Trek or Specialized? Any particular reason?

Answer 1

Specialized. It seems every dealer around is a Trek dealer. After Armstrong attracted everyone to Trek, they have been able to relax, while Specialized has to fight.

Also, dealers in the United States actually have stocked the Globe commuter bike from specialized. Trek barely even lets that one in the US.

Answer 2

Depending on what you want to do. Im biased toward Specialized, none of trek bikes really turn me on. But I look mostly at full suspension mountain bikes, so that might change for road or hardtails.

They simply have better designs, Specialized has a very good customer support, I don't know about Trek, but I would think that both are on par.

The bike has to fit you right, talk with the salesman, and try them both.

Answer 3

Trek - having ridden both, they were the better of the two.

To johnnyonthespot, Lance rode a Trek not because it was good enough for him, but because Trek beat out Pinarello (like the aforementioned Colnago, an Italian Dream Machine) and won an endorsement contract with USPS, and that contract was renewed by Discovery Channel who prefer to have an American manufacturer.

Keep in mind that Lance's first professional wins were on Italian bikes and that he currently owns a Masi and a Colnago in addition to a Trek

Answer 4

It depends on which feels better to you, what kind of deal you can get and how you feel about the shops that sell them. Both companies make great bikes. I personally have a Specialized because I have a great relationship with a shop that sells them, and I absolutely love the way my Epic rides. My previous bike was a Gary Fisher, which is made by Trek. I liked it quite well, too.

I think most of the bikes from both companies that normal people would buy are made in Taiwan.

Answer 5

Any bike. You got to remember all bicycles use components such compy or Shimano. If you strip that paint off the frame and all the decals what do you have a frame. Trek is very good because they make their own brand for some componets and parts while Specialized has it's own fork design and it's got the simpliest designs out there. So look at the bike not for it's brand but what are the componets its using. Look names like Tigra,Ultgra, or Sora. That's what drives the machine so look for it. ( Gary Fisher, Le Mond are also Trek Bicycles)

Answer 6

Trek

Answer 7

Primarily, the fit is different, so, again primarily, choose the one that "feels" the best because you will enjoy that much more.

Typically, the lower end Trek has a "rowdy" strength and durability while the lower end Specialized is quite fragile, and the most notorious model is now painted silver to match the cracks that appear in the head tube.
These differences are apparent in bikes equipped with the Sora, FC22xx, Acera, and Alivio drivetrains--yet, this difference vanishes on the better products.

The speed of a Specialized is usually a bit higher than a similar Trek, yet neither are popular on the SAG wagon, so that's good news. You're shopping in the right ball park either way.

Some of the Trek have a most remarkable bang for the buck and luxurious fit (same as Schwinn LeTour), yet there are a very few lemons as far as competitive weight / performance (basic Trek Pilot).
The basic Trek road bike is extremely competitive (1000), yet some of the more esoteric models can be blastweight. Specifically, the low end Trek Pilot is especially heavy, for a laborious uphill experience--but this isn't the norm for the "average" Trek road product.
Now the Trek hybrid and mountain products are simply blastweight--as strong as an anvil and equally fun on the uphill.

Two different fits are available from Trek, but it isn't very organized because there's not one single company that makes Trek bikes. However, the two fit methods are Lance-style riding for the men's models and Roubaix style riding for the WSD (Women's Specific Design) models that are much more comfortable. Since men like the WSD so much, they're usually a dark blue. ;) Oh, and the Trek WSD's are extremely fast--unreasonably fast. Perhaps it is better leverage.

Specialized has a somewhat different method for fit.
They make a seperate model for long reach and a seperate model for short reach (WSD). . .in every category.
For instance, compare the long reach of the Allez with the more comfortable long-distance facilitating short reach of the Roubaix. These are two very similar lines; however, the shorter reach model is the only one to have crossed the finish line at the Tour De France, while the longer reach model is pretty much "bait" for the SAG wagon when the miles pass 70 or so. But, that range is much better than average, good enough for a [very quick] 100k race, and both styles can make quite a good fit.

As far as character, at the low end of the price range, Trek wins with the road bikes, while Specialized wins with the hybrids and mountain bikes. At the higher end, differences are few. Differences in fit are most important, so do test drive both!

Another company that seems to have the "basic leverage" trick down pat, would be Schwinn, and those typically have a shorter reach, well done design, "girly" appearance, and a blazing fast speed, same as Trek's WSD line.

What if none of the above fit right? Well, Bianchi are all half-sizes, and their products are extremely effective at getting medals in races. They are the only manufacturer known for this trait, so one would assume that they're reasonably comfortable (to facilitate distance) as well as having above-average efficiency. Is it blue? Is it green? We don't care, but somebody better catch it.

So, instead of just two famous brands, it could be good to expand to other brands known for effectiveness--especially those that are rarely onboard a SAG wagon.

However, if this question is mountain sport specific, Specialized has the highest reputation of performance in that sport.

It is also fun to determine what brand causes the leaders a bit of stress when they see it passing. Specialized for Mountain, Scott for Triathlon, Bianchi and Trek for Road. Just like choosing a college that is famous for the specialty you desire, choose a bike manufacturer with a reputation for sheer effectiveness in the variety of cycle sport you desire.

Having said all of that, proper fit is most important by far. Don't miss the "Compact Frame" documention at Giant's website. Although I'd personally skip their product (just an "also ran"), they did invent the current frame geometry and give some vital information on fitting.

Answer 8

Ignore Daniel H - he spends way too much time reading the manufacturer websites...

You should buy a bike that:
1) fits you well (have an expert help)
2) is designed for the kind of riding you want to do now (not eventually / maybe / someday)
3) fits your budget (include accessories - repair kit, bottles/cages, gloves, shoes, shorts) Note: a helmet is not an accessory, it's a requirement
4) you like the color/style, or the ads or who they sponsor.

p.s. it's common knowledge that many of the bikes that pro's race on are made by someone other than what the decals say.

p.p.s. it's also common knowledge that many of the bikes on the bike shop floor come from the same factories in Taiwan and China, no matter what the decals say.

Answer 9

Trek...Higher-end ones made in the USA.
Good enough for Lance, good enough for all.

Answer 10

Colnago-------------the Ferrari of bicycles!