Trek Madone 2013 Series 6 Inherits the Wind

2013 Trek Madone 6 Series Amazing Ride

Those who can afford a Trek 6 series seem to agree on one concept.  It should be possible to go really fast and seriously far, and yet still have all your fillings in your teeth when you dismount.  The 2013 Trek Madone 6 Series provides vertical compliance, says not less an expert resource than Trek Bicycle Company, and we have to agree.  You can move along the back roads with this 15 pound screaming machine full out and not feel as though you might have forgotten to put on the tires.

               
But you'd be wrong to think that improved vertical compliance is all Trek did with this completely revised Madone.  The bikes history is repleat with reviews of this aero bike being among the best for handling, and being as quick as it is fast.

The new design keeps all the best parts of the reputation, and adds comfort and confidence that impresses you from the moment you click in.

The 6 Series bikes starts by using 600 Series OCLV, which Trek explains has optimum compaction and low void.  The carbon on the 6 series, of course, has a bit higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than on the 5 Series. The 7 Series has even higher stiffness compared to the weight.

The 5, 6, and 7 series get a  KVF aero tubing or Kammtail Virtual Foil.  Caley Fretz at VeloNews.com says:

"To put it simply, Trek has upped the ante in the aero road segment,  pushing forward with innovative new technology both within the frame  itself, and with the parts that hang from it."

The frame shapes used are becoming a Trek staple now, as they introduced  the Kamm Virtual Foil (KVF) on the Speed Concept two years ago.  The incorporate KVF tubes throughout the frame — with the downtube, head tube, seat stays  and fork all received the treatment — and the cut-off aerodynamic  profiles generate low drag figures normally associated with much longer,  narrower tube shapes. That usually means wider tubes with the same low  drag, resulting in more stiffness, lower weight, and better ride  quality. Wider tubes also allow for thinner tube walls, which make a  frame more lively. It’s a formula used with great success by Scott on  its Foil aero road frame, and proven once again with the new Madone.

The overall wind tunnel improvement reduces drag by 60g.

Getting rid of even more drag, but improving the design  as well, Trek has integration everywhere . This starts with internal cabling.  In the new Modone the rear mech cable reappears near the end of the chainstay.  The bike is Di2 electronic shifting ready.

The Madone's new positioning of the front brakes up flush against the fork crown combined with the improved shaping of the fork provides 76g of drag reduction.  The rear brake is hidden behind the bottom bracket, providing additional savings on wind resistance.

In a final flourish, the DuoTrap digital sensor is recessed into the chainstay and the 3S chain keeper integrates directly into the frame.  All very nice touches for improving slipperyness on this already wind tunnel proven product.