1999 Trek OCLV 5500 56cm US Postal Team Replica | NOS Dura-Ace 7700 | Rolf Vector Pro | Tour de France
The Bike:
This bicycle is a faithful tribute to Trek's legendary 1999 OCLV 5500, one of the most influential racing bicycles ever produced. Finished in the iconic US Postal Service team colours unique to the 1999 season, it celebrates a machine that helped define a new era of carbon fibre performance. Built as a collector's piece with meticulous attention to period detail, it is equally suited to display or to be enjoyed on the road.
The History:
The 1999 Trek 5500 OCLV US Postal is one of the most significant racing bicycles of the modern era. Developed by Trek using its pioneering OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) carbon fibre technology, it became the first production full-carbon bicycle to be ridden to overall victory in the 1999 Tour de France. The 5500 demonstrated that carbon fibre had reached the highest level of professional racing and established Trek as one of the world's leading performance bicycle manufacturers.
Technical Details & References:
This tribute build has been researched using Lance Armstrong & The 1999 Tour de France by John Wilcockson and Charles Pelkey, together with period photography, contemporary technical reports and historic reference material. The specification recreates the bicycle used during the opening week of the 1999 Tour de France. Following the first rest day, US Postal head mechanic Julian DeVries, formerly chief mechanic to Eddy Merckx and Greg LeMond, replaced the original Rolf Vector Pro wheels on many team bicycles with Mavic Ksyrium and Helium wheelsets following several crashes and wheel failures. Every effort has been made to reproduce the appearance and specification of the opening-week race bicycle as accurately as possible.
The Build:
Built around a Trek OCLV 5500 frameset, this replica features an extensive collection of New Old Stock (NOS) and Ex-Display period components. The specification centres around the legendary Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 nine-speed Groupset, complemented by an original Rolf Vector Pro wheelset and carefully selected finishing kit to recreate the look and feel of the 1999 race machine.
The Frame:
The frameset has been professionally refinished in the distinctive 1999 US Postal Service livery by one of the United Kingdom's respected artisan frame painters. The donor frame is a genuine 2000 Trek OCLV 5500, chosen for its virtually identical construction, incorporating the later 1⅛" threadless steerer adapted with a high-quality 1" quill stem conversion to faithfully reproduce the original 1999 cockpit appearance.
Size: 56cm
Seat Tube: 56cm (Centre to Top)
Top Tube: 56cm (Centre to Centre)
Groupset: NOS Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 (9-Speed)
Wheels: Ex-Display Rolf Vector Pro 700c with Cotton Open Tubulars
Seat Post: NOS Shimano Dura-Ace 7700
Saddle: Ex-Display San Marco Concor Light
Stem: NOS Cinelli 101 Quill Stem
Handlebars: NOS Cinelli Giro d'Italia with Cinelli Bar Tape
Computer: NOS Avocet Cycle Computer
Pedals: Ex-Display Shimano Dura-Ace PD-7401 (Look Compatible)
Condition:
This bicycle has been assembled using an exceptional collection of NOS and carefully preserved Ex-Display components, combined with a professionally refinished frameset completed to an outstanding standard. The overall presentation is exceptional and would satisfy the expectations of most discerning collectors. As with any hand-built tribute bicycle, prospective purchasers are encouraged to examine the photographs carefully to satisfy themselves as to the overall condition and specification.
Please note: This bicycle is a tribute build inspired by the 1999 US Postal Service team bicycle. It is not represented as an original team-issued or rider-used machine.
