Daubs

History: I've been biking off and on since high school (mid-80's). Got a new Trek 330 back in late 80's. Love the bike and put many miles on it. For past 10 years or so my biking has slowed considerably while living in the country on a rock road. Now I'm back in town with lots of trails and good roads.

Here is my problem:

I've budgeted around $2k for a bike and extras. Will probably stick with Trek because my 330 has been so good to me and my LBS has a nice selection. Thinking about the following and would like some opinions:

Plan A:
- Trek road bike in the $1,600-1,800 range. Want to save some $$ for shoes, accessories, etc. Looking at 2100, 2200 or 5000.

Plan B:
- Lower end Trek road bike AND Trek mountain bike. Just got wife a 1500 and really like the bike. We paid just over $1k for it. Team that with a hard-tail mountain bike, maybe even last year's model to save some $$$.

What do you all think?

Specializerider

I like to mountain bike and im thinking about getting a road bike so i would suggest getting a Road Bike and Mountain Bike but think to yourself would you accually go mountain biking?

bbattle

It all depends upon how much riding on each surface you'll be doing. I personally would get the nicest road bike I could afford, then save up for the mtb. later.(I actually did the reverse).

You could probably get a nice bike with all 105 group and have plenty left over to get a hardtail mtb. though.

I can understand you wanting to stay with Trek but do try to check out other bikes. Does the Trek dealer carry other brands? Lemond? Klein?

Daubs

Yes, they carry other brands. I've got on them while the wife was trying bikes and the Trek's just felt better to me.

Don't worry, I'll spend a lot of time trying / riding, etc., before I buy.

cslone

I've been talked into MTB'ing 3 times. Every time, I hated it. So, you know my answer.

But, for you, I guess it depends on how much of each you will do. Can you put a percentage on how much you would ride each? Like me: Road- 100% MTB- 0% If the numbers are really skewed towards one side, I would buy the nicest bike in that bracket. But if it is 50/50, I would buy decent bikes in both ranges.

botto 

a friend oif mine just picked up one of these a month ago. it's a good looking bike, with pretty good components (apart from the wheels). all this and more for 1150$

Daubs

Botto: Yep, my wife has exact same bike, minus Disc channel stickers. She got for $1049. It's nice bike and light as feather compared to my steel framed 330

mingsta

Don't want to stir up another Trek debate, but I don't understand the reasoning for sticking with Trek. Things have changed alot in the past 20 years, so it seems a little strange to stick to one brand. There are other big manufacturors such as Giant, Specialized, Cannondale etc who also produce excellent bikes. You never know, one of those might fit better or be better for your purposes. Its not like other manufacturor's bikes are exploding/collapsing on the road on a regular basis.

botto 

sorry. just realized that i didn't read your entire post. my bad

Daubs

mingsta: See below...