trek one series 1.5 specifications

Trek 1.5 road bike review

The Trek 1.5 is designed to be solid and dependable option for the new road cyclist, that will feel equally at home on a commute as a long Sunday ride

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If you are looking for a first road bike or solid winter steed, this is a quality frame that will last the course and not let you down. The geometry is very relaxed, with this bike better suited to all day comfort and less flexible riders. The ride is smooth, but the brakes and a couple of other minor details let the overall package down when we consider the price.

Smooth ride

Accelerates well

Tiagra shifting is good

Tubeless ready rims

Lifetime warranty on the frame

23mm tyres not 25mm

No 32t cassette

Boring styling

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Trek frames are synonymous with quality and their faith in the product is backed up by life time warranty. The frame is Trek's top drawer 'Alpha aluminium' whilst the fork is carbon fibre. In order to test the Trek 1.5 we have been riding it throughout winter, on commutes and longer training rides.

>>> The best cheap road bikes ridden and rated

The One series is Trek's base level frame and would potentially suit a large number of cyclists. If you are in the market for your first road bike, a dependable winter bike, or just something for epic sportives that won't break the bank, the Trek 1.5 is a great option. Hinting at this versatility is the inclusion of eyelets on the stays and forks, to aid the fitting of mudguards. There is also loads of mudguard/tyre clearance under the brakes. But, if you are flexible, or have good core strength you may find the upright posture this bike encourages limiting when you want to get lower and more aero.

 Geometry

The geometry of the Trek 1.5 is relaxed. For those new to cycling, this means that the horizontal reach from the saddle to the handle bars is shorter and the vertical height of the handle bars is higher. Rather than a super aggressive flat back like Bradley Wiggins , this enables the rider to sit more upright, in a more relaxed position.

This makes it ideal for new riders, who are yet to develop the core strength and flexibility that makes an aggressive position more sustainable. Our 58cm test model came with 44cm bars, which although less aerodynamic than a narrower bar, they may help add stability to overall handling to less confident riders.

>>> Complete buyer's guide to road bike groupsets

The Trek 1.5 comes fitted with a range of components. The shifters and derailleurs are Shimano Tiagra , but the chain set is FSA Vera and the brakes are unbranded callipers. We were hugely  impressed with the quality of the shifting on this bike. The FSA chainset works well in this regard with little or no flex, to hamper shifts.

We felt that the brakes let the bike down. The unbranded callipers didn't feel as responsive or stable as a Tiagra or Shimano 105  calliper. The lack of strength translates to less braking power and compromised modulation. That considered, the first thing we would upgrade on this bike would be the brakes. This is disappointing when we consider the overall price.

Our test model featured 23mm Bontrager R1 tyres. These rolled nicely and were puncture free for over a few weeks of winter riding and commuting on roads strewn with potential puncture hazards. We would have preferred to see this bike come fitted with 25mm tyres as they are stronger and can aid comfort. We do however like that Trek have equipped the bike with tubeless ready rims . Using tubeless tyres could reduce the risk of punctures.

>>> Guide to road bike tyres

The Tiagra rear cassette is 12-30t. With professionals even adopting 32t cassettes on steep mountainous days, it would be nicer if the Trek came with either a 12-32t cassette or a medium length cage rear derailleur, which would allow a 32t cassette to be fitted. Being a short cage derailleur, it is designed to only go up to 30t. This is in contrast to other bikes in a similar price range, such as the Giant Defy 3 and B'Twin Alur , which both have 32t cassettes as standard.

Ride and handling

Our favourite thing about the Trek 1.5 is the ride handling. Use of round tubes helps contribute to stiffness, whilst the carbon fork offers some dampening. The ride is very smooth, with the frame doing an excellent job of ironing out imperfections and bumps. Considering how well the frame absorbs road buzz we were pleasantly surprised to find that the bike is no slouch when you want to accelerate out the saddle either.

Compliant frames can often feel spongy when you give it the beans, but the Trek 1.5 quickly gets up to speed without any fuss. Wheels on bikes in this price range can often be bargain basement, with spokes that feel as if they are made of cooked spaghetti, but we were pleasantly surprised by the Bontrager wheels on this bike. They compliment the frame well and don't sacrifice ride quality.

Overall, the bike feels nicely balanced, with the weight centred. This is noticeable when riding uphill or track standing. Our 58cm test weighed in at a respectable 8.7kg without pedals. Cornering can feel a little tame, but will always be the case when a bike has a high front end. A lower front end enables you to lower your centre of gravity to a greater degree.

Whilst colour is subjective, we feel the Trek is rather boring to look at. The first thing that draws your eye to a bike is the way it looks and the Trek looks pretty utilitarian. Don't expect to cop admiring glances at the cafe stop. That said, plenty of us value function over form.

For more information, head over to Trek .

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Oliver Bridgewood - no, Doctor Oliver Bridgewood - is a PhD Chemist who discovered a love of cycling. He enjoys racing time trials, hill climbs, road races and criteriums. During his time at Cycling Weekly, he worked predominantly within the tech team, also utilising his science background to produce insightful fitness articles, before moving to an entirely video-focused role heading up the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel, where his feature-length documentary 'Project 49' was his crowning glory.  

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At a glance

Rocketing down serpentine descents, flattening hilly centuries, and leading the group ride; Trek’s 1.5 C does it all and more. Its Trek Alpha aluminum frame and carbon fork are light, stiff and velvety smooth for all-day comfort. The Bontrager wheels slice through the air and effortlessly accelerate out of turns quickly. Plus, the wide-ranging 20-speed Shimano drivetrain means you have the gears to get up the steepest hills and dual-pivot brakes ensure safety and confidence on the way back down. You’ll also love the fine Bontrager stem, bar, seatpost and saddle that make every ride a great ride.

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Q: how much is a 2015 trek 1.5.

A 2015 Trek 1.5 is typically priced around $1,100 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

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Trek 1.5 review

Build your road confidence

Joby Sessions

Guy Kesteven

Trek haven’t changed their entry-level road frame much for the past couple of years, but there are plenty of riders who want ‘sit up and beg’ comfort and relaxed handling in a road bike style, so there’s no reason they should. It wouldn’t be our first choice for more competitive work though.

Ride & handling: Comfortable enough for long rides and ideal for building confidence

There’s a fair amount of sideways flex in the Trek 1.5's tall head tube and narrow-stance fork if you bully rather than coax the steering. Starting with a downer on one small aspect of the handling is slightly unfair though, as the rest of the ride is unfailingly friendly and easy to live with.

Even Trek’s race bikes have a reputation for being more relaxed and surefooted than others and with a higher bar position and more centralised weight the 1.5 is even less threatening on descents or twisty lanes. High levels of vibration absorption in the slim, tall tubes reduce the chatter and ragged traction effect that can throw you off-line in rough conditions.

The tall cockpit height and shallow handlebar create a comfortable position when your hands are hooked into the more secure position of the drops, making the Trek a great confidence builder for those who don’t generally like to push their trust in tarmac traction. More accessible hand positions and the impressive amount of comfort for a mid-price alloy frame also make the 1.5 a welcoming place to be when you’re heading into work or putting in the long miles at the weekend.

The upright position means plenty of breathing space too, which, combined with the low complete bike weight and the extra-large rear cog on the cassette, means it cruises up steep hills surprisingly easily. Start applying pressure though and it’s less convincing. Flex from the crankset combines with a soft overall feel from the chassis – particularly when bracing bar against pedals – to take the edge off your effort before it reaches the road.

The upright position that saves your spine from too much strain but also prevents you from really putting your back into it or escaping from headwinds when you need too. However, keep your pedal revs high and your pedal pressure down and it’ll spin along quite happily. If you do use it for racing, you’ll find the fatigue reduction during the ride a bonus when you get to the run.

Chassis: Simple but relatively lightweight frameset builds a similarly light bike

Trek base the 1.5 around their H2 geometry, a higher fronted, more upright version of their H1 competition positioning. That’s the reason behind the very tall, slim head tube which is increased in effective height even further by the deep external cups of the FSA Intellaset headset on this build. Quite what extra intelligence it adds we weren’t able to confirm, but it certainly gives the bike a high brow.

There doesn’t seem to be much elaborate thinking in the tube shapes, with a round-to-straight top tube and only very slight shaping on the down tube. The D-section-to-round chainstays and oval-to-round seatstays finish at plain chunky dropouts, although the pearl and blue-black paint finish adds a dash of decorative class.

While Trek haven’t gone overboard on the external detailing or tube shaping, frame weight is still perfectly reasonable thanks to unseen butting that removes excess metal from the tube walls. Utility use is definitely still on the agenda though, and commuter use is certainly possible with rack and guard mounts at the rear and mudguard eyes on the slim crowned, carbon-legged fork.

Equipment: Square-taper crankset is a disappointment at this price

It seems that the £800 bike club is operating a strict “if you ain’t wearing Shimano Tiagra, you ain’t coming in” door policy this year. While the Trek will get past the bouncers outside, a close look at the FSA Vero compact chainset makes entry through the component ‘velvet rope’ less likely. While square-taper internal bottom brackets tend to last well, they’re also prone to more creak, flex and eventual removal trauma than external cups are.

There’s loads of mudguard/fat tyre clearance under the deep drop brakes though, and cartridge pads keep them reasonably sharp in feel despite the longer arms. While the ride position is far from aero, the Bontrager rimmed wheels get fashionable bladed spokes. They also use a new Clix skewer system and the front hub uses a larger than normal cam offset and a big locking collar, which means no more messing about with skewer wind-on/wind-off, which is great for cold-fingered puncture fixing or new riders. The ‘Plus’ puncture protection on the Bontrager R1 tyres should mean flats are less likely in the first place, though.

The Bontrager Approved gear is the lowest grade of named components, but it all does a decent job. The shallow compact bend makes the dropped section on the handlebar more useable but the long stem doesn’t have an entirely positive effect on handling – it has a tendency to lurch around at really slow speeds, so be careful if you’re chasing your tail on a quick turnaround.

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This is the blog for Scheller's Fitness and Cycling. Find posts about events in the community, cycling products, fitness products and other interesting and useful bike and fitness information.

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2013 Trek 1.5 Road Bike Review by Scheller's

2013 trek 1.5 road bike comes with 100 series alpha aluminum.

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Trek 1.5 Road Bike

New for 2008 •Frame - Alpha Black Aluminum •Fork - Bontrager Race, carbon •Wheels - Bontrager SSR •Crank - Bontrager Sport 53/39 or 50/39/30 •Rear Derailleur - Shimano Tiagra •Sizes - 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64cm •Color - Pearl White/Trek Red

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It's a great base frame for the money. I bought mine from new in 2007 and I still love riding it (6500km last year) It's pretty bombproof and I think it still looks good despite it being 15 years old now! People have said the saddle is a weak point, but I've tried 3 alternatives now and keep coming back to the Bontrager saddle that came with the bike

The brakes are shocking, so I upgraded them to some FSA brakes, which are a marked improvement. These are soon to be replaced by some Ultegra R8000's along with all the rest of the drivetrain. I know the frame can handle such an upgrade. Swapped the wheels for some Vision Team 35's as well. These durable hoops made a huge difference to the speed and quality of the ride. When the Ultegra Gruppo turns up this week and it will feel like 'New Bike Day! I just need a new set of tyres now as I actually put the originals back on for some winter durability! They are certainly durable, but not the plushest, or speedy!

Frame is light and strong. Geometry is all day comfort.

Both derailleurs, cranks, wheel set, and brakes.

Took everything off the bike. Put on a Shimano compact double crank with just the outer 50t ring. Tectro dual pivot brakes. Old pair of Shimano 501 wheels that I installed ceramic bearings. 16t rear cog and Forte chain tension wheel. BOOM!! A single speed monster! Light (13lbs) and agile. Handles predictable and toss-able. The stiff frame makes it climb better than most single conversions. GRAB a used one and scrap the components and create your own single.

Similar Products Used:

1969 Gitane Tour de France -- Reynolds 531 1999 Schwinn Super Sport converted to 105 2005 Bianchi Giro 2008 Orbea Opal Record/Chorus mix 2014 Orbea Orca Gold

Value price, light weight

Original wheels, Break Calipers

I bought Trek 1.5 as my first roadbike and have ridden more than 3000 miles. This is great bike...comfortable and stiff frame. The price around $1000 is very valuable. After 2000 miles, I replaced original wheels to lighter ones. Then the bike has been much faster and easy to climb hills. The stopping power of original break calipers is poor. Even I replaced to good pads, I didn't see an improvement. So I am replacing to shimano's one. The calipers to fit Trek 1.5 should be a long reach calipers (57mm). So selections are limited. Don't buy regular calipers, such as Shimano105 or Ultigra.

wheels, seat,bb,

take the wheels / tyres off and throw in the bin along with the seat and factory chain as soon as you buy it. After thats done it is the best racing commuter available. Bb needs regular replacement along with drive chain but this is routine maintenace. Brillient frame a real giant killer. Axium race wheels and gps 4000s tyres are unbeatable on this frame. The tiaga groupset works well and will last longer than any other groupset. Brakes are stiff and dont flex. Cheap compedative bike.

Lightweight (my 54 is 22lbs, take it as you will), affordable, decent groupset, comfortable ride

some flex, not a great wheelset

I have a 2011 Trek 1.5 that I got for about $800 dollars during an end of season super-clearance. I bought this bike as my first road bike, and have since gotten a new bike, a 2012 Orbea Orca Bronze Di2. I used the 1.5 as a race and training bike for several seasons, and have had no major issues with it. I only have one complaint and that is the wheels seem to get out of true fairly easily. I would chalk it up to hard, constant use though more than anything. The frame is fairly light weight and handles well. I did end up lowering the bars, but that is more personal preferance than a flaw in the bike. Other than that, I've only changed the bar tape after a couple of bad crashes. It does have some flex when you are really hammering it out of the saddle, but it is nothing most people should worry about. It is a great bike for someone looking to get into the sport, or to start racing.

Orbea Orca Bronze Di2

Inexpensive, upgradeable, great beginner bike, not afraid to mess with it.

Heavy, shifting with front derailleur, wheels feel unresponsive.

2010 version. I really have enjoyed riding this bike the past 3 seasons. I ride mostly flat and rolling hills so the weight has not really been an issue but when I do climb I feel it (I weigh 68kg/150lbs). Standing in the pedals the wheels can feel a bit unresponsive and slow. I plan on upgrading them soon. It is a great entry level bike and has really allowed me to learn how to work on bikes because I am not afraid to mess with it. The front derailleur sucks. I have had major problems shifting into the small cog and even dropped the chain twice just before important climbs. Sometimes it would just freeze up and not allow me to shift. I have had it adjusted and adjusted it myself numerous times. The rear derailleur on the other hand I have never had to touch! The front brake also gave out after one season but my LBS replaced it on warranty. I dropped the bars to a more agressive riding position after 2 seasons and it made a huge difference in how the bike felt. The geometry is rather relaxed but this is good for getting used to putting in the miles. I have the white paint job and I know now I will never own another white bike. Everything shows on the frame. I would go with a darker frame color.

Light (compared to old steel bike). Decent component Tiagra components. Fast and responsive. Carbon fork makes for smooth ride. Strong - I had a crash and frame and wheels held up (tire & tube didn't.)

Need to get used to this bike's compact frame geometry. Foot on pedal can hit back of front wheel during certain turning configurations. Compact double gear-set not as conducive for hill climbing as triple.

This is my first modern road bike. Previously, I was riding a 20 year old steel Huffy 12 speed that weighed something like 33 lbs. This thing is at least 10 lbs. lighter and the difference is very noticeable. I bought it used on Craigslist so my value rating may not be realistic, but I really didn't want to spend $1k on an entry level road bike which is what this is. On the other hand, I don't understand what $4k - $6k for high-end bikes will get you, either. I plan to either replace the cassette or possibly just change the gearing a bit so I can get a lower gear that will be better for hill climbing than what comes standard with the compact double. This model came in two versions; a compact double and a triple. If you live in a hilly area, get the triple.

Very smooth ride, will coast for long time before slowing down.

The derailing system is cheap. I have a problem going up a hill and shifting to a easier gear, it will skip. I took it in twice and still have problems with it. When your going up a hill and it slips its the worst, you lose speed and and have to work harder.

Overall very nice, but still working on getting the front end dialed in. It will skip the middle gear when going up a hill and when I am shifting down.

No just cheap walmart/toys R us mountain bikes.

Stiff, lightweight frame, good value for money

Frame is possibly too stiff! Nothing else i can think of!!

I upgraded from a Kona MTB that i used for travelling to work as i wanted to start taking cycling more eriously without spending a fortune! This was the perfect bike for the price and performance it provides! The acceleration from a very stiff frame is amazing, always giving you the feeling that it wants to go faster, the only thing stopping it is my ability! Having done over a thousand miles on it i havnt had a single mechanical problem and there is very little wear and tear! The only slight downside is that the frame is possibly too stiff, i ended up with side/hip pain when riding 50+ miles! So all in all i couldnt reccommend this bike highly enough for the price, and even though it will be a while before i upgrade i would happily go with another Trek!

Price-performance ratio seems OK to me.

The mix of gear components. Trek should go with one of the Shimano series. Brakes.

The bike is a 2008, but that option was not available. Overall I´m satisfied, but you should tighten the spokes before usage. The factory Bontrager SSR are a bit loose. The brakes should also be changed. Perhaps they become better in the summer.

Earlier I had a Columbus Pinta, a local brand from Sweden. Was a bit more expensive, but the developement in the bike market since 2003 has come a long way.

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2014 Trek 1.5 First Ride Review

A couple of winters back I discovered the Trek 1.5 in its previous guise ( http://girodilento.com/the-trek-1-5-a-bargain-winter-bike/ ) . On paper it made a great case for itself – a good price, the same geometry as the Madone, an excellent spec for the money and most importantly to me – proper clearance for proper mudguards for commuting, training and general winter riding, with a lifetime warranty from one of the worlds biggest bike brands. In fact it made so much sense (also as I’d never owned a Trek but had spend several years riding  a rival bike) that I placed my order and bought one ( http://girodilento.com/winter-bike-ordered-finally-trek-1-5/ ). Over the course of that winter I rode about 1,000 miles on it ( http://girodilento.com/winter-bike-first-ride-trek-1-5/ ).

For me, the 2012 1.5 had lots of positive points – like the ones mentioned above and on paper it seemed like a brilliant bike but on the road, I struggled a bit to warm to it. I guess looking back it felt like a frameset that was competent but had been left behind a bit by brands who had moved their aluminium ranges on a bit. I felt like Trek needed to modernise it.

So back at the Cycle Show ( http://girodilento.com/2013-cycle-show-piste-highlights-favourites/ ) I was delighted to see a substantially updated Trek 1.5 on the market for 2014. Whilst most of what made the old bike stand out so much on paper have been carried over – not least the huge clearance for mudguards and the highly competent Tiagra drivetrain and a compelling price point – the new 1.5 features a new frame!

2014 Trek 1.5

It also features a terrific (to me) new black, white and silver colour scheme that I liked immediately.

2014 Trek 1.5 – rear 3/4 view

The new frame features some Kammtail-esque tube shaping that is a trickle down or nod to, the fine looking new Madone aero tube profiles and the geometry is still the same well proven H2 fit. The new shape looks modern and contemporary and got me excited about it being a stronger winter bike contender.

2014 Trek 1.5 frame Kammtail shaped tubes

What’s even better is that the good people at Trek have kindly sent me one to ride and review and I’ve managed to get a solid first ride in. The ride was around some roads I know a little in the Midlands and was in proper winter riding conditions – we (the Trek and I) jumped straight in at the deep end.

2014 Trek 1.5 – still plenty of clearance for full mudguards

After a lot of rain, the roads were filthy. Very wet, with lots of puddles and detritus. At one point there was a stretch of about 30 metres with water just about up to the bottom bracket and there were some very slippery, leaf covered descents. To top it off there was a rain shower heavy enough that I couldn’t see and had to stop. Perfect conditions for a first ride on a winter bike.

About to head out for the first ride – so still looking clean!

In 45kms on roads you don’t know enormously well it’s tough to get more than a first impression but I’d like to at least have a go for now.

The ride quality of the new frame definitely felt like a step forward over the old bike, the new 1.5 seems to have a lighter feel on the road and I thought it seemed more comfortable than the old one – particularly through the rear of the bike. I found the shape of the bars a touch “odd” – they felt quite wide to me but they’re fine and it’s probably just a personal observation. The Tiagra worked very well straight out of the box too and the non-branded brakes were competent but not brilliant but I’ll let them off as they’re long drop and I’m still delighted to see a bike like this from a big brand that can handle my trusted SKS Chromoplastic mudguards (although they’re not fitted to this bike).

2014 Trek 1.5 front mudguard clearance

2014 Trek 1.5 rear mudguard clearance

On the old 1.5 that I bought, I never ever used the stock wheels, I took them off as soon as I got the bike home and replaced them with my Easton EA90SLX wheels, which sadly I recently sold – so I can’t try them on this bike. So not only was this a first ride on the new Trek 1.5, it was also my first ever ride on Trek 1.5 factory wheels and tyres. I’ll be honest and say, they didn’t feel light, but you’re never going to get that at this price point, so it’s not an issue or a concern. The wheels were comfortable and rolled well and the standard  Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres held up very well in difficult conditions. It was pretty awful out there and they didn’t slip once or have me feeling nervous. I will be trying the 1.5 with lighter wheels and tyres and that will be interesting too.

It was a good first ride. The new Trek 1.5 has put a positive first step forwards. I still think it’s good value at £875 – especially now it has a completely new frame. It looks great too. On first impressions it’s more comfortable and rides well. I’m looking forward to getting to know it better over the next few weeks or so. It is now completely filthy and will have a good clean before the next outing.

If you’re looking at around £800 to £900 for a complete bike and would value the versatility of being able to commute, train, ride sportives, fit full mudguards for the winter and ride all year round with the confidence of a lifetime warranty for one of the world’s largest and most successful bike brands – then 2014 Trek 1.5 should certainly go on your shortlist. It’s available now at your local Trek retailer if you’re interested.

For those of you interested in weights – the 2012 Trek 1.5 I had weighed 10kgs out of the box (with mudguards) and the 2014 Trek 1.5 weighed 9.3kgs on my ebay scales of semi-truth, so it looks like Trek have managed to drop a bit of weight off the bike too, which is nice.

You can find out more about the new Trek One Series, including the 1.5 here:

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/road/performance_race/1_series/

Thanks for reading

UPDATE: I’ve now completed my full review which can be read here:

http://girodilento.com/2014-trek-1-5-review/

2014 Trek 1.5 rear chainstays and colour scheme details

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About The Author

girodilento

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2009 Trek 1.5

An aluminum frame general road bike with mid-range components and rim brakes. Compare the full range

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,480 days

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