Why the new Trek Madone Gen 8 will be the company’s one race bike

The new Trek Madone Gen 8 has launched. It marks a big development in Trek's road-bike lineup. Find out what that is exactly. Also, learn more about the features of this top-of-the-line Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS with Icon Interstellar paint scheme and how it rides.
Check out our in-depth first look at the Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS here:
cyclingmagazin...
Video by Nick Iwanyshyn
nick.pictures/

[@barriem5318]

Great video, nice bike. Is there a markup for the fancy paint finish? Is that a project one program finish?

[@mrm95]

Yes the paint is called Chroma Interstellar and costs 4200€ extra. It's incredible and Trek do a fantastic job with paint schemes in Project One.

[@barriem5318]

@@mrm95wow

[@fen2453]

do the new bottles fit in a small frame?

[@mrm95]

7.62 kg isn't light for a "do everything racing bike" at this price range. The new Pinarello Dogma F and the S-works Tarmac sl8 are both around 6.6 kg at this spec level.

[@NameNaameNameeNaamee]

It's 7Kg in the top spec, just 200 grams shy of the legal limit anyway. Apart from that, a bike is more than numbers mate. If the aerodynamics are better, if the riders are more comfortable, 200g more really don't matter. If you don't believe me, head over to bike calculator and see how much difference 200g make, opposed to being faster for longer.

[@mrm95]

@@NameNaameNameeNaamee This bike is literally the top spec, so what are you on about? I'm sure there will be lighter variations depending on paint scheme, but that is besides the point. The point is, for the type of money this bike costs, the metrics don't match up. Obviously, a couple of hundred grams don't necessarily make a ton of difference, but it's fair to expect top tier metrics for top end money. As for all the rest you wrote, I race at conti level and am aware of what it takes to go fast in terms of training and gear. Also, the aerodynamics are only better, if they even are, due to the aero bottles. You could also just put those on any other bike. I'm not anti Trek or a fanboy of some other brand. I just think we do each other a disservice by blankly parroting company claims or ignoring that you can build a 1 kg lighter Tarmac SL8, that is as or more aero (according to Tour Magazine), for the same money. You can even build the new Pinarello Dogma F which is as aero as this bike to a lighter spec for the same money.

[@gzw1409]

Also the Wilier Verticale is lighter and cheaper as well! It costs 9200€ and is 6,6kg. This Trek bike costs more than 22.000 dollars😮

[@sprice0609]

@@mrm95 I think the 7.62kg includes bottles and bottle cages (100-110g each) and pedals. No doubt that SL8 and the dogma are lighter, but I think the quoted weights don’t include those items.

[@mezbiderli]

18.5K CAD.. is what bike prices had become.

[@matt8094]

in fairness that paint job alone increases the price by 4K (not exaggerating), so you can get the same spec for less with a more boring finish

[@jeremylutersz3374]

Fancy Aerodynamic Bike but there’s only one problem. The person that sits on it.

[@NoahStephens]

Brilliant insight. Most of us thought bikes pedaled themselves

[@jeremylutersz3374]

@@NoahStephens 🤣

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

A speed suit will give free speed!

[@mikespadafora9077]

I don’t believe many of the aero claims. Fact is Trek is hurting financially and had to reduce its product line. I doubt the previous Madones were any faster. Fit is more importanter.

[@stihldavebergen3469]

There is also the Domane

[@sprice0609]

Is the 7.62kg measured or claimed by Trek?

[@NameNaameNameeNaamee]

The bike in its top spec is 7Kg flat.

[@mrm95]

This is actually measured. Trek claim a lower weight. Very likely the paint will add 150-200g extra over a more regular paint scheme.

[@Gamblor24]

22K for a bike....what world are we living in? I'm all about high end experiences, but I'm pretty sure a bike half that price will feel 99% the same.

[@oliverislost]

it should be illegal to sell a mountain bike for the price of a car

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

@@oliverislost road bike

[@magicmatrix9216]

Madone Foil

[@tvbuster]

So that’s a 22k bike?!

[@polok890]

Do drug dealers race bicycles too

[@leewootaek]

wonder you’re height for m/l

[@mikespadafora9077]

Crazy price. The young racers that should be riding those can’t afford them. Only overweight doctors and dentists that should not be riding them will have the pleasure. Cycling pricing is stupid.

[@FlyingFerg]

Agreed

[@Ray-gu5kp]

Right on my friend!

[@matt8094]

Cool bike, but they should stop acting like they're the first to come up with this genius idea of making a combined aero and lightweight bike. Also this 18k dollar bike weighs the same as my non s-works sl7 so maybe buy one of those then spend the rest on a nice vacation somewhere to ride it.

[@josephreilman8527]

Beautiful bike, yet an ugly Madone. And less aero. And heavier than the Emonda. And they had 3 years to address the market so that this wouldn't happen. At least Madone and Emonda fans now have something in common: We're disappointed.