1999 or 2000 Trek 5200 oclv USPS?

[Woodwiz]

I found a Trek 5200 (ultegra) usps road bike used on CL. It was in very good condition. for a 21yr. old bike. I’m having somewhat of a hard time decoding the serial#WTUJ015623S
It is thought to be a 2000, but could be a 1999. Trek should know! This bike is a 58cm. and has this little tang attached under the top tube at the front where the rear brake cable guide is located and it appears to have a threaded hole in it. Someone on another forum thought that those postal Trek bikes were not sold retail and their may be the possibility that it was actually a Usps team bike that was ridden at the tours or on top of the team cars if at all. Anyone have any opinions of facts on whether this could be,please let me know so I can put it to bed.

 

[biggs682]

Have you contacted Trek ?
There's a website for older models that's got lots of info on .
With that plate hanger sure makes you wonder.

 

[Woodwiz]

Talked with Josh at Trek yesterday and he said that those Usps bikes with that tang hanging down under the top tube were specifically built for the postal teams,at least in the Lance era...maybe it was ridden there or just rode around atop the team car.

 

[biggs682]

Talked with Josh at Trek yesterday and he said that those Usps bikes with that tang hanging down under the top tube were specifically built for the postal teams,at least in the Lance era...maybe it was ridden there or just rode around atop the team car.

Somebody somewhere in the team would know or you would think so
Either way it looks a nice bike

 

[DCBassman]

Remembering that they were available to the public, to special order, IIRC...

 

[BalkanExpress]

Wasn’t one one the allegations that the doping programme was part funded by selling off the spare team bikes?

Next step is to check the size against what is know the riders used, this will help limit the possibilities