Bike Setup: Stock 'cept Frog peddals, and Selle Ti Gel Flow saddle
Summary: This thing is plush. Light weight, crisp shifting full Ultegra groupo. What more could you want? Although I am new to road riding I am a cross country and downhill racer and know what it feels like to ride a quality bike. This thing is it. The rims slice the air like a hot knife through butter and the bike accelerates like a rocket. The carbon chain stays take the edge off the unforgiving road. I bought the bike to learn better form for mountain biking and I can feel the difference already. I always fought riding road being a dirt zelot at heart but I must admit I am hooked.
I gave a 5 for value due to the awesome price I paid (thanks Eddie) and a 5 for the rating 'cause this bike rocks.
I know people give high ratings because they spent good money on their gear and want to like it. I thought hard about this rating and I stand by it, it is not an inflated score. Trek has delivered what was promised.
Bike Setup: 2005 trek 2300 triple 54cm
stock with bontrager
saddle seat post stem handelbar
wheelset hubs tires
new shimano ultegra 10 x 3 gruppo
added shimano flite deck wireless
crank bros eggbeaters ss (awesome)
bontrager carbon fiber water bottle cage
(totaly too expensive but it looks sooo cool)
Summary: being a born again cyclist for fitness and fun my experience with other bikes is limited and dated , that said i would like to share my thoughts on this bike.
my main goal was to find a bike that fit and showed an appreciation for precision engineering technology and quiet "motorless motion".
i also felt a strong attraction to trek because of american reputation.
(buy american / buy lance, i am a texan after all)
another criterion i was drawn to was a desire to have as close to a complete gruppo as possible (ie all shimano ultegra new 10 speed triple)
i am only mentioning this because these requirements might be important only to me.
i did ride the 2005 trek madone 5.2 with shimano ultegra 10 speed x 3 and was amazed at ride quality and lack of resonance or buzz but decided against madone only due to self imposed budget.
aestheticly the 2300 was also a winner in my book and although its embarrasing to admit this had i very strong effect on my purchase aa well.
i just love this bike as it fit these individual and personal requirements very well.
riding this bike has been a thrill and i am very pleased with the human-bike integration.
shimano ultegra sti brakes shifters crankset drivetrain is beyond reproach.
trek frame design with carbon seatstays and bontrager components is wonderful.
very fast and handles well.
certainly the bike is not the weakest link when i am spinning down the road.
i plan on many quiet fitness rides on this quiet little rocket ship.
Strengths: trek
new ultegra
aesthetics and use of precision technology based on my ability and level
Weaknesses: i don't like decals
i know that sooner or later i will purchase a madone project one with carbon fiber frame , but until then this bike rocks and i could'nt be more happy with my purchase.
Similar Products Used: i owned a jw moore columbus steel frame with campy record components and custom paint in the late 70s and this trek bike has certainly injoyed advances in technology
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Summary: Previously I purchased an all steel Lemond Zurich off of e-bay. Beautiful bike, but, it didn't fit just right. Went to a high end bike shop and paid some dollars to get fitted to a floor model. Ended up with the 2300. Was not a big fan of aluminum ( or TREK ) but I have to say that the carbon fork and seat stays do an excellent job of smoothing out the bumps. The frame doesn't "jump" like the steel framed Lemond but the ride is so smooth that I don't care. It tracks really well and I look forward to riding it for a long time. I got a good deal because the 05's were coming out.
Strengths: Smooth ride, reletively lite. Ultegra.
Weaknesses: Its a Trek, ( you will be assimilated ). Has no snob appeal.
Similar Products Used: Lemond Zurich, Centurion LeMans
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Bike Setup: Pretty much stock - Flight Deck, Look pedals and a new saddle on the way.
Summary: This is a great bike! I fell in love with it the first time I rode it. It climbs easily and is fast! I'm 6'3", 210lbs, but no problems with the strength of the bike or wheels. Carbon seat stays make it a very smooth ride. It responds to anything I ask of it. I'm very happy with this purchase. I'm training for the racing circiut (Cat 3), and this bike will certainly allow me to do anything I need.
Strengths: Fast wheelset, carbon incorporated into frame, climbs great.
Weaknesses: Stock saddle is NOT comfortable.
Similar Products Used: Specialized
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