The Trek 1500 has a 12-25 9-speed cassette and the Trek 1600 has a 12-25 10-speed cassette, so I assume the 10-speed just gives you smoother shifting and one more gear for your enjoyment since the cassette range is the same. Sure, I said, I will go with the 10-speed and better components of the 1600. However I do not understand why the triple chainrings are different: the 1500 has 52/42/30 and the 1600 has 50/39/30. Seems to me that with the same cassette the 1600 is giving up top-speed. Can anyone explain this to me? Why are they different?

Thanks!

Go to http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ and you can figure out how much top end speed you are losing. You will be suprised that you are not losing that much.

I believe that Shimano is marketing to the rec rider who would rarely max out on a 50t.

I purchased a 06 Trek Pilot and the shop let me upgrade the Bontrager crank with a Shimano 105. The 105 crank was on backorder so I rode the Bontrager 52/42/30 for about 4 weeks. I then switched to the 105 50/39/30 and love it. I use the 50t a lot more along with the 39t. I use the 50t/39t 95% of the time and rarely use the 30t since the new 105 went from a 42t middle to a 39t middle.

There is nothing wrong with Shimano 9 speed but I really like the feel of the 10 speed shifters. The fit/finish on the new 10 speed is nicer plus it is a lot cheaper now when buying a new bike to go ahead and upgrade to 10 speed.

Good answer. Thanks.

Actually it starts another debate in my head. If the 39t is great for general purpose and hills then the 53/39 double would be ideal....that is if I don't need the bail-out 30t chainring!

If the 39t is great for general purpose and hills then the 53/39 double would be ideal....that is if I don't need the bail-out 30t chainring!That would be the big "if," a function of how strong a rider you are in combination with the type of terrain you'll be riding over. My older bike has a 53/39 crank and a 13-26 cassette, and there were times when the 39x26 wasn't quite low enough. My new bike has a 13-29 and so far the 39x29 has gotten me up every hill I've tried to climb except one -- but around here they are most definitely hills, not mountains, and most of them are not all that long. I'm almost 54, a Clyde, and a terrible climber. I'm basically holding my own, but if advancing years cause me to climb any more poorly than I already do, next time around I'll be shopping for either a compact or a triple.

My 39x29 granny is roughly equivalent to the 30x23 on the 1600, so the 30x25 would give you an even lower gear than I have. If that's not enough, a swap to a 12-27 cassette will take you lower still. All just a matter of what you, the individual rider, needs.

.....I got mine today and have only put about 12 miles on it but--it is pretty darn nice!!! I still have my 3 yr old 1200 for back up but this is much nicer, rides much better (different AL?), shifts better (105/Ultegra) and it is LIGHT--fast as lightning. http://forums.roadbikereview.com/images/smilies/smile.gif
:)

I got mine today also. It IS nice. Dang. Is has a Bontrager crankset and Ultegra front deraileur also. Beautiful bike.

Same deal here. Specs listed on the website have a 105 crank and 105 front DR--I also got the Bonty Race GXP 50/39/30 crank with an Ultegra front DR instead of 105. They must be short of 105 cranks? No problemo--the Bonty CS works fine. How you liking it so far, Mordy? I am liking it more every day, actually--it has an especially nice ride for an AL frame bike. Enjoy--Flangy

Same deal here. Specs listed on the website have a 105 crank and 105 front DR--I also got the Bonty Race GXP 50/39/30 crank with an Ultegra front DR instead of 105. They must be short of 105 cranks? No problemo--the Bonty CS works fine. How you liking it so far, Mordy? I am liking it more every day, actually--it has an especially nice ride for an AL frame bike. Enjoy--Flangy

All manufacturers can change the configuration of their bikes at anytime and without notice. I have more of a pragmatic thought process, having a BS (call it B***SH**) in Business, why Trek switched from 105 to the Bonty crank; the Bonty crank is cheaper than the 105.

....no doubt. Since I am a self-employed businessman, and a pretty good one, this is easy enough to understand. They did upgrade the front dr from 105 to Ultegra, however. So--not a bad trade, and I personally think the Bonty crank is the equal of 105 anyway--and I know, since I have another 105 bike. BTW--I have an MBA.

My first real ride this morning on it went well. Its a step up from my MTB with slicks. Cruising the flats at 20mph is fun, more fun than struggling to keep my old bike at 14mph. I'm beginning road riding so i am no expert. I do know i am getting new wheels soon. I am a heavy dude and 20 spokes just aint enough.

The saddle that it came with is actually ... ok! the old ones that came with treks were best burnt.

I ended up buying the 1600 because of the 10-speed cassette. The top end is faster than my 720 hybrid ( for example I used to be spun out at 23 mph downhill but can now push that higher, to 25 and above). I also find myself staying on the top ring more than I thought I would, so a double may have worked for me. But I decided I wanted to be able to go pretty steep hills andI am glad to have the triple.

Same deal here. Specs listed on the website have a 105 crank and 105 front DR--I also got the Bonty Race GXP 50/39/30 crank with an Ultegra front DR instead of 105. They must be short of 105 cranks? No problemo--the Bonty CS works fine. How you liking it so far, Mordy? I am liking it more every day, actually--it has an especially nice ride for an AL frame bike. Enjoy--Flangy

Dittos on my '07 5000

post a picture dude!

hybrids have a different gear.. it's esentially a mountain bike config...