Handmade in the USA.Drivetrain - Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic 11 speedīrakes - Shimano Ultegra R8070 hydraulic discįrame - 500 Series OCLV Carbon, KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shape, adjustable top tube IsoSpeed, invisible cable routing, control center, micro-adjust seatmast, precision water bottle placement, 3S aero chain keeper, flat mount disc, Duo Trap S compatible, 142x12mm thru axleįork - Madone KVF full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, invisible cable routing, flat mount disc, carbon dropouts, 12x100mm thru axle 110 grams of carbon fiber per square meter of OCLV creates this ultralight frame. Proven by the USPS team in the Tour de France. The lightest, fastest production frame ever made. Some parts and components may vary as dictated by team sponsorshiop and rider preferences.įRAME: OCLV 110 Carbon. *NOTE: The bike we tested is the standard issue Trek 5900, and not exactly the same in all aspects as the Team issue bike ridden by US Postal. The 5900 (also the 55) OCLV frame is pure carbon fiber, no aluminum lugs – resulting in one of the lightest frames on the market. In fact, Trek has two guys whose full-time job is to travel with US Postal as technical liasons – how’d you like that job! The bike is constantly being refined, with actual input from US Postal and Lance himself. The OCLV technology is about 9 years old, now but Trek is not about to rest on their laurels. The head tube, down tube, top tube, and seat post all become one piece of seamlessly finished carbon art. OCLV is Trek’s way of squishing out the air-pockets to reduce the VOIDS, and make the frame stronger and stiffer. The pockets are weak points in the structure. Because you’re weaving many layers together to create a shape, there are inherently some air pockets, or VOIDS that exist betweem the layers of fibers. The whole batch gets glued together, kind of like working with papier-mache.
Quick production lesson for all you non-poindexters – carbon fiber is… just that, a bunch of fibers made from carbon, that get wrapped around/ into/ onto a frame mould. “Optimal Compaction Low Void” – it’s how they combine carbon fibers and aluminum lugs to create a frame that is light, stiff, but subtle to ride. I talked with John Riley from Trek, who gave me the insider info on Trek’s patented OCLV technology. Trek makes their carbon in various grades – 150, 120, 110 – where the lower number equals higher costs to produce, but delivering lower overall weights. Of course you’d expect this in a bike that is topline, and at around $4700US, this bike definitely hangs with some elite company. There’ll be lot’s of time for riding later. Sure it’s light, lightest in the world according to Trek, and with a full bike weight under 16 pounds (size: 54cm), who’s to argue? But the finish on the joints, the curves, the depth of that paint – makes ya say “ooooh baby”! Every joint is seamless, the smooth finish begs for a coat of wax lest it become dirty, and like a fine single malt, you must first behold the beauty, savour it, appreciate the hours of craftsmanship that created it.
The Trek 5900, 2003 model, delivers everything a refined roadie expects, but also a lot more.Īesthetcially, the standout feature on this baby has got to be the frame – it’s a thing ‘o beauty. As geometries, technical and weight advantages become more standardized, it’s the details that start to make a bigger difference to satisfaction of ownership.
One of the best things about being a roadie is the level of refinement to which we can become accustomed.