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When Trek-Segafredo riders were asked how the Madone, an aero bike that was in its sixth version at the time, could be improved upon, the response sounded like a popular musical refrain. Faster. Lighter.
These are recurring themes when it comes to road biking. (will open in a new tab) design after all. But if the melody heard was familiar, then the reaction of the Trek designers was much more avant-garde.
The latest Madone SLR solved these common problems, namely how to make a bike lighter and more aerodynamic, with some unique solutions. The result is a bike that has been both modified and redesigned in a very unusual way.
(Image credit: Trek)
When he first appeared at the Critérium du Dauphiné this year (will open in a new tab), the new Madone made headlines thanks in large part to its radical seat tube design. Gone is the IsoSpeed decoupling that was introduced to make the bike more comfortable. In its place was, well, a hole.
This technology is called IsoFlow. This is at the heart of Madone’s redesign and is part of the solution to the demands made by professional riders. By removing the adjustable Isospeed system, the bike is both simpler and lighter. Combined with the use of 800 series OCLV carbon, the new frame weighs 300 grams less than the previous model.
The effect on the overall weight of the bike means that a 56cm Madone SLR 9 with SRAM Red eTap weighs 7.36kg.
(Image credit: Trek)
And most importantly, according to Trek, IsoFlow also makes the new Madone more aerodynamic. “IsoFlow is a way to direct the flow of high energy into the low energy region of the bike,” says Trek aerodynamicist John Davis. The seat tube is the part of the bike that creates a lot of drag. The orifice reduces this by “injecting a jet of fast moving air,” says Davis.
(Image credit: Trek)
But has IsoFlow made the latest Madone less convenient? It’s not like that, Trek says. With the disappearance of IsoSpeed, the frame is designed as a “flex component”. For example, the redesigned top tube has a thinner section in front of the IsoFlow, which improves flexibility and, in turn, comfort.
Trek compares the ride quality of IsoFlow to Isospeed at its “hardest setting”. So, essentially, a small trade-off in comfort for a big gain in speed. The new frame is said to be nearly 20 watts faster than the previous generation, which equates to 60 seconds per hour when driving at 45 km/h.
(Image credit: Trek)
Half of these savings come from the new frame design. Along with IsoFlow technology, the latest Madone boasts re-shaped pipes throughout the bike. The redesigned shape of the Kammtail is obvious and was developed in part by studying what Davis describes as “unstable aerodynamics that mimic the real world”.
At first glance, the steering column is deeper, as are the fork blades. The “shelf” of the carriage is high, it was raised to close the gap between it and the bottle cage, which reduces the resistance in this area.
(Image credit: Trek)
The other half of those watts, 9.7 of them to be exact, is from changing the driver’s position. To do this, Trek redesigned the Madone cockpit. With an integrated stem and stem, the shifters move inward by 3cm, which Trek calls an “ergonomic solution” that also puts the rider in the optimal position to reduce drag.
Interestingly, the narrow hoods are balanced by stems that are 3cm wider at the drops to provide more control. The bar of the “old” size 42 becomes 39 cm on the hoods and 42 cm on the drops. Colnago has done the same with the new CC.01 cab introduced on the new Colnago C68. (will open in a new tab), which has a similar semi-flared shape. The drops also have a shorter reach and a fresh curve that Trek thinks is more comfortable.
Handlebars and stem have additional aerodynamic advantages. The handlebar tops are shaped to improve airflow, and the brake hoses are now fully integrated to clean the front of the bike. And that’s just the hoses. This latest Madone frameset is only compatible with e-groupsets, as are many of the latest flagship race bikes.
There are a total of 14 different stem and stem combinations available, though Trek was considerate enough to also create a different top bearing cap which then allows you to use the stem and stem of your choice.
(Image credit: Trek)
So, what else do we need to know about Madone’s new DSLR? It is available in six models, from the SLR 6 to the SLR 9. It uses the threaded T47 bottom bracket standard that Trek has adopted in all of its new framesets.
It’s optimized for 28mm tires, although this should allow for 6mm of clearance, which should mean you can opt for a slightly larger volume if you’d like. It’s also offered in five colorways, including two Trek-Segafredo team versions, as well as a lighter variant that’s described as “deep carbon smoke.”
The redesigned seatpost is also designed to provide an optimal fit, offering four different combinations: two lengths and two offsets. When it comes to seatpost adjustment, there is an average of about 6cm per mast length from minimum to maximum.
(Image credit: Trek)
The Madone SLR’s new look is likely to get a lot of airtime at this year’s Tour de France. (will open in a new tab) and Women’s Tour de France (will open in a new tab). Trek-Segfredo’s Mads Pederson believes this relationship, which has come about as a result of ongoing dialogue between the bike manufacturer and the pro teams it sponsors, has paid dividends.
“We did it together,” the 2019 Road World Champion said in a press release. “From the Trek engineers to us working together. They have the data, but we have the feel of the bike and that combination makes the bike perfect.”
“Now we’re here,” he continued, “and we’re riding in a spaceship.”
Prices for Trek Madone SLR
Madone SLR 9 eTap – SRAM Red eTap AXS/Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels £13,800 / $13,199.99
Madone SLR 9 – Shimano Dura-Ace Di2/Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 Wheels £12,700.00 / $12,749.99
Madone SLR 7 eTap – SRAM Force eTap AXS/Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 Wheels £9,600.00 / $9,699.99
Madone SLR 7 – Shimano Ultegra Di2/Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 Wheels £9,150.00 / $9,049.99
Madone SLR 6 eTap – SRAM Rival eTap AXS/Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 wheels £7,450.00 / $8,399.99
Madone SLR 6 – Shimano 105 Di2/Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 wheels £6,850.00 / $7,999.99
Madone SLR Disc Frame Only – £5,000 / $4,599.99
For more information visit trekbikes.com. (will open in a new tab)
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