Trek has launched its 2011 line of Madone bicycles unveiled against the back drop of the 2010 Tour de France. The awesome new Madone 6 Series SSL was the brightest star of the evening. . .

HexSL Carbon is what the new Madones are made from - no - we have no idea what it stands for. The 2011 Madone 6 Series SSL establishes a new benchmark for carbon-framed bicycles representing the lightest road frame the 9-time Tour de France winning company has ever produced.

Trek - Madone 6 Series SSL - We're still not sure on that paint job. . .

The launch was the public’s first introduction to Trek’s new SSL model but the bikes (and riders) have already started winning. The SSL propelled Team RadioShack’s Jani Brajkovic to an overall win at the 2011 Tour of Dauphine in June, resulting in the Madone SSL’s first stage race win. Team RadioShack’s entire 2010 Tour de France squad will be riding the Madone 6 Series SSL throughout July. . . . we already saw Lance Armstrong snap the seat-mast off his . . .

“At Trek, we’re constantly striving to improve upon every design,” remarked Trek Road and Tri Product Manager Tyler Pilger. “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.”

Trek - 2011 Madone 4.7C - that's a lot of white . . .

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.” And he sounded serious . . .

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.

Although Trek is the first bicycle company to utilize the technological advances of OCLV HexSL Carbon, it’s unlikely other bicycle manufacturers will soon follow suit. The U.S. Government has designated raw HexSL fiber as a defense grade material, making it illegal to ship outside the NATO alliance. As the largest domestic manufacturer of bicycles, Trek is well equipped to manufacturer its new SSL in the States, and has already declared the new Madone 6 Series SSL platform will be built exclusively at Trek’s Waterloo, Wisconsin production facility. So the stuff your bike is made from may also make missiles . . .

Trek - 2011 Madone 5.9C

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, 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, and fully internal cable routing that is optimized specifically for Shimano’s Di2 electric drivetrain.

To provide its customers with unparalleled control over every aspect of their bike’s configuration, Trek will be offering all 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.” Go to the Trek website if you haven't designed your own yet . . . this is so cool (ed.)

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.”

Trek - 2011 Madone 6.9 SSL

While the 6 Series SSL is the new pinnacle of the Madone line, Trek was equally excited to announce an all new Madone 5 Series platform. At more than 150 grams lighter than the 2010 version, Trek’s 2011 5 Series Madone now incorporates the same technologies as the vaunted Madone 6 Series while providing riders with an unmatched best in class value. In addition to shaving a significant amount of fuselage weight, Trek’s Madone 5 Series boasts a 15% increase in front end stiffness and a 43% increase in vertical compliance for the 2011. The Madone 5 Series will be available in 5 different models, including the 5.9, 5.5, 5.2, 5.5 WSD, and the 5.2 WSD.

For more information on Trek’s 2011 line of Madone bicycles, visit http://www.trekbikes.com/madone.

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