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 90mm-wide bottom bracket for maximum efficiency, sealed headset and bottom bracket bearings that simply press into the frame saving weight and reducing maintenance, and a seat mast that saves even more weight, while also boosting compliance for supreme comfort. And, it's built of Trek's team-spec OCLV Red carbon, while the fork is equally impressive. It's Bontrager's Race XXX Lite Carbon with E2 steerer, which is oversize at the base for excellent efficiency and control. A frame of this level deserves only the best and you get it with top-of-the-line Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon wheels and Shimano's Tour-winning Dura-Ace components for the ultimate in shifting and braking, while the Bontrager stem, bars and seat add the finishing touches of class.
Strengths: - unbelievable stability and strength
- multiple geometry options for each size (H1, H2, H3 with more/less aggressive positions)
- Ability to customize paint and components direct from factory (Project 1) - Example, I was able to pick a 12-26 cassette with standard cranks. 44cm bars versus 42cm, and the inform rvl saddle versus the new affinity one.
- Lightweight (carbon, duh)
-cost (yes, as a strength). it is a handbuilt, US frame with HIGH end carbon technology, and through project one, and the right component choices, you could built up the same frame for around $4000. value is there, even if not cheap.
- Node 2 integrated computer system (all wireless, built into chainstay, including cadence, HRM, altitude and more)
Weaknesses: - cost (yes, a con too). Even though reasonable compared to other high end carbon frames, it is still a lot, and still out of the range of the normal cyclist.
- stock color pallete (I know, picky, but the stock colors were UGLY, part of why I got a project 1 so I could pick my own colors)
- some 'suspect' part choices if you get a stock one (high end Bontrager wheels and componets are great. some lower end stuff not as much, especially mis tensioned machine built base wheels. also Bontrager R4 tires wear very fast - and this is compared to Vittoria Open CX clinchers!)
in other words, it is hard to find a CON
Bottom Line:
WOW, simply WOW
So I have waited till I rode about 3000 miles on the bike, including a 600 mile, 7 day ride to write a review.
A little about my riding. I dont get out of the saddle often. I sit, spin, and hammer. Try to keep a 90-95 cadence in any gear, and always push hard. When on big climbs (think crawford notch, NH), I wont get out of the saddle till the steep parts, and if I get under 10 mph. I am relatively smooth, but do push the pedals hard.
My 6 series (project one, with a blue and white argyle paint job!) came in a bittersweet way. My 5 series project one Madone was stolen. I loved the 5 series, it was a good fit, light, responsive, and all LiveStrong colors!
With that being said, the 6 series blows away the 5 series in every single way.
Stability :(and this is in someway effected by component choice, I know). But the 6 series, downhill fast, in pacelines, feels SO much more solid and stable. 50+ mph descents with aero wheels, even with cross winds I did not feel twitchy. With the 5 series, over 40 mph, sometimes it felt twitchy, loose, and even scary. I would check the bike for a loose headset, or loose wheel bearings, because it did not feel stable (but it was just the bike)
The 6-series improves on this in every way. Rock solid through everything I threw at it.
Comfort : Yes, it is carbon. but it does not seem to beat you up. i am not a small rider (5'11", 190-200 pounds), and the ride is comfortable. The 5 series almost seemed to stiff, where the 6 series is just SMOOTHER. With almost identical build kits, comparing long rides, I was less fatigued on the new one (the big ride I do is a 600 mile, 7 day Tour around New England, with huge climbs, through mountain passes, and along flats).
strength : (and I say this versus stability). it never feels wavey when hammering or climbing. Like I said, I am not that small. Where at times the 5 series felt broken (i would check for cranks in the bottom bracket, stays, etc, since it seemed to be wishy washy - technical term! haha), the 6-series is ALWAYS solid.
It somehow manages to be stiff, strong, light, and comfortable.
Overall, it is just a GREAT bike. I got the H2 geometry on this one (my last one was H1), so it is a 'little' more upright (countered by a negative rise stem with no spacers). I dont race anymore, and in my opinion, only racers should get the H1. it is aggressive. Dont be a hero, be comfortable!
it just feels like I never have to worry about anything on the bike. It is strong, all around great, and I am not worried about damaging it, hurting it, or changing my riding style at all.
The last thing, the integration of computer functions with the node computer is GREAT. The wireless sensor is built into the chainstay, and put a magnet on your crank. All normal cyclometer functions, plus the head unit uses the ANT+ standard, and covers cadence, reads the HRM strap, shows altitude, and more.
Strengths: It use to climb very well, accelerate on the decents like lighting and handle like a dream
Weaknesses: The quality of the frame is rubbish, the fitting for the rear hanger is a joke and worst still when that breaks it snaps into the chain stays and writes off the whole thing. Several thousands down the drain.
Bottom Line:
I am lucky enough to have a couple of ride and decided what I wanted was an out and out race machine to see how fast I could cover distances. after looking around I bought a Trek Madone 6.9 but with a lower spec than standard "only" unsing ultegra parts and Race Lite wheels
It went well to start with but after 14 months of riding and still on the original chain cassette etc (about 800 miles) the rear frame broke suddenly and the derailer smashed into the seat stay.
The frame was sent back to trek and written off, wit hthe offer of a replacement at a mere £2500 (about $3500) of my money. The local bike shop has since told me they have had 2 back in 2 months with the same problem.
The frame is currently with a carbon shop to see what they can do but the one thing I am certain of is Trek are never getting a penny more of my money.
Strengths: Very light, stiff in the sprints/climbs still compliant over very rough roads. Small frame size 52, and still feel it is compliant enough. In frame cable routing is very nice clean aero look to the bike, as well as the integrated dual sensor in the rear b-stay. Not one tie wrap on my bike...anywhere!!! Very nice custom paint job ( you can probably get your car painted for the cost of frame paint job, but still worth it, to not have bike, exactly like everyone else.
Complimnets every time I ride with someone.
Weaknesses: Price. Look for deals through your LBS/club/team, that should help ease the pain...a little.
Lawyer tabs on the the front fork.
Having to have decals(although they are under the clear coat, I would rather not have any at all, maybe just the Madone badge on the headtube at most.)
Bottom Line:
Finally a new bike that fits me. I had a professional bike fit before I even thought about what bike or size to buy. If your going to get a top of the line bike, you better make sure it is going to be right in every way, or your just wasting your money & time.
I have had this bike for over a year now, & have not once wished I would of or could of bought something different. For me w/ the new fit, this bike was like night & day. I didn't get it until begining of June, so I all ready had sevral good months of riding/racing on my old 5.9SL. I noticed an imediate improvement for the performance of the bike. However, some of this was due to a very dramatic change in my position on the bike & also changing to a compact crank. No flex in the sprints or while out of the saddle climbing. ( Granted, I only weigh 140 lbs, but the frame is only a 52 cm & ways a 10th of what I do.)
On my 6th ride on this bike I rode the "Climb to Kaiser" (155 mi., 15.5kft of climbing) & I was very comfortable all day long (10.5 hrs) It is a very fun bike to climb & an exciting bike to decend on .
No price listed, as I already had, wheels,pedals,computer,saddle & componets.
Similar Products Used: 89'Specialized Epic Comp, 97'Fonderiest, 04'Trek 5900 SuperLight & 07'Trek 5.9 SL.(07' was a crash replacement through Trek for the 04', which was hit head on by a car, while I was stopped at stoplight. Like the previous reviewer, very happy w/ Treks crash replacement policy.
Bike Setup: Project One, ( for the paint job ) DA7900 Components, Bontrager xXx Lite Cockpit & water bottle cages, Selle Italia Flite Kit Carbino, Rolf Vigor SL Wheelset, w/Conti GrandPrix 4000s Tires, Garmin Edge 500, Trek integrated dual rear wireless sensor(ant+sports), Look Keo Carbon Ti Pedals.
Bike weight w/ everything except bottles= 14.72 lbs, (racing tubulars= 14.19 lbs) Size 52 Performance Fit.
Strengths: Very light weight. Di2 shifting is fantastic. I ride more in the large front chainring because the shifting is so good.
Bike feels like a dragster. Very hooked up under acceleration, no flexing. Like the DuoTrap sensor integration, very clean.
Bottom Line:
Looked at the Cervelo R3, Scott CR-1 SL and Madone 6.7 and 6.9 SSL. Chose the Madone because of its Di2 integration and Project One color options. Very happy with my choice.
Strengths: Lightweight, snappy, fast and stiff. Point and shoot and it goes.
Weaknesses: I haven't found anything that I am not happy with thus far.
Bottom Line:
So far I have to say I am super impressed with this rig! I had purchased a 5.5 and when I saw this go on sale a couple of months later my LBS was good enough to let me upgrade. Very responsive and stiff but not to the point of the bike killing you. Accelerates like its on fire and like others have said its a bit twitchy but that only took a couple of rides to become accustomed to. Added a pair of Reynolds DV46 Tubs which made it a bit more lively. All in all an excellent bike. Now I know how the pros feel.
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