Mountainbike

  • TFR Downhill
  • TFR Cross Country
  • Baloise-Trek
  • TFR Triathlon
  • Trek Ambassadors
  • Regional teams and athletes

trek speed concept reddit

  • Lidl-Trek Fanclub
  • trekbikes.com

The all-new Speed Concept

trek speed concept reddit

The legendary Speed Concept is now even more aero, more integrated and A LOT faster

When the Speed Concept first launched it set the industry standard for performance. More than a decade later, Trek is releasing the third generation Speed Concept ( see it now! ), and continuing a legacy of pure speed with even more integration and energy-saving comfort than ever before. 

You may have already noticed the Speed Concept being ridden by Trek athletes at some of the biggest cycling and triathlon events in the world. The bike proved its World Championship bona fides when Trek-Segafredo’s Ellen van Dijk rode it into the rainbow jersey .  

Now the new Speed Concept is available to anyone exclusively through Project One , where you can customize paint, fit and parts exactly to your liking. There has never been a bike quite like this.

trek speed concept reddit

Holly Lawrence in action on the new Speed Concept.

trek speed concept reddit

The result of years of engineering research.

Faster than ever

Trek Performance Research spent years mastering computational fluid dynamics using supercomputers to optimize the shape of the new Speed Concept. The result: 16 additional watts of power, saving six minutes over the length of an Ironman course. If you’re obsessed with pure speed, look no further.

trek speed concept reddit

IsoSpeed means riders don't have to sacrifice weight or aerodynamics for comfort.

trek speed concept reddit

Ellen van Dijk on her way to winning a World Championship on the new Speed Concept.

Game-changing IsoSpeed

Of course, “fast” is only one part of performance. Speed Concept’s secret weapon is its IsoSpeed pivot at the top of the seat tube, which creates a more comfortable ride without any sacrifice to weight or aerodynamics. Now you can focus more on your power, and worry less about wearing down with every bump in the road.

trek speed concept reddit

Room for your flat kit.

trek speed concept reddit

Total integration.

Unrivaled versatility and integration

Speed Concept’s wide fit window and simple adjustment system lets riders easily dial in their perfect fit. On the bike, riders can have everything they need within their grasp, thanks to the Speed Concept’s fully integrated storage and fueling systems. 

  • The between-the-arms bottle lets riders hydrate without leaving their aerobars, and can be refilled quickly through a silicone port.
  • An integrated bento box within the top tube can hold enough nutrition for an entire race. Plus it’s dishwasher friendly!
  • The on-frame downtube bottle carries 750 ml of liquid and matches Speed Concept’s airflow.
  • A hidden storage compartment is perfect for carrying a flat kit, and saving your long training ride.

trek speed concept reddit

The latest and greatest version of a legendary bike.

trek speed concept reddit

Fast, fun and proven.

The final word

The new Speed Concept is the fastest bike we’ve ever ever tested — full stop. But the little details — from IsoSpeed, to thoughtful integration — make it truly special. It will help you ride faster and ride farther. More importantly, Speed Concept just might be the most fun you’ve ever had between a set of aerobars.

trek speed concept reddit

Legendary performance

In this story.

trek speed concept reddit

Discover more

trek speed concept reddit

Deep dive into the 2024-25 Baloise Trek Lions with Sven Nys!

trek speed concept reddit

Reece Wilson is back on a World Cup podium, where he belongs

trek speed concept reddit

Mattias Skjelmose wins white jersey as the best young rider at La Vuelta!

trek speed concept reddit

Milan second despite chaotic bunch sprint finish in Hamburg

trek speed concept reddit

  • Ellen van Dijk
  • Holly Lawrence

trek speed concept reddit

New recruits roundup

You’ll see plenty of new smiling faces on Trek bikes with 13 new additions across our two teams

Bike Rebel Without a Cause

Cyclopaat, an alter ego with a twist

Trek Speed Concept Review

Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 AXS eTap

I’ve been riding my Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 for a few months now since it was deliverd in February.

That is, because of the lousy weather and me not wanting it to get dirty on its maiden voyage, I didn’t actually ride on it before early March 😂

But since then, I’ve already taken it out for a spin more often than I ‘promised’ Paula – and myself, sorta – when I got it…

While I first blamed that on me having to fine-tune my Speed Concept, then practise a bit on it before the Tijdrit Almere , I have no other justification for that, other than that it’s so much ‘fun’ to ride it.

Well, not during the much anticipated ITT, as that was over before I was able to drop the hammer on my PR…

And ‘fun’ should not be taken literally, as riding in the time trial position is never much fun and takes getting used to.

So, if you’re new to time trialling or triathlons, don’t expect this fantastic beast to make that any easier.

But, you will probably go faster – apparently, the claimed improvements actually get  better if you’re not world class and cannot ride an ITT at 50 kph.

If you’re on a budget, you might just as well go for the ‘cheaper’ Sram Rival AXS version of the Speed Concept, which basically gives you the same components, other than the group set.

Even that will set you back €9.600, so don’t overestimate cheap – the cheapest Shimano (Ultegra Di2) is roughly €600 less…

If you are a Tri-athlete, Trek’s IsoSpeed system , meaning top and seat tubes are further out to match a triathlete’s more aggressive position, is a huge 30% more compliant, which should leave you less fatigued for the run.

I’ll take their word for it…

Mounting an ITT/triathlon bike for the first time can be daunting, but as I’m already used to that, I didn’t have any problems.

On the contrary: the Speed Concept is a lot less ‘ twitchy’ than the SpeedMax . I only had to make adjustments to fine-tune my position, i.e. pad width, extension length and the (stack)height between base bars and extensions.

If you’re not (yet) used to hydraulic disc brakes, the superior braking power of these will also boost your confidence.

I fitted my bike with Look Keo Blade Ceramic Ti pedals, which are a huge upgrade from the Favero Assioma pedals I had on the SpeedMax.

Not because the Assioma’s are not worth every penny, but if you want as little power loss on every stroke as possible, the Keo’s are far superior.

And looking at my power numbers over the past months, I consistently need to push less power to reach the same speed(s).

Some of the difference can be explained by the numbers from the Assioma’s being different from those I get from the Quarq chain ring PM, but they are equally accurate.

Which means it comes down to the superior aerodynamics of the Speed Concept, and the pedals.

At any rate, this doesn’t mean that I will go a lot faster, though.

In my experience, not backed by science, I need to push 10 to 15 Watts more for a mere 1 kph increase.

As my rides are more influenced by wind speeds than anything else, I should look at the long term average and that confirms I do need to generate less power than before…

One thing I’m always a bit weary about is the saddle, or rather: a saddle change.

However, the Bontrager Hilo saddle is almost comfy so I was very happy I could stick with that.

One upgrade I passed on was for the wheels: the Aeolus RSL 51 set has a lower rim than I was used to, but I will – probably – never go for closed wheels and the 58/82 mm rims on the SpeedMax were not very practical riding with tubes.

Which looks like no issue if you ride tubeless, until you get a flat in the middle of nowhere and need to put a tube in to be able to get home…

I did get the extra between-the-arms bottle on my Speed Concept, as that can be refilled from the (standard) down-tube bottle. However, I replaced both with ‘standard’ bottle cages within a week.

The ‘hidden’ down-tube storage is rather useless if you ever need anything from it fast, like during a race. It fits a tube, CO2 cartridge and multi-tool, but it’s a tight fit and I would prefer something that doesn’t require the removal of other parts to access.

The Bento box for storing gels or bars is not very useful either imho – unless you put your items in as advertised, nothing much fits and I for one, don’t like riding around with gels flapping.

Overall, the Speed Concept is easier to handle and faster than anything I’ve had before. The downside is that it’s also considerably more expensive than anything I’ve had before.

You will need to bring a lot of cash to table to get one, even in the lower range.

If money is not an issue and you can use all the ‘help’ you can get to achieve your triathlon goals, then this is probably one of the best bikes you can get.

And yes, I’m aware that I do not have  any goals, I’m an old man and I (thus) should not be allowed to even consider buying one, but yet here we are…

  • Canyon SpeedMax – First Impressions
  • Trek Speed Concept
  • New Bike Day

2 thoughts on “Trek Speed Concept Review”

Beautiful machine! And great to hear it really does its job.

The power you need to overcome aero drag goes up with the cube of your speed. Your estimate (10 or 15 Watt for just 1 kph more speed) is probably OK, a bit conservative even:

Let’s suppose you need around 250 Watt for 38 kph (source: Zwift Insider ).

And let’s ignore rolling resistance for this back of the envelope calculation.

In that case you would need (39/38)^3 * 250 = 270 Watt for 39 kph. 20 Watt or 8% more. So 1 kph is a big deal …

The link above contains estimates for bigger steps (2.5 kph and 5 kph) and is quite depressing if you want to go a lot faster!

Karel (Almere)

Thanks Karel, it is 😎

One thing is for sure and that is that we will never have the circumstances to test this in our backyard, as there will always be wind.

Comments are closed.

Tour de France Logo

Looking for ways to manage pre-race nerves? Ask Scout, our new AI chat.

Get Your Local Running Newsletter

Plan your week with local routes, events, and weather.

Powered by Outside

Trek Speed Concept SLR 7 Extended Review

Trek’s third generation speed concept tri bike has sleek lines, tons of storage, a low weight, and suspension. yes, suspension..

Chris Foster

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Reddit

Review Rating

19 pounds, 12 ounces.

New perk! Get after it with local recommendations just for you. Discover nearby events, routes out your door, and hidden gems when you >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>sign up for the Local Running Drop .

It’s been a while since Trek released their last version of the well-loved Speed Concept tri/TT bike. By my count, something like eight years since a serious revision—but maybe even more depending on your definition of “serious revision.” We’ve seen hints and glimpses and weird theories about the third generation Speed Concept (based on spy photos, we dubbed it the Speed Cncpt at one point). Visually, the new Speed Concept isn’t jarringly different than the last model, but there’s a lot more to this version than meets the eye.

Trek Speed Concept Gen 3: The Basics

Though we tested the SLR 7 Ultegra 12-speed build of this new Gen 3 Speed Concept, the features on each of the four flavors (SLR 9, 9 eTap, 7eTap, and 7) are similar—save for wheels, drivetrain, and a few other bits like saddles. The frames/forks/bars are the same. According to Trek, the big news about this redesign is the fact that the new version is six minutes or 16 watts at 26mph (roughly Kona-winning pace) faster than the previous version. But there’s way more to it than that.

First, this is Trek’s first Speed Concept with disc brakes—a trend that is unavoidable in today’s high-end road bike market. For years Trek fans were left behind when it came to a tri bike that would take advantage of the super wide rims, greater selection, and the even lower prices that disc-brake wheels brought. Finally, you don’t have to choose Trek or disc.

Next, we’re seeing a big redesign on the Trek’s front end. Notably Trek has ditched the monopost riser that ironically a few competing brands have recently adopted ( Orbea , for instance) and swapped it out for a dual-riser system with a very clean-looking—but also more flexible—fork/stem interface. No more cone/bayonet/brake cowl situation.

trek speed concept reddit

And while we’ll dig into the features in more detail just below, it’s worth noting that while Trek is playing catch-up with some of their features, they’re forging a new path with their IsoSpeed suspension system. While beam bikes can rightfully claim a level of suspension in their designs, IsoSpeed—which Trek has offered for years on other lines—is the first built-in suspension in a traditional double-diamond frame. The idea being that the suspension will lessen vibration from the road into the rider without sacrificing handling or stand-up response. Less vibration means less fatigue, which not only helps on the bike, but sometimes even more so on the run.

trek speed concept reddit

Trek Speed Concept Gen 3: The Features

There’s a lot going on with the new generation of Speed Concepts, so we’re going to break down the features on this bike below—in order from most effective to least—but leave our impressions until the following section.

Our size medium SLR 7 with Ultegra and midrange Bontrager carbon wheels weighed in just under the all-important 20-pound mark. While many triathletes might rightfully say that weight doesn’t matter much on a tri bike, there’s something to be said for how efficient this design is, and if the wind tunnel numbers are right, Trek did a great job of playing by the UCI rules, making things increasingly more aero, making a shockingly responsive ride, and doing it all without excess materials ( Scott Plasma 6 , I’m looking at you…). This is a tight bike with a low weight that comes as a result.

Aerodynamics

Trek claims this cuts 16 minutes off an Ironman time or saves 16 watts at 26mph. While most triathletes aren’t averaging 26mph for 112 miles (in fact, almost none are…), improvements are improvements. I’d love to see this setup against other bikes in this weight class like the new Quintana Roo V-PR , Scott Plasma 6, Orbea Ordu, or everyone’s favorite double-diamond benchmark, the Cervelo P5.

Disc Brakes

While it’s hard to argue that increased stopping power isn’t a good thing, there’s a lot more to the addition of disc brakes than that. Finally Speed Concept owners can use a greater selection of wider, faster, and oftentimes cheaper disc wheels. They also don’t have to deal with insane brake calipers and aero cowlings. In the latest Speed Concept, Trek also said it’s added discs without adding weight (a tough thing to do).

Hydration, Storage

Though Trek still hasn’t cracked the code on fully frame-integrated hydration like Scott or Canyon, their downtube hydration system is sleek and basically useful.

trek speed concept reddit

Their attachable between-the-bars system also looks about par for the course (we weren’t able to try it, however), and the integrated top tube storage actually went above and beyond what you normally see from a built-in bento box. (Removable dividers for organization helped manage the spacious cavity.)

trek speed concept reddit

Finally, we really really liked the built-in tool/flat storage that was tucked neatly beneath the downtube water bottle—in many ways it kind of looked like something Canyon would do.

trek speed concept reddit

Suspension System

Trek’s IsoSpeed suspension system helps reduce vibration heading up from the road into the rider. Trek claims it increases compliance by 30%—which seems like a lot—by using an internal pivot system specifically placed to help with nose-riding triathletes. With reduced vibration, triathletes will have more energy to ride and run (especially if using a disc or deep-dish set of wheels). In practice, results were a bit of a mixed bag—hence this feature’s ranking on the list of features. Read on for our impressions.

Trek Speed Concept Gen 3: The Good

Oddly enough, there’s a lot that’s really exciting on this bike that Trek chose not to highlight for some reason. There’s a lot of talk about the increased aerodynamics (which are great, but hardly perceptible when riding under 26mph not in a wind tunnel) and the suspension system, but not a lot of mention about the way the bike handles, its road feel, its handling, or its weight (which is quite low for tri standards). Trek does highlight excellent storage—which the Speed Concept does very elegantly—and their wide range of easily adjustable fit options across four sizes. Those are highlights worth noting because the new Speed Concept is worthy of praise in those arenas for sure.

trek speed concept reddit

But the most interesting things we found while riding the new Speed Concept are slightly more imperceptible and in many ways rarer than things like storage and fit options. Not since Cervelo’s new P5—a bike that many brands flat-out use as a benchmark to compare their latest bikes to—have we had such a snappy, lively, and intuitive-handling bike. We’ll get to the vibration damping on this bike below, but the Speed Concept has a high level of road feel, accelerates quickly when standing or powering over rollers in the aerobars, and cuts corners very very well. Much like the similarly UCI-legal P5. Because the design is tight and well-thought-out, the Speed Concept feels completely connected to the rider—right out of the box. While it might not hold straight lines like the new V-PR in a screaming downhill aero tuck, it moves aggressively around obstacles and corners without earning the “twitchy” label.

Also much like the P5, the Speed Concept travels very well, as you only need to loosen a few bolts to bring the front end off and pack it up. All compartments and coverings are similarly well-integrated without a bevy of tiny bolts to potentially strip and/or get lost. Here, Trek clearly spent a lot of time in their design iterations to make sure things on the user side were simple, all while giving plenty of features that triathletes expect from a near-$10k bike.

Trek Speed Concept Gen 3: The OK

There are a few little nit-picky things on the Speed Concept that you only typically bring up if the rest of the bike is really really good. So we’ll start there. First, the saddle that comes with the SLR 7 version is shockingly hard and shockingly wide. This might work for some triathletes, but others will likely need an immediate swap.

trek speed concept reddit

Next, while there is a lot of fit flexibility in the four sizes that Trek offers, the seat angle can’t get as steep as some triathletes might want (if so, look to Canyon or Quintana Roo to get really steep). Also, like many (but not all) integrated front ends that are super cool, you can’t change out the aerobar extensions for a different style without changing the whole bar system—the Speed Concept’s  unusual (but easily adjustable) aerobar shape ensures this. Finally, in the nit-picky section, we were surprised that Trek sold this with midrange 51mm carbon wheels on the front and rear. I would hope to either knock $1K off the price and go with basic trainers or add a few bucks and give this rig a proper deep rear/mid-depth front.

trek speed concept reddit

The last thing we were surprised by was how not-smooth the ride was over low- and mid-frequency road vibrations. Given that Trek probably put a lot of time and effort into their IsoSpeed system—which worked like a charm over high-frequency road chatter—the ride was much rougher than I would have thought. That’s not to say the new Speed Concept is a rough-riding bike in the grand scheme of things, but there are at least three other new bikes off the top of my head with a smoother ride at this price range and no suspension system. Of course none of those bikes have the handling and acceleration of the Speed Concept either—so there’s a give and take, of course.

Trek Speed Concept Gen 3: Conclusions

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first got on top of this new Speed Concept. I had always liked the old version in the way that it was predictable but unremarkable. It wasn’t a bike that would get you excited to go out and ride, but it also did it’s job just fine. The third generation of this bike seems to have gotten the “excitement” variable right. This is a fun bike. Sure it’s not as tri-specific as some of the other brands we’ve mentioned here—ones with in-frame hydration and all sorts of other non-UCI-legal goodies—but there’s something to be said for a simple, no-frills design with key features that works very very well.

I think this is (finally) a very big upgrade to the Speed Concept line that might serve as a marker to other brands for a new benchmark. For years, I’ve even used the P5 as something to measure other tri bikes against—particularly when it comes to weight, handling, and acceleration (because of course I don’t have a wind tunnel). This could replace that. I like how easy it is to work on this bike, travel with it, and adjust it. I like the way this bike feels when I ride it, and I know everything on it will stay on it and stay quiet as I add more miles onto its odometer. Not every bike at this price can say that, and with the latest version of the Speed Concept, Trek has made some big, necessary, and exciting improvements that’ll stick for years and years, until the next update.

Popular on Triathlete

trek speed concept reddit

Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more.

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

Trek Speed Concept 7.5 Triathlon Bike: So Good Our Tester Bought It

Premium handling and compliance with triathlon-ready aerodynamics

this image is not available

It was on a sharp left turn in the late stages of an Olympic-distance triathlon that the varied impressions I’d been storing in the back of my mind about the Trek Speed Concept 7.5 coalesced into a single, clear thought: This bike is amazing!

The Left Turn comes more suddenly than you expect it to. It’s midway through a gradual descent whose first half bends lazily, like a child’s drawing of a river on a map. You’re not flying, exactly, but doing at least 25mph if you’re down in the aero bars, as I was. It feels really good, cruising down that stretch, with the arduous climbs and time-trial stretches behind you, and the finish line a few minutes away. And then, as the road’s unhurried curve veers more sharply to the left, your reverie is shattered.

It was a few years ago when I first encountered The Left Turn. I was riding a different tri bike at the time, and I tried to make the turn but quickly recognized it wasn’t going to happen. I had probably reacted a bit late and not quite aggressively enough, but that bike felt stubborn, even unwilling. It was as though I was riding an extremely expensive carbon-fiber mule. Instead of holding my line and arcing to the left with my fellow almost-finished triathletes, I leaked off the right side of the road and into some bushes. It was sheer luck that I didn’t hit a tree. I un-white-knuckled the brakes, gathered myself, dismounted, walked the bike back to the road, and set out again. But I rode the final stretch with my hands hovering over the brake levers and my tail between my legs.

That colored my perceptions of tri bikes for good. I raced on them grudgingly, but doubted their value in sprint-distance tris that weren’t as flat as Kansas. Sure, they were great for going fast in a straight line, but not much else. They were uncomfortable to ride—herky-jerky, and so stiff that you took every speedbump and crack in the road like body blows. And their fit and geometry made getting out of the saddle difficult, rendering them almost as bad at climbing as they were at cornering.

    RELATED: How to Turn Your Road Bike into a Tri or Time Trial Bike

My opinion began to evolve during my first few rides on the Speed Concept 7.5. I wasn’t surprised that it was fast—but it felt especially so. Trek bills the Speed Concept line as the fastest on the planet, with aerodynamically shaped tubes that the company says reduce drag at all crosswind angles. The carbon-fiber frame is 19 pounds—respectable for a sub-$4,000 tri bike—but surprisingly responsive to even subtle cues. The fit was the most comfortable of any tri bike I’d ever ridden. Its base bar is positioned a bit closer to the rider (which I liked), but it’s easy to slide it out to fine-tune the fit. The pads and aerobars are also highly adjustable, offering a range of possible variations. The version I tested came equipped with Ultegra 6800 Series components, which offered clean, crisp shifting up and down the 11-speed drivetrain, whether I was hammering the flats or climbing and descending the Pennsylvania rollers I spend most of my time riding. My one quibble was the feel of the Bontrager brake calipers and levers, which had a little too much give and a disconcerting (to me, anyway) lack of crispness. I prefer brakes that announce themselves with military precision, especially on a bike this fast. But the Speed Concept 7.5 seemed to prefer soft diplomacy.

So my hands instinctively brushed the brake levers this past August when I once again approached The Left Turn in the final descent of that Olympic tri. Yes, this time I knew it was coming, but the Speed Concept 7.5 was so smooth and responsive that I didn’t need the brakes. The bike—which was fast enough on the rest of the course to help me shed four minutes from my prior year’s ride—simply did what I wanted it to do: corner sharply but cleanly, delivering me to an exhilarating finish.

The Speed Concept 7.5 surprised me again a few weeks later during a sprint tri featuring a four-mile-long ascent that climbs almost 1,000 feet. It wasn’t easy—I was still riding a tri bike, after all—but I downshifted all the way and cruised to the top, past other riders serpentining or walking their bikes. A few days later, the Speed Concept 7.5 earned some style points. “That is a beautiful bike,” a diehard roadie said, after seeing it on my roof rack . “Most tri bikes look kinda alien. That almost looks like a road bike.”

And so after test-riding this remarkably versatile tri bike all summer, I paid it the highest compliment of all: I bought it.

preview for HDM All Sections Playlist - Bicycling

Bike Reviews

spot mayhem 140

The Spot Mayhem 140 is Brilliantly Unconventional

cervelo s5

The 13 Best Road Bikes of 2024

a woman riding a road bike

Firefly’s Custom Gravel Bike is Cycling Artwork

a person riding a bicycle

The 14 Best Electric Bikes, Tested by Our Editors

trek checkmate slr 9

Trek Checkpoint & Checkmate Gravel Bikes Reviewed

specialized allez sprint

This Bike Made Me Laugh, Cry, and Puke—Buy It!

crux dsw

The Specialized Crux DSW Is Simple and Brilliant

a person riding a bicycle

Best Hybrid Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

a person riding a bike on a trail in the woods

The 10 Best Mountain Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

giant tcr

Giant TCR Advanced Improves on Its Legacy

trek top fuel v4

Speed, Balance, Refinement: Trek's Gen 4 Top Fuel

trek madone 8

Tested: Trek’s Eighth-Generation Madone

220 Triathlon

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home / Reviews / Trek Speed Concept 7.0 review - Time Trial Triathlon bikes - Bikes

Trek Speed Concept 7.0 review

Designed to be an integrated, aero system – but is it all systems go, or is there a spanner in the works?

Jamie Beach

Trek Speed Concept 7.0 triathlon bike review

The Speed Concept 7.0 may look like a bike but it’s really more of a system – a system to transport air smoothly over its surfaces, while transporting you, your fuel and your spares smoothly to T2.

>>> Best triathlon bikes of 2014

You could say that of any bike, though, as they all fit the definition of system: a selection of parts assembled to form a mechanism that performs a particular task. But very few of them use parts that are as integrated as those on the Trek Speed Concept.

Sure, some bikes have a frame and fork that are built to work together and others might even amalgamate the brakes into the design. But Trek has gone further and incorporated the storage options, brakes, brake booster and even quick releases to help the Speed Concept perform its task.

The headset provides a rock-solid platform for cornering and has a number of storage options on the heads tube

First of all, there’s the frame. It’s constructed from Trek’s 500-Series OCLV carbon fibre made into Kamm-tailed tubes for the main triangle. The flat-backed, ‘truncated-teardrop’ profile not only makes for stiffer tubes than those using the full aerofoil shape, it also means the tubes are just as aerodynamic but less susceptible to the will of crosswinds.

Airflow around the head tube is smoothed out by its Kamm-tailed trailing edge but also by the fork’s prow that sits in front of it to provide even more of a fairing. Built into the top of the fork is a centre-pull brake, while the bottom is shaped so the quick-release lever can sit flush with it.

The rear brake is positioned behind the bottom bracket shell and is covered by Trek’s Speedfin for aero gains

Similar consideration has been paid to the frame and attachments at the rear end. The seat and chainstays meet at a dropout that’s shaped to blend with the quick-release lever on the non-driveside and provide an exit port for the internally-routed rear-mech cable on the other. The rear brake is not only hidden behind the bottom bracket shell, it’s also shrouded by Trek’s Speedfin – a fairing that acts as a brake booster as well as smoothing out the airflow.

Storage options and computer sensors are also integrated into the Speed Concept (although sold separately). A mount for a Duotrap sensor is built into the non-driveside chainstay while mounts on the top tube and behind the seat tube allow you to add aerodynamically optimised tool and fuel carriers. In the 7.0 configuration, the Speed Concept also comes with Bontrager bars, a Vision saddle and a Shimano 105 drivetrain.

Carbon forks complete the aero set-up, although the wheels would be the first thing to upgrade

The wheels supplied are from Bontrager – Trek’s in-house component brand – and they’re fairly standard shallow, alloy training wheels, performing with no issues or thrills on standard training rides. The benefit of the training rims is that they keep the price down in comparison to coming supplied with deep-rim race wheels (especially if you’ve already got your own) but, if you haven’t got a set of race hoops stashed in the garage, these will be the first things you’ll want to upgrade if you’re serious about increasing race-day speed.

A lot to carry

You get a lot of bike with the Speed Concept 7.0. Not just in terms of all the aerodynamic shaping and integration but also in terms of weight. It tips the 220 scales at 9kg, which is exactly the same as the £2.5k Specialized Shiv Elite tested recently , but the Trek feels heavier when you’re riding it than that other major player.

Once it’s going, the Speed Concept is fine but getting it going takes quite a bit of coercion. It’s not one of those bikes that springs into action; rather accelerating it is a noticeable labour. And although the Speed Concept’s weight helps somewhat when you’re cruising on the flat, you can feel gravity taking its toll on the hills – the speed bleeds out of it.

It’s a shame because in other respects the Speed Concept handles well. It’s a rock-solid platform that corners with confidence and has the stiffness needed to let you push all your effort into it knowing that none of it’s getting lost in flex. The only trouble is the weight that makes it so stiff also makes it so difficult to shift.

The integrated brakes are good, especially the boosted back brake. Often integrated brakes can be a little lacking in stopping power, especially on tri/TT bikes, but not in this case. The Speed Concept has plenty of stopping power – and frankly, given the momentum you can build up with the weight it’s carrying, it needs it.

There are no worries on the comfort and adjustability front with plenty of scope for shifting the bars and saddle back and forth, in and out, and up and down to get them in the right places before you ride. And even though stiffness was a priority for the Speed Concept, it’s not been engineered in at the cost of its comfort while you’re riding.

The Speed Concept 7.0 has plenty going for it. But it’s in a very competitive price bracket and its weight is holding it back. Granted it’s not significantly heavier than many of its rivals, but it feels like it is out on the road. And that’s when all it’s carrying is a rider and a 500ml bottle. So you can imagine what it’s like when it’s loaded down with the full complement of storage options, integrated or not.

Verdict: Potentially a great bike but in this guise it’s buried under what feels like a lot of extra weight, 69%

Contact : www.trekbikes.com

Profile image of Jamie Beach

Jamie was 220 Triathlon's digital editor between 2013 and 2015.

Related content

Best running shoes to buy in 2024.

Looking for some new running shoes to help you achieve your goals in 2024? Here are the shoes the 220 Triathlon test team rates highly right now…

Best running shoes to buy in 2024

Best swimming goggles for triathlon, pool and open-water swimming

Make sure you have the best visibility when in the water with a set of tried-and-tested swimming goggles. Here, we review 40 of the best options for triathlon, pool training and open-water swimming

Best swimming goggles for triathlon, pool and open-water swimming

Best swimming wetsuits for open water

Open water swimming wetsuits are designed for longer swims outdoors. But are they worth buying? We put a selection to the test…

Best swimming wetsuits for open water

  • Every issue delivered direct to your door
  • Get six issues for £19.97(saving 64% on the normal price)
  • Thereafter continue to save 60% every 12 months
  • Guarantee you will never miss an issue
  • FREE 220 Triathlon e-newsletter

No thanks, I’m not interested!

  • Speed Concept SLR 6 AXS

We’ll make this a great experience

It’s our mission to provide you with world-class hospitality every time you visit us online or in-store. We’ll always take care of you. It’s the Trek way.

Delivered the way you want

Get your bike delivered to your local shop, directly to your home, or fully assembled and brought to your doorstep. Whatever’s best for you, we’ve got you covered.

30-day Unconditional Guarantee

If for any reason you’re not 100% happy with your online order from trekbikes.com, you can return it in like-new condition within 30 days. No questions asked.

No image available

"An impressively fast and comfortable top-of-the-range triathlon bike"

"Overall, we loved our time on the Speed Concept. The improved comfort, storage features and adjustability alone make it worth the wait over the previous version. Add in the claimed speed benefits, and you have a superbike that’s up there with the very best in 2022."

No image available

"I can’t oversell how much fun this bike is to ride… a quick, tight-handling setup"

More options

IMAGES

  1. Trek Speed Concept (complete build) : r/bicycling

    trek speed concept reddit

  2. Trek Speed Concept : r/Bikeporn

    trek speed concept reddit

  3. NBD: 2014 Trek Speed Concept : r/triathlon

    trek speed concept reddit

  4. NBD! 2016 Trek Speed Concept 7.5 w/ Enve 6.7 Carbon Clinchers : r/triathlon

    trek speed concept reddit

  5. Speed Concept SLR 9

    trek speed concept reddit

  6. Trek Project One Speed Concept : r/Bikeporn

    trek speed concept reddit

VIDEO

  1. Unboxing: Trek Speed Concept SLR9 eTap AXS Project One

  2. Trek Speed Concept DSC 2022

  3. TREK SPEED CONCEPT PROJECT ONE

  4. Project One Trek Speed Concept #cycling #triathlon #tri #triathlete #ironmantri #ironmantriathlon

  5. Trek Speed Concept SLR 7 #VinfastIRONMAN703vietnam #shorts

  6. Trek Speed Concept SLR Project One #cycling#triathlete #ironmantriathlon #ironmantri #triathlon #tri

COMMENTS

  1. How good is 2019 Trek Speed Concept? How much would you pay ...

    This is far too sketchy. A lot of people saying its too cheap, but i got a 2019 speed concept for 3.5k nzd (2.2k usd) and it was in perfectly good condition. This was about 6 months ago. I've been looking for a used TT bike and came across a clean looking 2019 Trek Speed Concept with Dura-ace for $2k.

  2. It's a big day at the bike company! After 7 years, the NEW Trek Speed

    After 7 years, the NEW Trek Speed Concept is finally released! Share Sort by: Best. Open comment sort options . Best ... We have parts available for that generation Speed Concept to move from the standard cockpit to the integrated cockpit through your local Trek retailer! ... (can't include it in a Reddit comment or message). Reply reply More ...

  3. I have doubts about what size Speed Concept frame to buy

    I'd love to hear from Speed Concept owners about their sizing experiences to help me decide which one to ultimately purchase. I'm sharing some measurements from a bike fit on my triathlon bike: Saddle Height: 783mm. Grip Reach: 784mm. Handlebar Reach: 513mm. Arm Pad Reach BB: 397mm. Arm Pad to Grip Reach: 373mm. BB to Grip Reach: 770mm.

  4. Reviewed: The Gen 3 2022 Trek Speed Concept SLR 7

    The latest version of Trek's Speed Concept goes from a monopost aerobar riser to a dual post version. The new Speed Concept also has the fascinating IsoSpeed suspension system that's meant to remove vibrations from the road into the rider—reducing fatigue for the bike and run. Trek has also improved aerodynamics by a claimed 16 minutes ...

  5. The all-new Speed Concept

    The new Speed Concept is the fastest bike we've ever ever tested — full stop. But the little details — from IsoSpeed, to thoughtful integration — make it truly special. It will help you ride faster and ride farther. More importantly, Speed Concept just might be the most fun you've ever had between a set of aerobars. Ellen van Dijk.

  6. Trek Speed Concept Review

    Trek Speed Concept Review. June 3, 2024. I've been riding my Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 for a few months now since it was deliverd in February. That is, because of the lousy weather and me not wanting it to get dirty on its maiden voyage, I didn't actually ride on it before early March 😂. But since then, I've already taken it out for a ...

  7. Trek Speed Concept SLR 7 Extended Review

    Though we tested the SLR 7 Ultegra 12-speed build of this new Gen 3 Speed Concept, the features on each of the four flavors (SLR 9, 9 eTap, 7eTap, and 7) are similar—save for wheels, drivetrain, and a few other bits like saddles. The frames/forks/bars are the same. According to Trek, the big news about this redesign is the fact that the new ...

  8. Speed Concept

    Fastest ever. Speed Concept is a triathlon bike engineered to be fastest in its class. But it's not all aerodynamics and ultra-light carbon. It's also seamlessly designed hydration and fueling systems that boost your energy post-swim, keep you strong as you cycle, and set you up for your best run ever. We put our best into this bike, and ...

  9. Tested: Trek Speed Concept 7.5 Triathlon Bike

    Trek bills the Speed Concept line as the fastest on the planet, with aerodynamically shaped tubes that the company says reduce drag at all crosswind angles. The carbon-fiber frame is 19 pounds ...

  10. 2020 Trek speed concept

    Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Or check it out in the app stores   ... 2020 Trek speed concept - asking for advice . Hey guys - So I've been training with an old bike right now and I really want to get the speed concept.

  11. Speed Concept triathlon and time trial bikes

    The newest generation Speed Concept is insanely aerodynamic. It's 6 minutes faster on an Ironman course than its predecessor and the fastest time trial and triathlon bike we've ever tested in the wind tunnel. Speed Concept has proven its speed time and time again by setting world records and winning gold. See the bikes.

  12. Trek Speed Concept 7.0 review

    A lot to carry. You get a lot of bike with the Speed Concept 7.0. Not just in terms of all the aerodynamic shaping and integration but also in terms of weight. It tips the 220 scales at 9kg, which is exactly the same as the £2.5k Specialized Shiv Elite tested recently, but the Trek feels heavier when you're riding it than that other major ...

  13. Trek Speed Concept

    If you are curious about learning how to bike fit yourself to ride faster, more comfortably, and injury-free in one place, the link below will explain. Check...

  14. Speed Concept SLR 7

    Speed Concept SLR 7. 1 Reviews / Write a Review. $9,699.99. Model 5296072. Retailer prices may vary depending on location and delivery method. The final price will be shown in your cart. Speed Concept SLR 7 is an aerodynamic carbon triathlon bike engineered for incredible speed and seamless integration. Every bit of this bike—from the light ...

  15. Trek Speed Concept.. Opinions? : r/bicycling

    Posted by u/Furthur - 3 votes and 17 comments

  16. 2021 Trek Speed Concept : r/TrekBikes

    View community ranking In the Top 5% of largest communities on Reddit. 2021 Trek Speed Concept . Think I may have found a good deal on a 2021 speed concept and wanted to see if I could get any feedback on this year model. It seems to be in like new condition. There's a pretty big jump in price from 2021 MRSP to the 2022.

  17. Trek Speed Concept 2020

    Up for grabs Trek Speed Concept bike Size M (I'm 6'1 and with a bit of adjustment it fits me just perfect, while normally I ride L or 56cm... Trek Speed Concept 2020 - Bicycles - Saint Petersburg, Florida | Facebook Marketplace

  18. Reddit

    We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us.

  19. Speed Concept SLR 6 AXS

    Speed Concept SLR 6 AXS. $8,999.99. Model 5310370. Retailer prices may vary depending on location and delivery method. The final price will be shown in your cart. Speed Concept SLR 6 AXS is an aerodynamic carbon triathlon bike engineered for incredible speed and seamless integration. Every bit of this bike—from the light aero frame to ride ...

  20. Trek Speed Concept : r/Bikeporn

    Trek Speed Concept. Smells like pee. That gives a bad to filthy animals. Considering you've got it built up in more of a tri configuration (i.e. the non-UCI legal "draft box" bolted onto the back), assuming that it's a tri bike isn't all that wild of a guess. I'm not asserting that they do. Most people that ride Speed Concepts are triathletes ...

  21. "Bad neighborhoods of st pete, what does that really mean ...

    White guy who grew up in predominantly black and predominantly poor city Macon, GA. A bad neighborhood THERE means children walking the streets in full diapers without their parents, people being chopped with AK-47s on occasion, and drugs/prostitutes, dilapidated buildings and homes, broken infrastructure….

  22. Moscow or St Petersburg? : r/AskARussian

    Saint Petersburg is better for "just walking around" as the architecture is more beautiful, Moscow is better for "targeted museum trips" as there are lots of them in the city and around it. Moscow. It has better connection to everything and is closer to the rest of Russia then Saint Petersburg.

  23. Is St. Pete insanely hot all year? : r/StPetersburgFL

    It's the humidity that causes it in combination with the heat. The insanely hot feeling lasts about 9 months a year, the other two months can have cool temperatures, but the humidity falls and that's what leads it to feeling cooler. The question to ask yourself is, would you rather wear clothes or not to stay comfortable.