Should I buy a Trek 5000?

Triathlon Forum
1

My wife recently bought a 2006 Trek 5000 road bike on sale. As her first “real” bike, it’s honestly more than she needed or was looking for (she’s primarily a runner and just wanted to mix things up a bit). But with an all carbon frame, Ultegra rear derailleur, carbon seatpost and fork, etc. for only $1599 she decided to go for it over the $999 aluminum/105 bike we had been looking at. It just seemed like a worthwhile step up in terms of pure components. After only a couple of weeks, I have to say it seems like it’s proving to be a pretty decent bike for the money.

So… I have a MTB and a Tri bike, but don’t have a road bike and now I find myself wishing I had my wife’s bike :wink: I’ve wanted a road bike for a long time and it just hasn’t been in the cards, but I might be able to swing $1500. Should I think about adding a Trek 5000 to my collection? Anyone have any long-term experience with this bike?

2

I bought a Trek 5000 in January of '04 and trained and raced on it exclusivley up until this year when I bout a tri bike. I also rode the Trek at IM Canada in '05 and did the job just fine. I am not a bike techie and can’t compare it to anything else, so I’m just saying the Trek, imo, is a fine bike. Also good enough as a tri bike (with aero bars) for most people.

3

Go for it. I have a 5200, it’s got to be very similar and it’s a sweet ride.

For $1599, you should be all over it!

4

It is a nice bike. You will thouroghly enjoy it. I am sure you will get a lot of responses about “better” bikes or “better bikes for the money”. I have ridden my Trek for 3 years and still get a smile on my face when I get on the saddle (maybe the seat is too high).

5

Go for it. I have a 5200, it’s got to be very similar and it’s a sweet ride.

For $1599, you should be all over it!
It is and it isn’t - the '06 5000 is what Trek calls “TCT carbon” and is made in Asia, whereas the 5200 is “OCLV 120 carbon” and made in the US. Trek introduced that frame in '06 to bring the pricepoint down and give them a carbon-framed bike in the sub-$2,000 price range like many of the other bike companies offered. The OCLV frames are well-established and whether the TCT frames are as “good” or ride the same as the OCLV frames I can’t tell you.