trek madone 2.1 (2013 price)

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Madones have changed lots over the years and there are loads of different variants in the current line up. This is the first model year that Trek have offered the Madone with an aluminium frame; it has been wall-to-wall carbon fibre up until now (they've introduced aluminium Domanes for the first time too). The 2 Series models are made from Trek's 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, and some of the top-end features have had to be sacrificed.

Frame: Carbon Madone's kissing cousin from Bauxite County

For example, Trek make a big noise about their KVF tube shaping, KVF standing for Kammtail Virtual Foil. Essentially, they've designed a deep, aerodynamically efficient tube profile and chopped off the trailing edge to reduce weight and improve handling while retaining the aero performance.

Trek make extensive use of KVF tubing on the 6 Series Madone that we reviewed a few months back , whereas the KVF on the 2 Series is limited to the down tube and the fork legs.

That isn't really surprising given that the bike is five grand cheaper and the frame is made of aluminium. The point is, though, that Trek use the Madone name to cover a range of bikes that are significantly different from one another. They're all sporty to some degree or another and they share some design cues, but they're sometimes distant cousins rather than siblings.

That's not to say that the 2.1 is deficient when it comes to high-quality features. The head tube, for instance, is tapered with a standard 1 1/8in bearing at the top and a 1 1/2in bearing at the bottom, that extra material in the frame and fork helping to provide a good level of front-end stiffness.

The bottom bracket is a BB86.5 design with the bearings pressed into the shell, removing the need for cups and threads and reducing weight, and also allowing the down tube to be made wider for increased stiffness, while the gear cables run internally. Well, mostly. The rear mech cable exits the frame underneath the bottom bracket and does the last leg out in the open.

Both the frame and carbon-legged fork feature mudguard mounts. They're going to be very useful for UK conditions and we can imagine lots of people using the 2.1 for commuting, among other things. The mounts sit just behind the dropouts and run forwards rather than sideways, so they're hardly noticeable when not in use. In fact, after several weeks of riding this bike, I had to head back to the garage to double check they were even there. They were, and there's another mudguard-fixing hole on the back of the seat tube.

The carbon legged fork has that KVF shaping that I mentioned above and it's SpeedTrap compatible. That means you can fit a Trek computer sensor into a pocket in one of the legs. Okay, a lot of people use GPS systems these days, but it's a neat option if you don't want to rely on those pesky satellites.

In terms of geometry, the 2 Series Madones are built to Trek's H2 fit. What does that mean? Funny you should ask. It means that the head tube is slightly extended over Trek's low and aero H1 fit. It's still a sporty road bike arrangement, but not quite as aggressive.

So, our 58cm review bike has a 19cm head tube and an effective top tube of 57.4cm. For comparison, the 6 Series Madone that we reviewed a few months ago came in an H1 fit (it's available in H2 as well). That had a 16cm head tube and a 57.9cm effective top tube. The 2.1 has a 59.8cm stack and a 39.1cm reach, while the 6 Series has a 56.9cm stack and a 40.5cm reach.

If you don't want to decode those figures for yourself, the top and bottom of it is that you can get a ride position on the 2.1 that's a little more relaxed without the need to add a bunch of headset spacers. Go for a short head tube with a load of spacers and you'll compromise front-end stiffness. If you want a higher front end, you're better off having the height supplied by the head tube.

Some flexible folk might prefer a lower front end, especially for racing or just for riding as fast, while others are going to be happy with a higher front end for more comfort. It's up to you; Trek offer a whole load of bikes in each fit. And bear in mind that although the H2 is relaxed, it's not that  relaxed. A 58cm Specialized Roubaix, for example, has a 22.5cm head tube.

Components: Dependable Shimano 105

Moving on to the build, the shifters and mechs are from Shimano's mid-level 105 groupset, which is the most common group that you'll find on £1,000 bikes. It's solid, reliable kit – durable and functional.

You can adjust the reach to the levers by adding shims, the hoods are very comfortable to rest your hands on, and the mechs will probably carry on working for ages with relatively little maintenance.

The chainset isn't 105, though, it's a Shimano R565 compact option, so you get 50-tooth and 34-tooth chainrings rather than a standard 53/39T or 52/39T. That means you get a lower set of ratios to get you up the hills at the expense of big gears for pinning it down the other side.

It makes a lot of sense for most people who will gladly take the rest if they run out of big gears and enjoy the view instead. The Shimano Tiagra cassette it's matched up to runs sprockets from 12-tooth right up to 30-tooth.

The ride: No alarms and no surprises

I'd love to tell you that the Madone behaved really unexpectedly out on the road. It makes for a better story if a bike does something you don't anticipate, either good or bad. But the truth is that this bike behaves exactly as it should without any real surprises.

At 9.1kg (20.06lb), the 2.1 is never going to be the fastest bike out of the blocks, and acceleration is probably its weakest feature. The wheels from in-house brand Bontrager are solid enough but they're not especially keen to start zipping along – you don't get that exciting feeling of super-fast acceleration – but that's all forgotten once you get up to speed.

In terms of comfort, that ride position I mentioned is all-important. I'm used to quite a sporty setup and I didn't feel this was a vast distance away from that. You don't sit so upright that you feel as if the wind is blowing you backwards – it's a long way off that. Put it this way: if a full-on race set up is described as aggressive, maybe this is a passive aggressive ride position. Just putting it out there.

I can't say that I'm not a big fan of Bontrager's Affinity 1 saddle. It's a bit too spongy and mushy for my taste. Brands often do this with bikes up to about this price, probably on the basis that people walking into bike shops often equate soft with comfortable. They're wrong. It's not a disaster but I'd be ditching it early on if I bought this bike.

The gel bar tape softens the alloy front end so your hands and wrists feel fine throughout long rides and, as I said earlier, the hoods on the 105 levers provide another comfy hold. If you're like most people, you'll spend most of your time with your hands up here and when you do want to move to the drops, it's a comparatively short distance down there – just 125mm – which makes things easier on your back and neck. Passive aggressive, as I said before.

Whack the chain into the small chainring and the biggest sprocket and you have a really low gear (29.8in, if you're interested in such things) that'll get you up pretty much anything that doesn't need rope ladders and overhanging rocks. You won't get up the hills especially fast in a gear this small, but you'll be able to keep chugging along even when you have a day's riding behind you and your muscles have waved a little white flag.

Coming down the hills, the 2.1 feels planted rather than skittish, even over dodgy surfaces, and the front end doesn't waver when you chuck it hard into a bend. The no-name dual-pivot brakes might not have the cred of branded up options but in practice, they perform well enough and will do even better if you upgrade the pads when the first set wear out.

Conclusion: Gets the job done

Overall, the 2.1 is a well-designed, well-executed bike that gets on with the job with very little fuss. It's not carbon, it's not mega-light, and if you were being harsh you might say that it's not the most exciting choice out there at this price, but it is solid, reliable and dependable and good value for money – and there's a lot to be said for that.

Solid, good value road bike that'll see you right for everything from commuting to all-day sportives.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Madone 2.1

Size tested: 58cm

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, E2, KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) tube shape, press-fit BB

Fork Madone KVF carbon, E2, SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels Aluminium hubs w/Bontrager Approved aluminium rims

Tyres Bontrager R1, 700x23c

Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed

Front derailleur Shimano 105, 34.9mm clamp

Rear derailleur Shimano 105

Crank Shimano R565, 50/34 (compact)

Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12-30, 10 speed

Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1, steel rails

Seatpost Bontrager Race, infinite tilt adjustment, 20mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset Integrated, cartridge bearings, sealed, aluminium, 1-1/8in top, 1.5in bottom

Brakeset Aluminium dual-pivot brakes w/Shimano 105 STI levers

Tape Bontrager Gel Cork

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Trek say, "Finally, an aluminium road bike worthy of the Madone name, with a super-aero shape and next-level race technology. Incredible ride, incredible value."

The Madone 2.1 doesn't have much in common with the top-end Madones – so little that you can't really see that having the name cover them all is much more than a marketing exercise to extend some of that top-end cred. Whatever they call it, this is a very good do-it-all road bike for the money.

Frame and fork

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

The frame is 200 Series Alpha Aluminium. The fork is carbon legs/alloy steerer.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

It's built to Trek's H2 fit. See the main text for all the details.

Riding the bike

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

A tiny amount on the 58cm frame. Not a worry.

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? Perhaps bit of a 'safe' choice, but solid reliability has a lot going for it.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 41   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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10 comments.

The road bike that got me back into road bikes after riding mtb for 30 yrs, great bike

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Are you kidding. BB30 is the worst possible standard in Bottom Brackets.

Shimano's standard still seems to be the best, very much so.

It's a shame that your twitting @ sign thing looks like it says "Trek bikes suk" at first glance.

I wish Trek would adopt a BB30 so Shimano would start making BB30 cranksets

Been in a muddle about a cycle scheme bike recently. Looked at this, the same(near) priced, giant, scott & specialized. The scott s20 had full 105, the rest was a tiagra/tekro(?) or summat mishmash.

-planet x and ribble offered best value for money - mainly carbon with a full groupset.

It depends what you want.

Don't understand why this gets 4 stars, when last year's Bike of the Year only got 4.5? Are you saying this is nearly Bike of the Year material? Really?

Rough welding round the bottom bracket too.

Floor Filler.

Just for clarification, the Domane is a high-performance bike, as well as the Madone. Yes, the emphasis of the Domane is that of comfort over a longer distance, but it's just as much a bike for people who want to go fast.

The difference between the two will ultimately come down to what type of ride someone wants to experience. If you want to feel that you are well-connected to the road, then you want a Madone. If you want to reduce the 'white noise' that comes with riding a typical UK road surface, then opt for a Domane.

Both performance bikes. Both with oodles of technology. Both with unique ride qualities.

A comfort bike should have at least 25c tires. I hate it when companies cheap out on things like cassettes by down speccing them hoping buyers won't notice.

Is it the 2.1 or the 2.3? Just curious.

Can't help but think that for a 'comfort road' bike you might as well buy the Domane though.

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• Aero masterclass
• Trek engineers locked themselves in a wind tunnel with this bike. Every curve, edge, and component shouts aerodynamics. From the IsoFlow tech to the one-piece aero bar and stem this bike is designed for slicing through air.
• IsoFlow Comfort
• One of the standout features of the Madone is Trek’s IsoFlow technology, which makes for a forgiving ride, especially on longer epics. IsoFlow helps the seatmast flex, soaking up road vibrations. It’s rare for a speed-focused road bike to excel in comfort, yet here we are.
• Integrated everything
• In the Madone, the term "fully integrated" is taken to new heights. From the cables to the cockpit, everything is tucked away, contributing not just to aerodynamics but also to a jaw-dropping aesthetic.
• Speed and beauty come at a cost. The Madone’s premium price could act as a barrier for many. It's a serious investment, and budget-friendly aero options are out there.
• Price: $7,999 (SLR 6)
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• Weight: 17lbs (56cm)
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Trek Madone 2.1 review

Alloy edition of a famous carbon name

Tom Ballard / Immediate Media

Tom Ballard

Thanks in part to its association with That Texan and a long pedigree of superbly performing bike models, the Madone name is one of the best-known in road cycling. It’s perhaps a bit of gamble then for Trek to slap the branding of its most famous carbon bike on an aluminium-framed machine – but has it paid off?

The sub-£1,000 price point is one of the most hotly contested. With an update to 11-speed Shimano 105 shifters and a price drop to £900 for 2015, the Madone 2.1 holds its own against online-only competition. It’s a solid bike for those who aspire to own the Madone label without handing over £5,900 for the carbon version.

Related: Best bikes under £1,000

• Highs: Decent gearing, handles well, do-it-all geometry, stiff frame
• Lows: Chatters over rough roads, cut-price brakes, a bit heavy

Ride and handling: buzzy but reliable

In Trek’s world, we’ve got the Domane for comfort, the Emonda for climbing and the Madone for racing fast – but the aluminium 2.1 isn’t really a flat-back, head-down racer. The H2 geometry means a taller head-tube (150mm for our 54cm size) for a more upright position than the carbon H1 models. It’s comfortable without stretching, you can tuck low easily and you don’t feel like you’re going backwards when sitting up.

It's officially a Madone, but not as we know it

This means a do-it-all setup that enables you to get on with riding and offers assured control in almost every scenario. Whether you're whipping around tight bends, holding stable in crosswinds or adjusting a line when flashing downhill, the 2.1 offers fuss-free handling that’s neutral and reliable.

This isn't to damn it with faint praise though. Lack of excitement when it comes to handling isn’t a bad thing – you can hold plenty of speed around corners, descend with confidence and relax to enjoy riding.

Unfortunately, the ride quality can endanger that fun at times though. We’ve got a feeling Trek had an image of the bike zipping along a perfectly smooth highway when the 2.1’s frame was designed.

Take the Madone for a spin on good roads it feels sensational, holding its speed well despite the resistance of fairly heavy wheels that make accelerations suffer. Whether or not the internal cabling and flat-backed KVF (Kammtail Virtual Foil) down tube shape aid aerodynamics, it certainly feels fast and satisfying when you’re pushing towards a PB.

Internal cabling is impressive at this price

On the other hand, rougher surfaces really dent the fun, the carbon blades of the tapered fork doing little to calm the chattering vibrations through the frame at the front end. Descending on imperfect lanes proved the biggest worry, with jolts forcing bum and saddle separation and the continued staccato vibrations then battering the backside as the bike skittered downwards – even with only 110psi in the tyres.

This isn't going to happen every time you take on a descent, but it’s a pity that the well-behaved and otherwise planted handling can sometimes come unstuck because of this lack of ride smoothness, creating a tense riding experience. To try and combat this we’d put some suppler 25mm tyres and a carbon seatpost on the upgrade list.

On the uphills though – terrain upon which the Madone performs well for a bike weighing 8.9kg – it's a refreshingly different story. Especially when riding hard, the 2.1’s stiffness gives a quick response and unhampered power transfer when stamping out authority on climbs. With the spot-on geometry and wide gear range, it’s just as adept at helping you spin to a summit too. The front end feels light – and even a bit twitchy with hands on the tops – and while you can feel the weight a bit at the back end, there’s no sense of frustration that the bike’s holding you back.

Frame: fancily formed aluminium

The Madone 2.1 uses Trek’s top-grade Alpha 200-series aluminium, which thanks to hydroforming techniques has allowed for the flattened top tube and KVF down tube shapes, the latter of which being essentially an aerofoil shape that’s had the back cut off, increasing stiffness and decreasing weight while aiding aerodynamics.

The KVF shaping on the aluminium Madone takes its cue from its carbon-frame brother

The flat shapes also give a smooth, clean look more akin to a carbon frame, though the overall look and shaping remains a far cry from the carbon Madone. The rest of the tubing is a more traditional cylindrical shape and is welded fairly inconspicuously. The oversized BB86.5 bottom bracket means no external bearing cups and allows the wider BB junction that aids stiffness to give the bike its punchy power transfer.

The gear cabling is internally routed, entering at the top of the down tube and exiting at the bottom bracket for the rear derailleur. The rear brake takes a more conventional course under the top tube. This isn’t really too much of a disappointment – as any internal routing at this price is a bonus – but it just reminds you far removed the alloy Madone is from its illustrious namesake.

The head tube is tapered for increased front-end stiffness, which was remarkably solid throughout testing. The accompanying fork features carbon blades, complete with KVF trailing edges, and an alloy steerer – standard at this price point. It also includes a built-in SpeedTrap module for transmitting speed and distance data to a head unit via a Trek computer sensor and spoke-mounted magnet. In addition the 2.1 comes complete with mudguard mounts on fork and frame.

Equipment: savvy selections for 11-speed value

For 2015, the Madone 2.1 makes the leap to 11-speed with Shimano 105 shifters, allowing a wide, largely gap-free gear range when accompanied by the matching 11-28 105 cassette. There’s no skimping on the derailleurs either, which are 105 too, though there’s an RS500 five-bolt 50/34 compact crankset rather than the gorgeous new four-bolt design that’s trickled down from Dura-Ace and Ultegra. Shifting performance was flawless throughout and until Shimano’s high-end groups go 12-speed, there’s little to recommend them over these workhorse components.

Our only criticism of the drivetrain is in the internal BB bearings, which became sticky after a few weeks, stopping the cranks from turning as freely as they should. The brakes are also a bit disappointing, the un-branded calipers lacking the power of Shimano’s versions.

11-speed 105 on a £900 bike shows Trek's buying power

The 2.1 is supplied with Bontrager’s TLR tubeless-ready wheels, which have low-profile, slightly rounded rims that are 19mm wide. Like the rest of the 2.1, they’re solid and free from flex, but aren’t particularly light and didn’t do us any favours in drag sprints from standing, taking a while to get up to speed. They’re a good set of training wheels, but the bike could really fly on the flats and hills with an upgrade to a lighter set.

The Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres, meanwhile, are 23mm wide and seemed fairly puncture prone, causing us grief on a few occasions.

The remainder of the finishing kit also comes from Trek’s component brand. The simple alloy seatpost has a red anodised clamp that matches the seat collar, gear hanger, odd headset spacer and stem top cap, giving a classy look. The stem itself is white to match the frame, but comes with a blue anodised faceplate. The bars are standard 31.8mm with a comfy compact drop, wrapped in white gel cork tape, which quickly became grubby.

The Bontrager Paradigm 1 saddle features a central cutout and was surprisingly comfy despite its rather squidgy padding, though an upgrade to something slightly harder might benefit riders going long.

So is the 2.1 really a Madone? No. It’s a fine aluminium bike that shows off Trek’s usual quality, but it’s so distant from the carbon models that it’s not really comparable. Sadly, the fact it is branded as such – inviting unfair comparisons – doesn’t do the 2.1 any favours.

When it comes down to it, the occasionally harsh ride is the one characteristic that poses the biggest question for potential buyers – do you really need the benefit of internal cabling and a more aero down tube for the kind of riding you’re doing?

If you’re going to be racing and want every ounce of power you can get your legs on, it may well be the winning choice, though it’s up against stiff competition from the likes of Giant and Boardman at this price point. If you want all-day, long-ride comfort or value distance over speed go for Trek’s Domane instead.

Check out the gallery above for more pictures of the Trek Madone 2.1.

Looking for a new bike? Get more buying advice from fellow riders in our forum. Head here to join the discussion.

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2013 Trek Madone 2.1 w/ Di2 58cm

Cool Features

• Madone 2.1 H2 Compact

Accessories

• Rider Notes

2014 Trek Madone 2.1 H2 Triple

An aluminum frame race bike with upper mid-range components and rim brakes.

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Madone 2.1 H2 Triple

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Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

Jan 2015 · Tom Ballard

1 uses Trek’s top-grade Alpha 200-series aluminium, which thanks to hydroforming techniques has allowed for the flattened top tube and KVF down tube shapes, the latter of which being essentially an aerofoil shape that’s had the back cut off, increasing stiffness and decreasing weight while aiding aerodynamics.. .

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Apr 2014 · Caley Fretz

A custom fork and a little help from up high highlight the former Eritrean time trial champion's Trek Madone

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Aug 2013 · Mat Brett

Solid, good value road bike that'll see you right for everything from commuting to all-day sportives.

Jun 2013 · William Tracy

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Trek 2.1 Road Bike

Trek's 2.1 boasts a lightweight Alpha Black aluminum frame with a road-carving carbon fork. The hill-conquering Shimano drivetrain and Bontrager's SSR wheelset will have you rolling farther and faster than you thought possible. Plus, it sports a fine selection of Bontrager components, too, including a comfy saddle and a carbon seatpost.

• USER REVIEWS

Trek knows how to make a great road bike. The geometry is spot on, and the setup is right where it needs to be for a bike placed right under the carbon brothers. Very stiff and well suited for a larger rider. Concrete Pumping Modesto

Can't find any.

Lightweight, comfortable, plenty of gears.

Just bought this bike used (30 miles on it per owner), from the original owner for much less (about 1/3) of what was originally paid for it and Love it! I'm a newbie to road biking and this is my 2nd used bike purchase. I had this one fitted, changed the seat & bought pedals, clips & shoes. Huge difference after fitting and only cost $40 for fitting & $109 for new seat. I've been having a few issues with fatigue and hurting body parts so this should be corrected. The bike is in Mint condition and very fun to ride. Also love the blue/white color scheme. I highly recommend this bike if you can find used in the condition I did.

Similar Products Used:

Trek 2100 Pro Carbon

Strength- handles like a dream. Easy to work on. Very lightweight. Very fast compared to my Trek 7.2 Frankenstein bike lol

Had some creaks and clicks. ( fixed for now)

So this is an older bike, but it's my first legit Roadie.. I am 42 and started riding in1979 on a huffy progressing to BMX , Freestyle, and various Mtb over the years. I have been trying to destroy my trek 7.2 but it runs and runs - I am in Atlanta and that bike is a must have. Total chaos here. Anyways back to the review. Contacted a fellow off CL and agree upon date and time picked it up for $180 included computer and saddle bag. I almost couldn't believe it, but the guy had more $ than sense so I paid him and was on my way. I have ridden 50 miles this week on it and totally dig it. Very fast, nimble, light, looks cool. Decent components, good rubber, shifts well. Had a creak in it - was the pedals. Cleaned and lubed the cassette and chain, adjusted front derailers and am now good to go. I recommend this bike. It may be older but she has it where it counts.

A really light aluminium/carbon frame (2009 iteration). Relatively light RSS wheels. Speed Trap cavity in fork. Feels as if it wants to go. Lively.

The aluminium steerer, and that Bontrager stopped selling replacement forks for Trek road bikes. The Crane Creek IS40 bearings suck. The corrode too easily. I had to heat the headtube up to get them out last time and ruined the decals on the front. I aim to replace the 40s with stainless steel 110s eventually. The lack of availability of replacement rims and hub parts. A bit on the heavy side (mostly due to the group set: no-name aluminium/steel calliper breaks, tiagra shifters, front deraileur, FSA crank, tiagra cassette and 105 rear dérailleur. The lack of a 53/39 crankset option. Weight.

Stock, 2009 2.1 was heavier than it needed to be. I've had the bike stripped down to just the frame, minus the fork, and it is light as a feather. Since my purchase in 2009, I have replaced the group set with Dura Ace 7900 across the board, including the pedals. I have also gone through a number of saddles in an attempt to find comfort on long trips. I have settled and am happy with the Bontrager Affinity RS. Just those two changes have brought the weight of the bike down by four pounds. I am currently building a set of wheels with Stan's No-tubes rims, Tune hubs and Sapim spokes that should bring the bike down another few pounds. I am aiming for 17lbs. My greatest frustration is that fork. I would love to replace it with a full carbon fork, but Bontrager no longer advertises their sale. I assume because of liability issues. So I may opt for ENVE or 3T carbon fork, stem, handle bars/seat post combo to finish the bike off. Of course, we're talking a paint job on the white/apple seed blue fade . A shame. Overall, a good frame to build on! I wouldn't trade if for anything less then a Madone 5 series frame.

Good bike for first 1,000 miles. Easy to work on.

Uncomfortable saddle, Poor stock wheels and tires, Lack of durability in components. Overall lack of durability.

I bought this bike 3 years ago and have put over 5,000 miles on it. I immediately replaced the saddle as the stock saddle is really uncomfortable on long or multi-day rides. While it was a good bike for the first year or so, it has not held up well - I do not think it is a very durable bike. I've kept up with normal maintenance, but have had a lot of problems with the components over 3 years. I had to replace the wheels after about 1,000 miles - I am a 6'2" rider at 210 lbs and after 1,000 miles, they would not stay true - ended up with Mavic Ksyrium wheels and I love the Mavic wheels. The stock Bontrager wheels are way too flimsy for bigger riders. I've replaced the left shifter twice, the front derailleur once and the back derailleur once (as well as new chains every 1,500 miles and a new cassette at 3,500 miles). Every time I replace components, the bike works well for 250-500 miles but then starts shifting poorly or not shifting at all. Barrel (cable tension) and limit adjustments don't seem to fix the problem - it always ends up with component replacement. While this bike might be suitable for an occasional weekend rider, it just has not help up well for me. I've sunk well over $1,200 into repairs on this bike - with the money I've spent on purchase and repair, I would have been far better off to get a higher priced / more durable road bike. I am really disappointed in the lack of durability of the bike. I would not recommend this bike unless you have a shop nearby and a mechanic on speed dial.

Great frame, mostly good stock components, 105 groupset works for a beginner racer. Slick colors and graphics.

Wheels are heavy, saddle hurts on longer (> 40 mile) rides

I've now had my 2.1 for 2 years. This was my first proper road bike - before this I stuck to mountain bikes. I went for the H2 fit in a 50cm frame size (I'm 5'6" and weight 145 lbs). I lowered the stem one spacer to get a slightly lower riding position. The bike is fantastic. The frame is stiff, even while sprinting during criteriums. It climbs well, the ride is well damped, and handling is great. It can be a bit twitchy at lower speeds or while really sprinting hard and pulling on the handlebars (I figure most racing bikes are the same way), but it really rides beautifully when you just point it down a road and go. Cornering is very stable. This bike inspires confidence. Given what you pay for this bike, you are going to run into some compromises. The groupset is not 100% 105, but everything has held up well. The wheels are very, very heavy - I weighed the front wheel and I estimate it at a touch over 1 kilogram without tire and tube. However, they are sturdy wheels, and you can depend on them. (They also look pretty sweet.) Train with the heavy stock wheelset and switch to a lighter set for racing, and you'll really fly. The saddle is fine for shorter rides, but anything over an hour becomes painful. I'm now in the process of finding a good saddle for longer efforts. In summary, I love my bike. Yes, there are nicer, more expensive bikes, but for where I am as a novice racer and for a first road bike, this was a great choice and a great value. I would upgrade the wheels and saddle and save up for a dream bike, like a Time or Pinarello, but I'd still ride this one. It's a dependable companion.

Great bike/specs for the price. Like the 105 drivetrain - shifts well. Great starting intermediate bike with upgrade ability if needed. I got the H3 geometry - very comfortable with great handling.

Definitely stock saddle and tires. I only ride up to about 40 miles but after a handful of rides realized a more comfortable saddle was needed. Selle italia Flite as others have mentioned. I changed tires to Vittorio Pro Slick. Upgraded brakes to Ultegra after a good ebay find.

Mostly ride mountain bike but purchased the Trek 2.1 to help me lose some weight. Bike sat for a few months after I purchased but over the last 2 months I have been riding about 75 miles a week average over a couple rides. Dropped almost 30 lbs. Bike handles my 200 lbs no problem. Very cost efficient bike for me.

very agile when im off my saddle this bike flies.im a heavy set and this 2.1 can handle my legs with no problem. Takes me back to my racing days.

You don't need a very expensive bike. I can keep up to the so called pro riders that think that the bike makes the rider. But its the rider that makes the bike.

Good climber, sleak appearance

poor bontrager components, horrible saddle, heavy wheel set and tires

This is basically an advanced entry level road bike so for the price you have to expect that there will be some stock bike components that are cheaper and heavy. If you like riding fast I would definately recommend changing out the saddle, tires, and wheelset, which are all heavy. I upgraded to a sella italia flite saddle, reynolds solitude wheel set and conti gp 4000 tires, which all made a huge difference in the ride quality and speed. Overall though, I would recommend purchasing this bike if you don't want to break the bank on the purchase of a new bike and can upgrade components as time goes on.

Good value for the price.

Need to upgrade components to get weight down.

Bought this bike (red 2011) as a starter bike to use in triathlons. It works great! I upgraded the seat, handle bars, and wheels. I'm older and heavy set, but I am able to keep pace with a lot of the riders on carbon frames. The SSR wheels role quite good even though a bit heavy. I'm skeptical that a carbon frame is lighter unless you spend in the 3K range.

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Trek Madone 2.1 2013

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Trek Madone 2.1 2013 Technical Specifications

Trek Madone 2.1 2013: Frequently Asked Questions

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I had a fantastic and seamless experience of cycle delivery and it was delivered in an amazing turn around time of 2 days, since I live in Chennai, the cycle was promptly shipped in a safe and unharmed manner. The sales and support was brilliant. I purchased the NUZE S3 cycle. I got information from the cycle experts since I am a newbie. My overall experience was amazing and nothing like the other customers mentioned in this site.

Kudos to the CMB team and i will ask all my colleagues and friends to buy theirs here only.

Recently bought Road bike from CMB & I can say, I am one of the happiest customers of CMB.

My experience was really superb from booking to delivery to post-sales support.

As this was my first road bike and was unaware that pedals are not included with the cycle, which I came to know after booking. To my surprise CMB had included the pedals from their side “Fitted and ready to ride”.

Thanks CMB team.

CMB is a website which helps us to choose the right bicycle, had a hassle free experience while buying my Waltx Summit 27.5 from CMB, along with the cycle, was thrown in a host of goodies worth almost 4000, the buying experience was seamless and the cycle was delivered in just 6 days including a Sunday and this while there was a heavy downpour in Chennai, still the CMB Team showed ownership and updated and kept me informed of all the checkpoints. On delivery I found out that a accessory was broken, CMB Team arranged a replacement within few hours of sending the mail to them with pictures and video of the broken item, shows volumes about a company and its staff of providing a perfect seamless solution and ensuring that the customer always stays happy.

I have now become a permanent client of CMB and all my future cycles and of my near and dear ones will be bought from ChoooseMyBicycle only.

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Got the delivery in 5days and as said 99% assembled only pedals need to fit and handle bar needs to tighten up.. and all this is in lockdown And the service team is very responsive.

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Excellent Entry-Level Road Bike From Trek: 2014 Madone 2.1

Refined aluminum road bike: 2014 madone 2.1. worthy of the madone name. super-aero shape and next level race technology. incredible ride, incredible value..

Oh ! This is a good share my company imp source click to read more

Nice blog!! Thanks for sharing this information. No doubt that the trek bikes are the best to have. Trek hybrid bikes are versatile, easy-riding bikes that will carry you wherever you want to go. They prove to be light, fun, and comfortable companions mile after mile. Here you get the full information about which is the best trek hybrid bike . Read the reviews so that you can choose the best one as per your needs. Diamondback Vital 2 Top 3 Best Bags For Bikes

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Trek Madone 2013: Stiffer, Lighter, More Aero

• Post author By M. Özgür Nevres
• Post date August 26, 2012
• 1 Comment on Trek Madone 2013: Stiffer, Lighter, More Aero

Trek Madone 2013 series are coming with improvements to aerodynamics, weight, and stiffness. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7-series are OCLV carbon, while 2 series are alloy. The top of the line model, Trek Madone 7.9, at 40 kph in a 10° crosswind, and the producer claims to save 25 watts over the prior model (distance not specified). In addition to the aerodynamic improvements, frame weight has dropped down to 750 grams (7-series) (from 915g to 750g, a 165g savings). Compared to the previous 7 series of Trek Madone, it cuts almost 200 grams from the frame and fork without diminishing ride quality or stiffness.

Trek Madone 6 and 7 series continue to be “Made in the United States”.

Madone series have completely redesigned to incorporate aerodynamic tube profiles borrowed from Trek’s Speed Concept time trial bikes.

The positioning of the rear brake is one of the key frame features that is included in the 5, 6, and 7 Series of Madone. Trek has moved it down to sit behind and below the bottom bracket, rather than attaching to a bridge between the seatstays.

With that re-positioning, they reduced the aerodynamic drag. The new position of the rear brake also removes the braking forces from the seatstays, allowing Trek to use less material at the seatstays. This means a lighter frame. 6-Series frame, with a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and Bontrager’s Aeolus 3 wheels in a 58cm model weighs 6.8kg (14.96lb) without pedals.

The Madone frames are now available in two fits: their performance-oriented H2 and a new super-pro H1. To get the rider in a fast but comfortable position, H2 uses a slightly taller headtube. But it is still allowing that “pro” look of a flat stem with minimal spacers. H2 will suit most riders. The new H1 fit has a slightly lower headtube and allows a bit more aerodynamic riding position.

To keep the frame a dropped chain, Madone comes up with Trek’s 3S integrated chain keeper which mounts directly to its frame via a threaded hole just north of the bottom bracket.

Trek Madone 2013 Series Comparison Table

Model | Drivetrain | Description | Price (approx.)

• 7.9 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | – | $11,549.99
• 7.9 WSD |Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | Lady version | $11,549.99
• 7.7 | Shimano Dura-Ace | – | $7,979.99
• 6.5 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | – | $6,619.99
• 6.2 WSD | Shimano Ultegra | Lady version | $4,619.99
• 6.2 | Shimano Ultegra | – | $4,619.99
• 5.9 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 | – | $5,039.99
• 5.2 WSD | Shimano Ultegra | Lady version | $3,569.99
• 5.2 | Shimano Ultegra | – | $3,569.99
• 4.7 | Shimano Ultegra Mix* | – | $3,149.99
• 4.5 WSD | Shimano Ultegra Mix* | Lady version
• 4.5 | Shimano Ultegra Mix*
• 3.1 WSD | Shimano 105 | Lady version
• 3.1 | Shimano 105 | $2,039.99
• 2.3 | Shimano 105 Mix*
• 2.1 |Shimano 105 Mix*

*Mix means some parts are the highest level of the mentioned Shimano series, some parts are below.

Related: Trek 2014 Models

• Trek Bikes website
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By M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer, a former road racing cyclist (at the amateur level), and a science enthusiast. Also an animal lover! I write about cycling on this website, cycling-passion.com. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. Please consider supporting me on Patreon .

One reply on “Trek Madone 2013: Stiffer, Lighter, More Aero”

Thanks for the great review of the Trek Madone . The guys in the shops can’t wait to get the new Trek Madones and start riding/racing them.

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Trek Madone 2.1 vs Trek Madone 3.1

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I'm new to road cycling coming off from MTB. After test-riding all kinds of bikes, including Cannondale Caad 10 5, I narrowed down my list to two Trek Madones, 2.1 and 3.1. Noticeable difference between the two is the frame. The 2.1 is aluminum and 3.1 is carbon fiber. Both bikes come with Shimano 105 components except for the crankset, cassette and brake calipers. Price is $1050 on the 2.1 and $1500 on the 3.1. I already purchased shimano 105 spd sl pedals and road bike shoes. Is the carbon frame worth the $450 difference? If I go either way I will want to upgrade to a Di2 bike in about a year. For this reason 2.1 model seems more appealing as I can put the $450 into a fancier bike down the road. What would you do?  

Used2Run said: Why buy a lower model now when you know you're going to buy a $4k+ bike in a year? Why not go for the moon now? Click to expand...

I was actually looking at the same bikes and elected for the Trek 2.3 over the 3.1. The main reason for this was that I was new and probably going to beat on the bike pretty hard until I got used to it and I wanted to save my money for the better frame later. To be honest, I can hang with guys riding carbon bikes without a problem but there are a few things that I plan to upgrade on it. First, the wheel set on it is not bad, but I rode on tubeless and now I am hooked. The good news is that the Bontrager Race wheels are TLR ready, so that will be upgraded. The other area that I am playing with right now is gearing. The rear cassette is a 12/30 on the 2.3 and although having that 30 is nice on a hill. the difference in gearing ratio plays havoc with my cadence. So, I ordered a 11/25 to try out (pretty cheap). Overall, both bikes are nice and the aluminum is still fairly light weight. I would save that cash for a better bike later... Still, you might look at the 2.3 over the 2.1.  

DaFlake said: The rear cassette is a 12/30 on the 2.3 and although having that 30 is nice on a hill. the difference in gearing ratio plays havoc with my cadence. So, I ordered a 11/25 to try out (pretty cheap). Overall, both bikes are nice and the aluminum is still fairly light weight. I would save that cash for a better bike later... Still, you might look at the 2.3 over the 2.1. Click to expand...

While you will save money by buying a cheaper bike I feel the nicer the bike you buy the more you'll enjoy riding it.  

$450 isn't that much relatively speaking... a CF framed road bike for $1500... is an excellent deal (since brand new, it costs a little over $2000)... I assume the LBS is making room for 2014's, thus you're getting leftover pricing.  

Correct, the LBS is making room for 2014 models. Hence the discount.  

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