Trek has officially unveiled the 2013 Madone race bike with improvements to aerodynamics, weight and stiffness. They’ve also brought the Domane endurance road bike in at lower price points, and 2-series alloy models are available for both bikes.
For the 2013 Madone, the new bike is available in 5, 6 and 7-series OCLV carbon, with the top of the line model claiming to save 25 watts over the prior model at 40kph in a 10° crosswind (distance not specified). In addition to the aero improvements, it drops the frame weight down to 750g (7-series) and cuts almost 200g from the frame and fork without diminishing ride quality or stiffness. Frame weight alone goes from 915g to 750g, a 165g savings. There’s also a new sub-5g “U5 Vapor Coat” finish that uses no decals and minimal paint.
The frame has been reshaped with different Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) tube profiles, which Trek says gives them the aero advantages they want while also improving vertical compliance over the prior model by 25%. Predictably, there’s no diminishment in lateral stiffness. The KVF shaping goes on the fork as well, and it uses a forward sweeping design like the Domane to give it better fore/aft flex to eat bumps, but is supposedly as stiff as ever.
The frame is now available in two fits, their performance oriented H2 and a new super-pro H1. H2 will suit most riders and uses a slightly taller headtube to get the rider in a fast but comfortable position while still allowing that “pro” look of a flat stem with minimal spacers. The new H1 fit has a slightly lower headtube and is for “with extraordinary range of pelvic rotation, superior core stability, and the desire to get low and aero.”
The new Madone carries over the BB90 bottom bracket, integrated seatmast and E2 asymmetric steerer tube (wider left to right, narrower front to back on the part hidden by the head tube, this keeps steering stiff while letting it flex fore/aft a bit more to soak up chatter). It’s fully Di2 ready, gets their integrated chain catcher like the Domane and has the DuoTrap ANT+ speed/cadence sensor built into the non-drive chainstay.
The 5-, 6- and 7-series carbon Madones all use Shimano’s new 2-bolt mounted aero brakes. The front is somewhat integrated into the fork, and the rear brake goes under the bottom bracket. Lower level bikes use standard calipers in their usual locations.
Impressively, the 2-series alloy Madone gets the same general KVF aerodynamic frame shaping as the carbon ones, just without the integrated brakes and lower spec levels. WSD (Women Specific Design) models are available throughout the range.
2013 TREK DOMANE
Introduced earlier this year at the 6-Series level, the Domane uses a flexing seat tube joined through a pivot point at the top tube. The built in flex gives the bike a considerable amount of bump compliance (we have one in on review), and now Trek’s cobble monster makes its way down to the 4- and 5-series carbon frames and 2-series alloy frames. WSD models are available in all 4-, 5- and 6-series levels.
And the Aluminum (!) Madones and Domanes:
