Trek H2 vs H1 geometry on the Emonda

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illskittlz
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by illskittlz

Anyone know why the Emonda SL is only available with H2 geometry? To get H1 geometry you must get the SLR frame. Anyone know of any indication from Trek that they'll offer the SL in H1 geometry in the future?

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grover
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by grover

My take is that H1 is generally only for the 'racerboy', who will want the lighter bike or is serious enough to spend the money on an SLR. H2 is much friendlier to the general public fit, as is the SL price tag. I also wonder if the SLR is make in the USA (like was the case with Madone 7 series) which is where they're happier to do smaller runs and offer more variety? Purely a theory, nothing to back that up.

FYI, generally the H2 geo with a -17 stem actually results with a lower handle bar position than the H1 with a -6 stem. I ride a 56cm Emonda SL which has a higher stack and shorter reach than my previous bike (Cannondale CAAD), with a 110x-17 stem my position is lower and longer than the CAAD with 110x-6. Most people won't have a problem getting low enough on an H2, and many more people will appreciate how high they can get their bars without it looking silly or compromising handling.

tinozee
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by tinozee

It's probably based on past sales data. The H2 is so much taller though, 30mm taller in stack for the same length frame. If that is supposed to be a racing frame H2 is way too tall imo! It's even tall for a gran fondo type frame.

njee20
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by njee20

I agree it's a pain it's such a marked difference. Long head tubes look silly, -17 degree stems look silly. I don't want to spend a lot on a bike for it to look stupid!

I suspect it's the case that Trek are doing it to force people's hand, and for that reason I doubt we'll see an H1 SL. As most people will opt for H2 anyway, if you really want H1 then you'll have to go for an SLR. Same reason that the SL isn't in Project One I reckon. If you could get the SL in H1 geo, and with P1 customisation there would be far fewer people plumping for the SLR - the frameset is 2.5x the price, for a 300g saving. That's expensive in anyone's book!

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FIJIGabe
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by FIJIGabe

Trek's lower-end frames, imported, frames have historically come in H2 size, only. When I bought my first Madone 5 in 2010, I had the option of either H1 or H2, since it was a Project 1 frame. However, once the manufacturing of the 5-series went overseas, then they limited production to only the H2 frames. What I've noticed is that the imported frames are only built with one frame shape, whether they're available through Project 1 or not. H1 frames are reserved only special-order US made frames (Madone 7 and Emonda SLR), or the Koppenberg Domane (limited production).

BTW, the Emonda SLR and Madone 7 are both manufactured in the US.

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djconnel
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by djconnel

H2 is same as the Madone. According to my numbers H1 was relaxed a bit on the Emonda, but still quite aggressive.

Image

I agree: -17 deg stems look dumb.

mzz
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by mzz

I agree... I ridden Emonda H2 geometry and compared to my Tarmac SL2 the stem was like 8 cm higher... it's crazy, the whole bike frame was taller and it felt like MTB compared to my Tarmac... I still like the Trek though and want to get one
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russianbear
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by russianbear

Have you looked at the two geometry charts? Or did you think that maybe 8cm sounds so ridiculous that you were not on the same size frame? Or in reality it wasn't 8cm.

H2 is fine for majority of people. My theory is that Trek wants to keep the H1 molds in Wisconsin for logistics reasons and there is just not enough demand for H1 to warrant doing a cheaper version.

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tymon_tm
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by tymon_tm

there might be another reason - growing "demand" for higher HT.

I recently visited an established bike fitter, just for kicks, and the general verdict was - I need to get my bars higher. I even got some funky Madone with like a mile long HT to try it out for a ride and I completely hated it. but many guys who only start riding and have no clue about fit follow fitters' opinions, or the general trend and buy this crap. the result is - you often need to get one size smaller frame and 10mm longer stem to get it right. I was even considering a Trek until I saw their geometries... there are still brands like Canyon or Focus that can get you long and low however :thumbup:
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Calnago
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by Calnago

I got a 60cm Emonda SL H2 that I set up as a dedicated rain bike with full fenders etc. I took it for a test ride with the 105 setup it had on it and it was wonky feeling but I knew from the geometry I could set it up very very close to my 61 Colnago Traditional frames. I did that and the difference in ride from it's stock setup was phenomenal. It was great. My Colnagos are dead smack in between a H1 and H2 fit. At the time I felt the H1 would be too aggressive and it didn't come in the SL version anyway. But now I feel I could get by with the H1 with some spacers under the stem. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. I think in this case the spacers under the stem look might be preferred to the taller headtube aesthetically, but functionally the H2 is perfect as all other dimensions are the same.
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