Trek Madone SL 6 Disc breaks cover

A new version of the Trek Madone has appeared on the brand's Japanese website: the Madone SL 6 Disc.

Trek already has a rim brake version of the Madone SL 6 with a standard Bontrager stem and aero handlebar as opposed to the adjustable aero VR-CF combined handlebar and stem that you get on the Madone SLRs. It also uses Trek's 500 Series OCLV carbon rather than Madone SLRs' higher end 700 Series.

Check out our guide to Trek's 2019 road bike range 

This keeps the price lower than it would otherwise be, although you're still looking at £3,600 with a mechanical Shimano Ultegra groupset and Bontrager Aeolus Comp 5 wheels.

The Madone SL 6 Disc looks to be built up with virtually the same components or their disc brake equivalents, including Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes. Trek uses flat mount discs and 12mm thru axles front and rear.

You get the same adjustable IsoSpeed decoupler to smooth the ride and the stack and reach measurements are the same across the two different versions.

Get all the details on the latest version of the Trek Madone 

Trek quotes an 8.63kg (19.03lb) weight for the disc brake model (56cm frame) compared with 8.2kg (18.08lb) for the rim brake version.

The Madone SL 6 Disc has a price of ¥ 530,000 (excluding tax), which converts to just over £3,800. Assuming Trek brings this bike into the UK – and it would be a bit weird if it didn't – you're looking at a price considerably higher than that. For a start, you have to add on tax. Plus, you need to bear in mind that the rim brake model is £3,600, so the disc model is never going to be just £200 more. 

To give you some indication, the difference in price between Trek's Madone SLR 6 P1 and SLR 6 Disc is £450, as is the price difference between the Emonda SL 6 and the Emonda SL 6 Disc. That would put the Madone SL 6 Disc north of £4,000.

Naturally, we've asked Trek for details and, just as naturally, they've politely told us to do one. It's a little game we have to play! Anyway, standby for an official announcement soon or keep your eyes on www.trekbikes.com.