Mikes1992

I currently use a Hybrid trek FX 7.1 (2009) and I want to buy a comfortable road bike that I can also mount a rack to.
I will be using it for Commuting (although I may use my current bike for work since It'll be locked up on the street), long distance and training. I'll mostly be riding it on the road but may take it down a few gravel tracks (which my Hybrid with 700x28 tyres seems to cope great with)

I was originally intending on spending £700 but then I saw the Trek Domane 2.0 for £1000... the reviews seem really good and it seems perfect for what I wanted from a bike. I've done alot of research and it seems really good and a perfect balance for my requirements (which is why I've gone over my £700 budget!). I've looked at in the shop and it seems great.

I'm just really worried that i'm going to regret spending £1000 a road bike. I do feel like I want to take the next step and become a serious cyclist.


Does anybody have any tips for a first time buyer like my self?



Thanks!

dusty01

Well i started with a trek 3700 mountain bike and still enjoy good ride through the woods, but like you i ended up with a fx 7.1 Good bike, but like you i decided i wanted to jump on the road bike, so i ended up with a cannondale cadd 10-5, and i absoutley love it. Now this is 1730 before tax but my closet shop has good sales that go on and i walked out with bike shoes and pedals for 1600. the bike is super light for aluminum, very comparble to low end carbbon. I have no and i mean no regretsabout buying this and i have really racked up some miles since it is a joy to get out and ride.

mdelrossi

I have a Domane 2.0.
Its an excellent bike. But.
Its not as road dampening as a Giant defy composite 3 or a Felt Z5.
Both are a bit above your £1000 mark but I think they are worth it. I bought a 2013 Felt Z5 and love it, the tiagra group is just fine. And I can upgrade to internal electronic if my heart desires.
Over on your side of the pond Felt has a Z6 which I believe is comparable to my Z5 but has a better paint job

jcg878

I have a Domane 4.5 and absolutely love it. Moved up from an entry level aluminum Novara and it is much more fun to ride. It may or may not be the bike for you, but I doubt you'll regret spending the money.

Mikes1992

what do you think about the Riding position of the domane 2.0?

fstshrk

If you are looking in that price range, you should also look at the Roubaix SL2. I have one (now for a few years) and it is a great bike. Smooth, efficient and is well supported by Specialized.

mdelrossi

Do you mean the h2 geometry? If so I like it. 20 or so years ago my wife surprised me with a cannodale frame. What I didn't know was that it was two sizes too small for me. So I'm a bit more stretched out and comfortable on the Domane . That being said if I want a more aggressive posture I can always flip the stem.
As I mentioned before I've also got a Felt Z5, I haven't really looked at the geometry numbers but I feel a bit more aggressive on it. Both are great rides though I like the damping of the carbon Felt more.

JRV

I went from a Trek 7.3 to a Specialized Roubaix Sport Compact ( SL2 ) this spring. I rode both the Domane 2.0 and the Roubaix back to back but the Roubaix just fit me better and through 500 miles has been really an awesome bike.

Mikes1992

Unfortunately I'm on a very tight budget... If I buy a bike for £1000 I'll only have my pocket change left.

The Roubaix Sport (SL2) is way over budget at £1500 and I don't really have an income at the moment.

Mikes1992

I finally decided to get the Domane 2.0 and I actually got the 2014 model from the shop.

I got the Bike, Shoes (Northwave... chosen in the bike fit), clipless peddles, cycling shorts and a bike fit for £1100
riding it home I took it on an open stretch of concrete to practice clipping in and out.
Then I clipped out stop and my balance went the wrong way, I managed to unclip my foot at the last second which hit and snapped the valve off my rear innertube then when I got a new tube from the closest cycling shop and I accidentally bent the presta valve pin with the pump as I put it on... Although I still managed to inflate it. I think I might buy a Schrader adapter to cover the fragile valve pin to make it easier to pump up (plus I can inflate at the gas/petrol station).

I just felt really demoralized from this first experience.


I adjusted the tension on the clips yesterday because they was really stiff and I was struggleing to get enough leverage on them to unclip... I took it out today before work on a 15 mile ride and I had allot of fun, I still need to get used to the clips though!.. and the angle I'm pulling the brakes.

The bike fit was really good though, I even got told that I had curvature of the spin which was a shock. This actually runs in my family and I was tested by a doctor when I was a child and they said I didn't suffer from it! Maybe it's getting worse with age. He did say it was only a small amount though. He also gave me tips at the end about stretching and exercise to reduce injurys and increase flexability and endurance.. and he commented on how inflexible I am! :'( hehe

Thanks for the help from everybody in the forum!

PiLigand

Glad you bought the bike. I think you're going to find it pretty hard to regret that decision. FWIW, I've never regretted spending in this sport (even though I probably should have, lol), and that looked like a really solid investment of a bicycle.

Don't worry about your issues clipping and unclipping. It's practically inaugural to have a couple f***-ups when you first start. You'll probably have one or two more still. You can loosen the release on your pedals for now which will make them easier to get out of and then as you get more comfortable, tighten them up for better hold.

Best of luck!