This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.
As the 69th Criterium du Dauphine began in Saint Etienne, the seven-time Grand Tour champion Alberto Contador debuted the latest frameset from Trek, the 2018 Emonda SLR. Although not yet officially launched, Contador's bike features the UCI approved frame code ‘Trek-049-RD’. The UCI received application for the frameset in December and approved it and a disc version of the Emonda SLR.
Trek has not yet commented on the bike.
Contador’s bike is equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace 9150 electronic groupset. The range-topping groupset from Shimano was launched at last year’s Tour de France and WorldTour teams have gradually phased in the components throughout the season. Trek-Segafredo use SRM power meters, which are not made with the 9100 series crankset (SRM stopped making new Shimano-crank-based power meters when the Japanese giant announced it was entering the power-meter market) so the new Emonda is paired with Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 series cranks.
The Trek Emonda is one of the lightest and stiffest race bikes on the market. The 2014 Emonda SLR frame weighed just 690g, as well as featuring large tubing and an integrated seat mast. It is unknown how much this new and unannounced version weighs.
Like its predecessor, the latest model features direct-mount brakes front and rear, and looks to have relatively unchanged key features. The derailleur hanger on rear dropouts however, extends further to the rear and is likely a result of the disc version of the frameset having thru-axles.
BMC’s newly released Teammachine SLR01, launched earlier this week, similarly comes in both a caliper and disc version. On that bike, geometry is identical between rim and disc, so riders can switch without having to adapt. It is possible Trek did the same thing with its Emonda rim and disc bikes.
Notably, unlike all those of the Spaniard’s teammates, Contador’s bike was equipped with 25mm Continental Competition tubular tyres. The team has no specific tyre partner, but usually race on Veloflex or Vittoria tubular tyres.
Contador’s Emonda was complemented with Bontrager finishing kit including the $600 Bontrager XXX Integrated bar/stem and XXX bottle cages, Bontrager Aeolus 3 wheelset and a Bontrager Serano RXL saddle.
Complete specifications
- Frameset: Trek Emonda SLR full carbon E2, Race Shop Limited
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100 direct mount
- Shift/brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9150
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 with SRM power meter, 172.5mm
- Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus 3 tubular
- Tyres: Continental Competition Vectran tubular, 25mm
- Handlebar/stem: Bontrager XXX Integrated (420mm width)
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
- Saddle Bontrager Serano RXL
- Seat post: integrated
- Bottle cages: Bontrager XXX