HELP! Newbie can't pick a Trek 1.5 or 2.1?
04-12-09, 09:00 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
HELP! Newbie can't pick a Trek 1.5 or 2.1?
Hi all! I was wondering if it is really worth another $300 to get the Trek 2.1 vs. the 1.5? The 2.1 has carbon stays, tiagra/105 ft/r. derail. tiagra brakes. The 1.5 has sora/tiagra ft/r. derail and sora brakes. There's a few other differences as well. My question is do I really need to step up to the 2.1 if I am interested in strictly riding for the stress relief and fitness riding? I will not ever race or be part of any team rides....I just want something that will allow me an hour and half a few nights a week to clear my head of works, kids, wife, etc. Is the 1.5 up to that task or will I wish I wanted a smoother ride of the 2.1? I also really like the Lime color of the 1.5.......should I go for the cheaper bike and upgrade the parts as needed?
04-12-09, 09:34 PM
#2
Cat 666
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: nyack, ny (yes, that one)
Posts: 1,462
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sounds like the 1.5 fits the bill. The CF stays don't have much functional benefit, if any. I don't think you'll notice a smoother ride, test them I'd say. Main difference I see is 9 vs 10 speed.
04-12-09, 09:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Back in the 801
Posts: 220
Bikes: Fuji SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had the same problem until I rode them both and it made the choice for the 2.1 an easy one. Seemed to ride smoother and the Tiagra felt way smoother than the Sora during shifting.
04-12-09, 09:44 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maryland
Posts: 323
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The 2.1 is still 9 speed. Tiagra/105 (on the 2.1) vs. Sora/Tiagra is a much bigger difference than any of the other differences between the bikes. My 2.1 is my first road bike and I'm pretty happy with it. The consensus seems to be that for a bike that will get any significant amount of use, you shouldn't go below Tiagra. As often as I've had to adjust my derailleurs (about 2x as often as on my gf's 4.5 with 105/Ultegra), I wouldn't want to go down a notch in quality. It's also worth noting that Tiagra is the lowest Shimano group with STI shifting. Sora shifters have a thumb lever.
04-12-09, 10:18 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
If you don't plan on getting into biking seriously I think the 1.5 should do. Plus you can use the extra money for clipless pedals, shoes, maybe a new saddle, bottle cages, etc...
I used to have a Sora/Tiagra bike and it shifted perfectly fine. Good enough for 25 mile solo rides, which was the most I would do back then.
I moved up to a CAAD9 with Tiagra and 105 crank and it shifted a bit better. I feel like the Sora/Tiagra was fine enough though.
I used to have a Sora/Tiagra bike and it shifted perfectly fine. Good enough for 25 mile solo rides, which was the most I would do back then.
I moved up to a CAAD9 with Tiagra and 105 crank and it shifted a bit better. I feel like the Sora/Tiagra was fine enough though.
