gnychis

Hi all,

I am seriously considering purchasing a new Trek 2.1 from the local Trek store. I road it around and absolutely loved it, it would be my first road bike. The 1.2 and 1.5 are also options, but the 2.1 seemed the best bang for the buck in terms of components.

So, the Trek 2.1 would be the 2008 model for $1,100. I am concerned as it is about to turn in to the new series of Trek models, and I'm wondering if the 2008 would still be around and price drop. Though, the Trekkies said the new 2.1 wouldn't be around until December, which isn't exactly riding time in Pittsburgh, PA.

I'm wondering if the 2.1 is a good choice for its price, or if I should consider any other bikes.

Thanks!
George

TeddyKGB

I have one and I love it. It was my first road bike and I have no regrets about the purchase. Following my post (if tradition follows) there will be a slew of other recommendations telling you not to get a Trek. There are quite a bit of Trek haters on these forums. However, if the bike fit you and you tried other bikes and you still like the 2.1 then get it. Do what is best for you, don't avoid Trek because other people don't like the company.

Here is the link to the thread I made when I first bought the bike, in case you have any questions or want to seem some pictures.

smccready

You can find bikes with higher-level components for the same $$$. While I liked the 2.1 a lot myself, I ended up buying a Fuji from Performance, much better bang for the buck, IMO.

I'm surprised they don't have the '09 Treks in yet - the local Trek dealers here have them now, but the only real difference is the paint job. The result is that they're not doing much of of a price break on the '08s - just about $100 less than the '09s.

gnychis

thanks for the response! your bike is the exact same bike i'm looking at, same paint job and all. I rode it today and it felt great. I have ridden other bikes and just as you posted, this one felt the best so far.

smcc: i'm not sure why they don't have the 2009 in store yet... i wish they did so i could at least get this one for $100 cheaper. Maybe I can call around to another local store and see if they have the 2009's, and do some cross-store calling and see if i can get $100 off or so.

Sommy

I too bought a Trek 2.1 about 3 weeks ago. I have been very happy. I got the 2009 and the new paintjob looks great.

You will be happy with this ride. Not really entry level, but not quite break the bank type racing bike either.

mmills

The 2009 Treks are in the store I go to (a Trek store, as a matter of fact). Just bought a 2009 Trek Madone 5.2. Love it.

runneronwheels

The 2.1 was easily my favorite bike... until I tried the Specialized Allez. Give the Allez a whirl, maybe it's for you maybe it isn't, but I don't think you can go wrong with the 2.1 as an entry-level.

pkarandi

I have been lurking for a little while now and this is my first post. I just had to chime in because I have been window shopping for a while now, and am looking at the same range of bikes as you. This is my first road bike and I have been kind of a woos on pulling the trigger.

The four bikes I have been looking at are:
1. Trek 2.1 (BTW, the 2009 color scheme with aqua blue with white is just beautiful)
2. Specialized Allez Elite
3. Novara Strada (REI house brand)
4. Scattante R-560 (Performance Bike house brand)

All four are aluminum frame with carbon fiber forks with 105 components (and some Tiagra). The Trek and Specialized are just beautiful bikes, but bang for buck the house brands just have it. The Trek and Specialized are around $1200 and I don't know how much the dealers will discount them.

The 2008 Novara Strada is sold out and only available in limited sizes in certain stores. The 2009's are not out yet. The Strada MSRP is $1099, but REI has some 2008's discounted to $869. Also, I have read on these forums that REI has a 15-20% sale once or twice per year. So, you should be able to get one in the high $800's.

The 2008 Scattante R-560 is fully in stock, on sale for $849, AND the website has a 10% off coupon right now, which brings it down to $765. (If I had any balls, I would have ordered one, but the wifey wants to do other stuff with the $800!) I believe it actually has more 105 components than the Trek or Specialized, so it is a little bit better equipped. ALSO, it actually comes with a cheap pair of clip-in pedals (?Wellgo? brand), so you will save another $50 there. It's not the sexiest looking bike, especially in the pics on the website. But if you see it in person, it actually has a really sharp metallic blue color, so it looks WAY better in person. If you have a Performance Bike near you, I definitely think you should at least test ride one. The price just seems unbeatable by anything else out there. If you don't like it as much as the Trek, then no big deal. But if you DO, you could save like $500.

Warning: I read on another forum that "scata" in Greek means "crap." So, in certain circles, that brand name could be a bit strange/embarassing. Kind of like those emails you get with the pictures of some food product in Japan named "Shiitty Snacks." It doesn't really bother me, but it is something you should know BEFORE buying it!

Good luck and please let us know what you decide!

lbear

I am not sure about Trek but most 2009 bikes are going up in price $200-300. So I doubt 2008s will be put on sale.

Hickeydog

The specs on the 2.1 seem low for the price. For $1,100, you should be getting full 105 or better.

lbear

Giant OCR1 is full 105 for $1100.
"HAY who let that Giant guy in here?"

LarryMelman

Just got a Fuji Roubaix RC at Performance. The frame used in the Roubaix family is comparable to that used in the Trek 2.1 and 2.3 - aluminum frame with carbon fork and seat stays.

When I started bike shopping, the RC was priced at $1399, but last week it was marked down to $1099. I bought it with a 10% off coupon I got in the mail. A couple nights ago I returned to find all bikes with a 15% off tag. They refunded the difference to me. So the final cost was $935. If you also subtract the 10% "team points", that's $840. The RC has Ultegra shifters and RD and a 105 FD, which is better than the Trek 2.3.

I studied specs and prices for a few weeks before buying, and Trek consistently seemed to use lower-grade components than other brands I looked at (Scott, Felt, Fuji, etc.). I would not describe them as "best bang for the buck".

Bosock

If you are already familair with road bikes and the Trek did not feel right or all that comfortable...then I would go with one of the online bikes and save $200. However, if it was my first real road bike, people in the bike shop were helpful and friendly, and the Trek felt right, comfortable and joy to ride, then damn the 200 bucks and get the Trek. To me, if i really enjoyed the Trek ride i would not chance ordering a bike online, which i might not like the ride or have it not fit me right, to save 200 bucks or get an ultregra rear derailer. My bike shop has helped me out on several occassions and after riding several differenct bikes, once i rode my Roubaix I knew that was the bike I wanted, even though some bikes (felt, giant, raleigh) came in cheaper or with better components for the same price. I have not reqretted the purchase or spending the additional money since making the purchase either. If the bike felt right and you seemed comfortable on it, run with it, feeling comfortable and wanting to ride it is worth far more than 200 bucks in the long run.

ThinLine

Trek is a good bike, I have 1, an older 660s model with 531 steel frame. Also had a Fuel EX8 MTB.
They are not however the best bang for buck and trek has really lowered their component selection as far as quality. Tiagra and Sora just dont cut it on a +$1000 road bike.

Now I have 7 bikes, with only one Trek, a 7200 girlfriends bike.
Trek has lost my interest.

Nick29

the 2.1 that I bought a month ago is my first road bike, and I'm very happy with the purchase so far. Like others have said, Trek definitely isn't the best bang for the buck out there, but there are other things that swayed me. The shop I bought my bike from had provided good service for my gf in the past, they were willing to order a bike with no obligations on my part (I ended up with the 43cm frame), and their selection and general atmosphere were a lot better than the other local shops I've been to. I don't have any complaints with the Tiagra components so far, but if I do, they can be replaced down the road.

measter

I just got a 1.2 a month ago and love it. It is my first road bike I changed the tires and it has been good so far.

LarryMelman

For what it's worth, I plan to take my Fuji to a LBS for service. Performance overlooked some pretty obvious things in assembly and setup of my bike. I've already paid the LBS for a full fitting, and will probably give them my service dollars as well.

weavers

that 2008 Scattante R-560 is a really good deal. 765 bucks for 105 all around? god any bike with a carbon fork with 105 all around under $1k is a really good deal. only thing more you could ask for is carbon seatstays. its just to bad that bike has almost no sex appeal. but it puts my $400 dollar bike with sora parts to shame, althought mine has the sex factor.

pabuck

I was looking in at the same range bike last weekend. I rode a leftover '07 Felt Z70, an '08 Giant OCR (not sure which one, full aluminum instead of carbon seat stays), and a Cannondale CAAD 8. I was looking for at least full 105.

I ended up buying the Felt. It rode better to me, plus had an Ultegra RD. A Trek for the sale price I paid would have had the lowest Shimano, even at retail it wouldn't have had 105.

Oldnewbie

I got the Trek 1.2 a couple of weeks ago for my bd and love it so far. I dont have any experience with the higher end componets so have nothing to compare the sora parts against, however it shifts much better and I'm able to ride at a faster pace in a smaller gear than I was able to with the Raleigh I bought used in 1989 also much lighter. Didnt ride it before I bought it tho lbs only carries trek and raleigh in road bikes and the only raleigh was a carbon frame that I couldnt afford. The only other place in town besides walmart and academy that carries bikes sells canondale, but they are discontinuing selling them and the only road bike they had left was a CAAD 8 whose frame was to small even if i could have afforded it.

pkarandi

Performance Bike now has a 15% off coupon and the Scattante R-560 comes out to $722.49! The bike doesn't seem too sexy in photos, but they don't do the bike justice. In person, the bike is actually pretty sweet looking.

Nick29

Just an addendum to my last post, fwiw: After ~120 miles, my bottom bracket crapped out. The guy at the shop says he's never seen one die so quickly. Of course, it's going to be replaced under warranty, and they're going to do a tune-up while they have the bike.


ETA: I just picked up the bike. Apparently, the BB wasn't actually bad. It just worked its way loose (I assume this means it wasn't torqued properly when it was installed)