Since I was so impressed with my Trek Emonda SL which I chose specifically to be a dedicated rain bike, I eventually had the idea of possibly upgrading it to the Koppenberg. I have lusted after this very unique and extremely rare frame from Trek since Cancellara basically insisted on riding it in the Grand Tours over the Madone. I've followed its development from Day 1. It was going to replace my Emonda SL as a dedicated rain bike, but once I had the frame in my possession, it was clear that this couldn't be relegated to just full fendered wet riding. So, instead of replacing my Emonda SL, the Emonda remains as the dedicated rain bike... fenders, flaps and all. It's an awesome bike. And so much for N as a static number. At this point in my life, no more +1's I'm afraid. But I should never say never. Anyway, if you're interested, here's the build thread for my Emonda SL...
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=131213#p1123110
So, on with the Koppenberg. It was available to the public for only two years... 2015 and 2016, as a frameset only. In 2015 it came in black with pinstripes, not very appealing paintwise to my eyes but I loved the frame design. Then in 2016, it took on the factory paint scheme of Trek Factory Racing in Viper Red, complete with all sponsors logos. It was made for their team pros only, with only enough extras to satisfy the UCI's rule of having it "available" to the public. And only in limited sizes (56 was the smallest size they produced). Mid season 2016 Segafredo came on as a co-title sponsor, but at the point when these frames were produced it was all still Trek Factory Racing. Produced for the public in very limited numbers, it got stuffed deep in the bowels of the Domane section of the website and was not advertised in any way shape or form. If you called Trek, there was a good chance you could get someone who confused the Koppenberg (if they knew of it at all) with the rest of the Domanes. When in fact, I'd say the Koppenberg has more in common with the Emonda than the Domane, but there's enough of both bikes in this one to really make it interesting. I'll get into that in more detail later in this thread I'm sure. But they had to put it somewhere on their website, so in the Domane section of their website it sat. For now I just want to introduce the thread, then go into details as it progresses.
To kick it off I'll include a build list, some fit specs, and a few teaser photos. Many more to follow, of whatever you want to see. It won't be a "how to build a road bike" like my C60 build thread was, but more just talking about this frame, Cancellaras involvement, etc., because without Cancellara, I doubt it would have ever come to be available. It's not aero, it's not light, and those are two things that are really being marketed these days. Oh, and disc brakes. All of which are secondary in my mind to ride quality, durability, and a timeless simplicity of design and function. I would even go out on a limb right now and say the Koppenberg is the best road race bike that Trek has ever produced, past or present. Ha.... Ok, now that I've got that out of the way...
Photo not mine, obviously, can't remember where I snagged it from... but appropriate credits where due...
My actual frame, ready for build...
The Build List:
The Fit Specifications:
I am completely annoyed that these were not made in sizes for the vertically challenged. Can't wait to see the build...
