Trek Madone 5.9

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Bike Doctor

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Baltimore-Annapolis Trail

Bike Setup:
Full Dura-Ace components
Bontrager Race-Lite Aero Wheels
Chris Crane Stem
XXX Race-Lite fork

Summary:
This is the first carbon frame I have ever owned and know I will never go back

Strengths:
Nimble, Stiff and "Faster than a Cheetah strapped to a bullet train"

Weaknesses:
Me. The only limit to this bike is the rider. I am still getting used to a bike that corners and climbs so well.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2100, Trek 1000

Price Paid:  $1975.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Hills of the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Bike Setup:
Described above

Summary:
After shopping at the LBS and trying to decide between a new (2008) Roubaix Elite or a Madone 4.5, I checked ebay on a lark and found this one, three years old. I bid with less than 5 minutes to go and won it for $1975 plus $65 shipping. Other costs: $65 for LBS to build it (it came professionally tore down and boxed) and then $50 for a professional fitting and another $45 for a stem to put me in the right riding position. According to the bike fitter, "you got a great deal, this bike fits you like a glove".

The bike had less than 1,000 mile on it. It was too big for the guy. There is hardly a scratch on it and it looks brand new. He bought a new Madone and switched out its Ultegra for the Dura Ace that was on the bike he sold me.So, I got the Ultegra. Not a problem for me.

Also came with Chris King headset, and Bontrager Race Lite wheels.

I'm 57 yrs old, 240 lbs and 20-yrs ago did a number of triathlons on a relatively cheap bike. This is the first really high end bike I've owned. I'm not a fast rider and just like being out for a few hours, being comfortable, and occasionally really hammering.

Strengths:
I've got about 1,000 miles on it and I love it. It's comfortable to ride, climbs like an angel and is really responsive when you pound on it. Shifting is quick and positive. Nice audible feedback. I really notice the weight difference from my old Lemond Tourmalet (1995)

Weaknesses:
None that I can see so far. The handlebar is a little short on the drops. I like to go to the drops for downhills and my hands feel like they are falling off. Also, saddle is a bit weird, but I suspect that would be the case with almost any bike.

Similar Products Used:
None, this is the first high-end bike I've had, but did test ride the Roubaix Elite and the Madone 4.5 and I preferred the Madone and was going to buy that when I found this one.

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at Treknology Bikes

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
South Buona Vista, Singapore

Bike Setup:
Trek and bontrager all over with Shimano dura-ace gears & brakes.

Summary:
This bike is firm and fast. It handles well on tight bends at speed, and its lightness makes it highly manouverable. I have the largest 62 frame which combines comfort with optimum riding position.

Strengths:
Lightness, stiff frame with the unmistakeable carbon comfort.

Weaknesses:
Bontrager compenents are very poor, and giving a second chance I would select Shimano only. The chain (crank) rings peeled their finish within weeks, and the free replacement offered by the dealer followed very soon afterwards. The Bontrager hubs also peeled paint suggesting overall poor finish. However no grouse over the bars, stem, seat post, saddle and wheels (but maybe I should have stuck to Ksyrium)

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at kronenberg bikes

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
madone

Bike Setup:
advanced the bike with time pedals and shorter stem and very light mavic ksyrium wheels

Summary:
Good bike, wheels are not incredibly stiff, the frame is stiff though.

What boggles me is that the top tube is so long, it makes me want a frame one size smaller. ultegra 10 speed.

Good reliable group.

i've ridden about 10.000 km in less then a year

Strengths:
stiff, massive bracket, much open space thus easy to clean.

Weaknesses:
long top tube, compared to leg lentgh, i had to correct with a very short stem.

Similar Products Used:
Koga Myata (steel frame, ultegra 9)

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at MOAB in Tennessee

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere there is a hill!

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace, Bontrager XXX bars, stem, seatpost, and saddle. I actually like the stock triple x saddle (wider nose). Just upgraded to Dura Ace tubulars w/Tufo 215's (50mm rims). Man she looks fast just sitting still! :)

Summary:
Looked at all current materials availble in frame building. Have only ridden aluminum in the past and wanted a change. I rode a 5200 around the block at a demo ride and was amazed that I could tell a difference in such a short time on a carbon frame. When I got my 5.9 (first time on Dura Ace) I was shocked to say the least. I was out to buy a bike of a life time to last just as long and found all of that and a bag of chips in the Modone 5.9! I've just upgraded to some Dura Ace carbon tubulars. I'll let ya know what I think of them when the weather breaks (she doesn't go out in the rain!).

Strengths:
Smooth power transfer but stiff as a hardened nail when sprinting for a win!

Weaknesses:
Expensive, but it's made in AMERICA and worth it!

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Giant CADEX, and Schwinn Fastback