Spend Your 2020 Savings on Trek's 2021 Carbon Emonda SLR 9 That Costs $12K

What you see in the cover photo is none other than the newest and freshest bike from Trek. But before you think about turning the proverbial page, don’t, because this bike deserves a book of its own. So for the sake of time and arguments, we’re just going to be brushing up lightly on this tasty morsel.

If you paid attention to the title, you already know this ravishing creature is known as the Emonda SLR 9. And if you really paid attention to the title, you also know it’s from world-renowned Trek; yes, the same Trek you’ve seen on TV in "Le Tour de France."

The idea behind the project was to design a bike that is ultralight, aerodynamic, and made of carbon fiber, of course. Why? Simple, that's just what this team does. So let’s take a look at what you’ll be spending $11,999.99 on. What, you thought it was cheap? No, no, no. This is top-shelf stuff, almost unreachable by us commoners.

As with any other bicycle I check out, the frame is the first component that captures my attention. Through extensive attention and development, the Emonda currently uses the newest 800 Series OCLV Carbon. This carbon fiber is 30% stronger than its predecessors while retaining the same level of stiffness. As a result, it allows for a frame that is lighter due to less material being used, but just as strong.

Also, due to new frame tube shapes, this bike is able to help you shave off a full 60 seconds per hour on flats, 18 seconds off 8% grade hills, and 182 grams of drag saved. But this is also due to the cockpit components as well as Bontrager Aeolus RSL comes stock on every Emonda SLR. All that is set on a full carbon fork with internal brake routing and a flat mount disc.

For wheels, we find Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 also made with OCLV Carbon and tubeless-ready. Throw on some new Bontrager R4 320 Handmade Clincher tires, and you’re set for climbing without fearing any loss of traction.

Take a wild guess who’s covering the drivetrain. Yup, if you guessed Shimano, you’d be right. The shifter is a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 set to 11 speeds. Following that lead, the derailleurs are both Dura-Ace, also the cranks. Hmm, even the cassette and chain are from the same lineup. Makes sense to keep all components within the same family if you want to see what’s truly possible. Even the brakes are Dura-Ace hydraulics with RT900 160-mm rotors.

All in all, everything up and running, the entire bike rolls in with a grocery-bag weight of 14.82 lbs (6.72 kg). If that's not enough for you to through away your kid’s tuition money, I think Trek’s lifetime warranty is. After all, if your kid flunks college like I did, you would be a bit upset. But if your frame breaks or cracks, just get a new one for free. Free! Well, if not free, at least for the shipping cost.

Now, instead of me wasting more of your time with my life’s history, just click here and see if this mechanical wonder is fit for your beefed-up quads.