Trek unveiled the new Madone 8 in June. A much anticipated answer to the call from racers for a one bike to do-it-all, and importantly, do it well.
Combining the lightweight design of the Émonda with the efficient speed of the Madone, the new Madone Gen 8 provides a ‘best of both worlds’ solution. The new Madone takes aim at riders looking for an aero bike that climbs like a goat, and a climbing bike that slices wind with the fastest in the world.
We were sent a brand new Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8. I leapt at the chance to turn a pedal and get a feel for what this bike can do.
Here are my thoughts after a few weeks having my ears blown back on the roads of Cape Town. Spoiler alert: it is fast.
Key Features
The new Madone Gen 8 is as light as the Émonda SLR, 320 grams lighter than the previous Madone, and as fast as the previous generation Madone. A claimed 7 sec/hr faster than the Émonda, to be more specific.
The weight reduction was achieved thanks to the use of a new 900 Series OCLV Carbon combined with updated tube shapes (Full System Foil aero tubes) for improved aerodynamic performance and structural efficiency.
Trek’s IsoFlow technology, with the recognisable rear cutout, has been tweaked slightly to increase vertical compliance by 80% while also improving aerodynamic performance. This absorbs road chatter and helps to reduce rider fatigue on longer rides.
The one-piece Aero RSL bar/stem has been revised to be lighter and more aerodynamic. The hoods are 3 cm narrower than the drops and the tops are thicker and rounder, making the handlebar less aerodynamic when considered in isolation. But when looking at the whole system the wake of the thicker handlebar slightly reduces drag on pedalling legs, by slowing down the air in front of them**. The bar shape is also more comfortable to hold.
The RSL Aero Bottles and Cages were specifically designed along with the whole rider system to reduce drag. According to Trek, they save 1.8 Watts at 35 km/h when compared to standard round 620 ml bottles and make the bike faster than having no bottles fitted.
In terms of practicality: the bottle cages are compatible with standard bottles, and while the shape is not exactly coffee shop table friendly, the downtube and seat tube bottles are identical.
The bottles are included with the Madone SLR Gen 8, but can also be purchased separately for the SL models, or any other.
The eight sizes available on the previous generation Madone have been consolidated into six, ranging from XS to XL. According to the team at Trek, the six new sizes fall very close to the stack and reach of the previous eight sizes, and are more evenly spaced to make finding the correct size easier.
Fringe size riders will be delighted to learn that the tube shapes and carbon layup for each size has been optimised and adapted to meet the stiffness and weight targets for each frame size.
** For a more detailed look at the Madone Aerodynamics you can tuck into the full white paper here.
Build Kit
It’s no holds barred on this SRAM RED AXS E1 build which boasts the best of the Bontrager equipment line.
Specifications: Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8
| Frame | 900 Series OCLV Carbon, Full System Foil tube shaping, IsoFlow seat tube, RCS Headset System, electronic-only routing, removable aero chain keeper, T47 BB, flat mount disc, UDH, 142×12 mm thru axle |
| Available Sizes | XS, S, M, ML, L, XL |
| Fork | Madone Gen 8 full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat mount disc, 12x100mm chamfered thru axle |
| Wheel front | Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 51 mm rim depth, 100×12 mm thru axle |
| Wheel rear | Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 51 mm rim depth, SRAM XD-R driver, 142×12 mm thru axle |
| Skewers | Bontrager Switch chamfered thru axle, removable lever |
| Tyres | Bontrager Aeolus RSL RD, Tubeless-Ready, cotton construction, aramid bead, 170 tpi, 700×28 mm |
| Max tyre size | 32 mm |
| Chainring | 48/35T 12-speed |
| Derailleur Front | SRAM RED AXS E1, braze-on |
| Derailleur Rear | SRAM RED AXS E1, 36T max cog |
| Shifters | SRAM RED AXS E1 |
| Brakes | SRAM RED AXS E1, Max rotor size 180 mm front, 160 mm rear |
| Crank | SRAM RED AXS E1, powermeter, 48/35, DUB, 170 mm length |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB, T47 threaded, internal bearing |
| Chain | SRAM RED E1, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM RED XG-1290 E1, 10-33, 12-speed |
| Saddle | Aeolus RSL, carbon rails, 145 mm width |
| Seatpost | Madone aero carbon seat post, 0 mm offset, short length |
| Integrated Handlebar/ Stem | Trek Aero RSL Road integrated bar/stem, OCLV Carbon, Race Fit, 80 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 39 cm control width, 42 cm drop width, 90 mm stem length |
| Weight | ML – 7.00 kg / 15.44 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes, no bottles/cages) |
| Our M came in at 7.4kg with sealant, pedals, and cages | |
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 125 kg |
On the Road
You’d expect a bike with such World Tour pedigree and premium build kit to feel good. And, no surprise, it does.
It carries speed with deceptive ease. After a few rides, I put this down to the comfort and compliance of the IsoFlow design. There is no bone-rattling jarring that comes with a super stiff and rigid ride: which often feels exhilarating but eats up your arms and legs after an hour or two in the saddle. It’s almost too comfortable to be a World Tour level race bike.
That’s not say the latest Madone is a noodle. The minute you put power through the pedals you feel the stiffness. Watts are converted into forward momentum, no matter the gradient. It just rolls fast.
It’s rewarding to climb. I’m never usually the one to seek out hills on a group ride but I found myself seeking for more ascent as I was getting so much back from the bike for my efforts. Seated or standing, the Madone is every match for the power you put in. Urging you to push just a little bit harder and ride a little bit further.
The comfort really came into play on longer rides. My first 4 hour road ride in months came and went with no niggles or discomfort.
As mentioned, the eight sizes available on the previous generation Madone have been consolidated into six, ranging from XS to XL. At 169 cm, and as someone who usually rides a 52 cm, I was skeptical when the size chart told me I would ride Medium (which consolidated sizes 52 and 54). However, I found there was plenty of room to slam the stem to my preferred drop and more than enough adjustment on the seat post. Fortunately, you can run a round spacer on top of the RSL Aero bar so that you can adjust bar height without cutting brake hoses or trimming the steerer tube, while you dial your fit.
The frame’s geometry puts you in a nice centred position over the bike. When descending on the drops the bike is butter smooth, stable, and predictable.
This was my first outing on the new SRAM RED AXS E1. I found the groupset intuitive and with ultra crisp shifts. I appreciate that the power meter comes standard, as it should on a race bike at this level.
The remainder of the build kit hit the nail on the head. I’m normally exceptionally fussy about a saddle, and won’t do more than a few short rides on a stock saddle, but the Aeolus RSL really worked for me without any effort put into my setup. And equally important, it looks the part on a bicycle of this calibre.
The Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 wheels are surprisingly stable in a cross wind and easy to wind up up to speed.
I’ve been endlessly impressed by the Bontrager Aeolus tyres. They’ve coped with the wet and debris-strewn cape winter roads with aplomb. For cotton race tyres, this is no small feat.
For my personal use, I’d ditch the aero bottles and cages and save them for race days. But for those looking for every watt, they are a neat addition to the aero package. I used my round 750 ml bottles in the cages without issue.
Lastly, I do need to touch on the pricing. The model we tested is absolutely top of the line. It’s the Formula 1 car of road race bicycles, complete with a premium Project One paint job. The pricing on this model reflects this.
Most of us are not lucky enough to be shopping in this price bracket but the range available in South Africa is comprehensive and starts at R65,000 for the Madone SL5 Gen 8: a Shimano 105 12-speed mechanical build. I’d expect the handling and aerodynamics to carry across.
Conclusion
The Trek Madone Gen 8 is a do-it-all race bike that delivers on the marketing promise. It combines a lightweight design and aerodynamic efficiency that allow it to crush climbs and dominate descents with the world’s fastest. Trek’s integration of IsoFlow technology has resulted in exceptional comfort without compromising the performance.
Thanks to the combination of speed, handling, stability, and responsiveness, it’s a bike that brings out the absolute best in a rider and makes you want to go out and give it beans on every ride.
While the top-tier model we tested is at a premium price point, the Madone Gen 8 range includes options for various budgets, ensuring that its advanced features are accessible to more riders.
Local Pricing and Availability
The models below are available locally, you can find out more HERE or reach out to your nearest Trek Dealer.
| MODEL | MSRP |
| MADONE SL 5 105 | ZAR 65 000 |
| MADONE SL 6 Rival AXS | ZAR 115 000 |
| MADONE SLR 7 Ultegra Di2 | ZAR 185 000 |
| MADONE SLR 7 Force AXS | ZAR 200 000 |
| MADONE SLR 9 DURA ACE | ZAR 260 000 |
| MADONE SLR 9 AXS | ZAR 270 000 |
