Test rode a Trek Emonda SL8 today...
dstev55
Posts: 742
Well I say test rode...
Booked a test ride at Evans in Nottingham on a Trek Emonda SL8 today. I had previously test ridden a Cannondale Synapse a couple of months back. Anyway I rode in to Nottingham on my usual bike as it was just as easy to do this and they would also take my pedals off my bike to use on the test bike. As they were doing this I asked them to take a bottle cage off and the guy asked how long I was planning on going for. I stated probably an hour and the guy said I can only go for 10-15 mins. I stated my last test ride was an hour and no-one had a problem with it. They didn't seem bothered by this fact and gave me the spiel about not putting miles on the bike. I can understand this but in all honesty I wouldn't have ridden in to Nottingham city centre for a 10-15 minute ride if I had known. I usually go in to this store on my way home from work and apart from one guy this was a different set of staff and the service was generally cold and unfriendly compared to what I usually get in the evening.
Anyway, on to the bike. The fit felt great, although I had to have the seat post up nearly as far as it could go, but the reach was certainly more than my current bike but not too much. It was perfect to be honest, it meant I didn't feel cramped when in the drops and I could also rest my forearms on the hoods much more comfortably. The frame felt stiff however I was amazed at how well it ironed out the bumps. Much more comfortable than my current bike yet stiffness when putting the power down was on another level. However, something still felt a little muted when putting the hammer down. I don't think it was the frame and I'm putting it down to the wheels. I will say this though, although the bike felt much faster than my current bike, it didn't have the same initial responsiveness when accelerating as the Synapse did when I test rode it. I took it into the Park in Nottingham which has a few small climbs and it felt good up the climbs, better out of the saddle than in it I think.
Spec wise, the Dura ace was great, although it felt no better than the Ultegra I tested on the Synapse. I was a bit disappointed with the feel(or rather lack of it) of the upshift on the rear mech, but apparently that's normal for Dura Ace. The brakes however were outstanding. Like already mentioned I think the wheels were really poor, although my limited experience means I find it difficult to know whether it's the wheels or the frame that was muting performance but I'm sure it was the wheels. The handlebars felt nice and the saddle felt Ok but it can hardly be tested in 15 minutes.
Now got a day to decide(and they only begrudgingly gave me that!) whether I want the bike or not although the average service I received today is swaying me against it. I also would prefer to pay monthly for it and Evans only do 12 months interest free which is poor compared to most others.
Any thoughts?
Booked a test ride at Evans in Nottingham on a Trek Emonda SL8 today. I had previously test ridden a Cannondale Synapse a couple of months back. Anyway I rode in to Nottingham on my usual bike as it was just as easy to do this and they would also take my pedals off my bike to use on the test bike. As they were doing this I asked them to take a bottle cage off and the guy asked how long I was planning on going for. I stated probably an hour and the guy said I can only go for 10-15 mins. I stated my last test ride was an hour and no-one had a problem with it. They didn't seem bothered by this fact and gave me the spiel about not putting miles on the bike. I can understand this but in all honesty I wouldn't have ridden in to Nottingham city centre for a 10-15 minute ride if I had known. I usually go in to this store on my way home from work and apart from one guy this was a different set of staff and the service was generally cold and unfriendly compared to what I usually get in the evening.
Anyway, on to the bike. The fit felt great, although I had to have the seat post up nearly as far as it could go, but the reach was certainly more than my current bike but not too much. It was perfect to be honest, it meant I didn't feel cramped when in the drops and I could also rest my forearms on the hoods much more comfortably. The frame felt stiff however I was amazed at how well it ironed out the bumps. Much more comfortable than my current bike yet stiffness when putting the power down was on another level. However, something still felt a little muted when putting the hammer down. I don't think it was the frame and I'm putting it down to the wheels. I will say this though, although the bike felt much faster than my current bike, it didn't have the same initial responsiveness when accelerating as the Synapse did when I test rode it. I took it into the Park in Nottingham which has a few small climbs and it felt good up the climbs, better out of the saddle than in it I think.
Spec wise, the Dura ace was great, although it felt no better than the Ultegra I tested on the Synapse. I was a bit disappointed with the feel(or rather lack of it) of the upshift on the rear mech, but apparently that's normal for Dura Ace. The brakes however were outstanding. Like already mentioned I think the wheels were really poor, although my limited experience means I find it difficult to know whether it's the wheels or the frame that was muting performance but I'm sure it was the wheels. The handlebars felt nice and the saddle felt Ok but it can hardly be tested in 15 minutes.
Now got a day to decide(and they only begrudgingly gave me that!) whether I want the bike or not although the average service I received today is swaying me against it. I also would prefer to pay monthly for it and Evans only do 12 months interest free which is poor compared to most others.
Any thoughts?
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Comments
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Decide by tomorrow or what?!
Plenty of other options, doesn't sound like the sort of service that's planning to look after you.
If you like the Emonda why didn't you try an Evo rather than Synapse?0 -
Decide by tomorrow or what?!
Plenty of other options, doesn't sound like the sort of service that's planning to look after you.
If you like the Emonda why didn't you try an Evo rather than Synapse?
Evo would be too aggressive, it is much more aggressive than an Emonda. Like you say there are plenty more deals about, although it was a 2015 model (hence the timeframe) and the 2016 SL8 is all white and looks a bit rubbish in all honesty. I am looking at a 2015 Scott Solace 10 though as well.0 -
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Why do you have to decide by tomorrow?!
I was wondering the same thing0 -
They'll only hold the bike until tomorrow. That is the last Emonda SL8 2015 that Evans have in the country of the size I need.0
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I'm sure Trek will make some 2016 ones that a bike shop will do you a deal on.They'll only hold the bike until tomorrow. That is the last Emonda SL8 2015 that Evans have in the country of the size I need.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
They'll only hold the bike until tomorrow. That is the last Emonda SL8 2015 that Evans have in the country of the size I need.
Sounds like tactic no 42 in the salesman's training manual. "Create panic in the customer by feeding them some crap about this being a deal that will evaporate unless they act immediately"
I'd investigate by calling another Evans store and enquiring about a 2015 SL8 in your size and see what their response is.0 -
They'll only hold the bike until tomorrow. That is the last Emonda SL8 2015 that Evans have in the country of the size I need.
Sounds like tactic no 42 in the salesman's training manual. "Create panic in the customer by feeding them some crap about this being a deal that will evaporate unless they act immediately"
I'd investigate by calling another Evans store and enquiring about a 2015 SL8 in your size and see what their response is.
That's tactic 43, not 42. 42 is "I've got someone else coming to see it in the morning"...0 -
Guys (and girls) - firstly as previously stated I don't want a 2016 model as it is all white and I don't want an all white bike. Secondly I know they're not lieing about it being the last one as this is what they said when I ordered it as they told me specifically where it was and that it may not come as someone else may buy it as I was ordering it. The size I need was showing as in stock on the website but as soon as they ordered it for me it went out of stock. And to be fair I can't see Evans staff acting like usual salesman. I doubt they get any commission on a bike sale.0
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Quick google search has found another. And cheaper too.
http://www.evocycles.co.uk/m8b0s441p5535/TREK-EMONDA-SL-8-58cm-onlyInsta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
They'll only hold the bike until tomorrow. That is the last Emonda SL8 2015 that Evans have in the country of the size I need.
I'd ask for a big discount as that one's been test ridden.0 -
Quick google search has found another. And cheaper too.
http://www.evocycles.co.uk/m8b0s441p5535/TREK-EMONDA-SL-8-58cm-only
Brilliant, apart from I need a 56... :-)0 -
Quick google search has found another. And cheaper too.
http://www.evocycles.co.uk/m8b0s441p5535/TREK-EMONDA-SL-8-58cm-only
Brilliant, apart from I need a 56... :-)
As Evans only have 58 shown I assumed that was what you needed.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
They will probably be more concerned about making the sale than getting the right fit etc for you, so don't let them pressure you into a rushed decision.0
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They will probably be more concerned about making the sale than getting the right fit etc for you, so don't let them pressure you into a rushed decision.
I won't, don't think I'm going for it anyway, as much as I liked the bike, I didn't love it and I really would have preferred to pay for it over a longer 0% term than 12 months.0 -
Quick google search has found another. And cheaper too.
http://www.evocycles.co.uk/m8b0s441p5535/TREK-EMONDA-SL-8-58cm-only
Brilliant, apart from I need a 56... :-)
As Evans only have 58 shown I assumed that was what you needed.
That's because the OP has the last 56
Come on, keep up.
OP. Evans do 2 years 0% if total sale is over about £2200.
Sounds like the second guy you spoke to was just following a company policy that the first guy went above and beyond.
It's the first guy that has caused you to be disgruntled if you think about it though
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i love the white on white 2016
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Mmmmm white stem.
When are you going to order one?0 -
Why not get a 24 month 0% credit card if you need to borrow to pay? and get a (normally) bigger discount for buying the bike form them outright?
Why not just buy a bike within one's means?0 -
Super six0
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i love the white on white 2016
That's going to look so second hand so fast it's not true. White bikes show every dirt mark, grease mark and scratch, especially on the big flat expanses that you get with carbon bikes.0 -
That's going to look so second hand so fast it's not true. White bikes show every dirt mark, grease mark and scratch, especially on the big flat expanses that you get with carbon bikes.
Not really. Bar tape aside, there's no reason why it should look second hand quickly. You have to white bikes clean but then they are easier to clean properly than dark frames because it's easier to see where you've missed bits. Matt black is infinitely worse for looking second hand quickly - shows the dirt badly and if it gets scratched you can't polish the scratches out.Faster than a tent.......0 -
Why not get a 24 month 0% credit card if you need to borrow to pay? and get a (normally) bigger discount for buying the bike form them outright?
Why not just buy a bike within one's means?
I can afford to but the bike outright today if I wanted however it's a lot easier to sell it to the missus by telling her you've got £100 going out a month rather than £2500 in one go!0 -
Why not get a 24 month 0% credit card if you need to borrow to pay? and get a (normally) bigger discount for buying the bike form them outright?
Why not just buy a bike within one's means?
Not the argument at hand, the poster raised a point about preferring more than 12 months of 0% credit and so a solution was provided besides my or your personal opinion.
Not something I would personally advocate unless you had the sum total in another account working for you and so you were making money rather than being burdened0 -
Why not get a 24 month 0% credit card if you need to borrow to pay? and get a (normally) bigger discount for buying the bike form them outright?
Why not just buy a bike within one's means?
Not the argument at hand, the poster raised a point about preferring more than 12 months of 0% credit and so a solution was provided besides my or your personal opinion.
Not something I would personally advocate unless you had the sum total in another account working for you and so you were making money rather than being burdened
Which is exactly the situation I am in. My house is up for sale so I'd rather have the money I have to help pay for a new house and all the things that go with it. Really don't see the point of all this anti finance nonsense - it's the modern world we live in people!0 -
Why not get a 24 month 0% credit card if you need to borrow to pay? and get a (normally) bigger discount for buying the bike form them outright?
Why not just buy a bike within one's means?
Can you explain how you feel thats not 'within ones means'?
Guessing you paid cash for your house then?
Surely its only outside of your means if you default?
Why would you ride around on a poo bike (the one you have the cash for), or no bike (because you are saving for a nice one) when you can have a nice one immediately?
I don't think financing a decent bike is quite the evil you are making it out to be.0 -
That's going to look so second hand so fast it's not true. White bikes show every dirt mark, grease mark and scratch, especially on the big flat expanses that you get with carbon bikes.
Not really. Bar tape aside, there's no reason why it should look second hand quickly. You have to white bikes clean but then they are easier to clean properly than dark frames because it's easier to see where you've missed bits. Matt black is infinitely worse for looking second hand quickly - shows the dirt badly and if it gets scratched you can't polish the scratches out.
I find the whole concept of thinking of selling a bike before you have bought it weird.
I also find 'contrary' taste weird and annoying.
Plenty of white bikes around, so its not to difficult or expensive (White stuff nobody wants in a sale on CRC) to make them fully white if thats genuinely what you like.
I bet the Trek does not even have white bars. And why no white seat post or wheels?
Bad (sad) job half done!0 -
Why did you need the bottle cage taking off?0
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Why did you need the bottle cage taking off?
To put on the test bike so I could take a drink with me...0
