Road Cycling - Tested Litespeed Freinze & a 5200; 5200 won

The bike bug bit me tonight and just had to come on and tell about it. Took a ride on the new Litespeed Frienze and Trek's 5200. I realy like the looks of the Litespeed and that it was ti. It rode smooth and took the bumps well, then I threw It into some tight corners; I was disappointed :mad: . Took the 5200 for the same ride and was supprised how stiff it really is after reading about how carbon is dead. Not! and couldn't believe how it cornered; that's what sold me. And I really wanted the Litespeed to win :mad: . I felt like as if I knew the 5200 as if Id spent many miles on it.
Had no idea a bike could feel so 'right'. I had the LBS swap out the Bontrager Race Lite wheels for Ksyrium Elite instead. Bad choice? I no nothing of Bontrager stuff, only know my last set of Kysrium's went to hell and back, were fast and are still true. So now ishe's sitting right here watching my type. Got the 'nude carbon / clear coat. Got a real good feeling about this bike already. :)

You sound happy, hope to see you out there!

[QUOTE=ClevelandGuy]And I really wanted the Litespeed to win :mad: . I felt like as if I knew the 5200 as if Id spent many miles on it.


Similar story here. Have mountian biked for 15 years, just getting into roadbiking, as I have put about 3000 miles on slicks on my mtb during commutes and some weekend asphalt rides. I decided it was roadbike time, looked at Firenze, Cannondale R1000, Trek 5000, Specialized Roubaix, Serotta Fierte. Spent at least 45 mintues on each bike over a couple weekends, reviewed posts etc- tried to learn all I could. I really thought alot of the Firenze going in- I was definately biased - liked the diea of Ti for 200 lb guy- but in the end I the 5000 "spoke to me". Don't really know what the means, but it felt right. After the LBS had a problem with 5000 availabiltiy, they made me an offer I could not refuse on a 5200- and now I am loving it. I know the 5200 is "run of the mill" for many, but you cant walk away from a good fit and feel.

The bike bug bit me tonight and just had to come on and
...
the 'nude carbon / clear coat. Got a real good feeling about this bike already. :)

Congrats on your selection. Don't let the fact that Trek is so popular bother you one bit. If it's right, it's right.

When I lived in Cleveland back in the early 90's I rode with a group called Square Wheels. Do you know if they're still around?

-mark

Congrats on your selection. Don't let the fact that Trek is so popular bother you one bit. If it's right, it's right.

When I lived in Cleveland back in the early 90's I rode with a group called Square Wheels. Do you know if they're still around?

-mark


Cant say Ive heard of them. Sounds like the name is a reflection of its memebers possibly? As far as the Trek stigma,It bothers me; never EVER thought Id be on a bike made by 'them'. But one ride and I see why so many others own them.

During all of my test riding only two bikes sang to me. The Trek 5200 and the Litespeed Firenze. The Firenze won out for me. How could you loose choosing between those two? The Firenze is quite a bit less $$$ though.

For what it's worth, Iv'e got Bontrager race wheels on my bike and I think they are great.

Cornering would be very low on my list of what i'm looking at for a bike since i dont race. Do you speed around corner enough so that made your choice? If you dont know anything about bontrager maybe a little research before you switched but the mavics are great.Both are really nice bikes.Was'nt the trek a bit more?

Wheel selection is also a major factor in the way these bikes feel and handle.

Cornering would be very low on my list of what i'm looking at for a bike since i dont race. Do you speed around corner enough so that made your choice? If you dont know anything about bontrager maybe a little research before you switched but the mavics are great.Both are really nice bikes.Was'nt the trek a bit more?

The Trek cost about 500 more, but cost wasn't a major issue. I really have no idea how any particular brand of wheels affects ride qualities, never had an opportunity to switch wheels with any particular bike and compare, maybe others could better answer that one for me. Just know from before Mavic seemed almost indestructible, and the rest is just hear say to me because I never had anything for comparison. :)

Cornering would be very low on my list of what i'm looking at for a bike since i dont race. Do you speed around corner enough so that made your choice? If you dont know anything about bontrager maybe a little research before you switched but the mavics are great.Both are really nice bikes.Was'nt the trek a bit more?


Oh almost forgot, about the corners? yeah I'm a speed freek... :D

ClevelandGuy,

You picked one fine ride. I can't see why people get in a twist because there are a lot of them out there. It seems that Trek got it right, so they are selling well. If you are happy, put down your cash and ride away with a big grin on your face.

I just sold my Merlin Extralite and bought a Trek 5500. I've had LOTS of bikes over the years and the 5500 has a better ride quality than any other bike I have ever ridden. Had I known this, I would have bought one years ago. Good choice!

Ain't love grand? :D

I have Bontrager Race Lites on my 5500. A friend loaned me his Ksyrium SSC SL's to test ride as I was considering an upgrade. At the time I was also thinking about the Elites.

My opinion - the Mavic SSC SL's are a great and better overall wheel but....I'd have to spend A LOT more - say a grand or more - to get a significant and noticeable gain in wheel performance. It's just not worth it at this time.

The Bontragers are that good.

55/Rad