Trek - why are there such haters? Same for Bontrager
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I have never ridden a Trek, but I went in to their big store in Vista (huge store) yesterday to check them out since I'm in the market for an upgrade bike. Customer service was nice enough. No pressure, answered all my questions. But when I took a closer look at their $1000-1300 bikes, I saw a lot of very ugly welding. Most brands file the welds smooth on anything in the $1000 range and up. Just looks unsightly and instantly turned me off, and I mean it really stood out. Not real excited about their paint either. That's all I know.
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I am pretty sure that "Grammar" and "Highlight" should both be lowercase
In response to the OP's post, I did not like the feel of the Treks that I test rode. I, additionally, did not like the LBS's attitude while trying to sell me a Trek; considering that they just sold Trek road bikes, I thought that it reflected poorly on Trek. I understand that the LBS's performance is not directly Trek's fault; I just thought it reflected poorly on them.
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When I was shopping around for a road bike I looked at Treks aluminum offerings and decided that purely based on component spec I could get a better deal elsewhere. Now I look back on what I could have had vs what I do have and am very thankful I went with a Giant.
I certainly don't hate Trek, but they just do absolutely nothing for me. They just don't... look fast. Stupid, I know.
I certainly don't hate Trek, but they just do absolutely nothing for me. They just don't... look fast. Stupid, I know.
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Doesn't Trek use Kinesis frames? Or do they manufacture their own?
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Personally their bikes have just never done anything for me. Not much value at the given price point and the graphics are ugly. I'm talking about their road offerings though. I have been tempted by the 520, Portland, and Soho for touring/commuting options at one point or another, but never enough to actually buy anything.
Last edited by cooleric1234; 01-25-11 at 11:28 PM.
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$1100 for this gem? 8 speed Deore derailleur with generic Shimano shifters...
I really have a hard time finding the value in bikes like this.
I really have a hard time finding the value in bikes like this.
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i like the Bontrager bar tape! I have them on my fixed gear and they are coushy and grippy... maybe their best product..
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I ride a Trek. But I seem to recall...something about...a critical frame failure....regarding. Hmmm, pedaling and explosions.
Don't mind my ramblings, probably some kind of unfounded memory.
Don't mind my ramblings, probably some kind of unfounded memory.
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$1100 for this gem? 8 speed Deore derailleur with generic Shimano shifters...
I really have a hard time finding the value in bikes like this.
I really have a hard time finding the value in bikes like this.
#39
stole your bike
This thread in a few minutes old, and most of what I've got for replies is exactly what I didn't ask for. If you hate just for the sake of hating, that's fine. There are some brands of bikes that I don't like for any other reason than I don't like them. But that's not what I'm talking about.
I'd just like some objective reasons for why there is such hatred for Trek.
Peter
I'd just like some objective reasons for why there is such hatred for Trek.
Peter
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Giant.
The sliding dropouts may be partly to blame. Although I believe we have those for like $975.
What I personally don't like about Trek is the grandiose marketing baloney they spew. Is there any other bike manufacturer that insists on calling their road bike's frame a fuselage?
Dudes. It's a bike. NOT AN AIRCRAFT.
$1100 for this gem? 8 speed Deore derailleur with generic Shimano shifters...
What I personally don't like about Trek is the grandiose marketing baloney they spew. Is there any other bike manufacturer that insists on calling their road bike's frame a fuselage?
Dudes. It's a bike. NOT AN AIRCRAFT.
#41
Still kicking.
Sadly it is, and there is one that has deore that is about $140 more.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/76fx/
My conversion is a Trek, it's going on 34 years old come march, I would never consider a new one after getting screwed by their warranty department a few years back.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/76fx/
My conversion is a Trek, it's going on 34 years old come march, I would never consider a new one after getting screwed by their warranty department a few years back.
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I have owned a trek and I have had to use their warranty on a cracked frame. trek has done some interesting things with their high end bikes, but their mid range bikes are pretty middle of the road. I hate their minimized seatpost, over sized headset design on the gary fisher road bike, and so many versions of the madone. for trek, bikes are big business, they have bought out gary fisher, klein, bontrager...they require dealers to maintain a certain amount of floor space for their bikes and accessories...its not about the bike, its about the money.
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from personal experience of owing one:
Bontrager part is a hit or a miss, while most people hated the paired spoke wheel, i have zero issue with them. on the other hand, my stupid plastic bontrager cage is cracking and turning white like it's been sun bleached for 10 year.
Trek been great for me, my experience with the customer service been great, although it was not involved in any warranty/claim/recall type of deal. The frame was as good as I first got it, nothing to compliant about.
as you already know, they are not the value leader of the segment but i wouldn't hold back to buy another one in the future
Bontrager part is a hit or a miss, while most people hated the paired spoke wheel, i have zero issue with them. on the other hand, my stupid plastic bontrager cage is cracking and turning white like it's been sun bleached for 10 year.
Trek been great for me, my experience with the customer service been great, although it was not involved in any warranty/claim/recall type of deal. The frame was as good as I first got it, nothing to compliant about.
as you already know, they are not the value leader of the segment but i wouldn't hold back to buy another one in the future
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I had a Trek 720 that I bought in 1990 after my truck got totaled. It was decent but I gave it to my brother-in-law a while ago after I upgraded to a Fuji. I can't speak for the post-Armstrong Trek bikes but they do seem more expensive than other similarly equipped bikes from other manufacturers like Giant.
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I'd just like some objective reasons for why there is such hatred for Trek.
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Normal BF response. Trek has been great for me, a super LBS doesn't hurt either. They have always given me the product I wanted and warranty has been terrific on a couple high dollar products. I think the high end Bontrager components are very good, with low and mid line being on par with most other house brands. I'll keep buying Treks, for me they are killer bikes and a great value.
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