Trek 1500

Price Paid:  $960.00 at Trek store, New Alba

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Long tours, hills

Summary:
This has been a great bike for me for the money. Superb ride for the budget restrictions in place. I think this was the last year for this bike then they started cheaping out on the components. I opted to upgrade to a triple crankset and glad I did so.

Strengths:
Great value, has held up very well with 7,000 miles on it, needs little mechanical adjustments, corners well. Nice quiet 105 and Ultegra components.

Weaknesses:
Frame is a little too stiff for total comfort and at the same time acceleration seems a little sluggish and flexy compared to my old steel frame bike. Replaced seat straight away.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Palm Springs Cyclery

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Solvang California Foxen Canyon

Bike Setup:
63 cm Alpha aluminum frame. 105 flight deck brakes and shifters. Bontrager race triple crank. Ultegra rear derailer. After market upgrades: Mavic Kisyrium elite wheels, ultegra clipless pedals, Ultegra chain and casset.

Summary:
Great value. This bike is versatile and well built. The Alpha Aluminun super light race frame sticks the corners exceptionally well. I bought the bike on a budget. I couldn't then, and cannot today, pony up 3 or 4 grand for a bike. 10,000 miles, and half a dozen centuries later, from Solvang, to the Sea Otter Classic, This bike is road proven.

Strengths:
Stiff aluminum frame, available in 63 cm, is ideal for a tall (6'3") rider. Bike was excellently fitted for the rider, by the Trek dealer, who special ordered the machine, to fit the rider.

Weaknesses:
A few of the original parts, such as the bontrager wheels, needed replacing/ upgrading in the first few thousand miles. Triple crank shifts a little bulky at times.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale w/ similar setup.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Ultimate bicycle

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Farm Country of NC/SC border

Bike Setup:
stock componenets, except for Fi'zi:Arione K:ium Rail 225 saddle, cats eye computer, Shimano clips, Iron Man Carbon Stryke tri bars, REI Aqua rack and Aero bottle.

Summary:
Great bike and has been fantastic first road bike purchase. I am triathlete but this is my trainig and racing bike. comfortable, light, performs well in every area.

Strengths:
A lot of bike for the money, very reliable, fast and true.

Weaknesses:
seat, but replaced it almost immediately with nice Fi'zi:k. Some minor gear slippage if pressured on tough hills.

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Price Paid:  $920.00 at The Bike Shop (Fort

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Arches National Park

Bike Setup:
Stock frame, headset, fork
Bontager RL inform seat
Bontager RXL stem and RXL Carbon Bars
Bontager RL Wheels
Contanetal Gaterskin ultra tires
Shimono clipless pedals
Trek incite 9i computer
Ultegra 11-24 cassette

Summary:
I've got around 4500 miles on her and no problems yet. Also no matter what I throw at her for roads hilly or pancake, it tackles with no lag. A fast road bike on at a shoestring price. A+++ bike

Strengths:
105 and Ultegra parts
Carbon seat post and fork
Piant makes it look like a fine sports car

Weaknesses:
Seat must be replaced
Tires and rims are lacking compared to the rest of bike

Similar Products Used:
2000 Trek 520
2004 Giant OCR2

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at La Jolla Bike shop

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Torrey Pines in La Jolla

Bike Setup:
Specialized Avatar 143 seat and shimano pedals, stock otherwise.

Summary:
An awesome bike. As others have said, I also replaced the seat when I first bought it. It makes you want to go fast wherever you go. You can hammer on the pedals with no noticeable frame flexing. When I purchased it, the only other bikes that could compare were over $1200 (without pedals). Sadly I am poor and have to sell it!

Strengths:
Stiff frame for out-of-saddle hammering. Light, and just enough performance to feel fast without being extravagant. Great bang for your buck.

Weaknesses:
Seat.