Backin2biking

Looking for some advice about purchasing a new road bike. I have found a leftover 2019 Trek Madone SLR 6 Speed for $4500 (new). Don't know if I should be looking to find something newer (2020/2021). Not desperate to buy something right away but I know that the bike normally retails for $6400. Any feedback would be great.
Thanks
Backin2Biking

smashndash

The 21 Madone uses a T47 BB and higher modulus carbon. The former is a pretty big deal because of how bad BB90 is.

Plenty of people have been happy with their BB90 bikes, of course, but Trek had very good reason to dump it.

Backin2biking

Thanks for the information. I know this one does come with the 700 series carbon and the newer model comes with the 800 series. I believe Trek made the switched to threaded brackets this year across their line up. I believe many companies are still using the press fit?? The main complaint that I read about was possible creaking when using more force and torque. Am I wrong in thinking that?

colnago62

I used to have terrible problems with BB90, until I stopped using the Trek BB90 bearings and started using BBInfinite bearings. I used replace them 3x a year and now I am at 15 months and the bearings seem fine.

GlennR

I have a 2015 Emonda SLR with BB90 and 700 carbon and the bike is awesome and trouble free. So that Madone, if it fits your needs is a good deal. If you have money to burn and want the latest... get a 2021. But next year it will be replaced by the 2022.

Since I got my 2015 Emonda the new 2021 has gone 700 to 800, 11 speed to 12 speed, rim brakes to disc, BB90 to T47 and QR to thru axle.

But my bike still rides like a dream and I have no plans on replacing it.

But a $1900 saving can buy you a second bike for winter and foul weather riding.

ericcox

I feel like these days if there is a bike available in your size, discounted no less (and that seems like a fair price), you should go for it if you are interested.

tigat

OP: a few additional things to think about. Weight is not a big issue, a pound at most between the 2019 and 2021 model. The new Madone comes in the 1.5 fit, aggressive but not as aggressive as the 1.0 on older models. If you are an aspiring triathlete, the Speed comes with the aero bars, while none of the current models seem to do so. I'm not sure if there were other modification as well on the Speed in a nod to the dual function.

If this is at a dealer, they should be able to point out any other differences, and perhaps the biggest thing, they will probably let you ride it. At that point, the only important opinion is how it feels to you and makes you feel.

On the BB90 issue, although my current Domane has the T47 bottom bracket, since 2013 I have ridden more than 50,000 problem free miles on bikes with BB90 bottom brackets (current Emonda, previous version Domanes), and I'm currently waiting on delivery of a Checkpoint frame that still uses the BB90. Anecdotal for sure, but like Glenn, it would not scare me away from a bike that had one.

WhyFi

For the availability and discount and lifetime frame warranty, I'd go for it. Hammer out those watts with reckless abandon and hope that the BB90 fails a couple years down the road. It probably won't, but if it does, they'll probably pop in some oversized bearings. Hammer away again, in hopes of failure. If you succeed again, you'll probably get a new T47 frame as a reward at that point.

Iride01 

Though I'd also have to ask if you really want a bike that is more for time trials and tri-athletes. There are plenty of other great race geometry road bikes out there.

WhyFi

The Madone Speed is road race geometry; it's essentially just a Madone with aero bar extensions that can pop on and off easily.

Iride01 

Maybe so. I've not looked closely at the specs/geometry. But I perceive it as intended and better for short road racing (< 60 km) as opposed to longer endurance road racing (> 100 km).

Dean V

Why do you perceive this?
Why would you use a different bike for a short road race compared to a longer one?

colnago62

It is Treks aero bike. The same type that their World Tour Team uses.

Iride01 

Comfort in my case. But if I was competing in a short race, I will ride a bike that is less comfortable but gave me a better time at the finish line.

All the advantages of a truly aero bike built for time trialing a short race generally or have in the past been a harsh ride. Also, the bikes designed for shorter road racing or time trialing assume pretty much that you'll maintain a very aero position. So in order to let a rider in the very aero position produce maximum power, the BB is moved back a little as evidenced by the 77° seat tube angle of a Specialized Shiv vs the 73.5° seat tube angle of my Specialized Tarmac.

As I said, I didn't look closely at the Mondone's geometry. I've just always perceived it as something I'd never want to ride and disregarded it when I was searching for a bike early last year.

edit...
Okay I just took a look at the Mondone's geometry. Pretty much I guess I'm wrong that it's meant for more of a time trial. It's seat tube angle is pretty much what my Tarmac's is. Maybe Trek should scratch time trialing from their description of it.

And just going by looks, I'd think that aero seat tube will make for a harsher ride.

Dean V

They actually have a very nice ride. Isospeed coupler on the seat post helps quite a lot.

colnago62

This has been my experience as well. 28mm tires and a correctly adjusted ISO Speed, the bikes rides pretty nice.

WhyFi

They specifically added the aero bar extensions to the normal Madone for racers that occasionally TT/Tri, but don't want to splash out for a dedicated rig... and you want them to take that out of the product description for the Madone Speed because of your misunderstanding?

Iride01 

Not the aerobars. The statement in the description somewhere that says the bike is for time-trialing.

I guess I should have marked that as sarcasm. It was an off the cuff remark. More intended for levity than any other real purpose. But I guess that doesn't translate well in written word. Don't get hung up on that. <grin>

rubiksoval

I've never heard this word before.

Nice!

AdkMtnMonster

It was used in brevity.

GlennR

Duplicate topic from the same OP
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...-opinions.html