Advice on the Trek Speed Concept!
nakimatt
Posts: 8
in General Chat
Hi,
I am in the market for my first TT bike and I am narrowing my choices down to a few bikes. One of them being the Trek Speed Concept 7 series. I like what I have read about the frame and I understand the differences between the 7 series and the 9 series. But I am having more trouble tracking down information about the 7 series framesets. Other than colour I can't discern a difference. Does anybody know if there are other differences between the framesets (not the spec'ed bikes)?
Essentially I am thinking of buying a 7 series frameset and putting SRAM Red and wheels on it.
The reason I ask is that the difference in cost between the 7.0 complete bike (£2100ish) and the 7.5 frameset (£2000ish) in price is practically the same. I prefer the colour of the 7.0 and 7.2 frameset to the 7.5. So my thought process was to buy a 7.0 or 7.2 and change the groupset and wheels and sell the other components.
I reckon this will come in at a similar pricing to a Ultegra spec 7.5 - maybe a touch more.
I am keeping an eye on the Cannondale Slice Hi Mod, Cervelo P3 and the Ridley Dean RS also. Once again user reviews of the Dean RS are non-existent to my internet searching. There are a few magazine or bike website reviews on the RS but nothing further so gaining an impartial insight into the frameset is difficult.
I am sure there is plenty of knowledge out there!
Thanks.
I am in the market for my first TT bike and I am narrowing my choices down to a few bikes. One of them being the Trek Speed Concept 7 series. I like what I have read about the frame and I understand the differences between the 7 series and the 9 series. But I am having more trouble tracking down information about the 7 series framesets. Other than colour I can't discern a difference. Does anybody know if there are other differences between the framesets (not the spec'ed bikes)?
Essentially I am thinking of buying a 7 series frameset and putting SRAM Red and wheels on it.
The reason I ask is that the difference in cost between the 7.0 complete bike (£2100ish) and the 7.5 frameset (£2000ish) in price is practically the same. I prefer the colour of the 7.0 and 7.2 frameset to the 7.5. So my thought process was to buy a 7.0 or 7.2 and change the groupset and wheels and sell the other components.
I reckon this will come in at a similar pricing to a Ultegra spec 7.5 - maybe a touch more.
I am keeping an eye on the Cannondale Slice Hi Mod, Cervelo P3 and the Ridley Dean RS also. Once again user reviews of the Dean RS are non-existent to my internet searching. There are a few magazine or bike website reviews on the RS but nothing further so gaining an impartial insight into the frameset is difficult.
I am sure there is plenty of knowledge out there!
Thanks.
0
Comments
In respect to price of bikes vs framesets, Trek are not really interested in selling framesets, nor are many dealers as they often do not count as units in their agreements with the supplying company, as a result frameset prices on their own will never be competitive compared to a full bike. There are exceptions to this Cervello being an example who are primarily concerned with framesets, leaving dealers to complete builds. There will be framesets in Europe reserved for warranty issues and at times these tend to arrive into the system a year or two down the line often at very good prices, as the Trek is a young model I doubt this will happen for a year or so.
If I was you I would be tempted to find a dealer who stocks the trek, and possibly the other makes mentioned, who will do a free bike fit with them if you purchase the end bike. The Trek according to slowtwitch.com is a middle of the road frameset in respect to geometry. As you have suggested some other frames with very different geometries, I suggest you check out this site for more info on their particular characteristics. At this price point I would want to know I had the right set up under me in competition. What a good bike fit may highlight is that the Trek is not ideal as your perfect bike. I doubt this will be the case, as it is a middle of the road frame, more likely things like handlebar set up could be improved. At this point you have some negotiating power to ask the dealer polietly if they would mind changing the front end set up for something more appropriate, possibly at a reduced rate, this may be the case with other components saddle, wheels etc.
Your idea to buy a lower cost model in the range and swapping across components, will not be a shock to any good bike shop, and I would be open with them and work through the process with their support. I am sure many individuals would always opt for the lowest price online which in this situation could be a more expensive option, and you do not have the benefit of expert advice.
Hope this helps a little, and good look with your new bike, hope to see it posted in 'bike porn' !
I am your man cause I own the very first speed concept 7 in the UK.
The difference between the 7 and 9 is the intergrated stem on the front and the aerobars. Also coupled with the fact the 9.0 series is hand built in Wisconsin where as the 7 series is made in some sweat shop in china. They are essentially the same bike just the 7 series doesn't have the intergrated front end stuff.
In terms of which one - I went for the SC7.0 cause it was the nicest looking. I stripped off the aerobars and put a set of Oval A901 on them and I also put a set of Reynolds 66mm front and a Reynolds Element disc on the back.
I'm sitting tight for the new Ultegra Di2 as I intend to put that on the bike as well.
You cannot buy the SC7 as a frameset only, I've already explored that option....
Best place to buy a SC - Bridgtown Cycles in Cannock. Speak to Mike Taylor... oh and I'm from Scotland and I travel 4.5hrs to see this guy.... says how much I trust him.
they have a trek speed frameset for sale, (blimey they're not cheap tho)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec023956