First ride!

Just back from the maiden voyage of the Trek. About an hour, just tooling around the local area. Which is, I might add, nicely hilly. Nothing long, but some short hills with steep grades in places. So let's get to it.

Trek Madone 5.2, 62cm, nicely orange, outfitted with Easton Circuit wheels. For reference, my old road bike was a 2004 Giant TCR, XL size, bright yellow aluminum frame, same wheels that are now on the Trek. And my "old skool" ride, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master, 62cm, yellow and white, Mavic Open Pro rims, 32 spoke, Ultegra hubs.

The Trek is not noticeably stiffer than the TCR, neither had detectable bottom bracket flex, and they're both dead solid beneath you. The Centurion is, by contrast, almost nothing but flex. If you are putting any power into the pedals, it is flexing. Straight-line and downhill stability, the Trek has the edge on everything. The TCR was "twitchy", you had to be on it. The Centurion is, eh, unnerving? Unsettling? Frightening? Let's just say it doesn't go straight, and it doesn't like going downhill either. You are on it with white knuckles. The Trek, nicely, goes downhill and straight with great stability, and just goes where you want it to with minimal attention. It's a little "slow" compared to the TCR, but not sluggishly so. Solid would be a better word.

Weight-wise, the Trek is probably a good pound or two lighter than the TCR. Remember they have the same wheels, so that's not an issue. Acceleration on both is instant. Centurion, again, not so much. Heavy, and it feels like everything is time-delayed a bit.

Comfort. Now let's get into why I bought the Trek. The TCR was light, stiff, efficient, and reasonably confidence-inspiring. The Centurion is heavy, flexy, terrifying at times, and noticeably inefficient. But, it rides like a Cadillac: smooth and quiet. The TCR rang, literally, like a high-pitched bell. It makes you go numb if you don't shift around frequently.

I wanted the efficiency of the TCR, with the comfort and quiet of the Centurion. The Trek, I am happy to report, delivers. It's nothing astounding, nothing earth-shattering. But it is noticeable. You get the smooth, quiet, bump-dulling, all but vibration-free ride of the Centurion, with all the speed and efficiency of the TCR. With the added bonus of less weight and more stability and confidence. And of course a much lighter and more streamlined wallet.

So it would appear my goal has been achieved. Still a LOT of adjustments to position to make, and that will affect handling to a degree. Seat needs to come down and forward at least 1cm. Handlebars need to drop - maybe 2cm? And, depending on how that works out, maybe come in 1cm. I felt like I was riding a mountain bike I was so upright, and was definitely having to reach for the pedals. I am reserving judgement on the Bontrager tires, but they felt a little squirelly at 110psi. Could be because I was so upright, the rear was supporting way too much weight.

And the seat will most likely have to go. I've only got a couple hours on the Trek, but the seat already bothers me. I think the nose is too wide, and the back is too narrow. Nice padding, though...soft but not too soft, if you know what I mean.