Trek 2008 Madone 5.2

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at Greggs Bellevue

Favorite Ride:
Vashon Island to Sammamish

Bike Setup:
Madone 5.2
SRAM Rival Group
Specialized Toupe Saddle (love this Saddle)

Summary:
After much handwringing and riding many, many bikes, I finally settled on the 2008 Madone 5.2. I could not be happier and LOVE this bike. I was skeptical of some of the marketing but am not after having some quality saddle time on the Madone.

The ride is very comfortable even over harsh roads yet the frame is so very stiff and translates everything into power. It really does everything exceptionally: handling, climbs, sprints, long-distance, races... if you can own only one road bike for everything this is your huckleberry. I can't wipe the smile off of my face when I ride this bike. If you don't like the Madone 5.2 then cycling isn't the right hobby for you.

I bought the Pro fit after trying both Pro and Performance fits extensively. I'd highly recommend giving the Pro fit a try, I thought this would be too oriented for racers only but the shop encouraged me to try it and I love this fit.

I swapped the Shimano for SRAM Rival (personal preference, the Shimano stuff is great too).

Didn't like the wheels at all, they had a flimsy feel to them that I easily noticed (have heard many horror stories too on these). I upgraded to the Mavic Kysrium SL's which are amazing... light, stiff, and bullet-proof. The change in the ride is noticeable.

I thought I was going to change the VR bars for Ergo but actually really like them.

Got rid of the seat and white bar tape (only black for me).

I'm totally old school in how I like a bike to look and wasn't sure I could ever love the new school look of the Madone or other bikes currently on the market. I've really warmed up the the mod styling of the Madone, it is a great looking bike.

Strengths:
EVERTHING!
Actually everything except the wheels.

Weaknesses:
The bundled wheelset.

Similar Products Used:
Many...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
My frames bottom bracket cup on the drive side was out of spec and required a bearing press which doesn't jive with Treks marketing and assembly instructions.
The replacement frame was even worse with both cups out of spec. Now the feedback I am getting is press fit is ok from Trek and it doesn't really matter if one side is a slip fit and the other requires a press/puller to service. I do not see how frames this far out of spec make it out the door at the factory and make you wonder what else about the quality of the frame is simply "close enough"

Strengths:
I do like the ride.

Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket service and install procedures are not in agreement with marketing and published information.

Similar Products Used:
many

Price Paid:  $4100.00 at lbs australia

Favorite Ride:
bakery gallop

Bike Setup:
5.2 2008 with Dura ace grouppo and x Lite wheels

Summary:
Bought this after using the 5.5 for a few months, and gotta say this is the best value of all the madone range.

Strengths:
Good component set, great frameset

Weaknesses:
ABSOLUTE JUNK WHEELS - do not trust them, get rid of them asap. This is the only weakness in the Madone's mid-range bikes.

Similar Products Used:
5.5 and 5.2 Pro

Price Paid:  $3600.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
everyday

Bike Setup:
2008 Trek Madone 5.2
Ultegra SL drivetrain, Fizik Arione seat, Bontrager Race X Lite wheels

Summary:
I purchased this bike last summer. I wanted to have some good mileage on the bike before I wrote a review. So, the bike is a dream. This is such a upgrade from my 2005 Cannondale Six13. The bike has been such a pleasure to ride. I've put over 1700 miles outdoor and countless hours indoor over the winter. The only thing that I changed on the bike is the bar tape and added my Fizik Arione seat to the bike. The new technology that Trek has incorporated into this bike is amazing.

Strengths:
90mm bottom bracket
Beefed up down tube
New seatmast system
Ultegra SL drivetrain

Weaknesses:
none at all

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Six13

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Trisports, Letchwort

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Herts, Beds, Bucks, UK

Bike Setup:
Madone 5.2 pro, Full Dura-ace, Mavic R-Sys wheels, Michelin Pro race 2 tyres, Look KAO Ti pedals, Deda newton o/s stem and bar, Selle italia SLR Ti saddle.

Summary:
I bought the Madone 5.2 pro frameset (54cm) and had my local bike shop – Trisports in Letchworth build it into a complete bike. I’ve put 400 miles
on this bike so far and everything people say about it is true. Very light (15lbs), very comfortable, smooth and quiet. Haven’t noticed the increased stiffness over my old 5200. (I only weigh 130lbs at 5’9”, so maybe why).
Is it worth the price? Yes. If you want the best, it costs. You won’t be
disappointed. Is it a worthy upgrade on a 5200/5900? In a word. No.
Don’t get me wrong this is a fantastic bike, but maybe a bit to comfy/smooth. It seems to lack the feel that made the old models special.
I can’t help thinking that I may have been just as happy (and less guilty) if I’d have upgraded the older bike. As the saying goes: “You pays your money...you take your choice”.

Strengths:
You can ride all day and not feel tired. It really is that comfortable. Great climber and descender too. Lovely design and good all rounder. Fantastic quality and finish.

Weaknesses:
Seat cap cracked after 100 miles. Replaced with new design cap under warranty. Sometimes my water bottle hits the bottom of the sloping top tube when I pull it out of the cage.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200