h0mersimps0n

ok, go easy on me. I'm a fairly competitive age-grouper Tri/Dual/Gran Fondo Athlete trying to figure out how to work my N+1.

I have a 2018 SLR6 Di2 Emonda (700 series carbon) (primary road bike ~15.6lbs with pedals and Zip 404s) and a 2018 [fast as hell but **** brakes and teeth chattering compliance] Speed Concept (22lbs).

Was planning on going with a 2021 SLR Madone (700 series carbon) with Disc brakes, Di2, (~17lbs?) etc because I wanted a more versatile, more aero road bike with disc brakes that's more compliant (comfortable) than the emonda for longer road rides, Tris and gran fondos with mountain climbs/descents not totally appropriate for a speed concept.

Then, Trek just released the 2021 Emonda with 800 series carbon and more aero features.

So now trying to figure out if I should:

1. sell my 2018 SLR and get a 2021 SLR Emonda (a lot of money basically for aero gains and disc brakes and no n+1)
2. upgrade my 2018 SLR with new handlebars (just I did the math, the time, $ and weight I'd add by changing out my SLR6's handlebars for something superlight aero 5-7W gains is totally not worth it)
3. Just buy the Madone as planned knowing that probably next years Madone will have 800 series carbon and I'll be super angry I didn't wait.
4. Do nothing and wait for next Madone model refresh

Thanks again for any helpful thoughts.

blakcloud

Because the new Emonda is said to be more aero than previous years, I would sell both your bikes, the Emonda and Speed Concept, buy the new 2021 Emonda. Then I would add a second pair of wheels. Have one pair of low profile climbing wheels and a second pair of high profile aero wheels with appropriate tires.

datlas 

I got all excited about a question regarding what bike Spock would ride, based on the title.

Sorry, I got nothing on Trek bicycles.

Metallifan33

Does the 2021 Madone still have the old bottom bracket?

WhyFi

It's not like you're hurting for a nice bike to ride. If you want the Madone but think that a refresh is coming down the line (I assume that's the case, too), I would sit it out for another year. If they're still offering the Madone "Speed" package at that time, maybe you could give that a whirl and see if it's close enough to replace your Speed Concept.

WhyFi

The Emonda has a few watts of aero gains vs the previous generation and you think that means it's a sensible replacement to a tri bike for a triathlete?

h0mersimps0n

1. Thank you all for your responses so far
2. whoever PMd me, the system won't let me read it because I'm too green
3. I'm with WhyFi - I think the Madone will get OCLV 800 and bottom bracket update next year and I'll hate myself for buying one this year.
4. The 2021 Emonda was never in the cards to replace my Tri bike- I've done rides, same roads, same Watts at the pedals (vectors) and have definitively shown that even though the 2018 SLR is 7lbs lighter, it is absolutely NOT faster than the speed concept on any route that isn't a "ratio ride" route. The Speed Concept is blisteringly fast - so much so I don't even consider it an option to replace it with the new Madone SLR even if the new Madone had the Integrated Aero Kit bars on it (probably make it the same weight as my speed concept and less aero).

More thoughts and opinions welcome.

Thanks again

PoorInRichfield

I'd first put one of your bikes for sale for a price that makes you happy and wait until it's sold. When you don't need to sell a bike, it's much easier to stay firm on the asking price. I just sold 3 bikes this Spring and it took about 5-6 months before each sold, but I got what I wanted for them so it was worth the wait.

I'd be less concerned about Trek coming out with a new frame material than I'd be with the possibility of a 12 speed Dura Ace Di2 coming out soon. I have no idea if such a critter exists or ever will, but with XTR already being 12 speed and SRAM already having 12 speed road components, unless Shimano is asleep at the switch there will be a 12 speed Di2 and it will first be Dura Ace. In a "blind taste test", you'd have to be a super human to notice the difference between 700 and 800 series carbon. There is a difference, but not enough to justify several thousand dollars IMHO and if you were "stuck" with 700 series, there are more important things in life to be upset about ;-)

If comfort is an issue for you (as it certainly has been for me as I get older), I think it's time to start moving past the whole Emonda / weight-weenie idea and embrace the fact that a comfortable bike will be faster for you in the end as there will be less fatigue on your body. Unless you're all about Everesting, the Madone is one of the best all-around road bikes there is. It's fast, it's aero, and it's got at least a little comfort with the ISO decoupler. The only thing I can't do is handle tires larger than a 28c (I think). I personally opted for the 2020 Domane as the roads where I live are Mc'Nasty and the comfort the Domane provides is loverly despite the weight penalty.

GlennR

Selling your two bikes is a bad financial move, you're gonna take a beating on the price. I bet after you sell both you won't have enough to buy the Madone without adding a lot of cash.

There is no one bike that does all.

Sell the Speed Concept and buy a Cervelo P5X.

The 2021 Emonda SLR will not be that much better than the 2018 you have. I have a 2015, still love it and have yet to reach it's limit in performance..

Pizzaiolo Americano 

There is absolutely no way I would buy a Madone this year. It still has the BB90. The rest of Trek's road bikes are going to T47 and the Madone is a good bet to follow next year...Group-sets are changeable. BB standards, not so much...

Bah Humbug

Thank you. That’s a firm “no”. Tri isn’t a whole lot of fun on a road bike, even an “aero” one. Even with clip-ons and deep wheels. It leads to getting walloped by people who are clearly less fit and then every run being a desperate attempt to claw back dozens or hundreds of positions.

LesterOfPuppets

I never wonder about what bike Spock rides.

datlas 

So logical.

#LiveLongAndProsper

wthensler 

Another long time Trekkie here.......I ride a 2012 Domane Di2 and seriously considering a refresh after a recent visit to the LBS. My official story to the wife is that the existing 6770 groupset is ancient, and once the rear derailleur goes, it’s toast. Oh and of course the bike has a ton of miles, no front decoupler, and (dare I say) rim brakes.

The Domane SLR7 disc Di2 is north of $11k, certainly not chump change. I’m going to wait for the new Shimano Ultegra Di2 to make its debut before I commit.

I passed on the venerable Madone years ago, figuring I’d be too old for that bike in five years. Probably a mistake in retrospect.

tigat

OP: I would pick door number 4 - wait on the next version Madone. My new Domane frame, some aero with huge versatility, has been a unexpectedly large jump from the gen 2 it replaced, even though it is a pound heavier than the gen 1 version I started with. If you didn't already have a great Emonda, the new one would be tempting, but the way Trek has been nailing the new models, just a guess but I expect the next version Madone will be the aero race, climb, comfort mix you are thinking about. This year is a going to be a somewhat limited campaign regardless of what you are riding, so no harm in waiting.

yamsyamsyams

As someone who’s also competitive in tri, I would never use a road bike in place of my tri bike - don’t sell the speed concept. You will go slower unless you’re doing IM Whistler or some other crazy hilly route and can’t hold aero for a long time.

best option = wait and spend some money on upgrades (deeper wheels) or a bike fit or registration for 2021!

h0mersimps0n

tigat et al.

This seems to be the consensus recommendation and the one, of course, I didn't want to hear being the most impatient person EVER.

It absolutely makes sense to hold onto my 2018 SLR Emonda (and Speed Concept) and wait for next generation Madone, hopefully next year, with the new BB, hopefully something 12 speed Shimano and 800 series carbon.

In my head I knew this was the right answer, I just needed to hear it for myself... more time to save more pennies...

Thanks guys!

guadzilla

Replacing the Emonda with an aero road bike makes a lot of sense for the type of riding you do.

Does it have to be a Madone? If not, there are plenty of good options right now - the Venge, the S5, the SystemSix.

h0mersimps0n

OK, well, ****.

Released today is the 2021 Trek Madone - looks like I got my wish a year early - OCLV 800 carbon and the new bottom bracket.

So really, there is only one question - is it worth waiting one year just to see if Shimano comes out with something 12-speed or just pull the trigger and love the ride?

I don't like the AXs option, will definitely stay Shimano fanboy.

Jashue

Can relate. I got addicted to training with a power meter over the winter with my Whaoo. Trying to configure a P1 SLR 7, I see that the only option is the AXS. It might be fine, but I have an irrational attachment to Shimano. I'm NOT going to go SLR 9 with Dura Ace (I'm nuts spending what I plan as it is). I wish they offered an Ultegra Power Meter Crank set as an option.

No more refliptive paint scheme too. I was about to pull the trigger three weeks ago right before the 2020s went out of stock. That was my color. Bummed.

GlennR

You two don't know what you're missing.

Hint... its wires

Jashue

Yup. Just got back from my LBS to hammer out the details on my P1 build. I don't know how I got it in my head that the Dura Ace 9100 was wireless, but there it was. Such a bummer. Settling for Ultegra Di2-- which is what I have currently and love very much. Sure would love a power meter though.

Down the road I might invest in the Stages Cycling power meter crank arm for Ultegra. We'll see.

Happy with what I ordered though, for sure. Madone SLR 7 in the Amplified Alchemy color scheme. Should be here is a couple months.