New versions of the Trek Emonda SL and SLR

Trek launches the new version of its Émonda bike. More aerodynamic, the American brand’s climbing model is still as light as ever, with a frame that does not exceed 700 g (unpainted) in its most advanced design. Dedicated to disc braking, it is available in SL or SLR versions, and offered in ten build configurations ranging from €2,599 to €10,999.

Photo credits: Trek

Featuring more aerodynamic tube shapes than the previous version, the new Emonda retains the character of a bike built for the mountains, with a frame not exceeding 700g in its high-end version.

Trek is launching a brand new version of its Émonda bike today. More aerodynamic than its predecessor, the new Trek Emonda is presented “as the fastest climber in the brand’s history“, while retaining its primary focus, lightness, with a frame weighing less than 700 grams (unpainted) in its most advanced version. The new Emonda is available in two ranges, SL and SLR, and therefore features more streamlined lines and tube shapes than the previous model. These aerodynamic efforts add a few grams compared to its predecessor.

Like Lizzie Deignan, the Trek-Segafredo women’s and men’s professional teams will benefit from the support of the new Emonda in its most powerful SLR version in races.

Over two years of development and the creation of Trek’s lightest OCLV carbon composition to date, the brand’s engineers focused on finding the best balance between speed and lightness, while preserving the ride qualities that have made the Émonda famous. Trek thus announces a new, “more aerodynamic Emonda, which has proven to be the fastest on flat terrain and in climbs“.

The new Emonda is presented as faster, both on the flats and in the climbs, its initially favored playground.

A climbing model favored by professional riders and a flagship of the range in its SLR version, the new Émonda SLR has already impressed those who have tried it. “I’ve never ridden a better bike,” said Lizzie Deignan after her first sessions on the new version. Made with the brand new OCLV 800 Series carbon, the new Émonda SLR weighs less than 700g (unpainted frame).

At first glance, its more refined aerodynamic design immediately suggests that the work done gives it a significant advantage in terms of speed. Compared to its predecessor, Trek claims that the Émonda SLR saves 60 seconds per hour on flat terrain and 18 seconds per hour on an 8% gradient.

Nothing protrudes, to enhance the bike’s aerodynamic character.

To shape its new Émonda in its high-end SLR version, Trek developed a new carbon layup series, the OCLV 800 Series, presented as “the lightest and most powerful produced by Trek to date“. It is 30 % stronger than previous OCLV carbon laminates, and just as stiff, which allowed Trek engineers to create aerodynamic shapes without adding too much weight.

The Emonda SLR benefits from a new carbon composition, with the new series developed by Trek, the OCLV 800 Series.

The Émonda SL features the same aerodynamic tube shapes as the Émonda SLR, but it is made with OCLV 500 Series carbon. It aims to offer cyclists the same speed sensations as the high-end model, but at a lower price.

Bearded cyclist in a POC helmet and grey jersey in the foreground. Another cyclist tends to his bike in the background. — Aerodynamic lines and perfectly concealed cable routing.

To perfectly match this new identity and its aerodynamic lines, the Émonda benefits from subtly concealed cable routing. And with the same desire to make it faster, the H 1.5 geometry designed with the Trek-Segafredo professional teams provides cyclists with an optimal aerodynamic position. The Émonda in its SLR version integrates the new Aeolus RSL handlebar/stem assembly, specially developed for it.

The Emonda SLR features a new Bontrager Aeolus RSL handlebar/stem assembly specially developed to integrate seamlessly and promote aerodynamics.

On the scale, the Émonda SLR frame weighs 698 g (unpainted, with mount), and the SLR fork weighs 365 g (unpainted, 220mm steerer). The Émonda SL frame reaches 1,142 g, and 380 g for the SL fork. For comparison, the previous version of the Émonda SLR Disc frame alone weighed 665 g, which is a good thirty grams less, and the Emonda SL Disc was 1,149 g, which is less than ten grams lighter than the new model.

Vincenzo Nibali assures that his new Emonda *“offers the best balance between aerodynamics and lightness he has ever felt on a bike”*.

The frame is designed to accept 28mm tires. The bottom bracket is T47 type to ensure all necessary efficiency (it is compatible with all internal bearing T47 bottom brackets on the market).

The Emonda is designed with tire clearance that can accept 28mm sections.

In line with the philosophy of Trek’s latest models, and to keep up with the trend, the new Émonda has been developed for disc braking (100x12mm and 142x12mm thru-axles). It accepts double chainring (max 53/39) and single chainring (max 50) drivetrains.

The new Emonda has been developed for disc braking only.

The new Émonda SL and Émonda SLR are available now through Trek’s global network of dealers and online at trekbikes.com in select countries. Ten models and build configurations are offered, ranging from €2,599 for the entry-level Émonda SL 5 with a Shimano 105 drivetrain to €10,999 for the top-of-the-range Émonda SLR 9. It is also available as a frameset only, Émonda SL or Émonda SLR.