Nat Bromhead
Trek have released an all new Émonda, to the market, an update to their top-level lightweight climbing bike.
The company’s lightest climbing bike to date, and with a frame weight of under 700grams, the finished product is the result of two year’s development.
Bicycling Australia are currently riding and reviewing the top-level SLR9 version of the bike with a full feature in the next edition of the magazine.
First impressions are an incredibly light and agile bike with class-leading design and aero features.
At around 7kg – and fitted with the company’s new high-end RSL 37mm SLR carbon wheels and 25mm tyres – the complete package is on the frontline of current technology. It’s a race-ready bike, the same as Richie Porte will be riding when the WorldTour eventually returns.
At the heart of the new Émonda is Trek’s lightest ‘OCLV’ (Optimum Compaction Low Void) Carbon lay up ever. Engineers say the finished build is 30% stronger than previous carbon laminates, but just as stiff. This, the say, has allowed them to create the new Émonda SLR’s aero shapes without any significant weight penalty.
Surprisingly smooth to ride, and with the genuine road feel of a heavier bike, the test machine is not only fitted with those new 37mm aerodynamic Aeolus wheels but updated Bontrager Hard-Case Lite 25mm skin wall tyres. The frame is designed to take tyres to 28mm, with TREK saying that includes a radial 4mm tolerance. Other than the refined frame design, lighter weight, and droolworthy wheel/hub combination (DT Swiss 240’s), the Émonda SLR features an all new integrated Aeolus RSL Bar/Stem system.
The top-specced test rig is fitted with SRAM RED 12-speed eTap including an integrated Quarq power meter and a Shimano Dura Ace-equipped SLR9 is also available.
Our humble testing has so far included the short, sharp ‘bergs of Palm Beach near Sydney – hardly world-class climbs but noticeably lighter work aboard this blingy beast. More testing is planned over coming days with this article to be updated.
Trek engineers say the Émonda SLR is 60 seconds faster per hour faster on flats and 18 seconds per hour faster at an 8% grade as compared to the previous model.
The New Émonda Range & Pricing
Émonda SLR 9
RRP $15,799.99
The Émonda SLR 9 Disc is an ultra-light, aerodynamic carbon road bike that’s designed and built to be the fastest climbing bike Trek have ever made. Buyers get the legendary ride quality of the lightest platform, plus more speed, thanks to aero tubes wrought from the lightest OCLV lay-up ever. Shimano’s highest-end electronic drive train and Trek’s best climbing wheels give rider’s edge against the competition. It rolls on the new RSL 37mm SLR carbon hoops.
Émonda SLR 9 ETAP
RRP $15,799.99
The Émonda SLR 9 Disc eTap is an ultralight, aerodynamic carbon road bike designed and built to be the fastest climbing bike. Owners get the legendary ride quality of the company’s lightest platform, plus more speed, thanks to aero tubes via revised OCLV lay-up. Ultra-light wheels and an advanced wireless electronic drive train push performance to the limit. Wheels are RSL 37mm SLR’s.
Émonda SLR 7 ETAP
RRP $11,849.99
The Émonda SLR 7 Disc eTap is an ultralight, aerodynamic carbon road bike that’s designed and built to bean ultra fast climbing bike. Buyer’s get the legendary ride quality of the lightweight platform, plus more speed, thanks to aero tubes thanks to the lightest OCLV lay-up ever. This model also features the performance advantage of a precise wireless electronic drive train and power meter.
Émonda SLR 7
RRP $10,249.99 – $11,049.99
The Émonda SLR 7 Disc is an ultra-light, aerodynamic carbon road bike that’s designed and built to be one of the fastest climbing bikes ever made. The SLR7 features the precision shifting of Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 drivetrain.
Émonda SLR 6
RRP $9,299.99
The Émonda SLR 6 Disc is an ultra-light, aerodynamic carbon road bike that’s designed and built to climb.
Émonda SL 7
RRP $7,499.99
Émonda SL 7 Disc is an ultra-light carbon road bike that’s aerodynamically designed for more free speed while hammering flats and flying up climbs. A Shimano Ultegra electronic drive train, lightweight carbon wheels and other race-worthy components.
Émonda SL 6 Pro
RRP $5,499.99
The new Émonda SL 6 Disc Pro is the first carbon road bike in the line-up that gives you lightweight carbon wheels to match your lightweight frame. Aero tube shaping, disc brakes and a high-performance drive train make it a great option for roadies who value great handling and lots of speed.
Émonda SL 5
RRP $3,999.99
The Émonda SL 5 Disc is a lightweight carbon road bike with a balanced ride quality, superior handling characteristics and the added benefit of free speed thanks to aero tube shaping. It’s a great choice for century rides on hilly terrain, windy flats and speedy descents.
Émonda SLR Frameset
RRP $5,249.99
The Émonda SLR frame set is the lightest, fastest road frame we’ve ever made. Our most advanced 800 Series OCLV Carbon lay-up delivers amazing ride quality and ultralight aero performance for more free speed on any grade.
Émonda SL Frameset
RRP $2,999.99
TREK say the Émonda SL Disc frame set is the perfect starting point for a custom lightweight build. Its aerodynamic frame is built with 500 Series OCLV Carbon and designed for disc brakes, which makes for a bike that’s not only ultra-fast up climbs and on straightaways, but also one that brakes better in all weather conditions.
New Aeolus Wheels
Trek have also updated their range of Aeolus carbon wheels and launched a new high-end RSL 37mm TLR disc model. The details are –
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 TLR Disc Road Wheel
Front: $1,799.99
Rear: $1,999.99
Trek claim the new RSL 37 TLR is ‘Faster. Lighter. More stable.’ The ultralight Aeolus RSL 37 is the ultimate carbon road wheel for climbs, crits and classics. RSL-level OCLV Carbon is lighter and stronger, allowing for a faster, more stable 37mm rim profile that is lighter than shallower wheels and faster than deeper wheels. The wheelset features ultralight hubs with DT Swiss 240s internals and a Ratchet EXP 36-freehub keep everything rolling smooth.
Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Disc Road Wheel
Front: $999.99
Rear: $1,199.99
Trek say the versatile Aeolus Pro 37 is the perfect wheel for climbs, crits, cross and more. ‘The strong, lightweight Pro-level OCLV Carbon allows for faster, more stable rim profiles – and the silky smooth hubs rolling on DT Swiss 350 internals deliver a quick-rolling ride wherever you roam’ the company said.
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 and Aeolus Elite 50
35 front: RRP $699.99 35 Rear: RRP $799.99
50 front: RRP$749.99 50 Rear: RRP $849.99
Trek’s most affordable carbon road wheels to date. These are based on the proven, fast D3 shapes and built in as much value as possible to open up the speed, look and feel of carbon wheels to more people and more budgets. The Aeolus Elite is available in two depths, 35mm and 50mm.
New ‘Project One’ Custom Paint Schemes
In conjunction with the 2021 Emonda launch, Trek have unveiled new custom paint schemes in their ‘Project One’ range. These include –
Amplified Alchemy (As Tested By Bicycling Australia).
Trek say ‘at the intersection of science and magic lies Amplified Alchemy’. A fusion of metallic blues, deep purples, and twilight blacks.
Sweet Gold Leaf
Sweet Gold Leaf contains striking gold leaf logos and a deep black base adorned with sparkling flecks of gold.
Holographic Diamond Flake
Holographic Diamond Flake features brilliant flecks of diamond confetti dotting a rich black base.
