trek project one emonda slr 7

Emonda goes aero

The Trek Emonda lineup of bikes has been one of Trek’s lightest road bikes and is defined by their race-ready geometry and performance. With the Emonda SLR bikes, Trek has taken that winning formula and added additional aerodynamic tweaks to make the bikes even faster. In this review, we’ll be looking at the latest Emonda SLR 7 which retail for $8,999.99 and sits in the middle of the SLR range. The SLR 7 combines the 800 Series OCLV carbon fiber frame with fast shifting Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 12 speed drivetrain. Aerodynamic tube shaping optimizes the bikes performance while the Bontrager Aeolus RSL integrated bars eliminate any exposed cabling. What makes the Emonda SLR bikes feel special is the H1.5 race fit geometry that provides stability and responsiveness.

In terms of the Emonda SLR lineup, there are quite a few bikes to choose from. The top-of-the-line version is currently the $13.2k SLR 9 AXS which includes all the Bontrager RSL goodies and SRAM Red AXS drivetrain. A step down from that is the $12.7k SLR 9 which features Dura-Ace Di2. Then there are the SLR 7 pairs which includes the $9k SLR 7 we have here and a $9.7k AXS version featuring SRAM Force AXS. The SLR 7 uses a few Bontrager Pro components instead of the RSL versions.  Additionally, there are the $8.4k SLR 6 AXS using SRAM Rival AXS and the $7.7k SLR 6 with Shimano 105 Di2. Trek also offers the SLR Disc frameset for $4.2k which gives you the opportunity to build up your own bike. It’s also important to note Trek offers various Emonda SL and even an aluminum Emonda ALR that are much more budget friendly.

The Trek Emonda SLR 7 combines an aerodynamically tuned carbon frame with stable and responsive handling.

We were lucky enough to receive the Trek Emonda SL7 as a part of the Trek Red Barn Refresh program which is Trek’s certified preowned bike program. That meant we received the bike in used condition but with a full warranty and professional inspection. Unlike other bike boxes, the Red Barn Refresh offers a more user-friendly design that allows the entire front portion of the box to flip open. That makes it easy to access all the bike components and even provides a working surface to stand on. The bike itself came nearly fully assembled with only the handlebars, front wheel and saddle removed. Setting up the bike was a simple process of sliding the integrated bars onto the fork and putting the thru-axle through the front wheel. The proprietary seat mast design allows you to simply slide the seat onto the frame and then torque everything down to factory specs. Trek does include a 5 Nm torque bit, but you’ll want a torque wrench like the Topeak Torq Pro Stick to achieve the proper torque amounts.

FIT AND FINISH

Visually, the Trek Emonda SLR bikes have a classic double triangle frame design with curved top tube that’s constructed from Trek’s 800 OCLV carbon fiber. While the SLR bikes may lack the distinctive wedge cutout of the Trek Madone bike, it’s clear that Trek has optimized the aerodynamics. Starting from the front you’ll find the integrated Bontrager Aeolus RSL aero bars with internally routed cabling. In fact, the only cabling that is exposed is where it tucks into the front of the headset and where it enters the brake calipers. Even the stem spacers are cut to match the headtube profile with a fun “go go go” text printed on the backside that’s only visible at higher steering angles. The headtube and top tube have a sharp curved profile that flow into each other with aerodynamically shaping tubing to optimize the bike’s performance.

Trek currently offers the Emonda SLR 7 in seven different color variations from traditional black finishes to bright metallic and gorgeous color shifting options. Many of the colors are shared across the SLR lineup which means there are plenty of options to choose from. There is also the Project One program which lets you customize the bike colors and logo designs for an additional charge. The bike in this review is the Deep Smoke version which has a matte black finish and a color shifting Trek logo on the downtube for a pop of color. While it’s not our favorite color scheme it’s a sharp looking bike that’s nearly blacked out for a sinister appearance. A small Trek Shield head badge sits on the headtube along with simple Emonda branding on the top tube.

With a retail price of nearly $9k it’s not no surprise that the Emonda SLR 7 comes very well equipped. Unlike budget bikes such as the State Bicycle Core-Line that uses unbranded parts, the SLR 7 features the latest and greatest Shimano and Bontrager parts. Specifically the SLR 7 is equipped with the wireless Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 drivetrain which is an ultra fast 12 speed setup. The bike is set up with a compact 52/36 Ultegra crank and 11-30 cassette which provides enough gearing to tackle the steepest climbs. The hydraulic 160mm disc brakes provide smooth and powerful braking to bring the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset to a stop. These are a tubeless ready carbon fiber wheelset with a relatively light 1505g claimed weight and versatile 37mm depth.

Trek has mounted the Bontrager R3 700×25 tires onto the bike which provide nice grip and durability. The SLR bikes all have a claimed max tire size of 28mm but it seems like many have had success sizing up slightly wider than that without clearance issues. Not surprisingly, the SLR bikes also have quite a bit of other Bontrager branded parts such as the Bontrager Aeolus Elite saddle and Bontrager bar tape. Perhaps one of the most notable parts of the bike is the integrated bars which are the sleek one-piece Bontrager Aeolus RSL. Although the integrated bar eliminates any adjustment, it’s a beautiful design with a tapered aerodynamic center section and a nice 124 mm drop with internal cable routing. As with other SLR bikes, the SLR 7 has Trek’s seat mast design which means the seat post slides over the frame. It’s a clever design that is easy to adjust but it limits you to using Trek’s seat masts.

RIDING IMPRESSIONS

We were impressed with the Emonda SLR 7 from our very first ride. The Emonda SLR’s magic sauce is the H1.5 race geometry which gives the SLR bikes responsive handling while still being stable. That means the bike handles instantly to any steering input without feeling twitchy or nervous. It’s an impressive feat as it makes the Emonda SLR equally comfortable to ride on training rides or for high-effort sprints. The stock wheelset feels like and offers plenty of grip to make you feel comfortable even on rough pavement. We suspect that’s partially due to the relatively skinny 700×25 tire setup which feels light and allows the SLR 7 to quickly accelerate. 

Comparing the 56cm SLR 7 to our 56cm ALR Disc, it’s easy to see just how aggressive the bike geometry is. The handlebars of the SLR 7 with the stock multi-spacer setup are at the same height as our slammed ALR Disc with flipped stem. That was surprising for us considering the fact that the SLR 7 bars could be dropped another few inches by just cutting the stem and losing a few spacers. Even with similar seat to handlebar drops, the SLR 7 feels far more responsive then our ALR  Disc and older SL5 Specialized Tarmac.  Despite that, the SLR 7 is still quite compliant and smooth even over rough roads and is comfortable on multi-hour rides. Although it’s not as plush as the more endurance Domane lineup, the SLR achieves an impressive balance of speed and stability.

While we’re still skeptical of integrated bar setups, the Aeolus RSL one piece carbon bars on the SLR bikes fit the bike perfectly. Their smooth aerodynamic shaping and internal cable routing give the bike a clean look while still being ergonomic. The center section of the bars taper which makes them comfortable to hold when you’re cruising while still having a nice drop to them. The Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain is also a highlight of the SLR 7 bike as it offers lightning fast and smooth shifting. In fact, the gears shift happen nearly instantaneously and are completed before you can even lift your fingers off the levers. With the focus of the Emonda SLR bikes on climbing, Trek has done a great job gearing the bike with a compact crank that lets you spin up even the steepest climbs.

THE VERDICT

Overall, we found the Trek Emonda SLR to be a fast and responsive road bike. The combination of the 800 OCLV carbon frame, aerodynamic optimization and fast electronic shifting make the SLR perfect for chasing PR’s on climbs or riding centuries. We were particularly impressed with the H1.5 Race geometry which gives the bike a responsive feel without being twitchy. It’s clear that Trek has sweated the details as the SLR bikes all of a sleek frame design, integrated bar setup and hidden cabling. All the performance doesn’t come cheap though as the base SLR 6 still costs $7.7k and you are limited by Trek’s Seat Mast design. That said, if you’re looking for an aggressive and fast bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for speed then the Trek Emonda SLR bikes are tough to beat.

Disclaimer:   The product for this review was provided by Trek . The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.

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The New Trek Émonda Is Faster Than Ever

Already one of the fiercest climbing bikes available, the new Émonda is even faster thanks to a dose of aero.

The Takeaway: The Émonda SLR is a benchmark pro race bike—and it’s surprisingly rider friendly.

• It has 183 grams less drag than the previous generation, but the frame is only 33 grams heavier
• There are 10 models starting at $2,699
• SL models ($2,699 to $5,999) have the aerodynamic shaping and features but in a frame that’s about 400 grams heavier than the SLR
• SLR models ($6,699 and up) use a new carbon fiber composite that’s 30 percent stronger than Trek’s previous top-of-the-line carbon.

For Émonda SLR bicycles, Trek will provide an individual handlebar and stem until an updated handlebar/stem combo is available.

Additionally, all customers who bring in their handlebars for replacement will also receive a $100 in-store credit that can be used toward any Trek or Bontrager merchandise through December 31, 2022.

Remember professional road racing ? It’s that thing where super skinny people go unbelievably fast up and down hills and fly over flat roads for hours at a time. It’s been a while since the pros have beat up on each other for our entertainment, but there might, hopefully, be some races on the horizon. When the races do resume, Trek’s pro riders will be aboard its new third-generation Émonda climbing bike. The new Émonda isn’t lighter, but it is faster thanks to a dose of aerodynamic tuning.

.css-1hhr1pq{text-align:center;font-size:1.1875rem;line-height:1.6;font-family:Charter,Charter-roboto,Charter-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;}.css-1hhr1pq em{font-style:italic;font-family:Charter,Charter-styleitalic-roboto,Charter-styleitalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;}.css-1hhr1pq strong{font-family:Charter,Charter-weightbold-roboto,Charter-weightbold-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:bold;} —Five Cool Details—

Now With Aero

The new Émonda gets a major drag reduction with a tiny weight gain.

Simple Seat Mast

The seat mast has lots of adjustment range, and an easy-to-use saddle clamp.

Light and Slippery

The new Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels are light, sleek, and stable.

Wide and Threaded

The T47 bottom bracket has a wide stance, and user-friendly threads.

A built-in chain watcher prevents unwanted derailments.

Making the new Émonda frame more aerodynamic wasn’t exactly a tough hurdle as the previous Émonda had virtually zero aerodynamic optimization. But adding meaningful aerodynamic benefit while achieving the frame stiffness expected of a pro-caliber race bike, maintaining the well-regarded handling properties of the previous Émonda, and adding rider-friendly features like a threaded bottom bracket—all with adding only 33 grams (SLR frame, claimed)—is quite a feat.

Below you’ll find my review of the Émonda SLR—I’ve been on it since early March—followed by a dive into the technology and features of the new bike, and a brief model breakdown.

Ride Impressions: Émonda SLR 9 eTap

The Émonda SLR is a tool made to fulfill the needs of some of the world’s best road racers. This bike will never be as comfortable or versatile as a gravel bike. Going fast on pavement and climbing performance are its only goals. These are obvious facts, but that’s the lens through which it must be viewed. And through this lens, it is one of the very best.

The new Émonda was born out of a request from Trek’s pro racers and pitched as the company’s “fastest climbing bike ever.” So little surprise they set me up with the lightest model (the SLR 9 with SRAM Red eTap ), which also has a build kit almost identical to the team’s bikes. It’s also, excepting customized Project One builds, the most expensive model at a buck under 12 grand.

That massive pile of clams gets you an aerodynamic frame with disc brakes, power meter, and wireless electronic shifting that weighs less than 15 pounds (54cm). And that’s with a hefty T47 threaded bottom bracket unit, lustrous paint , clincher wheelset, a chain-watcher, standard butyl tubes, 37mm deep rims, 160mm disc rotors front and rear, and SRAM’s largest Red cassette (10-33). That’s “Holy shit!” impressive.

By cutting drag a ton without adding much weight, it’s hard to argue with Trek’s claim that the new Émonda is faster than the outgoing generation. But if you have any doubts, they’ll be erased when you ride it. This is an explosive bike: it feels as light as a feather and as solid as a steel girder at the same time.

Trek’s Émonda has always been a raw and rowdy bike that feels a little wild and a bit dangerous in precisely the ways you want a race bike to feel: That’s not lost with the added aerodynamics. If anything, the new Émonda is even crisper and punchier than before, which is saying something.

A small downside to all this fury is the Émonda’s smoothness. Light and stiff race bikes aren’t a smooth-riding lot to begin with, but even measured against a stiffer riding genre, the new Émonda is on the firmer end of the scale. Still, it escapes harsh or punishing labels—I did a six-hour ride on the Émonda on the stock 25 tires and didn’t feel worn down by its ride. Swapping to 28s helped a lot (no surprise) and were on the Émonda for the bulk of my testing. I’d suggest reserving the lighter and more aerodynamic stock 25s for racing or PR attempts—assuming good roads—and use 28s as daily drivers.

The Émonda’s handling is excellent. Well, let me caveat that: Road racing geometry is pretty uniform, so whether I’m on a current race bike from Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Cervélo, Canyon, Colnago, Wilier, Pinarello, BMC, Giant (etc., etc.), I find the broad strokes of their handling feel and performance quite similar. There wasn’t anything about the Émonda’s handling or cornering performance that set any new benchmarks for me, but there wasn’t anything to dislike either.

It was quick and accurate, diving into corners with a light touch. It offered great feedback, so I always knew where I was relative to its and my limits, and I could count on it to be consistent and predictable. It was maybe a touch less settled in bumpy corners than the Specialized Tarmac, but the Émonda never broke traction or skipped. Overall, for such a light bike, the Émonda is remarkably solid and drama free. I’d have no qualms barreling down a technical alpine descent on the Émonda.

I received this test bike in early March, giving me plenty of time to ride it back to back with its primary competition—a Specialized S-Works Tarmac , what I consider the benchmark for aero-ized lightweight bikes. The Tarmac is smoother over the bumps and has a silkier feel overall, but the new Émonda feels more efficient, like it can go faster more easily.

I’ve also ridden a good slice of the Émonda’s competition, including the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX , Colnago V3Rs, Cannondale SuperSix Evo , Cervélo R5, Wilier Zero SLR , Pinarello Dogma F12 . These are all superb bikes, but I feel the Émonda is the class leader. It feels sharper and more explosive than all of them. It feels faster, and that’s what matters most in a race bike. But I also like that the Émonda is pretty straightforward and rider-friendly.

For example, I swapped the stock one-piece bar/stem for a standard stem and round bar. One, I could run a standard bar and stem on this bike, which you can’t say about every modern race bike. And two, I didn’t have to pull any cables, wires, or hoses to make the swap: Again, something you can’t say about all race bikes. For the record, the shape of the one-piece Aeolus bar/stem is great, and the tops are the most comfortable to grab of all the aero-topped bars I've used. The only reason I swapped is my preferred length and width combination (110x40) wasn't available yet.

The BB is threaded, which makes it easier to service and replace than a press-fit (however, I was getting some noise out of the BB area, which I never resolved). The wheels employ standard offset, and it uses regular thru-axles. It’s compatible with pod-style power meters and mechanical shifting. Its signature seat mast is pretty much the only non-standard thing about this frame, and even then, it’s pretty user-friendly. There’s no cutting necessary, height adjustment is ample, the saddle clamp is easy to use, and it’s travel-case friendly.

I expect so much from a modern high-end pro-level road racing bike that it’s hard to exceed those expectations. It’s rare when a bike does: The Émonda SLR is one of those rare bikes.

Team Request

The new Émonda is partially a result of a request from the Trek-Segafredo race team. “They are one of our primary customers,” said Jordan Roessingh, Trek’s director of road product. “And they started to realize that it’s not just weight, it’s not just stiffness and responsiveness, there’s this other thing—aerodynamics and speed—that’s also really important to be competitive and be faster on the bike. They had been one of the loudest voices saying, ‘We need the lightest-weight, stiffest bike possible.’ And now they started coming back saying ‘We need those things, but we also need the bike to be faster in order for us to be really competitive.’ ”

It is (comparatively) easy to make a light frame, it is easy to make a stiff frame, it is easy to make an aerodynamic frame. Making a frame that’s two of those three things is more challenging: Making a bike more aerodynamic usually makes it heavier, making a bike lighter typically makes it less stiff, etc. Making a frame that is light AND stiff AND aerodynamic enough to satisfy the demands of a top-level professional race team is extremely difficult.

But not impossible. Many brands already make a light, stiff, and aero bike. The Specialized Tarmac is one, as are the Canyon Ultimate, the Cannondale SuperSix Evo, the Cervélo R5, the Wilier Zero SLR, the Pinarello F12, the Scott Addict, and the new Giant TCR . All of them seek to balance the three qualities—light, stiff, and aero—in the pursuit of the ideal race bike, and they all manage the balance differently. The common thread between these bikes: They’re all used by teams that compete against Trek-Segafredo.

Still Light, Now With Aero

The previous generation Émonda SLR Disc , launched in 2017, was an extremely light frame at 665 grams (claimed). But when a frame is already that light, it is much harder to make it even lighter. At least lighter enough to make a meaningful difference.

So, Trek took a different approach to making its climbing bike faster—instead of lighter, it made it more aerodynamic. The new Émonda frame is a touch heavier—yet still extremely light at 698 grams—but the bike has 183 grams less drag than the previous generation.

The important thing to note here is that, though the frame is more aerodynamic, the 183 gram drag reduction is not from the frame only. New wheels and a new aero bar (more info on both below) play a role. The specific setups Trek used to get that 183 gram number are: 2018 Émonda with 28mm-deep Bontrager XXX 2 wheels, and Bontrager XXX Bar/Stem Combo compared to the 2021 Émonda with 37mm deep Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 Wheels and Bontrager Aeolus RSL Bar/Stem Combo.

Another drag saving upgrade: the housing, hoses and wires for the controls are almost fully inside the frame. They dive into the frame at the head tube passing through the upper headset bearing. The front brake hose runs into the fork steerer and down the left leg before popping out just above the brake caliper. The fork steerer’s flattened sides provide room for the rear brake hose and derailleur control lines to travel down and into the frame. Though it has flattened sides, the fork steerer is still compatible with standard 1 1/8” stems.

The overall drag reduction results in a bike that is 18 seconds per hour faster when climbing an 8.1 percent grade (the average grade of Alpe d’Huez ), and 60 seconds per hour faster on flat roads than the previous Émonda. Trek also claims the new Émonda is 13 seconds per hour faster than a Specialized Tarmac when climbing an 8.1 percent grade (all assuming the rider maintains a constant 350 watts).

Eight Point One Percent

With three qualities—aero, stiffness, weight—that work in opposition to each other, how do you decide how much to optimize one quality when you know it will negatively affect the other two? How aero is aero enough? At what point is improved aerodynamics offset by the weight added to get there?

The team behind the Émonda used a legendary climb to help them decide: Alpe d’Huez. “It represents an extreme example of what most people see on a regular basis when they’re doing a big climbing ride,” said Roessingh, “It’s around an 8 percent grade, and it’s about an hour-long climb for the pros—amateurs might go a little slower. It gives us a good understanding of what the benefit of a drag savings is relative to a weight savings.”

By optimizing the weight and aerodynamic balance around this climb, Roessingh claims the Émonda is faster on Alpe d’Huez and also faster on everything shallower than the famous climb, “which is the vast majority of the environments that most riders are going to ride in, including the team,” said Roessingh. “So if we can say it’s faster up Alpe d’Huez, it’s going to be significantly faster everywhere because the flatter it is, the more aerodynamics benefit you.”

Computer-Aided Optimization

Achieving the weight to the aerodynamic balance of the new Émonda required careful design of each tube shape. Aiding the Émonda’s team was supercomputing horsepower. The abridged and simplified version of the process goes like this: into the computer was fed a rough draft of the shape based on Trek’s aerodynamic experience and other information like UCI regulations. The program then varies the tube’s parameters within a predefined range and spit back several iterations of the shape, each with a different weight to aerodynamic balance. The Émonda’s team evaluated the alternatives and picked the one most suited to its location in the frame and best able to help the frame achieve its overarching goal.

Roessingh says that Trek cannot afford to buy the computing hardware necessary to run the CFD and FEA optimizations (in a timely manner) that helped shape the new Émonda’s tubes. The processing happens in the cloud where Trek rents time on Google, Microsoft, or Amazon’s supercomputers. It’s more affordable than buying a supercomputer. Even so, it is not cheap, “Cloud computing is becoming a relatively significant budget line item for us because we’re doing so many of these optimizations in CFD and FEA and all that processing happens in the cloud.”

The new Émonda’s fork legs, head tube, down tube, seat tube, and seat stays all use a variation of a truncated airfoil. The top tube and chainstays, which have virtually no effect on drag, are optimized almost entirely for stiffness to weight.

In Trek’s line, the new Émonda’s aerodynamic performance is equal to the third generation Domane ; the Madone is still significantly more aero. But while the more aerodynamic Madone is faster in flatter terrain, once the climb hits about 5.5 percent, the lighter Émonda becomes the faster bike. And for many of the Trek-Segafredo team riders—and many amateurs—that means the Émonda is fastest when it matters most: the hardest part of a race or ride, which is almost always on a steep climb.

OCLV 800 Carbon

Getting the new Émonda SLR to be as light as it is while adding aerodynamic shaping would not be possible without employing a new carbon-fiber composite, said Roessingh. The new OCLV 800 composite is 30 percent stronger than Trek’s previous top-of-the-line composite (OCLV 700). Because it is stronger, they can use less: By using OCLV 800, Trek’s team was able to make the Émonda SLR frame 60 grams lighter than if they used OCLV 700.

The Émonda SLR is very cool, but it’s also very expensive (bike prices start at $6,699). For the 99 percenters, there’s the Émonda SL (models start at $2,699).

The SL uses OCLV 500 composite, and the frame is quite a bit heavier than the SLR’s. The SL’s frame comes in at 1,142 grams, with a 380-gram fork (SLR fork weight: 365 grams).

But material (and weight) are the only difference between the SL and SLR.

Aeolus Bar Stem

While a ton of work made the Émonda’s frame tubes faster, a big chunk of the new bike’s drag savings comes from the one-piece Aeolus bar stem. It alone is responsible for 70 grams of the Émonda’s 183-gram drag reduction. This means that if a traditional stem and round bar are installed on the new Émonda, its drag advantage over the previous-generation bike drops to 113 grams. And it means that you can make any bike with a round bar and traditional stem significantly more aerodynamic by merely installing the Aeolus. Retail price is $650.

The integrated Aeolus is made of carbon-fiber composite, of course, with a claimed weight of 297 grams (42x120). It’s offered in 14 length and width combinations, from 44x120 to 38x80. Hoses, housing, and wires run externally for easier service and repairs, but in a groove that keeps them out of the wind. A bolt-on plate keeps the control lines tucked and organized where they turn off the bar tops to run in line with the stem.

The Aeolus employs a mount that works with Bontrager’s line of Blendr accessories for mounting computers and lights.

Aeolus 37 Wheels

Another new Bontrager product rolling out with the Émonda is the Aeolus 37 wheelset. It comes in two models: the Aeolus RSL 37 (1,325 grams/pair, $2,400) and the Aeolus Pro 37 (1,505 grams/pair, $1,300).

The RSL 37 is claimed to be lighter than Zipp’s 32mm-deep 202, yet more aerodynamic and more stable than Zipp’s 45mm-deep 303. Both wheels are disc brake only (only Center Lock interface), tubeless compatible, use DT-Swiss internals, have no rider weight limit, and come with a lifetime warranty.

Surprisingly Rider Friendly

Though the new Émonda is clean and integrated looking and uses high-performance standards, it is also remarkably rider-friendly. Cables, hoses, and housing run externally on the one-piece Aeolus bar/stem for easier repair and service (with one exception: wiring for a Shimano Di2 or Campagnolo EPS bar-end junction box runs partially inside the bar). If you prefer a more traditional cockpit, it can be run with a standard bar and stem with 1⅛-inch steerer clamp.

The bottom bracket uses the threaded T47 standard , which is compatible with almost all common crank-axle standards.

Front and rear thru-axles are standard 12x100 and 12x142mm, and the wheels employ a standard dish. The standard flat mounts for the brake calipers are compatible with 140, 160, or 180mm rotors.

Tire clearance is officially 28mm, but that’s with a ton of extra space. I fit 32mm tires in the Émonda with ease.

And though all models do use a seat mast, it’s a no-cut variety with lots of adjustment range.

H1.5 Geometry

Trek did offer its top-of-the-line race bikes in the aggressive H1 geometry for riders seeking an ultra-long and low geometry, or H2 which was an endurance fit. The new Émonda is offered only in H1.5, which splits the difference between H1 and H2. The result is pretty typical dimensions for a modern race bike—a 54cm Émonda H1’s geometry is remarkably similar to a 54cm Specialized Tarmac.

There are eight sizes starting at 47cm and topping out at 62cm.

There are 10 models of the new Émonda. SL models start at $2,699 and are priced up to $5,999. SLR models start at $6,699 and go up to $11,999.

Only SLR models come with the Aeolus integrated bar/stem stock; and only the Émonda SL 7 ($5,499) and up come with the Aeolus 37 wheelset.

The new Émonda is a disc brake-only platform.

Project One

The new Émonda is in Trek’s Project One paint and parts personalization program. If that’s not luxe enough for you, Trek’s Project One Ultimate program allows you to work with a designer to come up with a one-of-a-kind finish, and Trek will source any parts you want for your new bike.

Trek Émonda SLR 9 eTap

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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Tested: Trek Émonda SLR 7 With SRAM Force AXS

Sydney riders may have seen the blue flash of Pete Maniaty zipping around on this blingy Trek recently! Let’s hear what he thinks of the ‘pimped’ Emonda SLR7.

This isn’t really a review. It’s a tease. For as drool-worthy as this sublime Trek Émonda SLR 7 AXS is, you can’t actually buy it. Not exactly like this anyway. You see, it’s a custom build, hand-spec’d by SRAM to launch its 2023 Force AXS 12-speed wireless groupset—reviewed separately in the previous edition of Bicycling Australia—and understandably SRAM was pretty keen to showcase its own stable of brands, rather than promote Trek’s.

From the carbon bars and stem to the wheelset, the normally-standard Bontrager components have been swapped out for ZIPP equivalents. 

Whilst perhaps no longer a purebred Trek Émonda, this ‘Frankenstein’ build certainly works. In fact, I actually found it quite a fascinating experience to ride because chopping and changing componentsover time is precisely how many of us actually set-up our bikes—with function, availability anddollars often holding far greater sway than any form of myopic brand loyalty.

While I can’t categorically say it makes the Émonda better, I can say that armed with its new high-end SRAM and ZIPP componentry this bike remains an absolute lightweight carbon weapon of the highest calibre.

The first thing you’ll notice about this particular Émonda build is almost certainly the same thing everyone does—the eye candy paint scheme. The lustrous Sapphire Chroma Project One finish is hard to miss and garners plenty of attention. Yes, this bike screams ‘look at moi’ at loud volume. But a small word of caution. Whilst brilliant to look at, it’s not the easiest to keep clean.

Beneath the ostentatious paintwork lurks a sleek and brooding race machine that Trek has been steadily refining since 2014 when the Émonda platform first appeared. 

“…a few kms into my first ride it was clear this is a hugely nimble bike that goes exactly where you point it…”

Given its origins as a lightweight col muncher, it’s interesting to note the latest generation Émonda now boasts more than its fair share of aero features including truncated airfoil tube profiles, shortened head tube, blade-shaped forks, internally-routed brake hoses and deeper section wheels. 

However, unlike its legendary aero stablemate, the Madone, there’s no hefty downtube and, perhaps most significantly in terms of the way it rides, no IsoSpeed decoupling system (or IsoFlow in the case of the most recent Madone).

The absence of IsoSpeed means the geometry and workings of the Émonda’s rear end are a little different to Trek’s other road platforms. As with both the Madone and Domane, the seat tube rises considerably higher than the top tube junction. However unlike the Madone and Domane, that junction is fixed solid.

Also, rather than having the seat post slide down into the seat tube, the Émonda instead features an adjustable seatmast system with a cap that slides over the seat tube and clamps into position. Trek’s website explains this allows more flex compared with a fully rigid seat mast for added comfort “however rough the roads”, but I still found the Émonda’s rear end very firmas we’ll get to shortly.

Whilst considerably slimmer to the eye, the 2023 Émonda features the same H1.5 geometry as the aero Madone with an identical stack that, on the 54cm frame reviewed, puts you a full 3.4cm closer to the road than the H2 geometry of the endurance-oriented Domane. The Émonda head tube is also 3cm shorter than the Domane as is the wheelbase, which all equates to a compact and relatively aggressive riding position. Like me, your lower back may well notice the difference, especially on longer days and harder rides with extended periods spent down in the drops.

Weight—or, more specifically, a lack of it—is what the Émonda has always been about and this shiny blue beast is no different. Whilst, yes, you can still find leaner ensembles out there (for a price), the Émonda SLR package remains a bona fide lightweight show-stopper with a claimed raw frame weight of just 698g. The shape and layup of virtually every millimetre of every tube has been optimised to deliver maximum performance with minimum girth. 

Coupled with Trek’s top-of-the-line OCLV 800 composite carbon first introduced in 2021, the result is a frame that’s roughly 1kg lighter than the Madone SLR. Even with its many non-standard components, the review build tipped my home scales at a very acceptable 7.55kg, ready to ride and/or race including bottle cages and pedals. 

Trek’s tech boffins in Wisconsin say their 800 Series OCLV is 30% stronger than the previous top-of-the-line composite (OCLV 700) and because it’s stronger they can use less of it, shaving around 60 grams in the process—around 8% of the entire frame weight. It’s worth noting the Émonda is also available in more affordable SL models. Featuring identical shaping and geometry, but with lower spec OCLV 500 carbon, SL builds are roughly 400 grams heavier than the SLR.

TECH & COMPONENTS

Beyond its mesmerising blue chrome Project One paintwork, the review Trek Émonda SLR 7 AXS was furnished with a host of goodies mostly from the SRAM stable. Highlights include the ZIPP 303 Firecrest 40mm tubeless wheelset, ZIPP Service Course SL 400mm carbon bars, ZIPP SL Speed 100mm carbon stem and, in one of the few non-SRAM or Trek components, an S-Works Power Arc saddle. 

This was also my first time testing the latest 2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed wireless groupset and I found it to be simply excellent, with a noticeably more refined form factor and performance that’s right up there with its main rivals from Japan and Italy. It’s also around 100gm lighter than its predecessor and comes with the considerable added bonus of a Quark power meterseamlessly integrated into the SRAM Force AXS DUB crankset. 

During the review the groupset performed intuitively and faultlessly which is exactly what you want: smooth and reliable shifting. The pairing of a 48/35 chainring and 10-33T cassette delivered an excellent range of gearing, suitable for pretty much any terrain.

One of the biggest deviations from the usual Émonda line-up is the addition of a ZIPP 303 Firecresttubeless wheelset with German-developed ZR1 DB hubs. Weighing in at 1355g, the 2023 version of these hugely versatile 40mm deep rims boast an expanded internal width of 25mm (external width remains steady at 30mm) and, being hookless, it’s tubeless all the way.

Officially, Émonda tyre clearance is 28mm, yet take that with a large pinch of salt as the review build came with 30mm Goodyear F1 tubeless rubber which fit very comfortably. It’s also worth mentioning that, in line with the latest ETRTO recommendations, the latest ZIPP 303 Firecrest rims are only suitable for selected brands of 28mm+ tubeless tyres. Continental tyres, for example, are not currently compatible.

ON THE ROAD

After a highly enlightening month of riding, I can report the Émonda SLR 7 ASX is very light, very stiff and, yes, very fast. For me, there was pretty much only one thing it wasn’t: very comfortable. The compact front end and rigid back end makes for a reasonably aggressive race-tuned ride that’s undeniably explosive under high power loads—yet also quite unforgiving at times with above-average levels of road feedback. 

Even fitted with carbon hoops and supple tubeless tyres, you certainly feel the bumps and on longer and/or sustained high-tempo rides this has the potential to be quite fatiguing, especially if, like me, your core strength isn’t what it used to be. The deeper I got into this review the clearer it became clear that tyre pressure is absolutely critical if you want to enjoy the Émonda SLR.

After starting w-a-y too high at around 85psi (and genuinely hating it) I progressively worked my way down to a touch under 60 psi, at which point it was like riding a completely different bike—still slick and responsive, but with just enough compliance to return a smile to my middle-aged face.

Tyre pressure experiments aside, the lightweight Émonda SLR climbed beautifully as you would fully expect, tackling rising gradients with absolute poise and aplomb. Perhaps less expected was the way it equally taps along very nicely on the flat, without ever quite matching the Madone or other fully-aero builds. 

The shortened reach and relatively steep head tube angle (73 degrees) also combine with minimal frame flex to deliver very direct and fast handling. Just a few kms into my first ride it was clear this is a hugely nimble bike that goes exactly where you point it.

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Trek Project One Emonda SLR 7

Trek's Project One programme allows you to mix and match components to create your dream bike, with a huge range of custom paint options available. Combine that with our dedication to providing the perfect fit and you're on to a winner. The icing on the cake are those little details that really make the bike personal (here we've added in some colour matched Supacaz bottle cages and bar tape).

The Émonda is a superb lightweight climber, and this build takes that to the next level. With a 47cm frame it's off to a good start. Bontrager's Aeolus XXX 2 carbon wheelset is a great lightweight upgrade, built with climbing in mind but plenty strong enough for daily use on any roads.

Hidden away is a CeramicSpeed bottom bracket, the ceramic bearings giving unrivalled durability and incredible smoothness and efficiency.

The paint scheme is of course a standout feature - in a subtle low sheen Matte finish, the Era White paint has been chosen along with Trek's "Lusine" theme, which gives this lightweight bike a particularly light and airy feel.

Tempted by an Émonda of your own? We are Project One specialists, get in touch .

photos by Bobby Whittaker

Key Features

• Trek Project One Émonda SLR 7 Disc in Lusine custom paint scheme
• Bontrager Aeolus XXX 2 TLR carbon wheelset
• SRAM Force eTap AXS 2x12 wireless electronic groupset
• Bontrager XXX Integrated carbon bar/stem
• CeramicSpeed BB90 ceramic bottom bracket
• Bontrager R4 320 tyres (700x25)
• FSA Carbon headset
• Bontrager Ajna Pro WSD saddle
• Supacaz carbon cages
• Supacaz bar tape

Recent Builds

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• Rider Notes

2019 Trek Émonda SLR 7 Disc

A carbon frame race bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes.

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Mar 2019 · Philippe Tremblay

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Oct 2018 · Warren Rossiter

Wonderful in every respect and the price ensures exclusivity. Buy if you want the lightest disc chassis around and you’ve got deep pockets or a lottery win

Beautifully balanced handling, low, low weight

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May 2018 · Matt Wikstrom

Trek recently updated its lightweight racing chassis, the Émonda, with a variety of refinements for 2018, including the addition of a disc-brake version. We had a look at the Émonda SLR Disc when it was launched last year, so for this review, we follow that up with a closer look at the more affordable mid-range […]

Apr 2018 · Manuel Buck, Robin Schmitt, Benjamin Topf

With a weight of just 6.89 kg and the slightly more relaxed H2 geometry, the Trek Émonda SLR 8 Disc Project One is in line to take over the endurance throne. With its “Radioactive Yellow” finish it definitely stands out in our test field – the ultimate Safety-First look. But will it still shine at […]

Feb 2018 · Mat Brett

Quick and lively aluminium road bike with a good ride quality and excellent Shimano Ultegra components

Trek pares down its Émonda SLR race bike, resulting in a super-light frame that still handles wonderfully. Plus, it now is available with disc brakes.

Last updated 20 August Not listed for 1,712 days

Trek Emonda SLR 9 Project One - First look gallery

We take a closer look at trek's all-new lightweight emonda slr.

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Fresh out of the big red barn in Waterloo, Wisconsin, we’ve just unboxed Trek’s brand new Emonda . Slotting in as the brand's lightweight race bike, the Emonda was first launched in 2015, and since then has only received minor updates — the new bike has been redesigned from the ground up.

When it comes to race bikes, whether the consumer likes it or not they are still largely handcuffed to the UCI’s 6.8kg weight limit, so brands don’t have a whole lot of incentive to keep making frames lighter. But, as Trek’s Industrial Design Manager Hans Ekholm told me some time ago, the UCI rules influence the direction of the race bikes, but his team don’t see them as a limitation, it simply means they need to get a bit more creative to keep improving the bikes they produce.  

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With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Trek focused on improving the aerodynamics of the new Emonda. Trek is not alone in this with Giant, Scott, Specialized and Focus (among others) also going this route, addressing the fact that aerodynamics come into play, even when you’re not travelling 40kph on flat ground. The new frame sees truncated aerofoils on the fork legs, downtube, seat tube and seat stays which the brand says saves 183g of drag over the previous model. Interestingly the no-cut integrated seat mast is round, and so is the cap, which Trek says helps to retain compliance. 

While 183g of drag is probably an abstract figure to anyone doesn’t have an aerodynamicist within arms reach, Trek has modelled how much time a rider would save up various famous climbs around the world riding at 350-watts on the 2018 Emonda vs the 2021 Emonda. The new bike saves 15-seconds on Alpe D'Huez, 11-seconds on the Angliru, 21-seconds up the Stelvio, 80-seconds up the Taiwan KOM Challenge and 4-seconds up Willunga Hill. 

While the aero shaped tubing will have played a significant role in the aero gains, the new Aeolus RSL bar-stem combo also shoulders some of the burden. The new integrated bar and stem hide the cables from the wind while routing them entirely on the outside of the bar, thanks to a deep groove on the bottom, and a removable plate. For anyone who had to try and route a cable through the previous version of this bar, it marks a colossal improvement, and far fewer hours trying to finagle cables and housing through what felt to be a black hole.

All that said, they still suffer from the shortcomings of all similar one-piece systems in that if you want a longer stem, or don’t like the shape of the bar, you have to replace the whole thing. Example ‘A#1,’ Bontrager has gone with an extremely compact bend for the drops which are a smidge too tight for my hands. 

Trek has also employed split headset spacers, so there is no need to disconnect and re-bleed anything should you want to raise or lower your bar a few mm. That said, they are a little bit fiddly to work with, but are still a better option than the alternative. 

However, when it comes time to replace a headset bearing you’re in for a big job. Both brake hoses run inside the top bearing, and the front brake line is routed through the lower bearing too. With all the bends the hoses take, it's a bit more challenging to coax air bubbles in the lines out of the system. 

The top-end SLR models are made from a new OCLV 800 carbon. According to Trek, this new carbon fibre was in development for two years. The result is claimed to be 30 per cent stronger than the OCLV 700 it usurped for the top spot, and saves about 60g of weight in an equivalent frame.

However, the 2021 Emonda actually gained about 30g in weight over the 2018 version, with an unpainted 56cm frame said to weigh 698g and the unpainted fork with a 220mm steerer comes in at 365g. You won’t hear us complaining about these additional grams, because they are the result of a threaded T47 bottom bracket — well actually a slightly narrower version (1mm) to allow for a better connection with your BB tool. Even still, this 54cm Emonda SLR 9 Project One tips our scales at a feathery 6.86kg. 

One of the things that immediately caught my eye when I unboxed the Emonda was the traditional seat stays that come all the way up to the seat cluster to form the conventional double diamond. According to Jordan Roessingh, Trek’s Director of Road Product, Trek did evaluate a design concept of the Emonda with dropped stays, but decided the potential aero benefit didn’t outweigh the costs to torsional stiffness, at their targets for frame weight. 

For the latest edition of the Emonda, Trek as added a few new colour schemes to its Project One program ICON, KOM and Ultimate. Our test sample is the latter, which allows you full creative license over Trek’s colour palates as well as tailoring every component. The yellow to pink fade is definitely Trek flexing its proverbial painting muscles, and the bike is anything but subtle.

Being that this bike, in particular, is the top flagship Emonda, it should come as no surprise that it is shod with SRAM’s Red eTap AXS drivetrain , complete with a Quarq power meter, 48/35t chainrings and a 10-30T 12-speed cassette. 

Bolted between the stays and fork are the new Aeolus RSL 37 carbon clinchers . These feature a new rim profile and layup that’s said to be lighter than the Aeolus XXX 2, and nearly as fast as the XXX 4, which are 10mm deeper. At 37mm deep, they tip our scales at 1360g sans rotors and cassette. The wheels are compatible with tubeless tyres , though the rim strips needed to make the swap were not included with our test sample. 

Sitting atop the no-cut seatmast is Bontrager's Aeolus Pro saddle . The perch is Bontrager's take on the wide snub nose seat, and initially, my derriere seems to get along with it quite well — for reference I have a Fizik Vento Argo R3 on my personal bike. 

With every bell and whistle currently available, it should come as no surprise that the Emonda SLR 9 is less affordable than a used car, coming in at an eye-watering US$11,999 / €10,999 / £9,700 / AU$15,799.

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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. 

What is a hands on review?

'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view.

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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The One Million Trees Programme in Moscow, Russia

In 2013, the One Million Trees programme was launched with the intention of bringing more greenery to Moscow’s citizens. As of now, Moscow ranks among the greenest cities worldwide, with 54% public green space. The project was initiated to plant individual trees in gardens, streets, and inner yards of apartment buildings. Unique about the One Million Trees programme is the bottom-up approach used in the implementation: planting locations and species are chosen by local residents via a digital app. Gardeners closely manage the trees and shrubs for the first 12 months – the most challenging period of their growth cycle. Since 2013, more than four million trees have been planted. In 2021, Moscow has further pledged its green development under the global “Trees in Cities Challenge” of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The next priorities are adding new trees to public parks and increasing monitoring of urban canopy.

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The One Million Trees project has significantly increased the tree cover in Moscow City. In 2020, 14,000 trees and almost 1,000 shrubs were planted. In 2021, the goal is to plant more than 11,500 trees and about 400,000 shrubs. The extensive tree planting allows for local CO2 uptake, regulation of urban temperature, reduced erosion, and increased biodiversity.

With regards to the participatory approach, more than 218,000 residents of Moscow took part in voting on the location of the placement of greenery. Based on the preferences of locals, planting is focused on places where social benefits are high, such as schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. The shrub and tree species are also chosen by locals from a selection of native varieties. The One Million Trees project provides an excellent example of how to involve citizens in decision-making for urban forestry projects.

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"One of the fiercest climbing bikes available, the new Émonda is even faster thanks to a dose of aero"

"I expect so much from a modern high-end pro-level road racing bike that it’s hard to exceed those expectations. It’s rare when a bike does: The Émonda SLR is one of those rare bikes."

"It's an incredible update from Trek"

"The updated Emonda packs one helluva punch, and Trek has a winner on its hands. The integrated cockpit is nice and all, but the real win is the H1.5 fit, which makes the Emonda feel more stable while maintaining the aggression and responsiveness of previous Emondas. That, coupled with a lightweight construction, comfortable ride, and aerodynamic shaping, brings Trek's top of the line climber from a very good bike to an excellent one."

"The Emonda is still light, and it’s still stiff, but now there’s an extra dose of free speed"

"Overall, Trek has done a solid job here of updating the Emonda, infusing meaningful improvements in several key areas, but without breaking the basic formula that has made the bike so popular."

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