So I picked up what I thought to be an outstanding deal on an '07 Madone 5.2 w/Ultegra and Bontragers for $1,300. Had been keeping eyes out for a carbon ride and was just bottom feeder bargain hunting. I finally found one…at least I think so.
The frame/fork are showroom condition, not even a nick in a decal anywhere. Components are great, needs a new chain one of these days probably.
By all accounts of what I see on eBay and CL this seems like a great deal, but I just wanted to run it by any other Madone-ites to see what they thought. FWIW, the feel of carbon is unlike anything else I have ridden. I’m into comfort at this point in my life and man oh man, this thing is smooooov.
I have an '09 5.2 wsd and LOVE it. It is the smoothest most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. From the looks of it, you got a steal:) I wouldn’t trade mine for anything. Enjoy!!
The 2007 model is from before the big changes (tapered steer tube, seat mast, 90 mm bottom bracket) so that is why you are more likely to get a good deal. New bikes are awesome but the 2007 bikes were still a great ride.
Ok cool! I could not care less about those changes…weight weenie stuff either. The carbon ride is what I’m after and man oh man did a 45 this morning and it’s really 'ass’tounding how much smoother it is;) I could seriously feel a huge difference in the vibration dampening on my arms, shoulders and back.
The 2007 model is from before the big changes (tapered steer tube, seat mast, 90 mm bottom bracket) so that is why you are more likely to get a good deal. New bikes are awesome but the 2007 bikes were still a great ride.
I owned Trek 5500 OCLV road bikes forever. I’d keep having minor issues and Trek would keep doing a great job honoring their warranty and sending me a new frame. The last time, they’d discontinued the 5500 and they sent me a Madone 5.2 sl. It was so vastly superior to the 5500 OCLV I couldn’t believe it. It rode better, but the handling was remarkably better. My descending skills aren’t the best, but I’ve learned that the 5500 OCLVs weren’t the best handling bikes, either. My skill deficit is far less thanks to the great handling of the '07 Madone 5.2 sl. It’s hard for me to imagine what made Trek decide to make the sweeping changes to the Madone that they did just after this bike. I can’t see how it could be that much better.
Great to hear thanks! I don’t have a point of reference, but coming from a Litespeed Ultimate and then a Cannondale CAAD7…there is no comparison for this 'ol dog. All I can say is WOW.
Not liking the 175mm cranks though, will give them a couple of hundred miles to sink in, but I think they will get the heave ho in favor of 172.5’s. Odd how something so small as 2.5mm can make such a huge difference in feel. Could be other fit things too, but I have tried 175’s before and just didn’t like it at the top of my stroke
**Not liking the 175mm cranks though, will give them a couple of hundred miles to sink in, but I think they will get the heave ho in favor of 172.5’s. Odd how something so small as 2.5mm can make such a huge difference in feel. Could be other fit things too, but I have tried 175’s before and just didn’t like it at the top of my stroke **
I understand completely. There were some threads a few months ago about the benefits of shorter cranks for TTing. I tried 170 mm cranks and even 167.5 mm cranks (very hard to find). I know that changes require some adaptation time, but I’m old enough to know when a change is something I’ll be able to adapt to and when it’s just not working. I sold the new cranksets before they had many miles on them. I’m back on my 172.5s.
I have one of these and agree the ride is great. It’s not as quick a desender as some of the other bikes I have/had but very good none the less. My only ding on the bike is that it does not have a replaceable rear derailer hanger. Trek is very good about fixing them, but it is still 2-3 weeks turn around on the repair. As a side note the 5.2 use the same carbon weave as the 5.9, the only difference was Ultegra vs. DA on the build.
I have one of these and agree the ride is great. It’s not as quick a desender as some of the other bikes I have/had but very good none the less. My only ding on the bike is that it does not have a replaceable rear derailer hanger. Trek is very good about fixing them, but it is still 2-3 weeks turn around on the repair. As a side note the 5.2 use the same carbon weave as the 5.9, the only difference was Ultegra vs. DA on the build.
Since I have never had an issue with a hanger can you give me the 411 on it? Quite honestly, I have never heard of any of my pals having issues with theirs either? Is this b/c it’s attached to carbon?
I might be a carbon freak for life now b/c my back has never felt this good after 2 rides…so amazing.
**Not liking the 175mm cranks though, will give them a couple of hundred miles to sink in, but I think they will get the heave ho in favor of 172.5’s. Odd how something so small as 2.5mm can make such a huge difference in feel. Could be other fit things too, but I have tried 175’s before and just didn’t like it at the top of my stroke **
I understand completely. There were some threads a few months ago about the benefits of shorter cranks for TTing. I tried 170 mm cranks and even 167.5 mm cranks (very hard to find). I know that changes require some adaptation time, but I’m old enough to know when a change is something I’ll be able to adapt to and when it’s just not working. I sold the new cranksets before they had many miles on them. I’m back on my 172.5s.
I’m a complete roadie now so even in a relaxed saddle position I can feel it. I used 170’s in college and it felt great to me, went to 172.5’s on my Litespeed and it was fine as well, same on CAnnondale…these 175’s are probably history as soon as I find a buyer. No reason to mess with good when I dig the 172.5’s.
Yes and no. The problem is that it is one molded piece(the drop out), so if you crash it or it gets over bent (then the straightening) can snap it off. Then second thing is that molded piece is glued into the carbon chain stay and Seat stay tube. So someone needs to remove it, clean the tubes, then reglue the drop out into place. It this that huge of a deal, I would stay not, at least not enough to purchase a really good deal on a used bike.
But having said that, it would be the first area to inspect for metal stress on a used bike.
-mb
Yes and no. The problem is that it is one molded piece(the drop out), so if you crash it or it gets over bent (then the straightening) can snap it off. Then second thing is that molded piece is glued into the carbon chain stay and Seat stay tube. So someone needs to remove it, clean the tubes, then reglue the drop out into place. It this that huge of a deal, I would stay not, at least not enough to purchase a really good deal on a used bike.
But having said that, it would be the first area to inspect for metal stress on a used bike.
-mb
Okay thanks. I checked it out and it looks spic n’ span. The only thing I had to do was take a wet paper town and get some grease off the stays and it looks showroom. Really quite ecstatic to get this for 1300. Saw the exact same bike go on ebay 2 days ago for 2100ish…