trek alpha one series 1.2

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The 1.2 is the middle of Trek's three 1 Series aluminium road bikes, sitting between the Shimano Claris-equipped 1.1 (£575) and the 1.5 (£750), which comes with Shimano Tiagra components.

Is it the right bike for you? We've picked out four reasons why it might be, along with a reason that might make you think twice.

1 It provides solid performance with few surprises

The 1.2 puts in a solid performance out on the road, offering a stable, predictable ride, the only real disappointment being the lack of braking power (see below).

Hitting the scales at 9.48kg (20.9lb), the 1.2 isn't as lively as many lighter bikes, but for £650 this is certainly a decent enough weight. Compared to bikes of a similar price, it accelerates well. You'll find a little more flex in the frame and fork than in higher level models in Trek's range, but this is a bike that's well capable of holding its own when you crank up the power.

You could't say that the 1.2 is the fastest climber but it's far from sluggish when things get lumpy. It's helped in its hill-climbing endeavours by a compact chainset (with 50-tooth and 34-tooth chainrings rather than 52 or 53 and 39). Most bikes of this price come with something similar these days. Matched up to an 11-28-tooth cassette, it'll allow you to get up the vast majority of gradients without your knees popping or your lungs bursting, while still providing enough big gears to keep you bowling along quickly on the flat and downhill.

Aluminium frames have a reputation for feeling harsh but that's a gross generalisation. Some are jarring – as some carbon frames are – but plenty aren't. This bike is certainly comfortable enough for racking up the big miles.

For a start, it comes in Trek's H2 fit. That requires a brief explanation. Compared to Trek's H1 fit, H2 has a taller head tube: 3cm taller in the case of our 58cm test model. Why? It puts you into a more upright riding position with less strain on your lower back and neck. You could achieve a similar position by adding a bunch of headset spacers on an H1 bike, but if you want your bars at that height, you're better off going for an H2 fit because the front end will be stiffer and the handling will be better.

The Bontrager Race VR-C alloy handlebar has a shallower drop than usual too: 124mm rather than the 145mm you get on Bontrager's Race Lite Classic, for example. That means it's that much easier to get down on the drops. A lot of people have a bar with a deep drop and rarely take their hands off the hoods.

The other reason for the comfort is that the 1.2 is inherently pretty smooth. Sure, there are plenty of bikes out there that will filter our more road vibration but this one does a decent enough job on that front. Swapping the 23mm tyres for 25s would add more comfort but this bike isn't crying out for them by any means.

The Bontrager Gel Cork bar tape provides good cushioning for your hands and the Bontrager Affinity 1 saddle has plenty of padding too. Truth be told, I found it a little too soft, verging on squidgy, but everyone has their own taste when it comes to saddles.

2 You get a neat, well-proven frame and fork

All three bikes in the 1 Series share the same 100 Series Alpha Aluminium frame. It's fairly busy looking with a squared off upper edge to the down tube that makes it resemble that of Trek's more costly Madone.

The top tube slopes towards the seat tube junction and tapers down as it does so, and slim seatstays provide compliance at the back.

You get mounts for a mudguard and a rack back there too. They'll be useful if you want to ride the bike year round and perhaps carry stuff to and from work on a daily commute.

You don't get the oversized bottom bracket or tapered head tube that are regular features designed to add stiffness to higher-end performance bikes, but this is a £650 bike and the frame is good for the money. The welds are pretty tidy throughout and the same can be said of the paint job.

The fork is Trek's own with carbon blades and an alloy steerer. Like the frame, it comes with eyelets for fitting mudguards that will save a lot of faffing.

It's worth noting that the Trek 1.2 is available in eight sizes from 47cm up to 62cm. That range will cover nearly everyone.

3 Shimano's Sora shifters and mechs are excellent for the money

Nine-speed Sora is Shimano's fifth tier road groupset (if you don't count the electronic variants) and it offers fantastic value for money.

Back in the olden days (before last year), you changed gear on Sora by pushing the brake lever to the side or by using a small thumb lever on the side of the shifter body, depending on the direction you wanted to shift.

Now, though, Sora levers are Dual Control, so instead of that thumb lever, there's a lever tucked behind the brake lever. It's the same design that Shimano use right up to top-level Dura-Ace and it's a big improvement, making it far easier to change gear from the drops.

Resting your hands on the hoods is comfortable and there's a little gear indicator on the top of each of the levers that you might find useful. I can't say I ever checked them – I just couldn't get into the habit – but they're there if you want to.

Whereas the gear cables run underneath the bar tape on Shimano's higher level groupsets, they head out from the side of the levers with Sora and loop around to the frame in the fresh air. That's certainly not a problem from a functional point of view, although visually it's a less tidy way of doing things. That's being picky, though. Sora shifting has taken a massive leap forward with this latest design. It works very much like the highest level offerings from Shimano, just adding a little weight. Even there, the difference isn't massive.

Trek don't give you a complete Sora groupset here, just the shifters and mechs. The chainset is FSA Vero, a square taper design that does its job just fine, and the brakes, as mentioned, are unbranded.

Most other big brand bikes at this price, such as the Giant Defy 3 (£649) and the Felt F95 (£649), have Shimano Sora components too. It's worth comparing the spec sheets to see exactly how they match up, but don't buy a bike solely on that basis.

4 Bontrager's wheels and other components are good, reliable kit

The wheels are made up from Bontrager's own alloy hubs, containing cup and cone (rather than cartridge) bearings, and Tubeless Ready http://www.bontrager.com/technology/why_tubeless_ready rims. That means you can run the wheels without inner tubes at some point in the future, although you'll need to upgrade to Tubeless Ready tyres first.

The tyres that come fitted as standard are Bontrager's T1s (700 x 23). They're some pretty hefty rubber, made for durability rather than all-out speed, but they're reasonably resistant to punctures and they hold the road well even in damp conditions.

I had no problems at all with the wheels during the month-long test period. They're not the lightest wheels ever, taking some coaxing up to speed, but they're still as round and as true as they were out of the box, and there's a lot to be said for trouble-free operation. Fast wheels aren't so fast when you're standing on the side of the road trying to remove a broken spoke.

Most of the rest of the kit is no-nonsense stuff from Bontrager too, the handlebar, stem and seatpost being reliable alloy options and the Affinity 1 saddle providing at least as much cushioning as most people will want.

And the compromises

There are no two ways about it, the 1.2's brakes are disappointing. Trek have put the Shimano Sora theme to one side here and specced nameless dual pivot callipers that lack bite. Don't get me wrong, they're consistent and they'll stop you, just not as quickly as you might like. You have to engage the brakes for a bit longer than normal or pull the levers a bit harder to get down to your desired speed.

You adjust to this within a ride or two and don't really think about it until you ride with people who have better brakes on their bikes, or jump back on to a bike with better brakes yourself. Then you're struck by the contrast.

Swapping the brake pads helps, but the bottom line is that these brakes are a compromise to make a price point and, for me, they're the weakest aspect of the entire bike.

Other compromises? There's nothing that really stands out. Trek offer a decent all-round package here.

The Trek 1.2 is a very good bike for the money. The frame and fork are sound, reliable options and the Sora shifters and mechs are better than anything previously available for this kind of cash. They're a great example of the benefits of trickle down technology.

Yes, if you pay a couple of hundred pounds more you'll get a lighter bike that leaps into life more eagerly when you up the intensity for a sprint or tough climb, but that's always the way. As it is, the Trek 1.2 is a very able road bike that'll reward your efforts with decent speed, and it's comfortable enough to ride all day long. The fact that it comes with mudguard and rack eyelets increases its versatility, so you can use it as a year-round workhorse if that's what you're after.

We'd have no hesitation recommending this bike for someone after their first proper road bike, or for anyone else looking for plenty of value.

Very good value, ideal for anyone looking for a first real road bike, with just the brakes as a low point

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek 1.2

Size tested: 58

About the bike

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

Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminium

Fork Trek carbon road

Sizes 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm

Front hub Bontrager alloy

Rear hub Bontrager alloy

Rims Bontrager Tubeless Ready

Tyres Bontrager T1, 700x23c

Shifters Shimano Sora, 9 speed

Front derailleur Shimano Sora

Rear derailleur Shimano Sora

Crank FSA Vero, 50/39/30 (triple)

Cassette SRAM PG-950, 11-28, 9 speed

Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage, toe-clip/strap

Chain KMC X9

Bontrager Affinity 1

Seatpost Bontrager Alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 8mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race, VR-C, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Elite Blendr, w/computer & light mounts, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings

Brakeset Alloy dual-pivot

Accessories

Bar tape Bontrager gel cork tape

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: "1 Series aluminium road bikes feature the same aero shaping and race-ready detail as our top-end bikes. They're strong, light, and built to fly over the pavement," [Trek, being from the US, use "pavement" to mean the surface of a road rather than a path].

Frame and fork

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

It's a tried and tested frame built to a high quality. The same goes for the carbon leg/alloy steerer fork.

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

The frame is made from aluminium: what Trek call 100 Series Alpha Aluminium.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The 1.2 is built to Trek's H2 geometry that I've explained in the body of the review. Essentially, it's slightly more relaxed than a full-on aggressive race position, but it's still speed orientated.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

It's a little taller at the front end than a traditional low and stretched road bike.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

I found it comfortable both in terms of ride position and ride quality. It's certainly a long way from being a bone shaker.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

It's not mega-stiff but it's not too flexy either.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I found the saddle a touch too squidgy for my taste, but I'd rather that than too firm.

In all of these marks, I'm comparing the bike to similarly priced alternatives.

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? It would certainly be on my shortlist if I was after a bike at about this price.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? I'd recommend it should be on their shortlist too.

Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?

Nearly all big brand bikes at this price have these features: aluminium frame, fork with carbon legs and alloy steerer, an incomplete Shimano Sora groupset (chainset and brakes being the most frequent omissions), in-house aluminium handlebar, stem and seatpost. If you simply compare spec lists, you'll see that the 1.2 comes out better than some and not quite as well as others.

However, we'd caution against making a decision based solely on a comparison of spec sheets. We've not reviewed all of the 1.2's chief rivals, but we can tell you that this bike will provide you with a very good all-round performance, the brakes being the only real low point.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 43   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: 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.

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13 comments.

I'm riding this bike now for over 6 years. Inexpensive when bought for  €600. Needed maintenance about 2 years ago which was about €400 (new wheelset, cassette/chain/cabling etc). I've replaced the 700x23-tyres by 700x25-tyres a long time ago without changing anything else. Works like a charm.

Great value for the money but brakes could indeed be better. Meanwhile looking to add a new bike (and use this one solely on the Tacx) with disc-brakes.

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The current Trek 1 Series bikes have plenty of clearance for fixed mudguards, even with a 25mm tyre. The 2013 1.2 had little clearance, and this was because Trek used the 2 series frame for that particular year. I'm guessing evo_playa has one of these. Agree that SKS Raceblade Long guards are great. The lack of availability is due to a redesign - SKS are developing the new version to allow for bikes with disc brakes. I gather they won't be available until this autumn at the earliest. UK distributors sold out of the old versions months ago.

Seems like a comparable spec and set up to other value bikes. Agree that even low spec bikes are good and has recently made me question my prior choice of 105 or nothing. Anyone know if Claris is any good ? Always found the Trek styling a bit bland but this one looks ok. The latest B twin road bikes seem anazing value if your in the market for a new bike. www.tinpony.co.uk/shop

Tin Pony wrote: Seems like a comparable spec and set up to other value bikes. Agree that even low spec bikes are good and has recently made me question my prior choice of 105 or nothing. Anyone know if Claris is any good ? Always found the Trek styling a bit bland but this one looks ok. The latest B twin road bikes seem anazing value if your in the market for a new bike. www.tinpony.co.uk/shop

The 8 speed Sora front and rear Derailleurs on my Trek are long since worn out and were replaced with Claris just before the winter kicked in. It works really smooth with no problems - even on the old Sora shifters with thumb button.

I've had the 2011 1.1 with shimano 2300 (remember that?) for just over 4 years now, and it certainly scrubs up well. Even with just 2300 and a different wheelset I've raced on it for a couple of years to some success, it certainly doesn't feel like it holds me back, which is very impressive for such a cheap machine. In fact, I like it enough to complete the change to 5700 groupset in the spring.

I can't say I ever had a problem with the brake calipers, and I can't tell the difference between the alloy calipers and the Shimano long drop calipers having swapped them out- they are certainly good enough.

However, I'm not a fan of the H2 fit with the massive head tube- I hate long head tubes and was lucky to get mine before they were introduced.

Excellent winter trainer and commuter. My 2007 Trek 1.2 is still going strong - it's had a few minor changes but still has the Sora 8 speed with thumb button - oh and a pannier rack!

It's still a lovely bike to ride and recommended first road bike.

Not a racing bike. Sit up and beg.

WHY wouldn't they put sensible 25mm tyres on the bike?

Mike T. wrote: WHY wouldn't they put sensible 25mm tyres on the bike?

Quite. I can't really understand why they'd have clearances so tight, seems unecessary. It may be that 25mm tyres would work with some mudguards already mentioned, but probably not full guards that also help keep crud off the chainset especially in winter.

Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets.

Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

craigr wrote: Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets. Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

As ever, SKS Raceblade Longs. Sorted.

KiwiMike wrote: craigr wrote: Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets. Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

Tried quite a few including SKS chromeplastic ones.

edit: tracked them down, looks like instock here : http://www.tredz.co.uk/.SKS-Race-Blade-Long-Mudguard-Set_51833.htm

Fairly simple and inexpensive to swap out the substandard brake calipers.

I upgraded my Trek 1.1 to Shimano non series long drop brake calipers and the difference in braking was amazing.

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Made By Cyclists

Trek Alpha 1.1 Review

November 18, 2022

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Alpha 1.1 was an entry-level road bike built from 2011 - 17.
• Trek Bicycle Corporation is headquartered in Waterloo, Wis.
• The Trek Alpha 1.1 was one of the best values for the money.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

‍ One of the best entry-level bikes that Trek ever made was the Alpha 1.1. Even though Trek no longer produces this gem, the bike still has plenty to offer.

Made from 2011 - 2017, the Trek Alpha 1.1 sought to attract a new generation of riders to the love of cycling. The Alpha was the least expensive of the Trek lineup, which helped it achieve a reputation for being a great value. The bike was known for being lightweight, fast, and very durable.

Battling years of negative press, Trek Bicycle Corporation found itself in full-blown damage control in early 2010. Their alleged involvement in doping plagued them (which their team leader, Lance Armstrong, admitted to using a couple of years later), coupled with a very public lawsuit over the leadership of Lemond Cycles had left a sour taste in the hearts of the public. To counter its tarnished public image, Trek introduced an entry-level bicycle to try and attract new riders. Their mission was to produce a higher quality road racer without the expensive price tag. So, to accomplish this task, Trek applied its research data and design experience to the task and worked with its far eastern counterparts to produce a lightweight, durable bike that could go very fast.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

‍ What’s So Special about the Trek Alpha 1.1?

The Trek Alpha is now only available used, mainly on eBay or with some bike dealers who have a good consignment program.

The Alpha 1.1 was a Quality Build.

Even though the 1.1 was designed at Waterloo, Wisc (where Trek headquarters are located), the bike was not assembled inside the US. While many Americans prefer items produced in the good old US of A, the fact that Trek continued to use its factories in China and elsewhere isn’t necessarily wrong.

For years, Trek had depended on these builders to consistently produce many high-end premium road racers. Using these same workers meant that the bikes would likely show a high degree of excellence, precisely what Trek needed to combat an increasingly agitated riding community.

The frame was made from aluminum tubing with an attractive glossy finish. Even though carbon fiber was becoming all the rage for high-end performance bicycles, aluminum was a much cheaper resource. The primary benefit of an aluminum frame is that it provides excellent strength qualities while at the same time costing less, meaning that the bicycle price can be contained. Trek used its extensive racing research to push the aluminum frame to the limit, keeping the weight down while still holding onto the structural rigidity needed for most riders.

The folks at Trek must have felt pretty good about the frame because they offered a lifetime warranty with every purchase, which was virtually unheard of at the time.

The Trek Alpha 1.1 utilized the traditional H2 top-tube sloping, which is supposed to be the optimal riding position (according to Trek’s research). The steep upright angle of the tube enhances the rider's overall comfort, making it easier for cyclists to stay on task and enjoy the ride. The designers knew that the more comfortable the ride, the longer a cyclist would stay on their bike, which is precisely what the company wanted. The design shows how committed Trek folks were to fashioning a bike to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Shimano Claris shifters and derailleurs provide the effective movement of gears when needed. Most bike reviews indicate the ride is soft, with no issues moving up and down hills through the gear ratios. While the eight gears might have been less than a professional racer would use, it is more than adequate for normal cycling. (The aluminum frame adds extra weight that might create issues for riders attacking inclines).

The wheels are Bontrager AT-750 double-walled alloy rims with 700c x 25 tires. The narrow tires lend themselves to increased speed and reliable handling when navigating corners.

Interestingly enough, the Bontrager is Trek’s primary tire supplier, and the tire is manufactured in Waterloo, Wisc. The Alpha 1.1 also has room for wider tires for additional grip on wet or muddy surfaces. There is also room for a rear rack or mudguards should their installation be necessary.

The shifter and rear brake cables are run alongside the downtube and provide effective braking and shifting. Most professional bikes run the cables inside the center tube to minimize wind drag and increase aerodynamics. However, the Alpha 1.1 seems content to run the brakes alongside the tubing rather than inside. (My preference is inside the tubing, as an integrated cable system, but this requires additional attention during the manufacturing process and increases the cost). Trek went with a parallel cable system to save dollars during the manufacturing process, and this is a win for the casual rider, who isn’t worried about shaving second off a stage time.

The seat is also a Bontrager Affinity which is soft enough to add comfort without discomfort on longer rides.

The Alpha 1.1 was the Least Expensive Bike Trek Made.

When it was introduced, the Alpha 1.1 was offered as the best value in bikes. Trek saw a need to create a market for new riders. By keeping the manufacturing costs to a minimum (including cheaper labor costs overseas), the company decided to pass those savings along to potential buyers.

The bike was priced well below the $500 mark, which made it easily affordable for most families. Now, the average American who felt the urge to channel their inner Lance Armstrong could have a bike similar to the Trek-Segafredo pro team used.

The Alpa 1.1 Performed Very Well

It didn’t take long for the researcher of the Alpha to discover that those who purchased the bike and rode it loved it. The reviews recognize that the short wheelbase made for a bike that was quick enough to chew up the pavement, handle well while cornering, and stay in control on the wet or less-than-perfect pavement.

The earliest renditions of the Alpha 1.1 had an aluminum fork and frame that tended not to dampen the bumps and jolts of imperfect road surfaces. While carbon forks and frames do a better job smoothing out the pavement, this complaint was not enough to make riders consider other models or take the Alpha off their list. However, the later model year Alpha (2017) shows a Trek carbon fork, which helped with some of the complaints about the ride. (Again, my preference here is to have an adjustable fork that allows the rider to quickly switch to suspension settings to handle rougher terrain, but this was something the folks at Trek were unwilling to do on their early road racers).

There have been some complaints as to the weight of the bike, but these were primarily complaints by riders who were used to riding a carbon-fiber frame. For these riders, the bike’s ride might seem chunky, particularly on steep inclines, where the additional weight can quickly come into play. Even though the bike may be harder to move uphill than other competing road bikes, the ride is just about what you might expect for its price point.

Why Did Trek Stop Making the Alpha 1.1?

For several years, the Trek Alpha 1.1 was a trendy bike for the company. Still, unfortunately, after the initial excitement for the bike wore off, Trek realized that buyers were flocking to other competitors producing better bikes. The emergence of smaller bike companies pushed Trek to drop Alpha 1.1 in favor of other lines, such as the FX series or the Emonda lineup.

At about the same time, Trek and Segafredo partnered to sponsor an International Racing Team. In 2022, the team has over 31 riders on the men’s side and 14 riders on the women's. The teams dominate the racing circuit and are almost always on the leaderboards.

Where Can I Purchase an Alpha 1.1?

Even though Trek still carries an image of the 1.1 on its website, the bike is not available to be shipped from the company. The only way to secure an Alpha 1.1 is through eBay, or another online site selling used bikes.

• A very reasonably priced entry-level bike
• The bike is well-made, with a lot of research behind it
• The company has an incredible resume in road racing
• Aluminum frame holds up well
• Perfect looking bike.
• No longer being made
• Trek losing ground to other competitors
• Click on Ebay to find out the latest price.

What kind of Bikes is Trek Making Now?

Even though Trek no longer produces the Alpha 1.1, the company still has a wide selection of bicycles for every discipline. The company makes a Marlin series, an excellent beginner bike for mountain and trail riding. Trek suggests the Edmonda series or the FX-1 for an entry-level bike for road riding. Trek also has a large selection of electric bikes. The FX+ is priced at around $2500, while the Domaine+ SLR retails for around $8500. which are not cheap but are great rides nonetheless. Here are some of our recommendations for the best bikes for entry-level riders in the Trek lineup.

• Entry Level Road/City Bike - FX 1
• Mountain Bike - Marlin 7
• Electric Bike - FX+
• Boy’s Bike - Roscoe 20
• Girl’s Bike - Wahoo 24

For more information on Trek bicycles, see the manufacturer’s website.

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About THE AUTHOR

Danny Lawson

Mountain biking is more than just a hobby for me - it's a way of life. I love the challenge and excitement that comes with it, and I'm always pushing myself to go faster and ride harder. Some people might think that mountain biking is dangerous, but I see it as the only way to live.

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Trek 1.2 review

Solid entry-level roadster compromised by some dodgy kit

David Rome / Immediate Media

Proven frame geometry with balanced handling and position, quality wheels, saddle

Tyres, brakes, tight handlebar bend, and did we mention tyres?

We so often expect the finest from Trek, and more than a few BikeRadar staff personally own bikes from the American brand. Sadly, the 1.2 just left us wanting more when we rode it back-to-back with its latest direct competitors as part of our best entry-level 2016 road bikes shootout.

Looking on the bright side, there are very few bad bikes when looking at the biggest and most trusted brands. And the 1.2 isn’t a bad bike by any stretch of the imagination, but it does need a few small component upgrades in order to showcase its true potential.

Related: Best entry-level road bikes: US/Aus / UK

Balanced and reactive ride, some nerve-wracking kit choices

The 1.2 places the rider in an easy and upright riding position

Featuring Trek’s well-respected ‘H2’ geometry, the 1.2 offers a comfortable ride position for the recreational cyclist. With this, the front-end height of the 1.2 allows for a reasonably upright position, without compromising the descending composure of the bike.

The 1.2's handling is a strong point and compared favourably against all the bikes in our shootout, with a good feel for the road in both stability and feedback. Line up for a corner, and the bike keeps to that line, without signs of over or under-steer.

While the frame isn’t the most compliant we’ve ridden, it’s no rattle can either – meaning the 1.2 holds its composure on rutted roads. The 1.2 is, however, one of the rougher bikes we tested, and that's something that the hard tyres must take responsibility for.

Ride comfort is a tough point to discuss as this price point, with so much variance given by tyre and saddle choice. So while it may not be fair to judge a bike on its tyres or saddle choice once you get higher up the ladder, here a simple change of rubber could add as much as 20% to the bike’s original price.

Between these brakes and tyres, the 1.2 can feel a little nervous

Trek’s own component brand, Bontrager, makes some incredibly good parts. But the T1 tyres on this bike are a budget choice and feature a rubber compound and construction that hurts the 1.2’s compliance and traction.

With this, the other five bikes we tested all feature 25mm (25c) width tyres, whereas the 1.2 offers 23mm (23c). With less air volume to absorb road shocks, the tyres are further disadvantaged by a stiff construction (though this does at least do well to fight off flats).

The tyres strike again when hitting corners at speed, where the harder rubber compound feels nervous and lacking in road hold. It’s a sensation you really don’t want to experience in any bike, let alone one that claims to offer the race inspiration of its premium siblings.

Further compounding the issue, the Trek 1.2’s brakes are the joint-worst out of the bikes we tested (more on which below). This makes the approach into corners all that more nervous as lacking power typically makes you overbrake.

When you do not want to slow down, the 1.2 accelerates impressively and with aggression. Under hard sprints the frame shows little give, and despite the weight, the wheels have a responsive feel.

Unflashy but competent frame

The Trek 1.2 is the only bike on test with a 'UCI-approved' sticker. Though to be honest, it's not really important

Made of Trek’s ‘Alpha 100 series' alloy, this road frame offers trickle-down from Trek's illustrious Madone series of bikes. With this, the square-profile hydroformed tube shapes are claimed to draw on the Madone’s aerodynamic designs.

Despite our issues with the kit, there’s little to complain of in the frame. While its rather straight-line tube shapes may lack flash, it does everything it should and demonstrates a respectable build quality.

There’s nothing fancy about the 1.2’s frame or fork, but that’s also part of the appeal. The bottom bracket is threaded, the cables are externally routed and the head tube features commonly available bearings. And when it comes time to clean it, the paint is a silky-smooth gloss finish.

Rack mounts sit out of the frame

Built with versatility in mind, the frame offers fender mounts front and rear, with rack mounts out back too, which are ready to accept the most common aftermarket options.

With nine-speed Shimano Sora gearing, the 1.2 is on par with its peers. The shifting isn’t as fast as more expensive groupsets, but once correctly adjusted it doesn’t miss a beat.

The FSA crank works, but a Shimano Sora unit works better

Up front, Trek has supplied a FSA compact crank. The shifting on this is actually pretty decent, and only marginally slower than that of a Shimano Sora item. That said, the setup isn’t as stiff and does reveal some minor chain rub against the front derailleur when pushing hard under power. Keeping it spinning, the internal-bearing bottom bracket system is an old and proven durable design, although it does come at a small weight penalty.

The wide-range 11-32t cassettes on the Specialized Allez E5 Sport and Giant Defy 3 we tested alongside the Trek show great positives for riders just getting into cycling, while still wanting to tackle hillier and longer rides. The Trek’s 11-28t cassette isn’t small and offers enough to spin up severe climbs, but neither is it generous. Bear in mind that a new rear derailleur will be needed in order to swap in a more climb-friendly 11-32 cassette.

Speaking of swapping things, the 1.2’s generic brakes are, not to put too fine a point on it, shocking. Switching brake pads for premium models is cheap option and would help a lot, but the cheap calipers themselves will remain a hindrance.

More positively, many of the bike’s Bontrager components are really good, such as the twin-bolt alloy seatpost, which is perhaps the nicest of the six bikes tested.

Similarly, while the tyres don’t do the brand justice, the wheels they wrap certainly do. The 23mm wide rims are the second widest of those tested, and ballooned the 23c tyres to an actual 24c. The build is top-notch, and the bladed spokes provide a premium aesthetic.

Tubeless-ready rims, that's different

These rims are ready to work with Bontrager’s ‘TLR’ tubeless system. However, such a system requires the purchase of rim strips, valves, sealant and new tyres – something that doesn’t come so cheap. On the bright side, tubeless-compatibility isn’t mentioned on any other bike as this price, and such an upgrade would solve a handful of our complaints regarding this ride.

The handlebar is quality too, although some testers complained the bar’s drop was too short and that their wrists would contact the top of the bar. The Bontrager stem looks like any other, but it cleverly hides the ‘BlendR’ feature for integrated compatibility with Bontrager’s line of bike computers and lights.

This seatpost and saddle are near-brilliant for the pricepoint

Saddles commonly divide our test teams, but the medium-width Bontrager Paradigm was one of the more universally preferred shapes. Those brand-new to cycling may be scared off by its limited padding, but its shape is a good one and worth trying.

Conclusion: greatness awaits, but at a price

The bike is good and we still enjoyed our time testing it, but that’s just not enough when some of the competition is great.

This all said, the 1.2’s issues are easily fixed. If you were to change the tyres and brake calipers you’d have yourself a pretty solid starting bike without issues. However, you'd probably also have reached into a price point where bikes feature Shimano Tiagra components, and give riders fewer headaches over having to make such upgrades.

Click through the gallery up top for a closer look at this bike. If you haven't already, be sure to read the full 2016 budget road bikes grouptest here .

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Trek 1.2 Road Bike

New for 2008 •Frame - Alpha White Aluminum •Fork - Bontrager Approved, carbon •Wheels - Alloy hubs; Alex alloy rims w/eyelets •Crank - Bontrager Sport 50/39/30 •Rear Derailleur - Shimano Sora •Sizes - 43, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm •Color - Metallic Black, Pearl White

• USER REVIEWS

light, great geometry

A little twitchy. I'd go for a little bigger bar but that's just personal opinion.

Bought mine a month and a half ago - this bike is a great replacement for my 9 yr old Orbea Larrau. I immediately uprated from the Claris default (8spd) to Tiagra group set (10 Spd), changed BB, adjusted the spacers and been a happy roadie since. I am queasy with the Bontrager rubbers, so I am in the market for Continental Gatorskin but other than that, this one all considered is a keeper.

Minimal frame flex under load. Corners well. Climbs and descends well. Comfortable geometry

Wheels/hubs/spokes. Sora/Sram mash-up drivetrain is adequate but wears out quickly. Pretty heavy. Tall head tube

Purchased the bike in summer 2013. I have never seriously ridden a road bike until I purchased this one. Been a MTB guy since I can remember. But, this bike has been everything I've needed and converted me from a dirt man to a roadie. Now, I ride and occasionally race this set up. But beware, there are some weaknesses. The no-name wheels are crap. Broken spokes, seized hubs, shot bearings etc. Had no idea how bad the wheels were until I performed a spin test contrasted with a set up on a low end Specialized allez and rode a low-end shimano set. Next, the low end Shimano/Sram drivetrain is a let down. I've replaced the cassette twice, the chain twice, and the bottom bracket once. Had I known better, I would've purchased the 2.1 with shimano 105. Over all though, I am very pleased. I easily keep up with or lead all the group rides I'm on with the bike. The other riders ride anything from new Madone 6 and 7 series, Sworks Tarmacs, Boardman 9.9 slr, and supersix evo hi-mods. With a couple upgrades, this bike will enable ANY rider to be their best. Frame never let's me down, easily climbing and descending grades pushing 25 to 30%. In summation, if you buy this bike and upgrade the wheels, you'll have miles of fun.

Price, saddle, cranks, forks

Wheels, bottom bracket

I bought the 2013 model in September of 2012. I've put just over 8000 miles on this bike since. If you're looking for an entry level road bike, the Trek 1.2 is perfect, but I'd recommend at least going up to the 2.1 or one with 105 components. This year I've replaced the saddle with a paradigm, I've also replaced the rear wheel. The stock rear hub wore out, and I had broken 3 spokes. I've also replaced the bottom bracket recently, keeping in mind that I've racked up over 8000 miles. Next season I plan on upgrading to a higher end bike, but will still keep this one around. It's got great maneuverability, climbs well, and handles lots of different road conditions with ease. This bike easily turned me into a road cyclist.

light weight, carbon fork, great handling, very capable bike

drive train components, bottom bracket

I have about 200 miles on the bike so far. The bike is very light, rides well, handles great. Riding position is good. I have grown accustomed to the seat which was painful the first week or two. From day one the drive chain made some noise in the upper gear ranges. Gradually it got bad enough that I took it in to LBS. They adjusted the front derailer and replaced the bottom bearing that had failed. Got it back and it ran flawlessly right up until the chain snapped in two. I am hopeful the components will be more reliable going forward. When everything is working it's a wonderful bike to ride. In retrospect I probably would have gotten something with better driveline components.

Great Price, handles really well, easily upgradable and little to no mainteneance required to keep the bike going.

Components, components and components, shifting is not set up for racing and brakes are weak

When I bought this bike back in 2009 I acutally thought I was buying a mid/average road bike. After riding an old Steel GIANT and an even heavier GMC, this bike was like a dream come true. But after doing all the research, I couldn't believe this was acutally considered just a recreational bike, not even close to a Madone or even used in the same breath as a "Racing Bike", yes on various occasions during my rides, I've been able to keep up with guys that own Madones from the 3s to the 6s. When these guys find out what I'm riding, they're not only in shock but a bit angered considering they spent thousands on thier bikes knowing that my under a $1,000 dollar bike is keeping up with these guys. So am I satisfied with this bike, you better believe it! Great bike for the price and I can keep up with the best of them! Makes no sense to spend any more cash except for the occasional upgrades....

Saddle, Crankset, Bang for buck deal

None that i have found except low quality components

Well, the only reason this bike got 4 stars out of 5 on value rating is because i could go to bikes direct.com and buy a bike for the same price and have full carbon ultegra. But i didnt, and it wasnt a mistake. This bike is a dream for me, being only 14 when i got it in july of last year, i put over 2000 miles on it before the end of september. everyone should have this bike.... ive trained on it and it has never given me trouble, ive raced it in sprint triathlons and 68 and 38 mile road races, and it has never fell short of my expectations.:) Hope you found this helpful

fast, lite, good shifter, altought its onle a shimano sora, but works great. pro tour geometry and triple rings to get me climbing on a stiffer road with minimal effort.

the best road bike for the money. protour geometry. same stance with the upper level madone 0nly on the relaxed side. The 1.2 weights 21.0 lbs. whereas the madone 5.2 goes to 16.0 costing thousands more. durable with no problem. Just try to get used to ride on it, and learn how to shift it well and you get the best bike ever. Some people complai of the pedals, seat and shifting gears. just minor tweeks and you get a lower end madone. guaraneed.

Similar Products Used:

cervelo, bianchi and pinarello dogma

frame, handling and durability

components, but hey what do you expect from that price range. its all sora/tiagra mix . im giving an overall rating of 4 because of the components other than that amazing bike!

i bought this bike in 2010. To be honest as a first road bike i can say it performs well. i cant compare it to others, but its a good ride for the price and it handlles well. I push this bike far beyond its limits and i think is a fantastic first bike and would reccomend it to anyone.

A good overall design and value. Racer class bike? no A good basic bike for the average rider at a reasonable price? yes A perfect bike? there is no such thing. you will find modifications you'll want to make to suit your taste- but that is part of the sports reward- make your bike yours. If you don't have the ability,then find or make a friend that does. Your local bike shop is one of the best sources of help you can find. Do they make money from your habit? yes-but compare thier labor rates to your local car repair center-and they are a good (dare I say cheap)deal. I have only changes the pedals to clipless up to this point, and find the bike works weel they way it was built.

none I've found yet. keep your expectations in line with the purchase price and you will find the value in your purchase

2010 model year bike - I was pleasantly surprised how effecient this bike is. some comments about shifters and seats are more a matter of personal taste than true function. The other bike I ride is a big $$ european ride w/campagnolo super record 11 groupo, that has the ergo shifters on it. I have issues with my hand/finger dexterity that shows up after 25 miles of riding or so(carpal-tunnel type issues), and the shimano sti levers I was using worked great,but aggrivate my physical limitations.I purchased the campy group to help my problem and was very happy with the way they worked-BUT I'm not thrilled about using the high tech bike in the winter. So I purchased a trek 1.2 to use in the winter- the Sora shifters mimic the campy design, and honestly worked much better than I ever expected them to. A hard seat? not by my standards, but if you are new to street biking then you might like something cushier, but as time goes on you will find your self moving back to a stiffer saddle as you become more acclimated to the sport. Weak brakes? no they dont have disc brake power,but they are more than acceptable for the intended user group.Tires? no issues,work fine and ride comfortably- keep PSI around 90/95 and you shouldn't have issues. The front derailler does rub a smidgen,but only in the most extreme cases of cross chaining-meaning all the way up on the rear wheel(largest sprocket) while being all the way out on the front chain ring(largest)- the extreme chain misalaignment causes the chain to rub on the derailler cages, so just shift to the middle front ring,and come down from the biggest gear on the rear to a more centered sprocket,which would give the a similar gear ratio, and the issue goes away. Frankly my campy equipped bike will do the same thing, particularily since it has 11 gears on the rear wheel -cross chaining is just a no-no on any bike if you can help it. I came back from my 1st ride with my son remarkably pleased with the bikes performance, and I even commented as to why we will spend 7x more for a high tech version, but if you own a high grade bike you already know the answer to that question.Should you spend more on a new bike? If you have the budget it always pays to buy as much as you can afford, but if you are looking to be more budget conscious, not spend more than you have to, then I'd say this is a great place to start. If you feel the need to upgrade, then feel free to do so- thats part of the fun of cycling in my opinion.

trek 1200 raleigh supercouse Ridley Excaliber santa cruz raodster

fairly light, fast, good handling

knock on bottom bracket/cranks on first 30 minnutes of use..

2010 Trek 1.2. Bike is 21.2 Lbs as per my hanging scale. Good handling, fast. However on my first use. the cranks/bottom bracket started to knock. Very disappointing.. I have an 2010 gian rapid 3 for my wife and never had any quality issues

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2014 Trek 1.2 Alpha

• Serial: 89C0426E
• Other serial/registration/sticker: TB1-2198
• Manufacturer: Trek
• Name: Trek Alpha 1.2 Aluminum
• Model: 1.2 Alpha
• Primary colors: Black, Red, and White
• Frame size: 56CM
• Wheel diameter: 700 C
• Frame Material: Aluminum

Distinguishing features

Trek alpha 1.2 series road bike with red handlebar grip tape. bontrager tires. Trek in white letters on the fork Trek on the frame both up and down. Trek on the forks on the back. 1.2 alpha on the back fork. gold clicks quick release. bike also has white stripes red stripes on a black frame. Black seat with stripes

Frame and fork

Drivetrain and brakes, additional parts.

• Fork Trek carbon road
• Headset 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings
• Front Wheel Alloy hubs w/Bontrager Approved alloy rims
• Rear Wheel Alloy hubs w/Bontrager Approved alloy rims
• Front Tire Bontrager T1, 700x23c
• Rear Tire Bontrager T1, 700x23c
• Front Shifter Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
• Rear Shifter Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
• Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
• Crankset FSA Vero, 50/34 (compact)
• Cog/Cassette/Freewheel SRAM PG-950 11-28, 9 speed
• Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage
• Front Brake Alloy dual-pivot
• Rear Brake Alloy dual-pivot
• Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1
• Seatpost Bontrager Approved, 27.2mm, 8mm offset
• Handlebar Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm
• Stem Bontrager SSR, 31.8mm, 10 degree
• Grips/Tape Bontrager Gel Cork tape
• Other Fender & rack mounts

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Product Key Features

• Material Aluminium

Trek Road Bike Bikes

Trek road racing bikes, trek bike frames for road bike, aluminium seatposts for mountain bike, trek hybrid bike bikes.

• Rider Notes

2009 Trek 1.2

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

For This Bike

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Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,487 days