Publication-Bicycling

Date-April 2001

Title-Trek 5200

Findings:

• "Tour-winning carbon fiber technology"
• "CREDENTIALS: Sub 2.5 pound frame is 100 grams lighter than last year's model, which carried Lance Armstrong to his 1999 Tour win."
• "RACY COMPONENTS: Ultegra 18-speed gives up only a small difference in weight to top-shelf Dura-ace, but save money. Rolf Vector Comp wheels add to the race-worthiness"
• "ON THE ROAD: Carbon frame has a damped feel that smooths pavement"

Publication-Bicycling

Date-November 2003

Title-MUST HAVE GEAR! 10 PRODUCTS EVERY CYCLIST NEEDS

Findings:

• WHY IT'S TOPS: " Proven, predictable and practical. But...You just might not like how carbon affects road feel."
• COMPONENT HIGHLIGHTS: " Shimano Ultegra shifters, derailleurs, bottom bracket, crank, chain, cassette, brakes; Bontrager Race Lite Wheelset, Race Lite X tires; Bontrager bar, stem, seatpost."
• Weight: 17.25 lb.
• ON THE ROAD: "This OCLV full-carbon frame is handcrafted in Trek's Waterloo Wisconsin, factory from the company's next-to-the-best 120 carbon. (Lance Armstrong's Tour de France bike is made from lighter, stiffer 110 carbon.) While many bikes in this class come with a lighter, full carbon fork, the Race Lite weighs 480 grams with its aluminum steerer tube. The payoff: It handles with the assurance of a German sports car."
• "Shimano's susper-sensible, 18 speed Ultegra component group isn't as flashy or featherweight as the new Dura Ace 20-speed kit, but it shifts just as crisply and dependably.
• "Noteworthy: 22/24 spoke Race Lite wheels. At 1,745 grams, they're about 150 grams heavier than Mavic's Ksyrium SSC SL hoops yet feel every bit as surefooted and speedy. Our testers felt they accelerated more quickly than Ksyriums, especially on climbs."
• "With a dozen years of tweaking, the 5200 frame delivers a predictable, comfortable ride. We love the punchy acceleration-every watt you invest in the pedals comes out on the pavement. Purist grumble about OCLV'S dead road feel, but over time even the stodgiest of our testers have come to love OCLV'S quiet hum."
• "OUR VERDICT: The world's most proven, predictable carbon bike does absolutely nothing wrong-and that ain't damnably faint praise."

Publication-Bicycling

Date-May 2004

Title-TREK 5200 TRIPLE $2800 {U.S.-MADE MASTERPIECE}

Findings:

• "Trek's long history of building excellent carbon road bikes, plus its five Tour victories, make this Wisconsin-based company impossible to ignore. Although it's near the bottom of Trek's carbon line, the 5200 is still stacked. The frame is available in seven sizes and comes with a full Ultegra group, a carbon seatpost and Bontrager's excellent Race Lite wheels."
• "WANT TO SPEND LESS?: The next step down is the Trek 5000, a $2000 Shimano Ultegra-and-105 equipped carbon frame."