'05 Trek 5000 or is the 5.2 worth the extra $

I think it is worth the money to get the 5.2 now. You get the 10 Speed Ultegra and the nicer frame and fork. You'll probably end up wanting the 10 speed anyway, and there is no backward compatibility so you'd have to upgrade all or nothing. Not to mention that the availability of parts for Ultegra 9 speed had been little to none the past couple years, and that will only get worse now that they switched to 10 sp.

Go for it and spend the money. The last thing you want is to feel like you settled for the less expensive bike. My next bike will be the 5.9. I was originally going to get the 5.2 with is the same except for a couple of ounces and the fork is a little heavier but I know I would regret it after. I will probably go the whole way and get a project one too.
I guess if I really wanted to splurge I could get the Livestrong autographed bike. $10,000 is a little too ridiculous though.

Sorry, but the LiveStrong bikes were sold out even before they were built.

...this thread really captures the dilemma of those that are considering a new bike. Where is the line of settling? Typically its cost or budget that drives this decision...not unlike cars. Most of us have a drop dead upper level we will spend on a new bike. For some its $500 and for others its $5000. The 5000, 5.2 and of course heralded 5.9 are all wonderful bikes and any would certainly suit you just fine. Believe ultimately it is how much you want to spend versus which bike would be the best value as they all have their relative merits specific to their price point. If you have an unlimited budget, the choice is obvious.
George

Depends on what kind of riding you do. I upgraded from a 5200 to a 5.9 last summer and the differences in the frame designs are subtle but noticeable.

The Madone's shorter wheel base is a bit more aggressive through turns.

In a sprint the Madone is much more stable. I always noticed a bit of a bounce with the 5000 series but the Madone stays planted on the pavement in high power situations.

Depends on what kind of riding you do. I upgraded from a 5200 to a 5.9 last summer and the differences in the frame designs are subtle but noticeable.

The Madone's shorter wheel base is a bit more aggressive through turns.

In a sprint the Madone is much more stable. I always noticed a bit of a bounce with the 5000 series but the Madone stays planted on the pavement in high power situations.

If you're a casual rider and not into speed, no reason to spend the money for performance but the 5.2 has a nicer component package.

i work at a pretty major trek dealer, and the madone 5.2 does not come with ultegra 10-speed, it comes with a 9-speed ultegra, i feel that $2,600 is way too much to spend if you're only going to get a 9-speed. the 5,000 has pretty much the same drivetrain as the madone 5.2 with the exception of a 105 FD and has lower componentry. The only two road bikes that Trek carries that has the new Ultegra 10 speed would be the 2300 and the Madone 5.2 SL, at which point I think the 2300 would be much more bang for the buck.

I just ordered the 2300 and agree with the "bang for buck" statement. Considered the 5000 but seemed a strange mix of components to get the price down while still having a carbon frame. The waiting time on the 5.2 was just crazy

ahimsa said:

Sorry, but the LiveStrong bikes were sold out even before they were built.

Most were presold to LBS that will be used to get people into the shop. Make and offer they will sell it.