Trek Madone SLR 7 eTap 2021

TREK Madone SLR 7 eTap 2021 – I ordered my TREK MADONE SLR7 eTap in July 2020 in a black finish paying $6000 deposit via my local bike shop. However, within a couple of days after my wife got onto my case about buying another black bike saying a black bike wasn't suitable for road use as I couldn't be seen well. Consequently, I contacted my local bike shop, MELO VELO, to… Read more

change it to RED/SMOKE BLUE. However, within a couple of days they came back saying that they couldn't change it because it was already shipped from the USA. But, also according to the ‘Melo Velo’ bike shop, the wait period according to their inventories was around 60 days, so this couldn't be true. Furthermore, on checking my customer rights, particularly when they couldn't show me the product, I planned to purchase, I have a 14 day cooling off period in Australia, which I am attaching for other buyers interest who fall into a similar situation. “You automatically get a 14-day 'cooling-off period' when you buy something you haven't seen in person - unless it's bespoke or made to measure. The cooling-off period starts the day after you receive your order, and there doesn't need to be anything wrong with the item for you to get a refund.” This item wasn't bespoke, and I viewed it as straight out BULLYING by TREK Australia & TREK USA, which didn't please me, and it didn't bode well for a product I hadn't even seen. In All cases, I try to be reasonable, and Trek let me down. I already had a TREK MADONE 9.9 2016, and at as older cyclist I was very impressed with its technology, lightness, handling, quality & looks. Combined with my WAHOO ROAM (Head-up display) and GARMIN Varia (rear warning bike radar light) it made cycling a pleasure. I also believe it gains me some advantage over many cyclists and enables me to compete fairly with them. The pedals have power meters, and now that the WAHOO ROAM set-up to display this, I am hooked. If it hadn’t been for my 2016 TREK MADONE 9.9, I could have grown very impatient waiting for the bike to arrive. After chasing up the bike shop, but mostly the TREK agency in Australia on occasions, I took ownership of the bike, more than 200 days in April 2021.

Because my local bike shop doesn’t sell to many high end road bikes, I left it with them for 2-3 weeks on display as I am a great believer in the product despite my initial issues I had with TREK. Furthermore, the delay from what I can gather, speaking with other suppliers is affecting a lot of other top end brands like Specialized etc…………... due to COVID-19.

In the wash-up, I learnt to patient as I was aware they were having problems caused by COVID-19, and I was rewarded because TREK gave me a pair of their top end Bontrager ride shoes and a new technology helmet, which I am grateful. However, it wasn’t without pushback.

As far as the product(bike) is concerned, it has a beautiful finish, particularly the superb paintwork. It feels a little heavier than my 2016 TREK MADONE, which doesn’t have disc brakes (it has rim brakes). Also, its handling seems to be as. good. However, it is early days yet with me planning to shorten the stem by 10mm and change the snub seat for a longer version for better bottom adhesion together some decorative wheel decals to add to its looks. It does make a difference. I will keep you posted. Post Script. 06JUL21- Have now clocked up some serious hits and a longer rides, and it is superb to ride. It feels rock solid at speed coming down some steep declines giving me a real buzz. As such, I cannot fault the bike, only weakness is the rider. I am also reviewing whether I need to shorten stem or replace the seat since Ive had one Physio on my shoulder.