Comments on: The 2008 Trek Madone

By: mauritius

mauritius — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:37:00 +0000

i meant seat post…

By: mauritius

mauritius — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:35:00 +0000

bought a 5.2, swapped the dura off my fondriest luxter…both great rides.
what is the story with the sensor in front fork? had to change the saddle as bike delivered with short stem…was just under the minimum insert, now it s ok with a concor light which is thicker… anyone knows where to find a longer stem?? bought my bike overseas and dealer playing deaf…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:10:00 +0000

PLEASE PUT THE KOOL-AID DOWN. Um…. revolutionary??? Klein and Cannondale have both been manufacturing frames with oversized proprietary bottom brackets since the mid-NINETIES and Klein was even using the tapered steertube technology on both their road (Quantum PRO) and MTB bikes (the Foster’s can-sized aluminum Adroit PRO & Mantra PRO) back in 1993/1994 before becoming assimilated by Trek in the late nineties (1997/1998). Furthermore, Cannondale used oversized steerers on their HeadShok front forks also and have designed oversized propriety press-fit style bottom brackets into both their high-end aluminum lines (CAAD series) as well as the high-end Six.13 frames.

Since when is this new and revolutionary??? Perhaps a departure from traditionally conservative Trek, but by no means ground-breaking. It’s interesting to see so many manufacturers jump on the ISP concept bandwagon, whether it truly benefits those of us that aren’t CAT racers remains to be seen (yeah, I *might* make a concession for weight and strength, but I seriously doubt anyone here will notice the improvement — except in relationship to the previous Madone models). Perhaps it’s innovative for Trek to use carbon as a frame material accomplishing these minor triumphs, but lets not forget the carbon Klein Mantra that used much of this technology. I mean, seriously…. the OCLV bikes are still LUGGED! New technology??? Ask Trek to build a full-monocoque frameset, then I’ll be impressed.

Made in the USA is worth the extra dough in my opinion, but I’m snobby enough to only ride MTB frames made on our shores (Intense, Ellsworth, Turner, etc). It’s a nice looking bike, but for $8K, I’d spend my money elsewhere.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:38:00 +0000

GM and Ford are going to the wall, yet you still sound like 'made in the good old US of A' is a good thing.

Get with the times, all the best stuff comes out of asia - cars, motorbikes, electronic equipment, bike componentry, bike frames, watches, running shoes etc etc

Granted, if you have a few billion to spend the US still make good military stuff, but so do the russians and the chinese are catching up.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:08:00 +0000

Very cool looking bike – I want one. How will this new seatpost/mast accomodate riders that need a zero setback post?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:31:00 +0000

In the last few years, I’ve been very critical about the very conservative, bland nature of Trek designs, for tarmac and dirt alike. I’m quite impressed with this new development, both for the daring use of uncoventional BB and headtube design, and for its dramatic look. I also think that the adjustible-capped mast is a great idea, achieving much of the benefit of a cut mast without the one-shot lack of adjustability. As far as styling overlap, I wouldn’t put much stock into it. It’s tough to make bikes look new and original, since so much of the geometry is virtually stardardized. Anyhow, I think the most remarkable thing is how ridiculously obsolete last year’s bike looks (although I supposed it looked outdated in last year’s pelaton anyhow).

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:07:00 +0000

I hear that stripped bolts are a common problem with the seat post (weak metal) and that the bottom brackets are working themselves loose. Supposedly happened at the TOUR. Other that that nothing new to report.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:52:00 +0000

Integrated headset and bottom bracket is a big step forward. The frame is stronger than any other out there due to these features. The seat MAST is also a step forward making the frame stiffer here that any traditional setup could ever hope for in carbon. Less parts in the frame construction also strengthen the frame and make it lighter (less glue and less overlap equals less weight). Get the details right, people.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:02:00 +0000

What about this bike is revolutionary? Noodling with a few diameters? Man, no more kool aid for you guys.

By: Matt Magee

Matt Magee — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:51:00 +0000

One more confirmation: Trek does indeed make the Madone series in their Waterloo factory. Been there, seen it. Anything with the OCLV tag on it comes out of Wisconsin. The only carbon they have not historically made in Wisconsin is the TCT stuff (2007 Trek 5000 for example), which is made in Asia by Martec.

My store just received our first 5.2 Madone today. As a Giant and Scott dealer who is quite familiar with Orbea...the Madone is still revolutionary. Trek has left their usual conservatism behind with this one.