"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - New 2008 Trek Madone 4.5?

Waiting on delivery of a new 2008 Trek Madone 4.5 which I just purchased.
Was considering buying the Trek 1.9 with full ultegra but opted for the 4.5 carbon instead.
Its my first carbon-frame and a good step up in components too.

Any other owners of this machine have any opinions of it?

What its like to ride, is it good for long climbs?

Any replies appreciated.

I purchased a Madone 4.5 compact a month ago and I could not be happier. My LBS provided me with great service to get it just the way I wanted it.

I was a bit torn between the triple and the compact wanting the easy pedaling of the triple, but also wanting the smoother shifting of the compact. They swapped the stock 11-25 cassette with a 12-27 to bring the compact gearing a little closer to the triple on the low end and it's been a perfect compromise.

They also did a pro fitting and swapped the stock 90mm stem with a 110mm. The owner of the LBS said that a 110mm would ride much straighter and truer because of the increased rotational inertia of the handlebars on a longer stem. After riding, I can't disagree with him.

On top of that, they threw in free service for as long as I own the bike.

I originally went into the store planning on taking home the 2007 Trek 2100 Aluminum with Carbon stays, but after test riding both, the Madone was hands down so much smoother and more comfortable to ride. I am not concerned that the 4.5 is TCT carbon and not OCLV carbon because Trek has a lifetime warranty on both types.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg156/renlopez/DSC_5295.jpg

What does your 4.5 weigh?

I haven't checked the exact weight. I'll be bringing it in for a tuneup this week. I'll tell you after that. The LBS told me that the new frame design for 2008 is a bit lighter than 2007.

I picked up my new Madone 4.5, size 54cm just a few days ago and as the weather has been suitably appalling have not managed to get out on it yet. So in a displacement activity I looked at it (mmmh, nice) then weighed it using a digital fish scale. The result was 18.5lbs, which should be reasonably accurate.

At 18.5lbs, what type of pedals/cages/extras are on it?

Mine is 52cm so we can see how much less the smaller size is.

Absolutely nothing on it, no pedals, cages, not even a coat of polish, yet. I'll be interested to see what the different frame size gives.

Do you have a triple or compact crank? The Shimano 105 triple is about 180 grams heavier (0.4 lbs)

Mine has the compact.

Forgot the triple was an option, mine has the compact as well so should be as close a match as we can get.

A few days after asking the weight, my lbs got two of the 4.5's. We looked at the 56cm with a compact.

We put it on a Park DS-1 digital scale and found the grand total was....

19.07

This does include reflectors and plastic platform pedals from a test ride.

I think for giggles, I'll go back and get the weight on a 5.1 & 5.2 they have.

I went back to my LBS and we weighed the 4.5 without the pedals and got...

18 pounds 13 oz for a 56cm.

I went back to my LBS and we weighed the 4.5 without the pedals and got...

18 pounds 13 oz for a 56cm.

Wow, that's heavy. I thought those Madones were supposed to be light?

Wow, that's heavy. I thought those Madones were supposed to be light?

The 4.5 is a base model Madone. The higher up in model numbers you go, the lighter they get.

If I remember right, here were two others we weighed...

5.1 was 17 pounds 7 oz for a 56cm.

5.2 was 16 pounds 7 oz for a 56cm.

Don't quote me on it though.

The 4.5 is a base model Madone. The higher up in model numbers you go, the lighter they get.

If I remember right, here were two others we weighed...

5.1 was 17 pounds 7 oz for a 56cm.

5.2 was 16 pounds 7 oz for a 56cm.

Don't quote me on it though.

That sounds right.
The 6.5 is 15.38 lbs with reflectors but without pedals in a 58.

Wow, that's heavy. I thought those Madones were supposed to be light?

The 4.5 is basically the lowest grade madone based on a traditional seatpost and all that. I think you drop almost a pound going to the integrated mast and better fork and then all of the components and stuff adds on top of that.

My wife's 5.1 WSD 52 is 16.6 lbs with Race-X-Lite wheels, but no pedals, cages, bag, etc...

The 4.5 is basically the lowest grade madone based on a traditional seatpost and all that. I think you drop almost a pound going to the integrated mast and better fork and then all of the components and stuff adds on top of that.

I agree. The 4.5 is also the lowest grade Trek TCT carbon and is also missing the integrated headset and bottom bracket that the 5.1 and above all have.

I would say that the 4.5 is equivalent to the 2007 Trek 5000 model. The only difference between the 2 is the new frame design and better wheels on the 4.5.

I don't really consider the 4.5 a true Madone since it does not have the innovations of the 5.1 and above.

I agree. The 4.5 is also the lowest grade Trek TCT carbon and is also missing the integrated headset and bottom bracket that the 5.1 and above all have.

I would say that the 4.5 is equivalent to the 2007 Trek 5000 model. The only difference between the 2 is the new frame design and better wheels on the 4.5.

I don't really consider the 4.5 a true Madone since it does not have the innovations of the 5.1 and above.

I had just assumed they were all the same and the difference between the models was the carbon material & layup quality, and component levels.

Weighed mine today. 18 lbs 5 oz (18.3lbs) for 52cm. Bike had a computer attached and also had a 110mm stem vs the stock 90mm. No pedals/cages.

I agree. The 4.5 is also the lowest grade Trek TCT carbon and is also missing the integrated headset and bottom bracket that the 5.1 and above all have.

I would say that the 4.5 is equivalent to the 2007 Trek 5000 model. The only difference between the 2 is the new frame design and better wheels on the 4.5.

I don't really consider the 4.5 a true Madone since it does not have the innovations of the 5.1 and above.

You may not consider it a true Madone, but Trek does. Baby Madone or not, I like mine just fine. Shaved a bit off the weight with a new seatpost, stem and bars that are on order. The frame design difference between the 5000 and the 4.5 is critical. Yes it is TCT Carbon but look at the geometry. The 5000 is a great bike. But it is different. That is why I spent more and bought a new 4.5 when I could have had a left over 5000 from last year.

That sounds right.
The 6.5 is 15.38 lbs with reflectors but without pedals in a 58.Ditto on that. My '08 Madone 6.5 weighed in at 15.3 w/out pedals. If I put a set of ZIpp 202's on it, I'm sure it would get down in the 14's with no problem.

Forgot to mention. My Madone's a 58 cm also.

You may not consider it a true Madone, but Trek does. Baby Madone or not, I like mine just fine. Shaved a bit off the weight with a new seatpost, stem and bars that are on order. The frame design difference between the 5000 and the 4.5 is critical. Yes it is TCT Carbon but look at the geometry. The 5000 is a great bike. But it is different. That is why I spent more and bought a new 4.5 when I could have had a left over 5000 from last year.
Don't get me wrong, My post was not a flame on the 4.5. In fact, I am a proud owner of the 4.5 as well. I too am glad that the 4.5 is a Madone because in the past, only the Madones were eligible for their crash replacement program. I don't believe that the 5000/5200 were privy to that.

the only difference in the new madone geometry is with the pro models, the regular ones have the same geometry as the 5000. The only difference from a 2006 madone and 5000 was carbon type

Just in case anyone else in interested. I finally measured the wheel factor on my 4.5 with Stock Bontrager Race wheels and Race Lite Tires 700x23c at 115PSI. Wheel factor = 2110mm

Just and FYI: 2008 Madone 6.5Pro 56cm: 6994grams (15.42 lbs.)
with the following non-stock modifications:
- 11-21 D/A cassette (184 grams)
- D/A 7810 pedals (277 grams)
- two Bontrager Race Lite white plastic bottle cages (38 grams each)
- Michelin Pro3 tires (211 grams each)
- Miche A1comp tubes (52mm stems) (85 grams each)
- cut steerer, only 5mm of spacers (The spacers are about .284gr/mm - stock comes with 3 x 10mm spacers)
- shortened cables and housings (a fresh set of D/A cables derailleur and brakes are about 205grams - uncut)
- double wrapped bars (Bonty gel cork) (~68 grams per wrap)
- buzzkills removed, just plain barend plugs (couple of grams)
- Hüdz shifter hoods, instead of the Shimano D/A ones (they weigh the same)

The wheels with skewers are the Bonty RaceXLites and weigh in at 1623 grams w/o tape. (1535 without skewers, the skewers are 41 & 47 grams front and back respectively).

The Saddle is Bonty's '08 RaceXLite and weighs in at 227 grams.

(All the above is +/- 3 grams.)

I included the wheel and saddle weights separately as those are the two most common things to change.

HTH
zac

4.5 IS good for long climbs.....if you are too.

I really like my Madone. I picked up a 5.5 last month and couldn't be more happy with the ride quality. The LBS weighed the bike before I left the shop and it came in at 16.1 pounds without pedals.

This is a really good all-carbon bike for under two grand. It's well built, it looks great, it's pretty light, and has good components.

Very good value.

the only difference in the new madone geometry is with the pro models, the regular ones have the same geometry as the 5000. The only difference from a 2006 madone and 5000 was carbon type

Incorrect.

All Madone models, regardless of Pro or Performance designation, have the same geometry with the exception of the headtube height. The Performance Madones have an extra 4cm of height added to the headtube.

The 4.5 is flimsy and heavy (http://www.roadbike.de/test/bikes/test-16-carbon-rennraeder-bis-2-000-euro.230817.9.htm?skip=4) according to these people.

The 4.5 is flimsy and heavy (http://www.roadbike.de/test/bikes/test-16-carbon-rennraeder-bis-2-000-euro.230817.9.htm?skip=4) according to these people.

Where does it say "flimsy"? I'll bet that review in German wasn't very useful to many BF members.

For the weights stated for these bikes, geez, you might as well get a good steel frame.

Where does it say "flimsy"? I'll bet that review in German wasn't very useful to many BF members.

It has the lowest stiffness rating of all the rigs tested.