Product news/test: The Trek Emonda has been one of the most sought-after road bikes on the market for years. Now you have a new Emonda lineup at the start in cooperation with your own professional teams. The great feature: Significantly improved aerodynamics with low weight thanks to innovative tube profiles. We tested how the new Emonda drives in practice for you before it was released.
The idea is actually quite simple: You take a successful frame platform and make it even faster with aerodynamic features and shapes. At the same time, attention is paid to an optimized carbon layup and a minimalist design to keep the weight low. In practice, however, this presents the developers of the bike manufacturers with the greatest challenges and is not quite as easy as it sounds. In addition, handling and ride quality must also be taken into account, which are quickly neglected in over-optimized machines. The new Trek Emonda tries to meet these requirements through more than two years of further development of an already extremely successful platform.
The main change can already be recognized visually quite well, because with its aerodynamic tube profiles, the Emonda is significantly faster compared to its predecessor. However, aero frames often suffer from heavy weight and are a bit sluggish to ride. By developing Trek's lightest OCLV Carbon layup, they strike the perfect balance of high speed and low weight without sacrificing Émonda's signature high ride quality. With a frame weight of less than 700 grams, the optimized racer is faster and at the same time the lightest climber in Trek's road bike lineup. The H1.5 geometry of the Emonda, developed in collaboration with the professionals at Trek-Segafredo, also allows riders an aerodynamically optimized position, which ensures a balanced, sporty riding experience.
All new Emonda models have hidden cable routing, which of course ensures a clean look. Most models even roll on the newly developed aerodynamic Aeolus wheels. The Trek Emonda SLR comes with an Aeolus RSL handlebar/stem unit specially developed for this bike.
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[blog specific=“142420″]Trek Emonda SLR & SL
The new, aerodynamic Trek Emonda is available in an SL and SLR version and differs only in the carbon layup. The aerodynamic tube shapes and performance advantages should be identical for both models.
Trek Emonda SLR
The top model is the Emonda SLR, which is also the machine of choice for Team Trek-Segafredo's climbing specialists. It is based on Trek's brand new 800 Series OCLV Carbon, weighs less than 700 grams and offers a significant speed advantage thanks to its aerodynamic design. Compared to its predecessor, the Emonda SLR is 60 seconds per hour faster on the flat and 18 seconds per hour on an 800% climb. 30 Series OCLV Carbon is Trek's lightest, best-performing carbon layup yet and is 5% stronger than previous OCLV Carbon layups. The material forms the basis for the Emonda SLR's aerodynamic and stiff tube profiles without significantly increasing the weight of the frame. Here the Trek Emonda SLR comes in 6 variants: The structure differs only in its equipment, so the Emonda SLR 6.199 comes with Shimano Ultegra for 7 euros, the Emonda SLR 2 with Ultegra Di6.699 for 7 euros, the Emonda SLR 7.799 eTap Sram Force eTap AXS for 9 euros, the Emonda SLR 2 with Shimano Dura-Ace Di10.999 for 9 euros and the Emonda SLR 10.999 eTap with Sram Red eTap AXS for XNUMX euros.
Trek Project One
Through Trek's Project One custom bike program, riders can customize the Emonda SLR and design the bike to their own preferences and desires.
Trek Emonda SL
The Trek Emonda SL benefits from the same aerodynamic tube profiles as the Emonda SLR, but is based on Trek's lightweight 500 Series OCLV Carbon. With the Emonda SL, ambitious racing cyclists can enjoy high speed and first-class performance at a lower price.
Trek Emonda SL 7 eTap
Trek Emonda SL7
Trek Emonda SL 6 Pro
Trek Emonda SL6
Trek Emonda SL5
Trek Émonda – This is how the new racer drives
We had the new, aerodynamically optimized Emonda with us before the official launch and were able to test it thoroughly. Our test bike was the high-quality SL 7 eTap variant with Sram Force AXS eTap, power meter and Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37mm carbon wheels for 5.999 euros.
Let's get straight to the hard facts: With a weight of 7,25 kilos in frame size 54, the structure and the supposedly heavier SL frame are impressive. The appealing weight is of course clearly noticeable on long or steep climbs, but it also has a very positive effect on the Emonda's acceleration. Because here you have an extremely light-footed acceleration and driving feeling due to the good power transmission, especially the rear triangle and the bottom bracket area. You really have the feeling that the bike weighs a few kilos less than other bikes in the rear and therefore seems so light. This light-footedness runs through the entire structure of the Emonda and is also reflected in the handling. Because this is not only precise and direct, but also conveys a very safe driving experience. Here the Sram discs fit perfectly into the overall picture and grip powerfully.
Another important point for us when it came to ride quality was comfort. The curved tube shapes and the rear end in connection with the carbon layup soften the impacts and let the rider relax without losing directness. The semi-integrated seat post construction rounds off a comfortable ride and does a good job, especially in the seating area.
While we haven't tested the improved aerodynamics in the lab, we can still confirm the Emonda's penchant for speed. Despite its lightweight construction, the Emonda rolls really well and really goes forward even at higher speeds. The new Bontrager Aeolus Pro wheels with 37 millimeters also ensure a good compromise between lightweight construction and aerodynamics for successful all-round performance. The Bontrager tires on it, with a width of 25mm, could use even more volume for our taste, but they still fit the concept quite well.
Unfortunately, we have to make a few deductions for the handlebar-stem combo. This is not necessarily a failure and offers a very elegant solution as far as handlebars and stem are concerned. Incidentally, the ergonomics of the handlebars also fit, which sits quite well in our hands. However, we would have wished for an integrated cockpit in this price range, which in our opinion has a strong impact on the value and the look of the bike.
Nevertheless, the front was really clean due to the wireless Sram Force AXS eTap shifter. The groupset does a great job anyway and knows how to impress with its high quality and accuracy. A small highlight here is the already integrated Sram Force power meter, which enables ambitious athletes to measure their performance precisely and is compatible with all end devices such as Wahoo, Sigma, Garmin, etc.
