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    FeaturedReferenceSpeed Tests

    All About Zwift’s New Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 TT Bike

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    February 21, 2022
    11

    Zwift’s February update included the 5th frame in game from US-based Trek. Named the “Speed Concept SLR 9”, this is Trek’s first TT frame in Zwift.

    Here’s how it is described in Zwift’s Drop Shop:

    “Speed Concept SLR 9 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-smoothing IsoSpeed to cutting-edge fuel and hydration systems – has been painstakingly designed to help you beat your PR again, and again, and again.”

    The Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 in real life

    This frame is priced at 958,500 Drops, and level-locked at 32. Like all TT bikes currently in game it is rated 4 stars for aero and 1 for weight.

    But Zwift’s star ratings aren’t precise enough to communicate actual performance in game in a useful way, and when it comes to time trials, there’s no excuse for not choosing the absolute fastest rig. So we ran the Speed Concept SLR 9 through our battery of speed tests.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the performance of the new Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 frame in Zwift.

    Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance

    The Speed Concept turns in the 4th-fastest flat test time of any TT bike in Zwift.

    Its test time of 49:45.5 is 30.5 seconds faster than the default Zwift TT frame. By comparison, the current fastest TT frame in Zwift (Canyon Speedmax CF SLX Disc) turns in a time of 49:41 on our test course, which is two laps of Tempus Fugit, totaling 34.6km.

    Climb Performance

    Trek’s Speed Concept SLR9 is described as having a “light aero frame”, but it doesn’t perform like a lightweight bike in our climb test! Its time places it dead last on the list of TT frames in Zwift, with the closest frame 7 seconds ahead.

    The Speed Concept SLR 9 turns in an Alpe climb time of 50:42. The fastest TT climber is the Specialized Shiv S-Works at 50:02.

    Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using Zwift’s stock 32mm carbon wheelset.

    Conclusions

    While it performs well on flat ground, the Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 isn’t as fast as the Canyon Speedmax CF SLX Disc which is available at a lower level and slightly more affordable. Additionally, its climbing performance is startlingly bad, which makes us wonder if perhaps Zwift has misconfigured the frame.

    On the plus side, it has a color slider. But be warned: once you move the slider, you wont be able to find that original red color again.

    The Speed Concept will be added to the following posts, and it can also be found on our Master Zwift Frames List:

    • Speed Tests: Zwift’s Fastest TT Bike Frames
    • Zwift Shopping Guide: What To Buy At Each Level

    Questions or Comments?

    Share below!

    Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike’s performance relative to others may also change. We don’t always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.

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      Eric Schlange
      Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
      Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

      11 COMMENTS

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      Oliver
      Oliver
      5 months ago

      I think someone found a work-around for the red frame issue: https://forums.zwift.com/t/custom-painted-red-frame-isnt-red/319301/140. Not sure if this works for the Trek but it seems to work for most frames.

      0
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      Thorsten
      Thorsten
      5 months ago

      Hmm… quite disappointing frame. However, the link to TT Speed Tests leads to Gravel Bike Performance.

      0
      Reply
      Curtis
      Curtis(@crepen)
      5 months ago

      link to TT frame summary actual goes to gravel bikes. What are you trying to tell me, that I shouldn’t bother with high performance and go straight to rail trail?

      0
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      Thomas Christiansen
      Thomas Christiansen
      5 months ago

      So that’s 7 sec slower than the Ventum up the Alpe and 15!!! sec slower than the Zwift TT bike up the Alpe. Surely a mistake by Zwift….

      0
      Reply
      Justin
      Justin
      5 months ago

      the link to the TT frames post goes to the gravel frames post instead

      0
      Reply
      Claas
      Claas
      5 months ago

      Hack: to get the original colour after you once changed it just equip the frame via the bike shop and not via your already purchased frames 😋🙋🏼‍♂️🍻

      0
      Reply
      Wayne
      Wayne
      5 months ago
      Reply to  Claas

      “Go in the frame selection dialog and change to an other frame.
      Than after rebuying it for zero cost only equip it and don’t go in the frame selection dialog again and it will stay red. If you go in the frame selection dialog again it will be pink immediately und you have to do the same steps again.”

      0
      Reply
      Ronald
      Ronald
      5 months ago

      Bummer, I was al psyched, for a new tt frame

      0
      Reply
      TGuertin
      TGuertin
      5 months ago

      LOL! Trek probably pays to get the frame in game.. only to be outed as the slowest climbing TT frame of all 🙂
      Note: could the slow time be linked to the latest DA groupset bug?
      On a positive note, I can now afford the new SC (been lusting over it IRL hehe!)

      0
      Reply
      Wayne
      Wayne
      5 months ago

      How does Zwift decide how bikes perform? I’ve never seen an explanation – it leaves a lot of room for doubt.

      0
      Reply
      Matt T
      Matt T
      5 months ago

      Guessing you’re not aware, but your “Speed Tests: Zwift’s Fastest TT Bike Frames” link above goes to the gravel bike ranking page instead.

      1
      Reply
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