trek madone 4.5 2013 review

2013 Trek Madone 4.5 Road Bike Review

The Madone 4.5  Series pairs race-level performance and technology with all-day comfort and amazing spec value. No wonder it’s our best selling OCLV Carbon road bike. The Trek Madone 4.5 is a road bike built around a light carbon frame but at a price point that makes it far more appealing to the average rider. You still get top notch materials and well chosen components, but everything is aimed at appealing to people who want both performance and value from their next road bike.

The Trek Madone 4.5 features a 400 Series OCLV carbon frame with a super wide BB90 bottom bracket. This means that the bike is not only light and compliant for long distance speed and comfort, but it also has integral stiffness which allows you to accelerate quickly and pull ahead of your mates with less effort.

Frame and Equipment:

The 4.5 uses a considerably higher grade of carbon than that of the already spectacular three.5, creating it notably light-weight at a claimed one,100g for the frameset. The frame itself incorporates Trek’s combat the press-fit bottom bracket BB90, for improved stiffness and fewer weight.

As with the previous top-of-the-range 6-Series, the seat tube is uneven, with identical going for the rear chainstay mount for the ANT+ DuoTrap sensing element (available one by one for £39.99).

The E2 tapered head tube and extremely carven shaping is taken from that US-built superbike, that is actually what you’re obtaining with the four.5; in terms of specification it’s a stripped version of their previous tour winning machine. The 5-, 6- and 7-Series bikes currently have aero-optimised KVF styles, however we’re glad Trek have unbroken the terrific professional level chassis alive.

A frame with style credentials this smart and on a sub-£2,000 complete bike would recommend some downgrades and compromises elsewhere, however Trek are clever with the budget. For a begin, they’ve used Shimano’s Ultegra system for the mechs and shifters, solely downgrading the brakes and container to the still-impressive one zero five vary, whereas the chainset is Shimano’s non-series R565.

The wheel package hasn’t been compromised, though, as Trek’s element whole Bontrager have provided the new-for-2013 Race R1s, that includes elegant, minimal hubs with quality bearings, nice seals and butted spokes. The all-new rims are compatible with tubeless tyres.

The Race R1s square measure shod with Bontrager’s R2 tyres – with a nominal size of ordinary twenty three, they’re if truth be told slightly broader than that, and in our opinion all the higher for it. The distinction in size permits them to be run at the lower pressures necessary for winter grip, while not increasing the possibilities of you puncturing. As you’d imagine, Bontrager conjointly offer the remainder of the Madone’s finishing kit.

The slender, compact reach Associate in Nursingd drop VR-C bar is an adequate entertainer – nicely formed with nice dimensions however very little to form it stand out on the far side that. The Race fatless stem could be a bit classier, and nicely finished with quality hardware.

At the rear it’s a way a lot of spectacular affair, with the Affinity a pair of saddle (fast changing into one in every of our favourites) sitting atop a sublime carbon seatpost (though we have a tendency to did want a liberal coating of carbon preparation to forestall it slipping).

Ride and Handling:

Out on the road, the category of the four.5 is totally evident. we have a tendency to precious the three.5 last year however the four.5 takes everything that created it exceptional and turns it up to eleven. the general feel is totally sleek, and a coffee overall weight and broad 50/34, 11-28 geartrain create the bike a whole breeze on climbs. nonetheless the stiffness Associate in Nursingd oh-so-sorted position create it an absolute blast down hills.

Smashing the four.5 through a succession of bends ne’er caused it to urge rattled or dope off line. Some bikes will have snappier initial turn-in, but the 4.5 doesn’t got to be as rapid; with a motorcycle that provides this abundant communication through its feel, we have a tendency to ne’er found the necessity for unpunctual direction changes mid-corner.

Plenty of the four.5’s ultra-confident ride comes all the way down to the H2 pure mathematics (the prime tube is shorter than the professional H1 by a couple of millimetres, and slightly taller at the front, once more by simply a couple of units). Dimensions that embrace a 190mm head tube and 992mm distance square measure obscurity close to to a fault relaxed, particularly after you think about a regular seventy three-degree seat angle and steeper-than-average 73.8-degree head angle.

The 4.5 scores plenty of its points from the frame being stiff wherever it’s needed (the head and down tube, BB shot and chainstays) and cozy elsewhere. We’d eventually upgrade the typical bar and chainset however would be over happy to pay the value to possess this elegant chassis in our lives.

Image Credit © Trek

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Trek Madone 2013: Stiffer, Lighter, More Aero

Trek Madone 2013 series are coming with improvements to aerodynamics, weight, and stiffness. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7-series are OCLV carbon, while 2 series are alloy. The top of the line model, Trek Madone 7.9, at 40 kph in a 10° crosswind, and the producer claims to save 25 watts over the prior model (distance not specified). In addition to the aerodynamic improvements, frame weight has dropped down to 750 grams (7-series) (from 915g to 750g, a 165g savings). Compared to the previous 7 series of Trek Madone, it cuts almost 200 grams from the frame and fork without diminishing ride quality or stiffness.

Trek Madone 6 and 7 series continue to be “Made in the United States”.

Madone series have completely redesigned to incorporate aerodynamic tube profiles borrowed from Trek’s Speed Concept time trial bikes.

The positioning of the rear brake is one of the key frame features that is included in the 5, 6, and 7 Series of Madone. Trek has moved it down to sit behind and below the bottom bracket, rather than attaching to a bridge between the seatstays.

With that re-positioning, they reduced the aerodynamic drag. The new position of the rear brake also removes the braking forces from the seatstays, allowing Trek to use less material at the seatstays. This means a lighter frame. 6-Series frame, with a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and Bontrager’s Aeolus 3 wheels in a 58cm model weighs 6.8kg (14.96lb) without pedals.

The Madone frames are now available in two fits: their performance-oriented H2 and a new super-pro H1. To get the rider in a fast but comfortable position, H2 uses a slightly taller headtube. But it is still allowing that “pro” look of a flat stem with minimal spacers. H2 will suit most riders. The new H1 fit has a slightly lower headtube and allows a bit more aerodynamic riding position.

To keep the frame a dropped chain, Madone comes up with Trek’s 3S integrated chain keeper which mounts directly to its frame via a threaded hole just north of the bottom bracket.

Trek Madone 2013 Series Comparison Table

Model | Drivetrain | Description | Price (approx.)

• 7.9 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | – | $11,549.99
• 7.9 WSD |Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Lady version | $11,549.99
• 7.7 | Shimano Dura-Ace | – | $7,979.99
• 6.5 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | – | $6,619.99
• 6.2 WSD | Shimano Ultegra | Lady version | $4,619.99
• 6.2 | Shimano Ultegra | – | $4,619.99
• 5.9 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | – | $5,039.99
• 5.2 WSD | Shimano Ultegra | Lady version | $3,569.99
• 5.2 | Shimano Ultegra | – | $3,569.99
• 4.7 | Shimano Ultegra Mix* | – | $3,149.99
• 4.5 WSD | Shimano Ultegra Mix* | Lady version
• 4.5 | Shimano Ultegra Mix*
• 3.1 WSD | Shimano 105 | Lady version
• 3.1 | Shimano 105 | $2,039.99
• 2.3 | Shimano 105 Mix*
• 2.1 |Shimano 105 Mix*

*Mix means some parts are the highest level of the mentioned Shimano series, some parts are below.

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Thanks for the great review of the Trek Madone . The guys in the shops can’t wait to get the new Trek Madones and start riding/racing them.

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Madone 4.5: Good or Evil?

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I've been riding a Trek 7500 hybrid since 1998. I wanted to move up to something lighter and faster. After discussions and measurements with my LBS, I've ordered a 2010 Madone 4.5 to test. One problem I'm having while waiting for the bike to come in is that there is relatively little information online about this model. There are plenty of reviews and discussions about the 5 and 6 Series Madones, but very little about the 4 Series. (I should mention that this includes both the Trek road bike catalog, AND the Madone-specific catalogs, as well as Trek's web site and other web sources.) I'm wondering if it's a good choice, since it's the lowest Madone model and has the lowest-quality frame and component specs of all the Madones. Is it better to get a low-end Madone, or would a high-end 1 or 2 Series aluminum frame bike be a better choice? The best thing about this is that the LBS owner says if I don't like the bike, I don't have to buy it. I'd love some opinions about this. Thanks!  

tenrec said: I've been riding a Trek 7500 hybrid since 1998. I wanted to move up to something lighter and faster. After discussions and measurements with my LBS, I've ordered a 2010 Madone 4.5 to test. One problem I'm having while waiting for the bike to come in is that there is relatively little information online about this model. There are plenty of reviews and discussions about the 5 and 6 Series Madones, but very little about the 4 Series. (I should mention that this includes both the Trek road bike catalog, AND the Madone-specific catalogs, as well as Trek's web site and other web sources.) I'm wondering if it's a good choice, since it's the lowest Madone model and has the lowest-quality frame and component specs of all the Madones. Is it better to get a low-end Madone, or would a high-end 1 or 2 Series aluminum frame bike be a better choice? The best thing about this is that the LBS owner says if I don't like the bike, I don't have to buy it. I'd love some opinions about this. Thanks! Click to expand...

I think the Madone 4 series are a good value... the 4.7 has a lot nicer parts, but is a little more expensive. A custom $2500 bike is going to remotely compare... unless you're extremely unusually shaped.  

Nothing wrong with a 4.5 if you could scratch up a few more hundred the 4.7 is better. You should be happy with a 4.5 like the poster above said make sure it is a good fit.  

I'd go w/ a Madone over a 1 or 2 series. Here's some reviews: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_444038_trek_madone_4_5_reviews#bz-model-reviewTitle http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/trek/road-bike/PRD_411974_5668crx.aspx http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/madone-45-08-29372 http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=120369  

My girlfriend has a Madone 4.5 WSD. She's had it about a year and a half now and really likes it. From what I've seen it looks great and performs well. Id take one over a 1 or 2 series any day. Only thing suspect in my opinion are the Bontrager wheels with the funky paired spokes. The wheels havent stayed all that true (and she isn't heavy) and there are black marks on the rim from the brakes near almost every pair of spokes indicating to me that the rim surface has been distorted near the spoke pairings. However I hear for 2010 Bontrager has finally wised up and is losing the gimmicky paired spokes. Maybe their new wheels will be more durable.  

This is the cheapest Madone but I think the quality will be as good as other carbon fiber frames. The design of the Madone frames is the same, the difference will be in frame weight and layup of the carbon fiber. So you can expect the ride to be similar to the more expensive Madones, the difference in frame weight will not be perceptible. The 4.7 Madone is the same frame but with SRAM Rival components for a higher price. Verdict: Good  

MarvinK said: I think the Madone 4 series are a good value... the 4.7 has a lot nicer parts, but is a little more expensive. A custom $2500 bike is going to remotely compare... unless you're extremely unusually shaped. Click to expand...

Marc said: Well the 4 series Madones are made in the Orient...odds are the 1/2k Series Al frames are made just down the street from where the Madone 4s are made. I can tell you with a fair degree of certainty, the bike will likely ride fine and be as durable as a CF bike can be. Click to expand...

Marc said: For me, the question I find myself asking is: "$2100USD MSRP for a plastic frame with 105 level components?" That is what gets my eye most. I know economies are in shambles--but at $2500 (after taxes mind you), you're near custom bike prices--and you're getting an off the peg frame with only 105 parts. But this is me and my set of values. Of course, if you're new to road cycling, you might be perfectly happy with 105, opine and parts-snobishness are funny things. Click to expand...

davidka said: I raced on one most of the year and it was an excellent race platform, stiff, stable and comfortable. Mine was a 62cm (6'4", 165lbs) with SRAM Rival and it weighed just under 17lbs. with Race X Lite wheels. If you get a Madone 4 series (any of them) and it fits you correctly you will not be sorry. Click to expand...

Farmer Tan said: I'd go w/ a Madone over a 1 or 2 series. Here's some reviews: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_444038_trek_madone_4_5_reviews#bz-model-reviewTitle http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/trek/road-bike/PRD_411974_5668crx.aspx http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/madone-45-08-29372 http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=120369 Click to expand...

davidka said: .. and across the street from where Cannondales, Specialized, Scotts, Cervelos, Fujis and most all the others are made. The construction of the 4 series is different from the 5's and 6's but it's still a great frame. I raced on one most of the year and it was an excellent race platform, stiff, stable and comfortable. Mine was a 62cm (6'4", 165lbs) with SRAM Rival and it weighed just under 17lbs. with Race X Lite wheels. If you get a Madone 4 series (any of them) and it fits you correctly you will not be sorry. Edit: I don't think a custom frame/bike for $2500 is realistic these days. Click to expand...

tenrec said: Wow, you make it sound like a piece of crap! I've noticed that I can get a higher level of componentry in a full carbon frame for hundreds of dollars less if I go to a lesser-known brand and buy from someplace like Performance Bicycle. The disadvantage is that they are not local for things like repairs, adjustments, etc. Click to expand...

Don Duende said: The 4.7 Madone is the same frame but with SRAM Rival components for a higher price. Verdict: Good Click to expand...

Marc said: My point is that, a year or two ago--that same bike would be several hundred less, or have a better component group for the same price. To give you a notion-5 years ago: In Performance Bike, you could buy Dura-Ace shifters for $200. Now they cost $700-simply because that is what people will pay. 5 years ago you could by a crankset, new, from Performance of good quality for under $100USD. Now you cannot buy a crank for less than $300. Click to expand...

tenrec said: The Madone I've ordered will have a Shimano 105 triple chainring in the front and either a Shimano 105 or Ultegra rear derailleur. Is there much difference in performance, weight, or quality between the 105 and the Ultegra? Click to expand...

Kevin_in_SB said: Why do you want a triple get a compact. Click to expand...

tenrec said: Is it because they charge what the market will bear, or are there other factors? Inflation has increased in recent years, and the value of the dollar has fluctuated against the Japanese yen. Could these be factors in the price changes you mention? (And if Dura-Ace has inflated the way you say, have the equivalent Campagnolo parts done something similar? If the Shimano parts got so expensive, people would have switched to Campy unless they were doing the same thing.) Click to expand...

Marc said: For about $2500 or so, you can get a fully built custom Habanero with 105...and that is a Ti custom bike. Click to expand...

tenrec said: I've ridden a triple on my Trek 7500 for 11 years and I just like the wide range of gears it gives me. Click to expand...

For what it's worth, I'm the new owner of a 2010 Madone 4.7 and I couldn't be happier. The ride is well damped but stiff enough to climb very well. I optioned for the 4.7 over the 4.5 because for the small price difference between the 4.5 and 4.7 the move from 105 to SRAM Rival was significant. I even think that I've mastered the double click SRAM. If you are unsure of the 4.5, I promise that you'll be happy. If you can stretch your budget, the 4.7 is worth it in my opinion.  

rb1freak said: For what it's worth, I'm the new owner of a 2010 Madone 4.7 and I couldn't be happier. The ride is well damped but stiff enough to climb very well. I optioned for the 4.7 over the 4.5 because for the small price difference between the 4.5 and 4.7 the move from 105 to SRAM Rival was significant. I even think that I've mastered the double click SRAM. If you are unsure of the 4.5, I promise that you'll be happy. If you can stretch your budget, the 4.7 is worth it in my opinion. Click to expand...

Yep, Rival is lighter and the 2010 stuff got a bunch of upgrades, it's very similar to Force.  

I would go for Rival, but you should ride both and pick the one you prefer. The biggest upgrade will be the wheels but the wheels will be perfectly fine for everyday riding. Consider a custom hand built set from Speed Dreams when your budget allows.  

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Review: Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

While many brands have introduced “endurance” road bikes over the last few years, few have taken the idea to quite the extreme as Trek.

Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

The Domane was developed with considerable input from Swiss pro cyclist Fabian Cancellara , who is known for his steam-engine riding style, using his massive power output to crush cobblestones in the fabled Spring Classics. He is said to enjoy the bike so much that he rides it year-round, even in the Tour de France, choosing it over Trek’s racier Madone model.

The frame features the intriguing IsoSpeed decoupler , an ingenious system that separates the seat tube from the top tube and seatstays, and allows the seat tube to flex and pivot at the mounting point. If you stand next to the bike and put your weight on the saddle, you can see the seat tube flex slightly, but while riding it is imperceptible until you hit a bump.

A High-Performance Machine

Make no mistake: IsoSpeed is not a suspension system, and this is still a high-performance machine. If you’re expecting something akin to a suspension seatpost, think again. The frame’s ride quality is distinctly carbon—a muted road feel with less of that high-frequency vibration you feel from some aluminum frames, but still generally stiff.

Iso Speed makes itself most noticeable when crossing railroad tracks or other high-speed, sharp impacts that would normally require you to lift or shift your weight on the saddle to avoid being bounced. Not having to do that means you can keep your cadence smooth and the power high. The system seems so extreme some might think it’s a gimmick, but I’m convinced. Trek is as well—the technology will soon be adapted to its line of hardtail mountain bikes .

At the other end of the bike, the fork deserves some of the credit. It was developed with an asymmetrical steerer tube that is slightly thicker side-to-side than front-to-back, giving it a touch of compliance, but it never felt soft or shuddering.

The difference between the Domane 4.5 and the higher-end models is in the stiffness of the carbon fiber itself, and that this version uses a standard 27.2mm seat post rather than a seatmast that is integrated into the frame. I actually prefer the standard post, as it can be swapped for countless alternatives and provides an easy spot to clamp the bike in a work stand.

Trek’s DuoTap Hidden Speed

Other frame details include a spot for Trek’s DuoTap hidden speed and cadence sensor, an integrated chain guide to eliminate dropped chains and more generous tire clearance than most frames. It also has removable fender eyelets, so you can keep the clean look if you’re not using them. For an even smoother ride, you can ditch the tubes and set up the Bontrager Race wheels tubeless—another technology that is easy to dismiss until you try it.

It would be a mistake to write off the Domane as a “comfort” bike for weekend warriors. Despite accommodations for a smooth ride, it is as stiff and race-worthy as I could ask. Yet the slightly longer wheelbase makes it extremely stable, and it’s one of the few bikes I’ve ever plunged downhill at 40mph with a crosswind while still feeling relaxed. The fit adds to the comfort factor, as the slightly taller head tube gives you a more head’s-up position than Trek’s race bikes. Paired with a set of shallow-drop Bontrager handlebars , I felt great in each of the riding positions, an essential element of a long, comfortable ride.

Domane: Initial Acceleration is Direct and Instant

The adage “laterally stiff and vertically compliant” has gone beyond cliché to become something of a running joke in road bike circles. The notion that a bike can be a stiff-as-heck race machine and still be comfortable over rough pavement on long rides is not unlike a unicorn—a magical beast that surely can’t exist. But on the Domane, initial acceleration is direct and instant, with the massive, squared down tube and BB90 bottom bracket all but eliminating lateral flex.

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Back in Issue #16 I reviewed the Volagi Liscio, which also features an unusual seat tube arrangement—the seatstays bypass the seat tube and connect to the top tube. While the Liscio was smoother than the Domane in a straight line, it can’t compete with the Domane in terms of power transfer and handling accuracy. The Domane makes no sacrifices in these areas.

The Shimano Ultegra build kit performed flawlessly, as I expected. The compact crankset paired with an 11-28-tooth cassette offers tons of range for tackling the steepest pitches. The 105-level brake calipers offer power to spare, as a single finger is often enough to bring the bike to a stop.

Hitting the street for less than $2,800, the Domane 4.5 struck me as a steal, considering the high-end frame technology and the smart build kit. While it will likely be pitched to riders looking for a high-performance ride for centuries and gran fondos, the Domane is a race bike at heart that won’t beat you up on the weekdays.

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• Madone 4.5 WSD H3 (Compact)

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Trek Madone 4.5 WSD Road Bike

From cruising back roads to enjoying all-day epics to getting your feet wet in the racing circuit, Trek's Madone 4.5 WSD does it all. This women's-specific full-carbon beauty boasts a stiff, light frame that floats up the climbs, along with Bontrager's Race Lite oversize carbon fork that provides maximum steering precision. Plus, Bontrager's aero Race wheelset cheats the wind for free speed, while Shimano delivers a slick-shifting 30-speed drivetrain that always gives you the perfect gear. Plus, this road rig comes with a sweet spread of Bontrager's carbon and aluminum components, as well as confidence-inspiring dual-pivot brakes.

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The strengths for me are in the women's specific features and the fact that the bike has been fitted and adjusted properly to my body by a trained coach. It makes a huge difference! The other strengths are in the speed, lightness of the frame,smooth responsive handling and the bike corners and manoeuvres really well. I also love the style and colour of the bike (lighter of the two blue versions available).It really is an aesthetically beautiful bike.

I don't know about weaknesses yet because I have only been riding this bike for 2 weeks. So far I have ridden 300kms. Last week I rode the bike for a 70 km ride and there were no problems. It was fast and responsive. I have not ridden it under rainy or very windy conditions yet either. Time will tell about the carbon frame but as long as I don't total the bike (I am a careful rider),I think that it will be as strong as any bike frame.

My bike is actually 2009/10. I changed over to the Madone 4.5 WSD because I wanted a fast ride that was more responsive than my current road bike was providing. The Madone 4.5 has been properly fitted to my body and I ride higher than on my old bike and further forward over the bars which are dropped. The bike is very light and responsive and corners much better. My rides are faster too.I have cut approximately 15 minutes off my daily 21.5 km ride. I have Ultegra components fitted on the back and 105 on the front. The gear changes are much smoother than the ones that I had with Tiagra components. Due to problems with punctures, I have had the Bontrager tyres replaced with Gatorskins. I have noticed no appreciable difference in my speed or quality of ride. I love the bike and am glad that I changed over. I was a bit scared to change from an alloy frame to an all carbon frame because of durability and breakage rumours (meaning huge expense if the bike totals), however this has so far not been a problem. I love to get on my bike each morning and it feels as if it flies, the ride is so smooth. On downhill runs, I travel at around 40 kms/hr and the bike still corners well and close to the edge of the track where I want it. It really beats my other bike hands-down. For a person who really isn't going to do 'Tour de France' or other major events, I would see no need to upgrade to a more expensive bike. This bike is more than adequate. It has speed, responsiveness, is very light and corners and manoeuvres extremely well. Since having the bike, I have caught up with male riders who have been a minute ahead ( I timed them) and beaten them twice in the same ride (while stopping for a drink). I could not have done this on my other bike as easily, or at all. This bike was approximately a thousand AUS dollars more than my other one, but I think that it is worth every cent. I will be happy to use this bike for a long time. It will suit any experienced female rider who wants a light, fast and responsive, easily manoeuvrable road bike. It is not for a novice. It should also not be bought by someone who only wants to ride occasionally because that would be overkill in expense for the purpose of use of the bike. It would be good for women who want to ride in clubs and in racing events, or for those experienced riders who want a really enjoyable, exhilarating fast ride.

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My last bike was a Giant Defy 1 road bike using Tiagra and Sora components. It had an alloy frame and was a male version, not woman specific. The bike handled reasonably well but was not as light, responsive or manoeuvrable as my Madone. it was a good bike, but I wasn't really satisfied with either the speed, cornering or smoothness of gear changes. The Defy is a well-priced road bike for someone who wants a decent ride but doesn't want the expense or components that add to the quality of a ride when riding every day for some distance, or racing when speed and manoeuvrability are important factors.

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• Rider Notes

2012 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD (Compact)

A carbon frame women’s aero bike with upper mid-range components and rim brakes.

For This Bike

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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.

Madone 4.5 WSD (Compact)

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