trek emonda sl 5 disc road bike 2022 review

• off.road.cc
• Dealclincher
• Fantasy Cycling

Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

• Sportive and endurance bikes
• Gravel and adventure bikes
• Urban and hybrid bikes
• Touring bikes
• Cyclocross bikes
• Electric bikes
• Folding bikes
• Fixed & singlespeed bikes
• Children's bikes
• Time trial bikes
• Accessories - misc
• Computer mounts
• Bike bags & cases
• Bottle cages
• Child seats
• Lights - front
• Lights - rear
• Lights - sets
• Pumps & CO2 inflators
• Puncture kits
• Reflectives
• Smart watches
• Stands and racks
• Arm & leg warmers
• Base layers
• Gloves - full finger
• Gloves - mitts
• Jerseys - casual
• Jerseys - long sleeve
• Jerseys - short sleeve
• Shorts & 3/4s
• Tights & longs
• Bar tape & grips
• Bottom brackets
• Brake & gear cables
• Brake & STI levers
• Brake pads & spares
• Cassettes & freewheels
• Chainsets & chainrings
• Derailleurs - front
• Derailleurs - rear
• Gear levers & shifters
• Handlebars & extensions
• Inner tubes
• Quick releases & skewers
• Energy & recovery bars
• Energy & recovery drinks
• Energy & recovery gels
• Heart rate monitors
• Hydration products
• Hydration systems
• Indoor trainers
• Power measurement
• Skincare & embrocation
• Training - misc
• Cleaning products
• Lubrication
• Tools - multitools
• Tools - Portable
• Tools - workshop
• Books, Maps & DVDs
• Camping and outdoor equipment
• Gifts & misc

Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

• Exceptional
• Not so good

Trek's Émonda SL 5 Disc is a solid all-round race bike offering great handling, a stiff platform for performance and a comfortable riding position, plus it's all wrapped up in a minimalistic, clean-looking package. This build isn't exactly lightweight though.

Trek launched this latest Émonda design last year, giving what has always been considered its lightweight climbing machine an aerodynamic makeover that takes it into what I consider quality all-rounder territory.

From a ride point of view, I can't fault it. It's firmer than a lot of carbon bikes on the market, and I kind of like that. Getting smashed about isn't fun, but neither is a bike that mutes all the signals from the road below. The Émonda balances this well.

> Buy Now: Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc from Trek

Stand hard on the pedals for a climb or sprint and the bike feels tight everywhere, although most notably around the bottom bracket area. There is no flex anywhere, and it just eggs you on to keep hammering away when your legs are screaming to ease up.

Chubby chaser

The only downside is that this SL 5 build's weight can just take the shine off. This 56cm model weighs in at 9.16kg, which is on the beefy side for a near three-grand bike.

The SL 6 Pro I rode last year came with an Ultegra mechanical groupset and 35mm deep Bontrager Aeolus Elite carbon wheels, and weighed 8.23kg. It felt much nippier than the SL 5 when it matters.

As an experiment I switched the SL 5's wheels for a pair of 1,400g Scribe Élan Wide+ 42-D wheels I had on test, and that unlocked the Émonda's potential. I'm not saying you should go out and blow £1,190 on newwheels, just that you shouldn't be put off by the standard weight of the SL 5. It can be tweaked without spending a fortune in the future.

On all but the steepest of climbs though, the Émonda doesn't feel as heavy as the road.cc scales would suggest. It still feels nippy as you accelerate out of corners or crest those short power climbs, and it always seems to have an eagerness to keep rolling.

Right angles

The geometry helps too. This is a proper race bike with a steepish 73.5° head angle for quick steering, plus a short 151mm head tube to allow a low front end and a short wheelbase. At just 983mm, this certainly gives it a nimble and flickable feeling in the bends.

On the downhills I found I could let the Émonda go even when the road surface was less than perfect. It just feels really planted, and coupled with that firm frame passing through loads of feedback from the tyres, I left me feeling perfectly in tune with it.

The steering is on the fun side of neutral, and allows you to just point the handlebar and aim for the apex. The Émonda is also very responsive to slight changes in body position if you need to tweak your line or get yourself out of trouble. I found this out when riding somewhere I had never ridden before – a descent which was easily 40mph+ in sections.

The Trek just nailed it, even though I didn't know what was around the next corner. With less caution than I probably should use, I could throw the Émonda through the bends while constantly making little tweaks to my position to line it up for the next one.

The SL 5 is also a quality mile muncher. The firm ride didn't seem to fatigue my joints any sooner than normal, and although the position is racy, it isn't extreme either. I could ride on the hoods for hours without discomfort and made good use of the shallow drops too.

Frame and fork

As I mentioned earlier, the Émonda focuses more on aerodynamics now than ever before, but that doesn't mean it has become a rocket ship on the road. The Émonda is a climbing bike after all, so Trek's engineers have honed in on 'unsteady aerodynamics,' which they say give larger effects at lower speeds when ascending, rather than on curves for cutting through at high speeds in straight lines.

For starters the front end has been made as smooth as possible, with all cables and hoses directed through the head tube into the frame and fork, giving a very clean look. The head, down and top tube junction is large and beautifully sculpted for airflow too. As a whole the Trek has been optimised for 25mm tyres, although it will swallow 28mm with 6mm of space around the tyre.

The integrated spacer is designed to line up perfectly with the frame when the handlebar is pointed straight ahead, although it does limit how far the bar will turn in each direction. It can feel a bit daunting at first – I kept worrying I might not have enough lock to negotiate a tight turn at low speed.

It proved an unfounded worry though, and the only time I reached the turning limit was when trackstanding at the lights.

The top-end Émonda SLRs use a carbon fibre all-in-one handlebar and stem to take things even further, but there isn't the budget for that here.

As for the seatpost, Trek has decided to do things a little differently. The seat tube extends high, up past the top tube by some way. An external seat mast slides over the top and clamps into position, and the seat tube inside the mast allows a bit of flex, which aids comfort.

The top tube flares out at the seat tube junction, which I find I often rub my thighs against. I got around it by running the saddle 5mm further forward, but it's worth bearing in mind if you have large legs.

The frame and fork are created using Trek's 500 Series OCLV carbon fibre. It's a bit heavier than the new 800 Series found on the more expensive SLR range, but still gives a reasonable claimed weight of 1,142g for the frame and 380g for the fork. There are a massive eight sizes available, too, ranging from 47cm up to 62cm.

The Émonda range is now disc brake only, which means you're getting 12mm thru-axles and flat mounts for the disc calipers.

Trek has gone down the T47 bottom bracket route. Standard threaded bottom brackets have the bearing cups sitting outside the frame, which limits the width the bottom bracket shell can be without pushing the Q-factor (the distance between the pedals) too wide.

To allow a wider shell, which in turn lets the down tube, seat tube and chainstays all have larger joins for increased stiffness at this crucial point, many brands use press-fit cups. These sit inside the frame, allowing a wider shell while keeping the Q-factor the same. In the past there have been creaking and wear issues due to slack tolerances between the cups and the frame, though, so some people have fallen out of love with them.

The T47 is kind of the best of both worlds, as the bearings sit inside the frame but they are threaded into place rather than pressed. That gives a better (and easier) fit, but still allows for that wide bottom bracket shell.

To finish everything off, the SL 5 is available in two colours: this Quicksilver/Brushed Chrome, or Carbon Blue Smoke/Metallic Blue, which I reckon looks even better.

Finishing kit

The SL 5 is adorned with a Shimano 105 R7000 11 speed groupset, which cannot really be faulted, either from my own experience of riding it for thousands of miles on test bikes, or from Dave's in-depth review from a couple of years ago.

The gear shifting is precise and works well even under load – especially at the chainset – and the feel at the lever is practically the same as Ultegra R8000.

Trek has paired a 50/34t chainset with an 11-30t cassette, which gives a decent spread of gears for a bike with racing intentions. Crank length is determined by frame size, ranging from 165mm to 175mm.

Alongside the flat mount 105 calipers the SL 5 uses 160mm SM-RT70 rotors front and rear.

Stopping power is great, as is the modulation and control.

If you weren't aware, Trek's in-house kit and component brand is Bontrager, so it's no surprise to find this adorning the Émonda throughout. The Comp VR-C Road is a shallow drop bar with a compact design, making it usable for most riders regardless of flexibility.

There is nothing flash about it, but it is comfortable, has a decent length of central section for computer mounts or lights, and its aluminium construction is stiff enough for out-of-the-saddle efforts.

> road.cc Road Bike of the Year 2020/21

The Bontrager Elite Stem is another component that just gets on with its job. On the 56cm frame you get a 110mm, and it comes with Trek's Blendr compatibility.

This means you get a selection of mounts for various accessories, such as lights and computers, to sit out in front of the stem. On Trek's website it's £59.99 (£30 more than the handlebar), so it's certainly not a budget component.

The saddle is called the Verse Comp and it's a good 'un, at least for me. It's got a swoopy shape I found gave me plenty of different position options (I like to slide back to climb, for instance). It's 270mm long and 145mm wide (155mm on the smaller frames) with steel rails and a central cut-out. It's also compatible with Blendr accessories.

The frame itself is compatible with DuoTrap S, which is a Blutooth/ANT+ sensor which can send all sorts of data and works with Garmin, Bontrager, PowerTap and more, though the sensor is sold separately.

Wheels and tyres

As with the rest of the finishing kit, the wheels are Bontrager. Using their sealed alloy hubs mated to Paradigm SL rims, they have an internal width of 21mm and 24 spokes front and rear. As I mentioned earlier, they are a bit weighty, but they rode well enough throughout the test period, and I had no durability or trueness issues. They are tubeless ready for a bit of futureproofing.

> road.cc's Best Cycling Wheels of the Year 2020/21

I'm a fan of Bontrager's tyres. I've ridden a few, and was impressed when I tested the R3 Hard-Case Lite a couple of years back. The SL 5 uses the entry-level R1 Hard-Case Lite, and it's pretty good. With a 60tpi (threads per inch) casing it isn't the most supple, but it doesn't detract too much from the ride quality.

They roll pretty well too, and grip is more than adequate in both the wet and dry. More importantly though, considering the review period took in the end of winter, they seem robust and suffered no punctures.

Still, as with the wheels the SL 5 deserves better in the long term. If you want to keep things in the Bontrager family, those R3s mentioned retail for £42.99 now, or £52.99 if you want to go tubeless.

Bike prices are all over the place at the moment, and there have been some big jumps in Trek's line-up. That SL 6 Pro I reviewed was £3,350 in 2021, and it's now £3,900 with what looks to be the same build. The frameset has gone up from £2,200 to £2,700. Meanwhile this SL 5 has come through relatively unscathed at £2,750, up just £25 over last year's prices.

Around the time this Émonda was released, Specialized launched its new Tarmac SL 7 (I was lucky enough to review the S-Works model), and it's a similar sort of bike to the Trek. For 2022 Specialized has largely used SRAM components on its road bikes though, so there's no direct comparison with the SL 5.

However, the entry-level Tarmac SL 7 is the Comp model, which comes with a Rival eTap AXS electronic groupset and DT Swiss alloy shallow section wheels for £5,000, while Trek's SL 6 eTap comes with the same wireless groupset and the Bontrager 35mm deep carbon wheels for £4,300.

There is some tough opposition out there though, with Canyon's new Ultimate CF SL 7 Disc featuring a 105 groupset, a full aero carbon cockpit and a claimed weight of 8.2kg for just £2,149.

Giant's TCR Advanced Disc 2 doesn't quite have the aero attributes of the SL 5, but it is considered a very good lightweight all-round race bike. For £2,349 you are getting a 105 groupset, full carbon frameset and Giant's own alloy wheels.

> Buy Now: Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc from Trek

The Émonda SL 5 is a great bike to ride, and that's down to the top-notch frame and fork paired to good quality finishing kit. True, the wheels and tyres can take the shine off of the performance a touch, but that is true of many entry-point bikes. This is a bike that will tackle any kind of topography or race and excel at it. The frameset is great and it's ripe for upgrades over time too.

The Émonda is a classic all-rounder, fun, fast and stiff, although this model isn't the lightest

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc

Size tested: 56cm

About the bike

List the components used to build up the bike.

Hub front: Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, 100x12 mm thru axle

Hub rear: Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12 mm thru axle

Rim: Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21 mm width, Presta valve

Spokes: 14 g stainless steel

Tyre: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x28 c

Max tyre size: 30c

Shifter: Shimano 105 R7020, 11-speed

Front derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000, braze-on

Rear derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000, short cage, 30T max cog

Crank Size: Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 172.5 mm length

Bottom bracket: Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing

Cassette: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-30, 11-speed

Chain: Shimano 105 HG601, 11-speed

Max. chainring size: 1x: 50T, 2x: 53/39T

Saddle: Bontrager P3 Verse Comp, steel rails, 145 mm width

Seatpost: Bontrager alloy seat mast cap, 10 mm offset, tall length

Handlebar: Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 42 cm width

Handlebar tape: Bontrager Supertack Perf tape

Stem: Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 100 mm length

Brake: Shimano 105 hydraulic disc

Brake rotor: Shimano SM-RT70, CenterLock, 160 mm

Tell us what the bike is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Trek says, "Émonda SL 5 Disc is a lightweight carbon road bike with a balanced ride quality, superior handling characteristics and the added benefit of free speed thanks to aero tube shaping. It's a great choice for century rides on hilly terrain, windy flats and speedy descents."

I think the SL 5 is a classic all rounder.

Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options

This SL 5 model kicks off the SL range, sitting just £25 above the price of the frameset. Going up through the models you find the SL 6 and SL 6 Pro (£3,400 and £3,900 respectively), the SL 6 eTap (£4,300) and the Ultegra mechanical SL 7 (£5,350). Finally you get to the 12-speed Ultegra Di2 SL 7 (£5,600) and the SL 7 eTap, which uses SRAM Force for £6,100.

Above the SL range is the SLR line up, and below you'll find the aluminium alloy range, the ALR.

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

A high quality frame and fork. It feels great to ride and the paint finish is high end.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Frame: Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon, Ride Tuned performance tube optimisation, tapered head tube, internal routing, DuoTrap S-compatible, flat-mount disc, 142x12 mm thru axle

Fork: Émonda SL full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat-mount disc, 12x100 mm thru axle

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

With its steepish angles and short wheelbase, this sits very much in the race bike camp.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

This 56cm model features a stack of 563mm and a reach of 391mm, which is fairly typical for a bike of this size with racing intentions.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

It has a firmer ride than a lot of carbon frames, but personally I like that. It feels like a purposeful and aggressive frame without ever feeling harsh and uncomfortable.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Plenty of stiffness throughout, most notably at the bottom bracket junction.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

It does feel efficient, especially considering its weight.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? Responsive.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

I found the handling quick with a degree of balance to it – it never feels twitchy.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I liked the Bontrager saddle. I found it squidgy enough to absorb the bumps, without being so soft you find yourself bouncing around.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The stem and handlebar offer stiffness to match the frame, and there's no real sign of flex from the wheels either.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

The wheels are a bit weighty, so if you can upgrade to something lighter you'll really unlock the performance of the Émonda.

The drivetrain

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

Performance-wise, 105 is probably all the groupset most of us will ever need from Shimano's catalogue. The shifting is great, as is braking power and modulation, and the value is good.

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so what for?

The Bontrager wheels are decent enough. They blunt the SL 5's climbing and acceleration a touch due to their weight, but I can't fault their durability.

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so what for?

Bontrager tyres typically offer decent performance, and so it is with the R1s. Like the wheels though they are a touch heavy and not the most supple.

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

Good quality in-house kit. Upgrade if you want some bling, but there's no real need.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

How does the price compare to that of similar bikes in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

This is well priced against a similar model in Specialized's Tarmac line-up, as mentioned in the review. There is tough opposition from the likes of Giant and Canyon, though.

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Émonda SL 5 is a very likeable bike; it has a solid dependable feel while still maintaining plenty of fun factor. There is some tough opposition out there price-wise, but would I feel shortchanged by the Trek? No. It has a quality ride feel and a quality build, and I enjoyed every mile I covered on it.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 42   Height: 180cm   Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike   My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Every day   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Help us to fund our site

We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99. 

If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.

Help us to bring you the best cycling content

If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

Add new comment

Latest comments.

With Paolo Dos Santos I think the bad bit was that the cyclist was overtaking the car by going the wrong side of the pedestrian island. So anyone...

You're quite right - [1] [2]. Are these common?...

I think competition is limited by Brussels

Bollards v BMW. The aftermath. video https://twitter.com/WorldBollard/status/1789934739345818058  

Freaky record.

It's likely to be a Li-ion battery. As such, it will age, but you ought to get several years service out of it. Lots of information here:...

I didn't know it for certain but I would have almost guaranteed it....

I didn't know they offered a time window like that. I thought they just turned up, and never phoned to let you know they were on their way. And...

That's why they're cheap....

Well swerving is never a good idea when you're driving and you need to be careful about how you deploy blocks like that. ...

Related Reviews

Orbea Orca Aero M10iLTD 2024

Stunningly fast without sacrificing versatility, handling or comfort

Boardman SLR 8.6

Comfortable, lively ride, an excellent gear range and well-chosen components – one of the best entry-level bikes you can buy

Fara F/Road

Quick, nimble, fun, an impressive ride quality and excellent comfort – and I think it looks stunning

Factor O2 VAM

A master of climbing – but a bike that's also incredible fun and extremely capable everywhere else

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

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. 

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Bike Reviews

The Best Beach Cruisers for Leisurely Rides

The Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes

Best Hybrid Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

The 14 Best Road Bikes of 2024

The Best Commuter Bikes for Getting Around Town

The 10 Best Electric Bikes, Tested by Our Editors

These Folding Bikes Can Go Everywhere

Smoother and Faster: The New Pivot Switchblade

The Best Beginner Mountain Bikes

Reviewed: Colnago's Italian Made C68 Gravel

The 6 Best Kids’ Bikes in 2024

• Specialized
• Bridge Bikeworks
• Brooklyn Bicycle Co.
• Bunch Bikes
• CYCLE OF GOOD
• DALLINGRIDGE
• Diamondback
• Eddy Merckx
• Electric Bike Company
• EVO Bicycles
• Fahrradmanufaktur
• Flyer by Radio Flyer
• iGO Electric
• Intense 951
• JupiterBike
• Lectric eBikes
• LeMond Bicycles
• Lightweight
• View all brands
• Pivot Cycles
• Qualisports
• Quintana Roo
• Rad Power Bikes
• Raleigh Electric
• Riese & Müller
• Rocky Mountain
• Schindelhauer
• State Bicycle Co.
• Surface 604
• Urban Arrow
• Van Nicholas
• VELO DE VILLE
• Vintage Electric
• Yeti Cycles
• YT Industries

Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 47cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon, Ride Tuned performance tube optimization, tapered head tube, internal routing, DuoTrap S compatible, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle
• Fork Émonda SL full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle
• Hubs Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, centerlock disc, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle
• Wheels Size: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve; Size: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve
• Spokes 14g stainless steel
• Tires Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x28c
• Chain Shimano 105 HG601, 11 speed
• Crank Size: 47, Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 165mm length; Size: 50, 52, Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 170mm length; Size: 54, 56, 58, Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 172.5mm length; Size: 60, 62, Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 175mm length
• Bottom Bracket Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing
• Front Derailleur Shimano 105 R7000, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur Shimano 105 R7000, short cage, 30T max cog
• Shifters Size: 47, 50, 52, Shimano 105 R7025, short-reach lever, 11 speed; Size: 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, Shimano 105 R7020, 11 speed
• Brakeset Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, flat mount
• Handlebar Size: 47, 50, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 38cm width; Size: 52, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 40cm width; Size: 54, 56, 58, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 42cm width; Size: 60, 62, Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8mm, 100mm reach, 124mm drop, 44cm width
• Saddle Size: 47, 50, 52, Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 155mm width; Size: 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 145mm width
• Seatpost Size: 47, 50, 52, 54, Bontrager alloy seatmast cap, 10mm offset, short length; Size: 56, 58, 60, 62, Bontrager alloy seatmast cap, 10mm offset, tall length
• Stem Size: 47, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 70mm length; Size: 50, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: 52, 54, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length; Size: 56, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 100mm length; Size: 58, 60, 62, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 110mm length

Q: How much is a 2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc?

A 2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc is typically priced around $3,249 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc?

The 2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size 2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more road bikes in your mailbox?

The latest on road bikes delivered straight to your mailbox.

More Bikes in Range View All

Trek Émonda SLR RSL Frameset

Trek Émonda SL 7 Disc AXS

Trek Émonda ALR Frame Set

More road bikes view all.

Cervélo Áspero-5 GRX RX815 Di2

Avanti X-Plorer 2

CTM STARK 1.0

Deals view all, view all deals, recent posts view all.

What is Road Bike Database?

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, choosing the right road bike can…

Send Feedback

Have a suggestion? Looking for a bike that's not on Road Bike Database? Or perhaps you've spotted an error?

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with the form below.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Learn more.

About Road Bike Database

Explore, search and compare thousands of the world’s best road bikes here on Road Bike Database.

Compare prices, components, reviews, images and more on current and past road bikes. You can even share reviews, comments and questions on road bikes. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Cervélo , BMC , Trek , Specialized and more .

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information for road bikes on Road Bike Database. If you’ve spotted any issues, please let us know . We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right road bike. Bear in mind that these tools serve as a guide and simply provide a general indication. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike.

Bikes By Brand

Bikes by year, bikes by riding style.

• Electric Road
• folding-bike
• general-road
• general-urban
• long-tail-cargo

Bikes By Wheel Size

Popular bikes.

• 2023 Kettler VELOSSI 2.0 Diamond
• 2021 Trek Checkpoint ALR F/S
• 2023 Amslod Aston E-MD-540
• 2023 Dolan FXE Aluminium Fixie Bike - Sugino SG75
• 2022 Orbea AVANT H60-D
• 2022 Cannondale Treadwell Neo EQ Remixte
• 2021 Canyon Commuter:ON 7

Latest Bikes

• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT touring
• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT rohloff
• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT rohloff HS
• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT vario HS
• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT vario
• 2024 Riese & Müller Delite4 GT touring HS
• 2024 Riese & Müller Roadster4 Mixte vario HS

Your Recent Searches

No recent searches are available.

Page Suggestions

Search Suggestions

Product Suggestions

Trending Products

• Create Account

Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike 2022

This item is no longer available to buy. View similar products .

Video is unable to play due to Privacy Settings.

Adjust your Cookie Preferences to Opt-in "YES" to "Functional Cookies".

Why buy your bike from Sigma Sports?

Don't hesitate to reach out to us. It's our goal to answer all of your questions and offer the best advice from our experts. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us now or visit us in-store .

Save up to 47% with any one of our 11 Cycle to Work partners, and get the health benefits of a new bike in exchange for tax free salary sacrifice. To find out more about our various partners and how to apply click here .

Choose between Free Bike Delivery - to your home or place of work - or our new Premier Bike Delivery Service £99.99 and have your bike delivered "ready to ride" and set up to your measurements with seatpost and pedals adjusted on arrival by a qualified bike mechanic. Either way, our Customer Care team will be in touch to arrange a delivery date to suit you.

We've partnered with Laka to offer you 30 days free bike Insurance on your new bike purchase over £400. Click here for more info and find out how to claim.

Product Highlights

Lightweight and stiff, OCLV 500 carbon soaks up road vibrations and provides a comfortable ride.

Aerodynamically optimised, truncated frame tube shapes markedly lower drag.

Stopping in all conditions is consistent, modulated and powerful with this brake setup.

This 11-speed gear configuration rivals top-tier groupsets with its smooth and crisp gear shifts.

The Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike is a great value option that offers a carbon frame, disc brakes and an 11-speed groupset, making it perfect for long sportives, hilly rides and training sessions. The Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame and fork are not just stiff and light, they have been aerodynamically optimised too for less drag at speed whilst the Ride Tuned performance tube optimisation ensures that all riders benefit from the same handling and ride quality regardless of frame size. Tubeless-ready wheels and 28mm tyres provide grip and comfort along with the potential to reduce punctures if run tubeless.

Easy gear shifting is a given with Shimano’s reliable 105 drivetrain, which pairs an 11-30 tooth cassette with a compact 34/50 chainset, giving a very wide range of ratios for taking on long and steep hills as well as spinning along flat roads. Whilst the gear range makes going uphill straightforward, the 105 hydraulic disc brakes ensure that control is kept on the descents too, with easy modulation and power available in both wet and dry conditions for added confidence in any weather.

• Trek Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame and fork, thru-axles and flat mount disc brake compatible
• Shimano105 R7000 11-speed mechanical groupset
• Shimano 105 R7000 hydraulic disc brakes
• Bontrager Affinity Disc, tubeless-ready wheelset with thru-axles

Technical Specification

Built, checked, tuned and tested.

All our bikes are fully built, checked, tuned and tested by our Cytech qualified mechanics and then securely packaged, ready for delivery. All you have to do is add the pedals (if included), attach the handlebars to the stem and tighten them following the included detailed instructions or by watching our video and using the provided FREE tools. Visit our Bike Assembly page to see how you assemble your new bike once you receive it.

All bikes collected from our shop, are built, tested and ready to ride. For hassle-free home delivery and bike set-up from a qualified mechanic use our Premier Delivery Service . 

Please note, occasionally, manufacturers may change the specification without notice. Bicycles do not come with pedals unless otherwise specified. Bikes ordered for delivery will not arrive with the pedals installed, please refer to the owners manual and pedal installation guides provided for guidance. We do not install accessories to bikes, including mudguards. Bikes ordered for delivery that have tubeless compatible tyres and rims will arrive with inner tubes installed or with tubeless valves installed, this will be brand dependent. Sealant is available to be purchased separately .

If you require any assistance please contact our Customer Care team .

Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike 2022 Sizing

Unable to display reviews due to privacy settings., unable to display q&a due to privacy settings..

Join Our Community

It looks like you've already got an account!

Sign in now for faster checkout. We'll also make sure this order counts towards your Loyalty Scheme discount.

This Account Is Locked

Oh, dear. You tried too many passwords and now your account has been locked for the next 30 minutes .

Not sure of your password? Reset using the link below.

Reset Password Link Sent

We've sent you an email to reset your password.

To create your new password, click the link in the email and enter a new one. Didn't receive the email? Check your junk email.

Forgotten Your Password?

Please enter your registered email address below and we'll send you an email explaining the next step.

• Email Address

Select Your Delivery Location

Select a store

Select the store you visit most frequently below and their stock information will show on product pages.

Enter your Password

• Help Center
• Chat with a Ride Guide
• 1-866-401-9636
• Retail Store
• Bike Services

Reset Password

We will send you an email to reset your password.

Don't have an account? Create an account

Create Account

Already have an account? Sign In

• Favorite your products & save them to your account
• Save a search & get notified when new products drop
• Be first to know about the latest events & promotions

Bike Finder

Results have arrived, trek émonda sl 5 disc road bike - 2022, 58cm, item #brd31950, condition: certified pre-owned what's this, fit range: 5'11" - 6'1" sizing guide, every certified pre-owned bike passes our multi-point inspection.

• Frame integrity verified
• All components inspected
• Drivetrain cleaned and tuned
• Suspension adjusted
• Wheels trued

Our RideFast shipping means this bike gets to you quickly and securely. Domestic US ground rates are a flat $135 for regular bikes or $150 for e-bikes.

Quick Assembly

• Bikes arrive tuned and mostly pre-assembled
• Torque tool & video guide included
• Get riding in 15 minutes

Canadian Customers

Please note that any duties, taxes, or surcharges as required by Canadian customs and provincial authorities will be the buyer's responsibility. Shipping to Canadian addresses may take longer than expected due to customs.

Guaranteed Buyback

We'll happily purchase this bike back from you when you're ready for your next upgrade. A TPC buyback offer is guaranteed for 18 month on all qualifying bikes.

30-Day Returns

If this bike isn't perfect for you, our Ride Guides will help you find the right one.

A Snappy Aero Climber

The Émonda is the lightest bike in Trek's lineup and the SL carbon frame falls right in the middle, packing incredible performance for an incredible price. This feather-light and responsive road bike is ideal for grabbing the local KOM or controlling the breakaway. Its geometry puts you in a more aggressive position than the Domane, but not as aggressive as the Madone.

• Curious about one of the biggest perks of buying with TPC? Read about our Guaranteed Buyback Program . It comes standard with every bike we sell.
• Replaced inner tubes
• Light scratches on the fork, top tube, down tube, & non-drive side chainstay
• Moderate scratches on the shifters

Added to Cart

Inspected. Tested. Trusted.

What is cpo.

CPO bikes are gently ridden bikes that have been meticulously inspected, restored and serviced. Every CPO bike is cleaned, tuned and tested in our top-of-the-line Colorado headquarters. Road, mountain, ebike or gravel, TPC services each bike over 8 phases and multiple points of inspection.

Bikes are meant to be used.

Ask a Ride Guide about this

Sizing guide.

The chart below provides a general suggested range of heights and is not exact. Sizing may vary across brands.

The tailoring of any bike is an important step in the long term enjoyment of riding and it can take time to adjust to the fit of a new bike. All contact points (pedals, shoes, and saddle) can be changed and altered for personal preference, performance, and comfort.

Contact our Ride Guides if you have any questions about the fit of your new bike.

866.401.9636 - Contact the Ride Guides

Purchase your next bike with the same confidence you would when buying new. We scrutinize age, condition, and quality. If a bike meets the standard, our pro tune and service will guarantee that your ride will be in pristine condition when it arrives at your door.

Cycle to Work

Free click & collect, finance available*, book a service online.

• £10 OFF £100 - SAVE10 | £25 0FF £250 - SAVE25

Finance Available

Trek Emonda SL 5 Disc Carbon Road Bike 2022 in Quicksilver

With Pre-Order , you can purchase the latest items added to our store in advance of them arriving with us.

Your Pre-Order is prioritised (at no additional charge); meaning that as soon as the product arrives with us, we can wrap it straight back up; ready for collection via Click & Collect or despatch to you — it often never even hits the stock room shelves!

With Pre-Launch , the date when we expect to receive the product ourselves is still a little too hazy to be confident in accepting Pre-Orders.

So, instead, you can submit your email address against the item you are interested in and we will email you as soon as stock arrives on the system.

Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates are given on Pre-Order and Pre-Launch products. They are for indication purposes only and can change at any time without notice.

The dates we provide are based on indications given by our suppliers. Whenever we get updated information from our suppliers we will endeavour to update the Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates provided on product pages.

Hassle free returns

Season:2022

Code:325602021SILCLR

Key Features & Benefits:

• Carbon Fibre Frame: Ultra lightweight & durable to give you a competitive advantage
• Shimano 105 Drivetrain: Delivers smoother gear progression, greater precision & predictability.
• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Consistent braking performance for better control and confidence in race conditions.

Full Specification:

• Frame: Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon, Ride Tuned performance tube optimisation, tapered head tube, internal routing, DuoTrap S-compatible, flat-mount disc, 142x12 mm thru axle
• Fork: Emonda SL full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat-mount disc, 12x100 mm thru axle
• Number of Gears: 22
• Gear Shifters: Shimano 105 R7020 or R7025, 11-speed
• Chainset: Shimano 105 R7000 (compact)
• Chainrings: 50/34
• Rear Cassette: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-30, 11-speed
• Chain: Shimano 105 HG601, 11-speed
• Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000, short cage, 30T max cog
• Bottom Bracket: Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing
• Pedals: Not supplied: Shop pedals here
• Rims: Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21 mm width, Presta valve
• Front Hub: Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, 100x12 mm thru axle
• Rear Hub: Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12 mm thru axle
• Front Tyre: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x28 c
• Rear Tyre: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x28 c
• Brakes: Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, flat mount
• Handlebars: Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop
• Handlebar Tape: Bontrager Supertack Perf tape
• Headset: Integrated
• Stem: Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree
• Saddle: Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails
• Seatpost: Bontrager alloy seat mast cap, 10 mm offset, short length
• Accessories: N/A
• Weight: 56 - 8.87 kg / 20.18 lbs

Sizing Chart for Trek Emonda SL & SLR Disc Road Bike

Geometry for trek emonda sl & slr unisex carbon road bike, all measurements in cm unless stated otherwise, warranty information for trek:.

Lifetime warranty on Frame sets (frame and rigid fork), main frame and full suspension swing arms for the lifetime of the original owner, and Bontrager wheels with carbon rims. 2-year warranty on Rear suspension linkage components, including bearings, rocker link and accompanying hardware and components, Bontrager wheels with alloy rims, Paint and transfers. For full warranty policy please visit trekbikes.com

Geometry for Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc Road Racing Bike

All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise stated..

Sizing Chart for Trek Emonda SL5 Disc Unisex Carbon Road Bike

Ask a question, you may also like....

• £65.00 £65.00 Kryptonite Standard D-Lock including 4 Foot Kryptoflex Cable
• £59.99 £59.99 Shimano PEDAL PD-RS500 SPD-SL Road Pedals in Black
• £35.00 £35.00 Bontrager Charger Euro Track Pump in Black
• £24.00 £29.99 Lazer Compact Cycling Helmet in Titanium
• £19.00 £29.99 Bontrager Air Rush Road Pump in Black

Buyer's Guide

Important Links

Our services, about balfe's bikes, customer support, opening times.

Online Returns Policy

FAST SHIPPING

• Urgent Question? WhatsApp us now!
• Click & Collect in 48 hours
• Interest Free Finance

TREK Emonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike in Carbon Blue Smoke and Blue

With Pre-Order , you can purchase the latest items added to our store in advance of them arriving with us.

Your Pre-Order is prioritised (at no additional charge); meaning that as soon as the product arrives with us, we can wrap it straight back up; ready for collection via Click & Collect or despatch to you — it often never even hits the stock room shelves!

With Pre-Launch , the date when we expect to receive the product ourselves is still a little too hazy to be confident in accepting Pre-Orders.

So, instead, you can submit your email address against the item you are interested in and we will email you as soon as stock arrives on the system.

Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates are given on Pre-Order and Pre-Launch products. They are for indication purposes only and can change at any time without notice.

The dates we provide are based on indications given by our suppliers. Whenever we get updated information from our suppliers we will endeavour to update the Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates provided on product pages.

If you are not happy with any items purchased via our website, under Consumer Contracts Regulations you have the right to return any unused products for a refund or exchange within 30 days.

When the customer sends an item back to the company (or, when the company arranges for collecting from the customer), the company will process the returned item then notify the customer via email of the refund. The refund will be issued within 3 - 5 working days of the product being received by us, it may then take an additional 3 - 5 working days for the refund to be paid into the customers account.

For items returned within the cooling off period...

• By law, customers have the right to withdraw from the purchase of an item within 14 working days of the date on which the item is delivered.
• Where you are withdrawing from your purchase within the cooling-off period, and there has been no error on our part, we will refund the cost of the item.
• The company will not refund the cost of delivery or other services provided to the customer in connection with the purchase.
• The cost of delivery back to the company is the responsibility of the customer.
• Where we collect an item from you, we reserve the right to recover the costs of collection from you.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Returned goods should be unused, in a saleable condition and in their original packaging with all labels still attached. Team Cycles is entitled to refuse the return or deduct from a refund as a result of the product not being in the above condition.
• We are only able to exchange like for like products. If you require a different item, you will need to opt for a refund and place a new order. All returns must have a completed returns form.
• We will refund you to your original payment method.
• We make no charge for returns, there is no restocking fee.
• Customised items cannot be returned. *
• Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer unless you have been advised to.
• Team Cycles customers have 30 days from date of delivery to return their orders.
• Once we have received the returned goods we will refund you, by the method you used to pay for your order. This may take 5-7 working days to appear as cleared funds.

*Faulty customised goods (or goods that have been altered in any way) will need to be returned for inspection as customisation may void your warranty and therefore faults may not be covered.

All products ordered from Team Cycles come with a full warranty which covers manufacturing faults and defects in workmanship. If you feel that your purchase has developed a fault, please contact our store for an assessment. To do this you will need proof of purchase.

If taking your product in store is not an option then please email our team on [email protected] . Please include photographs of your product (please keep below 20mb), your web order number (or copy of receipt) so we can immediately start to assess the issue.

PLEASE NOTE:

In some cases, the manufacturer/supplier may require to see the item(s) before repair or replacement can take place. If this is the case, we will inform you and arrange how to do this. All used items being returned to us must be cleaned for hygiene purposes.

On receipt of your goods we will carry out a full inspection and contact you within three working days of receipt.

Team Cycles (North East) Limited acts as a broker and not the lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC T/A V12 Retail Finance. Team Cycles (North East) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Registration Number 623982. Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank T/A V12 Retail Finance are regulated by the FCA. Subject to age, status and affordability, minimum spend applies.

Season:2024

Code:325602021CBNBLUSMKBLU

It's right for you if...

You want the performance of a light, fast carbon bike at a great value. You're a new racer or dedicated road rider looking to upgrade from an aluminium bike, and you want dependable parts, confident stopping power and the weight savings and ride quality of an aerodynamic OCLV Carbon frame.

The tech you get

A lightweight and aerodynamic 500 Series OCLV Carbon frameand fork, a full Shimano 105 11-speed drivetrain,powerful flat-mount Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, internal cable routing for clean looks andBontragerParadigm Comp tubeless-ready wheels.

The final word

This light and aerodynamic bike is flat-out fast up climbs and on straightaways. It delivers all the stopping power and control you'll need for big descents. The hydraulic disc brake upgrade and reliable drivetrain make it a great choice for your first carbon road bike.

Frame Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon, Ride Tuned performance tube optimisation, tapered head tube, internal routing, DuoTrap S-compatible, flat-mount disc, 142x12 mm thru axle

Fork Émonda SL full carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, flat-mount disc, 12x100 mm thru axle

Frame fit H1.5 Race

Hub front Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, 100x12 mm thru axle

Skewer front Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever

Hub rear Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12 mm thru axle

Skewer rear Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever

Rim Size: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21 mm width, Presta valve

Size:52 Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21 mm width, Presta valve

Spokes 14 g stainless steel

Tyre Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x28 c

Max tyre size 28c

Shifter Size: 47, 50, 52 Shimano 105 R7025, short-reach lever, 11-speed

Size:54, 56, 58, 60, 62 Shimano 105 R7020, 11-speed

Front derailleur Shimano 105 R7000, braze-on

Rear derailleur Shimano 105 R7000, short cage, 30T max cog

Crank Size: 47 Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 165 mm length

Size:50, 52 Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 170 mm length

Size:54, 56, 58 Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 172.5 mm length

Size:60, 62 Shimano 105 R7000, 50/34 (compact), 175 mm length

Bottom bracket Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing

Cassette Shimano 105 R7000, 11-30, 11 speed

Chain Shimano 105 HG601, 11-speed

Max. chainring size 1x: 50T, 2x: 53/39T

Saddle Size: 47, 50, 52 Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 155 mm width

Size:54, 56, 58, 60, 62 Bontrager Verse Comp, steel rails, 145 mm width

Seatpost Size: 47, 50, 52, 54 Bontrager alloy seat mast cap, 10 mm offset, short length

Size:56, 58, 60, 62 Bontrager alloy seat mast cap, 10 mm offset, tall length

Handlebar Size: 47, 50 Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 38 cm width

Size:52 Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 40 cm width

Size:54, 56, 58 Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 42 cm width

Size:60, 62 Bontrager Comp VR-C, alloy, 31.8 mm, 100 mm reach, 124 mm drop, 44 cm width

Handlebar tape Bontrager Supertack Perf tape

Stem Size: 50 Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 80 mm length

Size:52, 54 Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 90 mm length

Size:56 Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 100 mm length

Size:58, 60, 62 Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, Blendr-compatible, 7-degree, 110 mm length

Brake Shimano 105 hydraulic disc

Brake rotor Shimano SM-RT70, CenterLock, 160 mm

Weight 56 - 8.87 kg / 19.56 lbs

Weight limit This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 125 kg (275 lb).

Ask a question

• Question asked by Andtew on 07/03/2021 13:26:02 Hi Andrew, Yes we do. Please select this option on check out Thank you Team cycles LTD

You may also like...

• £6699.00 £8300.00 TREK Emonda SLR 7 Road Bike in Dark Prismatic and Black
• £5499.00 £8000.00 TREK Emonda SLR 7 AXS Road Bike in Navy Carbon Smoke and Blue
• £4900.00 £5550.00 TREK Emonda SL 7 Road Bike in Trek White and Quicksilver
• £4900.00 £5580.00 TREK Emonda SL 7 Road Bike in Mulsanne Blue and Trek Black
• £2099.00 £2700.00 TREK Emonda SL 5 Disc Road Bike Quicksilver and Brushed Chrome

Finance your purchase

Consumer credit services are only available to over 18s and subject to status.

Credit is provided by V12 Retail Finance Ltd, a trading name of Secure Trust Bank Plc. which is registered in England and Wales: 541132. Registered Office: Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH. Secure Trust Bank Plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority with registration number 204550. For more information please visit www.v12retailfinance.com .

If you are intending to use finance as your payment option, please note we will only ship your order to your billing address, and not to an alternative delivery address.

This is for estimation purposes only. Actual finance application is completed during checkout.

Important Links

Useful links, customer support, opening times.

Trek Emonda SL6 Pro review

Trek's latest GC/climbing bike has undergone an aero transformation, but has it helped?

• Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The radical changes brought about in this new Emonda frame are somewhat hampered within the SL range owing to the heavier nature of the frame and subsequent ride quality of the 500 Series OCLV carbon. It is a solid all-round performer and there's no getting away from the fact the ride quality provides a good balance of efficiency and ride comfort. It's just if you were looking for an improvement on the ride of the previous model you'll need to hold off and get one of the higher level SLR models to truly see improvements.

Efficient power transfer

Excellent handling prowess

Compliant ride

New SL frame has lost some of the excitement of the existing Émonda

Heavy for a 'climbing' bike

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Trek recently released a brand new re-imagining of the Emonda, the brand's lightweight climbing/GC model platform, featuring a drastically aero-ised chasis. The model family is split into a higher tier SLR and the lower SL range that this SL6 Pro sits in, the critical difference is in the carbon layup and the enhanced integration sported by the SLR range.

The frame on the Emonda SL6 Pro is constructed of Trek's own 500 Series OCLV carbon fibre. This carbon layup might be heavier than the newly showcased ultra light 800 Series OCLV of the top level SLR Émonda's but is considerably more economical to produce, helping keep the SL range prices in a much more affordable tier.

>>> The Trek Madone gets an update, but you won't spot it

The new Emonda features a completely new set of tube shapes, most of which have gone down the aero route. But Trek is at pains to keep the comparisons to the Madone aero race bike to a minimum; this isn’t simple a ‘Madone Lite’. Rather than being the same elongated shapes as found on a proper aero race bike, the aero shaping of the Emonda’s tubes is much more subtle and is based around the principle of unsteady aerodynamics.

>>> Best road bikes reviewed

In this case it’s more about how drag is affected through wind gusts and other factors at slower speeds than the usual 45km/h, after all, not even pros climb at these speeds. There are still the characteristic truncated airfoil shapes that we associate with aero frames but the effect is far less dramatic and produces a frame that still has a traditional look.

Trek Madone SLR9 Disc review

Trek hasn’t jumped on the dropped seatstay bandwagon with the new frame either, preferring to stick to a set of widely spaced yet aero shaped, thin seat stays.

The new frame also enjoys a little more integration, bringing it more in-line with the Madone. All models now see the cable routing brought neatly into the frame at the front of the headtube keeping the front end profile as slippery as possible.

The other notable feature of the new frame is a wholesale move to the T47 bottom bracket standard . This style marries the reliability of a threaded shell with the capability of running larger diameter internal bearings and enables Trek to maintain its characteristic wide and efficient bottom bracket stance.

The new Emonda range has also been designed with Trek’s middle-ground H1.5 geometry ensuring a set of numbers that sits it half way between the ultra-aggressive pro H1 and its laid back and relaxed, endurance specific H2 geometry. A tall stack of split spacers under the stem provides plenty of height adjustment for a wide range of rider requirements.

And finally, keeping the Emonda in a pretty rigid user set Trek has bucked another trend and limited tyre clearance to just 28c putting the focus of the bike purely on road going high performance.

The SL6 Pro sits near the top of the SL range and as such has a a pretty decent spec sheet. A mechanical Shimano Ultegra is the least we would expect at the +£3,000 price point and we don't need to point out how reliable and consistent it is in providing smooth shifting and braking.

As with the entire Emonda range the SL6 Pro runs on Bontrager wheels; Aeolus Elite 35 to be precise. These feature a carbon 35mm depth and complement the new 'aero' frame without compromising too much on weight and climbing ability. They feel stiff under power and spin up to speed relatively quickly. There are lighter and faster wheels that would suit the new frame but at this price point the Aeolus Elite is spot on. The tyres are Bontrager as well, in this instance 25mm R2 Hardcase Lite tyres. These are not Bontrager's fastest tyres, more classed as an everyday tyre with plenty of puncture protection.

In a complete whitewash the entirety of the finishing kit is also provided by Bontrager. Unlike the integrated carbon bar/stem of the higher end SLR models, the SL6 Pro is fitted with a standard aluminium handlebar and separate stem, allowing for much simpler cockpit customisation. Despite the more ordinary setup the cable routing is still really neat underneath the stem without needing any additional housing.

The Émonda maintains the 'reversed' seat post, with a larger diameter seatpost mast fitted over the seat tube. This allows for plenty of adjustment plus further lengths are available if needed. The Bontrager Aeolus saddle also stands out for being incredibly comfortable even when sat right on the nose.

I was curious to see if the new Emonda was able to improve on the ride quality of the highly rated existing version and the short answer is yes, well kind of....

The first thing to note is that in this new guise, the lower SL version I have on test feels a little chunky at over 8 kilograms - not something you expect when the bike's raison d'etre is all about low weight and climbing. However a total mass doesn't always equate to an anchor of a ride experience and this is true of the Émonda.

Trek has managed to provide a level of stiffness around the bottom bracket that enables the Émonda to deliver in its promise of rewarding effort. Granted it takes less effort to maintain speeds on flat and rolling terrain, much like the Madone aero bike, and I'm certain it is a 'faster' bike than the last version. But I can't help but feel that this new design has stifled some of the existing model's lively and exciting ride nature - it feels like using adjectives such as solid and dependable is more appropriate, almost like the Domane endurance bike.

Trek's relaxing of the geometry on the Emonda has increased its ability to keep you comfortable and riding hard on a long ride and I had no issue taking on some challenging and long routes around Dorset and South Wales. The tall stack of shaped and split spacers sit the cockpit a little too high for my personal preference but luckily I was able to drop the stem height by using some standard spacers on top of the stem, without needing to cut the steerer. This put a little more weight on the front wheel which enabled me to descend the Émonda with aplomb and happily stuff it into downhill corners at high speed without any of the vague feeling that can come with a front end that is a touch too high.

Climbing is where the Emonda should thrive and it certainly is no slouch on your typical British climb, however it doesn't set the tarmac alight and the near eight kilo weight does neuter the Émonda's ability to counter attack when your riding mates try to accelerate away from you on a climb.

It feels like I'm being a little harsh and critical of the Emonda SL6 Pro, after all in most respects it is a solid all-rounder and I have enjoyed my time riding the bike over the last few months. It's a great looking bike and I expect most riders will be satisfied with the performance, it's just I feel it has a lost a little of the magic the old version had. If you are looking for the sort of engaging ride the Emonda is known for I suspect you would need to save your pennies and opt for one of the lighter SLR options and certainly if it was my money that would be what I would need to do.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Get The Leadout Newsletter

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.

The Dutchman takes his first Giro d’Italia stage victory in his debut Grand Tour

By Joseph Lycett Published 12 May 24

Could the sprinters have one final opportunity before the first rest day?

By Joseph Lycett Last updated 12 May 24

Cyclists are still viewed as a strange breed, even by close friends, observes Dr Hutch, from a towel draped chair after a heroic 20-mile ride

By Michael Hutchinson Published 12 May 24

Useful links

• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia
• Vuelta a España

Buyer's Guides

• Best road bikes
• Best gravel bikes
• Best smart turbo trainers
• Best cycling computers
• Editor's Choice
• Bike Reviews
• Component Reviews
• Clothing Reviews
• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

• Rider Notes

2022 Trek Émonda SL 5 Disc

A carbon frame race bike with upper mid-range components and hydraulic disc brakes.

Manufacturer Price

Émonda SL 5 Disc

In Stock: 54cm

emonda SL 5

In Stock: 52cm

Émonda SL 6 Disc

In Stock: 58cm

Emonda SL6 Pro

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

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.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

185cm – 190cm

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

Nov 2023 · Charlotte Head

Hill climbers push their bikes to the extreme and this Trek Émonda is the perfect example, slimmed down to an

Read Review

Oct 2022 · Warren Rossiter

A climb-friendly bike with aero styling

Snappy handling

Fast to respond through the pedals

Power meter included in a fine package

Faster tyres would enhance its ride further

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

Light and aerodynamic

Easy to service

Proper race bike feel and handling

Apr 2022 · Stu Kerton

The Émonda is a classic all-rounder, fun, fast and stiff, although this model isn't the lightest

Internal cable routing gives a very clean look

A great all-rounder

Good finishing kit

Not exactly light

Aug 2020 · James Bracey

Trek's latest GC/climbing bike has undergone an aero transformation, but has it helped?

Efficient power transfer

Excellent handling prowess

Compliant ride

New SL frame has lost some of the excitement of the existing Émonda

Heavy for a 'climbing' bike

Jul 2020 · Dan Cavallari

OCLV 800 launched with Trek's feathery Émonda, but now the brand's flagship aero bike gets this lighter, stiffer carbon — along with a T47 BB.

Have you seen Bontrager’s new Aeolus carbon wheel lineup? Spanning the gap between budget and race ready, the aerodynamic hoops are the perfect complement to another new Trek product launching today – the all new Émonda. Fans of super light, efficient climbing bikes needn’t worry. The Émonda is still as light as ever, but now […]

Jun 2020 · Benjamin Topf

With Trek's completely revised 2021 Émonda SLR 9 eTap, the American brand's lightest frame goes into the 3rd generation. Have Trek managed to design an aerodynamic climbing specialist that performs just as well on flat terrain? How does it compare to the Madone? Our first ride review includes everything you need to know about the brand new bike!

Light-footedness and speed in every situation

High precision

Race-level stiffness when attacking

Coherent overall concept

Tidy look with excellent attention to detail

Race-level stiffness all the time

Last updated 4 May

• Émonda SL 5 Disc - 2022, 58cm