New Bike: 2009 Trek 1.5
I decided on the 2009 Trek 1.5 because of the great reviews this bike has received. The only thing that I wish this bike had was the Shimano Tiagra shifters instead of the Shimano Sora. This wasn't a deal breaker as this can be easily upgraded as I become a more experienced cyclist. (Especially since I bought this bike on 2009 clearance). Below is the review from Bicycling.com which chose the 2009 Trek 1.5 as their Editors Choice for New Riders (Road Bike Category).
"This year, in choosing our finalists in this category, we tried an experiment: We kept the drivetrain and parts spec similar (same model of derailleur on all bikes, for instance), but expanded the price range to see what a few more bucks would buy. We found that, in the case of Trek's 1.5, you get the most compliant ride of the group, with the kind of smoothness and ride tuning we'd expect from a bike that costs more than $1,100. Handling is novice-friendly yet not plodding. It delivers confidence from the start and yet, as your skills grow, the Trek 1.5 will feel more capable as well. The runners-up trailed close behind. The Cannondale CAAD 9 7's best attributes are its well-balanced handling and screaming value, while the Felt F95 sports a "let's go" attitude and race-bike fit that makes you want to head to the front of the pack. And they're both cheaper than the Trek. So why the 1.5? You pay only a little more, and that premium gives you a platform worth building on over the years. "
