runningDoc

Picked up this bike today:

From my research its a year 2000 Trek 5200 in USPS team colors. (thanks to bike_boy for the correction).

Everything was stock (Ultegra grp ect) except for the brifters which were Dura Ace
Bike specifics for everything were in BikePedia

The seller claimed that the bike was never used. In fact the bike was used as kind of "art piece" that hung on his wall for a decade. I had to check it out since it was in the NYC area.

Turns out he was telling the truth. The whole bike had only 2 scratches. He kept the original saddle in storage and used another saddle for the few times he rode the bike. The dura ace brifters were flight deck compatible and the computer still works after popping in a battery.

Pics: (Part 1)

I'm so happy it was my size (54cm).


Only non stock (from my research) thing were the Dura Ace Brifters:


The seller had clear tape protecting from cable rub for everything (even on the brakes!).
one of the two scratches


Even the chain guard sticker was spotless. There is a metal plate to protect against gear suck too.

Stock Ultegra:


apparently Rolf Vector Comp wheels don't exist anymore. I checked and the wheels are still true.

runningDoc

Part 2:
saddle was never used:


Cane Creek Headset (is this a 1 1/8"?) ICON Graphite handlebar and stem. I had an extra battery and saw that the Flight Deck Computer still works.




Here are the two scratches on the whole frame:
#1on the chainstay

#2 on the top tube near the headtube


Total weight taken with my bathroom scale: 18.3lbs (54cm sized frame).

Sorry for the picturefest. I do have some questions about the bike for any Trek Experts:

-is this a 5200? There is no actual designation on the frame so I only assumed from my interweb research.
- are the wheels clinchers or tubulars (Rolf Vector Comp)? i didn't check after re-inflating the tires (Continental Ultra).
- should i switch out the pedals (ICON Del La Sole)? are these pedals and cleats still being used today? (i'm going to buy some cleats after I figure out whats good).
- is the cane creek headset and fork 1 1/8th" or 1"? back in 1999-2000 it wasn't standardized yet right?

and lastly: I almost want to just sell this frame and just move all the parts onto something else that I'll actually ride (new italian steel/titanium/ect).... or should I just ride the hell out of this bike and ride it hard and not care. I can only assume that there might be a good market for a super clean frame like this.

Its actually my first road bike since the early 90's when I was a teen. I finally bought a commuter bike earlier this year then figured it would be nice to have a road bike (but didn't want to spend over $1000). Fortunately I didn't have to spend that much on this bike , please chime in with your opinions... thanks!

chadwebster

very nice bike, i would not strip that bike for parts, or ride it hard and not care. Take good care of it its a very nice bike and deserves it

runningDoc

true - i'll take care of it regardless.

it was actually funny schlepping this bike from the Metro North Train, to Grand Central Station, then the subway back to brooklyn. I was paranoid thinking that the commute alone would cause more scratches. I would have just rode to bike home, but I didn't have cleats and the tires were only at 60psi.

bike_boy

That's a Trek 5500; carbon frame is 2.44 lbs. (if 60 cm) and is 120 OCLV. That saddle did not come with the bike as stock. The Original Saddle was a black Selle San Marco with no Postal logo. The quick releases should have been Rolf branded ones. The Cane Creek headsets were OEM stock and i1"; however the Postal Treks I've seen had black headset ring (not sure about the spacers) The Rolf Vector Comp's are stock and clinchers. Some ICON stems were recalled; check Trek website.

Icon handlebar and stem are stock.

18+ lbs is about right, if 60 cm. I believe that's circa 1999 or 2000
I would think a 54 cm would be a tad bit lighter.

Trek 5200 models are carbon...but, do not have USPS decals.

Look at the inside of the rear dropout for serial # and other info.

bike_boy

Frame is in great shape for it's age !!

runningDoc

Thanks for the info about the recall. I'll bring it to by LBS (which has a specific link about the recall) ASAP. Thanks for the info about he headset and wheels too. Now I can order up some new tires and tubes (i figure 25c will be better for NYC riding - plus the tires are 10 years old).

bike_boy

If you rewrap the bars, you will note holes drilled into last 3-4 " of bar ends; about 16 holes per bar end.

bike_boy

You know how to operate the flight deck? Dura Ace brifters should have a rubber bump/button on inside of each hood. I believe
Ultegra and Flight Deck 105 brifters had both bumps/buttons on the inside of left brifter. IKs it a Flight Deck 6500 or 6501 or 6502 computer?

Paired spokes were kinda of an "in" thing back then. Some folks find them a pain to "true."
Rolf no longer has contract with Trek and the new Rolf Prima company will not support those wheels.

I believe the original retail price of that bike was approx. $3900
The blue US Postal saddle originally retailed for approx. $75

runningDoc

the seller showed me the bumps/buttons on the hoods, its a 6500 model. i guess if my stem is recalled the new one will be a 1 1/8" and need a shim... at least it will be a free replacement... (i hope). I read/heard the hate about paired spokes here on bike forums, it is what it is though...

bike_boy

Trek stem recall:
https://www.trekbikes.com/pdf/recalls...tem_recall.pdf

bike_boy

Flight Deck SC-6500 manual:
https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830686498.pdf

bike_boy

Trek seemed to put a bottom bracket cartridges in their bikes at that time that were one component level down from main
components. So, the BB may be a Flight Deck 105 BB.

I any event I'd have LBS repack the freehub and bottom bracket/cranks with new grease since it is 10 yrs or so old.
You can find out then, if curious, what model BB you have.

bike_boy

I edited post #5 as 5200's are Carbon; I had been thinking about the 2300 aluminum model from 2000-2001 years.

AndyK 

Very cool find! The older Shimano Ultegra stuff is so much nicer looking than their current DA, IMHO!

Are older Carbon frames more prone to crack or fail than modern ones??

ldmataya 

I would just enjoy it and ride it. There is nothing unique about the frame or components that would add any tremendous value (there are lots of 5200/5500 bikes out there). It is the fact that it is pretty much intact that makes it cool. At that time the 5200 and 5500 started with exactly the same frame, only the components and paint jobs differed. I ride and race a 2005 Trek Discovery team replica and get lots of comments on it. Apparently something is "historical" if people haven't seen an ad for it in Bicycling magazine within the past 3 months.

runningDoc

Thats a good question. I'd like to know the answer too!

Come on! this is HISTORICAL in the sense that its the tipping point that caused the epidemic FRED population explosion.

Think about it: Lance wins in 1999 - US media latches on vehemently (like a hungry piglet to its mother's teat) trek releases the USPS colors and jerseys... and the rest is "yes this is the lance armstrong bike/jersey/shoes/helmet/energy drink - I'm wearing/riding/eating" HISTORY!!!!

Chris Chicago

cool bike. really like the colors. my advice to all who post cool bikes: get somebody to take a picture of you popping a wheelie on it and post it.

ldmataya 

You are right about that phase of history. I remember about that time encountering Lance and Jan riding together very near my home! Lance on his USPS Trek and Jan on his magenta and black Pinarello. They had gained quite a bit of weight over that winter.

redxj

Just curious as to how a 10 year old carbon bike is "classic and vintage"?

stien

+1, and you'll get way more for the whole bike assuming you get everything back to stock and it's all minty.