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Focus Izalco Max vs Trek Madone SL Gen 8
Pick up to 4 bikes. Rows line up component by component. Highlighted rows differ, and green marks the best value where lower or higher is clearly better.
Key differences
- The Focus Izalco Max starts €300 cheaper (€2,499 vs €2,799 for the Trek Madone SL Gen 8).
- Our verdict scores the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 higher overall: 78/100 vs 73/100.
- The Trek Madone SL Gen 8's lightest build is 0.33 kg lighter (7.87 kg vs 8.2 kg).
- Tire clearance: up to 30 mm on the Focus Izalco Max vs 32 mm on the Trek Madone SL Gen 8.
- The Focus Izalco Max comes in 7 sizes, the Trek Madone SL Gen 8 in 6.
Focus Izalco Max
Trek Madone SL Gen 8
| FocusIzalco Max | TrekMadone SL Gen 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Brand | Focus | Trek |
| Build | Izalco Max 8.9 | Madone SL 7 Gen 8 |
| Build notes | Colours Red and Black. Claimed weight in size M without pedals. EUR price from Focus's German shop. No power meter. | Claimed 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. |
| Price (MSRP) | €4,299€4,299€4,299 | €5,949$6,000£5,000 |
| Bike weight | 8.2 kg18.1 lb | 7.87 kg17.4 lb |
| Weight measured on size | M | ML |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
| Generation | 4th generation (G4), 8 series | Gen 8 |
| Launched | 2023-10 | 2024-06 |
| Discipline | Aero road | Aero road |
| UCI legal | Yes | Not stated |
| Verdict (out of 100) | ||
| Overall score | 73 | 78 |
| Aero | 68 | 76 |
| Frame | 70 | 72 |
| Components | 58 | 62 |
| Fit | 74 | 80 |
| Practicality | 72 | 76 |
| Price | 100 | 100 |
| Weight | 72 | 79 |
| Frame & fork | ||
| Frame material | Carbon ('MAX technology', 8 series) | 500 Series OCLV Carbon |
| Fork material | Carbon (same fork on the 8 and 9 series) | Carbon (Madone Gen 8 full carbon fork, tapered carbon steerer) |
| Frame weight | 1,050 g2.31 lb | 1,054 g2.32 lb |
| Fork weight | — | 363 g12.8 oz |
| Weight measured on | Frame, as listed on Focus's 8-series product pages (size not stated) | Size ML, painted (frame only and fork only), as stated by Trek |
| Max system weight | 110 kg242.5 lb | 125 kg275.6 lb |
| Frame sizes | XXS (470), XS (500), S (520), M (540), L (560), XL (580), XXL (610) | XS, S, M, ML, L, XL |
| Colours | Red or Black (8.9), Black or Blue (8.8), Grey (8.7) | 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 | Izalco Max 9 series with a lighter carbon frame (865 g claimed) and a one-piece Reserve cockpit | 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 |
| UCI frame approval | On the UCI list of approved framesets as 'IZALCO MAX G4' (code DCW-IZ06) and 'IZALCO MAX G4 V2' (code DCW-IZ07), both approved 7 Jul 2021 in sizes XXS-XXL (7) (UCI list version 2026.10.02); the list doesn't say which entry is the 8 series. Focus says every Izalco Max complies with UCI rules and carries the sticker | — |
| Compatibility & standards | ||
| Brake type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount (160 mm front, 140 mm rear mount; 160/160 mm rotors fitted) | Hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Max rotor size | 160 mm | 180 mm |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c |
| Max tire width | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Bottom bracket standard | BB86 press-fit (SRAM DUB86 PF41 / Shimano Pressfit BB86 as built) | T47 threaded |
| Front axle | — | 12x100 mm chamfered thru-axle (Bontrager Switch) |
| Rear axle | 12x142 thru-axle | 12x142 mm thru-axle (Bontrager Switch, removable lever) |
| Drivetrain compatibility | All road groupsets, electronic or mechanical; designed for 2x but 1x is possible | Electronic or mechanical routing (mechanical front derailleurs need a housing stop); 1x and 2x |
| Mechanical shifting possible | Yes | Yes |
| 1x compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Max chainring | — | 56T |
| Front derailleur mount | — | Braze-on; removable aero chainkeeper |
| Cable routing | Internal through the Focus C.I.S. headset system | Fully internal through the RCS Headset System |
| Fit & adjustability | ||
| Cockpit | Focus C.I.S. 2.0 integrated aluminium stem with a separate alloy Road Bar; cables run internally through the C.I.S. headset | 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 | Focus Aero Carbon D-shape seatpost; 0 mm setback on XXS-L and 15 mm on XL-XXL | Madone aero carbon seatpost, 0 mm offset, with IsoFlow seat tube; reversible wedge, short and tall seat masts |
| Fit notes | Each size comes with one stem length and bar width (80-120 mm stem, 380-420 mm bar). The C.I.S. stem comes in 70-120 mm lengths and can be swapped through a dealer without removing cables; spacers can be moved above the stem to lower the front. | 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 | Acros IS52 top and bottom (integrated C.I.S.) | RCS Headset System (RCS Pro) |
| Derailleur hanger | — | UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger) |
| Maintenance | Disc mounts are flat mount 160 mm front and 140 mm rear; Focus fits 160/160 mm rotors. | — |
| Proprietary parts | C.I.S. stem and headset parts, D-shape seatpost, derailleur hanger | RCS Pro stem and headset top cap, Madone aero seatpost and seat mast, aero chainkeeper |
| Frame warranty | 6-year warranty on the carbon frame and fork for the original owner (2 years on paint) | — |
| Sold via | Through Focus dealers, and online from Focus in some countries (e.g. Germany) | Trek retailers and trekbikes.com; not offered through Project One |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Groupset | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 |
| Launched | 2025 · current generation | 2021 · current generation |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | Yes | — |
| Drivetrain | 2x | 2x |
| Battery | — | Central battery (Shimano BT-DN300) |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 |
| Notes | Combined shift and hydraulic brake levers | Trek also lists R8171 |
| Crankset | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano Ultegra R8100 |
| Chainrings | 48/35 | 50/34 |
| Crank lengths available | 165 mm (XXS-XS), 170 mm (S-L), 172.5 mm (XL), 175 mm (XXL) | 160 mm (XS-S), 165 mm (XS-ML), 170 mm (M-XL), 172.5 mm (L-XL), as listed by Trek |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB PF86 | Praxis T47 |
| Standard | BB86 press-fit | T47 threaded, internal bearing |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 |
| Notes | — | Braze-on, down swing |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 |
| Max cog | — | 34T |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival XG-1250 | Shimano Ultegra R8101 |
| Range | 10-36 | 11-34 |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM Rival E1 | Shimano CN-M8100 |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake calipers | SRAM Rival AXS E1 | — |
| Type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | — |
| Rotors | SRAM Paceline | Shimano RT-CL800 |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Rear rotor | 160 mm | 160 mm |
| Mount | — | Center Lock |
| Wheels & tires | ||
| Wheelset | Reserve 40|44 Road | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 |
| Front rim depth | 40 mm | — |
| Rear rim depth | 44 mm | — |
| Internal rim width | 25 mm | — |
| Material | Carbon | OCLV Carbon |
| Tubeless ready | — | Yes |
| Freehub options | — | Shimano 11/12-speed |
| Notes | Internal width 25.5 mm front, 25 mm rear | — |
| Tires | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR | Bontrager Aeolus Pro |
| Tire width | 29 mm | 28 mm |
| Type | — | Tubeless Ready, with Bontrager TLR sealant |
| Casing | — | 120 tpi, aramid bead |
| Notes | Listed by Focus as Corsa N.EXT wide, tubeless ready | — |
| Cockpit | ||
| Handlebar | Focus Road Bar | Bontrager Aero Pro |
| Type | — | Drop bar, 31.8 mm clamp, Di2 routing |
| Widths available | 380 mm (XXS-S), 400 mm (M-L), 420 mm (XL-XXL) | 35/38 cm (XS), 37/40 cm (S), 39/42 cm (M-L), 41/44 cm (XL), control/drop width |
| Bar reach | 74 mm | 80 mm |
| Bar drop | 116 mm | 124 mm |
| Flare | 4° | — |
| Material | Aluminium | OCLV Carbon |
| Notes | 31.8 mm clamp | — |
| Stem | Focus C.I.S. 2.0 | Trek RCS Pro |
| Stem length | 80-120 mm by size | 80 mm (XS), 90 mm (S-M), 100 mm (ML-L), 110 mm (XL), -7° |
| Notes | Integrated C.I.S. stem, -8°, with Garmin/Wahoo computer mount | — |
| Headset | Acros IS52/IS52 (ICR), FOCUS C.I.S. | — |
| Saddle & seatpost | ||
| Saddle | Fizik Vento Antares R5 | Bontrager Aeolus Elite |
| Saddle width | — | 145 mm |
| Rails | — | Austenite |
| Seatpost | Focus Aero Carbon D-shape | Trek Madone aero carbon seatpost |
| Offset / setback | 0 mm (XXS-L), 15 mm (XL-XXL) | 0 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Notes | — | Short length |
| Bar tape | — | Trek EcoTack |
| Notes | — | Trek also lists gel cork tape |
| Geometry (smallest – largest size) | ||
| Sizes | XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL | XS, S, M, ML, L, XL |
| Rider height min | — | 143–188 cm4′8″–6′2″ |
| Rider height max | — | 158–199 cm5′2″–6′6″ |
| Stack | 500–611 mm19.7–24.1″ | 507–610 mm20–24″ |
| Reach | 370–420 mm14.6–16.5″ | 370–402 mm14.6–15.8″ |
| Seat tube angle | 73–75° | 73.4–73.8° |
| Head tube angle | 70–73° | 71.6–73.9° |
| Head tube length | 90–195 mm3.5–7.7″ | 100–201 mm3.9–7.9″ |
| Effective top tube | 505–607 mm19.9–23.9″ | 517–584 mm20.4–23″ |
| Seat tube length | 455–585 mm17.9–23″ | 404–609 mm15.9–24″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410–412 mm16.1–16.2″ |
| Wheelbase | 975–1,033 mm38.4–40.7″ | 971–1,007 mm38.2–39.6″ |
| BB drop | 72 mm2.8″ | 68–72 mm2.7–2.8″ |
| Fork length | 371.5 mm14.6″ | — |
| Fork offset | 46 mm1.8″ | 40–50 mm1.6–2″ |
| Trail | — | 57–62 mm2.2–2.4″ |
| Front centre | — | 572–604 mm22.5–23.8″ |
| Standover | 746–857 mm29.4–33.7″ | 704–863 mm27.7–34″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c |
| Crank length | 165–175 mm6.5–6.9″ | — |
| Stem length | 80–120 mm3.1–4.7″ | 80–110 mm3.1–4.3″ |
| Handlebar width | 380–420 mm15–16.5″ | — |
| Handlebar reach | — | 80 mm3.1″ |
Geometry overlay
Pick a size for each bike to see frames and arm-pad ranges on top of each other.
Drawn to scale (how to read it).