Publication-Bicycling

Date-August 2004

Title-Trek 5000

Findings:

• "To appreciate the 5000, let's look at what Lance rides...and has ridden since signing with Trek in 1967. For his first two Tour wins (1999 and 2000), Armstrong used a 58 cm frame identical to that of the 5000. The next year, Lance piloted what's now the 5900 SL, which uses a slightly lighter weave of carbon fiber (110 grams per square meter instead of 120 grams). The savings in weight was a mighty slim 60 grams. Last year, Lance used the Madone which, at a weight similiar to a 5900 SL, is a whiskier more aerodynamic.
• "A frame that won two Tours and is a few gulps of water heavier than the latest and greatest? Fine by us. Frame aside, Lance wasn't riding a $2200 rig in the Tour-his bike was decked with top-of-the-line Dura Ace parts. To bring the price down, the 5000 gets dressed with a mix of Shimano's Ultegra and 105, backed by a spread of Trek's house-brand Bontrager components, including wheels. All worked without complaint, even if outclassed by the yellow-jersey winning frame."
• "Hop on the 5000 and enjoy the quiet, no-buzz ride that carbon-fiber frames--and Trek's decade-old OCLV models inparticular--are famous for. With the requisite carbon-fiber fork up front, all-dat comfort abounds, but there's still stoutness for torquing in town-line sprints. Thankfully, steering leans toward precise and stable rather than quick and twitchy-perfect for those secret, two handed victory salutes when, alone on some back road, you're playing Armstrong-Alan Cote."