UPDATE: I bought a Madone 6.9
UPDATE: Here's my first ride and first review of my new 2008 Trek Madone 6.9
As a follow up to my 2008 Trek Madone post I have some prices.
I am sure the price will vary from shop to shop, but here's what I found out:
Pro Series
6.9 $8399
6.5 $5829
5.5 $4180
Performance Series
6.9 $7700
6.5 $5830
5.5 $4180
5.2 $3520
A couple of the Trek shops might have a couple of these bikes in stock, but from the people I have talked to don't expect to see the bikes enmass until the August-October time frame.
Tags: 2008 Trek Madone · Cycling27 Comments
27 responses so far ↓
My local shop just got a 5.2 in stock today, and another shop in Seattle is supposed to get a couple early next week. The bottom bracket area looks massive and very cool, other tubes look nice and modern, the Ultegra SL color is great, and the new Bontrager Race Lite wheels look much more up-to-date (sort of remind me of Fulcrum styling). The paint job on the 5.2 is pretty boring–I thought Trek was going to fix that with the 2008 models. I guess the WSD models are still in development and wont ship for months.
I called around several of the shops within 100 miles. I found a couple that have 5.5 and 5.2 Madones. I made it to one of the shops today. They hadn’t assembled the bike yet, but you are right the bottom bracket is huge, but the bike is very sexy. The Ultegra SL color is very cool. The lines one the bike are nice. As for the colors many of them are still boring and I wish Trek would do a better job on paint. However, at the top end the 6.9 has a pretty cool orange paint job.
I am waiting to see how they ride. It will be a little while however before anyone will let me take an extended jaunt on one.
[...] As per my previous post on Madone pricing information the 6.9 is $7700 while the 6.5 is $5830. [...]
JustinBall,
May I ask what you think are the big differences between 6.9, 6.5 and 5.5? Did you enquire at the shop? I wonder if thats where the OCLV red.blue, black whatnot steps in.
I created a grid showing the differences between the 6.9 and 6.5. Click that link if you want the full story, but the biggest difference is the wheels. They are the same frame, same carbon (Red). The 5.5 uses the Black carbon. I think the basic difference between the carbon is the amount of high modulus carbon used - the higher the modulus the more expensive it is to produce. Craig Calfee has a great article on the types of carbon. The 5.5 still has a Dura Ace groupo so as far as components it is similar bike to the other it must might weigh a bit more and feel a bit different. Personally I think the 6.5 is the way to go, but if the 5.5 is a lot cheaper then the sweet spot might be found there. Until the ship the dang things and we can ride them it will be hard to know which one to get. I did read that the bikes will hit Project One on January 1st so I might have to get myself a New Years present.
Yes I have read Calfee’s article before and he seems to know a lot. I learnt a lot basically.
Well, I’m someone just like you who can’t handle the sexiness factor of the new madones. I need a new road bike, and for almost two years, I have been riding a crappy budget frame. I think I ‘ve been spending too much time and money trying to get the best part for the crappy frame. Its now time to put an end to it alltogether by going for a completely new bike! How exciting!
As far as the difference between Performance and Pro-fit, I didn’t see much difference when I looked at the pictures on Trek’s website. Is the sexiness (if you will) be reduced in anyway by going from Pro to Performance?
The difference between the pro and performance is 30 mm in the head tube. I am planning on going with the performance since my fit is such that I am up a bit higher. I would go with what fits you the best. Either bike is going to be a good looking bike.
The new bike is exciting and I am hoping to get one once they hit project one. I was going to try sooner, but since they aren’t available I blew my budget on a really sweet Santa Cruz Blur XC.
Where did you enquire about the prices? And how much do you think it will vary from shop to shop. I have a trek dealer just 3 miles away from me, and I can’t wait to hear what they have to say about the new bikes?
By the way, what Madone do you like most from the 2008 line? Geez, I love the blue color on the 5.2 Pro, and the Pearl White on the Performance 6.9.
Most of the cycling apparel I have is blue, and I feel hesistant to go out of the right colors…
How soon will the madones hit Project One?
The new Madones will hit project one January 1. I like the white on the 6.9 performance, but the orange on the 6.9 pro is pretty sexy as well. I actually like the black on the 6.5. I am looking forward to trying out paint schemes once they do hit Project One. I will probably go for the 6.5.
Dang, Jan 1 is way too long!
Just rode the new bikes today at a Trek Demo event in Los Gatos Calif. They had 5.2’s which are black carbon. Basically they are saying Red = old OCLV 55 or something like it - ie high modulus military spec carbon: Black = old 110 OCLV and White = old OCLV 120. The red carbon frames should be avail around september. The layup and construction process has changed somewhat so hence the change in naming convention. The bike was very impressive - much superior to my old Trek 5500 which is 5 yrs old. I am putting a deposit down for a 6.5/ 6.9 (the difference here is in wheels and some components). Apparently Discovery is riding on black frames in the tour as the red is not yet ready.
I have the Madone 6.9 Pro Model. I am heading over to France to ride stage 16 the day before the pros ride the stage.
The 6.9 I have has the Discovery Channel Pro Team paint design. It’s a combo black/white with a few blue highlights. It looks fast sitting still.
I had a chance to ride with Goerge Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer in Spain a little while back before they left for the Dauphine and they both were looking in top shape. The training bike Trek sent to George had Ultegra componants. He told me they had to be the only team on the tour riding Ultegras. I am sure they are riding Dura Ace for the tour.
If you get a chance to get the bike, do it. It rides like a dream.
First off I hate you. I so desperately wanted to find one quickly. It is looking like I will end up waiting until they hit project one in January.
I would love to see pictures. If you get time and wouldn’t mind take some while you are at the tour.
That is awesome that you got to ride with George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer. I am not sure what cycling gods have smiled upon you, but congratulations on the new bike.
Your prices are high, I just ordered a 6.9 Performance Fit from my local shop for $6,999. Double check pricing before you order. Don’t be jealous of Adam Austin because the guy is yankin’ your chain. The Red High Modulus carbon that they’re using for the 6.5 and the 6.9 bikes is not even available yet and the tour riders are actually riding the 5.2 Pro models that have been painted up for Team Discovery. According to our Trek Rep, the manufacturing of the 2008 6.5 and 6.9 Madone’s won’t even begin until mid-August. The Black frames are the same throughout, pricing only differing for componentry. The same goes for the Red frames. As for his claim that he rode with Leipheimer and Hincapie, well…………….
One more thing, as of this week, all 6.9 models are on backorder so I may be looking at early October for my 6.9 Performance Fit. I rode the 5.2 and it was enough to sell me on the 6.9 Rocket Ship. I can’t wait to ride this dream bike. My 2006 SSL will be jealous but oh well……
Thanks for the heads up. I guess I should watch a bit more carefully - his blog seemed legit. I am hoping to find somewhere to test ride either a 5.2 or a 5.5 as well. I couple of the shops in the area (within 100 miles) managed to get some. I am not sure if they will still have them or not.
You are right about the prices being high. The prices were from a Trek store and I am pretty sure they are full retail. I bet you can get a better deal if you talk to the right person.
I had heard that Team Discovery was on 5.2 models that were painted with the Team Discovery scheme. It just goes to show you how good these bikes are. If the low end is good enough for the tour imagine what the high end is going to be like.
When I first talked to people about ordering a 6.9 they told me it would be at least September so I am not surprised to see the October time frame come up. By October riding here is winding down so I might have to wait until next spring to put in my order.
In the mean time my brand new Santa Cruz Blur XC will have to keep me company. I am finding great joy in the mountains around Cache Valley.
I’m good friends with the owner of a shop that deals Trek’s here in Tucson and he has a 5.2 on demo that I rode. I only rode it for about 4 miles with standard pedals in my running shoes and I couldn’t believe the ride. They say that the new seatpost design allows .6 inches of travel and when you ride it down a rough road, you don’t even feel the bumps.
I am a big guy (6′3″, 200 lbs.) and I was blown away by the ride quality. In addition to my SSL, I have a Specialized Tarmac SL that also rides like a dream. Needless to say, I would have to put the quality of ride on the 5.2 with Ultegra above my SL which costs nearly twice as much. I can only imagine how sweet the 6.9 will be.
I looked in the spec books for the Madone and the MSRP’s were listed in them. The suggested retail for the 6.9 Performance Fit was $6,999 and the Pro Fit was $7,499. The only difference of course is the 30mm longer head tube on the Performance fit and the Aeolus wheelset on the Pro. To tell you the truth, I think the new XXXLite wheels with the white spokes look sweeter than the Aeolus Wheels…….
Bummer your road season ends about the time you could be taking delivery on your 6.9, that’s what’s nice about Tucson…. Year round road racing.
I was just GIVEN a new 2008 Madone 6.5 for pastor appreciation month by my congregation. WOW, was I blown away! I don’t actually have the bike yet, but it’s paid for, and ordered from Trek. Hope it doesn’t take too long to get here! I can’t wait to ride it.
Enjoy that heavenly ride!!!
I now have my 2008 Trek Madone 6.5 and I have ridden it! It is so light that it is utterly amazing. My initial sense is that I can do 20-21 mph on this bike with the same effort as it take to do 17-18 on my Giant OCR1. My second impression was that despite being light it is stiff and responsive. When I wanted to accelerate it TOOK OFF! I descened at 48 mph. and didn’t feel a wobble of any kind, and I’m a big guy. Finally, I couldn’t believe how smooth the ride was. This bike doesn’t transmit even a fraction of the road vibration my aluminum frame does. Riding on chip seal was like riding on new pavement. My only complaint is with the Bontrager Race Lite X saddle, which has no cut out. Otherwise, it’s as perfect a ride as I can imagine!! If you’re contemplating a new Trek Madone, wait no longer. GO FOR IT!
My local shop finally managed to get a couple of Madones. The top end they have is a 5.5, but they are thinking that a 6.5 is on the way. It is winter here and quite cold but I might persuade them to let me ride one anyway. These are amazing bikes. I am looking forward to seeing what they do on Project One. The new Madones are supposed to be up there on January 1.
I orderd a new Madone 6.9 on Nov. 16th and my local dealer told me that delivery should be in early February. Well Santa must have been in town, because my new rocket arrived on Saturday 3 days before Christmas. I haven’t been able to ride it yet due to heavy rains in the northeast. Finally this morning the weather is clearing, and I’m going to have the opportunity to ride it on Chritmas morning. I can’t help but feel like a kid again. Santa is alive and well. Merry Christmas!
I must have gotten so excited that I forgot to mention the price. The 2008 Madone 6.9 PERFORMANCE FIT was $6,499.99, white spokes included.
Where did you get it for that price?
I have an update for the comment I left.
The team issue Madone I recieved for the Discovery Documentary I participated in was in fact a 5.2. They put a 6.9 decal on the frame just like the Discovery Team bikes at the Tour.
Either way, the bike is a dream.
Congrats on being in the documentary and on the bike. Needless to say I am jealous.