Price Paid:  $900.00 at Bert's Bikes

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
any that are at least warm or dry

Bike Setup:
stock other than the saddle and wheels. Train on Mavic equipe race on spinergy stealth PBO

Summary:
t the time I was a recreational rider, didn't even like hills back then. Joined a club and discovered hills. The bike was awesome then. Since then however I have developed into a road racer and have beat this bike into a pulp. Lots of miles have past however and I am a big heavy rider about 215lbs puttin out up to 1200 watts. I estimate about 10K road miles plus 3 winters worth of indoor riding on the trainer.

Strengths:
Resonably stiff and cost effective. Great looks

Weaknesses:
The stock saddle was horrid replaced that fast and the wheels broke after 1 year.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Dave's Cycle - Orand

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any ride w/o a lot of stops or traffic

Bike Setup:
Trek 1600, Shimano 105/Ultegra group, Terry Fly saddle, Profile Design Carbon Stryke aerobars.

Summary:
I am reviewing the Trek 1600 in this summary. After researching the web, reading magazine reviews, and visiting most bike shops in the central Florida area, I was set to buy the Trek 1500. When I went to Dave's to look one last time, I was introduced to the 1600. It was on sale and included upgrades from the 1500 - a carbon fork and seat post as well as an Ultegra rear derailleur. In a test ride of both the 1500 and 1600, it was a much smoother ride and seemed to handle easier. Since I purchased it over 3 months ago, I have replaced the Bontrager seat, and added aerobars and clipless pedals. I have had one flat and eventually plan to replace the tires with either Continentals or Michelins. I normally ride 10 miles after work during the week and take long rides of about 40-50 miles on the weekend. I would love to upgrade to a carbon bike, but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money. I rated the 1600 an overall 4 since upgrading the 105 components to all Ultegra would improve this bike even more. For the price, the Trek 1600 is awesome and a big step up from the 1500!

Strengths:
* relatively light(aluminum/carbon)
* above average component group (Shimano 105/Ultergra)
* excellent value

Weaknesses:
* seat needs replacing ASAP

Similar Products Used:
Road tested various Trek, Giant, Specialized products in the $1000 - $2500 price range. Own a Trek 6700 hardtail mountain bike with many upgrades.

Price Paid:  $1042.00 at Bicycle Stop

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Yellow Springs south to Cinci

Bike Setup:
Full 105 gears and and crank,ultegra brakes,neuvation m28 aero 2 wheels,bontrager race light tires,carbon saddle.

Summary:
At the 1,000 to 1,500 price range,this bike imo has the best combination of attributes for it's price.I looked at the Trek 1600,fuji 1.0,several jamis's ,and Scott, this one fit my needs best ..That is not to say that it doesn't need upgrades,just that for it's price, it is a real value.
I say this for two reasons,it's full 105 setup and the frame.Those two things alone are worth upwards of 1,200.
As I said in the weaknesses ,it needs upgrades for sure but I felt like given it's strengths ,it was worth it .
Good stock bike for the weekender,or good trainer/upgradable ride for more experienced folks.

Strengths:
Full 105 gearing across the board.Carbon seat stays as well as carbon fork .Good all around frame .

Weaknesses:
Ok ,I must say that for a thousand dollar bike ,there is no way you can beat it's gearing specs ,weight,or frame.On the other hand ,it is a thousand dollar bike people: the brakes are marginal(I upgraded to ultegra).The wheels imo are not safe at high speeds and for riders above 230( I went with neuvation m28 aero 2's).Last but certainly not least,the seat is a joke. has no flex and poor cushioning.Easily bontragers worst effort in seats .

Similar Products Used:
Scott,Fuji,Cannondale,Jamis.

Price Paid:  $875.00 at Cycle Masters - Turl

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
county line and back

Bike Setup:
Shimano ultegra front and rear derailers, Cane creek brakes, triple crank,Bontrager tires, Bontrager race lite saddle

Summary:
This being my first road bike, I was looking for the best bike I could find under $1000. Trek had a promotion in 2007 featuring the 1500 and my LBS had a nice red 1500 priced at $875 - sold! I don't speak all the bike lingo, but basically this bike has been all that I had hoped for. I find it to be of high quality, lightweight, good-looking, fast(for my purposes), and something that should suit my needs for many years. I am a former distance runner that needed to get on a bike to save my knees. I ride just for enjoyment and personal fitness. I can get a great workout and feel no pain in my knees. After riding for awhile now, I wonder why I spent all those years running - the speed you get on a bike for the effort you put in is very rewarding. For me, the Trek 1500 has been a great bike. I feel I have a high quality product at a very reasonable price.I am one that likes quality, but I don't have to have the most expensive or the best. My rides have been an enjoyable experience - I feel like I have a quality product.

Strengths:
quality paint-components,lightweight,the cost for what you get,

Weaknesses:
I found the seat uncomfortable after a few hundred miles-I replaced it with a higher quality product;I have heard others complain about the Bontrager tires- but for my purposes they are fine;

Similar Products Used:
Nishiki Colorado mountain bike that I commute to work on daily

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Charleston Bicycle S

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Cooper River Bridge, Charleston SC

Bike Setup:
trek 1500 slr 54cm frame, 105 shifters, 105 front d, ultegra crankset, ultegra bb, ultegra d, bontrager carbon fork/seatpost, selle italia slr saddle, bontrager select wheelset/stem, cane scr-3 calipers and headset

Summary:
To start with, this bike retailed new at 1150 at my local bike shop last year. Even that price well fits the bike as it is equipped with 105 shifters and front d, as well as an ultegra crankset, bottom bracket, and rear d. i have been saving for quite some time for a new bicycle and have been test riding bikes left and right. the lateral stiffness on this bike is just where i want it to be, and the geometry places me in a position where i feel like im in a race every time i ride it. Some of the models come with full 105, which i would still recomend because the diffrence in the mechanics is very minimal. If your looking for a bicycle build with excellent quality, something stiff and light, something that climbs with passion every time you hit the hills, and ultimatley something under a 1000 bucks i highly recommend this bicycle... the only cons are the tires, and saddle are cheaply made and should be replaced if you are spending alot of time riding... to sum things up, this bike is truly a joy to ride every time i am on it (which is around 200 miles a week).

Strengths:
components, frame stiffness, weight, comfort

Weaknesses:
saddle, tires

Similar Products Used:
specialized allez triple, trek 1000, felt f85, several others