Trek Madone 5.2

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at City Bikes, Aventura

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, Fl.

Bike Setup:
Stock except for a Selle Italia saddle and Continental Attack tires. The Bontrager tires were weak. The new tires were like riding a new faster, slicker bikes. They glide.

Summary:
Fourth road bike in two years. This one finally did it. I'm and older guy who has found cycling an addiction. Has changed my life. The SL 5.2 does it all well. It is light, tight and a great climber. It gave me the ability to climb the Rickenbacker causeway bridge without huffng and puffing. I must say that I test rode a Giant a couple of weeks ago with a SRAM set and it was smoother, faster and the gears were slicker and seamless. So, I love my Madone, but I've already cheated on her once!

Strengths:
Weight, frame geometry, solid built, beautiful paint job (Discovery colors). Attracts lots of looks and comments.

Weaknesses:
The stock groupset Shimano Ultegra STI with rear DuraAce derrillieur works fine but has required a lot of tuning. The mechanics tell me it is my riding. Had to raplace the chain at 2000 miles. This third tune up by City Bikes mechanics -- they are the best -- finally did it, I hope.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji, Trek 1500, Trek Madone 5.0.

Price Paid:  $2399.00 at The Bike Shop Hermos

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Redondo Beach to El Segundo bike path

Bike Setup:
standard factory Madone 5.2 white, 62CM Ultegra SL. I think there are two frame types, one is more upright for us older folks.

Summary:
Everyday I ride this bike 20 miles to work and back and felt it was time for a review.

After road riding in the 70s and 80s (google Mondia bikes) and then switching to mountain bikes in the 90s (barracuda crmly), I started commuting again three years ago. With my advanced age I needed all the techno help I could get short of burning fossil fuels. So we decided on an all carbon bike for the light weight and cushy ride. More than once I looked down after riding over a bump to see if I have enough air in the tires, when in fact, it is just a smooth riding bike. Yet fast. And fun. And I get a lot of "How much was that bike?" When that happens I just show three fingers.

But true to my former mountain bike form I ride off curbs, cut through grass, and jump ocassional speed bumps. The wheels are holding up with all the abuse but the original rear tire got seashelled.

Every now and then when there is a wind storm, sand blows up on the bike path which I think is great fun. Especially if there is a sign that says "bike path closed." You have to blast through the drifts and if the sand is not too deep you can make it. One would guess that 4" to 5" is the maximum sand depth over concrete for riding a road bike.

So with all that abuse it would not be too surprising to know that after a while some sort of horrible groaning was comming out of the drive train. Moreover the bike was really dirty with grime and sand and whatever. I was too embarassed to bring it to the local shop in such a state, and when my wife complained about the car being dirty I said "if anything is getting a washing its the bike!"

After the bike bath, the weird sounds went away, and the bike shop gurus said that it was the rollers that can make the sounds. Well maybe if I had known that I would have just shot them them with some WD40. But it was good to wash all that excess sand away, and I swear its even faster when clean and shiny.

Anyway its a great bike.

Strengths:
fun to ride

Weaknesses:
Atracts attention.
Dura Ace whould be nice.

Price Paid:  $2850.00 at Lakeland Trek, lakel

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Harbor Hills

Bike Setup:
Stock except for an upgrade to Race X Lite wheels and Dura Ace pedals.

Summary:
Reviewing the 2008 Trek Madone 5.2 Pro. Moved up from a steel (Reynolds 853) Lemond. This bike accelerates much better and is also much better at absorbing road vibration. Seems more confident on descents and corners also. I am definitely riding faster and it is much easier to stay with a group. I'm also not nearly as tired at the end of a ride and my back doesn't get so stiff and sore. The bike weighed 17 lbs. with Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, cages, and Dura Ace pedals. If you live anywhere near Lakeland Florida go the Trek store there. The staff is great !

Strengths:
Stiffness, weight, value, comfort.

Weaknesses:
I miss the people I used to ride with. The saddle is a little tricky to tighten down.

Similar Products Used:
Test rode Orbea, Felt and Specialized. This bike is faster and more comfortable.

Price Paid:  $3500.00 at Scott's Cycles, Sale

Favorite Ride:
Trek Madone 5.2

Summary:
2008 Trek Madone 5.2: Purchased at Scott's Cycles in Salem, OR in July 2007. Scott's customer service is outstanding; good people. The bike frame? Unbelievably light and responsive for climbing and scarily fast on the descents - just a rocket. Components? Ulegra SL - NEVER AGAIN. In the shop a half a dozen times for adjustments. Sloppy free wheel has locked the chain and thrown it off back and front several times; needed tightening after I detected subtle clunking sound in frame. Frankly, the Shimano Tiagra on my 2000 Lemond Tourmalet (now my commuter bike) performed better. I expected more for what I paid. Would buy Trek again, but nothing less than Dura Ace. Rating: B

Strengths:
Frame - climbing, comfort.

Weaknesses:
Ulegra SL

Similar Products Used:
Lemond, Calbourne, Peugeot

Price Paid:  $2700.00 at Western Cycle, Danve

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Pan Mass Challenge

Bike Setup:
Completely stock except for the Michelin Pro Race 3 tires.

Summary:
Actually, I have the 2008 model and IT ROCKS!!! Once I got it dialed in, it became an absolute rocket. I always thought that my 5200 was a very light bike, but when I got on this one I was blown away. The balance is so precise, it feels like it responds to thought instead of touch. I love the integrated seatpost and the Shimano components. It climbs like a goat and screams on flats.

Strengths:
Super light and balanced. The Shimano Ultegra SL is very crisp and responsive. The overall appearance is very nice.

Weaknesses:
The white seat and handlebar tape shows dirt very quickly.