Just In: Trek Emonda ALR 5 Disc

The new Trek Emonda ALR 5 Disc has arrived at road.cc HQ so let's take a quick look before we send it out for review.

We've reviewed the Trek Emonda ALR 6 in the past but the Emonda ALR framesets have been updated for 2019, as announced last summer.  

As you might well know, Trek divides its higher level road bikes into three: the Madone range focuses on aerodynamics, the Domanes are all about comfort and endurance, and the Emondas are designed to be lightweight.

The rim brake version of the Emonda ALR frame weighs a claimed 1,112g (56cm model) while the disc brake version is 1,131g. The complete 58cm Emonda ALR 5 Disc that we have here weighs 9.16kg (20lb 3oz).

The new Emonda ALR frame uses what Trek calls its 300 Series Alpha Aluminum and features a tapered head tube (the upper bearing is 1 1/8in while the lower bearing is 1 1/2in) for front end stiffness, and internal cable routing. The gear cables and the rear brake hose all enter via a single port high up on the down tube. 

Check out your guide to Trek's 2019 road bike range

Trek uses hydroforming to shape the tubes – the process of injecting fluid into a cylindrical frame tube and stretching it to its capacity. This allows complex shapes to be formed in order to tune the ride and keep the weight low. It also gives the frame quite a carbon-esque look, helped by the fact that the welds are for the most part inconspicuous. 

"By creating hydroformed tube shapes that fit together perfectly, Trek engineers were able to dramatically reduce the amount of weld material needed to join the tubes," says Trek. "This process is called Invisible Weld Technology. It allows for larger continuous surface areas on the frame, which increases strength and cuts down on weight."

All of the Emonda ALR bikes are built to Trek's H2 geometry which is a little less low and stretched than its H1.5 setup but still focused on speed.

"It’s the perfect fit for most road riders because it’s not overly aggressive but still puts you in the right position for power," says Trek.

As mentioned, we have the 58cm frame here with a 53.3cm seat tube, 57.3cm effective top tube, 19cm head tube and 73.8° and 73° frame angles. The stack is 596mm and the reach is 391mm (giving a stack/reach of 1.52).

For comparison, Trek's Madone SLR Disc in an H1.5 fit has a stack of 581mm and a reach of 396mm (giving a stack/reach of 1.47).

The Emonda ALR is available with either direct-mount rim brakes or disc brakes. Here's the range:

• Emonda ALR 4 (rim brake), Shimano Tiagra, £1,200
• Emonda ALR 4 Disc, Shimano Tiagra, £1,400
• Emonda ALR 5 (rim brake), Shimano 105, £1,350
• Emonda ALR 5 Disc, Shimano 105, £1,750
• Emonda ALR (rim brake) frameset, £800
• Emonda ALR Disc frameset, £800

All models come with a full-carbon fork, 25mm tyres (there's clearance for 26mm on the rim brake models, 28mm on the disc brake models) and are DuoTrap S-compatible, meaning that there's a port in the non-driveside chainstay to take a wireless speed/cadence sensor. They're all fitted with 50/34-tooth compact chainsets and 11-28-tooth cassettes while the Disc models use flat mount brakes and 12mm thru axles front and rear. 

Aside from the full Shimano 105 11-speed groupset, everything fitted to the Emonda ALR 5 Disc is from the Trek-owned Bontrager brand. 

It's time to get this bike out on the road. Keep an eye out for a review here on road.cc soon.