trek madone 4 5

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Trek Madone 4.5 Compact review

Affordable and ideal for longer rides

Guy Kesteven

Trek's multi Tour de France winning Madone family has been around for years, and the 4.5 is the most affordable member for 2010. it does mean you get Oriental TCT carbon, rather than the pricier US-built OCLV carbon of the 5 and 6 family bikes, but it’s the overall ride, not the origin, that matters here.

Ride & handling: Agile and confident handling complements friendly overall feel

While Trek don’t do a specific sportive bike, Madones have always been a popular choice among high-mileage riders, and we can see why. It’s immediately obvious this bike is smooth from fork to far end, sitting on the road quietly over rough sections that rattled many price rivals.

Despite sharp and snappy-looking angles on paper, it’s got a neutral stability too, letting us ride no-handed without worry when fishing energy bars out of back pockets.

It’s not just the easy mid-picnic handling that encourages you to put those extra miles in either. This bike just melts away underneath you, barely registering the tactical tarmac conditions that are a real issue on stiffer bikes.

The Bontrager tyres are usefully smooth rolling without being worryingly slippery in wet corners. The short stem makes exploring the traction limits fun on descents, with an agile twitchy feel through the steering when you’re flicking between manhole covers and potholes, or changing lines mid-corner.

Stability and the stiffness of the front end means this never develops into anything nasty on long, fast descents though, with only the soft brakes acting as a mental parachute.

While it’s a great smooth, ‘go the distance’ choice for longer rides, the pliable smoothness of the Trek can work against it as workload goes up. Its buoyant, floated ride when you’re tapping out a tempo develops into a real bounce as you press the pedals harder.

This results in a definite rubber-chain effect if you’re fighting the hill. The compact chainset ratios mean you can spin rather than stomp most of the time though, and the light wheels hold speed towards summits well too.

Chassis: Smooth and comfy frameset, but weight limits upgrade potential

At 1,250g the frame isn't the lightest at this price, but the reasonably light tapered alloy steerer fork puts it back into the right ball park. The extended hourglass profile E2 head tube puts stiffness and accuracy into the steering.

The triangular top tube gets a flattened centre section to feed some comfort back in, and while the down tube is broad, it’s also relatively shallow to suck out some road sting. The seat tube is single diameter, which means a conventional front mech fits fine.

The bottom bracket is an external screw-in rather than oversize push-fit type. Mid-size multi-section rear stays meet at simple alloy dropouts, with a scalloped wishbone section morphing smoothly into the seat tube/top tube area.

The polished seat collar matches the similar-finish Shimano 105 gear and you get twin bottle cage mounts. A metal plate protects the chainstays if you drop the chain off the back, and there’s even a socket for Trek’s Duotrap computer speed and cadence sensor unit.

The unusual crossover brake cable routing under the top tube gives a clean look with a UK-style left-hand front brake. With no fewer than seven sizes they'll fit most riders, although you have to hop up to the Madone 4.7 (£1,900) to get Women's Specific Design versions.

Equipment: Bontrager kit shaves weight and Shimano transmission performs well

Like most bikes at this price, transmission is predominantly Shimano 105 with a similar-quality FC600 compact chainset. A 27-tooth big sprocket on the cassette means a proper crawler gear for climbs, with the option of a triple chainset.

Shimano Tiagra brake callipers feel soft, but the combined STI levers and shifters are 105, and fitting cartridge brake pads will make a big difference to feedback. Gear adjusters next to the levers make in-flight tweaking easy. The rest of the bike is a selection of Trek’s Bontrager house-brand kit.

Saddle and seatpost kept everyone happy, while the well-shaped handlebars sit on a big stack of carbon headset spacers for easy adjustment. The Bontrager kit – particularly the wheels – is light enough to offset the extra frameset mass and put the Trek back into contention on weight.

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Madone 4.5: Good or Evil?

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I've been riding a Trek 7500 hybrid since 1998. I wanted to move up to something lighter and faster. After discussions and measurements with my LBS, I've ordered a 2010 Madone 4.5 to test. One problem I'm having while waiting for the bike to come in is that there is relatively little information online about this model. There are plenty of reviews and discussions about the 5 and 6 Series Madones, but very little about the 4 Series. (I should mention that this includes both the Trek road bike catalog, AND the Madone-specific catalogs, as well as Trek's web site and other web sources.) I'm wondering if it's a good choice, since it's the lowest Madone model and has the lowest-quality frame and component specs of all the Madones. Is it better to get a low-end Madone, or would a high-end 1 or 2 Series aluminum frame bike be a better choice? The best thing about this is that the LBS owner says if I don't like the bike, I don't have to buy it. I'd love some opinions about this. Thanks!  

tenrec said: I've been riding a Trek 7500 hybrid since 1998. I wanted to move up to something lighter and faster. After discussions and measurements with my LBS, I've ordered a 2010 Madone 4.5 to test. One problem I'm having while waiting for the bike to come in is that there is relatively little information online about this model. There are plenty of reviews and discussions about the 5 and 6 Series Madones, but very little about the 4 Series. (I should mention that this includes both the Trek road bike catalog, AND the Madone-specific catalogs, as well as Trek's web site and other web sources.) I'm wondering if it's a good choice, since it's the lowest Madone model and has the lowest-quality frame and component specs of all the Madones. Is it better to get a low-end Madone, or would a high-end 1 or 2 Series aluminum frame bike be a better choice? The best thing about this is that the LBS owner says if I don't like the bike, I don't have to buy it. I'd love some opinions about this. Thanks! Click to expand...

I think the Madone 4 series are a good value... the 4.7 has a lot nicer parts, but is a little more expensive. A custom $2500 bike is going to remotely compare... unless you're extremely unusually shaped.  

Nothing wrong with a 4.5 if you could scratch up a few more hundred the 4.7 is better. You should be happy with a 4.5 like the poster above said make sure it is a good fit.  

I'd go w/ a Madone over a 1 or 2 series. Here's some reviews: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_444038_trek_madone_4_5_reviews#bz-model-reviewTitle http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/trek/road-bike/PRD_411974_5668crx.aspx http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/madone-45-08-29372 http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=120369  

My girlfriend has a Madone 4.5 WSD. She's had it about a year and a half now and really likes it. From what I've seen it looks great and performs well. Id take one over a 1 or 2 series any day. Only thing suspect in my opinion are the Bontrager wheels with the funky paired spokes. The wheels havent stayed all that true (and she isn't heavy) and there are black marks on the rim from the brakes near almost every pair of spokes indicating to me that the rim surface has been distorted near the spoke pairings. However I hear for 2010 Bontrager has finally wised up and is losing the gimmicky paired spokes. Maybe their new wheels will be more durable.  

This is the cheapest Madone but I think the quality will be as good as other carbon fiber frames. The design of the Madone frames is the same, the difference will be in frame weight and layup of the carbon fiber. So you can expect the ride to be similar to the more expensive Madones, the difference in frame weight will not be perceptible. The 4.7 Madone is the same frame but with SRAM Rival components for a higher price. Verdict: Good  

MarvinK said: I think the Madone 4 series are a good value... the 4.7 has a lot nicer parts, but is a little more expensive. A custom $2500 bike is going to remotely compare... unless you're extremely unusually shaped. Click to expand...

Marc said: Well the 4 series Madones are made in the Orient...odds are the 1/2k Series Al frames are made just down the street from where the Madone 4s are made. I can tell you with a fair degree of certainty, the bike will likely ride fine and be as durable as a CF bike can be. Click to expand...

Marc said: For me, the question I find myself asking is: "$2100USD MSRP for a plastic frame with 105 level components?" That is what gets my eye most. I know economies are in shambles--but at $2500 (after taxes mind you), you're near custom bike prices--and you're getting an off the peg frame with only 105 parts. But this is me and my set of values. Of course, if you're new to road cycling, you might be perfectly happy with 105, opine and parts-snobishness are funny things. Click to expand...

davidka said: I raced on one most of the year and it was an excellent race platform, stiff, stable and comfortable. Mine was a 62cm (6'4", 165lbs) with SRAM Rival and it weighed just under 17lbs. with Race X Lite wheels. If you get a Madone 4 series (any of them) and it fits you correctly you will not be sorry. Click to expand...

Farmer Tan said: I'd go w/ a Madone over a 1 or 2 series. Here's some reviews: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_444038_trek_madone_4_5_reviews#bz-model-reviewTitle http://www.roadbikereview.com/mfr/trek/road-bike/PRD_411974_5668crx.aspx http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/madone-45-08-29372 http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=120369 Click to expand...

davidka said: .. and across the street from where Cannondales, Specialized, Scotts, Cervelos, Fujis and most all the others are made. The construction of the 4 series is different from the 5's and 6's but it's still a great frame. I raced on one most of the year and it was an excellent race platform, stiff, stable and comfortable. Mine was a 62cm (6'4", 165lbs) with SRAM Rival and it weighed just under 17lbs. with Race X Lite wheels. If you get a Madone 4 series (any of them) and it fits you correctly you will not be sorry. Edit: I don't think a custom frame/bike for $2500 is realistic these days. Click to expand...

tenrec said: Wow, you make it sound like a piece of crap! I've noticed that I can get a higher level of componentry in a full carbon frame for hundreds of dollars less if I go to a lesser-known brand and buy from someplace like Performance Bicycle. The disadvantage is that they are not local for things like repairs, adjustments, etc. Click to expand...

Don Duende said: The 4.7 Madone is the same frame but with SRAM Rival components for a higher price. Verdict: Good Click to expand...

Marc said: My point is that, a year or two ago--that same bike would be several hundred less, or have a better component group for the same price. To give you a notion-5 years ago: In Performance Bike, you could buy Dura-Ace shifters for $200. Now they cost $700-simply because that is what people will pay. 5 years ago you could by a crankset, new, from Performance of good quality for under $100USD. Now you cannot buy a crank for less than $300. Click to expand...

tenrec said: The Madone I've ordered will have a Shimano 105 triple chainring in the front and either a Shimano 105 or Ultegra rear derailleur. Is there much difference in performance, weight, or quality between the 105 and the Ultegra? Click to expand...

Kevin_in_SB said: Why do you want a triple get a compact. Click to expand...

tenrec said: Is it because they charge what the market will bear, or are there other factors? Inflation has increased in recent years, and the value of the dollar has fluctuated against the Japanese yen. Could these be factors in the price changes you mention? (And if Dura-Ace has inflated the way you say, have the equivalent Campagnolo parts done something similar? If the Shimano parts got so expensive, people would have switched to Campy unless they were doing the same thing.) Click to expand...

Marc said: For about $2500 or so, you can get a fully built custom Habanero with 105...and that is a Ti custom bike. Click to expand...

tenrec said: I've ridden a triple on my Trek 7500 for 11 years and I just like the wide range of gears it gives me. Click to expand...

For what it's worth, I'm the new owner of a 2010 Madone 4.7 and I couldn't be happier. The ride is well damped but stiff enough to climb very well. I optioned for the 4.7 over the 4.5 because for the small price difference between the 4.5 and 4.7 the move from 105 to SRAM Rival was significant. I even think that I've mastered the double click SRAM. If you are unsure of the 4.5, I promise that you'll be happy. If you can stretch your budget, the 4.7 is worth it in my opinion.  

rb1freak said: For what it's worth, I'm the new owner of a 2010 Madone 4.7 and I couldn't be happier. The ride is well damped but stiff enough to climb very well. I optioned for the 4.7 over the 4.5 because for the small price difference between the 4.5 and 4.7 the move from 105 to SRAM Rival was significant. I even think that I've mastered the double click SRAM. If you are unsure of the 4.5, I promise that you'll be happy. If you can stretch your budget, the 4.7 is worth it in my opinion. Click to expand...

Yep, Rival is lighter and the 2010 stuff got a bunch of upgrades, it's very similar to Force.  

I would go for Rival, but you should ride both and pick the one you prefer. The biggest upgrade will be the wheels but the wheels will be perfectly fine for everyday riding. Consider a custom hand built set from Speed Dreams when your budget allows.  

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2011 trek madone 4.5 review - thoughts after 6 months testing.

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2024/09/06 21:30

【オータムフェア】噂のNEWモデルもフェア対象『TREK MADONE SL GEN8』特別Pt付与♪【ポイントUP】 by: 津森 弘晃

軽量と速さを融合した噂の第8世代もフェア対象‼

オータムフェアin池袋チャーリーは期間限定で 普段は付かないポイントをお付けします♪

• 1.1 NEWマドン、SLシリーズの中で一番お求めやすいモデル
• 1.2 その分妥協点・・・イヤイヤ伸びしろ多数!
• 1.3 オータムフェアでポイントゲット！
• 1.4 販売価格とポイント
• 1.5 在庫カラー/サイズ

【TREK】MADONE SL5 GEN8

NEWマドン、SLシリーズの中で一番お求めやすいモデル

EMONDAの軽量性とMADONEの速さを1つにしたんだから良いとこどりのオールマイティーモデルな性能の高さは予想が付くし、お値段が高そうなのも・・・と思ってたよりは比較的現実的な値段設定と言えなくもない⁉

さすがに最上位SLRグレード＆電動コンポの組み合わせは100万越えとなってしまいますが、新型MADONEの性能を十分体感できて機械式とは言え12速105搭載モデルで40万円台ならかなり価格を抑えている印象を受けますね。

その分妥協点・・・イヤイヤ伸びしろ多数!

その代わりと言っては何ですが、軽量を謳うにしては少々重量を感じるパーツ多数。

ハンドルやホイール、サドルなどアルミ製のモノなのでココを変えれば更なる軽量化が見込め、妥協点というよりはパワーアップを体感できる伸びしろを残してくれていると考える方が良いでしょう。 (実際SL5 GEN8を購入後、即ホイール交換され楽しく走って帰られたお客様もいらっしゃいました）

オータムフェアでポイントゲット！

9/7(土)～10/27(日)の約2か月間ワイズロードで行われるオータムフェアでは、走るのに最も気持ちいい期間にスポーツバイクをはじめるにあたりお得なサポートをご案内中♪

上記でご案内中の「MADONE SL5 GEN8」は通常お支払い区分に関わらずポイントは一切付与されないのですが、オータムフェア期間中は特別にポイントを付与‼

販売価格￥449,000-(税込)

【オータムフェア特典】 現金支払いの場合5％(￥20,409分)、現金以外の場合3％(￥12,245分)のポイントを付与‼

ただのポイントとは 侮れないそれなりの金額分 なので、SL5 GEN8のさらなるパワーアップのための足しになるハズです‼

G.CRY WHT/M.D SMOKE、Mサイズ(適応身長：約170㎝前後)

HEX BLU、Mサイズ(適応身長：約170㎝前後)

MADONE SL5 GEN8をご検討されている方はぜひオータムフェア期間中のご購入で普段付かないポイントをゲットしてください♪

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