Trek 5900 Superlight

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at Used from another cy

Model Year:
2003

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5900

Bike Setup:
Dura-Ace 9 Speed 11-23, 11-19 Cassettes
Look Carbon Pro pedals finally replaced with Shimano PD-7800.
Bontrager XXX 120cm Stem.
FSA K-Wing Carbon 42 cm bar
Thompson Elite Seatpost
Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow Saddle
Bontrager Race X Lite Wheels
Shimano 7701 Wheels
Bontrager Carbon Aero Tubulars Wheels

Summary:
Bought all original stock, only thing I changed originally was the seat. I put on Selle Italia SLR Gel-Flow Saddle which was much lighter and more comfortable. Changed out stem to a Bontrager XXX stem and FSA K-wing Bar after about a year of riding.
Raced and won on this bike many times and still using this after 2008 season. Bike is a bit used now, however it's lighter then most of my friends bikes still.
I'm a sprinter, the bike does decently on sprints, but not quite as reactive as my previous Cromolly bike because of the more laid back geometry.

Strengths:
Very light, climbs well, comfortable, relatively stiff, smooth.

Weaknesses:
Only drawback is that it not as reactive some of my prior bikes. Doesn't hold the front wheel on turns as well.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500, Miele Columbus SLX

Price Paid:  $8000.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2003

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Classic

Bike Setup:
Shimano dura ace 9 speed 53/39 and 12-27 (perfect, but 10sp would be nice now). Thomson elite seat post (brilliant, easy to change set up). Bontrager Race X Lite wheels (solid, except for the bearings). Bontrager Race X Lite bars & stem (good stuff but anatomical bars are crap!). Cane Creek head set (TOTALLY CRAP, comes loose & I have to over tighten it which stiffens the steering). Dura Ace pedals (brilliant). Selle SMP Stratos saddle (THE BEST, had huge problems down below before I got this seat. Expensive, but your wife will be the first to give approval!)

Summary:
Great bike! Very sure footed and comfortable. Light and stiff makes climbing a joy... sort of! I can stand up in the big gears and give it all I've got and there's bearly any bb movement but at the same time it soaks up road vibrations easily, although if the surface gets too rough it can throw you about a bit. Great handling on the descents when there aren't corrogations in our wonderful roads in Oz. You feel in complete control.

Strengths:
Light. Stiff. Comfortable even after long days in the saddle (not that I do that many of those). Sure footed bike gives you great control. Climbs like a goat.

Weaknesses:
Because of the long chainstays (41.5cm) it doesn't immediately take off under acceleration. It's stiffness can make it jumpy (I'm 70kg) on very rough roads but which bike doesn't... take a look at the pros during the Paris Roubaix. Also don't like the spin of the Bontrager X Lite wheels (especially the rear)... I get passed by most guys while just rolling downhill (this is despite a new set of bearings).

Similar Products Used:
Mid eighties steel Zullo. Aluminium Avanti Giro.

Price Paid:  $3400.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2003

Bike Setup:
Built up with D/A components. Velocity aerohead wheels with D/A hubs. Tufo jet special tires, specialized pave seat post, avatar get seat, ritchy pro handle bars and no name stem. i paid about 3400 for the complete bike. The only reason for the cheap price is I bought all of the D/A in japan and it is much cheaper.

Summary:
I would have to say this is one of the best frames you can buy. I have been riding aluminum for a very long time and the carbon feels like a rocket. It is also much softer than steel. I would suggest that everyone ride carbon if they can afford it. I am very happy to have upgraded to his frame and built up the bike with dura ace. Get this bike because it is easy on the saddle for very long rides.

Strengths:
Stiff, light, fast.

Weaknesses:
The rake in the fork is short. This causes the handling to be touchy, a week at most to get used to. The price new is very expensive also, just buy a used one on ebay.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized allez( aluminum downtube), 1979 casati track frame, handwelded track frame, giant road bike. trek ttx

Price Paid:  $3999.00 at Helen's Arcadia

Favorite Ride:
Rose Bowl

Bike Setup:
All parts are Bontrager including the compact crank. Dura-Ace drive train.

Summary:
I purchased this bike yesterday. I loaded it into my truck and headed immediately to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena CA for the Tuesday/Thursday night criterium style training ride. This ride regularly attracts pro/semi-pro riders. It also attracts many recreational riders like myself, who do not race, but are in race condition. I had not ridden a road bike for 2.5 weeks prior to this as my 1999 Trek 5500 was damaged during a training ride. Initially, I was a bit nervous about riding a new and unfamiliar bike in such an intense training ride. I soon found that it was very similar in ride quality to my 5500. Having said that, it is much stiffer and more responsive. The bike responds to every input that your legs give it. I started out slowly and at the back of the group. After about two laps of this ten lap ride I felt pretty good and headed toward the front. About six laps into the ride, I found myself At the front and in a 12 man breakaway. I was shocked. I hadn't ridden in over two weeks and there I was feeling good and helping to gap the rest of the group. I am in decent shape, but this bike gave me something that would have taken much more effort on my 5500. This bike is amazimg. It literally surges forward with each pedal stroke. It corners confidently at high speed. All of this and comfort. I couldn't have imagined the difference a bike could make. This machine has taken me from being a very good rider to a front of the pack finisher. This bike also has a Botrager Compact Crank that I was skeptical about in the beginning. However, I am convinced that the crank is going to make me a more efficient climber.

Strengths:
Very responsive. Stiff yet comfortable. Excellent cornering stability and tracking. Beautifully complimented with carbon Bontrager bits and pieces. The compact crank is not just nice to look at, in combination with the stiff frame, it is a climbers dream. Alot of bike for the price.

Weaknesses:
None yet.

Similar Products Used:
Concorde (steel), Battaglin (steel), 1999 Trek 5500.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have raced as an amateaur and I have done it for 2 years with a Fondriest frame and then with a Look 481, great bikes. But recently I have get my hands on a 5900 trek frame same as Lance Armstrong used in 2000 on the Hautacam stage. I assemble it with with Ultegra 10 sp, ITM millenium carbon, look carbon pedals. All I can say is, Wow!!! Its incredibly confortable, amazingly stiff when the road points to the sky and for me the best bike I have riden. Those guys in Wisconsin sure know how to build a bike!

Strengths:
Confortable, stiff, very good stuff

Weaknesses:
The headset that comes stock, Cane Creek. Replace it!