Sport/Performance
Felt continues to offer excellent performance at every price level. The VR60 is a prime example of how Felt's Variable Road (or VR) series brings high performance to an affordable price point.
The VR60 starts with a lightweight custom-butted FLite aluminum frame and UHC Advanced carbon fiber fork. The frame's shaped and tapered tubes ensure impressive torsional strength while retaining light weight and a smooth road feel, especially on rough and choppy surfaces. The geometry of the VR60 emphasizes a more upright posture for a wider range of rider fits and flexibilities. Up front, the UHC carbon fiber fork soaks up fatiguing vibration while helping to keep the entire chassis light. Details such as internal cable routing, a ControlTaper head tube/steerer tube interface, flat-mount disc brake installation and a top tube "bento box" mount demonstrate how Felt wants your first endurance road bike experience to be a good one. But they didn't stop there...
Shimano's 8-speed Claris conponents are found throughout the VR60's drivetrain, including the adjustable-reach dual-control levers, front derailleur and long-cage rear derailleur. This family of components might be Shimano's most introductory product for road bicycles, but the overall feel and functionality of Claris will set a high standard. An alloy Shimano Claris 50/34T compact crankset and 11-34T cassette brings a wide gearing range to the VR60, making steep ascents less challenging. Tubeless-ready alloy Devox wheels are wrapped with 700x30c Vittoria Zaffiro semi-treaded tires for easy acceleration and confident grip. Cable-operated Tektro disc brakes bring effective stopping power in all conditions, rain or shine. A Devox saddle, alloy Devox seatpost, alloy Devox stem and alloy Devox road handlebar complete this value-packed machine.
When the first-gen Emonda SLR appeared, jaws dropped everywhere. It was light. Like, science-fiction light.
Trek has somehow managed to make a lighter version of the Emonda's SLR frame, but can run disc brakes.
Let that soak in for a second. The disc-brake-ready version of the Emonda SLR frame weighs in at an absurd 665 grams for a 56cm frame (H1 fit). The disc brake fork is also an all-carbon unit, and weighs only 350 grams. That's actually lighter than the previous-gen caliper-brake version. How did the mad scentists at Trek in Waterloo do it?! They started with a revamped version of their in-house 700 Series OCLV carbon fiber material. The qualities of this year's 700 Series OCLV carbon is different due to changes in raw material, layup schedule and resin formulation. With the aid of in-house digital prototyping, the Emonda SLR's frame design also went through refinements from stem to stern. The hourglass-shaped top tube and stouter chainstays are the more obvious clues to the new Emonda SLR's changes, while 12mm thru-axles add torsional anchor points for better power delivery and handling. The tapered head tube and BB90 bottom bracket are still there, but they function better with the improved frame architecture and material "recipe". Aerodynamics didn't enter into the equation; only lightness and ride quality mattered when the Emonda SLR Disc was under development. Internal cable routing keeps the Emonda SLR Disc looking sleek, while an aperture in the left chainstay for a DuoTrap S speed/cadence sensor (sold separately) eliminates the need for clumsy zip-ties. The ride quality was improved with the new 700 Series OCLV, giving the Emonda SLR a smoother feel over rough pavement.
Equipping the Emonda SLR with Shimano's excellent 11-speed Ultegra R8000 components was an easy choice. Known for light weight, precise functionality, and overall durability, Ultegra components just work well for racers and recreational riders alike. The dual-control STI levers require less effort to shift than the previous generation, and still boast an adjustable lever reach for smaller hands. The tucked-in Shadow-style rear derailleur can handle much larger cassettes while shifting better under hard pedaling loads. The front derailleur's toggle-pivot design also requires less effort to operate. An alloy Ultegra 50/34T crankset and 11-32T Ultegra cassette bring a wide gearing range to every challenging ride. Hydraulic disc brakes aren't just for riding in the rain; better lever feedback and improved stopping power makes for safer braking in any conditions, wet or dry.
High performance can be found in the Emonda SLR's rolling stock as well. Bontrager's alloy Paradigm Comp wheels are disc-specific, and are tubeless-ready. They're shod with Bontrager's R3 Hard-Case Lite tires. Bontrager also supplies the saddle, accessory-ready alloy Blendr stem and alloy road handlebar.
The Elite model in a 56cm size features Aeolus Elite 50 carbon fiber wheels instead of alloy Paradigm Comp wheels, hence the slightly higher price.
Some of our in-stock examples will have a more aggressive H1 fit featuring a shorter head tube length, rather than the more upright H2 fit. Please call for details.
The Emonda SLR is one of Trek's flagship machines. Just pick it up, and you'll know...
Using absurdly, stupifyingly light 700 Series OCLV carbon fiber is just a small part of why the Emonda SLR is such an incredible bike. The frame engineers at Trek knew that the right combination of different qualities of carbon fiber can make a bike perform effortlessly. Immense torsional strength is needed to help with power transfer and precise handling. Measurable frame compliance can take the edge off rough pavement and keep the rider fresher for longer, making the difference in a final sprint to the finish line. Several different qualities of carbon fiber are used to produce these seemingly conflicting performance characteristics. When Trek uses their Optimum Compaction, Low Void (or OCLV) manufacturing process, they reduce the need for excess resin in the frame, keeping overall weight low and improving quality control.
They could use garden-variety frame elements seen on bikes around the world, but Trek knew they could make a bike better. A Ride Tuned no-cut seatmast and cap still allows for plenty of saddle adjustment, but the seatmast itself adds an extra dash of smoothness to the ride quality. It also cuts more weight off the Emonda SLR's frame, especially at the top of the bike where it counts more for out-of-the-saddle sprints and uphill efforts. A press-fit BB90 bottom bracket anchors the crankset while still keeping overall weight low. Adding a tapered head tube allowed the engineers to build an oversized down tube that enhances the frame's torsional strength while still keeping weight down. Direct-mount brake caliper installation improves frame strength as well as reducing weight. An aperture in the left chainstay is meant for a Bontrager DuoTrap S speed/cadence sensor, eliminating the need for clumsy zip-ties. Internal cable routing keeps the Emonda SLR looking clean and sleek, too. The more upright H2 fit of this Emonda SLR allows a wider range of riders -and rider flexibilities- to get comfortable.
Shimano's 11-speed Ultegra R8000 components are found throughout this Emonda SLR, including the dual-control levers, derailleurs, 50/34T compact crankset and direct-mount rim brakes. An 11-32T Shimano cassette offers a wide gearing range to help on fearsome inclines. Long life, precise operation and lightning-quick shifting are the hallmarks of Shimano's performance-oriented Ultegra component group. Bontrager's tubeless-ready alloy Paradigm Comp wheelset and 700x28c R3 Hard-Case Lite tires add easy acceleration and a smooth feel. Alloy Bontrager handlebars and accessory-ready stem keep the cockpit light and comfortable.