Best Thing to Upgrade on a Trek 1.5 (2009)

d70ar9

I recently managed to get myself one of the stunning lime green 1.5 Treks. I managed to get it for under £600 and subsequently have some of my budget left. What would you guys recommend as the best things to upgrade. I would appreciate any advice or ideas...I have listed below my Treks specification.

# Frame Alpha Black Aluminum.
# Fork Bontrager Race, carbon; SpeedTrap compatible.
# Drivetrain.
# Shifters Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed.
# Front Derailleur Shimano Sora.
# Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra GS
# Crankset FSA Vero 50/34 or 50/39/30
# Cassette SRAM PG950 11-26 9 speed.
# Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage.
# Wheels & Components.
# Wheels Bontrager SSR
# Tires Bontrager Select, 700x25c.
# Saddle Bontrager Race Basic.
# Seatpost Bontrager Carbon.
# Stem Bontrager Race Lite OS 7 Deg, 31.8mm.
# Handlebars Bontrager SSR OS VR Bend 31.8mm.
# Headset Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, integrated, sealed, alloy.
# Brakeset Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano Sora STI levers.

amaferanga

Wheels.

questforbest

i would agree wheels have been a nightmare for me getting one buillt for back wheel from my bike shop and had the bontrager one rebuilt already as spokes were snapping on every ride

sampras38

A friend has just bought a red and white 1.7, as the 1.5's were out of stock in his size, and all he changed was the saddle.

Mettan

Wheels and tyres.

Slow Downcp

Tyres, or saddle if it doesn't suit. Depends how much you have left for upgrades.

Monkeypump

Clipless pedals (and shoes) if you don't already use them.

I've got the same saddle (I think) on my 1.9, and I find it quite comfy - give it a try before replacing.

Anonymous

Mudguards.

d70ar9

I forgot to mention i've already replaced the saddle as it became uncomfortable for journeys over 10 mins. Although it doesn't fit the style of the bike i have fitted my brooks saddle from my previous bike as it is so comfortable. The wheels do seem a little skimpy on the spokes department but i fear decent wheels will really set me back. Anyway cheers for the advice

d70ar9

On the mudguard front there doesn't look to be much clearance at all - I was thinking of these though http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118471.html as they seem pretty slim and close fitting. Anyone know for sure if they fit the 1.5 or heard any good reviews about them?

x8swift9x

Tyres!

dilemna

I thought the Trek 1.5 was better specced as I have the older Trek 1500 which is Ultegra STI shifters and drive chain through out. Wheels and hubs are Bontrager Race. They must have down graded the Trek 1.5 as the 1500 was too good a deal.

themightyw

I have been the happy owner of an 08 Trek 1.5 (though I've just ordered a Madone 4.5). The things I changed on mine were:

- Clipless pedals (obviously)
- Saddle (for a charge spoon - though the original one was actually relatively comfy)
- Wheels to Mavic Aksiums
- Tyres to 700x23 GP4000s
- Brake pads

The saddle's entirely subjective - if it's comfortable then keep it, in my view. The Aksium wheels are definitely better than the stock SSRs, but not vastly so. I perhaps should have pushed the boat out for something more than Mavic's entry level for a more noticeable difference

Tyres was a huge improvement, in my view.

I still love my 1.5 and will be using it frequently. If I was to keep it as my 'main' then I would have looked to replace the Sora and Tiagra gear with some second hand 105s.

Squillinossett

wheels and tyres were a huge improvement for me (I have the 09)

Papapete

I am in a similar position. I too have the 09 Trek 1.5. Looking to upgrade bits rather than purchase a new bike (can get away with changing parts as the missus won't notice, but if I come home with a new bike...............)

I've been thinking of upgrading the wheelset, seems to be the sensible one, and have been looking at the DT Swiss 1850. Any reason why I should'nt or perhaps you could recommend me some.

John.T

Why start upgrading as soon as you get the bike. You should have got a better speced one. Just wear a few things out first and then do them. At least ride it for a while to find what you do and do not like about it. If you really want to spend some money get a second wheel set but go for broke and only use it for races or the big rides. Use the originals for general riding or training. Don't prat about getting something 100gm lighter, get good ones that you will feel the difference with. My 5.2 came with Bonti Racelites which get some stick on here. I have no complaints at all with them and can not feel much difference from my old 'race wheels' which are Rolf Sestrieres. I would not get anything weighing more than 1200gm as replacements.
Papapete. You are only saving about 90gm over the Bonti Race wheels that you 1.5 probably came with. Is this really worth £300.

STEFANOS4784

I'd flog the Sora STI's and get Tiagra ones personally. I don't like Sora for some reason..... Also tyres

dru

John.T wrote:

Why start upgrading as soon as you get the bike. You should have got a better speced one. Just wear a few things out first and then do them. At least ride it for a while to find what you do and do not like about it. If you really want to spend some money get a second wheel set but go for broke and only use it for races or the big rides. Use the originals for general riding or training. Don't prat about getting something 100gm lighter, get good ones that you will feel the difference with. My 5.2 came with Bonti Racelites which get some stick on here. I have no complaints at all with them and can not feel much difference from my old 'race wheels' which are Rolf Sestrieres. I would not get anything weighing more than 1200gm as replacements.
Papapete. You are only saving about 90gm over the Bonti Race wheels that you 1.5 probably came with. Is this really worth £300.

+1

Just Get some clipless pedals and shoes (or fit your old ones if you have them) go ride it for a while and then change things as you discover they need changing.


Unless the bike doesn't fit you and then buy the correct stem/bars etc now

Squillinossett

the bonti ssrs that come with the 1.5 come in at over 3k for the pair, so your saving a kilo between then as far as im aware

Papapete

I have had my Trek for 12 months now and after riding it for that time I was just debating on whether I would now get any improvement from upgrading parts. I have heard that upgrading wheels will probably be best due to being able to keep hold of them if i ever sell the bike.

I have become used to the bike and have no problems with the frame or the set up (although as suggested above might be worthwhile changing the shifters to tiagra).

Papapete

Just found this review from Bike Radar on the 08 model with the 09 model using the same wheels.

"At a shade over three kilos the pair, the SSRs are a reasonable weight for a bike at this price, but we would still advise upgrading to a lighter set in the long run. In the meantime we'd swap the Bontrager Select 25mm tyres for a narrower 23mm set as a quick way of adding extra zip."

Squillinossett

So the Kasmins at under 2kg are a big upgrade for little money (got them for £90 new off ebay)

John.T

Papapete. Wheels are probably the best upgrade for the reason you give (among others). The SSRs would appear to be heavier than the Race model that used to be on the earlier models so this gives more room for improvement. It is however very easy to get wheels that are no real advantage over what you already have. It needs a bit of homework and possibly rather more cash to get real benefit. The DT Swiss at 1850gm would appear to be a good choice. (assuming I was wrong about the weight of your present wheels). A set of 1100gm carbon ones at £900 may be a bit overkill on that bike though.
As for changing the shifters to Tiagra, unless you really don't like them, wait until they get a bit worn or you get a bit flush then go for 10sp ones. You would only need to change the chain and cassette as well and they may need changing by then anyway.

bice

John.T wrote:

Why start upgrading as soon as you get the bike. You should have got a better speced one. Just wear a few things out first and then do them. At least ride it for a while to find what you do and do not like about it. If you really want to spend some money get a second wheel set but go for broke and only use it for races or the big rides. Use the originals for general riding or training. Don't prat about getting something 100gm lighter, get good ones that you will feel the difference with. My 5.2 came with Bonti Racelites which get some stick on here. I have no complaints at all with them and can not feel much difference from my old 'race wheels' which are Rolf Sestrieres. I would not get anything weighing more than 1200gm as replacements.
Papapete. You are only saving about 90gm over the Bonti Race wheels that you 1.5 probably came with. Is this really worth £300.

+1. I bought a Trek 1.7 a year ago and just an Armadillo rear tyre and some raceblade mudguards. The wheels might not be the best, but I've had no problems and won't change them until there are. I cured my urge to tinker by building up nice Italian steel frames, upgrading straight away just means you bought the wrong bike.

Papapete

Cheers for the sound advice John T, I take everything onboard.

if I pluck for turbo trainer for winter (currently dont have one) then I may go for a nice set and use the current SSR's on that and training rides, changing to new / good set on dry long runs and sportives.

Nerrep

I have a 1.5, and the only thing I've changed so far is the saddle (my cock felt like it was about to drop off on anything more than 15 miles... Not good) and the pedals (for some 105 SPDs, which are fantastic). Next things to change will be the tyres (to 23 rather than 25mm: higher pressure, therefore less resistance), and then eventually the shifters (I don't like having to reach up from the drops; will invest in some 105s at some point in the distant future).

Unless its going to make my ride significantly faster (pedals, tyres) or more comfortable (saddle, shifters), I don't really see the point. If I wanted to drop 500g, there's more than enough fat on my body which I can loose for free.

Tommy1234

d70ar9 wrote:

On the mudguard front there doesn't look to be much clearance at all - I was thinking of these though http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118471.html as they seem pretty slim and close fitting. Anyone know for sure if they fit the 1.5 or heard any good reviews about them?

They are nice ones.

amaferanga

Squillinossett wrote:

So the Kasmins at under 2kg are a big upgrade for little money (got them for £90 new off ebay)

I think Bikeradar weigh wheels with tyres, tubes, cassette and skewers so I don't think your saving a whole kilo with the new wheels (I think that's what you were suggesting).

John.T

amaferanga wrote:

Squillinossett wrote:

So the Kasmins at under 2kg are a big upgrade for little money (got them for £90 new off ebay)

I think Bikeradar weigh wheels with tyres, tubes, cassette and skewers so I don't think your saving a whole kilo with the new wheels (I think that's what you were suggesting).

I was not sure of that either. Tyres, tubes, rim tape, skewers and cassette will be about 1 kilo. If they are included then that puts the wheels at around 2 kilo so not such a saving.

2ndGen

Cheers from across pond.

I have a 2009 Trek 1.5 for almost a year now.

First upgrade, a pair of Wellgo GR8 Magnesium Clipless Pedals. About $40./U.S.

My basic upgrades will include the following:
Selle Italia Saddle
Kool Stop Brake Pads
Continental Grand Prix 4000S Tyres (w/light tubes)
Neuvation M28 Wheelset

I figure I can knock off 3 pounds (American) with these minor upgrades that'll total just over $500. (U.S.). Considering that I managed to pick it up for only $785. (U.S.) including tax, I'd say that $1,300. isn't much to spend on a low-16lb.

The Saddle & Wheelste/Tyres will be transferrable to the Madone 5.2 Pro I have my eye on next.

Regarding the Sora/Tiagra drivetrain, with some research, I've found that one could get thousands of trouble free miles from them if you just regurlary maintain them (keep the groupset clean & lubed and well adjusted.

The SSR Whelset for me has turned out to be darn near bulletproof And I weigh a solid 210lbs (U.S.). The roads here in New York aren'ty exactly ideal for skinny rims, but their still true.

I love my bike. In The States, we only had the 1.2/1.5 available up until now.
The 1.7/1.9's must be really nice bikes.

Anyway, I'll report back with the upgrades, but if I never changed anything other than the saddle and the tires and brakes, I'd be totally happy with the bike as is for thousands of miles. It's THAT good!

fatblokefromwarwick

Had mine just over a week now & been having fun commuting a short way to work (even been leaving home early to extend the route )
So far removed front & rear dork rings, added a mtb stem to which the battery sits better on, fitted kool stop (salmon) brake pads, DMR mag V12's, Incite computer, Crud road guards (brill kit), and this afternoon some Pro 3's. (Blackburn 1 watt rear & Hope Vision 4 plus Trek bar end led's ensure I'm seen on early starts!)
At the mo waiting for the cheepo white Bontager bottle cages and the Trek coffee flask thingy that comes with the Solo. All in all very pleased with the 1.5