Trek Equinox 9

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
anything smooth and fast on this bike

Bike Setup:
Swapped saddle for my favorite WTB Rocket V Stealth and upgraded wheels to Bontrager Aeolus 6.5s.

Summary:
I bought this bike exclusively to race 20-to-40k TTs. Rather than pay up for the carbon TTX, my LBS guys suggested this bike and spending the difference on upgrading the wheels. So I took their suggestion and got a set of Aeolus 6.5s. I am a 17-year mtb racer vet, and because this is my first experience with a TT bike, I have little basis for comparison. However, I will say that the bike feels solid, stiff, quiet and slippery. In the four TTs I have ridden, I have two wins, a second and a third. And because I missed more wins by seconds, those in the know tell me that with a full rear disk I would have won!

Those contemplating Ironman-distance tri's may want the slight additional comfort and slightly lighter weight of the full carbon TTX, but for my purposes this bike is a great value.

Strengths:
Looks, value, reasonable weight, stiffness.

Weaknesses:
Old-school 25.4 stem and bar. No front derailluer barrel adjuster.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Madone road bike with clamp-on aero bars.

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at Trek Shanghai

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
A30 to Airport

Bike Setup:
The stock setup was ok but as I mentioned earlier it needs time to get right but when it is setup right for you it is excellent.

Summary:
Anything not made in China and imported is expensive so this wasn’t the best way to buy a Trek Tri Bike but I’m glad I did. It is fast, super fast, light and comfortable. Good parts and value for money. Nice ride.

Strengths:
Light, fast and well made. The parts are excellent and good value.

Weaknesses:
It really needs to be setup correctly. What I mean by this is you need to spend more time with it in the workshop to get it balanced but when you do, its great.