Trek has killed off the Émonda with the eighth-generation Madone, combining its light-weight climbing bike and devoted aero platform to create what the model claims is an “earth-shattering” do-it-all street race bike.
A “fusion of its quickest street race bikes”, the brand new Madone is claimed to be as aero because the outgoing seventh-generation Madone and as mild because the Émonda.
Trek has launched its new top-tier OCLV 900 layup with the brand new Madone. Making use of contemporary manufacturing methods, that is stated to be as much as 20 per cent stronger than the outgoing 800 collection layup and lighter. This and a brand new one-piece fork saves a claimed 320g versus the seventh-generation Madone.
The Émonda title will reside on because the Émonda ALR alloy race bike, however will now not function in Trek’s top-tier street bike line-up.
Foil System Foil is the long run
Trek developed a set of tube shapes for the brand new Madone, casting off its long-standing Kammtail shapes in favour of what it calls Full System Foil.
In comparison with the outgoing Madone, many of the tubes are broader and squatter. Trek says these are extra structurally environment friendly (lighter) than Kammtail tubes.
Trek says the bike is designed to optimise airflow over the total bike and rider, fairly than optimising particular person areas of the bike.
Measurement-XS and S bikes function slimmer tubes than bigger sizes. Trek says this reduces weight on smaller bikes and maintains constant aero efficiency all through the dimensions vary.
Trek has developed new aero bottles and matching cages for the Madone.
Trek claims these save 3.7 watts at 45 km/h versus an ordinary spherical bottle of the identical capability, and are quicker than operating no bottles in any respect. The cages work with typical spherical bottles.
The brand new bottles ship as inventory with SLR-level bikes and can be found aftermarket.
In comparison with a previous-generation Madone with spherical bottles and a largely comparable construct, the brand new Madone with aero bottles is claimed to be 0.1 watts quicker at 35.4km/h – or, in different phrases, about the identical.
As ought to be anticipated, the distinction is extra stark when evaluating the brand new Madone to the Émonda, with a claimed 11.3-watt saving on the identical pace.
New layup reduces weight
Trek’s new 900 OCLV layup expertise, as used on SLR-level bikes, makes use of an inflatable mandrel – the shape round which the body is laid up – throughout manufacturing.
This improves compaction, pushing out extra resin and decreasing wrinkles contained in the tubes.
Utilizing this new manufacturing method, a painted SLR-level measurement M/L body is claimed to weigh 796g and the fork 350g.
It is a claimed 320g saving versus the seventh-generation Madone, however is slightly heavier than a top-tier OCLV 800 Émonda SLR body in the identical measurement (698g claimed).
Evaluating comparable Crimson AXS-equipped full builds, the brand new Madone SLR 9 AXS is claimed to weigh 7.00kg and the outgoing Émonda SLR 9 AXS 6.75kg.
The SL-level Madone makes use of Trek’s 500 OCLV layup. That is claimed to weigh 1,054g for the body and 363g for the fork.
The highest-spec SLR bikes additionally function the brand new one-piece Aero RSL cockpit, whereas the SL has the traditional two-piece cockpit.
The SL can also be suitable with mechanical drivetrains.
IsoFlow stays
Launched on the seventh-generation Madone, Trek has retained its distinctive IsoFlow system for the bike.
This gap within the seat tube allows the seat mast to flex and is alleged to enhance aero efficiency.
The second incarnation of IsoFlow has been slimmed down barely and the aerodynamic shaping refined to scale back weight and enhance efficiency.
This, together with new layup methods – which enabled Trek to take away the froth core used on the unique incarnation of IsoFlow – is alleged to enhance vertical compliance by 80 per cent.
Lowered measurement vary covers extra riders
The Madone measurement vary has been slimmed from eight to 6 sizes. Trek says this new vary covers a wider vary of rider heights with much less overlap between sizes.
Trek has additionally finished away with numerical sizing in favour of T-shirt-style sizing.
Sizes 54 and 52cm have been mixed into the brand new size-M bike. The earlier 62cm bike is now coated by the size-XL bike, which options an prolonged seat mast.
On the different finish, elevated seat mast adjustability broadens the dimensions vary to even shorter riders, in line with Trek.
Trek beforehand provided its bikes in H1 (professional/aggressive) and H2 (consolation/endurance) match choices.
It did away with this break up with the 2021 Trek Émonda, introducing its all-rounder H1.5 match.
With the brand new Madone, Trek has dropped its ‘H’ naming conventions altogether, now describing its all-rounder geometry as ‘Highway Race’.
The geometry of the seventh and eighth-generation Madone is analogous – attain is barely decreased throughout most sizes and stack elevated, however solely by a number of millimetres in each situations.
New Trek Madone geometry chart
A slower cockpit?
Trek says its up to date RSL Aero cockpit is much less aerodynamic than the outgoing seventh-generation Madone cockpit. Nonetheless, the way it interacts with the rider’s legs leads to a extra aero system total.
Inventory cockpits are 41cm extensive on the hoods, flaring out to 44cm within the drops.
Although it wouldn’t be drawn on the share of gross sales, Trek says the vast majority of Madone SLR orders are made by way of its Undertaking One programme.
This provides complete customisation choices, together with paint, groupset alternative and, critically, contact factors.
Trek says this avoids the widespread pitfalls of one-piece cockpits, with the vast majority of shoppers speccing theirs to swimsuit.
UDH, common headset components and T47
Trek has launched a brand new common headset spacer and prime cowl system shared throughout the brand new Madone vary and “future Trek street bikes”. Precisely which setup you go for will depend on your stem or one-piece cockpit:
- RCS Race: RSL Aero bar/stem (included with Madone SLR Gen 8)
- RCS Professional: RCS Professional Blendr stem (included with Madone SL Gen 8)
- RCS Common: conventional spherical stems
The brand new Madone can also be constructed round SRAM’s UDH system, opening compatibility to what seems to be a UDH-specific 1x model of the model’s top-spec street bike groupset.
Lastly, there’s no change from the T47 backside bracket, as used for a number of generations of Trek’s street bikes.
2025 Trek Madone SL vary briefly
The SLR and SL ranges comprise 4 bikes apiece, with framesets obtainable at each ranges.
Costs begin at £4,250 / $3,499.99 / €3,499 / AU$4,499.99 for the 12-speed 105-mechanical geared up Madone SL 5, rising to £13,999 / $13,499.99 / €16,399/ AU$19,999.99 for the SRAM Crimson-AXS geared up Madone SLR 9 AXS.
Each SL and SLR bikes can be found by way of Trek’s Undertaking One customisation programme.
These with solar-system sized pockets can go for the ‘Interstellar’ end Undertaking One bike at £14,700 / $16.999.99 / €16,399 / AU$ N/A.
All bikes ship with 28mm-wide tyres and clearance for 32mm tyres.
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