Submitted by
mainediver218
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2011
Strengths: Wicked light, great climber, fast, great handling, and comfortable.
Weaknesses: None really so far. I did have to fiddle with the front brakes a bit to get rid of some grabbiness but this was just a shoe adjustment issue.
Bottom Line:
After many years off the road and pounding single-track with my Fuel 100 Full Suspension MTB I decided it was time to get back into road riding. I've been a Trek OCLV fan for years, particularly since they replaced my Fuel frame under warrantee, so I started looking at the road offering and settled on the Madone. I'm a pretty big guy at 192cm and 100 kg and a very aggressive rider so I needed something strong, stiff, "bulletproof", and with dialed in handling, and since I'm used to XTR quality components on my Fuel I wanted a full Dura-Ace group.
So I try a few bikes and then spy this 2007 Madone SL 5.9 on the wall at what looks to be a pretty good price and I try it out. Well, perhaps Trek's latest frame is a little "tricker" but this bike has classic looks and man, does it go. This thing climbs like crazy, accelerates like a demon, and goes exactly where you point it ... and ... it rides really well. On top of that it is unbelievably light and I you just can't beat OCLV carbon I guess because as stiff as this is I can bang out a 100km ride without feeling like I've been beaten with a bag of doorknobs. So yeah, I'm really happy with it and logging at least 250-300 km/week.
Similar Products Used: First road bike in 20 years but avid MTB rider so although I guess I can't compare to comparable road bikes I do not how to ride and know top end gear.
Bike Setup: At the moment, stock. Full Shimano Dura-Ace, Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, Race X Lite tires, Bontrager XXX Lite Carbon Stem & Seat Post, Race Lite VR aluminum bars, Look KEO2 Max Pedals
Strengths: Comfortable, great handling. Warranty on frame and parts. Excellent quality, no compromises on parts. For AUD4500, I got a full Dura-Ace, excellent frame, carbon stem, carbon handle bars, carbon seat post, and super fast and light wheels.
Weaknesses: Design and paint job. Other bikes look a lot better. The bike was discounted because it had the Disovery Channel paint job and it was a 2007 model. Not a big deal for me, as I am more interested in the quality of the bike than the look.
Bottom Line:
My previous bike was a Trek 5200 1999 model. The geometry and handling of the Madone 5.9SL is very similar. Both are excellent bikes. The main differences, other than price, is the lightness of the 5.9SL and the stiffness. Dura Ace shifts a bit smoother than Ultegra.
Strengths: Frame second to none. Whatever you want to do on this bike it does.
Weaknesses: Should have a carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a dream come true. It sprints like a rocket, climbs solidly and goes exactly where you point it. I tell people that it's like a cheap camera, point and shoot and off it goes! The OCLV ride is second to none, and I have ridden many of the competitors bikes but kept coming back to the Trek. I originally wanted a 5.2 SL, but events worked out better and got the 5.9 and have not looked back.
Bike Setup: Stock (Full Dura Ace, Bontrager Race X Lite Wheels, XXX Lite Stem and Seat Post, Race X Lite Pro Saddle) Speedplay pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
PedalSpinner
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007
Strengths: Bankable lifetime warranty on the frame for this freak defect. Same frame, same Andromeda colour (eventhough not a current colour at the time of the claim).
Weaknesses: It did take 4 months to replace the frame but this was over the Xmas period and it had to get to Australia from the US.
Bottom Line:
See my previous review for my initial comments which still stand. This is an update review on a warranty claim.
After about 1 year, the bond between my dropout and chain stay failed while climbing out of the saddle.
Trek's answer? Repair under warranty. Confidence in my 5.9sl was a little shaken and training suffered but I kept riding for a few months until the repair also failed.
Trek's new answer for 18 month old 15,000km frame? Replacement under warranty. I'm pumped, confidence in the bike is back, training kms are up and peak fitness levels are returning- all at no financial cost.
After 2 years, I am as happy with the bike as the day I bought it. With the introduction of the new Madones, this is now a classic yet still competitive bike that I'll keep riding thanks to the frame replacement warranty.
Strengths: Fast, efficient and powerful. Non slopping top tube is superior to cramped compact geometry, it is more aero and bio mechanically it suits me better. The finish is great and quality of the ride and workmanship is second to none. This bike warrants all five stars. A real performer.
Weaknesses: The only real weakness that I have noted compared to other bikes I have used; is soreness experienced in the gluteul region following long rides. This bike bears less compliance than others and thus your behind is made fully aware following long hard efforts in the saddle. However I feel that this is a small compromise for a machine that is built to go fast.
Bottom Line:
This bike was simply built for speed. I sourced the best components (within reason) and put together, a bike that will dominate in all respects. I picked the frame up for a steal through a friends sponsorship commitments.
The ride quality of this bike is absolutely amazing the rake in the fork makes the handling aggressive and the geometry provides for controlled and reliant cornering. The bottom bracket in the Madone SL is very stiff and yields the best transfer efficiency of any bike which I have ridden or raced. The rear on the Trek is perfectly engineered for fast efficient power transfer resulting in a lethal turn of speed and sprinting ability in the bike. The rear wheel stays firmly planted when the rider is out of the saddle and tearing away in the 53x11. The climbing capabilities of this bike are fantastic. The light weight of the frame and the rigidity of the bottom bracket deliver an aggressive climbing machine. The finish on the frame is impeccable. Unlike other manufacturers that merely use their frames as marketing devices Trek opts for understated Graphics which help to establish a sense of quality. The Andromeda paint scheme is very attractive. It is different to most other bikes on the market and it just looks fast.
Overall the Trek Madone 5.9sl is an amazing race bike which delivers race bike feel and race bike speed. Simply put when you put the foot down this bike goes, up hill or on the flat this is a real thoroughbred and is a joy to ride.
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