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Which road bike should I get? Trek, Specialized, Giant?

sygyzy

sygyzy

Lifer
Trying to narrow down the choices. Any help would be appreciated. Budget is about $1000.

Trek 1500 (new model for 2004)
Giant OCR1
Specialize Allez Elite (I think).

I think the Giant is the heaviest out of the bunch (boo) but thy have the best components. What's strange is Trek has Ultegra (high end) for a few items then they skimp and go to the third ranked ones (Tiagra) on other components. What's up with that?

I don't want to build my own bike or buy it from the web. I am going to get it from a local shop.
 
Trek pwns j00!

Edit: I need to add that it doesn't matter what crap they put on the bike. You're really only buying the frame when you buy a bike. Run with the factory defaults and get the bike broken in... Once you break a few parts and get some miles on the bike, upgrade the parts as you need them. You can also continue to shave weight off the bike if you feel the need. 😉
 
No, can't do that. I love biking but don't want to do any major customizations like modding a computer or overclocking.

I wonder why brands like Giant cost the same or less than the Trek equivalent but have better components?
 
Have you ridden all three? Try all of them out on some rides, see what you like the feel of. Personally, I love Specialized, and would likely go with the Allez Elite, but it's more of an individual preference.

Rob
 
OCR1 and Allez has the compact frame... 1500 has the standard one. The last OCR1 i saw had better components all around than the 1500. I had an Allez for awhile... not the Elite though... just the Sport... it was pretty nice for the price i got it for. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
No, can't do that. I love biking but don't want to do any major customizations like modding a computer or overclocking.

I wonder why brands like Giant cost the same or less than the Trek equivalent but have better components?
Click to expand...

The Giant frame is cheaper and maybe heavier.

 
I've been thinking about getting a road bike next spring for a much more enjoyable cardio work out🙂 What am I looking at spending on one of these bikes?? And how about some links to some good n00b bikes to start out on?
 
Originally posted by: Crazymofo
I've been thinking about getting a road bike next spring for a much more enjoyable cardio work out🙂 What am I looking at spending on one of these bikes?? And how about some links to some good n00b bikes to start out on?
Click to expand...

The OCR3 is a nice beginner bike... $500-600. You should check out your local bike shop if they have any deals for the 2003 models since the 2004s are coming in... and you can check ebay for those people that bought expensive bikes to start off with only to lose interest in it later on. 😀
 
I think you should get a Giant Specialized Trek. 😀

Get the one that fits and that looks nice. In that price range you can go wrong with any of those models.
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
No, can't do that. I love biking but don't want to do any major customizations like modding a computer or overclocking.

I wonder why brands like Giant cost the same or less than the Trek equivalent but have better components?
Click to expand...

because Giant owns their own frame factory in Taiwan..so they have more money to put into components. Though, really, there aren't that many different makers...ALOT of big name brand bikes come from the same identical factory really... Trek and Specialized are supposed to come from the same line, supposedly (I forgot). But you'd be surprised.

Like the other guy said, you are really paying for the frame, because parts are cheap. They aren't a major customization.. and they're alot funner to mod and tweak than a computer!!! On that Trek, the front derailer is low end simply because it doesn't need to be any better. You only use the front derailer so often... and its just a cage... going to a higher line of derailer saves you maybe a few grams and looks prettier.

Personally I don't like specialized at all , although the Allez Elite is probably the most popular road bike. it all comes down to personal preference... especially when you;re talking about 1000$. I'd go for EXTENDED test rides on these bikes to make a pick.




But, if youre looking for something completely different, go check out www.habcycles.com. This guy sells titanium frames (mtb and road) out of Florida for 695$. The build, weld, and frame in general look superb, and people have nothing but good praise for the guy. Buy the frame and build the bike yourself, or you can have him configure and build it also. I'd recommend you take a look.

Myself i'm looking for a cyclocross..probably a Marin
 
Originally posted by: Crazymofo
I've been thinking about getting a road bike next spring for a much more enjoyable cardio work out🙂 What am I looking at spending on one of these bikes?? And how about some links to some good n00b bikes to start out on?
Click to expand...

look to spend 800-1200$. any lower, and you'll probably be upgrading here and there. road bikes in general are more expensive than mountain bike... you can get a nice 500$ mountain hardtail...throw on some slicks/semislicks... and have the option of going off road or on road with the switch of a set of tires.

www.mtbr.com
rec.bicycles.misc
 
I have the OCR1, it's a good bike overall for its price. True, the bike is about one or two pounds heavier than it should be, but this is a touring bike on steroids (i.e. comfortable to ride for long distances), not a pure race bike, so the weight doesn't really matter for the average weekend warrior. The truth is, you can't really get a dream bike for under 1k, there's a lot of compromises in this price range.
 
Thanks for the responses.

1. I can oogle my coworker's 888 when he gets it. So no Ducati for me.

2. Are Trek and Specialized American made?

3. Which is the lightest bike of the three?

4. Is it worth paying the premium for the Trek?

5. I should mention I have a 2003 Trek 8000 MTB. I wouldn't mind keeping it in the same family so to speak.

6. Is it true that Giant doesn't produce a wide variety of frame sizes, so it's harder to get the right fit?

7. LS20 - What are your gripes about Specialized?

Thanks guys.
 
Though, really, there aren't that many different makers...ALOT of big name brand bikes come from the same identical factory really... Trek and Specialized are supposed to come from the same line, supposedly (I forgot). But you'd be surprised.
Click to expand...

Trek & Specialized does not come from the same factory. Their egos are so big those brands can not even be sold in the same shop.

I love my 2003 Specialized S-works. But for a more resonable priced bike you should check out Jamis and even Fuji.

 
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