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.

[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:



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:


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

[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 !