Upgrading 2021 Emonda Sl5 Disc
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Upgrading 2021 Emonda Sl5 Disc
Just wondering what you guys would do to upgrade the Emonda Sl5 Disc to improve ride quality? Or aesthetic changes? I'm located in the US, are there any good wheel upgrade recommendations that cost less than $600? Or is it not worth it?
Last edited by Alphonsus; 01-06-21 at 09:36 PM.
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Improve ride quality? Lower your tire pressure, that's the only thing you can do. Wheels that are an 'upgrade' for less than $600.00? Good luck w/ that. Aesthetics? That's totally up to you.
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Best thing to do is buy the bike you want with the parts you want on it or buy a frame and build it up yourself. Upgrading a bike aside from touch points (or to match your fitters recommendations) can be a bit silly. You aren't saving yourself money if you already want to swap major components. Probably not a lot of good wheel upgrades for cheap most upgrades are not in the cheap category as they are upgrades.
If you are really desperate for that bike and really need to spend more money on that particular bike and no other will do you could swap tires and of course touch points if needed as those can be cheaper changes. However if the bike is rolling roll it and replace when more needed. Then again I am the type to build the bike from the frame up so upgrades aren't so needed as I build generally what I want rather than what someone else decided would be good for a large swath of people.
On a side note the hydraulic STI levers are good in that manufactures aren't very likely to use cheaper house brand brakes to save a few bucks on their end. You buy 105 it has 105 calipers, kinda nice.
If you are really desperate for that bike and really need to spend more money on that particular bike and no other will do you could swap tires and of course touch points if needed as those can be cheaper changes. However if the bike is rolling roll it and replace when more needed. Then again I am the type to build the bike from the frame up so upgrades aren't so needed as I build generally what I want rather than what someone else decided would be good for a large swath of people.
On a side note the hydraulic STI levers are good in that manufactures aren't very likely to use cheaper house brand brakes to save a few bucks on their end. You buy 105 it has 105 calipers, kinda nice.
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Better tires but I wouldn't bother till the current ones need it since they're still a good quality. Wheels would be easy to get much better, just add a one before your desired price range. For 1500 range you can get better hubs, lighter rims and have a nicer wheelset, but you'll struggle to find a wheelset below the 1200 msrp range that isn't only a marginal improvement. As to esthetics, if its that dark red/burgundy color perhaps some orange to brighten things up. My wife's cross bike is a similar looking color though with more of a neon red/orange decaling. So her bike has gotten orange king hubs, bottle cage, pedals, and housing. I'd like to upgrade her to hydraulic brakes and toss a pair of hope calipers on there but can't find a good price on a set of shifters. Tape I went with red Zipp cx tape. Gives the bike a fun color blend that people notice.
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Why would anyone buy a brand new bike if they're not happy with the components (aside from some obvious personal items like the saddle)?
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Now, they may not be the same, but This Emonda ALR5 review lists its Affinity wheels as in the “2k gram range,” so we’re probably in the ballpark, anyway.
A lighter wheelset is usually considered to improve ride quality because they have a livlier, more responsive feel to accelerations
Take a look at Spinergy’s offerings...
The $600 GX does two things with regard to ride quality: at 1495g it shaves a pound off your bike weight, and at 3mm wider internally than the Affinitys, the added volume could add comfort by allowing you to run lower pressure. Additionally, their PBO fiber spokes are said to damp vibration better than conventional spokes, so you’re improving ride quality through comfort there, too.
Spinergy also have the $600 GX32, which is an aero-section rim 32mm deep. It’s a narrower rim at 18mm internal, but you still shave half a pound in wheelset weight compared to the Bontragers, and get the PBO ride quality improvement.
Between those two, it kind of comes down to what size tire you want to run, but if you’re in the size range for the GX, that ticks all the ride quality improvement boxes you can get from wheels. Check the details on the Spinergy site: https://www.spinergy.com/store/categ...le/type/gravel
There are other wheels which will save you weight in the $600 range, like the Easton EA70 SL Disc and EA70 AX Disc, both in the 1.7kg range and distinguished by rim width, so again, which is best depends on which tire width you want to run. If you want a 30c+ tire, you can snag the AXs here for $510: https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...heelset?sg=500
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Get a professional fit.
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Best thing to do is buy the bike you want with the parts you want on it or buy a frame and build it up yourself. Upgrading a bike aside from touch points (or to match your fitters recommendations) can be a bit silly. You aren't saving yourself money if you already want to swap major components. Probably not a lot of good wheel upgrades for cheap most upgrades are not in the cheap category as they are upgrades.
.
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1. For some reason, Trek doesn't list the 2021 Emonda SL frameset as a standalone option, so there's that.
2. Going up in model trim levels, generally means that the manufacturer changes more than just the one or two things.. So if you have an interest in minimal changes to stock configuration, it does indeed make sense to upgrade parts (and sell the 'old'). Easy example, OP could upgrade his $2600 bike to Di2 for $1200, and sell some of parts removed (105 shifters and such). Total net cost of ~$3600. Buying the bike already with the 'parts you want' (ie. electronic shifting) means buying the SL7 for $5,500 (of course also getting other upgraded bits you weren't looking for).
For the OP, the stock wheelset is about 1750 grams; Yes, you might be able to get a better and lighter wheelset for $600 or less. Other options for 'upgrades' might be instead better tires than the stock R1s, or an ergo/aero handlebar, etc.
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Might as well ask why bike component and wheel makers exist -- do you think these markets exist only for the sake of replacing broken bits?
Not at all necessarily true.
1. For some reason, Trek doesn't list the 2021 Emonda SL frameset as a standalone option, so there's that.
2. Going up in model trim levels, generally means that the manufacturer changes more than just the one or two things.. So if you have an interest in minimal changes to stock configuration, it does indeed make sense to upgrade parts (and sell the 'old'). Easy example, OP could upgrade his $2600 bike to Di2 for $1200, and sell some of parts removed (105 shifters and such). Total net cost of ~$3600. Buying the bike already with the 'parts you want' (ie. electronic shifting) means buying the SL7 for $5,500 (of course also getting other upgraded bits you weren't looking for).
For the OP, the stock wheelset is about 1750 grams; Yes, you might be able to get a better and lighter wheelset for $600 or less. Other options for 'upgrades' might be instead better tires than the stock R1s, or an ergo/aero handlebar, etc.
Not at all necessarily true.
1. For some reason, Trek doesn't list the 2021 Emonda SL frameset as a standalone option, so there's that.
2. Going up in model trim levels, generally means that the manufacturer changes more than just the one or two things.. So if you have an interest in minimal changes to stock configuration, it does indeed make sense to upgrade parts (and sell the 'old'). Easy example, OP could upgrade his $2600 bike to Di2 for $1200, and sell some of parts removed (105 shifters and such). Total net cost of ~$3600. Buying the bike already with the 'parts you want' (ie. electronic shifting) means buying the SL7 for $5,500 (of course also getting other upgraded bits you weren't looking for).
For the OP, the stock wheelset is about 1750 grams; Yes, you might be able to get a better and lighter wheelset for $600 or less. Other options for 'upgrades' might be instead better tires than the stock R1s, or an ergo/aero handlebar, etc.
In your example, I would hardly call it a "minimal change" to swap in an entirely different groupset. And why bother, since you'd then have a bike with a great groupset (Di2) and cheapie wheels.
But that's just me.
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Well, sure, I understand that some people do significant upgrades on new bikes...I'm just saying that I wouldn't do it. I'd rather just buy a better bike up front and be done with it.
In your example, I would hardly call it a "minimal change" to swap in an entirely different groupset. And why bother, since you'd then have a bike with a great groupset (Di2) and cheapie wheels.
But that's just me.
In your example, I would hardly call it a "minimal change" to swap in an entirely different groupset. And why bother, since you'd then have a bike with a great groupset (Di2) and cheapie wheels.
But that's just me.
The point is, there's not necessarily a lot of cost disadvantage to piecemeal bettering one's existing bike (over time if you want), versus buying a pre-configured model. And, you get what you want when you decide you want or need it, vs settling for what the bike manufacturer installs.
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New tires. The stock ones are wire bead 60tpi place holders. Otherwise, seems like a nice bike, congrats!
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The tires on that bike are pigs so like others that have already recommended it, I say change them out to something lighter. I know it won't make the bike look any better or even ride better but have you thought about a bike computer? Something like a Garmin or Wahoo to help record your metrics. I have never met a person who has regretted purchasing one. Saddles are a personal choice, what works for one person may not work for another but the new 3D printed saddles from Fizik look pretty interesting and have good reviews. If you are unhappy with your saddle that would be an upgrade I would look into. Another upgrade could be pedals and shoes. Dura Ace SPD-SL with a light pair of carbon sole shoes would be another option if you don't have those already.
Again won't make you faster but front and rear lights for the shorter days we have right now is another option. For comfort you could look at new bibs, something from Assos and new jersey to match. New cycling gloves might be something else. The list is endless of the things you can buy for your bike and stay within budget. If you were thinking of wheels I wouldn't go that route unless you have more money to spend or you look at used.
Enjoy your bike.
Again won't make you faster but front and rear lights for the shorter days we have right now is another option. For comfort you could look at new bibs, something from Assos and new jersey to match. New cycling gloves might be something else. The list is endless of the things you can buy for your bike and stay within budget. If you were thinking of wheels I wouldn't go that route unless you have more money to spend or you look at used.
Enjoy your bike.
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You seriously can't be that ignorant...it's a $2700.00 bike. Talk about a head scratcher...
$2700 Trek Emonda SL5 Disc
$2700 Trek Emonda SL5 Disc