Talk Me Through This - Madone 4.5 vs 5.1
12-21-08, 07:47 AM
#27
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Test ride them both. If you have the money get the 5.1. If not get a CAAD9. Then don't look back.
12-21-08, 07:47 AM
#28
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My thought is to buy the best bike you can afford. I have an '08 5.1 and it's a very nice ride. I looked at the 4.7 before I bought it as well as a 5.2 and 5.5. The 5.1 just seemed like the best deal for me.
Trek has reintroduced the 5.1 for '09. It has Ultegra SL group and is, based on a conversation with my LBS, made in Taiwan. He didn't have one in stock that I could check the Taiwan part out on though. MSRP on the '09 is $3569.99. Therefore, I would be jumping at the '08 model your LBS has. There isn't much of a difference between Ultegra and Sl. I have SL on my CX bike. I don't notice anything other than the finish.
Anyway, for me it's a no brainer. As long as you can afford the 5.1 get it.
Trek has reintroduced the 5.1 for '09. It has Ultegra SL group and is, based on a conversation with my LBS, made in Taiwan. He didn't have one in stock that I could check the Taiwan part out on though. MSRP on the '09 is $3569.99. Therefore, I would be jumping at the '08 model your LBS has. There isn't much of a difference between Ultegra and Sl. I have SL on my CX bike. I don't notice anything other than the finish.
Anyway, for me it's a no brainer. As long as you can afford the 5.1 get it.
12-21-08, 07:49 AM
#29
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Well, I test-road them both today. Both were very nice rides but I could certainly notice a few differences. First off, the brakes on the 4.5 were no-name stuff (Tektro maybe?) versus the Ultegra brakes on the 5.1. There was a difference in braking power and certainly in noise. The shifting on the 5.1 was smoother (no surprise there) but still more than acceptable on the 4.5.
I had a tad more power climbing hills on the 5.1. The 5.1 was a tad smoother ride, too. It felt more "right" and more natural than the 4.5. They rode similarly, but I swear the 5.1 was a bit easier ride for me. It's about two pounds lighter, and yes I could tell the difference when carrying them, but not really when riding them.
I'll call to put the 10% down for the deposit on Wednesday (and pay them off in a few weeks) to lock in the 15% off they're doing in December. After taxes it'll be just over $2400 for the 5.1 and I think I'll go with that. There were differences, and given the cost of upgrading the brakes on the 4.5 to Ultegra I just think it's worth the extra money for the 4.5. Still, I've got until Wednesday to make up my mind.
I had a tad more power climbing hills on the 5.1. The 5.1 was a tad smoother ride, too. It felt more "right" and more natural than the 4.5. They rode similarly, but I swear the 5.1 was a bit easier ride for me. It's about two pounds lighter, and yes I could tell the difference when carrying them, but not really when riding them.
I'll call to put the 10% down for the deposit on Wednesday (and pay them off in a few weeks) to lock in the 15% off they're doing in December. After taxes it'll be just over $2400 for the 5.1 and I think I'll go with that. There were differences, and given the cost of upgrading the brakes on the 4.5 to Ultegra I just think it's worth the extra money for the 4.5. Still, I've got until Wednesday to make up my mind.
I went back and read your test ride post. GET THE 5.1.
12-21-08, 07:58 AM
#30
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Get the 5.1, if you are agonizing me thinks it's about the money not the bikie. I'm sure you would be happy with the 4.5 but everytime you see a 5.1 you'll kick yourself.
12-21-08, 09:18 AM
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Last week I was offered a 56cm 2009 Trek Madone 5.2 for $2700 (it's a bike handed down from a Trek rep who only rode it half a dozen times). I could buy it and then turn around and sell it in 6 months and possibly make some money on the deal so I am seriously considering it. I owned a 2008 Madone 5.5 last year and to be honest, after the initial newness wore off, I didn't like it much (it was the wrong size). The LBS sold me a 54cm (they were out of 56cm) and it was a bit cramped. Last week I rode the 56cm and it seemed MUCH better (I rode a 54cm after I rode the 56cm for comparison and there was a big difference). Just make sure you get the right size!
I would go for the 5.1 given your choices, but for the money though, you can find better bikes elsewhere IMHO.
I would go for the 5.1 given your choices, but for the money though, you can find better bikes elsewhere IMHO.
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12-24-08, 10:34 AM
#32
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Well, I made my decision. About an hour ago I put down my deposit on the 5.1. It is $2294 before tax. I'll pay it off in about two weeks. Hells yeah!
12-29-08, 10:43 AM
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You cannot go wrong either way. To the argument of getting a baby madone vs a real one, I believe the 5.1 is being discontinued so that cuts the other way.
I just bought a 2009 4.7. Previous ride was a 25 year old cannondale and the madone is a dream. Took it out for a two minute spin last night (I live in Syracuse and we have serious winter here), but will have to wait until spring for a more definitive ride. Even without clipping in, it jumped. I can't wait to ride this bike. I was between the 4.5, the 4.7 and the TCR Advanced 3 and I went with the better components so I wouldn't regret it in the future. Glad I did. $2499 at LBS.
I just bought a 2009 4.7. Previous ride was a 25 year old cannondale and the madone is a dream. Took it out for a two minute spin last night (I live in Syracuse and we have serious winter here), but will have to wait until spring for a more definitive ride. Even without clipping in, it jumped. I can't wait to ride this bike. I was between the 4.5, the 4.7 and the TCR Advanced 3 and I went with the better components so I wouldn't regret it in the future. Glad I did. $2499 at LBS.
12-29-08, 02:09 PM
#34
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I've had my 4.7 for about 6 months and i'm really pleased with it. The 5.2 looks like a great bike but with new shoes and pedals to go with it, i just couldn't stretch my budget anymore. If you can afford it, get the better bike but don't put yourself in debt because of it. If you've got the money but not sure about spending it all on the bike, get the cheaper one and buy some new gear.
12-29-08, 04:12 PM
#35
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I recommend the 5.1, when i bought my 07 trek 1500, I was torn between that bike for $800, or a caad9 for around $1200 (I really wanted the caad 9) I went the cheap route, and guess what happened? I regretted it and I just put in an order for a caad 9 frame.
on the other hand, I test rode a 56cm systemsix to make sure my caad 9 team frame (BB30! shhh.) would fit (no 56 caad9's in stock). guess what... the half-carbon bike with ultegra and carbon Si cranks didn't do anything magical. the road vibrations were softer, it handled better, and it was way stiffer, the ultegra was slightly faster and smoother than my 9spd 105, and i thought it was the coolest thing in the world. however, when i hopped back on the $800 trek, i realized that a bike is a bike and going with the 5.1 wont make you any faster.
so there are two sides of the story. I think the 5.1 is worth it because you will probably appreciate the extra stiffness and you wont have the "what if" factor in mind. If i were you, I would get the 5.1, no regrets!
on the other hand, I test rode a 56cm systemsix to make sure my caad 9 team frame (BB30! shhh.) would fit (no 56 caad9's in stock). guess what... the half-carbon bike with ultegra and carbon Si cranks didn't do anything magical. the road vibrations were softer, it handled better, and it was way stiffer, the ultegra was slightly faster and smoother than my 9spd 105, and i thought it was the coolest thing in the world. however, when i hopped back on the $800 trek, i realized that a bike is a bike and going with the 5.1 wont make you any faster.
so there are two sides of the story. I think the 5.1 is worth it because you will probably appreciate the extra stiffness and you wont have the "what if" factor in mind. If i were you, I would get the 5.1, no regrets!
My trek 1500 BB used to(Im sure still does) swing like a pendulum, I didn't realise how bad it was till I got the Giant TCR.
