Quiver

2021 Trek Madone SL vs 2023 Specialized Aethos Expert

The Specialized Aethos Expert size closest to your 56 is the 56. Compare the 56 instead

What changes on the Specialized Aethos Expert

Compared with the Trek Madone SL in 56, the Specialized Aethos Expert in 54 places the top of the head tube 19 mm lower and 7 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 5 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−19 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−7 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−5 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
−0.5°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
±0 mm
About the same

The two frames

We can't draw these frames yet. The Trek Madone SL numbers we have for size 56 are missing the seat angle. The numbers below still compare.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementTrek Madone SL 56Specialized Aethos Expert 54Difference
Reach391384mm−7 mm
Stack563544mm−19 mm
Head tube angle73.5°73°−0.5°
Effective top tube559not listed
Chainstay length410410mm±0 mm
Wheelbase983978mm−5 mm
BB drop7072mm+2 mm
Standover768748mm−20 mm
Seat tube length525481mm−44 mm
Head tube length151137mm−14 mm
Seat tube anglenot listed74°
BB heightnot listed268mm
Fork lengthnot listed369mm

Differences are the Specialized Aethos Expert minus the Trek Madone SL. Full charts: 2021 Trek Madone SL, 2023 Specialized Aethos Expert.

Where each sits in its class

Trek Madone SLSpecialized Aethos Expert

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other road bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartTrek Madone SLSL 6Specialized Aethos ExpertExpert
FrameTrek OCLVSpecialized Aethos FACT
ForkTrek Madone KVFnot listed
ShifterShimano Ultegra R8020SRAM Rival eTAP AXS
DerailleurShimano Ultegra R8000SRAM Rival eTAP AXS
CassetteShimano Ultegra R8000SRAM Rival
ChainShimano Ultegra HG701SRAM Rival
CranksetShimano Ultegra R8000SRAM Rival AXS Power Meter
Bottom bracketTrek BB90SRAM DUB
WheelsetBontrager Aeolus CompRoval C38
TireBontrager R3 Hard-Case LiteSpecialized S-Works Turbo
BrakeShimano UltegraSRAM Rival eTap AXS
RotorShimano RT800not listed
HandlebarBontrager Elite Aero VR-CFnot listed
StemBontrager Pronot listed
SeatpostTrek MadoneRoval Alpinist
SaddleBontrager AeolusSpecialized Power Expert

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