I am thinking of going carbon with my next bike. I have been looking at the Trek 5200 and the Orbea Onix. I would like to hear anyone's opinion on these two bikes? I am currently riding a Trek 2100, so the Trek 5200 feels more familiar to me in regards to the geometry. Any thoughts?

ride a lot of bikes. It does not matter what material the bike is made of. What matters is fit and geometry. Since different bike mfgs have different philosophies you have to see what's out there. You named two good brands out of bushels of brands to choose from.

But the Orbea looks way better.

why not expand your options to other brands? giant, specialized, cervelo, pedal force...


I am thinking of going carbon with my next bike. I have been looking at the Trek 5200 and the Orbea Onix. I would like to hear anyone's opinion on these two bikes? I am currently riding a Trek 2100, so the Trek 5200 feels more familiar to me in regards to the geometry. Any thoughts?

For what it is worth, I have rode a Trek 5200 for the past 3 years and have loved it. It is very comfortable and responsive when I need it to be. I have not had bike envy once since buying it. Okay there was that one time I was looking at an $8000 Colnago but it meant nothing.

I have thought about some other brands such as Specialized. And, since I am local to Morgan Hill, CA that may not be a bad idea. I will take a look. In regards to Giant and others, they do not seem to be as supported by the local bike shops around here, and therefore I have never tried them. Any suggestions on the other brand models that are comparable to the Trek 5200 or Orbea? I agree the Orbea looks a lot better than the Trek, but I thought the Trek was slightly more comfortable. Considering I am more of a distance rider, I was leaning towards this one. But, I want to keep an open mind, so all suggestions are welcome!

Orbea

trek!

trek!

Why do you say Trek over Orbea? Just curious.....

Orbea

Other than looks, why Orbea?

For what it is worth, I have rode a Trek 5200 for the past 3 years and have loved it. It is very comfortable and responsive when I need it to be. I have not had bike envy once since buying it. Okay there was that one time I was looking at an $8000 Colnago but it meant nothing.

Good info. Let me ask you another questions since you own a 5200. Have you have any concerns over the frame? I have heard some concern over the clear coat on them in that is seems to flake off after awile. Any exprerience with that? Also, what saddle do you use with your Trek?

I have had a 5200 for the last 2 years. I love the bike, it's been very forgiving. I have lost 70 pounds while riding it. About a year ago, I had a crack in the bottom bracket, not sure how it got there or what happened. Trek replaced it fairly quickly and I am completely satisfied. I would have loved to upgrade it to a Madone. I would buy it again!

The only complaint is that I would like to have a stiffer frame, I believe that I can feel the frame flex when sprinting or climbing. Bear in mind that I am just a tad over 200.

I echo a previous post, get out and ride a lot bikes. Just don't take them around a parking lot, but see if you can get in an extended ride.

ScubaD

I have had a 5200 for the last 2 years. I love the bike, it's been very forgiving. I have lost 70 pounds while riding it. About a year ago, I had a crack in the bottom bracket, not sure how it got there or what happened. Trek replaced it fairly quickly and I am completely satisfied. I would have loved to upgrade it to a Madone. I would buy it again!

The only complaint is that I would like to have a stiffer frame, I believe that I can feel the frame flex when sprinting or climbing. Bear in mind that I am just a tad over 200.

I echo a previous post, get out and ride a lot bikes. Just don't take them around a parking lot, but see if you can get in an extended ride.

ScubaD

Good info. I definitly need to get out and see about an extended ride on at least these two. I took a look at a couple of the other brands mentioned in this thread, but they all appear to have compact frames. I am not a big fan of campact frames. I would prefre to stick with the race geometry.

as they have gotten nothing but stellar reviews (I think Bike of the year last years Bicycling Buyers Guide). Stable, good climbers and not so pedestrian as Treks.
Treks are nice bikes but they are dime a dozen.

on the other hand, buy a Merckx

Orbea gives a lot more customizing ability than Trek. You've gone though the Made To Order on orbea-usa.com? You can pick from several frame colors, Shimano or Campy drivetrains, multiple wheels, bars, stems, saddles, compact or standard crankset. With Trek, you get only Shimano and Bontrager components. But I guess that factor doesn't matter if one is a lot more comfortable for you.

Like others have said, you shouldn't limit yourself to those two brands. Go test ride different brands and models, even if you have to drive over an hour to bike shops in other cities. I ordered my blue Opal with Chorus from a place that's over an hour away from me.

IF for no other reason than ATPJUNKIE says Orbea

I am thinking of going carbon with my next bike. I have been looking at the Trek 5200 and the Orbea Onix. I would like to hear anyone's opinion on these two bikes? I am currently riding a Trek 2100, so the Trek 5200 feels more familiar to me in regards to the geometry. Any thoughts?

How much do you want to spend? You could get a full custom Calfee if you have the bucks. Think outside of the box. American made in La Selva beach, California.

Why do you say Trek over Orbea? Just curious.....

They both offer great bikes. I own a Trek now and I have ridden the 5.2 sl with the 110 oclv and I am personally impressed with the ride, I think it's a terrific all around bike. Also like the lifetime warranty and no rider weight limit for such a light frame. As far as price I dont know how much the orbea costs so I can't speak to that, the Trek is pretty expensive though.

No seriously...try to ride both as long as they'll allow.
I have a 2001 trek 5200 that needed repair for the brake stop on the top tube.
Trek sent call tags to my LBS (no shipping cost to me)
stripped all the paint
replaced the brake stop
new bottom bracket inserts
emailed me to ask what color paint I'd like
supplied me with a new all carbon staight blade fork painted to match frame
frame now has only 1 set of Trek stickers on down tube & a head badge (looks much better)
Process took about 3 weeks (it's good to have a 2nd bike)
No cost to me.
Bike looks brand new after 5 years of riding.
I guess I'm saying that they've treated me pretty well. There are a lot of Treks out on the road, but I still really enjoy ridng mine. I think it does a pretty good job of doing all things well, without making too many compromises to specialize.

Javelin Gattinara! You keep your cooky cutter bikes. I'll take something interesting and about half the price. The Ti Carbon frame is beautiful. I can get the complete bike in D.Ace for a couple thousand less than Trek or Orbea and the quality is excellent!

Javelin Gattinara! You keep your cooky cutter bikes. I'll take something interesting and about half the price. The Ti Carbon frame is beautiful. I can get the complete bike in D.Ace for a couple thousand less than Trek or Orbea and the quality is excellent!

A full D. Ace Ti/CF bike for $339.99!

I have had three Trek carbon frames over the past several years. Two were 150 OCLV carbon, the third was the 120 OCLV. I have also looked at (and still considering due to bike envy and the smokin' deals my LBS gives me!) the possibility of an Orbea Orca. I also have a Ti bike as well. Each is a great bike, and one is not clearly superior to the others. Different "feels", by not necessarily better.

Most important in your decision has been pointed out: Which bike fits you best/is most comfortable for your style of riding is the proper bike to buy. Everything else is secondary. It's hard to objectively compare two bikes (unless at the same store) simply due to secondary elements not tied to differences in geometry, like differences in wheels, tires, tire pressure, etc. Pick the bike that speaks to you, not the one that gets the most style points at the local club ride.

Both bikes you are looking at are great. A comment a riding partner made after I commented how great I thought his Giant OCR Advanced looked hit home, and really put it in perspective: "I've lost on better and won on worse."

Good luck in you quest!

I had a 5200 for over a year and now have a Specialized Roubaix Comp. For me, the Roubaix is a superior ride. Handling is more forgiving..... plus it rides smoother yet feels more lively and reponsive. Don't overlook the Roubaix or Tarmac is your search.

I have had a Trek 5500 for three years (same frame as the 5200) and have recently bought a Look 585. There is some subjective difference in the feel of the two bikes, but really the Look does not ride any better than the Trek, and the Trek even feels (to me) a little stiffer but no less comfortable. Given that the 585 is considered a state of the art bike, this says a lot about how good the Trek is. Impress people with your riding not the label on your bike.

Whoa. That's the first time I've heard someone with a Look praise OCLV like that.

Whoa. That's the first time I've heard someone with a Look praise OCLV like that.


As someone that has owned both bikes I will say that the Orbea was better for ME. It handled better for ME and had a better road feel for ME. That being siad I'd follow everyones advice and ride several bikes. It is the best policy IMO...

I just purchased a 05 onix about a week and a half ago. It was a bike on sale from last year from my lbs so I picked it up for about 400 bucks cheaper than I could touch any of the treks. I didn't get to custom build it like other on here get to do but if I did I would of easily spent another 1000 bucks. The bike feels and handles great and likes to climb. I'm a 6ft 170 lb rider and the bike doesn't flex at all for me and feels very responsive. Still getting used to it since my first bike was a Giant Ocr1 aluminum with shitty brakes. And its true there are alot of Treks out there and i'm sure there great bikes but I don't fit them as well. I really like what I have experienced so far and I have a bike that isn't so common. Thats my 10 cents. Good luck, i'm sure you'll be happy which ever bike you choose. Danny

I am thinking of going carbon with my next bike. I have been looking at the Trek 5200 and the Orbea Onix. I would like to hear anyone's opinion on these two bikes? I am currently riding a Trek 2100, so the Trek 5200 feels more familiar to me in regards to the geometry. Any thoughts?


Did you see what happened to George Hincapie today during Paris-Roubaix?...

I own both the Trek 5200 and a Orbea Orca. I believe the Onix has the same geometry as the Orca. My take is that the 5200 is a bit stiffer than the Orca. I weigh about 215 lbs. and I really notice it while climbing. Both ride very smooth but with the Orca I can feel the road more. I think the Orca is a better handling bike than the 5200 meaning you can carve the decents with more precision. These bikes have different riding dynamics but we are not talking night and day here. Which ever bike you choose either the Trek or Orbea, I think you will be happy because these bikes are wonderful to ride.

It's all about the rider. I'm in a similar situation, I'm looking to get an Orbea or possibly a Fuji or ????. This will be my 4th road bike, just take your time and weigh your options.

Did you see what happened to George Hincapie today during Paris-Roubaix?...
I'm sure we'll all keep that in mind next time we're riding 30MPH on cobblestones. :rolleyes:

They both offer great bikes. I own a Trek now and I have ridden the 5.2 sl with the 110 oclv and I am personally impressed with the ride, I think it's a terrific all around bike. Also like the lifetime warranty and no rider weight limit for such a light frame. As far as price I dont know how much the orbea costs so I can't speak to that, the Trek is pretty expensive though.
Orbea also has a lifetime warranty.

My take is that the 5200 is a bit stiffer than the Orca.
Onix is also a lot stiffer than the Orca. I've ridden both. Onix has a very good road feel and handles very nicely, but you should know that it is a lot stiffer than the Orca (but from what I hear, it's not as stiff as the Opal). For me that was good because I can really mash cranks and the Onix is the only bike I've owned that didn't have trouble with BB flex when stomping on the big ring.

Orbea gives a lot more customizing ability than Trek. You've gone though the Made To Order on orbea-usa.com? You can pick from several frame colors, Shimano or Campy drivetrains, multiple wheels, bars, stems, saddles, compact or standard crankset. With Trek, you get only Shimano and Bontrager components. But I guess that factor doesn't matter if one is a lot more comfortable for you.

Like others have said, you shouldn't limit yourself to those two brands. Go test ride different brands and models, even if you have to drive over an hour to bike shops in other cities. I ordered my blue Opal with Chorus from a place that's over an hour away from me.

Project One gives you custom paint jobs.

I still say the best deals are at some of the not so big outfits, like Trek, Obrea etc. The Javelin Assisi is a full ti frame with many race wins under its belt. I can get one of these for $1300 when I called for a best price with frame/fork/headset quote at superspokes. Just a thought.