Differences Between the Trek Madone 6.9 and 6.5

In my hour of pain as I lament the fact that I will have to wait until September to get a new Madone I have been doing some investigating.

As per my previous post on Madone pricing information the 6.9 is $7700 while the 6.5 is $5830. That is a $1870 difference. What makes the difference?

Here are the specs on both bikes from the Madone Lineup:

2008 Trek Madonne Comparison

6.5

6.9

Colors

Onyx Carbon/Dark Silver

Pearl White

Frame

OCLV Red Series Carbon

Fork

Bontrager Race XXX Lite w/E2 steerer; full carbon

Wheels

Bontrager Race X Lite

Bontrager Race XXX Lite, carbon

Tires

Bontrager Race X Lite Pro, 700x23c, folding

Shifters

Shimano Dura-Ace STI, 10 speed

Front Derailleur

Shimano Dura-Ace

Rear Derailleur

Shimano Dura-Ace

Crank

Bontrager Race X Lite 50/34

Cassette

SRAM OpenGlide 1090 11-26, 10 speed

Saddle

Bontrager Race X Lite

Seatpost

Carbon seat mast cap

Stem

Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon, 7 degree, 31.8mm

Handlebars

Bontrager Race X Lite Blade Carbon, 31.8mm

Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR, 31.8mm

Headset

Cane Creek IS-8 Integrated w/cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy; 1 1/8” top, 1.5” bottom

Brakeset

Shimano Dura-Ace w/Shimano Dura-Ace STI levers

I highlighted the differences above. There are three, paint, wheels and handlebars. On the Bontrager website the Race XXX Lite Carbon Clinchers sell for $1,999.99 while the Race X Lite wheels (ti version) sell for $899.99. That makes $1100. The Race XXX Lite VR bars run $399.99 while the Race X Lite bars run $279.99 which makes for a difference of $120.

That totals $1220. I am assuming that the components are those currently listed on the Bontrager website. Maybe they changed the wheels or something but using my current math and assumptions, the Pearl paint job on the 6.9 must run somewhere around $650. Either that or the frames are different.

I am curious to know where the money goes.