CarbonFrk

I'm interested in finding out more about the Trek 5200 USPS special edition bikes, and I'm just wondering if in 2004 this particular model is a USPS edition:



The owner claims it is, however I'm a bit leary since it looks like a project one release of the 5200 (can you do a project one of USPS?).

Thoughts?

DrPete 

After a year or so at the TdF with the 5000 series, Treks with USPS logos were a dime a dozen. I think you could even find some 1000's and 1500's with USPS (and later Discovery) paint schemes. By 2004 I don't think there was anything special about the USPS paint job.

rollin

The image in the link is small so it's hard to tell but it doesn't look like this to me:

DrPete 

Looked back for some photos, and it looks like by the 2004 TdF the team was rockin' the Madone. Here's a pic of Eki's bike:



I don't know if the guy's trying to pull a fast one or if he just fell for a line when he bought it, but that paint job would seem to be the stock, dime-a-dozen type.

DrPete 

Here we go...

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2004/archive/5200

Looks like one of the two color options for a stock 5200. Nothing special about it.

FlashUNC

As Dr. Pete said, the paint schemes became a dime-a-dozen. As far as I'm aware, there were no "special edition" paint schemes, it was merely a standard paint scheme option on the bike.

My 2000 came with the old-old style USPS paint scheme, but that was the standard paint job on it.
Which, funny aside. I was the first at the shop to buy one of the new model year 5200s with the USPS paint. When the frame arrived, couple buddies at the shop convinced one of the new employees I was on the team, and this was my team-issued frame.

The pay-off didn't come till I show up to pick it up after being built, and he starts peppering me with all these questions about the Tour, riding with George and Lance, the works.

Poor guy never lived it down as long as I went there.

ShadowGray

I never figured out the point of these "special team paints"... the only team paint I might consider would be the Jamis Xenith and that's just because it looks nice...

You're not on the team, why fly the colors?

FlashUNC

A certain kitsch factor.

Well, that and the fact the only frames available from Trek at that time were the USPS ones. Their "standard" paint schemes weren't through production yet, and I had money burning a hole in my pocket.

Ergo, USPS ahoy.

MrCrassic 

That bike is a standard 5200 with the USPS paint job. In that year, they used OCLV 110 Madones.

My friend had that bike; it's a very nice bike. If the price is right, I recommend it.

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Johnny Rad

As I recall, the bike picture that Dr.Pete posted above is an '05 Madone 5.2 that some of the USPS domestiques rode a year earlier (thus the '04 reference).

jamlo21

why are you skeptical? Those bikes are everywhere. They made 5200's with the USPS paint scheme for at least 3-4 years. The one the seller has I believe is 2004 and that year USPS and Trek couldn't agree on royalities so Trek stopped putting the USPS sticker on the 5200's half way through the year. So some have it, some don't. They are in no way "special edition"...except maybe for the fact that it was the last year you could get the USPS logo on a Trek.

If I recall, the team barely used that paint scheme for some reason.

here: https://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs...rm&03murciaSt1

CarbonFrk

Not that I care if it is USPS or not, I just wanted to make sure the seller wasn't randomly grabbing some pics off someone else and posting the bike for sale, with the potential that the ad is just a scam to get my money. Anything that rises questions on the internet deserves a little bit of due diligence, and it looks like you guys answered the question.



However, I'm curious on why they even call it the USPS edition when they deleted all stickers/indications that indicate the USPS version...

Lazyrider

I always liked that frame and the one I own. Don't ride it that much, but I just got back from an easy 40 miler on this one and it really is a great all around frame. It is the most stable handling bike I own. This one I have is without a doubt the "Postal" Trek. I was wondering if it was worth it to upgrade the group to Sram Force or Red.

Trsnrtr

Here's a pic of a 2003 Trek 5200 USPS model that my wife bought new in the Fall of 2002:

CarbonFrk

This looks like a potential match!

jamlo21

dude, how much proof do you need? doesnt sound like you should be buying from craigslist if you're so skeptical. i've seen that paint scheme a thousand times. i'm not sure trek actually called it the usps version after they got rid of the decal. in fact, i'll bet money they didn't for legal reasons. Also, project one was never available with the 5200's. only the madones.

the seller probably called it that 1) because the bike has the decal or 2) because everyone (except trek) just refers to it like that.

and there's no way you'll know if this guy is a scammer, but if he's willing to meet you in person, chances are he's not. and it wouldnt take very much to verify this as a 5200. you can just tell by the curves of the frame whether its a 5200 or the lower model AL trek. you probably could also just pick it up and tell if its CF or AL.

CarbonFrk

I'm somewhat new to the Trek line, so my skepticism lies with someone labeling a bike as USPS edition, and my brief knowledge of what a USPS bike looks like. First thought is that someone is just grabbing random pics/descriptions and trying to pull a scam. So any checking I can do helps me feel better!

slim0861

The bike in the picture you posted is a 2003 5200. Color: Blue Dusk/Bright Silver (USPS Team). Here's the link: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2003/archive/5200. Took one google search. The internet can be your friend if you use it.

Trsnrtr

Yep, looks like my wife's 2003, all right.

maple73

kleng

probably a
2001 model

2001 Trek 5200 - New and Used Bike Value

IthaDan 

Not with 6600 on it.