*Not actual bike pic for attention and to protect identity of bike shop*
I at a local shop a Trek Madone 5.1 (rim brake, 50cm) came through. It's been fully overhauled, has a full Shimano Ultegra groupset, and comes with Bontrager Race wheels (base model, I think). Shop price is $505.
I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam. I test rode the 50cm frame and with the saddle raised and set back a bit, it fits well—seatpost has plenty of safe insertion left.
My plan is to use it as a lightweight commuter/train bike. I know rim brakes are outdated for some, but for this use case I don't mind.
Is this a solid deal? Anything I should watch out for with this era of Madone?
Thanks!
by RavensFlocker-
5 Comments
I read “Madone” in Paulie Walnuts’ voice hehehehehe
The bike doesn’t have ultegra shifters. Those are clearly sram. The cranks dont look like ultegra either.
Assuming your planning to carry your stuff in a backpack it should be fine. If you need to carry the bike onto trains/busses this is pretty light. It doesn’t have mount points for panniers and racks though, so you need to be comfortable with backpacking your stuff.
Looks like a great ride and a great deal. Just make sure it fits and you feel comfortable riding it. Disc brakes are certainly newer, but rim brakes are in no way “outdated” on a road bike.
Several reasons why an old road bike is a poor choice for a commuter:
Narrow tire clearance. 25-28mm max.
Not enough clearance for fenders and/or no eyelets to mount them
No eyelets for mounting a rack
And of course a very forwards riding position. The opposite of chill and comfy.