Oh my…that black and red one. Tres sexy.
Since it’s not a redesign I figured the updates would apply to the SL frame as well. My thought was the same tooling is used for both frames. I don’t make bikes so that was just a wild assumption.
The “updates” are purely in the SLR since it gets the new 800 carbon. There as no external frame design changes. It’s a pure carryover from the prior models.
The SL models are still 500 carbon and essentially unchanged other than color and possible spec changes (I have not had a chance to dig into the details).
This whole thing really is more of a “refresh” since so much remains the same.
That’s where the confusion I have is. If the same tooling is used for both frames and they just updated the tooling for the T47 BB then why not update the SL frame as well?
No complaints, more curiosity from a manufacturing standpoint.
I wouldn’t think they’d make new tooling for what is the third year of this style Madone as well. That’s a lot of cost to get back for the engineering I do daily at least.
Great question, and one that I can only speculate… cost, related to processing.
- There is a pure difference in doing the plastic BB90 cups vs the metal T47 cups. Could be they are only adding the T47 on the higher end models.
- Additionally, there may be processing differences between the 500 & 800 series carbon that mean it is “easier” to incorporate the T47 for the SLR models.
All guess and could be entirely wrong. It is sure an interesting line they are cutting between the models. I had hoped for wider T47 adoption, but still have optimism that Trek is headed that direction for all future “new” models.
Is there a Madone Speed refresh?
Never mind just checked - seems they’ve discontinued the trek Madone speed. DAMMIT
Project one is only for the SLR models - I wanted a SL6 or SL7 with the added aero bars
- The SL models come with a regular stem and round-center handle bar, that will work fine with just about any clip-on aerobar setup. You just have to add those yourself now.
Oh I see, did the 2020 SL’s come with a round handlebar? I kind of wanted the Bontrager concept bars but this opens up a lot more options now.
Yup. And it appears the the SLR stem top with aero bar mount is still available via dealers and a few websites I checked. So you can convert and SLR to a “speed” an aero bar bike with that cap and the related tri-bar mount plus extensions and pads.
- Yes, the 2020 SL models always had a regular stem and handle bar.
I mean…its an amazing looking and probably amazing performance bike.
But who buys them?
Individuals? teams?
I cant wrap my head around buying a $13,000 bike, unless I am racing AND winning money.
I guess if i question the price of it, I am not the target audience.
Halo bikes are halo prices. Several models well below that peak price (55-ish% between SLR 6 $6,900 / SLR 9 $12,500) that are more palatable and likely to find in peoples possession.
Looks like they were redesigning the SLR. Sure not from a shape perspective but pretty sure the layup of the carbon layers is different and not just a swap of materials. So when doing that they switched to the T47 bb. My guess is with the T47 being threaded the tolerances aren’t as high so a frame that was off by a tiny bit and be bad for PF is fine with T47. This would drive down the cost of the SLR frame as more produced frames can be used so it was all about saving money.
Is it normal bike pricing to pay ~$7k and not get di2/etap? This is playing outside my price range, so I’m curious. I always assumed you’re in the electronic drivetrain world over $5k.
I don’t have all those prices on tap. But quick searches shows electronic groups on the ones I saw starting around $5500-6000 USD.
The hard with lots of these high end frames it seems reviews are almost always based on them and not the lower end more affordable version of the bike. (Though wouldn’t call a $5000 madone sl6 low end cause thats still a high price bike)
Would love to know how much of a difference there is between the high end frame and the lower end frame when they seemed to be shaped the same.