The DX-5000 featured Tange Prestige tubing (on three main tubes only I believe) and a full Shimano 600 Ultegra component group. The result was a great riding, lightweight, and excellent value in a road bike. The ’88 DX-5000 used Tange Prestige tubing while the ’89 DX-6000 used Tange 1 tubing which makes the older DX-5000 arguably the “better” bicycle of the two although the difference is quite small.
It should be noted that the DX-5000 was not the best Panasonic bicycle built for 1988 even though it was the top DX model that year. The Team America, and Team Time Trial models were all higher spec bikes than the DX 5000.
1988 Panasonic DX-5000 Factory Specifications
- List Price: $750 USD
- Frame: Tange Prestige Cr-Mo double butted tube, lostwax seat lug, forged ends and sealed bottom bracket set.
- Fork: Tange Cr-Mo blades, C-2 crown, forged ends and Shimano 600 Ultegra sealed head set.
- Handlebar: SR CTB, Maes Alloy
- Stem: SR CT Alloy
- Saddle: Selle Italia Mundialita with Sugino SP-KCL 230mm long micro adjusting seat post.
- Crankset: Shimano 600 Ultegra Biopace 53/42T
- Freewheel: Shimano 600 Ultegra 7-speed 12-21T, cassette type.
- Chain: Shimano 600UG silver, 1/2″x3/32″x108 links, narrow type.
- Hubs: Shimano 600 Ultegra, Freehub sealed mechanisms 32H
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano 600 Ultegra S.I.S.
- Front Derailleur: Shimano 600 Ultegra
- Shifting Lever: Shimano 600 Ultegra 7-speed S.I.S. & Light Action, brazed on down tube mounted.
- Brakes: Shimano 600 Ultegra, alloy side pull with 600 Ultegra S.L.R. aero levers.
- Rims: Ukai 20A, 700c, 32h, alloy, Super Hard Anodized
- Tires: Panaracer Tecnova 700x25c Super Extra 115PSI
- Spokes: Stainless 14G
- Pedals: Shimano 600 with reflectors
- Color: Onyx Black
Owner’s Story…
I am the original owner of the bike pictured above. The bike was purchased on July 20th, 1988 from Lakeside Cyclery in Clear Lake, Iowa. I paid $585 ($608.40 out the door with tax) for it back then.
I rode this bike a lot and took great care in trying to maintain it to the highest level. The same bike shop has looked after it all these years… even the same mechanic! The only thing that isn’t original to this bike as pictured would be the saddle (Super Turbo swapped in place of the original Mundialita), Sun Mistral wheels (Ukai were original but were replaced under a warranty/recall of sorts back in the day because they would make a clicking noise while riding), pedals are Look Competition ’88 (although I have the original 600 toe clip pedals), bar tape (obviously… original was thin yellow ribbon tape) and the tires (Panaracers were original)
