Hendo252 

Anybody out there actually RIDE a Domane yet?

Just wondering what the hands-on experience was like.

I've read a lot of speculation about whether the frame bearing idea is a good design, and lots of the usual Trek-bashing but I couldn't find any threads discussing actual riding experience.

At first, they were only available in the high-dollar versions (Project One, etc). But the Domane 5's and 4's are out now, which puts them into my price range and are competitive with some of the Roubaix's.

So I'm hoping somebody with some first-hand experience will chime in...

-Tom in SoCal

NWS Alpine

I want to ride one longer but I just took a quick spin. It felt nice and stiff but was dull. The wheelbase seems long and slow but rides smooth. I wish I could ride it on some rough roads but there are none here. I just wanted to try it for fun. Overall my CAAD10 was stiffer and handling is much better as expected. The Madone would be a nice distance/touring bike. I have no intentions to buy one though.

ImChris

Yup! The 5 series as well as the P1 team bike. If you get the chance from a LBS, try to take it out for a decent ride that you are used too so you can really compare how the bike feels. They are just awesome when you take them out longer than a few miles. I felt less tired off bike, after the ride, than I do on my 6 series Madone.

The bikes accelerate well, handle well, and soak up the road much better. As NWS said above, the bike will be a hair slower or less twitchy when doing quick corners /maneuvers than a bike like the Madone. But not enough to effect rides / races in anyway.

Here is a GIF I just threw together to show the slightly minimal differences between the '13 6 series Madone and the '13 6 series Domane. Both bikes are 56, same fit. You'll notice the fork is a completely different angle to help absorb more road vibrations, as well as the top of the headtube is higher on the Domane adding to the comfort a bit. But it's not this road bike that has beach cruiser technology. It's still a race bike, just a much more comfy on long rides race bike.

Go to your LBS, take one on a good spin. Do the same with the Specalized. See how you like them! Hope this helped a bit.



Chris

Hendo252 

Thanks for the responses folks; very helpful.

The animated gif is awesome too -- thank you for that!

The local Trek dealer doesn't have any Domane's in stock (other than the owner's daily ride) so test-riding isn't in the cards any time soon unless I go down to a big dealer in LA. So I'll have to be patient I guess.

I've been thinking Roubaix, but the Domane comes in a triple-crank option which I prefer. So I may end up going that way.

-Tom in SoCal

DGlenday

I like the animated GIF - very useful!

One thing the GIF does not show is that - as I understood it - the Domane's BB is quite a lot lower than the Madone's.

(And ... why does the Madone have no rear brakes?)

moppeddler

Theyre down by the crank. More aero is what they say

roadwarrior

I have ridden one and found it very compfortable despite it's being one size too small for me. Eats up road noise very nicely.

cjj14u

I have both a Madone 5.9 and a new Domane 6. The Domane is awesome for comfort and longer (50+) rides...
The position is more upright and the "iso speed" damper really works well!!!

Peiper1

I tried the Domane at my LBS a couple of weeks back. Rode it for about 45mins, and while I found it slightly more comfortable, I much prefer the "feel" and the handling of my Madone.

ultraman6970

Saw a domane this morning and the darn bike is super long, wonder if they stiffen the whole rear end to make the bike to climb better. I dont like bikes that handle like an 18 wheeler truck so probably i will pass again at trek. Looks good i give them that, super expensive? yes i give them that aswell.

DGlenday

Rear brakes...
Interesting!