I thought the Trek Project One approach was good for me, one stop shopping, no hassle. But when I configure the bike I see that I’m limited. The only power meter option looks like its SRM, which is way more than I want to spend. What if I want to go cheaper with Stages, or want a PowerTap? Can’t do it through Project One. Also, the wheelset and tires are only Bontrager, which I understand, that’s Trek’s partner, but what if I want Zipp wheels and Continential tires? Seems my only option is to configure the bike with the cheap wheelset and buy the Zipp/Continential separately. Also, the only petals they offer are the Garmin Vectors, so if you don’t want those petals that’s another cost that’s not factored into the Project One price. They also don’t have BTA hydration in Project One. Also, why ony a Bontrager computer? The sell Garmin Petals, why not a Garmin computers?
So I’m a little disillusioned, and not sure what to do next. I thought I’d be able configure the exact bike I want, know the price, and then show up a the bike shop to pay for it and pick it up. Obviously its going to be complicated than that. Hoping for a new bike in the next few months. Any advise welcome
Your feedback is worthy, but you gotta give Trek some credit for even offering the program. Most companies offer zero customization of paint and components (except at a LBS), so, in my mind, some is better than nothing. And Trek even offers paint customization which is extremely rare for production bikes.
But if you are enough of a savvy athlete and want true customization, why not buy a frameset and buy the exact parts you want? To some, it’s a fun and rewarding process. And you end up with a bike set up like no other on earth (literally).
Your feedback is worthy, but you gotta give Trek some credit for even offering the program. Most companies offer zero customization of paint and components (except at a LBS), so, in my mind, some is better than nothing. And Trek even offers paint customization which is extremely rare for production bikes.
But if you are enough of a savvy athlete and want true customization, why not buy a frameset and buy the exact parts you want? To some, it’s a fun and rewarding process. And you end up with a bike set up like no other on earth (literally).
Greg @ dsw
I get your point, but cost is a big factor, I could be wrong, but I feel like if I go to a bike shop and start to work with them to put together the bike I want, the cost is going to skyrocket. I thought by going with the Trek standard process I’d be able to keep the cost in check.
You would be surprised. If you shop around and pick up the exacts parts and group you want (some at your LBS, some online), most good shops charge a very reasonable amount to build a bike (if you don’t want to do it yourself; of course, doing it yourself is often more rewarding, but not everyone has the time).
I thought the Trek Project One approach was good for me, one stop shopping, no hassle. But when I configure the bike I see that I’m limited. The only power meter option looks like its SRM, which is way more than I want to spend. What if I want to go cheaper with Stages, or want a PowerTap? Can’t do it through Project One. Also, the wheelset and tires are only Bontrager, which I understand, that’s Trek’s partner, but what if I want Zipp wheels and Continential tires? Seems my only option is to configure the bike with the cheap wheelset and buy the Zipp/Continential separately. Also, the only petals they offer are the Garmin Vectors, so if you don’t want those petals that’s another cost that’s not factored into the Project One price. They also don’t have BTA hydration in Project One. Also, why ony a Bontrager computer? The sell Garmin Petals, why not a Garmin computers?
So I’m a little disillusioned, and not sure what to do next. I thought I’d be able configure the exact bike I want, know the price, and then show up a the bike shop to pay for it and pick it up. Obviously its going to be complicated than that. Hoping for a new bike in the next few months. Any advise welcome
I would do a hybrid approach of Project One and your LBS. If you talk to your LBS there’s some pretty good wiggle room in Project One bikes. If you want a Stages PM just get the groupo you like (Ui2 whatever) and then swap on the crank arm… or pedals (vector)… or entire crank if you so choose. Regarding the BTA for the SC, it exists (I have one), they’re just out of stock all the time it seems.
By the parts yourself and have the shop build it, or even the mechanic as a side job…
Project One offers a cost “savings” but that is negated by forcing you into some components as you have found. The difference in SRM to stages is going to be way more than the cost of doing your own build which is typically more expensive
Or you can go to your local shop with a list of the parts you want and talk about a custom build. There is wiggle room on parts and shops can get discounts from suppliers if they order whole groups/build kits at one time. If your nice or a good customer they might pass some of the savings on to you.
Project one is a great thing but with all of the options in parts available it makes sense that Trek can’t offer everything. There are also all types of agreements between companies about who is allowed to sell what. Since Trek is not a bike shop it might violate a dealer agreement Garmin has about who is allowed to sell computers, or it might be a way to push Trek’s product.
You pay for the Trek marque anyway. Search out a smaller company and bike make and go to them or your LBS and get them to cost it out for you. It will probably work out a lot cheaper.
You can’t really expect Trek to offer complete and utter customisation of a bike. If you want that - then just do it yourself like everyone used to back in the day. It can even work out an awful lot cheaper if you know what you’re doing.
I thought the Trek Project One approach was good for me, one stop shopping, no hassle. But when I configure the bike I see that I’m limited. The only power meter option looks like its SRM, which is way more than I want to spend. What if I want to go cheaper with Stages, or want a PowerTap? Can’t do it through Project One. Also, the wheelset and tires are only Bontrager, which I understand, that’s Trek’s partner, but what if I want Zipp wheels and Continential tires? Seems my only option is to configure the bike with the cheap wheelset and buy the Zipp/Continential separately. Also, the only petals they offer are the Garmin Vectors, so if you don’t want those petals that’s another cost that’s not factored into the Project One price. They also don’t have BTA hydration in Project One. Also, why ony a Bontrager computer? The sell Garmin Petals, why not a Garmin computers?
So I’m a little disillusioned, and not sure what to do next. I thought I’d be able configure the exact bike I want, know the price, and then show up a the bike shop to pay for it and pick it up. Obviously its going to be complicated than that. Hoping for a new bike in the next few months. Any advise welcome
I always thought Trek Project Ones and the phrase “way more than I want to spend” were more or less synonymous. If I had budget contraints, Trek Project One would be the last place I would start. It is kind of like being disillusioned at the cost of the sound system in a BMW 7 series. No offense intended.
Bring your internet bought parts to an LBS and ask them to install then? Oh, that is going to over really well.
I do something similar to this all the time. I live in a different city than the team that I am on so I can’t go to the team shop for work when I need it, but I still order parts and frames through them because we get a huge discount. I normally put it all together myself but when I don’t have time I take it to the local shop and have them do it. They know my situation and are happy to have the business and normally get it turned around in a few days. I have never had any issues with this.
… you gotta give Trek some credit for even offering the program… (literally).
+1. Trek is awesome for offering it.
Like others said here, your LBS can obviously make further customization happen, and in all these cases I doubt anyone is really gouging you on price. Expensive, sure, but that’s the way nice bikes are. I haven’t done Project One because I like building up from scratch and because I like saving money… I started with a Speed Concept 7.0 and built it up myself with hand-picked components to make a bike I’m really happy with.
Bring your internet bought parts to an LBS and ask them to install then? Oh, that is going to over really well.
I’ve done this before. Never an issue. You are paying for the service so why is it a big deal? And it isn’t like the mechanic is checking your buying history to see if you bought whatever there or the Internet.
I always thought Trek Project Ones and the phrase “way more than I want to spend” were more or less synonymous. If I had budget contraints, Trek Project One would be the last place I would start. It is kind of like being disillusioned at the cost of the sound system in a BMW 7 series. No offense intended.
I have not checked project one in over a year, but at least back then I would disagree with you. For example you could get speed concept and spec it with rival and 105 (expensive group do not make you any faster) and the cheapest training wheels (if you already have race wheels or are buying used) for less than you could be any of the stand alone speed concept models and not much more than the frameset price. It was definitely the budget way to get a very fast frame.
I always thought Trek Project Ones and the phrase “way more than I want to spend” were more or less synonymous. If I had budget contraints, Trek Project One would be the last place I would start. It is kind of like being disillusioned at the cost of the sound system in a BMW 7 series. No offense intended.
I have not checked project one in over a year, but at least back then I would disagree with you. For example you could get speed concept and spec it with rival and 105 (expensive group do not make you any faster) and the cheapest training wheels (if you already have race wheels or are buying used) for less than you could be any of the stand alone speed concept models and not much more than the frameset price. It was definitely the budget way to get a very fast frame.
To be honest, I never looked at project one as the way to do a budget build. If what you say is accurate and one is looking for the speed concept frame and cheapest group and wheels it might be the way to go. With his talk of powermeters and Zipp wheels, I think your and my idea of budget build, and the original posters might be two different things. I still think these bikes are overpriced for what they are.
The equivalent of your attitude would be me complaining that Specialized does not offer custom paint options for me to pick and chose from on the shiv.
You clearly had expectations that were either made up in your head or based off of incorrect statements from someone who didn’t know sht about project one.
Have you found yourself getting upset when you are unable to obtain fresh lobster at McDonalds?