nesdog

The LBS had a Trek demo tent assembled on one of our regular routes today. I took advantage of the opportunity to road test a Domane. Last Aug, I tried out a 4.5 as I was considering the Trek, along with the Scott CR1 and a few others in my price range. Then had a crash and didn't get the chance to do much testing for a while.

They did not have the 4.3 available so I was 'forced' to ride a 6, with Ultegra electronic. Wow, was that bike light!

I was surprised at the difference in the ride from the 4.5, not nearly as smooth. First, this bike was running 23's, not the 25's I experienced previously. It was also not set up well for me, with the cockpit somewhat shorter than mine.

I climbed a 1/2 mile stretch of a hill that we do often and I came away a bit disappointed, I have to admit. Immediately following, I took my bike up the same hill just to feel the difference; mine being a 10 year old Giant OCR2, alum with carbon fork and quite a bit heavier of course.

I'll do another road test on the Domane when I get a chance, opting for the 4.3. The Domane has been on my short list for a while and will be interesting to try it again. Meantime, I'm going to ride the Scott once more. I liked the CR1 but the spec has changed somewhat for 2014.

AbsoluteZ3RO

Not a huge Trek fan here, but it seems a bit unfair to judge a bike when its not set up very well for you.

Then again, at the kind of money these things cost, if you don't love it immediately, maybe its best to move on quickly!

zymphad

Wow you sure your butt didn't feel euphoric and totally change they way you view cycling? Hard to believe ISOSpeed didn't change your life. You must be riding it wrong. Domane changes you. Domane isn't an endurance bike, it's a conqueror.

Nebby10

I also tried a Domane today! Coming from a Cannondale Evo the isospeed coupler was the most noticeable difference.

While not life changing, that isospeed linkage does make a difference. I guess you rather dislike their marketing?
edit: ah, I see you were the one that made this thread. figures

telebianchi

I rode 168 miles the past two days on a Domane, including 105 today. Fresh chip seal roads, tons of pot holes and rough pavement due to the snow & ice this winter. There were places where the folks I was riding with had to get off the saddle and coast using arms and legs to absorb the rough pavement. I just kept pedaling forward on the Domane.

There are lots of great bikes available and while the Domane may not be the bike for you, it really is a great bike. Forget the marketing and even the technology in the frame; just ride one for a while and then decide.

zymphad

I also notice Domane owners claim it changed their cycling, now they can't ride without it. OP must be doing something wrong, there is no way he could have gone back to his heavier aluminum and not rushed back to the LBS and threw his money at his face and ride home on the Domane.

mtalinm

This is consistent with my experience.

Jiggle

What is the biggest size tire a Domane can accept?

xjustice09x

Trek would say 25's but according to https://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/p...-review/215707 it may fit up to 28's depending on your wheel/tire choice.

If you need more clearance maybe consider their cyclocross bike with the isospeed coupler the Trek Boone.

nesdog

I believe a 28.

"There are lots of great bikes available and while the Domane may not be the bike for you, it really is a great bike"

I was very impressed with the 4.5 last year....smoothest thing I ever rode. That's why it was so puzzling that today's ride was not as nice, especially given the upscale frame. I do think the 23's made a difference on the rougher surface we did today. I run 25's on my Giant.

However I'm not in a huge hurry so I'll try the Trek again. maybe a Roubaix and Scott.

Jiggle

Thanks.

robbyville

Ill be curious as to how you feel when you try the 4 series. It's certainly possible that the different level of carbon has different characteristics in terms of road feel (although the difference between the 5 and 6 series was not noticeable to me). I'm sure the tires were part of it as you mentioned.

fuel0707

OP - I borrowed a 4-series Domane frame that a friend had setup with DA Di2 and some tubeless 23mm tires. I rode that over some rough roads and some hills near me and I thought the 4-series was very smooth and soaked up the bumps. Perhaps the bike rode you tested wasn't adjusted to you properly as has been suggested.

i was impressed enough with that 4-series that I ordered a Project One 6-series Domane last December.

bbattle

I'm disappointed that Trek allows Project One customization on the 4 series and the 6 series but not the 5 series. But I felt the differences between the 4.7 and 5.2 were enough that I ordered the 5.2 in white. I got to ride one at a Trek Demo day and it was very nice.

robbyville

Yeah agree. I believe it's because the difference in weight and performance between the 5 and 6 is so negligeable that sales in the 6 would suffer accordingly given the almost 1k difference in price.

RJM

If I was going to buy a carbon bike from a big maker this year, it would be a Domane. I found it to be a really great and smooth riding bike.

Campag4life

OP...possible the 6 series has a higher modulus carbon and the bike is targeted more toward the performance rider compared to 4 series.
A higher mod carbon with the same geometry will be a stiffer bike. Tires and pressure make the biggest difference in any bike comparison.
Then there is fit to the bike which affects rider weight distribution.
The Domane is a great bike. Surprised you said nothing about the electronic shifting.

nesdog

Yeah, that part....After filling out the paperwork and getting the pedals set up, it hadn't registered that the shifters weren't mechanical.
I jumped on the bike and started up the grade and as I tried to get to an easier gear, I found myself in a harder one. Kept trying to shift and it got worse! Only then did I realize the shifters weren't exactly the same setup. Pulled over and stopped before I found myself flat on the ground and looked over the necessary finger placement. Oh...now I get it! Played with the paddles/buttons and then was okay.

As expected, the shifts were clean and quick, despite my fumbling.
Would be nice to have but the added costs are way outside my budget for the moment.