trek domane 2.0

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The New Trek Domane: A Great Bike Made Better

The new Domane is everything great about the old bike, plus lighter and quicker.

The Takeaway: Trek’s best road bike gets faster, lighter, quicker, and better

• Frames are 300 grams lighter
• Slight aerodynamic improvements
• Compatible with any bar and stem

Price: $3,500 (SL 5) to $13,200 (SLR 9 eTap, tested) Weight: 19.7lb. (SL 5) to 16 lb. (SLR 9) 16.8 lb. as tested (SLR 9 eTap 52cm)

Trek Domane MK.4 Gallery

Trek Domane Generation Four—What is New

My biggest knock against the third-generation Domane was the weight. It was an excellent and feature-rich bike but a little hefty. So, I am happy to report that one of the most significant changes to the fourth generation frame is it is lighter by about 300 grams (more than half a pound. A large part of the weight savings came from simplifying the bike’s signature rear IsoSpeed Decoupler and eliminating the IsoSpeed Front system that debuted in the previous generation Domane.

When asked why Trek eliminated IsoSpeed Front, Jordan Roessingh, director of road bikes, stated that much of the system's benefit—which never offered the same compliance improvement as rear IsoSpeed—was made redundant by riders' increased adoption of higher volume tubeless tires run at lower pressures. Combined with the system’s weight penalty, Trek decided the juice was not worth the squeeze and punted IsoSpeed front into the dustbin of history.

Meanwhile, at the rear, Trek removed the adjustment from the SLR’s top tube IsoSpeed. All frames now have fixed compliance. Reggie Lund, a design engineer at Trek, said that it found, “A lot of our riders were never taking advantage of the adjustability on the previous generation bike,” so they decided to remove the feature which simplified and lighted the frame. Roessingh stated that the new Domane’s fixed compliance is in line with the previous generation SLR’s IsoSpeed set to the most compliant position.

SL-level frames also see a change to their rear IsoSpeed system. Trek has multiple iterations and generations of IsoSpeed. While third-generation Domane SLR frames had adjustable top tube IsoSpeed, third-generation Domane SL frames had non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed. SL and SLR fourth generation Domanes get the new non-adjustable top tube IsoSpeed.

Roessingh said that one of the drawbacks of the third-gen Domane’s non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed was that the system got more rigid as the seat tubes got shorter. In short, smaller and likely lighter riders experienced a rougher ride than larger riders. Top tube IsoSpeed eliminates this compromise and lets Trek tune compliance per frame size, said Rosseingh, so all riders experience similar levels of comfort.

Another signature feature of carbon framed Domane models that went to the dustbin was Trek’s No Cut semi-integrated seat mast. Instead, all models now use a seat post, although a proprietary D-shaped post instead of being round. Thankfully, Trek offers two lengths (280 and 320mm) and two offsets (five and 20mm) to help riders dial in fit. The seatpost clamp hides under a snap-on cover on the top tube, which helps clean up the lines of the new Domane.

Another way Trek cleaned up the Domane’s appearance is with a new stem with a cap that hides the hoses and housing before they enter the frame through the upper headset cover. But while the bike appears to have fully integrated routing, you can swap stem lengths without pulling the hoses or housing. The bike is compatible with a standard handlebar, and riders can use standard stems. However, if you want to install a standard stem, you will need to acquire a different upper headset cover from Trek, and you will probably want to zip-tie your hoses and housing together underneath the stem.

Trek’s Domane stem comes in sizes 60 to 130mm in minus-seven degree rise and 60 to 100mm in plus-seven degree rise. The faceplate features a single bolt mount for a computer/light/camera. Unfortunately, the Domane stem’s one-bolt mounting standard is different from Trek’s one-bolt mounting system for the Madone and Emonda and also different than any of the other stems with this feature (3T, Cervelo, Fizik, Specialized, Felt, Easton).

Trek also states that the new Domane is more aerodynamic than the previous generation due to the updated shape of the fork, downtube, seat tube, seat stays, and more-integrated cables in the front. However, Trek did not provide any data on the aerodynamic improvements. When I asked Roessingh for time or watt improvements, he told me, “I don’t think we have a specific claim other than saying we do know the bike is faster. But it’s not a huge amount so it’s not a claim we’re labeling as one of the headlines of the launch.”

One small new feature added to the Domane is a mount in the top tube for a feed bag. What has not changed is the Domane has clearance for up to a 38mm tire, hidden fender mounts, the threaded (T47) bottom bracket, and the in-frame storage accessed through the hatch in the downtube.

SL and SLR frames are compatible with mechanical drivetrains. But, there is a catch outlined in Trek’s FAQ, “The frame does not have a front derailleur housing stop, which means that you are limited to front derailleurs with a built-in stop, like Shimano toggle front derailleurs.” That means the frame is not compatible with SRAM or Campagnolo mechanical-shift drivetrains.

Trek Domane Four—SL Versus SLR

There are two grades of Domane frame: SL and SLR. According to Roessingh, “SL and SLR are essentially identical from a feature set perspective and frame shape perspective.” The biggest difference is the carbon: The SL uses Trek’s “500 Series” carbon while the SLR uses “800 series” carbon. That material difference results in a 200-300 gram reduction in frame weight. According to Trek, this puts the SL frameset at 2,500 grams and the SLR frameset around 2,200 grams.

Trek Domane Four—RSL for the Racers

Although Trek’s professional racers ride a Domane in some events, typically the cobbled classics, they do not ride the standard frame. Instead, they use the Domane RSL (Race Shop Limited). It is the frame ridden to victory in the 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes by Elisa Longo Borghini , and it has a few notable differences from the mainline frame.

The primary distinction is fit. The RSL fame is much lower and longer than the SL and SLR Domane. Using a 56cm frame as an example the RSL’s reach is 21mm longer (395 versus 347mm) while the stack is 43mm shorter (548 versus 591mm). The RSL also has a much shorter trail length (51mm compared to 61), likely because of the increased weight the RSL’s geometry places on the front wheel.

Other changes include eliminating the top tube bag mounts and in-frame storage hatch—you do not need those things when you have a fleet of team cars behind you—and the fender mounts. These changes help shave weight off the frame compared to the standard Domane. The RSL frame also has less tire clearance—its maximum tire width is 35mm instead of 38mm—but will fit larger chainrings (RSL: 2x 54/40, 1x 54T; SLR and SL: 2x 52/36, 1x 50T) than the SL and SLR models. Another noteworthy difference: The RSL is only compatible with electronic shifting.

Trek only offers the RSL as a frameset ($4,200) and only in sizes 52 to 60cm, four fewer sizes than the mainline frame. Claimed frameset (frame and fork) weight is 1600 grams for the RSL. On paper, that makes the RSL a whopping 600 grams lighter than the SLR. But when I fact-checked that weight delta with Roessingh, he told me, “The way we measure ‘frameset” weights in those metrics isn’t apples to apples. It includes a bunch of hardware and components. The RSL frame weight is only about 100g lighter than the SLR’s.”

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Geometry

Most of the Mk. IV Domane models carry forward the Mk. III’s endurance geometry with no changes. It is a shorter reach and a taller stack fit, with a longer wheelbase and mellower handling than a race bike. Trek offers nine sizes, from 44 to 62cm.

The RSL version previously mentioned features a lower and longer fit race fit that is even more aggressive than the Madone and Emonda race bikes with the brand’s H1.5 geometry. The RSL is only offered in five sizes, from 52 to 60cm.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Builds, Prices, and Weights

Trek’s rolling out the new Domane with 11 models: five SL builds priced between $3,500 to $7,500 and six SLR models priced at $8,000 to $13,200. Only one model, the $3,500 SL 5, has a mechanical shifting drivetrain (Shimano 105); all the rest have electronic drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM. The SL 5 is also the only 11-speed bike; the rest are 12-speed.

All models come with Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels and Bontrager’s R3 folding-bead, tubeless-ready tires in 32mm.

Claimed weights start at 8.93Kg (19.7 lb.) for the SL 5, with the lightest complete bike coming in at 7.25kg (16 lb.). One interesting note on prices and weights: For the same relative equipment level— Ultegra Di2 versus Force eTap AXS —most Shimano-equipped bikes are less expensive and lighter than the SRAM-equipped bikes. There is a big “but” because all SRAM-equipped Domanes from the SL 7 eTap and up have power meters while the Shimano builds have standard cranks. The other exception is the SL 6 ( Shimano 105 Di2 ) and SL 6 eTap ( SRAM Rival eTap AXS )—the Shimano bike is $600 cheaper but slightly (10 grams) heavier.

As always, the Domane will eventually, though not immediately, find its way into Trek’s Project One customization program for riders who want to pick their parts and paint. Trek also offers the SL ($2,499), SLR, and RSL (both $4,200) framesets for purchase.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Ride Review

Trek’s Domane has been a favorite of mine since the first generation, but the third generation was flat-out amazing. Comfortable, practical, and fun, it had most of the speed of a race bike without the bullshit that makes race bikes so limited and limiting. It fits big tires! You could run any bar and stem! It could store a burrito in the downtube! And it was fast .

So when Trek told me they were sending me the new, fourth generation, Domane I hoped and prayed that they found a way to make it better without messing up what made it so great. And friends, my hopes and prayers were answered because riding the fourth generation Domane was like reacquainting with a dear old friend, but one who lost a bunch of weight and now goes to therapy. Because this bike is everything the gen-three Domane was, but better.

You can read what I said about the third-generation Domane when I reviewed it and when I wrote it up as our 2020 Bike of the Year and take all of the good stuff and apply it to the new, fourth-generation Domane. But my complaints about it being a little heavy are gone. And with the weight reduction, the gen-four Domane unlocks new performance levels.

The biggest difference is the new bike is quicker, snappier, and just flies. When you hear someone talk about a comfortable road bike, it usually suggests a bike that is squishy and slow feeling. But when you get on a bike that is fast, quick, and communicative but also floats and coddles the rider like a newborn baby, well, that is a special bike. And that is what the new Domane is: Special. A great bike made better. A bike for the modern road rider: Freaking fast, wonderfully comfortable, and oh so practical.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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On most bikes, the seat tube is attached firmly to the bottom bracket shell and to the top tube and seatstays. With the IsoSpeed Decoupler, Trek still attach the seat tube to the bottom bracket but they allow it to float at the top.

The design is intended to remove the movement of the seat tube from the rest of the frame so that it can absorb more forces from the road. Make sense? In short, the saddle moves more to soak up road shock. As well as adding more comfort, the idea is that the rear wheel stays in better contact with rough roads.

We reviewed last year’s £1,200 Domane 2.3 here on road.cc . We concluded that this aluminium model dampened high-frequency vibration pretty effectively, although not nearly as much as the higher-level carbon models.

The design has been modified for 2014. You have to be careful when you flex aluminium because it can break. Previously, Trek welded two completely different aluminium tubes together to form the seat tube so that they could control the damping. You could see the weld an inch or two below the IsSpeed Decoupler.

Now, however, Trek have decided that they don’t need that weld. It is a single hydroformed tube that looks neater and, Trek say, is just as effective. It also shaves around 80g of weight from the previous version.

Trek call the Domane’s fork an IsoSpeed design too, although it doesn’t have a lot in common with the Decoupler. They reckon that the offset dropout at the end of the leg increases fore/aft compliance, absorbing road shock better than a conventional design rather than transmitting it straight up to your wrists.

The Domane 2.0 is built to what Trek call an Endurance geometry which means that, like pretty much everyone else’s endurance geometries, it comes with a top tube that’s a touch shorter than that of a standard race bike, and a head tube that’s a touch longer.

We won’t go into too much detail here other than to say that the stack on our 56cm model is 59.1cm and the reach is 37.7cm. For comparison, Trek’s H2 fit on their Madone 2.0 has a stack of 57.7cm a reach of 38.7cm – so the Domane is a little shorter and higher for a more upright, more relaxed ride position. It’s still a racy setup, but not quite as aggressive as some, and your back might thank you for that.

Another couple of frame characteristics worth mentioning are that the Domane has hidden eyelets for full mudguards and rack mounts too. Oh, and it’s Speedtrap compatible, which means that a computer sensor can sit within the fork leg to measure your speed and distance, rather than poking out and adding to the drag. It also keeps things looking neat and tidy.

Trek offer two aluminium Domane’s: the Shimano 105-equipped 2.3 (£1,200) and this £1,000 2.0. As we said up top, the 2.0’s components are largely from Shimano’s 10-speed Tiagra range, the most notable component being the triple chainset with 50, 39 and 30-tooth chainrings matched up to a 12-30-tooth cassette. That combo gives you a super-low gear that should see you up pretty much any gradient you fancy without too much trouble. You’re not going to be incredibly fast in such a small gear, but at least you won’t have to get off and walk.

Most of the other components, including the brakes and wheels, are from Trek’s in-house Bontrager brand.

Right, that’s yer lot for now. We’re going to hit the road to find out how the Domane 2.0 rides. We’ll be back with a review on road.cc soon. In the meantime, find more details at www.trekbikes.com .

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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Wings falling off planes would be pretty bad for business, one would imagine.

Having built up several bikes with both, I prefer Tiagra over 105. Cable routing on 105 brifters is like Swiss watch repair. Tiagra is a snap to set up. I like the range of the triple, but might upgrade the RD (as little as £25) for the 5701 medium cage. Another nice thing (IMHO) about the Tiagra exposed shift cables is they look better on a "classic" build. And I swear they shift as well or better than 105s. Shame about the dorky gear indicators.

Hi to all of you eager beavers with loads of money and a very very short impulse buying fuse. Is this the early stages of the introduction to 'Throw away Bikes'? Yes,believe me I am aware that this kind of money is not throw away but in the real and easily convinced world of get it on tick;it is only bla bla per month and coupled with the modern day world of not questioning the 'Experts' and believing just about everything that goes into print or is published on the internet and further accelerated by a thumbs-up/like or Trending figures,this is just another marker. At 68yrs young,I will probably be dead and incinerated by the time some of these get cast aside because of failures of the alleged benefits that was part of the 'Rush out now and get one' mentality and get left in sheds all over the world. Look at some of the older steel frames that are still around and remain as perfectly functioning cycles,some of which have change hands many times and lovingly lavished with a refurbishment programme. I very much doubt that the same will be experience by some of the current hyped up bikes.

TheCyclingRooster wrote: Is this the early stages of the introduction to 'Throw away Bikes'?

I believe the many destined-for-obsolescence bottom bracket standards currently flooding the market are the true herald for disposable bicycles.

TheCyclingRooster wrote: Hi to all of you eager beavers with loads of money and a very very short impulse buying fuse. Is this the early stages of the introduction to 'Throw away Bikes'? Yes,believe me I am aware that this kind of money is not throw away but in the real and easily convinced world of get it on tick;it is only bla bla per month and coupled with the modern day world of not questioning the 'Experts' and believing just about everything that goes into print or is published on the internet and further accelerated by a thumbs-up/like or Trending figures,this is just another marker. At 68yrs young,I will probably be dead and incinerated by the time some of these get cast aside because of failures of the alleged benefits that was part of the 'Rush out now and get one' mentality and get left in sheds all over the world. Look at some of the older steel frames that are still around and remain as perfectly functioning cycles,some of which have change hands many times and lovingly lavished with a refurbishment programme. I very much doubt that the same will be experience by some of the current hyped up bikes.

It's interesting that you chose to post these thoughts on a review of a fairly modest Trek (albeit £1k isn't insignificant). Seems to me like a lot of bike for the money and if it is half as good as my first road bike (also a Trek) there's many years and miles of use in it. There are plenty other bikes reviewed here that should be the focus of your ire. I'm thinking of 'gravel racers' in particular.

If the isocoupler thing is a way of engineering more comfort into a alu frame, then surely the comfort and lightness of this frame gives it greater longevity? Whilst steel is inherently more forgiving, its a heavier lump to haul over the hills. If this bike allows people to cycle for more years, then its a good thing.

As a rule my bikes last me 5-10 years of regular riding. Maybe you should avoid mobile phone websites if your issue is instant gratification?

I've had my Domane 2.0 for a year and love it. The IsSpeed Decoupler works really well and makes for a very smooth ride. It handles uneven surfaces really well and is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden (& that includes my Specialized Roubaix Expert).

I use it for my daily commute and cycling in the lanes at the weekend when it's wet. It would be even better, though, if it had disc brakes...

I know they probably put thought into the issue, but is it really that smart to use a bike design based on the flexibility and fatiguelessness of carbon on a material that isn't?

How long can you ride the frame until the aluminium fatigues and gives up?

I wouldn't be too sure about the 'fatiguelessness' of carbon! My girlfriend has just written an entire PhD on the fatigue modelling of carbon composites. They do fatigue, its just no where near as well understood as fatigue mechanisms in metals. Obviously this is of great interest to the aerospace industry.

I'd be interested in seeing some of her research.

jackh wrote: I wouldn't be too sure about the 'fatiguelessness' of carbon! My girlfriend has just written an entire PhD on the fatigue modelling of carbon composites. They do fatigue, its just no where near as well understood as fatigue mechanisms in metals. Obviously this is of great interest to the aerospace industry.

I'd be really interested in hearing more about this if possible? Then again, I daresay various companies would pay her rather a lot to keep it discreet - F1, aerospace etc. Sounds like she'll be onto a good living in return for all that effort - good luck to her.

notfastenough wrote: Then again, I daresay various companies would pay her rather a lot to keep it discreet - F1, aerospace etc.

Why would you assume some sort of industrial conspiracy? This type of research is valuable in improving the quality of the product - not to uncover flaws being hidden by corrupt corporations. People have been researching the properties of steel for decades, it's not getting paid off and swept under the carpet by those building skyscrapers.

Nick T wrote: notfastenough wrote: Then again, I daresay various companies would pay her rather a lot to keep it discreet - F1, aerospace etc.

Oh, no conspiracy to cover up failures, just plain old competition at the cutting edge. Years ago, I used to work with a guy whose son did some sort of student placement with an F1 team. While there, he came up with an innovation that could detect in real time whether the carbon being weaved was at the correct angle (that was how he described it - no doubt it was rather more nuanced/niche than that). Previously they could only inspect it after production, which was driving the cost up due to the number of failures. As a result, they took him on full-time, but the new development was kept close to their chests. The reduction in time/effort, and the ability to divert the money to other things represented a competitive advantage for them.

I don't know about a conspiracy! It is moderately well discussed in the academic literature, eg.:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2004.02.040

At the moment, particularly in aerospace, composite structures are massively over-engineered, because the fatigue property of composites are still being understood. My understanding is that there is still a lot of potential for lighter parts, just that (understandable) conservatism is holding things back.

I think 200 more for the 105 version would be money well spent

jarredscycling wrote: I think 200 more for the 105 version would be money well spent

True but it wouldn't hit the magic Cycle To Work price point then. Nice bikes, had my 2.0 for about 16 months now and the rear end ride really is something rather special - rest of it is pretty good, but i'd say the IsoSpeed is the real difference.

Latest Comments

If your taxes are going towards its upkeep then you have the right to use it no matter what these elites say and there is nothing they can do about...

Careless driving. Didn't even amount to dangerous....

Please stop putting words in all caps. This isn't the Daily Mail.

Rosie Holt (Tory MP) has tweeted "It was today I learned that immigrants are CLOGGING UP THE ROADS #bbcdebate" Finally, it's not cyclists!

I don't have huge arms, but I don't have cyclist arms, so maybe ten to thirty seconds? I've never tried....

Apparently Ribble have sourced & sent a bunch of replacement bikes to them

This appears to be a reprint of a review I read some months ago. Wot, no fresh content?

...you shall have an extra like for that!

That Dekker is a bit of a character though. Thijs Zonneveld had some interesting things to say about him a while back.

Did you bother reading the comments below, hence my post.

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Trek Domane AL 2 review

In these days of ever-increasing bike prices, Trek’s entry-level Domane is still refreshingly affordable

Dave Caudery / Our Media

Simon Withers

Great handling; excellent component specification; willing ride

The handlebar can transmit vibration at high tyre pressures on rough stuff

The class-leading Domane has always been the wild child in Trek’s triumvirate of road bikes whose names are all anagrams of each other. Shortlisted for our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year award , the AL 2 offers impressive handling and spec at an entry-level price.

Forever searching for alternate lines, not phased by rough surfaces, and with the ability to conquer almost anything, the Domane was one of the first really effective endurance bikes .

Far from the World Tour’s Paris-Roubaix winning rigs, this Domane AL 2 promises elements of those bikes’ performance at a very realistic price. Is it just marketing, or does it really work?

Trek Domane AL 2 specifications

The Domane AL 2’s frame is built from Trek’s 100 Series aluminium tubes, which include some hydroformed profiles. It’s Trek’s lowest grade of aluminium tube, as you’d expect on an entry-level road bike , but shows obvious design care, and is welded neatly throughout.

The IsoSpeed carbon fork is designed to absorb a lot of road vibration up front, with a 27.2mm alloy seatpost and well-padded saddle at the rear.

To keep costs low, Trek fitted Shimano’s 8-speed Claris groupset, although the double chainset is substituted with a non-series RS200 item, and the brakes with some unbranded Lee Chi alloy dual-pivot calipers. The alloy handlebar and stem are from Bontrager, as are the TLR wheels and tyres.

Trek Domane AL 2 geometry

The Domane follows the evolved geometry trend for endurance bikes, which is that of slightly relaxed race machines.

The head angle on my 54cm example is 71.3 degrees, with a 73.7-degree seat angle. Head tube length is kept to a sporty 16cm, while the effective top tube length is 54.2cm.

The chainstays are 42cm, the wheelbase 101cm, and bottom-bracket drop is a stability-inducing 8cm, which all suggests that the Domane AL 2 has the essential qualities to calm stormy tarmac.

Trek Domane AL 2 ride impressions

An endurance bike is intended for all road types, although predominantly tarmac. With countless miles of roads and lanes to hand, where smooth surfaces were definitely the exception, I aimed the Domane at many of my tried-and-tested training routes.

I inflated the 25mm tyres to 75-80psi, which usually works well for my 78kg, and took in every sort of climb, slog and drag I could, as well as plenty of technical corners.

Trek has designed the Domane to fit most riders, whether they prefer to get long and low, or ride in a more commanding position. Since testing the very first Domane to arrive in the UK, I’ve always found them to be an ideal fit, straight out of the box. So it proved here, with all positional options easily achievable.

Unlike its loftier brethren, and particularly the carbon Domane range , the Domane AL 2 can only count on an IsoSpeed fork to help quell roughness.

The aluminium frame, although nicely constructed, has no elements that are designed to offer any IsoSpeed-like benefits. Instead, the rear of the bike relies on the classic 27.2mm alloy seatpost and a very plush saddle. The air volume of the 25mm tyres, which measure 27.5mm wide, helps further.

Up front, Bontrager’s alloy Comp VR-C handlebar and Elite stem are fairly standard fare, with a tough black finish and rounded drops.

The head tube mimics the shaping of the carbon Domane, and is satisfyingly, organically chunky.

All of the cables are routed externally, running beneath the down tube, and the rear brake cable angles pleasingly across beneath the flattened top tube from right to left, which gives it an ideal route from the left brake lever.

Casting an eye over the AL 2 exposes the groupset shortcuts, which help keep costs down.

The non-series RS200 chainset is pretty basic, and spins on a UN300 cartridge bottom bracket, with square tapered axle ends.

These are simple fit-and-forget items that can provide decent service, but their bearings are well inside the bottom bracket shell, and this narrow arrangement makes them prone to lateral play sooner than bottom brackets with more widely spaced bearings positioned on each side of the shell.

The Domane’s plain black dual-pivot rim brake calipers aren’t named on Trek’s component spec, but a check of the spare parts list shows them to be Lee Chi items.

From the lever, their action feels quite lively, but whatever Trek has used for the brake pads seems to be allergic to alloy rims, as they have no bite, just a very wooden feel with no pad compression or the ability to increase pressure and stop faster.

I didn’t get the chance to ride them in the wet, but I doubt that would improve their performance. Swapping the brakes would have been very easy and inexpensive, and it’s a shame Trek didn’t do exactly that.

In the very comfortable saddle, the Domane AL 2 showcases its bump-smoothing ability. Like oil calming a rough sea, it glides along, seemingly rolling across the surface.

If I was riding on 32mm or larger tyres at lower pressures, it would be easier to understand, but these are 25mm at normal road pressure. The higher-specced carbon Domanes amplify this effect much further, but finding this ride quality on an entry-level machine is impressive.

Anyone expecting a choppy ride on a budget aluminium frame will be blown away by the Domane AL 2.

Where the tarmac’s top surface coating has worn away, leaving uneven patches, or when it looks more washboard than A-road, the Domane rounds off the sharpness of the expected impact, keeping everything well under control.

The Shimano Claris levers have a very familiar feel, and are about as comfortable as most Shimano levers. Their shifting, across an eight-speed cassette, has less finesse than Shimano’s 10, 11 and 12-speed groupsets, but is still quite swift.

One downside of only having eight sprockets is larger jumps between some gears, which is inevitable with their 11-32 range. The front shifting performance is acceptable – it mainly does the job reliably, but occasionally needs a little coaxing not to get stuck mid-shift.

The gearing range is ideal for the Domane’s expected use, with a 50/34 compact chainset mated to that 11-32 cassette. Almost 1:1 low gearing on a reasonably swift road bike is quite generous, and 50x11 is big enough for most scenarios.

That relaxing ride quality translates to handling fun. It gives great confidence when cornering, descending and changing line to avoid obstructions. The Domane feels utterly stable, encouraging you to push a little harder, and the Bontrager tyres grip very well.

With a helpful breeze and friendly gradient, the Trek can really fly, but when the tables are turned, the Bontrager TLR wheelset shows its limitations.

On short drags, where I’m usually able to carry speed, until needing to stand up and power over the top, I found my approach speed was slower, and I’d have to change at least one gear before slogging over the crest.

They’re solid wheels that can be converted to tubeless for some puncture protection, but trying to muster a town sign sprint requires far more power than it should, and the resultant speed is underwhelming.

With mounts for full mudguards and a rear rack, this Domane could make an ideal winter bike or quick commuter , and there’s enough room for at least a 28mm tyre without mudguards.

Trek Domane AL 2 bottom line

Trek’s Domane AL2 has a lot to offer, especially at this price.

Its tidy frame and vibe-eating fork are a sound basis for a good bike, which overall the Trek is.

The groupset does its job well, but the non-series chainset and narrow cartridge bottom bracket let the side down, with some iffy shifts and axle deflection. And the less said about those rim brakes, the better.

The ride quality from 25mm tyres is impressive, and increasing volume would add comfort and a little grip. Adding speed would require a wheel upgrade , which is quite straightforward, but not essential.

Budget Bike of the Year 2022 | How we tested

Our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year testing was handled by regular BikeRadar contributors Simon Withers and Robin Wilmott – two highly-experienced testers who have reviewed dozens of road and gravel bikes at the budget end of the market over the years.

Testing involved long rides on favourite routes around Bath, as well as laps of rolling hills in Somerset. Unlike our more performance-focused categories, the best road bikes around £1,000 are also more likely to be used for commuting by bike and other errands.

With this in mind, we’ve paid close attention to how easy the bikes are to live with for day-to-day use and how they fare on urban jaunts.

Our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year contenders are:

• Boardman ADV 8.9
• Forme Monyash 2
• Giant Contend 1
• Trek Domane AL 2
• Triban RC 500

Thanks to our sponsors HUUB , Lazer , 100% and Garmin for their support in making Bike of the Year happen.

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2012 Trek Domane 2.0

• Serial: WTU297G5261G
• Other serial/registration/sticker: Also on 529 Garage
• Manufacturer: Trek
• Name: Trek Domane 2.0
• Model: Domane 2.0
• Primary colors: Black and White
• Frame size: 56CM
• Wheel diameter: 700 C
• Frame Material: Aluminum

Distinguishing features

6/17/16: * Shimano Tiagra 10-speed components throughout * Shimano 105 SPD-SL pedals, ground-off paint on outside ends * NiteRider Lumina 650 headlight * Planet Bike tail light (red and white) * Garmin 520plus computer with wireless front wheel and cadence sensors * Bontrager aftermarket handlebars - Black handlebar tape (3/23/2023) * Bontrager aftermarket stem - extra-long * Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II 700c Road Tire Black/Reflective - 700c x 25mm - Rear * Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II 700c Road Tire Black - 700c x 25mm - Front * Rear wheel is missing the reflector in the spokes * Beat-up ancient Performance seat pack - Print of my driver's license and insurance card - Multi-tool - Pink-colored zip-ties - Yellow-colored 1st aid kit - CO2 valve and two cartridges - Nail wrapped with gaffer tape - Patch kit - SPD-SL cleat covers - other stuff

Additional parts

Drivetrain and brakes.

• Water Bottle Cage Two - white-colored
• Stem Bontrager after-market - extra long ()
• Lights Headlight - NiteRider Lumina 650 Lumina 650 ()
• Lights Tail light - Planet Bike Superflash - Red & white-colored Superflash ()
• Handlebar Bontrager aftermarket - extra-wide ()
• Saddle Bontrager aftermarket ()
• Computer Sigma Sport BC 16.12 STS with wireless front wheel and cadence sensors Computer has a cracked screen BC 16.12 STS ()
• Grips/Tape White bar tape, beat-up on right end
• Other Mirror on left handlebar end
• Derailleur Front & rear - Shimano Tiagra Tiagra ()
• Brake Shimano Tiagra (I believe) ()
• Pedals Shimano 105 SPD-SL 105 SPD-SL ()
• Brake Pad Kool-Stop brake pads -- front & rear ()
• Tire Front - Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II 700c Road Tire Black - 700c x 25mm Rear - Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II 700c Road Tire Black/Reflective - 700c x 25mm Grand Prix 4000 S II ()
• Wheel Stock wheels but rear is missing the reflector

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Results have arrived, trek domane 2.0 58cm bike - 2014, item #brd12886, condition: pre-owned used condition with signs of use but functions as intended. backed by tpc's risk-free return policy..

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Trek Domane 2.0 Compact Road Bike 2016

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The Trek Domane 2.0 Compact Road Bike 2016 has it all; speed and comfort with minimal weight thanks to the carbon fibre fork and Alpha 200 series aluminium frame.

Bontrager provide the quality handlebar, stem, seat post, wheels, tyres and saddle. This is paired with Shimano's Tiagra ten-speed groupset. Comfort is provided by IsoSpeed technology, which dampens road buzz.

Ideal for racing and sportives, with a position that is dialled specifically for long days in the saddle. The Trek Domane 2.0 Compact Road Bike 2016 features Trek's Endurance geometry, a nice balance between an outright race position and a more relaxed one. The Endurance fit, makes it one of the most versatile road bikes on the market.

IsoSpeed technology in the frame allows the seat tube to rotate independently from the top-tube-to-seat stay junction, increasing vertical compliance to twice that of the nearest competitor, without compromising pedalling efficiency.

The IsoSpeed fork has a generous ride-tuned sweep with the shape increasing compliance for a smoother ride, and unique dropout placement optimising the wheelbase while an extra curve above the dropout in the swept-leg design creates a smaller angle to the direction of road vibrations. This angle increases fore/aft compliance, better positioning the fork leg to absorb road force rather than transmitting it straight to the rider. The fork lateral stiffness has also been increased maximising both smoothness and control. Both aspects resulting in a bike that you can ride faster for longer.

The press-fit BB86.5 bottom bracket makes the frame lighter, stiffer, and quicker to accelerate. While discreet vanishing mudguard accommodate full-coverage mudguards for added utility and DuoTrap compatibility sees the end of cable ties allowing you to seamlessly integrate a computer sensor into the frame to measure speed, distance, and cadence with no added aerodynamic drag. It works with all the major ANT wireless technology players, including Bontrager, Garmin, PowerTap, and SRM. Integration continues with the Blendr compatible stem allowing Blendr gadgets to be simply clicked in for added user friendliness.

• 200 Series Alpha Aluminium frame
• IsoSpeed carbon fibre fork
• Ability to integrate mudguards, racks, Blendr gadgets and DuoTrap sensors
• BB86.5 for a lighter and stiffer frame that will accelerate quickly
• IsoSpeed decoupler for plush comfort all ride long
• New and improved Shimano Tiagra ten speed drivetrain

Specification

FRAME Trek 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, IsoSpeed, vanishing mudguard mounts

FORK Trek IsoSpeed carbon, SpeedTrap compatible

HEADSET 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings

STEM Bontrager Elite, 31.8 mm, 7-degree, with Blendr computer & light mounts

HANDLEBAR Bontrager Race, VR-C, 31.8 mm

HANDLEBAR TAPE Bontrager Microfibre Tape

FRONT BRAKE Alloy dual-pivot

REAR BRAKE Alloy dual-pivot

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed

CASSETTE Shimano Tiagra, 11-32, 10-speed

CHAIN KMC X10, 10-speed

CRANKSET Shimano Tiagra compact

CHAINRINGS 50/34 (compact)

RIMS Bontrager Tubeless Ready

HUBS Bontrager alloy

FRONT TYRE Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 700 x 25c

REAR TYRE Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 700 x 25c

SADDLE Bontrager Paradigm 1

SEAT POST Bontrager Alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2 mm, 8 mm offset

Image shown for representation of colour way only, specification subject to change at any time. Bicycles do not come with pedals unless otherwise specified.

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Trek Domane vs Specialized Roubaix: Which Is The Best Endurance Road Bike?

In this post I’m going to compare the Trek Domane with the Specialized Roubaix. Which, if you’ve stumbled upon this post by accident and you’ve missed the tone of things round here, are both road bikes.

I’ll give an overview of the range of bikes available within each of these model families. I’ll also look at the particular features that are specific to the bikes, particularly in the area of comfort and ride smoothening.

This is part of a series of posts I’m writing, comparing the road bikes stables of these two large US bike manufacturers, Trek and Specialized. If you haven’t already, you should check out my introductory post on the subject .

Whilst other posts in this series (will) deal with aero bikes, lighter climbing bikes and gravel bikes, this one is really about my specialist subject (sort of): the bike for the older, more comfort-seeking gent.

Or ‘endurance road bike’, as the cycling industry seems set on calling it.

Why I Might Be Biased

I own a Trek Domane (a 4.3, which I bought in 2013). I really like it.

So much so that I just took it back to the frame, cleaned all the components, bought some new bits and then put it all back together:

I do therefore have an affinity towards it, and Trek in general.

That said, I would  really  like a Roubaix (or any high-end Specialized road bike), so I can’t see me being particularly negative about it, or the company as a whole, as I write this post.

Drool mode… engaged:

Bikes Mentioned In This Post

Er, this isn’t going to come as much of a shock…

• Specialized Roubaix – click here to visit the Specialized website to see the full range
• Trek Domane – click here to see the Domane at Trek

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I get a commission.

It’s All In The (Brand) Positioning

Trek and Specialized, pretty early on, both identified that the sort of bike frame that might suit the amateur MAMIL (more relaxed geometry; a bike that soaks up bumps in the road; a more upright riding position, all else being equal) was similar to that used by the pros in the more arduous cobbled classics races (sort of: the pros still use an aggressive riding position).

Thusly, with a bit of smart branding, we could buy a bike altogether more suited to our riding needs and low levels of flexibility whilst still pretending that we had a race-ready riding rig.

If Fabian Cancellara was riding the Domane and Tom Boonen the Roubaix whilst battling it out on the  Carrefour de l’Arbre  in the early 2010s, who could question the pro pedigree of our choice of bike?

Fabian Cancellara's farewell Paris-Roubaix Trek Domane SLR | https://t.co/U3YFUhcXU6 https://t.co/DizNSUTTvt pic.twitter.com/0GX0kKRfur — Cyclingnews (@Cyclingnewsfeed) April 8, 2016

In fact, in the pro world, there is probably less of a gap between ‘endurance’ and ‘race’ bikes these days.

The early and middle parts of races are generally being ridden with more intensity, so race management is much more about reducing fatigue going into the later stages.

Increasing rider comfort on the bike can help with this, and this is being reflected in pro bike geometry, riding positions and tyre choices.

Professionals still look better on a bike than us mere mortals though.

Trek (You Say) Domane

Trek’s endurance bike is the Domane. No one seems to know how to pronounce the word.

Whilst sort of looking French, it’s made up. It’s an anagram of Madone (the name of Trek’s aero road bike, as well as an infamous climb near Nice).

If I were in Trek’s marketing department, I’d say it the same way you pronounce ‘domain’ in English. As I’m not, it seems to be ‘doe-ma-knee’ (emphasis on the ‘ma’).

I Am A Very Happy Domane Owner

You can  read my ‘review’ of my Domane 4.3 here . That was written years ago (I’m thinking of doing an update in video form). Here’s a photo from the archives:

I bought the bike back in July 2013 as part of an extensive overhaul of my whole bike setup ( new bike, new bike fit, new pedals, new shoes ). It hasn’t disappointed. It’s still going strong.

One of the reasons for getting the Domane (in addition to trying to fool myself that I’m a pro Spring classics rider) was that if it was designed to be robust enough for the Roubaix cobbles, then it must be capable of dealing with the Derbyshire potholes. This reasoning has played out.

My Domane has been subject to a good amount of (road surface based) abuse. I’ve upgraded the wheels (to these Campagnolo Zondas ) but the stock ones (Bontrager) held up well.

Is That Frame Broken (Fire Up The Isospeed Decoupler)?

The most innovative feature of the Domane is the fact that the top tube doesn’t actually connect to the seat post. Which sounds like a recipe for disaster.

In truth the tubes do connect. They’re just not fused together (is that what they do with carbon fibre? ‘bonded’ maybe). Instead, there is an ‘Isospeed Decoupler’ linking the two.

This bracket allows the seat tube to flex (a bit) over its full length, rather than being held in place where it meets the top tube. This limited amount of ‘give’ reduces vibration and that brittle jarring you get when riding over rough surfaces.

And ‘rough surfaces’ is essentially the lot of the British MAMIL in his home environment.

All this vibration damping and flexing at one of the key rider contact points aims to reduce (unnecessary) fatigue over the course of the ride, so the rider is fresh enough to contest the selection, when it comes. Or in my case, to allow me to finish a ride (hopefully).

Upgrades To The Original Domane

My Trek Domane features the first generation of Isospeed ride cushioning.

Subsequent models have seen a number of iterations of the rear ride dampening technology.

In addition to making the joint more sleek, for the higher end SLR models, Trek has given riders the ability to adjust the amount of flex in the seat tube via moving a slider, initially on the seat tube itself and, most recently, underneath the top tube.

The original rear Isospeed was introduced for the derrière. Since then, Trek has brought in a front Isospeed for your…. arrière?

The front Isospeed is located at the top of the headseat, allowing for (again, limited) flex in the steerer tube, reducing the road noise that riders feel through their arms.

Trek describes the headset as sitting in a rocker cup. This allows front and back movement in the steerer tube, but no lateral movement. Which is probably a good thing if you want to avoid riding into hedges.

You can  read more about the whole Isospeed caboodle on the Trek website  (if you should so desire…).

Other Things That Have Changed Since 2013…

Whilst the UK legislative agenda may have ground to a halt, we’ve at least had the ‘disc brake revolution’.

All Domanes these days come with disc brakes only. No rim brakes allowed (other than on the aluminium version, the AL, but thats essentially a different bike for a different blog post).

With great (disc brakes) power comes great responsibility (tyre clearance). I recall when I bought my Domane, much fanfare was made about its ability to handle wider tyres. That was something like 28cm.

The most recent generation of Domanes can take up to a 38cm width. They’ll be fitting it with front and rear suspension next. Oh, wait…

Next, the latest generation of Domanes have a hole (deliberately) in the down tube which provides an internal storage compartment for tools and, say, a CO2 cartridge.

And what’s this?

The Trek Domane No Longer Uses A Press Fit Bottom Bracket!

That’s right. The BB90 press fit bottom bracket that is apparently hated by everyone (but which I enjoyed learning how to fit in this video) has been replaced with a T47 threaded bottom bracket.

Mechanics everywhere will rejoice. Monty will stand around looking vacant.

(Whilst he’s looking vacant, let’s move on to the Specialized Roubaix)

Roubaix Roubaix Roubaix Roubay (Ooo-oo-ooo-oo)

Specialized’s endurance bike model is, as mentioned, the Roubaix. It featured on the short list of bikes I considered back in 2013.

Roubaix is a town in northern France famous historically for producing wool and textiles. It was chosen as a model name by Specialized to fit in with its strategy of choosing industrial names for bikes, like the Tarmac.

(I’m very tempted just to stop here…)

Sure, there’s a famous bike race each year that finishes in the Roubaix velodrome. Famous for traversing 29 cobbled sectors ( proper  cobbles). Famous for testing riders and their bikes to the limit. And being called ‘the Hell of the North’.

So Specialized probably named the Roubaix after that. Sure sure sure.

Does The Specialized Roubaix Have Suspension?

At the time I was looking at buying a Roubaix, Specialized tackled the whole ‘quasi-suspension’ thing by integrating ‘Zertz’ inserts into the seat stays and the fork.

These plastic (okay, ‘viscoelastic polymer’) dampeners purported to absorb vibrations that would otherwise pass unhindered into the rider’s butt-oxe and hands.

Specialized adopts a similar principle to the comfort features of the Domane. Logic as follows:

• Vibrations lead to fatigue.
• Fatigue leads to tiredness.
• Tiredness leads to pain.
• Pain leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to… suffering.

Anygroad, Specialized have dispensed with Zertz in the most recent generations of Roubaix (Roubaiz?). Instead they do have an actual shock absorbing piston, with 20mm of travel, built into the head tube.

This feature, known as the ‘Future Shock’ gives (understandably) more vertical movement than the Zertz-based flexy-forks approach. This makes for a more comfortable rider experience in the ‘cockpit’ area of the bike.

Like Trek’s Isospeed feature (in the more expensive models), the Future Shock 2.0 used in bikes at the higher end of the Roubaix range can be adjusted to control the amount of dampening.

Towards the bottom end of the range (Roubaix Comp and below), the Future Shock 1.5 is used, which does not have the adjustment knob (it still has 20mm of travel though).

Does The Specialized Roubaix Have Rear Suspension?

In short, no.

Distinct from the Domane, the Roubaix provides no mechanical ‘comfort features’ around the seat tube and chain stays. Your butt-oxe will no longer be cossetted. Many apologies.

That said, all of the models come with the S-Works Pave seatpost (there you go – a little bit of S-Works bling, even at the low end of the range).

Specialized states that the Pave is the ‘first compliant seatpost that’s aerodynamic’ and without any ‘contraptions’ (surely a dig at Trek?). More flex has been built into upper part of the seat post (quite what ‘more flex’ is relative to isn’t stated).

Anyhoo, at least Specialized are thinking about these things, so it’ll be better than nothing.

The Specialized Roubaix Range

The aim of this section is to give an overview of the Specialized Roubaix range so you can quickly triangulate between the name (Sport, Comp, etc), the price and the high level spec.

For more detail you’ll want to check out the Specalized website (also the range differs slightly between the US and the UK).

Roubaix Sport

• Cost: £2,750 / $2,900
• Frame: FACT 10R
• Suspension: Future shock 1.5
• Colour scheme options: 2
• Components: Shimano 105 R7000 (11 speed) other than Praxis Alba crankset (compact)
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470

Roubaix Comp

• Cost: £3,500 / $3,600
• Components: Shimano Ultegra R8000; compact 11 speed; clutch rear derailleur RX800

Roubaix Expert

• Cost: £4,750 / $6,000 (no idea why the US price is so high relative to the UK)
• Colour scheme options: 1
• Suspension: Future shock 2.0
• Components: Shimano Ultegra R8000 Di2; compact 11-speed; clutch rear derailleur RX805 (Di2)

Roubaix Pro

• Cost: £6,600 / $6,700
• Suspension: Future Shock 2.0
• Components: SRAM Force eTAP with RED etap rear derailleur; 12 speed; compact (46/33t)
• Wheels: Rovel Alpinist CL

S-Works Roubaix – SRAM Red eTAP AXS

• Cost: £10,500
• Frame: FACT 11R
• Components: SRAM RED eTAP AXS 12-speed with power meter
• Wheels: Rovel Alpinist CLX

S-Works Roubaix – Sagan Collection

• Cost: £10,069
• Components: Dura-Ace Di2 11-speed with dual-sided powermeter
• Wheels: Rovel Rapide CLX

The Trek Domane Range

Oof, there are a lot of variants of the Domane available, making them difficult to summarise without this post descending into a turdpile of tedium*.

(* Ha ha, yes, I see, you already think it’s a tur…)

Again, you’ll want to check out the full range at the Trek website:

At the top end you have the SLR series of bikes, all of which use Trek’s highest quality OCLV 700 Series carbon frame (something to do with the quality of the carbon layup…).

Then you have a few sub-variants:

• SLR 6 – mechanical Ultegra / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,800 / £5,500
• SLR 7 – electronic Ultegra Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $7,800-8,300 / £6,350-6,900
• SLR 7 eTap – wireless electronic SRAM Force eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $8,500-8,800 / £7,000
• SLR 9 – electronic Dura-Ace Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels – $12,000 / £10,000
• SLR 9 etap – wireless electronic SRAM RED eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels – $12,000 / £10,100

In case you’re wondering, the prices ranges for the two SLR 7 variants is because there appears to be a ‘standard’ colour scheme for each one (lower price) and then a few colour options that are built to order (higher price)

The SLs all have the OCLV 500 series frame. Not as high spec as the 700 but designed to be lightweight, strong and stiff (but aren’t they all…).

• SL 4 – mix of Shimano Tiagra and Praxis / Bontrager Affinity Disc wheels – $2,400 / £2,100
• SL 5 – Shimano 105 / Bontrager Affinity Disc wheels – $2,900 / £2,550
• SL 6 – mechanical Ultegra / Bontrager Paradigm Comp wheels – $3,800 / £3,350
• SL 7 – electronic Ultegra Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,000 / £5,100
• SL 7 eTap – wireless electronic SRAM Force eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,200 / £5,650

In case it’s not obvious (it really isn’t), you can transmogrify between the SLR and SL ranges to see that the number 7, say, corresponds to a spec featuring Ultegra Di2 and Aeolus Pro 3V wheels.

I’ll save the electric and aluminium versions of the Domane for other blog posts.

Is There A Trek Domane Women’s Bike?

Actually, yes. And no. Mainly no.

Trek used to do a higher end women’s version of the Domane. Now they are saying that for all new Domane SLRs and SLs, they’re producing frame sizes down to 44cm (i.e. small). So there should be an option that fits every rider, whether they are man, woman or squirrel.

As an aside, there are two new AL (aluminium-framed) versions of the Domane that are described as ‘Women’s’. The frames do look slightly different to the equivalent men’s models (they’re a different colour at least) but the bumf on the website makes more of them being fitted with ‘women-specific’ saddles and handlebars than the geometry.

It’s Probably Worth Saying…

I’ve only ridden one Trek Domane (the one in my garage). The technology and ride feel has no doubt moved on. Similarly, I’ve never been lucky enough to try out a Specialized Roubaix.

This post from Bikeradar  provides a comparison based on their reviews of both bikes (albeit from previous generations of both bikes). And for an actual bike review, you’d like to think they’ve ridden them extensively…

Which Should You Buy?

Here I must disappoint. I’m going to sit on the (carbon fibre) fence.

I have really enjoyed riding my Trek Domane this past six years. Many readers of this blog found it by reading my original ‘review’ of the bike. Almost every comment or email I’ve received about it has been positive.

That said, I (obviously) covet a nice Specialized Roubaix. I’m sure it’s also an excellent choice.

So it looks like if you’re in the market for a new endurance bike (and no cyclist is truly out of the market for a new bike), you’ll have to test them both out. What a hassle…

Stay tuned for the next episode in this occasional Trek versus Specialized series.

In the meantime, do you own either the Domane or the Roubaix (or maybe both!)?

Let me know your views in the comments below.

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9 thoughts on “Trek Domane vs Specialized Roubaix: Which Is The Best Endurance Road Bike?”

Hello, At long last after38 years I have now switched from a vintage Koga Miyata Radonneur steel frame to Specialized Roubaix and I am amazed about the quality and smoothness of the ride. Yes, my steel steed was comfortable but some sections of tarmac roads we have here in Scotland are horrible, even on a steel bike. Imagine my astonishment when I rode the Roubaix (2016 model), Zipp Firecrest303 carbon wheels, on these roads and they just became smoother and less harsh. I always thought that carbon is harsh but in the right configuration it is marvelous, not to mention the nearly 9kg in weight saving.

I have a 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Elite Disc, and it is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. When I was buying in 2016 I got my shortlist down to the Domane and Roubaix. Test rode both, and couldn’t separate them for ride quality and comfort. It eventually came down to price, with the Roubaix being £50 less. On saying that, I’m heading back to the ride quality of steel in a few weeks time, with a Mason Resolution 2 on order. So, if anybody fancies a well looked after Roubaix…? 😂

Thanks for the info. Im still riding my 2013 domane 500 series as well. But thinking it’s time for disc brakes. You didn’t mention electronic shifters either ! Maybe time for that info as well !

Have been following you for a while, always find you entertaining and informative. I wrote off my beloved 2015 domane disc in a ‘night time chain gang vs pothole’ incident (as well doing a number on my right wrist, which is now part bone, part titanium). ( I am now banned from night riding by SWMBO). Bought a Mason Definition 2 with Di2, based on the reviews and an hours ride from their base on the South Coast. But we’ve never ‘gelled’. It gives me neither the comfort nor the speed of the domane. It also feels quite harsh up front, which is not good for my often painful wrist, so the new domane is an itch I think I’ll have to scratch. Looking at a sale 2020 SL 7 with Force eTap and carbon wheels at a bargain price. Never had eTap, but the reviews are excellent. A little nervous as I adore Di2, but almost certainly going to pull the trigger once I’ve had a ride.

Hi Glenn – did you go for another Domane in the end?

Hello Glenn, could you share more about your “wrist?” I just purchased the 2021 Roubaix Sport, after returning from an almost 30-year hiatus and riding, again, my 40 year old, too-big-for-me Fuji Flair. Riding the new bike, I brake entirely too hard and have jolted myself to where I hurt my right wrist (I am right-handed). Thanks in advance for your time and attention.

I’ve ridden a Trek Domane 4.3 since 2013 and recently purchased the Domane SL5. I’ve found the post very low in comparison so have flipped the stem, which has made me more upright. The Arvada saddle for me is creating a lot of pressure compared to my Affinity (no longer available) saddle on my 4.3. I’m therefore changing this to a Trek Versa and hope this will alleviate the problem. Still love my 4.3 and hopefully will enjoy my new SL5 as much once it’s sorted to my liking. The SL5 is my 4th Trek with the pride of my collection being the SL8 full Dura Ace Emonda.

The Affinity saddle is available for a bargain basement price of $75 (carbon rails too). I picked one up for my Trek Fuel and it is the most comfortable saddle I have tried. Search “overstock” on trek’s website. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/factory-overstock/bontrager-affinity-pro-carbon-factory-overstock-bike-saddle/p/24630/?colorCode=white

I had the domane 4.3 for many years, great bike. Now I went for the domane sl7 2021 with di2. I love it!

I did my first bike race at 315km. What a comfort!

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• Rider Notes

2018 Trek Domane AL 2

An aluminum frame endurance bike with mid-range components and rim brakes.

Manufacturer Price

For This Bike

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Domane AL 2

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