Lexa vs. Madone

[Tanya]

I purchased a Trek hybrid this year, which I adore and ride several times a week. I started with a hybrid because I didn't feel comfortable with the aggressive positioning of the road bike, particularly braking with the curled handlebars. Now, the more I ride, the more I am getting the itch for an actual road bike. (This biking thing is turning into an incurable disease!) I want to start looking for a good, starter bike that will last me for several years. I have been so happy with my Trek that I'd like to start my search there. Right now, I'm between the Lexa and the Madone.

I generally ride 25-30 miles each ride, 2-4 times per week. I am having lots of fun doing organized, charity rides in the 25-50 mile range, and would like to do more of them. I'm not sure if I'd ever want to do a century ride--perhaps a metric century. I'm not riding to race (I like going 12-25 mph to take in the scenery), and I appreciate any help I can get from my bike when going up hills.

I am interested in the Lexa, but there seems to be a lot of chatter for the Madone, which is significantly more expensive. The biggest difference I see in the Madone 3 series and up and the Lexa, is whether the bike is a full carbon frame (Madone), or just has the carbon fork (Lexa). I'm sure that the Madone series also has some nicer components, but I'm wondering whether, given my "fun ride" style of biking, I would notice the difference?

I want to know whether I would benefit from a full carbon frame for my riding needs, or if it is "too much bike" for me. I'd also like to hear if there are other serious benefits from the Madone that would serve me well. Otherwise, the Lexa S, SL, and SLX all seem to look like good bikes for a beginning road biker.

[zoom-zoom]

I don't know enough about the 2 bikes to give you advice in that regard, but I will say that if you live in an area with rougher roads that full carbon is a beautiful thing. My first bike was aluminum with a carbon fork and was miserable on our chipsealed roads. New bike is entirely carbon and the comfort difference is like night and day. If money is no object (or not a huge one), I'd go with the carbon off the bat.

BTW, I always find it interesting when I see road bikes with flat bars, vs. traditional dropped bars. Flat bars limit a rider to ONE hand position, which I can't think is comfortable for long rides. I tend to use all surfaces of my handlebars on long rides to prevent pain/pressure/strain in any one area of my hands.

[Owlie]

Well, you're right--the big difference is the full carbon vs. aluminum with carbon fork. The Lexa series goes up to 105 (everything but the crankset and and brakes). The Madone starts at 105 (everything but the crankset and brakes), and goes from there. I believe the Lexa also comes with a triple, which may make difference, but generally you'll get the same gearing on a compact double, just with slightly different combinations of gears.

It depends on your budget, your roads, and how susceptible you are to road vibrations. My bike is somewhere between the Lexa and the Lexa S in terms of components, and it has been fine thus far, but I can certainly see that I'd want to upgrade in the next couple years. If you want to go the aluminum route, the SLX is probably a good place. The Madone might be a little more versatile in terms of upgrading the components at some point, though.

ETA: Zoom-zoom, you may want to re-read your post!
Also, the Lexa's pretty much the equivalent of my bike or your old bike--drop bars all round.

[ny biker]

My old bike was aluminum with a carbon fork, and I was generally okay with it while I had it. But on my first ride on a carbon bike, I noticed a difference in comfort due to less road vibration. And it wasn't on chipseal roads, just ordinary old asphalt with some areas of filled-in potholes.

So I would say that if you can afford a Madone, get it instead of the Lexa.

I think the lower-end Madones have the option of triple chain ring vs. compact double, if you want a triple. The more expensive models (with more expensive components) are compact double (or regular double?) only.

Also I would not go lower than 105 in terms of components. My old bike had a few Tiagra components, including the front derailleur, and I had lots of problems with it. It finally broke due to being adjusted too many times and was replaced with an Ultegra, which solved all the problems.

[zoom-zoom]

ETA: Zoom-zoom, you may want to re-read your post!

Ha, derp. I blame the heat...I'd kill for central air!

[Owlie]

Don't blame you. My frain is occasionally bried with this sort of weather.

Anyway, OP. I agree with the statement that if you've got the money, go for carbon--even if that means taking a hit on the components. Those are relatively easy to upgrade.

[Tanya]

Thanks for all of the commentary! I was hoping that there wouldn't be a noticeable difference between the aluminum frame with carbon fork and full carbon bike, so that I could save the sizeable difference in cost, but it sounds like the carbon frame is worth the high price. I'm not sure I'm ready to spend the $2,000+ on a carbon frame (I was hoping to spend somewhere in the range of $1,000-$1,500). To save up, I may end up waiting longer than planned before I make the leap.

[ny biker]

Comparing the Madone 3.1 WSD and the Lexa SLX, the main differences are:

- frame material (carbon vs aluminum)
- Madone comes with a compact double chain ring, Lexa comesw with a triple
- Lexa frame comes in a 43, if you need that size

The specific gearing is:
Madone: SRAM Apex, 50/34 (compact) vs Lexa: Shimano R-553, 50/39/30 (triple)

Both have the same cassette: Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed

So I think the Lexa would give you some lower gears for climbing. However it's possible that the lowest gear on the Madone would be sufficient; I'm okay with lowest gear on my bike, which has a compact double, and I ride up a fair number of steep hills (with asthma).

The wheels are also different, though I don't know much about wheels so I can't say if those on the Madone are a significant improvement or not.

Madone: Alloy hubs, Bontrager Approved alloy rims
Lexa: Bontrager SSR (43cm: 650c)

So I would say the Lexa SLX looks like a very good road bike for your purposes, but if you think could afford the Madone, I would give that a test ride also to see how the carbon frame feels. Also test ride on a hill to compare the gears, if you can.

[JuneHawk]

I can't speak for the Madone but I have a Lexa SLX (the top Lexa model) and I love it. I used to have a full carbon bike before I bought this one and I honestly can't feel a difference at all. If you can swing the money for the Madone then go ahead and get but don't feel like you are getting a bad bike if you get the Lexa. Also, not all the Lexas are triples; mine isn't.