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Hands On – Trek’s New Emonda SLR 8 Plus Actual Weights!

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Hands On - Trek's New Emonda SLR 8 Plus Actual Weights!

It may be a while until we see the insanely light Émonda SLR 10 in the flesh carbon, but head to your local Trek dealer and there are probably a number of more affordable models already on the floor. Joining in with a few other brands, Trek is continuing to wait until the new bikes are actually available before unveiling them to the public. In our case it also means that an Émonda SLR 8 just showed up for review. Other than the Carbon Vapor Coat paint job and SLR Ride Tuned Seat Mast Cap, the SLR 8 boasts the same frame as the bike at the top. It’s also less than half the price – which is crazy to say about a $7,500 bike.

Trim away the details after the break, including actual weight for the SLR 8 plus a few other models…

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (5)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (15) Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (14)

Built with fully internal cable routing, each port has a replaceable cable stop that is bolted in place. Émonda frames are Di2 ready, with plugs available for unused cable ports.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (19)

In the name of saving grams, the front derailleur braze on mount is molded into the carbon.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (16)

Wondering where some of that money is being saved? Instead of the pricey one piece carbon bar/stem combo on the 10, the 8 sticks with an RXL aluminum stem and XXX VR-C carbon handlebar. Wheels are also a huge source of savings with the SLR 8 opting for Bontrager RXL tubeless ready aluminum wheels and R4 Hard-Case Lite tires. Considering the beating we’ve put a pair of RXL TLR wheels through, they seem to be a perfect classics wheelset and are pretty light at 1440g. The wheels ship with tubes, but can easily be converted to tubeless with a Road TLR Conversion kit. Our advice? Wear out the stock tires that come with the Émonda and then upgrade to tubeless. You’ll be glad you did.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (18)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (11) Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (12)

Equipped with a full Dura Ace group including the brakes, Trek opts for the mechanical group to save every gram possible. Stock bikes include a semi-compact 52/36 crank and an 11-28 cassette which offers a fairly wide range of gearing. Instead of the Bontrager Speed Stop brakes, the SLR 8 uses Dura Ace Integrated brakes that are still the two post design.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (8) Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (7)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (9)

0418_2859 copy

In addition to the weight savings, the new Bontrager Duotrap S is an interesting change. The integrated speed and cadence sensor gets an even cleaner appearance, no longer showing on the outside of the chainstay. Since the system still uses a crank arm mounted magnet, we can only assume that the magnet is strong enough for the sensor to pick up the signal through the wall of the carbon. Not only is the design cleaner, but only making one hole in the chainstay instead of two surely makes the design lighter and stronger with less carbon.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (17)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (6) Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (13)

The use of trek’s Ride Tuned Seat Mast Cap makes the frame’s 690g weight even more impressive since half of the seat post is technically included in the weight. As usual, 5 and 20mm offset seat mast caps are offered though 20mm comes standard. On top sits the Bontrager Paradigm RXL Carbon railed saddle. The seat mast is also sporting a very prominent Hand Built in the United States sticker in case you were wondering. Happy 4th of July!

The Émonda fork is a simple, slender design. Just carbon legs, carbon dropouts, and a full carbon E2 asymmetric steerer rolling on a Cane Creek IS-8 headset.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (20)

How close are Trek’s claimed weights? Our 54cm test bike came in at 13.67 lbs (6.2 kg), just over the claimed weight of 13.56 lbs for a 56 cm. We’re pretty sure we could remove some excess cable housing and get it pretty close.

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (26)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (1) Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (24)

Trek Emonda actual weights lightest production bike slr 8 s6 sl6 (23)

Thanks to Jacob at the Trek Store Cincinnati, we got a few other Émondas on the scale as well. There would have been a bigger sample size, but one of the Émondas was sold almost as soon as it was built. Boasting an impressive full Dura Ace build for $4,519, the 56cm Émonda SL 8 weighed in at 15.52 lbs which is under the 15.56 lbs claimed weight. A 58cm Émonda S 6 below measured 19.11 lbs which is a bit more than the 18.47 lb claimed weight, though Trek is using a 56cm for their claimed weights. So again, pretty close. Again a pretty good deal on paper, the S 6 offers a full Shimano Ultegra group for $2,629.

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wheelz
wheelz
9 years ago

Great to see one of the big brands making honest weight claims on complete bikes. I’d say the gauntlet has been thrown down to the big S, G, C, and others.

Wendell C
Wendell C
9 years ago

“Boasting an impressive full Dura Ace build for $4,519”

Tubeless and DA for 4.5? Kudos to Trek for bringing their new machine into an affordable price range right out of the gate.

Rico
Rico
9 years ago

Is that a woman’s bike or just a super small size?

benonabike
benonabike
9 years ago

nailed it with this bike! but how does it ride??

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

Is it just me or does a bike weighing 19lbs without pedals or bottle cages not seem that light?

Steve C.
Steve C.
9 years ago

Heyo! Another Trek Store Cincinnati guy here… 🙂 To answer the question about how the cadence magnet is picked up with the new DuoTrap S, you’ll have to look closely at the outside of the chain stay. It doesn’t pick up the magnet through the carbon wall, as you’ve speculated here; rather, there is a very small, very fine strip of wire running flat against the outside of the stay. There’s your cadence sensor! Trek’s new 2015 FX and Dual Sport hybrids, which are all DuoTrap S compatible, have the same thing.

OTB bOb
OTB bOb
9 years ago

In the name of saving grams, the front derailleur braze on mount is molded into the carbon.
^^^silly sounding^^^

Herbert
Herbert
9 years ago

It’s 6.2kg without pedals or bottle cages? For 7.5k???

You can build a 6.5kg bike – with pedals, 25mm tires and 50mm tall aero wheels and 11 speed – for a third of the price. I know because I did. What a ripoff.

Kuotient
Kuotient
9 years ago

anonymous – there are 3 different Emonda frames. The S models uses the heaviest frame made of 300 OCLV carbon at 1220g (vs 690 for SLR w/ 700 OCLV), with a heavier fork as well at 518g (vs 280g for SLR). It also uses a standard seatpost, so there’s added weight there, as well as the rest of the components.

Max
Max
9 years ago

I have a 2012 model Madone before they went to KVF. From the pictures, it looks identical to the Emonda. Anyone else see the similarity?

rahm rastgar
rahm rastgar
9 years ago

its weighs less with sram red not dura ace !!

greg
greg
9 years ago

“Equipped with a full Dura Ace group including the brakes, Trek opts for the mechanical group to save every gram possible.”
except di2 is (very slightly) lighter 9000 vs 9070.

What?
What?
9 years ago

19lbs? A Cannondale CAAD10 with SRAM Rival is lighter.

Steve C.
Steve C.
9 years ago

I just looked at an Émonda, and I stand corrected about the cadence sensor wire. I can’t see it at all on there, unlike on the new FX and DS. Perhaps it’s embedded into the paint.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

So explain what the difference is for the Emonda vs the Madonnes? I don’t know much about either, but are the Madonnes really that much heavier than the weights posted here for the Emonda’s. If so, those Madonnes must be really heavy tipping scales at well over 20pds. I don’t get it.

Seraph
Seraph
9 years ago

@Matt – The Madone is Trek’s aero road bike utilizing Kammtail Virtual Foil tube shapes and a bottom chainstay mounted rear brake to increase aerodynamic profile. The Emonda does not feature any aerodynamic specific features or tube shapes, and is instead built to be as light as possible.

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

“as light as possible”

19lbs without pedals. I know, I know, there’s multiple grades of frame, but clearly the bottom tier frame is meant to be Trek’s entry level carbon frame and has little to do with the light top tier frame.

Jeff
Jeff
9 years ago

15 pounds. 19. Ha! My Gunnar gravel grinder/tourer with steel frame Brooks saddle & all tips the scale at 31 with racks & fenders, but without front bag & bottles. Steel is real. fWIW.

Frippolini
Frippolini
9 years ago

@ HERBERT, how about sharing the specifications of the bike you mentioned and built, I’m intrigued. Thanks.

Steve C.
Steve C.
9 years ago

Drat… It seems that I’m 0 for 2 on the cadence thing. It was just confirmed to me that the sensor DOES pick up the magnet through the frame material! What I’d thought was a wire on the FX and DS stays is actually just an alignment mark. Serves me right for airing my assumptions on the internet. 😛 My apologies!

Mindless
Mindless
9 years ago

Old technology.

wai
wai
9 years ago

I’ve just placed an order for an SL8 to replace my Roubaix 2011, I like to do sportives. I wonder if this is a good choice or whether I should get a Madone instead? Anyone ridden one yet?

Mark A
Mark A
9 years ago

Wai,
Any real differences between the frames you mention are miniscule. Personally, the rear brake mounting on current Madones is a negative and I think it will go away soon. The Emonda is virtually the same bike as 2011 and 2012 Madones.

If I were you I’d keep the Roubaix. If you’ve got some $ burning a hole in your pocket, consider something like a power meter. Very cool toys.

wako29
wako29
9 years ago

@Mark A,
Oh so you’ve ridden a Roubaix, current Madone, 2011/2012 Madone, and an Emonda?

@wai,
Go ride all of the bikes and talk to your shops about the differences. They will be the most knowledgeable, not the internet.

Fett
Fett
9 years ago

Does anyone know the weights for the cheaper SL frameset withthe 500 series carbon that they are offering for $1429.

mpulsiv
mpulsiv
9 years ago
SEA
SEA
9 years ago

Trek still behind Scott on this.

Mark
Mark
9 years ago

Is there enough clearance on the non-drive side crank arm for Stages power meter? From your review of the Domane 6.2, that bike doesn’t seem to have room for it.

RGRHON
RGRHON
9 years ago

If you like riding this Emonda be sure to also ride the 2014 BMC Team Machine SLR01. It rides very nicely and is comfortable and compliant yet quick, and has a lot more Dura Ace and 3T (incl C24’s) for just a *little* more money than the Emonda SLR8. It’s great for long rides. Haven’t ridden the Emonda SLR8 yet but will post when I do…within a couple months my LBS said they will have one and I’ll decide which bike I’ll buy then. BTW if you buy a Trek, Red Shield is a great idea as my current Trek Madone had 3 sets of broken Race wheels and 2 sets of broken RXL wheels, 1 RXL replaced for poorly machined bearing seats, 2 wheel bearings and 1 crankset and chainring and a minor frame crack in 14,000 miles (Ultegra). It also buys you numerous chains (9), derailleurs (2), etc. for a very reasonable price – Won’t say I’m easy on equipment cause I’m not, but I do excellent maintenance every ride. If you ride less than 8000 miles a year, buy Ultegra, if more buy Dura Ace. BMC does not have an equivalent to Red Shield, but *may* not need as much maintenance (all DA). Nuff Said…

RGRHON
RGRHON
9 years ago

Max, Yes, it looks like an evolution of the old Trek Pro frame, with a more stout downtube. I have a 2013 Madone 4.5, which I bought because of the similarity to the old Pro frame (“for the money”) in configuration, performance, and looks. Go look at a 2013 Madone and you will see it looks very similar. Trek probably hogged out the old Pro frame molds or 3-D scanned the frame into CAD/CAM and reworked and adapted it to the Emonda. This is not necessarily bad as the Pro was a great bike primarily limited by the materials and structural analysis of the time, which I’m sure have been radically improved, as there’s probably nothing badly wrong with the old shape from a stiffness/wieght point-of-view. Biggest differences in appearance appear to be thicker downtube and no web above the back brake. Here’s a pic of Lance’s old Pro Frame. Notice any similarity? Also note that the Emonda corrects the disastrous “under the stays” brake design that got the new Madones 3 of 5 stars from BikeRadar reviews due to dirt accumulation and wheel rub due to flex. Note also all that aero on the Madone frame probably only gains the 45 claimed watts at 30 mph in a unidirectional wind in a wind tunnel and without a peloton or other riders. So its still a small advantage, especially on the flats, but much less at lower climbing speeds in the alps with variable winds in a peloton with a crowd all around you??? Pretty hard to measure I’d say.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=G9CrUxll2rlyXM&tbnid=YAchTWj2cVZZ6M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fautobus.cyclingnews.com%2Ftech%2F2009%2Fprobikes%2F%3Fid%3Dlance_armstrong_trek_livestrong09&ei=Bs_ZU6C7BdjdoASXzoHQBA&bvm=bv.72185853,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFc3e2KwpeCl7T3zDT-UP0oXRU4FQ&ust=1406869636139334

N Rogers
N Rogers
9 years ago

I have a 2013 Madone 6 series (Aero) I am a racer and ride daily and thus far I am still not convinced that it is better than my Madone 7 XXL (2012) that I had before, in fact my 2012 seemed faster. Note – both had same components – new frame was a crash replacement because I was hit by a car. I would love to hear feedback from a Trek rep as to why this might be as well as whether the Madone or Emonda is faster not just saying one is Aero and one is not.

Nayturboy
Nayturboy
9 years ago

Seems like there is a lot of confusion here.
anonymous – yes, 19 lbs isn’t that light for a bike without pedals or cages anymore. But that’s just one of about 16 Emonda models. The lightest is 10.25 lbs. That’s light by
anyone’s standards.

Wai – the Emonda is more equivalent to the Tarmac. The Emonda will be a much lighter bike than your Roubaix, but if you want a bike with endurance geometry and a more forgiving ride, take a look at the Domane.

To anyone comparing the Madone frames to the Emonda frame – The Emonda was designed from a clean slate. Appearances can be deceiving and many bikes look similar. The Emonda is lighter, stiffer, and quicker than the old Madones. The tube diameters, shapes, and wall thickness are all unique. This is a completely new frame. Choose your weapon: Emonda (priority on light weight), Madone (Priority on aerodynamics), Domane (Priority on endurance riding).

Paul Rivers
Paul Rivers
9 years ago

“Wai – the Emonda is more equivalent to the Tarmac. The Emonda will be a much lighter bike than your Roubaix, but if you want a bike with endurance geometry and a more forgiving ride, take a look at the Domane.”

Actually a number of early reviews from people who test rode the bike (including myself) say the Emonda is as good if not better at a forgiving and vibration removing ride than the Damone. The 500 series Emonda is – in my opinion taking them for test rides, a more comfortable and forgiving bike than the equivalent Damone which I also rode.

Rgrhon
Rgrhon
9 years ago

Regarding the comments in this article on tubeless tires, I found less hassle and cost by using Vittoria Open Corsa tires and latex tubes which can be patched, and the ride IMHO is waaaay better. Look at the rolling resistance numbers, you’ll find tubeless far exceed the Vitts with latex. I’d rather keep the latex off my hands and in the tire, thank you… Ever cut a tubeless tire? Even if you carry a tube you have to deal with the mess. Why bother? Just be careful putting the latex tube in the tire not to pinch it. Punctures? Several times the tubeless didn’t seal and leaked, including sometimes when a new tire was mounted. Save your money for other stuff that’s more important.

RGRHON
RGRHON
9 years ago

Just rode the Emonda SLR frame today. Ride is indeed stiff like a Tarmac, not real compliant but not quite as stiff as the Tarmac. Definitely a great bike for climbs and crits. Handling is pretty twitchy, and takes getting used to and vibration is significant but not intolerable for short distances (50 mi or so). Handles a bit like a Dogma 65.1 but with more chatter. Gotta stay on top of it all the time. Climbing is fast but it does not spring forward. However when you put the power down it does respond much faster than a Madone. I like the BMC TeamMachine frame better for long rides because it’s much more compliant and rides itself but this one may be just a smidgen faster climbing. Bottom line: a great bike you should consider and ride. My favorites so far are the BMC Team Machine, Emonda SLR, Domane 6 in that order. Dogma Was too aggressive for my riding style, and BMC GF01 didn’t compare in any way to the SLR. Domane freaked me out in the mountains when my butt couldn’t feel what my hands did. Couldn’t get used to it but some may like it. Hate the Madone brakes on so many levels, esp the Bontrager ones.

Billy
8 years ago

Can anybody tell me what weight is the trek emonda s6 50cm.

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