Trek Madone SSL

Price Paid:  $3999.00 at Helens in Santa Moni

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Long and hilly

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace group with a FSA compact double carbon crank,race xxx lite wheelset,race xxx lite bars,stem and post

Summary:
Light and nimble great on those long grinding climbs

Strengths:
Light,stiff frame,no road vibration,nice groupo and nice looking

Weaknesses:
The white saddle and bar wrap get dirty very fast and the race x lite tires are puncture easily

Similar Products Used:
Speacialized Tarmac and Cervelo

Price Paid:  $4000.00 at Trek Concept Store

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To the end of Sanibel, FL via bridges and causeway

Bike Setup:
54cm
All Dura Ace setup; double crank
Look Keo Sprint pedals
Bontrager Race XXX Lite stem, handlebars and seatpost
Bontrager Race X Lite wheels

Summary:
Overall this is an amazing machine. I upgraded from a 2006 Trek 1500 with Shimano 105 groupset/components so this was like going from a Camry to a Ferrari. I put in around 250 miles a week, most of them hard and fast. The 6 pound difference between this bike and my 1500 is a big change but more than anything is the stiffness and responsiveness. I climb and accelerate out of turns much faster than before. Now, I am young and highly fit so anyone who thinks getting this bike (or any other) will take them from being a Fred to a Pro is dillusional.
The Dura Ace groupset is so smooth I had to look down and make sure I had actually shifted. If you are looking to upgrade, it would be tough to beat this bike at the $4k price range.

Strengths:
Weight (15.6lbs with pedals on a 54cm)
Acceleration
Looks (white saddle/tape)

Weaknesses:
Price of cource
Race X Lite pro tires are fast but very suceptable to flats

Similar Products Used:
I test rode a specialized S-Works Tarmac (Gerolsteiner edition). A nice ride to be sure but I liked the Trek better.

Price Paid:  $5200.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
any

Bike Setup:
dura ace

Summary:
I have had this bike since Feburary, I have 2500 miles on it, this bike very stiff and not very compliant, most of my rides are for fittness I ride the bike hard, all riding done on ok streets. After 2 hours on the bike when I get off feel stiffness in my lower back, I also have a Cannondale system six very comfortable should have bought first.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
to stiff non compliant

Similar Products Used:
cannondale system six

Price Paid:  $5200.00 at Jax Bicycle

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Madone SSL 6.5

Summary:
Far superior to my Trek 5200. Much smoother on downhill, much ligher and stiffer where you need it counts - transfer power to the wheel much better. Very responsive, almost as good as Look 585 I also tried. Comfortable enough for a century, but responsive to pass guys up and down the hills.

Strengths:
Stiffness for speed, smooth downhill, light weight. Durace is a huge improvement iover Ultegra

Weaknesses:
Color choice, the yellow is boring, and gray is bland.
Could use a lighter fork.
Limited chice for wheels and groupset

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200. Test rode Look 585 and Scott Addict.

Price Paid:  $5800.00 at Guthries SLC UT

Favorite Ride:
The one I'm on !

Bike Setup:
2007 SSL 6.5

Summary:
Smooth baby smooth! Unbeleivable paint from the project one team. I don't understand people spending the kind of cash on a bike and getting a standard paint job with decals. Pay the extra bucks and get a Project One paint job unless you want to be like eveyone else.

Strengths:
Everything on it

Weaknesses:
NONE !!!!!!

Similar Products Used:
Klein (like it but it's not the same)