Emonda or Madone
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking for a new bike and was considering the new Orbea Orca Aero until I realised how heavy it is!
I've now considering one of the following two bikes:
Emonda SL6 Pro
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
Madone 9.0
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
I'm 6ft 3in so it's going to be quite a big frame. I would like to upgrade to Di2, if I got the Emonda I could do this straight away but the Madone wouldd be standard until funds allow upgrades!
Does anyone have any advice or other alternatives? I've had a Canyon Aeroad which I loved but sent back due to problems with the frame and I'm not prepared to go down that route again!
Thanks
I'm looking for a new bike and was considering the new Orbea Orca Aero until I realised how heavy it is!
I've now considering one of the following two bikes:
Emonda SL6 Pro
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
Madone 9.0
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike...
I'm 6ft 3in so it's going to be quite a big frame. I would like to upgrade to Di2, if I got the Emonda I could do this straight away but the Madone wouldd be standard until funds allow upgrades!
Does anyone have any advice or other alternatives? I've had a Canyon Aeroad which I loved but sent back due to problems with the frame and I'm not prepared to go down that route again!
Thanks
I'm a VERY happy Emonda owner, just short of 10,000 miles on mine in 2 years and 10 months.
It's a real gem, beautiful to ride, and wasn't even on my shortlist when I bought it. I'd set my heart on a Cervelo, or a Storck. I didn't get on with either of those, and was turning my attention to a Bianchi that was heavily discounted. Then a bike shop where I went to look at Cannondale's offerings almost literally press-ganged me into test-riding the Emonda and from that brief taste I was hooked - the bike pretty much sold itself.
I have the SL 6 (in fire engine red) and like I say, I love it. I paid £2300 for it back in 2015 too. With bog-standard alloy rims. With the carbon wheelset on the one you linked to, as well as that integrated stem faceplate (for Garmin and light mounts), it looks like good value. I'd certainly be looking at the Emonda ahead of the Madone at my riding standard. I'm too slow to see much benefit from the aero features on that Madone.
One thing I would ask though, is why there's no Domane in the shortlist?
I suppose that much depends on what sort of riding you like to do, and how fast a rider you are. But I've spent some long days in the saddle of my Emonda, up to 160 miles in fact, and it's about as comfortable a bicycle to spend time on as I can imagine. The Domane is conceived as being an even more comfortable bike from the outset, with it's front and rear IsoSpeed "suspension" decouplers. If it were me buying right now I think that's where I'd be looking to spend my money - a Domane SL 6 Disc (£3000) https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike... so that I could more regularly feed my habit of exploring byeways and bridleways in the middle of road rides, and taking the odd woodland shortcut. I know that the Madone would be very low on my shortlist of potential replacements for my Emonda though. As someone else mentioned, it's a completely different animal to the Emonda.
Good luck with the search...
It's a real gem, beautiful to ride, and wasn't even on my shortlist when I bought it. I'd set my heart on a Cervelo, or a Storck. I didn't get on with either of those, and was turning my attention to a Bianchi that was heavily discounted. Then a bike shop where I went to look at Cannondale's offerings almost literally press-ganged me into test-riding the Emonda and from that brief taste I was hooked - the bike pretty much sold itself.
I have the SL 6 (in fire engine red) and like I say, I love it. I paid £2300 for it back in 2015 too. With bog-standard alloy rims. With the carbon wheelset on the one you linked to, as well as that integrated stem faceplate (for Garmin and light mounts), it looks like good value. I'd certainly be looking at the Emonda ahead of the Madone at my riding standard. I'm too slow to see much benefit from the aero features on that Madone.
One thing I would ask though, is why there's no Domane in the shortlist?
I suppose that much depends on what sort of riding you like to do, and how fast a rider you are. But I've spent some long days in the saddle of my Emonda, up to 160 miles in fact, and it's about as comfortable a bicycle to spend time on as I can imagine. The Domane is conceived as being an even more comfortable bike from the outset, with it's front and rear IsoSpeed "suspension" decouplers. If it were me buying right now I think that's where I'd be looking to spend my money - a Domane SL 6 Disc (£3000) https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bike... so that I could more regularly feed my habit of exploring byeways and bridleways in the middle of road rides, and taking the odd woodland shortcut. I know that the Madone would be very low on my shortlist of potential replacements for my Emonda though. As someone else mentioned, it's a completely different animal to the Emonda.
Good luck with the search...
I’m with yellowjack on this bought my Emonda SL6 Black for £2200 in 2017. I’ve ridden Giant TCR which I loved although it was a £3500 bike and a Specialized Tarmac which again had a higher spec.
For everyday riding the Emonda has them beat for comfort and on hills it’s just fantastic.
I immediately and ahhed about the SL6 Pro but as it was my first road bike there’s no way I needed a higher spec. That being said if you’re no stranger to road riding then buying the pro spec is cheaper than upgrading wheel set, saddle and bars later on.
5500km and 56,000 m climbed last year. I average around 29km/h. So I’m decidedly average!
For everyday riding the Emonda has them beat for comfort and on hills it’s just fantastic.
I immediately and ahhed about the SL6 Pro but as it was my first road bike there’s no way I needed a higher spec. That being said if you’re no stranger to road riding then buying the pro spec is cheaper than upgrading wheel set, saddle and bars later on.
5500km and 56,000 m climbed last year. I average around 29km/h. So I’m decidedly average!
I have a Madone 9.9 H1 fit. As has been said its an umcomprising aerobike in many ways. However like the Domane it does has the seat decoupler hidden on the aero post so isn't super uncomfortable on the bum...BUT first and foremost its an aero machine so its stiff and low. Adding width or excessive stack height starts negating the aero benefits of the frame so worth considering what your priorities are. Long distance rides can be tiresome, anymore than 70 odd miles and I'd rather be on my Parlee; short stuff though always the Madone. TBH, without aero bars, full aero wheelset and internal routung you start to degrade the aero benefit of how epic it looks and tge associated ride confort comprimise (and I have a camo Parlee for cafe posing).
Both different bikes so really depend on your plans for riding. You've had an aero bike in the Aeroad so the Madone makes sense. Personally I wouldn't buy it in H2 fit .... it just looks awkward, but then again, it will be more comfortable. I have a previous gen Madone in H2 ... use it as my training bike and can ride all day on it ... steerer is cut as low as poss. Also have an Emonda SLR in H1 fit ... not 'slammed', has one or two spacers but looks/handles/goes better but then again its a higher grade carbon, has a lower front end so has different comfort levels.
The SL6 pro looks like great value though!
The SL6 pro looks like great value though!
One thing to add, the brakes on the new Madone are epic. Pretty sure the ones on the one you are looking at are the same as the 9.9, but they are epic for rim brakes. Much more powerful and confidence giving than the Durace9000 on my other bike (I have enve pads / wheels on both). Does the Emonda have the same ones? I tried an S Works Venge Vias and the braking was a joke.
Thanks for the advice, some really good points raised.
The Madone is on my list as it seems like such good value for a bike with all that tech, even if it's at the bottom of the Madone range. It looks so clean and tidy from the front and the aero brakes/flaps look amazing. The point about an Aero frame with none aero bars, H2 not H1 fit etc. makes sense, seems like I'm taking a penalty for the aero with weight and then losing part of the aero advantage due to fit. If all the spacers were taken out of the headset with H2 fit would it be possible to get the front low enough?
The Emonda just doesn't seem as exciting but that doesn't mean it's a bad bike or the wrong bike. I like the look of the SL6 Pro but didn't really know much about the Emonda range. I think adding di2 to the SL6 Pro would make it a cracking bike but the Madone keeps grabbing my attention!
The Domane hasn't been on my list as I (rightly or wrongly) see it as the softer, more comfortable bike and I want something that can go quick and is more focused (like the Aeroad!). I'm not keen on Cannondales, I'm sure it's a very good bike but I don't look at it and think "wow".
I tend to ride around Snowdonia so the majority of my rides involve fairly big hills. I'm often towards the front of club rides and can maintain an ok'ish average speed.
Other bikes I've considered:
Orbea orca aero: great price for a bike with di2 but it seemed very heavy at 9kg.
Boardman air 9.8:
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/1602-...
Badge snobbery more than anything, good spec but I didn't like the cable routing/rear brake as it looked a bit homemade!
Giant TCR's etc. Like the bikes but it looks like Stevie Wonder picked the paint schemes.
I think Aero bikes appeal as they look fast but maybe it's not the right kind of bike for my riding?The Aeroad seemed to do it all but I had 2 bikes sent to me and both had defects with the paint. My local Trek dealer talked to me about the Madone and the owner showed me his Madone 9.9 race shop edition (I think that's the full name), he mentioned that the Isospeed decoupled made it quite comfortable and it's a very quick bike!
The Madone is on my list as it seems like such good value for a bike with all that tech, even if it's at the bottom of the Madone range. It looks so clean and tidy from the front and the aero brakes/flaps look amazing. The point about an Aero frame with none aero bars, H2 not H1 fit etc. makes sense, seems like I'm taking a penalty for the aero with weight and then losing part of the aero advantage due to fit. If all the spacers were taken out of the headset with H2 fit would it be possible to get the front low enough?
The Emonda just doesn't seem as exciting but that doesn't mean it's a bad bike or the wrong bike. I like the look of the SL6 Pro but didn't really know much about the Emonda range. I think adding di2 to the SL6 Pro would make it a cracking bike but the Madone keeps grabbing my attention!
The Domane hasn't been on my list as I (rightly or wrongly) see it as the softer, more comfortable bike and I want something that can go quick and is more focused (like the Aeroad!). I'm not keen on Cannondales, I'm sure it's a very good bike but I don't look at it and think "wow".
I tend to ride around Snowdonia so the majority of my rides involve fairly big hills. I'm often towards the front of club rides and can maintain an ok'ish average speed.
Other bikes I've considered:
Orbea orca aero: great price for a bike with di2 but it seemed very heavy at 9kg.
Boardman air 9.8:
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/1602-...
Badge snobbery more than anything, good spec but I didn't like the cable routing/rear brake as it looked a bit homemade!
Giant TCR's etc. Like the bikes but it looks like Stevie Wonder picked the paint schemes.
I think Aero bikes appeal as they look fast but maybe it's not the right kind of bike for my riding?The Aeroad seemed to do it all but I had 2 bikes sent to me and both had defects with the paint. My local Trek dealer talked to me about the Madone and the owner showed me his Madone 9.9 race shop edition (I think that's the full name), he mentioned that the Isospeed decoupled made it quite comfortable and it's a very quick bike!
jontysafe said:
Ride the Emonda and you’ll get it.
It’s the kinda bike you do a top 100 climb, turn around and think I want to do that again. Like yesterday.
Cool. Which climb was that?It’s the kinda bike you do a top 100 climb, turn around and think I want to do that again. Like yesterday.
I did 5 in a day, four in a single ride last August. I had to collect my son from a university field trip in Devon, so I headed down earlier than I needed to, and took the bike (Emonda SL 6) too.
Official 100 Climbs No 12 - Salcombe Hill was my "starter for ten"... https://www.strava.com/activities/1150630804 ...after a three hour drive from home. No warm up, just a 4 mile loop to chalk the climb off the 'to-do' list.
Then I drove to Bovey Tracey and took advantage of my National Trust membership to park at 'The Parke' while I rode to the other side of Dartmoor and back to chalk off the other four climbs... https://www.strava.com/activities/1150631073
Official 100Climbs No 09 - Haytor Vale
Official 100Climbs No 11 - Rundlestone
Official 100Climbs No 08 - Dartmeet
Official 100Climbs No 10 - Widecombe
As you'll see if you study the leaderboards, I'm not setting them on fire - probably around the bottom 20% of riders up most hills, time-wise. But the Emonda for me isn't about being fastest up a hill. It's more about getting up in as comfortable and unflustered a manner as I can manage, as I've usually got a fair way to go after the climb, and I don't want to blow up during a ride that I'm meant to be enjoying. It's just as nice a bike to ride for a day out and fish & chips at the seaside too... https://www.strava.com/activities/1163547782
Then there's silly elevation-chasing closer to home... https://www.strava.com/activities/1204741766 ...where I pick the only "real" hill for miles and ride all 8 ways up it, then turn around and do it again. There'd certainly be no doing that "for the fun of it" if the Emonda wasn't a) a great climbing bike in the first place, and b) a comfortable place to sit for 6 hours. And that's all on a 'stock' bike. No real upgrades, or swap-outs. Not even the saddle. In fact I've "downgraded" the chain and cassette to 105 to save pennies at replacement time. OK, I fitted nicer tyres, but only when the OE Bontrager tyres were completely worn out anyway. I couldn't begin to imagine wanting to do those rides on any of my older bikes, nor on any of the bikes I test rode on the way to buying the Emonda. OP, you seriously need to find a shop who can let you test ride the Emonda, and I'm convinced that you'll be a convert too. Especially if you're riding in Snowdonia!
My biggest problem these days is trying to choose between riding the Emonda on a road ride, or getting the Giant Anthem out for a MTB ride. Both are great fun, but in totally different ways...
Brads67 said:
The Domane is just as fast and focused as the rest, just comfier.
If it can win Paris Roubaix , it can manage mere mortals caning it about.
I`ve had mine 5 yrs now (Di2 as well) Awsome bike.
I like the Domane but the new Madone has the same decoupler under the aero seat post so offers some of the benefit.If it can win Paris Roubaix , it can manage mere mortals caning it about.
I`ve had mine 5 yrs now (Di2 as well) Awsome bike.
Domane or Madone would have been the comparison I'd be tossing up. I'm sure the Emonda is a great bike but being a poser I don't get it's understated looks.
Btw, for the OP; I've had a Boardman Air. It was ok, but would have the Madone every day of the week.
stongle said:
Domane or Madone would have been the comparison I'd be tossing up. I'm sure the Emonda is a great bike but being a poser I don't get it's understated looks.
The Domane's not exactly a looker though is it.OP hasn't come back but some other options to consider if they want aero / semi:
Willier Cento10
De Rosa SK
Look 795
BMC Timemachine
Cipollini NK1K
Scott Foil
Cervelo S3
Bianchi Oltre
Giant Propel
Merido Reacto
Ridley Noah
Factor One
Argon 18 Nitrogen
Colnago Concept
Colnago V2-R
Matt_N said:
The Domane's not exactly a looker though is it.
OP hasn't come back but some other options to consider if they want aero / semi:
Willier Cento10
De Rosa SK
Look 795
BMC Timemachine
Cipollini NK1K
Scott Foil
Cervelo S3
Bianchi Oltre
Giant Propel
Merido Reacto
Ridley Noah
Factor One
Argon 18 Nitrogen
Colnago Concept
Colnago V2-R
I actually don’t mind it, set of 50mm clinchers with gum wall tyres and live out the dream you're Cancellera riding Roubaix.OP hasn't come back but some other options to consider if they want aero / semi:
Willier Cento10
De Rosa SK
Look 795
BMC Timemachine
Cipollini NK1K
Scott Foil
Cervelo S3
Bianchi Oltre
Giant Propel
Merido Reacto
Ridley Noah
Factor One
Argon 18 Nitrogen
Colnago Concept
Colnago V2-R
Serious budget creap in that list. Colnago Concept, V2-r and Factor bikes around the PX point the OP has shown? Not sure about that. May as well throw Parlee ESX in to the mix (or Venge Vias if you have a death wish).
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