Carbon aero road bike Trek Madone SL 7 red: Full System Foil tubes, 51 mm wheels, Ultegra Di2, 7.87 kg

Trek Madone SL 7 red: speed on the flat

The Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 8 combines Full System Foil tubes in OCLV Series 500 carbon, Aeolus Pro 51 wheels and Shimano Ultegra Di2 2x12, for 7.87 kg in size ML. On the flat and on false flats, its aerodynamic shape makes the difference as soon as the speed goes beyond a leisurely pace. The Gloss Fury Red/Matte Deep Smoke colourway pairs a vivid gloss red with a matte smoked grey, for a bike that doesn't go unnoticed.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the rouleur chasing personal bests on favourite routes, for the cyclist who loves fast rides in a small group on the flat coastal roads, or for someone preparing for timed road events without wanting a time trial bike.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. OCLV stands for Optimum Compaction, Low Void: since 1992, pressure and temperature have driven out the air trapped between the fibre layers. The Madone SL 7 uses the 500 series, shared by all Madone SL models, and it is its components, more than its frame, that set it apart from its little brothers. Like all OCLV frames, it is covered by Trek's lifetime warranty.

Put simply: the SL 7 combines the SL frame with SLR-level components, Ultegra Di2, Aeolus Pro 51 wheels and a carbon handlebar. Moving up to the SLR 7 with the same groupset saves 350 g, mainly on the frame and cockpit: noticeable on a col, much less so on the flat or sitting in a group.

Trek designed the Full System Foil tubes with the complete bike and its bottles in mind; the Gen 8 is said to be 77 seconds per hour faster than the Émonda at 200 W. On this SL 7, the RSL Aero bottles are not supplied, but they can be added as an option to complete the package.

On the coast road between Valras and Portiragnes, where the sea breeze often blows head-on, every aero gain is felt over time. The flat-topped carbon aero handlebar allows a more streamlined hands-on-the-tops position, and the 51 mm wheels pick up speed well after roundabouts.

Which Madone should you choose?

Our take: for pure speed, the SL 7 has the same aero profile as the SLR models; only 350 g separate it from the SLR 7. Adding the optional RSL Aero bottles is a simple, inexpensive gain.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? As a Trek retailer in Béziers, we fine-tune your aero position during a bike fit, apply a protective film if you wish and prepare your Madone in our workshop.

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