collegeskier

Does anyone know what is the story with the Pilot series that Trek is releasing in 2005. Just wondering.

Trek 2005's

nnewton123

I was wondering that myself...

my58vw

Wow I am actually liking the pilot 2.1 model, carbon seat stays for only 210 more than my model and the lighter frame with ultralega rear. Of course the handle bars are not quite the same quality but for a little more I may change my order to that.

khuon

I thought you said you didn't like the multi-material designs.

diddidit

Looks very similar in concept to the Roubaix series and the OCRs - compact but relatively relaxed geometry, choice of Shimano group (I like the 50-36 compact double on the 5.9 model), all carbon except for the lower end of the range. Bikes for going long distances at a good clip.

did

galen_52657

Looks like a bike to get people off of 'comfort' bikes and on a 'road racing' bike. Pay up and get into the 5000 series.

Moonshot

Some Pilots are aluminum with carbon stays and other Pilots are full OCLV frames like the 5000 series.

I was speaking to the owner of my LBS yesterday and he mentioned these. The geometry raises the headtube making for a more upright riding position.

Galen pretty much pegged it, I think.

shokhead

Ugly.

my58vw

I am probably going to just stay with the 1500, you are right I do not like multi material bikes but I do like the zr9000 aluminum frame. I wish they made the 1500 with that frame, otherwise you are right.

Yes I would rather have an all carbon frame though...

T E X

At my LBS the guys said that the Pilot series were for people with cruiser bicycles who want road bicycles. Basically for the cruising "older" type. Hey its its a 5900 with a reduced geometry.

auricpoe

i think they look pretty hideous

late

Guys,
It's a bicycle, and from the looks of it, a damn good one. Sit on a Schwinn Varsity sometime. That seating position was around before most of you were born; and will remain after you are gone.
It's comfy, and it makes sense. Get used to it, common sense is
contagious.

ImprezaDrvr

If it gets more people riding, it's beautiful.

(I actually don't think there's anything wrong with the way they look to begin with. Looks like a bike with different parts. So what?)

shokhead

Dont think so,its not same. Suppose to have layers of plastic between layers of carbon.

galen_52657

The whole concept is from a marketing standpoint. One could just take the 2300, push the seat forward, install a short + 6 degree stem to raise the bars and have the same fit.

shokhead

Some cars are ugly,some houses are ugly and some people are ugly. We didnt say kill god,we just think a bike is ugly,its ok.

khuon

When I saw the Pilot, I immediately thought "Specialized Roubaix" but I wanted to hold off commenting until I looked at the geometry numbers. Are we certain that's what they're trying to do or is it they're just producing a sloping top-tube bike? The two concepts are not necessarily the same.

galen_52657

The spiel I read in a useless bike rag said ‘more upright riding position….blah blah blah…bars are set higher…blah blah blah…’ Just strikes me as an unnecessary addition to an already bloated line of bikes that will be marketed toward older/slower people who want go a little faster than they can on the old hybrid and to appear as if they are riding a racing bike when in fact, they are not. If the seat tube angle is also more ‘upright’ than I would fail to see how the bike could be more comfortable. If people buy it, like it and ride it..who cares?

nnewton123

I agree!! Looks like some weird mountain bike road bike hybrid mix . I guess if it works for cars maybe it will work for bikes. I don't understand why people buy pontiac aztecs but I see plenty of them on the road!

khuon

Yeah but Pontiac cancelled the Aztec after only two years of production. There's a good reason for that.

late

"The spiel I read in a useless bike rag"

---Then why did you read it? ---

" said ‘more upright riding position….blah blah blah…bars are set higher…blah blah blah…’ Just strikes me as an unnecessary addition to an already bloated line of bikes that will be marketed toward older/slower people"

---Last time I looked it was a free country. Correct me if I'm wrong. Over 30 years ago my Schwinn was like that. So is my current bike.---

" who want go a little faster than they can on the old hybrid and to appear as if they are riding a racing bike when in fact, they are not."

---This is a little repititous of me,bear with me.bikes like this were around before you were born. In 2 or 3 decades your back will cause you to 'discover' them. We will be properly amazed for you.---

" If the seat tube angle is also more ‘upright’ than I would fail to see how the bike could be more comfortable."

---This is from the Rivendell reader
'



Raise Dat Stem!

by Bob Gordon

A flat back is one of the hallmarks of an experienced cyclist, particularly a racer, and over the years I have seen the prevailing attitudes towards rider positioning devolve to the point where if you don't cycle with your back parallel to the ground, you're cast off as a beginner.

But like many other concepts recreational riders adopt, the low back originated in the professional ranks after extensive research in aerodynamics proved this would help the fast go faster. Competitive athletes routinely sacrifice both their short and long term health for the express purpose of winning, but you may have a different agenda.

Lower back disc problems peak the ages of 30 and 50. There are many causes, but if your back pain is exacerbated by riding, it's a good bet the cause is bouncing around on your bike while your lower spine is extensively flexed (loss of lower back arch). A low, forward torso causes the inner portion of the disc (the nucleus purposes) to press back against the outer restraining fibers (the annulus fibroses). This pressure eventually causes the disc to bulge or herniate. The nearby nerves get squeezed, and the next thing you know, someone like me is telling you you have sciatica.

Cycling mitigates some of the problems of a habitually flexed lumbar spine because of the "bridge effect" that's created by resting some of your weight on your hands. But the lumbar region and its soft tissues are still at risk just by being continuously hyper flexed, and if you sit all day at your job, the danger is compounded.

On the flip side, cycling entirely upright does not solve the problem either. True, the inter-vertebral discs and spinal ligaments are in a more neutral position and absorb shock better, but the load is now transmitted axially, which is fatiguing and jarring. Also, in a bolt-upright position you can't use your gluteus or hamstrings to great advantage, which means your thighs (quadriceps) get overworked, you lose a lot of power, the unused hamstrings and gluteal muscles go flabby, and you catch all that wind. It's hard to be happy about all that, racer or no.

There is, however, a position that allows good performance while minimizing risk of lower back injury. I like a stem height and length that puts your back about 50 degrees from horizontal, while your arms and legs bend slightly at the elbows, as shown in figure 2 up there. To achieve this, you'll probably have to raise your bars, and assuming you want to keep the same bar style (as opposed to riding with stingray bars or something), that usually means getting another stem, one with a taller quill or a steep rise to it. If you hit the sweet spot, a photo of you from the side will reveal a nice pyramid composed of top tube, torso and arms.'

"If people buy it, like it and ride it..who cares?"

--I care, and a lot. I think the bike is very cool. And you cared enough to comment on it 3 times. Looks like we all care.---

Cerberusgl

I see a lot of recreational riders on the road with a raised stems and a rather upright riding position more power to them, at least they're riding instead of watching TV and stuffing there faces. Although I did chuckle at someone who had tri-spoke wheels with the above mentioned riding position. Seemed conflicted.

ExMachina

Is it just my imagination, or do all of the Trek bikes have their shifters mounted waaaaaaaay around and down on the bars? I can feel my hands getting numb already!

robintosh

The bikes comes without the shifters mounted, that's done at your LBS. Just depends on the mechanic or how you ask for them to be mounted. Greetings,

Rob

T E X

Are you serious. PLASTIC? I wasn't really a fan of the Zertz Specialized inserts but I test rode on and turns out I bought one. I don't know about layers of plastic.