Trek 5500

Price Paid:  $6000.00 at Hendry Cycles Austra

Model Year:
2003

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.

Summary:
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.

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.

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CAAD4, Cannondale System Six, Cannondale Super Six

Price Paid:  $1950.00 at Private Party

Model Year:
1999 or older

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5500

Bike Setup:
Full DA, STI shifters, FSA 50/34 compact double crank, Ksyrium SSC wheels, Thompsen Elite seatpost, Selle Italia saddle.

Summary:
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:
Light, carbon frame, great paint, comfortable ride.

Weaknesses:
Paint scratches easily.

Similar Products Used:
None that compare.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Ebay

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Local team ride

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace.

Summary:
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:
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.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized aluminum frame.

Price Paid:  $4200.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Project One

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

Summary:
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.

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.

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.

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at Palm Springs Cyclery

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Any with low traffic.

Bike Setup:
Full Campy record
Bontrager X-Lite wheels.

Summary:
This bike exceeded my exectations in every way. I have used this bike for over 3,000 miles and can find nothing to complain about. The bontrager wheels are fantastic, Still in perfect original true after subjection to my initial 232 pound body. Now my 60 year old 200 pound body climbs hills and can compleate a century ride with speed and comfort. After 35 years of avid cycling, this is the first bike I can recomend without reservation.
Buying this bike was a great experience, thanks to Chris and all the crew at Palm Springs Cyclery. They gave me great advice and lots their time in fine tuning my order and selecting the right components for my needs. Service has been exceptional and my bike is retuned on time and sparkling clean.

Strengths:
Light, Fast, Stable.
Flawless green paint job.
Frame is beautiful to look at.
Comfortable ride.
Got to choose all components.
A custon bike that performs.
Made in the U.S.A.

Weaknesses:
None.
Hard to ever consider riding a lessor bike.

Similar Products Used:
Custom Reynolds 531 frame with campy super record.