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The New Trek Domane: A Great Bike Made Better

The new Domane is everything great about the old bike, plus lighter and quicker.

The Takeaway: Trek’s best road bike gets faster, lighter, quicker, and better

• Frames are 300 grams lighter
• Slight aerodynamic improvements
• Compatible with any bar and stem

Price: $3,500 (SL 5) to $13,200 (SLR 9 eTap, tested) Weight: 19.7lb. (SL 5) to 16 lb. (SLR 9) 16.8 lb. as tested (SLR 9 eTap 52cm)

Trek Domane MK.4 Gallery

Trek Domane Generation Four—What is New

My biggest knock against the third-generation Domane was the weight. It was an excellent and feature-rich bike but a little hefty. So, I am happy to report that one of the most significant changes to the fourth generation frame is it is lighter by about 300 grams (more than half a pound. A large part of the weight savings came from simplifying the bike’s signature rear IsoSpeed Decoupler and eliminating the IsoSpeed Front system that debuted in the previous generation Domane.

When asked why Trek eliminated IsoSpeed Front, Jordan Roessingh, director of road bikes, stated that much of the system's benefit—which never offered the same compliance improvement as rear IsoSpeed—was made redundant by riders' increased adoption of higher volume tubeless tires run at lower pressures. Combined with the system’s weight penalty, Trek decided the juice was not worth the squeeze and punted IsoSpeed front into the dustbin of history.

Meanwhile, at the rear, Trek removed the adjustment from the SLR’s top tube IsoSpeed. All frames now have fixed compliance. Reggie Lund, a design engineer at Trek, said that it found, “A lot of our riders were never taking advantage of the adjustability on the previous generation bike,” so they decided to remove the feature which simplified and lighted the frame. Roessingh stated that the new Domane’s fixed compliance is in line with the previous generation SLR’s IsoSpeed set to the most compliant position.

SL-level frames also see a change to their rear IsoSpeed system. Trek has multiple iterations and generations of IsoSpeed. While third-generation Domane SLR frames had adjustable top tube IsoSpeed, third-generation Domane SL frames had non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed. SL and SLR fourth generation Domanes get the new non-adjustable top tube IsoSpeed.

Roessingh said that one of the drawbacks of the third-gen Domane’s non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed was that the system got more rigid as the seat tubes got shorter. In short, smaller and likely lighter riders experienced a rougher ride than larger riders. Top tube IsoSpeed eliminates this compromise and lets Trek tune compliance per frame size, said Rosseingh, so all riders experience similar levels of comfort.

Another signature feature of carbon framed Domane models that went to the dustbin was Trek’s No Cut semi-integrated seat mast. Instead, all models now use a seat post, although a proprietary D-shaped post instead of being round. Thankfully, Trek offers two lengths (280 and 320mm) and two offsets (five and 20mm) to help riders dial in fit. The seatpost clamp hides under a snap-on cover on the top tube, which helps clean up the lines of the new Domane.

Another way Trek cleaned up the Domane’s appearance is with a new stem with a cap that hides the hoses and housing before they enter the frame through the upper headset cover. But while the bike appears to have fully integrated routing, you can swap stem lengths without pulling the hoses or housing. The bike is compatible with a standard handlebar, and riders can use standard stems. However, if you want to install a standard stem, you will need to acquire a different upper headset cover from Trek, and you will probably want to zip-tie your hoses and housing together underneath the stem.

Trek’s Domane stem comes in sizes 60 to 130mm in minus-seven degree rise and 60 to 100mm in plus-seven degree rise. The faceplate features a single bolt mount for a computer/light/camera. Unfortunately, the Domane stem’s one-bolt mounting standard is different from Trek’s one-bolt mounting system for the Madone and Emonda and also different than any of the other stems with this feature (3T, Cervelo, Fizik, Specialized, Felt, Easton).

Trek also states that the new Domane is more aerodynamic than the previous generation due to the updated shape of the fork, downtube, seat tube, seat stays, and more-integrated cables in the front. However, Trek did not provide any data on the aerodynamic improvements. When I asked Roessingh for time or watt improvements, he told me, “I don’t think we have a specific claim other than saying we do know the bike is faster. But it’s not a huge amount so it’s not a claim we’re labeling as one of the headlines of the launch.”

One small new feature added to the Domane is a mount in the top tube for a feed bag. What has not changed is the Domane has clearance for up to a 38mm tire, hidden fender mounts, the threaded (T47) bottom bracket, and the in-frame storage accessed through the hatch in the downtube.

SL and SLR frames are compatible with mechanical drivetrains. But, there is a catch outlined in Trek’s FAQ, “The frame does not have a front derailleur housing stop, which means that you are limited to front derailleurs with a built-in stop, like Shimano toggle front derailleurs.” That means the frame is not compatible with SRAM or Campagnolo mechanical-shift drivetrains.

Trek Domane Four—SL Versus SLR

There are two grades of Domane frame: SL and SLR. According to Roessingh, “SL and SLR are essentially identical from a feature set perspective and frame shape perspective.” The biggest difference is the carbon: The SL uses Trek’s “500 Series” carbon while the SLR uses “800 series” carbon. That material difference results in a 200-300 gram reduction in frame weight. According to Trek, this puts the SL frameset at 2,500 grams and the SLR frameset around 2,200 grams.

Trek Domane Four—RSL for the Racers

Although Trek’s professional racers ride a Domane in some events, typically the cobbled classics, they do not ride the standard frame. Instead, they use the Domane RSL (Race Shop Limited). It is the frame ridden to victory in the 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes by Elisa Longo Borghini , and it has a few notable differences from the mainline frame.

The primary distinction is fit. The RSL fame is much lower and longer than the SL and SLR Domane. Using a 56cm frame as an example the RSL’s reach is 21mm longer (395 versus 347mm) while the stack is 43mm shorter (548 versus 591mm). The RSL also has a much shorter trail length (51mm compared to 61), likely because of the increased weight the RSL’s geometry places on the front wheel.

Other changes include eliminating the top tube bag mounts and in-frame storage hatch—you do not need those things when you have a fleet of team cars behind you—and the fender mounts. These changes help shave weight off the frame compared to the standard Domane. The RSL frame also has less tire clearance—its maximum tire width is 35mm instead of 38mm—but will fit larger chainrings (RSL: 2x 54/40, 1x 54T; SLR and SL: 2x 52/36, 1x 50T) than the SL and SLR models. Another noteworthy difference: The RSL is only compatible with electronic shifting.

Trek only offers the RSL as a frameset ($4,200) and only in sizes 52 to 60cm, four fewer sizes than the mainline frame. Claimed frameset (frame and fork) weight is 1600 grams for the RSL. On paper, that makes the RSL a whopping 600 grams lighter than the SLR. But when I fact-checked that weight delta with Roessingh, he told me, “The way we measure ‘frameset” weights in those metrics isn’t apples to apples. It includes a bunch of hardware and components. The RSL frame weight is only about 100g lighter than the SLR’s.”

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Geometry

Most of the Mk. IV Domane models carry forward the Mk. III’s endurance geometry with no changes. It is a shorter reach and a taller stack fit, with a longer wheelbase and mellower handling than a race bike. Trek offers nine sizes, from 44 to 62cm.

The RSL version previously mentioned features a lower and longer fit race fit that is even more aggressive than the Madone and Emonda race bikes with the brand’s H1.5 geometry. The RSL is only offered in five sizes, from 52 to 60cm.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Builds, Prices, and Weights

Trek’s rolling out the new Domane with 11 models: five SL builds priced between $3,500 to $7,500 and six SLR models priced at $8,000 to $13,200. Only one model, the $3,500 SL 5, has a mechanical shifting drivetrain (Shimano 105); all the rest have electronic drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM. The SL 5 is also the only 11-speed bike; the rest are 12-speed.

All models come with Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels and Bontrager’s R3 folding-bead, tubeless-ready tires in 32mm.

Claimed weights start at 8.93Kg (19.7 lb.) for the SL 5, with the lightest complete bike coming in at 7.25kg (16 lb.). One interesting note on prices and weights: For the same relative equipment level— Ultegra Di2 versus Force eTap AXS —most Shimano-equipped bikes are less expensive and lighter than the SRAM-equipped bikes. There is a big “but” because all SRAM-equipped Domanes from the SL 7 eTap and up have power meters while the Shimano builds have standard cranks. The other exception is the SL 6 ( Shimano 105 Di2 ) and SL 6 eTap ( SRAM Rival eTap AXS )—the Shimano bike is $600 cheaper but slightly (10 grams) heavier.

As always, the Domane will eventually, though not immediately, find its way into Trek’s Project One customization program for riders who want to pick their parts and paint. Trek also offers the SL ($2,499), SLR, and RSL (both $4,200) framesets for purchase.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Ride Review

Trek’s Domane has been a favorite of mine since the first generation, but the third generation was flat-out amazing. Comfortable, practical, and fun, it had most of the speed of a race bike without the bullshit that makes race bikes so limited and limiting. It fits big tires! You could run any bar and stem! It could store a burrito in the downtube! And it was fast .

So when Trek told me they were sending me the new, fourth generation, Domane I hoped and prayed that they found a way to make it better without messing up what made it so great. And friends, my hopes and prayers were answered because riding the fourth generation Domane was like reacquainting with a dear old friend, but one who lost a bunch of weight and now goes to therapy. Because this bike is everything the gen-three Domane was, but better.

You can read what I said about the third-generation Domane when I reviewed it and when I wrote it up as our 2020 Bike of the Year and take all of the good stuff and apply it to the new, fourth-generation Domane. But my complaints about it being a little heavy are gone. And with the weight reduction, the gen-four Domane unlocks new performance levels.

The biggest difference is the new bike is quicker, snappier, and just flies. When you hear someone talk about a comfortable road bike, it usually suggests a bike that is squishy and slow feeling. But when you get on a bike that is fast, quick, and communicative but also floats and coddles the rider like a newborn baby, well, that is a special bike. And that is what the new Domane is: Special. A great bike made better. A bike for the modern road rider: Freaking fast, wonderfully comfortable, and oh so practical.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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Trek 5200 Road Bike

Frame Material: carbon fiber composite Frame Angles: 73.8 head, 73.5 seat Sizes: 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm Colors: Blue/Pearl/Carbon, Carbon Fork: Bontrager Race Lite Carbon Rear Shock: Not applicable Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra STI Dual Control Handlebar: Bontrager Race Lite Stem: Bontrager Race Lite Headset: 1 1/8" threadless Cane Creek S-2 Front Der: Shimano Ultegra Crankset: Shimano Ultegra, 39/53 teeth Rear Der: Shimano Ultegra SS Pedals: Not included Tires: 700 x 23c Bontrager Race X-Lite

• USER REVIEWS

I never regret choosing this. I love the fixed hanger on the back, geometry, and old school smooth carbon transitions, especially on the rear stay. I've been using this when doing Emergency Tree Service in a nearby area.

Nothing weakness found.

Excellent Bike. In my third season on it and I absolutely love the carbon frame for the chip and seal roads in Western PA. The carbon frame removes all of the harshness from the ride and still has the stiffness of aluminum. I came from riding an all aluminum Cannondale and I can't believe the difference in ride quality.

custom stickers | print stickers | business printing | printing company

Had it for 17 years since new in 2003 and its never let me down, smooth and comfy, perfect fit, enjoy climbs with it and it has a good kick/acceleration.. upgraded wheels and put carbon seatpost/stem and bars on it and it made it purr even more! Long Live the 5200!

I guess todays ultralight superbikes make it seem like a heavy old doddering relic but it really isnt..I've tried the odd lighter frame but they seem to lack something the 5200 has always had, it always feels like it wants to give me back more which is why ive always loved it.

I bought a Trek 5200 OCLV used as a form of exercise but started to ride as a commuter (26 miles per day). At the time, I weighed 240lbs and would carry a backpack with clothes. I gave this bike hell and did for two years as a daily commuter. It's a strong bike, light enough for commute and race, durable enough for an overweight guy like me (50 lbs lighter from day one of commuting).

Wish it would last forever

My 5200 is a 2006 triple chain ring Ultegra gruppo model that has performed flawlessly for nearly 10 years. For its era, it is very light, stiff, but with enough compliance to feel smooth at full gas speed. It has good power transfer to wheel when compared with my recent purchase of the Trek Emonda SL5. It does not quite have the climbing giddy-up that I note with the Emonda, but then it rides much smoother. The only improvement made was to switch out wheel set for Mavic Open Pro with Ultregra hub.

There is no weakness in my opinion!

After thousands of mile on the "52" I still get a kick out of how it performs.

Sure, stead, fast

3-4 pounds heavier than some of the newer bikes out there.

Bought this bike close to ten years ago. It does close to everything very well. The only way it's shown it's age is in the weight area where newer technologies have resulted in lighter frames. Recently swapped out the wheels which has breathed new life into it. Came with Ultegra 6500 which continues to perform very well despite only having 9 gears(who needs more?)

Climbs extremely well - descends even better :-). I love the fixed hanger on the back, geometry, and old school smooth carbon transitions, especially on the rear stay. I can also sit on the top tube and pose like a pro racer, which is easier than the new compact frames.

It's not a fair comparison, but I ride a Speed Concept most of the time, and can definitely tell the ol' 5200 has a little flex in the BB under extreme load (for me, that's north of 350 watt efforts for short duration) but not enough for me to want to switch to a newer frame or one of the open molds (although I have been tempted by the FM028 and FM015...)

I purchased my 5200 (the nude carbon model) in 2003 and am the original owner. I ride and train primarily for long course triathlon, but the 5200 gets a few races and events each season and is my go-to for technical rides or mountain climbing. This past winter I pulled the entire grouppo and replaced with the dark glossy ultegra 10 speed. Also just mounted new Zipp 101's with Michelin Pro Race 3's. This baby will move. I've dropped newer bikes, and have also been dropped myself by steel bikes, old Serrottas, etc. (at least no one with a burley trailer has passed me yet.) From a reliability perspective - the 52 has never let me down.

Great on Century Rides

On slow rides not the best road feel

Have this bike for 8 years. It's phenomenal

Fast light, agile. Great ride.

Poor customer service, weak frame that'd broke after 5 years. The bontager race liters almost killed me when the rim crack on a step downhill. I 've heard that many people had similar experiences. Trek should have recalled these and instead they wait for them to fail.

Great bike that trek has ignored its faults. I think trek has figured we have the reputation, let's not fix the flaws, make money and let people assume it is their fault.

Hard fast accel smooth ride

Bottom bracket flex even though it is lateral stiff and its not really a problem

This is a Trek 5900 found this ultra lite with less than a 100 mi on it. Been sitting in garage for years had orginal tires dry rotted but still ridable. What a great bike 15lbs 4oz 56cm will upgrade to sti new tires convert to 9sp . I ride ti most of time wanted to try carbon without big cash outlay wow!

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Ever wonder, when you look at your bike, what's hidden beneath the paint? Once upon a time, a simple tubing sticker would affirm the pedigree of the steel tubes a builder had used, Reynolds or Columbus perhaps, with the paint concealing the hours of craftsmanship put in. Today, Trek's carbon fiber bikes share that hidden handiwork with their steel forebears, not that you'd guess. The bikes are conceived with computer-generated designs, fluid-dynamically assessed and finite analyzed, and the resulting shapes appear seamlessly machine-made. The carbon bike production process at Trek's Waterloo headquarters has changed over the years, from gluing preformed carbon tubes into aluminum lugs in 1988, to a ground-up process that combines multiple molds with multiple carbon materials to create a masterfully engineered end product. Yet despite the aerospace technology, the bikes are actually built from a sheet of flat carbon fabric, completely by hand. There are no third party tube or lug manufacturers involved here and, somewhat paradoxically, what happens now at Trek is a more hand-built bicycle than it's ever been.

We're not simply talking about pressing carbon shapes into a jelly mold with some epoxy resin, though molds are where the process begins. Custom mold-making for Trek is done by a team of engineers run by Jay Thrane. The mold-making facility is run out of the original Trek red barn in Waterloo, the place where Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg started their company, and where thousands of steel bicycles were made in the 70s. Now in this old barn, molds are made that help make thousands of carbon frames. Each of these molds comes out of a solid lump of aluminum or steel, depending on the application, and is CNC machined on site to suit the desired component shape. Then the hard part starts. As frames are getting into more involved shapes, so the molds are getting more and more complicated. At the beginning, the mold cutting facility was turning out five molds a week. Now, despite more machines and a 24-hour running, they're managing just one or two, such is the complexity of the new designs. Every surface of the mold that will come into contact with carbon has to be sanded by hand and polished to a mirror finish. The molds are then plated (to aid longevity) and fitted with hinges, springs, and associated hardware. It takes experienced engineers like Bill Frix, previously a welder and a carbon lay-up operator at Trek, a good half day to prepare one mold. Each frame size needs up to six component molds to make a complete frameset. All the parts of these complicated molds have to fit together perfectly, and the preformed inserts (pieces that add structure on the inside) need to be able to slot in without compromising closure, because the molding process will find the faults, as Jay points out. With heat and pressure, the epoxy resin portion of the carbon liquefies, so if you've got the slightest crack you'll get something in it. Basically, when you turn up the heat, resin turns into coffee. So the molds have to be perfect from the start.

Once the molds are shipped the mile or so west to the carbon lab, the magic black stuff can be cut and picked. Engineering aside, the process involved when laying up a carbon frame has a lot in common with dressmaking. In fact, as processes go, it probably relates more to the art of the seamstress than the traditional way of building a steel frame from tube and lugs. Jim Colegrove, composites manufacturing engineer, explains: “We have some very advanced software. First, we use CAD and make the 3D shape that is the frame. I can split this part into specific regions and then flatten them out into a net shape, a perfect pattern that I can then put back into the mold, and I know will fit exactly into the shape. We call this pattern a flat preform, which is then cut out on our CNC cutting table.” Preforms are the key to building strength where it’s needed and saving weight where it’s not, as engineers select the right type of material for each shape and application. Carbon specialists Hexcel make all of Trek's Waterloo carbon material, and have done so for nearly 25 years. It's all USA-made carbon fiber from Salt Lake City, Utah, supplied in standard modulus, intermediate modulus, high modulus, or ultra-high modulus. It can be cloth or uni-directional, depending on intended usage. Former aerospace engineer Jim explains their respective properties. "We use cloth—that standard checkerboard carbon fabric—in specific high-stress or high-impact areas, because cloth has a unique property. Think of it a little like ripstop nylon: it can be more damage-tolerant. It is also much more conformal in very tight, surface contours. Uni-directional stuff is just as it says—fibers that run in one direction. It is flexible too, in the plane of the fibers, but it makes more complex shapes quite difficult. Each material has strengths and weaknesses, and it takes experience and engineering to get the structures built optimally. For example, Hex-MC is a unique material of shorter, chopped fibers. They are thrown down onto a sheet in a very randomized pattern that would simulate a lay-up. We can then mold that into really complex shapes very effectively, because we don’t have long continuous fibers. But it doesn’t have quite the strength or stiffness that uni-directional or cloth does. For contrast, look the bottom bracket. It sees a lot of torsion and bending, because of the head tube load and the load that the rider puts in, so it needs both high stiffness and high strength. So we add small strips of high or ultra-high modulus material in those specific areas to help us out.”

Looking at a carbon frame, it’s so easy to think it’s made like a plastic model airplane, but it’s a complicated business. A Madone road frame has around 180 preforms, or individual pieces of carbon sheet, which can be layered up to increase strength where needed. A Session downhill bike will have 238 preforms, with each being between two and 12 plies of carbon material (either uni-directional, cloth, or Hex-MC). That's a complex cutting list. Carbon is a wonderful material, but it takes good engineering to do right. Without the right expertise you end up with structures that are either heavy or not structurally sound. To add to this complexity, preforms generally grow in size as the frame size increases, and they may need additional material to allow for the loads that larger riders apply to the bikes. But even the most beefed-up parts of a frame are still only in the region of 1.5mm wall thickness. The true artisans of the Trek carbon prototyping facility are Kelly Stone and Sue Moe, who have 50 years experience between them in molding carbon fiber. The material is rather like a sheet of toffee, in that it's sticky to touch and bendable, and gets softer when warmed. As Kelly explains, she only has to get the sheets of carbon in her experienced hands to gauge whether it is fit for purpose. "You can definitely tell the difference between the types of material and what's not right, and whether there's enough resin or too much. The engineers always tell us the lay-ups to use, the ingredients for each test, but after evaluation, we can make extra pieces for here and there and then test them." Kelly and Sue know the process inside out: the cooling times, the ideal temperatures, how far you can push the material. Trek has always recognized that engineers need to get their hands dirty too. No matter what the computer says, the hands-on judgment is the true test, and Jim’s happy to get his gloves on and show us how it’s done. He might be slower than Kelly and Sue, but Mr. Plaid, as they affectionately call him, can turn his hand to most things. They can give experienced feedback to Jim and his engineers as to what will and won't work during the lay-up. A lot of this isn't just science—experience is everything at Trek. They have produced and tested so many frames that they have a huge head start in frame development, all that data.

Mr Plaid spreads mold release around a mold and places a preform into the cavity. He talks us through the next steps. Depending on the shape, bladders are added and the whole lot is closed up and placed into the presses. These literally squash the fibers and set the material into shape, at the same time removing excess resin. The new Session downhill mountain bike race frame has 40 individual preforms in one rocker arm alone. In the same way that a dressmaker might use the bias of a fabric to create just the right fit or texture, carbon is laid into the mold to create the strongest (and lightest) results. Just laying up a mold for a single piece like a swing arm takes around 10 minutes, so the idea that mold-produced carbon is faster and easier to produce than a CNC-machined aluminum part isn't even close. Once all the bits are cleaned up and placed to cool, the next stage of the process can begin. In the case of a Madone, assembling the molded components into a road frame is remarkably quick. Epoxy glue is used to bond the individual stays, bottom bracket, and front triangle pieces with a proprietary Step Joint design that creates joints of the same thickness as the contiguous tube, so there's no added weight or difference in ride quality caused by the joint. The whole lot is then loaded into a jig to be baked hard in an oven. Once set, the frame can be checked for tracking alignment and sent off to the next stage: adding the finish and the paint—and concealing all that handiwork and technology, in a market that demands more for less as Jim explains. “I often get asked: why does Trek continue to build frames here when the entire industry has moved offshore, including, to be honest, a good percentage of Trek frames? Why do we still have this factory? And my answer is always the same. You can’t build different products, better products, when you don’t completely understand the science. And the only way to understand the way frames and carbon structures really work is to build them yourself. Having our engineers cutting molds, laying in carbon, seeing their structures come to life is crucial to pushing designs forward. It is really expensive to build things here in this factory, but the products are better because of it. All of our products are better, because we know how things should be built, can be built. And that's because we do it ourselves. We can’t wait for someone else to move the meter and show us how to do it. We are going to lead. That’s been the Trek way since I started here in 1990, and it’s the reason I come to work.”

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Best carbon road bikes: Our pick of the best racing and endurance road bikes

Carbon road bikes combine meticulous weight saving, geometry tweaking and aerodynamic sculpting to rule the road

Best carbon fibre race bikes

Best carbon fibre endurance bikes, carbon road bikes explained.

Carbon fibre is a bit of a wonder material because it can be moulded into just about any shape, and tuned to be stiff in one plane and flexible in another. With these properties, it's heavily used throughout the bike industry and we see it in everything from frames down to brake levers. There are advocates of bikes made from steel, titanium and aluminium, but the best road bikes are most commonly made from carbon fibre. For evidence, look no further than the bikes ridden in the WorldTour .

Best road bikes Best aero road bikes Best lightweight bikes Best aluminium road bikes Best road e-bikes

There is no shortage of remarkable bikes made from aluminium, steel and titanium, but with its stiffness, strength and malleability, carbon fibre reigns supreme in road bike technology. Once a reserve for top tier racing bikes, advances in carbon production and technology has resulted in carbon being utilised across every cycling discipline from the best lightweight bikes to full suspension mountain bikes and surpassing the performance possible with metal tubes. 

Scroll down for a pick of our favourite carbon road bikes that are available today and an overview of what to look for when choosing a carbon road bike .

Specialized Tarmac Disc Expert

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

We're up to the SL6 version of the Specialized Tarmac, and the current frameset has lost a bit of weight and the tubing profiles are a bit boxier. The chainstays have been dropped drastically, and the back of the seat tube and seat post are now flat, a well-tested way to introduce compliance to the rear end.

Introduced a few iterations ago, the new Tarmac is based around what Specialized calls Rider-First Engineering, each frame size is built with a specific geometry, layup and tube shapes, meaning gone are the days of the ultra-stiff XS and noodly XL frames. Also gone are the gender-specific geometries, the only difference between the men's and women's versions are the touchpoints and cranks.

Specialized tell us the frame is more aero too, claiming the new Tarmac is 45-seconds faster over 45km compared to 'other lightweight bikes in the same category'. Only available with disc brakes for 2020, this has allowed the brand to balloon the max tire clearance to 30mm. The Expert spec comes with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupset, Roval C38 carbon wheels finished in with S-Works Turbo 120TPI rubber and one of our favourite paint jobs of the bunch.

Raced by: Bora-Hansgrohe , Deceuninck-QuickStep , Boels Dolmans

Trek Emonda SL 6 Disc

The Emonda is Trek's lightweight carbon road frame, and the top-end SLR version is one of the lightest framesets you can buy. While the SL version doesn't get the 600-series carbon and ultralight paint of the SLR trim, it's no slouch on the scale. Only available in the brands H2 more relaxed fit, the Disc version of the frame is made using the brand's second-tier OCLV 500 carbon.

At the back, the Emonda uses a seat mast and cap, which adds some vertical compliance, however, it does limit your minimum and maximum saddle height. Tipping the scales at around 8.6kg, depending on the size, it's not the lightest bike on the market but considering the price, it is well specced.

• Richie Porte's Trek Emonda – Gallery
• Sandy Floren's Trek Emonda gravel-lite race bike - Gallery

The latest version of the Emonda SL is noticeably stiffer and leads to a lively road feel, the stable BB creates a tight pedalling feel. Trek still hasn't applied its ISO-speed technology to the Emonda, and with the additional stiffness in the frame, some feedback from the road makes it through to your body, especially through the handlebars.

The Emonda SL is also specced with a Shimano Ultegra groupset and Bontrager Paradigm Disc tubeless-ready wheels; we feel it demonstrates decent value for money.

Raced by: Trek-Segafredo , Trek-Segafredo Women

Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc

Launched just ahead of the 2019 Tour de France , Cannondale 's latest SuperSix Evo comes complete with a first for the frame – a sloping top tube. But it's not just the death of the flat top tube, Cannondale has swapped to Kammtail tube shapes for a claimed 30 watt saving (at 48kph) over its predecessor and the brand says the new SuperSix is between nine and 40 watts faster than a range of its competitors. The frame also gets a flat-backed seat post and seat tube, and the dropped chainstays which are becoming increasingly common among carbon race bikes.

Capable of taking 30mm tyres (28mm rim brake), the new frame is claimed to weigh 886g in a size 56, painted. The rim version of the bike uses the standard open quick release dropout, however, the disc version is shod with Mavic's speed release thru-axle system which pairs an open dropout with a threaded counterpart to speed up wheel changes.

• Cannondale SuperSix EVO review
• Lachlan Morton's Cannondale Supersix Evo - Gallery

Cannondale has also opted for an integrated bar and stem and sees the brands in-house KNOT components providing the seat post and wheelset. As you'd expect for a bike in this price bracket, the 45mm deep road wheels are carbon fibre and tubeless-ready, and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset provides the gearing. The new SuperSix EVO also comes with a Power2Max NG Eco power meter installed in the HologramSiSL2 cranks, though you'll have to pay a fee on top of the retail price to activate it.

Raced by: EF Pro Cycling

Giant TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc

Giant's TCR has long been a no-nonsense performer, and the brand as a whole demonstrates top value for money. Designed around the brand's compact road geometry, the frame is built using Giant's Advanced Composite Technology, and moulded in a modified monocoque construction — meaning the front and rear triangles are moulded separately and then bonded together.

The TCR has always been known for its snappy ride quality and that's due in large part to its compact rear end. At the front, the TCR gets Giant's chunky Overdrive steerer which combine with the front and rear thru-axles and stiff carbon fork mean no steering input is lost to flex.

• A closer look at the new Giant TCR - Simon Geschke's 6.4kg bike
• Greg Van Avermaet's golden Giant TCR Disc - Gallery

Depending on where you live, the Advanced Pro Disc comes with either a Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain, but, regardless of your region, the wheels and tyres are tubeless-ready out of the box, meaning they come with valves and rim strips installed and Giant even gives you enough sealant to get rolling.

The Giant TCR has recently been updated, so the current model TCR is soon to be deemed 'old-hat', but that should mean discounts are readily available on what is still an excellent bike. 

Raced by: CCC Team , CCC-Liv

Canyon Aeroad 7.0

German direct-to-consumer brand Canyon has redefined the level of bike that you can get for your money, and the Aeroad 7.0 is proof. The frame and fork are made from a slightly lower grade of carbon than the SLX version that the Movistar Team rides, but beyond that it's identical. Aero tubing isn't prone to flexing, and the Aeroad offers a stiff ride, but it's still not as bone-rattling as some wind-cheating frames on the market.

For the £2,450 / $3,000 / AU$3,950 price tag, you get a Shimano 105 groupset, which offers fantastic shifting performance and reliability with 11 gears at the back. The base model of the Aeroad is only available with rim brakes; however, you still get direct-mount calipers, which are a reasonable trade-off to save a bit of cash.

While the majority of the bike is fitted with Canyon's own components, the wheels are Reynolds AR58 deep-dish carbon wheels . For the money, the Aeroad is damn hard to beat.

Raced by: Movistar Team

The third iteration of the S5 is claimed to be faster, stronger, and stiffer than its predecessor. At the front, the ultra-stiff front integrated bar and stem is more akin to the spoiler on a racing car than the front end of a bike. Combined with the proprietary external steerer tube that's designed to cheat the wind, Cervelo says as a system this creates a 17g reduction in drag when compared to a standard setup. With the cables routed completely inside the bike, you’re going to want the S5 with an electronic or wireless drivetrain, as replacing the fully internal gear and shift cables and housing will be time-consuming, at best.

Only available with disc brakes, the new frame has room for up to 30mm rubber and sees 12mm thru-axles using the quarter-turn RAT system developed by Focus, which is owned by the same parent company. With improved stiffness throughout, the robust front end makes for pinpoint cornering and allows you to push the limit through the corners. The downside is it can be a bit harsh through your hands.

• Tiesj Benoot's Cervelo R5 - Gallery

Cervelo is a brand well known for its aero bikes , and the new S5 is claimed to be around 5.5-watts quicker than its predecessor, which combined with increases in stiffness throughout make it sharp and always wanting to surge forward.

It's not cheap, but for your investment, you get a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and a set of DT Swiss ARC 1459 62 Disc carbon wheels.

Raced by: Team Sunweb

Scott Foil 10 Disc

The Scott Foil has come quite a long way from its origins, which were often touted as way too stiff, but ultra-responsive with zero flex or vibration dampening. In 2016, Scott completely revamped the frame and added discs in 2017, changing the layup to combat road buzz and dropping the seat stays for vertical compliance.

It's still a stiff and agile frame but lacks some of the snap of the original — not necessarily a bad thing because it makes the bike considerably more manageable, especially four hours into an all-day epic.

Available in both rim and disc versions, Scott graduated from Kammtail to aero tubing and even includes a carbon fairing to shield the disc brake caliper from the wind. The top-end RC versions of the bike come with a one-piece integrated Syncros bar and stem, which is why we like the Foil 10 Disc. Using the brands HMF carbon, it comes with a standard bar and stem and is kitted out with a Shimano Di2 Drivetrain and Syncros Carbon wheels. All that said, we’re not so sure about the brown paint job.

Race by: Mitchelton-Scott , Mitchelton-Scott women

Pinarello Dogma F12 Disk

Say what you will about Pinarello's Dogma but it has won seven of the last 10 Tour de France's. The latest iteration of the Italian brand's aero racer is the Dogma F12, and it's the first race bike from Pinarello to come with discs from the outset. It's quite a big deal given in 2017 Fausto Pinarello famously declared he wasn't convinced high-performance bikes needed disc brakes. The rim brake version also swaps from a single bolt to direct mount brakes.

At first glance, the F12 doesn't look all that different from the F10; there are quite a few claimed improvements to aerodynamics and stiffness throughout the frame. The fork has been revamped to better combat twisting forces from the disc brake caliper, and the frames themselves are said to be 10 per cent lighter than the F10 (unpainted). Pinarello has also made refinements to its asymmetric frame design and changed to a higher grade carbon, said to amount to a 10 per cent increase in stiffness.

• Luke Rowe's Pinarello Dogma F12 XLight
• Rohan Dennis' Pinarello Dogma F12 XLight - Gallery

Now with the ability to take 30mm tyres, the F12 is designed around the Most (Pinarello's component brand) Talon bar and stem combo, which is available in 16-stem length and bar width combinations. Pinarello is making the Dogma F12 in 13 frame sizes, however, they are so expensive, most retailers seem to only be offering framesets at the time of writing.

Raced by: Team Ineos

BMC Teammachine SLR02 Disc One

The BMC Teammachine is one of our favourite race bikes (in fact this writer owns one), and the latest iteration exemplifies the brand's prowess for engineering. As one of the first brands to adopt the dropped chainstays, the Teammachine finds a stellar balance, offering snappy power transfer, seemingly laser-guided handling while dampening a large portion of the vibration before they make it through to your touchpoints.

The big issue we have is the price tag for the range-topping SLR01 version. However SLR02 is about half the price, but still maintains the same geometry and the majority of BMC's hallmark ride characteristics. The frame itself is made with the brand's second-tier carbon, which adds a bit of weight, and doesn't absorb quite the same level of vibration.

Even at the second level of the frame, there are four specs, but it's hard to pass up the Teammachine SLR02 Disc One, complete with SRAM's shiny new Force AXS eTap wireless groupset. The bike is specced with BMC's Integrated Cockpit System, which uses a BMC stem, but standard bars, allowing for a bit of added adjustability, customisation and ease of servicing.

Raced by: NTT Pro Cycling

Ridley Helium SLX Ultegra Di2

A Ridley product manager once told me that the design ethos for its bikes come directly from its sponsored race teams. He explained the design and performance elements are balanced against what will make race mechanics want to pull their hair out and the Helium SLX exemplifies this rational. It's not the stiffest or the lightest bike on the market but the cable routing is simple and while the majority of the finishing kit comes from 4ZA, Ridley's in-house components brand, there's no proprietary anything.

The Helium SLX might not be the stiffest frame out there but it's still robust were it needs to be. Made with a mix of 60/40/30-ton high modulus carbon, Ridley subtlety transitions from round to boxy tubing in areas like the down tube and BB and even the strongest sprinters will struggle to bend the tubing under pedalling.

At the back pencil-thin seat stays soften big hits and the layup does well to absorb vibration. The geometry is racy, but not so stretched out and aggressive that the weekend warrior can't find a comfortable position.

This particular model takes the top end frame, and bolts on the latest Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and finishing kit comes from 4ZA. Ridley sends these bikes out with Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels, with the assumption being if you're buying a bike like this you probably already own a nice wheelset and may not want to pay for another. However, in Australia, Ridley bikes are only sold as framesets, and the local distributor allows customers to customise everything from drivetrain and wheels to a fully bespoke paint job.

Raced By: Lotto Soudal

Bianchi Oltre XR4

Raced by the Jumbo-Visma team, Bianchi 's Oltre XR4 is an eye-catching ride, especially in the trademark celeste paint job. But, it's what's hidden inside the carbon that sets this bike apart. The CV Countervail carbon architecture, which is also used by NASA, incorporates a viscoelastic resin to better dampen road vibrations coming up through the frame, which the brand says also increases stiffness. There is no doubt the frame is stiff under pedalling forces, but you can feel the difference the countervail tech makes when it comes to comfort.

The main focus of the Oltre XR4 is to slice through the wind so it's no surprise to see the cables fully hidden, with Vision's 5D ACR one-piece cockpit wrangling everything into the frame. With these properties, the Italian outfit has also made the geometry fairly unforgiving and you'll need to be flexible to find a comfortable position.

Don't mistake the Oltre XR4 for an aero bike that's just meant to go straight, it handles with cat-like reflexes. The price tag is pretty heavy and depending on where you live it may only be offered as a frameset.

Raced by: Team Jumbo-Visma

Specialized Roubaix Expert

The Specialized Roubaix was the first commercially available endurance road bike when it was launched back in 2004. With a slightly more relaxed geometry and taller head tube, early versions of the Roubaix featured Zertz inserts, said to absorb road buzz — their effectiveness is still up for debate.

The Roubaix has come quite a long way since then, now featuring the Future Shock. Designed in collaboration with McLaren, the Future Shock is now in its 2.0 version and features a hydraulic piston inside the head tube which provides 20mm of travel, now with a dial to adjust the compression and rebound damping.

• Alison Tetrick's Specialized S-Works Roubaix for Super Sweetwater gravel race - Gallery

The cheaper models of the Roubaix (Comp and below) get a Future Shock 1.5, which is the same unit minus the adjustable damper. Specialized has also added a new D-shaped seat post at the back, complete with a drop-in clamp to maximise flex and create a more balanced ride quality front to back.

It's not as snappy as the Tarmac when you push on the pedals, but it does an excellent job of smoothing out square edges on the road. According to Specialized, the new Roubaix is more Aero than the Tarmac SL6 and lighter than a Venge. Like the Tarmac, it only comes with disc brakes and a unisex geometry, with the only difference between the men's and women's bikes being the touchpoints.

Ridley Fenix SL Disc

On paper, the Fenix SL looks like your typical Fondo bike, with sure-footed endurance geometry. In practice, the frame is on the stiffer end of the spectrum and makes for a ride quality that's anything but boring. There is precisely zero unwanted flex in the fork or laterally in the frame, a characteristic that's relatively commonplace in this category of road bikes. With dropped seat stays, the bike isn't harsh, however, we're not sure we'd describe it as a comfortable ride.

We'd argue among a field of endurance bikes, most of which look like they've been hit with the ugly stick, the Fenix SL, even with its chunky slightly aero tubing, is a pretty good looking bike.

It's not particularly light on the scale, but the Fenix is an endurance roadie that isn't willing to trade comfort for boring or sluggish ride quality.

Trek Domane SL 7

The third generation of the Trek Domane carries the dual front and rear IsoSpeed technology. The top-end SLR models borrow the Madone's top tube mounted adjustable pivot, while the rest retain the standard inbuilt flex point. Trek say the new Domane is more aero than its predecessor, with Trek claiming it's a full minute per hour faster than the previous version - although at what power output, we cannot be sure. 

Trek has fully committed the Domane to disc brakes and the result is that it can accept up to 38mm tyres, or 35mm with a fender. At the front, there is a nifty cable guide mounted under the stem; it's not quite as clean as the internally routed options, but not having to run cables and housing through handlebars and stem make maintenance and changes to bike fit considerably easier.

The Domane also features a clever down tube storage box that allows for tools and a spare tube to be stored in the frame inside a plush tool roll. The full Ultegra SL6 version pictured is built around Trek's H2 Endurance Fit, however, if you spring for the Project One SLR, the slightly more aggressive H1.5 is available. Trek has also ditched the gender-specific geometries, with the only difference between the gendered bikes being the touchpoints and paint jobs.

BMC Roadmachine 01 Four

At first glance, the BMC Roadmachine looks identical to the Teammachine racer, but closer inspection reveals a higher stack, shorter reach, softer ride and room for fat tyres. Even with the more relaxed geometry the Roadmachine still retains much of is racier cousin's efficiency and snap when pressure is applied to the pedals, but with slightly more forgiving steering characteristics.

The frame is made using the TCC (Tuned Compliance Concept) Endurance lay-up, which BMC says is designed to take the edge off rough roads. BMC has also employed what it calls Angle Compliance technology, which is marketing-speak for flex built into the fork, seat stays and seat post. The Roadmachine is where BMC first employed its integrated cockpit design, so it's no surprise to see it here and we love the addition of mounts for a top tube food/storage box so your pre-knock Haribo can be at hand at all times.

There is enough room in the frame for 33mm tyres so even though 'road' is in the name, nothing is stopping you from taking the Roadmachine past where the pavement ends. At the front, the new asymmetric fork is said to be ten per cent stiffer, while the back features the brand's dropped seat stays. The trouble, however, is the BMC sized price tag.

Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0

Since it was introduced in 2009, Giant's Defy has consistently been the brand's top-selling bike — it was also the first road bike to be offered exclusively in disc brakes. With only minor refinements to the geometry over the years, every other aspect of the bike has been improved from the D-Fuse seat post and handlebar to the oversized and tapered OverDrive 2 steerer tube.

The Defy Advanced sees an updated rear end with a slight curve in the seat stays to promote deflection. To balance out the plush rear end, Giant has adapted the D-Fuse technology for the front of the bike. The tops are now D-shaped like the seat post and Giant says the amount of flex can be customised by rotating the bar in the stem.

With these comfort features the remainder of the front triangle is robust with Giant employing its beefy Megadrive down tube and PowerCore BB shell, similar to what's seen on its race bikes. For a period in time, the Defy was the lightest frameset in Giant's range, but now made from the brand's second-tier carbon, it has gained a bit of weight.

Bianchi Infinito CV

While Bianchi's Infinito CV offers a more relaxed and upright riding position, it's anything but boring. The handling is sharp, but the bike is a tad more reluctant to change line than the racy Oltre XR4 or Specialissima climbing bike.

Bianchi has borrowed a good bit of the geometry from its racing bikes, but added ~20mm of stack and subtracted ~10mm from the reach (depending on the size), shifting a bit of weight away from the front wheel, but maintaining the steep angles.

Bianchi has also borrowed a bit of the aero tubing from the Oltre, and the frame gets the Brand's Countervail carbon, which uses a viscoelastic resin to insulate your body from road noise - aka vibrations. We'd argue the effect is a bit less noticeable on an endurance platform because, by design, there is more comfort built into the frame.

Even with the frame designed with more comfort in mind, it's not flexy. With beefy tube shapes and a large bottom bracket shell, there is no power lost out of the saddle or climbing. Specced with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, Bianchi has also opted for 160mm rotors meaning there is oodles of braking power accessible with a single finger.

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105

Cannondale's Synapse was made stiffer last year, with engineers honing in on the head tube and bottom bracket. It's disc-specific with thru-axles, has improved cable routing, more tyre clearance and a geometry that offers more uniform ride characteristics across the range.

In previous years the Synapse had been a touch flexy under power, but Cannondale has nipped that in the bud and the brand tells us the new frame has the same head tube stiffness as the SuperSix EVO. It has a slightly longer and lower position than the Roubaix or Domane, and thus, its handling characteristics are a bit more aggressive. To keep things comfortable, Cannondale has built the bike with its SAVE micro-suspension, which is just a fancy way of saying that the flex points are built into the rear triangle, seat post, and fork.

Even with a Shimano 105 spec, the Synapse comes with Cannondale's lightweight HollowGram SL crankset and is the first model to come exclusively with disc brakes. The frame will take up to a 32mm tyre and there are even hidden fender mounts on the rear seat stays.

How carbon road bikes are made

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Carbon fibre is a bit of a wonder material because it can be moulded into just about any shape, and tuned to be stiff in one plane and flexible in another. With these properties, it's heavily used throughout the bike industry and we see it in everything from frames down to brake levers.

There are vast differences in the quality of carbon road bikes and components, and this ultimately comes down to the layup. Most carbon road bikes are made using pre-preg carbon fibre sheets; basically, the fabric is pumped full of uncured resin and shipped on massive rolls which are cut into the individual pieces that will be moulded into a bike.

Many brands use the same manufacturing facilities in Asia to produce all but their most premium bikes, and while certain details and processes may vary from brand to brand, the main bullet points of creating a carbon road bike frame are the same.

Sheets of pre-preg carbon fibre are hand laid into or around a mould and placed into a heated press, which is assisted by air bladders. Solid forms compact the layers of carbon together; spreading the resin through the frame, removing gaps and voids, and squishing out the excess. Then the frame is put into what equates to a giant pottery kiln where the resin is cured, and then the frames are sanded and painted.

The layup of a carbon road bike is essentially a really difficult 3D jigsaw puzzle with upwards of 400 individual pieces and the order in which they are put together will ultimately define the ride characteristics. Depending on the orientation of the fibres, using the same mass and modulus of carbon can yield a rigid structure or one that is noodly and flexible.

Woven vs Unidirectional

There are two main types of carbon, woven and unidirectional.

As you can probably guess, woven carbon sees the fibres knitted into a fabric, crisscrossing each other, allowing the material to be stiff in more than one plane. Woven carbon is used in areas where there are lots of different directional forces coming through the frame like the head tube and the bottom bracket and also around holes that have been drilled into the frame, like cable ports and bottle cage mounts.

On the other hand, with unidirectional carbon, all the fibres run parallel. This is what's used throughout the majority of the frame because sheets of unidirectional carbon can be laid on top of one another to combat specific directional forces.

The modulus refers to the stiffness of the individual fibres. Higher modulus carbon is accomplished by refining each fibre to make it smoother and thinner allowing for higher tensile strength. While high modulus carbon is stiff, it's also brittle, and a bike made of exclusively high modulus carbon would likely break on the first impact, whether that be from road debris or a crash. Lower modulus carbon isn’t as stiff, but it is also less delicate.

No matter the frame, it will be made from a mix of different modulus carbon, strategically placed throughout for the best possible performance and strength.

A french term meaning single shell, a monocoque is a structural system where loads are supported through an object's external skin, like an egg — or a bicycle.

When the term is applied to bicycles, it's a fancy way of saying the entire frame is moulded in one piece. True monocoque frames are becoming increasingly rare, and in most cases, the front and rear triangles are manufactured in two separate pieces and then bonded together. When you see a brand using a term like semi-monocoque or modular monocoque, this is how the frame is made.

What to look for in a carbon road bike

Our general advice when looking to buy a road bike is to spend as much as you can on the frame and worry less about the components bolted onto it. It's easy to upgrade wheels, handlebars and groupsets, but you're stuck with the frame.

We've split our favourite carbon road bikes into two categories, race bikes and endurance bikes. While you’ll likely see a crossover in terms of technology and features, these bikes are designed to do separate things, and the geometry will vary to help in achieving these goals.

Race bikes are designed to go fast, which can sometimes come at the expense of things like comfort. A race bike's geometry will have steep angles for fast steering and facilitate a long reach and low stack to achieve an aerodynamic position. To get the most out of a race bike, you need to be pretty flexible.

Endurance bikes feature a more upright geometry, slacker angles and plenty of built-in comfort technology. As things have progressed, quite a lot of new technology gets its start on endurance bikes before it's then adapted onto a brand's race bikes. You’ll often see pro teams don endurance bikes for the cobbled classics, not only for the additional comfort but for the slower handling that makes maintaining control through the bumpy and slippery cobbled sections slightly less herculean.

A lot of these bikes will feature aerodynamic cues, but if you're looking for out and out speed, our guide to the best aero road bikes will provide the fastest, most aerodynamic bikes available.

Disc brakes have been utilised for years in just about every other cycling discipline other than road bikes because of their superior performance in all conditions and the additional tyre clearance they allow. The brakes and rotors themselves may weigh a bit more than calipers, but they also allow for light rims because there is no brake track needed.

Most road bikes are available in both rim and disc varieties, but unless you've got a stable of the very best road wheels in your garage, we'd recommend seriously considering discs brakes. With this, most disc-equipped road bikes have swapped to 12mm thru-axles, not only for a more secure wheel to frame connection, but the end to end lateral stiffness is vastly improved.

Integrated cockpit

With most bike brands now having an in-house or partner components brand, quite a few high-end bikes come with one-piece bar and stem combos. They have a definite cool factor while allowing for cables to be fully hidden from the wind which makes them aero and they are a bit lighter than their standard bar and stem.

But changing cables can be an absolute nightmare, and even with brands offering plenty of handlebar widths and stem lengths, if you can't find the numbers that match your specific fit needs or a bar shape you like, you are out of luck.

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Based on the Gold Coast of Australia, Colin has written tech content for cycling publication for a decade. With hundreds of buyer's guides, reviews and how-tos published in Bike Radar, Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect and Cycling Weekly, as well as in numerous publications dedicated to his other passion, skiing. 

Colin was a key contributor to Cyclingnews between 2019 and 2021, during which time he helped build the site's tech coverage from the ground up. Nowadays he works full-time as the news and content editor of Flow MTB magazine. 

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• FX Sport Carbon 4

Trek FX Sport Carbon 4

FX Sport 4 is a carbon fiber fitness bike for riders who want the speed of a lightweight road bike with the comfort and control of a flat handlebar. An IsoSpeed decoupler smooths out rough roads and the 1x11 drivetrain simplifies shifting without sacrificing gear range, making this high-performance bike perfect for everything from solo workouts to speedy group rides. It's right for you if... You're ready to log big miles, and you prefer the feel of a flat handlebar to the drop bars that come stock on most road bikes. You prioritize comfort and performance equally, and want the simplicity a 1x drivetrain provides. The tech you get A lightweight OCLV Carbon frame with a road-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler, a Shimano GRX 1x11 drivetrain with a wide-range cassette, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather stopping power, a lightweight tubeless ready wheelset, and ergonomic grips. Plus, it's easy to accessorize with fenders, lights, and more! The final word Fast, capable, comfortable. This bike has a road-smoothing carbon frame and quality parts that will hold up over serious miles, but what really sets this model apart is the simpler shifting experience the 1x11 drivetrain provides. Why you'll love it - The 1x drivetrain delivers a wide range of gearing with the simplicity of a single shifter - You get the superior ride quality of carbon without the bank-breaking price - IsoSpeed—a decoupler at the seat tube/top tube junction that absorbs fatiguing bumps from the road so you can stay stronger longer - On your left, roadie! This fitness bike is more than capable of taking on speedy group road rides - You can pair FX Sport with your smartphone and send your ride data to your favorite fitness app when you add DuoTrap S

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

* Subject to change without notice.

The Walkthrough

Review: Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

While many brands have introduced “endurance” road bikes over the last few years, few have taken the idea to quite the extreme as Trek.

Trek Domane 4.5 – A High-End Frame and Smart Build Kit

The Domane was developed with considerable input from Swiss pro cyclist Fabian Cancellara , who is known for his steam-engine riding style, using his massive power output to crush cobblestones in the fabled Spring Classics. He is said to enjoy the bike so much that he rides it year-round, even in the Tour de France, choosing it over Trek’s racier Madone model.

The frame features the intriguing IsoSpeed decoupler , an ingenious system that separates the seat tube from the top tube and seatstays, and allows the seat tube to flex and pivot at the mounting point. If you stand next to the bike and put your weight on the saddle, you can see the seat tube flex slightly, but while riding it is imperceptible until you hit a bump.

A High-Performance Machine

Make no mistake: IsoSpeed is not a suspension system, and this is still a high-performance machine. If you’re expecting something akin to a suspension seatpost, think again. The frame’s ride quality is distinctly carbon—a muted road feel with less of that high-frequency vibration you feel from some aluminum frames, but still generally stiff.

Iso Speed makes itself most noticeable when crossing railroad tracks or other high-speed, sharp impacts that would normally require you to lift or shift your weight on the saddle to avoid being bounced. Not having to do that means you can keep your cadence smooth and the power high. The system seems so extreme some might think it’s a gimmick, but I’m convinced. Trek is as well—the technology will soon be adapted to its line of hardtail mountain bikes .

At the other end of the bike, the fork deserves some of the credit. It was developed with an asymmetrical steerer tube that is slightly thicker side-to-side than front-to-back, giving it a touch of compliance, but it never felt soft or shuddering.

The difference between the Domane 4.5 and the higher-end models is in the stiffness of the carbon fiber itself, and that this version uses a standard 27.2mm seat post rather than a seatmast that is integrated into the frame. I actually prefer the standard post, as it can be swapped for countless alternatives and provides an easy spot to clamp the bike in a work stand.

Trek’s DuoTap Hidden Speed

Other frame details include a spot for Trek’s DuoTap hidden speed and cadence sensor, an integrated chain guide to eliminate dropped chains and more generous tire clearance than most frames. It also has removable fender eyelets, so you can keep the clean look if you’re not using them. For an even smoother ride, you can ditch the tubes and set up the Bontrager Race wheels tubeless—another technology that is easy to dismiss until you try it.

It would be a mistake to write off the Domane as a “comfort” bike for weekend warriors. Despite accommodations for a smooth ride, it is as stiff and race-worthy as I could ask. Yet the slightly longer wheelbase makes it extremely stable, and it’s one of the few bikes I’ve ever plunged downhill at 40mph with a crosswind while still feeling relaxed. The fit adds to the comfort factor, as the slightly taller head tube gives you a more head’s-up position than Trek’s race bikes. Paired with a set of shallow-drop Bontrager handlebars , I felt great in each of the riding positions, an essential element of a long, comfortable ride.

Domane: Initial Acceleration is Direct and Instant

The adage “laterally stiff and vertically compliant” has gone beyond cliché to become something of a running joke in road bike circles. The notion that a bike can be a stiff-as-heck race machine and still be comfortable over rough pavement on long rides is not unlike a unicorn—a magical beast that surely can’t exist. But on the Domane, initial acceleration is direct and instant, with the massive, squared down tube and BB90 bottom bracket all but eliminating lateral flex.

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Back in Issue #16 I reviewed the Volagi Liscio, which also features an unusual seat tube arrangement—the seatstays bypass the seat tube and connect to the top tube. While the Liscio was smoother than the Domane in a straight line, it can’t compete with the Domane in terms of power transfer and handling accuracy. The Domane makes no sacrifices in these areas.

The Shimano Ultegra build kit performed flawlessly, as I expected. The compact crankset paired with an 11-28-tooth cassette offers tons of range for tackling the steepest pitches. The 105-level brake calipers offer power to spare, as a single finger is often enough to bring the bike to a stop.

Hitting the street for less than $2,800, the Domane 4.5 struck me as a steal, considering the high-end frame technology and the smart build kit. While it will likely be pitched to riders looking for a high-performance ride for centuries and gran fondos, the Domane is a race bike at heart that won’t beat you up on the weekdays.

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Best carbon road bike 2024: what makes good quality carbon and six bikes to consider

We pick our favorite carbon road bikes for varying applications

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The Quick List

The best carbon road bikes 2023: our picks.

• 1. Best carbon race bike
• 2. Best carbon aero bike
• 3. Best value carbon road bike
• 4. Best endurance carbon bike
• 5. Best carbon climbing bike
• 6. Best carbon all-road bike
• How are carbon bikes made?

Best carbon road bikes 2023: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴

1. Best race bike 2. Best aero bike 3. Best value 4. Best endurance bike 5. Best climbing bike 6. Best all-road bike

Info How are carbon bikes made?

Carbon is pretty much the number one material of choice when it comes to mainstream frame construction and as such there are an awful lot of carbon bike frames out there and there's no one 'best carbon bike'.

Whilst the frame material is at the heart of the bike, there are other elements to consider when choosing a new steed - the geometry, specification and value for money being key points as well as intended use. Do you want a race bike? Or perhaps you're after something for longer riders on varied surfaces? Are aerodynamics or low weight more important to you?

We've listed some of the most well-renowned carbon-framed road bikes which have fared well during our recent testing. We also have other dedicated guides which include the best road bikes , the best aero bikes and the best road bikes under $2500 .

But for now, here are our picks of the best carbon road bikes...

Best race bike

Our Race Bike of the Year, the S5 is a superb all-rounder that blends sublime handling alongside pure speed. Wout van Aert's weapon of choice.

Read more below  

Best aero bike

The updated Madone features a radical frame design that yields impressive results. Fast, as you might expect, but also surprisingly smooth

Read more below

Carbon race bikes don't come cheap but while the new Propel Advanced isn't a steal, it does deliver a great spec and performance for the money.

Best endurance bike

The Granturismo SLR uses some smart frame tech alongside sensible geometry to make it ideally suited to long, demanding days in the saddle. 

Best climbing bike

The reworked SuperSix is a little more aero than previous editions but it's still great when the road points up...and down. No wonder its WorldTour winner.

Best all-road bike

The Venon Evo is impressively versatile with wide enough tire clearance for a range of road surfaces - including some light gravel.

Best carbon race bike

Cervélo S5 carbon road bike 

1. Cervélo S5

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The S5's race credentials make for impressive reading. As one of the bikes ridden by Jumbo-Visma it's racked up back-to-back Tour de France wins, a green jersey in the same event as well as numerous stage and one-day races. Having sublime talent like Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and Marianne Vos certainly helps. But clearly the S5 isn't holding them back.

Like the Jumbo riders we were impressed when we tested the updated S5. So much so we awarded it our Race Bike of the Year for 2023. In simple terms it does everything well. It's straight-line speed is incredible, as is its cornering prowess - and unlike many aero race bikes it's also comfortable to ride. 

The Reserve 52|63 wheels have a wide internal rim width - 25mm up front and 24mm out back. This in turn had the 28mm Vittoria Corsa tires actually measuring 31mm. When combined with the frameset, the result is a sublime ride quality - bags of grip, with much of the road chatter silenced. It adds up to plenty of speed when the surfaces are less than ideal. 

At 8.22kg for this SRAM Force build, the S5 isn't light. However it doesn’t feel ‘heavy’ to ride and with it's aero properties and low rolling resistance it's still lightening quick.

The S5’s gains across the board – it’s handling, comfort and aerodynamics – more than make up for the extra mass. As the complete package, the Cervélo S5 deservedly wins our 2023 Race Bike of the Year award.

Read more: Cervélo S5 SRAM Force full review

Best carbon aero bike

Trek Madone SLR 7 carbon road bike 

2. Trek Madone SLR 7

The revamped Madone gained plenty of attention on release, in no small part due to the radical frame design. The new IsoFlow technology, which replaces the IsoSpeed decoupler, reduces weight and improves airflow. To achieve this Trek engineers have created a 'hole' in the frame around the junction of the seat tube and stays, which allows turbulent air to pass through more efficiently.

Further aerodynamic enhancements come courtesy of the new cockpit. When we reviewed the Madone we found the handlebars to be an excellent design, supporting our wrists much better than more traditional bars and enabling us to stay lower for longer. The bars measure 42cm at the drops. But at the hoods, they narrow to just 39cm, helping create a more aero position without compromising stance width when descending. 

It all translated to fast handling, with the bike responding to the smallest shift in weight and the tiniest tweaks of the bars. Yes the tire clearance could be more generous by today's standard (30mm) but the ride quality is still impressive. As our reviewer wrote, "If you have the budget and want a WorldTour-level race machine with exceptional handling and ride feel, this is the bike."

Read more: Trek Madone SLR 7 full review

Best value carbon road bike

Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1 carbon road bike 

3. Giant Propel Advanced Pro 1

The new Propel Advanced Pro has been redesigned to add compliance and comfort to its impressive aero credentials. Giant have sought to achieve this balance by slimming down the tube shapes in places, notably the frame's rear triangle, and introducing a sloping top tube, which works alongside the narrower seat post.

And it works. When we reviewed the Propel Advanced Pro we found that it retained the speed of the outgoing model but now with more "native comfort". It's not the lightest of bikes, and if you live or ride regularly in very hilly terrain it might not be best suited. However, we found that the extra weight wasn't noticeable while our higher average speeds were. 

While a road bike in the $/$5k range might not scream 'value', the Propel does deliver plenty of bike for your money, especially when viewed in comparison to some of the other big-hitting aero road bikes. 

Read more: Giant Propel Advanced Pro full review

Best endurance carbon road bike

Wilier Granturismo SLR carbon road bike

4. Wilier Granturismo SLR

The Granturismo SLR is what all good endurance bikes should be: comfortable yet still fast. But it's not always an easy balance to find.

Wilier has achieved it by using geometry that matches a higher stack height with a shorter reach, alongside its 'Actiflex 2.0 vibration damping system'. This bit of trickery is found at the intersection of the seat stays and the toptube, with the  elastomer providing up to 5mm in vertical travel for the rear wheel. You can also adjust comfort levels, by slecting either the hard or soft settings via a dial.

Combined with a wheelset that turned our 28mm tires to ones that measured almost 32mm (the bike's stated maximum width), it made for the ideal companion for back-to-back big days in the hills. Even the terrible road surfaces were no match for the vibration dampening powers of the Granturismo. However, despite the plush ride quality it's surprisingly agile.

Read more: Wilier Granturismo SLR full review

Best carbon climbing bike

Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4 Hi-mod Ultegra carbon road bike

5. Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod

The SuperSix Evo has benefitted from a redesign which has helped cement it's place as one of the best race-focussed climbing bikes out there. In fact the aero enhancements, notably a a cleaner cockpit and revamped tube shapes, alongside wider tire clearance (now room for 34mm) and dropped stays have made it a great all-round race bike.

Naturally, if climbing is your thing you're likely to pay close attention to weight. And the SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod doesn't disappoint. Our test bike weighed 7.69kg for a size 54, which is certainly competitive for a build of this nature. Move up to the LAB71 carbon frame, replace the Ultegra Di2 groupset with Dura-Ace, and swap the RSL50s wheelset for something lighter still and you'll be heading towards a sub 7kg weight. You will of course have also spend lost more money.

As for the ride, the handling is "top class". It's agile but not skittish and handles flat terrain as well as it does the climbs. Vitally, during our review period it also proved to be great on the descents, inspiring plenty of confidence. 

Read more: Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod full review

Best carbon all-road bike

Vitus Venon Evo 105 Di2 carbon road bike

6. Vitus Venon Evo - RS

The Vitus Venon Evo comes in in two specs, one for gravel and one for road. It uses the same carbon frameset for both, utilising the generous tire clearance (up to 45mm) alongside a few component differences to dial in the bikes to their desired terrain.

With the ability to run such wide tires the RS (road) model would be better named the all-road model. While it comes fitted with 28mm Michelins, you can increase this volume to make it a plush tourer or audax bike, or add some tread to allow for some gravel exploration. 

The Venon Evo's versatility doesn't end with the tire clearance either. The frameset is equipped with plenty of mounts including those for fenders, meaning it's not just adventure ready but also able to pull double-duty as a winter bike or a commuter. 

Read more: Vitus Venon Evo-RS full review

How are carbon road bikes made?

Most brands come up with fancy sounding titles for their own carbon construction– FACT ( Specialized ), OCLV ( Trek ) Advanced Composite ( Giant ) are all examples.

However, the vast majority of the raw carbon fibre actually comes from just six companies, and often goes on to be used in the aerospace industry. It’s how the material is manipulated by the bike brand which influences the ride quality and strength.

The dream combination for the best carbon bikes is high stiffness, low weight and at an affordable price; usually, at least one of the three has to be sacrificed in order to achieve greatness elsewhere. Cheap Chinese carbon imports might seem as though they tick all the boxes, but you can read our investigation into whether they are worth the risk here (the short answer is probably not).

Raw carbon fibre due to be used for sports equipment ('Pitch' type carbon fibre is used elsewhere) is usually made from polyacrylanitrile (PAN) fibre which is heat treated to take on the shape of long and thin fibres. The greater the treatment, the stronger the carbon will be; stronger carbon requires the use of less material which drops the weight.

Though bike brands can use any description they like, the Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association (JCMA) grades carbon from ‘Low Modulus’ to ‘Ultra-High Modulus’. The level of carbon awarded is based upon the Tensile elastic modulus (stiffness) and Tensile strength (durability).

Raw carbon is mixed with other magical ingredients to create a composite. Carbon on its own is too brittle, so it’s mixed with epoxy resin which moulds the fibres together and makes it more able to deflect impact. Once the resin is added the material is called pre-preg carbon.

Dassi bikes has also experimented with using Graphene mixed into the material to offer better weight to strength ratio – although that's not something which is ubiquitous amongst the best carbon bikes. 

That said, Ultra-High Modulus carbon shouldn't be used everywhere. A good carbon fibre frame uses varying grades of carbon across the construction, and while stiffness is optimum in some areas (bottom bracket shell, down tube), a little flex elsewhere (seat tubes, chainstays) is an asset.

When it comes to constructing a bike frame, there are two popular methods used. Most major brands will layer the sheets of carbon fibre to varying levels of thickness depending upon the quality required.

Decisions as to how the carbon layup should be distributed are usually made by experienced engineers or with the use of computer software. It’s usually then tested in the real world and refined to perfection. The more investment the bike builder or brand can invest, the more sophisticated you can expect computer software used to be.

The direction in which the carbon fibres face has an influence, too - unidirectional (all facing one way) fibres offer the best stiffness to weight ratio. But they're brittle - woven carbon is much more common - so it copes with impact better and is easier to mould, particularly at complex junctions.

Often, several sections are created and then bonded together. It is possible to bond individual tubes together, and this is more popular among custom frame builders.

Since carbon can be moulded into more aerodynamic shapes, this is also a factor taken into consideration and tested with more computer and wind tunnel analysis.

How we test

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Our team of experienced reviewers put in the hours, riding across varying terrain and in all conditions. Key considerations include the geometry - how does the bike handle in twisting corners, on fast descents and on steep climbs when hauling out of the saddle? Does it feel twitchy or stable? Lively or dull? 

What about the components - how light and responsive are the wheels? Are the tires fast, robust or neither? How comfortable is the finishing kit? Does the gearing suit the intended riding? All this (and much more besides) is taken together and - once having factored in the price - we reach a conclusion on the relative performance of the bikes we test.

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Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider. 

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By Joseph Lycett Last updated 25 May 24

However flawless your physical preparation, the mind has a tendency to throw a spanner in the works come the big day. James Witts offers six ways to keep the brain onside with the body

By James Witts Published 25 May 24

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trek roscoe mountain bike for sale

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Trek Roscoe 6 - 2024

Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It boosts confidence with a 140mm travel air-spring fork that soaks up bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x Shimano CUES drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack. It's right for you if... You know there are good times to be had on the trail, and you want to be part of them! You're looking for an easy entry to the sport of mountain biking on a bike that will keep you excited and motivated to get out there day after day. The tech you get A strong aluminum frame, fast-rolling 29er wheels with wide, grippy 2.6" tires, and an SR Suntour fork with 140mm of travel. It has a trail-tough Shimano CUES drivetrain with 9 speeds and a wide range of gears for climbing, hydraulic disc brakes, and a dropper post for extra room on rough trails. The final word Roscoe 6 is your new best friend on the trail. It's patient, playful, and confidence-inspiring. It's all about getting out there, having fun, and enjoying the great sport of trail riding! Why you'll love it - It's more fun to be a better rider: Roscoe is so stable and forgiving, it's like an instant ability upgrade - 29er wheels and wide 2.6" tires make for a grippy, confident, and fast-rolling ride - The dropper post lets you lower your saddle on the fly so it's out of the way on descents - Its 140mm suspension fork has plenty of travel to soak up big roots and rocks Features: Ready to get rowdy With 140mm front travel, trail-smashing 29-inch wheels, and dialed-for-dirt frame features, Roscoe is ready to get rowdy on your favorite rides. Progressive trail geometry A long reach, slack head angle, steep seat angle, and short chain stays combine for a ride that's confidence-inspiring, yet still nimble and fun. The strong quiet type Roscoe stays well protected with a double-sided chainstay guard, tough downtube guard, and internal cable guides that help your ride stay quiet, even over rough trails. Shimano CUES Inspired by rider demand for trouble-free drivetrain longevity and performance, Shimano CUES offers a new foundation for versatility and durability across a range of both electric and standard bikes. CUES features Shimano’s new LINKGLIDE drivetrain technology for significantly increased life on wear items like chains, cassettes, and chainrings. Shimano LINKGLIDE LINKGLIDE technology has been specifically engineered for incredible durability while still delivering smooth and decisive shifting – along with a great pedaling experience. Available exclusively on Shimano CUES drivetrains. Upgrade your pedals and love your bike more Pedals are two of the five touchpoints that connect you with your bike, and even though this bike comes with a pair, upgrading to pedals that boost control and grip will greatly improve your ride. See the pedal guide and find the best pedals for your riding style. We recommend flat pedals for simple versatility.

* Subject to change without notice.

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Trek Roscoe 24

Roscoe 24 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous amount of fun keeping up with Mom, Dad, or an older sibling. Fit for riders 51-59" tall. It's right for you if... Your little shredder is ready to hop off the neighborhood streets and onto the trail, and you want to get them started the right way with a real-deal mountain bike that builds skills and confidence from the outset. If you're looking to teach your little one the wisdom of the trail, there's no better teaching tool than Roscoe. The tech you get A durable Alpha Gold Aluminum frame with a sloping top tube for added clearance, 24" wheels with mid-fat 2.8" tires for added traction and stability, a 1x8 Shimano drivetrain with a wide-range cassette for hills and technical sections, mechanical disc brakes, and loads of thoughtful details borrowed from adult MTB tech, like a closed front dropout and a tucked-in rear brake caliper so when kids drop their Roscoe it doesn't mean an automatic trip to the shop for a replacement part. The final word Give a kid a Roscoe and you'll make a mountain biker for life. Mid-fat tires and a wealth of kid-specific design details make this bike the perfect introduction to the trail. If your little one is ready to tag along when you hit the singletrack, this is the kid-friendly set-up that's made to build confidence, skills, and a healthy obsession with the world's greatest activity. Why you'll love it - There's no family outing as fun as a trail session, and Roscoe is the ideal kids' bike for building great memories - This isn't a small adult bike—it's built from the ground up for kids, by people who know exactly what works for them and what doesn't - When you're learning to ride, simplicity is best: a 1x8 drivetrain lets kids focus on keeping the rubber side down - The kid-specific frame geometry has a sloping top tube that makes it easier to hop on and off - The rear brake caliper is tucked into the frame to help prevent damage from laying the bike down

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

Trek has slashed up to 30% off bikes and gear in its sale. I've picked out the best MTB bargains on offer

TrekFest is on now and there are huge discounts on MTBs, e-MTBs and top Trek and Bontrager gear

1. US Bike Deals

2. uk bike deals, 3. us and uk gear deals.

Trek has launched its 'TrekFest' sale, and not to be outdone by its North-American rivals Specialized, who also have a Spring Sale on, TrekFest has some mega-discounts. There are site-wide price-cuts on a wide selection of mountain bikes like its best budget hardtail – the Trek Marlin and some of its highly rated e-MTB models like the Trek Fuel EXe. There are also deals from Trek's in-house brand Bontrager, which manufactures MTB helmets , shoes, and lots more...

I've had a hunt around both the Trek US and Trek UK sites and picked out the best deals on offer and added what I think are some of highlights below. The discounts are currently live but end soon. So I'd suggest if something catches your eye, don't hang around, because they are bound to be snapped up quickly.

Marlin 8 Gen 2: Was $1,329.99, now $999 Trek says the Marlin is its most popular budget hardtail mountain bike. This aluminum framed Gen 2 version has a $330 discount with a build that features a RockShox Judy Silver fork, a SRAM SX Eagle 12-spd drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. The Bontrager Kovee wheels are tubeless ready and they roll on Maxxis Ardent Race rubber.

Available in two color choices, sized from XXS-XL.

Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR: Was $12,999 , now $11,999 The Fuel EXe 9.9 XTR is one of Trek's best electric mountain bikes . Built around its OCLV Mountain Carbon frame, the Fuel has a 360Wh battery that powers a TQ motor which puts out 50Nm of torque and 250 watts of maximum continuous power.

You also get 150mm of RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork travel paired with 140mm of RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear suspension. A Shimano XTR drivetrain, Bontrager carbon wheels and a Bontrager dropper post make up a very nicely specced e-MTB that currently has a $1,000 discount.

Four colors and all sizes are available S-XL.

Rail 9.8 XT Gen 4: Was $8,999, now $7,999 Another discounted electric mountain bike from the Trek line-up is the Trek Rail 9.8 . The brand's long-travel carbon framed enduro e-MTB comes with the Bosch Performance Line CX motor , a long-range 750Wh battery and 85Nm of trail-shredding power.

Adding to the Rail's spec highlights is a 170mm RockShox ZEB Select+ fork , and RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with a Shimano XT 1x12 drivetrain. Four colors and all the sizing are available plus a tasty $1,000 discount.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT: Was $7,049, now $5,899 Trek's Top Fuel is one of the best cross-country mountain bikes on the market. Lightweight, carbon-framed and has another brilliant line-up of components that make it a bit of a bargain with its current $1,150 discount.

The Top Fuel has a 120mm RockShox SID Select+ fork , 120mm of rear travel with a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock , and a Shimano XT drivetrain. Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels and a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper complete the spec.

Roscoe 8: Was $2,399, now $1,999 The Trek Roscoe 8 is another entry-level hardtail with a specification ready for some serious cross-country riding. This Roscoe build features a lightweight aluminum frame, a 140mm RockShox 35 Gold fork , a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and a dropper post. 

A $400 discount and sizes XS-XL are available in two size color options.

Slash 9.9 XX1 Gen 5: Was $12,549, now $9,999 Trek say the Slash 9.9 is its best enduro mountain bike in the range. It's also the go-to bike for the Trek Factory Racing Enduro team. This model has a $2,500 discount and you get a bike ready for anything. 

A full carbon frame, hard-hitting suspension with RockShox Flight Attendant , Bontrager carbon wheels, and a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain make this top-of-the-line ride a very attractive buy with the current discount. Available in all sizes and the very stealthy-looking Lithium Gray colorway.

Marlin 8 Gen 3: Was £1,025, now £825 The Trek Marlin Gen 3 is the latest model of its popular budget hardtail mountain bike. The Gen 3 has an updated geometry, and the alloy frame features a RockShox Judy Silver fork, a SRAM SX Eagle 12-spd drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. This latest model also gets a TranzX dropper post too.

Available in two color choices, but with limited sizing, grab it while you can.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT: Was £6,100, now £4,270 Trek's Top Fuel is one of the best cross-country mountain bikes on the market. Lightweight, carbon-framed and has another brilliant line-up of components.

Top Fuel has a 120mm RockShox SID Select+ fork , 120mm of rear travel with a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock , and a Shimano XT drivetrain. Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon wheels and a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper complete the spec.

Roscoe 8: Was £1,675, now £1,394 The Trek Roscoe 8 is another entry-level hardtail with a specification ready for XC riding. This Roscoe build features an aluminum frame, a 140mm RockShox 35 Gold fork , a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and a dropper post. 

A £280 discount and sizes XS-XL are available in two size color options.

Slash 9.8 XT Gen 5: Was £6,000, now £4,500 Trek say the Slash 9.8 is one of its best enduro bike models coming with the brand's OCLV Mountain Carbon frame. It features a massive 160mm of travel from the highly-rated RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock , paired with a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and 170mm of travel. 

Only available Lithium Gray colorway and sizes M-XL.

Bontrager Foray MTB Shoes: US: Were $159, now $111 UK: Were £159, now £111 Trek says the Foray shoe is a versatile MTB shoe ready for trail riding and even cyclocross. Its versatility makes it one of the best gravel shoes too.

Foray has a Boa L6 dial for a customizable fit, a stiff sole and a durable upper featuring the added protection of GnarGuard – a rubberised coating that protects against abrasions and other damage. Four color choices and a ton of sizing are available.

Trek Line Elite Pedals: US: Were $119, now $94 UK: Were £109, now £76 The Trek Line Elite are SPD-compatible clipless MTB pedals . Dual-sided and made from forged aluminum, which they say makes them durable and lightweight. They have an easy clipping-in platform and a stylish aesthetic look to back up the performance features.

Bontrager Line 31.6 Dropper Post: Was £199, now £139 The Bontrager Line 31.6 dropper post has everything needed to contend as one of the best dropper posts around. It has internal cable routing and should provide reliable and infinite adjustability. This discounted version comes with 170mm of travel and allows fine-tuning with easy-fit 10mm or 30mm travel-reducer spacers.

Bontrager Flatline Shoes: Were $139, now $99 Were £139, now £97 The best flat mountain bike shoes should deliver plenty of grip to keep you connected to the pedals. The Bontrager Flatline tick the boxes here and comes with a grippy Vibram outsole, that partners up with a reinforced toe box for protection and durability.

They come in three stylish colorways – Black, Olive and Charcoal (the Gum sole on the Charcoal is very cool) and loads of sizes are available.

Trek Rally WaveCel Helmet: US: Was $159, now $119 UK: Was £149, £104 The Trek Rally has the Virginia Tech 5 Star safety rating which makes it a great choice as one of the best MTB helmets available. Featuring WaveCel, which is a collapsible cellular safety structure that protects the head during a crash. It also has a Boa fit system and an adjustable visor.

Loads of colors and sizing are available.

Bontrager Rally MTB Shoe: US: Were $149, now $119 UK: Were £149, now £104 The Rally is a clipless mountain shoe and is made from a super durable design with an abrasion-resistant coating and a reinforced, durable toe box for protection.

They also offer a more relaxed fit for comfort on the bike but plenty of support making them a highly practical trail MTB shoe. Five color and plenty of sizes are available.

Based in Edinburgh, Paul Brett is a staff writer for  BikePerfect.com . He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. He’s since developed an obsession for gravel riding and recently has dabbled in the dark art of cyclocross. A fan of the idea of bikepacking he has occasionally got involved and has ridden routes like the North Coast 500, Scotland and the Via Francigena (Pilgrim Route), Italy.

Current rides: Marin Alpine Trail 2, Ribble 725, Cube Stereo 160

Height: 175cm

Specialized has a massive sale on – with up to 50% off bikes and gear. Here's my pick of the biggest MTB and off-road bargains

Forget Amazon, Muc-Off has a massive 30% sale right now. Get huge deals on cleaning products, lubes, tubeless kits and more...

Could this be the most expensive camper van ever created? It's well-prepped for wild mountain bike adventures but the price is just insane

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Trek offering up to 30% off bikes and parts in crazy april mtb sale.

Specialized is offering up to 50% off some of its most popular premium mountain bike, and Trek isn’t trailing far behind. The brand’s 140mm trail bike range offers some stellar deals. You can get a Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS for only £9,499.95, a tidy discount from this e-bike’s usual retail price of £13,500.  

• Cycling motivation: 8 tips to get you back on the bike
• Are flat pedals worth it?
• South African MTB brands you should know

Fancy the advanced Fuel EX frame and geometry, but don’t require a mid-drive motor to assist with pedalling? The Fuel EX 9.9 XX1 AXS Gen 6 is selling for only £7,994.50, as opposed to its usual list price of £11,800. 

Trek has slashed prices on its long-travel 29er enduro bike, too. The Slash 9.8 XT Gen 5 is selling at 25% off, for only £4,500, which gets you a RockShox ZEB fork, Shimano XT 1x12 drivetrain, four-piston brakes and Line Elite 30 carbon wheels, with a 108T internals gearing the rear hub. 

Dedicated trail and enduro riders value dropper posts but if your dropper needs replacement or upgrading, Bontrager Line Elite droppers are only £251.99 discounted from £359.99. These dropper post deals apply to both 34.9- and 31.6mm diameter Line Elites. 

Beyond bikes and components, the Trek sale includes apparel and accessories. Keen on some lightweight, ultra-efficient carbon-sole kicks? Bontrager XXX shoes are marked down by 30% from £349.99 to £244.99. 

Helmets? The best deal is Bontrager’s Rally WaveCel lid. With extended coverage for skull base protection and an interweaved structure featuring the WaveCel energy absorbing and dispersing material, these helmets are great for trail and enduro riders who desire enhanced safety. Bontrager’s premium Rally mountain bike helmets are now only £89.99, instead of £149.99. 

What’s the cheapest deal with Trek’s big sale? That will be the Bontrager left-side load water bottle cage. A handy upgrade (literally), especially for endurance mountain bikers and riders on XS frames, at only £6.99. 

Trek’s sale runs until the end of April.

• www.trekbikes.com

You might also like:

• 9 tips to keep your suspension running sweeter for longer
• Opinion: You don't need a dropper post on your gravel bike
• Best way to transport mountain bikes

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Lance Branquinho

Lance Branquinho is a Namibian-born media professional who graduated to mountain biking after injuries curtailed his fascination with trail running. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. Lance is an award-winning writer who has contributed to myriad piblications all over the world including Cyclingnews, Bike Perfect, MBR, Topgear, TopCar and  Car magazine.

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Trek Roscoe 6, comes with zefel frame pouch, bontrager under seat pouch with tube repair kit, bontrager air pump .installed taffy tire liners. Have paperwork

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Elektrostal

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Find the right bike route for you through Elektrostal, where we've got 330 cycle routes to explore. The routes you most commonly find here are of the hilly type. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of June and August.

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Analysis of real estate market in Moscow Oblast, Russia:

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia

City coordinates

Coordinates of Elektrostal in decimal degrees

Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

WGS 84 coordinate reference system is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).

Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30 .

Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

Roscoe. See the bikes. Hardtails have more fun. Dive into rowdy terrain on the all-new Roscoe. It's built for a good time from the ground up, and fearlessly flies down the same gnarly trails you'd ride on a fully. But because it's shock-free, you don't have as much to maintain and the trail feel is unbeatable. Less fuss, more fun—that ...

Trek Roscoe 6. $1,199.99. Trek Roscoe 8. $1,999.99 $2,399.99 17% Off. Trek Roscoe 9. $2,499.99 $2,799.99 11% Off. Page 1 of 1. Shop Trek Roscoe hardtail mountain bikes, your new trail ready hardtail bike with plus sized tires and smooth dropper posts. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Roscoe 7. 38 Reviews / Write a Review. $1,649.99 $1,899.99. Model 5260351. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 7 is a hardtail for riders who are ready to cut loose and have a blast ripping up the trail. A plush 140mm suspension fork, 29er wheels, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make this bike great for new riders yet playful ...

Roscoe. With 140mm of squish up front, Roscoe delivers hardtail simplicity and fully capability for a heavy-hitting trail bike that amps up every ride. 5 Results. Items. 24.

Roscoe 8 is a trail hardtail for anyone looking to have some serious fun out in the dirt. Its 27.5+ mid-fat tires, a wide-range 1x12 drivetrain, and 120mm suspension fork make it a blast on every trail, from packed singletrack to the loose stuff. It's a laid-back trail mountain bike dressed in a high-quality spec that's ready to party.

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now! Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium. ... Red Barn Refresh bikes; Pre-owned mountain bikes; Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium; Roscoe 8 - 2021, Medium; We'll take care of you. ... Sale & clearance Customize How to ...

Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It boosts confidence with a 140mm travel air-spring fork that soaks up bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x Shimano CUES drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack.

Model 585984. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 7 is a mid-fat trail hardtail for riders who favor a fun and lively ride. Confidence-inspiring 27.5+ wheels and plus-sized tires, a plush suspension fork, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make Roscoe 7 stable enough for new riders, and playful enough to make even the most ...

Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now! Discover your next great ride with Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large. ... Red Barn Refresh bikes; Pre-owned mountain bikes; Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large; Roscoe 9 - 2023, X-Large; We'll take care of you. ... Sale & clearance Customize How ...

Details. Roscoe 7 is a hardtail for riders who wanna have a blast ripping up the trail. A plush 140mm suspension fork, 29er wheels, and a wide-range drivetrain with plenty of gears make this bike great for new riders yet playful enough to make even the most experienced shredders smile.

1643-5260355. Experience the thrill of the trails with the Trek 2024 Roscoe 7 Mountain Bike from SCHEELS. Designed for dirt, this bike features a robust threaded bottom bracket for increased durability in challenging conditions, and International Standard Chain Guide (ISCG) mounts for easy chain guide installation and adjustment.

Our Verdict. The Trek Roscoe 7 is an adaptable and well-rounded hardtail mountain bike that is competent in most of situations. Climbing abilities were rock solid and this bike is more capable than you might think on the descent. This hardtail rolls on 29 x 2.6-inch rubber that delivers a comfortable and surprisingly efficient ride.

Get the best deals on Trek Mountain Bikes when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands ... Trek Roscoe 8 - Large (19.5") - Matte Slate - Good Condition Bike - NICE!! $1,249.95. or Best Offer. $300.00 shipping. 28 watching.

About the Roscoe 6 Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It has plus-sized tyres that inspire confidence by elevating traction, a suspension fork that soaks up the big bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x drivetrain and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on technical trails and winding singletrack ...

Marlin 6 2022. Trek Bicycle Peoria. Now $699.99 From $749.99. Showing 24 out of 150 results. Buy a huge range of new and used Trek Hardtail Mountain Bikes, from America's No.1 Bike Website.

Details. Roscoe 20 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous ...

Details. Roscoe 6 is the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail. It has plus-sized tires that inspire confidence by keeping you stable, a suspension fork that soaks up the big bumps and roots, an easy-to-use 1x drivetrain, and playful frame geometry that makes it easier to control your bike on ...

Details. Roscoe 24 is a mid-fat kids' mountain bike designed to build confidence on the trail. It takes cues from the adult Roscoe, but this ride was built from the ground up for kids. 2.8" mid-fat tires, a 1x drivetrain, and a wide-range cassette make Roscoe the ideal bike for little rippers who want to build skills and have a ridiculous ...

Trek has launched its 'TrekFest' sale, and not to be outdone by its North-American rivals Specialized, who also have a Spring Sale on, TrekFest has some mega-discounts. There are site-wide price-cuts on a wide selection of mountain bikes like its best budget hardtail - the Trek Marlin and some of its highly rated e-MTB models like the Trek Fuel EXe. . There are also deals from Trek's in ...

Roscoe. See the bikes. Hardtails have more fun. Dive into rowdy terrain on the all-new Roscoe. It's built for a good time from the ground up and fearlessly flies down the same gnarly trails you'd ride on a fully. But because it's shock-free, you don't have as much to maintain and the trail feel is unbeatable. Less fuss, more fun ...

Specialized is offering up to 50% off some of its most popular premium mountain bike, and Trek isn't trailing far behind. The brand's 140mm trail bike range offers some stellar deals. You can get a Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS for only £9,499.95, a tidy discount from this e-bike's usual retail price of £13,500. Cycling motivation: 8 tips to get you back on the bike Are flat pedals worth it ...

Roscoe 8. $1,999.99 $2,399.99. Model 5260381. Retailer prices may vary. Roscoe 8 is a trail hardtail for anyone looking to have some serious fun on the dirt. 29er wagon wheels smooth out rocks and roots, grippy 2.6" tires give you a boost in traction, and a 140mm suspension fork make it a blast on every trail, from packed singletrack to the ...

Mountain bike - $600 ... 256 Lake Havasu Ave near Smoketree. bicycle type: mountain. frame size: 17.5. wheel size: 27.5 in. bicycle frame material: alloy. suspension: suspension fork ... model name / number: Roscoe 6. serial number: 2078u0320. QR Code Link to This Post. Trek Roscoe 6, comes with zefel frame pouch, bontrager under seat pouch ...

Find the right bike route for you through Elektrostal, where we've got 327 cycle routes to explore. The routes you most commonly find here are of the hilly type. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the months of June and August.

* calculated weighted mean of apartment cost per 1 square foot/meter in Elektrostal secondary housing market. Among prices in range from 30 to 200 thousand Rub/m² for Elektrostal.Among apartments with area in range: from 20 to 350 m², from 215 to 3767 ft².

40 Facts About Elektrostal. Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to ...

Geographic coordinates of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia in WGS 84 coordinate system which is a standard in cartography, geodesy, and navigation, including Global Positioning System (GPS). Latitude of Elektrostal, longitude of Elektrostal, elevation above sea level of Elektrostal.

From raw materials to a rideable wheel in less than 2 hours: how recyclable carbon wheels are made at CSS Composites

T wo hours south of Salt Lake City lies the small town of Gunnison, Utah. Home to vast swaths of farmland and cattle pasture, Gunnison is also the headquarters of CSS Composites , the parent company of Forge + Bond , which designs and manufactures thermoplastic carbon fiber wheelsets . 

CSS shares its campus with ACT Aerospace, a composites facility that has been manufacturing aerospace parts since 1985. The expertise, and the significant funding behind CSS, which uses novel thermoplastic composite techniques in place of more commonly used thermoset (epoxy-based) manufacturing, comes from the long and successful history and wealth of experience of ACT. 

The campus comprises several large buildings and an impressive solar array; traditional composites manufacturing is highly energy intensive. Raw materials must be kept at very low temperatures prior to use so they don’t degrade, and the process of turning these materials into finished, usable parts takes immense amounts of heat and pressure, typically via large, submarine-esque autoclaves. 

In contrast, the process CSS uses to make Forge + Bond rims requires far less energy. It’s also surprisingly clean, efficient and astonishingly fast: a wheel can go from raw materials to being ridden in less than two hours! 

Cycling Weekly visited the CSS factory to see this process from start to finish. 

Inside the CSS Factory

When CSS first launched its wheels, the company was hesitant to share the exact sequencing and techniques being utilized to produce them. Since then, however, it has become more open about the process. The reason for this, according to Brett Stahl, VP of Brand and Marketing at Forge + Bond, is that as the inventors of this process, the people within the company know precisely how many resources were required to develop the machinery and techniques needed to manufacture these products. As a result, they know how difficult it would be to replicate.

The first stop on the tour was visiting the ACT Aerospace production facilities. We were ushered through several doors into loud industrial spaces busy with people cutting raw material, laying up carbon fiber sheets by hand and doing the messy finish work that is necessary for these large scale thermoset composite pieces. ACT manufacturers parts for satellites, specialized aerospace applications, and more. We walked past giant autoclaves, an impressive machine shop, and the hulking carapaces of helicopter and other aircraft parts stacked up to the ceiling. ACT and affiliated businesses under the same roof employ several hundred people from Gunnison and the surrounding area, and it’s clear these people are very good at what they do.

Surprisingly clean, efficient and astonishingly fast: a CSS-made wheel can go from raw materials to being ridden in less than two hours!

Next we visited CSS’s wheel building facility. Instead of giant freezers stocked with different mixtures of pre-impregnated resins, there were a few pallets of boxed fiber spools sitting on the floor, at room temperature. The raw material, manufactured by Toray, comes to CSS in several polymer mixes, which are utilized in different ways to optimize each wheel design. It was still loud here, but instead of dozens of people hard at work, there was just one: a single technician runs the first two machines that begin the process of making FusionFiber rims.

The contrast between the two composites techniques could not be more stark: building wheels using thermoplastics means no refrigerator, no autoclave, and instead of many hands, a few (large, noisy, imposing) robots. Despite all of the work that went into developing these techniques, the process is easily digestible.

 The Process 

 First, unidirectional tape is wound onto special spools, much like winding thread onto a bobbin. It is then loaded onto a Dieffenbacher machine called the Fiberforge, which CSS co-developed with the German machinery manufacturing company (cost: many millions of dollars).

The Fiberforge cuts the tape into short sections at robotically precise lengths and angles, then ultrasonically tacks them together in the shape of a wheel. Each model that CSS manufactures (there are several different Forge + Bond rim shapes, as well as rims for Chris King , Trek and others) utilizes different mixtures of polymer-infused tape depending on the desired riding characteristics. Four to six minutes later, a flat, multi-piece carbon wreath is spit out on a tray, without the same violence, but in a similar way to a cash register drawer opening. The speed the machine is tuned to is determined by the tape being used and the tension of the spool.

The technician then moves each flat multi-piece wreath over to the consolidation machine, called the Fibercon, another Dieffenbacher creation (and again costing many millions of dollars), which vacuum compresses the individual sections of tape into one single piece. The Fibercon is designed to hold two tack-welded pre-rims at a time, side by side, and moves them around for each stage of the process at exactly the right time without human input. It first heats them up using infrared, then slides them over to be water-cooled, at which point the two pieces (half of a rim, each) emerge, warm to the touch. This entire process only takes a few minutes.

Thermoset composites, as the name implies, set up once and then cannot be reheated and remolded. The FusionFiber system, in contrast, uses the repeated heating and cooling technique as the basis of its manufacturing technique. This is one of the many ways the two processes differ. The implications of this make the Forge + Bond’s rims much easier to manufacture: being heated and cooled over and over again without changing chemical makeup means things can be batched. If the rim pieces need to sit for a while, it’s not a problem; each step of the process can stop and start as needed and workflow can be adjusted to suit specific needs.

The next step is moving to yet another Dieffenbacher machine for pressing. This is how the individual pieces, which hitherto are completely flat, get molded into the shape of a bicycle rim. Each wreath-shaped piece is mounted one at a time into a suspended rack, held in place by tabs made expressly for this purpose. It first moves into an infrared heating chamber, then is dropped onto an aluminum mold and pressed into the shape of a rim sidewall. This takes only a few minutes, and pieces come out smooth, with a finished surface requiring no additional treatments.

Next, the pieces are taken to a water jet that trims off excess material. This is completed in a matter of seconds. Trimmings come off as one piece outers and inners, and these are saved to be repurposed into other things (more on that later).

The final molding step of the process takes the two formed sidewalls and places them into an aluminum mold along with a channel piece (this the rim bed, which is manufactured separately using the same techniques) with a latex bladder inside all three pieces. This step requires the most humans; three different technicians work together to efficiently assemble and disassemble molds and insert the carbon pieces and latex bladder. 

Once the mold is bolted together it slides into a Wabash vacuum press, where the mold is subjected to significant heat and pressure in order to bond the rim pieces together into a completed product. It stays in the press for about six minutes. When the completed rim comes out of the mold, it gets its latex bladder removed and is then cleaned of excess nylon/polymer while the edges are given a light sanding. It gets inspected after this stage, but is essentially done. The tiny slivers of excess polymer that are scraped off the edges of the rim are the only tangible waste throughout the entire process.

After this step, rims are ready to be made into wheels. Yet another machine is responsible for spoke hole drilling, followed by a lacing machine, at which point the completed wheel gets hand-trued, stickered, and has rim-tape installed. The completed wheel is now ready for tires to be mounted. 

Final step: go for a ride.  

Curious about the ride quality? So were we! Check out our review of the Forge + Bond GR45 gravel wheels and the CSS-made Chris King GRD23 R45D wheels . 

 What about the scraps and leftover material?

One of the selling points of thermoplastics is that since the material doesn’t get altered through repeated heating and cooling cycles, broken or extra pieces can be ground up and reused. In fact, Toray sells raw material, whether in tape form or chipped, for the same retail price. For this specific process, these ground up bits cannot be remade into rims—that requires longer sections of material, but all manner of other products are possible, from bikes parts like pedals and stems to saddles for equestrian use, ATV applications, tractor parts, hydrofoil components, body armor, etc. The list is endless. CSS is rapidly connecting with interested partners to develop these things.

This is the key to CSS’s ultimate mission. Yes, the company has developed an incredibly environmentally friendly manufacturing process, but it’s also one that has the potential to make high value parts, then reuse and sell that same exact material over and over again. It’s just a matter of scale—once the raw material is being utilized in sufficient quantities, it will be increasingly inexpensive to perpetuate the cycle. Realistically, the bike industry makes up a pretty small part of the overall pie when it comes to manufacturing products.

One of the best parts of the job, says Stahl, is coming in to work each day and asking “what can we make today?” The options are essentially unlimited. 

 Tire Levers? 

The first product Forge + Bond released with chipped thermoplastic material was a tire lever, retailing for $50 (a set is also included with each wheelset the company sells). This hard-to-stomach price caused some internet backlash, though Stahl says the levers sell surprisingly well. 

The point, however, is not the levers: they’re just a proof of concept (though a very highly engineered proof of concept). Taking waste, offcuts, and busted up parts and turning them into new items is the real aim here, and developing the levers demonstrates how it can be done. Other bike products, like pedal bodies, stems, saddle rails, crank arms and the like may be available in the future.

People may criticize the touted recyclability benefits of thermoplastics as greenwashing, but the process is already under way. And at scale, it could really shake things up.

We were able to see the lever making process as part of my tour. A small portion of chipped material first gets weighed out, then added by hand into a small mold. The mold then goes into one of the same Wabash presses used for the wheel mold where it sits for a few minutes to come up to temperature, then gets compressed down before being moved to another press for cooling. The lever is then removed from the mold but needs to have the rough edges trimmed off before use. Apparently it’s common for Forge + Bond to hand out these levers and tradeshows and bike shops and offer people the opportunity to try to break them: so far no one has succeeded.

The chipping process is more or less as straightforward as turning trees into mulch; material goes into a hopper, gets ground up and spit out in precisely the same way, without clouds of toxic dust or anything. Chipped material sits in bins and garbage cans throughout the facility, ready to be made into new things.

Arguably, what CSS is doing when turning rims into other things is downcycling, not recycling. But it’s not theoretical, the company is actively doing this. People may criticize the touted recyclability benefits of thermoplastics as greenwashing, but the process is already under way. And at scale, it could really shake things up.

 Building wheels for other brands 

We asked why CSS had launched Forge + Bond while simultaneously making rims for other brands, which seems as though it would put CSS in direct competition with its manufacturing customers. 

Stahl explained that after initially developing the process and manufacturing rims for others, CSS wanted the freedom to design rims without outside influence. Forge + Bond provides a means to push the envelope on the technologies being used, and as the experts, put to use the things it has learned to make the very best product available. Though the rims Trek and Chris King offer are similar to Forge + Bond’s offerings, each rim has its own mold and own recipe of carbon sheets with different polymer/nylon types. They may be similar, but each one is designed jointly to the specifications of each brand.

 Thermoset vs. Thermoplastic 

Despite advantages in terms of energy cost, labor cost, waste produced and diminished toxicity, thermoplastics do have drawbacks. In terms of pure mechanical performance (strength to weight), thermoplastics cannot match high performance thermoset composites. This is why we are not likely to see many bicycle frames made with these techniques. 

Thermoset frames, especially in the current era ruled by aerodynamics, will continue to rule the roost. At the moment, there is no better material for building racing bicycles than epoxy-based thermoset composites. In terms of other applications, thermoset materials can also withstand much higher temperatures, making them a better option for anything that gets very hot (or very cold) i.e. aerospace uses. 

But bicycle rims are a place where mechanical performance isn’t based solely on strength to weight. Damping, especially for off-road riding, is much more critical. As is fatigue resistance over time and how it is that the materials fail. Because of the inherent give in the polymers that hold the fibers together, thermoplastic wheels do much better over repeated impact and can often remain rideable even after cracking—making it that much more likely you can make it to the finish line, or at least back to your front door.

Forge + Bond's 25 GR recyclable carbon gravel wheelset

Starts at $1,899, custom builds available View Deal

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 21 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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