Review: New Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS | It doesn’t get more exotic
The core of it’s mission: light, aero and comfort
Trek’s first generation Madone arrived on the scene in 2003. Named after the majestic 925m Col de la Madone climb in France, for it’s first 10 years, the Madone was the brand’s all-out race bike. Then, around 2013 Trek introduced the Emonda as their ‘climbing’ bike and began adding aero elements to the Madone.
Fast forward to 2016 and the Madone had gone full aero. Riders now had the choice of the rounder tube shaped Emonda for climbing terrain, or the deeper, more aero tube shaped (and slightly heavier) Madone as the ‘fast’ bike for flatter terrain. Now, mid-2024, Trek has launched their eighth-generation Madone, returning to it’s roots as a do-it-all race bike.
The tech, the ride and buying advice
The Bike
The new Gen 8 Madone is available in two framesets that share size curves and geometry. The premium SLR model uses a higher grade carbon achieving a frame and fork weight of 1146 grams. The wallet-friendlier SL model, is 271 grams heavier at 1471 grams for a size M/L. Trek says, with it’s one-piece cockpit and sleek water bottles the new bike is as aero as the Gen 7 Madone, but 320grams lighter.
Key to achieving the weight targets is a new higher grade of carbon, a refined construction process and slimmed down tube shapes. I’m told the new 900 Series Carbon is 20% stronger than the 800 Series and so less material is needed in the frame. Incidentally, the new Madone very nearly equals the weight (like within 40 grams) of the feathery Emonda SLR.
Details
| FRAME | 900 Series Carbon, IsoFlow Seat tube, 32mm Tyre Clearance |
| FORK | One-piece Carbon construct |
| WHEELS | Aeolus RSL 51 (1400g) |
| TYRES | Aeolus RSL Tubeless |
| GROUPSET | SRAM Red AXS |
| CRANKSET | SRAM Red, 170mm, 48/35T |
| CASSETTE | SRAM Red 10-33T |
| COCKPIT | Trek Aero RSL, 42cm drop width and 90mm stem |
| SADDLE | Aeolus RSL carbon rails |
| ROTORS | 160mm front and rear |
| WEIGHT | 7.2kg (actual) – size Medium, tubeless, no pedals |
| SIZING | XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL |
| RETAIL | R336k |
| MORE | trekbikes.com |
The hole in the seat tube, known as IsoFlow, performs two functions. It boosts aerodynamics by providing an easy exit for the slow moving pocket of air behind the rider’s legs. IsoFlow also adds comfort to the ride, with a small amount of vertical compliance. Trek says the updated IsoFlow system is ‘up to 80% more vertically compliant’ than the previous model Madone and ‘24% more complaint than the Emonda.’
To save weight, the one-piece fork is sleek and shallower in shape. The downtube is far more round than you’d expect on a modern race bike and the stays are still aero looking, just a lot slimmer. In fact, compared to the Gen 7 Madone, just about all the tubing is more compact and shallow in shape.
The thinking behind the redesign is simply to maximize aerodynamics and minimize frame weight. I say ‘thinking’ but let’s be clear, it’s a data driven process. Trek says, “The Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) process helps determine which areas of the bike get the aerodynamic focus and which areas have more of a structural focus.”
From the fork, downtube, water bottles, seat tube and through the stays each leading edge is unique in shape to create a more holistic system of aero. Available as an aftermarket purchase, the SLR 9 model we tested is sold with Trek’s new Aero Bottles and Cages. Rectangular in shape and mounted low in the frame, they act as a fairing of sorts and are “3.7 watts faster at 45 kph”.
All models of the new Madone have a rider weight limit of 125kg and Trek says the seat tube design is ‘very very strong.’ Although there are now only six frame sizes in the lineup, Trek has two seat mast lengths available, which broadens the range of fit, per frame size.
Tyre clearance has been bumped up to an official 32mm — trust me, there’s plenty of real estate to go significantly wider than that. The SLR model is best bought through the brand’s Project One customization program which means that riders can order specific items like shorter cranks, different bar/stem combinations, wheels, saddles, drivetrains and colours.
Courtesy of the Universal Derailleur Hanger design, the new Madone will be compatible with SRAM’s recently released, 1×13 drivetrain. Make no mistake, this is a road race bike, but ode to the bigger tyre clearance and 1x compatibility, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it ridden as an ‘All-Road’ setup too.
The new aero bars are available in 21 sizes. With a slightly rounder and chunky shape to the tops, they also have a 3cm flare between the hoods and drops. Fittingly, the geometry has been renamed as Race Geo. Drilling into the numbers on the geometry chart shows there’s very little variance from the previous H1.5 Geometry. It seems to be mostly a name change. Throughout the size curve, the Madone now has size-specific tube shapes to optimize weight savings.
The build kit on our test bike was rounded off with the SRAM Red groupset with a 48/35 chainring and 12-speed, 10-33T cassette. Finally a 1400 gram set of Aeolus RSL 51 wheels and the new Aeolus RSL tyres complete the super-bling, super bike.
Ride Impressions
Gagging to experience the new Madone, I’ve not stopped bugging the local Trek HQ for a test bike. On availability, they obliged, with the mindbogglingly pricey SLR 9 AXS model, in Interstellar colourway. It’s not lost on me that this range-topping model is priced for the opulent, it is also the most beautiful bike I have ever seen.
Most of my test riding was on the Atlantic Seaboard side of the Cape Peninsula. There’s a mix of smooth and rougher tarmac, rolling and punchy climbs — including a section of 12% gradient. Don’t forget the epic downhills, insane views and almost always a little wind. Crucially, it’s roads I’ve been riding for decades and I have a good feel of what’s fast, what’s not and how bumpy the roads are.
So what of it’s performance? Well, compared to my personal bike, a Rival AXS Emonda that is 1.5kg heavier, this Gen 8 Madone feels a lot faster on the flats, and it’s easier to hold the speed. Accelerations are definitely less taxing — the Madone responds instantly when jumping on the gas out of corners, from inside a bunch or rolling from standstill.
On rolling climbs, I felt like I was marginally faster than my Emonda but when things got steep, it does feel like it’s easier to keep the cadence and tempo on the Madone – there’s just less effort required. I generally have a distaste for one/piece bars but, by my third ride I was totally digging this one, it’s solid, comfy and feels very stiff. Best of all, the tops have less of a sharp edge to them and they are angled slightly rearward which creates a very natural and easy angle, on your wrists.
Regarding the general stiffness and efficiency of the bike, you’ll definitely feel the BB area is solid and efficient. Some of that feel is from the carbon cranks, some from the tube shapes and I guess some from the 900 Series Carbon. As for the vertical compliance of the Isoflow, look there’s many factors at play here and I couldn’t say for real if it’s more compliant than my Emonda, but, one thing is for sure be it the saddle, the frame or the tyres, this Madone I tested is very comfortable, especially on long seated climbs.
So, since it’s a bike that replaces Trek’s Emonda and the Gen 7 Madone, something a lot of riders are curious about is whether it rides like a light aero bike or more of an aero climbing bike? The answer? I felt it most definitely rides like a light aero bike – and that’s probably due in part to the deep section wheels and the one-piece aero bar on this model.
Now, there’s been much talk of the aero bottles. I actually love them. They slide in and out quite easily and they’re honestly not traumatic to live with. I figure if you are paying for them you may as well use them on every ride and enjoy the sleek look and slight aero advantage they offer.
It’s a race bike and when you ride, you just want to attack! Really, this bike just wants to go flatbox! The long Red hoods and redesigned bar also make it very easy to settle into an aero position and stomp. As for the performance of the build kit, the Aelous RSL 51 wheels are incredibly fast and a little less catchy in gusts, than what I expected.
Takeout
Three weeks of riding is enough for me to draw a definite conclusion on Trek’s new Madone. There isn’t a single thing that irritated me or that I’d like to change. As an all-out race bike it’s easy to ride, naturally fast, responsive and more comfortable than expected. Bloody brilliant I say.
