Which Trek, 2015 Emonda ALR5/S5 or 2014 Madone 4.7
07-07-15, 01:54 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Portage, MI
Posts: 227
Bikes: 2016 Emonda ALR 5, 2014 Trek 7.2 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Also, a carbon (400) frame upgrade is kind of a big deal no? I know I'll be happy either way because I rode the ALR5 and liked it. I can afford the extra $600 if I feel the bike is at least as good as the ALR5 when I ride it. I may not be able to appreciate the other upgrades as a novice, but on paper the Madone has a lot over the ALR so I doubt I'd be throwing away $600 for no reason.
Heck the ALR6 is basically the ALR5 but with Ultegra and it's $500 more.
Heck the ALR6 is basically the ALR5 but with Ultegra and it's $500 more.
Do I think the Madone is probably worth the extra $600? Yeah, but it might not be evident while riding. The ALR 6 is priced too high, or maybe the 5 is too low, I don't know which, but I wouldn't pay $500 more for 6800 over 5800 in the same frame.
07-07-15, 02:34 PM
#28
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-07-15, 03:00 PM
#29
Flyin' under the radar
When I was test riding a bunch of Treks about a year ago (so, 2014/15 models), I couldn't tell much of a difference between the 300 & 400 series carbon. The difference between the 400 & 500 series carbon, however, was quite noticeable.
I haven't ridden an ALR yet. I've ridden the 105 and Ultegra groups. Both perform flawlessly when setup correctly. I don't think Ultegra is significantly better than 105, and definitely not $600 better (though it is lighter).
Personally, I'd ride both, and have the shop weigh both. Assuming similar ride quality, I'd go with the cheaper bike unless the cheaper bike is greater than 2 pounds heavier. Then I'd go with the more expensive bike. Regardless of which bike you choose, I'd recommend dropping some dough on good shoes/saddle/shorts. Those accessories address two of your three contact points with the bike, and have the biggest impact on long-term comfort/satisfaction that are quite often overlooked when folks new to the sport make their initial purchase. I can promise you that $600 between the ALR and the Madone could more than justify the ALR if you put that $600 toward some Sidi shoes, high-end saddle, and good shorts.
I haven't ridden an ALR yet. I've ridden the 105 and Ultegra groups. Both perform flawlessly when setup correctly. I don't think Ultegra is significantly better than 105, and definitely not $600 better (though it is lighter).
Personally, I'd ride both, and have the shop weigh both. Assuming similar ride quality, I'd go with the cheaper bike unless the cheaper bike is greater than 2 pounds heavier. Then I'd go with the more expensive bike. Regardless of which bike you choose, I'd recommend dropping some dough on good shoes/saddle/shorts. Those accessories address two of your three contact points with the bike, and have the biggest impact on long-term comfort/satisfaction that are quite often overlooked when folks new to the sport make their initial purchase. I can promise you that $600 between the ALR and the Madone could more than justify the ALR if you put that $600 toward some Sidi shoes, high-end saddle, and good shorts.
07-07-15, 04:20 PM
#30
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I was test riding a bunch of Treks about a year ago (so, 2014/15 models), I couldn't tell much of a difference between the 300 & 400 series carbon. The difference between the 400 & 500 series carbon, however, was quite noticeable.
I haven't ridden an ALR yet. I've ridden the 105 and Ultegra groups. Both perform flawlessly when setup correctly. I don't think Ultegra is significantly better than 105, and definitely not $600 better (though it is lighter).
Personally, I'd ride both, and have the shop weigh both. Assuming similar ride quality, I'd go with the cheaper bike unless the cheaper bike is greater than 2 pounds heavier. Then I'd go with the more expensive bike. Regardless of which bike you choose, I'd recommend dropping some dough on good shoes/saddle/shorts. Those accessories address two of your three contact points with the bike, and have the biggest impact on long-term comfort/satisfaction that are quite often overlooked when folks new to the sport make their initial purchase. I can promise you that $600 between the ALR and the Madone could more than justify the ALR if you put that $600 toward some Sidi shoes, high-end saddle, and good shorts.
I haven't ridden an ALR yet. I've ridden the 105 and Ultegra groups. Both perform flawlessly when setup correctly. I don't think Ultegra is significantly better than 105, and definitely not $600 better (though it is lighter).
Personally, I'd ride both, and have the shop weigh both. Assuming similar ride quality, I'd go with the cheaper bike unless the cheaper bike is greater than 2 pounds heavier. Then I'd go with the more expensive bike. Regardless of which bike you choose, I'd recommend dropping some dough on good shoes/saddle/shorts. Those accessories address two of your three contact points with the bike, and have the biggest impact on long-term comfort/satisfaction that are quite often overlooked when folks new to the sport make their initial purchase. I can promise you that $600 between the ALR and the Madone could more than justify the ALR if you put that $600 toward some Sidi shoes, high-end saddle, and good shorts.
I do have a decent helmet.
07-08-15, 12:42 PM
#31
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got the Madone today. There was a noticeable weight difference between it and the ALR5 even though the Madone had pedals and the other didn't. More importantly, I was surprised by the added comfort and most of all, how much stiffer it felt when cranking away. The drivetrain also seemed to have less backlash.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
07-08-15, 03:54 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Western NY
Posts: 91
Bikes: 96 Stumpjumper M2, Fisher Montare hybrid, Trek Emonda ALR5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got the Madone today. There was a noticeable weight difference between it and the ALR5 even though the Madone had pedals and the other didn't. More importantly, I was surprised by the added comfort and most of all, how much stiffer it felt when cranking away. The drivetrain also seemed to have less backlash.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
07-10-15, 03:56 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Portage, MI
Posts: 227
Bikes: 2016 Emonda ALR 5, 2014 Trek 7.2 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got the Madone today. There was a noticeable weight difference between it and the ALR5 even though the Madone had pedals and the other didn't. More importantly, I was surprised by the added comfort and most of all, how much stiffer it felt when cranking away. The drivetrain also seemed to have less backlash.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
Maybe I'm making more out of it than I should, but regardless, I liked it more, so I took it. It looks better in person as too. The black tape on handles instead of white makes a big difference as well.
Thank you all for your input. Now I need shoes and shorts/shirt.
