Should Steve Upgrade or Replace His “Old” Trek Madone 4.7?
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
The question I’m answering this week is from a reader named Steve, who is riding a 2009 Trek Madone 4.7. I offer a few tips, recommend sources for replacement parts and give my take on what he might like about a new machine. Have a read and then weigh in with a comment to Steve with your recommendations. Thanks!
Steve’s question
I have a 2009 Trek Madone 4.7 with 21,000 miles on it. It has a full Shimano Ultegra drivetrain and braking system. I have changed the chain and cassette numerous times, but the chainrings are still original. The rubber brake lever hoods have started to deteriorate and I think it’s coming up on time to change the chainrings, as well as probably the chain and cassette again.
I know it’s an old bike and original parts may not be available. The guys at the Trek store suggest going on eBay to find original parts because they can’t provide them. My questions include: Would it be better to find such original parts (possibly used) if I can, or are new parts available from the OEM or perhaps from aftermarket manufacturers? What’s the best course of action to keep the bike on the road for another 20,000 miles? And is it even worth putting significant money into such an old bike?
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Shown is a 2010 Trek Madone 4.7 from Trek’s online bike catalogs (that’s as far back as they have).]
My reply
To start with the big question, Steve—is it worth putting money into an old bike? Only you can decide that one. If you love the ride of the bike and it fits you nicely and works for how and where you ride, it doesn’t sound like there’s really that much wrong except for some worn parts. So you might be perfectly happy continuing to put miles on it.
People who upgrade from bikes of your vintage typically do it to get two main upgrades – or, at least they feel that they’re upgrades. One is wider tires for more compliance and comfort, possibly fewer flat tires, and also most experts now agree, to ride more efficiently too. And second is for disc brakes, which believers feel provide better braking modulation and stopping power with less hand pressure – and even in steady rain too.
Another reason would be if you had some fit issues with your 4.7, for example, if you felt it wasn’t comfortable. In that case, you might want to look at the somewhat new category of road bikes called “endurance” bikes that put the rider slightly more upright and feature more comfortable geometry, which many cyclists like. The handlebars are higher so that you don’t have to crane the neck to see or bend over so much.
Those are several reasons you might consider upgrading to a “modern” bike because your 2009 probably only accepts narrower tires, can’t be upgraded to disc brakes and, while you could change out the stem to get higher, your frame geometry wouldn’t change.
And if you start looking at new bikes, you might find that some of the other features on the bikes today appeal to you too, such as wireless electronic shifting, a power meter built into the crankset and advancements in carbon frame technology that you should feel in better performance and a ride that’s superior to your old bike.
Tip: be sure to compare your old bike to new ones
You could easily do a test to see if you notice a difference by bringing your Madone down to the shop and taking turns riding it and new bikes you’re considering back to back. If you don’t feel any difference, then there may be no point in upgrading.
Upgrading sources
Now, for upgrading your bike, the guys at your Trek store are right: you can usually find replacement parts on eBay. Sometimes you have to keep searching for a while until you find what you’re looking for. By “a while,” I mean several weeks or even months, but from my extensive experience selling and buying there, I’d say that things usually show up sooner or later.
For brake hoods, ODI actually makes replacements. They’re not exactly the same but they’re made to fit. Hopefully this link will work: https://www.odigrips.com/collections/road/products/hudz-shimano-ultegra-6700-enhancement-brake-hoods?variant=31799515545667.
Chains & cassettes should be available still from shops and online. Chainrings should be available on eBay. If you can’t find the chainrings separately, you might be able to find an entire crankset with the right size chainrings, which will be more expensive, but at least you’ll get the chainrings you need.
Okay? I hope these tips are helpful. It would be great to hear what you decide to do, Steve.
Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.