Trek highway bikes defined: Everything it’s essential to know in regards to the model’s highway and gravel ranges

Trek has a broad vary of highway bike choices for highway and all-road efficiency. Add to {that a} time trial and triathlon bike, plus a broad vary of cyclocross and gravel fashions with the electrical Domane+ to finish the vary. Trek’s bikes carry out properly for a variety of riders, partly because of the inclusion of their vibration-dampening IsoSpeed and new IsoFlow expertise to convey consolation to in any other case stiffer carbon bikes. You can usually discover the model in our roundups of one of the best highway bikes, finest gravel bikes, finest ebikes, finest aero bikes and extra.

Its bikes are developed with sponsorship of the Lidl-Trek WorldTour Men’s and Women’s groups, the event U23 UCI workforce, the Baloise-Trek Lions and varied privateers. These groups have gained monuments and grand excursions atop a number of completely different fashions of Trek bikes during the last decade or so in varied guises. Trek additionally provides customized paint choices on sure fashions with its Project One customisation device to make your bike actually distinctive. 

Below you’ll be able to see our full breakdown of the highway choices from Trek bikes, together with its triathlon/TT providing, loads of all-road choices, and even a drop-bar electrical bike. We cowl all of the obtainable spec choices to cater for varied completely different value factors as we run down the vary.

Quick information to Trek’s highway and gravel bike vary

Here is a fast abstract of the Trek highway and gravel bike fashions.

Madone

The Madone has advanced from an all-rounder, to a devoted aero bike, and now again once more to an all-rounder. It’s Trek’s light-weight and aero-focused race machine with sufficient compliance for endurance using because of the IsoFlow tech.

Domane

An intriguing mixture of aero tubing, IsoSpeed suspension system, light-weight racing pedigree, inner storage and 38mm tyre clearance. It suits in someplace between an endurance race bike and a gravel-lite bike.

Emonda

Once Trek’s ultra-lightweight providing, but it surely developed extra aero tube shaping because it change into a light-weight all-rounder race bike. Now discontinued and outmoded by the eighth Gen Madone, however nonetheless older inventory remains to be obtainable, providing a flexible all-round platform.

Emonda AL

Fast, enjoyable and inexpensive is the tagline for this bike. It nonetheless provides low weight and aero tubing for a smaller value than the carbon providing, making it probably the most inexpensive race bike in Trek’s providing.

Domane AL

Designed to supply all-road versatility with out as a lot race focus because the carbon model. Wide clearance for tyres and a number of mounting factors for baggage and storage make it a very good worth highway commuter or endurance bike.

Speed Concept

Both the time trial and triathlon body providing from Trek. Designed for velocity however nonetheless options IsoFlow expertise to make uncomfortable aero positions extra manageable. Aero bottle and storage choices support practicality.

Checkmate

The aero race focussed gravel providing with an all-new Gravel Race geometry with built-in aero handlebars. This is designed for fast-paced gravel, not journey rides.

Checkpoint

With comfy geometry, copious mounting factors, inner storage and 50mm tyre clearance, that is an all-day (and evening) journey bike for any terrain. Available in carbon and alloy frames.

Boone

Featuring IsoSpeed, aero tubing and light-weight carbon, this bike is just like the Domane however with geometry designed for sharper dealing with, the Boone is solely centered on fast-paced CX racing.

Crockett

Made of aluminium and touted as a motorcycle that can be utilized for CX races but additionally commuting and gravel adventures. Currently solely obtainable as a frameset.

Domane+

Available in each aluminium and carbon fashions, the Domane+ takes the compliance and aero tubing of the Domane and provides electrical help. The carbon variant includes a bigger motor and IsoSpeed.

Trek highway bikes

The Gen 8 model of the Madone carried out so properly within the wind tunnel whereas shaving weight down drastically that it unintentionally killed off the Emonda line of light-weight bikes. With a flared one-piece bar and stem combo, aero bottles, and vibration-damping IsoFlow, the bike now hovers on the 7kg mark for the top-spec model in a measurement medium/giant.

In reality, the brand new Madone was designed to be quicker with a rider on the bike, and this confirmed with are Wind Tunnel shootout for aero bikes, with the Madone coming in among the many high performers with a rider onboard. In our testing we discovered it to really feel blisteringly quick with high stage energy switch, whereas that low weight and IsoFlow compliance was very noticeable.

The solely downsides we discovered the place that the aero bottles took a little bit of getting used to, and are costly to interchange in case you drop one. The bike may also change into very costly, particularly with Project One customized paint jobs. However the baseline SLR frameset is now £1000 cheaper than the Gen 7 frameset.

Trek Madone Gen 8 SL7: First trip assessment

Model Range

• Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8 (SRAM Red eTap AXS 2nd Generation)
• Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8 (Shimano Dura Ace Di2)
• Trek Madone SLR 8 AXS Gen 8 (SRAM Red eTap AXS 1st Generation)
• Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 8 (Shimano Ultegra Di2)
• Trek Madone SLR 7 AXS Gen 8 (SRAM Force eTap AXS)
• Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 8 (Shimano Ultegra Di2)
• Trek Madone SL 6 AXS Gen 8 (SRAM Apex eTap AXS)
• Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 8 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Trek Madone SL 5 Gen 8 (Shimano 105 Mechanical)
• Trek Madone SLR Gen 8 Frameset

The Domane has change into a little bit of a jack of all trades bike past the standard quest for aero and light-weight. With 38mm tyre clearance and new simplified IsoSpeed vibration dampening, it represents an aero, fairly light-weight, all-road classics bike with inner storage choices (on all however the RSL mannequin).

The Domane is an endurance highway bike, so options slacker geometry than Trek’s race oriented Madone line. Along with the IsoSpeed and extensive tyre clearance, this bike is ideally suited to the overwhelming majority of riders the place exceptionally lengthy attain and excessive drop aren’t going to be optimum. We additionally appreciated the semi-integrated entrance finish which permits for simpler entrance finish changes.

The consolation nonetheless will not be as plush because it as soon as was, and even with simplified IsoSpeed, the worth has ballooned to £6950 for the entry stage mannequin. This comes with 105 Di2, however remains to be so much. The high spec value has dropped this yr, however £11270 is a excessive value for an endurance bike.

Trek Domane SLR 9 assessment

Model Range

• Domane SLR 9 AXS Gen 4 (SRAM Red eTap AXS 2nd Generation)
• Domane SLR 9 Gen 4 (Shimano Dura Ace Di2)
• Domane SLR 8 AXS Gen 4 (SRAM Red eTap AXS 1st Generation)
• Domane SLR 7 AXS Gen 4 (SRAM Force eTap AXS)
• Domane SLR 7 Gen 4 (Shimano Ultegra Di2) 
• Domane SLR 6 AXS Gen 4 (SRAM Apex eTap AXS)
• Domane SLR 6 Gen 4 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Domane RSL Gen 4 Frame
• Domane SLR Gen 4 Frame

The Trek Emonda was the model’s devoted climbing bike for almost a decade. 

Originally a round-tubed and tremendous light-weight bike designed for going up hills quick. In this, its final iteration, it underwent an aero transformation to supply decreased drag whereas nonetheless being mild. 

Trek has stated that the brand new Gen 8 Madone was initially slated to be the brand new Emonda, however given the aero efficiency was higher than the Generation 7 Madone whereas being lighter than the outgoing Emonda, the convergence of fashions into one Madone was a no brainer.

Two choices are nonetheless obtainable although, with the SLR and SL sharing the identical H1.5 race geometry, however with completely different weights of carbon fibre used to cut back weight within the SLR line. As the mannequin has reached the tip of its life now although, availability is proscribed.

Model vary

• Emonda SLR 7 (Shimano Ultegra Di2)
• Emonda SLR 6 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Emonda SL 7 (Shimano Ultegra Di2)
• Emonda SL 6 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Emonda SL 5 (Shimano 105 mechanical)
• Emonda SLR Frameset

Now in its third era, the Emonda ALR is, as Trek says, its best-value efficiency highway bike. Using Trek’s 300 Series Alpha Aluminium with Invisible Weld expertise to trim weight, with a carbon fibre fork. The bike additionally includes a race geometry that’s extra geared in direction of that basic lengthy and low match. In reality, it’s the identical H1.5 geometry because the Trek Madone aero race bike.

The body now options some aero tube shaping together with inner cable routing, leaning absolutely into that alloy race bike class. The T47 threaded backside bracket has additionally been adopted, eliminating the frequent BB90 creaking that had come to plague plenty of Trek bikes. It additionally comes geared up with the extremely succesful and great-value Shimano 105 mechanical and Di2 groupsets.

With Di2 shifting and an affordable weight for an alloy disc brake bike, the bike represents stable worth. The wheels aren’t the lightest, however they’re a simple improve if you wish to save weight down the road. 

Model vary

• Emonda ALR 6 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Emonda ALR 5 (Shimano 105 Mechanical)
• Emonda ALR Frameset

The fourth era Domane AL drops weight from the earlier era and comes with a bunch of options to make it a flexible all-road and highway bike. It makes use of the model’s 100 Series Alpha Aluminium with a carbon fibre IsoSpeed fork to help in vibration dampening. Add to that tyre clearance of as much as 38mm and you’ve got potential for a really cushioned trip.

The Domane AL makes use of Trek’s endurance geometry giving a extra relaxed and upright place whereas permitting for responsive dealing with for low velocity technical terrain. Other ergonomic options embrace the flared handlebars with 4cm extensive drops to tops. While cable routing is semi-integrated for simpler place changes, however nonetheless awkward headset bearing replacements.

To actually enhance the all-road functionality, the bike additionally options copious mounting factors for panniers, mudguards, and storage. All this does add to the general weight, which at almost 10kg is getting on a bit. But for commuting and journey using on a price range, it’s a very good possibility to think about. However, equally specified alloy highway bikes can be found for these not as fussed in regards to the all-road capabilities.

Model vary

• Domane AL 5 Gen 4 (Shimano 105 Mechanical)
• Domane AL 4 Gen 4 (Shimano Tiagra 10-speed)
• Domane AL 2 Gen 4 (Shimano Claris 8-speed)
• Domane AL 2 Rim brake (Shimano Claris 8-speed)

Trek Speed Concept

The Trek Speed Concept is offered in two variations, the triathlon-focused IsoSpeed geared up model with inner storage, and the all stiffness and aero velocity service provider which is the costlier TT-specific model. Both variations function the identical digital Kamm tail tubing and 800 Series carbon fibre, and include the model’s proprietary bar and extensions.

Price-wise, framesets begin at a whopping £5825, with an entire Ultegra Di2 construct coming in at £8450. Time trial bikes are sometimes very costly, however the Trek takes some beating for entry-level value level. The provided wheels aren’t notably aero-orientated both: at simply 51mm deep, they’re extra akin to on a regular basis highway use.  

The inner storage, hydration choices, and aero bottle with the triathlon body do enhance practicality and are nice for long-distance Time Trials. But the very fact is that this all comes at a really excessive value. Trek claims it’s six minutes quicker than the final mannequin over Ironman distance, and with plenty of promised match adjustability. The worth of that can rely on the customer.

Model vary

• Speed Concept SLR 9 AXS (SRAM Red eTap AXS)
• Speed Concept SLR 9 (Shimano Dura Ace Di2)
• Speed Concept SLR 8 AXS (SRAM Force eTap AXS)
• Speed Concept SLR 7 AXS (SRAM Apex eTap AXS)
• Speed Concept SLR 7 (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Speed Concept SLR Frameset
• Speed Concept TT Frameset
• Speed Concept Rim Frameset

Trek gravel bikes

The Checkmate represents Trek’s transfer into the area of interest however rising gravel racing market the place aero and light-weight have to mix with consolation and practicality. The bike has shed 445g from the top-of-the-line Checkpoint SLR partly because of OCLV 800 Series carbon, Trek’s premium materials.

The IsoSpeed dampener remains to be current for added compliance and luxury, as are mounting factors. However, aero takes over with the identical 3cm flared one-piece bar/stem because the Madone and the identical trip and bike as an entire package deal aero methodology, ‘Full System Foil Technology’ and H1.5 geometry. Even the storage options are aero-orientated, and there are fewer mounts than the now endurance-focused Checkpoint.

Tyre clearance has dropped just a little although, now 45mm most and 38mm tyres are provided as normal, conservative however very a lot race-focused. Also, with solely SLR fashions being obtainable, the beginning value is a whopping £8500 for a full construct. Project One customisation provides to that value even additional. If you’re gravel racing and velocity is your major focus, it is a very appropriate bike. But these wanting extra for journey and practicality over flat-out velocity ought to go for the Checkpoint.

Model vary

• Checkmate SLR 9 AXS (SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR 2nd Generation)
• Checkmate SLR 8 AXS (SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR 1st Generation)
• Checkmate SLR 7 AXS (SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR)
• Checkmate SLR Frameset

The Checkpoint is now in its third era, and with the introduction of the Checkmate, gone are the extra aero-focused tube shapes and the newest Checkpoint will get an endurance focus as an alternative. A brand new geometry has been adopted to provide a extra comfy place for all-day gravel using, and new tube shaping has made room for bigger bottles to be mounted together with a body bag in the principle triangle.

Price can also be a consideration with Trek’s 500 collection carbon getting used to maintain prices down with out impacting stiffness, however including just a little weight. Max tyre clearance has additionally been beefed up from 45mm to 50mm, with an inner storage compartment for instruments and spares. There are additionally new handlebars obtainable with full builds that includes a big 6cm flare for higher management over rougher surfaces.

IsoSpeed and a number of mounting factors additionally enhance the bike’s promised endurance capability. Builds begin with Rival AXS XPLR at £3700, giving modest worth to efficiency and provided elements, and with no SLR model obtainable, the utmost value ceiling has dropped.

Model vary

• Checkpoint SL 7 AXS Gen 3 (SRAM Force eTap AXS D2)
• Checkpoint SL 6 AXS Gen 3 (SRAM Rival eTap AXS)
• Checkpoint SL 5 AXS Gen 3 (SRAM Apex eTap AXS XPLR)
• Checkpoint SL Frameset Gen 3

The Trek Boone is the model’s racing cyclocross body raced the tremendous status victories and World Titles within the arms of Lucinda Brand. The bike options semi-aero tube profiles very similar to the Trek Domane and makes use of a really comparable IsoSpeed vibration dampener across the seat tube becoming a member of space.

Trek have additionally included their semi-integrated cable administration system the identical because the Emonda and Domane which goals to make life a bit simpler than absolutely built-in setups. However, for a CX bike this isn’t notably optimum. For one, race speeds are slower so features are comparatively smaller. For one other, CX bikes are subjected to plenty of mud, filth, and sometimes jet washing, so bearing life spans are sometimes much more restricted. This makes any built-in headset fairly a ache mechanically.

The Boone is presently provided in just one full construct possibility with SRAM Apex mechanical, whereas all different choices are frameset solely. For quick paced CX racing, or taking off on mild gravel adventures with the 38mm tyre clearance.

Model vary

• Boone 5 (SRAM Apex)
• Boone frameset

The Trek Crockett is the model’s alloy-framed cyclocross possibility and has been designed to be fast, nimble, and agile for CX racing. It’s fairly frankly a reasonably no-thrills affair however does what it’s designed to do for a very good value. The IsoSpeed fork ought to present some vibration dampening for improved consolation.

Currently, the Crockett will not be obtainable in any full construct choices, and comes solely as a frameset. External cabling and no inner headset routing do make it straightforward to dwell with from a mechanical viewpoint. However, the shortage of any mounting factors or tyre clearance above 38mm does restrict it to primarily CX use.

Model vary

Trek e-bikes

The Domane+ takes the usual Domane platform designed to be quick however comfy each on roads and off, and provides an electrical motor to the combo. Higher specification fashions use a TQ-HPR50 with 250w motor with 300w peak and 360Wh battery, whereas lower-end fashions use the Fazua Evation 250w motor and 250Wh battery. Given batteries degrade over time, the replaceable batteries assist to enhance the bike’s longevity in addition to resale worth.

The Domane+ additionally boasts 38mm tyre clearance, loads of mounting choices for fenders or storage, plus Trek’s Blendr equipment making it a flexible and succesful bike on the highway or for extra off-road adventuring.

The top-end fashions go for as a lot as £11,750 with Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets. However, the alloy variations are considerably cheaper at £3050 beginning value with Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical however for a weight penalty within the area of 1.5kg.

You can discover the Domane+ as a part of our greatest electrical highway bikes information.

Model vary

• Domane+ SLR 9 (Shimano Dura Ace Di2)
• Domane+ SLR 9 AXS (SRAM Red eTap XPLR AXS 12spd 2nd Generation)
• Domane+ SLR 8 AXS (SRAM Red eTap AXS)
• Domane+ SLR 7 AXS (SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR)
• Domane+ SLR 6 AXS (SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR)
• Domane+ SLR 7 (Shimano Ultegra Di2)
• Domane+ SLR 6 Pro (Shimano 105 Di2)
• Domane+ AL 5 (Shimano 105 12spd Mechanical)
• Domane+ AL 5 (Shimano 105 11spd Mechanical)

Trek defined

Trek highway bike and gravel bike vary defined

With Trek providing such a wide variety of various bikes with completely different efficiency targets, its bikes vary of their geometry and materials use. The model’s bikes cater for probably the most severe racers, journey seekers, time triallists, aspiring amateurs, and gravel speedsters.

Trek’s highway racing vary now makes use of a common H1.5 geometry to permit a extra aero place with out compromising consolation, whereas its all-road ranges function extra upright and relaxed geometries.

The model doesn’t function ladies’s particular fashions, as an alternative choosing a broader measurement vary and extra ending package options to cater for various physique shapes and geometries. The males’s and ladies’s Lidl-Trek groups each trip the identical bikes in any case.

Most of Trek’s bikes are available in a variety of choices to cater for price range. The SLR strains are costlier and have lighter-weight carbon fibre, whereas numbers dictate the extent of spec on provide (the upper the higher). For instance, the SLR 9 shall be a greater specification than the SLR 7. While the SL options heavier carbon, however nearly all the identical efficiency stage for a lower cost.