Bike comparison

[silver]

Hi....I wanna new bike.

So I've been riding 1.5 years. I've put about 2500 miles on my current bike. 2000 of that this year. I ride roads and have some interest in Triathlons. I've raced one. I don't think that I'll get heavy into them, maybe one or 2 a year and maybe eventually a half ironman.

My biggest goal is to get faster and stronger on the road. I usually ride betweem 50 and 80 miles a week. I've done one century.

I ride a 2005 58cm Trek 1000sl. I got it on sale for about $650

I want a 2007 58cm Trek Madone 5.0, full carbon bike, mostly ultegra components. cost about $2,500.

I need your opinions.....do you think that I will get much benefit from the new bike?

[alpinerabbit]

Yeah. You'll feel sexier. That is one sexy bike.

[silver]

Haha!!! Yes, I agree, I can't keep my hands off it everytime I go to the LBS! Yummy!!!!!

[bikerHen]

I just bought a 2007 Specialized Ruby Expert. Full carbon, full ultrega, sweetest bike I've ever ridden! :D I can hardly stay off it. This bike is way better than I am . . and has made me faster and stronger. For the first time ever I actual accelerated going up a hill yesterday. :eek: I was crazy to buy it, but boy am I glad I did! So go for it! Full carbon is amazing. bikerHen

[spokewench]

I have a carbon bike this year and love it. It is the only thing that got me thru the tour of colorado without changing my gearing (two chain rings on the front)!

My girlfriend also did the tour and she bought a madone like you are talking about. She loves it. She immediately saw the benefit on the uphill;; and I did too, when we went up Snowbowl road where I was hanging onto her uphill with her old bike,she just rode away from me withthe new bike (first time up)!

[KSH]

You sound like me!

I bought a Trek 1000 in 2004... and I have put approximately 3,500 miles on it.

It's a great bike... but I HATE THE GEARING on it! It SUCKS! But you get cheap gearing for $650...right?

I know for me... I'm drooling over a Specialized Pro... at around $2,200. It has a carbon seat post, carbon forks and handlebars... and all Ultegra components.

I just didn't see the need for a full carbon bike... and everyone keeps raving about how fabulous the Specialized bikes are. Of course, I couldn't test drive one as there wasn't one in the store.

Now, will a new bike make you faster? Hhhhuuummm... I hope so! Cause that's my excuse for getting one! HA! (As soon as I find the money!)

The Trek 1000 is a great bike... when you start out. But as you ride and learn more about bikes... you realize what you want in a bike... and go for that on bike #2. And for me, the NEW GEARING alone will be heavenly!

[silver]

KSH, yes, the 1000 is a great enty level bike. I have been able to accomplish some amazing goals on it. I bought it when my right foot was broken and I couldn't run anymore and I fell in love with cycling on it. I rode it all last summer with a broken foot. I don't think that I could ever part with it, buttttttt..............the shifting is cranky, I can't reach the thumb shifter thingie, the brakes are scrapey, The rims are crumbly, and I want a double. I want to keep it for when I feel that I will have to have my granny gear.

I'm just wondering if I'm dreaming or if I will really benefit from the new bike. Also, I wonder if buying it now going into the down season makes sense rather then waiting til Spring. Any feedback there?

[PinkBike]

silver,
58 cm????????????? How tall are you?

[silver]

Oh, dear.....I know....I've heard this before

I'm 5'8" but with a 34.5 inch inseam.......I've got long twiggy legs and long twiggy arms attached to a normal sized torso. I was originally fitted on a 60cm bike but decided to go smaller.

The only modification that I needed to make to my 1000 was to switch the 110mm stem to a 90mm stem

[Mimosa]

I'm just wondering if I'm dreaming or if I will really benefit from the new bike. Also, I wonder if buying it now going into the down season makes sense rather then waiting til Spring. Any feedback there?
Well maybe in de coming months you can find the 2006 model at discount, but I don't think the 2007 will be cheaper somewhere.

You can try to see if the 2007 model has got some mayor improvements (as opposed to the 2006 model) which you definately want.