Trek 1.2 or 1.5

djgorey

Hi all

I'm about to go and get my new bike on the c2w scheme this saturday and was all set on getting the Trek 1.2 (bit of spare cash for accessories too).

However, I was just wondering if the extra £150-ish step up to the 1.5 is worth it.

From comparing the specs, it would seem that all that is different is a Tiagra front derailure and shifters (rather than Sora) - is this worth the extra.

I like to buy the best I can afford and would rather pay now than in 6 months wish I had spent the extra.

Any advice welcome!

eltonioni

Does the Sora kit change the gears?

mattward1979

The upgrade from Sora to Tiagra is a definite step up in terms of comfort and shifting ability, as you can change gear from the drops, and shifting from the hoods just tends to feel better.

The thumb clickers of Sora are OK, but when you have used Tiagra shifters, you wont ever see a reason to go back...

Its just the question whether its worth £150 to you....

EDIT: Just compared the specs. The Upgrade to a Carbon seatpost will be pretty nice too!

nonameuser

Sora is not bad, I think it as matter of taste. Try a bike with Sora and see how you get on with it and try one with Tiagra. I have the 1.2 and quite like the sora.

bornagainroadie

I went through this 3 months ago and ended up buying the 1.5 as I found the shifters on the 1.5 more natural to use. So far I've done over 1000 miles on it and dont regret spending the extra money at all. Only slight niggle I had was the carbon seat post kept slipping down but this was fixed by the bike shop with some "gritty grease" and all is now good.

Since I predict you will inevitably go on to upgrade to a "better" bike once the bug takes hold, you might as well get used to the Tiagra style of shifters now since any road bike you buy will have them. Unless you undergo some sort of religious conversion and switch from Shimano to Campag or SRAM where the shift action is slightly different, I believe.

Nick

djgorey

As has been said, I will definitely ride both before I decide, but I have just checked on the c2w calculator and the £150 difference works out at just under £6 per month out of my salary, whch, to be honest, is neither here nor there.

Even if I get the £800 (Trek's RRP) 1.5, that still leaves me £200 for accessories and that's enough for shoes, pedals, a couple of jerseys, a couple of shorts and a helmet (and lock, lights etc etc)

flying_fish

I was looking at a 1.5 last week, but LBS could only get in the 2011 bikes as they said that the 58cm had sold out in the 2010. From what they were saying the 2011 is a simular spec as the 2010 but is an extra £875 rather than £800. Just something to keep in mind as it will leave you less for your accessories.

I went for the specialized allez instead as it was still the 2010 bike at £800 and spend the extra £75 on accessories (new allez is apparently due in shops 1st sept). Get to pick it up tomorrow

I was in the same posiiton as you with a 1k voucher and £800 bike, and found that £200 seemed to disappear very quickly!

djgorey

flying_fish wrote:

I was looking at a 1.5 last week, but LBS could only get in the 2011 bikes as they said that the 58cm had sold out in the 2010. From what they were saying the 2011 is a simular spec as the 2010 but is an extra £875 rather than £800. Just something to keep in mind as it will leave you less for your accessories.!

I'm going down on Saturday so will see what the bike shop has to say - I don't fancy spending an extra £75 quid and don't mind walking away to a different shop so we'll see how good my haggling skills are!

Wulz

£875 is quite a lot of cash for a 1.5.

I c2w`d a 2009 1.5 and they were asking £675 and thats only just a year ago.
I know they are tiagra shifters up front instead of the sora units but thats a hike unless there are any other significant changes i dont know of.

Either way enjoy the bike

Willie

canaryv

You've asked the question so you already know you want the 1.5. Go for it !

djgorey

canaryv wrote:

You've asked the question so you already know you want the 1.5. Go for it !

Indeed! and the difference of just £6 per month (as long as it stays at £800) means I have to go for it!!

Photos to follow!

RiderontheStorm

I am collecting my 2011 model 1.5 on Saturday. Can't wait. Its also thro the scheme and reading about it decided to go the extra, as like here, opinion was the components and operation of them would be slicker. The rrp is £900 and I checked this at a few sellers. I was originally told it would be mid-August before I got the bike, but was called today by the seller to hear its ready for collection.

The scheme is through Halfords but I was able to use the Halfords voucher at a local Trek retailer.

RedAende

djgorey wrote:

canaryv wrote:

You've asked the question so you already know you want the 1.5. Go for it !

Indeed! and the difference of just £6 per month (as long as it stays at £800) means I have to go for it!!

Photos to follow!

For £6 month definitely go for the better bike.

djgorey

RiderontheStorm wrote:

The rrp is £900.

Not sure I like the sound of that!

Is there any spec change between the 2010 and 2011 models?

Nerrep

djgorey wrote:

RiderontheStorm wrote:

The rrp is £900.

Not sure I like the sound of that!

Is there any spec change between the 2010 and 2011 models?

Doesn't look like it. The 1.5 really took a bit of a shafting in the '09-10 transition -- it lost the alpha black frame, SSR wheels, and race fork; all while going up £150 and only gaining Tiagra (rather than Sora) shifters.

djgorey

Aren't things meant to get cheaper as they get older?!?

StillGoing

1.5 definitely. The 2010 model is £750 not £800. I thinks it's a good quality introduction class bike. I opted for one over a Specialized Allez and haven't regretted it. I'm ready for an upgrade but finances are tight at the moment so the Wiler Izoard will have to wait. The Tiagra shifters are well worth the extra expense even if you do spend most of the time with your hands on the hoods.

djgorey

Ordered my bike today!

It's going to be the 1.5 2011 model. I tried to get the 2010 model, but none of the shops I went to had one or could get one.

Obviously, I would have preferred to pay less, but got the bike I wanted and can always ask for accessories for b'day and Christmas.

Apparently should be here within a week or so! Photos to follow!

StillGoing

WHat's the frame colour for 2011 then?

djgorey

Black with White graphics. I liked the white of the 2010 model, but don't really care!

StillGoing

Good choice anyway. Like you I picked up the next years model the year before (2009 - 2010) but it was only becuase the LBS didn't have my frame size in the old model and couldn't source one. Not sure if there was any difference between the models.

RiderontheStorm

Picked up my 1.5 2011 yesterday. First road bike I have had and I am amazed at how light it is. I cycled the 10 mile home from the dealer and enjoyed the road bike experience. I will need some padded shorts tho and a mirror. Looks tremendous.

Yes, it is a matt black with grey and white graphics

djgorey

Is it as sexy as it looks?!

What's the saddle like? Apparently Trek changed it for the 2011 model

StillGoing

Bloomin' hope so. The sadlle on the 2010 was very bad. Had to change mine and haven't had any problems since.

Nerrep

Looks fantastic -- enjoy riding it 8)

RiderontheStorm

djgorey wrote:

Is it as sexy as it looks?!

What's the saddle like? Apparently Trek changed it for the 2011 model

I'm of the opinion that girls or women can be deemed sexy, not cars or bikes etc, but in saying that, it is a looker, although my wife suspects something because it's indoors just now .

The saddle is Bontrager Affinity, 2010 was called Bontrager Inform, haven't a clue about diifferences.

Cheers Nerrep

Check this site for an enlarged picture without the need for scrolling.
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/images ... .52011.jpg

and this one for a full spec
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/images ... .52011.jpg

Outsidah

Is the paint flat or shiny? I can't tell by the pictures online. Would love to see a real picture of the bike.

RiderontheStorm

Outsidah wrote:

Is the paint flat or shiny? I can't tell by the pictures online. Would love to see a real picture of the bike.

Its a Matt satiny type finish rather than gloss. It does look good.

djgorey

Here's a video - from the States, but gives a great look at the bike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBhbs4sqOfM

Outsidah

thanks to both of you!

djgorey

Finally got it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjyPtji7hVY