I Can’t Believe Trek Has Done This! New 2025 Madone SLR replaces Emonda...
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- In a surprising move Trek has launched its 8th generation Madone SLR and in doing so put the Emonda SLR out to retirement, as it merges its aero and lightweight models into one bike. I travelled to Spain to ride the bike for the first time and to get under the skin of all these changes, the technical challenge and the wider reasoning behind producing a single race bike.
Here's the route I rode the new Madone www.komoot.com/tour/1673664251
Content
00:00 Intro
00:55 Madone history
1:38 Why merge Madone and Emonda?
2:51 The lightweight aerodynamic challenge
4:49 What has changed then?
7:01 IsoFlow isn’t a gimmick?
7:44 How light is it then?
10:17 Is it more aero?
12:11 New standards
12:31 New sizing range
12:58 How much does it cost?
14:25 Ride and handling impressions
17:11 Descending performance
18:08 Trek Madone vs Specialized Tarmac SL8
20:09 Conclusion
21:22 Is the Emonda really dead???
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The real reason...reduce the number of models in the range due to current state of bike industry
Just more cost effective regardless of the industry state, works for Specialized
And screw what the customer wants
No need for two races bikes....You don't see motorsport teams use two different models in one series. It's ridiculously expensive.
100% nail on the head
💯
A guy in a bike shop gave me the best advice years ago. he said you want to go up hills faster ?? Lose 20 lbs. And he was right...
Or draft the guys on the Sl8s and new Madones, I'll keep my old Madone my old Venge 🔥
So he was calling you fat.
@@derekbiggerstaff Everybody's fat compared to the pros.
And with this bike…..
Cool story bro
The previous Madone being a lot more striking might become a collector's item.
Hope so. I just got (June 5th) a 2024 Madone SLR9 Mads Peterson ultra chromatic.
An old Madone and Venge is a sweet quiver, not into these Ozempic bikes at all
I love my green slr gen6.
Agree. Much prefer the gen 7. And it’s definitely more aero/faster on the flats than gen 8
its the fastest bike on the market and best looking no question.
At Trek HQ:
Boss: We need to increase the bottom line. The Madone is our highest margin model. We need to sell more Madones!
Guy: Yeah.. how can we sell more Madones?
Accountant1: A lot of people are buying Emondas rather than Madones
Logistics guy: We are buried in different SKUs / sizes / paint colors.
Logistics guy 2: If we simplify our SKU range, we can reduce inventory costs by 10% and also manufacturing and development costs even more
Manufacturing manager: yeah the factory scheduler says we'd save money, and having less molds would save a ton..
Guy: oh guys I have an idea. If we eliminate the Emonda model then the people who would have bought and Emonda will buy a Madone!
Logistics guys: yeah.. and like we said...
Guy 2: We will sell more madones!!!
Boss: Brilliant idea Guy 1 and 2. Let's do it. Hey engineers, make the Madone a bit lighter and say that we combined the models. Show them charts and stuff,
Engineering mgr: but.....
Marketing: Yeah they love charts! Let's do it.
The accountant need more lines 😂
@@MrJlopez88 nobody cares what an accountant says. His job is to... COUNT 🤣
This bike with the fancy paint job costs up to $22,000 CAD, that is ridiculous.
My £200 second hand Giant TCR 2 with full duraace from 17 years ago weighs about 0.5kg more than a new £22k bike? "Ridiculous!" Indeed.
It makes the S-Works SL8 Tarmac at $18,000 CAD look like an absolute deal! 😂😂😂
That's how much the last NEW car I bought cost.
Why go for the top tier version? the SL (105/Ultegra) version is far better choice IMO
This is a total and utter rip off. They are hoping that fools who part with their money will indeed part with their money as they are fools. Research and developement is frqeuntly quoted by peole who buy these expenisve bikes , as to why they are so expensive. This theory goes out the window when you compare how much car or motorcycle you can get for 22k.
But the real crime is the fact that the bike is ugly and odd looking. It is filled with gimmicks that actually look dangerous and are not even arodynamic. Dont telll trek that.
I hope this bike comes for sale to Lidl near me!
You can pick yours off from local USPS office near you!
Love how these companies present cost-cutting measures and less choice for customers as an improvement.
Truth
100%. just a do it all bike. its going to be worse than either and the weight difference between the gen 7 madone and emonda is less than half a pound and data has shown no matter where your riding the aero gains even on climbs more than make up for the difference.
Well, it *is* and improvement. For them.
To be fair, Specialized and some others are getting close-ish to the UCI weight limits which means that at least for pros, there is literally zero benefit for additional weight savings. So they might as well try to make that 6.8kg system more and more aero. Trek is a fair bit off here though.
"Spin" of the marketing type. "Spin", in my book, is to maintain a high cadence. They seem to get the two confused! To their benefit of course.
If we can't believe the claimed weight, can we believe the claimed Aero?
The previous gen is much better looking.
I noticed the change in how you structure and format these reviews. You seem to tackle questions more directly and more objectively now--reserving judgment when needed. Much appreciated and refreshing compared to your old style of review.
I totally agree. Good format David🤗
Well Trek did not disappoint. The new bike is still heavier and more expensive than the competition! Such a shame...
7.3 kgs without pedals + having Sram Red is diabolical. Whack
Oh no! I ride an Emonda. Part of the attraction was that it is a simple frame design with no gimmicks. Perhaps my next bike will be a Cervelo Soloist or Giant TCR.
Why? Stick to your current emonda if you don't like this version
Keep the Emonda.
I'm glad I didn't drink the Coolaid and buy a heavy bike believing that weight didn't matter and only aerodynamics mattered (unless you're at a 9% incline). I guess now we're back to "weight matters" so I'll wait a year to buy this bike when they Trek can't sell any for $14,000 and it will be on sale for $7999.
I bought my canyon Endurace disc in 2018. It was the lowest tier with carbon frame and 105 Shimano. At 8,2 kg it was considered to be a bit heavy. How times have changed and people quickly forget. Guess we now are going back to anything over 8 kg is heavy again.
Spot on. The 180 is breath taking
"We've tried to break it".
Not until you've given it to an overweight English rider like me to test ride it on our wonderful lanes!
Paris Roubaix? Pah, Staffordshire lanes with fat old me on the bike will kill it dead.....lol.
Seriously though, I do wonder how reliable it will be for heavier riders like me on our really terrible roads!
He tried to break it...Meanwhile, he weighs 110 pounds.
I'm close to the bikes limit... So give it to me for a week.... Challenge accepted 😂
I think they don’t hire old fat people for test ride. See how fit they are. Even the big guy there is not fat.
Cant afford..but nice to watch progress. Nice video, David! Keep it up🎉
Thanks! 😃
Can’t watch the trek guys boast about the bike while keeping a straight face knowing this is because of SKUs
Facts 100%
Outgoing aero Madone looks ages better
Yup,,this looks gayi 😅
I don't understand why there is a $4000 difference between an SLR 9 and SLR 7. Looking at Trek's specs and the difference in price between Dura-Ace and Ultegra as well as wheels and saddle, you still don't come anywhere near that difference.
Because there will be people who believe they are getting $4000.00 extra value so will pay for it, good profit for Trek.
Good review, it's very helpful for all. Thanks for your hardworking.
My pleasure!
I think it looks horrendous around the seat tube area. Does not inspire confidence at all. Frankenstein monster of a bike.
And as always it is 200 grams lighter, more aero, and rides faster. Just we are older and slower. Comedy gold.
In a blind testing, most wouldn't be able to distinguish a difference between the outgoing model and this one.
@@davidkennedy4845 You're right! Well, position will be bit different (different sizing brings slightly different angles here or there).
Great review, youre the only journo who has actually weighed the thing
This all makes sense. I like it as an owner of several Treks and my usual driver being an Emonda. Merging the aero and lightweight frames makes sense. Specialized has already done it. Others will follow. One bike that does it all makes sense makes sense for all of us. While I have several bikes, having just one for the road is something I am in favor of. Increased comfort for the Emonda is welcome, I find mine quite hard on bumpy roads.
any time I hear bike companies talk about "aerodynamics" for a part thats further back than the front wheel I hit X for doubt
No rim brakes, no mechanical shifting, eye-watering prices... and then they wonder why they can't sell more bikes. Yeah, why?
Fantastic review Dave. Thank you. I loved my Trek Emondas, one of which I sill ride today. I'm disappointed the new Madone is not as light as I was hoping and from the impressions I take from your review, the "Jury is still undecided" as to whether it's a big stride ahead of what existed 2 years previously. The fact you need to test it further on your home turf suggests to me that while it's a good bike it didn't knock your socks off, liked you'd expect to experience. Hanging out for your SL6 review
When you do the comparison review Dogma F vs SL8 vs new Madone, remember to compare them with the same tires and wheels 😉👍
what an incredible ride in Spain. Beautiful riding!
looking forward for the sl6 review
This seems to make some more sense. They all just want one top of the line segment. That cut on the frame below the seatpost scares me a lot!
Look at that brutal attack at 16:11!!!! Crushing dreams there David!
Haha 😂
Trek should just include two top tube stickers with the bike, one that says "Madone" and the other "Emonda"... then you can choose which bike you want it to be. 🙂
@buster.keaton A wise man!
It’s about Reducing SKUs . It makes sense . But the geometry may be too extreme for most .
agreed
Yes, now they need to revamp the domane, lower the weight and get rid if the iso speed. Or bring back the h2 fit on this model.
@@scottf3456 Nothing wrong with the Domane; the perfect bike for the 'normal' rider......
Marlin, Roscoe and alloy Procaliber surely aren't all needed?
@@WerdnaLiten well thats a matter of opinion, you can say there was nothing wrong with the emonda or the madone.
Domane is like just about the heaviest in class and the isospeed while confortable - people have complained about it as the bike ages.
Still it is a beautiful bike as is there is no denying that.
My missis says, it looks like an Airfix model put together wrongly. I think she is right 😂
Very nice video David!
As a heavier rider, I'm not EVER going to trust that seat cluster! I've seen them posted online already snapped, and more cracked.
While I love a new bike day, I'm either stuck with my Émonda Slr..... Or have to look at a different manufacturer
I’ll just buy the new bottles and bottle cage on my 2021 Emonda SL6 Pro and BAM! I got my somewhat a Gen 8 update! 😅 Cheapest way to deal with this. Emonda ❤ Forever!
To me the smallest and most insignificant changes are between the SL7 Gen 7&8. Pretty much the entire gen 8 bike is exactly the same and weighs only .28grams lighter. I prefer the more aggressive look of the gen 7. I would expect an immediate price drop of the gen 7 though given that both are currently the exact same price. Seat stays is a little thicker on Gen 7 but gen 8 does have a slightly more compliant stay (argumentative how much better it is). Aesthetically, the gen 8 color schemes are beautiful and imo, Trek has the best paint jobs in the industry.
The cool wall! Always a great comparison scale:)
It’s great knowing I can see a new bike release and that this channel will explain it right away
Strange looking contraption. I guess it’s what they do to reinvent the wheel/run out of ideas on what to do with a bike frame.
I like what they did here to compete with the Tarmac, but I think the Emonda could have been turned into an Aethos competitor, UCI illegal light weight beast.
Nice to hear all the info from the team. But I think I preferred the old Emonda. I’m not mad about that seat post “hole” thingy, still looks a bit odd. But I’m loving that paint job!😍 Very similar to the “Look” paint jobs of a few years ago. Would I buy one? Probably not, Trek is really not my “tasse de thè!” I’m still drooling over that “hulk Green” Wilier. 😍
Good info though David. And well done getting yourself in on all these new bike press releases. You’re one of the big boys out there now. 10/10 😎👍🏻
P.S. Still waiting on that Wahoo Roam V2 review, you know…the one that you’ve used in this review as well?? 😁🙏🏻👍🏻
I like how frank you are and also detailed..I just wish that someone did a video on Trek FX Sport 6 .I just want to ride on paved trails and feel light, but I don't know if it's worth spending $2700 for a city bike ...Thanks for your videos
"dramatically lighter".... Meh, I'm "dramatically lighter" if I have a number two before a ride, in that case 😂🚲
And only put half the amount of fluid in my bidden!
I can’t help but think that the seatpost set up is a real potential point of failure. Am sure it’s suitably reinforced but it just looks shonky. Aethos for me, thanks.
That was the first thing that stood out to me, too.
He can say whatever he wants, this was all about saving costs and minimizing SKUs. They just kept the Madone nameplate because it probably had higher sales.
Long life to the Specialized Allez Sprint first gen
The bottles remind me of dishwashing detergent. Quite fitting for Lidl.
If buyers keep paying savagely high prices for bikes, the manufacturers will keep on making them. Lets face it, the majority of those who can afford to buy them, will never realise the apparent tech advantages anywhere near in full. Remember, the pros don't pay for the bikes they ride in the grand tours. Cycling used to be a sport for the working class. Manufacturers have changed this to a sport/recreation for the upper class. Buy your next bike with your head, not with your ego.
Well yeah, there's that. But cycling is an industry, too. All of the R&D goes into the high-end bikes, and the tech eventually filters down to reasonably priced models over time. I'm okay with this. I would never pay thousands of dollars for one of these bikes, but they're fun to look at and see them reviewed. I'd be afraid to scratch the paint brushing past one in a bike shop! Still cool, though. I think that most of those buying these can afford them, and they can spend their money how they like. I feel for the guy (well, his wife) who can't afford it but buys it anyway!
Reminds me of the Look Mondrian paint job, love the look. It’s not worth the price however.
Trek, Pinarello, Cervello, Colnago….most of their prices in AUD are just ridiculous
Out of control expensive 😡
In the real world tested (I think it was bike station), the Madone Gen 7 was on a hill climb (average 6%) faster than a Tarmac SL8, although 2 pounds heavier. And the Madone is much more comfy. So I guess I'll get a Gen 7 for me, it even looks so much better.
So they thinked down the tubes and use a new carbon fiber layup but still somehow manage to keep the weight the same ? 🤔🤦🏻♂️ .... I cant find any advantage compared to the last gen madone
David Arthur mentioning the Top Gear cool wall, a week after Cade Media introduces their own cool wall.
Almost as bad as Jumbos copy of Wantys Cube.
Gen 7 is a piece of art by comparison. Might try to get myself one used, now that this is out.
Madone is named after a climb after all
"we tried to break it but couldn't" means it is over engineered. Should have found the break point then add a small margin and the frame would be lighter.
Like 5-10 grams lighter for a potential law suit being filed you mean.
Comes with lifetime discount in Lidl if you take it in those colours
Let's just agree that the only real winner here are the mechanics from teams sponsored by Trek
Madone to rule them all... Not for me though. I know the seat mast is safe, but it always looks like it's about to snap off. I prefer your more old school, staid, and conservative seat tube design, thanks. I'm also skeptical about Isoflow, no matter what yer man says: just how much is airflow quantitatively improved in that section of the bike, behind the head tube and in the midst of the big, messy human stirring it up?
I know you mentioned the comparison to the Tarmac SL8. How about a comparison to the latest Cannondale Supersix Evo
Nice, Very nice
How does compare to Specialized Tarmac ?
My CAAD 10 from 10 years ago is lighter. 20k aud for a 7 kg bike, the SL frames are nearly 9kg!
Would love for you to review the new Seka Spear which has a unique rear end and is lighter than the new madone.
17:15 Trek is definitely a cool bike, but still I prefer the view. The view and the speed.
Hahaha somebody must have seen a Look 795 and thought, 'Yeah let's just copy that color scheme! I'm sure nobody will notice the dented seat tube.'
I own a SLR emonda frame with paint 56-58 cm 800-900 grams! Yes I did call trek on that, they admitted to me 700 grams is with out paint. But the model i have from 2 years ago rides really nice!
Specialized frames do have thin paint compared to my trek.
These companies what to charge this insane money show there frames with paint on a scale and and complete build with pedals weight!
I still can't get behind the mechanically stupid seat tube junction. It's a gimmick that won't stand the test of time and makes the fitment more limited.
What a bike! It's light, it's aero, it's stiff, 900 OCLV Carbon (??).. it's everything I want in a bike.. wait, how much? Meh.
Like specialized. Low cost production and premium prices to costumers combined with bull shit marketing. It is a wonder that costumers keep buying these brands. All the claims with Venge and old Madone now seams hollow because of the one bike to rule them all concept. I don't belive all the claims and marketing + reviews any more. You simply have to do the test your self.
I want those bottles/cages
I like my Emonda design ill stick with that as im not keen on this madone seat arrangement. My frame is the 58 with di2 and it weight 7.45 with pedals and cages
How does it feel on the climbs-mountains vs the Emonda?
But how does this bike compare to other high end bikes? (i.e. Cannondales lab 71, the tarmac, the dogma f).
Hard to believe that this bike is not less aero than the previous madone
Prob from the proprietary water bottles
they changed the testing parameters
Yeah. The much shallower headtube won’t be as aero as the deeper one in Gen 7
@@kreed4 wonder how the power transfer feels like too. BB doesn’t look beefed up.
It is less aero, unless you spend £190 on aero bottles then it is the same as Gen 7
Absolute joke.
still riding the Guru my dad bought me 26 years ago
Nice bike , but not best for me, maybe to little tyre clearance? And I dont think it can use a dropper post.
2 Bottles, nice. Premier cru chablis up front, Pomerol bringing up the rear
MY question : can you put garmin 1040 on this new bontrager computer mount ???
How does it compare to the LOOK 795 Blade RS??
Those are some noisy birds in the background. 😂
I have no regrets that I bought a gen7 last year, it's a great bike. However, that new one does look like great!
Why would you regret buying a better product?
@@davidspagnolo4870 So you've ridden both and can objectively say the 7 is better? Please share the details.
How much weight did they save by making the TREK logo smaller?
56g 😆
So it is not lighter than the old model and not more aero?
Correct.
wonder if they will introduce an aluminium version to increase consumer choice, with the death of the Emonda, I wonder what will happen to the ALR range, what will Trek do to replace it?
That sizing chart looks terrible for a 6' person like me. I've been riding a 58 Emonda with a 57.3 TT. It used to be easy to size a bike for myself. Now everything is jacked up. Don't even get me started on trying to fit a Checkpoint...Which means I wouldn't be able to ride a stock stem length - my guess - but how much is that one-piece cockpit to figure it out???
Bring back rim brakes and mechanical shifting. We might get reasonable rrps then. Joke at the moment
Amen to that.
if now they have less inventory then; it should be cheaper ? 🤔
Newer, lighter, more arrow, stiffer, faster. Always lol
That’s progress for you 😂
Madone SL6 which you reckon is the "sweet spot" is £3250 to £4250 😂😂😂😂 Just love that bike journo sweet spot 😂😂
I didn't say it was cheap! ;)
No two ways about it that is a hot looking bike.
That's one fugly bike, gen 7 is gonna massively appreciate in value now. Lets cut the BS this is a cost-cutting move. Nobody asked for a skinnier/less aero Madone.
I like the idea of the bike. I'm annoyed by the bottles.
Loose the ISO silliness and the frame will loose a further 100g I recon... But then how will Trek differentiate this bike? Perhaps by just making a really good bike with no siliness?
Tarmac or Cervelo R5 all day long 👌🏼
Just combine the checkpoint and domane next to cut costs lol
And then merge this light allroad aero bike domane/checkpoint with the light aero madone. At the end one bike for everyone, and one size M/L to be in the middle😂
You mean the Checkmate, I think that's on the way.
Check. Done.
Looking for the promised info about the locations you were riding but can't see it?
Oops sorry forgot about that, here it is www.komoot.com/tour/1673664251
@@davidarthur many thx.
I know your full review is outstanding but I can't help feeling they have shot themselves in the foot with this bike. It's just not light enough
Nobody can cycle at 40 mph.
Yeah, if I'm going 40 you can be sure that I'm putting out 0 watts anyway.
Everybody can. But for a brief amount of time before the finish line (250-500 m max). Usually sprints top at 68 km/h, no more.
Can this bike be as fast as the latest Giant Propel?