The mission of the Design & Innovation Award is to shape the bicycle world in a positive way. It also serves as a forum for creativity, visionary ideas as well as the industry’s most innovative products. More than 40 experts from 10 countries joined this year’s event to test, analyze and judge the best and most innovative products of 2016 in Kronplatz/San Vigilio – Dolomites. The Gold Award recognises either perfect product design and function, or innovation that sets a new standard and inspires future product generations and forward-thinking approaches.
Everyone knows that fast has to be uncomfortable, right? Wrong! The new Trek Madone has changed everything, setting a new standard in performance while offering a level of comfort that rivals the best endurance bikes. The new Madone is sublimely beautiful and aerodynamic: the sculpted OCLV carbon frame flows gracefully from the head tube to rear axle, with a slippery Kammtail profile leaving nothing to disrupt the airflow. The Madone is more than just an aggressive road rocket, though – it has a softer, more gentle side. Trek have added the IsoSpeed decoupler from their cobble-eating Domane to isolate the movement of the seat tube from the rest of the frame, improving vertical compliance and comfort. Trek is also conscious that the new Madone, probably the most desirable road bike on the planet, will not only ridden by the pros of the Peloton, but also by “normal” riders, so they offer the frame in two different geometries, H1 and H2. Those who do not want the discomfort of the extreme position of the H1 aero-optimised geometry can still benefit from arguably the fastest bike on the planet in the more comfortable H2 form.
From a design standpoint, the Madone is simply perfection – from the one-piece aero bar and stem with hidden cables, to the sublime Vector Wings that cover the brakes, everything has been beautifully crafted to improve airflow. The Madone is a master of all trades: not only can it power along the flats, but it is also a strong climber that can then dominate the descents (all with enough comfort to live with day to day). The Trek Madone is a revelation, an engineering masterpiece, striking a perfect balance between aerodynamics, ride performance, and comfort. Representing a new generation of race bikes, it will inspire competing brands to make race bikes faster, more comfortable, and ultimately more versatile than ever before.
Price: € 12.999 | Weight: 7.18kg | trekbikes.com
Check out all winners and more about the Design & Innovation Award.
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