2012 Trek Lexa SLX Road Bike
The SLX is the top of the range Lexa in Trek's Womens specific alloy road bike range. Although the fancy carbon road bikes often get all the attention, Trek's lightweight 200 series alloy range continues to offer incredible value for money for riders looking to get into road riding. While you can certainly get a carbon road bike for around the same price as the Lexa, it isn't likely to be made from good quality carbon fiber and we would go so far to guarantee that not only will the Lexa SLX ride better, it will also last longer too. Using high grade 200 Series Alpha Aluminum to construct the Lexa's frame, Trek have employed all sorts of shaping, butting and hydroforming to remove excess weight and improve ride quality. As the internal wall thickness varies throughout each tube, vibrations don't travel as far as what they would in a single wall thickness (a.k.a; a straight gauge) tube, so they are not transmitted to the contact points on the bike, such as the handlebar and saddle. What this means for the rider, is that on long road rides the fine tune vibration that emits from riding on a rough bitumen surface does not make it to your wrists or your bum, allowing you to ride longer and more comfortably. Aiding further in the comfort department is a lightweight Bontrager Race Carbon fork, which is also decked out with the clever SpeedTrap port that allows you to fit on an integrated Wireless Bontrager Node trip computer - no wires, no zip ties, just neat integration.

Being a WSD model, the Lexa features a female-specific H3 fit that provides a more upright riding position that is more comfortable for longer rides. It also features a shorter stem to bring the handlebars closer to the rider to avoid that "stretched out" feel that you can get with improperly fitted road bikes. The narrower handlebar suits slender female shoulders and the female specific Evoke WSD saddle is comfortable while providing crucial support for your pelvic sit bones to minimise saddle soreness. A full Shimano 105 groupset is fitted to the Lexa SLX, with the shift/brake levers providing reach adjustment in order to position the brakes within easy reach of smaller hands. Like the equivalent unisex Trek 2.1, the Lexa frame acquires clever little fender mounts for fitting full length mud guards - an important requirement for riders looking to use the Lexa as a Winter training bike or for year round commuting.
Wherever you look the Lexa SLX is a well thought out road bike designed specifically for women that is both comfortable and efficient. With a solid parts spec and high quality frame, a correctly fitted Lexa SLX will outride far more expensive carbon bikes that aren't setup properly.

Our favourite features of the Lexa SLX

H3 fit H3 increases head tube height a bit beyond our performance H2 fit, with a slight geometry adjustment to increase the bike’s stability. Perfect for those who need a back-saving, neck-saving, more upright position, but still want pro-level performance and a pro look. No high-rise stems or huge stack of spacers. Fast, strong, and the perfect choice when comfort trumps aero.

WSD is Women's Specific Design It’s Trek’s approach to making a great-fitting bike, right from the start. There’s no magic recipe that makes a bike better for a woman—just attention to every single detail and dedication to getting it right.   The right saddle. The right reach, bar height, and bar width. The right suspension setup for the average woman, not just the average rider. The right geometry for a better ride, the right suspension, and the right cockpit all add up to a bike that will make you more comfortable and confidant.