"Decent bike for the money however I switched the brakes and cranks to 105s. Brakes have much more bite now..easier from the hoods. Also upgraded to Mavic Krysium Equipe wheels really good match for this bike. (Bontrager SSR wheels are really heavy.)Also switched up the seat OEM is too uncomfortable."

"After riding a Trek aluminum bike for 8 years and riding 10-20 miles a day in hilly California I decided it was time to upgrade to a Madone. I was originally looking at the 2.3 but could not find one in a 60cm size so when I read about the Madone and took a test ride I was hooked. The first think I noticed about making the move to carbon is how responsive the bike is and how easy it is to pedal uphill. If you are thinking about getting a new bike and you ride more than 40 miles a week then please look at the Madone even if you have to save a little bit more to get one. It is just an amazing bike and thank you to the people at All Pro Bikes here in Simi Valley for being a great Trek retailer"

"After starting out with a mountain bike towards the end of last summer, I walked in to my LBS and started "kicking tires" during the winter. I wasn't getting enough out of my leisure rides so I decided to test ride a road bike. I tried the 1.2 and the 2.3 and thought they were an easy ride, even if it was 37o outside at the time. While the salesman was writing it up, I walked around the corner and found an 08 Madone 4.5 for a little more then the 2.3 I had decided on. I took it for a ride and couldn't believe the difference in handling and how responsive it was when pushing up a hill during the test ride. After riding this bike for only 4 months, 2 of which were outdoors, I just completed my first ever century ride and couldn't have felt more comfortable on the road. Quality is also a plus this ride. I haven't had anything major or minor happen since my purchase. Just a normal tune up prior to the century ride just for an inspection and the thing is exceptional. I use it to do a quick ride on the local bike trail or a 3 hr ride in the country backroads. If anyone is looking to upgrade to a road bike or a carbon ride and is just a regular "joe" then this is the ride for you! Just upgrade already."

"I bought this bike with my mind set on the fact that it was gonna be a Trek and it was gonna be a good price. At first glance I was drawn to the 2.3 bec. of the group and price. Then I looked at the Madones. The 4.5 was just a bit more and the grouping was the same plus you get a full carbon frame instead of aluminum. I have done a few centuries in my life. 3. At 17 this is pretty good. The best one of them all was the 3rd when I had this bike. It shifted great on the climbs and handled great on the descents. I love this bike and would recommend it to anyone, but I have noticed that the 09 version that I have and the 2010 version for sale have different rear derailleurs. 09=ultegra. 10=105. Still a great ride for you buck."

"Comfortable bike with plenty of speed. I just wish Trek would give more drivetrain options. I dropped the Shimano 105 and went with Sram Rival. The saddle is horrible, and white bar tape ? Common now."

"[...]. This is a machine that I feel would be as much at home on a race circuit as well as friendly, or competitive club ride. I find my self wanting to test the limits of my abilities on this bike, which is very confidence inspiring. This I feel is a bike that I can grow into, and not even push the limits of it after years rigerous training. Great choice in a cutting edge bike without a cutting edge price. Is is easy to come up with this kind of investment for a true work of art? No, but worth every dime of the asking price. Support of a good LBS....priceless!! Awesome bike for a very fair price:)"

"I started serious biking the beginning of this summer with a Trek 1.2. That is a great bike for the money, but as usual I had to upgrade! I couldn't believe the difference in ride and components. I can now keep up with my group much easier. My only complaint is the saddle - too narrow, no padding, only looks good! I like the color scheme much more than last year's model."

"This was bought as a reward for putting 10,000 miles on my aluminum 27 pound bike and surviving prosate cancer. I'm a retired recreational rider and this bike lets me gain a couple miles per hour while expending the same effort and climb using less. Gotta' love that. The carbon frame is beautifully done, a work of art. Speaking of art, the word TREK appears 10 times on the frame (2010 model). That seemed a little tacky.



It may have been a fluke but 2 miles into my very first ride the rear tire went flat. This was on a freshly paved city street and I'm careful to avoid rocks and glass. I decided to opt for durability and replaced the Bontrager Race Lite tires and Super Thin tubes with Continental Gatorskins and standard tubes. I've had very good luck with these tires. Then there's the saddle. My LBS and TREK dealer said to try it awhile as it was a good anatomical design. Maybe your anatomy is different than mine but I like to ride every day. Taking 2 days off to let my dairy-air heal after a 30 mile ride is unacceptable. I replaced the saddle.



Overall I'm very happy with the bike. Does a 70 year-old toot really need a Trek carbon bike? After putting 500 miles on the Madone, for me the answer is, "You dang betcha'!""

"This bike is an amazing ride. I am a college racer and i was looking for a bike at a good price point that would satisfy my needs as a racer. The carbon frame is extremely lightweight and the 105 components are more than competent when it comes to performance. The higher grade components may be a little lighter, but the 105 components perform well for the price. This bike is an amazing machine an climbs with best, as well as sprints faster than any other that i have ridden. Overall i would recommend this bike to any serious rider."

"I use this bike for both training and amateur racing. This is a great bike for a first full-carbon ride (can't wait till I have my wife convinced to let me buy an OCLV carbon). Great components, but a brake upgrade was a bonus (a 105 brakeset did the trick). I also threw in a Dura-Ace BB that a friend had.



I put lighter wheels on to race, but the Bontrager Race wheels are excellent for training.



My Madone 4.5 rides great, looks great and is the envy of so many of my friends. Thanks Trek."