David in PA

Hello,

I was waiting for the release of the Trek Pilot 2.1 2008 model, but now my LBS told me that the Pilot line is going to be discontinued. (I didn't see that mentioned on Trek's website.) The reason, my LBS told me, was that generally people who want the characteristics of the Pilot (and more) prefer to go with a Madone. I believe he mentioned that some Madone models will have the relaxed geometry like the Pilot. Anyway, I'm confused, or my LBS is. Has anyone heard of the Pilot line being discontinued? And if so, will a particular Madone model replace the Pilot 2.1?

Thanks,
David in FL

Campag4life

The one with the more upright fit.

Bontrager

That's funny because we are looking at a Trek 1000 Womens-Specific Design and the Trek store told us that the 2007's are done being built and they're not making Trek 1000's any more and are replacing them with the Pilot for 2008. What**********!

Hilarious. Why is trek not releasing at least a catalog or some information for their own dealers? Sheesh!

roadwarrior

Their entry bike is a 1.2. Everything has a decimal point. Saves weight. Putting "1000" on the top tube weighs more than "1.2"...

The funny thing is that they don't even have 2008 bikes on their website.

Trek's communication really sucks which is why I always show them last. They just p!$$ me off the way they do stuff like this...

johnny99

Maybe the carbon-frame Pilots will be replaced by the new relaxed-fit Madones, which cost about the same. I doubt that Trek will discontinue the cheaper aluminum Pilots.

remixity

I think they might be replaced by Madone's. I saw entry-level specs on a carbon fiber Madone 1.5 on a dealer's site somewhere.

Bluetick

[QUOTE
The funny thing is that they don't even have 2008 bikes on their website.

Trek's communication really sucks which is why I always show them last. They just p!$$ me off the way they do stuff like this...[/QUOTE]

https://www2.trekbikes.com/madone/

alanbikehouston

Trek may be trying a unusual marketing strategy...most of their 2008 lineup will be released when it gets a bit closer to 2008. Traditionally, "new" bikes were released in November or December. Then, some of the "discount" vendors thought they could get an edge by selling "new" models in September, so much of the industry began releasing new bikes in September...then new bikes came out in August, then July...as bad as the auto industry.

The problem is, the industry revolves around Shimano. If Shimano can't provide "X thousands" of 2008 components in July 2007, it would be difficult or impossible to sell "X thousands" of 2008 bikes in August or September.

So, some of the bikes sold by discount vendors, especially of the "Internet Direct" and "E-Bay" ilk, advertised as "2008 models" are actually using 2007 components (or even 2006 components).

The 2008 Madone line has two distinct geometries, the lower geometry for folks who actually race (1% of road cyclists) and a higher geometry for the folks who ride for fun and enjoyment (99% of road cyclists). If someone is in the price range of a Madone, they may not need to be looking at a Pilot.

Trek will continue to sell bikes with the Pilot's geometry in the "sub-Madone" price range, whether under the "Pilot" name or under other names. It is the geometry that works best for the majority of folks, and Trek won't forget the majority of cyclists to pursue the ever-dwindling number of cyclists who actually use their bikes primarily for racing.

There are a number of articles about the 2008 Madone on the Trek "blog"...one of those notes pointed out that the "Pilot" has some unique differences from the Madone, as it allows a higher hand position than any Madone, and the Pilot allows wider tires than any Madone...so there will be SOME Pilot models available in 2008.

An interesting note on the Trek Blog: the 2007 Tour de France was won using the Madone 5.2 frame, which Trek considers a "mid-range" Madone. The frames had 6.9 decals, but the 5.2 frames were ready first, so that is what the team used.

Check out the Trek blog for information on 2008 road bikes.

www.trekroad.typepad.com

merlinextraligh

It would appear that the Perfromance fit Madones would take the place of upper end Pilots.

I imagine there are a lot of people who don't race, and are better served with a little bit more upright position that will buy a Madone, because they want the high performance bike, that would not buy a Pilot.

It's all in the marketing.

roadwarrior

Geezus...you realize how many bikes they make?

I've already sold two Madone's. We have three more in stock.

Thanks for trying...

Bontrager

Funny you say that about the components, Alan. We looked at entry-level Specialized and they have shimano sora 9 speed with redesigned brifters on the 2008's.

ozoneraider

To answer to the OP's question, it looks like there will only be two models: the 2.1 aluminum frame (also offered in WSD) and the 5.0 carbon frame. Trek Road bikes.

80vette

Just looked at the Trek web site and there are pilots on there.