bikeless in WI wonders "Which still leaves one wondering why they don't design a better saddle for themselves."

Treks cynical reply because design costs time and money and they think good service costs time and money.

Instead of taking the stance that "we will be there to keep you riding" they sell stuff they make because it's cheaper.

Most people will buy the bike regardless roll it out the door and stop riding within a ride or two because this or that hurts or they don't know what to wear or...that's ok, they made the sale.

I often tell new riders who ask me about cycling (I'm sure some of you can identify with this, I've become the bike SPOC - that's Single Point of Contact at work)

Riding a bike is easy to do hence the saying "it's like riding a bike"

Riding well and safely? Freakishly difficult. But the good news about that is the information is out there, find a shop, local bike club, your local cycling community, or....TE

Sorry to politicise the board but...I like what Trek's done for promoting cycling in the States, for keeping their manufacturing jobs here, for promoting biketown, for jumping on the bandwagon of WSD after cycling pioneers like G. Terry and Luna bikes to name a few established it ahem....there's lots of good stuff they do and a Project 1 is on my "when I win the Lotto" list .

Individual bike shops that carry Trek give good service.

Not long ago I rode to the library, seeing my helmet the librarian struck up a conversation about bikes. Seems she'd been riding for years to work, a series of "failed relationships" with box-store bikes.

She went to Cyclepath in Hayward and they fit her with a Trek hybrid. Perfect for her commute! And the fit? Like a whole new world she said and now, she's thinking about a road bike.

Of course I told her about TE.

Hi, if you're lurking.

And Summit Bikes where the plan is to rent a bike when Bikeless is out here....but some shops will just try to find a sucker for that Bont saddle on the sale table.

One reason my road bike's from an independent Mfr. is I think I got "more bike for my money". Nothing's going to marketing, promoting a team, TV spots for Subaru....it's just these two guys building a bike. The Project 1 is still on my "when I win the Lotto" list but if you're looking for a bike don't forget there are lots of builders out there.

Depending on where you are often it's hard to find more than Trek/Specialized/Cannondale but it's fun to look.