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- Budget road bike Trek 1.1 *Est. $730
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- Good value
- Comfortable and stable ride
- Compact or triple crankset
- Shimano Sora components
The Trek 1.2 is widely hailed as a great road bike for beginners. Thanks to comfortable, upright positioning and stable handling, reviewers say this bike performs well for its intended audience -- new riders. Like most road bikes in this price range, the Trek 1.2 has an aluminum frame and uses components from Shimano's lower-end Sora group, including shifters and derailleurs. It comes with either a triple or compact crankset, and reviewers like having the choice. Testers say the Trek 1.2 provides a comfortable ride with good acceleration, but they note that the brakes are weak. The most common complaint involves the bike's shifting; multiple reviewers mention that the shifter can hesitate on hills and isn't the smoothest. For 2011, we saw slightly better reviews for the Trek 1.1 (*Est. $730), although it doesn't come with the option of a triple crankset.
Bicycling magazine is one of the few sources that test the 2011 model of the Trek 1.2, but the review is very short. BikeRadar.com reviews the 2010 Trek 1.2. There are a number of owner-written reviews on sites like Buzzillions.com, but the reviews are somewhat dated. However, if you're considering buying a used Trek 1.2, this can be a great resource since the reviews go back several years.
Our Sources
1. Bicycling MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Bicycling magazine has a short review of the Trek 1.2 in its annual buyer's guide. Editors like that the frame comes in a wide range of sizes, which makes it easy for beginners to obtain a good fit.
Review: Trek 1.2, Editors of Bicycling, April 2011
BikeRadar.com gives the 2010 Trek 1.2 a 4-star rating (out of 5). Jamie Wilkins says the bike is "more than capable of keeping up with any number of pricier Joneses." Handling is stable and good for beginners, and the bike includes mainly reliable components.
Review: Trek 1.2 Review, Jamie Wilkins, May 1, 2010
Endurance cyclist Roy M. Wallack reviews four road bikes that combine comfort and performance, including the Trek 1.2. He praises the upright positioning, which provides "ride-all-day" comfort, and the triple chainring for easier hill climbing. The biggest downside, according to Wallack, is that the aluminum frame won't absorb as much road vibration as carbon-based bikes.
Review: Road Bikes Relax a Little, Roy M. Wallack, Aug. 25, 2008
There are about 20 owner-written reviews of the Trek 1.2 on Buzzillions.com, but we have two caveats: The reviews are primarily from the Trek website and the majority refer to the 2010 model. Overall, the Trek 1.2 gets a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5.
Review: Trek 1.2, Contributors to Buzzillions.com
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