So after a year and a half of working from home; spending 3 weeks in GA and 1 week in CA, I decided I'm sick of the hotel exercise bike. I needed to have one bike at my office in CA, and one bike here at home in GA. What a great opportunity to upgrade! I looked at a few bikes, but decided on a Trek for a few reasons:

- I have a Trek 1000 which fits like a glove, the geometry is the same all the way up the line
- My Trek 1000 saved my life, I feel a lot of loyalty (see my bio for link)
- I have a friend who owns a Trek shop

So I called my friend to ask about the Trek 5000. We played the "for just a little more" game until I ordered the 2007 Madone 5.5. That was May 29th. I think it was the next day they announced the 2008s. He called to say they couldn't tell us at the time, but I was getting a 2008 all along. However, I really didn't like the new 5.5 yellow color scheme. I downgraded to 5.2. Same frame, just now I'm getting Ultraga SL.

It took them FOREVER to build the thing, but finally it's in my hands. The difference between my 1000 and this bike is just mind blowing. I can feel the weight difference leaving every red light. The stiffness while climbing and standing is awesome.

The upgrade from Sora / Tiagra to Ultegra SL is nice. I didn't mind Tiagra, it's not bad if you do your own maintenance, and the thumb shifters were kinda cool. I showed up a crit once and got a lot of attention - no one had ever seen it. But the Ultegra is very crisp. The brakes seem stronger, but that could be the "new bike" making me feel things that aren't there. In the rain the brakes are much worse, I plan on putting Koolstops on.

The front derailleur broke after 2 days (about 20 miles). The hex bolt to keep the wire tight just kinda stripped / snapped. They changed the type of bolt for the new Ultegra SL. Shimano sent out a replacement without even seeing the old one, I think this may be a common problem. I had to buy a new derailleur in the meantime, unfortunately the LBS didn't have Dura Ace in stock.

Here's a pic:



To get a few things out of the way:
- yes, it's more bike then I need. I would have been more then happy with the 1000 for the rest of my life. But I needed a 2nd road bike so why not?
- The saddle bag isn't as big as it looks in the picture, although it is a bit big. I have to carry meds.

All I have to say is that's the ugliest bike I've ever seen. I'll be happy to take it off your hands so you don't have to be embarassed to ride it.

That's a great looking ride. Nothing beats getting a new bike!

congratulations on the new bike, it looks sweet and nice. i know it will provide many enjoyable rides. one quick question, just curious on how much the bike end up costing you?

your saddle and seat bag are huge.

That is one awesome looking bike. Where do you park it and what kind of lock do you use?

BTW, that seat has to go. It looks like it belongs on a hybrid.

Thanks. I was a little nervous. What if I didn't like the looks?! I bought my house the same way, I had seen pictures from California but that was all. When I finally arrived in GA my realtor was so nervous.

Always in the garage, with a monitored home security system. My wife isn't happy that I think the garage isn't for parking "normal" cars.

That's the Serfas RX seat. I love it! Although I hear now that Bontrager can measure your sit bones to find the perfect seat for you. I might give that a try.

And I love the color! Very nice!

Yeah...that seat can't possibly be the stock seat on that bike. WTF? Without the seat and bag...it looks awesome. Congratulations!

Those are the new Race Lites with fewer spokes; mine have been great after only 1500 miles...wish they were lighter though. And the Ultegra SL looks cool too...nice.

Very nice, but the saddle is pretty stubby, your saddle bag is way too big and the reflector on it looks gay.

That's a blinky. I rode out at Pine Mountain on Saturday and it was scheduled to rain.

I stand corrected. Is that a dork disk on the rear hub?

Yeah. I'll take it off after the cables stretch a bit. The chain fell on the bottom bracket on Saturday. Real annoying, I was going up hill and I couldn't get it back on without dismounting.

Once I'm satisfied everything is perfectly tuned I'll take it off. What's funny is the Madone came with a full complement of reflectors. Front, rear, both wheels. I actually had to take the reflectors off of the bladed spokes.

edit: fell on to the bottom bracket

Potential liability if Trek doesn't include them. Actually, it may be a federal (CPSC) requirement that manufacturers include them.

Cough-Doper-Cough




J/K, sweet ride my friend. I too will be skipping the rungs of the ladder and acquire a "more than I need" bicycle this coming Spring.

My '06 madone had no reflectors...did have a plastic dork disk that was easy to snip off. And decals warning that the frame is liable to implode if crashed...removed.

Congrats, that's my dream bike. Love the color, great choice over the 5.5

+1

That looks awful, I think you'd be better off with my bike.

Congrats! Sweet Bike!

Nice ride! What size is that? I have heard that color looks really good in person, although I would have preferred the 5.5 with the Force. Surely your buddy could've "flipped" the frames for ya? Any idea on the weight? Just asking cause I was in the Trek LBS earlier and they said the 5.2 and 5's were in the 17-18lb range. Seemed higher than what I had been hearing through the rumor mill. I was riding with a guy the other day on a 5.5 Performance, 56cm, who said his weighed less than 16lbs?!

white seat...white bar tape....

Don't let the OCPenises get you down.....

....who gives a flying fart how big your bag or seat is as long as you love your bike and ride the snot out of it?

The naysayers will forever find something to say "nay" about.

your saddle is the size of asia

nay