Lexa vs. Madone

[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.