Trek killed the Émonda with the eighth-generation Madone, combining its lightweight climbing bike and dedicated aero platform to create what the brand claims is a “shattering” road racing bike.
“A fusion of its fastest road racing bikes,” the new Madone aims to be as aerodynamic as the outgoing seventh-generation Madone and as light as the Émonda.
Trek introduced its new top-of-the-line OCLV 900 layup with the new Madone. Using new manufacturing techniques, it is said to be up to 20% stronger than the outgoing 800 Series layup and lighter. This and a new one-piece fork save 320g compared to the seventh generation Madone.
The Émonda name will live on as the Émonda ALR alloy road bike, but will no longer feature in Trek’s premium road bike lineup.
Foil System Foil is the future
Trek has developed a suite of tube shapes for the new Madone, removing its long-standing Kammtail shapes in favor of what it calls Full System Foil.
Compared to the outgoing Madone, most of the tubes are wider and stubbier. Trek claims these are structurally more efficient (lighter) than the Kammtail tubes.
Trek says the bike is designed to optimize airflow across the entire bike and rider, rather than optimizing individual areas of the bike.
XS and S size bikes have thinner tubes than larger size bikes. Trek claims this reduces weight on smaller bikes and maintains consistent aerodynamic performance across the size range.
Trek has developed new aero bottles and matching cages for the Madone.
Trek claims these save 3.7 watts at 28 mph compared to a standard round bottle of the same capacity and are faster than running no bottle at all. The cages work with standard round bottles.
The new bottles come stock with SLR level bikes and are available on the aftermarket.
Compared to a previous-generation Madone with round bottles and a largely comparable construction, the new Madone with aerodynamic bottles is said to be 0.1 watts faster to 35.4 km/h – or, in other words, about the same.
As expected, the difference is more marked when comparing the new Madone to the Émonda, with a claimed saving of 11.3 watts at the same speed.
New layup reduces weight
Trek’s new 900 OCLV stacking technology, used on SLR-level bikes, uses an inflatable chuck – the shape around which the frame is laid – during manufacturing.
This improves compaction, removing excess resin and reducing wrinkles inside the tubes.
Thanks to this new manufacturing technique, an SLR level M/L size painted frame would weigh 796g and the fork 350g.
This is a claimed saving of 320g over the seventh generation Madone, but it is quite a bit heavier than a top-end OCLV 800 Émonda SLR frame of the same size (claimed 698g).
Comparing similar complete configurations equipped with Red AXS, the new Madone SLR 9 AXS would weigh 7.00 kg and the previous Émonda SLR 9 AXS 6.75 kg.
The SL-level Madone uses Trek’s OCLV 500 layup. The claimed weight is 1,054g for the frame and 363g for the fork.
The top-of-the-line SLR bikes also feature the new one-piece Aero RSL cockpit, while the SL features the conventional two-piece cockpit.
The SL is also compatible with mechanical transmissions.
IsoFlow remains
Launched on the seventh-generation Madone, Trek has retained its signature IsoFlow system for the bike.
This hole in the seat tube allows the seat mast to flex and is supposed to improve aerodynamic performance.
The second incarnation of IsoFlow has been slightly refined and the aerodynamic shape refined to reduce weight and improve performance.
This, combined with new layering techniques – which allowed Trek to remove the foam core used on the original incarnation of IsoFlow – is said to improve vertical compliance by 80%.
Reduced size range covers more riders
The Madone size range has been reduced from eight to six sizes. Trek says this new line covers a wider range of riders with less overlap between sizes.
Trek has also ditched digital sizes in favor of T-shirt type sizes.
The sizes 54 and 52 cm have been combined in the new size M bike. The previous 62 cm bike is now covered by the size XL bike, which has an extended seat mast.
On the other end, increased seatmast adjustability expands the size range to even smaller riders, according to Trek.
Trek previously offered its bikes in H1 (pro/aggressive) and H2 (comfort/endurance) fit options.
This division was eliminated with the 2021 Trek Émonda, introducing its versatile H1.5 fit.
With the new Madone, Trek has completely abandoned its “H” naming conventions, now describing its versatile geometry as “Road Race.”
The geometry of the seventh and eighth generation Madone is similar: the range is slightly reduced in most sizes and the stack has increased, but only by a few millimeters in both cases.
New Trek Madone geometry chart
A slower cockpit?
Trek claims its updated RSL Aero cockpit is less aerodynamic than the seventh-generation Madone cockpit. However, the way it interacts with the rider’s legs results in a more aerodynamic system overall.
The original cockpits are 41 cm wide at the cowls and widen to 44 cm at the companionways.
While not based on percentage of sales, Trek says the majority of Madone SLR orders are placed through its Project One program.
It offers full customization options including paint, group choice and, most importantly, contact points.
Trek claims this avoids the common pitfalls of one-piece cockpits, with the majority of consumers choosing theirs accordingly.
UDH, universal helmet parts and T47
Trek has introduced a new universal headset spacer and top cap system, common to the new Madone line and “future Trek road bikes.” The exact setup you choose will depend on your stem or one-piece cockpit:
- RCS Race: RSL Aero Handlebar/Stem (included with Madone SLR Gen 8)
- RCS Pro: RCS Pro Blendr stem (included with Madone SL Gen 8)
- RCS Universal: traditional round stems
The new Madone is also built around SRAM’s UDH system, opening up compatibility to what appears to be a UDH-specific 1x version of the brand’s high-end road bike groupset.
Finally, there are no changes from the T47 bottom bracket, as used for several generations of Trek road bikes.
The Trek Madone SL 2025 range in brief
The SLR and SL ranges include four bikes each, with frames available at both levels.
Prices start at £4,250 / $3,499.99 / €3,499 / AU$4,499.99 for the Madone SL 5 equipped with a 105 mechanical 12-speed mech, up to £13,999 / $13,499.99 / €16,399 / AU$19,999.99 for the Madone SLR 9 AXS equipped with SRAM Red-AXS.
The SL and SLR bikes are available through Trek’s Project One customization program.
Those with pockets the size of a solar system can opt for the Project One bike with ‘Interstellar’ finish at £14,700 / $16,999.99 / €16,399 / AU$ N/A.
All bikes come with 28mm wide tires and clearance for 32mm tires.
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News Source : www.bikeradar.com
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