2ndGen

However you want to whittle it down, I'm sure that there are people who will see this as an un-buyable bike (for their own objective reasons...contradiction in terms, I know, but it'll come up).

What's wrong with this bike?

2011 Trek Madone 3.1

MSRP: $2,089.

Street Price: $1,800.



Frameset
Frame 3 Series TCT Carbon
Fork Bontrager Race, carbon legs, SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels
Wheels Alloy hubs; Bontrager Approved alloy rims
Tires Bontrager R1, 700x23c

Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crank SRAM Apex, 50/34
Cassette Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed
Pedals n/a

Components
Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1, steel rails
Seat Post Bontrager Carbon, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset 1-1/8" integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
Brakeset Tektro R540 brakes w/Shimano 105 STI levers

Accessories
Extras Fender and rack mounts

keisatsu

Nothing IMO, it's a good price on a beginner carbon bike.

androidtt

I was actually going to purchase this bike, but it was a tiny bit out of my range (now that I look back on it, I actually could have bought it with all the money I spent on other stuff haha). But the leftover Felt F1C felt like it was too good to pass up.

I would definitely take a 3.1 though! Rode nice, shifted excellent and it was light. The ergo positioning was great too (I think that's what it's called). I don't think you would regret it.

2ndGen

I'd upgrade the following...
$350. 105 or Ultegra SL Crankset/Brakes (w/SwissStop Pads)/Pedals
$450. BWW Blackset 11 Wheelset with Contis

Then, personalize it with...
$375. Bar/Stem/Tape
$325. Saddle/Post

That would bring the bike to about $3,000. complete (after selling off OEM parts).
And that's it. I wouldn't pass that number for this bike.

For "me"? I'm looking at building up a higher quality framset (along the lines of a Madone 6.X/SuperSix HiMod/etc...).
But damn...that 3.1 looks like it'll be a nice bike to tide me over until I have built up the dream bike.
Or, I could take all the premium bits off of my CAAD9 (Dura Ace 7800 group, cockpit, etc...) and
swapping the 105 to the CAAD making it into what I intended it too be in the first place (trainer).
The Madone would be my weekend bike (Centuries, group rides, etc...).

Hmmm...

jeffpoulin

It's been awhile since I've seen 32 spoke wheels as stock on a carbon bike. I guess Trek figures everyone is going to replace them anyway, so that might be a good area to keep the price down.

Adrianinkc

The wheels are the same as a 1.x series bike.

2ndGen

Wheels are usually the first performance upgrade on any bike in this price range. I agree.


That would be dealt with first A.

mazdaspeed

If you're going to replace everything on the bike why not just build something from the frame up? IMO having $3k into a 105 equipped bike with a fairly generic CF frame is a waste of money but what do I know.

2ndGen

No, you're absolutely right.

But I think the frame is "above" generic. The group on it is very good.
I haven't seen a bike in that price range that wouldn't benefit from a wheelset upgrade.
I don't know of any bike in that price range that comes with the cockpit I'd like (even at twice the price).
So, whatever bike I get that I'm going to put major miles on I'm going to upgrade those things.
But as stated before, I wouldn't go any higher than $3,000. total on it.
And, I have a 2nd home it would find itself stationed at for the winter months.

I think $3,000. for a customized high quality full carbon road bike that comes with strong dealer support and
service at a LBS and all the benefits that come with that (fitting, free tune-up[s], convenience, etc...) is a great value.

What are the options for a full carbon bike from a well known/trusted manufacturer?
BikesDirect? Giant? Fuji? Their similarly spec'd bikes are probably only $300.-$500. less.

roadiejorge 

Exactly.

Chris(NJ)

Nothing is "wrong" with it. I'm sure you could ride it for a very long time w/o any issues.

johnny99

Just remember that "TCT" is Trek's lower-quality made-in-Asia product line.
These are not the same as the made in the USA "OCLV" carbon frames that Lance Armstrong made famous.
Many, perhaps most, recreational cyclists will be very happy with the cheaper stuff.

mazdaspeed

If that's what you're looking for and you think it's a great value then go for it. It's not the route I would take but don't let that stop you

2ndGen

Of course. Trek even has their 5.X Series being built in Asia now (which has acquired a few 6.X Series features).
Only Treks 6.X Series Madones are being handmade in the United States (for now). Either way, I trust Trek.

wrr1020

I agree with mazdaspeed but you seem pretty dead set that this will be your next bike. If it is, enjoy it. I have a Trek 2.1 that i've now moved down to my back up bike, its a great bike so i think you'll enjoy the Madone.

2ndGen

I'm going to have to ride one this week. If I do go ahead with getting one, I'm not going to wait.
I just did some checking. I don't see anything that can touch it as far as "bang for buck" goes.
All similarly built carbon bikes below $1,800. are not well established brands (yet).

2ndGen

Thanks. My first Road Bike was a Trek.
I had a good experience with it and Trek. I just outgrew it.

I left the board open for suggestions. What can be "built" for $3,000.?
So far, no alternatives have been forwarded in that price range with those specs.

Of that $3K budget, $1,500. is spoken for (wheelset/tires/tubes/cockpit/pedals/brakes/crankset).
That leaves $1,500. for a frameset/shifters/front & rear derailleurs/cassette/chain.

FlatSix911

At the $3K price range forget the build option ... get this

Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Kestrel RT800SL Carbon $3,199
Shimano Dura Ace 7900 Group, Ritchey WCS Bar and Stem, Team SL Wheels
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...0_dura_ace.htm

2ndGen

I saw that one. It's a 2010 model. I liked Jenson's 105 Kestrel at $1,500.

But for this 7900 Kestrel, add another $1,200. for the parts I'd have to change.
Now it's up to $4400. and it's a nice looker, but with all that,
the only thing I really like about it are the 7900 parts.

For me, the most important part on a bike is it's frame. Let's compare the frames.
Kestrel's site says they have a "700K carbon lay-up". Good? Average?
Trek says that their TCT carbon this year is better than their OCLV carbon last year.
How does Kestrel's carbon compare to Trek's TCT?

wrr1020

Thats a bit misleading considering Trek is using TCT carbon for the 3 series all the way up to the 5 series. Unless for sure it says the 3 series Madone is OCLV quality carbon i would double check.

2ndGen

Trek claims that both it's TCT/OCLV carbon had been measurably improved.

2010 5.Xs were OCLV. If 2011 5.Xs are TCT and if the 3 Series TCT carbon is identical to the 5 Series,
then there's no reason to not believe that the 3.1 may be better than the old 5.X.
Of course, design plays a part in those numbers, but I'm talking about carbon quality here.

"...Trek’s Madone 5 Series boasts a 15% increase in front end stiffness and a 43% increase in vertical compliance for the 2011."

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/trek_...of_road_bikes/

lwrncc

Why does it have a Sram Apex crank on a Shimano 105 group? That's what's "wrong".

pdedes

for about $2500, you could get a pedal force qs3 with force weighing in at 15lbs or so.

Adrianinkc

Just remember the 3 and 4 series is not exactly 5 and 6 series. The seatpost is different, no bb 90, and no internal routing. I don't believe the 3 series has duotrap neither.

surgeonstone

Great Price, Hot bike, get it, ride it, love it. I would change 1 thing- The saddle. After 40 years of experimenting my butt has found bliss on the Specialized Romin.