trek 2.1 alpha

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Trek 2.1 Compact review

Madone handling for the novice

www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk

Simon Withers

The 2 series range from Trek is based around the same geometry as its top flight Madone. Unlike those all-carbon creations, the 2.1 is constructed with Trek’s 200 Series aluminium, and the frame’s quality is evident with nicely finished welds and a carbon fork plugged in up front.

The drivetrain is what we’d expect at this price, with Shimano 105 shifters and mechs and a lower spec R600 compact chainset, its 50/34 rings complementing an 11-28 cassette. This is gearing that will get you up and over most climbs. All the finishing components come from Trek stablemate Bontrager, with everything from the bar tape to the tyres bearing the name. The Bontrager SSR wheels have proved trouble-free, good, honest, budget items. Combined with steel beaded R1 tyres they’re no lightweights, and contribute a fair amount to the bike’s 9.2kg.

The ride of the 2.1 is good for its intended rider. Our 58cm test bike has a rider-friendly 57.3cm top-tube combined with a 7-degree rise, 100mm stem, creating a comfortable but not too sedate riding position. The handling is predictable and the ride reasonably smooth, and that comfortable position isn’t so upright that it compromises the out-of-the-saddle feel.

Climbing on a 9kg-plus bike could be a chore, but that’s not what we found. We certainly enjoyed descending on the 2.1, its combination of smooth, vibration-free front end and weighty wheelset making for a very stable and predictable ride. We found we were pushing that bit harder on long descents as the 2.1 really does inspire confidence in its abilities.

As a choice for your first foray into serious road bikes the 2.1 has plenty to offer. The quality frame has a good, race-inspired position and comes with eyelets for mudguards, making it a great year-round ride and an ideal commuter. We like that Trek has kept the same fine geometry and handling traits of the brilliant Madone for what is, essentially, its novice range.

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At a glance

Trek’s 2.1 C boasts Trek’s lightweight 200 Series aluminum frame along with a road-carving, vibration-damping Bontrager carbon fork for a ride as efficient and fast as it is smooth and precise. It’s built with a compact SRAM Apex drivetrain so you always have the perfect gear, dual-pivot brakes for excellent stopping power and Bontrager’s easy-rolling wheelset. Plus, this fine roadster sports a tasty selection of Bontrager components, such as the comfy Affinity seat and Race Lite seatpost. Let the 2.1’s quality, craftsmanship, and responsive ride inspire you to new speeds and distances.

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Specifications

Q: how much is a 2012 trek 2.1.

A 2012 Trek 2.1 is typically priced around $1,430 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: What size 2012 Trek 2.1 should I get?

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Trek 2.1 Road Bike

Trek's 2.1 boasts a lightweight Alpha Black aluminum frame with a road-carving carbon fork. The hill-conquering Shimano drivetrain and Bontrager's SSR wheelset will have you rolling farther and faster than you thought possible. Plus, it sports a fine selection of Bontrager components, too, including a comfy saddle and a carbon seatpost.

• USER REVIEWS

Speed, turnsagility , weight, gears, haNDLING +++++

NONE SO FAR.

I have had a Trek 7.3 for several years now and after reaearching for a little too long- I decided to go with tyhe trek2.1. ( My local trek deaer went out of his way to explain the bebefits of this bike). vs. the 1.5 which is a Great Bike. This is a great bike and I have done some long rides with it and I am CRAZY about this bike. P. Kinsella Brooklyn N.Y.

Frame, gears, forks, 105 componentry.

Seat, wheels and tyres could be better, though you can probably live with them.

My first serious road bike after riding a cheap steel bike for many years. I ended up buying this bike as it was recommended to me by my LBS. I could have gotten a more expensive bike but I'm glad I purchased a 2.1 - it has proven to be a good choice for a first serious bike. The first thing I noticed was the difference in speed and ease of climbing - it was incredible. Also, because the frame and drivetrain are good, it's viable to upgrade pieces as you go rather than buy a new bike. I am a heavy rider and the stock seat made my tail go numb on long rides (on short rides it wasn't a problem). So I ended up replacing it with a Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow. If you are a light rider or do not plan to go on long rides the stock Bontrager saddle may be fine for you. The back tyre developed some deformity after a few months, so I replaced it with a Continental GP4000s. Then I replaced the front tyre with the same. Rolls beautifully. If I knew then what difference it would make for a relatively low cost I'd have probably changed the tyres straight away. I hadn't planned any further upgrades for a while but I've just picked up some Ksyrium Elites at a bargain price so they are going on next. I anticipate not needing further upgrades for a long time.

Fast, great geometry, light aluminum frame with carbon fork! Love SRAM!

Bontrager wheels and components...

I got my 2012 model 2.1 on october 11'... Black and silver, I love the colors and paint job, very sparkly! The aluminum frame is lighter and stiffer than I predicted. It handles just as well any other carbon bike, since the geometry is basically the same. and of course it's as fast as you want it to go! The down side are the bontrager components wich are all aluminum. I changed the seat post and stem wich made it a bit more comfortable on the long rides. Also, the saddle is standard size so that had to be replaced too... Also, i twisted while sprinting the front 50 teeth compact crankset, that was replaced too with FSA. Now im savig to get a better pair of wheels, not that the bontragers dont roll, but really arent that fast... besides that, the bike is a dream! I love it!

Relatively light weight, responsive aluminum frame, carbon fork and stays, carbon seat post (mine is a 2009). Triple is nice for hilly terrain.

Handle bars, saddle, wheels, tires, front derailleur a bit touchy - not 105, gearing is a bit slow compared to some others' bikes on the triple.

Upgraded with new bars, replaced saddle (stock is too hard and not sized for the individual), wheels are heavy and "double spoke" design - replaced with Mavic Ksyrium Elite, dumped the Bontrager rubber and mounted with Michelin Krylion Carbon tires - the best I've ever used.

everything is great

none that i have found

love this bike have ridden this bike for 3yrs now . excellant ride and handels great did a century on this bike . ride on

Hugs the road. Climbs very well. Light weight Apex groupo

None so far.

Tight in turns and stiff on the flats. Climbs like a spider monkey! H2 ego design is phenominal! On my old bike I had a hard time keeping my posture correct for extended periods of time thus causing my hands to go to sleep. On the 2.1 this is no longer an issue. The Apex groupo takes some getting use to but once you get it down it ROCKS. This is my dream bike!!!

Frame integrity, shifting, positioning.

With a two-ring front, I often long for taller high gearing to give me more top-end speed. Conversely, steep hills can be very tough. Will be investigating the feasibility of changing the set-up to see if I can achieve significant gains without breaking the bank.

My first new road bike in many years. Purchase strongly influenced by a very knowledgeable, easy-going LBS owner. Laid out the pros and cons of various models in comparison with my goals and objectives (long recreational rides and 2-3 triathlons annually). Settled on the 2.1 Alpha. Overall, I'm quite happy with the bike. Will have ridden about 1K miles by the time the season ends here in NJ, including my first sprint tri and the 145 mile one-day Ride to Montauk. Looking forward to next year's events, which include a 208 mile one-day ride. This bike makes these long rides very doable and enjoyable. Whether climbing in the hills or riding the flats, the 2.1 Alpha delivers quite well. It gives the rider great confidence, and allows me to always be at or near the front of the pack. Highly recommend it.

Number one factor was price, I didn't feel like I was being ripped off. The 105 components feel and work very well. Shifting is smooth. Very comfortable ride even on long rides. The bike is also pretty fast, and it makes you want to work at getting better and faster.

Nothing really, maybe better tires.

I upgraded to the Trek 2.1 from a hybrid bike in April '10 and it was the best decision I have ever made. I was worried that I would have back pain as many family members have had pretty bad back pain, but the bike was fit to me and it feels really good and solid. I've logged over 1050 miles on it since April, including a 55 mile and 100K and have not had any major problems with it. I was looking for a bike that would not break the bank but that would last me a while, one which I could upgraded parts as I felt needed and a bike that would be competitive and light. Very easy to adjust seat, removing wheels is a quick task with the quick releases. The bike has a location on the front fork for an integrated computer which is pretty cool but I have not used. The stock seat is not too bad but I have replaced it. I love this bike and it looks like a million bucks!

Reliability, weight, Shimano 105 group, value for price. Perfect bike for strength and endurance training.

Just got back into road bikings in order to help reducing blood glucose levels for Type II Diabetis. Chose the Trek 2.1 as I already have a great Trek hard-tail MB. Couldn't be happier with the 2.1. Great handling characteristics with the H3 set up. Shimano 105 group provides very smooth shifting. The 11-28 cassette and 52-39 crank provides a wide range of training capabilites.

Fast, light, good price point.

Me the rider.

This is my first road bike so I do not have a lot to compare it to. But I am very happy with my purchase. I have put about 200 miles on it so far and rode in one triathalon. It handels well and seems to be a great bike for the money.

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Trek Madone 2.1

First Published Aug 12, 2013

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

• Exceptional
• Not so good

Trek's Madone 2.1 is a solid, dependable £1,000 road bike that can turn its hand to everything from commuting to sportives. You'd be hard pressed to point out any particular aspect of this bike that's stunning, but it's remarkably consistent across the board.

Trek introduced the Madone several years ago, named after the climb outside Nice where He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named used to gauge how his training was going. You know the bloke. Texan. Watches a lot of daytime TV these days.

Madones have changed lots over the years and there are loads of different variants in the current line up. This is the first model year that Trek have offered the Madone with an aluminium frame; it has been wall-to-wall carbon fibre up until now (they've introduced aluminium Domanes for the first time too). The 2 Series models are made from Trek's 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, and some of the top-end features have had to be sacrificed.

Frame: Carbon Madone's kissing cousin from Bauxite County

For example, Trek make a big noise about their KVF tube shaping, KVF standing for Kammtail Virtual Foil. Essentially, they've designed a deep, aerodynamically efficient tube profile and chopped off the trailing edge to reduce weight and improve handling while retaining the aero performance.

Trek make extensive use of KVF tubing on the 6 Series Madone that we reviewed a few months back , whereas the KVF on the 2 Series is limited to the down tube and the fork legs.

That isn't really surprising given that the bike is five grand cheaper and the frame is made of aluminium. The point is, though, that Trek use the Madone name to cover a range of bikes that are significantly different from one another. They're all sporty to some degree or another and they share some design cues, but they're sometimes distant cousins rather than siblings.

That's not to say that the 2.1 is deficient when it comes to high-quality features. The head tube, for instance, is tapered with a standard 1 1/8in bearing at the top and a 1 1/2in bearing at the bottom, that extra material in the frame and fork helping to provide a good level of front-end stiffness.

The bottom bracket is a BB86.5 design with the bearings pressed into the shell, removing the need for cups and threads and reducing weight, and also allowing the down tube to be made wider for increased stiffness, while the gear cables run internally. Well, mostly. The rear mech cable exits the frame underneath the bottom bracket and does the last leg out in the open.

Both the frame and carbon-legged fork feature mudguard mounts. They're going to be very useful for UK conditions and we can imagine lots of people using the 2.1 for commuting, among other things. The mounts sit just behind the dropouts and run forwards rather than sideways, so they're hardly noticeable when not in use. In fact, after several weeks of riding this bike, I had to head back to the garage to double check they were even there. They were, and there's another mudguard-fixing hole on the back of the seat tube.

The carbon legged fork has that KVF shaping that I mentioned above and it's SpeedTrap compatible. That means you can fit a Trek computer sensor into a pocket in one of the legs. Okay, a lot of people use GPS systems these days, but it's a neat option if you don't want to rely on those pesky satellites.

In terms of geometry, the 2 Series Madones are built to Trek's H2 fit. What does that mean? Funny you should ask. It means that the head tube is slightly extended over Trek's low and aero H1 fit. It's still a sporty road bike arrangement, but not quite as aggressive.

So, our 58cm review bike has a 19cm head tube and an effective top tube of 57.4cm. For comparison, the 6 Series Madone that we reviewed a few months ago came in an H1 fit (it's available in H2 as well). That had a 16cm head tube and a 57.9cm effective top tube. The 2.1 has a 59.8cm stack and a 39.1cm reach, while the 6 Series has a 56.9cm stack and a 40.5cm reach.

If you don't want to decode those figures for yourself, the top and bottom of it is that you can get a ride position on the 2.1 that's a little more relaxed without the need to add a bunch of headset spacers. Go for a short head tube with a load of spacers and you'll compromise front-end stiffness. If you want a higher front end, you're better off having the height supplied by the head tube.

Some flexible folk might prefer a lower front end, especially for racing or just for riding as fast, while others are going to be happy with a higher front end for more comfort. It's up to you; Trek offer a whole load of bikes in each fit. And bear in mind that although the H2 is relaxed, it's not that  relaxed. A 58cm Specialized Roubaix, for example, has a 22.5cm head tube.

Components: Dependable Shimano 105

Moving on to the build, the shifters and mechs are from Shimano's mid-level 105 groupset, which is the most common group that you'll find on £1,000 bikes. It's solid, reliable kit – durable and functional.

You can adjust the reach to the levers by adding shims, the hoods are very comfortable to rest your hands on, and the mechs will probably carry on working for ages with relatively little maintenance.

The chainset isn't 105, though, it's a Shimano R565 compact option, so you get 50-tooth and 34-tooth chainrings rather than a standard 53/39T or 52/39T. That means you get a lower set of ratios to get you up the hills at the expense of big gears for pinning it down the other side.

It makes a lot of sense for most people who will gladly take the rest if they run out of big gears and enjoy the view instead. The Shimano Tiagra cassette it's matched up to runs sprockets from 12-tooth right up to 30-tooth.

The ride: No alarms and no surprises

I'd love to tell you that the Madone behaved really unexpectedly out on the road. It makes for a better story if a bike does something you don't anticipate, either good or bad. But the truth is that this bike behaves exactly as it should without any real surprises.

At 9.1kg (20.06lb), the 2.1 is never going to be the fastest bike out of the blocks, and acceleration is probably its weakest feature. The wheels from in-house brand Bontrager are solid enough but they're not especially keen to start zipping along – you don't get that exciting feeling of super-fast acceleration – but that's all forgotten once you get up to speed.

In terms of comfort, that ride position I mentioned is all-important. I'm used to quite a sporty setup and I didn't feel this was a vast distance away from that. You don't sit so upright that you feel as if the wind is blowing you backwards – it's a long way off that. Put it this way: if a full-on race set up is described as aggressive, maybe this is a passive aggressive ride position. Just putting it out there.

I can't say that I'm not a big fan of Bontrager's Affinity 1 saddle. It's a bit too spongy and mushy for my taste. Brands often do this with bikes up to about this price, probably on the basis that people walking into bike shops often equate soft with comfortable. They're wrong. It's not a disaster but I'd be ditching it early on if I bought this bike.

The gel bar tape softens the alloy front end so your hands and wrists feel fine throughout long rides and, as I said earlier, the hoods on the 105 levers provide another comfy hold. If you're like most people, you'll spend most of your time with your hands up here and when you do want to move to the drops, it's a comparatively short distance down there – just 125mm – which makes things easier on your back and neck. Passive aggressive, as I said before.

Whack the chain into the small chainring and the biggest sprocket and you have a really low gear (29.8in, if you're interested in such things) that'll get you up pretty much anything that doesn't need rope ladders and overhanging rocks. You won't get up the hills especially fast in a gear this small, but you'll be able to keep chugging along even when you have a day's riding behind you and your muscles have waved a little white flag.

Coming down the hills, the 2.1 feels planted rather than skittish, even over dodgy surfaces, and the front end doesn't waver when you chuck it hard into a bend. The no-name dual-pivot brakes might not have the cred of branded up options but in practice, they perform well enough and will do even better if you upgrade the pads when the first set wear out.

Conclusion: Gets the job done

Overall, the 2.1 is a well-designed, well-executed bike that gets on with the job with very little fuss. It's not carbon, it's not mega-light, and if you were being harsh you might say that it's not the most exciting choice out there at this price, but it is solid, reliable and dependable and good value for money – and there's a lot to be said for that.

Solid, good value road bike that'll see you right for everything from commuting to all-day sportives.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Madone 2.1

Size tested: 58cm

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, E2, KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shape, press-fit BB

Fork Madone KVF carbon, E2, SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels Aluminium hubs w/Bontrager Approved aluminium rims

Tyres Bontrager R1, 700x23c

Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed

Front derailleur Shimano 105, 34.9mm clamp

Rear derailleur Shimano 105

Crank Shimano R565, 50/34 (compact)

Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12-30, 10 speed

Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1, steel rails

Seatpost Bontrager Race, infinite tilt adjustment, 20mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset Integrated, cartridge bearings, sealed, aluminium, 1-1/8in top, 1.5in bottom

Brakeset Aluminium dual-pivot brakes w/Shimano 105 STI levers

Tape Bontrager Gel Cork

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Trek say, "Finally, an aluminium road bike worthy of the Madone name, with a super-aero shape and next-level race technology. Incredible ride, incredible value."

The Madone 2.1 doesn't have much in common with the top-end Madones – so little that you can't really see that having the name cover them all is much more than a marketing exercise to extend some of that top-end cred. Whatever they call it, this is a very good do-it-all road bike for the money.

Frame and fork

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

The frame is 200 Series Alpha Aluminium. The fork is carbon legs/alloy steerer.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

It's built to Trek's H2 fit. See the main text for all the details.

Riding the bike

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

A tiny amount on the 58cm frame. Not a worry.

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? Perhaps bit of a 'safe' choice, but solid reliability has a lot going for it.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 41   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

10 comments.

The road bike that got me back into road bikes after riding mtb for 30 yrs, great bike

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Are you kidding. BB30 is the worst possible standard in Bottom Brackets.

Shimano's standard still seems to be the best, very much so.

It's a shame that your twitting @ sign thing looks like it says "Trek bikes suk" at first glance.

I wish Trek would adopt a BB30 so Shimano would start making BB30 cranksets

Been in a muddle about a cycle scheme bike recently. Looked at this, the same(near) priced, giant, scott & specialized. The scott s20 had full 105, the rest was a tiagra/tekro(?) or summat mishmash.

-planet x and ribble offered best value for money - mainly carbon with a full groupset.

It depends what you want.

Don't understand why this gets 4 stars, when last year's Bike of the Year only got 4.5? Are you saying this is nearly Bike of the Year material? Really?

Rough welding round the bottom bracket too.

Floor Filler.

Just for clarification, the Domane is a high-performance bike, as well as the Madone. Yes, the emphasis of the Domane is that of comfort over a longer distance, but it's just as much a bike for people who want to go fast.

The difference between the two will ultimately come down to what type of ride someone wants to experience. If you want to feel that you are well-connected to the road, then you want a Madone. If you want to reduce the 'white noise' that comes with riding a typical UK road surface, then opt for a Domane.

Both performance bikes. Both with oodles of technology. Both with unique ride qualities.

A comfort bike should have at least 25c tires. I hate it when companies cheap out on things like cassettes by down speccing them hoping buyers won't notice.

Is it the 2.1 or the 2.3? Just curious.

Can't help but think that for a 'comfort road' bike you might as well buy the Domane though.

Latest Comments

The whole point of why the gravel is awesome is you could lose it all!

I imagine this was useful to many but, as a daily rider (I have no car), not to me particularly; what is interesting to me is the common insistence...

But he was up against Lord Halifax, and it was him that couldn't be prime minister because Halifax was the lord.

And I bet you are still riding a 4130 steel framed bike with those crap 27x1 1/3" amberwall tyres, 7-speed downtube shifters, a proper frame pump...

A cheap hack for places with 3rd rate or less cycle infra, and even then... I suspect (don't know) this would not be acceptable to various disabled...

Word. We had hail yesterday in Edinburgh and near-freezing rain on my ride today.

Hope Damian is ok, sounds like a really nasty incident.

Terrible news.

Yeah, I don't get involved in front end stuff at all. Most of my programming is done in BASH which I'd describe as a dysfunctional language

As an Entitled Cyclist I reserve the right to ignore "cycle lanes" should they be "cycle farcilities" as many in the UK are, or if they're full of...

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How Much Does Your Trek 2.1 Weigh?

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Anyone have a Trek 2.1? What size? What's your setup compared to stock, and how much does your bike currently weigh?  

My Trek Pilot 2.1 weighs in at 20.1 with upgraded wheels.  

Always glad to see someone answer a question. Cool thing is...Lance Armstrong stated on a recent interview that his original OCLV Trek bike used in the TdF weight in at 20 pounds. Looks like the 2.1 is a bargain.  

Not a 2.1, but my Trek 1.5 (same Alpha Black frame, only all aluminum) came in at 19.87 lbs stock and is now 19.07lbs with Wellgo GR8 Clipless Pedals.  

I recently picked up a 2.1 and I've added a few upgrades and I'd say it's around 19.  

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2010 Trek 2.1

An aluminum frame race bike with upper 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 2,563 days

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