Madone 6.0, 6.2, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9. What do the numbers mean??? And where does the Domane fit in?

There are now three versions of 6-series bike frames, the standard, SSL and Domane. The Domane is quite different from the other two, having a unique design that allows for dramatically-greater compliance (comfort over bumps) than the previously-industry-leading Specialized Roubaix. It accomplishes this through a seat tube that’s not directly attached to the top tube, using a pivot & bearings instead. This unique design allows for substantially-greater flex in the seat tube than any other bike on the market. For this added comfort you add a small amount of weight, but power transfer is comparable to the “standard” Madone. Presently the Damone is available in an H2-style fit only (read more about that below).

The standard 6-series frame is available in 3 different handlebar heights, H1, H2 & H3. H1 is the standard race position, which used to be the only way you could buy a high-end bike, until manufacturers got smart and realized not everybody wants that “nose in the gravel” feel. H2 is about 3cm higher at the front, and by far the most-popular version. H3 is higher yet, and takes the place of the “WSD” (women’s specific design) geometry. Please note that all versions have nearly-identical angles & wheelbases, so handling characteristics don’t change… in other words, just because you want the bars a bit higher doesn’t mean you have to settle for a bike that doesn’t rocket up hills!

The difference is that the SSL weighs about 2 ounces less than the standard frame, with the slight loss in weight accomplished through lighter paint (yes, paint does weigh something!) and slightly-thinner carbon in a few places. I own the “standard” frame myself, and have no reason to consider the SSL. The weight difference is nearly insignificant, and both versions ride the same. Cost for the SSL is about $300 more.

The SSL 6-series frame is available in the same H1 & H2 styles, but not H3.

Now, what does that digit after the 6. mean? Basically, it just tells you what approximate component level the bike comes with. A 6.0 typically is spec’d with SRAM Rival, a 6.2 with Shimano Ultegra, a 6.5 with… who knows what, that’s where everything kind of falls apart. And it really doesn’t matter, because nearly all 6-series Madones are designed from the ground-up using the Project One program, where we can design the bike you want & need, with the perfect fit (remember all those options!), for no more $$$ than a “stock” bike out of the catalog would cost.

If it’s a full-on high-end Dura Ace or SRAM Red or Campagnolo Record bike with ultra-light wheels you want, it’s going to be called a 6.9. And it could have either the standard or the SSL frame. On Trek’s website though, they’ll call any stock bike with an SSL frame a 6.7 or 6.9, and not even offer the standard frame at the high end. We think that’s short-sighted, because many will find more value in choosing nicer parts for than the SSL frame for the added $300. Truthfully, most-often the choice of standard or SSL frame for many customers had been determined by the different colors available for each in Trek’s “quick turn” program, where we can spec a bike in one of four colors and have it built & delivered in less than three weeks time (ok, sometimes a bit more, but a surprising number do come within three weeks).

What’s the take-away from this? Don’t get hung up on the number. Decide which frame you wish, and build a bike around it. We’ll help with the details, show you the available colors, and get it ordered. Consider the examples shown on Trek’s website (for the Madone 6.2, 6.5, 6.7 and 6.9) just that… examples of what can be done. Working with Chain Reaction, you can do a whole lot better!

Those roads that have beaten you into the ground, that looked good on the map but turned into goat paths… you’ll look forward to them on your Domane!

The Specialized Roubaix has had its run in this category, the same way they used to lead in mountain bikes (until TREK introduced Active Brake Pivot, Full Floater suspension and DRCV shocks that put TREK out front). Not anymore! Bye-bye, Specialized. Hello Domane. Lighter. Twice the vertical compliance. Laterally stronger for greater responsiveness. All the right buzz words, but buzz is what you don’t get on this bike.

New Domanes are arriving weekly! Your local dealer might not get them for some time; we ordered early & heavy. Introductory pricing will be $4399.99 for an Ultegra-equipped bike, with Project One options available featuring DuraAce Di2, SRAM and Campagnolo at various price points. You can also design a bike with a custom paint job and components to match your needs & dreams with Project One.

Chain Reaction Bicycles will have a great price (always below what TREK shows on their website), extraordinary service and Project One customization expertise that comes from helping so many people with their custom road bikes since this program first started. Come in and see what your new bike is going to ride and look like!

Check out these reviews, and our close-up photos below!

If your bike is more than a couple years old, the ride of this bike, the way it climbs and how well the gears and brakes perform is going to blow you away.

2011 TREK CARBON ROAD BIKE SALE!

TREK Madone 5.1 SRAM-equipped road bike, tipping the scales at an outrageously-light (and honest) weight of just 16.59 pounds. Was $3049.99  now $2299.99!

This bike flies up the hills!

Limited quantities in stock, 56cm & 58cm only. These bikes feature the versatile H2 fit, which represents 80%+ of the bikes we sell. From 100k “metric” centuries to the Davis Double to riding “The Loop” to racing, this bike can do it all. Compact crank up front with 11-28 in back gives you an extremely wide-range of gearing for our varied terrain. This is a lighter and better-riding bike than the Madone 5.2 deal we offered 5 years ago.

If you haven’t bought a high-end road bike in the past 4 years, you’re going to be amazed at the improvements this bike offers. It’s been fun having long-time customers come in wondering if they really needed a new bike, taking one of these out for a spin and discovering the answer is yes. Even better is when they come in for the free 30 day check telling us how much fun they’ve been having!

We’ve still got more to do, and a now modern-looking facility that’s worthy of better upkeep (which means more sweeping & wiping & keeping things in their place). And I’m still trying to figure out where everything is, but remarkably, the most-significant thing that got lost in the transition was a paper shredder (OK, a week later, we found it). Might have ended up in the massive pile of old electronic stuff we’ve collected over the past 24 years at this location.

Stop by and check out the place. Same friendly and helpful people as before, but a much nicer presentation. –Mike–

What's new for 2012? A newly-remodeled Redwood City store! We break ground (or tear up carpet) Monday morning and the plan is to be finished by 1/13. It's not going to be business as usual, so best to give us a call before coming in, just to make sure we didn't have to close for a few hours. Our Los Altos store will be open normal hours. Thanks!

For women only, the benefits of a carbon fiber TREK frameset (light weight, smoother ride, better climbing & descending) at a great price. 47, 50, 52, 54 & 56cm to fit nearly all women. Wide-range compact crankset, ’105 shifters, 50-34 up front with an 11-28 in the back. This is the least-expensive full-carbon bike Chain Reaction has ever offered.

Even at this low price the bike is fully assembled, expertly fit to you (through a combination of measurements & observation) and includes free brake, gear & wheel tune-ups for life… done while you wait!

This bike is advertised on Trek’s website for $2089.99, and was previously sold by Chain Reaction for $1899.99. At $1499.99 it’s an incredible value. Get yours today!

Big savings on stylish CalTrain commute & around-town bike. The flip-flop rear hub allows for easy fixed-gear conversion!

2011 Trek 4th District sale! You won’t find a better deal anywhere else. Not used, not on-line, nowhere. Check out the specs below. The wheels alone would run over $250/pair. And it’s “fixie” (fixed-gear) ready; all you have to do is buy a cog and lockring and you’re ready to go. And it’s Caltrain friendly, at only 21.58 pounds in a 54cm size, including pedals and reflectors. Limited supply, while they last, at Chain Reaction Bicycles in Redwood City & Los Altos. Sale price just $424.99!

• Long-reach brake calipers for fender clearance
•  Alpha Black Aluminum frame w/carbon fork
•  Alloy sealed bearing Flip-Flop track hubs; aero, color-matched alloy rims
•  Bontrager Race All Weather Hard-Case Tires, 700x25c
•  Bontrager Nebula SS Crank, 44T chainring w/guard
• 17T freewheel (Flip-Flop hub allows fixed cog on other side)
•  VP track-style alloy Pedals
•  Bontrager Race Saddle
• Bontrager Satellite Nebula Seat Post
• Bontrager SSR VR, road bend handlebar
• Bontrager SSR Stem
•  Bontrager perforated cork tape grips
•  Sealed Cartridge-bearing headset
•  Alloy dual-pivot brakes w/Tektro road levers 

Belt-drive smoothness at a chain-drive price on the 2011 District

Want something even-cooler than the 4th District? How about the 2011 Belt-Drive District, on sale for $649.99, $500 off TREK’s website price of $1149.99 for this great bike! Drop a pound from the 4th District’s already superlight weight, add ultra-smooth & low-maintenance belt-drive operation, plus upright bars for a more casual style and you get what we in the bike biz call a “category killer.” A bike that nothing else comes close to. A bike that’s well-regarded among the Caltrain crowd.

• Alpha Black aluminum frame
• Carbon Bontrager Satellite Plus fork
• Deep-section color matched wheels
• Bontrager Race Lite Hard-Case, 700x25c tires
• Bontrager Satellite Nebula crank, 55T Carbon Drive belt sprocket w/22t rear
• VP track-style alloy pedals
• Bontrager Race saddle
• Bontrager Satellite Nebula seatpost
• Trek Urban 15 degree alloy handlebars w/alloy Bontrager stem
• Custom District lock-on grips
• Sealed cartridge bearing headset
• Alloy dual-pivot brakes w/Tektro alloy levers
• Belt Drive!

Just arrived at Chain Reaction, the latest Trek Madone road bikes with Ultegra Di2 shifting. Women’s only in the first batch. Why? Because women have had more issues with shifting, particularly front derailleur shifting, than men (smaller hands, shorter fingers make it difficult to push the shift lever far enough to easily engage the larger chainring).

Electronic Ultegra Di2 Shifting comes to a specially-priced Trek Women’s Madone bike at Chain Reaction

These bikes are available for test rides today! They feature the Trek’s top-of-the-line Madone women’s frame (6-series H3), Ultegra components and Bontrager Race wheels. A 16.5-pound package for $5189.99, $435 off Trek’s website price. Customization is encouraged! Choose from a huge array of color and component options (cost varies with options chosen) with delivery of your built-to-order bike in as little as 3 weeks.

2011 TREK Madone 3.1 Carbon Fiber Road Bike $1899.99 $1599.99.
Trek’s “entry level” Carbon Fiber road bike is nicely-equipped with ’105 Shifters, SRAM compact crank and rear eyelets for added versatility. Women’s WSD model available at same savings.

2011 TREK Madone 4.5 Carbon Fiber Road Bike $2099.99 $1899.99
Step up to nicer wheels, a smoother-riding frame and integration for Bontrager’s duo-trap speed sensor for just a couple hundred dollars more than the 3.1. Also available in Women’s WSD model at same savings.

2011 TREK 1.2 Road Bike $869.99 $769.99
Great-riding aluminum frame with carbon fork. Even at this price we include our personalize bike fitting services!

2011 TREK 1.5 Road Bike $1049.99 $899.99
Tiagra shifting is a major attraction with this bike. Now at under $1000, a fantastic buy on a great road bike.

2011 TREK 2.1 Road Bike $1249.99 $1149.99
Our best-selling mid-priced road bike, featuring Shimano ’105 and Trek’s advanced Alpha Black frame, this will handle your first 100k ride as well as next year’s 200 miler! A fantastic value.