trek madone 600 series oclv carbon

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Trek Madone 600 series vs. 700 series OCLV carbon

Moderator: robbosmans

Post by climbwalz » Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:31 pm --> by climbwalz on Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:31 pm

by » Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:31 pm --> by Weenie on Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:31 pm

Post by Pessin218 » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:16 pm --> by Pessin218 on Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:16 pm

As an owner of the new 6 SSL Series Madone, I have found that is a big difference in how the bike rides compared to the previous 2009 5.5 OCLV Madone I had. The bike is noticeably lighter and the ride quality is dumbfounding absurd. This is my opinion, but if you have the time to test ride a 6 series versus the other Madone series, I highly recommend it. After test riding the new 2012 5.5 Madone, the TCT 5.5 Madone, 6.2 Madone and the SSL, I was able to discern the difference in how the bikes handled the rougher roads, hills, and corners. As for the TCT vs. OCLV, I believe there is a difference in the actual material (at the molecular level) in which the carbon is made from. My point is that the new carbon technology, whether OCLV, OCLV2, 2012 OCLV, or TCT, is always going to make an impact on how the bike rides. At least in my experience. If you have the money, I highly recommend the 6 series (SSL or not) but if you are on a budget, the other series Madones work beautifully as well. But again, this is just my opinion... Either way, the Madone series has won my heart.

Post by clarkson » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:47 am --> by clarkson on Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:47 am

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Trek bikes range: which model is right for you?

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The humble beginning of Trek bicycles took place in the "red barn" - once a carpet warehouse - in Waterloo, USA. The first bikes were steel touring frames , but within three years the brand had expanded substantially.

Eventually outgrowing the barn, Trek moved into a much larger headquarters - still in Waterloo - in the year 1980. From there it began to manufacture road racing bikes, then in 1983 created its first mountain bike before moving into accessories come 1984.

Having started out in steel, Trek moved into developing aluminium bikes in 1985. The first Trek branded full carbon frame came in 1989 - the Trek 5000 had a frame weight of 1.5kg. It was built by an outside manufacturer and discontinued after a year. Trek made its own efforts at carbon, with an in-house production, in 1992 to much greater success.

>>> Trek mountain bikes: which model is right for you?

Now, Trek offers the Madone (aero bike), Domane (endurance bike), Emonda (lightweight race bike) and Checkpoint (gravel bike) as well as the Boone cyclocross and Speed Concept time trial machine.

Trek's OCLV Carbon

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.

Trek's carbon bikes have always used their own patented 'OCLV carbon' - this stands for Optimum Compaction Low Void. It believes this carbon creates the best compromise between low weight and high strength and stiffness.

Optimum Compaction refers to the way sheets of carbon are layered into the mould, and optimised via heat and pressure - in Trek's opinion the two treatments are administered to the perfect ratio. Low Void refers to the minimisation of space between the layers of carbon, which might otherwise reduce strength and durability.

In 1995, Trek opened an independent facility inWhitewater, Wisconsin. The idea being that the Waterloo factory would work in frame development only. For those who want to customise their ride, the'Project One' custom paint programme arrived in 2001.

Trek's pro cycling support

Trek supported now disgraced American cyclist, Lance Armstrong, through his peak years. In 1997, it helped him sign with their sponsored team, US Postal Service Pro Cycling. He won his seven editions of the Tour de Frances on bikes bearing the brand name, but all of said wins were later taken from him following doping violations.

In 2014, the brand sponsored the Trek Factory Racing Team, now calledTrek–Segafredo. In that role, it provided bikes for high profile winners such as Fabian Cancellara and Alberto Contador,as well as Jens Voigt, and notably his Hour Record in September 2014.

In 2020, Trek continued to support the Trek-Segafredo men's and women's race outfits, two highly successful teams.

Trek's acquisitions

Over the years, Trek has made a number of high profile acquisitions. The most famous, perhaps, Gary Fisher bicycles - the mountain bike brand which it took over in 1993.

Later came Bontrager Cycles in 1995 and Electra Bicycle Company in 2014. Bontrager, now Trek's component and apparel brand, maintains the same name as does Electra, the creator of leisure bikes and accessories.

Useful links for road bike shoppers…

Trek's road bike models

Trek is able to offer a wide range of different bikes, each tuned to a slightly different purpose. Some model families are available in a selection of standards (SLR premium carbon, SL carbon, ALR premium aluminium and AL aluminium), and then these come with assorted levels of componentry to suit your price bracket.

To add even more depth to the range, Trek offers many models in two different 'fits'. The Madone and Émonda come as standard in an H2 (traditional) fit, but there are versions in what it calls 'H1' fit. This is more aggressive, shaving off about 30mm on the head tube to create a longer, lower ride. The Domane comes in an H2 'Endurance' fit, with a few models in 'Pro Endurance', again with a longer and lower stance on offer.

Here's a look at the key model families...

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Trek Domane

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

The Trek Domane was introduced in 2012. It was created to offer a comfortable ride, the key feature being an IsoSpeed decoupler which separated the seat tube from the top tube, thus reducing vibrations and fatigue.

In 2016 it gained theFront IsoSpeed, which helps to reduce vibrations at the front end without impacting handling. This came alongside a new slider, which alters the level of dampening offered by the rear.

In its most recent update , the Domane took notes from the Madone with an aero fork profile, whilst becoming more versatile thanks to clearance for 38mm tyres (without mudguards, 35mm with). It also gained a downtube compartment for stashing tools (or snacks!).

Though comfort is important to the Trek Domane, it's still a racing frame, and its prowess has been demonstrated by UCI WorldTour riders at major one-day Classics, such as Strade Bianche and the Tour of Flanders. The top Domane bikes come with an H1.5 fit, which was developed with the Trek-Segafredo teams to offer the optimal balance between aerodynamics and endurance.

The Trek Domane - available as a men's build or with women's specific componentry - is a fast selling model, which comes in a range of frame materials.

The Domane SLR uses the lightest carbon Trek offers, the SL is one step down, whilst the AL uses aluminium and is the cheapest of the range.

Trek Madone

The Trek Madone is quite another beast, and the bikes come built for men and women; the latter's models with women's saddles and narrower handlebars . With an aggressive geometry and stiffness to boot, it's a road race hero, and aerodynamics have become part of its lifeblood. When we tested five aero bikes , head to head, the Trek Madone came out fastest.

Modern Trek Madone's feature a high level of integration, with the cables tucked away yet reachable via an access point at the top of the down tube.Wind tunnel testing has helped Trek to create theirKVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes, used on the frame and fork. These unconventional tube shapes are designed to further reduce drag, helping the rider/bike unit to slice through the air efficiently.

Because being bumped around doesn't make you faster, the Madone also features an IsoSpeed decoupler at the seat tube and more recently an adjustable one at the head tube, which offers greater compliance whilst still being integrated to prevent adding drag.

The newest model, according to Trek, can offer 17 per cent more compliance through to 21 per cent more stiffness, depending upon your chosen setting. A damper at the seatpost is also said to cut rebound by 13 per cent. All of these stats add up to a bike that can be comfortable and stiff at the same time - and one that earned a place in our 2018 Editor's Choice awards.

The majority of the bikes come in a more relaxed 'H2' geometry, save for the Madone SLR, which is in an 'H1.5' fit - this is designed to allow riders to achieve an H1 fit or an H2, depending upon their set up.

Trek Émonda

Adding more depth to the Trek family is the Trek Émonda, launched in 2014. Designed to be a climbing bike, newer adaptations are capable of negotiating mixed terrains - with disc brakes available and tyre clearance to 28mm.

>>> Trek Émonda range explained

Trek continues to work on developing the Émonda, dropping the weight of the top end Trek Émonda SLR to 640g in a size 56cm (665g with discs) and 1091g for the Trek Émonda SL (1149g with discs). The weight difference is largely achieved by the use of700 Series OCLV carbon on the SLR, as opposed to 500 series on the SL.

The aluminium model has seen some major work and the result earned it a place in the Editor's Choice 2019 awards. The key characteristic we loved was the way it simply didn't look, or ride, like aluminium. A lot of this is down to Trek's 'Invisible Weld Technology' which increases the surface area of the frame, adding to strength and reducing weight. The ALR model's frame weight comes in at a competitive 1112g, or 1131g with discs, and it uses the brand's 300 Series Alpha Aluminium.

The carbon models are available in 'SLR' build or 'SL', the former being the lightest and the latter more affordable. The majority of Trek Émonda bikes cone in an 'H2' fit, but they can be purchased in an 'H1' geometry, if you choose the top end 'Race Shop' version.

There are a few nods to neatness and integration around, such as the use of 'Blendr Integration' which seamlessly mounts Bontrager’s cycling computer, Ionbike lights or even Garmin computers directly to the handlebars. On SLR versions there's ‘Control Freak Cable Management’ which allows for shifter and brake cables to be housed through the frame.

Trek Checkpoint

With gravel and adventure bikes a fast growing category, the Checkpoint is Trek's offering to fill that sector. The crucial element here is that both the SL and ALR frame options come fitted out with 35c gravel tyres, and can accommodate rubber up to 45c. They've all got internal cable routing, to ensure much stays out, whilst the higher end models use 'Control Freak' routing which is neater.

>>> Best gravel bikes: the top models reviewed

If you opt for the carbon SL model, you get vibration dampening from an IsoSpeed decoupler at the rear, too.  To provide stability and confidence on light trails as well as comfort on all-day adventures, the geometry is not as aggressive as the road bikes elsewhere in the range. Such all-day rides warrant plenty of kit, so there's mounts for racks and mounts. Similar to elsewhere in the range, there's AL, ALR and SL models.

Trek Speed Concept

Trek's Speed Concept time trial bike has been raced by the pros yet is still seen on the amateur race scene as a popular option.

>>> Check out Fabian Cancellara's 2016 Speed Concept

The frames use 500 Series OCLV Carbon, boasting the KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shapes described in the Madone, plus a carbon fork with integrated brake and stem - the key goal being cutting through the air quickly.There's space to fit Trek's SC Draft Box and SC Sped Box, largely used by triathletes carrying snacks.

Trek Boone 5

Trek's got plenty of experience in the muddy realm of off-road cycling - and they've got a selection of cyclocross bikes. The Trek Boone 7 model comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a one-by crank and 12-speed cassette and they've all got Bontrager's own 33c cyclocross tyres.

The frame material is Trek's 600 series OCLV carbon, and there's front and rear IsoSpeed decouplers to help riders negotiate the mud without excess transfer of vibration. Combining the mud ready tyres, disc brakes, 'cross focused cable routing and geo into an aluminium package is the Trek Crockett family.

They key differentiation is the frame material, which is300 Series Alpha Aluminium, and there's no decoupler. However, it's still a performance bike that's ready to race.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.

According to new research from DesignRush, Corvallis, Oregon, has the highest percentage of workers that regularly commute to work by bike.

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TriTech for the Masses

2016 Trek Madone – First Look

You can have an aero bike or you can have a comfortable bike – you can’t have both. This has long been one of the accepted realities of the aero road bike category. Sure they’re fast, but staying in the saddle for 5+ may not be the most comfortable experience. Trek has heard this one too many times and decided that this would be the challenge the new Madone was built to meet. Trek set out to build a bike with unparalleled aerodynamics and unmatched ride quality, and the 2016 Madone is the result of that effort.

The 2016 Trek Madone

The first thing you notice when you see the 2016 Madone is the cable-free front end of the bike. Starting at the top, you’ll find the integrated aero bar and stem. This is the result of Trek’s goal to leave “no stone unturned, no cable in the wind.” The integrated bar uses Kamm Virtual Foil (KVF) tube shaping, which was first introduced on the Speed Concept to improve the aerodynamics over a separate system. Keeping the housing fully internal through the head tube required the design of an integrated top cap cover and spacers. The headset spacers use a two-piece clamshell design for easy adjustability, allowing addition or removal without rerouting any housing or cables.

The fork uses aerodynamic KVF legs, cheating the wind at all yaw angles while maintaining stiffness. The fork crown is pocketed out for smooth integration with the front brake, and the fork uses a proprietary steerer tube shape to allow internal routing of the housing through the top headset bearing.

The brakes have been designed to seamlessly match the fork and seatstay surfaces, integrating with the recessed areas and allowing air to flow smoothly over the entire surface. The housing of the front center-pull brake is routed down the front of the steerer tube through the head tube and to the brake, all fully internal. The brake arms use independent spring tension adjustment screws to center the brake pads and adjust lever pull force to the desired feel. Additionally, two spacing screws allow for precise pad adjustments as brake pads wear. The spacing screws’ range allows swapping between rims with up to 6mm difference in width without adjusting the center wedge.

Madone’s Vector Wings protect the front brake from the elements to ensure consistent braking function. To accommodate the function of the center-pull brakes, the Vector Wings articulate during turning in order to allow free rotation.

On the downtube is the Madone’s “Control Center.” On mechanical set-ups, the Control Center houses the front derailleur trim dial. For electronic set-ups, the Control Center houses the Di2 battery port and junction box in one location, providing access to the trim button through the window in the top of the Control Center.

Below the control center are the water bottle bosses. The locations have been optimized so that the front bottle offsets drag for the rear bottle.

The Madone features an integrated chain keeper that has also been aero optimized (talk about “sparing no expense”).

All of the above features aid in the goal to achieve unparalleled aerodynamics. While the Madone doesn’t beat its competition at every yaw angle, it does come close.

But what about the goal of unmatched ride quality? That job falls to the Madone IsoSpeed Decoupler. First shown on the Trek Domane, the IsoSpeed Decoupler separates the seat mast from the toptube and allows the seat tube to rotate independently from the top-tube-to-seatstay junction, increasing vertical compliance without compromising pedaling efficiency.

Using the IsoSpeed system freed up the seatpost to use KVF technology, matching the seat tube profile. The seatpost head uses an independent pinch bolt and rail clamp system to allow for infinite tilt and setback adjustment.

Trek Madone Builds

At launch, the Madone will be available in three builds – 9.2, 9.5, and 9.9, plus a special Madone Race Shop Limited build. The 9.2, 9.5, and 9.9 all use Trek’s 600 Series OCLV carbon.

The 9.2 features a Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupset and Bontrager Paradigm Elite tubeless-ready wheels. It will be available for $6,299.

The 9.5 features a Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical groupset and Bontrager Aura tubeless-ready wheels. Upgrading to Dura-Ace sets you back $8,399.

The 9.9 is available in both a men’s and women’s design. Both feature Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Bontrager Aeolus 5D3 tubeless-ready wheels. The 9.9 will go for $12,599 at your local bike shop.

Finally, there is the Madone Race Shop Limited build. This is the same bike used by Trek Factory Racing and is built with 700 Series OCLV carbon. Like the 9.9, it features Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Bontrager Aeolus 5D3 tubeless-ready wheels. This top-of-the-line build will go for $16,999.

Our Thoughts

We are big fans of Trek as evidenced by the recent addition of a Speed Concept to our test fleet . So it should come as no surprise that we really want to spend some quality time with the new Madone. Our only reservation is that the integrated bars will most likely not be able to accommodate any type of aero bars. However, for most looking to purchase this bike, that probably won’t be a major issue. The price is also obviously a big consideration of ours, but we expect that price to come down next year (something we are routinely seeing with other new bikes). Really our biggest question is whether we work with Trek to do a review now or wait until they can do a Project One build to match our Speed Concept. These are the tough decisions we love to make!

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2021 Trek Madone SLR switches to OCLV 800 carbon, saving a claimed 80g

Trek has announced an updated Madone SLR for 2021, the aero race bike getting the OCLV 800 carbon that Trek developed for the recently released Emonda SLR. Trek has also switched the Madone to the T47 threaded bottom bracket standard in a move that also follows the new Emonda SLR. Choose your spec carefully and Trek says that there is a 450g weight saving to be made.

There is also the new integrated Aeolus RSL VR-C bar/stem along with the option of the new Aeolus RSL 37 wheelset, both of which were launched with the new Emonda SLR. The main changes come in the form of a new carbon that was also developed for the 2021 Emonda, along with a welcome return to a threaded bottom bracket.

All-new Émonda gets aero to become "Trek’s fastest climbing bike ever"

We got all the juicy details about Trek’s new OCLV 800 carbon fibre during the Emonda launch. The new carbon layup was specifically designed to get the Emonda SLR frameset under 700g and the weight savings have apparently been passed on to the 2021 Madone with Trek claiming a frameset weight saving of 80g. This all comes, Trek claims, “with no aerodynamic penalty.”

Trek says that “from a fibre-type perspective OCLV 800 is 30% stronger than the material that we've been using in OCLV 700.” 

That is pretty much all we know about OCLV 800. Trek is keeping its cards close, though it does say that the material has been in development for two years.

Interestingly, though, Trek said that the Emonda only used the new carbon “in specific areas of the frame that benefit most from having that quality of improved strength” and where it was able to save weight too. We suspect that this is also the case with the 2021 Madone.

The claimed 450g weight saving isn’t all down to the new carbon. Trek says that this figure is reached when you spec the bike on its Project One custom programme using the new wheels, new bar, the lightest paint and other component choices.

We’re finally getting back to threaded bottom brackets with Trek saying that the system offers “the ultimate in serviceability".

We'd agree and T47, first introduced by Chris King and Argonaut Cycles a few years ago, offers many of the benefits of a pressfit system with the simplicity of a threaded system for the end user.

Firstly, the T47 system screws into the hub shell. This makes installation and replacing the system far easier as there is only one tool involved. To try to keep the performance benefits of a pressfit system, the T47 system sits the bearings as far apart as possible in the hub shell, allowing Trek to design a huge bottom bracket shell for increased stiffness. 

It also gives the bearings a wide stance which, in theory, should decrease bearing wear. At the launch of the Emonda, Trek said that we could expect to see T47 being used more widely on its road range so it’s good to see this become a reality.

Pretty paint

I mentioned Project One above and Trek’s popular custom builder programme continues with three new Icon paint schemes and more parts options. The Icon designs include the Sweet Gold Leaf and other designs that we saw launched with the Emonda. 

There is also the KOM series that allows you full control of the colours while Project One Ultimate gives you even more freedom, allowing you to design your own graphics, pick non-standard colours and spec the bike however you want.

Head over to the Project One site to play . What else are you doing on a Thursday afternoon anyway?

New Wheel Options

The redesigned Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels are now also available on the Madone with the Team Edition Madone SLR models getting the new wheels as standard.

Mat took a proper look at the new wheels here but the main points are a 37mm deep, 28mm wide carbon rim with a 21mm internal width on a hub featuring DT Swiss 240 internals and the new Ratchet EXP system. They’re tubeless-ready and Trek claims a wheelset weight of just 1,325g, dropping 55g from the previous model. The Aeolus RSL 37 is also, Trek claims, 17% faster than the existing 28mm deep Bontrager Aeolus XXX 2, and nearly matches the 47mm-deep Aeolus XXX 4 for speed.

As-you-were geometry

Trek hasn’t changed the geometry on the new Madone, sticking with the H1.5 fit that they introduced with the last Madone and which has also been adopted by the 2021 Emonda.

Check out David Arthur's review of the 2019 Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc for all the geometry details

Like the look of the Madone? Trek hasn’t given us any specific details of when the bikes will be available in stores. But we do have some prices for you.

The new Madone SLR9 Disc eTap comes in at £11,950 with the SLR6 Disc at a slightly more accessible (it's all relative!) £6,250. The SLR Disc frameset costs £4,210. Here’s a full price list of the standard builds.

• Madone SLR 6 Disc - Ultegra R8020 -  Aeolus Pro 5 - £6,250.00
• Madone SLR 7 Disc  - Ultegra R8750 Di2 -  Aeolus Pro 5 - £7,500.00
• Madone SLR 7 Disc eTap - Force eTap AXS - Aeolus Pro 5 - £8,200.00
• Madone SLR 9 Disc - Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 - Aeolus XXX 6 - £11,350.00
• Madone SLR 9 Disc eTap - Red eTap AXS - Aeolus XXX 6 - £11,950.00
• Madone SLR Disc Frameset - £4,210.00

All Sram equipped bikes come with a Quarq power meter as standard. Thankfully, this is now the case with the Shimano equipped bikes too after the 2019 models missed out. Given the £1,350 price hike on the Dura-Ace R9170 model, the addition of the Shimano power meter chainset is a welcome addition.

trekbikes.com

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Very nice bike. But I find it ridiculous to focus the  marketing talk on the weight savings, and on the other hand to not give a single weight for a complete build. If it was really that light, they would probably give a weight...

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I think the logo should be bigger 👀

Bit bloody cheeky to charge those prices and only put the T47 BB in the SLR range. I wouldn't buy until it's in the SL range at least, I have two Treks with BB90 & they are by far the most frequently replaced component even allowing for some recent workrounds. Otherwise, looks awesome.

All these frame designaters like OCLV 600/700/800 (and Trek aren't the only guilty ones!) mean absolutely nothing without knowing what carbon fibre is used. Is it standard T600/T700/T800 or is it the flash T1100 stuff Pinarello use in the Dogma? For the cash, you'd hope it's T1100 in OCLV 800. 

Given that this 80g saving from using different carbon is headline news, surely it's only fair to also state that moving to a T47 bottom bracket will add all that saved weight back?

It's weight well spent though, BB90 is the worst of the BB standards.

The logo alone would save you 125g of paint. It really should be bigger though, because everyone within a ten mile radius must know what you're riding. 

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Trek Madone 6-Series review

Long term review of redesigned road bike

James Huang/Future Publishing

James Huang

Trek cooked up a radical redesign of its workhorse Madone 6-Series road chassis last year, infusing a healthy dose of aero ingredients borrowed from its groundbreaking Speed Concept TT/tri bike.

As expected, the aero claims are eye opening: 25 watts of saved energy at 40km/h compared to the previous Madone – nearly two minutes per hour. We can't verify those figures ourselves without hitting the wind tunnel – and they certainly can't be felt while out on the road – but what we can confirm is that Trek has carried over most of the existing Madone DNA to produce yet another solid ride.

Ride and handling: Same Madone brilliance but with a slightly smoother ride

Purported aero benefits aside, the new Madone feels much like the old one in many ways – and that's a good thing. As always, one of the best features is the bike's handling.

While many machines are billed as 'neutral', the Madone defines the term with intuitive manners that practically require just a thought to go where you want. Neither overly twitchy nor somnabulantly boring, the pitch-perfect geometry – 73-degree head tube angle, 976mm wheelbase, and 72mm bottom bracket drop on our 52cm sample – carves a wicked arc through sinuous high-speed descents, confidently switches lines mid-corner, and still nails the proverbial 'peel a banana at speed' test.

Trek has, however, tweaked the numbers a bit. Specifically, the more aggressive 'H1' fit variants now have a slightly more stretched-out position but the consequently longer (and, thus, more stable) front center is offset by a slightly steeper head tube. Aside from the increased reach, then, riders moving from an older H1 frame to a newer one shouldn't notice any difference handling-wise.

The latest Madone again uses Trek's no-cut seatmast design

Drivetrain and front-end rigidity also feel unchanged from before, which is again just fine given that the predecessor was very good in those respects. While still not quite on par with some more stoutly reinforced options, the Madone 6-Series is an eager and lively beast when you get on the gas. Save for especially fit riders with above average power outputs, we doubt most people will notice a difference.

Ride comfort has improved too, albeit marginally. Trek's move to a chain stay-mounted rear brake (more on this later) leaves the seat stays unencumbered by extra reinforcements, and they're impressively slim from seat cluster to dropouts in order to flex a bit more under impact. Despite the major visual change – this is the first carbon Madone not to use some sort of seat stay wishbone – it's still a fairly firm ride.

Frame: Dramatic Kammtail shaping

Rather than run two separate carbon road bike campaigns – one that prioritizes stiffness and weight and another that concentrates on aerodynamics – Trek has decided to roll all three priorities into one chassis.

As with the Speed Concept, the key element is Trek's Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) tube shaping, which uses truncated airfoil cross-sections that supposedly maintain the aerodynamic performance of a traditional teardrop shape but without requiring unusually narrow profiles that might compromise structural requirements or violate UCI technical regulations.

As such, the Madone looks fairly traditional from a distance, and includes Trek's long-standing design features: the ultra-wide BB90 bottom bracket, the fat E2 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered head tube, the round no-cut integrated seatmast, and the generously proportioned down tube and chain stays. However, a closer looks reveals that the more upright elements are shaped more like a 'U' with flat trailing edges.

Further nods to cheating the wind include direct-mount front and rear brakes, with the former's shape integrated and blended into the fork crown and the latter moving down beneath the chain stays where the airflow is already turbulent.

Virtually everything is carbon fiber, too, including the bearing seats for the integrated headset and bottom brackets and the rear dropouts. Once again, the non-driveside chain stay incorporates a pocket for the ultra-tidy Bontrager DuoTrap wireless speed and cadence sensor.

Cabling is internal throughout and convertible between electronic and mechanical drivetrains. Removable ports at the rear brake and under the bottom bracket shell ease maintenance some but the lack of internal guides still makes servicing tricky if you don't have the forethought to run liners through the frame before yanking out the old cables.

Internal routing and the chain stay-mounted rear brake make for a clean-looking package

Unfortunately, we took issue with some of the routing's entry and exit ports, too. The entry ports for the derailleurs and rear brake are too far forward, meaning that riders with smaller frames (or ones using shorter and/or lower stems) will have to run bigger loops of housing to prevent binding.

Trek recommends running derailleur lines around the head tube and crossing them back over inside the down tube but we had better luck both visually and functionally by straightlining everything front-to-back.

Likewise, the rear brake path is less than optimal. While the port placement is questionable on its own, Trek further complicates matters by adding a plug-in quick-release and barrel adjuster – necessary evils given the brake placement.

However, while the add-on fits sloppily in the stop (making for a vague feeling lever), it effectively kicks the port even further forward. And the exit port's location immediately behind the bond line at the bottom of the down tube makes feeding a cable through an exercise that almost requires having a stiff drink on hand.

Even worse, the cable noticeably drags on the exit port's aluminum noodle, too. Adding in a short piece of housing liner helped with the friction, though, while yanking out the crank and bottom bracket (not to mention a flashlight and a spoke on hand) made it a little easier to run the cables. Even so, what should have been a five-minute job was anything but.

On the plus side, the hidden rear brake and internal routing yields a distinctly clean-looking rig with minimal filigree to muddy up the sleek lines. Once those lines are run, the frame will also mostly protect them from dirt and water, so at least you won't have to deal with replacements that often.

While the new frame might be more aero, it isn't any lighter. In fact, the 52cm H2 Madone 6-Series frame we tested more than two years ago weighed 948g, while this new one is 1,000g even despite the more compact H1 front triangle geometry. Likewise, fork weight has climbed a bit, up from 300g to 330g.

Equipment: Mostly solid kit but integrated brakes are disappointing

Our wonderfully light, 6.54kg (14.42lb, without pedals) custom-built test bike was an early media sample sent before Shimano had adequate stock of the new Dura-Ace 9000 group. As such, Trek built it up with previous-generation Dura-Ace 7900 that will no longer be available, so we won't bother to comment on it here aside from saying that the new kit will be even lighter.

As usual, Trek's house brand Bontrager label adorns just about everything. The lightweight RXXXL carbon handlebar is comfortable in terms of its compact bend and shock absorbing abilities, the Affinity RXL saddle is light and distributes pressure fairly evenly (but seems better suited to slightly more upright positions), and the utterly reliable RXL forged aluminum stem gets the job done with minimal fuss, although its relatively small-diameter extension is falling behind the times stiffness-wise.

Bontrager also includes its latest Aeolus 3 D3 carbon clincher wheels wrapped in aero-profile R3 tires. At a claimed 1,440g per pair they spin up reasonably quickly, as expected, while the ultra-fat, 35mm-deep rim supposedly matches the aero performance of much deeper wheels.

As an added bonus, they're impressively stable in crosswinds, and because the rim is actually wider than the tire there's no need to undo the brake quick-release when changing a flat. The ultra-reliable, DT Swiss-built star ratchet rear hub internals should last for ages, too. Stiffness could be a little better, though – we noted repeatable brake rub up front when climbing out of the saddle.

Likewise, the R3 tires might be more aerodynamically efficient than traditional rubber with their slightly oval profile and molded-in 'wings' to smooth the gap between tire and rim, but the stiff casings don't ride as well as the Madone chassis deserves. In addition, the raised center lends a tippy feeling on-center with a disconcerting transition that makes the bike want to 'fall' into corners.

We swapped them out for a set of Continental Force/Attack clinchers and happily restored the Madone's innate handling prowess, along with a much improved ride quality.

The one major Bontrager-related disappointment is unfortunately a significant one. While Shimano will soon have its own direct-mount brakes to offer, the stock Bontrager Speed Limit calipers are just about all that's available for now.

The rear brake isn't accessible while riding

Weight is competitive, at 154g apiece with mounting hardware, but they're visually chunky and cheap looking. The associated hardware feels rather low-rent, too, with a lowly steel M6 locknut used for the rear cable anchor and soft aluminum pad hardware that easily takes a set, making it difficult to get a good adjustment.

More to the point, they don't work as well as they should. The flex-free mounts yield a firm lever but high-end power is lacking, exacerbated by the stock Bontrager cork pads' so-so initial bite. We had to squeeze awfully hard to rein in speed when hurtling down some of our most familiar descents. In addition, the pivots bind if they're tightened down too much. Loctite on the threads is a must.

Even the brakes' placement complicates matters. None of the pad fixing screws can be readily accessed on the bike – meaning you have to readjust the cartridges every time you swap pads – and it's virtually impossible to sight the rear brake pads on the rim while simultaneously squeezing the lever. Adding even more fuel to the fire is the fact that they simply don't look very high-end, either.

Trek has managed to integrate aerodynamic performance into the new Madone while impressively maintaining all of the old bike's most important characteristics: weight, stiffness, ride quality, and handling. The devil is in the details, though, and we can't help but feel a few important ones were overlooked here.

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Trek lays up OCLV 500 carbon fiber to lower the entry point on new Madone SL

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Love the Trek Madone SLR but can’t stomach the price tag? Now there’s hope with the new Madone SL. Built from the very same molds as the SLR, the SL model includes the use of a slightly heavier grade of carbon fiber which adds some weight, but helps lower the price – making Madone tech accessible to more riders than ever.

The Madone SLR frame is a thing of beauty, and the SL is no different. After all, they literally come from the same molds. However, Trek builds the SL with OLCV 500 carbon fiber instead of the OCLV 700 found on the SLR. This is said to add about 100g to the weight of the frame, with a 56cm painted Madone SL frame said to weigh 1225g.

Because the frame is the same, you’ll find Trek-specific features like their Adjustable Top Tube IsoSpeed unit which allows you to fine tune the rear end compliance by moving the integrated slider. It also uses the same proprietary seat mast assembly as the SLR.

Up front, the SL uses the same fork as the SLR, but one huge difference is the use of a standard bar and stem rather than the integrated unit found on the SLR. This is done in part to keep the cost down, but it also makes it easier to better fit more riders, and also allows for the use of clamp on aero bars.

Like the SLR, you’ll find integrated lighting and computer mounts through the use of the Bontrager Blendr system.

Elsewhere, the frame uses the same specifications as the SLR with flat mount disc brakes, 12mm thru axles front and rear, internal cable routing, Duo Trap S compatibility, BB90 bottom bracket, and clearance for 28mm tires. Calling it their H1.5 fit, the bike is built with a performance geometry and KVF aero tube profile to be every bit as racy as the higher end versions.

Two different builds will be offered with the SL 7 running Shimano Ultegra Di2 with Bontrager Aeolus Pro 5 carbon wheels, and the SL 6 which runs Shimano Ultegra mechanical with hydraulic brakes and Bontrager Aeolus Comp 5 carbon wheels. While the Madone SL 7 is close to the price of the Madone SLR 6, you’ll find the SL gets you a Di2 drivetrain, while the lighter SLR frame is equipped with mechanical. There’s also a frameset available if you want to build it yourself.

All models are in stock and available now.

• Madone SL 6 Disc $4,699.99
• Madone SL 7 Disc $6,499.99
• Madone SL Disc F/S $3,499.99

trekbikes.com

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor . He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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I will never buy a Trek with a BB90 bottom bracket.

Rumors of T47 BB standard coming to Trek OCLV carbon can’t come true fast enough?

Needs BSA. At least Specialized is going back to basics with their new Roubaix line.

YMMV, but I’ve got a Trek with BB90 and have never had a moment’s problem with it in 4 years.

4 years isn’t very long and it’s really mileage and your power that matters for causing the inevitable unless you have a one piece BB like a BBinfinite setup

Looks a bit weird with that seatpost with half a mile of setback.

Really? I’m considering selling a kidney to buy one! 😛

Would agree friend of mine has an RSL edition with rim brakes and I was just thinking how much better his frame looks than the disc brake one.

It’s not a bike it’s a ugly Trek billboard! The designers are tasked with fitting the biggest trek logo on it while allowing the thing to be semi rideable.

You’re right… what’s up with the size of the TREK logo? I used to think the Madone was so sleek and beautiful, but somehow it’s gotten really ugly.

Yeah, the black on black “ghost” logo is textbook complimentary color strategy for maximum contrast…

Veru odd looking bike especially that seat/setback but I’m really liking the integration with lights.

I do wonder if that bike will say “Made in USA” on it (like so many other Treks that were at best assembled in the USA). At least the big S was honest-ish with “Designed in California” (that to me is a reason to not buy one).

I do prefer made in USA frames (with made in Italy bits)…that said, I do prefer to meet the person who builds my frame in person as well.

I think Trek already moved all production back to Asia.

Trek never did that. They’re all made in Asia(even when this post was made), but they used to make their 6 series and up frames in the US while the 4/5s were made in Asia. The frames stated where they were made.

I’ll take my Fuji Transonic 2.1 over that bike anyway. It’s a rocket ship and is $1K less than the Ui2 version Trek is offering. And they didn’t dummy down the carbon to hit a price point.

Nothing about this bike or the SLR appeals to me in the slightest.

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Trek Madone Road Bike Review  

  December 27, 2017

By   Max Shumpert

Reviewed by Jeroen De Haas

The Trek Madone SLR 9 is designed with the professional racer in mind, offering both speed and precision when handling.

Its lightweight frame has been engineered with an aerodynamic shape to minimize wind resistance and improve speed. A robust carbon fiber frame with Kammtail Virtual Foil aerodynamic tube shaping makes this bike both sleek and strong.

Trek’s 800 Series OCLV Carbon is made using a patented process that produces a lightweight, almost impossibly strong material that’s also compliant enough to absorb shock from the pavement.

A road-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler also helps to provide a smoother ride for cyclists. This decoupler allows the bike’s seat tube to rotate independently from the top-tube-to-seatstay junction, reducing stress on the rider’s body. The design also makes pedaling more efficient, letting riders race harder and for longer.

The Trek Madone’s frame comes in an H2 fit , which is engineered to place most riders in the optimal position. This helps to prevent cyclists from losing any power as they pedal. The frame can comfortably seat individuals ranging from 4’11.8” to 6’5.2” and can carry a load up to 275 pounds.

The technologically advanced Shimano Di2 electronic drivetrain or the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 makes Madone bike models easy to handle . Shifting gears is seamless , even at high speeds, and riders don’t have to worry about accidentally slipping out of gear as they move.

Trek's Madone gives riders a variety of options when it comes time to purchase a bike.

The company produces several different bike models that cater to every lifestyle and budget, including:

• Madone SL 6 : This is the most simplified Madone racing bike model, the SL6 boasts a lightweight frame and high-performance Bontrager Aeolus Comp tires. The Shimano Ultegra 11 speed shifter makes it easier to change gears, even while racing at high speeds.
• Madone SLR 7 : The Madone 7 is slightly more expensive than the SL6 model, but it also comes with a more advanced build that helps riders to reach and maintain incredible speeds . Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 tires keep the bike grounded without weighing it down.
• Madone 7 Women’s : This bike is designed with women in mind, offering a comfortable ride for the female rider. Its touchpoints are specifically designed for women, and it includes a specially engineered Bontrager Ajna Elite saddle to reduce stress on the hips.
• Madone SLR 9 : The SLR9 is the top-of-the-line Madone model , offering unparalleled speed and comfort for riders. Instead of a Shimano Ultegra shifter, it uses more advanced Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 tires give the bike a smooth ride without losing traction on the road.

FRAME SIZE : 800 Series OCLV Carbon BRAKE TYPE:  Integrated Madone Aero SHIFTER:  Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, 11 speed or Shimano Ultegra Di2, 11 speed WHEELS:  Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 or Bontrager Aeolus Comp TIRES:  Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite, 120 TPI, aramid bead, 700x25c

Things We Like

First off, we love the look of the Trek Madone SLR 9.

Its curved, aerodynamic appearance is highlighted by an elegantly curved frame and sleek wheels . The bike is also fully customizable through Project One.

You can order the Trek Madone in a variety of personalized colors, making your bike easier to spot in a crowd while also making a statement. Models come in a variety of color combinations, including:

• Trek Black/Viper Red
• Radioactive Orange/Trek Black
• Viper Red/Trek White
• Radioactive Yellow/Trek Black
• Matte Quicksilver/Gloss Blue (Madone SLR7 Only)
• Matte Dnister Black/Quicksilver

The Madone women’s model has entirely different color palettes that include both soft pastels and bold metallics.

You can customize the women’s model of the Trek Madone by choosing from four color combinations:

• Radioactive Pink/Trek Black
• Radioactive Purple/Deep Dark Blue
• Matte Metallic Gunmetal/Trek Black
• Matte Dnister Black/Gloss Old Style

The bike comes pre-assembled, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. If the bike comes to you damaged, or if you need help getting it road-ready, you can register it to take advantage of Trek’s lifetime warranty . Under this warranty, free Trek Care will fix and fine-tune your bike free of charge .

The chances are, though, that you won’t need to use Trek Care’s services very often.

The Trek Madone may be lightweight, but we love how durable the frame is. It’s made from 800 Series OCLV carbon, Trek’s strongest carbon fiber to date , which makes the bike nearly indestructible. The frame can withstand harsh weather, rough terrain, and other unfavorable conditions without taking on too much damage.

Perhaps our favorite aspect of the Trek Madone is its smooth ride. The bike’s IsoSpeed Decoupler design helps to make pedaling easier and more efficient by helping to absorb shock from the road.

With so much to brag about, it’s no wonder that the Trek Madone has won top marks and Bike-of-the-Year awards from many of the cycling industry's top media outlets. The bike is also ridden by a number of racing pros.

• Customizable
• Lifetime warranty
• Durable frame
• Smooth ride

Things We Don’t Like

While the Madone frame is sturdy, it can only hold a load of up to 275 pounds.

This is less than some competing models and may be a drawback for heavier riders or for those who wish to transport gear. The frame is liable to break if overloaded.

Our least favorite thing about the Trek Madone has got to be its price.

While the bike is a top-of-the-line piece of equipment, the old adage is true: you pay for quality. The Trek Madone starts at around $4000, with more advanced models costing upwards of $12000.

• Can’t hold much weight

Our Buying Advice

The Trek's new Madone is the ideal bike for racing cyclists , boasting a lightweight, aerodynamic design .

It comes in models for both men and women , offering optimal comfort without sacrificing quality.

More advanced cyclists may want to opt for the more advanced Madone 9.5 or even 9.9 model, as the design of these bikes allows you to achieve even faster speeds on the road. High-performance wheels and a superior drivetrain make these models the perfect choice for the professional racer. 

Recommended - trek emonda review

The Trek Madone provides everything that a cyclist could possibly want in a racing bike, with a carefully crafted design that allows riders to reach incredible speeds without compromising handling.

If you’re looking for a road bike that’s the top of its class, you should look into the Trek Madone and all that this bike model has to offer. You can also check out trek's hybrid bikes. Trek FX1 leads the category on sales, reviews and popularity.

• Rider Notes

2020 Trek Madone SLR 6 Disc

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

Manufacturer Price

Madone SLR 9 AXS

In Stock: 54cm

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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What’s better than Trek’s Madone SLR? How about a Madone SLR that’s lighter? Or one with a different bottom bracket? If either of those sound good to you, then you’ll want to check out the 2021 Madone SLR. The SLR addition to the Madone name gives the indication that this isn’t your average Trek. In […]

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Dec 2019 · Symon Lewis

Cycling Weekly has shown that the Trek Madone is one of the fastest aero bikes available today, but has the update with discs made it even better? I certainly think so

Ride quality

Performance

Aug 2019 · Stu Bowers

Trek proves hands down that disc brakes, true-aero race geometry, light weight and sublime comfort no longer need to be conflicting

Incredibly comfy rear end that’s adjustable to suit rider preference

With handling to back it up

You may need to sell a kidney or remortgage the house to afford one

Jun 2019 · David Arthur @davearthur

Seriously fast aero race bike with great handling, but not the smoothest and not the ultimate spec it should be

Mar 2019 · Warren Rossiter

Winner of best superbike in our annual Bike of the Year awards is the latest evolution of Trek’s flagship aero bike

Groundbreaking comfort, stunning handling and seriously rapid

Five-figure price tag

Nov 2018 · Manuel Buck

Das Beste. The Best. Le Meilleur. The latest generation of the Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc promises to be even faster, more aerodynamic and lighter.

Jul 2018 · Dan Cavallari

Trek has fine-tuned its IsoSpeed Decoupler, improved the fit, and added disc brakes, making this edition of the Madone even better.

It might look the same on the outside, but underneath it's an all new Madone

Last updated 28 January Not listed for 1,186 days

• Madone 6 Series H2 Frameset