What makes the new SSL unique is in its use of yet another new carbon, Hex SL which (now a 70 gsm carbon) has all new strength and stiffness capacities. Unlike the “old” Lance years when Trek would use the annual French bike race to showcase a new year model bike, for the 2010 TdF Lance and the boys will be aboard their standard issue 2010 Madones. However, not to lose out on a new bike promotion entirely, the SSL was used last month by the team for the Dauphine Libere where Janez Brajkovic used his to win the overall.

Parsing through what was said, and not said, at the introduction, was a key sign post of Trek’s overall direction for their future carbon bike production. In a word: Asia. While Trek continues to invest in their Waterloo, WI. facility where all their proprietary OCLV Carbon (road and mountain) bikes are still painstakingly made by hand, like 90% of all the other carbon bikes in the world, more and more of Trek’s  carbon bikes too (as distinguished by the Trek Carbon Technology name) are now being brought out of Taiwan. This basically reflects the fact that more people are buying bikes these days and they are buying bikes that cost less than $5000 – this is where the benefits of Taiwan’s bigger production capabilities pay off.  So while their high-end OCLV Carbon Six Series bikes continue to be American made, for 2010 the creeping hand of Asian production has climbed a model range higher this year with the Five Series now made in Taiwan.

 
So where a key component of Trek’s frame building message has always been about material and process (OCLV Carbon/Waterloo, WI.), as they begin to transfer more of their American bred technology to their overseas facility, those earlier talking points are being replaced with a broader overall technology story. 

Exemplifying this Taiwan transfer of technology and manufacturing  story is how Trek’s  American bred net molding” process, made famous on the Six Series frames last year, has jumped the pond and can be found on the Taiwan made Five Series lugged construction bikes. Other key differences with the 2011 Five Series bikes however are the number of Six Series frame features that have been brought down line. Besides a 150 gram weight savings over the 2010 model, you’ll now find the internal cable routing, the integrated seat mast and unique Duo Trap (the internal chain stay mounted computer),  on the 2011 models.

Another introduction made this year was of a new naming platform for their frame geometry. The Pro and Performance Fit verbiage used for years has been scuttled for a new naming platform (H1 and H2) and added to with H3 which uses an even taller head tube for more upright positioning. Although Lance and most of the team still ride the laid down H1 bikes, Chris Horner is one of two riders to prefer a bike with the 30mm taller H2 head tube. Unbeknown to Radio Shack team director Johan Bruyneel, he has become the poster boy for H3 as Trek pointed out that while Johan once was a Pro Tour race winner on a typically slammed road bike, these days his level of flexibility is one that cries out for the more upright positioning of the H3 geometry.

Along with the arrival of H3 positioning has come a new interpretation of their WSD women’s geometry. While not being done away with, the realization that the (even) taller and also shorter reach position (previously intended for women) is something that certain men (Johan) could appreciate, the WSD geometry of old has now morphed into H3 and becomes but one part of the WSD formula (the other parts being a variety of WSD components).

Also on display was the entry-level four series bikes which run with a traditional seat post and external cable routing.

Last, but not least, was Trek’s reminder that their custom build Project One bikes are not only alive and well, but growing in terms of greater personalization and a bigger parts selection to choose from. The P1 program, and more specifically the no extra cost Select Series (which allows an impressive level of personalization) is a real stand-out in the industry. New for 2011 will be the addition of Shimano and Bontrager tubeless wheels.

The Six Series SSL hits he scales at 100 grams lighter than last year’s top model (50 grams in the frame and 50 grams in the parts selection). Trek claims a 56cm frame will weigh 815 grams.

Even if you’re not a TT rider, you have to admit that the Radio Shack Speed Concept bike is pretty cool looking. Trek said they sold more of the new TT/tri bikes in a month than they did all the old TTX bikes last year.

As with the Radio Shack team graphics, Lance’s own “Unity” graphics will also be available in Project One.