I can put my two cents in, but only in the fact that I was racing a TREK for two seasons, same bike both seasons, and it was not the high end Madone, the 5 series. I hated it. I got wins, but I always felt like it was not stiff enough. Teammate had a 6 series top of the line and when we gave the bikes back, he went back to his GIANT from a previous team. He called and ask me if the GIANT was really supposed to be that much better of a bike?? I, like KWalker, went to Cannondale this season, but not carbon, I went to aluminum. One because I had raced on it before with great results, and two, for the price.

HUMP

_________________
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

Just gotta clarify something: the bike did not win MSR, a rider did.
That said, the bike did not hamper his performance.

_________________
Exp001

Trek still have Cancellera on the front page of their website.

_________________
N/A CYCLES
Trek Madone SL 2007 Clearcoat

here's maybe why

Radioshack will stop the sponsorship at the end of 2013
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report- ... ponsorship

Since the talk of Pinarello's contract ending I've thought Sky on Trek made the most sense, especially now Cavendish is gone and outside of Cancellara RSNT's prospects don't look too good. There's also rumors that Radioshack will be ending their sponsorship. Trek have the money, and aside from Sky already winning so much they now have Boswell and Dombrowski which I'm sure the Trek marketing department would love.

If it does happen it would be interesting to see if they keep the Pro components and Shimano wheels or switch to Bontrager.

very well said, useful thinking

surely they will not ditch the Shimano Di2

Absolutely nothing wrong with having Cancellara on the front page of the website, it's just that they could get a 2 for 1 with this shot Madone and Domane in one!


I just find the Trek hate a bit OTT sometimes, I reckon their most recent 6.9 SSL's are probably pretty amazing bikes all things considered, they're more than just marketing money. As for the Speed Concept, I'd be willing to bet it's one of the 1-3 fastest TT bikes out there, and at any rate, at this point, they're all starting to look the same w/ all the UCI limitations.

I've tried several different brands over the last few years and Trek was one of the big disapointments. I rode a 2012 6.2 for a few months and really didn't like it.

1) The paint was easily scuffed and the decals were ruined as a result. I wasn't the first person I know to see this happen.

2) The frames felt dead. There was no road feel to it. It felt like my tires were flat. I've experienced this with a few other brands, but Trek and Focus seemed to be some of the worst for it.

3) It wasn't all the stiff. The front end and BB felt like noodles compared to a Cervelo R3/5 or a Tarmac SL3/4.

They are decent bikes, but I won't be riding one of their road bikes unless they do something incredible. Their MTB's on the other hand are pretty well done - paint aside.

special fork for the R3 Cervelo for the cobbles

https://twitter.com/krederRaymond/statu ... 05/photo/1

Same could be said about Aero frames too. (which ever side of the fence you sit on, in regards to aero benifits)

Not trying to go OT or start down that road.

Just thought is was funny.

prendrefeu, I totally agree with you.

I've yet to hear of a pro rider complain that their equipment is sub par and hampers their performance.
Even when they are not on the team they work for.
It's either bad luck, a mechanical (which happens from time to time), bad decisions, bad timing, or no legs.
If the bike works without any mechanical it's never the bike.
Mind you they have trained on this bike since the beginning of the season and all the issues will be sorted out in training not during their target race.

_________________
I never took drugs to improve my performance at any time. I will be willing to stick my finger into a polygraph test if anyone with big media pull wants to take issue. If you buy a signed poster now it will not be tarnished later. --Graeme Obree

This pretty much sums up what I was feeling as well.

HUMP

_________________
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

We also all know that the bikes of the pros are sometimes made with a different carbon layup than what "We" can ride. That was stated about Specialized a long time ago.

HUMP

_________________
Why are the best things in life always the ones you start last?

Pretty sure that is the same as previous years. For cobbles, Cervelo goes to the R3 mud, a slightly modified R3. It has a fork with more clearance, a little longer wheelbase and a rear triangle with more clearance.

Finally a proper picture. My vote goes to Roubaix:



Pic via micky.

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo