Review of Trek 5000

In the post to follow, I describe my 2006 Trek 5000 road bike which is for sale. I thought I would post a review from Bicycling Magazine of the 2004 version of this bike. The 2004 I believe was the first year the Trek 5000 was produced.


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Tour trickledown.(bicycles)(Product/Service Evaluation).

Bicycling 45.7 (August 2004): p85. (1733 words)

Trek 5000

PRICE: $2,200 WEIGHT: 18.0 lb. (56cm w/o pedals) YAY: Smooth, feathery frame NAY: Paying more than two grand and settling for a few ho-hum Shimano 105 parts FRAME AND FORK: Trek OCLV 120 carbon fiber; fork has alloy steerer tube SIZES: 50, 52, 54, 56 (tested), 58, 60, 62cm COMPONENT HIGHLIGHTS: Shimano Ultegra shifters, cranks, rear derailleur, 105 brakes and front derailleur; Bontrager wheels, bar, stem, saddle, seatpost CONTACT: 920/478-4678; www.trekbikes.com

To appreciate the 5000, let's look at what Lance rides...and has ridden since signing with Trek in 1997. For his first two Tour wins (1999 and 2000), Armstrong used a 58cm frame identical to that of the 5000. The next year, Lance piloted what's now the 5900 SL, which uses a slightly lighter weave of carbon fiber (110 grams per square meter instead of 120 grams). The savings in weight was a mighty slim 60 grams. Last year, Lance used the new Madone which, at a weight similar to a 5900 SL, is a whisker more aerodynamic.

A frame that won two Tours and is a few gulps of water heavier than the latest and greatest? Fine by us. Frame aside, Lance wasn't riding a $2,200 rig in the Tour-his bike was decked with top-of-the-line Dura-Ace parts. To bring the price down, the 5000 gets dressed with a mix of Shimano Ultegra and 105, backed by a spread of Trek's house-brand Bontrager components, including wheels. All work without complaint, even if outclassed by the yellow-jersey winning frame.

Hop on the 5000 and enjoy the quiet, no-buzz ride that carbon-fiber frames-and Trek's decade-old OCLV models in particular-are famous for. With the requisite carbon-fiber fork up front, all-day comfort abounds, but there's still stoutness for torquing in town-line sprints. Thankfully, steering leans toward precise and stable rather than quick and twitchy-perfect for those secret, two-handed victory salutes when, alone on some back road, you're playing Armstrong.