madone 5.2 ???
Discussion
The geometry regarding angles, trail and tube lengths is identical.
The only difference is the Pro is the same geometry as the original level top tube Madones and 5900s used by the Discovery and US Postal teams. The Performance geometry bikes have a 30mm taller head tube, so if you ride with any spacers then you are better off on the Performance as it will look better. If you slam your stem down then you will need a Pro as teh Performance would be too high. If you are going for a blast around teh lanes then eitehr bike is perfect. If you live any where hilly the Compact chainset 50/34 ratio will benefit you. If you live in East Anglia you'll need the 53/39
The only difference is the Pro is the same geometry as the original level top tube Madones and 5900s used by the Discovery and US Postal teams. The Performance geometry bikes have a 30mm taller head tube, so if you ride with any spacers then you are better off on the Performance as it will look better. If you slam your stem down then you will need a Pro as teh Performance would be too high. If you are going for a blast around teh lanes then eitehr bike is perfect. If you live any where hilly the Compact chainset 50/34 ratio will benefit you. If you live in East Anglia you'll need the 53/39
I've just bought a 58cm 2.5 Pro for £2k from Evans. It's lovely, even compared to my old late 80s 531c nostalgia trip.
At £2.5k it felt somewhat overpriced, but at sale price it's more competitive. The frame build quality is just off the scale compared to a Boardman or Ribble, and that's just by eye. To ride it's incredibly stiff for pedalling, but just seems to soak up road buzz; the perfect combination. Components are par for the course for a bike at this price, e.g. the Bontrager Race Lite wheels are very similar weight to Mavic Ksyrium Equipes. People may complain that over £2k is too much for an Ultegra SL equipped bike, but it's about as light as 2008's 7800 Dura Ace, works pretty much as well, and it's the frame you're paying for. The only thing I've changed is the seat, as the standard Bonty was horribly uncomfortable. Evans swapped it for a Charge Knife.
My advice would be to buy the "fit" that feels most natural to you. For me, the 58cm frame gave me the right reach without fitting a ludicrous long stem. Comparing the Pro and Performance fits, pro just felt more like what I was used to in a road bike; the 30mm taller head tube felt too much like my MTB. If you've taken up road cycling in the past 10 years, or you've always been a mountain biker, then the Performance fit might feel more natural. In terms of gearing I'm happy enough with a 39/53 as it's what I've always used; I'll buy a compact chainset and larger cassette if I ever try any alpine sportives.
Cheers,
Pete
At £2.5k it felt somewhat overpriced, but at sale price it's more competitive. The frame build quality is just off the scale compared to a Boardman or Ribble, and that's just by eye. To ride it's incredibly stiff for pedalling, but just seems to soak up road buzz; the perfect combination. Components are par for the course for a bike at this price, e.g. the Bontrager Race Lite wheels are very similar weight to Mavic Ksyrium Equipes. People may complain that over £2k is too much for an Ultegra SL equipped bike, but it's about as light as 2008's 7800 Dura Ace, works pretty much as well, and it's the frame you're paying for. The only thing I've changed is the seat, as the standard Bonty was horribly uncomfortable. Evans swapped it for a Charge Knife.
My advice would be to buy the "fit" that feels most natural to you. For me, the 58cm frame gave me the right reach without fitting a ludicrous long stem. Comparing the Pro and Performance fits, pro just felt more like what I was used to in a road bike; the 30mm taller head tube felt too much like my MTB. If you've taken up road cycling in the past 10 years, or you've always been a mountain biker, then the Performance fit might feel more natural. In terms of gearing I'm happy enough with a 39/53 as it's what I've always used; I'll buy a compact chainset and larger cassette if I ever try any alpine sportives.
Cheers,
Pete
Just bought the 2009 white Madone 5.2 (performance, not the pro fit) and I'm very happy with it. The 2010 versions are even sexier though. They have internally routed cables in the bars and a lovely 2010 Ultegra groupset that looks the same as a Dura Ace.
Edited by johnny senna on Friday 28th August 17:59
contango said:
Is there anything fundamentally wrong with the Madones Pablo?
To be honest, I thought it looked an ok bike having been disappointed with the varying, apparent quality of Boardman carbon frames I have seen, that perhaps it made sense to spend a few more £££?
no, nothing wrong with them at all, i didnt mean to offend, i just find them bland. rather unfairly they are referred to as "solicitors specials" as they are the best off the peg bike you can buy som represent the lazier buyer who wants the best bike for the least hassle rather than speccing a bike that meets their requirements. also they are just really popular all of a sudden, everyone appears to have one (like everyone had a spesh allez two years ago) and i am just interested to know why.................and i am jealous! To be honest, I thought it looked an ok bike having been disappointed with the varying, apparent quality of Boardman carbon frames I have seen, that perhaps it made sense to spend a few more £££?
re boardmans, why the comparison, they are good bikes and have a place in the market, but the are not a fair comparison to the madone 5.2, hence i mentioned the litespeed and the caad 9 'dales as a benchmark, something like a milani would be a better benchmark...
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 29th August 16:43
I have the pro fit. Not old enough yet to have to save the ol' back with the sit up and beg model 
Reasons for buying: Lifetime warranty on frame meaning it can live on my turbo during the winter. Stiff as you like but rides the bumps very well and it really is amazing value for money. The new Project Ones are uber sexy and even though I have looked at De Rosa, Wilier, etc the though of buying a 2 - 3K frame and then for it to break out of warranty would be a very bitter pill to swallow.
Although all this said it didn't help me much today with the soul destroying head wind.
Reasons for buying: Lifetime warranty on frame meaning it can live on my turbo during the winter. Stiff as you like but rides the bumps very well and it really is amazing value for money. The new Project Ones are uber sexy and even though I have looked at De Rosa, Wilier, etc the though of buying a 2 - 3K frame and then for it to break out of warranty would be a very bitter pill to swallow.
Although all this said it didn't help me much today with the soul destroying head wind.
I bought a Pro 5.2 a month ago - suggestions at the time of purchase were "you may want to change the saddle", however i haven't seen reason to yet. Granted i haven't been on a mega distance cycle yet.
Most importantly was the fact that i think the Bike looks great and rides incredibly. I winced at paying alot for a bike but tend to hold the opinion that if you buy cheap, you buy twice....the lifetime frame warranty was a deciding factor in the purchase.
As i see it, i have this bike until my legs fall off.
Just need to pick myself up a torque wrench now (apparently very important when it comes to Carbon Frames)and maybe join up with the local cycling club (although i am slightly concerned at the reaction / snobbery that I a newbie could receive turning up on such a damn fine bike, albeit a "Solicitors Special").
Most importantly was the fact that i think the Bike looks great and rides incredibly. I winced at paying alot for a bike but tend to hold the opinion that if you buy cheap, you buy twice....the lifetime frame warranty was a deciding factor in the purchase.
As i see it, i have this bike until my legs fall off.
Just need to pick myself up a torque wrench now (apparently very important when it comes to Carbon Frames)and maybe join up with the local cycling club (although i am slightly concerned at the reaction / snobbery that I a newbie could receive turning up on such a damn fine bike, albeit a "Solicitors Special").
I bought a 5.2 performance about this time last year (despite my lack of legal qualifications )
I've mainly used it for the (too) occasional foray into the Peak District, and last Sunday had the pleasure of completing my first century ride (Manchester 100 miles) on it.
Its been brilliant. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, and I spent plenty of time and effort making my decision and weighing it up against alternatives.
I'd like to pass some informed comment on the comfort of the saddle - but all I can offer is that on my normal excursions (50-60 miles) I don't really notice it - which I guess is a good thing, and by the end of the 100 miles, to be honest, everybloodything hurt so badly that any specific pain, you know, down there, was pretty much lost in the noise.
)I've mainly used it for the (too) occasional foray into the Peak District, and last Sunday had the pleasure of completing my first century ride (Manchester 100 miles) on it.
Its been brilliant. I couldn't be happier with the purchase, and I spent plenty of time and effort making my decision and weighing it up against alternatives.
I'd like to pass some informed comment on the comfort of the saddle - but all I can offer is that on my normal excursions (50-60 miles) I don't really notice it - which I guess is a good thing, and by the end of the 100 miles, to be honest, everybloodything hurt so badly that any specific pain, you know, down there, was pretty much lost in the noise.
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