Light, and just enough performance to feel fast without being extravagant. Great bang for your buck.

Weaknesses:
Seat.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Gently rolling hills with scenery

Bike Setup:
Stock except for pedals.

Summary:
A fantastic entry to mid level bike. As someone just getting into roadie races, this bike is more than adequate to start with. Honestly, it can either function as a good training bike or even as a racing bike. Solid group (105), frame, and accessories. To address the previous reviews, the seat just happens to be fine for me since I'm a smaller rider who doesnt need a whole lot from his saddle. Same goes for the wheels, they are plenty tough for me. They have made it through two minor crashes (one with a monster pothole and the other with a tree) and are still true. Nice to have 105 components for such a low price as well.

Strengths:
Shimano 105 Components, Frame (esp. carbon seatpost and fork), Price

Weaknesses:
As a mid or entry level bike this has no weaknesses.

Similar Products Used:
Tested Specialized Allez and Cannondale Synapse at LBS. A few rides on Giant OCR1.

Price Paid:  $950.00 at Richards Cyclery, Pa

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Schlapp Road 30 mile loop

Bike Setup:
Stock with Brooks B-17 saddle and Conti Grand Prix 4000 tires. Cateye wireless comp. and Shimano SPD clipless pedals.

Summary:
I'm a 52 year old recreational rider who rides for fitness. I'm 6'4 and have ridden at weights all the way up to 255 at my heaviest. I was initially worried about the wheels with their low spoke counts and their ability to remain true while supporting my weight, but the Trek factory assured me the wheels could handle it. Although I don't beat the bike, I do ride long, rolling country roads that have their share of pot holes and uneven pavement. After 2 years and about 2000 road miles with alot more on the trainer, the wheels are still straight and true. I have had no cracking around spoke holes as some reviews have reported. I love this bike. The Shimano 105/Ultegra setup provides effortless, quiet, accurate shifting and the triple crank and 12/25 cassette makes hauling my well-fed self up hills relatively easy. Every morning I still look forward to riding this well designed rocket. For the money, this bike can't be beat.

Strengths:
Shimano 105/Ultegra setup is great. I was extremely surprised with the strength of the stock wheel set.

Weaknesses:
I replaced the stock saddle and tires almost right away. Although the stock saddle was beaten up by many other reviewers, I actually didn't think it was too terribly bad. I did however end up replacing it with the more comfortable Brooks.

Similar Products Used:
1980's vintage Schwinn World Sport