jsk wrote:
higuy wrote:
As helo guy said, the bike itself in a wind tunnel is extremely aero, perhaps one of the best. However with the H2 geometry that all the non custom Madone’s have, the rider will be in a less aero position.
This notion that H2 Madones aren't aero because of an upright riding position is pretty silly. While not as aggressive as the H1 or Canyon, it's still race geometry and in line with lots of other race bikes. My Cervelo S3 had almost exactly the same stack and reach as the Madone H2, and it was within a cm or so of the other bikes I looked at when I was shopping.
Not everybody needs a super-short head tube to get aero, it's going to depend on your body proportions. I have a longish torso and shortish arms, so I don't need a lot of drop. I also prefer a slightly higher hood position that makes IAB comfortable. When I want to get low and aero on the hoods I just bend my elbows more (which is actually more aero than lower bars with straighter arms).
IMHO the fact that Trek offers two geometry options on their bikes is a good thing for most people (it just sucks that people who need the H2 geometry have to pay so much more).
An odd thing for those thinking of sizing down is that the stack and reach of the H2 Madone is very similar between the 54 and 52.
52: 55.2/379,
54: 56.0/381
So sizing down would just get you 8mm lower and just 2mm less reach.
For the H1 the numbers are much lower and longer for Stack/Reach
52: 51.8/38.8
54: 52.6/390
The H2 is certainly race-able, but the geometry is really more similar to most endurance bikes.
A current 51 cm Cervelo S5 would have Stack/Reach of 519/376, an S3 would be 530/369, so still substantially lower.
A closer match to the H2 would be something like a Cannondale Synapse or Biachi Infinito.
As said before the H1 is close to a Canyon Aeroroad.