Trek or Cannondale, Alloy or Carbon?
Mo has to have a big bike and he has found that he can only have either a Trek or a Cannondale, he wants us to look at the Madone 5.5 and the 5.1 and any Cannondales that might suit his size, we have done that and here is what we found
Question: Good Morning,
I want to get your views on the new Madone performance fit 5.5 and the 5.1 They are the only ones which I can have because they are the only two made in a size 64 cm. It seems that Trek and Cannondale are the only ones that I can think about having because they are the only two brands that make a long enough horizontal tube for me. Can you also give me your opinion about Cannondale? I have not seen their 2008 models, but would love to hear any other suggestions you may have. I currently ride a Trek 1500 in an aluminum frame with a carbon fork from 2003 with all ultegra 9 speed components, which I love very much, but thought that it might be time to change as it now has 10, 500 Km. What is also your feeling about Carbon vs. aluminum?
Thank you.
Hi Mo,
Nice choice of bikes and yes you are right about the size thing, they build a 64 cm size.
Trek Madone 5.1 and 5.5
We like the new Trek frame and the Madone 5.1 and 5.5 are basically the same (same white carbon in the 64 cm size) except that the equipment on the 5.5 is much better, but then this is reflected in the price tag, the 5.5 is nearly twice the price. The 5.5 is the top of the range Shimano Dura ace, where as the 5.1 is Shimano Ultegra. The 5.5 also has the Bontrager Carbon cranks, if you are asking which we prefer then there is no competition, it has to be the 5.5, if you have the money, but if you don’t then just go for the Ultegra equipped 5.1, you could always up grade later.
Madone 5.1 |
Cannondale
The Cannondale in your price range is the Super Six SRAM, which we like, but it is no where near as nice as the Trek 5.5 and is a lot more expensive than the 5.1. It comes with the Hollowgram SL cranks, Mavic R-SYS wheels and the full SRAM group set and FSA carbon handle bars. There is also a Shimano Ultegra version, also nice, but they don’t compare to the Trek Madone 5.5 with all that nice Shimano Dura Ace.
Super Six |
So there you have it, get the Trek Madone 5.5, if you have to cash? Carbon wins every time.
Madone 5.5
