Trek Pilot 2.1

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Vitess Bike & Fitnes

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Bike Across Kansas

Bike Setup:
Set up with stock parts.

Summary:
I purchased the Trek Pilot 2.1 when I got back into road bikes again at the ripe young age of 66. Until then I had been only a casual rider. I had planned to spend a lot less on a bike, but was directed by the salesman toward this model. It was an excellend decision. After seeing other reviews, I wanted to add mine to this excellent bike. Disappointed that Trek no longer offers the Pilot line--especially for the entry/casulal/serious rider. I have ridden the bike more than 6,000 miles including Bike across Kansas, the Katy Trail, ect. Never any problems with bike.

Strengths:
Excellent Bike especially for someone wanting to do serious biking but needs comfort. Bike fits well

Weaknesses:
Brakes could be a better. Had to replace stock back wheel with a stronger model to support my weitht.

Similar Products Used:
The only bike I had to compare with was a 60's model road bike. There is no comparison. Since riding the bike, my brother has passed on his 5.9 along to me. The more expensive components and carbon put it into another class, but the 2.1 can hang in there with the 5.9

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at The Hub. Roseville C

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Trek Pilot 2.1

Bike Setup:
Stock except for head light and handle bar bag. Added bontrager carbon fiber water bottle cages,

Summary:
I got the Trek just for Sunday rides and realized I could do 30 miles easy so I started to commute to work on it. (weather permitting)The ultegra/105 component mix make the bike very smooth and ultra dependable. Over 3000 miles and it is still running strong. The only problem that I have experienced was rough shifting but I cleaned the drive train and everything went back to normal. I could honestly recommend this bike to anyone that is serious about biking because the price tag can take a bite out of your wallet. But if you commute for just one year you can cover the expense of the bike.

Strengths:
No flex from frame- I am 6'6" and used to weigh 250 and the bike still handled like a dream.
Very comfortable ride- It is not a race bike but at 40 years old I like the more forgiving position of the Pilot.
Totally cool carbon seat stays- Makes the road feel smoother and keeps the backside happy on long rides.

Weaknesses:
Some of the black annodized nuts are starting to oxidize- Probably my fault because I rarely clean the bike so I leave sweat and road grime on it for extended periods of time.
Bonetrager/Cane Creek brake combination work alright if recently tuned but if you let them go for a while you really have to grab a handful to stop quickly.

Similar Products Used:
All other bikes were hybrids that were substantially heavier and slower. This bike is much faster than anything I have ever rode. I can commute at an average speed of ~17 to 20 (uphill to work downhill home)

Price Paid:  $680.00 at craigslist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Alt-A1A

Bike Setup:
07 Trek Pilot 2.1 105's 10x3 and a polar cs200cad everything else is stock

Summary:
It came with 105 10x3 shifters and ultrega components cane creek brakes Bontrager select rims, saddle, seat post, handlebars and stem.I just got a Polar cs200 I've notice I'm able to get up to and maintain 15mph as my avg. and I consider myself really out of shape

Strengths:
the overall weight of the bike seem very light and stiff yet with a real plush ride

Weaknesses:
overall most of the bontrager part the saddle is really bad after 15 miles I the brakes need to be adjusted almost every ride but other than that I love the bike

Similar Products Used:
09 Allez, Scott S40,

Price Paid:  $120000.00 at Spoken Wheel Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Tour de Rock in Pella Iowa and Ragbrai

Bike Setup:
I put headlights and taillights on mine. I use a flightdeck computer and wouldn't be without it. This year I feel I really learned how to ride and the pilot has worked great

Summary:
My Son hounded me about getting a Trek bike. I bought his 7500 fx. It is a good bike and I rode about 1,500 miles on it. I bought my pilot 2.1 in May I have around 750 miles on it and love it. It is really smooth. I am not a professional so I can't tell you all the good or bad . But I feel it is a lot smoother and I get a lot of miles racked up and my knees don't hurt like last year

Strengths:
My kids bought a men's rx seat for me for Christmas. I really enjoy that seat and would recommend replacing the seat. The bike rides really smooth on rough roads and shifts really great

Weaknesses:
I don't know any weaknesses as I have only ridden a 7500 fx and a target bike. This is a great bike

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Race Pace Bicyc;es

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere 50-60 miles takes me

Bike Setup:
Pilot 2.1, Look Keo Classic pedals, Forte 44cm bar, Forte Carbon Pro SLX Saddle, Easton EA50 90mm stem. Cateye CD3000w wireless computer. Blackburn stainless hollow tube bottle cages.

Summary:
I bought the Pilot after my beloved Bianchi Giro and I parted company. My racing days are long over and the Pilot fit what I was looking for. No it does not handle like my Giro did but it also does not make my back feel like the Giro did either. The bike is plush to ride the carbon forks and rear seatstays are great for long distances. The Bontrager components are pretty junky. After about 300 miles I started breaking spoke on the rear rim, drive side. No problem Trek gladly replaced the rim with a Bontrager select series and I have not had any further problems. The bike climbs well both out of the saddle as well as in. I ditched the 3rd chainring and set the stop screw in after several key missed down shifts. I never used the thing. I plan on replacing the front DR for an Ultegra and have replaced the stem with and Easton. Frankly the bike is an excellent ride if your not looking to race with it. Long distances are really a breeze on this thing. Ohh ditch the stock saddle to. I have the Perfomance Pro SLX and it's great. I miss my Bianchi we were together for 12 years but I can ride faster, longer on this bike. I test rode the 07 model but did not purchase until this year. No 07's available but plenty of 08's. Buy it for the comfort and flip the stem for more aero effect.

Strengths:
Plush ride. Great long distance comfort.
The 105 shift/brake levers are flawless.
The Cane Creek brake set is up to the task. They are much better then they look.

Weaknesses:
The Bontrager components are not the greatest. They are a cost cutting measure. I was going to swap the wheelset after breaking some spokes the new select seris wheel is working fine.
The fork could be stiffer under hard breaking. Does an Ultegra front DR really cost that much more?????

Similar Products Used:
None. This is the 1st non-hardcore bike I have ever owned.