AeroAddicts

TrekMadone SL Gen 8

Aero road2027Gen 8 ↗Disc brakes

The cheaper grade of Trek's eighth-generation Madone, launched alongside the SLR in June 2024. It keeps the Full System Foil tube shapes, the IsoFlow seat tube and the Gen 8 geometry but is laid up in 500 Series OCLV carbon (Trek claims 1,054 g for the painted ML frame against 796 g for the SLR), comes with a two-piece cockpit of RCS Pro stem and 31.8 mm bar instead of the one-piece Aero RSL, and also takes mechanical groupsets. Builds run from Shimano 105 on alloy wheels to Ultegra Di2 with Aeolus Pro 51 carbon wheels; the RSL Aero bottles are sold separately.

Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 8 in Gloss Fury Red/Matte Deep Smoke, drive side
© Trek Bicycle Corporation
From
€5,949$6,000£5,000
Builds
4
Sizes
6
Frame weight
1,054 g2.32 lb

Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Our verdict

Overall

out of 100, average of 7 categories

The SLR's Gen 8 shapes and geometry for roughly half the money, at the cost of about 260 g of frame weight, a two-piece cockpit and no aero bottles in the box. Mechanical compatibility, a standard 31.8 mm bar and a 105 build under US$3,000 make it the practical way into the Madone, but the mid-range builds carry Rival AXS or alloy wheels.

Scored Oct 2026

  • + Affordable way in
  • + Wide fit adjustment

AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.

Aero
76/100

Aero claims and front-end integration

Frame
72/100

Carbon grade, weight and warranty

Components
62/100

Groupset, wheels and power meter

Fit
80/100

Sizes and adjustment range

Practicality
76/100

Travel, standard parts, servicing

Price
100/100

From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP

Weight
79/100

From the lightest claimed weight (7.87 kg, size ML)

How each category is scored

Bike duel

Reviews

4 independent reviews of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8.

Frame & platform

Frame & fork

Frame material
500 Series OCLV Carbon
Fork material
Carbon (Madone Gen 8 full carbon fork, tapered carbon steerer)
Frame weight
1,054 g2.32 lb
Fork weight
363 g12.8 oz
Weight measured on
Size ML, painted (frame only and fork only), as stated by Trek
Max system weight
125 kg275.6 lb
Frame sizes
XS, S, M, ML, L, XL
Colours
US (2026-10): SL 7 in Gloss Fury Red/Matte Deep Smoke or Era White; SL 6 AXS in Gloss Dark Star/Matte Deep Smoke or Matte Cobalt Blue/Trek Black/Living Coral; SL 5 in Gloss Dark Star/Matte Deep Smoke or Era White; frameset in Gloss Dark Star/Matte Deep Smoke (earlier Dark Star and Crimson framesets on closeout). Trek GB and DE also list Matte Lavender Haze/Deep Smoke and Gloss Crystal White/Matte Deep Smoke in a few sizes.
Also available as
Madone SLR Gen 8 (900 Series OCLV carbon, one-piece Aero RSL cockpit, electronic only); 'The First 50 Replica' paint edition of the SL 7

Compatibility & standards

Brake type
Hydraulic disc, flat mount
Max rotor size
180 mm
Wheel size
700c
Max tire width
32 mm
Bottom bracket standard
T47 threaded
Front axle
12x100 mm chamfered thru-axle (Bontrager Switch)
Rear axle
12x142 mm thru-axle (Bontrager Switch, removable lever)
Drivetrain compatibility
Electronic or mechanical routing (mechanical front derailleurs need a housing stop); 1x and 2x
Mechanical shifting possible
Yes
1x compatible
Yes
Max chainring
56T
Front derailleur mount
Braze-on; removable aero chainkeeper
Cable routing
Fully internal through the RCS Headset System

Fit & adjustability

Cockpit
Two-piece cockpit: Trek RCS Pro stem (-7°) with a 31.8 mm bar, Bontrager Aero Pro carbon on the SL 7 and Bontrager Comp alloy on the SL 6 AXS and SL 5; the one-piece Aero RSL bar/stem is available aftermarket
Standard stem and bar possible
Yes
Seatpost type
Madone aero carbon seatpost, 0 mm offset, with IsoFlow seat tube; reversible wedge, short and tall seat masts
Fit notes
Trek's Road Race geometry, the same table as the SLR. Stock stem length changes with frame size (80 mm on XS, 90 mm on S-M, 100 mm on ML-L, 110 mm on XL); bars are 35/38 cm to 41/44 cm control/drop width on the SL 7 and 36/40 cm to 42/46 cm on the SL 6 AXS and SL 5, all with 80 mm reach. Trek lists saddle rail height ranges for the short and the tall seat mast.

Aerodynamics

Manufacturer aero claims
Trek's Gen 8 tunnel figures (about level with the Madone Gen 7 and 11.3 W faster than the Émonda at 35 km/h) were run on the SLR with its RSL Aero bottles; the SL shares the tube shapes but ships with a two-piece cockpit and without the aero bottles, which Trek sells separately.
Testing method
Wind tunnel with a pedalling mannequin at 35 km/h plus CFD, in the SLR configuration (Trek's Madone aerodynamics page)
Tube profile
Full System Foil

Travel, maintenance & warranty

Headset bearings
RCS Headset System (RCS Pro)
Derailleur hanger
UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger)
Proprietary parts
RCS Pro stem and headset top cap, Madone aero seatpost and seat mast, aero chainkeeper
Sold via
Trek retailers and trekbikes.com; not offered through Project One

Photos

Design sketches

Design sketch of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8, side view
Side view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8, three-quarter view
Three-quarter view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Design sketch of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8, front view
Front view · Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo

Builds & components

Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.

Trek Madone SL Gen 8 builds
Madone SL 7 Gen 8
Madone SL 6 AXS Gen 8
Madone SL 5 Gen 8
Madone SL Gen 8 Frameset
Overview
Price (MSRP)€5,949$6,000£5,000€4,799$5,000£4,000€2,799$3,000£2,750€2,199$2,500£2,200
Weight7.87 kg17.4 lb8.11 kg17.9 lb8.64 kg19 lb—
Weight measured on sizeMLMLML—
TypeComplete bikeComplete bikeComplete bikeFrameset
NotesClaimed weight with TLR sealant, no tubes. Trek DE lists two run-out colours (Matte Lavender Haze/Deep Smoke, Gloss Crystal White/Matte Deep Smoke) at €5,999. Launch MSRP in June 2024 was US$6,500 / £6,000 / €6,500 (Escape Collective). Trek also sells this build as the 'Madone SL 7 Gen 8 - The First 50 Replica' paint edition (US$6,599.99, £5,000, €5,949). No pedals.Claimed weight with TLR sealant, no tubes. Launch MSRP in June 2024 was US$6,000 / £4,750 / €5,500 (Escape Collective); road.cc listed it then with Aeolus Elite 35 wheels and a power meter, while Trek now lists Aeolus Elite 50 wheels and no power meter. No pedals.Claimed weight with tubes. The only mechanical build. Trek DE lists two run-out colours (Matte Lavender Haze/Deep Smoke, Gloss Crystal White/Matte Deep Smoke) at €2,999. Launch MSRP in June 2024 was US$3,500 / £3,250 / €3,500 (Escape Collective). No pedals.Gloss Dark Star/Matte Deep Smoke frameset with fork, RCS Pro headset spacers and Bontrager Switch thru-axles. The earlier Dark Star and Crimson framesets (US MSRP US$3,299.99) were on closeout at US$2,299.93 on 2026-10-09; Trek GB and DE list them at the same £2,200 / €2,199 as the current one. Launch MSRP in June 2024 was US$3,800 / £2,750 / €3,000 (Escape Collective).
Drivetrain
GroupsetShimano Ultegra Di2 R8100SRAM Rival AXS E1Shimano 105 R7100—
Launched2021 · current generation2025 · current generation2023 · current generation—
Speeds12-speed12-speed12-speed—
ElectronicYesYesNo—
Wireless—Yes——
Drivetrain2x2x2x—
BatteryCentral battery (Shimano BT-DN300)———
ShiftersShimano Ultegra Di2 R8170SRAM Rival AXS E1Shimano 105 R7120—
NotesTrek also lists R8171———
CranksetShimano Ultegra R8100SRAM Rival AXS E1Shimano 105 R7100—
Chainrings50/3448/3550/34—
Crank lengths available160 mm (XS-S), 165 mm (XS-ML), 170 mm (M-XL), 172.5 mm (L-XL), as listed by Trek160 mm (XS-S), 165 mm (XS-ML), 170 mm (L-XL), 172.5 mm (L-XL), as listed by Trek160 mm (XS-S), 165 mm (XS-ML), 170 mm (M-XL), 172.5 mm (L-XL), as listed by Trek—
Spindle—DUB——
Notes—Trek names the 160 mm crank Rival AXS E1 and the other lengths Rival AXS——
Bottom bracketPraxis T47SRAM DUB T47Praxis T47—
StandardT47 threaded, internal bearingT47 threaded, internal bearingT47 threaded, internal bearing—
Front derailleurShimano Ultegra Di2 R8150SRAM Rival AXSShimano 105 R7100—
NotesBraze-on, down swingBraze-onBraze-on, down swing—
Rear derailleurShimano Ultegra Di2 R8150SRAM Rival AXSShimano 105 R7100—
Max cog34T36T36T—
CassetteShimano Ultegra R8101SRAM Rival XG-1250Shimano 105 R7101—
Range11-3410-3611-34—
Speeds12-speed12-speed12-speed—
ChainShimano CN-M8100SRAM Rival E1Shimano CN-M7100—
Brakes
Brake calipers——Shimano 105 hydraulic disc—
Type——Hydraulic disc, flat mount—
RotorsShimano RT-CL800SRAM PacelineShimano RT-CL700—
Front rotor160 mm160 mm160 mm—
Rear rotor160 mm160 mm160 mm—
MountCenter LockCenter LockCenter Lock—
Notes—Rounded——
Wheels & tires
WheelsetBontrager Aeolus Pro 51Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50Bontrager Paradigm 23—
Front rim depth—50 mm——
Rear rim depth—50 mm——
MaterialOCLV CarbonOCLV CarbonAlloy—
Tubeless readyYesYesYes—
Hubs——Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, Center Lock, Shimano 11-speed freehub—
Spokes——14g stainless steel, 24-hole—
Freehub optionsShimano 11/12-speedSRAM XDR——
Notes——23 mm rim width as listed by Trek—
TiresBontrager Aeolus ProBontrager Aeolus ProBontrager Aeolus Pro—
Tire width28 mm28 mm28 mm—
TypeTubeless Ready, with Bontrager TLR sealantTubeless Ready, with Bontrager TLR sealantTubeless Ready, shipped with tubes—
Casing120 tpi, aramid bead120 tpi, aramid bead120 tpi, aramid bead—
Cockpit
HandlebarBontrager Aero ProBontrager CompBontrager Comp—
TypeDrop bar, 31.8 mm clamp, Di2 routingDrop bar, 31.8 mm clampDrop bar, 31.8 mm clamp—
Widths available35/38 cm (XS), 37/40 cm (S), 39/42 cm (M-L), 41/44 cm (XL), control/drop width36/40 cm (XS), 38/42 cm (S-M), 40/44 cm (ML-L), 42/46 cm (XL), control/drop width36/40 cm (XS), 38/42 cm (S-M), 40/44 cm (ML-L), 42/46 cm (XL), control/drop width—
Bar reach80 mm80 mm80 mm—
Bar drop124 mm121 mm121 mm—
MaterialOCLV CarbonAlloyAlloy—
StemTrek RCS ProTrek RCS ProTrek RCS Pro—
Stem length80 mm (XS), 90 mm (S-M), 100 mm (ML-L), 110 mm (XL), -7°80 mm (XS), 90 mm (S-M), 100 mm (ML-L), 110 mm (XL), -7°80 mm (XS), 90 mm (S-M), 100 mm (ML-L), 110 mm (XL), -7°—
Saddle & seatpost
SaddleBontrager Aeolus EliteBontrager Aeolus EliteBontrager Aeolus Elite—
Saddle width145 mm145 mm145 mm—
RailsAusteniteAusteniteAustenite—
SeatpostTrek Madone aero carbon seatpostTrek Madone aero carbon seatpostTrek Madone aero carbon seatpost—
Offset / setback0 mm0 mm0 mm—
MaterialCarbonCarbonCarbon—
NotesShort lengthShort lengthShort length—
Bar tapeTrek EcoTackTrek EcoTackTrek EcoTack—
NotesTrek also lists gel cork tape—Trek also lists gel cork tape—

Madone SL Gen 8 price & value

Where it's cheapest

MSRPs converted at ECB reference rates of 2026-10-05 (1 EUR = 1.1204 USD = 0.8472 GBP). US prices exclude sales tax, so add your state's rate before comparing.

BuildMarketMSRPIn EURvs cheapest
Madone SL 7 Gen 8USA (USD, excl. sales tax)$6,000€5,355cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£5,000€5,902+10%
Europe (EUR, incl. VAT)€5,949€5,949+11%
Madone SL 6 AXS Gen 8USA (USD, excl. sales tax)$5,000€4,463cheapest
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£4,000€4,721+6%
Europe (EUR, incl. VAT)€4,799€4,799+8%
Madone SL 5 Gen 8USA (USD, excl. sales tax)$3,000€2,678cheapest
Europe (EUR, incl. VAT)€2,799€2,799+5%
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£2,750€3,246+21%
Madone SL Gen 8 FramesetEurope (EUR, incl. VAT)€2,199€2,199cheapest
USA (USD, excl. sales tax)$2,500€2,231+1%
UK (GBP, incl. VAT)£2,200€2,597+18%

Building up the Madone SL Gen 8 Frameset

Included: frame and fork only, as listed.

Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Handlebar, Seatpost, Saddle, Pedals.

Real-world weight

Scale weights of the Madone SL Gen 8 from reviewers, next to Trek's claim.

WhatMeasuredClaimedMeasured by
Madone SL 7 Gen 8Size M · Madone SL 7 Gen 8 as weighed by the magazine; it doesn't say whether pedals were fitted8 kg17.6 lb7.87 kg17.4 lb+130 g vs claimVelomotion2026-05
Complete bikeSize S · Madone SL 6 Gen 8 (Shimano 105 Di2, Aeolus Elite 35) with pedals, two bottle cages and a light mount8.9 kg19.6 lb—Bicycling Australia2025-10

Comparing with the claim

Ownership checklist

4 of 4 known checks pass. Why these checks

  • ✓

    Threaded bottom bracket

    T47 threaded

  • ✓

    UDH derailleur hanger

    UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger)

  • ✓

    Standard 12×142 mm rear axle

    12x142 mm thru-axle (Bontrager Switch, removable lever)

  • ✓

    Works with mechanical shifting

Madone SL Gen 8 geometry

Trek Madone SL Gen 8 geometry
XSSMMLLXL
Rider height min143 cm4′8″158 cm5′2″162 cm5′4″173 cm5′8″179 cm5′10″188 cm6′2″
Rider height max158 cm5′2″162 cm5′4″173 cm5′8″179 cm5′10″188 cm6′2″199 cm6′6″
Stack507 mm20″530 mm20.9″546 mm21.5″562 mm22.1″582 mm22.9″610 mm24″
Reach370 mm14.6″378 mm14.9″384 mm15.1″389 mm15.3″394 mm15.5″402 mm15.8″
Seat tube angle73.8°73.8°73.6°73.4°73.4°73.4°
Head tube angle71.6°72.2°72.9°73.5°73.8°73.9°
Head tube length100 mm3.9″121 mm4.8″136 mm5.4″150 mm5.9″172 mm6.8″201 mm7.9″
Effective top tube517 mm20.4″532 mm20.9″545 mm21.5″557 mm21.9″568 mm22.4″584 mm23″
Seat tube length404 mm15.9″440 mm17.3″476 mm18.7″512 mm20.2″548 mm21.6″609 mm24″
Chainstay410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″410 mm16.1″411 mm16.2″412 mm16.2″
Wheelbase971 mm38.2″976 mm38.4″981 mm38.6″980 mm38.6″990 mm39″1,007 mm39.6″
BB drop72 mm2.8″72 mm2.8″70 mm2.8″70 mm2.8″68 mm2.7″68 mm2.7″
Fork offset50 mm2″45 mm1.8″45 mm1.8″40 mm1.6″40 mm1.6″40 mm1.6″
Trail61 mm2.4″62 mm2.4″58 mm2.3″59 mm2.3″57 mm2.2″57 mm2.2″
Front centre572 mm22.5″577 mm22.7″582 mm22.9″581 mm22.9″589 mm23.2″604 mm23.8″
Standover704 mm27.7″734 mm28.9″762 mm30″790 mm31.1″820 mm32.3″863 mm34″
Wheel size700c700c700c700c700c700c
Stem length80 mm3.1″90 mm3.5″90 mm3.5″100 mm3.9″100 mm3.9″110 mm4.3″
Handlebar reach80 mm3.1″80 mm3.1″80 mm3.1″80 mm3.1″80 mm3.1″80 mm3.1″

Side view

Drawn to scale (how to read it).

Trek Madone SL Gen 8 · M

How the geometry rides

The Madone SL Gen 8 in size M against the middle size of 29 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).

  • Trail58 mm2.3″

    shortestlonger than 28% of 29 bikeslongest

  • Wheelbase981 mm38.6″

    shortestlonger than 33% of 65 bikeslongest

  • Front centre582 mm22.9″

    shortestlonger than 34% of 29 bikeslongest

  • Chainstay410 mm16.1″

    shortestlonger than 63% of 73 bikeslongest

Compare on the stack & reach chart

Good to know

  • Compatibility

    Unlike the electronic-only SLR, the SL frame has routing for mechanical groupsets whose front derailleur has a housing stop. Its RCS Pro stem takes any 31.8 mm handlebar, and the Aero RSL one-piece bar/stem, the RSL Aero bottles and cages are sold separately for SL owners.

    Source
  • History

    The SL was announced with the SLR on 27 June 2024 as the second-tier Gen 8 Madone, replacing both the Madone SL Gen 7 and the Émonda SL. Trek calls it its lightest Madone SL disc frameset so far: the claimed 1,054 g frame is about level with the Gen 7 Madone SLR frame (1,050 g) and the 363 g fork lighter than the Gen 7's 418 g, per launch coverage.

    Source
  • Versions

    The 2025 launch range also had a Madone SL 6 with Shimano 105 Di2 and Aeolus Elite 35 wheels (US$5,500 / £4,250 / €5,000); by October 2026 Trek US, GB and DE list only the SL 7, SL 6 AXS and SL 5 plus the frameset, and the SL 7 in a 'The First 50 Replica' paint edition.

    Source

Madone SL Gen 8 FAQ

How much does the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 cost?+

Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €2,199–€5,949 / $2,500–$6,000 / £2,200–£5,000 across 4 listed builds and framesets: Madone SL 7 Gen 8, Madone SL 6 AXS Gen 8, Madone SL 5 Gen 8 and Madone SL Gen 8 Frameset.

How much does the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 weigh?+

The lightest complete build listed (Madone SL 7 Gen 8) weighs 7.87 kg (17.4 lb) in size ML. The frame weighs 1,054 g (2.32 lb) (Size ML, painted (frame only and fork only), as stated by Trek).

What sizes does the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 come in?+

6 sizes: XS, S, M, ML, L and XL. The manufacturer recommends them for riders from 143 cm (4′8″) to 199 cm (6′6″).

What is the tire clearance of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8?+

Up to 32 mm tires on 700c wheels.

Which groupsets are compatible with the Trek Madone SL Gen 8?+

Drivetrain compatibility: Electronic or mechanical routing (mechanical front derailleurs need a housing stop); 1x and 2x. Mechanical shifting can be fitted. 1x drivetrains are supported. The largest chainring that fits is 56T. Bottom bracket: T47 threaded.

What builds of the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 are available?+

Madone SL 7 Gen 8: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100; Madone SL 6 AXS Gen 8: SRAM Rival AXS E1; Madone SL 5 Gen 8: Shimano 105 R7100.

Is the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 aerodynamic?+

Trek's Gen 8 tunnel figures (about level with the Madone Gen 7 and 11.3 W faster than the Émonda at 35 km/h) were run on the SLR with its RSL Aero bottles; the SL shares the tube shapes but ships with a two-piece cockpit and without the aero bottles, which Trek sells separately. (Wind tunnel with a pedalling mannequin at 35 km/h plus CFD, in the SLR configuration (Trek's Madone aerodynamics page))

Sources

Trek Madone SL Gen 8 data last updated · How the data is checked ·