Summary: I recently decided to take up road biking instead of mountain biking. I checked craigslist several times a day until I found the one I wanted. I am glad I was persistent because this Trek USPS bike is amazing. I never had ultegra components until now, and that are a dream. It shifts are quick and precise. It not only climbs like a dream, it descends like a race car. I have hit nearly 50 mph on one big hill. It handles as well as it rides. I am working on a century ride later this fall and I am glad I have the perfect bike for it. And I got a sweet deal. Price also incoludes gloves, shoes and camelback
Strengths: It's comfrotable, light and quick!
Weaknesses: Some minor derailer noise on a couple of gears. Probably just needs a tune up.
Similar Products Used: First road bike, usually ride a Marin mountain bike.
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Bike Setup: 5200 frame, Race Lite fork, Dura Ace front and rear deraileurs, Ultegra shifters and brakes, Easton EA90 SL wheels, Easton SLX bars, Easton EA70 stem, Look Keo pedals, Fizik Aliante saddle
Summary: Excellent Bike. In my third season on it and I absolutely love the carbon frame for the chip and seal roads in Western PA. The carbon frame removes all of the harshness from the ride and still has the stiffness of aluminum. I came from riding an all aluminum Cannondale and I can't believe the difference in ride quality.
Strengths: most everything
Weaknesses: The only weakness is a tiny bit of flex in the bottom bracket area.
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Bike Setup: USPS Edition. Ultegra triple-FABULOUS! Cane Creek headset. Easton Carbon Bars & Seatpost, Flight Deck Computer, Speedplay Frogs, Light & Motion HID Headlight, Cateye 10 LED rear light, Terry Fly saddle. All gone, except the Frogs, they survived.
Summary: This is more of an epitaph than a review. I rode my 5200 for nine seasons, until I was hit by a hit-and-run driver. The direct hit was from behind, by a Ford Mustang @ 55 MPH. I was nearly killed, thrown 50 feet and landed on my Giro Helmet. I have permanent shoulder damage, and constant neck and back pain, but I'm ready to cycle again (you know....getting back on that horse)!
I carried my 5200 with me all the time in my car, and rode every day, weather permitting. I truly loved my 5200, now trashed, and will be replacing it with a Project One 5.2 Dura-Ace. My 5200 gets a 5 out of 5 for everything, and I'll miss it. Hopefully the 5.2 will fill the void. $5500 to replace a $2800 bike. Oh well....you get what you pay for! QUALITY!
Be careful. Stuff happens!
Strengths: Stiff, light, cool. Survived pot holes, 3 crashes, and temperatures from sub-zero to 100+. The Rolf Vector wheelset proved indestructible!
Weaknesses: Didn't survive the hit from a 55 mph Ford Mustang. Fortunately, I barely did!
Similar Products Used: Trek 1420 triple(1990-1999)
Bike Setup: Dura Ace 10 drivetrain, Ultegra brakes, Velomax Circuit wheels, Bontrager Race X Lite fork and seat post, Race Lite handlebars, Fizik Arione seat,
Summary: This bike is a replacement for the aluminum 2200 I've had since 2005. That bike, with the right component mix, made me a fan of Trek. It was damaged in a collision early this year, but I liked it well through 15,000 miles of riding that my first inclination was to restore it to its previous condition and keep it for a couple more years--but then I discovered that the head tube had become ovalized, so the frame needed to be replaced. A pristine 5200 with upgrades was being offered on eBay, and the final price was a bit less than the shop quoted to put my 2200 right again. I've been very happy with this bike, especially after swapping its Ksyrium Elite wheels for Velomax Circuits, which I had been riding before, and after upgrading the fork from a Bontrager Race to a Race X Lite. Initially, I found the ride harsh on rough pavement, but now it's quite smooth. The better fork makes a big difference there and will keep me from lusting after a Madone for a while.
Both of my Trek bikes have been a joy to ride, and I've never felt as if I was being held back at all--and I do like to go fast, for someone who doesn't race. Everything works well, and cornering is secure. One way in which this 5200 distinguishes itself from the earlier bike is that it feels steadier at speeds over 30 mph. The 2200 was fine, but this bike feels as if it's attached to the road.
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