Carbon Bikes

[kat_brun]

Hi I just joined and am looking to move up from my Trek 1000 WSD to a carbon road bike for longer group rides and occassional Olympic distance triathlons (along with the training involved). I'm considering the Scott Contessa CR1 Pro and the Trek Madone 4.7 WSD. They both seem like great bikes and would be a big step up. Any comments from owners/previous owners of these two models? Anything you don't like? On the test rides both were wonderful. Because I'm fairly small, I want to stick with the WSD frame. Also the two shops that I like near my house carry these two models, so I'm trying to focus on them. The Cannondale Synapse feminine 4 and 3 are possibility but the staff at that shop aren't as helpful.

Kat in Brisbane, Australia

[RolliePollie]

Wow Kat, we must be kindred spirits or something...just a few months ago I upgraded from a Trek 1000 WSD to a Madone 4.7 WSD!

I am in love with my Madone and I can't really think of anything I don't like about her (except the white color, which is very pretty but it's a little hard to keep clean). I'm loving the carbon frame...she's much lighter than my 1000 and she's a very smooth ride. I'm really enjoying the Ultegra components too. I was very happy with my 1000, but now I'm realizing what I was missing out on. The Madone is just a much sweeter ride.

So...my vote would be for the Madone 4.7 WSD! But of course, I have not ridden the Scott Contessa, so my opinion is a bit one-sided!

-sara

[ninerfan]

Oy. I need to stay away from this thread. The Trek 1000 WSD to the Madone 4.7 WSD is exactly the upgrade I am dreaming about. Unfortunately, it will remain a dream for quite a while. I'll live vicariously through all of you!

Good luck with whatever you end up with!

[ACiveE]

I recently purchased the cannondale synapse 3 after considering the madone... unlike you, the shop/service for cannondale was more favorable. Also, the cannondale ended up being a better 'deal' for me financially and component wise. I couldn't be happier but this was also my real first road bike... so I have few comparisons. I only briefly rode lower end treks.

[VeloVT]

I have the Scott Contessa CR1 Pro. I don't have time to write a long response now but I will check back in tonight.

My vote would be to go with the Scott. The carbon is better. I have ridden Trek's TCT carbon (which the 4.7 has, I believe) and Trek's OCLV carbon, and there is a big difference -- the OCLV is much livelier and stiffer. The Scott carbon feels a lot like OCLV. My boyfriend actually has a Madone 5.2 from 2007 (before the line got really confusing ) that has OCLV, so I've had the opportunity to take it for some longer rides. The Scott is comparable to OCLV in smoothness and liveliness, but I would say it feels even stiffer (this might be geometry too, the CR1 has a huge oversized bottom bracket) -- it really jumps. His OCLV Madone damps out road chatter slightly better though.

Aside from the difference in carbon (assuming the 4.7 is TCT), though, I have nothing at all bad to say about the Madone. It's a really nice bike.

[RolliePollie]

Aside from the difference in carbon (assuming the 4.7 is TCT), though, I have nothing at all bad to say about the Madone. It's a really nice bike.

The Madone 4.7 is TCT carbon. I would've preferred to go with the OCLV carbon but the price jump between the 4.7 and the 5.2 was just out my budget. I test rode both but it wasn't a real test ride - just the back of a shopping center parking lot. I could feel a slight difference, but I'm sure once you're out on the road, the OCLV would be a lot better. Compared to the aluminum frame 1000, the TCT carbon purrs like a kitten. I just try not to think about how much better the OCLV might be!