2022 Trek Madone SL 7 eTap review: Aero and comfy with superb handling, but so, so heavy

[@bnzboy]

The logo needs to be bigger

[@LOGICAL-JAY]

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 lmao

[@daviddawn9043]

Haha ruined by stupid logo

[@daddy-w6o5]

Trek should put their logos everywhere ranging from chain to rider's undergarments

[@Adair9800]

Excellent video review. Considering it was two (James and Mike) reviews in one video, it was still kept to a reasonable length.

[@HolmsOnBikes]

Just as a side note....I've had numerous madones over the past couple years, I've EASILY fit 32mm Panaracer GravelKing tires on and done gravel rides. Quinn Simmons (Trek Segafredo rider) even does some training rides on his Madone using 35mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel Tires. The 30mm max size is SUPER low on treks end. Not saying I'd personally go 35mm, but the 32mm that I've used leaves plenty of room (at least 4mm everywhere)

[@HolmsOnBikes]

I also have a 2022 Emonda SLR currently and do rides with 32mm gravel tires on that as well. They fit perfectly fine.

[@okreidieh]

Agreed. That's partly why I got mine. But It is HEAVY. Im running tubeless 28 mm tires on an sl6

[@LoaforDie]

Can someone tell me the brand of the bike? I can’t see the logo on the downtube. Nice bike tho.

[@crimson177]

This is probably a Chinese knock off, hence why its so heavy.

[@brennansquad]

IT'S A TREK

[@salva.]

🔥🎯 logo is perfect IMO, makes the bike looks sportier, like a NASCAR car 👌🏻

[@morrisizing]

Trek seem to have a big jump in frame weights between the SLR & SL compared to other companies top & 2nd tier frame such as Giant or Canyon.

[@lethargic_cow]

Thanks for the review

[@genuinebuilders1535]

Good review guys. I'd like to ride one before pulling the trigger but inventory in shops are making that challenging to do. The weight is a huge turn off being in Oregon and not having anywhere flat to ride. Will take that in note comparing to the Emonda.

[@LRF49]

I have the Emónda Sl6 Rival eTap. It weighs over 18lbs+. Kinda heavy for a climbing bike, but it does go uphills nicely. If I would have gotten the mechanical SL6, it be a 1.2lbs lighter. So, mech vs electric shifting, is a legit consideration. I lived ke the feel of the electric shifting, so I'm willing to pay for the extra weight. I saw this Madone at the shop before buying my SL6 Emónda. I was tempted to buy it, but it wanted comfort and the Emónda works for me.

[@monsterous289]

I'm fairly new to biking, but why are so many people concerned about 1-2% extra sprung mass(1-3 kg)? Unless it's rotational mass on the wheel/tire, it practically does nothing unless you're running races and need that extra 1-2% accel with F=ma

[@LRF49]

@@monsterous289 If you do long climbs like i do. The extra 1-2% makes a difference. Plus, you have to consider the extra weight you will add to the bike via water bottles and tool kit.

[@amitkumar-wj8gn]

So, when the bikes are cheap, weight is a negative factor, and when they cost more than a Harley Davidson, weight becomes aero. Hmmm. Noted.

[@takuan650]

It's called 'the magic of marketing'.

[@serdiezv]

It's a trade off for sure, Stefan Küng's tt bike os something around 9.2 kg (20.4 lbs) IIRC. Those huge downtubes and forks are hefty. It's the reason Stuyven and such use the Madone for flat stages and races (like Milan San Remo), but use the Emonda for almost everything else. Think of this bike as a tt bike for regular racing. I think it's also on people wanting to go more aero when they'd benefit way more from getting light bikes with aero details (Emonda, R5, Scultura)

[@timtaylor9590]

@@serdiezv no its a trade off for disc. an slr madone can be around 15lbs with rim brakes

[@serdiezv]

@@timtaylor9590 you really think the disc brake system adds 3 whole pounds? The difference between the disc brake and rim brake Canyon Ultimate is around 300 grams. A CF frame (lowest tier frame) Aeroad in XL weighs just 7.9 kg/ 17.55 lbs. The CFR which is the highest tier weighs around 7.3-7.4 kg. It's about design, if you want those huge tubes, it's going to weigh a ton.

[@ronniejohnson4750]

Awesome! Easy to install.

[@marcelkrijger4534]

great video!

[@bananosipedist]

"No extra charge" - as if it were not included in the base price)))) Heavy as Claris-Sora models from 2010, slow af, 10x more expensive - that's how we roll in 2021

[@HolmsOnBikes]

Because aero is 49x more important than weight, and people have finally found this out. That's why bikes are not as lightweight.

[@bananosipedist]

@@HolmsOnBikes is that an irony? According to Trek’s own white paper for Madone SLR - it’s actually slower than 9 series, which was - lighter, less expensive and as you now know - more aero. Also there is 3:1 rule from UCI, which is actually limit the aero capability of road bikes. What an illusional thinking🤦‍♂️

[@molfar9049]

bikes are not slow riders are.

[@HolmsOnBikes]

@@bananosipedist lol I think you need to re-read that white paper there buddy, then get back to me.

[@HolmsOnBikes]

@@molfar9049 lol so true!

[@tuliolopez9749]

Beautiful bike

[@fedearbelaez4912]

For the dentist who's just starting his practice.

[@georgefarrowgreen01]

😂😂😂

[@XX-is7ps]

Inclusion of a power meter seems bizarre decision if the goal is to make a more affordable version of the SLR. Compared to the minimal cost savings they’ve made elsewhere it seems weird to leave this included.

[@kjwagoner]

make the LOGO bigger! it makes the bike look fast

[@rolffuchs2737]

Head angle is 72.8 on size 52 and you want it to be more aggressive? This bike is really razor sharp through corners, best bike I`ve ridden so far.

[@jarrodspeed532]

I shift sram mech with my pinky but I am 6'5"

[@zzhughesd]

Emonda rim Da9000 done. 6 odd kilo. Aero smero. Lightweight wins. Aero nice. Going up hill light wins over flat speed.

[@XX-is7ps]

Do they still make a rim brake emonda? I’m pretty sure it’s disk brake only as of 2021/22?

[@zzhughesd]

@@XX-is7ps yeh. Alas a self build 2019/2020 frame

[@monsterous289]

I'm fairly new to biking, but why are so many people concerned about 1-2% extra sprung mass(1-3 kg) and willing to spend 1000s extra for it? Unless it's rotational mass on the wheel/tire, it practically does nothing unless you're running races and need that extra 1-2% accel with F=ma

[@zzhughesd]

@@monsterous289 Let me Help. It's about feel. Forget the science for a minute and stats ( you are right though on sprung mass tho ). A truly lightweight race light bike is zippy and springy, handles well an accelerates for fun , like how a Ferrari rev's up freely accelerates away. And a modest normal car will feel good and do the job ( 8 kilo + with disks ); Vs a 6 to 7 kilo bike with rims analogy. A rim brake will not have a heavy disk assemble appendage on the stay or forks and will be ' much more fun handle better ' and not be dead on feel.

[@monsterous289]

@@zzhughesd hmmm, I do have concerns about the analogy (e.g sports cars have significantly lower center of gravity, often 20-80% less weight, 2-5x more powerful) but I definitely get the main message. I absolutely agree on the rim vs disk break systems, never thought much of it, and I can absolutely see on sites that wheel sets can save near an entire kilogram between the disk and rim versions. I'm also coming from cheap, thick, and heavy "mountain bikes" my whole life to a new Trek I might buy Friday, the 2022 Madone SL6, Rocket Red that's ~19.2 lbs vs a similar priced Emonda which is only ~1.5 lbs lighter with less aero, no IsoSpeed, and not nearly as good looking lmao. Honestly trying to guage if 1-2 kg of sprung weight actually makes a big difference, which then I might as well look at others like Specialized and Bianchi. Any suggestions?

[@bandajate5163]

Where are these bikes made from

[@takuan650]

Must be difficult to justify that price tag for such a heavy 'middle of the road' bike. All that paint for the logo must've been very expensive. I'll stay light nimble and mechanical.

[@87togabito]

Love the bike. This and the SL7 were on the top of my list. Went for the SL7 in the end because my dealer was able to get me a SL7 in my specified colour and size quicker for the SL7 compared to the madone. That said, I’d still highly recommend the madone to anyone who wants one. It’s not the lightest, but you get tons in the way of comfort which leads to speed since it just soaks up all the imperfections in the road. Those folks who seem to think that weight is everything; are just dinosaurs stuck in a time made irrelevant by todays development.

[@AnTeallach2011]

😂🤦

[@XX-is7ps]

Do you not think people should be allowed to decide what kind of bike they want and to decide what kind of riding they enjoy? Personally I hate slogging uphill on a heavy frame and love lightweight bikes. It’s not about whether it’s objectively faster on a trip of a given length, it’s about whether I’m subjectively enjoying myself riding it.

[@monsterous289]

I'm fairly new to biking, but why are so many people concerned about 1-2% extra sprung mass(1-3 kg)? Unless it's rotational mass on the wheel/tire, it practically does nothing unless you're running races and need that extra 1-2% accel with F=ma

[@jarrodfife242]

Can you review a SLR model instead of SL?

[@driventomadness117]

My Domane sl6 weighs 21 pounds, no joke.

[@marcinstyle85]

Why is so heavy ??? for this price should weight around 7.2kg . I paid for my bike 2400$ full ultegra weight 7.6kg with cages , pedals , garmin mount , and heavy B17 BROOKS SADDLE ! , this is crazy ....

[@doggdemuro]

19 lbs. Lol.

[@stevep9041]

MAKE THE LOGO BIGGER!!!!

[@spdaltid]

Generally, a good review. I get the idea. Mikey: Sorry dude but the style gods passed you by. But hey, I appreciate your critique of the bike even if I remain a little confused about your love of twitchy/direct steering response juxtaposed with your directional stability concerns in the real world crosswinds. James: You don't get away with style points either - flip flops and long pants. Just. No. 🙈

[@nuttynut722]

we get it, James got big hands

[@DekGT5mad]

OMG, My Cannondale SiX13 weighed less in 2005 with campag centaur!

[@davehause8571]

My 1996 Giordana XL-ECO weighed the same.

[@lekobiashvili945]

"I feel comfortable being uncomfortable" - yeah, my man! Roadie test: passed

[@therusheffect7784]

Heavy is relative. Most people need to lose weight on their body more than their bike. I weigh 157lbs and can not tell the difference between my 18lb bike and my 15lb bike. It's purely psychological in my opinion. I don't believe most people including strong cyclist can "feel" three pounds. That's the difference of having empty bottles.

[@romanpramuka2703]

Super heavy, super expensive. Thanks NO 👎

[@MotoLopez1k]

It’s 6 pounds heavier! 😂. That’s the sound of people justifying corporations that screwed them over Disc brakes are a joke and people bend over and ask for more! Lol

[@BladeBarn]

TREK, the only brand the high end bikes would be lighter if they were aluminum LOL

[@hotcakes1117]

Is this suppose to be a meme? …

[@dcv9460]

Still expensive....😎

[@hayabusa27]

So Trek renamed a 2016 bike as 2022 to make it "new" again. Sad

[@JFomo]

Can i still go fast and keep up with the pros on beach road?

[@ayowser01]

Why does the pure roadie sound like Eric Cartman's mom? 😐

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Electric cars. Hear me out. The bmw 330e v 320i. The hybrid is WAY faster, but it weighs far more so consequently rides and handles worse. I'd choose the petrol car cos it's more fun all of the time. Weight ruins everything. I'd rather have a 7kg 2016 Emonda than this hippo racer, no matter how much quicker this may be. Also, this weighs more than my steel bike, which is embarrassing.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

What is a "pure" road bike? There are three kinds: aero, endurance, all-rounder. Are they all pure? How does that work. Goofy again.

[@thegibbonisreal]

Swufewing swuchatwasss thas hevvi

[@MotoLopez1k]

8+ kilo Disc brakes😂

[@josephphillips865]

What's funny is that this weighs as much as my gravel bike with 2x and beefy 40mm tires.

[@Carftymk]

@@josephphillips865 what specs?

[@josephphillips865]

@@Carftymk 2019 carbon Giant Revolt Advanced frameset with 2x GRX Di2, HED GC3 Pro carbon wheels, alloy bars + stem, other misc lightweight components - 18.8 pounds / 8.5 kg with pedals + cages. The new 2022 Revolt Advanced Pro in a similar spec comes in around 8.33kg in a size large (per Bike Radar).

[@astrayagrarian]

Truly laughable

[@josephphillips865]

@@astrayagrarian Regarding weight I feel like it is more a tool of marketing that is easy to highlight compared with more subjective characteristics. My steel gravel bike I regularly attach a 4 lb steel U-lock and I can't tell the difference with it on or off unless I actually lift it up. Now a bike pushing 30+ pounds or better, now that is brick.

[@rian2034]

Of all the silly things for me to despise, I gotta say I hate that oversized Trek logo. I'm in the market for a new road bike and there's a Trek store 15 minutes from my home, however, the logo design is a major turnoff.

[@jarrodfife242]

Just get a project one if you really hate 4 big letters

[@bigdiesel6912]

What do farm boys know .first off but nose. The lrg logo on the down tube is necessary .guess why corn balls

[@shaneisaacs666]

Way too heavy and over priced.

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Review the bike in the middle of nowhere on a gravel path... then adamantly assure us it's not a gravel bike. Pretty goofy.

[@davehause8571]

Yep, flipflops = no style.

[@nationsnumber1chump]

🤦‍♂️

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Typical drivel but nothing said about Madones biggest downside... very limited seat height adjustment.

[@lethargic_cow]

How so?

[@nickshepherd1653]

Why anyone buy a Trek. There are so so many better options for way less money 🤪

[@christophertyler8051]

For instance ,what would you buy instead ?

[@anderstorger3211]

The price of bikes has increased across the board in later times, and aero bikes is expensive already to start with. I'd say something like Canyon Aeroad is better value, but there are not huge differences if you want the corresponding components. To get aero performance on the cheap I would get a few years old second hand aero bike with rim brakes and mechanical shifting. If buying new I think it's hard to find better options for way less money, so examples would be interesting to hear about.

[@bigdiesel6912]

Why are you guys dress like farmers.

[@rg807]

I like Trek, but it's really hard to support them after the way they trashed and dumped Lemond.