Trek 1.5 H2 or Secteur Elite or Other?

[Cletus Van Damme]

I have definitely got the cycling bug and as such I am looking at trying out a couple of road bikes at shops fairly local to me. I was wondering has anybody got these bikes or has any opinions on them; they seem pretty similar types of bikes. Not that I am an expert but they seem to have similar geometry for a more relaxed ride. There is a difference in price the Specialized Secteur Elite is slightly more expensive than the Trek 1.5 H2 Triple. The Secteur also has SRAM components something that I am not familiar with. I just wondered do the SRAM shifters work the same as the Tiagra STI’s in the way that the gears can be changed whilst on the hoods or on the drops? My other problem is that I am not sure that the Secteur Elite is available as a triple; well I have not seen one yet. I just wondered are there any other bikes that have a more relaxed style that are worth looking at. I have also been looking at the Canondale CAAD 8 Tiagra triple, but I guess I need to also try this to make sure that I could get on with it.

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/products/trek-15-h2-triple.htm

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/secteur-elite-2011-road-bike-ec025006

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product_15694.htm

 

[PaulSecteur]

As you say, you really need to try them first.

I have a 2010 Secteur elite triple. I dont think you can get a 2011 with sram AND a triple as the new sram is supossed to have wider gearing at the back so it only needs a double at the front for simplicity and lightness. To be honest, I wanted a triple as I had previously been riding a mountain bike on the road and the wider gear spacing were and anoyance, although I doubt the spacing on the sram will be as wide.

For me, as soon as I tried the Sectuer (At the concept store in birmingham) it just felt right, like something I could depend on - it was on sale at £800 so I had it. I have not had chance to really give it a good ride due to the weather and work but s few 15 and 20 milers have been enjoyable, and it was set up to perfection.
I have changed the tyres to 23mm so I can get the Crud guards on, and fitted a Topeak rack and got a matching bag...Strole on summer rides out!

The CAAD is very well regarded though, and the tiagra seem to be a workhorse that will get you through a good few years and can then be replaced cheaply or upgraded depending on your situation at the time.

You pays yer money and takes yer choice.

 

[Downward]

Wow the 2011 Trek has shot up in price compared to the 2010.

Looks nice though and the Tiagra is faultless.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the replies guys. Thanks for pointing out the gear ratio's on the Secteur Paul, I feel like a bit of a noob for not noticing. I can see that being pretty good for hills. So regarding the shifters, are the SRAM ones similar to Shimano Tiagra STI's in operation?

 

[BSRU]

I have been thinking about a Specialized Secteur Elite or a Cannondale Synapse 105, same price.
The Cannondale may loose out because of the delivery dates, it has been gradually moving and Evans now state the beginning of May, not sure if I want to wait over two months when I can get a Specialized Secteur Elite now.

 

[slowmotion]

I bought a 2010 Elite triple a couple of weeks ago. It's my first road bike and it felt a bit strange to begin with but after a couple of days I just loved it. It's so much nippier than the hybrid and a lot of fun to ride. I use it for my 10 mile round trip commute but it hasn't done anything longer than twenty miles yet. If you hurry, you might still find the 2010 model and same yourself some serious cash.

Good luck.

 

[PaulSecteur]

So regarding the shifters, are the SRAM ones similar to Shimano Tiagra STI's in operation?

With the Shimano 105s (and I believe the tiagras too), on the right side you tilt the brake lever to change down and the smaller lever behind changes up when tilted in. On the left side it works in reverse, small lever changes down, brake lever changes up.

With the sram they have a "double tap" system. I havent used it so this it how I think it works from the revies I have read...

The brake lever is only for the brakes, if you tilt the small lever in and releas it at the first click it changes up a gear, if you push passed the first click to the second click it changes down a gear (or that could be the other wayround). Most of the user reviews seemed to say that its a bit odd at first, but you soon get used to it.

I have been very impressed with the 105s.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the reply again Paul. I have to admit that I prefer the sound of the Shimano shifters but will have to go and try the bikes out and find out for real

 

[Shadow]

All 3 bikes look fine to me, so it comes done to personal preference, which is where trying them out will help.

I have the trek 1.5 but it is a model from 2 yrears ago. Probably the best improvement is that it now has Tiagra instead of Sora that is on mine. Despite that, I adore my bike! It was my first road bike and I still enjoy riding it, so much so I use it all through the dismal, dreary, wet, english winter. Like you, I caught the bug, so last year bought another bike!

With what I know now, I might have chosen slightly differently - probably going for the cannondale. This is £150 less than the spesh which could either just be considered cash saved or used to buy kit shorts, helmet, lights etc.

Let us know your eventual choice!

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Cheers Shadow, will let you know gonna have a look next week.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I am maybe going to buy a used bike now as I am not minted. A guy at work has a Boardman Comp road bike that is around 3 years old and supposed to be in very good order and not had extensive use as he got into mountain biking. I am going to take it for a week to try out. He is exactly the same height as me but just need to make sure that he has bought the right size, and also try and check that all the components are good and that it is in decent condition. I am not really sure what to offer for it, I am willing to pay a fair price but looking at some of the stupid prices that a couple have went for on Ebay it is madness . Well it is to me when Halfords are selling off brand new 2010 bikes for £559. I have a reasonable price in mind, but if he wants more and I do get on with the bike, I think that I am just going to go to Halfords and buy the bike brand new (if my size is in stock), as it seems like a steal for that price. What do you guys think it is worth?

 

[Shadow]

Impossible to say without seeing it.

If in good nick and assuming you like it and it fits you, I would not go over £400 but it depends how badly you would want it, knowing you can obtain a new one for £559 - which seems like a good deal to me, judging by reviews and comments I've seen.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Cheers for the reply Shadow. I was not going to offer as much as you would, then again I know little about used bikes. It's just it being 3 years old and used quite a bit, I would rather go new if I can get the correct size that is. New is something that I think is worth paying a bit extra for. If the bike was still retailing for it's original price of £700 I would possibly offer £400.

 

[Shadow]

I would rather go new if I can get the correct size that is. New is something that I think is worth paying a bit extra for.

Exactly. If you can afford it, go for it.

Only you can know how much you are prepared to pay for it, having seen/tested it.

BTW, I also have no idea of second hand values either!

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Second hand values vary dramatically, I have really just been looking at Ebay, which in all honesty is a lottery (I never hardly buy anything worth over a tenner off there). I think that prices vary greatly depending if people are willing to ship the bike, or if it's local pick-up depending on the density of the local population. I was surprised to see some decent specced Specialized models going for less than Boardman's. I always assumed that Specialized were a more desirable brand for people whom care about such things. Somebody is even trying to shift a brand new Boardman comp that must of been bought in error for £650, obviously they have never bothered to look at Halfords current sale price. Shame the government have ruined the C2W scheme, well so much so that my company cannot be bothered with the hassle of it now with the new rules as I would just of got a new one without thinking of it. There has to be a decent saving for myself to buy used.