Trek Pilot advice

[Somerville]

Hi all -

I'm a new poster to the discussion forum, but in the last few months, you all have been really helpful to me in getting into cycling and in taking the plunge and buying a bike finally. I love the tone and the information sharing in this discussion forum! THANKS!

I just bought my first real bike after tooling around on my sister's old hybrid for a while. I rode the MS 150 in Massachusetts on that old thing ... ouch! Now I'm the proud owner of a very pretty, and - by my standards - incredibly light and fast Trek Pilot 1.2 WSD. After ... mmm ... about three hours, I'm still in love and don't have any post purchase anxiety.

For me the clincher was the smaller brake grips. I can actually reach these without hurting my thumbs from hanging on so hard to the handlebars. I feel really comfortable in the quasi-upright position and I can't explain the geometry of it, but it was just more comfortable than the pilot 1.0 I rode last weekend. Short torso, long arms ... I dunno ... it just feels good.

And I didn't want to be one of those people who cares about the color, but I did. I love the light blue! It's pretty without being obnoxiously girly.

I'll update again after I take her for some long rides this summer!

[Livin the Dream]

I just bought my first road bike last weekend and it was a Trek Pilot 1.0. I road a couple of Giants, a Raleigh, a Trek 1000 and the Pilot and the Pilot won. And, after a few rides, I'm still happy with the purchase. The jury is still out on the saddle, but everything else seems to be a great fit for me. The LBS owner said he'd sold a lot of the Pilots this season.

Good luck and happy shopping!

[FH Cyclist]

I have had my Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD for about 5 weeks and am really enjoying it. I used to ride and am now just getting back into it after having been away for 25 years. I didn't want to spend a lot in case I couldn't ride or didn't like it. I did want the buzz kill handle bars (I went cross country during my sophomore and junior years in college and have had trouble with my hands, on long rides, since then) and that pushed me to the 2.1. I really like the way it handles, the fit and the way I can climb.

I also have a Trek mountain bike (that's what got me back into cycling) but it is too hot here in Arizona to mountain bike in the desert summer. A colleague encouraged me to try a road bike and I am really glad I did.

In both cases, I did try the men's Trek bike but found it just didn't fit me properly. I consider myself to be a prototypical size for the WSD. I am 5'4" with a 30 inch in seam. I found the WSD was much better for me in the handle bars. I could really feel the difference.

I haven't done anything special to the bike - I'm just using the stock components. I did get a fit from the bike store, on my bike. The owner changed the position of my cleats and it was like WOW!!!! I felt like the pedals were an extension of me. He also changed the position of my brake levers and it has worked well. I may move the saddle a bit forward but other than that, I'm not feeling the need for additional changes.

I do like the more upright position as well. It's seems to be easier on my back.

Hopefully this is helpful.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks - Sorry for the dumb question, but what's 'buzz kill handlebars'? I'm 5'5" and have a 30" inseam. Thanks again for the feedback.

[pll]

Thanks - Sorry for the dumb question, but what's 'buzz kill handlebars'? I'm 5'5" and have a 30" inseam. Thanks again for the feedback.

They are regular handlebars with special plugs, "Bzzzkill Harmonic Dampers" from Bontrager:

I installed a pair of brass ones on my (100&#37 aluminum bike a week ago and it has helped a little bit with road vibration. This was not a clean experiment, because I also inflated my front tire to about 95psi rather than 120psi (the maximum).

[FH Cyclist]

I forgot to mention, in addition to the buzzkill handlebars, the 2.1 has carbon forks, seat stays and seat post. I was hoping it would smooth out the ride and it does. I test road the 1.2 to see if the 50 cm frame fit me and it did. I then decided to try and reduce vibration as much as possible by going to the 2.1.

I didn't want to not ride my bicycle because I was uncomfortable (OK - just call me a wimp). The great news is that I am really enjoying riding this bicycle.

Have fun shopping.

[FH Cyclist]

I forgot to mention, in addition to the buzzkill handlebars, the 2.1 has carbon forks, seat stays and seat post. I was hoping it would smooth out the ride and it does. I test road the 1.2 to see if the 50 cm frame fit me and it did. I then decided to try and reduce vibration as much as possible by going to the 2.1.

I didn't want to not ride my bicycle because I was uncomfortable (OK - just call me a wimp). The great news is that I am really enjoying riding this bicycle.

Have fun shopping.

A few days later.....
Hi, I asked a couple of my colleagues that are Roadies if they had tried to reduce vibrations by reducing the pressure in their tires. They said in addition to increasing the rolling resistance, they felt they were more prone to "pinch tube" flat tires. So just a few other things to think about when trying to reduce vibration.

[boxer]

HI,
I purchased a Trek Pilot 1.2 WSD in March 2006 and I love my pilot. It fits well, is comfortable and a perfect choice for my riding and price. I plan to ride my first century with it in Sep 2007. I replaced the saddle right away and I have re-wrapped the handlebars, but other than that everything is wonderful. I have over 2000 miles on the bike and it's still great. Good luck with your bike purchase!

[Zen]

Hi all -

I'm a new poster to the discussion forum, but in the last few months, you all have been really helpful to me in getting into cycling and in taking the plunge and buying a bike finally. I love the tone and the information sharing in this discussion forum! THANKS!

I just bought my first real bike after tooling around on my sister's old hybrid for a while. I rode the MS 150 in Massachusetts on that old thing ... ouch! Now I'm the proud owner of a very pretty, and - by my standards - incredibly light and fast Trek Pilot 1.2 WSD. After ... mmm ... about three hours, I'm still in love and don't have any post purchase anxiety.

For me the clincher was the smaller brake grips. I can actually reach these without hurting my thumbs from hanging on so hard to the handlebars. I feel really comfortable in the quasi-upright position and I can't explain the geometry of it, but it was just more comfortable than the pilot 1.0 I rode last weekend. Short torso, long arms ... I dunno ... it just feels good.

And I didn't want to be one of those people who cares about the color, but I did. I love the light blue! It's pretty without being obnoxiously girly.

I'll update again after I take her for some long rides this summer!

It is a pretty bike, isn't it?
Do you have any problems with throwing the lever for the front chain rings? I can't do it, I had to switch to bar end friction shifters

[FH Cyclist]

I must confess - I am very envious. it is a really beautiful bike. I really like that color and now that I see the picture - WOW it looks great. Unfortunately, with my previous hand problems, I decided to try a bit more carbon in the frame and the only color offered in my bike is black - unless you move up the price scale.

I haven't had any problems in the throw lever, did you try to move them? I had mine moved up and I like it there a lot.

I'm still enjoying my bike a lot.