Road Cycling - Trek vs Specialized?

Two separate LBS have told me that Trek quality is now lower than Specialized.

I have been considering the Trek 2500 (or 5200 on clearance) vs Specialized Sequioa Elite.

Is this just hype because they get a better commision or sales spiff from the manufacturer or is this factual information?

I keep noticing messages that mention wheel/spoke problems with Specialized but both of these shops told me that there are no problems with any wheels on them.

I have special concern about the wheels because I weigh 240.

Originally posted by MrEWorm
Is this just hype because they get a better commision or sales spiff from the manufacturer?

That would be my guess.

Originally posted by MrEWorm
I have special concern about the wheels because I weigh 240.

As well you should.

You will have problems with the machine-built wheels on any bike, unless the shop has an expert wheelbuilder who stress-relieves, re-tensions and re-trues them as the bike is assembled.

Even then, I would urge you toward getting hand-built 32- or 36-spoke wheels, rather than the low spoke-count aero wheels that are so common on road bikes. And consider using 25 or 26 mm tires, rather than 23's.

The more miles you ride, the more likely you are to thank me for this advice.

RichC

I would say your LBS has other motives if they say Trek is lower quality than Specialized. I've had Specialized mountain bikes for years, and now I have a Trek 5200 road bike and it's top notch. My LBS carries Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Lemond, Lightspeed, and other high end frames and they said they are all excellent. The keys are the fit for your body and the feel of the material of the frame. Of course $$$ is another one. :-)

Teski

I believe it is just pushy shop people now. I took my wife to one of the shops today and said that I wanted to get her a Trek Navigator 7300. I was told that Trek hasn't made a womens 7300 since 2002 but that Specialized has filled the bill with a better bike.
Trek's web site shows there is such a model.


Moral of the story? I don't think I'll spend another bicycle dollar in Wheaton, IL.

Originally posted by MrEWorm
Moral of the story? I don't think I'll spend another bicycle dollar in Wheaton, IL.

Just curious as to which shop this was. I used to frequent Spokes in the Rice Lake shopping mall when I lived in Naperville. Fee free to PM me if you don't want to say it publically.

Don't get me wrong, they are all fine, high quality bikes and manufacturers. But, the comparison seems a bit odd. The Sequoia fit into Specialized's "Road Fun" category. It has a suspension seat-post, wider tires, and an "adjustable stem" for a comfortable, upright riding position. The Trek's are more of your standard roadbike. The 5200 is also a Carbon Fiber bike. I think that the Allez series of bikes is actually closer to the 2300/5200 that you are looking at.

I'm 250 and so far, I haven't had any problems with the R540 wheels. So far....

Your LBS is feeding you BS. Don't buy it. They want to move that Specialized. That's all there is to it.

both are made by Giant in Taiwan.
Quality is the same. finish is different to reflect different brand philosophy.
Buy the bike that fits.

Remember,support your lbs nomatter what line of bs they feed you.Problems with the machine built wheels on any bike?Really?Thats a huge,broad statement and is wrong to.That said,i never liked the 540's and at your weight they might be fine for a while but after they need to be trued,you might start having problems.

Originally posted by MrEWorm
Two separate LBS have told me that Trek quality is now lower than Specialized.

I have been considering the Trek 2500 (or 5200 on clearance) vs Specialized Sequioa Elite.

Is this just hype because they get a better commision or sales spiff from the manufacturer or is this factual information?

I keep noticing messages that mention wheel/spoke problems with Specialized but both of these shops told me that there are no problems with any wheels on them.

I have special concern about the wheels because I weigh 240.

I figured they would be talknig about the Allez, not the Sequioa. I am building an Allez and I love it!!

I'm putting on a Shimano R540 Wheelset and I weigh 220lbs. From what I got from many people on BF that they are very very sturdy and very well made.

-Dan the Man-

Get what you pay for.

Originally posted by TimB
both are made by Giant in Taiwan.
Quality is the same. finish is different to reflect different brand philosophy.
Buy the bike that fits.

To be more clear on this, some low end TREK bikes are in fact made overseas, but the high end and some mid range bikes are made in the USA.

Originally posted by shokhead
Remember,support your lbs nomatter what line of bs they feed you.

:confused:

Hmmmm.....when I walk into a Ford dealership I hear negative comments about Chevys...

You should.:p

Originally posted by Rich Clark
As well you should.

You will have problems with the machine-built wheels on any bike, unless the shop has an expert wheelbuilder who stress-relieves, re-tensions and re-trues them as the bike is assembled.

Even then, I would urge you toward getting hand-built 32- or 36-spoke wheels, rather than the low spoke-count aero wheels that are so common on road bikes. And consider using 25 or 26 mm tires, rather than 23's.

The more miles you ride, the more likely you are to thank me for this advice.

RichC

I have to dissagree unless you're unusually tough on your machine. I bought my Allez when I was 285 with the stock ALX wheelset. I'm 260-265 now and ride about 50-75 miles a week and have yet to break spoke. Only once have I had to true my rim after hitting pot hole at 19mph.