When Trek delivered the Emonda SLR just before this year’s Tour de France, the industry was abuzz. Do we need a bike this light? Is it safe? All the usual stuff that people still ask about carbon fiber in the peloton.
The truth is, carbon fiber (when done right) is exceptionally strong, and Trek is not about to introduce a half-baked bike to an industry that’s waiting to eat up the next carbon fiber debacle. They tested the Emonda thoroughly and have equipped the top-end SLR with the all-new Bontrager XXX Integrated Bar/Stem.
When it comes to the bar/stem interface, the primary concern is stiffness with a secondary concern being chatter reduction. Going with a carbon stem and bar is (in my opinion) the best way to get the ultimate in stiffness and chatter reduction. The results are fantastic with a stem such as the Ritchey SuperLogic.
An integrated bar/stem should prove to be even stiffer and more compliant at the same time since there’s more surface area to disseminate chatter.
Here are the features of the Bontrager XXX Integrated Bar/Stem:
- Seamless accessory integration with Blendr
- Flat surface front of bar for clean cable routing
- Calibration marks allow precise, accurate and repeatable brake lever position
- Variable radius, compact flare (VR-CF) shape offers wrist clearance in the drops
- 100% OCLV carbon fiber construction
- internal relief channel eliminates need for additional spacer above stem
- Safe for use with carbon and alloy steerer tubes
- Reach: 92mm (rather long)
- Drop: 125mm
- Stem Lengths: 90, 100, 110 and 120mm
- Widths: 40, 42 or 44cm
- Weight: 234 grams (110mm stem / 42mm width)
- MSRP: $599
The total cost of the integrated bar/stem does exceed the cost of most individual bar/stems, but that extra cost results in at lest 120 grams in weight reduction (120 stem with 44cm bars).
While this bar/stem combo is exceptional, it is expensive and I hope you like the effective stem angle, reach and bar position because it’s not gonna change. That said, I’m anxious to ride one as it should provide one sweet ride.