mtalinm

Finally got my Trek Domane 4.5 set up for commuting.

full fenders (had to swap the 25s for 23s to get them to fit, but they're on now). handlebar bag for my Surface, bar-end bell and mirror, Garmin + MagicShine on the stem. Topeak stem bag. No-name seat bag.

Swapped the stock saddle for a Specialized Romin, otherwise as-sold. speedplay pedals. Only regret is no disc brakes, but the Trek rep said there will be no "Domane Disc" so I went for it. tempted to put an Enve disc fork on the front, but it's just so purdy as is...

FatherAlabaster

Sweet lord! You get to leave that inside at work, right?

mtalinm

yeah I have an office. it wouldn't last long outside.

spare_wheel

you can fit 25s -- mebbe even 28s. you just need to split the fenders.

kit can be purchase here if you don't want to DIY:

https://rivercitybicycles.com/rcb-cat...nder-brackets/

FatherAlabaster

Excellent. That's a heck of an investment in a commuter. I never feel right leaving my bike locked up outside, and it's nowhere near as theft-worthy. Hope you have a smooth ride. Does your commute take you into the city?

mtalinm

yeah that's the whole point FA...I have half a dozen miles of smooth suburban cruising where a race bike would do the trick, then half a dozen miles of city-ish riding with plenty of bumps (and cobblestones). so, it's hopefully idea for what i encounter. and the great thing is that I can use it for distance rides as well, just remove the fenders & stuff

thanks for the split-fender idea. will check it out!

mtalinm

did my first commute on this today. speedy on the smooth suburban roads and chews up the rough city streets as well (even a short stretch of cobblestones I usually avoid). great commuter! putting the 25s back on tonight thanks to some PDW fenders with better clearance. only thing missing now is disc brakes...

Chesha Neko

Please post an updated pic with the new fenders. I'd like to do something like this with a Domane 2.

fietsbob

Trek Crossrip *with a better component mix . and a Thudbuster seatpost would give you that..

*or any of a plethora of cross/hybrid combinations..

Colnago showed some full CF Disc Road bikes at the big Trade shows.

spare_wheel

someone did the trp parabox hydraulic thing on BF and had great things to say about it.

mtalinm

not the greatest pic but gives you the idea. fenders look very nice but are not color-matched like the bontrager ones were :-(. I think Trek is still being dishonest about fender support.

mtalinm

I had a bike with a Thudbuster, but it was just not the same. did not handle drops into potholes etc very well, only frontal bumps. domane is great on both. it's a subtle thing but I see a lot more dropouts than bumps on my route. definitely took a close look at the crossrip, that's for sure

Chesha Neko

Still looks great IMO.

Now all you need is an Air Attack from Giro to go with it. Have had mine for a few days:



In medium it weighs 77 grams less than the large Ionos I used to wear (had to downsize after losing weight), and seems nearly/just as cool. Nice retro-dork look.

mtalinm

yah I've made my peace with the color. should say that it took the LBS awhile to fiddle with the rear fender (could not install myself) and even now it rubs a teensy bit. looking at a Conti Force 24c tire for a bit more clearance w/o too much more tire drop...and while I agree some would say "that's a lot to spend on a commuter" I ride many more miles than most weekend-warrior types I know, plus this bike can be used for those distance rides as well

Chesha Neko

Commuting and running errands by bike is usually the best part of my day. IMO, you have to ride something you enjoy riding, or what's the point? I don't understand the obsession with so-called beater bikes for commuting. Ride what you enjoy. If that's a Domane, then more power to you.

If anything I think we everyday riders need better bikes than everyone else. Our bikes aren't just weekend toys, this is how we live.

mtalinm

brief update: though I did get the PDW fenders to "fit" with the stock 25c tires, the clearance was a bit too close for comfort and got easily knocked out of alignment. now trying a 24c on the back (23s work fine). have filed formal complaint with Trek.

Erwin8r

I concur 100%. Ride what makes you smile or, in the alternative, what you have. As someone wiser than me once said, "if you can't ride the one you love, love the one you ride." Or something to that effect.