Is a Trek 2.1 Madone too much for a beginner?

gunner0098

Hi all,

I'm getting a bike via the bike to work scheme, I have to choose by tomorrow. I'm a newbie to cycling, looking at getting fit again.
Very confusing in trying to select a model. My cycling mates reckon to max on the bike and get accessories later.
The options I've seen are:
1. Trek 2.1 Madone (it's very nice but expensive, €1200)
2. Trek One 1.5 series, €900
3. Fuji 900 tiagra
4. Ridley icarus €900
5. Merda lite €1000

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks
gunner

lizzylad84

gunner0098 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm getting a bike via the bike to work scheme, I have to choose by tomorrow. I'm a newbie to cycling, looking at getting fit again.
Very confusing in trying to select a model. My cycling mates reckon to max on the bike and get accessories later.
The options I've seen are:
1. Trek 2.1 Madone (it's very nice but expensive, €1200)
2. Trek One 1.5 series, €900
3. Fuji 900 tiagra
4. Ridley icarus €900
5. Merda lite €1000

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks
gunner

I'd defnatly go for the madone, I have to trek 1.5, which I find to be a great bike. In planning on upgrading the shifters to shimano 105 but the madone comes with 105 shifters already so that's a bonus. From my experience your better spending that little extra when buying a bike instead of saving up for upgrades after making the initial purcgase

Cee-Jay-Cee

Definitely get the best bike you can afford as you'll only end up regretting it at a later stage if you get hooked on it.

I spent 1000 on mine and I'm sorry I didn't double that at the time. Hindsight and all that....

DaveyDave

Get the best bike you can afford, even if it means having to wait a bit for nice extras like pedals, kit etc. I've put almost €400 over 2 years into my €550 MTB to fix or replace crappy components. If I was getting a road bike I'd be looking at spending €1,000 minimum.

seamus

I've been riding one for 4 years now and I bought it as a beginner, no it's not too much.

The only problem is that you'll find yourself sick of riding your good bike into work every day and you'll feel the need to buy a commuter

Jk_Eire

Can I ask where you are buying? They look like great prices for the bikes you mentioned. PM if necessary.

cjt156

I was dithering between the Giant Defy 2 and Trek One 1.5 in order to keep to the BTW budget.
But then I saw the Canyon Roadlite AL 6.0 and got a yearning in my gentleman's area...
Looks better specced that the Madone for less wonga. And just LOOK at it!

ratracer

cjt156 wrote: »

I was dithering between the Giant Defy 2 and Trek One 1.5 in order to keep to the BTW budget.
But then I saw the Canyon Roadlite AL 6.0 and got a yearning in my gentleman's area...
Looks better specced that the Madone for less wonga. And just LOOK at it!

I reckon i'm probably almost on my own here, but even though the bang for the buck is fantastic, the canyon logo is so ugly I could never own own of them without removing it straight away or getting the frame resprayed.

Back o/t, OP, buy the best you can afford, even if you decide cycling is not for you, it wll be easier to sell on.

gunner0098

Hi,

So I'm the happy owner of a Trek 2.1 Madone!! Looking forward to getting it now and getting out on the road. Thanks to all for the advice.

Regards

gunner

Ste05

Where did you get it for that price??

Mr. TTime

In the same boat as the OP - beginner cyclist and have been looking around for a while. I have got my LBS down to €1,250 for the 2.1 Madone. Just wondering if this is a good deal and not overkill for a person of little cycling experience. About a 10km commute to work (Castleconnell to UL). Can avail of the cycle to work scheme.

Hermy

lizzylad84 wrote: »

...I have to trek 1.5...

Kilometres or miles?;)

Darkglasses

Mr. TTime wrote: »

In the same boat as the OP - beginner cyclist and have been looking around for a while. I have got my LBS down to €1,250 for the 2.1 Madone. Just wondering if this is a good deal and not overkill for a person of little cycling experience. About a 10km commute to work (Castleconnell to UL). Can avail of the cycle to work scheme.

Not at all, if you think you'll stick with it you should get the best bike you can. And if not, you can sell it for close to the RRP.

Mr. TTime

Hi Darkglasses thanks for the response

Just one more question! I went back into the LBS today to get the invoice for the 2.1 madone when a different salesman (who seemed to actually be a cyclist) said that if I was paying that much money I should stump up for the 2.3 madone which they could do for €1,450 (€200 more).

He said the main difference between the two is in the wheels (the 2.3 uses steel bearings, I think he said, whereas the 2.1 does not) - the owner of 4 bikes he said he would always make sure the wheels were of this standard.

So my question(s): What's he talking about and is it worth the extra cost?!

Thanks

Lumen

Looks like the 2.3 also has a carbon seatpost and slightly better brake calipers.

...but not worth 200 quid more IMO.

At €1450 you're getting close to good carbon bike territory (e.g. Canyon Ultimate CF 7.0 @ € 1,599 with 105 and Ksyrium wheels).