Trek Pilot 5.2 s.p.a.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Toronto Bike Show

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any ride on a sunny day

Bike Setup:
Stock components - Ultegra triple crankset, long reach brake calipers, levers/shifters, front, rear derailleur. bontrager wheels, bars, stem, seat, seatpost, Planet bike road fenders, swapped stock tires for conti GP4000

Summary:
After vacation in New Hampshire, Vermont with struggles climbing on my canondale R2000 w 53/39 and 12-25 I decided I needed something with granny gears since I'm pushing 50. I also wanted a softer ride and ability to add full fenders as a wet weather bike: the trek pilot 5.2 seemed to fit the bill and I got a great price at the fall 2007 bike show - CA$2300 with taxes

The initial setup had the stem angled up giving a relatively upright riding position - good if your back can't take a lower 'racing' postion. You can flip the stem and move spacers if you're preference is a lower riding position - this is what works for me on this bike.

Handling is reasonably precise and well controlled once you get used to the back-end flex with long chainstays/long wheelbase + SPA suspension on this bike - this results in some 'back-end steering'. This bike is better suited for less aggressive riders. Big watt riders beware - your extra power will likely make the back-end flex more pronounced. I much prefer the ultra precise handling of my canondale R2000.

All major components are ultegra so work great including smooth shifting w the triple chainring. Wheels roll slightly better than the campy protons on my Cdale R2000.

The stock bontrager raceXlite tires are good in the dry but terrible when wet - contributed to a crash with broken wrist that kept me off a bike for 6 weeks :-(. Before riding again I swapped these for Conti GP4000. I have been using the older GP3000 on my R2000 and they have been excellent in both wet and dry.

Overall I'd rate the components (except for the stock tires) a 5 but have to drop the overall rating to a 3 due to the SPA frame's rear-end flex and resultant steering.

Strengths:
Carbon frame + SPA suspension gives a very plush ride, Triple gives you granny gears for the really steep hills, more upright riding position easier on your back, excellent component mix for the money, ultegra triple shifts well, frame has ample room for full fenders

Weaknesses:
Long chainstays along with SPA suspension results in 'back end steering' when pedalling hard, stock bontrager race X lite 700x23 tires are slippery in the wet, saddle not the best, no lugs on fork ends for fenders.

Similar Products Used:
2002 Cannondale R2000, 1979 Olmo 'super gentleman'

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at FasTrack Santa Barba

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in the Santa Ynez Valley, CA

Bike Setup:
63 cm frame; Full Ultegra Triple 10; Bontrager Race Lite (alternating with Rolf Vector Pro) wheelset.

Summary:
Excellent bike for Solvang's nearby roads, wind, and hills (including the Category 1 Figueroa Mt where the pros all train in January and February). The rear suspension and vibration reducing fork make centuries and longer rides a comfortable experience for this 185 lb rider with upper back problems. Trek has quietly created a bicycle for most riders that permits them to keep pace with nearly anyone and be comfortable in the process. All out racers on smooth roads would benefit from the few ounces saved with no suspension on a more traditional bike. Anyone else who tries a Pilot s.p.a., including those racing on rough roads, will find this bike a winner.

Strengths:
The Pilot's s.p.a.'s greatest strength is its road dampening effect on the rider while maintaing the benefits of carbon fiber's stiffness in the drivetrain. It climbs two gears better than my Y-foil and tracks perfectly and is more stable than my 5500 on 45+ mph descents.

Weaknesses:
The equivalent of a full suspension adds undesirable ounces as compared with carbon. The more upright riding position may seem strange, but see what it does for your body as the miles smoothly go by.

Similar Products Used:
Trek Y-Foil with full suspension is faster on the flats and heavier on the hills. Trek 5500 is lighter on the hills with a stiffer ride. LeMond Zurich is somewhat heavier and not quite as comfortable on centuries.

Price Paid:  $2600.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
First; any ride. Second; long. Last; hilly.

Bike Setup:
58 cm; 42 bars; blades spoke wheels; Ultegra triple; 10 spd

Summary:
I've use the bike on the trainer which as you would suspect meant little. Once on the road the geometry and ride quality stood out. I've ridden some of the harshest aluminum bikes (specialized M4 Allez pro) and last year moved to a full carbon to see the diference. Carbon definitely smoothes the road out! This year I purchased the Pilot and am impressed. I've tested it on some of the worst roads around, in WI we have plenty. Instead of the harsh jolt there is a minor thud as you hit the bad spots. The geomoetry of the bike is definitely different. Since I don't race and ride extreme distance I decided to look for the best position. Again, it takes some getting used to as compared to the stretched out race geometry. The SPA shock? I don't know, it's behind me as I ride... It must work well considering the ride.

Strengths:
Ride quality, positioning,and ability to stay in the saddle 12+ hours

Weaknesses:
Mid grade seat, but most everyone has a preference anyway. (oh, buy it from trek and get the custom paint because the stock colors are just ok)

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez pro race & trial; Klein; EPX carbon