2009 trek madone 4.5 blue book

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Trek Madone 4.5 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 does it all. This 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 Race wheelset cheats the wind, while the Shimano components include a slick-shifting drivetrain with the perfect gears to spin up the climbs and powerful dual-pivot brakes for complete control on the way back down. This able roadster sports a sweet spread of Bontrager's carbon and aluminum components, and a plush Bontrager seat, too.

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Fast ride, handles road irregularities and bumps well, effortless to ride, climbs well, handles curves expertly, absolute beauty to look at.

custom stickers | print stickers | business printing | printing company

Awesome frame - brilliant handling, climbs well, comfortable and fast and Radioshack graphics on mine look awesome - this is a keeper :-)

Saddle a bit uncomfortable - replaced with Fizik Aliante. Did replace wheels, chainset and brake calipers - Ultegra 6800 bought off a mate - did make a difference. Wheels were eventually replaced with Mavic Ksyrium Elites but only after I wore out the original Bontrager's.

OK. So this review is about 3 years out of date - but hell these things are now appearing on EBay at bargain prices! - thinking about buying one as a winter bike! Bought my Madone 4.5 in 2013 - 1st carbon bike - and 3 years on, and despite the additions to my bike collection it is still my fave. OK, so I have upgraded the brake calipers and chainset - Ultegra 6800 - and it does make a difference (although the original 105's are great) and the wheels are are bit stiffer, BUT if you want a bike that does everything well then it is brilliant - I cannot praise this bike (well mine at least) enough the Madone 4.5 is brilliant - no matter what I won't be selling mine.

Very good value, responsive bike, Excellent in sprints, nice color scheme, duotrap is very neat

extremely logo happy, terrible bontrager saddle, heavy stock wheels, stock crankset is shimano but not even 105, no-name weak brakes

I bought this bike in August 2011. I can say that I am quite satisfied with it. It is very responsive under sudden power, climbs well (the little climbs that I have done) and handles well in turns, which is really important when riding fast and aggressive in close circuits, similar to crits. I find it very comfortable and fast for long rides; I ride with a very fast group in Miami with speeds that oscillates around 28-30 mph and I have hit 38 mph in sprints on a couple of occasions with this bike, smoking in the process many riders in way more expensive machines. About upgrades, the first component to go was the saddle. That thing is awful, I am still thankful to this day that some good soul gave me $25 bucks for it in eBay; It was replaced by a Selle SMP stratos. Then I upgraded the wheels to Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL (I also have a Mavic Ksyrium elite set) and brake calipers to Shimano ultegra 2010. I rode with this setup for a year and then I decided to upgrade further: - I installed a new cool looking cockpit (Ritchey Evo carbon HB and ritchey carbon stem) thus getting rid of the alum bontrager HB, stem and rusted bolts; - I wrapped the HB with a beautiful and comfortable Lizard Skin black tape - 2 new bottle cages (Blackburn carbon) - New group set (2013 SRAM force with standard GXP crankset and 11/23 cassette) - Fizik saddle bag in small size - Upgraded GPS computer from Garmin FR305 to the Garmin Edge 500 with SRAM mount - Replaced the look keo classic pedals by Look keo blades carbon My bike now looks mean, is fast as the fastest (the engine is not so bad if you know what I mean), and all in all I am very happy with its performance. I have been considering upgrading the frameset but it is not really due to low performance but to the fact that the frame size might be a tad too big for me and my back is bothering me in long/hard rides

Well balanced, power transfer, descending, and comfort.

I just feel the need to comment on the last reviewer, and his/her bad experience with Trek brakes. As a bit of background, I have owned three carbon road bikes and a Cannondale Caad10 in the last six yeaes, so I have a bit of experience to compare brands and their corresponding brakes. When I test rode the Madone at the shop, I immediatly noticed that the brakes were weak. Everything else was superb, but I knew the brakes needed a fix. So... after purchasing my Madone, I immediatly replaced the brake pads for 'KoolStop' brand Brake Pads. Problem solved, with strong stopping power, even on long and steep descents. Price = $12.00 per pair. Installation takes about two minutes, and about five for those that find changing a light bulb to be a challange. To be fair, my other bikes had kinda weak brake pads as well, but the Madone version was even a step below. So, the moral of the story here is that yes, the brake pads are inferior (and yes, Trek should not be shipping finished bikes with these pads), but you should not dismiss this amazing bike, especially for such a quick and easy fix.

Similar Products Used:

Giant TCR Composite, Cannondale Synapse 4 (Carbon), Cannondale CAAD10

Generally rides well - but this is offset by the fact that this bike nearly killed me (see below). Until buying this bike new and crashing it three months later, I was a Trek loyalist.

The Trek Madone 4.5 may be the last road bike that you own -- because it can kill you. My 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 nearly killed me. The main problem with this bicycle is the braking system. To make this an "entry-level" carbon fiber bicycle at a low "price point," Trek used cheap no-name brand components on the 2011 Madone 4.5. If you think that's just a minor "performance" issue, you haven't carefully read the complaints from users about the poor braking system. Trek and your bike shop will do what they did to me, claiming that I didn't properly maintain my then three-month old bike and that I didn't apply the brakes properly. When I complained to my bike shop about the brakes before the accident, I was informed that I should expect longer braking distances on this bike because the thin tire tread has little friction with the road and that I just needed to get used to the superior performance of a carbon fiber bike. The shop and Trek really told me after the accident that I should've been cleaning dust off of the brake pads and that I was braking too hard. (The only way that my bike would even begin to stop was when I squeezed hard on the brakes. Otherwise I just heard a hissing sound.) Then they claimed that I should be more mindful of the weather (yet the road surface where the accident happened was completely dry on a dry, sunny day). When I complained to Trek's warranty guy about the brakes, he said that if Trek made stronger brakes, the pads would wear down the tires too much. Before the accident, I began asking other bike shops about the cost of upgrading the brakes out of my own pocket. The bike shop guy heard me describe a "2011 Trek Madone 4.5" and assumed that I had already brought my bike in. I was amazed when he led me to an identical twin of my bike - right down to the same paint pattern - that had been brought in for a brake upgrade at the owners' expense. Don't ignore the warnings about bad brakes. Trek doesn't care about your life and limb.

Bike rides well -- until you need brakes to stop it. Beware of the no-name Tektro brake system. Do not ride this bike on hills until you have thoroughly tested the braking system. Even on slight downgrades, realize that the bike can pick up speed very quickly and that the poor brakes cannot slow you down safely. Don't trust the Trek warranty because they likely will deny your claim and blame you 100% for their product's manufacturing and design defects.

Trek 7.3 FX, Trek 7300 (both are hybrids)

Excellent ride/handling. Very comfortable seat. Precise shifting w/ Ultegra components. Every bit of the pedal stroke goes to moving the bike forward. Very clean look with the DuoTrap and direct attach derailleur.

Only 1 color scheme available in the US. Would prefer a better crank, at least go with the 105 crank.

I've been mountain biking for 20+ years, after moving to South Florida I decided to get a road bike. I first looked at the Madone 2.0; Specialized Allez and Specialized Secteur aluminum bikes. Next I looked and almost bought a 2012 Madone 3 series on closeout, but I didn't. Just when I was about ready to buy the Madone 4.5 went on sale and it didn't make sense to buy a high-end aluminum or entry level carbon fiber when I could get a bike with better carbon fiber, better components (Ultegra) and a decent wheelset. I was amazed at how much better the Madone 4.5 rode as compared to the 3 series. This bike has a great feel, ride all day comfort with the Affinity 2 seat and carbon seatpost. Every bit of the pedal stroke is utilized to push the bike forward, no wasted effort at all. The direct attached derailleur and DuoTrap sensor really give the bike a clean aero look. I can't speak to how it climbs unless you want to call a 60' drawbridge a climb but I can speak to how well it handles headwinds and crosswinds as we do have a bit of that along the south Florida coast. The Madone 4.5 is a great value especially when you compare it to a comparable Specialized Tarmac which for the same money doesn't offer Ultegra components (105 instead). I also love the fact that Trek offers a service package that covers all parts and labor for 3 or 5 years for very little. Covers everything except for tires, tubes and brake pads, so for the cost of one chain & cassette replacement you're covered for that and more for 3 or 5 years. My only real complaint is the color scheme, only one available in the US. I have a white/blue mountain bike so I know how hard white is to keep clean. I would have also preferred to have internal cable routing but that's just me. Overall great bike, incredible value and I'm looking forward to many miles on this bike.

Solid frame, comfortable ride, good gearing

Too many Trek name on bike graphics, not full 105 group, rims heavy

Bought on year end close out for $1,700 at LBS and great deal compared to 2013 model pricing abet different component group. Tested Specialized Roubaix, Jamis Comp, Cannondale Synapse and the Trek felt the most comfortable to ride - I think even better than my steel Jamis Aurora Elite with 631 tubing. The wider BB certainly seems to help with the power transfer and light weight (@18-19lbs) helps to propel this easily. Love the color scheme (Metallic black and silver) but hate all the Trek name everywhere you look. May swap out the rims later but otherwise plan to keep everything stock for now (except tires) and see how the Tiagra gearing works out.

Roubaix, Jamis Comp, Cannondale Synapse

Trek's OCLV frame is just amazing, and the heart of this bike. Stiff, it absorbs shock well and the H2 fit is great for racing and enthusiasts like myself. Crank is just as stiff as a Shimano 105

R1 tires are very poor as they are too heavy and have a very low thread count.

I purchased a 2012 Trek 4.5 after comparing it to Cannondale, and Specialized bikes. I preferred the geometry of the H2 that Trek offers. I have to say that the frame on the 4.5 is just wonderful. It is very stiff, and it absorbs bumps very well. The crank is also stiff, and when climbing up hills, and there was no flex felt when pushing on my Shimano 105 pedals. The derailleur’s shift very smoothly and quickly. I see no reason to upgrade the crank or derailleurs on this bike. The brakes feel responsive and well controlled. Though the pads are ok, I found the Shimano pads to improve stopping distance overall. No need to upgrade the brake set to 105 as the Tektro breaks with Shimano pads are just as good. Everyone is talking about the seat on the Trek bikes. The Affinity saddle on Trek road bikes are usually 128mm size. If you’re a young slim person who races it’s a good fit. The 146mm was a better fit for me, and when A/B the Bontrager RL saddle to the Affinity, I agree it’s a lot more comfortable than the stock saddle. It’s not soft, but firm with some give. I have ridden for hours on this saddle with no complaints at all. Though I was very happy with the rims, I upgraded the tires from the Bontrager R1 to the R3’s. As another reviewer pointed out, the R1’s are heavy tires and the thread count too low. I am disappointed that Trek even considers putting the R1’s on any road bike they sell. The R3’s are a huge improvement with higher thread count, being much lighter, and they appear to help the bike be more responsive when climbing or sprinting. The R3 upgrade made a huge difference on the bike. I highly recommend this upgrade as you will notice more of a difference than changing any other component on the bike. I was told the R4 tires are lighter but wear faster. The R3’s are great for regular riding and racing. The saddle is a personal preference and you need a saddle that fits your frame. I would try the RL saddle and see if it works better for you. I am giving the bike 5 starts after changing the tires to the R3’s. There is really nothing I don’t love about this bike. No need to really upgrade anything besides the tires and brake pads. The only reason to buy a more expensive Trek is for an even lighter bike than the 4.5. I love this bike and have no desire to ride any other road bike. It is very comfortable holding on to the hoods when cruising and it looks great.

The OCLV carbon frame is light, and stiff. It absorbs road vibrations just wonderfully. The crank is very stiff and the paint job looks great.

The saddle comes with a 128 mm size which was too small for me. I also found the seat to be very hard. I changed to a Bontrager RL seat and went with a 146 mm size saddle. I found it to be a lot more comfortable.

Being in my 40's, I wanted to upgrade from my Puch bike that has a Reynolds 531 frame, fork, and Shimano 600 parts as well.. I decided to buy a 2012 Trek 4.5 bike. I found the Shimano 105 derail's to shift just fine, but not as quick and instant as I thought it should. With the 2013 version having some Ultegra, I decided to upgrade the front and back derail's to Ultegra. I found they shifted a little bit snappier than 105. The brakes stopped just find though they are a generic brand. I went down a hill over 35 mph and it stopped confidently. Once I upgraded the Bontrager Affinity 1 saddle to a larger size and to their RL model I was quite happy. The bike climbs really well and the handle bars are light and steady. The tape feels like likes styrofoam. I will upgrade the tape with white cork later on. I am very happy with the bike and found the rims to be good as well. I don't race so perhaps they are not the lightest but they are still good rims. The tires stick to the road nicely. The bike is great for someone who is a racer as well as a serious rider.

Good frame - absorbs road buzz, and all day comfort (if you have the right saddle). Frame is still in all the right places, but not so stiff that it leaves you sore. Handles well, and a good bike for climbing & long rides

A little heavy with the stock wheels, equipped with quite possibly the worst saddle in the world, and terrible brakes

(Based on the 2011 Madone, 54cm) I've now covered over 2,000 miles on this since I bought it. Overall, it's a great bike to ride. Good on the climbs, relatively fast on the flats, and handles well. Not the fastest into a turn, but not the kind of bike where you're constantly wondering where the edge is - it tells you quite gradually that you're getting close to the limit. First thing to note - the Tektro brakes are awful. Descending with the Tektro's was a bit of a lottery - on one downhill, I was in a full-on squeeze, and couldn't get the bike completely stopped. And that was from 20mph, in the dry. So, the Tektro's got swapped out for a pair of Ultegra's in the first 500 miles - stopping power infinitely better! Frame: Not the lightest frame out there, but it gets the job done. Stiff at the BB, but the thinned seat stays offer decent compliance over rougher roads. The H2 fit is very comfortable, and easy to set up. Matt black colour looks great, although as others have said, Trek went a bit sticker happy. Wheels: the stock wheels are heavy, and generally terrible. Whilst they roll reasonably well, they flex a fair bit, especially the front wheel on the climbs. The bearings are reasonable, but needed to be serviced after 1,200 miles in mostly dry weather. Also, front & back wheels both got out of true 800 miles in, and I'm fairly light (155lbs) and spend a lot of time avoiding potholes where I can. I'm now running some very light clinchers (Stan's 340 rims laced to Chris King R45 Hubs) - and the difference is enormous. The only downside is that the high weight down low makes the bike very stable - when you switch to the lighter wheels, the bike becomes much twitchier as your Centre of Gravity heads up Saddle: It's worth switching this out early on too. The stock saddle is well padded, but incredibly uncomfortable. Mine went in favour of a Specialized Romin, which is way more comfortable, and 100g lighter to boot. Groupset: the 105 set does a fine job otherwise. Mine came well set-up, so I've not had a dropped chain or missed shift so far, and it's very easy to service. Integrated barrel adjusters on the shifter cables make it easy to tune on the road if you need to.

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• Rider Notes

2009 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD

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

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Add custom gearing

Aug 2009 · Lennard Zinn

Can I get a Trek Madone seatcap with more setback?

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Jan 2009 · Mat Brett

Lightweight, stiff and comfortable with superb ride quality

Dec 2008 · VeloNews.com

Well, the manuscript of the third edition of Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is due today, and I’ve been burning the midnight and daybreak oil for some time now, especially the last week, to get it done. Still not certain I’ll make it. But somehow, despite not riding or answering the phone these days, I got sucked into answering this question in some serious detail while writing Chapter 8 on cranksets. Back to the book now. Lennard Red crank in a Madone? Dear Lennard,

Jul 2008 · R BA

The Madone totally belies its racing heritage and design intent-it never felt like a race bike. More than anything, it shone as an all-around, long-day-in-the-saddle bike.

Mar 2008 · Cycling News

Trek's top dog offers lightweight option

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,508 days

2009 Trek Madone 4.5

• Serial: WTU130CT036D
• Other serial/registration/sticker: EN 14781
• Manufacturer: Trek
• Name: Trek Madone 4.5
• Model: Madone 4.5
• Primary colors: Blue
• Frame size: S
• Frame Material: Carbon or composite

Distinguishing features

Stolen from garage Oct 28th, 2018. Light blue/white- white handle bars

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Trek Madone 4.5 review

Madone frameset in OCLV carbon

Warren Rossiter

Last year’s Trek Madone 3.5 took the eventual Bike of the Year 2012 victor, the Focus Izalco Pro 3.0 , right to the wire, earning a runner-up spot in the process. For 2013, Trek have significantly upped their game with the Madone 4.5.

Frame & equipment: Strong all round

The 4.5 uses a significantly better grade of carbon than that of the already impressive 3.5, making it notably light at a claimed 1,100g for the frameset. The frame itself incorporates Trek’s take on the press-fit bottom bracket BB90, for improved stiffness and less weight.

As with the previous top-of-the-range 6-Series, the seat tube is asymmetric, with the same going for the rear chainstay mount for the ANT+ DuoTrap sensor (available separately for £39.99).

The E2 tapered head tube and highly sculpted shaping is taken from that US-built superbike, which is essentially what you’re getting with the 4.5; in terms of specification it’s a stripped-down version of their previous Grand Tour winning machine. The 5-, 6- and 7-Series bikes now have aero-optimised KVF designs, but we’re glad Trek have kept the wonderful Pro level chassis alive.

A frame with design credentials this good and on a sub-£2,000 complete bike would suggest some downgrades and compromises elsewhere, but Trek have been clever with the budget. For a start, they’ve used Shimano’s Ultegra system for the mechs and shifters, only downgrading the brakes and cassette to the still-impressive 105 range, while the chainset is Shimano’s non-series R565.

The wheel package hasn’t been compromised, though, as Trek’s component brand Bontrager have supplied the new-for-2013 Race wheels, featuring classy, minimal hubs with quality bearings, great seals and butted spokes. The all-new rims are also compatible with tubeless tyres.

The Races are shod with Bontrager’s R1 tyres – with a nominal size of standard 23, they are in fact slightly broader than that, and in our opinion all the better for it. The difference in size allows them to be run at the lower pressures necessary for winter grip, without increasing the chances of you puncturing. As you’d imagine, Bontrager also provide the rest of the Madone’s finishing kit.

The slender, compact reach and drop VR-C bar is an adequate performer – nicely shaped with great dimensions but little to make it stand out beyond that. The Race Lite stem is a bit classier, and nicely finished with quality hardware.

At the back it’s a much more impressive affair, with the Affinity 2 saddle (fast becoming one of our favourites) sitting atop an elegant carbon seatpost (though we did need a liberal coating of carbon prep to prevent it slipping).

Ride & handling: Smooth and extremely capable

Out on the road, the class of the 4.5 is completely evident. We loved the 3.5 last year but the 4.5 takes everything that made it exceptional and turns it up to 11. The overall feel is completely smooth, and a low overall weight and broad 50/34, 11-28 gearing make the bike a complete breeze on climbs. Yet the stiffness and oh-so-sorted position make it an absolute blast down hills.

Smashing the 4.5 through a succession of bends never caused it to get flustered or drift off line. Some bikes can have snappier initial turn-in, but the 4.5 doesn’t need to be as rapid; with a bike that gives this much communication through its feel, we never found the need for last-minute direction changes mid-corner.

Plenty of the 4.5’s ultra-confident ride comes down to the H2 geometry (the top tube is shorter than the pro H1 by a few millimetres, and slightly taller at the front, again by just a few units). Dimensions that include a 190mm head tube and 992mm wheelbase are nowhere near excessively relaxed, especially when you factor in a standard 73-degree seat angle and steeper-than-average 73.8-degree head angle.

The 4.5 scores a lot of its points from the frame being stiff where it’s required (the head and down tube, BB and chainstays) and comfortable elsewhere. We’d eventually upgrade the average handlebar and chainset but would be more than happy to pay the price to have this sublime chassis in our lives.

This bike was tested as part of Cycling Plus magazine’s 2013 Bike Of The Year feature – read the full results in issue 273, on sale Friday 1 March and available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio .

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• General Cycling Discussion

5.2 Trek Madone 2007 vs 4.5 Trek Madone 2009

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Can anyone here help me decide between these two bikes? I have wanted a carbon frame road bike for quite some time now. After some research, I have narrowed my choices down to a Trek Madone. The only decision that remains is which one of these bikes should I go with: 5.2 Discovery Channel Edition 2007 with the OCLV Carbon frame and full Ultegra = $2,100 (the dealer I am buying from has this last one sitting around for the past year) verses 4.5 2009 with the TCT Carbon frame, Shimano 105, Bontrager Race = $2,000 Basically, I am in a toss between the better equipped & better carbon frame 5.2 madone, which forces me to settle for the 07 style body or move down a knot to the 4.5 series which has the new body and the "improved" technology. Unfortunately, my budget does not allow me to go for an 2009 5.2 and it looks like in order for me to get a carbon frame I have to spend around 2 grand. Which of these two bikes mentioned above do you think I should buy?  

Can't really suggest anything but go with the bike who fits better. Ultegra stuff would be nice, but the frame is the most important part, you can always upgrade later. btw, if you go for the 2009, let me know, I would be interested in buying that 2007  

I'd go with the 09. 105 components are decent plus you get the newer frame style. But, take em for a good test ride and see which is comfortable.  

The Frame Okay the frames the most important thing... we know this, but are you suggesting the new 4.5 with the TCT Carbon has a better frame then the OCLV 5.2 2007? A sleeker, nicer design perhaps, but better? And yet, you'll be interested in purchasing the 5.2 07 for yourself?  

I'd go with the '09 as well. You'll probably find that the 105 will be just fine, plus you still have the option of upgrading down the line. If you buy the '07 you're stuck with the older frame, plus those Discovery graphics are going to look plenty dated. I'll never understand why anyone would want a "team edition" frame.  

Farmer Tan said: I'd go with the 09. 105 components are decent plus you get the newer frame style. But, take em for a good test ride and see which is comfortable. Click to expand...

newyorker1212 said: Okay the frames the most important thing... we know this, but are you suggesting the new 4.5 with the TCT Carbon has a better frame then the OCLV 5.2 2007? A sleeker, nicer design perhaps, but better? And yet, you'll be interested in purchasing the 5.2 07 for yourself? Click to expand...

I have an 07 5.2 in Chi Red and I cant get myself to upgrade, It's stiff, responsive, very smooth and a great great design. It fits me so well. I cant imagine a better bike for me. It may work good for you but it may not. I think the reason its been sitting there is because of the team logo.  

JimT said: I have an 07 5.2 in Chi Red and I cant get myself to upgrade, It's stiff, responsive, very smooth and a great great design. It fits me so well. I cant imagine a better bike for me. It may work good for you but it may not. I think the reason its been sitting there is because of the team logo. Click to expand...

newyorker1212 said: the Trek Madone's come with a lifetime warranty and if something happens to the 5.2 down the road I could potentially have it replaced into the newest 5.2 or whichever comparable series is available at the time. Would you know if that's a realistic consideration? Click to expand...

I got it like that... not really, but I have had my way with retailers and manufacturers in the past. Its amazing what you can get if you make a big enough deal over it. BTW: They are also offering a special summer deal on 5.1/2 Madone.... you could be out the door with a 2009 at 3 grand... (it never ends!). Anyway, it is still too far away from my budget.  

The 2007 is probably the better bike. The Disco graphics are the drawback. One thing to consider is resale valve. I woudl bet that if you wanted to change directions in a year or so, you could sell the 2007 for close to what you have in it where as you would suffer a large depreciaton on the 4.5. While I am not a big fan of Bontrager wheels, I would take the Race Lites on the 5.2 over the Race's on the 4.5. I have a 2004 5900 and love it. I have no burning desire to "upgrade" from a 5 year old frame.  

Are you sold on Trek only? A few places local to me have some 07 & 08 Specialized Tarmacs at pretty aggressive prices. It might be worth looking at a few other brands/shops.  

Blue CheeseHead said: The 2007 is probably the better bike. The Disco graphics are the drawback. One thing to consider is resale valve. I woudl bet that if you wanted to change directions in a year or so, you could sell the 2007 for close to what you have in it where as you would suffer a large depreciaton on the 4.5. Click to expand...

morepower4me said: Are you sold on Trek only? A few places local to me have some 07 & 08 Specialized Tarmacs at pretty aggressive prices. It might be worth looking at a few other brands/shops. Click to expand...

newyorker1212 said: I was thinking of the resale value as well. The price, ($2,100) hasn't changed on the Disco 07 bike since I looked at it last year and the dealer is not pressed to move down on it anytime soon. He keeps reminding me that it is a "collectors" bike and there will always be a market for it, and I remind him that the bike hasn't sold in two years. Whereas, the 4.5s fly off the racks. He then responses with, "the 4.5s are Trek's entry level Madones and they made it affordable enough for people to own a carbon frame, therefore it is more popular among consumers." I just don't want to be the "jerk" that finally buys the Disco bike. Am I missing something here? Is the graphics the only reason everyone seems to bypass this bike? I guess Trek accomplished their mission with this new style body. Click to expand...

ping771 said: Are you talking about the 09 Madone 4.5 http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/madone/madone45/ or the 2010 Madone 4.5 http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/madone/madone45/ . Click to expand...

newyorker1212 said: I am referring to the 09 Madone 4.5 - maybe I can bring him down to $1850, but we pretty much left it off at $1,999. Otherwise, if I can get over the graphics, the 5.2 wins this one? Click to expand...

I have been sold on a Specialized Tarmac elite (yes, full carbon). With no change in msrp, and an update in carbon fiber and frame design from '09 to '10 (plus potentially better graphics) I am leaning towards a 2010 for $2200 msrp. However, I have recently seen that a bike shop about 2 hrs away from me (note: not my LBS) has a 2008 5.2 listed for $2600. I am now struggling with the same debate. Take a look at the Tarmac. It is a solid and crisp bike.  

michelinman said: I have been sold on a Specialized Tarmac elite (yes, full carbon). With no change in msrp, and an update in carbon fiber and frame design from '09 to '10 (plus potentially better graphics) I am leaning towards a 2010 for $2200 msrp. However, I have recently seen that a bike shop about 2 hrs away from me (note: not my LBS) has a 2008 5.2 listed for $2600. I am now struggling with the same debate. Take a look at the Tarmac. It is a solid and crisp bike. Click to expand...

Just Buy a Bike! I think that you are missing the point. For every day that you do not ride your bike - you will never get that day back! I contend that a day on any bike is far better than a day without a ride. You have already lost a great deal of time. I would forget the comparisons that mostly are "majoring on the minors" and figure out what you really need. For all of the fussing about differences between the 4.5 and 5.2 you haven't actually mentioned at all how you intend to ride. Long distance road rides? Centuries? Competition? Climbing? Fitness? Club rides? Or will you just be looping around the park drives a few times each week? Any frame/gruppo selection ought to be based on 2 things: how you intend to ride and how well does the bike fit you? If you are not riding competitively or climbing serious hills/grades you may not need the slight weight advantage that the carbon may give you. There are plenty good non-carbon road bikes at 1/2 the price point of carbon that will achieve great results for you. The Scott Speedster S50 comes to mind at $977 MSRP. It also has carbon forks to dampen the bumps. I would definitely compare the ride of the S50 to the Madone 4.5 and then ask myself if it was worth the extra grand. (Of course the 4.5 has better components, but with a $1K savings you could easily fix that). However, if you are a budding competitive cyclist and need to spend $2000 on a bike - you can do much better than the entry level carbon such as the Trek Madone 4.5 and similar brands. See the specs on the Cervelo S1 on page 85 of the September '09 edition of Bicycling Magazine for an example. The S1 has a lightweight aluminum frame, Ultegra components, and a worthy competitive track record with wins at Liege-Bastone-Liege, Paris-Nice, and the Tour de France. Not many other $2K bikes are in that league. I would love to recommend a bike for you, but I cannot tell if you are an entry-level road rider or if you have enough experience to notice the subtle differences in performance and handling of various bikes. Only you have that information and it is crucial in identifying the "best" bike. Chances are that it may not be either Madone that you are currently looking at. So go figure out what you really need, get it, and start riding! "Do it now - or you will be one year older when you do..." -Warren Miller  

I'm a specialized gal myself and always thought that Treks were overpriced. That being said, it sounds like you are getting a good deal. Ride the Specialized and take a look at the finer points. Compare wheels, crank sets, handlebars...etc. The 07 is a better deal with the ultegra and you could always upgrade the frame later. I was the same way shopping for a bike, but now I know what I want. I did it the hard way, bought an entry level aluminum 105 bike and six months later wanted carbon. Get as much as your budget will allow, especially if your getting a deal. But yeah...buy a bike already...the clock is tickin!  

I'm not a fan of pro kit wearing, team graphics this and that, so go 2009  

This is a no brainier go with the 5.2 hands down a much better bike.  

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