Trek Madone 4.6

That's a sweet looking bike! [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif[/IMG]

Thanks... I was considering the Specialized Roubaix and Cervelo RS which both came with Sram Rival but the Trek did not... until last month when the 4.6 was introduced. My son was able, with his discount, bring the price of the Trek into aluminum bike price range.

So it was an easy decision.

Went for my first ride yesterday and it was awesome. First time on a road bike in 30+ years but have ridden a mountain bike for the past 18 months. Also first time in real shoes. The bike is incredibly responsive, but i'm not surprised coming from an inexpensive mountain bike. The shoes take some getting used to and i'll have to work on my pedaling technique.

I went out with my son for a quick 10 mile ride and really love the Sram shifter. The double tap is very quick and the shifters adjust to the "reach" of your hands. I also like the "half click" feature of the front shifter to adjust the "trim" of the big ring. On the way back we hit a long down hill so we took off, never been so fast on a bike before. At the bottom my son told me the computer said we hit 38mph, while not that fast for you experienced riders, it was for me.

After my son took it for a quick 2 mile ride and told me he was very impressed with the stiffness of the frame and how well it performed. I value his opinion since he's got a Cervelo and has ridden many high priced bike.

I still need to invest in some cold weather clothing since Fall is hear in New York and it was pretty cold yesterday. I was able to borrow some of his gear so the ride was comfortable.

I'll report back after I put some miles on the bike and as the components and cables "settle in".

Just finished a ride at home on a route I usually travel. It is certainly much faster, I covered the same 15 miles in 40 minutes vs my previous 60 minutes.

There is absolutely no creaking or sounds from the bike, it is dead silent. Even shifting is quiet. Too bad winter is coming, I wish I had the summer ahead to enjoy it, but there's still plenty of time to ride before it gets real cold.

I still have to get my own pedals, i'm borrowing the Look Keo from my son to make sure I like them and so far I do. And I need better water bottle cages.

[IMG]cyclingforums.com263Open ↗[/IMG]

Very nice!!

I did 30 miles today like it was nothing. True I was tired and once i stopped the sweat came pouring out but that's the farthest i've ridden in 35 years. The bike is just so responsive. Not a creak or groan even on bumpy roads. It's very comfortable and I sent 90% of the time on the hoods. Shifting is dead on and the Rival shifter are great.. i love them.

Now I just need to trust the bike and start taking turns a bit faster.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by old-n-slow [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I did 30 miles today like it was nothing. True I was tired and once i stopped the sweat came pouring out but that's the farthest i've ridden in 35 years. The bike is just so responsive. Not a creak or groan even on bumpy roads. It's very comfortable and I sent 90% of the time on the hoods. Shifting is dead on and the Rival shifter are great.. i love them.

Now I just need to trust the bike and start taking turns a bit faster.

Yep, you're experiencing a full case of "New Bike Syndrome". It's the kick caused by getting on new equipment that's super-smooth and quiet. The duration of the syndrome seems related to the amount of money we spend. For a Madone 4.6, it should last at least a couple of months. Sounds like the bike fits you perfectly. Hope you enjoy the ride for many seasons to come, even after the NBS wears off.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by dhk2 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Yep, you're experiencing a full case of "New Bike Syndrome". It's the kick caused by getting on new equipment that's super-smooth and quiet. The duration of the syndrome seems related to the amount of money we spend. For a Madone 4.6, it should last at least a couple of months. Sounds like the bike fits you perfectly. Hope you enjoy the ride for many seasons to come, even after the NBS wears off.

Almost perfectly true. I would argue, however, that their isn't perfect correlation between cost and length of new bike syndrome. I'd guestimate the correlation coefficient of that relationship to be between 0.4 and 0.7.

Well... i've been running/riding almost everyday for the past 18 months, so the new bike will only make it more enjoyable over my old clunker.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by old-n-slow [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Well... i've been running/riding almost everyday for the past 18 months, so the new bike will only make it more enjoyable over my old clunker.

Whatever the reason for increased enjoyment of riding or continued enjoyment of riding, keep doing it. Riding is the important part.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by alienator [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Whatever the reason for increased enjoyment of riding or continued enjoyment of riding, keep doing it. Riding is the important part.

True, but I have to also find time to continue to run.

The plan is to do a run workout today and tomorrow take a 10 mile "recovery" ride. Saturday i'm hoping to attend a local bike club's ride. It will be my longest ride so fat but i'm going with the "B" group so that I can do the complete 40 miles without burning out my legs and butt in the first 20.

My plans are to try a 2/10/2 duathlon next Spring, so once i'm used to riding a distance, i need to work on transitioning from run to bike to run. I think an goal of 1 hour is obtainable given my current state of fitness.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by alienator [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Whatever the reason for increased enjoyment of riding or continued enjoyment of riding, keep doing it. Riding is the important part.

Xactly right! [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/icon14.gif[/IMG]

Just finished my first group ride, what a great experience, 44 miles with a snack break in the middle. The bike worked flawlessly, shifts were precise and never a hiccup. Brakes were more than acquitted and silent.

The other riders were checking it out since it literally just came out a week ago.

I am very please... and tired.

Sounds like you had a good time. [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/cool.gif[/IMG]

It's kind of uncomfortable the way you told us how the other riders were checking you out. Excellent job on your ride, both the distance and how much you're digging your bike!

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by alienator [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

It's kind of uncomfortable the way you told us how the other riders were checking you out.

Not me... the bike. Most had older bikes and all had Shimano components. I was telling them about how I like the Sram shifters and the 10 speed cassette. Also some of the new features of the 2012 Madone over the 2011.

They all showed my the "rules of the road", I learned the hand signals and how information like road hazards and up coming cars is passed up and down the line. I was also very impressed with their knowledge of back roads and residential cut throughs. We were on primary roads for only a few short miles.

[IMG]cyclingforums.com300Open ↗[/IMG]

Temps were in the low 50s and rose to about 59 by the end of the ride. I was quite comfortable and only removed my cap that was under the helmet at the half way point.

[IMG]cyclingforums.com263Open ↗[/IMG]

Those temps are nearly perfect for riding. Riding with a group is not only great for learning about routes and riding tips and practicing better bike control, it's a great way to improve your conditioning (if you have to push at times to stay with the group). It can certainly make rides even more enjoyable than they already are.

Very true, I went out with the "B" group since I wasn't sure if I could keep up with the "A" riders... it was a good decision. I pretty much stayed up toward the front and took the lead a few times on long straight runs. I'm not "training" for any specific event, i'm planning on staying with the "B" riders since they were very friendly and the general vibe was relaxed. We averaged about 17mph which is find with me.

BTW, i've read a number of reviews of the Madone 4 and people have complained about the saddle. I found it comfortable on a 42 mile ride which should not be since its no broken in and and neither is my butt with only 100 miles on a road bike.