For many years, my bike of choice has been Trek – sometimes aluminum, usually carbon (in the last 10 years or so). I always ride with a Thomson “forward” seatpost to get farther forward and Syntace aerobars.
Most of the better new Madone models with the OCLV Carbon have the seatmast that will not allow me to swap in a “forward” seatpost. They do have a seatmast cap that will allow me +10mm of offset (forward) but I have no point of reference to know how much that will get me. Will it be far enough forward to be comfortable, both in terms of position over the bottom bracket and also in the aerobars???
On the other hand, I could go with a lower-end Madone (4.5) that will take my previous set-up of a forward seatpost. However, this is another grade of Carbon (TCT), supposedly not quite as good as the OCLV. The components aren’t that hot on the Madone 4.5, but I know I could get comfortbale on it, and I have already decided that if I go this route, I will upgrade wheels, breaks, crank, etc., immediately.
What are the opinions out there regarding these options. FWIW, I live in rural PA where most of the bikes in-stock at my local shop are mountain bikes. I’m not confident that my LBS would be too keen on ordering in a Madone with a special seat cap just so I can see if it’s comfy.
TCT carbon frame are built overseas, versus Wisconsin if that matters to you much. I don’t believe the TCT frames come with their 90mm bottom bracket either. Personally, if I had to solve this situation I would look for a 2007 high end OCLV frame, which would be better than the TCT.
The difference in weight between road and tri are minimal at best(negligible in reality). Most tri bikes float around 17-18lbs, maybe 19. That’s maybe 1lb more than most road bikes? Even my SLC-SL with carbon wheels and record weighs in at 15lbs exactly. The P3C I had with the same wheels weighed at 16.1lbs. Unless you’re comparing a 10.3lb R3-SL(or Addict) to a 21lb aluminum (tri bike), the weight is really not a deal breaker.
However, if your preference is purely on geometry of road versus tri(for hilly uses), then go with what you’re comfortable in. Is there a reason why you won’t look at other brands?
That, and a forward saddle position is going to compromise your road bike’s ability to climb and decend anyway. If you (the OP) really, really want to stick with a road bike, then you should probably use shorty bars and a standard seating position.
I put bars on my madone and raced on it for three seasons, including IMOO. Very good experience all around. But last winter I acquired a TTX and have been racing on it this summer on some pretty hilly courses. I’m setting PRs like crazy.
I also did the IMOO bike course on the TTX, a very hilly course. I found that, though it doesn’t climb quite as well as the madone, it’s a better all-around ride for triathlon. I train more on the madone, but for long weekend rides and races I go TTX. Best of both worlds.
i have a 4.5 and love it. i put profile base bars and aero bars with bar end shifters and tt brakes. at first i turned my seat post around but switched it back and put a shorter stem on it. the bike is very comfortable with no problems in the handling or the climbing. i want to get a new tri bike and switch it back over to a road bike, but hate to because i finally have it dialed in and can ride the thing all day in the aero bars.
I agree with what some of the other posters have said. Why not get a TTX? If you’re setting it up for triathlons, the TTX will fit better, handle better and be more aero than a Madone retrofitted for tris.
That said, a +10 offset seatpost cap will probably get you in a reasonably forward position on the Madone. The handling may be a bit twitchy, but if you have ridden a road bike with a forward seatpost in the past, you’re probably aware of this twitchiness and used to it by now.