Emonda ALR 5 vs Emonda SL5

[tdcadillac]

Hello all
If you are using the bike for training (one leisure race a year mainly a sprint triathlon) which bike do you prefer and why?
https://www.cyclesmith.ca/product/trek-emonda-sl-5-305220-1.htm
https://www.sweetpetes.com/product/trek-emonda-alr-5-345300-1.htm

 

[Sharky]

If you included a couple of links to these bikes, it would save us all time searching for them.

Also a little about yourself and what sort of cycling you are planning. I'm not sure that my preferences, a 70yr old, would be of any help.

 

[Mo1959]

Chances of anyone having owned and ridden both are pretty slim. There's usually plenty reviews online of various bikes. Doesn't really matter which of them we prefer as only you know what your abilities and type of riding are. Maybe if you give a bit more information you might get some answers.

 

[vickster]

Go to a Trek dealer and try for yourself

 

[BigMeatball]

Neither. Both crap

 

[vickster]

Neither. Both crap

You may need to elucidate, the OP is across the pond

 

[Grant Fondo]

Hello all
which bike do you prefer and why?

SL5 for me. Not much in it weight wise, but basically same frame as SL7 (which I have ridden and v good), so could take better wheels as future upgrade.

 

[tdcadillac]

If you included a couple of links to these bikes, it would save us all time searching for them.

Also a little about yourself and what sort of cycling you are planning. I'm not sure that my preferences, a 70yr old, would be of any help.

Thanks Sharky I updated the thread

 

[tdcadillac]

Chances of anyone having owned and ridden both are pretty slim. There's usually plenty reviews online of various bikes. Doesn't really matter which of them we prefer as only you know what your abilities and type of riding are. Maybe if you give a bit more information you might get some answers.

Thanks I updated the thread

 

[Grant Fondo]

older model SL5 then, non disc but decent 105 brakes so would still go with this.

 

[Sharky]

Thanks Sharky I updated the thread

Both showing not available on the links.

To me, both are pretty similar. Both rim brakes (which would be my preference), but trend is now for disc brakes.
Will be difficult, but you just need to go and try one.
Getting the right size is key. No matter how long you spend looking at geometry charts, you just need to sit on one.

Best of luck and report back on your sprint triathlon.

 

[tdcadillac]

Both showing not available on the links.

To me, both are pretty similar. Both rim brakes (which would be my preference), but trend is now for disc brakes.
Will be difficult, but you just need to go and try one.
Getting the right size is key. No matter how long you spend looking at geometry charts, you just need to sit on one.

Best of luck and report back on your sprint triathlon.

Thanks Sharky, the ALR5 has disc. I have 2 dealers that stated they have them in stock. however one is only 100km away and they other is 400km. If bought the SL5 I will not be able to try it however the ALR5 is close buy and can try it before buying it. Trek mentioned in their website that 56 is for 6 feet tall not sure if it is enough to rely on the chart and buy online or it is a big investment and I need to try it?

 

[CanucksTraveller]

It's always best to try out such a big investment although of course looking at your circumstances I appreciate it's not as easy for everyone. I'd go the 100km to sit on one I think, ride it if you can, then you know where you stand with Trek's sizing.

I think if you can't try one, then the best you can hope for is to talk to other Trek owners who are your size. That, coupled with the Trek size chart will give you a feel for what size will be right. If I'm honest I've bought my last two bikes without ever getting on one, but I canvassed other riders my size and I knew to err smaller when in doubt as I don't like to feel too stretched out.

 

[tdcadillac]

It's always best to try out such a big investment although of course looking at your circumstances I appreciate it's not as easy for everyone. I'd go the 100km to sit on one I think, ride it if you can, then you know where you stand with Trek's sizing.

I think if you can't try one, then the best you can hope for is to talk to other Trek owners who are your size. That, coupled with the Trek size chart will give you a feel for what size will be right. If I'm honest I've bought my last two bikes without ever getting on one, but I canvassed other riders my size and I knew to err smaller when in doubt as I don't like to feel too stretched out.

great idea. Thank you so much I will do a thread for that.

 

[Sharky]

Thanks Sharky, the ALR5 has disc. I have 2 dealers that stated they have them in stock. however one is only 100km away and they other is 400km. If bought the SL5 I will not be able to try it however the ALR5 is close buy and can try it before buying it. Trek mentioned in their website that 56 is for 6 feet tall not sure if it is enough to rely on the chart and buy online or it is a big investment and I need to try it?

56 should be OK. I am 5'9" and the bike I am riding on the left was a 23" and I have three 56 cm bikes in the garage and are all OK. But I do ride with short cranks, which means the saddle is higher than normal. Always best to go "smaller" if undecided on frame size, as you can always fit longer seat posts and stems.

Good luck