Trek has announced the latest version of the Madone SLR, the brand’s flagship aero road bikewhich was Spotted for the first time at the Critérium du Dauphiné of 2022†
While the new Madone SLR retains a similar side profile to the the highly rated previous versionit is said to be “the lightest and fastest Madone Disc ever”.
In total, this seventh-generation Madone SLR would be 300 grams lighter and “60 seconds faster per hour” than the previous model.
Trek attributes this to a range of redesigned tube shapes, a radical reinvention of the connection between the seat tube and top tube, and a new integrated handlebar, said to promote a “more aerodynamic riding position.”
IsoFlow
The kite-shaped hole in the seat tube, which Trek calls ‘IsoFlow’, replaces the IsoSpeed ’decoupler’ system. This was present on the platform since it went all in on aero with the Madone 9 Series in 2015.
Trek claims IsoFlow allows the new Madone SLR to match the compliance of the previous IsoSpeed system at its stiffest setting. It is also said to improve the aerodynamic performance of the frame by “about 3 watts” and save weight.
IsoFlow is said to improve the aerodynamic performance of the frame by accelerating airflow through the hole while riding. This would reduce the effect of the lagging low pressure zone behind the bike and rider, reducing your overall drag.
This change would be the result of feedback from the sponsored pro riders, such as: Mads Pedersen and Ellen van Dijk from World tour team, Trek-Segafredo, who simply requested that the new Madone “make it faster and lighter, as always”.
While IsoFlow doesn’t have the adjustability of the IsoSpeed system, Trek says most riders treat IsoSpeed as a “set and forget” system — set it to a level of desired compliance and then leave it alone.
Trek also acknowledged that its pro riders questioned the system’s performance benefits and whether they outweighed the added weight and complexity.
Naturally, Trek believes that IsoFlow combines the best of all possible worlds, being lighter and more aerodynamic than IsoSpeed, but without compromising on comfort.
Lighter and faster than ever
“Overall, the new Madone SLR is about 60 seconds per hour faster, including the rider,” said John Davies, aerodynamicist at Trek.
“A ride that used to take you an hour now only takes you 59 minutes.”
In terms of wattage, Davies says the new Madone SLR and its rider are 19 watts aerodynamically more efficient at 45 kph.
Davies insists, however, “You get that gain no matter how fast you drive.” Even at 35 km/h, Davies claims you’ll still see a 59-second improvement, and at 25 km/h, the improvement is calculated to be 58 seconds.
It is also claimed that the new Madone SLR is 300 grams lighter for a complete bike.
In terms of frameset weights, Jordan Roessingh, Trek’s road bike director, says the new Madone SLR weighs “just 1000 grams for the frame and just over 400 grams for the fork.”
This translates into complete bicycle weights from 7.21 kg, for a 56 cm bicycle built with Shimano Dura Ace Di2 R9270or 7.36 kg with SRAM Red eTap AXS†
While the Emonda SLR camera is still Trek’s lightest road bike platform at around 400 grams, says Roessingh, “from our perspective, the Madone is almost always the fastest bike for any type of racing situation, regardless of the terrain.”
This is because “the aerodynamic advantage” [of the Madone] is dramatic”, and almost always enough to overcome the difference in mass.
Trek says three changes have allowed it to make such substantial improvements; updated truncated wing (or ‘Kammtail virtual foils‘, as Trek calls them) tube profiles, the aforementioned IsoFlow technology and a new integrated steering system.
Narrow handlebars are now mainstream
The new handlebars would account for about half of the weight and watts saved.
Trek says 150g and 9.3 watts of aero resistance are saved by the updated frame tubes and IsoFlow, with the rest coming from weight savings in the cockpit and improvements to “rider positioning” as a result of the new handlebar geometry.
Trek says it has cut 150g from the Madone SLR’s front end by moving to a fully integrated system and an overall slimming down of the tube profiles, but the main driver behind the claimed aero improvement is a narrowing of the handlebars by 3 cm at the brake caps position.
A 42cm Madone integrated handlebar is now 39cm wide, center-to-center at the brake cap position, and 42cm wide, center-to-center at the drops.
narrow handlebar are a trend we’ve seen more often at the pointy end of the sport as riders look for a competitive edge, so it’s no surprise a major brand took notice.
Having a flared bar, with a wider hand position at the drops and a narrower position at the brake caps, can aerodynamically efficient position up top for cruising on the flat, in addition to greater leverage and drop control for sprinting and descending.
2023 Trek Madone SLR Geometry
Trek has simplified the fit system for the new Madone SLR, featuring the same H1.5 geometry found on the 2021 Emonda†
H1.5 is “halfway between the previous H1 and H2 fits,” Trek says, which is essentially a compromise between the super aggressive, long and low, ‘pro’ H1 fit and the more relaxed, H2 fit.
There are eight sizes in the Madone SLR range, from 47 to 62 cm. The new integrated handlebar is available in 11 sizes, with stem lengths from 80 to 120 mm and handlebar widths from 38 cm to 44 cm (not every combination of stem length and handlebar width is available).
In addition to reducing the position of the new handlebars’ brake caps, Trek says it has also reduced reach by 20mm (to 80mm) compared to the previous Madone SLR handlebar.
This brings it more in line with send away from other brands, which typically offer a range of about 60 to 80 mm.
Trek also says it’s possible to swap out the integrated bar for a standard 1-1/8-inch stem, allowing a rider to use almost any stem and handlebar combination they want.
2023 Trek Madone SLR build specs, pricing and availability
The 2023 Trek Madone SLR is now available for pre-order in six different builds (with five paintjob options for each build), all with Shimano or SRAM electronic groups†
Prices for complete builds start at £6,850 / €7,699 / $7,999.99 / AU$11,399.99 for the Madone SLR 6 and rise to £13,800 / €14,999 / $13,199.99 / AU$17,999.99 for the Madone SLR 9 eTap.
Framesets are available separately, but Trek has not yet confirmed how much they will cost.
As things stand, delivery dates for pre-ordered bikes are unclear as Trek says “the supply chain remains a major challenge”.
The new Madone SLR is no longer compatible with mechanical groupset, but Trek continues to use a threaded T47 bottom bracket†
All builds come with Bontrager Aeolus Wheels and Bontrager clincher tires. Standard bikes come with 700 x 25c tires, with the Madone SLR officially having clearance for tires up to 700 x 28c (although Trek unofficially suggests there is room for some more).
Trek says the existing Madone SL drive remains in the catalog for now and offers a cheaper entry into the Madone range.
Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap
- Price: £13,800 / €14,999 / $13.199 / AU$17,999.99
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: SRAM Red eTap AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51
- Ties: Bontrager R3 Hard Case Lite, 700 x 25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus RSL
- Claimed weight: 7.36 kg
Trek Madone SLR 9
- Price: £12,700 / €13,999 / $12,749.99 / AU$17,399.99
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: Shimano Dura Ace Di2 R9270
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51
- Ties: Bontrager R4 320, 700x25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus RSL
- Claimed weight: 7.21 kg
Trek Madone SLR 7 eTap
- Price: £9,600 / €10,799 / $9,699.99 / AU$13,699.99
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: SRAM Force eTap AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
- Ties: Bontrager R3 Hard Case Lite, 700 x 25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Elite
- Claimed weight: 7.76 kg
Trek Madone SLR 7
- Price: £9,150 / €10,299 / $9,049.99 / AU$12,799.99
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
- Ties: Bontrager R3 Hard Case Lite, 700 x 25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Elite
- Claimed weight: 7.48kg
Trek Madone SLR 6 eTap
- Price: £7,450 / €8,399 / $8,399.99 / AU$11,999.99
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: SRAM Rival eTap AXS
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
- Ties: Bontrager R3 Hard Case Lite, 700 x 25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Elite
- Claimed weight: 8.03kg
Trek Madone SLR 6
- Price: £6,850 / €7,699 / $7,999.99 / AU$11,399
- Frame set: Trek Madone SLR, 800 Series OCLV Carbon
- Drive: Shimano 105 Di2 R7170
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
- Ties: Bontrager R3 Hard Case Lite, 700 x 25c
- Seatpost: Madone aero carbon
- Send: Madone Integrated Handlebar, OCLV Carbon
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Elite
- Claimed weight: 7.75kg