Trek Bike 5.2
Shop if: |
You prefer cutting-edge frame technology that can be upgraded. |
Available size: |
50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 cm |
Colors: |
Gloss/Matte Trek Black, Liquid Red/Crystal White |
Weight: |
16.2 pounds |
Our Rating: |
4.1 / 5 |
Price: |
Earlier, a road bike used to be just a road bike. Nowadays we have different types of bikes such as racing bikes, endurance bikes, and aero bikes, and we have a variety of options to choose from. Every manufacturer has its own models, and you should choose the one that best suits your riding style.
The Trek Madone 5.2 does not appear to be a traditional aero road bike at first glance. The tube shapes do not fit the mold of what we consider aerodynamic. The cleverly integrated brakes are most likely the only indication that the Madone was designed to cheat the wind.
The current Madone 5.2 is a completely new design from the model of 2013, with Trek’s Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) aero tube shape incorporated in every practical area of the frame. This new technology has resulted in an aero road bike that does not resemble a traditional aero road bike.
This Trek Madone 5.2 review will help you know this bike better.
Technical Specifications:
Frameset :
Frame : 5 Series TCT Carbon, E2, BB90, internal cable routing, DuoTrap compatibleFrame fit : H3Fork : Bontrager Race X Lite w/E2 aluminum steerer, carbon crown and legs
Wheels :
Wheels : Bontrager RaceTires : Bontrager R3, Hard-Case Lite, 700x23c
Drivetrain :
Shifters : Shimano Ultegra STI, 10 speed
Front derailleur : Shimano Ultegra
Rear derailleur : Shimano Ultegra
Crank : Shimano Ultegra, 50/34 (compact), 172.5mm
Bottom bracket : BB90 Trek integrated Shimano BB kit
Cassette : Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed
Pedals : N/A
Components :
Saddle : Bontrager Affinity 2, hollow chromoly rails
Seatpost : Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon seatmast cap, 20mm offset
Handlebar : Bontrager Race Blade VR, 31.8mm
Grips : Bontrager gel tape
Stem : Bontrager Race X Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset : Integrated, cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy, 1-1/8″ top, 1.5″ bottom
Brakeset : Shimano Ultegra brakes w/Shimano Ultegra STI levers
Madone 5.2 Frame Design and Size:
Trek’s Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) aero tube shape is embedded in every practical area of the frame in the current Madone 5.2. An aero road bike that does not seem like a regular aero road bike has been designed as a result of this innovative technology.
It also doesn’t have any of the drawbacks that aero tube shapes can have on the bike’s ride quality. It has been approved by the UCI as well.
With its enormous, angular down tube, the 5.2 does not appear to be a typical aero bike at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a subtly curved leading edge that forms a Kamm Virtual Foil (KVF) – a truncated aerofoil – profile.
The head tube, seat stays, and fork are all KVF shapes, with the front brake integrated into the fork crown and the rear brake placed beneath the chainstays, leaving two separate, bridgeless seat stays for clean, drag-reducing lines.
Trek offers three different geometries for its bikes: H1 with the lowest position, H2 with a slightly higher head tube, and H3 for women. The Madone 5.2’s H2 fit provides a long but not too low position that should be ideal for the majority of racers.
Trek Madone 5.2
What are the different parts included in Trek madone 5.2?
The Madone 5.2 is outfitted with Bontrager components, including the Bontrager VR (variable radius) handlebars, which are a cross between an anatomic and an iconic bend bar, Race Lite wheels, and the newly designed Race Lite saddle.
It took us two or three rides with the new saddle before we began to like it because of the ability to sit further back in the saddle while climbing or descending.
The Trek has made an effort to maximize the benefits of the integrated seat shaft, but due to the clamp design and difficulty in achieving consistent seat height, they only got it half right.
The drivetrain on our trek Madone 5.2 road bike was the overachieving Ultegra SL (53/39, 12-25), and it performed very well in all conditions, but we did notice that the breaking strength on fast and technical descents was somewhat less effective than its more expensive partner, Dura-Ace.
Read Also: Trek fx1
How does it feel to ride Trek madone 5.2?
The 5.2 was stable and comfortable on all surfaces. It handles well on rough and uneven surfaces and provides a remarkable glide on smoother roads. On climbs, the Trek Madone 5.2 was predictable and consistent, and on downhills, it was faster than we could expect.
The bike is not super-light for the higher-end group, weighing at 16.2 pounds (Trek is on the conservative side of the carbon weight issue), but the design, ride, and experience made the weight unnoticeable.
What We Like
- Impressive frame rigidity.
- Excellent stability.
- Exceptionally comfortable.
What We Don’t Like
- For muscly legs, the top tube is quite wide.
- The color scheme will not appeal to everyone.
Why should you buy a madone 5.2 road bike?
Road bikes provide excellent performance and handling, as well as aero slipperiness and a comfortable fit for riders. What more could you want, especially if you only want one bike to do everything? Long rides, sprint races, and all but the roughest roads are easily and brilliantly accommodated.
It also comes with the Ultegra components that are faultless and precise, as well as aero brakes that rival the stopping power of some of the best in the industry. Trek has set the bar pretty high in the aero road bike stakes for a first-up attempt.
FAQs:
The Endnote:
The Trek Madone 5.2 is a bike that some manufacturers would be proud to call their “top of the line,” which begs the question of how good the 6 and 7 series bikes will be if the 5 series is this good.
The Madone 5.2 is a stylish bike with an innovative approach to aerodynamics. Every aspect appears to have been thoroughly researched from start to finish, with no single area appearing to be half-finished, unresolved, or simply settled upon. Trek has done an excellent job.
Hope you found this Trek Madone 5.2 review useful!