New Madone is world-class aero AND crazy light. The catch? Trek leans on bottles for aero savings

If you could have any type of super bike, would you want the absolute lightest, or the absolutely fastest aerodynamically? Well, since we’re talking wishes… you’d want both, right? That’s what Trek has hoped to accomplish with the new Madone, which merges their Emonda climbing bike with the Madone aero bike.

Normally, aero shapes are bigger and thus heavier than ultralight shapes, whether on bike tubes or wheels. Here, a surprisingly piece of the puzzle for making a relatively slim-tubed bike fast is the new aero bottle/cage design - which Trek says is as important as the aero wheels in the performance of the bike.

But like with all highly specialized designs, there is a price - well, two….

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Gear I use for shooting (not sponsored!):

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The Ride is supported in 2024 by:

0:00 intro
1:26 Emonda-Madone blend
3:02 aero chart
3:56 aero bottles/cages
5:25 frame changes
6:50 ride impressions
8:34 Perc perks!
10:15 things that bug me
12:26 conclusions

[jbiz]

Of all the things I research and look for reviews on, this has to be one of the best I've ever seen for any product. Your delivery and info is great. Within the first minute I knew this would be a great review. Thanks!

[RyonBeachner]

I completely understand the concept of why they replaced the Enonda, and agree with it. However I have to say that reducing available sizes on a top end bike seems like a much larger compromise that simply hurts riders experience with the brand. In entry level models, okay, I get it, the tooling expense has to be covered somehow and buyers at that level are probably less likely to think about fit. However when you mention a 25k P1 build, that’s a lot of money for a bike available only in 6 sizes when Pinarello has like 11, and every handlebar and stem length/width under the sun.

[harleypurcell]

When filling the bottle with powder stand the aero bottle in a mug. Saves powder mess & holds it straight… Simples 😂

[speedbrian]

Ive never seen that Zip bar thats cool.

[GravelRacer]

Can't wait to see how it performs at your next gravel race.

[lukepowell]

So those RSL Cages with a bottle are $99 a piece if you buy them aftermarket, and the SL Madone does not include them with a new bike purchase. I think I could be at peace with it a little more if they at least made a more affordable plastic version. If you're gonna be gimmicky with the bottle, don't also gouge the price on them.

[chrisjong]

Amazing video as always, i love the clips of the fide in between with some nice music

[deployeddan]

Another awesome video!

As a heavy Clydesdale rider I'd never trust that seat post so I'll just stick with my Émonda Slr 👍

[DavidWalker-xzjb]

I have the current Madone. Great bike. This bottle thing is so goofy. Imagine trying to wrestle them in and out in a crit. They should have just said "it's a little slower, but overall is a better package." Specialized did that with the SL7 and it didn't hurt them at all.

[nick_velokicks]

Appreciate another excellent review mate. My better half is aero curious, so knew to come here to watch this and the Aeroad reviews to add to her considerations.

[vmarano]

The bottles provide an option for more aero. An option that I likely would not use. I have a Gen 6 Madone so this 8 would be a big step up with or without the bottles. Thank you for a great review.

[helmetculture]

Thank you for not shilling the products you review but just saying thanks to your sponsor and that we should definitely buy them. I definitely will be buying them to support your gig!!

[christianwparker]

Heads up. The first batches of bikes had too much thread locker on the water bottle bolts. Check those bolts before purchasing your bike! The heads may strip causing a huge headache.

[petersouthernboy]

I have never gotten aesthetically comfortable with that seat post tube / top tube junction.

[SamuelBlackMetalRider]

Gotta love the honest, down to earth, no BS review 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[TZZZ]

Excellent review Ben, I really appreciate your honest open minded perspectives and your constructive critique. Comparisons in ride and handling with other new 2024 road race bikes, as well as ealier models would make your reviews even stronger, as would a comparison between the various models in the line up, particularly low to mid priced models that most of us actually buy. These are the big gaps in the youtube bike review world.

[derfx]

I honestly don't understand why people make such a big deal of the bottle+bike package. We're talking 3.7 W here. The people that need to care about those savings have soigneurs in charge of it. The rest uses standard round bottles and will not notice the slightest difference, happy days.

[Midnight]

Well dayum as I’ve owned the previous gen for less then a year.

[DCassidy]

How about wind tunnel testing the "old" series 7 madone with aero bottles. Would that be even faster than this bike?

[lewisfilms]

Im a bit disappointed honestly… The Madone SL 7 gen 8 with ultegra di2 and carbon wheels is $6500 and weighs 17.38lbs. That doesn’t seem very light to me. The Canyon ultimate SLX 8 is $5800-$6200 (depending on sale) with same groupo, deeper carbon wheels PLUS a power meter and only weighs 16lbs. 😮