Was the Trek Émonda the most hyped new bike of 2014? If not, it was certainly among them.
At 4.6kg, the Émonda SLR 10, with its 690g frame and exotic components, created headlines
as the lightest production bike on the planet.
The name ‘Émonda’ originates from the French verb émonder, meaning “to prune or trim away”, and the early reviews of the SLR 10 noted that it was phenomenally light as expected but that it was also supremely responsive under hard acceleration.
But then you would expect that from a bike which costs $16k and whose US-made frame features the same carbon as that used in the B-2 Stealth Bomber.
Fortunately the Émonda nameplate is not just about the mega-buck showstopper. Trek created an entire 16-model line-up including some versions specifically for female riders.
We put in an early request to Trek for a wallet-friendly Émonda and received what you see here, the Taiwan-sourced SL 6, which comes with 11-speed Ultegra.
This version, even in the large, as-tested 60cm size and with heavy Bontrager Race wheelset, weighs a respectable 7.6kg. The SL 6 uses Trek’s 500 Series Optimum Compaction, Low Void (OCLV) carbon, which sits between 700 Series OCLV (top) and 300 Series OCLV (entry) and keeps frame weight to around a kilogram.
The Émonda’s agility and willingness to accelerate is immediately apparent on the flats or up hills. The 90mm-wide bottom bracket no doubt has a part to play here, as well as the wide profile downtube. Yep, it’s light
and responsive.
But surprisingly it’s also compliant, absorbing bumps and tarmac imperfections with rather amazing ease. Perhaps it’s the frame dishing up plenty of vertical compliance to go with its lateral stiffness. It could also be the weighty hoops and alloy cockpit parts helping keep things nicely planted. Whatever it is, the Émonda SL 6 provides a ride akin to being on air suspension, even when on craterous bitumen.
The SL 6 is built with Trek’s H2 geometry, which has a longer headtube and is less aggressive than the elite models’ H1. It works well; you’ll be able to ride on long cruises or gran fondos without straining your back or neck, though it’s also possible to get into an aero tuck for fast descending. There are 10 different frame sizes too, including a gigantic 64cm, so even the cycling basketballers out there are well catered for.
Like most bikes, the SL 6 would benefit from component upgrades, especially a lighter wheelset.
But even at this spec level the Émonda delivers a healthy balance of performance and smooth ride quality, the latter which we didn’t expect, but which we welcome. And for $3599, the SL 6 is a rather an excellent choice to get your warm-weather riding season off on the light, er right, foot. – Nick Raman
Groupset
Shimano Ultegra 6800
Wheels
Bontrager Race
Weight
7.6kg (size 60cm)
Price
$3599