Trek Madone 5.2

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
I’ll start by saying that these, and all previous carbon bikes from Trek are absolutely great frames to ride. Light, nimble, suck up road vibrations like no other...really top not stuff. They always look pretty slick too.

The only issue, which has been an issue with Trek carbon bikes for over a decade, is the paint cracking. Rather than find a remedy for the problem, Trek now warrantees paint for one year...so, after 6 months on my latest frame, I now have to spend two months without it while it gets repainted or replaced – after all, once the paint cracks there is no way to know if it is just paint of if the frame has cracked. I have been through this before, and have always been GURANTEED by the sales rep that it was just paint. Well, 3 out of the 4 times this has happened it was indeed a cracked frame. Of course, I only found this out after INSISTING it be sent back to Trek, at my own expense of course. This is a major safety issue that Trek doesn't seem to want to correct. This is my 4th carbon frame from Trek...I'm tired of this never ending cycle of replacements.

I’m not saying don’t buy one, but inspect you paint constantly. My experience has been that when the paint it cracked, it is a sign of a bigger problem. Insist that your local bike shop send it back – trust me they will tell you it is just paint and to forget about it. I used to sell these bikes and this is what we were told to do by Trek.

Price Paid:  $2050.00 at -

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
54cm Trek Madone 08' Performance fit, compact.

Summary:
This is the 2008 Madone 5.2. I spent weeks researching and considering the Madone, Cervelo R3, and others. The trek was the one because I got a good price on it, trek has a great warranty/customer service, and it was only a couple pounds heavier than a Cervelo which is a grand more.

I ride a mountain bike every day for commuting so I bought this with a computer (cateye v2c) and Look Keo carbon/Ti pedals, in total it weighed at 16.7lbs.

This is my first ever road bike, first time with clip-in pedals. So riding it from the shop was a great experience, yes the frame is as stiff as could be, its very light, all high quality parts/finish, a stiff but smooth ride. Brakes were great, max speed i've had is 39mph on my first ride.
The bontrager wheels actually seemed decent, good enough for most needs. I went over some broken glass in the road, only a couple bits and the tyres are fine.
The groupset it good i think, can't compare it to anything, but it does the job very well, I like the ultegra. It stops in a blink.

I'm 5"6ish, and for the Cervelo I was quoted to get a 50cm frame, the giant would have been about a 50cm frame, for this Madone 5.2 Performance compact that I went for, it was a 54cm, and it fits perfectly.

Personally I wouldn't ride in just lycra, or that, I wear padded shorts under trousers, but forget about wind resistance, people wear lycra to look trendy. If you're not going fast enough, pedal harder. Unless you're racing.

I bought this bike for weekends and a couple times in the week, its amazing.

Strengths:
Good quality build and finish
Light (54cm performance with super-light pedals and computer: 16.7lbs).
Fast

Weaknesses:
None yet that I know of, just be sure to get the right fit. the only weakness is i can't ride it all the time.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Bike Peddler, Santa

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any during the Fall

Bike Setup:
Stock at the moment. I plan on replacing the crankset with a Shimano Compact, and getting a Chris King Headset.

Summary:
I haven' spent that much time on the bike but am impressed with the feel and how it absorbs road vibration.

Strengths:
The frame was the biggest draw for me. I really like the Bontrager Wheelset too.

Weaknesses:
None. I really don't anticipate any either.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Roubaix Expert, Trek Pilot,

Price Paid:  $1550.00 at City Bikes, Aventura

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
A long one

Bike Setup:
Almost Stock - changed out Bontrager tires - rear wore quickly, then got ruined by small piece of glass... - putting on a 120mm stem to replace stock 100mm . The 100mm does not allow me to stretch out enough. I am 5-9+ on a 54 cm frame. Everything else fits fine.

Summary:
Gotta love this bike ! Smooths out bumps, but plenty stiff to do business. Got this as a closeout demo unit...2008's were arriving. I've heard great things about the 08's, but for 1/2 the price, I know I'll be fine. Replaced a R900 Cannondale I rode/raced on for 16 years.

Strengths:
Stiff, Comfy, Light and Stable at Speed

Weaknesses:
None really....I just needed a longer stem.

Price Paid:  $2000.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Anything by the Water

Bike Setup:
58cm Madone 5.2
-Bontrager race xxx lite stem/handlebar/fork
-Full ultegra group + dura ace rear dérailleur.

Summary:
I have been riding this bike for about 3 months and put about 2400 miles on it. Bought almost all the parts locally and paid about 2000 and couldn't be happier for the money!

Strengths:
Fast, Light, Smooth, looks, dura-ace/ultegra mix shifts great!

Weaknesses:
None, it's a madone

Similar Products Used:
Full Alum frame with 105 components