For years now, the UCI has set the minimum weight limit for pro road bikes used in sanctioned events at 6.8kg or 14.99lbs. Their reasoning? At the time the rule was introduced, there was concern that building a race bike lighter than that arbitrary weight limit would render it potentially unsafe for competition. Since then, there has been talk about updating the rule, but for now, pros cannot enter a race with a bike under 6.8kg.
But you’re not a pro. And if you’re not riding in a UCI-sanctioned event, you can build a bike under the UCI weight limit – or just buy one off the shelf, like the newest Trek Madone build.
The latest Trek Madone Gen 8 configuration with their 900 series OCLV carbon claims to weigh less than the UCI minimum, even with bottle cages, pedals, and a computer mount.
To get there, this is the first time that Trek has offered a SRAM 1x build on the Madone platform, with options of an ultralight 1×12 SRAM RED AXS drivetrain, or the 1×13 XPLR drivetrain (the 1×12 option is the lighter of the two).
Lighter Aeolus RSL 37 carbon wheels are wrapped with Pirelli P-Zero RS tires and Pirelli SmartTube TPU tubes to shave weight, and the bike can be finished in the optional Matte Deep Smoke colorway for an even lighter build.
The complete build is said to weigh in at 6.4kg (14.11lbs) for a ML, and pricing starts at $12,999.99. For comparison, the same bike with a 2×12 drivetrain and deeper wheels weighs in at 7kg (15.44lbs), and pricing starts about $500 higher.
Available now at select Trek retailers and online at Trekbikes.com, you can also customize your ride on Trek’s ProjectOne configurator.
