Iride01 

Lower weight materials also typically cost more. Carbon fiber fabric and resin is not just one weave or formula with the same weight per strength and durability. Same for steel and aluminum bikes. Some alloys will give a thinner tube and lighter bike, but the cost in them usually go up too. Labor to make those better bikes also costs more whether it's because it takes more time to manufacture with those more expensive materials or it's because the people that have the experience to build that more expensive bike have the skills to be better paid.

Zaskar

Correct me if I'm wrong (it's a thing), but aren't Trek's carbon road (and mtn) frame sets still manufactured at Quest Composites in Taiwan... along with Canyon's carbon frame sets?

eduskator

Indeed. However, I wouldn't only put the Emonda in the ''climber bike'' category. It's a do-it-all race bike like the Giant TCR, Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Ultimate, etc. A true climbing bicycle would be a Specialized Aethos or something like that.

We don't have flats where I live so TT and aero-race bikes are uncommon as they are usually heavier and don't offer any real advantage on our terrains. That's why I use the term ''aero-race'' and ''race'' to differentiate both types.

choddo

Ok that’s unfamiliar terminology to me but understood. A mate has the 2022 Emonda and he’s scarily fast on the flat, but I blame the twenty years he’s got on me. And you know, all the training and nutrition he does & that.

Bully4

My Madone is marked "assembled in USA". Whatever that means. Probably install the seat here or something.

The older Madones appeared to be made here at one time. Depending on the build model.

Zaskar

Yeah, "Assembled in the USA" is right up with "NASA Inspired." You gotta give those marketing guys credit. Oh, full disclosure... I'm a marketing guy.

choddo

Has tax / customs duty implications too probably

beeballman

Assembled=not made in

Zaskar

Yeah... that was my point. Just like "NASA Inspired" did not take place at NASA.

beeballman

I looked at all bikes. Fell in love with the Madone. I have always had and like an aggressive frame, and loved Aero at the same time. My current Fuji has an aggressive sprinters frame SST 3.0, but I have decked it out with aero wheels and bars. I just love the look of the new Madone.

eduskator

Well, at least our local workers have a role to play in its assembly. Nothing we can really do about globalization except paying more for products that are fully manufactured locally.