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Reviews 1 - 5 (8 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
Mike
a Date Reviewed: March 4, 2012
Strengths: Strong carbon fiber frame is light and yet stiff enough to feel secure. The carbon dampens the ride to make it as smooth as a heavy steel bike. Shimano 105's shift smooth and quiet.Weaknesses: Dump the stock seat if you aren't wearing a padded biking short. Buy a gel padded seat and you'll be able to ride for many miles without any soreness, since the carbon frame makes the ride smooth.Bottom Line: Love this bike! Went from a 34 lb. steel road bike to this carbon 19 lb. bike. It's like getting rid of a plow horse and getting on a race horse. Very light and responsive bike. I went from 27 inch wheels on old bike to 23 inch wheels on this bike. The narrower tire is faster and still as stable as the wider tire.
Great paint scheme....get many compliments. Paid $1,499 since I bought the 2011 model in 2012.
The 2012 Madone 3.1 uses cheaper components and has a boring blue and white paint scheme.
Using a pedal with metal cleats on shoes will improve your leg torque about 50% over regular shoes.
Price Paid:
$1499.00
Purchased At: Trek La Mesa, CA
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Submitted by
Charlie
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: February 16, 2012
Strengths: Carbon. Light in mass, laterally stiff; vertically compliant. Good componentry (Shimano 105 and SRAM Apex). Fork has the internal slot for Trek's metering devices (though I don't use it myself).Weaknesses: Entry-level wheelset. Even the Trek 2.3's have better wheelsets, but the wheelset is cheaper to bring down the price point. You're going to update this anyways..right?
Seat is very narrow. Ended up buying a different seat. Not major. Your mileage may vary.Bottom Line: I own the 2011 model. Coming off of an aluminum upright commuter, this is my first road bike so my impressions may be biased from never knowing any better. The ride is very responsive, and feels like getting a rocket up to speed. It has accomodations for fenders, but I'm unlikely to make use of them. The 2011s are going on sale, and for the savings of buying last year's model you can spend that money on shinier componentry.
It can be a little annoying psychologically to buy a bike and then be forced to spend more money to upgrade componentry. If may be worth checking the next-higher model and comparing componentry and the cost difference in terms of parts before buying.
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Purchased At: Freewheel Bike-West
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Submitted by
Jim
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: January 9, 2012
Strengths: Light
Responsive
Looks
Climbing
Handling
BrakesWeaknesses: Seat
DerailleurBottom Line: Love it. Love it. Love it. Even though another salesman insulted it (it's Trek's ENTRY LEVEL carbon bike, he told his customer), I find no fault in it. It is light, responsive, turns beautifully, climbs well, brakes are great, seat is OK (if I were to change one thing, that would be it; if I would change another, it might be the derailleur; it can be a little noisy in higher gears, but not annoyingly so) and looks marvelous. It is just fun to ride. I have a 5 1/2 year-old mountain bike that I have ridden over 10,000 miles. I thought I would miss it. I don't. The Madone is that enjoyable. I am thankful it's been a very mild winter in Wisconsin so I could ride more than usual. This bike is good for anyone who thinks 20 miles is a short ride.
Favorite Ride: Around Tichigan Lake
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: Wheel and Sprocket
Similar Products Used: None
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Submitted by
RANDY
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: November 5, 2011
Strengths: Perfect entry level full carbon bike, that you can build your own dream bike. Lite, stiff, great looking, and don't forget the cost. You can't go wrong with this bike !!Weaknesses: Very little
My personnel thing was the seat, wasn't bad but I wanted something that fits me betterBottom Line: Just picked up the Trek Madone 3.1. I shopped around for several months, than I came across the Madone 3.1 I that time I was riding a Specialized Allez but was wanting to up-grade to a carbon bike. The Madone 3.1 fit the bill perfectly. After the fitting and 50 mile of seat time....WOW...what a difference, smooth, lite, faster, and just awesome looking.
Favorite Ride: trek Madone 3.1
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Purchased At: Landis cyclery
Similar Products Used: Specialized Allez
Bike Setup: So far it's all OEM, except the seat, but will be up-grading the wheels and cranks.
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Submitted by
Tom D.
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: August 21, 2011
Strengths: light weight balanced with a good carbon frame that smooths out the ride
Sounds vain but the paint job is awesome tooWeaknesses: swapped the seat for one that fit me better
none other to complain aboutBottom Line: Great bike for the money. Upgraded from an aluminum TREK 1000. This bike is a great climber. 105 components shift when they are asked to even on steep terrain. Just completed a metric century on it and I was tempted to go for the full century but I chose to wait for next year to go all the way.
The Madone 4 and 5 series are nice but this fit my price point for non-competitive use
Favorite Ride: Any time its not raining
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Purchased At: local cycle shop
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