trek madone e2

The ultimate race bike Our fastest road race bike ever From a legacy of greatness comes a new standard of speed. Seven generations in the making, Madone SLR is our fastest and lightest Madone disc ever, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with a triple threat of unprecedented aerodynamics, exceptional ride quality, and lightweight design. This race-ready bike is complete with never-before-seen IsoFlow technology that gives you every advantage in speed and handling.

“Trek’s seventh generation Madone blends radical design and performance” What the world is saying about the all-new Madone

“A pure-bred race bike"

“Does an exceptional job of balancing all-day comfort with the agility and aggression needed to be a top-tier race bike.”

“Every inch an aero race bike”

"One of the most visually striking and competent aero bikes available today [...] more aero, less weight, less complication."

“It doesn’t just look damn fast; it is damn fast”

“Seems to crave speed […] and the handling remains responsive at high speeds without lacking in stability.”

“Phenomenally fast and provides one heck of a thrilling ride”

“Offers all the aero tweaks and outright performance without compromising on day-to-day ridability.”

A new standard of speed Now 60 seconds/hour faster* We set out to make Madone the fastest road bike in the world. Years of research and development informed every aerodynamic inch of the seventh generation Madone SLR to create a frame, cockpit, and rider position that’s a whopping 19 watts faster than ever before.* *Compared to previous generation at 45km/h

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Nearly 300 grams lighter*  

60 seconds/hour faster*  .

Never-before-seen IsoFlow technology Brutal performance. Total comfort. All-new IsoFlow technology soaks up fatiguing bumps in the road so you can ride stronger longer. A race-focused evolution of IsoSpeed comfort, IsoFlow flexes over bumps for a smoother ride, improves aerodynamics, and shaves weight to save precious seconds in the saddle.

Unprecedented road bike aerodynamics The devil is in the details when it comes to heart-pounding, race-winning speed. Every element of the new Madone Gen 7 was expertly sculpted to create our most aerodynamic road race bike ever, including a new generation of Kammtail tube shapes, an aero-optimized cockpit, and all-new IsoFlow technology that smooths air as it moves over the bike and accelerates it through the frame for even more free speed.

Positioned for power Ergonomic and aerodynamic riding position An overhauled bar/stem with a shorter reach and hoods that are 3cm narrower than the drops move you into a more comfortable ergonomic riding position. This narrower hood position also greatly reduces rider drag for extra aerodynamic speed while maintaining control in the drops so you don’t lose power in explosive moments.

Lighter than ever New gram-shaving design A new lightweight design and our best and lightest OCLV Carbon make the seventh generation Madone our lightest Madone disc ever, shaving around 300 grams off the previous ultra-lightweight version.

Behind the bike Hear from Senior Design Engineer, Alex Bedinghaus, on the new Madone SLR.

Pure race pedigree Informed by the world’s best cyclists Madone SLR was rigorously tested with the men’s and women’s Trek-Segafredo race teams to create a completely redesigned bike that’s faster, lighter, and fit for the biggest events on the cycling calendar, including the Tour de France and the first-ever Tour de France Femmes.

The new Madone SL Gen 7 offers the same revolutionary road race technology as the the seventh generation Madone SLR at a more accessible price point, thanks to a 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame and a two-piece flared RSL handlebar and stem. It’s the ultimate race bike, now available to more riders than ever. Our fastest and lightest Madone SL ever

Nearly 300 grams lighter*  

54 seconds/hour faster*  .

*When compared to Madone SL Gen 6 at 45km/h 

Choose your Madone

Madone Gen 6

The original industry-disrupting superbike. -Adjustable top tube IsoSpeed for a smoother ride -Traditional non-flared two-piece bar + stem -Grand Tour-winning aero tube shaping -Madone performance at a better value

Madone Gen 7

Built on a legacy of superbikes, Madone Gen 7 is our fastest and lightest Madone disc ever. -Lightweight, never-before-seen IsoFlow compliance tech -Flared aero-optimized bar (one-piece bar/stem on SLR, two-piece bar + stem on SL) -All-new ultra-fast aero tube shaping -Faster and lighter

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I've had a soft spot for Trek's Madones for a while because the ones I've ridden in the past have been soooo responsive. They're light and punchy, sharp-handling and lots of other things that you want from a performance-driven road bike. The good news is that this new design is the best ever. It's an absolute delight to ride.

What we have here is a bike built around the 2013 Madone 6 Series frame. You'll find the new features described below on the cheaper 5 Series (complete bikes starting at £2,100) and the newly introduced and more expensive 7 Series.

The difference is in the carbon. The 6 Series bikes use 600 Series OCLV (optimum compaction low void, if you're interested) carbon which has a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than you get with the 5 Series but a lower stiffness-to-weight ratio than the 7 Series.

All three of these Series (but not the lower end Madones) get a completely new frame design for 2013...

New KVF tubing

The biggest new feature is the KVF aero tubing. KVF? It stands for Kammtail Virtual Foil and it was first introduced on Trek's Speed Concep t time trial bike.

Essentially, the KVF tube profile is an airfoil shape with the tail chopped off square. Trek reckon that the design makes the air behave as if the tail was actually there in order to reduce drag. The advantages of cutting the tail off are that it uses less material and so reduces weight; it works well in crosswinds; and it allows Trek to stay within the UCI's equipment rules.

You can see the KVF shape most clearly on the down tube – the sides curve around and then the rear edge is cut off flat. Trek use the same shaping on the head tube, seat tube, the seat stays and the upper portion of the fork blades. Extensively, then.

How much difference does it make? You have to have a statistic these days and Trek say the KVF shaping reduces frame (not including fork) drag by 60g over the previous generation Madone. Without taking the bike to a wind tunnel, we couldn't tell you how accurate that is. We're reporting it rather than confirming it.

Brake design

Integration has become ever more important in bike design recently with manufacturers seeking to reduce drag by making everything blend together for more aerodynamic efficiency.

Trek have been busy creating their own new front brake that fits neatly to the fork. Well, their in-house Bontrager brand have. One arm of the Bontrager Speed Limit brake is attached via a central bolt, the other fixes direct to the fork leg. This saves a little weight and allows the two arms to sit flush against the fork crown. Trek reckon that the combined effect of the KVF fork shaping and the integrated front brake reduces drag by another 76g.

Trek put the rear brake just behind the bottom bracket – a position that has been used on many bikes down the years including a whole bunch of today's time trial machines.

Slinging the brake down here allows Trek to keep it hidden from the wind for improved aerodynamics. It also means there's no longer any need for a brake bridge between the seatstays, cleaning up the airflow in that area. Plus, because they don't have to deal with the braking forces, those seatstays can be made with less material to reduce weight.

It works well. You'd be hard pressed to tell any difference between the braking power you get with Trek's new design and a standard set-up. I wouldn't say there's much in it either way. You can adjust the pad position of the rear brake on the fly just as easily as if it was mounted in the standard position because Trek fit a barrel adjuster at the point where the cable enters the head tube.

I did wonder whether the positioning of the rear brake would mean it would get bunged up with gunk from the UK's perma-damp roads, but that hasn't been an issue. It is a little more awkward than usual to clean but it's really not much of a problem.

Other features

The new Madone naturally comes with internal cabling, the rear mech cable emerging right at the end of the chainstay, and it's fully compatible with Di2 electronic shifting.

Trek continue their integration theme with a DuoTrap digital sensor recessed into the chainstay. You'll probably already know that this can take speed and cadence measurements and send them wirelessly (ANT+ compatible) to a computer on your bars.

Trek also integrate their 3S chain keeper directly onto the frame. It's a tiny plastic stop that bolts to a threaded hole just above the bottom bracket. There's no great level of technology going on here but it's really unobtrusive and it works to prevent the chain coming off the inner chainring and damaging any of that lovely carbon.

Okay, so that explains a few of the 2013 Trek Madone's key design features, but how does it ride? That, after all, is what matters.

Well, put simply, this bike rides beautifully. For a start, the lightness and punchiness of previous generation Madones is still there. Our complete bike weighs in at 6.78kg (14.9lb). That's with a mechanical Dura-Ace 7900 groupset and Bontrager's Aeolus 5 clinchers (we're going to do a separate review of those, so standby for that).

You can choose your own spec through Trek's Project One custom programme. Our one would cost you £6,725 – those wheels really jack the price up – although you can have a 6 Series Madone from £3,400 if you adjust the spec.

The Madone really flies forward the second you increase the power. It reacts so quickly. And when you get busy on the climbs, it's perfectly happy to pitch in and do its part.

I'm pretty big by cycling standards (75-77kg) and, despite its light weight, the Madone stood up to all the power I could sling its way. Trek's E2 head tube houses a standard 1 1/8in upper bearing with a big 1 1/2in bearing at the bottom, and it's a chunky piece of work. It holds the front end super-stable and, along with those KVF fork blades, it makes for precise handling through long, sweeping turns and quick, zigzagging ones.

The bottom bracket is Trek's BB90 standard with widely spaced bearings and there's very little flex there either. As far as I can tell, Trek have managed to keep all of the Madone's frame stiffness with this latest incarnation. Despite the big changes, it's every bit as solid as before.

The other big feature is vertical compliance. Now, I don't really like to go on about vertical compliance too much because it's the biggest cliché in cycling. On Road.cc, we tend to take the Mick when manufacturers mention it because they'll wheel out the phrase even if their bike rides like a boneshaker. But that's not to say that vertical compliance isn't a valuable property for a bike to have; it certainly is if you want a comfortable ride.

The reason I bring it up is because the new Madone does have plenty of, you know... VC. Sorry, it just does, especially compared to other aero road bikes I've ridden. That back end in particular just seems to soak up rough roads, unexpected dips and so on.

It helps that I have such a massive (some might say 'ridiculous') amount of seatpost to take the sting out of things. Well, not seatpost exactly... the Madone uses what Trek call 'a no-cut Ride Tuned seat mast'. In other words, you get an extended seat tube with a long mast topper on the outside that gives you 10cm of adjustment. As the name suggests, you don't need to cut the seat tube to length like you do with some systems.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the Bontrager Inform Affinity RXL saddle. Buy it separately and it's a £100 perch with carbon rails and a carbon-fibre reinforced shell. It's just that I found it to sag in the middle and that's really not comfortable for me. But, when it comes to saddles, one man's meat is another man's poison. Probably not the best choice of words there. Ahem!

As for the ride position, our 6 Series frame is built to Trek's H1 fit which is designed to be low and aero. Trek have increased the reach of the existing H1 geometry a touch for a slightly more stretched ride position.

I'm happy with that setup and find it perfectly comfortable but you might not, in which case, you're in luck... The 6 Series is available in an H2 fit too. The biggest difference is in the length of the head tube. With the H1 fit it's 16cm on a 58cm frame; with the H2 fit it's 19cm. That means your ride position is a little more upright to take the strain off your back and neck, without the need to use a stack of flexing spacers. The H2 setup is still performance-orientated, but it's a bit more relaxed.

I won't bother telling you about the Shimano Dura-Ace groupset because it's not standard – although, as I said, you can spec it if you go through the Project One system. You can also choose your own colour and have your name on the top tube if that's your thing.

I won't tell you about the Aeolus 3 wheels either because we're going to cover them in a separate review. They're brilliant though.

So, that just leaves me to round things up and I'll do that by saying the new Madone is an absolute triumph. It really is. It's light, it's very, very fast and it's way more comfortable than you've a right to expect of a high-performance bike (albeit that I didn't get on too well with the saddle).

I'd love to be more critical and give you a few negatives as well but I'm not going to do that just for the sake of it. This is one of the very best road bikes out there. If the 7 Series is even better, well, we'll happily ride one of those for a bit too. In the meantime, I suppose we'd better box this one up and send it back.

Lightweight, very fast and comfortable - a super-high performance bike that won't disappoint, if you have the cash.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Madone 6 Series 2013 (custom build)

Size tested: Project One build

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

The frame is made from 600 Series OCLV carbon

The fork is full carbon too, including the dropouts

Our bike came with this spec:

Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Brakes Bontrager Speed Limit integrated brakes with Shimano Dura-Ace levers

Wheels Bontrager Aeolus D3 3

Handlebar Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR-C

Stem Bontrager Race X Lite

Saddle Bontrager Affinity RXL Carbon

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

It's a race/performance bike. The pros teams might be on 7 Series Madones but, really, the 6 Series of bikes are professional level.

In the build we have, it's 6.78kg without pedals (size 58cm). Add the pedals and it's just above the UCI's 6.8kg minimum weight limit for racing.

Trek say, "Madone 6 Series is race-bike royalty, with its legacy of 9 Tour de France wins. Still the same incredible ride feel and hand-built quality, now with an all-new super-aero shape.

"6 Series has charged the steepest climbs, staged the biggest comebacks, carried the greatest legends. It will take you past your limits, beyond your expectations."

Frame and fork

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Spot on. You can chose your own colour from a vast selection.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

The frame is Trek's 600 Series OCLV carbon. For all the details, including how it compares to their other grades of carbon, go to Trek .

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

You get to choose between Trek's H1 and H2 geometries.

Essentially, H1 is low and aero. H2 is a little more relaxed. The main difference is in the height of the head tube. It's a bit longer with the H2 so you get a more upright ride position - although it's still a performance-orientated set-up.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

See above on that. You can go for low and stretched or a bit more relaxed.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Very comfortable, yes, especially for a performance-orientated machine.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Yep, it's as rigid around the front end and bottom bracket as previous generation Madones, as far as I can tell.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Yeah. Trek have built plenty of Tour-winning bikes in the past and this one is the equal of those in terms of efficiency.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

A touch on the 58cm frame we have. Not a problem, though.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? The lively side of neutral.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

It feels super-smooth compared to a lot of other high-performance bikes and the steering is pin sharp.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I actually didn't especially like the saddle. I felt the comfort was despite the saddle rather than because of the saddle. It's always a matter of individual taste. There's plenty of give in the frame and seatmast to keep things feeling smooth.

The drivetrain

Not especially good value compared to Ultegra or 105 but very good value compared to top-end groupsets from the other leading brands

Wheels and tyres

You can get lighter wheels; these major on aerodynamics.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Without doubt.

Overall rating: 9 /10

About the tester

Age: 41   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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It's possibly a small detail, but one of things I love about the Trek kit is the DuoTrap compartment. Attention to detail like that matters to me and hints that other things have also had a little more care taken over them. Personally I'd go for a Domane as the roads around where I live are far from ideal...but this is stunning.

I think the translation to grams is effectively a comparative that makes it easier for cyclists to understand. Rather than talk about how it reduces the drag coefficient, they talk in grams because people can understand how this is equivalent to, say buying a lighter group set, or saddle, for instance. So if I am thinking of buying a bike, and like one that weight 6.80Kg, and the other weighs 7.0Kg, but is fandangled in such a way that it reduces drag by 200g, there's no real difference.....I think that is the logic.

But if I was an engineer I would probably dislike the terminology, but I guess most people without an engineering background would struggle to understand how a drag coefficient would affect their ride, especially when so often there are so many factors that add to or detract from riding performance - aerodynamics and weight being just two.

im going to say something i have never said before.. these new treks actually look really impressive.

russyparkin wrote: im going to say something i have never said before.. these new treks actually look really impressive.

Have to agree. Never liked Trek much, always seemed a bit sterile and a bit ugly. Nothing offensive, just very anonymous. This model really does look the part.

In science and engineering drag would typically be measured in Newtons, ie. units of force.

I'm not sure why the cycling community measure it in grams, as of course grams (kilograms SI) is a measurement of mass. Weight on the other hand, is a force due to mass sitting in a gravitational field. Measuring drag in grams, is, in my view (as an engineer) just wrong.

Why is drag measured in weight (grams) as opposed to er...erm, well whatever you measure drag with?

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Trek madone 5.2 – review.

The Trek Madone 5.2 was overhauled for 2013 and combines low weight and aerodynamics with the ride quality and dependable handling of the previous iteration of the US firm’s race bike.

The Madone 5.2 is perhaps the last model year 2013 machine to pass through RoadCyclingUK. As the calendar flicks over to MY2014, the Madone 5.2 will get Shimano’s new 11-speed Ultegra groupset, rather than the 10-speed version on our test bike, and a new lick of paint, but otherwise the spec and, most importantly, the frame remains the same.

The chassis

And what of the frame? Bikes in Trek’s high-end Madone range – that’s 5-Series, 6-Series and 7-Series machines – received a radical frame update in June 2012, when we first spotted it being ridden by the Radioshack-Leopard-Trek team at the Criterium du Dauphine.

The Madone 5.2 is based around a frame which utilities Kammtail Virtual Foil tube profiles and integrated brakes to help boost its aerodynamic prowess.

We ran through both features in our first look but, in short, the KVF tubes follow an airfoil shape but with the tail chopped off in a design which Trek say saves weight and improves stiffness while also complying with UCI rules. The KVF shape is most noticeable on the downtube but has also been applied to the fork, headtube, seattube and seatstays.

As for the integrated brakes, the Madone 5.2’s rear stopper has been moved to the chainstays – a design first applied to time trial machines but now regularly used on aero road bikes – and the front brake is cut into the fork crown. By removing the rear brake from its traditional position, Trek say they have been able to further tune the seatstays for weight, comfort and aerodynamics. The Madone 5.2 is certainly a smooth ride – but we’ll talk about that more soon.

Trek say the KVF tube profiles and integrated brakes result in 25 “free” watts when riding at 40km/h compared to the previous Madone. That’s a bold claim, and, like any aero machine we test, one we’re not able to confirm without heading into the wind tunnel.

The frame and fork are made from 500-Series OCLV carbon fibre. Bikes in the 6 and 7-Series range (which, incidentally, were tweaked in July to shed a little more weight) are made from higher grade (lighter, stiffer) 600-Series OCLV and 700-Series OCLV respectively, while 4-Series bikes (which share the KVF tube profiles – but not the integrated brakes – for MY2014) are made from 400-Series OCLV, and so on.

Finally, as far as the chassis is concerned, a Bontrager DuoTrap wireless speed and cadence sensor is incorporated into the non-driveside chainstay, and the presence of an integrated chain catcher is another impressive detail.

How have those changes affected the ride of the Madone 5.2?

Comfort can often be sacrificed by manufacturers in the hunt for aero gains (the Wilier Cento1AIR recently reviewed offers a harsher ride than the Cento1SR ) but the Madone 5.2 remains an impressively supple ride, particularly through the back-end. The Madone isn’t designed as a ‘comfort’ bike – the Domane occupies that position in Trek’s range – but it does an excellent job of taking the sting out of rough roads while remaining connected with the tarmac and keeping the rider in tune with what’s happening beneath them.

The Madone’s neutral handling has almost become its calling card and the 5.2 is no different: planted and completely in-tune with the rider. I prefer a little more va-va-voom but the Madone is an undeniably confidence-inspiring ride, whether that’s riding in the bunch, when descending or removing a jacket with your hands off the handlebar. Trek’s E2 headtube tapers from 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ and, combined with the straight-legged, KVF fork, the result is a reassuringly stable and planted front end.

The Madone 5.2 uses Trek’s proprietary BB90 bottom bracket – said to be the widest available for use on a road bike – and that results in a ride which is plenty stiff enough. The relatively low weight – 7.64kg for our test bike – ensures the Madone 5.2 is eager out of the blocks and climbs well, though it could easily shed significant weight by upgrading the Bontrager Race hoops that come as standard.

As for fit, the Madone 5.2 is based around Trek’s H2 geometry, which they say is “right for most riders” – most riders being those on the club run on a Sunday morning, riding sportives and perhaps dabbling in a bit of racing. As a result, the H2 fit is a little more relaxed than the racier H1 fit offered on 6 and 7-Series bikes. The key difference is the height of the headtube, which at 170mm is a little tall for me but by no means extreme.

The components

As we mentioned at the start, our 2013 Madone is dressed in 10-speed Shimano Ultegra, so with the 2014 Madone, now available through Trek dealers, equipped with the updated 11-version, we won’t say much other than it performed as we’ve come to expect from Shimano’s second-from-top group. The compact chainset and 11-28t cassette combine to provide a wide spread of gears.

A quick word on the new 11-speed setup, however. The revamped groupset borrows heavily from the top-end Dura-Ace setup, with a new four-arm chainset which is said to boost stiffness and sharper shifting thanks to a shorter leaver throw.

Trek’s house brand, Bontrager, provide the dual pivot, integrated brakes. Initial bite is good but we felt they lacked top-end power. We didn’t notice the rear brake accumulating dirt any more than it would have done if in its traditional position on the seatstays, but what did bug us, however, was that the screws which hold the brake pads aren’t easily accessible and require the removal of the whole shoe when swapping pads. The matte finish of the brakes also leaves them trailing other in terms of aesthetics.

The Race wheels are Bontrager’s entry-level hoops and come wrapped in Bontrager R3 tyres. While at 1,720g the wheels are far from the lightest, they’re stiff, roll well and are tubeless ready. They’ll make for good training wheels if you choose to upgrade the stock hoops.

Bontrager also supply the aluminium Race X Lite stem and Race Lite Aero handlebar, which has a KVF-inspired profile, and a compact, ergonomic shape which – for this reviewer at least – made it more comfortable to ride in the drops for long periods. A Bontrager Affinity 3 saddle completes the build.

Trek have combined low weight, stiffness, aerodynamics and comfort to good effect with the Madone 5.2, providing a helpful dose of each. As a result, and brake issues aside, the Madone 5.2 is a fine all-rounder.

Discuss in the forum

Price: £2,800 Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm Website: Trek

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Trek Madone 3.1 Road Bike

World-class carbon performance starts here. For the discriminating sport-level rider who wants to squeeze every ounce of performance out of his/her budget.

• USER REVIEWS

Carbon fiber and rear cassette were my main reason of getting rid of my Focus bike. The difference was amazing, I find the ride way more comfortable and since I mainly do hills, going from a 26 to a 30 rear cassette was like day and night and the Trek is almost 3 lbs. lighter. Makes climbing ALMOST a joy.

Man, those Bontrager wheels are the worst set of rims of my previous two bikes. Like riding with the brakes on. Put on some Forte's off my old bike and made a big difference. The seat isn't really a problem in fact it's no different than my other ones. Front shifter is OK the back 105 is better and the brakes seem OK.

After upgrading the wheel set the bike is something I look forward to ride for many miles. I like it!

A very light bike that handles well on all roads. Gearing is quite good too. A strong bike that gives you plenty of confidence. It looks well and has a very nice hard finish that stands up well to all kinds of road wear.

I find the saddle a real pain over long distances (50km+), I've decided to change it for something a bit easier on the butt!! The wheels are heavy and a bit of a 'let down' in comparison to the rest of the components and also the brakes could do with an upgrade.

The bike is good value for money and handles very well. It's a pity that they did not go 'the extra mile' regarding the wheels, I would recommend this bike over some of its rivals, but I feel that there is room for improvement! Wingman

Great climber, stiff bottom bracket, very comfortable ride. Did I mention it's a great climber? Wow

None so far

This is for the 2013 model. My last bike was Cannnondale CAAD10, which was amazing ride as well, but unfortunately ended up being too stiff for anything past 40-50 miles. So in comes the Madone, and I am very, very happy with the decision. The geometry places me in a more upright position, but still allows me to be aero on the drops. The three places it excels at are on hilly descents, climbs and long rides. I was really impressed with the power transfer when going up several steep hills around here, and equally impressed on the way down. The ride is very composed, if the makes any sense, and allows you to just relax and ride. Just fy--- I got rid of the stock seatpost and handlebars, and also switched out the Bontrager wheels to my existing Shimano RS80 wheelset. That made a huge difference, and the bike potential really came out.

Similar Products Used:

Bikes I've owned--- Giant TCR Composite, Cannondale Carbon Synapse, Cannondale CAAD10

The quality and the comfort of frame is very good The price is affordable

the front derailleur is Tiagra istead of 105

I wanted a bike that can be ridden year round over many kilometers and I now Got it!

For an entry level Carbon Road Bike the 3.1 is great value for money It's light and feels realy strong with a very smooth ride the 2012 model looks fantastic

None realy i'd recomend this bike to any one starting out road riding The same components for the handlebars to rear wheels would be good but they must mix and match to keep the price down

This bike is a pleasure to ride overall i could'nt be happier it seams perfect for the distance i cover 50 to 100 ks rides ( by the way i cant find a problem with the saddle it works well in my part of the world )

Light and tossable, handles bumpy roads much better than a metal frame

Saddle is hard and Wheels seem heavy when climbing

I got back into riding after about 11 years. While my 2000 model year Trek 2000 was a nice bike, I always felt it was too big for me (58cm frame) so when I found a new 2010 Madone 3.1 (56cm frame) on sale for under $1500 at my LBS in Oct 2012, I jumped on it. I could immediately feel the difference with how well the Madone cushions the bumps. and how much lighter it felt than the 2000 (even though the weight difference probably isn't very much). I'm finding the Madone to be great for the New Hampshire hills. I only got in about 250 road miles on it before the cold and snow came, but I'm very happy with the bike in general. so far. I upgraded the saddle to a Fi'zi:k Aliante after the first 100 miles or so because the stock saddle was a brick. The wheels are cheap and heavy and those are the only other planned upgrades. I would buy this bike again.

Very comfortable ride, I did a lot of research before purchasing my new bike and the 3.1 ticked all the boxes, the write up suggested a bike that could be ridden all day long and after my first journey out of 50 miles it didn't dissapoint. Very smooth stable and comfortable. The seat is hard but must suit my bum as I had no problems with it

Great bike buy one

Looks, weight, handling, climbing, brakes.

I'm no pro, I'm a born again cyclist (in my late 40s now) but I did a ton of research before settling for the Trek 3.1. I simply cannot fault it other than a pretty hard seat, which a good pair of cycling shorts will negate. Very smooth ride, hugely quick acceleration, admiring looks wherever I go on it and very light (I weighed it on our digital scales including pedals and water bottle holder it's under 8.5kg). Newer models can't really improve much so I went for a 2011 unused model and saved £400 ($650) what a bargain!

Ton of bike for $$$. Super comfy drivetrain. Great climber. Looks great. Easy to ride. Feels stable at speed.

Stock seat is a brick. Paint seems thin and scratches easier than most. 105 components can be noisy.

I own an older Cannondale aluminum and a Trek 5200 carbon bike, so that's what I have to compare them too. After riding the 3.1, I don't think you can do much better for $2,000. The frame is super comfy. The carbon frame absorbs bad roads wonderfully. Felt like a more expensive bike. Super stable going 40mph downhill. The compact gearing and 11/28 made huge hills easy work. My own complaints: I'm used to Shimano Ultegra, so the downgrade to 105 gear was noticeable. Nothing wrong with 105s, but they feel industrial compared to silkier, smoother more expensive components. Biggest complaint: the seat is awful! Every reviewer agrees that you will want your own seat! I'm giving a 4 instead of a 5 because of the seat and I prefer better than 105 components. If you are looking for your first carbon bike, or first bike, then get this one. Other than the easily replacable seat, you won't find a better deal or better bike. Just buy it! Even if you hate cycling later, you could sell this bike and get most of your $$$ back.

Just changed the stock Bontrager tires on my Trek Madone 3.1 to Continental Gatorskins at 550 miles. Gatorskins are much faster rolling and better grip in cornering. Plus, the Gatorskins are thicker with more belts for added flat avoidance. Although I didn't have any flats on the original tires during the 550 miles I rode the R1 Bontrager tires.

As previously stated the stock seat is very hard and uncomfortable....I changed it as well.

Great bike for the price. Most carbon bikes are much more money and the Shimano components work well. Shifts smoothly and brakes strong. Light and fast.

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Results have arrived, trek madone bikes for sale.

Shop new & used Trek Madone bikes at TPC - The Pro's Closet. Find reviews, specs, weight info, prices and size charts on various models (SLR 9, 7) and popular years (2018, 2021, etc). Read our Trek Madone Quick-Take Review below.

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Trek Madone SLR Gen 7 - Weight, Specs, Price

Trek madone 3rd party reviews ,   trek madone size chart, 2022 trek madone review - a tpc rider's quick take.

• Aero masterclass
• Trek engineers locked themselves in a wind tunnel with this bike. Every curve, edge, and component shouts aerodynamics. From the IsoFlow tech to the one-piece aero bar and stem this bike is designed for slicing through air.
• IsoFlow Comfort
• One of the standout features of the Madone is Trek’s IsoFlow technology, which makes for a forgiving ride, especially on longer epics. IsoFlow helps the seatmast flex, soaking up road vibrations. It’s rare for a speed-focused road bike to excel in comfort, yet here we are.
• Integrated everything
• In the Madone, the term "fully integrated" is taken to new heights. From the cables to the cockpit, everything is tucked away, contributing not just to aerodynamics but also to a jaw-dropping aesthetic.
• Speed and beauty come at a cost. The Madone’s premium price could act as a barrier for many. It's a serious investment, and budget-friendly aero options are out there.
• Price: $7,999 (SLR 6)
• Weight woes
• Despite the carbon fiber frame and components, the Madone isn't a featherweight in its category. It's a solid build, but riders focused on climbing might find it a tad on the heavier side.
• Weight: 17lbs (56cm)
• Versatility questions
• While the Madone excels on flat terrain and downhill blasts, it's not the most versatile option for a wide range of riding conditions. Climbers and those who encounter varying terrain may find it limiting.

The Bikes of Trek Factory Racing

Trek boosted its racing profile in a big way when it assumed the title sponsorship of the RadioShack-Leopard squad. Here’s a look at the three bikes the team will be riding in 2014, the Domane, Madone, and Speed Concept. —Matt Allyn

Trek Domane Classics Edition Race Bike

Trek Domane Classics Edition E2 Asymmetric Steerer

Trek domane classics edition isospeed decoupler, trek domane classics edition thumb shifter, trek madone 7, trek madone 7 kamm tail down tube, trek madone 7 integrated rear brake, trek madone 7 e2 head tube, bontrager aeolus 5 d3 wheels, trek speed concept 9, trek speed concept 9 tube shapes, trek speed concept 9 front brake, bontrager hilo rxl speed dial saddle, trek speed concept 9 cockpit, .css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#f8d811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} bikes & gear.

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Spotted: New Trek at the Dauphine…is it an Emonda? Is it a Madone?

Whatever it is, it’s another for the ‘one bike’ field of racers

The train of pre-Tour bike releases has already left the station, kicked off with a new Wilier seen underneath Lenny Martinez a few days ago. It is now speeding up, fuelled by another new bike spotted at the prime race for Tour de France tech testing, the Critérium du Dauphiné . Before I torture the metaphor too much, I’ll just say this: We’re not entirely sure what this bike is.

Walking for some lunch I stumbled on the team bus and snapped a few spy shots. The new bike isn’t something unexpected, with a new frame spotted on the WeightWeenies forum back at the start of the year , but its use in racing has been unseen until now. Given development timeframes we assumed it would be a new Emonda, but it bears more than a passing resemblance to the team’s aero option, the Madone.

 Another one-bike race solution

Whatever the model name, Madone or Emonda (Madonda? Emondone?), this is clearly yet another example of teams (or brands) pushing for a single race bike that’s neither an all-out aero machine nor a featherweight climber. In much the same way as the Tarmac SL8 and the Bianchi Specialissima , whatever this bike is, it is almost certainly the only bike we will see the team riding during the Tour de France and beyond. 

The hole in the seat tube remains, which is where it bears its most striking resemblance to the current Madone. Dubbed ‘IsoFlow’, this apparently aids airflow at the rear of the bike, as well as cantilevering the seatpost. 

Hopping to the front of the bike, there are again similarities to the Madone. The fork legs are more or less as deep, and the slightly kinked downward lower surface of the top tube remains. The head tube, though, is less deep, and as you move rearwards the effects of a clear carbon-starved diet are plain to see. 

The top tube is similar to the Madone, though the downtube is less deep. The seat tube, ignoring the hole at the top for a second, is still scalloped around the rear wheel for improved airflow, but the chainstays are substantially narrower. This follows the trend of the latest race bikes opting for a strategy of aero up front, where it has the greatest impact, and weight saving at the rear.

Madone or Emonda, expect to see it at the Tour de France. 

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Aero bottles

Something that is new for this bike is aero bottles. We've seen some before on the Cannondale SuperSix but the EF squad doesn't use them. It seems Lidl-Trek is however using a custom set of bottles clearly aimed with aero in mind. 

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Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. There are very few types of cycling he's not dabbled in, and he has a particular affection for older bikes and long lasting components. Road riding was his first love, before graduating to racing CX in Yorkshire. He's been touring on a vintage tandem all the way through to fixed gear gravel riding and MTB too. When he's not out riding one of his many bikes he can usually be found in the garage tinkering with another of them, or getting obsessive about tyres. Also, as he doesn't use Zwift, he's our go-to guy for bad weather testing... bless him.

Rides: Custom Zetland Audax, Bowman Palace:R, Peugeot Grand Tourisme Tandem, Falcon Explorer Tracklocross, Fairlight Secan & Strael

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Trek Madone 2.1 review

Alloy edition of a famous carbon name

Tom Ballard / Immediate Media

Tom Ballard

Thanks in part to its association with That Texan and a long pedigree of superbly performing bike models, the Madone name is one of the best-known in road cycling. It’s perhaps a bit of gamble then for Trek to slap the branding of its most famous carbon bike on an aluminium-framed machine – but has it paid off?

The sub-£1,000 price point is one of the most hotly contested. With an update to 11-speed Shimano 105 shifters and a price drop to £900 for 2015, the Madone 2.1 holds its own against online-only competition. It’s a solid bike for those who aspire to own the Madone label without handing over £5,900 for the carbon version.

Related: Best bikes under £1,000

• Highs: Decent gearing, handles well, do-it-all geometry, stiff frame
• Lows: Chatters over rough roads, cut-price brakes, a bit heavy

Ride and handling: buzzy but reliable

In Trek’s world, we’ve got the Domane for comfort, the Emonda for climbing and the Madone for racing fast – but the aluminium 2.1 isn’t really a flat-back, head-down racer. The H2 geometry means a taller head-tube (150mm for our 54cm size) for a more upright position than the carbon H1 models. It’s comfortable without stretching, you can tuck low easily and you don’t feel like you’re going backwards when sitting up.

It's officially a Madone, but not as we know it

This means a do-it-all setup that enables you to get on with riding and offers assured control in almost every scenario. Whether you're whipping around tight bends, holding stable in crosswinds or adjusting a line when flashing downhill, the 2.1 offers fuss-free handling that’s neutral and reliable.

This isn't to damn it with faint praise though. Lack of excitement when it comes to handling isn’t a bad thing – you can hold plenty of speed around corners, descend with confidence and relax to enjoy riding.

Unfortunately, the ride quality can endanger that fun at times though. We’ve got a feeling Trek had an image of the bike zipping along a perfectly smooth highway when the 2.1’s frame was designed.

Take the Madone for a spin on good roads it feels sensational, holding its speed well despite the resistance of fairly heavy wheels that make accelerations suffer. Whether or not the internal cabling and flat-backed KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) down tube shape aid aerodynamics, it certainly feels fast and satisfying when you’re pushing towards a PB.

Internal cabling is impressive at this price

On the other hand, rougher surfaces really dent the fun, the carbon blades of the tapered fork doing little to calm the chattering vibrations through the frame at the front end. Descending on imperfect lanes proved the biggest worry, with jolts forcing bum and saddle separation and the continued staccato vibrations then battering the backside as the bike skittered downwards – even with only 110psi in the tyres.

This isn't going to happen every time you take on a descent, but it’s a pity that the well-behaved and otherwise planted handling can sometimes come unstuck because of this lack of ride smoothness, creating a tense riding experience. To try and combat this we’d put some suppler 25mm tyres and a carbon seatpost on the upgrade list.

On the uphills though – terrain upon which the Madone performs well for a bike weighing 8.9kg – it's a refreshingly different story. Especially when riding hard, the 2.1’s stiffness gives a quick response and unhampered power transfer when stamping out authority on climbs. With the spot-on geometry and wide gear range, it’s just as adept at helping you spin to a summit too. The front end feels light – and even a bit twitchy with hands on the tops – and while you can feel the weight a bit at the back end, there’s no sense of frustration that the bike’s holding you back.

Frame: fancily formed aluminium

The Madone 2.1 uses Trek’s top-grade Alpha 200-series aluminium, which thanks to hydroforming techniques has allowed for the flattened top tube and KVF down tube shapes, the latter of which being essentially an aerofoil shape that’s had the back cut off, increasing stiffness and decreasing weight while aiding aerodynamics.

The KVF shaping on the aluminium Madone takes its cue from its carbon-frame brother

The flat shapes also give a smooth, clean look more akin to a carbon frame, though the overall look and shaping remains a far cry from the carbon Madone. The rest of the tubing is a more traditional cylindrical shape and is welded fairly inconspicuously. The oversized BB86.5 bottom bracket means no external bearing cups and allows the wider BB junction that aids stiffness to give the bike its punchy power transfer.

The gear cabling is internally routed, entering at the top of the down tube and exiting at the bottom bracket for the rear derailleur. The rear brake takes a more conventional course under the top tube. This isn’t really too much of a disappointment – as any internal routing at this price is a bonus – but it just reminds you far removed the alloy Madone is from its illustrious namesake.

The head tube is tapered for increased front-end stiffness, which was remarkably solid throughout testing. The accompanying fork features carbon blades, complete with KVF trailing edges, and an alloy steerer – standard at this price point. It also includes a built-in SpeedTrap module for transmitting speed and distance data to a head unit via a Trek computer sensor and spoke-mounted magnet. In addition the 2.1 comes complete with mudguard mounts on fork and frame.

Equipment: savvy selections for 11-speed value

For 2015, the Madone 2.1 makes the leap to 11-speed with Shimano 105 shifters, allowing a wide, largely gap-free gear range when accompanied by the matching 11-28 105 cassette. There’s no skimping on the derailleurs either, which are 105 too, though there’s an RS500 five-bolt 50/34 compact crankset rather than the gorgeous new four-bolt design that’s trickled down from Dura-Ace and Ultegra. Shifting performance was flawless throughout and until Shimano’s high-end groups go 12-speed, there’s little to recommend them over these workhorse components.

Our only criticism of the drivetrain is in the internal BB bearings, which became sticky after a few weeks, stopping the cranks from turning as freely as they should. The brakes are also a bit disappointing, the un-branded calipers lacking the power of Shimano’s versions.

11-speed 105 on a £900 bike shows Trek's buying power

The 2.1 is supplied with Bontrager’s TLR tubeless-ready wheels, which have low-profile, slightly rounded rims that are 19mm wide. Like the rest of the 2.1, they’re solid and free from flex, but aren’t particularly light and didn’t do us any favours in drag sprints from standing, taking a while to get up to speed. They’re a good set of training wheels, but the bike could really fly on the flats and hills with an upgrade to a lighter set.

The Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres, meanwhile, are 23mm wide and seemed fairly puncture prone, causing us grief on a few occasions.

The remainder of the finishing kit also comes from Trek’s component brand. The simple alloy seatpost has a red anodised clamp that matches the seat collar, gear hanger, odd headset spacer and stem top cap, giving a classy look. The stem itself is white to match the frame, but comes with a blue anodised faceplate. The bars are standard 31.8mm with a comfy compact drop, wrapped in white gel cork tape, which quickly became grubby.

The Bontrager Paradigm 1 saddle features a central cutout and was surprisingly comfy despite its rather squidgy padding, though an upgrade to something slightly harder might benefit riders going long.

So is the 2.1 really a Madone? No. It’s a fine aluminium bike that shows off Trek’s usual quality, but it’s so distant from the carbon models that it’s not really comparable. Sadly, the fact it is branded as such – inviting unfair comparisons – doesn’t do the 2.1 any favours.

When it comes down to it, the occasionally harsh ride is the one characteristic that poses the biggest question for potential buyers – do you really need the benefit of internal cabling and a more aero down tube for the kind of riding you’re doing?

If you’re going to be racing and want every ounce of power you can get your legs on, it may well be the winning choice, though it’s up against stiff competition from the likes of Giant and Boardman at this price point. If you want all-day, long-ride comfort or value distance over speed go for Trek’s Domane instead.

Check out the gallery above for more pictures of the Trek Madone 2.1.

Looking for a new bike? Get more buying advice from fellow riders in our forum. Head here to join the discussion.

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