Weaknesses: The rider is getting old! Nothing to complain about the bike itself. Maybe could use a slightly stiffer fork.
Bottom Line:
I was a serious MTB rider but had not owned a road bike for 10+ years. Bought the 5500 (at the price for a 5200, because it had Ultegra rather than Dura Ace components). Rode the Marlkeville Death Ride in 1996, and many miles in the Utah mountains. Upgraded to Ultegra 9 spd triple when that became available (now somewhat regret the triple, but that is another matter). Love the bike, have ridden it many thousands of miles and never been remotely tempted to replace it.
Strengths: Responsiveness, weight (although nowadays there are lighter), comfort. And hey, there's got to be some collectability there as it was ridden by Sir Lancelot to TdF victory.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of. Well, you can get slightly lighter frames now, but the Trek is still highly competitive.
Bottom Line:
This is a 2004 model. It has been a fantastic bike. The ride is stiff and responsive but also very comfortable. The handling is also faultless. I also own a Cannondale Super Six, which definitely has a stiffer bottom bracket for snappier acceleration, anbd slightly sharper handling, but this is really splitting hairs. The Trek was my first carbon fibre framed bike and is still ridden regularly today, although mostly as a decadent commuter or occasional wet weather bike. It's been lovingly maintained and apart from a few stone chips looks as good as the day I bought it.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale CAAD4, Cannondale System Six, Cannondale Super Six
Bike Setup: I bought it as frame only and currently run it with DA 7800 10 speed, DT Swiss 240 hubs laced to Mavic Open Pro's, FSA bar (Energy) and stem (OS 115), Bontrager Race XXX lite post, FSA Orbit X headset, Fizik Aliante carbon saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Miles Julihn
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2007
Strengths: Light, carbon frame, great paint, comfortable ride.
Weaknesses: Paint scratches easily.
Bottom Line:
This is my dream bike. It is light-weight, fast and sexy! Full Dura-Ace with Ksyrium SSC wheels. Solid ride, climbs well -- one of the best CF bikes ever made.
Strengths: Trek warrenty is excellent!!
Light!!
Looks
Weaknesses: The ride is a little mushy and you dont get the same power as you do from other bikes.
Bottom Line:
This bike isn't the dream bike for me like what another bike would be for the same price. I have to say, my bike being a 2003, it isn't as good as it could get. The ride is a little soft. The first kinda "group race" I was at, I felt like I was working harder than I used to for the same power.
Strengths: Plush ride, the carbon fiber really dampens the harsh road condintions. Light weight makes it a very good climber. Stiff bottom bracket makes out of the saddle and sprinting easy. Paint job! Fabulous paint job with the custom flame paint. The Trek web site does not do the paint job justice.
Weaknesses: Bontranger tires don't perform as well as Michelin Pro Race I am used to, both in feel and durablility. For the price, I would have expected titanium rails on the saddle standard-not option. Initial set-up of Dura Ace did not deliver as crisp of shifting as my old Ultegra.
Bottom Line:
I bought a 5500 Project One from my LBS. This was a post deployment gift to myself for spending a year in Iraq. My LBS ordered it for me to my specs. At first the bike didn't seem to handle as well on fast downhill turns as my previous ride. This was due to the feel I received form the tires and the carbon fork. After 1300 miles since picking it up on 29Jan05, I am extremely happy with the bike. The combination of my weight loss in Iraq and the weight reduction of the bike (4lbs lighter than my old rig) makes all areas of riding better. This bike begs you to rack up the miles.
Similar Products Used: 1996 Giant CRF 3, upgraded in 2000 to Ultegra 9 speed. Shimano Flight Deck and Shimano Ultegra wheelset. Logged over 35,000 miles on it.
Bike Setup: 58 cm Trek 5500 with Project One Paint
Full Dura Ace 10speed including pedals
Shimano Flight Deck computer
Ascent Carbon Fiber Water bottle cages
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