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Trek unveils superlight road frame and bike, the Émonda

Published July 1, 2014

WATERLOO, Wis. (BRAIN) — Trek has unveiled what it claims is the world's lightest production road bike, the Émonda, which weighs 10.25 pounds and will retail for $15,749.99 in its most expensive configuration. 

The top of the line Émonda SLR 10 model has an exotic parts package — including German-made Tune wheels and saddle and a new Bontrager integrated carbon stem/handlebar. Trek even spec'd a Cane Creek AER upper headset assembly mated with an FSA Super Light lower headset bearing and a Tune expander and top cap, for maximum weight savings.

The Émonda frameset will be available in three versions, SLR, SL and S, and in a total of 22 bike models, extending down to the $1,649.99 Émonda S 4 model, with Shimano Tiagra components, weighing in at 19.27 pounds.

The Émonda fills out Trek's road line, joining the Madone, its aero road bike, and the Domane, Trek's endurance-oriented road bike. The Émonda's name is a play on the French verb émonder, meaning "to prune or trim away," the company said. Pruned it is, with the top frame model, the SLR, weighing a claimed 690 grams in 56 centimeter size. The fork weighs 280 grams.

"The idea was: we have the resources to build a complete bike system. Let's use that advantage to look at every aspect of the bicycle and how each component interacts with all the others," said Trek road product manager Ben Coates. "Once we covered the basic bike functions, we focused on every minute detail. Every decision was based on what was the overall lightest option for the system."

The Émonda will be raced in some stages of this month's Tour de France by the Trek Factory Racing team, which was involved in developing the bike.

Besides the bar/stem combo, the SLR 10 features integrated Bontrager brakes with mounts that connect directly to the frame via two bolts to reduce component parts, save up to 35 grams per caliper, and increase braking performance. The new brake has an adjustable leverage ratio, a two-position quick release, and wide tire clearance. 

The Emonda SLR 10.

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