Trek 1200

Price Paid:  $600.00 at bike swap

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
commute

Bike Setup:
Bullhorn Bars
Veolocity Deep V wheelset
Viatorria Zaffirro tires/tuffy strips
Rocket Ring 56T Chainring
MKS toeclips/straps
Where I live the terrain varies, and I dont race- So I switched out the drop bars for a set of bullhorns.I had to switch out the wheelset which needed truing rather quickly and often to a set of Velocity Deep V's, making the ride even stiffer. And The stock chainring was a bit small so I upgraded to a 56T.
Everything else is stock.

Summary:
Bought this bike used at a swap. Have ridden it for 8 months or so commuting in Philadelphia on average 25 miles a day. Lots of stops and starts, bumpy roads,potholes. Generally a harsh enviroment for a road bike.This bike is fast, agile and with my upgrades and switches, durable. I dont like this 2006 colorscheme... but I would reccomend this bike. After the 3rd month or so I fell in love and even named her- at first she seemed really conservative, but in time has proven she is tough, fast, and versatile:)Pacing traffic at 25-35mph... bombing hills reaching 55+mph.. Ihave learned to trust this bike performance with minimal headaches.
I would love to take a cross country trip on this bike- but I am unsure if I can find a alum or steel fork for the load versus the stock carbon... Maybe we will get married in Vegas...

Strengths:
Frame and fork. Personally I am surprised at how well they have stood up so far. No issues with Shifters/levers. I even liked the stock seat.

Weaknesses:
FD- upgrade it. RD is just starting to be problematic after 4000 miles of Philly punishment:) Stock wheelset/tires were not suitible for constant abuse on city streets, but for road riding I dont think they would be considered a total weakness.

Similar Products Used:
Masi Vincere 58cm, Giant OCR1 lg, IRO HD track, Trek 1000.

Price Paid:  $750.00 at cyclefit

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
local

Bike Setup:
Original frame/fork/ handlebars and STI shifters. Everything else changed out over the course of five years- a great bike to see if road riding is for you and easily customizable for one's specific needs and budget.

Summary:
Review is for 2004 (not on list for some reason). I have ridden this bike for 5 years. It was my first road bike and was an exceptional purchase. The frame is of very high quality- 2.5 pounds and very stiff. The low points of the bike are the components, but these are easily upgradable as one's budget allows. This bike is not originally intended for racing, but can easily be converted to by swapping out the components. I have weighed anywhere from 210 to 240 lbs riding this bike and have never thought it to be "flexy"- my steel commuter bike on the other hand is flexy. This is a great starter bike. I know own two road bikes and two mountain bikes and the trek is my "club ride/friend ride/charity ride bike". If you're getting into road riding with long term ambitions, this is a high quality machine worth the investment.

Strengths:
Frame and fork. Complete bike for under a "G". Stiff ride - no power loss.

Weaknesses:
Parts spec not the greatest- but can easily be upgraded as needed and as budget allows.

Similar Products Used:
Surly CrossCheck. Cannondale hardtail mtb. Raleigh XXIX single speed.

Price Paid:  $7000.00 at 1991 Chain Reaction

Model Year:
1999 or older

Favorite Ride:
American River / Sacramento

Bike Setup:
Original 1992 components. Shimano 105's.

Summary:
It's been great! I ride maybe 35 miles per week with hills. Sometimes twice/wk. The weels and frame have stayed true. Shimano 105's are still sharp. I can't say anything bad about the bike.

Strengths:
Wheels are pothole proof & the frame is very strong and stiff. They've been great for a guy who weighs 225.

Weaknesses:
Shifters are low on the frame. But that can be changed.

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Friend

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
None

Bike Setup:
List is too long.

Summary:
When i first got it, it looked great. Very nice bike. Over time, it started to look uglier and uglier. (Ride quality)
The BIGGEST problem I see is lateral movement on the frame. When I'm on my trainer, I see ALOT of lateral movement. This is not good at all because you are loosing alot of the power.

I find that it was a good deal for a while, but it was not a keeper.

Strengths:
105s rear derailleur
Wheels stayed trued
STI shifters
Good skewers, I moved them on my newer bike because they were more simple and lighter.
Carbon seat post and fork

Weaknesses:
LATERAL MOVEMENT on the frame
Cheap break calipers

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $60.00 at My friend.

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Streets of SF

Bike Setup:
I added different wheel sets, and changed the pedals to Shimano PD-540s

Summary:
I've read the reviews, and some of them are true. The front derailleur keeps falling. It annoyed my so much because when it keeps falling, eventually it started to grind on my chain.

Strengths:
Carbon seat post and fork. Which made the ride more stiffer. It climbs very well, i can tackle 15Mile hills no problem.

Weaknesses:
Front derailleur, and shifting.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing would be similar.