First Ride: Trek Madone SLR

It is tough to find an adjective to describe this new superbike from Trek: Velocious and supersonic come to mind. Fast, sleek, quick and stable also work. But, there’s more.

We are genuine fans of the current iteration of the Madone (easily one of our top three bikes ever ridden) and so it was with great anticipation that we flew to Waterloo, Wisconsin to learn about what Trek had in store for its flagship aerodynamic race bike. We were not disappointed.

Here is what we found out on our visit with Trek engineers before we had a chance to ride the new Madone SLR.
1)  Adjustable Top Tube ISO Speed
When we sat down with Trek staff to learn about the new design, the first thing we discussed was the adjustable Top Tube ISO Speed. In the current Madone, that feature resides in the seat tube. The switch to the top tube completely changed the design of the bike and allows Trek to more closely match vertical compliance values across all frame sizes as riders choose their favorite setting based on terrain and preference. Rebound has been reduced by 13-percent on the new SLR as well.
2) 17-Percent More Compliance
The Madone SLR is 17-percent more complaint than the current Madone on any terrain or surface. This is a significant improvement over an already compliant frame design, and more proof that ‘aero’ doesn’t have to be synonymous with ‘harsh’.
3) Increased (and unprecedented integration)
The benefit of having Bontrager under the same roof allows the new Madone to be fully integrated with Bontrager’s revolutionary safety offerings and world class wheels and components built into the design of the new Madone.
4) Rim and Disc Options
While we believe Trek-Segafredo will be virtually all disc, all the time on the World Tour, the Madone SLR is available with rim brake options. Both disc and rim brake options are fully integrated into the new design.
5) New fit. H1.5 geometry
The Madone SLR also features a new geometry, H1.5 (falling in the middle of the H1 and H2 geometry options) creating a more optimal aero-race position. (The Madone SL features the H2 geometry).
6) New 2-Piece Aero Bar/Stem
Based on customer input, Trek created a new 2-piece Aero/Bar stem combination with a 5% adjustability up + down to satisfy a wider range of riders.
7) Project One ICON
Available exclusively on the new Madone SLR platform and available today, the ICON paint schemes are a collection of bespoke options designed with texture, depth and mood. Trek Segafredo will be displaying the ICON Chrome Tour paint scheme today at the Tour de France.
8) Options and Pricing
The SLR 9 Disc will retail for $12000 and Trek will offer four other models of the new Madone down to the $4000 price point. All versions will be available with a Premium Paint option.

And, the ride? 
Within 30-seconds of riding down a stretch of road in the Blue Mounds area of Wisconsin, we began to quickly fall in love with the Madone SLR. The bike is fast, fast and more fast. We have spent quite a bit of time on the current Madone and we were blown away at the improvements the team of Trek engineers integrated into the new Madone SLR. Imagine a bike that cuts through the wind, provides a subtle but significant improvement to fit and stability and then imagine yourself going faster and your smile getting wider and wider. If you are looking for a new super-bike, put the Madone SLR on your must ride list. The custom options are creative and unique through Project One, allowing you to create a velocious AND supersonic bike that will get you where you need to go quickly.

Our feature on the Madone SLR launch is in the July issue of PELOTON Magazine.

For now, go get yourself a new Madone SLR here: trekbikes.com