Trek Emonda SL 5 (2015)

*Worlds lightest production bike in an affordable package

Pros

* Frameset handling and dynamics
* New Shimano 105 11 speed
* Bargain buy for latest tech!

Cons

* not much!

Review

The Trek Emonda burst onto the scene as the world's lightest production bicycle earlier this year. This is not that model but it shares much of the technology that got the top bike down to a claimed 4.65kg! This is the SL frame version which uses a heavier grade (500 series OCLV) carbon, but at around the 1kg mark is certainly no heavy weight.

The geometry sits squarely between the fondo or classics style of the Domane and the racier, twitchier Madone. This is a firmly planted road bike which, despite its low weight, feels stable and controlled on almost any terrain you will encounter.

The SL5 uses a Shimano 105 11 speed groupset - a relative newcomer to the 11 speed gang. Expect performance close to Ultegra, albeit with a little extra weight. 105, with its affordability and smooth reliable shifting, has always been the most cost effective Shimano groupset. The SL5 truly benefits from trickle down technology across the board.

As expected the bike uses Bontrager components everywhere else. These are quality parts without standing out and are perfectly suited to a bike of this level.

The Trek SL5 sits between the higher and lower end models in the Emonda line-up and as such is the perfect bike if you want a top performance machine without a heavy price tag. This bike would suit any enthusiast or semi-serious road cyclist looking for the latest technology, allied to a solid ride that is also more than capable of being raced on the weekend.