Carl's Cycling Blog

Update:

Trek / Bontrager has just posted some information on their new saddles. Looks like the are going to keep the RXL race saddle that I love and add in the Affinity Saddle into their product line up. The saddle will share all of the same inform technology, but be designed for a more up-right riding position. ( a.k.a. the way most people ride, unlike… Tour de France riders who don’t mind being hunched over for hours)

affinity saddle

Bontrager Affinity RXL

MSRP* | $149.99
+ Lightweight, high-performance road saddle offering firm support for the weight conscious rider
+ inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
+ Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch to shave precious grams.
+ Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
+ Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright yet still performance-
oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow
+ Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
+ Superlight Zone Density™ foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support
+ Carbon fiber reinforced nylon base with hollow titanium rails
+ Unconditional Comfort Guarantee

Bontrager Affinity RL

MSRP* | $99.99
+ High-performance road saddle with more padding than the RXL for a more forgiving ride
+ inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
+ Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch
to shave precious grams.
+ Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
+ Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright
yet still performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow
+ Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
+ Zone Density foam provides superior cushioning without interfering with proper skeletal support
+ Carbon fiber reinforced nylon base with hollow titanium rails
+ Unconditional Comfort Guarantee
Product Details

Bontrager Affinity R

MSRP* | $69.99
+ Performance road saddle available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
+ inForm Science of Comfort design based on pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data
+ Saddle shape is optimized for road riding, featuring a narrower nose than the Evoke and a rear notch to
shave precious grams.
+ Available in three different, gender-specific widths for proper fit and support
+ Size Specific Curvature supports the skeletal structure in a way that’s optimized for a slightly more upright
yet still performance-oriented riding position, resulting in greater comfort and proper blood flow
+ Gender-specific Contour Relief Zone (CRZ) gives added pressure relief to sensitive soft tissue
+ Nylon/Composite base with hollow chromoly steel rails
+ Unconditional Comfort Guarantee

Original Post

Looks like Bontrager will be re-tooling their saddles for 2011. I have not seen any details of the saddle, but from the specs of the 2011 4 series Madone you can see Trek is no longer using the Bontrager R2 and the Bontrager Affinity Saddle 2 will replace it. I am looking forward to seeing if they are going to improve on their InForm saddles too, or if it is just carry down technology.

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The 2011 Madone 4.7 and 4.5 are going to be out soon. The 4.5 will be at a $2,099.99 MSRP and the 4.7 will be a $2,519.99 MSRP. Both of these new bikes will be made from the 4 Series TCT Carbon, E2 head tubes and be DuoTrap compatible. Not sure when we will see them in out local bike stores but I can’t wait.

2011 4 series madone

2011 Madone 4.5 Specs
Wheels Bontrager SSR
Tires Bontrager R1, 700×23c New For This Year
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crank Shimano R600, 50/34 or Shimano R-553 50/39/30
Bottom Bracket Shimano
Bontrager Affinity 1 Saddle New For This Year

2011 Madone 4.7 Specs
Wheels Bontrager Race
Tires Bontrager R2, 700×23c New For This Year
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crank Shimano 105, 50/34
Bottom Bracket Shimano
Cassette Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed
Bontrager Affinity 2 Saddle New For This Year

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It really is not that amazing to hear that Wal-Mart sells bikes. They sell everything at the lowest prices… We know that you get what you pay for, and Wal-Mart is in first place for the race to the bottom for both prices and quality.

Most people would walk into their local bike store and think that $270.00- $350.00 for an entry level bike is overpriced compared to Wal-Mart’s $99.99, but will not think about: quality of the bike, the service, or even the quality of assembly. Your average bike store has at least a full-time mechanic. For him or her cycling is more of a lifestyle then a seasonal sport and you are sure to get quality support from them. These type of people are going to make sure that you get the right kind of bike and the right size. (Yes there are many more sizes then child, youth and adult)

If I had to sum it up go to your local bike store over Walmart for:

1.) Best bike fit
2.) Quality/ safe bike assembly * see below
3.) Service after the sale

Once you actually get out and see the difference you will truly appreciate your local bike shop so much more. After seeing the difference myself I started a hobby of photographing improperly assembled bikes at Wal-Mart. I did not believe how many bikes go our with backward forks…. (this really is a safety concern)

Walmart Bike Assembly

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Just like in the past Trek as released the new Madone just in time for the prolog of the Tour de France. The 2011 6 series frame is nearly Identical to the 2010, but is almost 100g lighter on average. The real improvements go to the 5 series Madone. The 5 now sports the same internal cable routing, seat post system and integrated speed and cadence sensors.

5 series is no longer made out of OLCV carbon. It now shares the TCT Carbon of the 4 series.

Across the board Trek is using a new fitting options for the bikes (H1, H2 and H3)

The H1 is identical to the “Pro Fit” of last year. (Now ONLY available for the 6 series)
The H2 also follows the geometry of the “Performance Fit” with a slightly taller head tube then the H1 (aka, Pro Fit) (3cm)
The H3 is entirely new and DOES modify the geometry of the bike.

“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.”

2011 Trek Madone Promotional Material

4 series Madone Specs
2011 Trek Madone 6.2 Specs
2011 Trek Madon 5.9 Specs (now with internal cable routing!)

2011 Trek Madone

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First of all, I would like to say that I think Pinarello’s Dogma is an excellent bike, and one that I have lusted after myself.

That being said, I think it’s complete trash that it won Bicycling Magazine’s Race Bike of the Year for 2010. The Dogma they tested was $13,500, and they compared it to a $8,300 Madone and a $9,000 Giant TCR Advanced. I would be shocked if spending $4,500 more did not get you a better bike.

I personally believe that Bicycling was just doing Pinarello a favor and saying thank you for advertising with two page spreads every month… If I remember correctly, when they announced the Dogma Pinarello, there was a 6 page ad about it.

It’s really sad to see the quality Bicycling Magazine is this low.

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I thought this was by far the coolest tandem out there. I mean it would be so great to see tandem races with pro riders. Imagine Mark Cavendish and Thor Hushovd sprinting on a tandem!

Or Lance and Alberto actually stuck on one bike instead of just a team…

Specialized Tandem

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Dear Shimano,

I would like to buy one of your SC-7900 fight deck computers, but I can not find anyone who sells them. In fact, I have heard more successes stories of people finding the Lockness Monster and Big Foot. I guess to sum it up, I think you have made a really nice cycling computer that integrates the drive train, downloads data to a PC and has a heart-rate monitor. I am almost starting to think that you have not made any of them.

I would like to give you my money. Please provide a means to do so.

Shimano SC-7900 Computer with new flight deck

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I am really happy to see Bontrager come out with an inForm saddle for the mountain bike. I have been using my inForm RXL road saddle since November and love it. Looks like they are using the same Zone Density™ technology from their road saddles, but re-tooled for the needs of a mountain bike.

Just like the road versions they have three different widths with a unique curve for the best fit. Can’t wait to get one from my local bike shop!

Evoke inForm mtb saddle

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This really is the oddest folding bike I have seen, but I thing the idea is kind of cool. It is recommend a minimum height of 4′ 9` but the saddle height is easily adjustable to accomodate up to 6′3. When it is folded up is not much larger then an umbral.

I don’t think I would ever be see riding it to a club ride, but it would make a cool office toy.

A-Bike Plus

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