As a 5ft 5 rider, if I were still racing, I would always choose the aerobike. Even with a slight weight penalty, the gains on the flat, and on descents would very likely outweigh any gains on climbs. I'm pretty sure if Mike Burrows was still with us and Giant asked him to design a new TCR, it would look like a Propel! The Look 795 platinum white, nah sorry, more than happy I went for the Team black.
As a Brit living in Wisconsin, home of Trek, the Madone is the better known rig, due to history, still see the original non aero Madones around the place. So not surprised they branded it as Madone.
Just ordered a new Madone as a treat for when I can get back on a bike after a bad crash at the end of May that resulted in broken clavicle, five ribs broken in two places and a collapsed lung, plus a badly broken Domane gen 4. That new aero bottle and cage costs £90 btw!
the SL8 Seatpost/Battery Issue was known from the start. i think the problem is mostly at the 54 size because it comes with the 360mm Seatpost instead of the 300mm one (like the 52). i ordered the short seatpost from start and it worked beautifully.
The new t-shirt style sizing (s/m/l/xl) will be tricky for everyone , less size choices , hence bigger leaps from size to size. An M is a 52cm/54cm and so on. The XL states to be suitable for 6'2" to 7ft (a 10inch height range for one size)
Going back, the Madone was their climbing bike, named after the Col de la Madone, and Lance always knew how he was doing by going up that climb and checking his times from the past. So really when you think about it, they’re going back to their roots with the name. What they should of done before was come up with a new name for their aero bike, and leave the Madone name as it was for the climbing bike that it was on.
By 2005, there really only was the Madone for a race bike, climbing or otherwise. The 5500 was gone. Sticking with the Madone name is a nod to history and was a good call IMO.
Haha was considering asking your lead time for the white 795 Blade RS. You're probably right, it would be wasted on the dank roads of SW Scotland. Still tempted though😍
I almost had a TCR Advanced Pro custom build done a few months before I came to you guys for my ADH. I was surprised when they launched the new one as the Propel is so similar now - if I was them I'd have at least kept a rim brake option in the TCR lineup as a clear line of distinction. Perhaps they'll wait a couple of years then merge the two into the all new TCP?!
Heavier and/or more expensive than the competition depending on who is the competitor. For instance even though SLR frame is lighter than the Aeroad CFR frame, for the same money Canyon sells, DT Swiss 1100 wheels and DuraAce groupset whereas for the same price Trek sells SLR with Ultegra groupset and second tier in house wheels bringing the weight of the complete bike same as Aeroad CFR. However, regardless of both complete bike having the same/similar weight, the quality of the components you get with Canyon is much better. If we compare the lower tire carbon layup of Trek (OCVL 500) to Canyon SLX, the finished bike weight (for 105 Di2) is similar at 8.2 kg. However, for that weight Canyon comes with butyl tubes, power meter and 60mm deep wheels, whereas Trek is tubeless and comes with again in house 35mm deep wheels. So, if we add 60mm wheel, power meter and tubes to Trek SL range it would be way heavier than Aeroad SLX with inferior wheels and no power meter. So to me, it seems Trek is still behind of the competition.
You're clearly a LOOK fan boy but objectively speaking , I ran a bike shop up until 2019, dealt with look bikes and had equal share frame/component failures as any other top brand, and as a side note, the first and last time anyone won a TDF on one was back in 1986, obviously the riders matters, but for a French brand to perform rather badly in its own race is interesting
You what i dislike most about looking at bikes is that a lot of times you can get the whole bike with aero wheels and integrated handlebars for 4.5k to 5k and then the frameset somehow is 4.6k
Had 7 TCR from day one when they were ally. Propel next though. TCR finally simply looks dated.... It's always a problem for a manufacturer when they get it right first time. Where do they go from there....
I owned a 2012 and 2013 Madone and they were racing bikes back then. Now they're moving forward with a much easier geometry and making it more compliant.
@@Mapdec TCR may be still lighter. The Australian road champ uses both depending on the course/race. Will be interesting what Giant does. The defy needs a make over/new direction. I think endurance bikes will become the new gravel/do it all bikes.
Followed bike tech. for decades..well,from late 1960’s until now. However it is my opinion that since disc brake road bikes were imposed on the world,by the bike industry and bike prices went through the roof ACTUAL quality and longevity has declined dramatically. No more designed to last,but to create profit for the shareholders…..just saying.
@@Mapdecthat seat tube almost paying homage to the kinked version on the 2012 Top Fuel, their OG MTB race rocket. Slightly off topic, Madone may consolidate SKUs on the road side of things but Trek still have a huge gap in XC mtb, aside from the Short travel Supercalibre, they don’t have a competitive modern XC bike to face into Epic 8, Scalpel, BC40 or Blur. Will we see a new ‘Top Fuel’ anytime soon?
As a 5ft 5 rider, if I were still racing, I would always choose the aerobike. Even with a slight weight penalty, the gains on the flat, and on descents would very likely outweigh any gains on climbs. I'm pretty sure if Mike Burrows was still with us and Giant asked him to design a new TCR, it would look like a Propel! The Look 795 platinum white, nah sorry, more than happy I went for the Team black.
Great tan line Paul
So proud of it. Lots of hours on the bike to get it that sharp. 😂
@@MapdecRule#7
@@Mapdec Are you wearing bibs or they just really tight shorts?
@@DanTuber I have big legs 😘
Trek definitely aren’t struggling, they’re just turbulent times
As a Brit living in Wisconsin, home of Trek, the Madone is the better known rig, due to history, still see the original non aero Madones around the place. So not surprised they branded it as Madone.
If anything, Pinarello's has proven that 'one bike to rule them all' has always been a valid strategy, whether you like them or not.
They don't have one bike tho......
I hope the Emonda ALR will remain in the line up. The newest iteration is really interesting and might be my next frame.
My thoughts too, glad to hear there’s others that feel the same ☺️
Just ordered a new Madone as a treat for when I can get back on a bike after a bad crash at the end of May that resulted in broken clavicle, five ribs broken in two places and a collapsed lung, plus a badly broken Domane gen 4.
That new aero bottle and cage costs £90 btw!
Hope you heal up fully. Missed the collapsed lung, but it wasn't a fun period.
You deserve it bud. Best of luck with it
the SL8 Seatpost/Battery Issue was known from the start. i think the problem is mostly at the 54 size because it comes with the 360mm Seatpost instead of the 300mm one (like the 52). i ordered the short seatpost from start and it worked beautifully.
The new t-shirt style sizing (s/m/l/xl) will be tricky for everyone , less size choices , hence bigger leaps from size to size. An M is a 52cm/54cm and so on. The XL states to be suitable for 6'2" to 7ft (a 10inch height range for one size)
Once you are over 6’5 strange things happen on bikes with 700c wheels. Really we need bigger wheels.
I just bought a new Giant Defy. More comfortable than the TCR and I dont feel I lost anything. No need for the aeroness of the propel.
Going back, the Madone was their climbing bike, named after the Col de la Madone, and Lance always knew how he was doing by going up that climb and checking his times from the past. So really when you think about it, they’re going back to their roots with the name. What they should of done before was come up with a new name for their aero bike, and leave the Madone name as it was for the climbing bike that it was on.
By 2005, there really only was the Madone for a race bike, climbing or otherwise. The 5500 was gone. Sticking with the Madone name is a nod to history and was a good call IMO.
@@todd727300 Exactly. They should of left it alone as the bike it was, and created an aero bike and give it its own name.
The new “entry-level” Trek carbon race bike is the Madone SL5 at £3250.
The Madone name would also be more appropriate because of the IsoFlow.
Haha was considering asking your lead time for the white 795 Blade RS. You're probably right, it would be wasted on the dank roads of SW Scotland. Still tempted though😍
We can get them, but only in full builds.
I almost had a TCR Advanced Pro custom build done a few months before I came to you guys for my ADH. I was surprised when they launched the new one as the Propel is so similar now - if I was them I'd have at least kept a rim brake option in the TCR lineup as a clear line of distinction. Perhaps they'll wait a couple of years then merge the two into the all new TCP?!
The Giant TCP. 🤔😂
Heavier and/or more expensive than the competition depending on who is the competitor. For instance even though SLR frame is lighter than the Aeroad CFR frame, for the same money Canyon sells, DT Swiss 1100 wheels and DuraAce groupset whereas for the same price Trek sells SLR with Ultegra groupset and second tier in house wheels bringing the weight of the complete bike same as Aeroad CFR. However, regardless of both complete bike having the same/similar weight, the quality of the components you get with Canyon is much better. If we compare the lower tire carbon layup of Trek (OCVL 500) to Canyon SLX, the finished bike weight (for 105 Di2) is similar at 8.2 kg. However, for that weight Canyon comes with butyl tubes, power meter and 60mm deep wheels, whereas Trek is tubeless and comes with again in house 35mm deep wheels. So, if we add 60mm wheel, power meter and tubes to Trek SL range it would be way heavier than Aeroad SLX with inferior wheels and no power meter. So to me, it seems Trek is still behind of the competition.
Most Warranty Claims on these Bikes are crazy difficult
Yep. Increasingly these warranties are more and more useless.
Seen it and ridden it…Emonda with an A-hole. Bring the Madone back!!!
I like the Rapha’esque tan line😂
Worked hard for it 😂
You're clearly a LOOK fan boy but objectively speaking , I ran a bike shop up until 2019, dealt with look bikes and had equal share frame/component failures as any other top brand, and as a side note, the first and last time anyone won a TDF on one was back in 1986, obviously the riders matters, but for a French brand to perform rather badly in its own race is interesting
Oh for sure. I am on record as admiring their engineering and design. Often they go a bit bonkers and they are not always perfect.
Isn't the madone the 'original'? Named after the climb lance trained on
Yes. Good point sir
Personally, I just think the TCR is a better looking bike, but I would still get the Propel.
That white 795 Blade RS is fantastic. Is it cheaper in this Di2 build rather than going custom (and waiting) for the black Mondrian?
It’s defo not cheaper. There are only 280 made. Have to buy full DA spec build.
Where sales are is their Domane.
I do wonder how this bike could be as fast as a Scott Foil or Giant Propel.
Credit where credit is due, Pinarello has been on the one-bike strategy way longer than Specialized.
Depends how you count your F & X
You what i dislike most about looking at bikes is that a lot of times you can get the whole bike with aero wheels and integrated handlebars for 4.5k to 5k and then the frameset somehow is 4.6k
Had 7 TCR from day one when they were ally. Propel next though. TCR finally simply looks dated.... It's always a problem for a manufacturer when they get it right first time. Where do they go from there....
I owned a 2012 and 2013 Madone and they were racing bikes back then. Now they're moving forward with a much easier geometry and making it more compliant.
Any thoughts about updated Time Alpe D'Huez X?
Yes, great question
I am riding it this weekend.
If I was in charge at Giant I'd update the Propel, kill the name and rename the model as TCR
Totally. 💯
round bottle for the win🤪
If they didn’t call it the Amonde they must be saving that one for something else.
Demona?
@@andrewmcalister3462 Demona and the Mad One. It has a nice ring to it.
Whilst it sounds a bit comical, I would have loved it if they'd called it the Madonda.
Propel has already slimmed down closer to TCR compared to what it use to be.
Yes. Almost identical now. Can’t fathom a reason to choose a TCR
@@Mapdec TCR may be still lighter. The Australian road champ uses both depending on the course/race. Will be interesting what Giant does. The defy needs a make over/new direction. I think endurance bikes will become the new gravel/do it all bikes.
pina been doing 1 bike for all, all the while
Guess that depends how you count the F and X s
TCR looks better than the propel and THATS what matters the most! 😂
Your not going to see many Madones in the Lake District far more likely a climbing bike in a mountainous part of the uk
Was going to buy current gen Emonda.
Not sure what to do now.
I kind of want the new madone but don’t trust the marketing hole long term.
well tcr looks better, imo, love mine every day
Madones aren’t common because they’re so expensive.
we are no strangers to expensive bikes. But we see more Factor, Pinarello, LOOK, Willier etc
Edmonda is basically a made up word, rough French translation. Madone is more more of a real
Word
Wrong - Madone, Emonda & Domane all use the same letters in different orders. It’s a clever naming strategy
Followed bike tech. for decades..well,from late 1960’s until now. However it is my opinion that since disc brake road bikes were imposed on the world,by the bike industry and bike prices went through the roof ACTUAL quality and longevity has declined dramatically. No more designed to last,but to create profit for the shareholders…..just saying.
Whoever designed the bike they should get fired~ ugly ah
Still persisting with the awful seat tube with the hole design… it’s a terrible aesthetic and wholly impractical
The great marketing hole.
@@Mapdecthat seat tube almost paying homage to the kinked version on the 2012 Top Fuel, their OG MTB race rocket. Slightly off topic, Madone may consolidate SKUs on the road side of things but Trek still have a huge gap in XC mtb, aside from the Short travel Supercalibre, they don’t have a competitive modern XC bike to face into Epic 8, Scalpel, BC40 or Blur. Will we see a new ‘Top Fuel’ anytime soon?
More marketing an experience over rated bicycle