First of all, shout out and thank you to this sub, its been incrediblely helpful the past days when I was looking at potential used bikes
bikes.
Anyway I decided I'll up my budget and get a new Madone SL 6 Gen 8 ($5,999 CAD).
Basically I want something for speed, must be red (lol) and some-what deep wheels.
The bike shop suggested this bike to me and we spent 30 mins going over it piece by piece with him explaining everything to me in layman's terms. He also said this would be my one and done bike — no need for upgrades , and the higher Trek models above here would just be marginal upgrades that aren't worth it for me personally.
Ultimately I wanted you guys' thoughts on if its it worth the upgrade from the other Trek models as the most I've ever spent on a bike was $1500.
Also, because I'm so unfamiliar, feel free to use Car analogies to help me better compare mentally. For example, I'd 100% say the Audi RS5 is worth the upgrade from the S5 lol
Previous bikes: Felt Verza hybrid bike 2019 & Giant revolt gravel bike 2019.
by Environmental-Gap272
12 Comments
Done ✅
You’ll love it. Go forth and spin!
Once you have electronic shifters, carbon frame, and carbon wheels there isn’t much of a reason to upgrade anything unless you’re a real enthusiast that wants to tinker. Welcome aboard.
There isn’t such a thing as a bike that’s so good that there’s no need for upgrades, because upgrades in cycling are mostly based on want rather than need. A couple years ago they would have sold you the same bike with 11-speed 105, told you it was the last thing you ever needed, and they would also be completely correct because 11-speed gear will be available for decades to come. The only thing that approaches real obsolescence is incompatibility with beneficial new technologies, but the last time that happened was the move to hydraulic disc brakes for road bikes. There isn’t anywhere else frames and groups can go from there in terms of major gains in function, just shaving weight and aero and comfort.
There is, however, such a thing as a bike salesman trying to get rid of a last-generation Madone because the people dropping that kind of money on bikes want the SL7, not the SL6. Any 11 or 12-speed carbon bike with hydraulic discs and carbon rims will be exactly as “one and done” as that one. The difference is that that Madone is a racing bike with a bit more aggressive fit than you might want coming from the bikes you’ve had, so perhaps consider the Domane? A great, light, fast road bike that can also fit 38mm tires is even more futureproof than that Madone in case you end up wanting just one bike for both road and gravel.
Off the shelf bikes tend to under spec the wheels so you would probably get better performance from a lower spec bike and then spending big on aftermarket wheels. Also, there’s no such thing as an upgrade proof bike in the long term. But it’s your money. Knock yourself out.
Just make sure it’s the right size for you. With race bike geometry there’s no margin for error – though Trek replacement stems and bars are usually readily available, if necessary.
If it fits you well, you love the look, you love the ride feel, and you can afford it with a little left in case the furnace breaks, then go for it. It’s a racy fit but shouldn’t cause you discomfort being that you ride regularly. The fit will be different from those ones you’ve owned that are more relaxed geometry, of course.
If you’re looking within about a 6k budget, maybe write down your ‘wants’ and see if there’s better value out there (there often is when compared to Trek). For example, you might find a similarly spec’d bike for about 4-5k in other names.
one and done?
n+1.
Take a madone and a domane for a test ride. You can achieve everything you want with the domane and it will be a little more comfortable and less extreme. I have a Gen 8 Madone and love it but everything is turned up to 10: posture, steering angle (read twitchy), and aero. There are times when it is nice to be on a more relaxed bike and I ride my gravel bike. For a “one and done” bike I would lean Domane, you can fit wider tires if you’re ever gravel curious or just want to run wider road tires for a plusher ride. You can do anything on the domane where you’re a little more limited on the madone from a one and done perspective. Car analogy 911 Carrera S (domane) vs. 911 GT3 (madone).
First off, I might be biased because I have a trek, and am a big trek fan. There is no doubt that, that is an incredible piece of technology. Absolutely beautiful bike.
One and done….? That just doesn’t compute. Although that is a big price tag (I’m in Canada too, so hard to spend) but if you are riding that, don’t kid yourself. New technology and improvements and nicer bikes will continue to evolve and improve, that you will have a hard time not wanting to upgrade.
One and done?
Enjoy it though. It’s pretty cool.
Get something non-American, why would you buy a TR*K?
I’m picking up the SL7 this Saturday as well!
I have a gravel, but I wanted another one and done bike as well. I went with the SL7 because I love white bikes. Sl6 also an amazing choice.
I’m coming from an old endurance bike for road riding the the new 2026 madone has really comfy vibration absorption, a UDH, and nice deep carbon wheels. On top of the other stuff. I think it’s a great bike