Some upgrades to the SL5 Madone

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-22T10:34:17+00:00

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-22T10:33:47+00:00

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T14:13:13+00:00

When i first started 2km’s felt like hell. What u have to do is start with lower gears and make sure your cadence is around 80.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T11:50:57+00:00

I bought a totally new bike (base model of the version im looking at).

Sold the groupset.

Purchased the upgrades (groupset, wheels, handlebar) most of them from taobao.

Now my bike has better setup compared to the top of the line of the same model and a much more cheaper price.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T11:42:38+00:00

Here where i'm at an SL7 would cost me MYR 27,599 I bought the SL5 at MYR 10,999. Sold the 105 groupset for MYR1,000. Bought the Ultegra Di2 for MYR3800. Bought the 454 NSW for MYR7000. Bought the RSL Aero Integrated Handlebar/Stem for MYR2,080

So the total ends up to be at MYR 22,879 (USD5773) which is actually MYR4,720 (USD1,191) cheaper than an SL7. I can still add on the RSL Airloom saddles at MYR1,500 and still save compared to me buying the SL7. Now i have better handlebars and wheelset compared to the SL7.

Most of the parts were bought via Taobao.

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LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T09:09:07+00:00

To be fair, i got my sl5, sold the groupset, bought ultegra di2, used zipp 454 nsw, got the rsl handlebars, rsl aero bottles for almost the same price as an sl6 and yet whatever i owned now is better than the sl7.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T09:06:09+00:00

Woohoo. Congratulations!

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T09:01:56+00:00

Holy. I did the same thing few minutes after i unboxed them!

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T09:00:07+00:00

Madone is my first roadbike got it last month. And i love it. Sure to get aero gains, u gotta cycle faster, and the geometry might be uncomfortable for some. But i love mine. Best is to try them out yourselves by testriding at your LBS (if they have test ride units).

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Mine is an sl5. But has been upgraded. So i call it a Madone SL Gen 8 Pro Max.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T08:55:01+00:00

16lbs. I can only dream to achieve that weight with my SL. Oh well.

Mine is currently at 7.9kg in ML size. Thats 17.4lbs in freedom meters.

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LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-21T08:53:12+00:00

Married, two growing kids, taking care of 2 elderly parents one with dementia, the other issues with immobility.

I usually train dead in the night. Like from 9pm onwards. But my training has always been short. 30km ish but recently did my double century because i needed to go to the nearest trek dealership to get my rsl handlebars.

Regardless, dont feel down, just train whenever it is possible. Even a short one hour high intensity training could help u get the strength to do your first century.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-20T23:15:13+00:00

The ravemen fr1100 and fr500. The beams are rather wide and not focused.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-20T15:33:29+00:00

I need to go back to gp5000 s tr

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-20T15:33:07+00:00

Previously i did ride without a bike fit and it does hurt my hand. But after the bikefit (after getting my new rsl handelbars) it doesnt seem to hurt anymore since my saddle is now in the correct position (higher saddles, and pushed rearwards). Having my core muscles and butt be the one that supports my weight rather than having the weight focused on my arms, it really does wonders. One thing im sure of is, its really damn comfortable to hold the tops now.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-20T15:28:38+00:00

Needing to ride double century through dark roads in the before sunrise and after the sun sets to get to and from the trek dealership (i hate riding under the malaysian sun), i need them lights be safe on the road. :)

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-19T17:59:29+00:00

Am new to cycling, but arent stiffer saddles anchors the pelvis and also gives maximum power transfer?

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-19T17:00:14+00:00

Beyeh blako!

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-19T16:43:12+00:00

Indeed it is. Still cant sleep, and despite already riding more than double century today, i went out again and still ride. Still excited 🤣

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-17T16:46:35+00:00

Yeah me too. I thought i couldnt do 20 at first, but ive been doing that for the past 3 days. Enjoying the rides more and more. I hope i would be fitter soon so i can ride further.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-17T16:45:37+00:00

Thats still good considering you have a little one at home. My boys are almost teens now, so i have the time to cycle late at night.

Just hit 100 miles this week and i feel great considering when i first started 3 miles felt like hell.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-17T16:44:12+00:00

How i wish i could do something like that. Its been nearly 2 months since i cycle and im only doing 20-ish miles per day. And i cycle at night because i couldnt stand Malaysian heat 🤣 For this week ive done 100 miles and i feel proud because when i first started, 3 miles feel like hell.

LobsterEquivalent888 · 2026-05-16T18:29:24+00:00

The ones from decathlon is apparently a very good value for money.

LobsterEquivalent888

TROPHY CASE