Carbon aero road bike Trek Madone SL 6 crystal white in M and ML: 105 Di2, 50 mm wheels, 8.16 kg in ML

Trek Madone SL 6 crystal white: for medium-sized riders

This Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 8 is available in sizes M and ML, for riders from 162 to 179 cm: OCLV Series 500 carbon frame, electronic Shimano 105 Di2 2x12 and Aeolus Elite 50 carbon wheels, for 8.16 kg in size ML. These two sizes cover the most common build among cyclists, and ML is the reference size for the weights Trek publishes. The Gloss Crystal White/Matte Deep Smoke colourway contrasts a gloss crystal white with a matt smoked grey.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the medium-height rider who rides at a good pace with a club and wants a fast bike for Sunday rides, sportives and the odd race. It also suits anyone looking for a sophisticated bike that is easy to live with day to day.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. Trek has made its carbon frames using the OCLV process for more than thirty years: each fibre layer is consolidated in a heated mould under pressure so that no micro-bubbles remain. The higher the series, the more optimised the lay-up and the less carbon is needed to withstand the same loads. The Madone SL 6 stays with OCLV 500, with a painted frame of 1,054 g in ML, and benefits from the Trek lifetime warranty.

Put simply: with the SL 6, Trek prioritises electronics and carbon wheels over OCLV 900 carbon. For most riders, instant shifting and 50 mm rims pay off more day to day than 271 g saved on the frameset.

Between M and ML, the handlebar goes from 38 to 40 cm and the stem from 90 to 100 mm: the difference seems small, but it changes the feeling of reach. The SL's two-piece cockpit then lets you fine-tune the position without replacing an expensive part, which is not the case with a one-piece bar/stem.

On fast club rides, Di2 lets you shift across several sprockets at once when accelerating, and the 11-34 cassette keeps something in reserve to follow on the climbs. The 28 mm tyres fitted as standard leave a margin of comfort, and the frame takes up to 32 mm if you want more compliance.

Which Madone should you choose?

Our take: for a medium-sized rider, the SL 6 weighs 8.16 kg in ML, 280 g less than the SL 5 Pro. The SL 7 with its Ultegra Di2 brings the scales down to 7.87 kg.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? In Béziers, we confirm size M or ML with you, build the bike in our workshop and adjust the stem to your position.

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