Oct 16th, 09. Trek never stop innovating. They've just released their 2010 range in NZ but already they are working on the 2011 range and beyond.

The stunning Trek Madone 6.9

Also attending were bike shop owners from all around the country and Brian Deziel, International Territory Manager from Trek USA.

Trek's passion for bikes is obvious in Deziel who struggles to pick a favourite feature of the new range. He loves working for Trek. Did you know Trek give additional allowances to their staff if they ride to work.

After a great presentation explaining the new technologies, the back doors opened and we were invited to view the merchandise.

CycleSport NZ had on display their full range of road and mountain bikes. The road bikes ranged from the Trek 1.2 (rrp $1,529) right up to the latest Trek Madone 6.9 (rrp $15,499).

It's hard not to look at the Trek Madone 6.9 bike without being captivated by its pedigree endorsement. It is the same bike ridden by Lance Armstrong, Levi Leiphiemer and Alberto Contador in the 2009 Tour de France. But it's also beautiful.

2010 Trek Madone 6.9

The look

The new Madone has some stunning features that really took our eye.

Hidden Cables and great paintwork

The frameset takes integration to a whole new level with not only the cables being neatly housed within the frame, but the speedo/cadence sensor is also built right into the frame.

Sensor ready, just drop the chosen sensor in

The mammoth 90mm bottom bracket with integrated bearing surface for increased stiffness

The bottom bracket of the Madone was the next thing to capture our attention. It has a massive 90mm shell!

Trek have integrated the bearing surfaces into the frame, there is no need for the normal bottom bracket shells used on traditional 68mm frames.

Besides the very clean look, Deziel explained the stiffness benefits are huge.

The frame is also factory ready for the Shimano electric groupset and even has a mount point for the battery hidden under the bottom bracket.

Every aspect of integration and aerodynmics has been considered in this bike.

Rear cables exiting the rear chain stay

Less obvious differences in this year's model are below the surface. Deziel explained one of the key features of the new Madone range has been the change to the carbon fibre layout process.

"By examining the loads on the frames, engineers were able to make the frame lighter but also stiffer, giving the frame overall better handling", he said.

The bike is 150g lighter, but also 17% stiffer at the head tube (for laser-sharp, predictable handling) and 43% more vertically compliant at the seatmast (for all day riding comfort).

The ride

Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to take the Madone for a ride, but Trek says the ride on this bike is outstanding.

Lance Armstrong agrees, "The Madone has evolved, and we've ended up with something that's the lightest, stiffest, fastest, best bike that I've ever ridden."

The Madone has also proved a hit here on New Zealand roads for the lucky few already riding the new model. U23 kiwi cyclist James McCoy calls it, "the best bike in the world, no ifs and buts about it!!"

McCoy contacted RoadCycling when he saw this article.

"The best bike in the world, no ifs and buts about it!!" James McCoy"Here's what i think about my amazing Custom Trek 6.9," he said. "The 6.9 is a relaxing ride which is great for taking in bumps and reducing fatigue even though it is very stiff. Especially stiff at the bottom bracket and head tube, the bike climbs and sprints like you wouldn't believe, with exceptional power transfer."

"Descending mountains has never been funner and faster, you can really lean this bike around corners and keep your tyres glued to the road!" McCoy said.

Trek's customisation doesn't stop with the geometry options. Available right now in New Zealand is Project One where you can chose almost every aspect of your bike to make your Madone, well, YOUR Madone.

Project One

After deciding you want a Trek Madone, have a play at www.Trekbikes.com/ProjectOne website. There you can fully customise the paintwork, drive train and all the components on your bike. You can even pick the colour of your cable housing.

The site is pretty slow, actually painfully slow, here in New Zealand, but it's worth the wait.

Be patient as your custom Madone comes to life in front of you. Flames, arglye, retro, flouro - all the options are there! When you've found your own perfection, probably more than Trek's 70 iterations, take your Madone spec sheet to your local dealer who will finalise the price and timeframes.

Within four to five weeks you'll have your own custom Madone, the only one like it in your riding group, the only one like it in the world!

Are you tempted? RoadCycling.co.nz is! But what would our custom Project One look like? Green, DuraAce Di2, Carbon wheels, green bartape and cable housings. The options are endless.

Photos (c)RoadCycling.co.nz & Trek Bikes

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