Trek 2200

Price Paid:  $685.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Columbia River Gorge/224 Estacada to Detroit Lake

Bike Setup:
Stock, except for the 959's and Flite saddle

Summary:
I bought this bike after spending most of my cycling on mtbikes and collegiately racing them. This bike was amazingly priced and came with no problems except for a need for new seatpost clamps. I've climbed in the Rockies with it, including to 12,000+ ft on Mt. Yale and it's a real demon on climbs and very stable on the decents. I didn't have any problems with only having a double, except for the lack of oxygen above timberline! Also, I love the color scheme!

Strengths:
Lightweight, stable, and very good value, with very good componetry.

Weaknesses:
Lightweight seatpost, it made a huge difference on my OCLV mountain bike and I believe it would do the same here. Only gets a 4 rating, because of this and that I wish for a carbon frame!

Similar Products Used:
1st road bike, but have had several mtbikes.

Price Paid:  $1550.00 at The Bike Rack

Favorite Ride:
Natchez Trace Parkway or any good country road

Bike Setup:
Stock - I like the saddle just fine!

Summary:
Totally stock bike - and I love it. I've been commuting for about a year on a late 90s Specialized hybrid and oh, what a difference. This bike rocks and rolls, and is light and fast. Since we have no mountains in Mississippi, I've got the double rather than triple chainring. This is a very fun bike to ride and the price didn't drain my wallet. It will be a long time before my biking ability outweighs this bike's capabilities.

Strengths:
It looks more expensive than it is, and the quality is outstanding. A lot of bike for the money, and you get Trek's lifetime frame warranty.

Weaknesses:
I wasn't wild about the 2003 black and blue color scheme, but it has grown on me.

Similar Products Used:
Laugh... Schwinn Varsity and LeTours, billions of years ago. Been riding the wife's 1980 Centurion road bike, but there's really no comparison.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Landry's Bikes, West

Favorite Ride:
Westboro/Hopkinton

Bike Setup:
- Standard setup

Summary:
I have the 2300WSD Trek. This is a GREAT bike. I love the fast pickup, the great feel of the ride and the very good components. This bikes eats up hills. I am 5' 6" so I could have gone with the men's model but I am glad to have the WSD. The reach to the brakes and shifters is much closer than some of the men's models I tried. I used this bike during one of the Fall charity rides. It was a hilly course and I was cruising by people on the hills. I knew my bike had something to do with it...I'm not that good!

Strengths:
- Light
- Fast pickup
- Great on hills
- Comfortable for women's build
- Smooth ride
- Great value for $$$

Weaknesses:
- I will probably change out seat for better one (it is a women's seat, just not that comfortable on rides over 2 hours)

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Trek Store in San Di

Favorite Ride:
La Jolla/Rancho Sta. Fe/Coast/La Jolla in San Diego

Bike Setup:
Stock: except for saddle (using my all time favorite San Marco Era Lux) and pedals (shimano ultegra).

Summary:
Great bike for the price. It really is a lot of value for the money, for someone that rides for fitness but can appreciate a good frame and really nice componentry. The bike is fast and will be a while before I outgrow it. At a discount price (I purchased it for $1,200, there was nothing comparable. It was a no-brainer. If you are buying it at regular price, I guess you can consider some Kleins, Bianchi, but this bike is still a great purchase.

Strengths:
Ultegra where it counts. Light. Very good components overall. I really like the looks (but that's very subjective, although everyone out there ask me if I'm riding carbon! I guess it looks more expensive than it is).

Weaknesses:
Saddle, but who keeps the stock saddle of a bike anyways. Pedals, but don't we all have our own?

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Bianchi Veloce, Giant OCR2.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Angle lake cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Interurban trail

Bike Setup:
Basically stock except for the Dura Ace brakes, got a really great deal on them,and the seat which is now Selle San Marco Era Lux.

Summary:
I use this bike for recreation and excercise. I just recently got into biking again. This is a good bike for me because its light enough, and the cost was perfect with all the right componants. I was going to buy the 5200 but it cost 1000 dollars more plus I figured i wasn't a strong enough rider for that bike.

Strengths:
SL aluminum frame is light and very stiff. Ultegra drivetrain with triple, and even though not top of the line botranger at all the right places.

Weaknesses:
I hate the M515 pedals, really hard to get used to, fell off two times already, no damage or scratches to bike, just my pride-will change soon to maybe look or ultegra pedals. Also the stock saddle Trek CRZ is awful trade it for the Selle San Marco Era Lux used on the 2300 and 5200, Trust me on this one no comarison.

Similar Products Used:
Motobecane grand touring with vitus 172 frame had this bike since I was a kid. I still love it and ride it, But it weighs 26 lbs. I put all my bags on it.