This one has some history. Steve was the original owner of this Émonda SL6, sold it to a customer, took it back as a trade when they upgraded, and now it’s back on the shop floor. Here’s everything you need to know about the bike — and an unfiltered take on where the Émonda sits compared to what’s come since.
The Story Behind This Bike
Steve’s Original Bike
Steve bought this Émonda SL6 new in spring 2018 and rode it for about a year and a half. A customer came in looking for a road bike, borrowed it, liked it, and bought it on the spot. A couple of years later that same customer came back — the new Émonda platform had dropped, they wanted to upgrade, and offered the old one back as a trade. Steve took it.
At the time Maklin was still a Trek dealer and Steve didn’t have a pure road bike in the rotation. The plan was to ride it occasionally and flip it the next season. That was a few years ago. Now it’s time for it to go — and whoever picks this up is getting a well-maintained bike with real history behind it.
What’s Changed from Stock
This isn’t a stock build anymore. The original aluminum wheels are gone — replaced with Trek Aeolus Pro 5 carbon wheels, which are a meaningful upgrade. The handlebar is the Trek IsoCore carbon bar. The saddle has been swapped from the stock Montrose Elite to a Bontrager Arvada Elite. The crankset was replaced as part of a Shimano recall at some point. Fresh bar tape, fresh brake bleed, and pads replaced if they needed it — it’s been properly gone through before hitting the floor.
The Ride
What Steve Thought of It
The Émonda climbs really well and gets out of the saddle nicely — that’s what it was built for. It’s a sportier ride than something like the Cervélo Caledonia, more of a pure road feel. Steve enjoyed riding it and would have kept it longer if he hadn’t had so many other bikes to choose from.
For context on where it sits — after spending time on a Bianchi Ultra, a Cervélo S5, and the Cervélo R5, the Émonda feels like a different category. The R5 in particular is in another league. But that’s not a knock on this bike — it’s a different price point and a different era, and it’s still a genuinely good road bike that rides well.
On the Next Generation Émonda
Steve never warmed up to the next generation Émonda. The integrated headset setup didn’t feel clean to him. After that, he found himself wishing he’d gone aero instead — and eventually spending time on the S5 and R5 confirmed that direction. The current Madone has effectively blended what the Émonda was supposed to be — it’s more of an all-around performance bike now, not a pure climber.
The Trade-In Angle
On trade-ins: The goal with quality trade-ins like this one is to put well-maintained carbon bikes in the $1,500–$2,000 range for riders who want something serious without paying new prices. A 2018 Émonda SL6 with carbon wheels and a full Ultegra 2×11 drivetrain at that price point is genuinely hard to find elsewhere.
A Word on Ultegra 2×11
Steve’s take is direct: Shimano Ultegra 2×11 is one of the best drivetrains ever made. Compared to a $3,000 bike specced with 2×12 105, he’d take the Ultegra 2×11 every time. Crisper shifting, proven reliability, and nothing to prove. Anyone who says the new 12-speed 105 is just as good hasn’t spent enough time on the old Ultegra.
A proven road platform worth knowing about
The 2018 Émonda SL6 is a capable carbon road bike that climbs well and has a sporty, direct feel. It’s not the newest platform and it doesn’t pretend to be. Compared to where road bikes have gone since — the R5, S5, Caledonia — it’s a different category. But on its own terms it’s a solid bike with a good drivetrain that does what a road bike should do.
Questions About the Émonda or Trade-Ins?
Have questions about this bike or how our trade-in process works? Stop by the shop or reach out.