Is The Trek 1.2 A Good Road Bike? [Review]

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The Trek 1.2 road bike was first introduced to riders with the Trek 1.2 2008, a moderately priced and high-quality road bike. Its fame seems to have been lukewarm.

Trek alpha 1.2
Trek Alpha 1.2 Road Bike

But because of the many years of sales, there have been many riders who have owned it. Let’s look at the Trek 1.2 in its current light.

What are its features, or what are its pros and cons? If you are looking to buy a suitable road bike, we are also ready to do some simple comparisons to save your precious time in selecting a bike.

Without further ado let’s get started.

Features of Trek 1.2 road bike

Aluminum frame (4.2/5)

Trek alpha 1.2 road bike
Best Trek Road Bike For Beginners

Extremely light weight with 100 Series Alpha Aluminum frame. The weight of the whole bike is 21.52 lbs.

An aggressive 73-degree head tube angle keeps the rider in a fast travel position on the track. And it also makes it easy to get better results in junior races.

It’s not exactly the fastest climber by any stretch of the imagination, but the lightweight frame and taller head tube keep it from making the climbing bad.

Carbon Fiber Fork (4.5/5)

This is one of the highlights of the Trek 1.2, and it keeps the overall weight down even further, allowing for better performance on high-speed road riding.

A steel fork or a heavier aluminum frame won’t be a hindrance to your fast climbing.

Shimano Sora drivetrain (3.9/5)

Honestly, a drivetrain like this is only available at the low end.

The 2X9 drive gearing makes it slightly less capable of performing on gravel terrain than drivetrains 3X9 and above. But the Trek 1.2, which is not intended for competition, is more of a recreational and fitness ride.

With the FSA Vero 50/34 (compact) crankset the performance on road riding is impressive.

In fact, I personally like the 50t cassette a lot, the oversized gears don’t make you pedal as hard when climbing.

As a rider who wants to ride faster, you should expect some upgrades to the Trek 1.2 Shimano Sora.

Bontrager Vacuum Tires (4.5/5)

Trek 1.2 road bike

The Trek 1.2 leaves no stone unturned when it comes to reducing body weight.

The Bontrager vacuum tires keep the weight down while increasing the speed of the ride, providing a more stable and predictable ride.

Alloy dual-pivot brakes (3.0/5)

As an early road bike, Alloy dual-pivot brakes, the braking distance will be longer compared to today’s popular disc brakes. It is also a rim brake, so it has an impact on the rim, and then it requires some adjustment for break-in.

Of course, these have very little impact on commuter riders, but if you prefer long rides, consider replacing them with mechanical disc brakes for an additional $50+ budget. This will enhance your riding experience.

Bontrager Race VR-C Handlebar (4.3/5)

The alloy handlebar has no concerns about its quality during long-term use.

The handlebars are not as curved, which allows the rider to recover the horizontal handlebar riding position more easily.

This is designed to enhance the comfort of riding.

Bontrager T1 700x25c Tires (4.2/5)

Seeking fast riding bodywork often prefers slim 23c tires, but this is very unfriendly to beginners and requires a longer learning curve.

Yet the 1.2 strikes a balance between comfort and riding speed with intermediate 25c tires, which better absorb road vibration and increase riding comfort. And the probability of a flat tire is also greatly reduced.

Pedals (4.5/5)

Rather than the low-end Wellgo nylon pedals, the Trek 1.2 uses the more expensive Wellgo nylon pedals with alloy cage, toe clips, and shoulder straps on top of that.

The ride is more about pedaling frequency than the durability of this component.

Trek 1.2 road bike Specs

Frame100 Series Alpha Aluminum, fender & rack compatible
Frame fitH2 geometry
ForkTrek carbon road

Wheels

WheelsAlloy hubs; Bontrager Tubeless Ready rims
Front hubAlloy
Rear hubAlloy
RimsTubeless Ready
TiresBontrager T1, 700x25c

Drivetrain

ShiftersShimano Sora, 9-speed
Front derailleurShimano Sora
Rear derailleurShimano Sora
CrankShimano Sora, 50/34 (compact)
Bottom bracketSealed cartridge
CassetteShimano Sora, 11-28, 9 speed
ChainShimano Sora
PedalsWellgo nylon body w/alloy cage, toe clip & strap

Components

SaddleBontrager Montrose Comp
SeatpostBontrager alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 8mm offset
HandlebarBontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm
GripsBontrager Microfiber tape
StemBontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, w/computer & light mounts
Headset1-1/8″ integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
BrakesetAlloy dual-pivot

Benefits of Trek 1.2

  • Super light frame
  • Carbon fiber fork
  • 2X9 drivetrain
  • 700x25c vacuum tires and double-wall rims

What we don’t like about it

  • Lap brakes
  • A little hard seat

FAQ

  • How much does a Trek Alpha 1.2 weight?

The Trek 1.2 56 cm frame has a body weight of 9.77 kg/21.54 lbs.

  • What is the weight limit for the Trek 1.2?

This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 275 pounds (125 kg).

  • What frame sizes does the Trek 1.2 come in?

47, 50 ,52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm frames.

Learn more: Is The Trek FX1 Worth Buying? [Trek FX1 Review]

Comparison table

BicycleFrame materialWheel sizeSpeed NumberPrice
Trek Domane AL 2100 Series Alpha Aluminum700x28c16Click View
Trek Checkpoint ALR 4300 Series Alpha Aluminum700x40c20Click View
PINARELLO Paris Disk 105 Road BikeT600 UD Carbon700x28c22Click View
Schwinn Phocus 1600Aluminum700c*23c16Click View

Comparison

Trek Domane AL 2 vs Trek 1.2 road bike

Trek Domane AL 2
Trek Domane AL 2

Both Trek Domane AL 2 and Trek 1.2 road bike are priced very close to each other, and both are made of 100 Series Alpha Aluminum, which can be said to be a very good alternative to Trek 1.2 road bike.

But the Trek Domane AL 2 is more subdivided in terms of usage, and it takes into account the needs of casual riders.

In terms of drivetrain, the complete Shimano Claris 2X8 drivetrain is used, which is somewhat weaker compared to the Trek 1.2 road bike.

Next is the head tube angle of the frame, a more relaxed 71°, which is more comfortable when climbing. So Trek Domane AL 2 is more suitable for casual riders.

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 vs Trek 1.2 Road Bike

Trek Checkpoint ALR 4
Trek Checkpoint ALR 4

The more expensive Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 is a very good gravel road bike.

A more durable 300 Series Alpha Aluminum frame and a 2×10 Shimano GRX drivetrain with low-speed gears and a wider gear range lets you let loose on the harsh terrain of gravel surfaces.

The braking system also dwarfs the Trek 1.2 road bike with Shimano RX400 hydraulic discs, a more robust and durable brake that provides full braking power.

Finally, the 700x40c wide gravel tires are used to increase the bike’s stability on gravel roads and to ensure sufficient traction.

As a whole, the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 is a relatively professional gravel road bike. At this point the Trek 1.2 road bike doesn’t have much of an advantage.

PINARELLO Paris Disk 105 Road Bike vs Trek 1.2 road bike

PINARELLO Paris Disk 105 Road Bike
PINARELLO Paris Disk 105 Road Bike

The affordable carbon fiber frame road bike, the PINARELLO Paris Disk 105 Road Bike, is a great race road bike for the money.

After the flagship Dogma F12, Pinarello designed the Paris Disk, and they adjusted the entire frame geometry little by little based on race data, considering all aspects of the endurance race and how to help the racers improve their performance through more reasonable equipment.

Its clean and tidy internal alignment is integrated with the entire high-end Shimano 105 drivetrain, allowing riders to ride fast even on long gravel sections. With the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 700c x 28mm pro gravel tires, it’s no match for other high-end race road bikes in endurance racing.

Naturally, these are compared to our Trek 1.2 road bike today, which has lighter frame materials and an asymmetrical frame shape that breaks conventional thinking. So this is an affordable high-end race road bike.

Schwinn Phocus 1600 vs Trek 1.2 road bike

Schwinn Phocus 1600
Schwinn Phocus 1600

The Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a slightly lower end bike, more suitable for commuters on a tight budget.

With a 2X8 drivetrain and aluminum frame and slim 700x23c tires, the bike gives you a fast, agile, smooth and responsive ride.

Without the carbon fork and lighter body weight compared to the Trek 1.2 road bike.

If you’re more into short weekend trips, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a recreational road bike worth trying. While this setup will get you to the races, it doesn’t seem to get you to win them.

Learn more: Schwinn Phocus 1600 Review

Final Verdict (4.1/5)

At an affordable price, the not-so-low component mix makes the Trek 1.2 road bike a good road bike. Although some reviews found its road performance mediocre, as a casual rider, will enjoy its comfort. So we ended up giving the Trek 1.2 an overall rating of 4.1.

Learn more:

Is The Trek 1200 A Good Road Bike? [Review] 2021

Is The Trek 2000 A Good Road Bike?

Is The Trek 1000 A Good Road Bike? [Trek 1000 Review]-2021

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