n83h

Which road bike would you choose? The 05 Raleigh Grand Prix ($600) or the 06 Trek 1000 ($580)???
The Trek feels lighter but the Raleigh has better shifting.

Also, how can i tell if a road bike is small for you. I tried the 56cm trek and the 55 cm Raleigh. The guy at the LBS told me that since i don't have a lot of seat post showing in the trek, it means that it may be too big for me. And he said that raleigh seems like a better fit (because more seat post was showing).

Here are the specs for the 05 Raleigh Grand Prix=

Sizes: 50cm, 53cm, 55cm, 57cm, 59cm, 62cm
Frame: Atomic 13 Aluminum
Fork: Kinesis Carbon Road
Crankset: Truvativ Touro 30/42/52t
Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Power Spline
F. Derailleur: Shimano TIAGRA FD-4403
R. Derailleur: Shimano 105 RD-5500GSL
Shift Lever: Shimano Tiagra ST-4400
Brake Levers: Shimano Tiagra
Brakes: Tektro
Cog Set: 9spd HG50 (12-25t) Shimano 105/Truvativ 27 Speed
Rims: Alex AT400
Tires: Vittoria Zaffiro 25c
Pedals: Shimano M505 Clipless
Handlebar: Ritchey Logic OE
Stem: Ritchey OE 4-Bolt
Seatpost: Raleigh Carbon Wrap/CP Head
Saddle: Avenir SRS Road
Headset: Ritchey Logic Zero Stack
Colors: BBC Black
Drivetrain: Shimano 105 / Truvativ 27 Speed
Chain: KMC Z9000
Hubset: 28h Joytech Sealed
Spokes: 14G Stainless Black
Grips: Raleigh
Seatpost Clamp: MX-36-RT-CP
Extras: Water Bottle Mounts, Cateye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owners Manual
Price: Please visit you local Raleigh Dealer for pricing.

Here are the specs for the 06 Trek 1000:

Frameset
Sizes 43, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63cm
Frame Alpha SL Aluminum
Fork Bontrager, carbon
Wheels
Wheels Alloy hubs; Alex alloy rims w/eyelets
Tires Bontrager Select, 700x25c
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Sora STI, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano 2203
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Crank Bontrager Sport 52/42/30
Cassette SRAM 850 12-26, 8 speed
Pedals Alloy/nylon road w/clips and straps
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race Lux
Seat Post Bontrager Carbon
Handlebars Bontrager Sport
Stem Bontrager Select, 17 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano Sora STI levers

Any opinions greatly appreciated.

Hill Climber

You're getting more bang for your buck with the Raleigh.... especially if there is a fit issue with the Trek. Go look in the Road Cycling section. There is an Under 700 thread stickied at the top with a lot of good info and plenty of people who own Trek 1000s that post about them there.

curt in denver

Both are fine entry level bikes. Like Hillclimber said the Raleigh is better Equipped but fit is more important.

DieselDan

If it fits and is better equipped, then that one's it!

alanbikehouston

How well a new bike shifts or brakes depends primarily on how well the bike shop assembles and adjusts the bike. Either of the bikes you are looking at can shift and brake well if properly set up.

To figure out how each bike fits you, first find out the length of your legs. Stand on a hard floor bare footed with a one inch thick book up against your crotch. Push the book up until the pressure is unpleasant. Then push the book a bit higher. Have your helper measure the distance from the top of the book to the floor. Redo the measurement five times. The highest of the five measurements is your leg length.

Next, with the tires fully inflated, measure the distance from the floor to the top of the top tube just behind the stem of each bike. That measurement ought to be about two inches less than your leg length. So, if your leg length is 34 inches, the "standover" from the top of the top tube at the stem down to the floor should be about 32 inches. Measure just behind the stem, as many top tubes drop in height between the stem and the seat post.

If the standover is correct, you can dial in saddle height, the fore/aft position of the saddle, and the length and height of the stem. If the standover is too high (a 34 inch standover and 34 inch leg length) or too short (a 30 inch standover and 34 inch leg length) you will never be able to get a good fit on the bike.

How much seat post is showing is not very helpful, due to the different geometry used by different models. However, when the saddle is at the correct height, there ought to be at least two or three inches of post showing between the top tube and the bottom of the saddle.

And, if there is five or six inches of post showing, you need to check to find out whether the bars will be too low for comfortable riding. If a road bike fits you, it should be possible to raise the bars so the top of the bars is within one inch of the top of the saddle. You may not chose to set the bars that high, but a correctly fitted bike at least gives you the option of having the bars that high.

Wheels4

1st comes fit.... then you can worry about braking and all that. For me, after fit came the look of the bike(assuming all components were close to the same). so, I went with my Trek 1000 b/c of the color scheme. kept it pretty simple.

good luck.

Mr. Beanz

Have read that there should be a handful of seat post when the height of the saddle is adjusted properly. If less, then prolly too small. Of course this is a traditonal geometry frame. Will be different in a compact for sure!

I love the Trek fit but Raleigh is 9 speed and prolly easier to replace parts if neeceesarrilityity. (you know what I mean)

8 speed is pretty much low end available,if you want to upgrade later. I'd go 9!