2012 Trek Madone 4.5 Womens Carbon Bike
The WSD Madone 4.5 is a high quality option for female riders wanting to get into road riding, or for those who have had to put up with an incorrectly sized road bike and want to get onto something that is both comfortable and efficient. The concept behind Womens Specific Design (WSD for short) is relatively simple; create a frame that is suited to the biomechanics of the female form, ensure contact points are comfortable for female bodies and provide a size range for riders anywhere between 4'10" - 6'2". By factoring in the different proportions and centre of gravity between male and female riders, Trek are able to build their WSD frames accordingly with a taller head tube and shorter reach. Also known as the "H3 Fit", the WSD Madone suits the typical female proportions of longer legs and a shorter torso, and provides a slightly more upright riding position than the unisex models. The end result is a comfortable position that gives the rider confidence to take on longer rides without fear of developing a sore neck or lower back. 
For 2012 the 4 Series Madone frameset has received a complete re-design to incorporate 6-Series technology for a lighter, faster ride. The press fit BB90 bottom bracket widens the shell out to 90mm for a massively stiff and strong interface for the cranks, while reducing weight over last years traditional thread-in bottom bracket. The smooth lines through the sculpted top tube and seat stays not only look good but also serve to dampen road vibration and maintain the Madone's reputation as being one of the most comfortable road bikes on the market. 

Aside from the Womens Specific frame, Trek have also fitted a more suitable cockpit for female riders in the form of a shorter stem and narrower handlebars that accommodate slender shoulders. Even the brake/shift levers on the Shimano 105 units are fitted with a adjustable levers to shorten the reach for smaller hands. With Trek's massive push into the R&D of the Bontrager component line, improvements are apparent across the entire product range and nowhere is this more apparent than their saddle lineup. The road specific Affinity WSD saddle is the result of many hours of study into rider biomechanics and the result is a dual-density InForm shaped saddle that provides stable support for the pelvis, while maximising blood flow for rider comfort. Combined with a 100% carbon seatpost, the last thing you have to worry about is comfort. Gearing on the 4.5 is taken care of by a Shimano 105 drivetrain that uses a compact ratio front crankset with a wide-range 10 speed cassette out back to give you plenty of low range gearing for getting up the steepest of hills.
With it's sophisticated carbon frame and womens specific fit, the Madone 4.5 is a comfortable and efficient option for female riders wanting to clock up the km's whether it be for fitness, racing or just getting out with some mates.
 
 

Our favourite features of the Madone 4.5 WSD

	400 Series OCLV Ultra high performance, within reach. The areal weight range and modulus mix of 400 Series OCLV provides an exhilarating sense of acceleration and confident handling.
	Wider is better, Lighter is better too BB90 is the widest bottom bracket available on a road bike. This Trek-exclusive carbon BB makes the frame lighter, stiffer, and quicker to accelerate. BB90 eliminates the need for extra inserts and parts in the bottom bracket/frame junction. Fewer parts mean a lighter frame
	DuoTrap DuoTrap seamlessly integrates the computer sensor into the frame to measure speed, distance, and cadence with no added aerodynamic drag and no ugly cable ties or tape. It also works with all the major ANT+ wireless technology players, including Bontrager, Garmin, Powertap, and SRM.
	H3 Fit H3 increases head tube height a bit beyond H2, with a slight geometry adjustment to increase the bike’s stability. Perfect for those who need a back-saving, neck-saving, more upright position, but still want pro-level performance and a pro look. No high-rise stems or huge stack of spacers. The chosen fit of Team Radio Shack Director Sportif Johan Bruyneel. Fast as hell, strong as hell, and the perfect choice when the desire for comfort trumps aero.