WHY YOUR SHOULD REGISTER YOUR NEW BIKE
When you buy a new bike you have the option to register it directly with the brand. So, if you buy a Trek bike you can register the bike directly with Trek, if you buy an Orbea you can register it directly with Orbea etc. Some of the bike brands make a big deal out of this and really encourage you to do it. Others encourage bike shops to start the registration for you, and some hide the option and make it hard to find. Firstly though we need to know why you should bother.
THE BENEFITS OF REGISTERING YOUR NEW BIKE
Registering your new bike mainly helps you if bad things happen to your bike. The two biggest issues are warranty and theft.
1) Warranty - if the worst happens and your new bike snaps, cracks, or other otherwise develops a fault then having it registered directly with the brand can speed up the warranty process. In some cases it will allow them to deal directly with you and, in the case of Specialized and Orbea, it means you get extended warranty cover. As of July 2021 Specialized will only give you a 2 year warranty on your new bike if you have not registered it. Complete the registration process and you get the full lifetime warranty. Orbea now also have the same policy with only a 2 year warranty if you don't register.
2) Theft - if your new bike gets stolen the police and insurance will normally ask for the serial number, date of purchase and other details about your bike. Registering your new bike helps to create a record for some of these details, especially the serial number, so you can easily retrieve it when reporting the theft and making a claim.
3) Recalls - occasionally manufacturers need to recall certain bikes to fix issues. (A recent example was the forks on some Specialized road bikes which there was a potential fault with so they all had to be replaced). Being registered with the brand means they will know if your bike is part of a recall and they can contact you direct to let you know what needs to be done.
4) Apps and Interactivity - more of the bike brands are launching their own apps. Cannondale have an app which records your distances, how much CO2 you have saved by riding your bike and reminds you when it needs a service. Specialized also have a ride tracking app which can be used to manage their electric bikes, adjust settings and diagnose issues. You will need to register your bike to access this information.
TREK PROJECT ONE
With Trek Project One you can take selected Trek road and mountain bikes and have them factory customised just for you. You pick what colour you want the bike, and what parts you want on it, and Trek will build the bike for you. By getting Trek to build the bike you know you are getting a top notch paint job and build quality, but you will also normally save quite a bit of time and money compared to trying to source all the right parts yourself for a custom build.
There are three main levels to Project One:
Standard Project One - Gives you access to around half a dozen standard paint jobs and the ability to swap out components, such as changing the width of handlebars or changing the groupset.
Project One Icon - gives you access to more premium paint jobs. Trek will often launch these paint schemes by having their pro riders use them at events like the Olympics or Tour de France. As well as the fancier paint jobs you can still pick and choose the parts you want.
Project One Ultimate - gives you the chance to have the bike painted any colour you want. Trek will even make a new colour for you if you can't find exactly what you want.