Bontrager

AFAIK= "As Far As I Know"

Trekke

Hey Bontrager. Looks like the 1000, 1200 and 1500 all have the same frame and geo now. Use to not be the same. Anyway I stand corrected.

Dchiefransom

Ride everything you can within your price range and get the one you like riding the best.

Bontrager

The 1500 is still aluminum but it's supposed to be lighter - it is "SLR" vs the 1000 and 1200's "SL" aluminum. According to the site the SLR (super light race?) feature thinner, lighter Alpha Aluminum tubes etc. The 1x00 line frame geometry is identical, however according to their website.

So going from the 1200 to the 1500 you're not only getting better components, you're getting a better frame... I hated looking at Trek's 1x00 line - it's like at the movies - For 25cents more you can get a medium soda instead of that whimpy small.. and for 25 cents more you can get the large bucket of soda..

Then there's the 2x00 line which adds a totally different aluminum plus the carbon seat stays and so on. It's great that Trek has bikes with price points close enough but people like me tend do go overboard and just get the best in the category because you know it's the best value. Fortunately my LBS talked me down so now I won't feel guilty for buying a really expensive bike for my next ride...

NeoBinary

By the same token, don't be swayed simply because it does have a Trek sticker on it.

I've recently gotten a 1200 and I have to say I'm very pleased with it. It really is a lot of bang for the buck. It has a carbon fork and seatpost, 105 in the rear, and is very comfortable. The Tiagra shifters work fine for me as well. I probably would have looked more at the 1000, but I really don't like the method of shifting on the Sora shifters. I may have been able to swing the 1500, but I'll probably be in a position to go with a much nicer bike in about 2 years.

FrankH

The 1000 and 1200 have the same Alpha SL alu frame (1400 and 1500, the SLR).

Apart from the groupset, Sora (8-speed cassette) and Tiagra (9) respectively, there's no major differences. Neither has a carbon seatpost stock.

Had a 1000 and it was a real fun ride. The wheelset is quite heavy and simply swapping a set of Bontrager Race improved the bike tremendously. Check out the other thread about Sora but personally it works just fine.

AFAIK (As Far As I Know).

NeoBinary

The 1200 does have carbon seatpost stock for the '05 model year.