Price Paid:  $1500.00 at The Bike Store

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
No traffic

Summary:
First Road Bike, couldn't resist a great deal on a quality carbon frame bike. Have owned several Trek mountain bikes, have always been great quality and reliable. Have 500 miles on this one, no real complaints thusfar.

Strengths:
Decent components, smooth ride, good looking bike, reliable

Weaknesses:
More color options would be good. Saddle could be better, but getting used to it.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Smooth Roads

Bike Setup:
I replaced the wheels with bontrager race x-lite aero's, tires are bontrager race x-lite, and the seat is a bontrager race lite.

Summary:
I have had this bike for a year now. The bike currently has 2000 miles on it. 1500 road miles and 500 trainer miles. I commute to work during the spring summer and fall roughly 30 miles roundtrip. I also road this bike in the RAGBRAI ride this past year. I ended up cracking the stock rear wheel during the RAGBRAI ride. I noticed one crack by the spoke hole in the morning, by the end of the day all the spoke holes were cracked. This was probably 100% my fault because I was carrying an extra 30lbs on a rear rack. Trek was awesome though, since they had a booth at the ride, they gave me a new wheel the same day free of charge. I am planning on racing this bike this year. All in all, I am extremely happy with this bike.

Strengths:
The frame is light, and it absorbs all the bumps in the road. The components are decent with a mix of ultegra and 105.

Weaknesses:
The rear stock wheel cracked around the spokes during my RAGBRAI ride. The stock seat isn't comfortable and it looks lame.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Bike America

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5000

Summary:
Overall, a great bike! I had been shopping for about a year looking for a great bike for a great price. This one fell into my lap. I ride to/from work (22 mi)and ride on the weekends.

Strengths:
Carbon frame and forkare solid, even for a heavier rider like myself. Bontrager/Ultegra/105 components are nice.

Weaknesses:
Seat is a bit uncomfortable at times.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Bicycle Habitat

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5000

Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano Clipless pedals and Planet Bike ARS saddle.

Summary:
I used to mountain bike, so this was my first road bike. After 6 months of riding the Trek 5000, I'm still in love with it. It's perfect, considering you get a full carbon bike for such a great price. The only other bike I would consider getting over this is the new Madone 2008, but they are way too expensive. You will not be dissapointed.

Strengths:
Absorbs bumps effortlessly. Great Components that get the job done. Extremely smooth and lightning fast ride.

Weaknesses:
Saddle is horrible. Buy a different one.

Price Paid:  $1580.00 at Bob and Ardyce's Bik

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5000

Bike Setup:
standard Trek 5000, NiteRider MiNewtX2 Dual lights (highly recommended!!), Trek computer.

Summary:
I am completely new to road bikes, so I've still got a lot to learn. However, the Trek 5000 is a great bike. Also, I was happy to get a fully composite bike for the price I paid. I have had a little trouble with the chain and gears...two links were 'sticking' together, causing the gears to jump. Also, the chain/gears seem to be making quite a bit of noise...maybe I need to make some adjustments. The only other thing is that the seat is REALLY causing me some significant discomfort. I will most likely change it.

Strengths:
Full carbon frame, quality brand/model running gear

Weaknesses:
* noisy gear/chain
* the seat is unbelievably uncomfortable. I thought it was just me not being used to to road bike seats, but after 3 weeks of riding to and from work every day, I'm starting to think its the seat and not my soft butt!

Similar Products Used:
I've never owned a road bike before