2005 Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD vs. 2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD

[Reesha]

Hey everyone!

Well, I've got a decision to make and I'd love to hear some input. There are two bikes before me for nearly the same price. They both fit like a dream and have the same frame geometry. Here are the differences...

The Pilot 5.2 is brand new but 2 years old. It's retailing at $1999 at the store which is $1000 less than it would be were it... 2005. It's full Ultegra, OCLV Carbon frame, it's PINK and tax free.

The Pilot 5.0 is brand new this year... it's a 2007 model. The parts are a mix of Ultegra and 105. With tax if I buy from my awesome local bike shop it will be ~$2270.

Now my questions are... has technology made it far enough to make the 2007 lower-end model worth the extra money?

Has Trek drastically improved their carbon frames in the last few years?

If you've got any tips, advice or info that you can lend me before I make my final decision, I'd really appreciate it :)

[silver]

I'm no expert, but i'd say go with the 2005. i like that it's full ultegra.

What about the wheels?

[Aggie_Ama]

If I am not mistaken the current 105 is an old Ultegra, but I don't know how far back. My bike is 2007 105/Ultegra mix and shifts very smooth. DH rode it and said he finds it nearly as smooth as his 2004 Dura Ace. I can't ride his bike so I couldn't tell you if that is true. The current 105 got a good review from the guys at CyclingNews.com.

Does your awesome shop give you perks for buying from them like free tune ups? That would sway me to stick with them personally.

[susan.wells]

The Pilot 5.2 is brand new but 2 years old. It's retailing at $1999 at the store which is $1000 less than it would be were it... 2005. It's full Ultegra, OCLV Carbon frame, it's PINK and tax free.

According to the Trek archive (if it's correct) the pink is actually 2006. I'd go for the full Ultegra also. If you compare the specs the 5.2 has better components across the board. And it's PINK :p!

[silver]

OK, looked around on the internet, couldn't get a real good spec list on the 2005, but it looks like the 05 5.2 had race lite wheels and the 07 5.0 only has Race.

Looks like both are made of OCLV 120 carbon, same thing.

[silver]

Good point about the local shop....where is the 2005 being sold?

[Reesha]

The 2005 is located in NH at... well... my Dad's local shop. I haven't bought from them before, BUT it's tax free which will save me about 300 bucks in the end.

The local shop here would give me 10% of all tune ups, components and anything else I buy there really. Except maybe spandex (Blast it all).

If the former Ultegra is the new 105... is the new Ultegra the old Dura Ace? Je ne sais pas.

I feel like this is a tough one to call. Like if I got the 2005 I wouldn't be able to show my face in my LBS. They're incredibly nice so I doubt that's true, but still...

[Reesha]

Ohhh... by the way... from my shoddy Google searching I got it into my head that it was pink. I think it's really:

http://www2.trekbikes.com/Assets/Bikes/Road/Performance_Road/Pilot/Pilot_5.2_WSD/asset_upload_file93_2499.jpg

Here's the specs from Trek's archive:
Frameset
SIZES 47, 50, 54, 56cm
FRAME OCLV 120 Carbon w/OCLV VC Carbon seat stays
FORK Bontrager Satellite Plus
Wheels
WHEELS Bontrager Race Lite
TIRES Bontrager Race X Lite AC, 700x25c
Drivetrain
SHIFTERS Shimano Ultegra STI
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra T
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra
CRANKSET Shimano Ultegra 53/39/30
CASSETTE Shimano Ultegra 12-25, 10 speed
PEDALS N/A
Components
SADDLE Bontrager Race Lite WSD
SEATPOST Bontrager Race X Lite, carbon
HANDLEBARS Bontrager Race Flattop, 26.0
STEM Bontrager Race, 26.0
HEADSET Slimstack, sealed
BRAKESET Shimano long reach w/STI levers

And the new 2007 5.0:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/images/bikes_my07/medium/pilot50wsd_irisblue.jpg

Frameset
Sizes 47, 51, 54, 57cm
Frame OCLV 120 Carbon
Fork Bontrager Satellite Plus, carbon
Wheels
Wheels Bontrager Race
Tires Bontrager Race Lite, 700x23c, folding
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed w/Bontrager FIT reach adjust
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra
Crank Shimano 105 50/39/30
Cassette Shimano 105 12-25, 10 speed
Pedals n/a
Components
Saddle Bontrager Race FIT CRZ+
Seat Post Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon
Handlebars Bontrager FIT VR w/BzzzKill damper inserts, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy
Brakeset Cane Creek 3 long reach w/short reach Shimano 105 STI levers
Extras BzzzKill inserts, Bontrager Under bar padding

[Triskeliongirl]

Its a no brainer that the 2005 pilot 5.2 is the better bike AND cheaper (full ultegra and lighter wheels). Be advised the new 105 10 spd group is not better than the ultegra 10 spd group, its still a component group down. Its the older ultegra 9 that the new 105 10 is being compared to, and even them I am not sure its as good. If I were me its clear I would go with the 2005 pilot 5.2, its still brand new, and better equipped. In my experience, your LBS will appreciate your continued business for service, parts, etc. Perhaps the first time you bring it in for service, you could comment that your dad picked it up as new old stock for you as a gift, so then they would understand better him buying it from his bike shop. They would also understand that its more bike, afterall these guys are cyclists too.

[DarcyInOregon]

I have the Pilot 5.2 WSD 2007 in pink and I sure love it. Zero complaints. I've pedaled about 1700 miles on it so far this year. I got the 2007 model at the end of 2006.

The color doesn't matter. It is a good bike, no matter what color it is.

Darcy

[Reesha]

Well, color may not matter to some but for me it's icing on the cake. I'll look for fit, ride and value first but if it's an awesome color on top of it all? Sweet! I doubt I'm the only one who appreciates a cool colored bike :)

Oh and it's not my DAD's store... it's the one he lives near.

I'll think on it some more, definitely.

[Triskeliongirl]

Reesha, the 2007 only has an ultegra rear derailleur, that means the crank, brakes, brifters are all shimano 105 while the 2005 bike is 100% ultegra. Furthermore, the 2005 bike has the lighter (read faster) wheels. So, I still cannot understand why you would want to even consider paying more money for a more poorly equipped bike. If the issue is not wanting to offend your LBS, even they would understand why you need to take advantage of this opportunity (NOS equipment, 'new old stock' items are almost always a great opportunity and deal). I also understand color being a factor, but for me its a bonus, that is unless I absolutely hated the color, I would go first for fit, second for component quality. But good luck in deciding what is right for you, and please let us know what you decide, and post pictures of your actual bike! Isn't new bike shopping fun!!! -e

[Reesha]

I'll probably choose the 2005 but the guy from the shop needs to call me back which he hasn't yet. I just need to ask him a few more questions about it. Perhaps I'm a bit skittish because I'd start paying for a bike that I can't even SEE until mid June let alone ride and while I'm assured it's the same size and geometry of the new one... it still is a bit unsettling. I've been on the 5.0 test riding it twice now. I wish there were more bike shops in the area... the three around here don't have any 5.2s to try out.

[tprevost]

Its a no brainer that the 2005 pilot 5.2 is the better bike AND cheaper (full ultegra and lighter wheels). Be advised the new 105 10 spd group is not better than the ultegra 10 spd group, its still a component group down. Its the older ultegra 9 that the new 105 10 is being compared to, and even them I am not sure its as good. If I were me its clear I would go with the 2005 pilot 5.2, its still brand new, and better equipped. In my experience, your LBS will appreciate your continued business for service, parts, etc. Perhaps the first time you bring it in for service, you could comment that your dad picked it up as new old stock for you as a gift, so then they would understand better him buying it from his bike shop. They would also understand that its more bike, afterall these guys are cyclists too.

+1 ... I went for a 2005 instead of a 2006 last year for the same reasons.... my bike has ultegra/dura-ace and the new model had 105's and was more $$... it was a no-brainer as well ;)

Either way, you'll have a really nice bike ;) make sure you post pictures when you decide!! :p

[Triskeliongirl]

Perhaps I'm a bit skittish because I'd start paying for a bike that I can't even SEE until mid June let alone ride and while I'm assured it's the same size and geometry of the new one... it still is a bit unsettling.

Well you can confirm this by checking the geometry tables on the trek site. If you are having trouble finding the info., ask for the serial number and ring up trek, and they can tell you if its a 2005 or 2006, and confirm the size and if the geometry is identical to the 2007, etc. I believe that the geometry is the same for the whole line (5 vs 5.2), and that they haven't changed it between years, and if the geometry is the same, it is effectively the same bike and should feel the same to your body. You may want to note what stem size is on the one you test rode, and ask for a swap if its different, but other than a slight diff. in stem and bars (which are easily fixed) the fit should be the same. You could even the new hampshire shop to use whatever stem makes the reach identical to the 2007s in case the bars have a diff. reach.