2010 Trek 1.1 vs 2009 Trek 1.5
06-06-10, 03:46 PM
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2010 Trek 1.1 vs 2009 Trek 1.5
Hi, I'm new to road biking and I believe I narrowed down my search to these two options that both fit me well at my LBS's:
I know on the 1.5 the Tiagra components help a lot, but is it really worth the extra hundred?
I'm very new and have nothing to compare a road bike to except the cheap bikes at walmart... It's also a year older, whats the big deal?
- 2010 Trek 1.1 at $760 CAD
- 2009 Trek 1.5 on sale at $850 CAD
I know on the 1.5 the Tiagra components help a lot, but is it really worth the extra hundred?
I'm very new and have nothing to compare a road bike to except the cheap bikes at walmart... It's also a year older, whats the big deal?
06-06-10, 03:50 PM
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I used to build bikes as a job, and I built many 1.1's. I can tell you they are the biggest pieces of junk ever and should only be ridden down a multi use path, and no I'm not playing either. The Promax brakes are just pitiful.
06-06-10, 03:54 PM
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I would not advise getting the 1.1. It's got the cheapest components on there. It also doesn't even have a carbon fork!
If you can spare the money, get the 1.5. You'll be much happier.
If you can spare the money, get the 1.5. You'll be much happier.
06-06-10, 06:34 PM
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Thanks a lot both of you. I like the green colour of the 1.5 anyways...
Gonna get it tomorrow morning after one last test drive.
Gonna get it tomorrow morning after one last test drive.
06-06-10, 06:48 PM
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I made sure to mention the brakes because I used to always have the biggest problem getting the pinch bolt tight enough that the cable wouldn't slip. I was like that on every one of them.
06-06-10, 07:53 PM
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Yes the 1.1 has a bunch of plastic stuff on it that doesn't compare to Tiagra. Tiagra is way worth it. Get it.
06-06-10, 08:04 PM
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This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but I'll tell you my experience. Last spring, I test-rode a 2010 1.2 and a 2010 1.5 (among a couple other bikes), and I knew instantly the 1.5 was the bike for me. The shifting is so much smoother; I noticed it right away. I bought the 1.5 and am completely happy with it. I know we're talking a few more bucks - around $1,000 - but you might consider at least testing the 1.5 and seeing what you think.
06-07-10, 11:17 PM
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Bought the 1.5... Perfect fit and a good deal. Very happy with it and faast! zoom zoom.. haha way better than walmart 
Felt pretty good passing cars downtown on the test drive lol
Felt pretty good passing cars downtown on the test drive lol
06-08-10, 01:28 AM
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IMO, any upgrades towards the 105 level components are worth it for just about anyone who's going to ride the bike more than a couple times a month, and is hoping to keep it for a number of years.
IE: If you can scrounge the money, a tiagra bikes are generally a better *value* than sora, sora better value than 2200 etc.
If you think about it, a 105 equipped bike (say ~$1500 retail) only costs twice as much as a 2200 equipped bottom dweller, but the components will last more than twice as long, be lighter, and work better to boot.
This of course assumes you're talking about 'name brand' bikes, where the levels of all the components (particularly wheelsets, cranksets and drivetrain) are reasonably matched.
Aluminum frames are aluminum frames. Nothing too magical about them. You're talking about workhorse level gear here.
That 1.5 seems like a pretty decent deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat over the 1.1 or 1.2.
Bonus: Tiagra has the secondary shift levers instead of the icky thumb buttons.
One thing to note, with Sora or Tiagra, your upgrade path is pretty limited without swapping out the majority of the drivetrain. Any higher end 9 speed components have been out of production for a while. Whereas with 105, *if* you ever got the upgrade bug, is compatible with most of the 10 speed Shimano hardware out there and can be mixed and matched.
IE: If you can scrounge the money, a tiagra bikes are generally a better *value* than sora, sora better value than 2200 etc.
If you think about it, a 105 equipped bike (say ~$1500 retail) only costs twice as much as a 2200 equipped bottom dweller, but the components will last more than twice as long, be lighter, and work better to boot.
This of course assumes you're talking about 'name brand' bikes, where the levels of all the components (particularly wheelsets, cranksets and drivetrain) are reasonably matched.
Aluminum frames are aluminum frames. Nothing too magical about them. You're talking about workhorse level gear here.
That 1.5 seems like a pretty decent deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat over the 1.1 or 1.2.
Bonus: Tiagra has the secondary shift levers instead of the icky thumb buttons.
One thing to note, with Sora or Tiagra, your upgrade path is pretty limited without swapping out the majority of the drivetrain. Any higher end 9 speed components have been out of production for a while. Whereas with 105, *if* you ever got the upgrade bug, is compatible with most of the 10 speed Shimano hardware out there and can be mixed and matched.
06-08-10, 07:52 AM
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IMO, any upgrades towards the 105 level components are worth it for just about anyone who's going to ride the bike more than a couple times a month, and is hoping to keep it for a number of years.
IE: If you can scrounge the money, a tiagra bikes are generally a better *value* than sora, sora better value than 2200 etc.
If you think about it, a 105 equipped bike (say ~$1500 retail) only costs twice as much as a 2200 equipped bottom dweller, but the components will last more than twice as long, be lighter, and work better to boot.
This of course assumes you're talking about 'name brand' bikes, where the levels of all the components (particularly wheelsets, cranksets and drivetrain) are reasonably matched.
Aluminum frames are aluminum frames. Nothing too magical about them. You're talking about workhorse level gear here.
That 1.5 seems like a pretty decent deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat over the 1.1 or 1.2.
Bonus: Tiagra has the secondary shift levers instead of the icky thumb buttons.
the thing to note, with Sora or Tiagra, your upgrade path is pretty limited without swapping out the majority of the drivetrain. Any higher end 9 speed components have been out of production for a while. Whereas with 105, *if* you ever got the upgrade bug, is compatible with most of the 10 speed Shimano hardware out there and can be mixed and matched.
IE: If you can scrounge the money, a tiagra bikes are generally a better *value* than sora, sora better value than 2200 etc.
If you think about it, a 105 equipped bike (say ~$1500 retail) only costs twice as much as a 2200 equipped bottom dweller, but the components will last more than twice as long, be lighter, and work better to boot.
This of course assumes you're talking about 'name brand' bikes, where the levels of all the components (particularly wheelsets, cranksets and drivetrain) are reasonably matched.
Aluminum frames are aluminum frames. Nothing too magical about them. You're talking about workhorse level gear here.
That 1.5 seems like a pretty decent deal. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat over the 1.1 or 1.2.
Bonus: Tiagra has the secondary shift levers instead of the icky thumb buttons.
the thing to note, with Sora or Tiagra, your upgrade path is pretty limited without swapping out the majority of the drivetrain. Any higher end 9 speed components have been out of production for a while. Whereas with 105, *if* you ever got the upgrade bug, is compatible with most of the 10 speed Shimano hardware out there and can be mixed and matched.
To the OP congrats on your new bike, enjoy it
06-08-10, 08:51 AM
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Generally speaking, the year-older version of the same model has slightly better components. This, along with a typically-discounted price, tends to make last year's model a better buy.
This alone justifies the extra $100!
