Trek Madone SL 7: How does the further development of the Madone fare in the test?

Take a new racing bike, label it with the model names of both competition bikes in the range and you have the desired effect: the trade press pounces on it and puzzles over which bike is getting an update. This is what happened at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the preparatory race for the Tour de France. Trek presented the sponsored World Tour pros around Mads Pedersen with a bike that had a sticker with the model names "Madone" and "Émonda" emblazoned on the top tube.

Shortly before the Tour of France, the US manufacturer announced the facts: The new racer is a further development of the Madone, which in its eighth generation is emancipating itself as a race all-rounder by combining lightweight construction and aerodynamics. The days of the Émonda are now numbered. The 6.8-kilo model, which was hardly ever seen in the professional peloton anyway, will only be available with an aluminium frame in future.

Trek Madone SL 7: Heavy, but aerodynamic

The individual weights of the new Trek Madone SL 7, which is based on a slightly heavier frameset than the more expensive SLR variants, are impressive. The frame and fork of the test bike weigh in at around 1500 grams. That's 140 grams less than the old Madone SLR. According to the manufacturer, the new high-end version should save a further 250 grams compared to the SL. The SL 7 weighs 8040 grams with comparatively heavy Bontrager brand wheels.

While the previous Madone was a futuristic aero racing bike with flat tube shapes, the new design is much more minimalist. One exception is the junction between the top tube and seat tube, known as the "Isoflow", which the new model takes over from its predecessor in a modified form. Among other things, the aerodynamics should benefit from the recess below the seat dome.

We have not yet been able to determine how fast the Trek Madone SL 7 is in the wind tunnel (which is why we have not yet given the bike an overall rating). According to Trek, the aerodynamics should remain unchanged compared to the previous model despite the slimmer frameset. The old SLR 9 AXS provides a reference point: 207 watts were required to overcome its air resistance at 45 km/h. This made it one of the fastest bikes on the market. This made it one of the fastest bikes in the test of our sister magazine TOUR.

>> We have the Trek Madone SLR by Jasper Stuyven under the microscope.

The Trek Madone on test: fast on the flat

The Trek Madone SL 7 may not be quite as fast, as the US manufacturer has dispensed with an aerodynamically favourable one-piece cockpit on the mid-range model. However, our test rides showed that the bike has hardly lost any of its speed. However, on climbs, especially when the going gets tough, the Madone can no longer conceal its comparatively high weight despite the 1:1 gear ratio in the lowest gear. Most riders won't notice the comparatively low stiffness values.

In addition to aerodynamics, the revised "Isoflow" technology contributes significantly to improved comfort. Although the seat post and seat dome nominally only offer two millimetres more suspension travel than its predecessor, in combination with the voluminous 30 millimetre tyres, the SL 7 irons out bumps remarkably smoothly. The Trek even takes gravel tracks under its tyres with ease. The narrow carbon handlebars, whose shape allows the handlebar humps to be mounted at an extremely inward angle, transmit the vibrations from the ground more directly to the rider.

Geometry of the Trek Madone SL 7

The sizes are new. Like many of its competitors, the US company will now specify frame sizes in clothing sizes. Instead of the previous eight, there are now only six frame sizes. The new range offers less overlap in neighbouring frame sizes, which should make it easier to choose the right bike. With the XS and XL sizes, Trek also wants to offer particularly small and tall riders a suitable bike.

The race geometry remains unchanged. Contrary to Trek's recommendation, our 1.80 metre tall testers would tend towards the smaller frame size. The adjustment range of the integrated seatpost is large enough. Trek is sending a total of eight equipment variants into the race. The SL 7 with electronic Ultegra and 51 millimetre wheels leads the more affordable SL range. The US manufacturer is one of the few high-end brands to also offer a version with mechanical gears. The lighter SLR models sometimes cost more than twice as much as the test bike.

As an all-rounder, the new Madone does a lot of things right. The SL 7 scores particularly well in terms of comfort. It is also fairly priced. - Julian Schultz, test editor

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 543/565/162 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 587/390 millimetres/1.51
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 643/583 millimetres/1.10
• Wheelbase/caster: 990/59 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
• Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm)
• Tyres: Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR 28 mm (eff.: 30 mm)
• Impellers: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
• Impeller weights: 1338/1843 grams (front/rear)
• Price: 6499 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 8.0 kilos
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL (test size greased)

Advantages and disadvantages of the Trek Madone SL 7

• Plus: Very good comfort on the saddle, unique look
• Minus: Relatively heavy, weaknesses in acceleration