Agave

Now she'll need a shorter stem.

coasting 

why does trek hate america?

jwill87ta

I think people have a general dislike for Trek because they are so common. Among non-bike "enthusiasts" Trek is considered cream of the crop because they're a large company and a recognizable brand. Because of this, the hard core riders don't want to be associated with the same brand that the general public likes. They want something that is more "indie" or under the radar from the masses.

coasting 

no one hates specialized and they are more common.

StanSeven

Specialized does a good job with warranties and customer service. They also test new products well before selling them.

OP - do a search of waterockets threads about trek and you'll get more answers

coasting 

when i think of trek i think of the villains in an episode of the A-Team.

roadwarrior

Same reason why GM, after getting boatloads of government bailout money is investing $540 million in a factory in central Mexico to build fuel efficient engines. When the current administration was running for office, they ran hard against free trade. Maybe some of these companies heard them. Imagine that.

Spookeay Bird

I love it when a plan comes together!

mmmdonuts

There are enough Discovery/Astana kit wearing freds on Treks in my area to not want one. And pretty soon the LAY-OH-PARDs will start coming out of the woodwork.

coasting 

i see way too many riders doing mark cavendish impersonations.

RT

With Lance's winning streak, Trek became like Kleenex, at least to me. Everywhere you go, Trek, Trek, Trek. Not saying it is a bad product, it's just that it seems that everyone had one or wanted one. It does not help that any product Trek makes that I like would require a 401K loan for me to afford. That's what America does though - hates on the success story. Apple will be there too, someday, mark my words.

Classic overexposure.

RJM

The Trek bikes I have purchased have been nice bikes, I have no complaints with them. My wife's 2.1 is especially nice because she like is a lot and it rides well for her. I wish the welds on my 7.5 fx were smooth, but other than that it is a very nice hybrid, works great as a commuter/trail bike. I am stuck between Specialized, Trek or Cannondale for a new road bike this year, have to go on test rides to pick a winner, but right now they are all equal.

renton

I started riding last spring and I got a Trek solely based on price. It was the cheapest with an 105 group.
I liked Specialized more but the Trek was cheaper.
The Trek store.. it's alright. They always tell me I need a new chain and bar tape.
The chain is fine,I measured it and the bar tape needed cleaning not replacing.
Also their tune-ups are not the greatest, maybe because I get them for free since the bike is under warranty still.

RacerOne

My Trek is great for the price I paid for it. Unless I got another super deal though I probably won't end up with another one, I'm more of a value kind of guy and Trek is generally more money for equal products.

coasting 

i like the look of treks but they are just too expensive.

pallen

I have a Bontrager floor pump. Its a great floor pump.

techlogik

Nobody even heard or knew of Trek until Armstrong was tied to them and riding their stuff. See what a guy can do for a product, even if it is crap.

Actually, I have a hybrid Fx7.3, with mostly OEM Bontrager stuff for putting around. The thing has been a tank and well made, no issues whatsoever with it. Wife/daughter both have those Trek Navigators...no problems either with them. Of course, my wife has only ridden it 80 miles in 2 years...maybe that is why it has lasted.

Now the competitive road bikes...another story.

mmmdonuts

Nobody? Really? I see...

Herbie53

incorrect, some might say that was the beginning of a different era though.

wfrogge

Didnt like them back in the early 90s with their first run carbon bikes and crappy warranty issues. Really didnt like them when they became the Lance Armstrong brand and every fanboy was on one (along with the Trek shops spewing the LA ilk). Have had several friends race for teams that were sponsored by Trek bikes (high in Madones) and very few had good things to say about them. Not happy with how the Lemond situation went down (but thats just business). Not happy with how they have destroyed the Gary Fisher brand quality wise (should be renamed Gary Fissures due to the crappy frames).

KiuBWhy

End Thread.

coasting 

bontrager gel bar tape is the best tape evar. all squigy.

Adrianinkc

Dont buy used and expect warranty.


As much as I love them, I do agree with some of the comments,

Thick ugly welds
Bontrager stuff is ok nothing special, wheels are expensive.
They are everywhere

I don't think they are any worse or any better than specialized, cannondale, or giant.

equipe

I'm still pissed off at Trek for ruining Klein and Bontrager in the 90s, turning them into generic crap.

Dancing Skeleton

Thanks to everyone for the input. I know that there are some people who just hate Treks for the sake of hating, and others who have has bad CS experiences. Personally, I don't like Giant bikes. I have no good reason, I just don't like them.
My wife & I each have a new Madone 4.7, and an old 930 SHX MTB. All of the bikes are great. We haven't had to deal with CS (hopefully we won't), but we have a really good LBS in the Boston area that has always been good to us. I usually judge a company on how it deals with problems, because every every company makes a bad product now & then. I have had horrible CS from Sony, where Samsung replaced a defective HDTV with a newer, better model after my original TV went bad 15 months out of warranty.
I'm aware of the problems with the Bontrager paired-spoke wheels, although they've been fine on my wife's bike, but she's pretty light. My wheels aren't paired-spoke, and they've held up well on Boston area roads. I know that they are on the heavy side.
I do love the integrated DuoTrap sensor, it hides the ugly tie-wraps that are needed on other bikes. Combine that with hidden cables on 5 & 6 series, and you've got a clean look.

I do understand the dislike of Treks because everybody seems have one, and that goes with any popular product (iPhone?).
Trek's are ~$100-$200 more than comparable Specialized, although Trek hasn't bumped up prices yet like Specialized just did.

Thanks to everyone,

Peter