> Does that mean thge 5900 is the best option from Trek?
>
> Anyone know how the '04 5900 compaes ridewise to the '03
> version? Specs
say
> its 1000 grams, which is same as the Orca, which I'm
> hearing may be a
little
> too light.
The new 5900 is only slightly-lighter than the '03 (mine is
an '01 which is basically unchanged from the '03). The main
advantage to the '04 is that it uses a conventional fork &
headset arrangement, so you can use a Chris King headset if
you wish. No more pressed-in lower bearing race.
The 5900 is about as "proven" a bike as you can find; I
wouldn't worry about durability, unless you intend to smash
it or have someone run into your chainstay (but such impacts
would probably wreck just about any frame, and the TDF
showed that it was possible to push 700 watts through a
single chainstay... which was *way* more than anyone thought
could be done).
Most high-end bike frames have a very short sales lifespan
before they become yesterday's news and get tossed in favor
of some other "new & exciting" design. By contrast, the 5900
is the result of continuous refinement over the past 13
years. The bugs were worked out many years ago!
> My one problem w/ Calfee is I want to give thebusiness to
> my LBS. They're great guys and I'm loyal. Problem is they
> only have Trek, Orbea and Felt. Any other thoughts?
One of the reasons shops don't carry every line in the world
is that they're comfortable with how a particular brand
handles problems & warranties. TREK is known to be one of
the very best in that regard, and that's a very comforting
thing when selling high-end bikes. That's not to say that
Calfee isn't excellent as well, but I have no direct
experience with them.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com