The Émonda is Trek's lightweight range, blending the best of the race-focussed Madone and the comfort-focussed Domane, and the SL 5 is the entry-level carbon model based around a unisex frame geometry with women's specific touch points.
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This model will be part of our Bike of the Year 2018 test fleet, so watch this space for reviews and ride info in due course.
Trek Émonda SL 5 Women's specs
- Weight: 8.43kg
- Frame: Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon
- Fork: Émonda carbon, E2 steerer, direct mount brakes
- Wheels: Bontrager Tubeless Ready Alloy
- Tyres: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 700x 25c
- Crankset: Shimano 105, 50/34 (compact)
- Bottom bracket: BB90
- Shifters: Shimano 105, 11-speed
- Front derailleur: Shimano 105, braze-on
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 105
- Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-28, 11-speed
- Chain: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Shimano 105
- Handlebars: Bontrager Comp VR-S, 31.8 mm
- Tape: Bontrager tape
- Stem: Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, 7-degree, w/computer and light mounts
- Saddle: Bontrager Ajna Comp, chromoly rails
- Seatpost: Bontrager Ride Tuned alloy seatmast cap, 10mm offset
Trek Émonda SL 5 frame material
As the entry-level model, while you're still looking at a frame constructed from Trek's Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon, the lower-priced SL models do weigh in heavier than the premium SLR versions. That said, the 54cm Émonda SL 5 Women's tested here came in at a very respectable 8.43kg.
The women's specific SL 5 comes in five sizes: 47cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm and 56cm, which equates to a rider height range from about 152cm/4ft11.8in to 180cm/5ft10.9in. However, as the frame itself is unisex, taller riders have the option of choosing the unisex model which goes up to a 62cm frame size and a rider height of 196cm/6ft 5.2in and swapping out the saddle.
Incidentally, both the unisex and women's specific version of this bike are priced and specc'd identically, apart from the saddle and handlebars — more on the finishing kit below.
The Ride Tuned seatpost consists of an integrated post with a seatpost topper that's adjustable. This set-up is designed to provide comfort through increased compliance, with saddle height changed by shifting the topper up and down.
Spec and finishing kit
The Émonda SL 5 is completed nose to tail by the ever-reliable Shimano 105 groupset. While it may not be the lightest or fanciest, it is highly durable and the trickle-down effect means that 105 now has much of the slickness of the Ultegra of yesteryear.
As mentioned above, the key difference between the unisex/men's Émonda SL 5 and the women's version is the contact points. The women's specific version features the Ajna saddle with chomoloy rails, plus a Bontrager Comp VR-S handlebar which has a shorter reach and drop than the Race VR-C bars specc'd on the unisex/men's. These are compatible with clip-on aero bars for the time-triallists and triathletes out there.
The wheels are alloy Bontrager numbers with tubeless-ready rims, and come fitted with Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres in 700x25c. Trek states that the bike will fit up to a 28c width tyre should you prefer something a little chunkier.
Trek Émonda SL 5 Women's price and availability
The Émonda SL 5 Women's retails for £1,800 / $1,999.99 / AU$2,499 and is available now internationally.
If you want to get your hands on it Trek sells directly in a number of territories, and it's also available from Evans Cycles and Rutland Cycles.
