My road bike is coming up for replacement (Cycle to Work) - currently ride a Cube Peloton SL (Alu, 105 group) and looking to replace it with a Trek Emonda but torn between 2 models!
Trek Emonda S5 - their lowest grade carbon, 105 group £1400
http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road/%C3%A9monda/%C3%A9monda-s-5/p/1440000-2017/
Trek Emonda ALR 6 - their highest grade alu, Ultegra group £1500.
http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road/%C3%A9monda-alr/%C3%A9monda-alr-6/p/1426000-2017/
Has anyone got experience in riding both? I have ridden the ALR 6 which is lovely (and geo suits which means both bikes would fit) but LBS don't have any "S" model on the floor.
Internet rumour has it that their high alu rides better than their low carbon - just wondered if anyone has experience or in the know?
Cheers.
Does it have to be a Trek? They both look ****ing awful. I'd want a nice looking bike if I was spending £1500!
No idea about the S but I had the ALR on hire for a couple of weeks earlier in the year and it was a nice bike to ride.
Check out the GCN channel on YouTube, I think they did a nice alu vs cheap carbon head to head using the Emonda.
I have a yellow SL6 rides like a dream not much help I know if you can go higher its great not sure the black one now looks so good.
Doesn't have to be Trek - any brand that I can get in an LBS with Halfords Bike to Work voucher really!!
Have test rode a Spesh Tarmac and Allez Sprint, Cube Attain and the Trek - the Trek felt best out of the 4!
And just found the GCN video - cheers!
Big fan of good aluminium here.
Don't rate Treks from the few I've ridden. Nor Specialised.
Cannondale or Scott would be my choice.
Good alu for me, no question.
Cannondale or Scott would be my choice.
Well yes, a Cannondale CAAD framed bike would be the first thing I'd be looking at with that budget too.
CAAD12 is meant to be a superb ride...
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-cannondale-caad12-105-49861/
Ridden a CAAD8 and own a CAAD10. I'd recommend them without hesitation. But that's in the time honoured STW tradition of ignoring the original request and saying "Buy what I like". If it helps Andy Schleck tried to convince me to buy an Emonda and said that all models were good but he was in salesman mode not pro-cyclist mode.
Of you need a 52 or 58 emonda S i know where there are one of each for less than £900
I test rode a few brands this summer when replacing my ageing 2003 Madone. Of all the bikes I tried I thought that the Emonda was a cracking ride, reasonably priced too. Quite basic in some respects (no suspension inserts etc) but light and fast. So I got an ex demo SL6 in black, put some nicer wheels on (although stock were fine), and its been ace. I would go carbon but a riding buddy has the alu frame and it won't hold you back, he is bloody fast.
The PF30 bb puts me off the Cannondale SuperSix Evo. Did not like the Specialized's as much. Did not try Scott's. Don't think that you can go wrong with a decent Trek.
I would just get whichever looks nicest to you.
Great thing about road bikes, its hard to make a bad one.
On the Alu vs Carbon thing..I have a £300 Alu (10 yr old probs 1k now) and a £3k Carbon, the carbon is stiffer and probably faster but I prefer riding the Alu.
I think that Trek have always made very comfortable carbon frames. The two I have had certainly have been.