2011 trek lexa slx

Trek Lexa SLX: First ride review

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Trek Lexa SLX

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Words Derri Dunn | Photos Rupert Fowler

Last year, Trek’s ground-breaking Domane race bike made tidal waves on the pro scene. With its IsoSpeed section set in a carbon frame, the back end was decoupled, making for a much more comfortable and effective endurance bike for racing on tough terrain, like the cobbled Classics of Belgium.

We just love trickle-down technology here at Cycling Active, so we were pretty delighted to spot aluminium Domanes at Trek’s new product launch for 2013, starting at just £1,000. But something’s missing — there are women-specific carbon Domanes, but has Trek forgotten the girls with shallower pockets and aluminium aspirations?

Thankfully not. It turns out there is a women’s aluminium Domane and here it is — it’s called the Lexa SLX. The reason for this Domane travelling incognito is that Trek wants to give its women’s bikes their own distinct identity, rather than just making smaller versions of the unisex models in different colours. Accordingly, the Lexa SLX does not have an identically specced Domane stablemate, though it’s very similar to the Domane 2.3, but without the carbon seatpost and costing £50 less, as you’d expect.

Classy, cool and comfy

Domane technology apart, I’ve long been a fan of Trek’s take on women-specific design. It’s adept at tailoring all the right bits — bar, saddle and of course frame size — without doing anything too peculiar to the geometry of the bike in the process. The extremely compact Bontrager VR-S handlebar is probably my all-time favourite women’s bar and fantastic if your hands are small and your finger reach short. I also like the flat, dense compound of the women’s saddle, with nothing too complicated or fussy going on, but it does look and feel a little low-rent compared to the overall finish of the rest of the bike.

But that’s mostly because the overall finish of the rest of the Lexa SLX is really rather swish. Black and gold makes quite a statement. Metallic bar tape isn’t for shrinking violets, and in this case it walks a fine line between flash and gaudy, happily managing to just stay the right side of that line, thanks to understated frame graphics.

And of course there’s nothing wrong with a bike looking a bit brazen, as long as there’s plenty of go to back up the show, and the ride of the Lexa SLX was no disappointment. I can’t say I noticed any groundbreaking new sensation from the IsoSpeed area, but this is probably part of its strength — it is, as Trek promises, very comfortable. It would be disconcerting if ‘decoupling’ the seat tube from the rest of the bike led to any great movement in the frame, but power transfer still felt plenty direct.

Overall, the frame feel is nimble and compliant, but there’s no sensation of harshness at the fork or saddle end. You could ride all day over potholed urban roads and not feel too jangled.

For all its brooding good looks and rather fancy technology, the Lexa SLX has still been positioned firmly within Trek’s ‘endurance’ — read ‘sportive’ — category and accordingly the geometry sports a relatively high front end, though if you’re a nervy descender like me simply removing a couple of spacers from under the stem positions more of your weight forward for better stability when the road points down.

Practical performer

Though it’s pricy and special enough to be a ‘best’ bike, the Lexa SLX actually makes a pretty nifty fast commute bike. Its angles are relaxed enough to allow you to find a sensible posture for riding in traffic, and it has removable fender mounts on the fork — so it can be your ride to work bike but still look the part when you’re leaving them for dust at sportives and club rides.

In short, it’s a really good inbetweener; a good bridging bike for women who want a bit more than just a bargain basement heavy winter hack, but still don’t want to hand over thousands for a precious carbon super-racer. It’s a little bit special, but still utterly practical when it comes to all the real riding you could throw at it.

Of course, unless you’re making some kind of statement about your Olympian credentials, you might want to swap that glitzy bar tape for something more demure so it looks the part if the Monday to Friday rat run is your only racetrack.

Specification

£1,150

Frame 200 Series Alpha aluminium

Fork Trek IsoSpeed carbon

Groupset Shimano 105 shifters, front and rear; Shimano Tiagra 50/34 chainset and 12-30t cassette

Wheels Bontrager aluminium

Tyres Bontrager R1 700 x 25c

Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1 WSD

Stem Bontrager Race Lite

Seatpost Bontrager Race Lite

Handlebar Bontrager VR-S

Sizes 47, 50, 52, 54, 56cm

Size tested 50cm

Weight 9kg (19.6lb)

Alternative

Trek Domane 2.0 £1,000

If you have the misfortune of being male or only having £1,000 to spend, fear not, Trek’s unisex Domane 2.0 enjoys all the same lovely IsoSpeed frame technology as our Lexa SLX. To trim the fat to the magic one-grand mark it sports a Shimano Tiagra triple groupset. With sizes going down to 50cm, all but the shortest women will also be able to enjoy the Domane 2.0, though of course you won’t get the benefit of the women-specific Bontrager bars and saddle.

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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away , following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed. 

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Trek Lexa SLX XS (43 cm) Road Bike Review

12 comments:

Be careful, with all these posts about biking you're going to have to start a new Biking Green Girl blog! :-)

Nice bike! The lightness factor is critical for commuters. I got a 40oz Speedfil for my bike, which fits in the frame nicely. It is expensive but easy to fill. If you do a search for hydration systems you should be able to find something that works for you. I look forward to reading about your touring adventures!

Great detailed post. Looks like you found your perfect bike. After reading your post I really want to try riding more.

So great you found a bike that works for you!

ok, most of that is gibberish to me (a non bike girl) but if youre happy then i'm happy :)

Lexa is so cute. Many, happy miles to both of you.

Hi Twinsie Bike Girl...loving that you love your bike so much! Spend 100 miles on it and you may not so much ;). My friend hasa water bottle holder in the front of her bike and another friend has one on the back - just in case you didn't want to carry a Camelbak type thing. Now bring that thing out to CO and let's go for a ride!! :)

You make biking sound so appealing. I'm so glad you have found the bike for you. Have a lovely evening!

Looks freaking awesome. Hugely. Jealous. Love it!

I love Lexa! And it is so awesome you're so tiny =) If I ever meet you Ill have to get a picture with you someday so I can feel tall =)

Did you only try the Lexa standard (triple) or did you also try the compact. If you did which one you liked more and do they both weight the same. Thanks

Elizabeth, I was not able to try the bike before my purchase so this is the only bike I've ridden. It's the compact - only 2 rings in front. I don't believe you can fit 3 rings on a frame this small.

• Trek Lexa SLX 2011

Bike summary

Bike components.

Alpha Black Aluminum

Suspension Fork

Bontrager Race, carbon legs, SpeedTrap compatible

Rear Derailleur

Shimano 105

Front Derailleur

Shift levers.

Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed

Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed

Shimano R600, 50/34 (compact) or Shimano R-553, 50/39/30 (triple)

Bontrager SSR (43cm: 650c)

Bontrager R1, 700x23c (43cm: 650x23c)

Tektro R540 brakes w/Shimano 105 STI adjustable-reach levers

Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm

Bontrager Race VR-S, 31.8mm

1-1/8" integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Bontrager Affinity 1 WSD, steel rails

Bontrager Carbon, 20mm offset

Bike geometry

About this model.

Lexa SLX is part of the Trek Lexa model. Trek launched 37 bikes of this model so far. Take a sneak peek at all Trek Lexa bikes models from 2011 , by clicking here .

Make sure you wear a helmet on every ride, and that your bike performs well. In short, this means checking the tires, brakes, and chain to make sure everything is in good working order.

Race bikes average price

According to our calculations, the average cost of a Race bike that is reliable is 3350 $ . However, this doesn’t mean that if you spend less money on a Race bike, you couldn’t get a decent one. In short, before purchasing your ideal bike do some research about its components, and also check for reviews online.

Overview of components

Fork material.

The fork is made out of carbon, so, it’s a great addition to the bike’s value. However, carbon forks should be regularly inspected for damage because even the smallest crack could cause the fork to fall apart.

Wheels size

When it comes to wheels, the Lexa SLX bike is equipped with the 700c aluminum model. These wheels are the most used kind for road bikes in general. However, while they give you great speed and control, these wheels are not so bump-friendly.

Nothing is more important on a bike than its ability to brake properly. Trek Lexa SLX is equipped with Rim brakes. Rim brakes deliver an average performance overall. However, they are not nearly as effective as hydraulic brakes are.

Trek Lexa models from 2017

Trek lexa models from 2016, trek lexa models from 2015, trek lexa models from 2014, trek lexa models from 2013, trek lexa models from 2012, trek lexa models from 2011.

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The Lexa SLX is designed with a similar rider in mind as the Domane WSD range: the female endurance rider who values comfort and a relaxed ride, but at a lower price.

Both the Lexa SLX and the Domane bikes feature the IsoSpeed decoupler, probably their main selling point and a comfort bonus for the endurance rider too. They have the same geometry and a tall head tube, 14.5cm in length, that's good for riders wanting a comfortable view of the road whilst minimising neck and back strain.

The wheelbase is 3cm longer than the more race-oriented Madone WSD range. Our 52cm Lexa SLX has a 100.3cm wheelbase and is designed with increased stability in mind. The extended wheelbase is achieved with a more relaxed head angle, longer chainstays and a fork with a longer sweep; the effective top tube length is 53cm.

One last point about the geometry is the lowered bottom bracket position, providing a more stable feel to the ride. It's worth noting that other bikes in the Lexa range have a different geometry and a more recreational focus, and so provide less of a useful comparison here.

Both the Domane WSD range and the Lexa SLX share the IsoSpeed technology, basically a linkage separating the top tube and the seat tube, that allows both tubes to be independent rather than joined as they are in normal frame designs.

The seat tube has two different aluminium tubes welded together. You can see the weld if you take a peek just below the top tube. This allows different tubing properties to be used and in layman's terms it allows the seat tube to flex and move backwards slightly to absorb road stutter, vibration, bumps and such things.

We're not talking about a huge amount of movement like mountain bike suspension, more like micro-movement really, but enough to increase vertical compliance and comfort. The IsoSpeed isolates the movement of the seat tube and the rest of the frame so it absorbs more of the road shock, and it really does work.

Using Trek's premium aluminium the tubing has been hydroformed to produce varying tube shapes and different properties to maximize aerodynamics and strength while keeping weight low. Trek call their hard-to-find mudguard mounts 'vanishing', rightly so as they are beautifully integrated in the frame and fork design; you can barely see them.

Another useful detail is the SpeedTrap compatible computer sensor integrated into the fork leg. Recording speed and distance is simple and no need for bulky sensors or wires either.

It's not just the frame that offers a comfortable ride, the carbon-legged fork is designed to absorb more of the road shock and increases front to rear compliance – that's flex in a good way. The fork is laterally stiff so you get good steering control, and the sweeping leg shape with the extra curve at the dropout minimises vibrations traveling up the fork to the frame and rider.

Specification

Shimano's mid-range 105 components make up the derailleurs and shifter/brake combination, whilst Shimano Tiagra parts (one level down in terms of groupset heirachy) are used for the cassette and crankset.

The double chainset has compact sizing (50/34) and combined with 10 gears (12-30), both cruising along and climbing needs were well addressed. There were no complaints about the reliability or quality of the moving components, everything functioned just fine and made a durable groupset.

The 105 brake levers offer adjustable reach by inserting a 5mm or 10mm shim to bring the lever closer to the bar.

Saddle, seatpost, stem and bars are all from Trek's in-house brand Bontrager and don't let the side down at all. The Bontrager Affinity 1 WSD saddle is comfortable from the off, with its plush and supportive padding providing even more respite from harsh roads. The Bontrager Race VR-S bars are a good width (40cm) for female riders, while the pimpy gold handlebar tape and brakes grew on us.

The wheelset survived the poor quality roads, the aluminium hubs with Bontrager Approved rims were solid and dependable and fitted with Bontrager R1 25mm tyres they felt pretty compliant too. It's worth noting that this wheelset is standard on the Domane 4.3 WSD, which is priced considerably more at £1800.

Being brutally honest I wasn't looking forward to testing an aluminium frame. I enjoy a carbon frame and the comfort it provides, especially with my fragile lower back getting hammered by the state of UK roads.

I found I could ride for longer in more comfort thanks to the IsoSpeed system, and being sensitive to rough roads this is a real bonus. I could sit firmly in the saddle and power on through rough road sections without breaking a pedal stroke.

To find out exactly how much of the nasty road surface was being absorbed by the frame, we switched the plush saddle and voluminous 25mm tyres for less forgiving alternatives. The resulting rides were only marginally less comfortable, proving the decoupler really did provide the road shock absorption as promised and it wasn't down to plush contact points or fatter tyres.

Most riders should feel the increased comfort over standard aluminium frames and appreciate the reduced road buzz and associated body fatigue. There is no noticeable disadvantage in terms of reduced stiffness to the frame or added weight either.

The longer wheelbase made for a confidence-inspiring ride, the bike felt really stable and controllable and was in its element on open country roads and while descending. You might expect the extra length to be restrictive on tighter radius turns but this wasn't a particular issue.

Fast descents and open corners were a dream and the bike whizzed across rough sections of road without hesitation. Both the longer wheelbase and taller headtube would provide novice riders a leg up in terms of improving their handling and increased downhill speeds, as the bike felt planted to the road in a very positive way.

At £1150 you can't expect a super-lightweight bike, and at 8.6kg (almost 19lb) it's not a race bike, but it certainly doesn't feel heavy to ride. Performance-wise sprinting and climbing aren't remarkable, but let's remember this is not a race bike and it does both adequately well and once at cruising speed there are no complaints.

It zips along and covers high mileages with ease, sportives and long rides are what this bike is designed for. If you're intent on racing then have a look at the Madone 3 Series; prices start at £1500 for a carbon frame with the same Shimano 105/Tiagra groupset and parts as the Lexa SLX. The geometry of the Madone range is more in tune with the needs of a race ready bike over comfort.

Overall the Lexa SLX impressed us, especially in terms of comfort over long distances, where the IsoSpeed system and the extra compliance certainly reduces rider road fatigue. If you're in the market for a sub £1200 endurance road bike than you need to test ride this bike and try out the IsoSpeed as it stands the Lexa SLX apart from its rivals.

The relaxed geometry is confidence inspiring and makes for a very stable ride. The spec is pretty good, especially for the price, it's good to see few corners have been cut to facilitate the technological advances in the frame and fork.

A women specific endurance biased road bike designed with comfort in mind. Not the lightest bike in this price range but an enjoyable ride thanks to the relaxed geometry, stability and IsoSpeed technology.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Lexa SLX

Size tested: 53

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, IsoSpeed, press-fit BB

Fork Trek IsoSpeed carbon, SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels Aluminium hubs w/Bontrager Approved aluminium rims

Tyres Bontrager R1, 700x25c

Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed

Front derailleur Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp

Rear derailleur Shimano 105

Crank Shimano Tiagra, 50/34 (compact)

Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12-30, 10 speed

Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1 WSD, steel rails

Seatpost Bontrager Race Lite, infinite tilt adjustment, 20mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race VR-S, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings

Brakeset Aluminium dual-pivot brakes with Shimano 105 STI levers

Grips Bontrager Gel Cork tape

Frame and fork

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Good quality frame and fork and the IsoSpeed decoupler adds to the comfort and endurance capabilities of this bike.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

200 Series Alpha Aluminium

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

Trek's Endurance geometry is a more relaxed geometry than found on their race bikes, namely the Madone WSD range

Greater fork offset

Much of Domane's rock-solid stability comes from a race-tested 20% increase in fork offset over Madone

As befits Domane, the world's most comfortable performance racing bike, we've developed the world's most comfortable racing geometry. Still racy, but with a slightly higher head tube.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Trek's Endurance geometry is definitely comfortable but above all the IsoSpeed decoupler enhanced ride comfort on longer rides. As a seeker of long, hilly rides and having thrown off my race jersey some years ago, I'd definitely opt for comfort and endurance qualities over a responsive race ride any day.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

The IsoSpeed system provides a good degree of compliance without reducing lateral stiffness or adding any weight.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

The Lexa SLX is not a snappy race bike and won't be the first off the line, but then again it doesn't claim to be and nor should we expect that. Once up to speed it moves along a nice swift pace and gets the job done with no fuss and in comfort. The BB86.5 bottom bracket is wide and stiff providing a solid base for acceleration and enhancing the stable ride characteristics.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

Not particularly noticeable, better than most.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Definitely neutral with solid cornering and a planted feel on the road.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

Being stable with a generous wheelbase length meant descending was confidence inspiring, and having some 'give' due to the IsoSpeed feature meant I didn't pay any concern to road surface other than avoiding potholes.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

I've talked loads about the IsoSpeed decoupler already and am clearly a fan!

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes, more than expected. I wasn't looking forward to riding an aluminium frame over longer distances and was pleasantly surprised by the reduced fatigue and performance of the IsoSpeed decoupler.

Would you consider buying the bike? If I had a budget of £1150 then yes, I'd prefer the Lexa SLX to a standard aluminium frame anyway.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes, for someone who wants an endurance bike with added comfort.

Overall rating: 7 /10

About the tester

Age: 0   Height:    Weight:

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for:    I ride:    I would class myself as:

I regularly do the following types of riding:

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Add new comment

Has anyone ever tried to fit mudguards on a trek with the vanishing mounts?, the clearances look extremely tight.

• Log in or register to post comments

"at 8.6kg (almost 19lb) it's not a race bike"

I would take issue with that; a few pounds difference makes very little impact, and certainly not enough for amateur riders to be aware of.

It's a perfectly raceable bike.

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Latest news, reviews and features for women who like to ride.

Road cycling, trek lexa slx women’s road bike 2014 review, fancy the comfort of a carbon framed road bike but don’t really want the price tag cue the trek lexa slx..

With its Endurance fit geometry and IsoSpeed technology filtered down from the top-end Domane WSD range, the 2014 Trek Lexa SLX is a steal at £1200.

Okay, admittedly it’s not a carbon fibre bike, with the Trek Lexa SLX featuring an aluminium frame. But, this is no bad thing with the 200 Series Alpha Aluminium – Trek’s premium alloy – providing beautifully formed tubing for a lightweight and strong frameset.

Across the frame, the tubing varies in shape and composition, you can really see this around the seat tube, which makes for a compliant ride with added comfort.

The IsoSpeed decoupler, is a “functional decoupler that separates the ride-tuned seat mast from the top tube” and is a fabulous invention, that takes the Trek Lexa SLX up several notches into the realms of super comfort without adding weight or lateral flex.

Essentially, the decoupler keeps the seat tube and top-tube independent from one another, which dramatically reduces road buzz, vibration and shock, and makes for a very comfortable ride without affecting pedal efficiency.

The IsoSpeed system certainly takes the sting out of bad roads and much more too. I hit rough sections of road with added vigour, smiling as other riders swerved to avoid them. I could feel the movement of the seat tube over bumps and lumps and yet there is no disadvantage when pedalling. Out of the saddle climbing felt just as direct and progressive as any other aluminium bike.

Perhaps most noticeably I was able to ride for longer without feeling fatigue, especially in the lower back and upper body where hours in the saddle can take its toll.

It’s a win-win situation, a lightweight frame that is stiff in all the right places and for all the right reasons without any of the uncomfortable or unforgiving drawbacks.

The Endurance Fit geometry of the Trek Lexa SLX is another feature borrowed from the high-end Domane range. A longer wheelbase and low bottom bracket brings the centre of gravity lower and provides a stable and confidence inspiring ride.

It’s not apparent you’re riding a bike with a long wheelbase, other than that the bike feels grounded to the road and very controllable, even at high speeds and on poor road surfaces.

A taller headtube allows for a more upright riding position, putting less strain on the neck and shoulders and allowing a good view of the road ahead. This makes it a good option for commuting, firmly asserting the Trek Lexa SLX as a do-it-all road bike.

Descending is fast and fun. The carbon bladed forks have a longer sweep, which means it rails round corners with ease and precision, and reduces vibration – aiding comfort at the front end.

A SpeedTrap computer sensor is also integrated into the forks, meaning you can use a computer without the hassle of cables and additional sensors.

The chainset is a made up of high quality Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs, with a Shimano Tiagra compact crankset and 10-speed cassette.

Trek have specified their home-grown Bontrager wheels; not super light or particularly flashy as far as wheel sets go, but they ride well and can stand the battering of winter training and long rides, as well as some green road adventures too.

The 25c Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres are tough and puncture resistant. If you wanted to upgrade at a later date you could save some weight on the wheelset, but we wouldn’t be in a rush to do so.

In line with all Trek’s WSD (Women’s Specific Design) bikes the contact points are suitably female friendly, the crank length is shorter, bars slightly narrower with less reach and adjustable reach levers, and the saddle is the women specific Affinity 1 WSD.

The Lexa range has four bikes, starting at £550 for the entry level Lexa, rising through £750 for the S, and £875 for the SL. Only the top end Trek Lexa SLX, has the IsoSpeed decoupler and Endurance Fit geometry found on the higher priced Domane bikes. It’s particularly good value given the Domane 4 Series starts at £1800 and you could, if you wish, spend £4000.

And finally, the frame colour is quite a contrast from the shiny black with gold highlights of 2013 –  there’s no missing the bright white brake callipers and cabling set against the intense blue paintjob.  There’s nothing girly about that!

It’s easy to be a fan of the Trek Lexa SLX; it’s not the first time I’ve tested the bike and it doesn’t disappoint from year to year. The comfort and endurance bias is obvious from the first ride, and yet there’s enough of a responsive and racy feel to make the SLX feel at home on a competitive ride too.

The well thought out geometry of the Lexa SLX means it’s a great bike for riders looking to step up from their first foray into cycling to road racing or longer form riding such as sportives.

If you haven’t tried the IsoSpeed system then put it on your to-do list for this weekend. Go grab a test ride and feel the difference. Enjoy!

– Comfortable – the IsoSpeed feature is legendary – Fantastic value for money – Endurance Fit geometry – Plenty of size options to choose from – Mounts for addition of pannier racks

– The price has increased by £50 this year

Sizes: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56cm Price: £1200 More information: Trek

What Trek say about the Lexa SLX 2014

Trek Lexa is a light, fast women’s road bike. Forget the gym, this confidence-inspiring ride will get you to your goals in record time. It’ll make the ride the best part of your day!

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