Trek Madone SL 5 Gen 8 2025 Hex Blue Ml

At 63 years old and 40 years of riding, I didn't think ride quality could improve as much as I have experienced with this new 7 series. On my first solo training tempo ride, on a route I know every turn and climb and every down hill and straight, and how experience tells what to expect when on this ride, everything preconceived was thrown out on the Madone. I felt as if I had a tail wind all day but didn't, that I had extra gears for the climbs but didn't. When in the straights and down hill the bike was gaining speed at times when I would normally level out. Smooth ride over rough roads even compared to my last ride, a well known comfort bike. The continuing enlargement of bottom brackets seemed like a big hype but this is far from true. The improvement in the ... MoreAt 63 years old and 40 years of riding, I didn't think ride quality could improve as much as I have experienced with this new 7 series. On my first solo training tempo ride, on a route I know every turn and climb and every down hill and straight, and how experience tells what to expect when on this ride, everything preconceived was thrown out on the Madone. I felt as if I had a tail wind all day but didn't, that I had extra gears for the climbs but didn't. When in the straights and down hill the bike was gaining speed at times when I would normally level out. Smooth ride over rough roads even compared to my last ride, a well known comfort bike. The continuing enlargement of bottom brackets seemed like a big hype but this is far from true. The improvement in the transfer of power is down right unbelievable. Now you would think that many of these observations can be explained by coming off an old bike that is tired and worn. This is not the case with my view points.Dura Ace has greatly improved the front shifting over the 7900 and the rear is as good. As good as the breaking of the 7900 was the 9000 is better.The Aeolus 5 wheels are another big surprise. Owning a dedicated climbing wheelset already I was going for an aero wheel. Simple enough to change out wheels when club rides got a little too lumpy but I was informed by the Trek rep to give the Aeolus 5 a chance on the climbs which I have done. The best test are club rides and races as you are familiar with the riders closes in ability to your own and I must say that I am climbing just as well with the Aeolus 5 as I would with a wheelset 200grams lighter. Have since sold the climbing wheels as there just aren't enough events were they would be needed and be an advantage. If you hold on to old school thought that you have to be exceeding 23mph for aero wheels to be an advantage, do yourself a favor and look again at more recent research. The advantage goes to aero most of the time. My gang of 2nd group riders depend on me for big pulls on straights and down hills, but now I have to back off a little so as not to leave them behind.This bike is still blowing me away a month after getting it on the road. High end bikes have been parked in my house for 35 years but none have kept me in awe for it's performance quite like this one has.

I race the Madone during the Wisconsin Cycling Association road calendar. It is fast, light, and aero. I'm a bigger racer (200 lbs) and the bike handles my weight perfectly, directing all energy into forward motion....in a hurry. The geometry is perfect for criterium racing or road racing. My only gripe is the rear brake which can be a bit finicky with set up and isn't terribly powerful. Luckily, brakes are rarely used in racing (nervous laughter implied). This bike would be exceptional for any rider looking for an ultimate road machine. Have your local Trek dealer get the bike set up for you and you'll spend countless hours being glad you bought a Madone!

I've had my Trek 5.5 Madone a month now. I wanted to wait until the 'new bike' lost its novelty luster to be more objective here. Overall, I still rate it as a dream bike. It wants to float up hills, and is quick off the mark with acceleration. The frame set is second only to its higher-end relations in the Trek Madone line.The only items I noticed that could use some work are the drive train cassette and maybe better tires. I note specifically, the SRAM Open Glide rear cassette. I have about 400+ miles on it now, and I am noticing the chain sometimes jumps/skips in gear, not always, but usually on cogs in the mid-range (15-19). Additionally, the cassette could also shift more smoothly. The front chain rings shift great. The 34 small ring is a little low, high ... MoreI've had my Trek 5.5 Madone a month now. I wanted to wait until the 'new bike' lost its novelty luster to be more objective here. Overall, I still rate it as a dream bike. It wants to float up hills, and is quick off the mark with acceleration. The frame set is second only to its higher-end relations in the Trek Madone line.The only items I noticed that could use some work are the drive train cassette and maybe better tires. I note specifically, the SRAM Open Glide rear cassette. I have about 400+ miles on it now, and I am noticing the chain sometimes jumps/skips in gear, not always, but usually on cogs in the mid-range (15-19). Additionally, the cassette could also shift more smoothly. The front chain rings shift great. The 34 small ring is a little low, high revs, for me but good for what it was made for.Regarding the tires, Bontrager, I think they are just a little too lightweight for the serious recreational cyclist. I usually do between 3-5,000 miles a year and have only two or maybe three flats a year. Although I check before every ride to make sure I have between 110-120psi in the tires, I have had five flats (mixed front and rear) now in the space of two weeks of riding only on paved roads. For a tire that run in the high end of cost, I would think they would stand up to a little more than that.Don't let the above put anyone off, as I think Trek did well with this bike. I have owned three Trek road bikes now and they have all been great. I still own my 1999 Trek 5500 US Postal bike, upgraded to 2006 Dura Ace, and it is serving me well. I didn't think this bike could be better by much, but it is.