Anyone ridden both an 08 Madone and 08 orca?
01-21-08, 07:57 PM
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Anyone ridden both an 08 Madone and 08 orca?
Just wondering what an unbiased feel for each was. Please don't send me a link to Bikesnob or other "bought a TREK in 2003 and it sucked link". just looking for an objective opinion
Thanks
David
Thanks
David
01-21-08, 08:02 PM
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Sorry confused sports that I do. But truly semantics, I'm sure you get the idea
BTW definition Drive: to impart a forward motion by physical force
Ride: to travel as if on a conveyance
BTW definition Drive: to impart a forward motion by physical force
Ride: to travel as if on a conveyance
Last edited by prschaa; 01-21-08 at 08:08 PM.
01-21-08, 08:15 PM
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I have tried the madone and it felt numb. like riding a piece of wood. I didn't like the feel.
I went with the Orca. it's the perfect frameset to me. Trek is another bike following a trend. They said forever that they're classic frame geometry was the best etc. then finally decided to go compact when the madone stopped selling (lance factor). I really thought they should have stuck it out with the more traditional frame geometry. now they are just like everyone else in design. They are always behind the curve. the new BB and head tube design has been done for a while by many other manufactures and now they are acting like it is a revolutionary design. I'm not saying that they are bad frames but certainly lack panache and substance. if you want a better " american bike" buy a specialized. Thats about as american as panda express but hey it's american right? . bad analogy.
I went with the Orca. it's the perfect frameset to me. Trek is another bike following a trend. They said forever that they're classic frame geometry was the best etc. then finally decided to go compact when the madone stopped selling (lance factor). I really thought they should have stuck it out with the more traditional frame geometry. now they are just like everyone else in design. They are always behind the curve. the new BB and head tube design has been done for a while by many other manufactures and now they are acting like it is a revolutionary design. I'm not saying that they are bad frames but certainly lack panache and substance. if you want a better " american bike" buy a specialized. Thats about as american as panda express but hey it's american right? . bad analogy.
01-21-08, 08:45 PM
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How much does it weigh?
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David,
I have test ridden (rode?) both, but purchased neither. If it were between the two, I would go with the Orbea Orca. It had a better feel, in my opinion.
Most importantly, however, is that the Trek Madone has a lot of proprietary parts - meaning it is not as serviceable or tunable as most other bicycles. This is very, very important in my opinion - I'd rather not be 'locked in' to a particular company's "system," particularly on a bicycle - which, inherently, should be as 'universal' as possible.
I have test ridden (rode?) both, but purchased neither. If it were between the two, I would go with the Orbea Orca. It had a better feel, in my opinion.
Most importantly, however, is that the Trek Madone has a lot of proprietary parts - meaning it is not as serviceable or tunable as most other bicycles. This is very, very important in my opinion - I'd rather not be 'locked in' to a particular company's "system," particularly on a bicycle - which, inherently, should be as 'universal' as possible.
01-21-08, 09:07 PM
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01-21-08, 09:12 PM
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Thanks, the Orca frame in my opinion is like a piece of art with loads of positive experiences. I was swaying towards it, but didn't want to go on looks alone. TREK has had some good reviews, but i always wonder if the reviewers are also getting advertising bucks from the reviewed product. Which led me to seek some unbiased input. Think I'll go with the Orca, SRAM red group, Build comes in at 14.5lbs, and will certainly impress my Shamu trainer girlfriend.
Thanks again
David
Thanks again
David
01-21-08, 09:20 PM
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Man when I was a kid I always had a crush on the Shamu trainers... 
They were hot. OBTW I think the Orca is ugly as sin...my humble opinion.
They were hot. OBTW I think the Orca is ugly as sin...my humble opinion.
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Si vis pacem, para bellum
01-21-08, 09:25 PM
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01-21-08, 09:55 PM
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I have tried the madone and it felt numb. like riding a piece of wood. I didn't like the feel.
I went with the Orca. it's the perfect frameset to me. Trek is another bike following a trend. They said forever that they're classic frame geometry was the best etc. then finally decided to go compact when the madone stopped selling (lance factor). I really thought they should have stuck it out with the more traditional frame geometry. now they are just like everyone else in design. They are always behind the curve. the new BB and head tube design has been done for a while by many other manufactures and now they are acting like it is a revolutionary design. I'm not saying that they are bad frames but certainly lack panache and substance. if you want a better " american bike" buy a specialized. Thats about as american as panda express but hey it's american right? . bad analogy.
I went with the Orca. it's the perfect frameset to me. Trek is another bike following a trend. They said forever that they're classic frame geometry was the best etc. then finally decided to go compact when the madone stopped selling (lance factor). I really thought they should have stuck it out with the more traditional frame geometry. now they are just like everyone else in design. They are always behind the curve. the new BB and head tube design has been done for a while by many other manufactures and now they are acting like it is a revolutionary design. I'm not saying that they are bad frames but certainly lack panache and substance. if you want a better " american bike" buy a specialized. Thats about as american as panda express but hey it's american right? . bad analogy.
First, a geometry lesson.
This is a "compact" frame design:
This is not a "compact" frame design:
See the difference?
The main reason Trek sloped the top tube was to allow for more adjustment with the new seat mast/seat cap arrangement.
Next: Trek didn't abandon "traditional" geometry. As a matter of fact, the critical geometry elements that determine ride and handling have hardly budged from where they were before.
What manufacturer has already had precision socket fit headset and bb bearings? Not pressed in, but drop in? Without bonded-in metal elements? None. That's how many. They lack the technological expertise to do it. They are behind the curve.
The New Madone is the only bike I've ever ridden that had a super-stiff bottom bracket, but a plush ride without goofy bonded-on elastomers. The Orca doesn't suck. I can't think of any high $$ bikes that do, but your critique of the Madone comes across like ill-informed sour grapes.
Go take a factory tour-see how they are made-then tell me they're copy cats.....
Oh, and mine weighs 13.6 lbs...
(with pedals and cages
)
01-22-08, 06:08 AM
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Nice looking bike there "BikeWise1". And, thanks for the accurate information for a change.
01-22-08, 07:34 AM
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OK. This post is so full of bad info I hardly know where to start.
First, a geometry lesson.
This is a "compact" frame design:
This is not a "compact" frame design:
See the difference?
The main reason Trek sloped the top tube was to allow for more adjustment with the new seat mast/seat cap arrangement.
Next: Trek didn't abandon "traditional" geometry. As a matter of fact, the critical geometry elements that determine ride and handling have hardly budged from where they were before.
What manufacturer has already had precision socket fit headset and bb bearings? Not pressed in, but drop in? Without bonded-in metal elements? None. That's how many. They lack the technological expertise to do it. They are behind the curve.
The New Madone is the only bike I've ever ridden that had a super-stiff bottom bracket, but a plush ride without goofy bonded-on elastomers. The Orca doesn't suck. I can't think of any high $$ bikes that do, but your critique of the Madone comes across like ill-informed sour grapes.
Go take a factory tour-see how they are made-then tell me they're copy cats.....
Oh, and mine weighs 13.6 lbs... (with pedals and cages)
First, a geometry lesson.
This is a "compact" frame design:
This is not a "compact" frame design:
See the difference?
The main reason Trek sloped the top tube was to allow for more adjustment with the new seat mast/seat cap arrangement.
Next: Trek didn't abandon "traditional" geometry. As a matter of fact, the critical geometry elements that determine ride and handling have hardly budged from where they were before.
What manufacturer has already had precision socket fit headset and bb bearings? Not pressed in, but drop in? Without bonded-in metal elements? None. That's how many. They lack the technological expertise to do it. They are behind the curve.
The New Madone is the only bike I've ever ridden that had a super-stiff bottom bracket, but a plush ride without goofy bonded-on elastomers. The Orca doesn't suck. I can't think of any high $$ bikes that do, but your critique of the Madone comes across like ill-informed sour grapes.
Go take a factory tour-see how they are made-then tell me they're copy cats.....
Oh, and mine weighs 13.6 lbs...
(with pedals and cages)
01-22-08, 07:37 AM
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Right-o!
Mine is this one.
I put Bontrager carbon tubies on it, instead of the clinchers. It's got mid-40's-guy-friendly geometry.
That is, a taller head tube than the 6.9 Pro. That means I don't have to run a bunch of spacers to get a long distance friendly saddle-bar relationship.
Mine is this one.
I put Bontrager carbon tubies on it, instead of the clinchers. It's got mid-40's-guy-friendly geometry.
That is, a taller head tube than the 6.9 Pro. That means I don't have to run a bunch of spacers to get a long distance friendly saddle-bar relationship.
01-22-08, 08:02 AM
#17
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I think Trek did a great job on this redesign. The Orca is also very nice looking though. Sorry, haven't ridden either, no "objective" review (quotes because riding any bike and sharing the experience will always be a subjective experience).
01-22-08, 02:18 PM
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I haven't tried the Trek but have an Orca and am really happy with it. I have SRAM Force on it, but am planning to get Red for my second Orca. Right now I just have the frame but I may build it up to be the race bike. So yeah, I like Orbea.
