Trek - June 30

[eippo1]

Why bother carrying the name all the way through when the 9 series is completely different than the 7 series and then we have the 2 series. It just makes customers confused.

[choke]

Originally Posted by Keith A

Maybe there's something wrong with me, but the new Trek Madone does nothing for me

I don't think there's anything wrong with you.

[MattTuck]

I am predicting that bike companies will soon be introducing special 'training' bikes that are designed specifically for training. Their whole purpose will be increasing aero-dynamic drag so that your training rides have the maximum effect. When it comes time for an actual race, that's when you get out your aero wunder-bike. You'll be 20% faster, guaranteed.

The training bikes will feature special features like high friction bearings, dragging brakes, heavy materials and big tires -- think of the rotational weight! You'll be able to get a special drag-chute to attach to the back of the seat post. It will be the ultimate in making you fast.

[thirdgenbird]

Originally Posted by pbarry

Going back to lugged steel frames made in Wisconsin..

In down with that. Here is my vote...

From the old school:
logo
paint schemes
Reissues of their trek marked investment cast lugs
Internal cable routing on the chainstay
Threaded bottom bracket

From the new school:
1 1/8th threadless
Modern steel
Downtube cable stops (not shifter bosses)
ample clearance for 28s
Direct mount brakes (maybe include their bontrager version with the frameset)
Vertical dropouts
Integrated chain catcher

I would be ok with overseas production as long as the price were right.

[velomonkey]

nonplussed

My plussed was not activated.

[Mikej]

These new bikes look like they should cost $1k - not $10+k

[Tharmor]

Peloton Magazine posted a worthwhile video on the development of the new Madone ::

http://pelotonmagazine.com/video/lea...making-madone/

[buddybikes]

600 series for the 9.9, bet is not made in Wisconsin.

They were using carbon of aerospace mfg which were controlled for export in 700 series, this was probaby why they weren't building overseas. Probably dropped the carbon due to these export controls. Just a guess (my line of work)

[gone]

Originally Posted by velomonkey

nonplussed

My plussed was not activated.

Not to be the grammar police but you might want to look this word up as I don't think it means what you think it does ;-)

[EDS]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

Perhaps we should rename the down tube to be 'diagonal billboard tube'.

I really feel like these incremental annual improvements have become unsustainable... just changing something to change something. Not sure what the solution is, but I'm 100% sure that you can have the same amount of fun on a bike whether it is a vintage steel Merckx or this TREK.

What is the alternative? Should bike manufacturers cease refining their products? Most manufacturers only do small tweaks annually with wholesale redesigns every 3 or 4 years.

Arguably, it made sense for Trek to change the Madone to become their "aero" road model since it was otherwise redundant to the Emonda.

As far as the billboard comment, since that is one of the team bikes for Trek Factory Racing it is a certainty that is indeed what it is intended to be.

[thirdgenbird]

I am in no way interested in buying an aero bike or a bike in this price range, but I have to hand it to trek. Objectively, it looks like a great contender.
-weight is reasonable for an aero bike
-if the ISO speed works as well as some claim, it may fix the ride issues asosiated with aero
-the brakes (while proprietary) seem like a better solution than the competitors
-stem heigh adjustment seems reasonable
-cable routing seems reasonable (given it is internal)
-clever solutions for barrel adjusters, control boxes and accessories
-it's also not bad looking (comparatively) in non team paint:



If I were going to buy an aero bike, it might be the first I test ride. Not sure I've ever said that about a trek. (Give me mine with SR mechanical, boras and 28mm tires)


Oh, and I would still rather see them do an update of their steel frames.

[buddybikes]

"like" the added touch of that rear reflector. not exactly aero...

[rnhood]

Trek did a pretty good job on this bike. Specialized also did a good job on their new aero Venge. Props to both of them. But they are both hideously overpriced. Still, I'd rather have either than any steel bike made today or yesterday (or tomorrow) - especially if I was racing.

[54ny77]

If it wasn't for the bike, that semi-arid mountain landscape would be lovely.

[mvrider]

Originally Posted by Tharmor

Peloton Magazine posted a worthwhile video on the development of the new Madone ::

http://pelotonmagazine.com/video/lea...making-madone/

Very cool video, actually. As an engineer and a rider of hand-made bikes, I appreciated the passion expressed by the Trek employees (and their cool T-shirts). That level of engineering is hard for any smaller organization to justify.

Time will only tell if their execution resulted in tangible marginal gains. We can debate all we want about old-school craftsmanship and non-standard integrated components, but it appears that Trek has done some fine engineering work. On the face of it, more innovation than the other bike names so far. And I even like the brakes! (and I still like my skeleton calipers, too)