oneradtec

It's a nice bike, I just think that you can get better for that price. But again, perhaps you can offer a lower price and the dealer will accept. Plus, the good service and fitting you get from the local Trek dealer is a good thing. So if you get this bike I'm sure you will be pleased. Again, it's a pretty slick bike, and Trek stands behind their stuff. I'd say it is a great first bike. Can you get a little more for that money?....yes to that too, but you'll have to look around or go online, and not everyone wants to do that. That's kool! In the end we are all happy and would enjoy a fast group ride togther..LOL!

pinoy92231

I've put 1000 mile on mine and love it so far. It rides as smooth and quiet as the day a got it. Only issue is that for only a couple more hundred I've could have bought a Mandone 4.5. Trek does offer good warranty on the the bike and that was one of the selling points for me.

gabdy

Why? Is that higher than the RRP.

malatesta

I test rode the Fuji Roubaix, the Trek 2.3, and the Specialized Allez Comp Double this weekend... They were all great in terms of entry-mid level road bikes. My least favorite was the Fuji as the frame did not feel as comfortable as the others. I actually really liked the Trek 2.3 the most and thought the component package was fine (obviously it could use some upgrades). I think Larry is too fixed on price as a determinant factor when it comes to comparing these bikes. As far as overpaying goes, I look at having this bike for 5+ years so an extra hundred dollars for a better warranty plan in the frame and service from my LBS is worth the amortization in the long run. Furthermore, I am not a fan of the Performance Bike Shops in my area and would prefer to shop and work with other shops instead.

I think I will be getting the Trek 2.3 unless I find another option that feels as good as this one.

LarryMelman

Please explain more about what you mean by

Really would like to know how you can isolate the feel of the frame from the tires, saddle, etc.

roy5000x2

The Trek 2.3 is a very solid bike, however, you would be better off shopping around trying to find last years models so that you aren't paying so much money. Trust me, if you look hard enough, you can find some gems. My shop is selling a brand new 2005 Trek 5200 for about $1000, just to give you an idea of what kind of deals you can find if you look hard enough.

cuffydog

It seems to me that focusing on whether a bike with similar components can be bought for less misses the point. The most important thing is if the bike fits and how it feels to the rider. Obviously an ill-fitting bike no matter how much it costs, no matter what components it has, is not a good deal. If the Fuji, say, and the Trek, had the same geometry, construction and fit, then the comparison would be apt. But if they have different geometries, then the comparison seems less so. Also, I know this goes against the grain, but it seems wrong to assume that the 4.5 is better than the 2.3. True, it is carbon, but it is Trek's low-end carbon, and I think that of the two bikes, the 4.5 weighs in heavier, if that matters. If it doesn't, then it's all about the ride.

malatesta

Why don't YOU ride all three and perhaps you'll feel the difference as well. It's real simple.

Also, is Fuji not paying you enough these days that you have decided to take on a side job trying to lure everyone on BikeForums into buying their bikes? Go find a new hobby.

LarryMelman

Hey Mr. Newbie, you're the one that made the claim. Back it up or go away.

I like my bike, but I'm not going to make undefendable statements like "I like how the frame feels".

Anyone buying bikes in this price range, myself included, is not capable of isolating the "feel" of frame, tires, saddle, etc. For similarly equipped bikes, it comes down to price alone. If you overpaid for a Trek, and now you're mad to learn that much cheaper and better equipped bikes were to be had, then you can bluster all you want. But it won't change the facts.

MrCrassic 

As a Trek rider, I also agree that their stuff is overpriced, especially on the bottom line. As others have pointed out already, for the amount of money you will spend on a 2.3, there are several other options available that supersede it significantly.

The only bike in their line that justifies the prices they charge is the Madone, and even that much is questionable.

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MrCrassic 

Do they ship out??

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dcvelo

Where's Mike from BikesDirect when we need him?

So you're saying the OP should have bought a bike he didn't enjoy riding as much because it was a better value in some objective sense? You can make the point that he might not have been able to isolate the contribution of the frame as opposed to the wheels, tires. etc....that's fine. But if he rode it and didn't find it as comfortable, seems like a pretty good reason to go in another direction.

VATREKER

TNTYZ, I made the jump from hybrid to road bike last year and love it. I went from a steel frame Schwinn Criss-Cross to a TREK 1400...talk about a performance boost! Acceleration and speed increased dramatically. I kept my hybrid for commuting and casual riding but when it comes to club riding, I jump on the TREK. I would encourage you to test drive a couple of different road bikes to see what feels comfortable to YOU then begin the shopping. You will notice a BIG difference in handling and performance. Go for it!

LarryMelman

Don't have any idea what that means.

All well and good. I just would like to know how these bikes felt more or less comfortable. The frames come from the same handful of frame factories. They are identical bikes.

recon0311

I recently bought a 2.3 - Was $1600 (msrp $1800). In addition I got 15% off all the accessories. I chose the 2.3 over the 2.1 for the better wheel set and 105/Ultegra components after riding both. So far, I am very pleased. I'm was not that concerned about over-paying a little (if that's what I did). The shop is close, free tuneups for life, and the staff is great. I would say it's a great bike.

FLvector

Have you given Craigslist a look to see what your area has that is worth considering? I bought a very low mile Trek 2100 for my wife for less than 1/2 retail and its more bike than she will ever need. The most important thing is fit, so if you need some assistance, you might want to stay with your LBS.

zerocool33

I was also looking between the 2.1 and the 2.3. I will be buying the 2.1 for the plain fact that I will be upgrading to SRAM Rival next year, and new wheels. I enjoy the paint/color scheme of the 2.1, and with already planning on upgrading in the future, it seems like the right thing to do. I rode a 1.2 at a bike shop on Sunday and for the 2 to 3 miles I rode it, it felt very comfortable, so I would assume the 2.1 with the same geometry will feel better with the upgraded components.

bikeybikebike

I won't deny that factories may manufacture frames for multiple companies, or that multiple frames are used for multiple brands.

But the roubaix and the 2.3 are different frames. unless their websites posted incorrect geometries...

now let's call a spade a spade here Larry, you're mad because someone rode your bike and didn't like it as much as some other bike.

that's OK. that's why there are many kinds of bike!

eminefes

Treks are nice, but they are overpriced and have horrible wheels. The Bontrager SSR wheels on my 7.5 FX recently had to be replaced under warranty because the rear wouldn't stay true for more than a couple miles (even after a rebuild...and I weigh less than 140). I don't ride the 7.5 much anymore, and while I hope the wheels are better than the ones that were replaced, I have noticed they are slightly out of true already. We'll see how they hold up, but Trek's paired-spoke wheels are notorious for having problems, and that goes for the Race, Race Lite, and Race X Lite wheels, too.

DigitalRJH

If you can, try and find the 2.3 in its earlier incarnation, when it was the 2300. It was cheaper brand new, and a better bike, you can race on it. Better frame, OCLV stays and fork, full Ultegra, and Race lite components (except for the seat post which was an X-lite full carbon post) standard. Upgrade the wheels and you have a heck of a nice ride.

Don't be scared off by all the bontrager haters either, for every "bontrager wheels suck, mine won't stay true" there are just as many that have hade no issues with them, which is the same as any wheel out there. My personal experience with them: thousands of miles on race lites and x lites, no issues whatsoever, and I weigh 165 and ride on some fairly rough roads.

eminefes

If that's the case, then it's pretty pathetic if only half the wheels don't have problems.

800over

You rode the 2.3 and like it? It fits properly? Like the service at your dealer? They worked on the price a bit and made you happy? Buy the bike. You'll love it.

As for the Bonty wheels. I'm 230 lbs. and my last two wheelsets have been Bontrager and are holding up fine.

Jinker

I love 105 level bikes for people getting into road riding who are likely going to put some real miles on the bike. By the time things are tired/worn, you may be ready to treat yourself to an upgrade if you are really into road riding. Then your 105 bike can become your 'beater'.

As far as prices and values? Some comparably equipped bikes will be cheaper, some will be more. The wholesale costs for any bikes from big-name manufacturers (say the top 10 by volume) will be within spitting distance of each other, because the lion's share of the cost on a sub $2k bike is in the components.

Pretty much any bike store that will still be around to provide service in the future will be charging something like 40% - 50% markup on their bikes.

Are there deals to be had? Yeah. If you're willing to wait until fall/winter for this year's bikes to go on sale. At which point finding your particular model in your size becomes dicier and dicier. If you're willing to put in the time you can save yourself some bucks.

On the other hand if phoning/driving around to hunt down deals isn't your game, and you don't want to order online, paying MSRP (or a little under it, as most shops will be able to swing you a deal if you ask nicely and are purchasing some accessories) is *NOT* necessarily foolish. Not everyone can swing below-MSRP deals. If they did, there wouldn't be any bike shops.

As for the 2.3 specifically? I think it's a decent value. You're in the meat-and-potatoes level of bikes, so between any of the big brands' aluminum frames, there's not a whole lot to choose from. I'm not entirely sold on the necessity of carbon stays, but other than that, this is probably my favourite level of bike from a value perspective.

Make sure the shop can size you up correctly from the get go, and get you set up with some good shorts, shoes and pedals.

Once you make up your mind, just get out and ride and enjoy yourself.

DigitalRJH

Not sure where I quoted a 50% failure rate for their wheels, or where that has been documented?

FLvector

+1 Isn't it often the case that the most vocal are often in the minority? If you're happy with something you usually aren't complaining.