By Max ShumpertUpdated: 18th July 2020
Reviewed by Jeroen De Haas
| Price | High-End! Click here for best deal |
| Pros | Design, customizable, lifetime warranty, frame, smooth ride |
| Cons | Price |
| Summary | If you’re looking for a road bike that’s the top of its class, you should look into the Trek Madone and all that this bike model has to offer. |
| Our Rating | 95/100 |
| Manufacturer | Trek |
The Trek Madone SLR 9 is designed with the professional racer in mind, offering both speed and precision when handling.
Its lightweight frame has been engineered with an aerodynamic shape to minimize wind resistance and improve speed. A robust carbon fiber frame with Kammtail Virtual Foil aerodynamic tube shaping makes this bike both sleek and strong.
Trek’s 800 Series OCLV Carbon is made using a patented process that produces a lightweight, almost impossibly strong material that’s also compliant enough to absorb shock from the pavement.
A road-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler also helps to provide a smoother ride for cyclists. This decoupler allows the bike’s seat tube to rotate independently from the top-tube-to-seatstay junction, reducing stress on the rider’s body. The design also makes pedaling more efficient, letting riders race harder and for longer.
The Trek Madone’s frame comes in an H2 fit, which is engineered to place most riders in the optimal position. This helps to prevent cyclists from losing any power as they pedal. The frame can comfortably seat individuals ranging from 4’11.8” to 6’5.2” and can carry a load up to 275 pounds.
The technologically advanced Shimano Di2 electronic drivetrain or the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 makes Madone bike models easy to handle. Shifting gears is seamless, even at high speeds, and riders don’t have to worry about accidentally slipping out of gear as they move.
Trek’s Madone gives riders a variety of options when it comes time to purchase a bike.
The company produces several different bike models that cater to every lifestyle and budget, including:
- Madone SL 6: This is the most simplified Madone racing bike model, the SL6 boasts a lightweight frame and high-performance Bontrager Aeolus Comp tires. The Shimano Ultegra 11 speed shifter makes it easier to change gears, even while racing at high speeds.
- Madone SLR 7: The Madone 7 is slightly more expensive than the SL6 model, but it also comes with a more advanced build that helps riders to reach and maintain incredible speeds. Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 tires keep the bike grounded without weighing it down.
- Madone 7 Women’s: This bike is designed with women in mind, offering a comfortable ride for the female rider. Its touchpoints are specifically designed for women, and it includes a specially engineered Bontrager Ajna Elite saddle to reduce stress on the hips.
- Madone SLR 9: The SLR9 is the top-of-the-line Madone model, offering unparalleled speed and comfort for riders. Instead of a Shimano Ultegra shifter, it uses more advanced Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 tires give the bike a smooth ride without losing traction on the road.
Tech Specs
FRAME SIZE: 800 Series OCLV CarbonBRAKE TYPE: Integrated Madone AeroSHIFTER: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, 11 speed or Shimano Ultegra Di2, 11 speedWHEELS: Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 or Bontrager Aeolus CompTIRES: Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite, 120 TPI, aramid bead, 700x25c
Things We Like
First off, we love the look of the Trek Madone SLR 9.
Its curved, aerodynamic appearance is highlighted by an elegantly curved frame and sleek wheels. The bike is also fully customizable through Project One.
You can order the Trek Madone in a variety of personalized colors, making your bike easier to spot in a crowd while also making a statement. Models come in a variety of color combinations, including:
- Trek Black/Viper Red
- Radioactive Orange/Trek Black
- Viper Red/Trek White
- Radioactive Yellow/Trek Black
- Matte Quicksilver/Gloss Blue (Madone SLR7 Only)
- Matte Dnister Black/Quicksilver
The Madone women’s model has entirely different color palettes that include both soft pastels and bold metallics.
You can customize the women’s model of the Trek Madone by choosing from four color combinations:
- Radioactive Pink/Trek Black
- Radioactive Purple/Deep Dark Blue
- Matte Metallic Gunmetal/Trek Black
- Matte Dnister Black/Gloss Old Style
The bike comes pre-assembled, so it’s ready to go right out of the box. If the bike comes to you damaged, or if you need help getting it road-ready, you can register it to take advantage of Trek’s lifetime warranty. Under this warranty, free Trek Care will fix and fine-tune your bike free of charge.
The chances are, though, that you won’t need to use Trek Care’s services very often.
The Trek Madone may be lightweight, but we love how durable the frame is. It’s made from 800 Series OCLV carbon, Trek’s strongest carbon fiber to date, which makes the bike nearly indestructible. The frame can withstand harsh weather, rough terrain, and other unfavorable conditions without taking on too much damage.
Perhaps our favorite aspect of the Trek Madone is its smooth ride. The bike’s IsoSpeed Decoupler design helps to make pedaling easier and more efficient by helping to absorb shock from the road.
With so much to brag about, it’s no wonder that the Trek Madone has won top marks and Bike-of-the-Year awards from many of the cycling industry’s top media outlets. The bike is also ridden by a number of racing pros.
Pros
- Attractive
- Customizable
- Lifetime warranty
- Durable frame
- Smooth ride
Things We Don’t Like
While the Madone frame is sturdy, it can only hold a load of up to 275 pounds.
This is less than some competing models and may be a drawback for heavier riders or for those who wish to transport gear. The frame is liable to break if overloaded.
Our least favorite thing about the Trek Madone has got to be its price.
While the bike is a top-of-the-line piece of equipment, the old adage is true: you pay for quality. The Trek Madone starts at around $4000, with more advanced models costing upwards of $12000.
Cons
- Can’t hold much weight
- Expensive
Our Buying Advice
The Trek’s new Madone is the ideal bike for racing cyclists, boasting a lightweight, aerodynamic design.
It comes in models for both men and women, offering optimal comfort without sacrificing quality.
More advanced cyclists may want to opt for the more advanced Madone 9.5 or even 9.9 model, as the design of these bikes allows you to achieve even faster speeds on the road. High-performance wheels and a superior drivetrain make these models the perfect choice for the professional racer.
Recommended – trek emonda review
In Summary
The Trek Madone provides everything that a cyclist could possibly want in a racing bike, with a carefully crafted design that allows riders to reach incredible speeds without compromising handling.
If you’re looking for a road bike that’s the top of its class, you should look into the Trek Madone and all that this bike model has to offer. You can also check out trek’s hybrid bikes. Trek FX1 leads the category on sales, reviews and popularity.
