Totally agree the SLR versions are on the high end price-wise, but I think you would have to compare to an S-works spec to be fair. Trek's SL models are competitive with Specialized and usually less expensive for similar spec.
Exactly. The Specialized Pro would be more akin to the SL version. So this makes the pricing with the Trek pretty much in line with their direct competitor.
I also built up my Gen 7 right at 16.5lbs with pedals, two cages and the computer mount. Built with 80% old Force, only cranks, cassette and chain were Red (also "old" Red), wheelset and rotors is where weight was saved, 1300gr, 50mm deep set with Aican SL 160 rotors and 29c ENVE SES tires shed well over a lb. Also had wired blip shifters mounted under the bar and A LOT of titanium bolts from Better Bolts. Just saying, my 58cm Gen 7 was not heavy at all and I did not have to try hard or spend millions to get the weight down..... the bike is incredibly capable. Having said that, I sold the Gen 7 and am not so patiently waiting on my new Gen 8 SLR 8 with "old" Red. Another sub 1300gr Light Bicycle wheelset, SL 160 rotors & wireless blips this time and bike should easily come in right near 15.4lbs
Would be interested to see how you got the madone that light! Do you have a video or any details you could send over on here or on Instagram? @jasons_cyclingunboxed
Good to know that the sprint performance is great for a 85kg rider. I have checked the gen 7 SLR at the local bike store and it felt quite flexible at the down tube bottom bracket when pressing the area. The Cervélo’s I checked felt rock solid with no flex at all, so I had some serious reservations that the Madone would have the desired stiffness when pushing the pedals hard.
It may just be that the flex of the frame coordinated perfectly with my cadence or possibly the hysteresis of the flex is so high that it gets back to its original position way before you can feel it. This is just speculation here though
Stop it, I own several bikes including the gen7 Madone SLR and that thing is so so solid ..the cervelo is nice but has a harsh ride..take a ride on the madone gen7 and I bet you won't complain..
Don't press on the area, ride the bike...stop listening Dorian.R 😅 lol...I put more power down on the madone SLR than the cervelo S5 because of the comfort..the S5 is just as fast but has a harsh ride..the S5 will have you more stretched out because of its aggressive geometry..both will keep top speeds with ease when coasting..
i have one built up to 7.4kg in a size 54 with pedals and it climbs well with the enve 4.5's. Fast on the flats, fast on the climbs..better than an all rounder with deep section wheels IMO.
i rented trek emonda some long ago time with wide tires and I was impressed with stability and cornering. I own tcr and it's much more nervous, though prob 1kg lighter
Personally I do still prefer the SL7 to the madone gen 7. It’s way lighter and more nimble. + still super fast. Hopefully getting my hands on an sl8 in the next 3-4 weeks so will have that review out soonish
@@cyclingunboxednope, I disagree..my s-works SL7 tarmac is "quick" out the gate but my new trek madone SLR is "faster" at top speeds..the SL7 tarmac is slightly lighter but the Madone SLR keeps top speeds alot easier with no problem..with my tarmac I have to keep the speeds up by continuing to pedal but on the madone SLR it keeps pushing..It sounds crazy but I also go up bridges and hill faster on the madone than the SL7 tarmac..my tarmac weighs 15.8lbs and my trek madone SLR gen7 weighs 16.6lbs with tpu inner tubes and set of Roval CLX ii wheels..I took off the bontragers because the roval CLX ii wheels are superior to them..they're both nice bikes but the madone SLR gen7 is just a faster bike to me..
I rode it for 2 days in Girona last year. Was before I was doing this series so no video. I didn’t like the handling. It was far too twitchy and you can’t place it in the corner like you can with these other brands The comfort was poor. I suspect it’s a carbon layup situation as it was running 30mm tyres and fairly soft psi. The paint jobs for the Diamente I don’t personally like much but of course others may love them.
Greetings! The bike looks like the head tube has a bike size of 56cm. What is your saddle measurement? And the difference between the saddle and the handlebars? Anyway, I love the bike, I have a Tarmac SL7 56cm but the Madone generation 8 is attracting a lot of attention due to its Large geometry, having a head tube 2 centimeters longer than the SL 7 would make it more comfortable.
This bike was a size 58. Saddle height 820mm I am unsure of the saddle - bar drop as I no longer have my hands on the bike. From what you are saying there, it does sound like you would be able to get more front end height from the gen 8 madone. May be worth trying to get a test ride somehow to see if that geometry suits you
The reason I have compared it to the specialized pro was because of the spec. The SLR 7 comes with Ultegra/ Force + only the Aeolus pro wheels, not the full spec RSL. To me this is comparable spec but £2000 more. Then the full SLR 9 was about £14,000-14,500. Again £1500-2000 more than the Sworks for the same level of spec. Now the Gen 8 is out, the prices are more reasonable but in my eyes, it’s far too much at retail compared to other market leaders.
it's trek bro. you are not supposed to buy those for MSRP unless you don't care about money. That being said it is still much much more expensive then Aeroad
yes, Trek is more expensive than Canyon, but let’s not forget about the lifetime warranty on the frame and the wheels and I think Trek has the best build quality. I actually own this bike.
