Trek has released the new Madone SLR 9 AXS 1x Gen 8, its lightest-ever Madone with disc brakes, at 6.4kg.
Trek says its new bike is “so light it’s illegal”, weighing 400g less than the UCI’s minimum limit with a medium/large frame. Trek says fitting the Madone with pedals, Trek’s RSL aero bottles and cages, and a computer mount will still leave it under the weight limit.
Of course, the UCI’s rules only apply to professional racing, so nobody who purchases the £10,000 bike will have to report to cycling’s governing body. But marketing spiel aside, the new Madone will likely appeal to weight weenies and those who like the reactive feel of climbing bikes.
How is it so light?
Trek released the eighth-generation Madone last year and killed off the Émonda in the process. It said the new Madone was a “fusion of its fastest road race bikes”, being as aero as the outgoing Madone and as light as the Émonda.
The Madone SLR 9 AXS 1x Gen 8 takes that concept one step further. Trek has specced the bike with a weight-saving SRAM Red 1x12 drivetrain, carbon wheels and TPU tubes.
This is the first time the Madone has been available with a 1x drivetrain, and it eliminates the extra weight of a front derailleur and second chainring, while simplifying shifting and offering an aerodynamic advantage.
The Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheelset has shallow 37mm-deep rims and a claimed weight of 1,325g.
The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero RS tyres and Pirelli’s TPU inner tubes, which can be lighter than conventional butyl tubes and tubeless setups, once you factor in sealant, rim tape and tubeless valves.
Available through Trek’s Project One custom programme, the bike comes with the option of four colours. The lightest is ‘matt deep smoke’. The programme also enables you to upgrade to SRAM’s Red XPLR AXS 1x13 drivetrain.
The same frame
For context, this new lightweight bike is 600g lighter than the Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8, which has a 2x SRAM Red drivetrain and deeper Bontrager Aelous RSL 51 wheels set up tubeless. However, the two bikes still use the same frame.
Made from Trek’s 900 Series OCLV Carbon, the frame is said to be lighter and up to 20 per cent stronger than the previous 800 series layup.
A painted Madone SLR frame in a size-medium/large is said to weigh 796g, while the one-piece fork adds 350g. Trek says this is 320g lighter than the previous, seventh-generation Madone.
