Trek launch 2011 Madone 6 Series SSL at Le Tour

Jul 13th, 10. Trek Bicycle launched their lightest ever bike at the Tour de France where the whole RadioShack team are riding the new 2011 Madone 6 Series SSL.

The 2011 Madone 6 Series SSL comprises a revolutionary new carbon material, OCLV HexSL Carbon which Trek say establishes a new benchmark for carbon-framed bicycles.

In Rotterdam the public were introduced to the new SSL model for the first time, but by then RadioShack had already taken the SSL to it's first victory.

The SSL propelled Jani Brajkovic to an overall win at the 2011 Tour of Dauphine back in June.  

"At Trek, we're constantly striving to improve upon every design," remarked Trek Road and Tri Product Manager Tyler Pilger in the company's announcement about the 2011 range.

"At the start of last year's Tour, we unveiled a technological milestone for our company, the Madone 6 Series. For 2011, we've refined our design and manufacturing process even further. The result is a frame so light we decided to bring back our SSL designation—one we save for bikes that offer truly revolutionary light-weight performance."

New carbon material

At the crux of the new Madone 6 Series SSL lies Trek's latest carbon fiber milestone, OCLV HexSL.

"OCLV HexSL is really a game-changing material," said Trek Road Product Engineer Chris Pomering. "Before this material's culmination we had to use two, sometimes three different layers of carbon to get the same strength and performance that we get from just one layer of OCLV HexSL."

When compared to High Modulus carbon fiber, OCLV HexSL Carbon exhibits virtually the same stiffness but over four times the strength and twice the elongation properties, enabling Trek engineers to drop more than 100 grams of fuselage weight from the previous Madone 6 Series frame while maintaining the same award-winning ride characteristics.

Other features

While materials are responsible for many of the Madone's race-proven ride characteristics and unprecedented light weight, the line also draws upon a myriad of proprietary technologies, say Trek, including;

• a super wide and stiff integrated BB90 bottom bracket for superb power transfer
• an E2 tapered headtube and fork for confident cornering and control
• a frame-integrated DuoTrap speed and cadence sensor for seamless
• zip tie-less installation 
• fully internal cable routing that is optimized specifically for Shimano's Di2 electric drivetrain

Project One customisation for look and fit

Trek are offering all its 2011 Madone 6 Series and Madone 6 Series SSL models through its custom bike program, Project One.

"Project One puts the rider in the designer's seat," said Dean Gore, Global Director of Marketing at Trek. "With virtually limitless possibilities, it's never been easier to build your Dream Bike."

To complement its "Dream Bike" mantra, Trek also announced a new fit paradigm for the Madone road bike line. Available in 9 different sizes and 3 different fit geometries for 2011, the new Madone line is designed to meet the fit needs of more riders than any other road bike line on the market.

"There is a direct correlation between proper bike fit and peak performance," said Trek Road and Tri Brand Manager Nick Howe.  "With three distinct fit options, our 2011 Madone line will help more riders perform at their highest levels. Whether you're looking for the most aero position, you prefer to sit as upright as possible, or anywhere in between, there's a Madone that will fit you."

Madone 6 Series SSL in New Zealand

Cycle Sport NZ, the New Zealand distributor of Trek, told RoadCycling.co.nz pricing isn't available at this stage.  More details will be available in August.

2011 Madone 6 Series SSL ©Trek Bicycles