Road Cycling - Trek "road comfort"

Has anyone tried one of the Trek road comfort bikes (1800c, 1200c, 1000c)? I was just about to buy a Trek 1500, but came across the "c" series. The 1800c looks particulrly good. Obviously, I am not buying a bike to race, just 50 to 100 fitness miles a week and the occassional charity ride and centruy. I am wondering how much I'd be giving up in the way of speed and handling with the "c" in favor of more comfort.

Last week, I inquired about the 1800C with several local (Chicago suburbs) bike shops. None of them seemed the least bit interested in the model. They said it was not yet available and that when it was, they did not intend to stock it. They "might " stock the 1000C.

I ended up ordering a Surly Cross-Check instead.

I tried out a Trek "comfort" seat w/ the spring type cushion a few weeks ago. I found it a bit stiff and a little jerky. On the other hand, the Specialized Sequoia (?) model had a fabulous seat which felt like riding on air -- very comfortable. As I am trading up from a very forgiving steel frame, I wanted to try these (to counter the harsh effects of aluminum). I've ultimately decided to stick w/ a traditional model because I ride only about 8 miles at a shot and the comfort advantage didn't seem all that great over a short distance. If you'll be travelling farther, the seat may be very worthwhile.

Has anyone tried one of the Trek road comfort bikes (1800c, 1200c, 1000c)? I was just about to buy a Trek 1500, but came across the "c" series. The 1800c looks particulrly good. Obviously, I am not buying a bike to race, just 50 to 100 fitness miles a week and the occassional charity ride and centruy. I am wondering how much I'd be giving up in the way of speed and handling with the "c" in favor of more comfort.

I rode along with a 1000c a while ago. The rider simply loved it. She had only had it for about two weeks, but said it's "relaxed" geometry and sprung seat were perfect for her type of riding, which was a few pleasure miles per day up and down a paved bike path.

My LBS was putting a 1000c together today when I stopped in. As described by everyone else it looks like a "beginners" road bike with low milage and high comfort in mind.

I am just about to buy the Trek 1800c. I had been trying to decide between the 1800c and the Trek 7700FX. At first, I was going to replace my existing hybrid but now I think I will keep it and get the 1800c as an addition. I originally had stayed away from getting a road bike because I have a bad back. I am hoping the 1800c will be comforatble enough to do distance riding with no problems. The biggest attraction for me was the availabilty of the larger frame size. I am 6' 4" about 208 pounds.

These seem to be the latest version of light-touring bike, ie designed for long day rides, but not races.
In the UK, this style of riding is just as "serious" as racing, so there are plenty of high-end bikes with relaxed all day comfort, and sufficient clearance for rack and fenders, without being an expedition truck.
Its a great style of bike for people who dont race, but want a fast, yet useful road bike.

I am just about to buy the Trek 1800c. I had been trying to decide between the 1800c and the Trek 7700FX. At first, I was going to replace my existing hybrid but now I think I will keep it and get the 1800c as an addition. I originally had stayed away from getting a road bike because I have a bad back. I am hoping the 1800c will be comforatble enough to do distance riding with no problems. The biggest attraction for me was the availabilty of the larger frame size. I am 6' 4" about 208 pounds.

Not sure if this helps, but I was looking at the Specialized line of "C" bikes. Once all was said and done with the adjustments, it rode no different than the regular road bike with better components (I got the Elite instead of the Sequoia).

That being said, The adjustable stem, and shock post are easy upgrades. I did not need the adjustable stem (the Elite has four settings or angles, and the carbon seat post made the ride better than my Trek 730 Hybrid) as one of the stock setting seemed to work fine.

I would suggest test riding other road bikes in you price range and see if you can gain maximum comfort with going maximum dollars for features you won't really use once it is set up.

BTW: I went to a road bike for the same reasons (tired of tooling around on hybrid). When side by side (03' Allez ELite and 93'Trek 730) the handle bar, seat, and BB are all the same distances from each other. The only noticeable difference is the wheel base and lower bottom bracket.

Wry,

I purchased an '04 Trek 1000c about four months ago and let me say this. Don't do it! I can't believe how fast I out grew my bike. A total waste of money. I debated endlessly about getting either a Trek 1500 or a Cannondale R600. I went on the cheap and got what I paid for. The sora shifters are terrible, the braking worse! If you use the cheaters they work ok, but on the drops they are so soft. The adjustable stem is kind of nice to find the "right" fit, but any decent LBS will fit you with a new purchase. The suspension seat post sticks and is really jerky.

If you plan on moving into more and more miles, skip the 1000c and look at either a higher end comfort or a straight race bike. Best of luck. Mr. B :)

Of course another option is to build (or have built) your own creation. Get a road frame with more relaxed "sport" geometry and a riser bar, or even a mostashe (spelling?) bar. That way you can have exactly what you want without having to change everything over. Shimano makes shifters and brake levers just for this purpose.

I built one of these for a buddy of mine (because he wanted something faster) and he loves it. It's at least twelve poulds lighter than his Schwinn hybrid.

Wry,

I purchased an '04 Trek 1000c about four months ago and let me say this. Don't do it! I can't believe how fast I out grew my bike. A total waste of money. I debated endlessly about getting either a Trek 1500 or a Cannondale R600. I went on the cheap and got what I paid for. The sora shifters are terrible, the braking worse! If you use the cheaters they work ok, but on the drops they are so soft. The adjustable stem is kind of nice to find the "right" fit, but any decent LBS will fit you with a new purchase. The suspension seat post sticks and is really jerky.

If you plan on moving into more and more miles, skip the 1000c and look at either a higher end comfort or a straight race bike. Best of luck. Mr. B :)


Thanks for the report Mr. B. I have now turned my attention to the mid level Specialized Sequoia. Test ride and fit felt great and it has good mix of components. The gel inserts in the fork and seat stays seem like a gimmick to me, but I guess they can't hurt as long as they dont fall out.

Thanks for the report Mr. B. I have now turned my attention to the mid level Specialized Sequoia. Test ride and fit felt great and it has good mix of components. The gel inserts in the fork and seat stays seem like a gimmick to me, but I guess they can't hurt as long as they dont fall out.
My wife rides a 2004 1200c and loves it. Consider the Sequoia, but bear in mind the 2004 Trek 1200c got a big price cut and the Sequoia in the same range is less well-equipped. With a Sequoia at $820, you get a Sora/Tiagra 8 speed drivetrain, with a 1200c at $829 you get a full Tiagra 9 speed drivetrain. Moving up a step, the 1800c is $120 more expensive than the Sequoia Elite but has an Ultegra/105 group compared to a full 105 group. It looks like the Elite has the Zertz insert carbon fiber seat stays though.

My wife rides a 2004 1200c and loves it. Consider the Sequoia, but bear in mind the 2004 Trek 1200c got a big price cut and the Sequoia in the same range is less well-equipped. With a Sequoia at $820, you get a Sora/Tiagra 8 speed drivetrain, with a 1200c at $829 you get a full Tiagra 9 speed drivetrain. Moving up a step, the 1800c is $120 more expensive than the Sequoia Elite but has an Ultegra/105 group compared to a full 105 group. It looks like the Elite has the Zertz insert carbon fiber seat stays though.

Halfspeed you are right. Not all user's experience will be the same. For my part it all boiled down to ride/component mix. The other bikes that I named felt so much better for me. I strongly agree that it is important to look beyond price and see what the component make up of a particular bike is. They make all the difference in the world.

Wry sounds like you and I are both looking at bikes in the same range. Take a look at the Trek 1500. Sweet bike with a nice mix of components. I test road one last Sunday and was impressed. At $999 I though it was a good deal. :)

Mr. Bishop

I've had a 1000c for about a month. As far as the brakes, try moving the cheaters outward a little. On my the brake cables were stretched a little where the bar tape wraps around them. I untaped the bars, and pushed them out a little and now my brakes are nice and stiff.

Personally I think the bike is a great compromise between a road bike and a hybrid. You get road bike componentry (if you don't like Sora, you have other options with the 1200c or 1800c), road bike wheels, and the ability to ride a little more upright with the option to get more aero when you so desire.

Thanks for the report Mr. B. I have now turned my attention to the mid level Specialized Sequoia. Test ride and fit felt great and it has good mix of components. The gel inserts in the fork and seat stays seem like a gimmick to me, but I guess they can't hurt as long as they dont fall out.


I considered the Trek C's and the Sequioa before I bought my Sequioa Elite. It came down to availability for me. I love the Elite, it is very smooth and comfortable. I dont know if the zertz inserts are any more than conversations pieces but with those and the carbon stays, fork and bar insert you feel almost no vibration. I rode a Trek for 9 years and it was bulletproof so I dont think you will go wrong with either bike.