Description Lighter, faster, better. That was Trek's goal in creating their best-of-the-best Madone 6.9. Brutally efficient and ultra light, it features ingenious new technology for a superior ride, such as a 90m...
Bike Setup: 60 cm "Red" frame Bontrager Aoelous 5.0 clinchers, Dura Ace Tripple, Pro Carbon Bar, Fizik Aliante Carbon Twin Flex saddle
Summary: Purchased a project one frame. Third Trek for me and is an awesome ride, Improvements over previous is stiffness, and ride comfort. Very stable and fast downhill and excellent on the climbs. Third week in did the cool breeze century and was totally in love.
Strengths: Stiffness, responsive and road feel
Weaknesses: expensive
Similar Products Used: Trek madone 6.9 2004, Trek 5.2 2001
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Summary: This is for the 2008 6.9 performance fit frameset with approx 900 miles. Frame is excellent. Front end is a little soft for my tastes, but eats chip seal and for longer rides works out. TREK got it right.
Strengths: Handling, power transfer, stability, and weight. Most of my rides have been training rides of 85 miles or less, but do include two races of approx 25 miles each. I am 6'1" and 190 lbs with 40 years racing experience.
It really handles. Those 90 degree corners in a tight pack are no problem.
Power transfer makes climbing good and the weight does not hurt in this catagory.
Stability at 60 mph+ is very good. The bike does feel like a light bike, but does not get knocked around or feel skittish.
The sprinting on this bike requires a bit of finess as the front end squishes with high power out of the saddle gear mashing hammering. It is best to rock the bike a little to avoid perpendicular force on the steerer.
The bottom line is that TREK hit an in park home run. This is an all day ride that will do anything you throw at it.
Seatcap design beats the heck out of cutting the seat post! I personally like it and have not noticed the softness that some have complained about.
Weaknesses: Several weaknesses. Proprietary BB bearings are an issue. It is a great idea, but TREK needs to have all models without back orders. Not everybody uses Shimano cranks.
Proprietary fork means that the soft steerer can not be solved with an aftermarket fork. The fork itself is fine, but the steerer is pretty flexible. I actually returned the bike for a warranty check as I was concerned the steerer had not been manufactured correctly.
Need a more supportive top cap on the steerer. This would help the flexible steerer.
Note the steerer problem only is noticeable during hard out of the saddle efforts. This may be a personal taste/size problem. See sprinting under strengths.
Similar Products Used: Lots of road bikes with many brands. Best frame I have EVER owned is a Parlee Z3. If I did not have the Parlee the TREK might be the best.
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