With the start of the Tour-de-France-2022 edition in Copenhagen, Trek is also ushering in a new era for its classic Madone race bike. It is already the seventh generation of the Aero competition bikeThe predecessor was positioned for the first time as a specialised aero racing bike.
For the new Madone model, Trek promises not only further improved aerodynamics, but also significantly less weight. The bike will be available immediately for both men and women of the Teams Trek-Segafredo at the biggest events on the cycling calendar - first and foremost, of course, the Tour De France.
Trek Madone: New tubes, new handlebars for better aerodynamics
With new tube profiles and a redesigned handlebar/stem unit, the engineers are promising measurably more speed for the Trek Madone against the wind. At 45 km/h, the new Madone should be 60 seconds faster per hour than its predecessor.
Although this only corresponds to an improvement of 1.66 per cent, the already very fast Madone could come close to the 200-watt mark in the TOUR wind tunnel test and become one of the fastest production road bikes in the world. Cervélo S5Simplon Pride or Canyon Aeroad catch up.
IsoFlow should bring advantages
However, the Americans have abandoned the complex IsoSpeed system, in which the seat tube was connected to the top tube via a pivot bearing, on the new Trek Madone. The spectacularly designed rear triangle, which Trek calls IsoFlow and describes as a "race-focussed evolution of IsoSpeed", is responsible for the comfort of the racing bike.
The design is not only intended to smooth out bumps in the road by compressing on impact, but also to be more aerodynamic and lighter than the complicated Isospeed technology - and it should also be easier to manufacture.
Main competitor: Specialised Tarmac
Speaking of light: as with many Aero racing bikes the rather high overall weight - especially in the disc version - was previously the Madone's biggest handicap. However, the engineers from Waterloo claim to have managed to reduce the weight of the new Madone by an astonishing 300 grams. At around 7.5 kilograms, the new Madone would not yet be in the weight region of lighter all-rounders such as the Specialised Tarmacbut would be one of the lighter ones among the thoroughbred aero racers.
Six variants of the Trek Madone available
The frame of the new Madone is only compatible with electronic drivetrains. At launch, the Trek bike is available in six variants, starting with the Madone SLR 6 with the new Shimano 105 Di2 twelve-speed drivetrain.
The top model is the Madone SLR 9 with Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM Red eTap. Customisation with desired paint finishes and equipment via the Project One platform will be possible at a later date.
The prices for the Trek Madone at a glance
- SLR 9 eTap: 14999 Euro
- SLR9: 13999 Euro
- SLR7 eTap: 10799 Euro
- SLR 7: 10299 Euro
- SLR 6 eTap: 8399 Euro
- SLR 6: 7699 Euro
Jens Klötzer
Editor
