The new Trek Emonda ALR: Affordable performance alloy

The 105 disc model in action. Photo: Kramon

The women's disc model on the road. Photo: Kramon

Irredescent purple paint gives the bike an attractive finish. Photo: Kramon

H2 geometry fits in the middle between endurance and ultra-racey. Photo: Kramon

Lightweight aluminum is a reality now. Photo: Kramon

While top-end carbon bikes continue to get lighter, stiffer and more compliant, alloy has come a long way from being the less-desirable budget alternative to carbon. The new Trek Emonda ALR is evidence that major bike manufacturers are putting their weight behind the material in an effort to built lust-worth aluminum bikes. With excellent ride quality and very nice esthetics, the Trek Emonda ALR is intended to be a lightweight alternative to carbon.

Trek have built the frameset of the new Emonda ALR with hydroformed aluminum. The 300 series Alpha Aluminium, as Trek call it, is made by injecting fluid into cylindrical frame tubes and forming precise shapes for the framesets tubing to improve ride quality, reduce weight and give the bike an attractive race-bike look. The frameset is built in both a direct-mount rim brake and a disc brake model.

In the process of making the hydroformed aluminum tubes, which are designed to fit smoothly together, Trek have been able to reduce the amount of weld material required to hold the bike together. This allows the frame to have larger continuous surface areas increasing strength and reducing weight. The geometry of the Emonda ALR is Trek’s H2 fit which is intended to sit in the middle of the spectrum between ultra-racy and endurance. A 56 Emonda ALR rim weighs in a 1112 g and at 1131 g for the disc model.

Photo: Kramon

Photo: Kramon

Photo: Kramon

Photo: Kramon

Photo: Kramon

Trek have introduced a women’s specific version of the Emonda ALR providing a better fit and feel for more riders. Full bikes are available in Shimano Tiagra or 105 builts with the disc brake option using Shimano’s road specific 105 disc brakes. The frames are built with a carbon fork and 25 mm tires. The 105 builds are available in a very eye-catching and attractive iridescent Purple Flip finish. The women’s models come with a women’s specific saddle, a shorter stem and narrower handlebars.

The Trek Emonda ALR is available in five different models and two framesets. The frameset will retail for $1,300 with built up bikes ranging from $1,700 to $2,500