side_FX

Was pondering what frame might be best suited for a 250+ rider. The Emonda frame is designed to be ultralight.....too delicate for a heavy rider? The domane has a flexible izo-zone......too flexy? Madone designed for aero advantage.....when is a Clyde aero?

Which is best? Am I overthinking? CrossRip maybe?

jaxgtr

Frames should be fine....Wheels would be what you need to address. I started riding my Cannondale SuperSix when I was at 250, and just bought a Synapse. I also have a CrossRip I use for commuting. I am riding Boyd Altamont's 24/28's on my road bikes and the Altamont Disc on my CrossRip also 24/28.

softreset

I put 1500 miles on a pair of Bontrager RL wheels and 1400 on a pair of Bontrager Race wheels (all over 250) and they only each needed a little truing at around 1000 miles. Both on Domanes (4.5 & 5.9). I think you need to hop on all three bikes and try them out.

For 2015, Trek is only doing the Madone in the 1 & 2 series aluminum or the 7 series carbon. So in terms of pricing/feature options you'll have more choices with the Emonda and Domane. But you might also find a 2014 clearance Madone.

iTrek

I'm on a 2014 Domane 4.3 at 268. No issues whatsoever. Love the ride.

Up North

Domane will suit you best. I 'm on my second Domane P1 and love that frame. Currently building up Emondo SLR frame.

1loosemoose

I'm weighing 230's right now and love my Domane 4.5 and all has been great!

Lanovran

All three of those bikes will be rated to the same rider weight limit of 275 lbs. (likely a conservative number, that). The Émonda is lightweight, yes, but it is still built to be durable and smooth-riding, albeit with a bit more solid climbing platform. The Domane does have some flex to it, but only where one might want it (i.e. vertical flex in the seat tube). The Madone is now only available in a 2-series aluminum or top-end 7-series carbon, and I'd wager that the aero advantages would be small to nil for anyone but a pro rider. If I were in your shoes, I'd try out the Émonda and Domane. The Domane is my favorite, as it has a super-smooth ride (and I'm no racer). I've been hearing some very good feedback on the Émonda as well, though, so it's worth a try. Go get on some bikes and see which you like better!

Jack Lorington

Jarrett2

Domane is great for a comfort road bike. I prefer the Specialized Roubaix with the CG-R seat post to the Domane though. Similar comfort, but more aggressive feel, imo.

Wheels, wheels, wheels are the important part. I'd suggest talking to the LBS and seeing if they could trade in the stock wheels towards a more Clyde worthy set negotiated into the purchase price.

sstorkel

Are you planning to buy one of the $10,000+ ultra-light versions? If not, I wouldn't worry...

No matter how big you are, you'll always be more aerodynamic in a racing tuck. The question is: are you flexible enough to get there and stay there? And are you doing riding where being aerodynamic matters?

If you don't already know the answer to this question, you probably want the Domane. Or the Specialized Roubaix. Or the Cannonade Synapse. Or the Giant Defy Advanced. Or the Fuji Gran Fondo.

rick458

I bought a 2013 Trek Domane 4.0c on clearance last month and I really like it, I test rode a Madone, the Domane, and a Specialized Secteur.
the Domane felt the most supple to me but still very lively.
I am 6'2 at 257lbs and got a 60 frame.

Black wallnut 

Test ride them all, plus the #sstorkel list. Buy the one you like the most, the one that speaks to you hopefully from a shop that treats you like a close friend. Make sure it fits.

Sullalto

Buy the one you'll want to get on and ride every day. Why buy anything else?

Frame is likely fine, get better wheels if you keep popping spokes.

I visited a bunch of bike shops when getting a road bike. One opened up to a giant parking lot(shared with a 24 screen movie theater), couple of laps around that was enough to give a feel for a bike. Another put every bike I was interested in on a trainer and fiddled with fit. Again, got to spend enough time in the saddle to weed out some stuff that was a likely prospect on paper. Buy from one of those type shops, and don't worry about brand.

CliftonGK1

They're all 3 great bikes, but the geometry is significantly different on the Domane.
The Madone and Emonda use the H1 or H2 race fit geometry which is designed to keep you in a deeper position all the time.
The Domane uses the Endurance fit geometry. It's going to raise the headtube and give you a slightly more rearward/upright position when compared to the very aggressive geometry of the H1 or H2 fit.

Depending on the Madone you're looking at, there are some other considerations. While the Alu versions use regular brakes, the 7 series uses Trek's integrated brake system. They're hella strong on stopping power, but here's the issues I have with them.
If you don't plan on going to the shop often for brake adjustments, get ready for a lot of maintenance. The pivots tend to pick up a fair amount of dust on the front brake. If you ride in the rain, you'll need to disassemble the brake to clean all the parts properly. They use Alu hardware to save weight, so grease it all up good or it will seize in there and you'll strip the bolts trying to remove them, and have to drill the heads off to remove the brake to get to the remaining bolt for removal.
The rear brake is below the chainstay, which makes it aero as all get out, but it also picks up a crapton of debris and the placement leads to rapid pad/rim wear as well as corrosion of hardware and cables if you ride in adverse conditions. Not a problem if you've got a team mechanic fixing your bike after every ride, but more hassle than I'd prefer to put into a $7500 bike, having to fully disassemble the brakes every month if I've ridden in the rain.

Meanwhile, the Domane has lower cost options which are going to give you equally great component choices with less maintenance. You can get a Domane 5.9 with Ultegra di2 or Dura Ace cable actuated for the same price. Depends on whether or not you want the robot shifting or not. Speaking as a mechanic, it's pretty bad-ass, shifts spot on, and for non-race situations works really great. Matter of fact, it's less fickle than the cable actuated Dura Ace, but you are paying a weight penalty with the battery and servos. Not much (if you're not racing), but some. The drawback is that the speed settings for running the entire cassette are far slower than what you can do manually with cables. Single and double shifts, no worries; dropping 5 or 6 for a sprint... that's gonna be slow by comparison.
Another benefit to the Domane line is that there are multiple options in disc brake. Stronger wheels (24/24 crossed lacing front and rear as opposed to a radial front on the non-disc versions), longer rim life, stronger braking with less finger force because they're using Shimano hydros. Sure, again it's a weight penalty; but one well worth it IMO. Aside from those listed benefits, the disc versions eliminate the brake bridge, allowing for larger tire clearance. The 6.2 disc will clear a 32mm tire (former co-worker verified this at Trek University earlier this year.)

While the Madone is only available in Alu for the 1 & 2 models, or 700 series carbon for the 7 series, the Emonda is available in 300 series (S-frames), 500 series (SL frames) and 700 series (SLR frames). The difference being the weight of the frame due to different carbon weave and number of overall pieces for the final frame layup. For overall comfort I'd minimally go with the Emonda SL series because the 500 vs 300 frames are SO much better for the price.
The Domane is available in Alu, 400, 500, and 600 series carbon. I'd avoid the alu versions because the properties don't allow for the best engagement of the seatmast IsoZone pivot for vibration damping. At minimum, the 400 series carbon does a significantly better job; but the layup design between the 4, 5, and 6 series frames is different enough that you can feel a difference in the ride between the three when equipped with the same tires, saddle and bars.

The 5 series is my personal minimum for performance based on the frame feel and the fact that the 5 series is where Trek no longer does mix 'n' match components, but sticks with a single group throughout. But don't get me wrong, the 4 and 4 disc series are hella nice bikes. But you will make a couple of component cost sacrifices with things like a mismatched crankset and brakes.

TJClay

I don't think you'll notice any flex in the Domane. I've got about 2500 miles on my 6 series and I find it very comfortable, I know the ISOZone is working but don't notice it other then there's much less vibration in the seat then there is in the bars. They're all good, get what makes you get out and ride the most, that's the most important thing.

volosong

This I didn't know. Makes sense and I've been wondering about it this year. The first "nail in the coffin" was the Domane - the final "nail in the coffin" was the Émonda.

OP, as stated, any will be good for you. I have a Modone 4.5 that has served me well. Took a Domane 6 on an extended test ride, and would have purchased it if my Pinarello wasn't as comfortable as it is. If I were to purchase a Trek today, it would be a Domane.