Trek Emonda ALR 5 - Agile American
Is the new Emonda not selling well enough? A discount campaign from Trek, a few months after the aluminium racer was presented, at least leaves room for speculation. The US manufacturer gave a 200 euro discount in July, but at 2299 euros, the ALR 5 is still the most expensive bike in the test field. On the other hand, Trek is the only manufacturer in the comparison to show the technical potential that aluminium frames still have.
Only two disc models are lighter
At 1278 grams, the beautifully crafted frame is not only unrivalled in weight, but is also one of the lightest aluminium models for disc brakes in TOUR's long test history. Only the Cannondale CAAD 12 and the old Emonda ALR 6 weighed a few grams less. As the in-house wheelset can also technically keep up with carbon versions, the Trek is the only disc racer to remain under 9 kilograms.
In practice, this means that the US bike accelerates much more agilely than its competitors, which weigh up to 900 grams more. The comparatively stretched seating position, aerodynamically optimised tube shapes and the partially integrated cockpit round off the sporty orientation. The consequence of this is that although Trek provided us with a test bike that already makes full use of the maximum tyre clearance with 28-millimetre tyres, bumps from the road surface still reach the saddle and handlebars relatively unfiltered.
In addition to the version with Shimano's mechanical 105 groupset, the US company also offers a version with the electronic 105 Di2. Despite the higher price (3399 euros), this bike seems to be more popular with customers: It is sold out in medium frame sizes on the Trek website.
TOUR also tested these aluminium road bikes
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Cube Attain HPA SLX
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Fuji SL-A 1.3
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Canyon Endurace 7
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Radon R1 Disc Ultegra
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Rose Reveal AL Ultegra
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Specialized Allez Sport
- Aluminium road bikes in the TOUR test: The Stevens Aspin
Trek Emonda ALR 5 - Details and rating
- Price2499 Euro
- Weight: 8,8 Kilo
- Frame/fork/steering bearing weight* 1278/424/72 grammes
- Frame sizes** 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62
- Seat/top tube/head tube 525/560/151 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR*** 579/384 millimetres/1.51
- Wheelbase/caster 985/65 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/Circuit Shimano 105 (2x11; 50/34, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes Shimano 105 (160/160 mm)
- Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Bontrager Paradigm Comp/Bontrager R2 28 millimetres (f./h.: 1385/1864 grams)
Strengths: Very light frame set, high-quality wheelset
Weaknesses: Relatively little spring comfort
>> The Trek Emonda gets an overall TOUR score of 2.5
* Weighed weights.
** Manufacturer's specification, Test size bold.
*** Stack/Reach Projected vertical/horizontal dimension from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube;
STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright sitting position.
**** Impeller weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if necessary.
Julian Schultz
Editor
