November 25th, 2008 by 
thien
Technical Bits
The 2.3 WSD’s front triangle is constructed with Trek’s “Alpha Black” custom formed 6000 series aluminum tubes, shaped for planar rigidity at the head tube and lateral stiffness at the bottom bracket. The welds are very smooth with hardly any noticeable stepping of beads. Trek fits the frame with TCT carbon seat and chain stays that are cleanly bonded to the seat tube and bottom bracket as well as to the aluminum rear dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger. At the front is a straight bladed Bontrager Race carbon fork with 6061 alloy sheerer. Don’t look for any eyelets to mount a rack or fenders, the 2.3 is closer to an entry level sport bike, rather than a purpose built commuter.
You’ll see the Bontrager name quite a bit, as the 2.3 is detailed with lots of utilitarian Bontrager Race grade components. Trek also specs a mix of decent Shimano components, with a few generic bits.
Starting at the ground and working our way up, the 2.3 rolls on Bontrager Race wheels, running plush 700×25 Bontrager Race Lite clincher tires. With 20 bladed 14 gauge spokes up front, and 24 at the rear, laced to brass nipples at the rim and cartridge bearing hubs, these are really durable wheels that will let you spend your time riding instead of wrenching. According to Bontrager’s website, the wheels weigh in at a reasonable 1790 grams.
2.3 shifting is managed by a Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur, a 105 front derailleur, and 105 brake/shifters with Bontrager’s FIT reach adjust shims. The Shimano 105 crank is available in either a road triple or the compact I selected, in a 50/34 chain ring combo. The 2.3 offers two different 105 level, 10 speed rear cassettes, depending on which crank you choose, a well matched 11-25 came with ours.
At the controls, aside from brake reach, one of the most critical pieces in the mix would be the handlebars. Bontrager FIT VR OS bars claim to have the smallest reach (70mm) and drop (120mm) of any road bar; I found them well scaled, offering a nice compact fit in my small hands, a plus. A short 75mm short, Bontrager Race Lite OS stem with a 7 degree rise connects the bar to the fork steerer. The Bontrager logo’d bar tape, stem top cap, and carbon spacers are a nice touch.
For a comfortable perch, the 2.3 includes a Bontrager Race Basic FIT saddle with plenty of cushion for tender new rider butts. The Bontrager carbon seat post isn’t stepped with grooves, so there’s plenty of seat angle adjustability.
The whole 2.3 WSD package, without bottle cages and pedals weighs 18.75 pounds; it’s not super light, but for a mid-level spec’d road bike, it’s reasonable.
Aesthetically the 2.3 WSD is very clean, with simple lines, a tasteful silver and black paint scheme and pleasing purple accents, with a nicely matching gray and black saddle. The 2.3 doesn’t scream girly bike in this color combination; if you want a version that’s a lot more feminine check out the Spearmint/Pearl white model. The bar, stem, wheels and seat post are black, with most everything else either alloy or polished.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Hi I have been looking at this bike for my wife and she actually rode it yesterday. She’s not sure about size. She is 5′ 2.5″ and is looking at the 47 or 50cm. I see in your review you rode the 47, how tall are you? Any input would be appreciated
Thanks
Kurt
January 12th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
If your wife is 5′2 and looking at a 47 or 50 cm bike she may be looking at way to big of a bike. I’m ~ 5′2.5″ and I ride a 43 cm bike (TREK 1000). I’m a bit long in the torso (but not ridiculously so). Have you gone to your local bike store to try on some different bikes? Small bikes can be really hard to find (Richmond VA had exactly 2 in my size when I started looking- fortunately I moved to Madison, Wi which has a much larger bike culture and selection). I would recommend calling ahead and seeing what they have in stock. I found my bike because a store had nothing to fit me and the owner called around town and gave me a list of bikes and where they were in stock.
I think everyone I know who has a really short road bike has a TREK, LeMond, or a Giant - but we’re poor and that only covers the entry level market.
March 15th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
It’s a great bike to get if you are not sure if you will stick to cycling; it’s not expensive and comes in eight different sizes and two chainset combinations. A very good first bike with class. The Trek 2.3 frame is made of 6000 series aluminum which gives strength, rigidity and lightness and will not break the bank. The equipment is a mix of Shimano Ultegra and 105 with 10 speed shifter and a choice of either a compact or triple chainset.
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