Nick Bain

Im looking at the SL5, I think it might be the one to get. For ~2700 its got everything I could want, in a solid package. Wide internal BB, seat mast, 105, Internal cables, duo trap, integrated chain catcher, electric shift ready. Now I've only been to one bike shop so the question remains, what else compares? I have yet to check around other shops but I have a feeling its going to be hard to beat.

Smokehouse

Plenty of bikes in that range...Cervelo, Specialized, Giant, Felt, Cannondale...all make bikes that fit that line. There are even more, but I listed the"common" makers that you can darn find anywhere...

Nick Bain

Thank you for replying you have been very helpfull.

dtrain

If you like it, get one. I suspect it'll be hard to beat. Are there comparable options that might match/challenge? sure. But it'll be tough to beat.

Smokehouse

Personally...I find riding different bikes part of the fun part of cycling. If I had it to do over again (which I will when I go to buy a new bike eventually)...I wish I would have spent more time on different brands. I test rode a Tarmac, loved it and bought it...didn't try any other offerings and now I wish I had (not that I dislike the Tarmac...I love it).

I will say this...when it comes to "race" type bikes...the differences level to level are pretty slim. They're all stiff, light, responsive and pretty punishing to ride. They're a race bike...that's how it is.

I've found the bigger differences are in the road/endurance bikes...like Trek's Domane or Specilaized's Roubaix...they all seem to have very different approaches at what makes a bike more tolerable over long distances.

GlennR

I'll just post my 2¢.

After riding my Trek Madone 4.6 I replaced it with a Trek Emonda SLR. The difference in performance is huge. From a comfort point of view they are about the same.

Even if you eliminate the higher level of components, the compliance of the frame and stiffness is noticeable. And they have a very similar geometry.

I'm not going to say buying the Emonda is a no brainer since everyone's body and expectations is different.

Just look at Peter Sagan, last year he was on a Cannondale with Sram and this year on a Specialized with Di2 and won the Tour of California and the sprint stage.

bt

I heard he was running a special high performance lithium battery.

GlennR

As long as they are not in his body then he's UCI legal.

My point is that a pro rider can switch and can improve over his previous hardware.

GuitarBob

Do you really believe that a different bike explains (mostly) why he won?

GlennR

Not at all..... it's the "engine", not the hardware.

My point was the bike didn't matter. Sorry if i didn't get that across.

Since switching from my Madone 4.6 to the Emonda SLR, i'm 1.5mph faster. Maybe it has to do with me joining a gym and going to spin class 5 times a week. Maybe it has to do with me putting on 1200 miles in 10 weeks...... or maybe it's just the bike.

GuitarBob

Yep, I misinterpreted your comment; sorry about that. And congrats on the improvements!

GlennR

Its not me, must be the bike

As a twist, getting the bike did motivate me to get in shape. I didn't want to be the old slow guy on a expensive bike.

Back to the topic, I know a few that have Tarmacs and love them, so there is no "best" bike. you need to find what works for you. A good fit will make a good bike better, but a bad fit will make a good bike bad.

txags92

I think you may find it hard to beat as well, but I also believe you should go out and try. I rode a bunch of bikes, and narrowed it down to the Tarmac and the Emonda. In the end, the differences between all the bikes were very slight and all of them would have been a big upgrade over the bike I was riding. What it came down to for me was feel. The Emonda was the perfect blend of stiff and responsive, coupled with smooth. It jumps when I want to go, but doesn't buzz me to death or beat me up with every little dimple in the road. The Tarmac was just a touch stiffer and I felt a noticeable difference in how many of the little bumps and twitches made their way up through the bike and into my hands and arms. The Domane and Cervelo S5 just felt slightly mushy and sluggish by comparison. The bottom line is that none of the differences I felt could have been determined from reading about the various bikes or comparing spec lists. I did a bunch of reading and had myself convinced I wanted the Domane. Had I gone out and bought one without trying other bikes, it would have been a mistake. You need to go ride them and form your own opinion. The bike that felt too stiff for me may have been the perfect choice for a rider who loves that extra connection to the road and doesn't mind the buzz. For others, the Emonda is too stiff in it own right and they may feel better on a Roubaix or Domane. I have had my Emonda SL6 since February and I absolutely love it. It was the right choice for me, and I find myself excited all week waiting for the next ride.

GlennR

To make things even harder, there's a big difference between a Emonda S, SL and SLR.

When I first started riding, 4 years ago, I rode a number of aluminum bikes. But when I rode a entry level Robaix, the difference was quite noticeable. I then rode the Madone 4 and decided on it. I feel that if I then got on a top level bike I would not of noticed if it was different. But after 6500 miles on the Madone, stepping up was a noticeable improvement. And after 1200 miles i'm amazed how much nicer it really is.

Taking a 2 mile test ride really doesn't give you enough time. So the bottom line is, you just have to go with your gut feeling.

And if you can decide between 2 bikes, pick the one that looks nicer.

Marcus_Ti

Ewww...seat mast bikes. Uck. Ugly solution in search of a problem...that creates more problems than it aims to solve.

bt

different tire pressures

pdedes

wrong. engineered right, they can provide an additional point of flex seriously adding to comfort.

txags92

Nope...watched the tech pump both of them up to the same pressure right before I went outside to ride them. Rode both the Emonda and the Tarmac at the same shop (they sell Trek and Specialized), so they were literally ridden back to back about 10 minutes apart.

Marcus_Ti

Or you could...you know...ride lower pressure or wider tires or both (and do more more for comfort at the same time), and not sacrifice seatpost height adjustability. But that would save money, and worst of all make sense.

StanSeven

Just about every test ride I've done is 2 hours minimum. I've had dealers tell me to go back out longer. One told be to take the bike home on a three day weekend. That was a dedicated test bike though.

GlennR

That's a shop i'd buy from.

I've taken rides where they put flat pedals on and let you ride around the lot.

Another they put my pedals on and let me take it out... I did 10 miles.

MikeyBoyAz

When I picked up my wife's ride, the LBS sent us home with it and she rode with me for a week. When I stopped by the lbs he asked, "How much longer does she want to keep it before she decides?" It wasn't 'need' or 'when will she get it back to me;' just curious. I think I finally paid for it 10 days after she took it home.

pdedes

i'm going to bet you haven't ridden one. I don't care about seatpost height adjustability, although there is 10-20mm of adjustment available, depending on which of my bikes I'm riding. And I like wide rims, and soft tires. And I like riding on gravel and dirt, and the slight but clearly measurable deflection of my ISP bikes is welcome to me. I'm not sure where the save money bit comes in?

theveterans

Duo Trap ready. You still need to buy a sensor and computer.
I personally like the SL frame from Trek, but for competitive racing on flats, you'll be much better with aero themed frames from Specialized of the same prize. It's just as cost much and just as light as the SL frame, but you get a more aggressive geometry/fit (H1 in Trek's language). Then again, the SL is a lot more comfortable all around. I'd upgrade the wheelset, saddle, stem, and drop bars to RXL level. Then upgrade to a ultegra Di2 and you'll have one of the best climbing bikes around. I'd keep the 50/34 and 11-28 setup for overall climbing ability and speed with the ultegra Di2.

alexvpaq

Important thing to know about the emonda the SLR is the very light and awesome frame
The SL is much heavier Trek Emonda SL Frameset - 52cm - Weights - Weight Weenies