novemberhotel

Hi all,

I plan to buy a 2016 Domane 5.9 but I have a few questions about its Di2 setup. This bike has the older Di2 setup; it doesn't come with the SM-EW90 junction box and the battery is external and it's located under the bottom bracket.

Here my questions:

1) Does the lack of the SM-EW90 junction box create any limitations?

2) Have you run into any problems with the location of the battery?

3) How difficult is it to convert to an internal seat tube battery?

Finally, a Project One Domane 6 series bike comes with the newer Di2 setup (SM-EW90 + internal battery) and it's $1500 more than the 5.9. Is it worth spending more to get the 6 series P1?

Thanks and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

OnyxTiger

I would suppose that the junction box determines how many ports you have available for different shift systems ie. climbing or sprint shifters, tri and time trial shifters etc. Also, not 100% positive, but that SM-EW90 is for Dura Ace Di2? Anyhow, not having the junction box with 5 ports just means you have 2 less "standard" ports. 3 are already taken up, I think. Front der, Rear der, and I think the battery.

I have the Ultegra Di2, with the battery located just beneath the bottom bracket. As with most, or maybe all, frames designed with electric compatibility, the routing is internal, and it certainly has ample clearance and doesn't get in the way. Note that the battery is waterproof... I just make sure the battery is latched on correctly (which it is if it's shifting and operating), and I can wash my frame down thoroughly no problem, rain isn't an issue. Internal battery is mostly for aesthetics. I find that mine is super simple to take out for charge, instead of taking off the whole seat post. I prefer mine external now that I think about it, given the choice.

For the third question, wouldn't know. As simple as the setup was with the system itself, I would suppose it's just a matter of purchasing the internal battery kit, and rerouting the wiring up the seat tube to the post.

Lastly, I don't know if I'd spend $1,500 more if the only important difference is an internal placement.

spdntrxi

do you need series 6 carbon over 5?

P1 you also get to choose your color combo

novemberhotel

Sure! But I'm not sure if $1500 is worth it. I know 6 series carbon is lighter and stiffer but for $1500 it needs to be a significant improvement.

RJM

Is the better frame and the newer Di2 setup the only difference between the Project one and the 5.9? Are the wheels the same? Would you dig a different color scheme?

novemberhotel

Yes, the P1 6 series has the same specs with the exception of the Di2 setup and the 600 OCLV carbon.

Having a different color scheme would be nice but I'm concerned that the custom coat of paint just means more weight and vapor coat costs $800 more.

If the Di2 setup on the Domane 5.9 doesn't have any significant limitations, then the 5.9 would be a better deal.

Wheever

You know, I just had the defective frame on my Domane 4.5 disc swapped up to the 6-series disc frame, and I have to tell you I am not blown away. I mean, it's nicer in a lot of ways, sure. Smoother, mostly. But I'm not all that sure that it was worth the $800 (heavily discounted due to various reasons) price of the swap. Of course, had I NOT done it I would have kicked myself, but that's neither here nor there.

My point is, I would save my $1500 were I you. The frame is probably not really THAT much of an upgrade from the 5-series.

MikeEckhaus

I can't help with the Di2 stuff, but having ridden both a 5 and 6 series Domane, the difference is subtle. Much more subtle than the difference between a 4 and 5 series. Both the 5 and 6 have the seat mast versus seat post, which I think adds the most to the improved ride. I personally went with a P1 6 series because I wanted to spec a parts combo that wasn't available stock on any 5 or 6 series bike (mech Ultegra, RXL wheels, some other stuff), so ordering a bike was right for me. But that doesn't mean it's right for you, of course. I wouldn't worry about the weight of the paint. All of the painted bikes are going to be super close in weight. The vapor coat might save a couple ounces at best, but all the other paints, regardless of cost, are probably within an ounce or so of each other. There is almost certainly less variation in paint weight than there is between a 5 adn 6 series frame. I went with a zero cost paint scheme, which was basically one of the stock 6 series colors on a regular 6.9 bike. I don't think you have a bad choice here, it's just your personal preference and budget.

WalksOn2Wheels

I'll also point out that you can spec "down" the project one bike. Lots of folks would do the P1 process and get the cheapest wheels because they already had a set they really liked, or spec the cheapest saddle, stem, bars, etc.

But if you're looking at it solely based on the Di2 difference, I would price out the battery switch on the 5.9 and then see if that's worth it to you. There will be a difference between the 5 and 6 series frame, but probably not so perceptibly large that you would forever be kicking yourself having bought the 5 series. I love my DA mechanical 5.9.

warpdrive

$1500 seems excessive for an upgrade to the frame. After all, the price difference between a 4 series frameset and a 6 series is about $1200. You're definitely paying extra for the customizability of P1 and if that doesn't matter to you then it doesn't make sense. I'd be willing to pay about $800 like wheever did for his frame upgrade, but to go from a 5 to 6 for that price seems really poor value

You could get some nice brand name carbon wheels for that difference.

Roadrash3

I can only answer your question as to difference between he two charging wise. I had a trek madden 5.9 with battery on the bottom bracket and now have a cheaper Specialized Ui2 bike with the battery in the seat. I notice zero difference in riding, or anything else with the bike. Biggest difference is with the bottom bracket battery i would disconnect it and bring it inside to charge. With it inside the seat post, i can't bring it in, the junction box at the handlebars has a plug so i need to take the whole bike over to a wall outlet in the garage. no big deal.

novemberhotel

Thanks for all the replies! I'm gonna through in another contender: Specialized Roubaix SL4 Comp UDI2 ($3000)

It's $1900 cheaper but it's heavier (19.1 lbs vs 16.5 lbs), it's not full Ultegra gruppo (cassette, brakes, and chain are Shimano 105, crankset is made by Praxis), the Fulcrum Racing S-19 wheels have no published specs.

So would you guys spend more and get a lighter and better spec'd bike or get a cheaper and heavier bike and upgrade its components?

Thanks again and Merry/Happy Christmas!

a77impala

Now you're shopping price alone. Go to Wal Mart, bike will be $2700 cheaper than the Spec and only weigh
5lbs more! May be Sora but that works well!
Seriously, I think the 6 series Treks are the only ones USA made anymore.

warpdrive

the specialized is obviously in a different category, it has lots of parts substitutions, lower grade carbon (of all the specialized grades of carbon). If you're ok with that, that's great, you can save the money but you're not comparing apples to apples anymore.

It doesn't make sense to buy the specialized and change out the parts, you'd have to change out 50% of the parts

softreset

The 6 & 7 series Madones were made in the US, the Domane 6-series is assembled in the US. The current 7-series Madones still are, the 6-series is no more. The 9-series Madone are not made in the US, the RSL model is (as it's 700 series carbon).

softreset

I think it's important to clarify that the 2016 Domane 5.9 does not come with the older Di2 tech, it's the current generation stuff. It just comes with the external battery mount. The SM-EW90 is considered the Dura Ace level front junction box, whereas the one that comes on the 5.9 is the Ultegra level front junction box (which makes sense, considering it's an Ultegra level bike.

novemberhotel

Understood. Thanks for the reply!

novemberhotel

Thanks for the clarification!