Amgen tour of California 2012

powered by Performance Bicycle

TechPowered By

More tech

Trek finally ventures out of its shell for new Madone

  • Somehow we get the feeling that Lance can get away with this sort of thing.

    Somehow we get the feeling that Lance can get away with this sort of thing.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Even the Madone frame jigs are made mostly of carbon fiber to yield matched coefficients of thermal expansion for better alignment in and out of the oven.

    Even the Madone frame jigs are made mostly of carbon fiber to yield matched coefficients of thermal expansion for better alignment in and out of the oven.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Tom Rose has been one of Trek's top frame technicians for 17 years and was personally responsible for assembling Lance Armstrong's frames.

    Tom Rose has been one of Trek's top frame technicians for 17 years and was personally responsible for assembling Lance Armstrong's frames.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The moderately extended integrated seat mast is fully capped up top, meaning no water can get in (at least not from there).

    The moderately extended integrated seat mast is fully capped up top, meaning no water can get in (at least not from there).

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A rack of Madone frame parts await the technician's magic touch.

    A rack of Madone frame parts await the technician's magic touch.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Trek reduced the number of bond joints in the new Madone by 40% (there are now just nine, including the dropouts).

    Trek reduced the number of bond joints in the new Madone by 40% (there are now just nine, including the dropouts).

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A new Trek Madone frame section ready to be bonded.

    A new Trek Madone frame section ready to be bonded.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • New Precision Fit Socket molding techniques offer a more precise fit straight out of the mold and requires no post-mold machining.

    New Precision Fit Socket molding techniques offer a more precise fit straight out of the mold and requires no post-mold machining.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Excess glue will be wiped away prior to the curing stage.

    Excess glue will be wiped away prior to the curing stage.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A freshly-bonded Madone frame is ready for the curing oven.

    A freshly-bonded Madone frame is ready for the curing oven.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A little bit of color goes a long way…

    A little bit of color goes a long way…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Bold and bright new graphics packages are a welcome departure from Trek's traditionally conservative designs.

    Bold and bright new graphics packages are a welcome departure from Trek's traditionally conservative designs.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The wider bottom bracket shell offers more real estate for widely set asymmetrical chainstays.

    The wider bottom bracket shell offers more real estate for widely set asymmetrical chainstays.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Cutaway of the Bontrager Race XXX Lite E2 fork shows distinctly thin-walled construction around the crown area.

    Cutaway of the Bontrager Race XXX Lite E2 fork shows distinctly thin-walled construction around the crown area.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Frame production is already underway, meaning that consumers can bring home a new Madone right now.

    Frame production is already underway, meaning that consumers can bring home a new Madone right now.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new Trek Madone underwent several design iterations before a final version was chosen.

    The new Trek Madone underwent several design iterations before a final version was chosen.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Hmm… what's this at the lower left we see? A new aluminum and carbon road frame is apparently already in development.

    Hmm… what's this at the lower left we see? A new aluminum and carbon road frame is apparently already in development.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Lance Armstrong joins Trek head John Burke on stage during the introduction of the new Trek Madone.

    Lance Armstrong joins Trek head John Burke on stage during the introduction of the new Trek Madone.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Anyone else remember this motto?

    Anyone else remember this motto?

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Race Lite fork includes an integrated pocket that will accept the new Speed Sensor 2.4GHz wireless computer transmitter.

    The Race Lite fork includes an integrated pocket that will accept the new Speed Sensor 2.4GHz wireless computer transmitter.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Widely-braced main pivots promise slop-free performance.

    Widely-braced main pivots promise slop-free performance.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • … but a cleverly engineered linkage system delivers the stopping power of a dual-pivot.

    … but a cleverly engineered linkage system delivers the stopping power of a dual-pivot.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new Bontrager Speed Limit brake offers the profile and weight of a single-pivot brake…

    The new Bontrager Speed Limit brake offers the profile and weight of a single-pivot brake…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon posts now use full carbon post construction.

    The new Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon posts now use full carbon post construction.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A new Bontrager Race X Lite Blade carbon fiber handlebar features a flatttened upper section.

    A new Bontrager Race X Lite Blade carbon fiber handlebar features a flatttened upper section.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • … a new Madone-specific tool wraps around the seatpost cap and provides a secure clamping location for work stands.

    … a new Madone-specific tool wraps around the seatpost cap and provides a secure clamping location for work stands.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Trek engineers didn’t forget the shop mechanics, either…

    Trek engineers didn’t forget the shop mechanics, either…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The frame that Lance won his last Tour de France on is relatively wimpy-looking in comparison with the new model.

    The frame that Lance won his last Tour de France on is relatively wimpy-looking in comparison with the new model.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The standard 68mm wide bottom bracket shell width looks positively anemic relative to the new 90mm standard.

    The standard 68mm wide bottom bracket shell width looks positively anemic relative to the new 90mm standard.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Trek's new Madone was unveiled at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

    Trek's new Madone was unveiled at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Trek has simplified its carbon fiber hierarchy : OCLV Red, OCLV Black, and OCLV White will now be used to designate the levels of fiber and layup schedule used, from most advanced and complex to most economical.

    Trek has simplified its carbon fiber hierarchy : OCLV Red, OCLV Black, and OCLV White will now be used to designate the levels of fiber and layup schedule used, from most advanced and complex to most economical.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new face of Trek.

    The new face of Trek.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Rear brake cable stop is removable to facilitate snaking a cable through the top tube in case you forget to insert a liner first during service.

    Rear brake cable stop is removable to facilitate snaking a cable through the top tube in case you forget to insert a liner first during service.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Aggressive tube profiles are a stark contrast from the previous generation's round pipes.

    Aggressive tube profiles are a stark contrast from the previous generation's round pipes.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • This is not your father's Trek Madone!

    This is not your father's Trek Madone!

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Trek incorporates a sloping top tube into its top-end racing machines for the first time.

    Trek incorporates a sloping top tube into its top-end racing machines for the first time.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new face of Trek.

    The new face of Trek.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Bontrager Speed Limit brake

    The new Bontrager Speed Limit brake

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Smaller frames use a short stainless steel tube

    Smaller frames use a short stainless steel tube

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tom Rose has been one of Trek's top frame technicians

    Tom Rose has been one of Trek's top frame technicians

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The wider bottom bracket shell

    The wider bottom bracket shell

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A new Madone-specific tool wraps around the seatpost cap

    A new Madone-specific tool wraps around the seatpost cap

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The carbon fiber 'cap' incorporates more overlap

    The carbon fiber 'cap' incorporates more overlap

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Cutaway of the Bontrager Race XXX Lite E2 fork

    Cutaway of the Bontrager Race XXX Lite E2 fork

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bold graphics are the result of industrial designers having a little more leeway these days.

    Bold graphics are the result of industrial designers having a little more leeway these days.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The integrated seat mast is engineered with a prescribed amount of flex for more rider comfort.

    The integrated seat mast is engineered with a prescribed amount of flex for more rider comfort.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Swoopier stays grace the rear end.

    Swoopier stays grace the rear end.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Smaller frames use a short stainless steel tube to guide the rear brake line.

    Smaller frames use a short stainless steel tube to guide the rear brake line.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Internal brake cable routing is used on the new Madone.

    Internal brake cable routing is used on the new Madone.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Simple down tube cable stops will no longer accept down tube shifters.

    Simple down tube cable stops will no longer accept down tube shifters.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Stainless steel guards on the down tube and chainstay protect the frame from damage in the event of a dropped chain.

    Stainless steel guards on the down tube and chainstay protect the frame from damage in the event of a dropped chain.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The carbon fiber 'cap' incorporates more overlap than most integrated designs, but apparently isn't any heavier yet is much easier to live with.

    The carbon fiber 'cap' incorporates more overlap than most integrated designs, but apparently isn't any heavier yet is much easier to live with.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A cosmetic cap smooths the transition from fork to head tube while allowing the carbon fibers in the fork to avoid sharp bends that would weaken the structure.

    A cosmetic cap smooths the transition from fork to head tube while allowing the carbon fibers in the fork to avoid sharp bends that would weaken the structure.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Oversized head tube houses a giant tapered steerer tube and also provides more surface area to mate with the top tube and down tubes.

    Oversized head tube houses a giant tapered steerer tube and also provides more surface area to mate with the top tube and down tubes.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Bottom bracket bearings are integrated directly into the bottom bracket shell of the new Trek Madone.

    Bottom bracket bearings are integrated directly into the bottom bracket shell of the new Trek Madone.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The bottom bracket shell measures 90mm across yet the pedal stance width remains unchanged.

    The bottom bracket shell measures 90mm across yet the pedal stance width remains unchanged.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Sadly, the rear dropout still isn't replaceable… for now. While the one-piece design offers a stiffer base for better shifting, Trek officials hinted at a replaceable design in the near future.

    Sadly, the rear dropout still isn't replaceable… for now. While the one-piece design offers a stiffer base for better shifting, Trek officials hinted at a replaceable design in the near future.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A bowed top tube likely contributes to the excellent vertical compliance of the new frame.

    A bowed top tube likely contributes to the excellent vertical compliance of the new frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The new Trek Madone strikes a purposeful pose.

    The new Trek Madone strikes a purposeful pose.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Lance Armstrong joins Trek head John Burke

    Lance Armstrong joins Trek head John Burke

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Bold and bright new graphics packages

    Bold and bright new graphics packages

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Trek incorporates a sloping top tube

    Trek incorporates a sloping top tube

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Somehow we get the feeling that Lance

    Somehow we get the feeling that Lance

    Photo credit © James Huang