Roasted

Now when you compare the Pilot to the 2.X series, are you taking the H3 2.X into reference or are you speaking of the standard H2 2.X?

2ndGen

The Pilot wouldn't be comparable to either Trek 2.X Series.
It's a different geometry. Its way more relaxed than your most relaxed 2.X.

wrr1020

I ride a 2010 2.1 and its a fantastic bike. I was new to cycling when i got it so i don't have much to compare it to but handling is amazing, bomb down descents at 45+ mph comfortably, sprints, climbs, everything i throw at it it takes it like a champ. I was gonna upgrade to a CF frame but i love this bike too much to replace it. Don't know if the frames have changed from the 2010 to 2011, as far as geometry.

Roasted

hmm, I see. Such a bummer because I cannot find any geometry specs on that Pilot. I'm curious to compare. Any ideas? Trek's archives don't carry geometry specs...

2ndGen

Yes...don't sweat the numbers.
Sweat the ride!

Roasted

I'd only be sweating the numbers if I were actually considering a pilot. But I'm not. I'm just curious geometry wise how the current Trek's compare to the previous ones. I don't really know anything about road bikes except what I learned here with a little reading about some 2010s and 2011s. Kind of curious to see what Trek was up to before.

berner

My Secteur has bosses and is drilled and tapped at the dropout ares to mount a rear rack. At present, with temps dropping for the winter season, I mounted a rack and trunk to store or hold layers of clothing. This may not be importand to you. For myself, next summer I plan to add smallish panniers for light touring in N. Hampshire. I currently use the trunk for grocery shopping carrying 20 pounds or so. So far the bike handles fine and I believe it will handle as well with 30 pounds so so. Wheel base of the Secteur is longish (102 centimeters on size 54) which contibutes to a steady ride while loaded. I'm way too old to consider ever racing but the Secteur is not slow. In fact, I find it fast and exciting to ride.

2ndGen

Try a Trek 2008 Catalog search in Google.
You might be able to locate a PDF version
where they might have the geo listed in the back.

Roasted

Wow. The 08 2.1 Pilot had a headtube of 153mm for the 56, whereas the '11 2.1 H3 has a headtube of 185mm for the 56.

I thought I read somewhere that:

H1 = Comparable to Former Pro Fit
H2 = Comparable to Former Performance Fit
H3 = Comparable to Former Pilot Series.

heckuva difference between the Pilot and H3 if that's what the H3 resembles.

13 days till paycheck.

2ndGen

No, "13 days till paycheck!"

Get your mind right maggot!

Roasted

lol - but I gotta wait anyway. Remember, I test rode the 56 H2 and I want to compare the 56 H3, but they have to get one in first...

2ndGen

Anticipation is part of the fun...enjoy it!

gundom66

Since they no longer have the Pilot Series, calling a fit for 2011 a "Pilot" fit wouldn't sound too well in peoples taste buds. That is why they came up with H1/H2/H3.

So I see that you liked the ride on the H2. I was the same way when I was only sitting on the bikes. It felt as if the 56 was a bit of a stretch while the 54 was the right fit. However, when I drop, the 54 felt just a tad too short for me, but bearable while the 56 hit the sweet spot. When I test rode the 56 though, like you, it was a completely different feeling. At least you're done and just waiting for "Day 13". I'm still waiting until next year and still have 2 more bikes to test ride.

Anyway, off to Trek I go this morning. My Bib Knickers came in so I have to go pick it up. I hope the size fits, based on the chart. If not, I have to wait for another week for the reorder

Roasted

Good to hear somebody else had similar feelings of the 56. Yeah in my case I was also going from 54 90mm stem to 56 100mm stem, so I think that factored in a higher gap than I realized. If i put a 90 stem on it I feel like I'd hit a REAL sweet spot for the H2. For the H3, maybe the 100mm stem will be a winner? I'm just not sure which road I'll take... but I'm happy I resisted so I can try out both side by side.

Which bike are you ultimately going to go for? I assume the 56 but are you going with an H2 or 3? Are you going with the 2.1 like I am or something higher up the scale?

gundom66

So far, Bianchi Infinito C2C Ultegra is on first place when it comes to the overall ride quality followed by the 5.2 Madone. If I'm going for warranty and immediate availability of the 11-28 on either Compact or Triple, Trek is leading the way. I can go cheaper with the Infinito 105, but I still have to fork up a few dollars to swap out the 11-25 to 11-28. Trek on the other hand is willing to five me a full Pro Fit, not like every single LBS that carries the Bianchi who are only willing to give me a standard normal fitting.

But now I have added a couple more bikes to try out. I've tested the CAADs, but never did I try the Synapse Carbon. And I also have the Felt AR5 to try out as well. However, if I don't get a go on the cash out PTO, I have to wait until next year for my bonus to come. I'm hoping it's a big enough bonus to cover up to the price of the Infinito 105. If not, then I have to go back to the drawing board, or if I get desperate, I'll probably end up with a 3 or 4 series Madone. That would be my only option in that price range.

Roasted

Good deal man. Well maybe you'll get that lucky lottery ticket or something and the bonus wait won't have to take place after all. Either way it sounds like you're comparing some pretty solid options, so whatever you end up with I'm betting will be a winner.

Out of curiosity, what are your cycling proportions? I'm curious to how you and I compare in regard to the 56 sitting/riding comment above.

Roasted

Just caught wind there was a Jamis dealer in the area. Figured I'd check their site to see if there were any bikes in my alley annnnnd I think I found one. Still betting on the Trek pretty hardcore, but I got the time to kill - looking at other options.

Can anybody give any opinion on this here bike?

https://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/r...nturarace.html

EDIT - Does this 1,300 bike seriously have a square taper crank?

2ndGen

Roasted

Call me crazy, but I take that as disapproval over the Jamis?

2ndGen

2ndGen

Roasted

Hey bro. Gotta consider my options. While I'm waiting, I can't help but to look. Naa-meeen?

2ndGen

I know!

I'm just putting on a little peer pressure to get you on the bike that was voted best in it's class in '09.
This is the exact same frameset for the 2.1 (the 1.5 got bumped up as Treks premiere aluminum frameset).



Issue: May 2009
Page: 84 Editorial Review

"This year, in choosing our finalists in this category, we tried an experiment:
We kept the drivetrain and parts spec similar
(same model of derailleur on all bikes, for instance),
but expanded the price range to see what a few more bucks would buy.

We found that, in the case of Trek's 1.5, you get the most compliant ride of the group,
with the kind of smoothness and ride tuning we'd expect from a bike that costs more than $1,100.

Handling is novice-friendly yet not plodding.

It delivers confidence from the start and yet, as your skills grow,
the Trek 1.5 will feel more capable as well.

So why the 1.5?

You pay only a little more, and that premium gives you a platform worth building on over the years."

Roasted

Yeah, I hear ya man. I gotta admit, I heard some people not really into Trek here... there's a few haters out there. But I just wanted to be unbiased and give every brand a chance. But to be honest, I'm a customer. A customer who has bills. Lots of bills. If I can get a better deal to save a few bucks, I'm going for it. I almost feel like I'm trying to find a bike that busts the Trek's balls... but so far, I get more by paying less with the 2.1... Even if I'd spend 300 more with other brands, I'm still missing out on something...

That reminds me... the bike shop DID say they have a credit program... gah! Damnit! Just what I need, another credit card. But I could pay it off next check... right?

2ndGen

Credit?
Oh no!
Then you're going to be looking at Madones soon!