Bicycle Advice Sought

[Ed S]

I'm looking to fill up some of my free time by getting a little more exercise. I'd like to buy a bicycle - a road bike is my preference. I'd like to get a good quality bike.

I've done some searching around the net and some of the local retailers and think I like the the Trek 1500.

Now this may not be the cream of the crop, but it's way more bike than I've ever owned. I wonder if you really get that much more for the $1100 or so that this baby retails for. Is there really a difference between this bike and a lower priced bike?

Can someone objectively explain whether I'd be wasting my money or not? Should I just go with an old Schwinn with balloon tires?

Edited July 30, 2005 by Ed Swinnich

[tonym]

Go for it Ed.

That looks a decent piece of kit for the money.

It's certain that you'll get better stuff for your money now than you did ten years ago.

After all this years Ultegra, for example, is as good as Dura Ace a year or so ago.

I'v enever had a problem with STi shifts but do find the lever hoods a bit of a wierd shape. Then again, i was brought up on Campag. The Shimano stuff is well finished though.

Those Bontrager wheels are decent. You won't spend much time trueing them They too, have a nice finish on them.

Buy it, change the tyres for some Michelin Pro Race (the best mid range tyres you can get, totally slick but grippy in rain or damp. Every condition apart from fertiliser that the farmers around here leave. The go and do some miles.

Just a word of warning though; Trek's always used to hae short top tubes. For example, if I was to buy the 56cm frame, I would need a 56cm top tube and a 13cm stem. now Trek had a habit of making the frames around this size with maybe a 55cm top tube.

This would necessitate a longer stem which would affect handling.

How tall are you? And are you in roughly average proportions? ie you ain't got disproportionately long legs or back.

[tonym]

Just to add, I've just looked at the pdf containing all the geometrical data and it looks like you will get a 'squarer' frame than you once did.

No worries.

[Ed S]

Thanks so much for the feedback tony. Much appreciated. I live out in the outer fringe suburbs and have loads of open road and some nice hills in my area. I always enjoyed cycling and wanted to give it a go.

I'm exactly 6 feet tall and am of average proportions

[Jazzmoose]

Well, I'm glad someone could answer your questions, because I've never paid more than around $100 for a bike in my life. I'm not sure what I could possibly get, in terms of better exercise, for spending ten times as much...

[tonym]

I'm exactly 6 feet tall and am of average proportions

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you are very welcome Ed.

For what it's worth I'm exactly the same height and have always ridden a 56cm frame.

That is a nice bike for the money and will roll along very nicely. Like I said tyre choice is important; if the roads are of a decent surface, go with 23mm. Any more and there'll be too much weight and rolling resistance, any less (21mm or 19mm) and you'll run the risk of lots of impact punctures. Cornering will also be compromised.

Will you buy mail order or is that a price you've been quoted from a local specialist store?

[Aggie87]

I purchased a Trek 1400 in 1991, best bike I ever owned. At the time it was their high-end aluminum frame bike, with the 2300 being the next step up, and composite framed, which at the time was new, high tech, and MUCH more expensive.

I still ride it when time permits. Used to do the twice-annual ride around Corpus Christi Bay (Bay Trek and Island Breeze), which amounted to about a 75 mile loop. Alot of fun, plus alot of great water views, and a short ferry ride from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas.

I'd love to get back into cycling more seriously, and check out some of the newer Treks. I pick up their catalog still each year, and see all the upgrades and things, and just drool. They make good bikes - you won't go wrong with them on that 1500, IMO.

[Ed S]

I'm exactly 6 feet tall and am of average proportions

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you are very welcome Ed.

For what it's worth I'm exactly the same height and have always ridden a 56cm frame.

That is a nice bike for the money and will roll along very nicely. Like I said tyre choice is important; if the roads are of a decent surface, go with 23mm. Any more and there'll be too much weight and rolling resistance, any less (21mm or 19mm) and you'll run the risk of lots of impact punctures. Cornering will also be compromised.

Will you buy mail order or is that a price you've been quoted from a local specialist store?

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That's the price at the local specialist store. I'm inclined to buy from the brick and mortar here as he is a very reputable dealer with a complete service department. Nice to keep the little guys in business.

[Ed S]

I purchased a Trek 1400 in 1991, best bike I ever owned.  At the time it was their high-end aluminum frame bike, with the 2300 being the next step up, and composite framed, which at the time was new, high tech, and MUCH more expensive. 

I still ride it when time permits.  Used to do the twice-annual ride around Corpus Christi Bay (Bay Trek and Island Breeze), which amounted to about a 75 mile loop.  Alot of fun, plus alot of great water views, and a short ferry ride from Aransas Pass to Port Aransas. 

I'd love to get back into cycling more seriously, and check out some of the newer Treks.  I pick up their catalog still each year, and see all the upgrades and things, and just drool.  They make good bikes - you won't go wrong with them on that 1500, IMO.

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Thanks Erik. Between you and Tony, I'm feeling pretty confident about the choice.

As for Jazzmoose, I think the most expensive bike I ever bought was around $200. I'm looking for something that's going to perform well, not weigh a ton like the old battlewagon I peddled around and perhaps then provide some extra incentive and satisfaction by being able to do greater distances.

[Jerry]

Ed, I ride a bike 8 miles to work and 8 back most days. Most times I carry panniers with a laptop, bottles of water, a power rangers bell, Mr. Tuffy tire liners, all sorts of gizmos... Let me be a bit of a devils advocate here. If you want to get exercise, why would you get a high performance bike? Mightn't you be better off with a heavy clunker that really forces you to pedal and burn calories? The bike you are contemplating is a fine machine, but how wise is it for you to lay down over a grand when you are not yet thoroughly into the hobby? I'm not telling you what to do here, only offering an alternative. If the Trek really takes your fancy and you can afford it, of course go for it. On the other hand, one of these hybrid bikes with medium sized tires and cheap, reliable shimano gears, derailleur, etc might well give you a more comfortable, if slower ride, and you wouldn't be worrying all the time that someone's gonna swipe it, or sweating every little ding that comes along. In any case, have fun with your new ride! It's a very hip, ecological thing thing to be doing and great for your health.

[tonym]

You do right sticking with the local specialist Ed.

That way, after a mont or so when the cables have stretched (which they do) you can ride in and have him adjust things back to how they should be. He also won't mind amending your saddle or tyre choice even though they might not be standard. For the few quid you'll save from a big outlet, you'll spend on repairs at the local place anyway.

Just an aside; I bought a new 'winter' bike (essential in the UK) last October for £700 and, wheels aside, it is as good as anything I raced on a few years ago. Same for clothing etc. Such is the improvement in basic quality of these off-the-peg bikes.

If you did want to spend a little less, you'll find that a couple of hundred less might only downgrade the components to say, Shimano 105; still decent quality stuff.

Get the best combination of stuff you can afford; pointless putting the bulk of your cash into a frame and skimping on components or vice versa. Much like buying stereo equipment

Go for it Ed. Let us all know when you're up and running.

[ejp626]

I'd probably side with Jerry in that I usually get a middle of the road hybrid, so I am not completely distraught when it gets damaged or, knock wood, stolen. I do, however, like my current bike enough to have it disassembled and shipped to England, which was probably stupid. But I do most of my riding in town where speed is not an issue, and you need a really absorbent frame and wheels to deal with potholes. If you really are planning to be riding around in the countryside where you can really stretch out, then a nice road bike could be the ticket. In any case, enjoy!

[Ed S]

Thanks for the alternative views. I do have a Schwinn Crosstrail that I picked up used for a couple of hundred bucks about 10 years ago. It's a nice bike for the purposes that you use yours for, Jerry. I'll still use it for neighborhood rides with my sons and short trips around town - especially if I know I'll have to leave it unattended. It is a pretty heavy cluncker too - has front and rear fenders, one of those storage racks on the back, generator with headlight and tail-light.

I'm looking to kick it up a notch and try to put on some miles and enjoy some of the roads in the area that I'd never reach with my Schwinn. Western New York has some hilly areas and I live about 12 minutes by car from the nearest ski resort, 25 minutes from the next nearest, so I'm on the fringes of some rather hiily and picturesque country. I'm thinking that a bike like the Trek 1500 will help in that regard.

[Jazzmoose]

I agree with Tony in that going with your local shop is the way to go. There's nothing like having the local shop in your corner when something goes wrong! Some things are great for mail order or net shopping, but a bike isn't one of them.

[GregK]

don't forget to lock it up in a vault or else it may end up like mine. i walked out of the apt last friday morning, and as i walked past the bike rack where mine was locked up, i noticed that some asshole relieved it of its tires, leaving just the frame locked to the rack! what kind of scum does that i don't know, but they also took someone else's frame (they had the bike locked to the rack through the tire, so the tire was left)

[JohnJ]

don't forget to lock it up in a vault or else it may end up like mine. i walked out of the apt last friday morning, and as i walked past the bike rack where mine was locked up, i noticed that some asshole relieved it of its tires, leaving just the frame locked to the rack! what kind of scum does that i don't know, but they also took someone else's frame (they had the bike locked to the rack through the tire, so the tire was left)

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I had my saddle stolen a few years ago. It was a very uncomfortable ride that morning. Took a few weeks to obtain a new saddle too. As I leave my bicycle all over Tokyo I would never spend too much on one. Despite the Japanese reputation for honesty, bikes get stolen all the time here.

[WD45]

Much like buying stereo equipment...

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That says it right there. Some folks insist that you can't even think about using the cables that come with a component, and other listen on a $29 pair of headphones. All personal preference and priority.

Good luck with it. Cycling has been a hobby all of my years.

[J Larsen]

A Caddy for Daddy?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/07/26/cadillac_bikes/

[Ed S]

Well, a brand new 2005 Trek 1500 now sits in my garage. Picked it up today.

I'm taking my first ride tomorrow - can't wait. The bike shop I bought it from has been very helpful. They are also having a seminar on bicycle care in a couple of weeks that I'll be going to.

Thanks to all for your help and comments - even if some were of the reality check nature. Always good to look all sides.

[tonym]

Well, a brand new 2005 Trek 1500 now sits in my garage.  Picked it up today.

I'm taking my first ride tomorrow - can't wait.  The bike shop I bought it from has been very helpful.  They are also having a seminar on bicycle care in a couple of weeks that I'll be going to.

Thanks to all for your help and comments - even if some were of the reality check nature.  Always good to look all sides. 

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Excellent Ed. I'm pleased you went with a high quality package.

It sounds like that bike shop are just the job. A few fundamental 'housekeeping' rules and you'll get years out of that thing.

PS remember your pump, spare tube and some allen keys!!!

have fun...hope the weather is nice.

[David Ayers]

Good luck with the bike Ed! I rode a Trek 1200 for two years until it was demolished by an airline. Only problem was the wheels - the rear one gave out rather quickly - it may be those on the 1500 are better. I now ride a 5200 (no problem with the spiffing Bontrager wheels). Different world framewise but still the same good quality Ultegra components. I just completed the London Triathlon on it.

[porcy62]

Up!

I am going to buy a bike, after the new motorbike that I should get this week.

My main purpose for it isn't exercize, I do a lot of it in my aikido classes. I thought I should minimize my personal CO2 impact, and have some fun too. Though Roma isn't exactly a bike's friendly place: lots of traffic and lots of hills, remember the Rome's seven hills, I live exactly on the top of one of them, and the roads aren't really good, like Paris-Roubaix, more or less.

I went to a local shop and I found this one: Cannondale Quick CX.

Has anybody experienced this bike?