mtalinm

I've tried several bikes during the past few years but finally found one I like. Required a few mods.

Started with a Trek Domane (4.5). It has this "Isospeed" decoupler that keeps the bumps from going straight to your butt. Good for those of us who have to keep tires fully inflated to avoid pinch flats.

Of course the first order of business was a new rear wheel. I tried the stock one but broke a spoke and even cracked the rim. oops. had a Velocity Dyad built with 36 spokes. Has survived a few potholes even at my weight.

The domane comes with a compact double, which most people say is enough for hills but not when you're "up there" on the scale. So I replaced the 1-28 cassette with an 11-36, which gives me a lot more range. No more mashing up hills!

Of course to reach a cog that big you need a long cage derailleur (Deore XT did it). the standard derailleur looks like it'll shift up to 32, so that might suffice for a "mild Clyde" but not for "uber Clydes" like me.

last touch was a Selle saddle, which a fellow Clyde said was good for big guys. of course mileage varies...

Willbird

Pictures or it did not happen :-).....LOL :-).

Sounds pretty sweet :-).

Bill

mtalinm

it happened :-)

MauiWowwee

Nice ride. How do you like those full metal fenders from pdw?

mtalinm

they were the only ones that would fit the Domane, and then only when switching the rear tire from a 25 to a 24 (GP Force).

they are noisy though on the bumps, and not easily removable like Trek's plastic fenders (but those don't fit).

btw I feel that Trek overstated the fender-ability of this bike. yesthere are mounts, but there is just not enough clearance with the stock tires.

Willbird

Looks like an all weather warrior ?? :-).

mtalinm

good for everything but ice. can't find studs on tires skinny enough, but no matter as my winter riding days are over.

it rains a lot in Boston, so it's nic ehaving the fenders. I just wish they were easily removable.

MauiWowwee

I was considering buying those fenders for my road bike because I like the quality of them. But like you said, they're not easily removable. I may go with sks raceblades in the next few months as it starts to get wet where I'm located.

jdevarie

now that is a sweet ride. I have a madden that I never thought about outfitting with heavy duty stuff. You are giving me great ideas. Also from the Boston area I've been riding my fuji sly with 36h wheels with no issue. Good to see a fellow clyde so close by with such a nice ride.

1loosemoose

I love the bike!!
I started riding this year at 282 lbs and I purchased the trek 1.1 since I was first starting out I wanted to make sure this wasn't a fad for me. I am now 239 and have " earned" myself the right to own a bike this nice. I am waiting for the 2015's to come out and am planning on buying a Domane 4.7 and am going to do the same things you have done.
I'm glad to hear the bike is working out so well for you. I can't wait to get my new ride and hit the roads on such a killer bike!!
I would already have one when they were marked down but I need a 62" frame and they are sold out of the biggins.
Thanks again for this post and keep on riding.

mtalinm

1loosemoose, good luck finding a 62" ... some stores won't even order them for you unless you pay full in advance.

you will love the upgrade from the 1.1 to the Domane. at 239 you might be fine with the stock wheels (rated to 250). I, sadly, am a bit north of there :-( try them for a bit and see if they hold up for you.

another shortcut might be trying the Tiagra 4600 cassette (12-30) to give yourself just a little more oomph up the hills. that way you wouldn't need the replacement RD.

in any case good luck!! lemme know if you have any Qs

fmt_biker

Nice ride! Do you have a link or just the full name of the saddle that worked out for you? I have a Domane 5.2 and I cannot stand the stock seat.

mtalinm

2013 Selle SMP Plus Saddle @ We Keep You Cycling |SMP Plus| Selle SMP Plus| | SMP Plus Saddle

I've never sat on the stock saddle. swapped it for a Specialized Romin at purchase, but I like the Selle better.

fmt_biker

Thanks ... yeah I'd have to say you're doing yourself a favor by not sitting on the stock saddle. Maybe it works for 140#'ers but not me.

1loosemoose

Thanks for the advice. My bike guy just checked today on availability of the 4.7 in my size and he said next month sometime. I've purchased 4 bikes from him this year along with countless accessories and I have no doubt he will order this bike with nothing down. I will however pay for it in full if he needs that. I can't wait!!

I will seriously coinsider your advice on the gearing as I'm not strong at climbing.

mtalinm

slight update: i put a 30mm Schwalbe Marathon Racer up front and a 28mm Conti Four Season GP in back and it feels more supportive of my girth.

note: I had to lose the fenders for these to fit. very cool is that a 30mm Schwalbe Winter studded tire also fits up front!

1loosemoose

My bike guy ordered a 2015 4.5 Domane for me to try and I bought it on the spot! It's an awesome bike and I can't tell you how much better the components and ride are on this bike.

I'm currently in the process of trying to wear it out!!!
Thanks for the heads up on this bike.

mtalinm

finally got in a decent ride with the bigger tires and all I can say is, wow! why didn't I swap these a couple years ago?

(change was 25/24 to 30/28)

side_FX

Just a quick diversion of this thread. I was wondering how the 1.1 held up for you? Specifically the wheels? I'm thinking of picking up a 2014 as a winter beater. I might jump up to a1.2 if I can get a good deal.I'm thinking of putting 25s to help in the wheel department. There's something charming about the 1 series that I like.

jeff556

I ended up doing the same thing with my Domane 4.5 - right down to the Selle SMP Plus saddle. I love, love, love the Deore XT derailleur with the 11-36 cassette in the back. Alas, I wasn't smart enough to replace the wheels until after my rim failed on the Seattle to Portland classic (in fairness, laying the bike down on a railroad track 3 weeks before was the real wheel killer).

How is your Roubaix setup?

Chitown_Mike

I love the Domane, I like my 1.5, but a Domane would be a "dream" bike for me. I'd do one completely loaded out, built a nice one on Trek's Project One website, came out aroung $13k.

Very nice bike!

1loosemoose

The wheels were fine. I liked the bike but had horrible luck with the components. My bike guy would tune it up and about 100 miles later it was shifting like crap. I put about 800 miles on it and traded it in for the Domane.

mtalinm

I might recommend the Domane 2.0 (Domane 2.0 - Trek Bicycle#). Aluminum frame, but it has the isospeed decoupler which is the thing that makes the most difference. Also, comes with Tiagra which is better than the Sora on the 4.0!

mtalinm

serious? pictures please!! I need to meet my twin :-)

The Roubaix was set up as a climber - I bought the long-cage derailleur and MTB cassette for it. now it has the standard cassette from the Domane. triple in front, which has never shifted well. mostly my kid rides it.

i'll admit it was a splurge to get the Domane when I had a Roubaix already...

jeff556

I'll get a picture posted next week.