Levi received a Madone with the Stars and Stripes theme just before the Tour of California. Unfortunately this paint scheme is not available to the public and will remain a special gift to the US National Champion. No one was weighing bikes at the ToCA but with the spec shown in this photo I expect it to was less than 15 lbs. Levi's grown fond of that Bontrager Inform saddle so he swapped the entire seat cap from his Astana team paint bike. The colors don't match but it performs just fine.
Will
Will this ever be available to buy?
February 25, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Buzz
Ah, this one looks very similar to the one I watched being built up during Stage 3 (TT) at the Tour of Missouri. Very sweet indeed!
February 25, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Keith Russell
These Trek's fitted with Sram look the absolute business it's just a shame the system is so expensive to buy! In the UK even Rival shifters are more expensive than Dura Ace...
February 26, 2008 at 02:07 AM
3b
I was wondering if we'd see Levi on Inform or not. Maybe i just might consider swapping my SSM Aspide to try an RXL Inform this season.
February 26, 2008 at 09:37 AM
MarvinK
I'd like to see Trek include more SRAM support, as well. I'm very happy with my SRAM Force parts I used all of last year.
I just picked up my Inform RL saddle today--our local shop raved all about it. Can't wait to try it.
Why didn't Trek include the Inform with the new Madone bikes--or are they consider switching once availability improves? I have a friend looking at a 5.1 WSD--it's really nice, but it sure has a turd of a saddle for a $2800 bike.
February 29, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Justin
Hey Marvin,
Trek probably didnt include the Inform saddle on the Madone because they are customer specific, ie- come in 3 sizes...
I think the saddles do a good job of "picking the middle ground" Of course everybody will have a preference, but would you prefer it to go down the path of pedals, where there is no saddle on the bike, and you buy one afterwards?
March 01, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Brandon
What was he using before the inform saddle on the black seat cap? From the previous picture of this bike, I thought it looked like and Inform saddle to me. Does this have to do with the new seat cap?
March 04, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Paul
Absolutely incredible looking machine!!
March 12, 2008 at 03:14 PM
MarvinK
I'd rather they include their newest, most high-tech saddle and pass on the 'oem' pricing to the customer. If you compare the price of bikes with pedals and the ones without, there is almost no price difference--and the included pedals give you some negotiation room with the bike shop to get a 'deal' when you swap them for pedals you want. I don't think a bike should come without a seat unless you're going to knock $75-100 off the price.
When are the womens Inform saddles due out? My local shop has been saying June for months... and June's half over and no sign of them.
Sadly, I just had a little mishap and ripped the whole left side of my Inform up--any chance there's a 'crash replacement' option on saddles like frames and helmets? :D
June 15, 2008 at 03:05 PM