Differences Between the Trek Madone 6.9 and 6.5

June 11th, 2007 by Justin Ball

In my hour of pain as I lament the fact that I will have to wait until September to get a new Madone I have been doing some investigating.

As per my previous post on Madone pricing information the 6.9 is $7700 while the 6.5 is $5830. That is a $1870 difference. What makes the difference?

Here are the specs on both bikes from the Madone Lineup:

2008 Trek Madonne Comparison
	6.5	6.9

Colors	Onyx Carbon/Dark Silver	Pearl White
Frame	OCLV Red Series Carbon	OCLV Red Series Carbon
Fork	Bontrager Race XXX Lite w/E2 steerer; full carbon	Bontrager Race XXX Lite w/E2 steerer; full carbon
Wheels	Bontrager Race X Lite	Bontrager Race XXX Lite, carbon
Tires	Bontrager Race X Lite Pro, 700x23c, folding	Bontrager Race X Lite Pro, 700x23c, folding
Shifters	Shimano Dura-Ace STI, 10 speed	Shimano Dura-Ace STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur	Shimano Dura-Ace	Shimano Dura-Ace
Rear Derailleur	Shimano Dura-Ace	Shimano Dura-Ace
Crank	Bontrager Race X Lite 50/34	Bontrager Race X Lite 50/34
Cassette	SRAM OpenGlide 1090 11-26, 10 speed	SRAM OpenGlide 1090 11-26, 10 speed
Saddle	Bontrager Race X Lite	Bontrager Race X Lite
Seatpost	Carbon seat mast cap	Carbon seat mast cap
Stem	Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon, 7 degree, 31.8mm	Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Handlebars	Bontrager Race X Lite Blade Carbon, 31.8mm	Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR, 31.8mm
Headset	Cane Creek IS-8 Integrated w/cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy; 1 1/8" top, 1.5" bottom	Cane Creek IS-8 Integrated w/cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy; 1 1/8" top, 1.5" bottom
Brakeset	Shimano Dura-Ace w/Shimano Dura-Ace STI levers	Shimano Dura-Ace w/Shimano Dura-Ace STI levers

I highlighted the differences above. There are three, paint, wheels and handlebars. On the Bontrager website the Race XXX Lite Carbon Clinchers sell for $1,999.99 while the Race X Lite wheels (ti version) sell for $899.99. That makes $1100. The Race XXX Lite VR bars run $399.99 while the Race X Lite bars run $279.99 which makes for a difference of $120.

That totals $1220. I am assuming that the components are those currently listed on the Bontrager website. Maybe they changed the wheels or something but using my current math and assumptions, the Pearl paint job on the 6.9 must run somewhere around $650. Either that or the frames are different.

I am curious to know where the money goes.

Tags: 2008 Trek Madone · Cycling1 Comment