When you are racing at the highest level you want the best equipment out there. This is why Trek created the Race Shop Limited (RSL) department. Equipping their world class athletes with the best bikes in the business. All products from this stable are field tested by Trek sponsored athletes in collaboration with the lab scientists to produce what they claim to be race winning developments - where those marginal gains matter.
Trek produce these outstanding machines for the public as well. These special editions are not just a team paint job they are the full deal – so aggressive geometry, high end light and stiff carbon, top end components.
The OCLV (Optimum Compaction Low Void) 700 series carbon used on the RSL models is the lightest and strongest available. Meaning Trek can produce frames like the Emonda SLR RSL which weighs just 1.17kg while being able to withstand the abuse of World Tour riders.
The carbon is layered into a series of plies compacted to the ideal fibre-resin ratio. The process starts with cutting carbon fibre from large sheets to a specific shape which is then placed into a mould. A combination of heat and pressure then compresses the sheets of carbon into a carbon lug. This combination of heat and pressure is OCLV’s most essential and closely guarded equation.
This week at Cycle Exchange we have just got this stunning Trek Madone 9 Series RSL, in Project 1 colours this is a true one of a kind bike. Equipped with Shimano’s Dura Ace Di2 and Bontrager Aeolus 3 TLR wheels you can’t get a much better build than this!
We also have a Trek Emonda SLR RSL Disc, in the Trek Segafredo World Tour livery. This is exactly the bike the professionals ride and will get you up and down the mountains in no time!
The full race spec is not suitable for all but some of the technology on these market leading frames trickles down through to other models. For example the ISO speed de-couplers developed to cobble munch in Roubaix, are now a common place feature on many Madone’s and Domane’s.