Trek Limited Edition Livestrong Madone SL

Advantages: Good price, Good looking frame, Smooth disc brakes
Disadvantages: Front Suspension Fork is very poor, esp for off road use

.../cycling to work when everyone else sees sense! Right down to the specs of the bike, here they are Frame: Trek Alpha SL aluminium Forks: RST Gila T7 80mm travel with adjustable preload Gears: Shimano FD-C050 front and Shimano Alivio rear derailleurs Shifters: Shimano EF50 Chainset: SR CW7-XCT-T102 with 42s/34s/24s tooth chainrings Brakes: Tektro 845AL Wheels: Bontrager Camino rims built on Joytech front and Shimano RM60-8 rear hubs Bontrager Connection Trail Handlebars: Bontrager Crowbar Sport Stem: Bontrager Sport 25d Saddle: Bontrager Select ATB Seatpost: Bontrager Sport mm The only real downfall of the 4300 is the front suspension forks, these are of poor quality, if used in only moderate off road, its destined to break, I checked out forums before I purchased the bike, there were people who bought the bike after being away... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Value, Carbon Fork and Seat post
Disadvantages: Sora shifters

...The Trek 1000 is an excellent value for money Entry level Road bike. The increasing demand for road bikes is a result of Triathlons huge and continuing success in the UK. There are few bikes in the Market which geniunley consider that ther are those of us out there who don't have a couple of grand to chuck away on a carbon bike, Enter Trek. The 1000 is serious value for money. The frame uses the same geometery as was used for 7 timeTour de france winner Lance armstrong and if it's good enough for him ... However the material is clearly not carbon but Aluminium however the from Fork is carbon and 2006 version also has a carbon seatpost, i beleve they have phased this out in the 2007 edition. The Gear setup is pretty low end. Sora Shifters, Tiagra Rear mech, and shimano standard everything else. However you do get what you pay... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good Price, Quality Groupset, Reliable
Disadvantages: Poor Fork

...I bought myself a brand spanking new Trek 4500 2004 edition as a foot into the door of mountain biking. Since purchasing the bike I been out on regular offroad expeditions (some of which have punished the bike quite hard, in the lakes & peaks) and my 4500 has stood up very nicely. The groupset is all good quality stuff, deore rear mech & shifters, Alivio front mech - all Mega 9 drivetrain (i.e. 27 gears). The brakes are competent, ok promax affairs however the real problem is the fork. The supplied ROCKSHOX Judy TT is a spring/elastomer fork and whilst its fine for tow path riding and light mountain-biking it really does lack on technical downhill sections. The pre-load adjuster does next to nothing and travel is sticky and unpredictable. However it is better than no fork at all and you can always upgrade! Pretty much all bikes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful