Trek Emonda 2021
Introducing Trek's New Road Bike
Trek's Emonda line up of road bikes has always been revered for their low weight and climbing prowess. For 2021 however, the Emonda has had an aero makeover whilst still retaining its class-leading gram-count. Read on to learn more about this redesigned performance-focused machine.
Frameset Material and Geometry
At the heart of the newly designed Emonda are the carbon frame and fork, which are available in two variants; the range-topping SLR, which uses an Ultralight 800 Series OCLV Carbon, and the SL, which is made from an Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon. The pricier carbon may be a bit lighter, at a claimed 700 grams, than the SL frame, but otherwise, they both offer the same benefits thanks to their shared geometry and tube shapes. This is Trek's H1.5 geometry, designed to hit the sweet spot that allows for an aerodynamic position without requiring the flexibility of a pro rider.
Aerodynamic Optimisation
The previous Emonda had no aero pretensions at all, concentrating its considerable talents on getting to the top of the toughest, steepest climbs ahead of the pack by shedding as much weight as possible in its pursuit of victory. Developments within carbon fibre manufacturing have now meant that the 2021 iteration is demonstrably faster and more aerodynamic without having gained any weight - a very clever trick indeed.
The deeper fork, elongated seat stays, and Kammtail seat tube and downtube make the Emonda 60 seconds quicker on a flat road and 18 seconds faster on an 8.1% incline over the course of an hour than the outgoing model. These gains aren’t just down to the frame however, as Bontrager's integrated Aeolus RSL bar/stem and Aeolus RSL 37 wheels also play their part in keeping both drag and weight down.
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 Wheelset
Of particular note is the Aeolus RSL 37 wheelset; Bontrager has clearly taken to heart the oft-repeated cycling mantra that the wheels are the most important place to save weight. A 37mm deep disc wheelset weighing in at a mere 1,325 grams is remarkable enough in itself, but considering that it creates the same drag as Bontrager’s 47mm Aeolus XXX 4 wheels, despite the rims being much shallower, makes it pretty special. There has been no skimping on spec either to get to the low weight as the wheels are tubeless-ready and have a thoroughly modern internal width of 21mm so that tyres sit at their optimum, U-shaped, profile and are well supported when leant over in a corner.
New Handlebar and Stem
Aero handlebars have an important role to play in making any bike faster, as one of the first parts of the bike to hit the wind they are vital in reducing drag. The Aeolus RSL bar/stem is 10% faster than its predecessor in wind tunnel testing but still enjoys compatibility with Bontrager’s extensive range of Blendr accessories such as lights and computer mounts.
User Friendly Features
Perhaps just as impressive as the headline figures is the fact that all this has been achieved whilst still bearing practicalities in mind, making the bike that little bit easier to live with. For starters, the cables all route through the handlebar and the frame for enhanced aerodynamics and svelte lines, but they exit briefly by the stem to make home maintenance easier and to allow traditional set up to be used if preferred. The T47 threaded bottom bracket will also be a welcome sight to anyone who has endured the creak of a PressFit unit, and the frame’s 30mm tyre clearance is a clear indication that Trek intends this bike for use in the real world rather than just as a pro only machine.
Project One Customisation
As with many of their bikes, the Emonda is included in Trek’s Project One scheme, which allows for not only a range of component choices and swaps but also gives access to an amazing array of special paint jobs ranging from subtle to outlandish, but all designed to make the bike stand out from the crowd.
Contact our sales team to find out more about the Project One service.
Models Available
There is a range of models available, but what is notable is that a number of the headline component choices like the Aeolus RSL bar/stem and Aeolus RSL 37 wheels aren’t just reserved for the range-topping models but are available on many of the more affordable versions too. As befits a bike born for the mountains, all models get hydraulic disc brakes making it possible to gain time on the descents as well as the climbs, whilst the drivetrain choices range from wireless SRAM RED eTap and electronic Shimano Di2 down to Shimano’s impressive 11-speed 105. Some of the high-end models even get an integrated power meter for more efficient training and effective race tactics.
It is no surprise that Trek has billed the latest Émonda as their ‘fastest climbing bike’, but that moniker actually seems to be doing it a bit of a disservice, and considering the bike’s attributes and figures it might be fairer to say that the Émonda is Trek’s most complete road bike.
Discover the 2021 Trek Emonda Disc Road Bike Range
