Madone 5.2 SL

I am considering the purchase of a stock Madone 5.2SL. The only other
carbon bike I've tested is a VERY expensive Scott. They rode very
differently and I prefer the Trek. Two questions. First, can any of you
folks recommend other carbon frames that I should consider? Secondly, any
thoughts good/ bad or personal experience with the Madone. I currrently
ride a custom steel frame. I was amazed at the comfort of the ride compared
to my old steel bike.

TIA-Alan

The Madone SL frameset is a great frameset and the 5.2 a nicely spec'ed
bike. You could also look at some of the Specialized bikes (Roubioux,
Tarmac), also Orbea Onix or Orca, or some of the European superbikes
like the Looks, Time, Merkx etc. I know there are also two version of
the Scott frames, the Team version which is super expensive and the a
"limited" version that is slightly heaver (going form 810 to 890 grams
I think, so still super lite) that is spec'ed with Ultegra and much
more reasonably priced.

Hans C. wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a stock Madone 5.2SL. The only other
carbon bike I've tested is a VERY expensive Scott. They rode very
differently and I prefer the Trek. Two questions. First, can any of you
folks recommend other carbon frames that I should consider? Secondly, any
thoughts good/ bad or personal experience with the Madone. I currrently
ride a custom steel frame. I was amazed at the comfort of the ride compared
to my old steel bike.

I went through the same experience -- I had always ridden steel,
and decided to make the switch this time around. I'm glad I did--
the initial feeling you've already experienced was cemented after
I got used to the carbon bike and then went back to the steel
bike for a couple of rides.

Mine is the '04 version of the 5.2, the 5200. I think it's an
exceptional bike for the money if you're happy with Ultegra. I
wasn't, and I ended up swapping the group out for Dura-Ace. There
used to be a middle option called the 5500, which was the same OCLV
120 frame & same wheels, but with Dura-Ace components. Now it
looks like if you want Dura-Ace, the next step up is the 5.9, which
also has the OCLV 110 frame, X-Lite wheels, carbon bar & stem, etc.,
for which you pay an extra $2,100.


Larry Coon
University of California

I am considering the purchase of a stock Madone 5.2SL. The only other
carbon bike I've tested is a VERY expensive Scott. They rode very
differently and I prefer the Trek. Two questions. First, can any of you
folks recommend other carbon frames that I should consider? Secondly, any
thoughts good/ bad or personal experience with the Madone. I currrently
ride a custom steel frame. I was amazed at the comfort of the ride compared
to my old steel bike.


You may want to check out the Madone 5.5. It is in basically the same price
range as the 5.2SL and the Shimano components are mostly all
Dura-Ace. The 5.5 is not yet listed on Trek's web site but dealers have it
or can get it. The 5.2 may be the better bike for _you_ I am just
suggesting that you look at the 5.5 in the event that you did not know that
it existed.
Chuck

C Wright wrote:

You may want to check out the Madone 5.5. It is in basically the same price
range as the 5.2SL and the Shimano components are mostly all
Dura-Ace. The 5.5 is not yet listed on Trek's web site but dealers have it
or can get it.

Ah, so they -do- still offer something along the lines of
the 5500.


Larry Coon
University of California

The NBA Salary Cap FAQ:
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm

Larry Coon wrote:
Hans C. wrote:

Secondly, any
thoughts good/ bad or personal experience with the Madone. I currrently
ride a custom steel frame. I was amazed at the comfort of the ride compared
to my old steel bike.

I went through the same experience -- I had always ridden steel,
and decided to make the switch this time around. I'm glad I did--
the initial feeling you've already experienced was cemented after
I got used to the carbon bike and then went back to the steel
bike for a couple of rides.

Fascinating. Did the two of you make the comparisons with bicycles
having the same geometries, fit, saddles, bars and bar tape, gloves,
wheels, tires, tire pressures, shorts, and roads?

41 wrote:
Larry Coon wrote:
Hans C. wrote:

Secondly, any
thoughts good/ bad or personal experience with the Madone. I currrently
ride a custom steel frame. I was amazed at the comfort of the ride compared
to my old steel bike.

I went through the same experience -- I had always ridden steel,
and decided to make the switch this time around. I'm glad I did--
the initial feeling you've already experienced was cemented after
I got used to the carbon bike and then went back to the steel
bike for a couple of rides.

Fascinating. Did the two of you make the comparisons with bicycles
having the same geometries, fit, saddles, bars and bar tape, gloves,
wheels, tires, tire pressures, shorts, and roads?

And shoes and pedals and sunglasses and helmets! And tailwind/headwind
and temperature. The wind, temperature and what I am wearing while
riding affect my comfort more than the bike.

41 wrote:

Fascinating. Did the two of you make the comparisons with bicycles
having the same geometries, fit, saddles, bars and bar tape, gloves,
wheels, tires, tire pressures, shorts, and roads?

*slaps forehead*

I forgot to eliminate the bar tape variable!


Larry Coon
University of California

Fascinating. Did the two of you make the comparisons with bicycles
having the same geometries, fit, saddles, bars and bar tape, gloves,
wheels, tires, tire pressures, shorts, and roads?

*slaps forehead*

I forgot to eliminate the bar tape variable!

I'm surprised you guys left out color. Look at how much more money Canon
gets for lenses, just by painting them white. Obviously there's no
difference in optics, focusing speed or durability. In cameras, just like
bikes, everything's exactly the same, the only differences are that some
people believe otherwise and spend more money for something.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:

I'm surprised you guys left out color. Look at how much more money Canon
gets for lenses, just by painting them white. Obviously there's no
difference in optics, focusing speed or durability. In cameras, just like
bikes, everything's exactly the same, the only differences are that some
people believe otherwise and spend more money for something.

Canon was the first to make fluorite element lenses generally available
and since these elements are very temperature sensitive, the lenses had
to be finished white instead of the black that was in vogue at the
time. There certainly was a difference in durability, as in addition to
its temperature sensitivity, fluorite is moisture sensitive and
scratches more easily than glass.

On the other hand, as with carbon vs. metal bicycle frames, the shock
and vibration damping characteristics showed no significant
differences. However flourite did improve the optics, and apparently
for many people carbon has a similar effect on bicycle frames, and so
commands a similarly premium price.