General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone 4.5? Rss Feed  
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2009-07-31 3:39 PM

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Subject: Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone 4.5?
I'm new to the sport, but I ride tons so I want to get myself a really good bike, but not a specialised TT bike because most of my training rides are on the way to and from work (but I don't use panniers) which is a 40k round trip that I often extend to make it 30 - 40k one way in the mornings.  So a road bike converted for aero bars would do the trick.

I recently discovered the Cervelo Soloist and I think it's a super cool bike that probably will fit all my needs (I always want to go faster!).  I've read lots of glowing reviews about it from a number of sources - and these reviews have also made me less certain about wanting just any old road bike to convert for tris because of how they explained the different geometry of the Soloist. 

But, being a comparison shopper and an over zealous researcher, I started looking at comparables.  The guy at the Trek store tells me that the Trek Madone 4.5 is the bike for me.  But his job is to sell me a Trek bike so I want to hear about it from someone who isn't actually trying to sell me the bike, but just likes it (or doesn't as the case may be).

So what can people tell me about these two bikes?  Anyone else use them?  And what about Cannondale bikes?  I think it was the Cannondale 800 that was suggested to me as another comparable.

I'm a woman, 5'4", average build (i.e. not an especially long or short torso, legs, arms).

Thanks!


2009-07-31 7:40 PM
in reply to: #2320306

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Subject: RE: Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone 4.5?
I ride a 51cm Soloist (the carbon version), and couldn't be happier. I just got my bike on June 1st, and have about 1,500 miles on it. My first bike was a Trek 2100 WSD, which was a fine bike, too...but it was the wrong size for me (54cm), and that attributed to lots of pain issues, which made riding unenjoyable for me.

I have clip-on aerobars (Profile Design Jammer GT) on my Soloist, and they work fine for me. I do lots more road riding than racing triathlons, so the aerobars are more of a comfort thing for me...instead of being an aerodynamic/speed thing. I like having another hand position, because I tend to get a lot of hand/wrist pain while riding...so going into "aero" every now and then, gives my hands a chance to rest and get the blood flowing again. But overall, I love my Cervelo. The only upgrades I plan on doing in the future, are getting some nicer and stronger wheels.

Don't get me wrong...the Madone is a great bike, too. I would definitely test ride both of them to see which one you are more comfortable on. If it turns out to be an "even match" with comfort...then I would probably choose the bike with the better components. Just keep in mind, that the Soloist is designed to be a dual-purpose (road & tri) bike, but the Madone is simply a road bike. I chose the Soloist because I specifically wanted a dual-purpose bike.
2009-08-04 8:02 AM
in reply to: #2320306


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Subject: RE: Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone 4.5?
i have a cervelo s1 (this is what the aluminum soloist is now called). i love it. it is very comfortable on 50 to 70 mile rides and very efficient. i will never sell it.

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