{"id":15654,"date":"2018-12-03T11:35:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-03T11:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2018\/12\/03\/2019-trek-madone-slr-6-review-r7639\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T05:34:49","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T05:34:49","slug":"2019-trek-madone-slr-6-review-r7639","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2019-trek-madone-slr-6-review-r7639\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Trek Madone SLR 6 review"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few months back Trek revealed the sixth iteration<\/a> of its race-proven Madone road bike. In recent years the Madone has transformed into an all-out aero road machine promising uncompromising performance while still delivering a comfortable ride.<\/p>\n

The latest version is said to further refine the Madone platform with the addition of a disc brake option and a revamped IsoSpeed dampening system among a raft of other improvements.<\/p>\n

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The Madone SLR frame sits at the top of the range and makes use of Trek\u2019s lightest 700 series OCLV Carbon. Aside from the all-important disc brake option, only available on the SLR variant, the stand out feature on the Madone SLR is the adjustable IsoSpeed decoupler.<\/p>\n

Trek\u2019s marketing tells us that the new adjustable version of the IsoSpeed decoupler, now fitted to the top tube, is 17% more compliant on the softest setting while 21% stiffer on the firmest setting when compared to the previous Madone. Dosed with some heavy scepticism, I was pleasantly surprised by this feature, but more on that later.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-85412700-1543835074.jpg\"<\/a>No. 6<\/strong> – As a side note, the naming in the Madone family had me a little confused initially. Although now in its sixth iteration, within the Madone SLR lineup there is an SLR 6 and SLR 8 where the \u201c6\u201d and \u201c8\u201d refer to the specification level rather than the platform version.<\/span><\/p>\n

We tested the Trek Madone SLR 6 Disc, equipped with a Shimano Ultegra 2×11 groupset and Bontrager Aeolus Comp wheels. The new SLR frameset is impeccably clean in its looks, with an integrated, cable-free cockpit and internal cable routing throughout. In the silvery-grey colour-way supplied, the bike reminded me of a stealthy navy frigate or fighter jet, filling my inner eight year old with glee. The bulky tubing on the SLR may not be to everyone\u2019s taste, especially on the louder colour options, but in this navy inspired livery it feels well balanced.<\/p>\n

The Madone SLR comes with an integrated aero seat post and on the 56cm frame, the 160mm post supplied as standard was just short of my required extension. Thankfully Trek also offer a 205mm post and had one delivered to us within two days. Given my abnormally long legs for my height, this shouldn\u2019t be an issue for most, but still worth checking.<\/p>\n

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The two-piece bar and stem houses all cables to create a beautifully simple cockpit. The attachment point allows for +5 or -5 degrees in angle adjustment via a four bolt system neatly tucked away on the underside.<\/p>\n

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The Bontrager Aeolus Comp wheels piqued my interest as upon closer inspection you may note that these are aluminium rims with a carbon aero fairing. This somewhat unconventional approach provides the aero advantages you\u2019d want on a bike like the SLR (and let\u2019s be honest, the \u201caero look\u201d) while keeping the price in check. While they\u2019re not the full carbon deep sections you might be inclined to expect at this end of the market, this choice likely helps to squeeze the price under the R100 000 mark.<\/p>\n

On a related note, although out of the box the wheels are fitted with 25C Bontrager tyres, the frame supports up to 28C tyres according to Trek, but it looks like there’s enough room to go even wider if you wish.<\/p>\n

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Below is a full component breakdown for the 2019 Trek Madone SLR 6 Disc as tested.<\/p>\n

Specifications<\/h2>\n

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