Cyclist: Trek Recall, Emonda SLR, Speed Concept SLR, includes Bontrager

[Bikebreath]

Handlebars snapping off. Not cool.

Trek recalls every Emonda SLR, Speed Concept SLR road bike in US

On Aug. 25, Trek recalled every existing 2021-22 Emonda SLR, and 2022 Speed Concept SLR bike over concerns that carbon compnents may crack.

bikerumor.com

Affected models reportedly include:

• All model year 2022 Speed Concept SLR bicycles, including Project One and stock bicycles in any colorway
• All model year 2021 and 2022 Emonda SLR bicycles, including Project One and stock bicycles in any colorway
• Aftermarket Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C handlebars/stems

 

[joppaj]

Thank you.

 

[beetles]

Handlebars snapping off. Not cool.

Trek recalls every Emonda SLR, Speed Concept SLR road bike in US

On Aug. 25, Trek recalled every existing 2021-22 Emonda SLR, and 2022 Speed Concept SLR bike over concerns that carbon compnents may crack.

bikerumor.com

Affected models reportedly include:

• All model year 2022 Speed Concept SLR bicycles, including Project One and stock bicycles in any colorway
• All model year 2021 and 2022 Emonda SLR bicycles, including Project One and stock bicycles in any colorway
• Aftermarket Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C handlebars/stems

Steel, alloy, Ti, so many alternatives.

 

[MaxVO2]

Steel, alloy, Ti, so many alternatives.

****True. The number of bikes affected are quite low as production basically shut down from 2020-2021 at least. I have carbon fiber handlebars on several bikes and was always told if they got a big hit from falling or whatever that they should be inspected and any sign of damage to just replace them. The bars on the Concept bike are very expensive but also very aerodynamic and lightweight. Unfortunately, they are also quite fragile and don't deal well with impact at all. Typically the Speed Concept bikes are used in multisports or time trials so falls or damage are quite rare versus other sports like mountain biking where falls are much more common.

Steel bikes are very much a rarity now in the higher end market except for some boutique brands. Almost *everyone* at the higher levels, professionals, etc.. race on carbon bikes now, carbon wheels, carbon cranks, handlebars, seatposts, seats, etc... They are just lighter and can be made remarkably stiff for their weight, and made in shapes that would require very expensive extrusions for aluminum or very complex welding for Titanium, etc.. All of my bikes, except for one, are carbon fiber now. All are remarkably lighter than old school bikes, sometimes weighing a bit more than half as much, give or take. Older higher end steel road bikes back in the day might weigh 21-24 lbs in a mid sized bike, but only 15 lbs for a high end carbon racing bike now that has many more gears, electronic shifting, and are super aerodynamic. Plenty of mid to low end bikes weigh 30 lbs or so, and are steel, sometimes aluminum frames, etc.. Hauling an extra 5 lbs might not seem like much but in bike racing on a hilly course with enough elevation it IS very noticeable and measurable - which is why bike racers mostly look anorexic, yet still super sexy but still approachable...

It sounds like in this case it was a production issue - perhaps not enough or poor quality laminate, or poor quality epoxy or improper "cooking" of it all. Fortunately very rare in higher end components like the Concept and Emonda SLR - which are both really really nice bikes. Thank you for posting the link.