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Trek Madone Bikes Compared: Which One to Choose?

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In this article, I’ll help you navigate the Trek Madone aero road bikes by comparing the Madone SL 6 to SLR 9 .

You will also learn:

  • Who are they best suited for?
  • About the differences between each model and Gen 6 vs. Gen 7.
  • Why I think you shouldn’t buy Trek Madone with SRAM groupset.

Plus, I’ll tell you which model gives you the best value for your money to help make your decision easier.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Trek Madone bikes are ideal for flats and rolling terrains. They are the most aero bike family of all Trek road bikes . The models differ in components (e.g., electronic shifting or wheels) and frames. The more expensive ones are usually lighter and have a higher-grade carbon frame, but usually diminishing returns.

This article compares Trek Madone Gen 6 and 7. The main difference between Madone Gen 6 and Gen 7 is that Gen 6 has IsoSpeed decoupler, while Gen 7 has IsoFlow.

Trek Madone SL 6 vs. SL 7 vs. SLR 6 vs. SLR 7 vs. SLR 9

The following table summarizes the main differences between all Madone bikes.

Madone Pros & Cons Summary

I summarized the pros & cons of the Madone series below.

Madone Pros

  • Faster than standard road bikes thanks to the aero frame
  • Madone Gen 7 stands out from the crowd thanks to the IsoFlow
  • Racing geometry
  • Availability in multiple sizes and colors
  • Integrated cable routing
  • Lifetime warranty

Madone Cons

  • Heavier than Émonda road bikes
  • More expensive than non-aero road bikes
  • No aluminum models are available
  • Narrow tire clearance (28mm)

Madone Main Features

Let me now explain the most important features of the Trek Madone aero bikes.

Frame and Geometry

The Madone bikes are part of Trek’s road bike lineup . They’re made of carbon. No aluminum version of the Madone is available.

Trek Madone aero road bike.

The names of the bikes have abbreviations that refer to the type of carbon used for the frame:

  • SL are bikes with 500 series OCLV*  carbon (mid-range).
  • SLR are bikes with 800 series OCLV carbon (high-end).

*OCLV carbon is Trek’s patented carbon fiber process ( learn more ).

SL (Gen 6) frames are heavier than SLR (Gen 7), mainly due to the IsoSpeed vs. IsoFlow ( learn more ).

The bikes are available in many sizes (47-62) and colors. They have a relatively relaxed geometry compared to the Cervelo S5 but are almost identical to the Cannondale SystemSix.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics evaluation is a challenging discipline because it requires a lot of resources. No extensive independent database is available that compares the speed of different aero wheels.

In Trek’s whitepaper , I learned that the Madone Gen 7 is 19W faster than Gen 6 at 45 km/h.

Trek Madone view from the front.

However, it’s hard to compare it with other bikes. But it’s rumored that Madone is among the fastest aero bikes.

For instance, in Cannondale’s whitepaper , there’s a comparison of Cannondale SystemSix (one of the fastest aero bikes) with Madone 9.9. Madone was only slightly worse.

Wheels and Tires

On some Madone models, the wheels may be different, but typically, they come with Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 wheels.

Surprisingly, the front and rear wheels have the same rim depth. Other aero bike manufacturers often use deeper wheels in the rear and shallower ones in the front.

The same goes for tires. Madones come with 25mm tires in both the front and rear, but it’s common for competitors’ bikes to have 25mm tires in the front and 28mm tires in the rear.

Remember, the wheels are tubeless-ready, but the tires are clinchers.

Unsurprisingly, the Madone bikes have a 2X drivetrain, as is customary for road bikes.

Trek fits them with Shimano and SRAM groupsets, and the number in the bike name indicates the groupset.

  • Models ending with 6 use Shimano Ultegra , 105 Di2 (R7100) or SRAM Rival AXS groupsets.
  • Models ending with 7 use Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) or SRAM Force AXS groupsets.
  • Models ending with 9 use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) or SRAM Red AXS groupsets.

Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 detail on the Trek Madone Gen 7.

Interestingly, the Madones with SRAM are heavier than the Madones of the same series with the Shimano groupset. In addition, the Shimano bikes are also cheaper.

This is somewhat strange because Shimano retail prices are higher than SRAM. That’s why I recommend choosing Trek bikes with Shimano groupsets unless you prefer SRAM.

IsoSpeed vs. IsoFlow

Undoubtedly, IsoSpeed and IsoFlow have become unique features that make Madone stand out from the crowd.

The IsoSpeed decoupler aimed to improve riding comfort by absorbing road vibrations. Unfortunately, it added weight to the bike.

Trek IsoSpeed (Madone Gen 6) vs. IsoFlow (Madone Gen 7).

The 7th generation Madone took people’s breath away. IsoFlow is a significant design change from the traditional bike appearance, but it’s supposed to improve both riding comfort and aerodynamics.

On the other hand, some have expressed opinions that the change in shape from a classic triangle to a quadrilateral will inherently reduce the overall frame stiffness. Learn more in the following video.

New Trek Madone gets an Engineering Roasting

So, which Trek Madone bike is the best?

If you’re considering buying a Madone, I suggest going for a model with a Shimano groupset. They tend to be lighter and less expensive than the equivalent SRAM models.

Consider the Madone SL 6 or 7 (Gen 7) for the best value for money. You will get an adjustable cockpit (which you won’t get with SLR Gen 7), Gen 7 frame (IsoFlow), and Shimano 105 Di2 or Ultegra Di2.

The only sacrifices you make are the lower-grade carbon, higher weight, and slightly worse aerodynamics and aesthetics due to the semi-integrated cockpit.

Trek Madone FAQ

Trek Madone bikes are for pro cyclists, competitive roadies, and enthusiast cyclists who want a unique-looking but fast road bike. They are ideal for flats, rolling terrain, and fast-paced rides (races, criteriums, etc.).

The main differences between Madone Gen 6 and Gen 7 are that Gen 6 has IsoSpeed decoupler, while Gen 7 has IsoFlow. Gen 7 frames are lighter and 19W faster at 45km/h ( source ). They also look different due to the significant design change. Trek introduced SL 6 and SL 7 Gen 7 with an adjustable cockpit in August 2023. These bikes are more affordable than the SLX versions.

The main difference between Madone and Émonda is that Madone is a pure aero road bike, while Émonda is a lightweight road bike for climbing. For more detailed info, please check out my comparison of Madone vs. Émonda .

The main difference between Madone and Domane is that Madone is a pure aero road bike, while Domane is an endurance road bike with wider tire clearance, also suitable for off-road adventures. Learn more in my Madone vs. Domane comparison.

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2024 Trek Madone SL 7 profile

2024 Trek Madone SL 7 review: This is the one to get

The flagship Madone is lighter and very slightly more aero, but also more than twice as expensive.

James Huang

Second-tier models – ones that look the same, but use less-expensive materials and parts to lower the cost – typically aren’t nearly as exciting as their more premium cousins. But in the case of the Trek Madone SL vs. the Madone SLR, the difference in performance is so small – and the difference in cost so dramatic – that it’s hard not to consider the “lesser” version to be the one to get, even if you have the money for the flagship model.

The short of it: The same cutting-edge aerodynamic performance of Trek’s flagship Madone SLR, distilled into a much more affordable package. Good stuff:  Heaps lighter than before, tangibly speedy, surprisingly good ride quality, superb handling, lots of tire clearance, user-friendly two-piece cockpit, sharp lines. Bad stuff:  Polarizing IsoFlow aesthetics, poor weathersealing, narrow wheels and tires.

An aero primer

Trek went perhaps a little too far down the “aero and comfy” rabbit hole with the 6th-generation Madone, which was impressive in the wind tunnel and surprisingly comfortable to ride, but also among the heavier options in the category what with its complicated (and hefty) IsoSpeed pivoting seatmast design. With the latest iteration of the Madone launched last June, Trek supposedly improved the bike’s aerodynamic performance while also simplifying the structure, ditching IsoSpeed in favor of an even more radical-looking seat cluster configuration called IsoFlow.

In short, IsoFlow comprises a giant hole where the seat cluster would normally be. The seat tube stops just shy of its normal height, the seatstays bypass that area entirely and connect further forward on the top tube, and the semi-integrated seatmast is now cantilevered off the back of the top tube like the business end of an ice hockey stick.

2024 Trek Madone SL IsoFlow detail

Trek claims IsoFlow yields smoother airflow through that area, saves almost 150 g relative to the outgoing Madone (for the flagship SLR trim, at least), and – thanks to some clever carbon tuning in that area – also supposedly provides a better ride quality than you’d otherwise expect from such chunky frame proportions.

Trek has been one of the biggest proponents of Kamm-tail tube profiles since first using it on the Speed Concept way back in 2009, and those flat-backed shapes are very much alive and well on the latest Madone – if anything, they’re deeper than ever thanks to recent revisions in the UCI technical guidelines. The down tube, seat tube, seatstays, and fork blades are all more aggressively shaped than ever, and the head tube and cockpit areas are particularly sleek so as to keep air flowing cleanly over the carefully sculpted surfaces. 

The revised frame shape only accounts for about half of the new Madone’s claimed aerodynamic performance gains, however. The other half comes from the rider – or, more specifically, handlebars that have been radically narrowed by about 3 cm across the board in order to place the rider in a more aerodynamic position. 

Taking all of these factors together, Trek is touting some bold performance gains, saying the 7th-generation Madone frameset module (including the frame, fork, cockpit, and seatpost) is not only about 300 g lighter in total than the 6th-generation one, but also about 19 watts more efficient aerodynamically in a wind tunnel (at 45 km/h), which Trek says translates to a 60-second advantage per hour at that speed.

A single letter with small differences

All of those changes sound well and good, but keep in mind that when those announcements were made in June 2022, they only applied to the flagship Madone SLR models, whose retail prices start at US$8,000 / AU$11,800 / £7,600 / €8,200 (for a Shimano 105 Di2 build!) and top out at a whopping US$13,200 / AU$19,000 / £14,500 / €15,700 with a SRAM Red AXS groupset. More power to you if you can swing that kind of cash, but for most performance-minded riders, that’s just not in the cards. 

Trek has for years offered a less-expensive version in the Madone SL, but given how the 6th-generation Madone SLR was already overweight, the Madone SL was a veritable boat anchor. For example, a sample I tested a couple of years ago with a mid-range SRAM Force AXS wireless groupset and Bontrager’s reasonably light Aeolus Pro 51 wheels came in at a whopping 8.59 kg (18.94 lb), a tough pill to swallow, aero advantage or not.

Thankfully, the weight loss plan introduced with the Madone SLR now also carries over to the recently updated Madone SL. Despite the lower-grade carbon fiber blend here, claimed weight for a 56 cm Madone SL frame is now 1,200 g, plus 476 g for the matching fork. That’s still 208 g more than a comparable Madone SLR frameset, and hardly a featherweight given the selection of sub-800 g options now on the market, but still pretty good all things considered. If you take Trek’s aero claims at their word, those extra grams aren’t going to matter much at all against the stopwatch on most courses, and realistically speaking, the person considering a Madone these days will probably be more concerned about grams of drag.

2024 Trek Madone SL top tube and seatmast

Like with the previous Madone SL, this one again uses the exact same shape as the Madone SLR, so its aerodynamic performance should be identical, with one exception: the cockpit. The Madone SLR uses Trek’s latest one-piece carbon fiber handlebar/stem, but the Madone SL uses a more conventional two-piece setup that includes an aero-focused forged aluminum stem with a separate aero-shaped carbon fiber handlebar. And whereas the hose routing on the Madone SLR is fully internal, it’s hidden – but still largely accessible – on the Madone SL, with the brake hoses peeking out just a bit underneath the bar clamp before ducking away again into a plastic shroud bolted to the underside of the stem. 

Trek says this equates to a six-second hit to the Madone SL’s aerodynamic performance relative to the Madone SLR. Don’t worry; I’ll get to that soon enough.

2024 Trek Madone SL two-piece cockpit

Trek also says there’s a negligible difference in chassis stiffness – less than 5% – and ride quality shouldn’t take much of a hit, either. If anything, the lower grade of carbon fiber in the Madone SL might even make that bike more comfortable than the Madone SLR, not less.

Aside from the different carbon fiber blend and the two-piece cockpit, the rest of the feature list is identical, including Trek’s slightly modified T47 oversized and threaded bottom bracket shell, a built-in chain keeper, and the brand’s now-signature semi-integrated seatmast. Unlike true integrated seatposts, though, this one doesn’t have to be cut and will still squeeze into most standard travel cases, and Trek has gone to great lengths to ensure a proper rider fit. If the included proprietary seatpost doesn’t quite accommodate your position, Trek also offers a longer option – each with 65 mm of total height adjustment – and both are available in 0 mm and 20 mm offsets. Given the rather goofy component dimensions, Trek thankfully has a broad range of dedicated front and rear accessory mounts to accommodate stuff like lights and computers, too.

Both versions are also offered in eight sizes: impressive for a mainstream brand.

2024 Trek Madone SL frame geometry

Otherwise, the differences between the Madone SL and Madone SLR simply boil down to more economical build kits. 

My Madone SL 7 test sample is the nicer of the two complete Madone SL bikes Trek offers currently, and comes equipped with a complete Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12 wiredless electronic groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 carbon fiber clincher wheels wrapped with 25 mm-wide Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tires, a Trek RCS Pro forged aluminum stem, Bontrager RSL Aero carbon fiber handlebar, and a Bontrager Aeolus Comp snub-nosed saddle. 

Actual weight for my 52 cm sample is 8.01 kg (17.66 lb), without pedals or accessories, and retail price is US$6,500 / AU$10,300 / £7,500 / €8,000.

You know what feels fast? Money left over in my pocket

Having fun on a road bike largely revolves around going fast – and holy cow, is the Madone SL fun in that respect.

For however many full-blown aero road bikes I’ve ridden over the years, it’s still shocking every time I get on a particularly good one and can so immediately feel – feel! – how much faster they are. It’s startlingly easy to hit – and hold – high speeds, but it’s also tangibly easier to just casually cruise if that’s what you feel like doing that day. The beauty is that the option to go fast is always there if you want it, and even after however many years I’ve done this, that thrill never goes away.

2024 Trek Madone SL rear three-quarter view

Those huge tube sections and all that material are also put to good use in terms of chassis stiffness. It’s wonderfully responsive when you lay down the watts, and it feels every bit like the race bike it’s supposed to be. High-speed jumps are where the Madone SL excels given that aerodynamic shape, but the combination of that stiffness and the new weight loss make it a surprisingly good partner on steep climbs, too. That rigidity also feels nicely balanced from tip to tail with no section of the frame coming across as more flexible than another. The Madone SL obviously doesn’t feel as light heading uphill as something truly feathery, but sub-8 kg is still pretty darn light, and if speed is truly what you’re after, the aerodynamic benefits should more than make up the difference. 

I fully expected my test sample’s 36 cm-wide bars (at the hoods) to feel very weird – and to be fair, they did, but literally only for the first few minutes, after which I almost completely forgot about it. I did miss the additional leverage of my usual 40 cm-wide bars on particularly steep climbs, but that was about it. Consider my eyes opened.

2024 Trek Madone SL narrow handlebars with inward canted brake levers.

That the Madone SL efficiently cuts through the air and feels fast doing so shouldn’t be a big surprise. The old one was known to be very aerodynamic, and this one is supposedly a big step up from there. But a big aspect of being fast on the road is also being comfortable, and more specifically, that you are able to achieve and maintain an efficient position while also producing a lot of power.

And that’s where the Madone SL’s two-piece cockpit comes in.

One-piece cockpits may look cool, but I don’t always get along with them. Even if the bar width and stem length is correct, sometimes the bend just isn’t my favorite, or the cross-section doesn’t feel right in my hands, or the drop dimension isn’t quite there, or whatever. More often than not, I find myself having to adapt to the bar since there aren’t any other options available instead of the other way around. 

The two-piece setup on the Madone SL may be slower than the fancy (and lighter, and far more expensive) one-piece cockpit on the Madone SLR, but being able to easily adjust and tune the front end to my liking is something I find invaluable. In the case of the Madone SL, the stock bar actually worked quite well for me: an appropriately deep drop with a semi-anatomic bend, a nice flat platform behind the hoods to rest your wrists, and tops that are aero-profiled but still refreshingly comfortable to hold. 

2024 Trek Madone SL hose routing

The stem, on the other hand, was a hair too short given my shorter-legs-longer-torso proportions. On a one-piece setup – particularly one with fully internal routing – even a simple adjustment like that on an internally routed one-piece setup is literally hours of work. And while Trek may offer the fancier one-piece setup in fourteen different size combos, you still have to buy the thing (unless you go through Trek’s Project One custom program and pick the right one from the start). But on the Madone SL, it took me all of ten minutes (and many dealers would likely be willing to swap the stem for you). Oh, you also want to try lowering the stem for a bit before cutting the steerer? Just stack some totally normal round spacers on top for a bit. Brilliant. 

Such simple things shouldn’t be so refreshing, but these days, they are.

Speaking of comfort, the Madone SL rides much better than I’d expected. While the ride quality is on the firmer side, it’s very well damped and also effectively takes the edge off of bigger impacts. Tactile feedback is still superb, too, and it’s striking how well the front tire communicates grip levels through the bars without feeling harsh. And as much as I enjoyed the cushiness of the old IsoSpeed system, I have to admit that there seems to be something to Trek’s claims about how the IsoFlow mast flexes over bumps. I’m not sure what it’d feel like under someone appreciably heavier than my modest 72 kg (159 lb), or how well that sort of cantilevered arrangement will hold up over time, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t impressively comfy.

If you are after an even softer ride, don’t forget there’s room for tires with a measured width up to 33 mm – or even more if you’re willing to stomach the risk of running less than 4 mm of clearance at the chainstays.

2024 Trek Madone SL frame and fork

Handling is another bright spot, as the Madone SL feels much like every other Madone I’ve ridden over the years. The steering geometry is quick and incredibly intuitive without ever feeling twitchy or nervous. It initiates turns with but a flick of the wrists and just a little tilt of your hips, falls naturally toward the apex, and then readily snaps back upright when it comes time to rocket out of the corner, never fighting you at all along any point of the process. High-speed stability is fantastic, too, with not a hint of drama – just relax and keep it pointed where you want to go. That magical combination is something I’ve long enjoyed about the Madone, and I hope Trek never changes it.

One change I’m quite fond of, however, is the new Madone SL’s edgier aesthetic. Gone is the incongruent mix of shapes on the previous model in favor of a more cohesive assortment of mostly straight edges. I’m particularly keen on how the seatstays, down tube, top tube, and chainstays seem to form a perfect parallelogram in profile. There’s beauty in the symmetry. 

That all said, it’s hard for me to ignore some of the Madone SL’s quirks, too.

Trek has engineered a surprising amount of saddle height adjustment considering the relative stubbiness of that integrated seatmast – not to mention the fact you never need to take a hacksaw to your brand-new bike. But the gap between the seatpost and seatmast base is big and unsightly, and the exposed slots further down are begging to suck in whatever’s flying off of your rear tire. 

2024 Trek Madone SL exposed seatmast slots

Trek says that area is entirely sealed off from the rest of the frame so you theoretically shouldn’t be regularly filling your bottom bracket area with gnarly road spray. “You could drain any water that may get in there by tipping the bike upside down, and the material is carbon so there wouldn’t be any damage if water got in,” I was told. Ok, but wouldn’t it be better if it wasn’t so easy for water to get in there in the first place? And sure, the main parts are carbon fiber, but let’s not forget all of the metal hardware that fixes those pieces in place – hopefully not permanently someday. Trek has long demonstrated the ability to mold rubber bits in places like wire and hose ports, so it’s a mystery to me why the seatpost area is left so comparatively unfinished.

Speaking of sealing, just as I’ve noticed on other recent Trek road bikes, the upper headset bearing is perilously exposed to the elements. In fact, there’s enough of a gap between the headset cover and the head tube that you can very easily see the shiny (for now) silver of the upper bearing’s outer race. Trek may very well be using stainless bearings (I didn’t bother to ask), but even if so, that only applies to the races – not the bearing balls – and given the enormous cost and hassle of servicing headset bearings with fully internal routing, I want to see headset bearings be more protected, not less. 

“We’ve had a high volume of bikes in the field with this same RCS-stem compatible headset bearing cover with similar clearance to the frame for some time (Gen 4 Domane SLR and SL, for example) and have not seen an uptick in the amount of headset service reported by Trek shops,” explained Trek bike product marketing coordinator Jake Glahn.

2024 Trek Madone SL exposed headset bearing

Consider the old shop mechanic in me unconvinced.

Build kit breakdown

Trek has outfitted the Madone SL 7 with solid, no-frills component mix and I have few complaints.

I’ve extolled Shimano’s latest Ultegra Di2 12-speed wiredless groupset several times in the past already, and my opinions haven’t changed. Shift performance is superb front and rear, lever ergonomics are excellent, and the brakes are strong and mostly silent, and with superb lever feel. Riders in particularly hilly environments might want to consider adjusting the 52/36-tooth chainrings and/or the 11-30T cassette, but Shimano’s use of a long pulley cage across the board for this latest generation of Ultegra Di2 at least lessens the financial hit.

Shimano Ultegra R8100 levers

The Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 carbon wheels share the same rim profile as the higher-end Aeolus RSL 51 – just with different carbon materials – and the DT Swiss 350-based hubs aren’t quite as nice as the RSL version’s DT Swiss 240-based one, either. As such, they’re essentially a wash in terms of aerodynamics, and while the nearly 200 g weight penalty can be noticeable when sprinting or climbing, it’s not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things. 

Perhaps more questionable are the Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tires. The tires themselves are perfectly reasonable for everyday use: decent rolling resistance, reassuring grip (at least in dry conditions), seemingly good puncture protection, surprisingly comfortable ride quality. But with even top road pros moving to 28s and beyond , the choice of 25 mm-wide casings here seems a little behind-the-times, even though the actual inflated width is just a hair over 28 mm. 

Bumping up a size would enhance the ride quality even further while also improving cornering grip, and there’s certainly room in the frame and fork to spare. The reduced weight of this latest Madone SL was clearly a big story for Trek, though, and my guess is the product manager didn’t want to add any more. But another likely explanation is the shape of the Aeolus Pro 51 rim, which is currently aerodynamically optimized around that tire size. My hunch is the next generation of Aeolus wheel grows in width, at which point I’m guessing the tire size will grow as well. 

“25 mm tires are what’s fastest on our current lineup of 23 mm internal-width rims,” Glahn said. “Further, 25 mm tires on 23 mm internal-width rims are what was used in the wind tunnel testing for the Gen 7 IsoFlow Madone, and therefore contribute to the basis of our aero claims for this platform.”

Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tire mounted on Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 front wheel

As for the Bontrager finishing kit, the Aeolus Comp saddle is one of my favorites: a sort of hybrid between a Specialized Power and a Pro Stealth, mixing the overall profile of the former with the wider nose of the latter. It seems hard at first, but the high-density padding offers excellent support that arguably gets better as the hours tick by. 

I know I’ve already mentioned this, but the Bontrager RSL Aero handlebar was a pleasant surprise. The narrow width is initially jarring, but the overall shape is very comfortable, and there’s excellent wrist clearance when you’re in the drops. Kudos to Bontrager for not merely following trends and slapping a shallow drop on this thing, too. It’s an aero bar meant for performance riding, and so the 80 mm reach and 124 mm drop strike me as just about right. I do wish Bontrager had included more room in the middle for a computer mount, though. Unless you’re running something with a particularly narrow clamp, you’re stuck with some sort of stem-based computer mount.

It’s a winner for me

I haven’t always been a fan of the Madone SL in recent years. Although I loved the aerodynamic performance, it was just too darn heavy. Now that Trek has lopped so much weight off of it, though, it’s not only become much more appealing in my view, but also arguably the one to have if only for that more livable two-piece cockpit design.

If you’re on a budget, yes, there’s also the Madone SLR 6 that comes with Shimano’s new 105 Di2 wiredless electronic groupset, which would more closely align with the old “buy the best frame you can afford” mindset. The complete bike is about 250 g lighter overall than the Madone SL 7 despite the groupset being 130 g heavier, comes with the same wheels, shift quality would be virtually identical, and if the mid-compact gearing of the Madone SL 7 seems a little too tall for your liking, the 105 setup includes a friendlier 1:1 ratio for clawing your way uphill. 

But the braking performance of 105 isn’t quite as good as Ultegra, you can’t add remote shifters, and the supplemental upper buttons on Ultegra and Dura-Ace that are so handy for things like controlling your computer are missing, too. And then there’s that potential fit and comfort issue of that Madone SLR’s one-piece front end I’ve already mentioned, plus the Madone SLR 6 is still US$1,500 more expensive. 

Get the best frameset you can afford, sure. But when the second-tier one is this close, I know which one I’d be buying.

More information can be found at www.trekbikes.com .

2024 Trek Madone SL front three-quarter view

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Trek updates Madone SL models with T47 bottom bracket and new colors

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

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For those that live for speed, dependable bottom bracket performance, and love a good racing red color scheme — boy, do we have news for you. Trek announced a few updates to its world-class race machine, the Madone SL. Though the geometry, tube shapes, and general frame remain the same, one key feature receives a much-appreciated update.

Trek Madone SL 7 SRAM Force drive train

Trek seems to be swapping its long-held BB90 standard to a more widely appreciated BB-T47 bottom bracket. The update has already happened for the Domane, Boone, Crocket , Emonda , even the Madone SLR . Trek seems to be keeping with the Pressfit 92 MTB for its off-road line and have had success with less creaking and overall bearing issues.

Trek Madone SL 7 side view

Why the change?

The BB90 standard is a bottom bracket standard that the company has used for quite some time and, at its introduction, was quite inventive. The BB90 utilized every millimeter of the bottom bracket width and it sculpted directly into the frame. The idea was for a stiffer and more responsive bike overall.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

The problem was the BB90 bearings that went into the frame weren’t a press-fit, more of a “push-in by hand.” The bearings are easy to install, and if they stay silent, it’s a fantastic design. Unfortunately, these bearings would get a tiny bit of wiggle room, and the creaking would set in. The only remedy was/is a bit of Loctite and some patience. The BB90 standard is also somewhat limiting for crank spindles, not allowing for the use of 30mm spindles.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

The BB-T47 ( introduced in 2015 by Chris King ) is similar in size but offers better compatibility with larger spindle cranks and utilizes a threaded system for loading. The idea is a super-sized version of the standard BSA threaded bottom bracket that is user-friendly and easily serviceable. Most importantly, the frame and cup interface is far less susceptible to creaking.

Trek Madone SL 6 drive train Ultegra

What models receive the update?

The Trek Madone SLs that will come with the new BB-T47 bottom brackets are the SL6 – with mechanical Ultegera and the SL7, which arrives with SRAM Force eTap AXS.

Trek Madone SL 7 IsoSpeed

The Trek Madone SL6 and SL7 models come in Treks 500 Series OCLV carbon, same as the 2021 models — saving the OCLV 800 for the Madone SLR.

2022 Trek Madone SL models and pricing

Trek Madone SL 6 side view

The updated Madone SL6 comes with a full Shimano Ultegra groupset and Bontrager Carbon Aeolus Comp tubeless wheels. It features the same geometry and IsoSpeed controls of the 2021 model, adding the new BB-T47 and Trek’s new Viper Red color scheme.

  • Price: $4700
  • Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62

Trek Madone SL 7 full bike

The Madone SL7 comes eTap ready with a full SRAM Force eTap groupset — power meter included. The Deep Dark Blue bike spins on Bontrager’s new Aeolus Pro 51 tubeless wheels and Bontrager R3 tires. Like the SL6, the Madone SL7 comes with the same IsoSpeed trappings and Kammtail Virtual Foil tech as the 2021 models.

  • Price: $7000

Trek Madone SL 7 head on

Availability

The updated Trek Madone models are set to ship ASAP. We suggest checking the Trek Bikes website for real-time availability or contact your local Trek shop for updates.

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Jordan Villella is the Racing Tech Editor for BikeRumor.com, specializing in cross-country mountain, gravel, road, and cyclocross. He has written about bicycles and bike culture for over fifteen years with no signs of stopping.

Before BikeRumor, Jordan raced professionally and wrote for MTBR and the now-defunct Dirt Rag Magazine. He’s covered the World Championships, World Cups, and everything in between — where he loves to report what people are riding.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA,  Jordan coaches cyclists of all abilities with  Cycle-Smart ; you can find him racing bikes around North America and adventuring with his family.

For an inside look at his review rides follow him on Strava .

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nooner

BB-T47 nice! TREK got the memo…

None Given

What again was the gain? Weight loss for some as many power meters do not play well with the BB region….still cant figure out what was fixed (some will say frame stiffness and then offset that with a lower PSI tire or some nice opioids for their lower lumbar pain).

gregoryvanthomas

Threads can take up a certain amount of tolerance. Press fits require much greater precision. The bottom bracket maker can specify the level of interference fit they want between bearing and cup, and when it’s screwed into the frame, that won’t change. Any press fit system with bearings in the frame gives the bearing some compression with the installation into the frame, unless the fit is nearly a slip fit and then requires thread locker. The systems where the bearings are outboard try to cam out and are therefore much more prone to creaks. So-called “thread fit” bottom brackets rarely solve anything and introduce their own issues. T47 is a decent way to do it. Personally, I wish they went with a much larger, much more coarse thread so that the threads could be cut (or molded) straight into the carbon.

But why not just use BSA? Specialized (among many others) have done just that (again)

Anders

To me, using threaded bottom brackets is the bike industry being lazy, not fixing the tolerance and quality assurance problem they have in their otherwise rather expensive frames. All other industries do press fit, it’s the standard way to fit bearings. Press fit done right would work great.

For amateur mechanics sure threaded bottom brackets are easier to work with. Bikes have become much more advanced with hydraulics and internal routing etc, if you want a simple bike to work with you shouldn’t have modern high end bike at all, except for wireless derailleurs of course :-).

Brian B

Just get a Hambini bottom bracket and be done with it. I find it funny people think that carbon can be held to the same tolerances as something you could machine perfectly round, let metal of some sort.

Does Hambini offer anything for bb90? There’s no room for adjustment.

David Walker

I asked by local about the SL7 model in 58 or 60 — eta is May 2022. I suppose that can be considered ASAP.

PoorInRichfield

lol! This was going to be my comment as well… I.e., ow on earth would the bikes be “ready to ship” when no one can get a bike right now.

Oh, and as for King…if the man had not made such a perfect BB and Headset (granted, HS somewhat a copy of a Mavic)…well, they would not last -forever- and we would not keep them forever 🙂

Now, some of my other BB’s, they just go to pot after a few months and I have to buy new ;-I

Harry Phinney

I was selling (1″ threaded) Chris King headsets in 1981. Exactly which Mavic headset do you think he copied?

alloycowboy

This is a significant improvement over press fit bottom brackets that have to be pressed in and out which is just a pain in the derrière. The new colors are great, but Trek still needs to reduce their font size and come up with an easy recongizabe design language like Ferrari.

Brian

Wow, talk about doubling down on the logo size…

Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of like big logos on race bikes, it makes them look more like race bikes. Just like race cars have big logos and text all over.

Dinger

BSA is design and spec limiting. Can’t use larger BB spindles, loss of bb shell width for chain stay spacing, downtube width.

Seraph

BSA30 exists. Not sure what’s bigger than 30mm spindles out there.

BSA with 30 mm spindle is a compromise, as you need a special type of bearing which wears out fast due to extra small balls. So if you want 30 mm spindle, T47 is certainly better.

Yup

@Seraph Trek is so far in bed with SRAM these days that they can no longer have bottom brackets that are frankly a compromise with almost-30mm DUB.

John

So that leaves the Checkpoint as Trek’s only mainstream model still running BB90?

Santosh

Having Trek Madone SL6 with BB90.. would like to replace it with SRam Force Etap -Axs 12 speed crank, which BB is compatable

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2022 Trek Madone SL 7 eTap review: Speedy and comfy, but seriously heavy

Unusually good ride quality and the handling is brilliant, but it’s hard not to notice the heft when you point it uphill..

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Story Highlights

What it is: Trek’s second-tier aero road bike, built with a more affordable carbon blend and less integration than the flagship version.|| Frame features: OCLV 500 carbon fiber construction, truncated airfoil tube shaping, Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed “decoupler”, almost fully internal cable routing, T47 threaded bottom bracket, built-in chain watcher.|| Weight: 8.59 kg (18.94 lb), 52 cm, without pedals or accessories.|| Price: US$7,030 / AU$n/a / £6,900 / €7,400.|| Highs: Superb aerodynamics, comfy ride, excellent handling, accommodating cockpit design, threaded bottom bracket.|| Lows: So-so front-end ride, so heavy.

Aero above all else

Trek’s Madone SLR flagship aero road bike is undeniably fast and efficient when it comes to slicing through the air, but the significant amount of complication that goes into its design also results in a lot of cost. For riders that are chasing every last watt of drag — but are on more modest budgets — Trek introduced two years ago the Madone SL collection, which uses the exact same shaping, but with a less-fancy carbon fiber blend that shrinks the price tag at the expense of an additional 240 g or so of weight.

Indeed, if you were comparing on the design alone, the Madone SL is a literal carbon copy of the SLR. The deep-profile Kammtail truncated airfoil cross-sections are present and accounted for, there’s the same ultra-sleek seat cluster treatment with that no-cut integrated seatmast, an identical hourglass-profile head tube, and the same aggressively shaped fork blades. 

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Up top is the same ace-in-the-hole found on the Madone SLR, too: Trek’s incredibly effective Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed “decoupler”. While clever surfacing suggests the seatmast is all molded together with the rest of the frame, it’s actually an L-shaped piece with the base extending underneath the top tube, and an aluminum axle and two cartridge bearings at the seat cluster. As a result, that seatmast can pivot rearward on rough roads far more than appearances would suggest, with the lower section of that “L” acting as a leaf spring. 

Even better, a hidden slider between the base of that “L” and the top tube also allows you to fine-tune the spring rate to your liking.

In addition to the different fiber blend, Trek reduces costs further by using a standard stem and headset on the Madone SL as compared to the more heavily integrated two-piece carbon fiber cockpit on the Madone SLR. Cable routing is still fully internal with lines entering the frame through a proprietary upper headset cover, though, and down below is a slightly tweaked version of the T47 oversized threaded bottom bracket standard. 

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Whereas many disc-equipped aero road bikes have surprisingly generous tire clearance for narrower all-terrain tires, Trek is clear on what the Madone SL is meant to be, with room for 700×30 mm-wide rubber and not really much more. In terms of geometry, you get a notably aggressive rider position with a long reach and low stack, together with classic stage race handling and trail dimensions in the mid-to-high 50s.

Our Madone SL 7 eTap model comes outfitted with SRAM’s mid-level Force eTap AXS 2×12 wireless electronic disc-brake groupset — including a crank-based dual-sided power meter — and Bontrager’s 51 mm-deep Aeolus Pro 51 carbon clinchers wrapped with 25 mm-wide Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite clinchers. Finishing kit is sourced from the corporate parts bin, too, including a Bontrager Elite Aero VR-CF aluminum bar with flattened tops, a Bontrager Pro forged aluminum stem, and a Bontrager Aeolus Comp saddle.

Weight weenies will want to turn away for a moment as this next part will come across decidedly ugly. 

Actual weight for our 52 cm test sample is a rather hefty 8.59 kg (18.94 lb) without pedals or accessories, and yet despite that, retail price is a still-expensive US$7,000 / AU$NA / £6,900 / €7,400.

As well as other bike types can sometimes mimic the performance of a dedicated road bike, there’s simply no substitute for the sort of free speed you get out of a full-blown aero model. Despite being several years old at this point, the Madone is still one of the fastest bikes on the road. It’s a difference you can actually feel, and this second-tier Madone SL is no different.

It’s legitimately easier to hit higher speeds on the Madone SL as compared to bikes that are less aerodynamic, and easier to hold those speeds, too. It’s particularly obvious on descents, where both CyclingTips social media editor Mike Better and I noted we were going faster than usual on our everyday routes.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Further adding to that sense of speed is the frame’s superb stiffness, which perhaps should come as no surprise given all that carbon fiber and the massive tube cross-sections. The Madone SL is efficient through the air, but also efficient in terms of how the structure translates pedaling effort to the rear wheel. Even sprinting feels better than usual given the excellent front-end torsional stiffness. 

Basically, the Madone SL is all about going fast, and feels every bit of it.

Handling is also superb, and exactly what I’ve come to expect from Trek’s long-running Madone family. It’s quick to turn in and can readily change its line mid-corner, but it’s also confidently stable at very high speeds. Simply put, it just does exactly what you want it to do while on the road, all the time, every time. The traditional stage-race road geometry of course has plenty of toe overlap, but it’s not an issue in the vast majority of riding situations. 

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Ride comfort is yet another high point for the Madone SL, at least out back. That Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed thingamajig may seem like a gimmick, but it absolutely works as advertised, which is especially amazing given the depth of the seatmast. There’s tangible movement when you hit bumps, and I’d argue there’s even a handling benefit since your weight isn’t getting bounced around as much as usual on less-than-perfect pavement when attacking corners and descents. 

The motion isn’t overly bouncy, either. In fact, I found it to be quite well damped and controlled, and it’s easy to firm things up if desired by moving the slider fore and aft under the top tube. It’s literally a three-minute job, and one you could do roadside with a multi-tool.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

One downside of the Madone SL’s fantastic aero efficiency, however, is its susceptibility to crosswinds. Between the deep tube profiles used throughout and the 51 mm-deep front and rear rims, both Mike Better and I noted how it was sometimes a little unnerving to ride the Madone SL in blustery conditions. Predictable handling or not, all that surface area gives the wind plenty to push on, and lighter riders should particularly take note. 

Unfortunately, the excellent ride quality out back isn’t mimicked up front. Trek doesn’t bother to include its Front IsoSpeed mechanism here, and those deep-section fork blades and the massive head tube area aren’t exactly conducive to flex on bumps. The flattened tops of the standard carbon fiber handlebar are almost certainly more forgiving than the more aggressive integrated setup of the Madone SLR, but it still makes for a very firm, and somewhat disjointed, feel. 

The Madone SL 7 eTap’s biggest performance drawback by far, however, is its weight — essentially, that there’s an awful lot of it.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Even with last year’s weight loss, the Madone SLR has never been renowned as a particularly light frameset, and this Madone SL is only heavier yet. Adding to the heft is the SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset, which — as well as it works — is anything but light. The bare weight of 8.59 kg (18.94 lb) hurts enough as is, but once you add pedals and accessories, you’re looking at around 9.5 kg (19.5 lb) for a road bike that still costs an awful lot of money.

On flat roads or moderately rolling conditions, that mass honestly isn’t incredibly noticeable; here, the bike’s superb aerodynamics will play a bigger role. But once the road turns uphill in a more significant way, it’s a different story. Both Mike and I had a hard time not feeling like the bike was dropping anchor a bit when climbing. Try as you might, there’s just no fighting gravity.

SRAM’s Force eTap AXS wireless electronic groupset may be heavy, but it’s functionally hard to fault. Overall shift performance is excellent, with smooth and reliable chain movement at both ends, and more range than we’ve historically expected from traditional road transmissions (although Shimano’s new 2×12 Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets are now roughly on par). It’s still not quite as quiet as what you can get from Shimano or Campagnolo, but SRAM’s eTap shift button actuation is the best in the business — and certainly the most progressive-thinking — and while the lever aesthetics are polarizing, the ergonomics are hard to beat. 

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

The hydraulic disc brakes are also excellent with a gentler initial grab than Shimano calipers, and arguably more user-friendly modulation, too. And kudos to Trek for specifying 160 mm rotors front and rear given the higher speeds people are likely to be hitting on this thing, along with the stock dual-sided power meter.

Similarly, the array of house-brand Bontrager stuff that fills out the rest of the spec sheet is all solid kit as well. 

Topping the list are the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 carbon clinchers, which — much like the frameset — offer virtually identical aerodynamic performance as the higher-end Aeolus RSL versions , just with more weight (and, in this case, a less-fancy hubset). Our test bike arrived with Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tubed clinchers, which aren’t necessarily our favorites in terms of outright performance, but are a good option nonetheless for everyday racing and training. Should you decide to ditch the tubes at some point, the rims are tubeless-ready and only require dedicated molded plastic rim strips and valve stems for the conversion.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Bontrager has done a particularly good job on the ancillary bits. 

The Aeolus Comp saddle is proving to be one of my favorites for its mix of all-day comfort and support, and I’m certainly a fan of the Elite Aero VR-CF bar with its semi-traditional drop bend and moderately flattened tops. Bonus points for the optional Blendr mounts that allow for clean integration of lights, computers, cameras, and other accessories on the stem and saddle. That said, despite what the name suggests, the bar is aluminum, and although the shape is excellent, it’s disappointing to not find a carbon fiber handlebar here for this kind of money.

Final thoughts

The debate over weight vs. aerodynamics has always been an interesting one when it comes to high-end road racing bikes, and one that has largely been settled. In almost all situations, aerodynamic efficiency is more meaningful than low weight when it comes to going fast. 

That said, it’s hard to ignore the emotional side of the equation when it comes to the Madone SL 7 eTap. It may very well be a super aero bike, and it may very well be faster than one that’s significantly lighter, but this is no modest increase we’re talking about here.

Whichever way you slice it, the Madone SL 7 eTap is an awfully heavy bike, particularly when you consider the price tag. It might get you where you need to go in less time, but it might not feel that swift in the process, and that’s something you’d just have to be OK with.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

So when picking an aero road bike, do you shop with your head or your heart? And do some of those other Madone-specific benefits — that excellent ride quality, in particular — mean enough to you to overlook the weight? 

That’s unfortunately something you’ll have to answer for yourself.

More information can be found at www.trekbikes.com .

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Our Field Test group bike tests are by no means paid events, but they’re still only possible with some outside support. CyclingTips would like to thank the following sponsors for this round of the Field Test:

  • Rudy Project
  • Pearl Izumi
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
  • Lead Out Gear

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\n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-stuns-strade-bianche-with-80km-solo\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tadej poga\u010dar stuns strade bianche with 80km solo on season debut\"}}\u0027>\n tadej poga\u010dar stuns strade bianche with 80km solo on season debut\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"why is everyone in san francisco freaking out about a protected bike lane","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-culture\/valencia-san-francisco-bike-lane\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-culture\/valencia-san-francisco-bike-lane\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"why is everyone in san francisco freaking out about a protected bike lane\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/urban\/urban-culture\/valencia-san-francisco-bike-lane\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"why is everyone in san francisco freaking out about a protected bike lane\"}}\u0027>\n why is everyone in san francisco freaking out about a protected bike lane\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018what the hell just happened\u2019 strade bianche peloton shocked by tadej pogacar\u2019s dominant victory","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/what-the-hell-just-happened-strade-bianche-peloton-shocked-by-tadej-pogacars-dominant-victory\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/what-the-hell-just-happened-strade-bianche-peloton-shocked-by-tadej-pogacars-dominant-victory\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018what the hell just happened\u2019 strade bianche peloton shocked by tadej pogacar\u2019s dominant victory\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/what-the-hell-just-happened-strade-bianche-peloton-shocked-by-tadej-pogacars-dominant-victory\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018what the hell just happened\u2019 strade bianche peloton shocked by tadej pogacar\u2019s dominant victory\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018what the hell just happened\u2019 strade bianche peloton shocked by tadej pogacar\u2019s dominant victory\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the inside story behind the most insane bike change in pro cycling history\u00a0","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-culture\/the-inside-story-behind-the-most-insane-bike-change-in-pro-cycling-history\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-culture\/the-inside-story-behind-the-most-insane-bike-change-in-pro-cycling-history\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the inside story behind the most insane bike change in pro cycling history\u00a0\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-culture\/the-inside-story-behind-the-most-insane-bike-change-in-pro-cycling-history\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the inside story behind the most insane bike change in pro cycling history\u00a0\"}}\u0027>\n the inside story behind the most insane bike change in pro cycling history\u00a0\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"strade bianche essentials: top favorites, maps, profiles, start lists for the \u2018white roads\u2019 classic","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianche-go-to-guide-top-favorites-maps-profiles-start-lists\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianche-go-to-guide-top-favorites-maps-profiles-start-lists\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"strade bianche essentials: top favorites, maps, profiles, start lists for the \u2018white roads\u2019 classic\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianche-go-to-guide-top-favorites-maps-profiles-start-lists\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"strade bianche essentials: top favorites, maps, profiles, start lists for the \u2018white roads\u2019 classic\"}}\u0027>\n strade bianche essentials: top favorites, maps, profiles, start lists for the \u2018white roads\u2019 classic\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018racing for the win\u2019: tadej poga\u010dar braces to blow the doors off at strade bianche","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/racing-for-the-win-tadej-pogacar-braces-to-blow-the-doors-off-at-strade-bianche\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/racing-for-the-win-tadej-pogacar-braces-to-blow-the-doors-off-at-strade-bianche\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018racing for the win\u2019: tadej poga\u010dar braces to blow the doors off at strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/racing-for-the-win-tadej-pogacar-braces-to-blow-the-doors-off-at-strade-bianche\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018racing for the win\u2019: tadej poga\u010dar braces to blow the doors off at strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018racing for the win\u2019: tadej poga\u010dar braces to blow the doors off at strade bianche\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"uci drops hammer with strict participation rules for cyclocross world cup","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/uci-drops-hammer-on-cyclocross-world-cup-with-strict-participation-rules\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/uci-drops-hammer-on-cyclocross-world-cup-with-strict-participation-rules\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"uci drops hammer with strict participation rules for cyclocross world cup\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/uci-drops-hammer-on-cyclocross-world-cup-with-strict-participation-rules\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"uci drops hammer with strict participation rules for cyclocross world cup\"}}\u0027>\n uci drops hammer with strict participation rules for cyclocross world cup\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"manx on a mission: is mark cavendish on track for record tour de france success","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/manx-on-a-mission-is-mark-cavendish-on-track-for-record-tour-de-france-success\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/manx-on-a-mission-is-mark-cavendish-on-track-for-record-tour-de-france-success\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"manx on a mission: is mark cavendish on track for record tour de france success\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/manx-on-a-mission-is-mark-cavendish-on-track-for-record-tour-de-france-success\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"manx on a mission: is mark cavendish on track for record tour de france success\"}}\u0027>\n manx on a mission: is mark cavendish on track for record tour de france success\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"cpa raises alarm bells over hookless tires, rims: \u2018one day there will be a mass crash\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cpa-raises-alarm-bells-over-hookless-tires-rims-one-day-there-will-be-a-mass-crash\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cpa-raises-alarm-bells-over-hookless-tires-rims-one-day-there-will-be-a-mass-crash\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"cpa raises alarm bells over hookless tires, rims: \u2018one day there will be a mass crash\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cpa-raises-alarm-bells-over-hookless-tires-rims-one-day-there-will-be-a-mass-crash\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"cpa raises alarm bells over hookless tires, rims: \u2018one day there will be a mass crash\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n cpa raises alarm bells over hookless tires, rims: \u2018one day there will be a mass crash\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"panaracer revamps their gravelking tire lineup, adds new x1 tread","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-panaracer-gravelking-tires\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-panaracer-gravelking-tires\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"panaracer revamps their gravelking tire lineup, adds new x1 tread\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-panaracer-gravelking-tires\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"panaracer revamps their gravelking tire lineup, adds new x1 tread\"}}\u0027>\n panaracer revamps their gravelking tire lineup, adds new x1 tread\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018the race is way harder now\u2019: strade bianche\u2019s longer, tougher route divides peloton","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianches-longer-tougher-route-sparks-debate-the-race-is-way-harder-now\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianches-longer-tougher-route-sparks-debate-the-race-is-way-harder-now\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018the race is way harder now\u2019: strade bianche\u2019s longer, tougher route divides peloton\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/strade-bianches-longer-tougher-route-sparks-debate-the-race-is-way-harder-now\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018the race is way harder now\u2019: strade bianche\u2019s longer, tougher route divides peloton\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018the race is way harder now\u2019: strade bianche\u2019s longer, tougher route divides peloton\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the big watts of \u2018opening weekend\u2019: inside the power files of the fastest ever omloop and kuurne","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/the-big-watts-of-opening-weekend-inside-the-power-files-of-the-fastest-ever-omloop-and-kuurne\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/the-big-watts-of-opening-weekend-inside-the-power-files-of-the-fastest-ever-omloop-and-kuurne\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the big watts of \u2018opening weekend\u2019: inside the power files of the fastest ever omloop and kuurne\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/the-big-watts-of-opening-weekend-inside-the-power-files-of-the-fastest-ever-omloop-and-kuurne\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the big watts of \u2018opening weekend\u2019: inside the power files of the fastest ever omloop and kuurne\"}}\u0027>\n the big watts of \u2018opening weekend\u2019: inside the power files of the fastest ever omloop and kuurne\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"neilson powless, usa\u2019s next classics king \u2018i\u2019m closing the gap to van der poel, van aert\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/neilson-powless-usas-next-classics-king\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/neilson-powless-usas-next-classics-king\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"neilson powless, usa\u2019s next classics king \u2018i\u2019m closing the gap to van der poel, van aert\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/neilson-powless-usas-next-classics-king\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"neilson powless, usa\u2019s next classics king \u2018i\u2019m closing the gap to van der poel, van aert\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n neilson powless, usa\u2019s next classics king \u2018i\u2019m closing the gap to van der poel, van aert\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"more stones, more stoke will bigger be better for the \u2018xl\u2019 strade bianche","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/will-bigger-be-better-for-the-2024-strade-bianche-xl\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/will-bigger-be-better-for-the-2024-strade-bianche-xl\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"more stones, more stoke will bigger be better for the \u2018xl\u2019 strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/will-bigger-be-better-for-the-2024-strade-bianche-xl\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"more stones, more stoke will bigger be better for the \u2018xl\u2019 strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n more stones, more stoke will bigger be better for the \u2018xl\u2019 strade bianche\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"antagonist, antithesis: how tadej poga\u010dar will wreck a visma-lease a bike rout of 2024","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/how-tadej-pogacar-will-wreck-a-visma-lease-a-bike-rout-of-2024\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/how-tadej-pogacar-will-wreck-a-visma-lease-a-bike-rout-of-2024\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"antagonist, antithesis: how tadej poga\u010dar will wreck a visma-lease a bike rout of 2024\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/how-tadej-pogacar-will-wreck-a-visma-lease-a-bike-rout-of-2024\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"antagonist, antithesis: how tadej poga\u010dar will wreck a visma-lease a bike rout of 2024\"}}\u0027>\n antagonist, antithesis: how tadej poga\u010dar will wreck a visma-lease a bike rout of 2024\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"kopecky blitzes longo borghini on siena climb for her second strade bianche","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/kopecky-blitzes-longo-borghini-on-siena-climb-for-her-second-strade-bianche\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/kopecky-blitzes-longo-borghini-on-siena-climb-for-her-second-strade-bianche\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"kopecky blitzes longo borghini on siena climb for her second strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/kopecky-blitzes-longo-borghini-on-siena-climb-for-her-second-strade-bianche\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"kopecky blitzes longo borghini on siena climb for her second strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n kopecky blitzes longo borghini on siena climb for her second strade bianche\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"5 weekend takeaways: van der poel lurking, \u2018generation remco\u2019, alarm bells for cavendish","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/5-weekend-takeaways-van-der-poel-lurking-generation-remco-rising-and-alarm-bells-for-cavendish\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/5-weekend-takeaways-van-der-poel-lurking-generation-remco-rising-and-alarm-bells-for-cavendish\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"5 weekend takeaways: van der poel lurking, \u2018generation remco\u2019, alarm bells for cavendish\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/5-weekend-takeaways-van-der-poel-lurking-generation-remco-rising-and-alarm-bells-for-cavendish\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"5 weekend takeaways: van der poel lurking, \u2018generation remco\u2019, alarm bells for cavendish\"}}\u0027>\n 5 weekend takeaways: van der poel lurking, \u2018generation remco\u2019, alarm bells for cavendish\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"wout van aert sets classics tone with victory at kuurne-brussel-kuurne","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/wout-van-aert-sets-classics-tone-with-victory-at-kuurne-brussel-kuurne\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/wout-van-aert-sets-classics-tone-with-victory-at-kuurne-brussel-kuurne\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"wout van aert sets classics tone with victory at kuurne-brussel-kuurne\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/wout-van-aert-sets-classics-tone-with-victory-at-kuurne-brussel-kuurne\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"wout van aert sets classics tone with victory at kuurne-brussel-kuurne\"}}\u0027>\n wout van aert sets classics tone with victory at kuurne-brussel-kuurne\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018it\u2019s on\u2019: poga\u010dar and pidcock\u2019s tuscan tussle at strade bianche","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/its-on-pogacar-pidcock-gravel-tuscan-tussle\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/its-on-pogacar-pidcock-gravel-tuscan-tussle\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018it\u2019s on\u2019: poga\u010dar and pidcock\u2019s tuscan tussle at strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/its-on-pogacar-pidcock-gravel-tuscan-tussle\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018it\u2019s on\u2019: poga\u010dar and pidcock\u2019s tuscan tussle at strade bianche\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018it\u2019s on\u2019: poga\u010dar and pidcock\u2019s tuscan tussle at strade bianche\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"how visma eviscerated the opening classics","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/visma-eviscerate-the-opening-classics-will-the-strategy-translate-at-flanders-and-roubaix\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/visma-eviscerate-the-opening-classics-will-the-strategy-translate-at-flanders-and-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"how visma eviscerated the opening classics\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/visma-eviscerate-the-opening-classics-will-the-strategy-translate-at-flanders-and-roubaix\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"how visma eviscerated the opening classics\"}}\u0027>\n how visma eviscerated the opening classics\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>careers >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>terms of use >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>site map manage cookie preferences privacy request healthy living.

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2024 Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 7

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

A carbon frame aero bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes. Compare the full range

Madone SL 6 Gen 7

In Stock: 58cm & 60cm

Madone SL 6 Gen 7 - 2024, 56cm

In Stock: 56cm

Biloxi Bicycle Works

Madone SL 6 Di2

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Compare the full Madone model range

4'11" – 5'3"

5'1" – 5'5"

5'3" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'9"

5'8" – 6'0"

5'10" – 6'2"

6'0" – 6'4"

6'2" – 6'5"

  • 5'11", size 56cm, Fits small

road.cc

Nov 2023 · Mat Brett

It had its idiosyncrasies – including flip-out 'Vector Wings’ in the head tube – but we wish every new bike offered as many interesting features as the Trek Madone 9 Series did back in 2015

Read Review

Oct 2023 · James Huang

The same cutting-edge aerodynamic performance of Trek’s flagship Madone SLR, distilled into a much more affordable package.

Heaps lighter than before

Tangibly speedy

Surprisingly good ride quality

Superb handling

Lots of tire clearance

User-friendly two-piece cockpit

Sharp lines.

Polarizing IsoFlow aesthetics

Poor weathersealing

Narrow wheels and tires.

Cyclist

Sep 2023 · Sam Challis

If someone wanted to encapsulate the shifting trends of race bikes over the past 20 years, there is no better

Canadian Cycling Magazine

Aug 2023 · Matt Hansen

Gen 7 model uses IsoFlow technology from SLR

Bikerumor

Trek's new Madone SL Gen 7 is set to deliver SLR performance at a (much) lower price point. So — is the Madone SLR worth the extra money?

Aug 2023 · Troy Templin

The Trek Madone SL Gen 7 now completes the line matching the more expensive SLR and offers almost the same ride quality.

BikeRadar

May 2023 · Simon von Bromley

The seventh-generation Madone is an excellent all-round performer, but it comes with a big price tag

Composed yet fast

Innovative design

Front end can run both integrated and non-integrated handlebar setups

Wide range of frame sizes

No power meter

Mid-range tyres and cheap inner tubes don’t belong on this bike

Gran Fondo Magazine

Dec 2022 · Julian Schwede

Does the new IsoFlow system of the 2023 Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap Gen 7 really rise the bar in terms of aeroynamics and comfort?

Very balanced handling at high speeds

Reduced complexity and improved aerodynamics of the IsoFlow system

Customisation options thanks to the Project One configurator

High-quality workmanship

The damping of the IsoFlow system isn’t adjustable

The Bontrager R4 tires lack grip

99 Spokes on YouTube

Last updated March 2

Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 7 review - very fast and very expensive

The latest Madone may have a hole through the seat tube but we couldn't find any in its performance

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Trek Madone SLR 7 gen 7 on a pink background

The Trek Madone is an absolute speed weapon. The deep-section tubes with the radical-looking cutout help, as does the newly designed handlebar, which is narrow and provides good wrist support for the ‘aero-hoods’ position. And then there are the 51mm deep Bontrager Aeolus Pro wheels. The handling is incredibly fast, responding to the smallest shift in weight and the tiniest tweaks of the bars, and ride quality is so impressive that it’s almost possible to overlook things like the narrow tires and ungenerous clearance - but you can’t ignore the price. If you have the budget and want a WorldTour-level race machine with exceptional handling and ride feel, this is the bike.

Super smooth ride

Light for an aero bike

Striking aesthetics

Limited adjustability

No power meter

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

  • Construction

Value and conclusion

Simon Smythe

For this latest Gen 7 version of the Madone, Trek’s aero bike, the US brand removed the IsoSpeed Decoupler of the previous Gen 6 model and left, in its place, a big hole.

OK, it’s not the crude, reductionist approach it sounds like.

The old bike’s micro-adjustable suspension system at the top tube/seat tube juncture added weight and was mostly redundant since Trek discovered most riders would ‘set and forget’.

And by radically reengineering the frame Trek claims to have saved 300g, and says the new bike is almost 20 watts faster than its predecessor, which equates to 60 seconds per hour when ridden at 45kph. It looks radical, too - always a good thing for a new bike.

In our 2023 Race Bike of the Year grouptest we awarded the Madone 'best aero bike' against competition that included the Cervélo S5, the Canyon Aeroad and the Giant Propel.

However, over $9K / £10K for an Ultegra bike has to be unchartered territory - so how does it compare overall to the best road bikes ?

Trek Madone 7 Gen 7: construction

Let’s peer a bit more closely into that hole or, to give it its real name, IsoFlow. The aerodynamic explanation for it is: “It’s a way to direct some high energy flow into a low energy region of the bike.” What that means is that the seat tube area creates a disproportionate amount of drag and the hole helps to dissipate this by adding what Trek calls a “jet of fast moving air.”

It turns out that only half of the claimed watt saving comes from the IsoFlow hole. Trek has entered the integrated cockpit wars (along with Colnago, Canyon, Cervélo et al) with a completely new and very slick-looking design but it’s neither adjustable nor V-shaped: according to Trek it saves watts by changing rider position rather than via the aerodynamic properties of the cockpit itself.

A standard 42cm bar becomes 39cm at the hoods and 42cm at the drops and there’s a backsweep so that a flat-forearms aero position on the hoods becomes very aero indeed.

There are 14 different combinations available and, since the backsweep gives the bar a shorter reach, it’s important to get the right one - if you’re like those of us who rode this bike, you’ll need a longer stem. You can change this at point of purchase at no extra cost, Trek told us, or the 1 1/8in steerer is compatible with a non-integrated stem and bar (though the frame is electronic groupset only).

The same goes for the seatmast. The cutout in the seat tube leaves less room for a long seatpost and less adjustability (around 6cm minimum to maximum) so if you are long-legged but prefer a smaller frame you may need the tall version that comes with the size 56 upwards (as I ideally would have done). There are also two offsets available.

Our size 54 with a standard short mast could only manage a maximum saddle height of 74cm and the reach felt very short with the 90mm stem cockpit it comes with.

The latest geometry is called H1.5 (halfway between the old H1 race and H2 endurance). The reduced reach combined with the shorter reach of the swept-back bar works very well for that super aero hoods position, but it does feel surprisingly short. The kamm-tailed rear of the stem is much closer to your knees than you’d expect.

The new SLR bikes are all made from Trek’s 800 OCLV carbon - from the 105-equipped SLR 6 up to the flagship SLR 9 - and are impressively light, especially compared with other aero bikes such as the Cervelo S5. Trek says this is its lightest ever disc Madone.

There’s clearance for 28mm tires max, which is tight by modern standards. This model comes with Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 tubeless-ready wheels, set up with Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite 25mm tires and inner tubes - again, surprisingly narrow.

Despite the fact that the fit wasn’t optimal - I could have done with the size up - the ride quality of the Madone is absolutely incredible. That’s the first thing that strikes you, or rather doesn’t strike you.

Aero bikes used to supply a harsher ride simply because deep, bladed tubing doesn’t flex like round tubing. This was undoubtedly the reason why Trek bolted the IsoSpeed decoupler onto the Madone two iterations ago. So you might expect that with its suspension system gone, the latest bike might have gone backwards in comfort. Not a bit of it.

It feels like a coiled carbon spring - full of potential energy and floating over bad road surfaces seemingly without any effect on its speed. And this is on 25mm tires that aren’t even the best (at this price they really ought to be).

The handling is also exactly right. The shortish 90mm stem section of the cockpit could have made it a little twitchy, but thanks to the sweeping shape I found my weight sufficiently over the front wheel in the hoods position, and steering was fast but balanced on descents and tight corners.

So it passes ‘comfortable’ and ‘fast’ with flying colors (actually Deep Smoke for this one).

At 7.5kg it’s light for an aero bike - or any disc brake bike - and it leaps up hills as if it weighs even less. I was so impressed with its performance that I kept forgetting Trek also has the Emonda climbing bike. The next Emonda has its work cut out (pun intended).

Finally, stability in crosswinds. There’s one particular gateway on my test loop where any bike not designed for big yaw angles will be gusted and the Trek was indeed blown sideways slightly - but not alarmingly considering the deep wheels and frame tubes.

This bike is incredibly good but it’s also incredibly expensive. It’s a full $1,000 / £1,000 more than the equivalent outgoing Gen 6 Madone SLR 7, and you’d have to look hard to find a more expensive Ultegra Di2-equipped bike from the other mainstream brands. 

The Canyon Aeroad CFR with Dura-Ace costs $8,999 / £8,799, while the Cervelo S5 with SRAM Force AXS costs $9,000 / £9,200. The Giant Propel Advanced SL1 also with SRAM Force costs $8,000 / £8,999.

You might also reasonably expect a power meter at this price - those three bikes all come with them - but it’s just the regular Ultegra crankset here.

So the price is stratospheric but compared with the current aero bikes I’ve ridden so far including the Colnago V4RS , Canyon Aeroad SLX , Cervelo S5, Tarmac SL7 and Pinarello Dogma F, the ride quality is superior.

  • Frame: 800 Series OCLV carbon
  • Fork: KVF carbon, tapered steerer
  • Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2
  • Wheels : Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
  • Tires : Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite 25mm
  • Cockpit: Madone integrated
  • Seatpost : Madone aero internal
  • Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Elite
  • Weight: 7.5kg
  • Contact: www.trekbikes.com

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Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.

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trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Specialized Tarmac SL6 vs SL7: Comparing weight, features, clearance and more

Is the Specialized Tarmac SL7 better than its predecessor?

Specialized Tarmac SL6 vs SL7

Final score

The Specialized Tarmac SL6 is a really good bike. In fact, many would argue that it's one of the best road bikes available. I'd happily make a bet that if you head out on your local Sunday club ride, watch your local road race, or stop at your local cyclists' cafe on a sunny day, you'll spot a Specialized Tarmac SL6, such is the wide-reaching popularity of the bike.

In fact, I personally own the Tarmac SL6. Having been provided a Tarmac Expert as a race bike in 2018, I then bought a disc-equipped S-Works Tarmac Dura-Ace Di2 at the start of 2019. It's a bike I've ridden and raced for 18 months and it's been faultless throughout. Over that time, I've made some amendments to the spec but, by and large, the bike remains factory spec. 

However last week, Specialized said farewell to its stalwart and announced the Tarmac SL7. Like many Tarmac owners I know, the pangs of new-bike-desire are beginning to show themselves but, having ridden both Tarmac new and old, is the shiny and new Tarmac SL7 actually better or is it just shiny and new?

We covered the launch of the new Specialized Tarmac extensively, and we've shared our opinions of the new bike in our Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 review , but now we're going to pit old vs new in a comparison piece to not only showcase what's different, but also how that translates to real-world riding, and equally importantly, ownership. 

Aesthetically, there's not a vast difference between the two bikes, but the SL7 sees a sprinkling of the Venge's aero lines throughout, which will undoubtedly come as Specialized looked to increase the bike's aerodynamic properties. 

Ignoring the obvious colour differences, the aesthetic of the Tarmac SL7 cockpit is undoubtedly more refined. The lack of cables at the cockpit is not only more aerodynamic but it's also a darn-sight cleaner. 

The rest is much of a muchness really, and the aesthetic preference will differ from person to person. For me, the finer details such as fork shape, seat stay junctions and the rear dropouts are better on the Tarmac SL7. 

SL6 0-1 SL7

Both bikes come with Roval wheels from the factory. The SL6 was specced with Roval CLX50, a very well-reviewed pair of carbon wheels that is included in our guide to the best road bike wheels . The newer model is fitted with the more recently launched Roval Rapide CLX wheels. 

The CLX50 wheels are 50mm deep, with an internal width of 20.7mm and external of 29.4mm. Both front and rear are alike. The Rapide CLX wheels, however, use differing rim profiles. The rear is 60mm deep, 30.7mm wide with an internal width of 21mm. The front is 51mm deep, it uses the same 21mm internal width but takes the external width up to a bonkers 35mm. The claim is that this increases crosswind stability. 

Performance-wise, when using the same setup of latex inner tubes with Turbo Cotton tyres, the Rapide CLX wheels do feel smoother and more stable. The rim profile helps the tyre inflate to a perfect roundness which makes for great cornering confidence, and the stable front wheel inspires boundary-pushing to the max. Overall, the difference is slight, but it favours the newer wheels. 

Aesthetically, this 35mm rim just looks strange, as there is a pronounced step up from the width of the tyre to the width of the rim itself. I've put approximately 1,000km of tarmac underneath the Rapide CLX wheels since their launch, with tyres ranging from 24 to 28c, and I'm only just beginning to come round to the change. 

However, the new wheelset is not tubeless compatible and that's a big downfall considering the ascendency of tubeless road tyres . While I'm personally not sold on road tubeless (I just don't puncture all that often with tubes) if you're spending circa $2,000 on a set of wheels, it'd be nice to have the choice. 

SL6 wins this one. 

SL6 1-1 SL7  

My personal Tarmac SL6 tips the scales at 140g lighter than the new model, and that's even with a few weightier additions. The CeramicSpeed OSPW is said to be around 30g heavier than stock, the 28c Turbo RapidAir tyres are around 45g heavier than 26c Turbo Cottons, and my SL6 is fitted with Shimano 105 pedals, as opposed to the Ultegra I have fitted to the SL7. If we were comparing apples to apples, the difference would be greater still. 

Of course, whether or not this actually matters is worth considering. I live in an area where the hills are steep, but short, so the majority of my riding will be done on flatter terrain. Therefore, the claimed aero improvements of the SL7 are likely to be more important - but, in a pure numbers game, the SL6 wins this one. 

  SL6 2-1 SL7

At the front, the cables on the SL6 are undoubtedly easier to access, and therefore easier to service. However, for me, the aesthetics of an integrated cockpit is markedly better.

Having swapped the brakes over from Euro to UK style, I can confidently say that running hoses through the Aerofly II handlebars isn't actually all that difficult. The only difficulty is running cables through the head tube into the frame, rather than through entry in the down tube. 

A point to the SL7. 

SL6 2-2 SL7

Bottom bracket

Switching to a threaded bottom bracket is undoubtedly the right thing for Specialized to have done with the SL7. Not only is the threaded system less prone to creaking, but it is also easier to remove and service than a press-fit system. However, the downfall on this front is that it means the venerable Specialized carbon chainset has been ditched as the wide spindle isn't compatible with the threaded system. Therefore, the Dura-Ace Di2 model shown here is now specced with Specialized's power-meter integration (using 4iiii internals) to the Dura-Ace R9100 chainset. 

Even so, the threaded bottom bracket earns the SL7 another point. 

SL6 2-3 SL7

One of the bigger updates to the SL7 was the increased depth and refinements to the shape of the seatpost. Taking heed from the Venge, the Di2 junction box has been integrated into the top section, which adds an odd shape to the top section. It's not as ugly as the old CG-R seatpost, but the old S-Works post does look better. The seatpost I have fitted on the SL6 is actually the Pave seatpost, because of the preferred 0mm setback, but aesthetically, there's no difference. 

  • Specialized Pavé seatpost review

The aerodynamic improvements and the integration of the Di2 junction box give the SL7 the edge on this one though.

SL6 2-4 SL7

Aesthetics will be the deciding factor here because we don't have any scientific testing facilities to cross-check Specialized's claims. 

The seat tubes differ in that the seat tube on the SL7 is now around 10mm further away from the rear wheel. This affects tyre clearance somewhat, but the comfort element is supposedly the more relevant factor. In a seat-of-your-pants test, the ride of the SL7 is more abrasive than the SL6, but the seat tube is only a fraction of this equation. 

This clearance isn't transforming the ride quality then, and the physical clearance isn't something I've ever craved on the SL6. I'm never going to have to squeeze a mudguard between the tyre and the seat tube, and I'm never going to take it off-road. 

Therefore, the increased gap, in my opinion, is a negative addition and I prefer the aesthetic of the SL6.

SL6 3-4 SL7

Tyre clearance

A simple test to round out this comparison. Which bike can fit the widest tyres. I've tested up to 32c tyres - because that's actually all I have in the garage at the moment. True to Specialized's claims, the Tarmac SL7 has increased clearances to around 4mm either side with 32c tyre fitted. The SL6 can fit a 32c tyre, but that free-space drops to less than 2mm and would undoubtedly risk paint rub in a real-world application.  

Specialized Tarmac SL6 3-5 Specialized Tarmac SL7  

As per the marketing spiel from Specialized, I see the Tarmac SL7 as a thoroughbred race bike. It's fast, it's light, it's aero. It's a great bike. 

However, I personally feel it has lost some of that Tarmac 'character' that many owners love to tell you about yet have a hard time explaining. I expect that after a few more months of dialling in my position and extra saddle time on the SL7, the personality that I come to expect from a Tarmac will change and, in three years time, I'll probably be writing the same thing about the SL8. 

But for now, there's still a lot to be said for the outgoing Tarmac SL6, and I'm going to keep hold of mine for a little while longer.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

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trek madone sl6 vs sl7

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Josh Croxton

As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too. 

On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium. 

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More options

Dogma F12 v Trek Madone SLR 9 v Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7

Looking for a new bike and have it narrowed down to these three. Looking for feedback before I make my final decision.

Planning on SRAM RED eTap group set - but open to suggestions

Planning on the factory wheel sets with the Madone and Tarmac. Haven’t decided on the Dogma yet but leaning toward deep (50-60) Zipp or Enve

I am a recreational rider that starting riding about 10 months ago. Currently ride a Specialized Roubaix Expert with CL50 wheels and Di2.

image

Enjoy group rides at around the 40-60 mile range. Would like to do a few local road races and be competitive but not go into it expecting to win.

:slight_smile:

FWIW I was in a similar position a while back - a fringe A/B rider with an endurance bike and deep section wheels. I bought an aero bike (Wilier Cento10Air) and it was definitely noticeably faster, but it didn’t make the fastest guy in the group by any stretch. It does make me want to get after it in training, though, and that’s been the ticket to hanging with the As (at least once group rides start again).

A tarmac is not in this category for me here but I have an sl6 and love it!

Ps. Trainerroad put me in the bracket of dropper rather than droppee…

Madone for me all day, I think it’s the best looking (hate hate hate dropped seatstays on road bikes) and the ISO speed really improves the ride quality.

First of all: which ever bike you choose will be an awesome one! Congrats!

No experience with the Tarmac og the high-end Madone, but I own the F10 with rim-brakes and it just feels different from all the other bikes I´ve ridden. My “spare” bike is a Scott Foil, and going from the Foil to the F10 feels like going from a tractor to a Porsche. I have it set up with the 404 Firecrest wheels and DI2.

Without sounding harsh, you already have a really good bike with top equipment (I assume you have as you’re running Di2). None of those bikes are ‘different’ but that might depend on where you live. The bikes you’re looking at won’t make you any faster.

Each to their own and spend your money where you see fit. If it was me and I had to pick one of the bikes you’ve listed, it would be the F12.

Get the one you think looks the best.

Personally I adore my F12d

:stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

Ps get an Orca Aero or a Factor.

Wow! Congrats on being able to get a machine like these three. Damn.

“Have something different”

None of those bikes tick that mark.

I can’t imagine you’ll be even marginally faster/slower between those bikes.

Get the best color. Have fun!

Dogma all day every day. Do a custom myway paint scheme from the Pinarello factory as well for a little extra special one of a kind.

:sunglasses:

One thing to bear in mind with the Pinarello is, that delivery time/ servicing and getting parts can be a pain in the rear end. I have made very good experiences with the other two brands, especially Spesh here. Pinarello not so much.

If I had that kind of money, I’d start with a very good bike fit and take the fitter’s advice on board about what setup I needed. i’d then look at the bikes which got closest to that. Any differences in speed between comparably equipped and priced top end bikes from the major manufacturers will be less than the difference between a really good and an average fit.

But if you want something different and beautiful…

I haven’t ridden the others, but can tell you hands down, the Madone A). Gets me excited to get out and ride the bike and B) is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It is so smooth over imperfect roads and so freaking responsive. I still, 2 years in, find myself commenting too myself out loud during a ride how amazing it is.

I’m sure you’ll love any of those, get the ones that pulls on your boas the most!

With that money on the table, how about:

  • doing a proper bike fit that has the riding-style you look at in mind (fit differs a lot for competitive race setups, endurance-riding, gran fondos)
  • try to set up your current bike so that it gets as close as possible to that fit
  • see how the fit feels, get used to it (for two months or so, this takes time)
  • choose a bike where the frame is really, really close to the ideal measures.

And on point 4: should the three bikes you mentioned not fit perfectly - why not go for something really “different” and spend the cash on a great (custom?) frame. RITTE for example, even FESTKA might be an option. If you’re seriously looking for something unique that lets you look and ride fast… I’d for sure consider custom-models and smaller brand before buying. After all, the Pinarellos, Speshs and TREKs are great bikes … but they are mass-market bikes, not really exclusive or unique. Not to say you’re not going to be happy with either of them, but I would like to make really sure the frame you buy fits you like a glove - especially considering that you’re relatively new to cycling, so your fit might change a bit when riding a lot.

trek madone sl6 vs sl7

Also CyclingTips had an article on one of their models. Just have a look:

Not saying you have to buy this one … to each their own … just want to widen your horizon a bit (assuming you weren’t looking at those bikes already).

Thank you. Extremely helpful I formation.

SL7 I absolutely love mine!!!

This ^^. I sort of said it earlier, but this spells it out. I am willing to take a bet that a perfect fit will create more speed for most people, even at the cost of 500-700g. And if you’re not at the very least at cat 1 amateur, would even a small decrease in speed be worth greater comfort? (Nb-the OP may well be a cat 1 or better; that comment was a general observation and not specifically directed at him)

I agree that my post was mostly redundant to yours, however wanted to also make the point on required adaptation for a particular fit and riding style, which will undoubtedly take afair bit of time.

The only downside for the Madone for me personally is it seems a bit heavy. I would probably go for the Emonda (not sure how much slower it is aero wise than Madone). The Madone SLR9 is 17.2lbs while Emonda SLR9 is 14.8. I think the S-Works SL7 is around 14.7lbs and the F12 is 16.8. If it were between Madone and F12 I’d go Madone for the IsoSpeed, and I think it looks better, but the SL7 seems more comparable to the Emonda on paper

I have been reading a lot of information about weight vs aero and which one equates to more speed. I keep getting pulled down the path that says aero improvements will get more speed than weight improvements (all other things equal). The hard part about the aero theory is finding a way to prove which bike increases aerodynamic efficiency the most for my particular body shape and riding style. The weight is a more simple argument because weight is easier to compare from bike to bike.

:smirk:

Several posts commented that these 3 bikes don’t qualify as “different” and that’s probably true for a lot of riders but there are different for me and where I ride. While there are a lot of Specialized and Trek bikes here, there aren’t many S-Works or SLR 9s. And I haven’t seen a Dogma on the road yet.

At the end of the day, I will probably end up making the decision based on the most scientific data - the one that I think looks the best. Ha Ha

IMAGES

  1. SERI PALING WORTHED? TREK MADONE SL7 ETAP 2022 VS TREK MADONE SL6

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

  2. รีวิว TREK Madone SL6 และ SL7 ปีใหม่ 2022 มีอะไรเปลี่ยนแปลงไปบ้าง

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

  3. Compare: 2022 Specialized Tarmac SL6 vs Tarmac SL7 Expert vs Trek

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

  4. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?!? Specialized TARMAC SL6 vs. TARMAC SL7 (PRO and S-WORKS)

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

  5. Trek Madone SL Disc 6 and 7 overview: the cheapest Madones to date

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

  6. Madone SL 7 Gen 6

    trek madone sl6 vs sl7

VIDEO

  1. BIKE CHECK: (THAT) Trek Madone SLR7

  2. 트렉 마돈 SL6 7세대 (TREK MADONE SL6 Gen7)

  3. Unboxing a New 2024 Trek Madone SLR 9 #cycling #roadbike #roadie #trek #madone

  4. 2024 NEW TREK MADONE SL 7 #트렉 #TREK #마돈SL7 #MADONESL7

  5. 2023 TREK Madone SL 7

  6. Trek Madone SLR7 P1

COMMENTS

  1. Trek Madone SL Disc 6 and 7 overview: the cheapest Madones to date

    Trek Madone SL Disc 6 and 7 overview: the cheapest Madones to date. A lower-grade carbon and handlebar-stem setup makes Trek's aero chassis more accessible than ever before.

  2. Trek Madone Bikes Compared: Which One to Choose?

    The main differences between Madone Gen 6 and Gen 7 are that Gen 6 has IsoSpeed decoupler, while Gen 7 has IsoFlow. Gen 7 frames are lighter and 19W faster at 45km/h ( source ). They also look different due to the significant design change. Trek introduced SL 6 and SL 7 Gen 7 with an adjustable cockpit in August 2023.

  3. Compare: 2021 Trek Madone SL 6 vs Madone SL 7 vs Madone SLR 7

    Riders Also Compared. The Trek Madone SL 6, Trek Madone SL 7, and Trek Madone SLR 7 are all carbon frame aero bikes with hydraulic disc brakes. The Madone SL 6 has aluminum 700c aluminum wheels and better components, while the Madone SLR 7 has a rigid seatpost.

  4. 2024 Trek Madone SL 7 review: This is the one to get

    Otherwise, the differences between the Madone SL and Madone SLR simply boil down to more economical build kits. My Madone SL 7 test sample is the nicer of the two complete Madone SL bikes Trek offers currently, and comes equipped with a complete Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12 wiredless electronic groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 carbon fiber clincher wheels wrapped with 25 mm-wide Bontrager R3 ...

  5. Best aero road bikes: The fastest bikes money can buy

    The latest Trek Madone SLR Gen 7 bike takes a totally different tack to most aero bikes, with a seat tube that splits towards its top, leaving a large hole under the rider. Trek claims that this ...

  6. Trek updates Madone SL models with T47 bottom bracket and ...

    The Trek Madone SL6 and SL7 models come in Treks 500 Series OCLV carbon, same as the 2021 models — saving the OCLV 800 for the Madone SLR. 2022 Trek Madone SL models and pricing. Madone SL6. The updated Madone SL6 comes with a full Shimano Ultegra groupset and Bontrager Carbon Aeolus Comp tubeless wheels. It features the same geometry and ...

  7. Best aero bikes: fastest speed weapons ridden and rated

    2. Cervélo S5. Check Amazon. Best handling. The latest S5 won our Race Bike of the Year award thanks to its sublime handling and its supreme comfort, both of which help make it seriously fast ...

  8. Trek Madone range: Which model is right for you?

    Trek Madone SL6 (rim): Shimano Ultegra, £3600. Madone SLR 6 Disc: Shimano Ultegra, £5400 (£5950 with P1 paint) Madone SLR 6 (rim): Shimano Ultegra, £5500 (with P1 paint) Madone SLR 7 Disc ...

  9. Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 7 bike review: IsoFlow + burrito is a perfect

    The Ride Experience. The Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 7 is, without a doubt, a performance bike with performance geometry. While that can mean a lot of different things to different people, The SL uses the same race-oriented H1.5 geometry as the SLR. For us, it is responsive but not hyper-responsive. This makes riding in groups easy while also allowing ...

  10. 2022 Trek Madone SL 7

    The Trek Madone SL Gen 7 now completes the line matching the more expensive SLR and offers almost the same ride quality. Read Review. Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 7 review. May 2023 · Simon von Bromley. The seventh-generation Madone is an excellent all-round performer, but it comes with a big price tag.

  11. NEW Trek Madone SL 7: details, comparisons and ride impressions

    Trek's distinctive IsoFlow frame design debuted on the top-end Madone SLR aero road race bike earlier this year, and today the Madone SL 7 rolled out with th...

  12. 2022 Trek Madone SL 7 eTap review: Speedy and comfy, but ...

    Our Madone SL 7 eTap model comes outfitted with SRAM's mid-level Force eTap AXS 2×12 wireless electronic disc-brake groupset — including a crank-based dual-sided power meter — and Bontrager's 51 mm-deep Aeolus Pro 51 carbon clinchers wrapped with 25 mm-wide Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite clinchers. Finishing kit is sourced from the ...

  13. 2024 Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 7

    The Trek Madone SL Gen 7 now completes the line matching the more expensive SLR and offers almost the same ride quality. Read Review. Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 7 review. May 2023 · Simon von Bromley. The seventh-generation Madone is an excellent all-round performer, but it comes with a big price tag.

  14. Madone SL 7 Gen 6

    8 Reviews / Write a Review. $5,999.99 $6,999.99. Model 5277772. Retailer prices may vary. Madone SL 7 Disc combines advanced aerodynamic performance and all-around ride quality with the blazing fast, reliable shifting of Shimano's wireless Ultegra Di2 electronic drivetrain. It's light, fast, and incredibly sleek, and it comes with aero carbon ...

  15. Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 7 review

    It's a full $1,000 / £1,000 more than the equivalent outgoing Gen 6 Madone SLR 7, and you'd have to look hard to find a more expensive Ultegra Di2-equipped bike from the other mainstream ...

  16. Trek Madone SL6 Disc review

    The Madone scoops our aero road Bike of the Year award

  17. Madone SL 7 Gen 7

    Madone SL 7 Gen 7. $6,499.99. Model 5298643. Retailer prices may vary. Madone SL 7 offers legendary speed, cutting-edge tech, and unbelievable ride quality in a 500 Series OCLV Carbon package that keeps things light and quick for fast rides and races. IsoFlow technology smooths out bumps in the pavement while lowering weight and offering an ...

  18. 2021 Domane SL6 vs SL7 : r/cycling

    2021 Domane SL6 vs SL7. The SL7 is 75% more expensive than the SL6 and I understand you get carbon wheels and an electronic drivetrain on the SL7 that you don't get on the SL6. My budget is right in between the two prices so I'm perfectly fine with getting the SL6 but I do not want to experience buyer's remorse knowing I could spend a bit more ...

  19. Madone SLR 7 Gen 6

    Madone SLR 7 Disc is intensely aero, insanely fast, and super smooth. This carbon road bike is built with our all-new 800 Series OCLV Carbon aero frame, Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed, hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather stopping power and control, and Shimano's new wireless electronic Di2 drivetrain for ultra fast precision shifting. Compare.

  20. Specialized Tarmac SL6 vs SL7: Comparing weight, features, clearance

    The SL6 can fit a 32c tyre, but that free-space drops to less than 2mm and would undoubtedly risk paint rub in a real-world application. Final score Specialized Tarmac SL6 3-5 Specialized Tarmac SL7

  21. Madone SL Gen 7 Frameset

    Madone KVF full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat mount disc, carbon dropouts, 12x100mm thru axle. Weight. 1200g - 56cm (frame-only, painted) 476g (fork-only, painted) Weight limit. This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 275 pounds (125 kg). Skewer front.

  22. Dogma F12 v Trek Madone SLR 9 v Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7

    The Madone SLR9 is 17.2lbs while Emonda SLR9 is 14.8. I think the S-Works SL7 is around 14.7lbs and the F12 is 16.8. If it were between Madone and F12 I'd go Madone for the IsoSpeed, and I think it looks better, but the SL7 seems more comparable to the Emonda on paper. 1 Like. tfcarroll February 7, 2021, 11:49pm 20.