30 Days on the New Madone
I’m going to come right out and say this is the best bike I have ever owned! Before you say yeah yeah let me tell you why.
I’ve ridden many bikes including road, cross and mountain but the new 2017 Madone has been a true game changer. My impressions after my initial ride was how easily it glides along the road. When I say glide I mean fast, quiet and comfortable This is due to advanced aerodynamics and the IsoSpeed decoupler. This is the kind of bike you don’t mind pushing on being every pedal stroke moves you forward and rewards you with speed. Even while climbing you can feel the aero advantage which some claim is more important then weight. Braking is very powerful due to the new dedicated center pull brakes. Big descents and cornering on rough roads are impressive due to a degree of compliance felt in the front end. Another nice feature is the integration of a Garmin mount built in to the bars as well as dedicated light mounts front and rear. I ended up doing my first century on this bike which proved that this bike can do it all from crit racing, group rides, centuries and yes even a recovery ride. Bottom line if you are in the market for a new bike or want that one bike that does it all the new Madone should be on your short list.
By Victor Schepisi March 2016
Big Hair Blog 