Carbon aero road bike Trek Madone SL 5 lavender haze in size L: 105 2x12, 28 mm R3 tyres, 8.64 kg in ML

Trek Madone SL 5 lavender haze: a size L for tall riders

This Trek Madone SL 5 Gen 8 is offered in size L only, designed for riders from 179 to 188 cm: OCLV Series 500 carbon frame, mechanical Shimano 105 2x12 and 28 mm Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tyres, for 8.64 kg in size ML according to Trek. On this colourway, the Trek spec sheet lists a 50/34 chainset with 172.5 mm cranks, a length appreciated by riders with long legs. The Matte Lavender Haze/Deep Smoke paintwork pairs a matt lavender mauve with a very dark smoked grey.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For a tall, lean rider looking for a ready-to-ride carbon race bike in their size, who prefers an original colour to the usual blacks and whites. It suits the sporty rider who alternates sportives and long weekend rides in the hinterland.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. Since 1992, Trek has moulded its frames in OCLV, a carbon whose sheets are pressed and heated until all internal air pockets are eliminated. The series number reflects how refined the lay-up is: the higher it goes, the fewer fibres are needed to reach the target stiffness. The Madone SL 5 gets OCLV 500, Trek's entry point into road carbon, but with exactly the same tube shapes as the SLR models, and the Trek lifetime warranty on the frame.

Put simply: on the SL 5, the difference from an SLR is measured on the scales, not in the wind. The aerodynamic profile is the same; you are simply carrying some 270 g more on the frame and fork, a gap that only a very fussy climber will notice.

On an L frame, a 40 cm handlebar and 100 mm stem already give generous reach; if you have broad shoulders or long arms, we can adapt the cockpit, since the bar and stem are separate on the Madone SL models. The 172.5 mm cranks give slightly more leverage than the 170 mm often fitted on this size.

The R3 Hard-Case Lite tyres, with their 170 tpi casing and puncture protection, prioritise supple rolling and peace of mind on the gravelly roads coming down from the Espinouse. They are Tubeless Ready, just like the Paradigm rims: going tubeless further reduces the risk of punctures.

Which Madone should you choose?

Our take: with the same frame, the SL 5 Pro saves 200 g thanks to its 48 mm carbon wheels. For a tall rider, the weight of the bike matters less than the right size: a well-fitted SL 5 is better than a higher-spec model in the wrong size.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? In our Béziers shop, we confirm your size with a bike fit, then adjust the stem and saddle height before handing the bike over.

Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.