Quality of Trek Bikes
 

Hey everyone, I was wondering about Trek bikes. I've heard a lot of conflicting thing in terms of quality. I fully realize that liking a bike is a personal thing. But in terms of reliability, customer service, pedigree (with the exception of Lance),etc. how do they stack up against other bikes being used in the pro peloton and beyond? Thanks.

they're as good as anything else.

My friend is using a hand-me down trek from I think 03 or so, it is not bad by any means, it's been taken across France by other family members, across several states.. thousands of miles, still kickin strong. The frame itself is in mint condition but the parts obviously have needed improvements.

That's all I know as far as the lasting quality of the bike after you get it :P.

Of course you will. This is a normal occurence between people of differing views. Some will like them, some will not. Some will vehemently tell you to stay away from them. And each will rationalize their choice and one or the other will influence you.

More research and more hands on, then you will eventually decide.

I went through different brands, Fuji, Trek, KHS, Jamis, Cannondale, Felt and I ended up with Specialized. It came down to the fit and what appealed to me. I felt they were all excellent quality bikes with people behind them.

Trek makes a lot of bikes, some are junk, some are good.

The Trek Madone 5 & 6 series frames and forks are still made by hand in the USA. Some people think that makes them high quality. I agree. Many of the components are Bontrager which is now 100% owned by Trek. Many of their high end parts are also made in the USA. I really like the XXX lite wheels and many of the other bits as well. I happen to think the more entry level bikes are pretty good too but a bit overpriced in some cases compared to what else is out there.

Trek makes some good bikes.

I visited the LBS today to look at the new 2010 models and the local tech noted a few changes:

• No more oval seat posts on the 5 and 6 series bikes - back to the inverted round posts.
• Also no more low spoke count wheels - too many problems with broken spokes and cracked rims.
• Lots more color choices and custom paint jobs with the One Program - be prepared to pay a premium.
• Prices are about equal to last year, but be aware that many models have downgraded the component group by one level .... ie. Ultegra to 105 etc... so really a hefty price increase.

Treks are just as good as Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, and many others. Pretty much any big company is just as good as any other. When people say that one company is trash and another is great, it isn't true. It might not fit them, the frame design, but they all use the same components. The only exception are components made by the company, IE, Bontrager.

So if someone says that the Trek Madone doesn't shift well compared to the Giant TCR, they are wrong. They both have (potentially) dura ace. Trek's dura ace is no different than Giant's. Either they have a poorly adjusted bike or are a shill. End of story.

My dad rides an early 90's Trek 2300 carbon/neon yellow Al frame. It's had two previous owners, both racers, and the frame has not exploded once.

For the same price points, Treks are at least as reliable as any other brand. And Trek customer service is better than most.

Does "pedigree" have something to do with snob appeal? You'll have to ask a snob about that.

I dont recall ever hearing anything negative about Treks except they use Bontrager.

Last I heard, Lance himself was manning the Trek Customer Support. :)

I have an 08 Trek Madone 6.5 (for sale by the way). It has been a great bike with zero problems. the workmanship on the bike is excellent. Customer support is absolutely superb. They are a fine company. I am really impressed by the new 2010 bikes.

I fall more in love with my 5 series Madone every time I get on it.

None are "junk". Some are less expensive, but they are not "junk".

Seatmast is unchanged is unchanged on the 5, the 6 seatmast is refined, but still the oval cap.

sorry, its definately round on the 2010 6 series. i promise.

Treks are very well made, reliable and durable bikes.
It all depends on what bike you buy and what you are using it for. If you buy a $250 mountain bike and race it in a "sport" event and have mechanical problems it is your fault. The bike is not designed or built nor are the parts any sort of race quality parts and will fail.

I sold Treks, as well as many other brands, and Treks, as well as the other major brands, in general never had frame problems. Mechanical problems could and did occur but quite often they were caused by the bike builder that did not adjust something correctly, left out checking the spoke tension, etc. and a problem occurred. Oft times the problem was caused by the user...inexperience with using a bike, using a bike beyond its' normal expectations, buyers deciding they were mechanics and "adjusting" brakes, etc. only making the problem worse.

All frame designers design their frames differently and to meet certain criteria. They also want to stand out from the pack to be noticed and hopefully more popular...buy more. They also have different ideas on geometry which affects ride characteristics causing bikes to have a different "feel", etc.

My advice is to ride a wide a variety as possible in the style and budget you can afford. I then suggest you move up a price line and try them also. Sometimes the move up is worth it other times not so much depending on the rider. Buy the bike that feels the best and you can afford.
Most important, take care of it. Keep it properly lubed and adjusted. Ride it within its' design parameters and you should have a bike that makes you happy every time you ride it for a long, long time.

really? trek bikes shouldnt be raced?


it takes a mechanic to adjust brakes?

learn to read. his post wasn't even negative towards trek.

Trek makes great stuff. But then again, so do most big bike companies. Comes down to personal preference.

True, but he said some stupid sh*t!

what, that inexperienced and/or ignorant people will likely make mistakes? or that a cheap bike is a cheap bike, no matter who makes it?

Vintage Trek steel bikes are of greater quality than the new bikes. Trek has no become like every other company using cheap outsourced factories.

no, the stuff that surfengine highlighted for you. Those comments were ignorant!

And stop giving Trek a reach-around. The new Madones are little more than a mash-up of technologies that other manufacturers pioneered.
If you want an example of their build quality, go to your local Trek dealer and ask them about the first 5.2 frames that rolled of the line. @ 400-500 of them had BB shells that didn't quite meet spec and were out of round. The fact that the bearings sit inside of the frame is an important one to remember here. There should be NO play! The movement placed too much load on the bearings, thus destroying them prematurely. I personally know 4 people who have had their frames replaced for this reason...SIGHT UNSEEN! The dealer called Trek and Trek sent out new framesets!

I ride a 01 Trek 1000 frame, fits perfect.