First came the carbon fiber version of the Trek Émonda, an ultra lightweight road bike launched on the eve of last year’s Tour de France. Now Trek is trickling down that same gram-cutting ethos to the new Émonda ALR, a new line-up of alloy steeds the Wisconsin-based bike maker rolled out this week.

From a distance you’ll be hard pressed to tell the two bikes apart. Frame geometry lines are starkly similar, and ride quality is claimed to be on par. If true, that’s certainly a good thing considering how much we enjoyed our test time on the original.

The highlight of the frames is what Trek calls Invisible Weld Technology, a process that it says cuts weight by requiring less material while simultaneously increasing the strength of joints. This results in very clean looking seams, stronger bonds between tubes, and a claimed unpainted frame weight for a size 56cm of 1050 grams.

For now the bike will only be available in two builds, the ALR 6 with full Ultegra for $2,250, and the ALR 5 with Shimano 105 for $1,760. Claimed weight of the ALR 5 is 18.77 pounds, while the ALR 6 weighs in at 17.25 pounds. Both ALR 5 and ALR 6 come with the carbon Émonda SL fork, which fully painted adds 358 grams with a 240mm long steerer tube. Rider weight limit is 275 pounds. Sizes run 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64cm.

Using an advanced aluminum frame that’s claimed to have the ride characteristics and aesthetics of a carbon bike, Trek says the Émonda ALR delivers the same performance and handling of the original Émonda. This was achieved through the use a new 300 series alpha aluminum that’s hydroformed into size-specific tubes.

All ALR bikes come Trek’s H2 fit and geometry, which features a slightly higher head tube that’s designed to put less strain on your back and neck without necessitating high-rise stems or tall spacer stacks. All models are also spec’d with complete groupsets and equipped with Trek’s DuoTrap S speed and cadence sensors, which is built into the chainstay.

The new bikes also have tapered 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ headtubes and Pressfit BB86 bottom brackets. Cable routing is external and there’s a braze-on front derailleur mount.

All Émonda models are organized by frame level and drivetrain build, which now includes S, SL, SLR (all carbon fiber models), and the new alloy ALRs. The number that follows the frame designation represents the drivetrain spec, so 4 is Shimano Tiagra, 5 is Shimano 105, 6 is Shimano Ultegra 6800, 8 is Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 mechanical, 9 is Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 Di2, and 10 is SRAM Red , which is the lightest offering in the line. Figure we’ll see additional ALR models later this year or early next.

More info at www.trekbikes.com.