Opinions on 2013 Trek 1.2

[MikeW-71]

My brother got himself an MTB a few months back an he's since got the bug and has been riding it a lot. He has discovered that an MTB on knobblies on the road is harder work than it needs to be, so he's been looking at road bikes.

A local(ish) shop has some 2013 stock left which is hopefully in his size and will do interest-free credit. He's looking at either a M/L Defy 3 (I know all about that one) and also a Trek 1.2 for £549 in a 54cm frame.

If the Trek fits, I'm looking for opinions on it, any glaring weaknesses? Any owners who can say how it rides?

Thanks guys

 

[vickster]

From when I was looking, the m/l is certainly bigger than a typical 54cm. In fact, I felt stretched on an M, so depending on his dimensions he would definitely be wise to try and also compare the geometries

 

[MikeW-71]

He's a bit taller than me so I think he'd be into M/L on a Giant. Giant measure the M/L as 53.5cm, so I'm not sure.

 

[vickster]

TT is 56cm

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.defy.2/11833/56805/#geometry

Trek 54.3cm effective TT. Apparently

 

[AndyPeace]

two very different bikes imo. I have a Trek Madone 3.5, which although not comparable materials wise I think has the same geometory as the 1.2. Trek call it a H2 fit (out of a scale of 4, 4 being a comfy endurance fit) I've not ridden a Defy but they are classed as endurance road bikes and will put the rider in a comftable position to cover many miles. I love my Madone but The Defy may be an easier transistion from MTB to racebike than the Trek. My advice try them both they both have good repuations.

 

[Dangermouse]

I have the 2.1 Madone and it is a slightly smaller fit than its stated M they are as Andy states, an endurance fit, and are lovely to ride all day, mine has now had a non layback seatpost fitted and the stem has gone from 90mm to 110mm so it is still comfy for all day riding, but also fantastic for hills, the Treks are just a fantastic all round bike, add some decent components and voila.

 

[AndyPeace]

^^^ that's not quite what I said, I would not call a Madone an endurance bike. In Treks range the Domane is their endurance offering. Endurance bikes give a more upright seating positon, similar to a hybrid. The Madone is a much more racier fit . When I first got my Madone I had to improve my flexibility before I was comftable. imo the Madone is a fast stable bike that encourages you to work hard.
Size for size the Defy the op mentioned has a taller headtube, meaning your handle bars will be higher on the Defy than on the Madone. It very much depends on what you want out of the bike.