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.
#Trek 5200 oclv carbon 120 full#
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.
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