jfu

Hi,

I plan to buy my first road bike (so far I've been riding a spec tricross with road tires). I can get for very similar price the Trek Madone 2.3 or Madone 3.1:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...1_h2_compact/#
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...3_h2_compact/#

The first one is on an alu frame, while the second is carbon. On the other hand, the 2.3 seems to be slightly better spec'ed. In your opinion: how significant is the difference in the equipment (wheels, brakes, ...). How good is the frame on 3.1?

Which one would you recommend for a newbie? I have never ridden a carbon bike. It would be also quite hard to test ride the bikes (both of them need to be ordered to the shop first)

Beaker

If you can afford it, I'd go for the 3.1. There's not a huge difference in the group sets and you could easily upgrade your front derailleur and crankset down the road. The frame is the one part you can't upgrade, so I'd get the best you can and go from there.

GlennR

You can't say the carbon frame is better without riding both. But on paper the 3.1 looks like it's worth the extra cash.

seymour1910

Agree with Beaker, if the price is close, I would get the 3.1. They both have 105 shifters and RD. The 3.1 has a Tiagra FD but that is not significant IMHO. They both have Tiagra cassettes...again not significant. The brakes will not hold you back either. Like Beaker said, if your OCD tell's you to go for a matching group just upgrade a few things down the line.

Is Trek the only bike the shop stocks? Did you try any other bikes?

bonz50

local shop has left over 2012 2.3's for $1289 in all sizes. the cheapest carbon Madone is still $1800. is the carbon madone $500 better? not imho. shop smart (Shop S-Mart) and you'll find some deals, but if you want a carbon bike save your $$ and get a 4.5 (same shop has the 4.6 - SRAM drivetrain - for $1849 in all sizes)

jfu

In my case, the 3.1 is now reduced, so that it's about $100 more expensive than the 2.3; I wasn't even considering buying a carbon bike until I saw this deal.
So the question here is whether should I take this bike only 'coz it's carbon. Is the trek's 300 series carbon frame a really good one, or it's an entry level carbon, not necessarily better than a (hopefully) higher level alu of the 2.3? Would I feel the difference in my ride?

I must say I like painting of 2.3 much more

hokie cycler

Get the 3.1 and don't over think it.

hokie cycler

Of course I may be biased but I bought a 3.1 two years ago and 8,700 miles later I do not regret the decision.

floridamtb

I was considering the same bikes but went with the Madone 4.5. But between the two I'd go 3.1, better frame, better components. But if you can step up to the 4.5 it's well worth it. You'll get lighter frame, Ultegra components (FD, RD, Shifters) and Bontrager wheels versus "Bontrager Approved" wheels.

mprelaw

What's the limit of your budget? You might be able to pick up a 2013 4.5 for under $2000 right now. You get the Race wheelset with it, as well as better tires and a partial Ultegra drive train. But to be honest, having ridden both 105 and Ultegra, Ultegra alone wouldn't justify it. The lighter frame and better wheels do.

dangerd

I have the 3.1 with around 2500 miles on it now. I love my 3.1. I did buy a new wheelset (ksyrium sl) to lighten it up as I like to run with armadillo tires - I hate getting flats.
This is a great bike to start out with and I have no regrets about buying it.
Go for it!

jfu

Finally I got a good deal on 3.5, so I took this one.

Thanks for all your replies.