Looking for some advice about purchasing a new road bike. I have found a leftover 2019 Trek Madone SLR 6 Speed for $4500 (new). Don't know if I should be looking to find something newer (2020/2021). Not desperate to buy something right away but I know that the bike normally retails for $6400. Any feedback would be great.
Thanks
Backin2Biking

Make sure the bike fits and feels decent in the test ride. Do you like the bike? Does it have parts you would want on the bike? If it fulfills those qualifications go for it if not find something else.

Me personally am not a fan of any of the Trek Ademno series but if you enjoy it go for it. The age of parts don't make a huge difference in this case unless there is something specific you want. That is why I like to build from the frame up, I can put whatever I want on it.

Thanks for the information. Definitely like the bike. I did ride it in a 56 cm originally but it was slightly too big. Found it in a 54 cm and should fit much better. I was definitely looking at bikes with 105 groupset or higher. Was originally looking at some Endurance bikes but I do like that the Madone has the Isospeed to help with vibrations so I can get a more aggressive bike that still has some level of comfort compared to a lightweight race bike.
Thanks again

Yeah 105 or higher is always the way to go on a road bike.

If you like comfort you might consider steel or titanium which can get you some good comfort and a ton more durability without needing Isospeed. Moots makes a nice Ti Frame in the U.S. as do plenty of others like Seven, Lightspeed, Lynksey,...

The Lightspeed Cherohala looks to be pretty nice and can clear some wider tires which is nice and I can get it with Di2 and T47 for $5800 or 105 for $4600. I would own one of those.

If the bike fits you and is in your budget I would buy now. 2021 looks to be just as bad if not worse than 2020 since every major brand has had sizeable price increases on their bikes.

If you dont know if a $4500 bike is what you should buy, then that may be a good indicator that you shouldnt.
I was just in a large sporting goods store this afternoon and saw they have about a dozen drop bar bikes- half road and half adventure/gravel. $900-4000 was the price range for the Fuji, Breezer, and Trek bikes. A local larger bike shop with Trek and Giant as the main brands has drop bar road and gravel bikes in the $2000-5000 range.

Sure there is a shortage of some bikes in some markets. Maybe expand your search radius and/or ask for a bike to be transferred to your store?
You 100% for sure wont find the bike you are looking at to be lacking, but if you dont know if its good for you then it is easily more bike than you need right now.
This is heavily based on your comment that you arent in a hurry to buy anything.
$6400 for that bike is goofy. But some find value in the hypothetical marginal gains while ignoring the engine, so there is a market for anything.

Trek Madone SLR 6 Speed (Need Opinion)

Very little changes from year to year with bikes, generally, unless it's a major facelift. How does it compare to a 2021 one? Are any of those differences worth $1900?
If it's new (still in a box? sat in a bike shop rack?) then there shouldn't be any problems with stuff needing oiled or tire damage or anything.

As mentioned, there's still a massive supply problem with new bikes that isn't going to be going away any time soon, so I'd be inclined to take what's available.

The Madone is a full-on race bike designed for an aggressive position, quick handling and more stiffness than comfort. I'm sure it's a great bike, but make sure this is the bike you really want to ride. So many non-racing people I know buy a race bike and then run a ton of spacers, complain that their neck hurts, salmon up the road with the twitchy handling and get annoyed by the stiff ride and lack of tire clearance.

If you cannot justify spending more & getting the newer bicycle along with waiting for the delivery, then the last year model might be best.

If it were me, I'd make 100% sure it's going to be a great fit before I drop that coin.

How is that something to be annoyed at? Not like it rubs the frame or fork with every rev.

If you’re confident that 1) your roads are smooth enough that you won’t get beaten up by high pressure skinny tires 2) your lower back is strong enough to hold your torso for hours in a low position... go for it.

For the normal person who’s Getting Back Into Biking, something like the Kona Libre or Sutra is likely to be waaaay more usable on normal roads & streets (and the occasional trails).

Sorry, I don't understand. The rim brake 2019 Madone is only officially supposed to fit a 25 (I Googled it), although there are reports you can cram a 28 in there sometimes. Some people want to ride a 30 or even 32 on the road these days, that's not going to possible with this bike. My point is this is something to keep in mind when considering this bike.

Duplicate topic from the same OP
Trek Madone SLR 6 Speed (Need Opinion)

That puts the intended use of parts beyond what it was meant for, but I get it. Just nothing to be annoyed about as it doesn't advertise the fork/frame supporting the larger sizing. That's like me being annoyed if my jeans don't fit after being on a two season donut binge. Only have myself to blame for something like that.