Trek Domane - What Year Do I Need??
 

Hey guys,

I'm a bit new to road cycling but want to get into it more this year. I am looking to purchase a Trek Domane and I see a few on eBay that catch my interest.

One is a 2012 5.2 with full Ultegra for what seems like a good price ($1500USD). My plan is to ride the bike for a bit and then upgrade the groupo to the Ultegra DI2 when I can scrounge up the cash.

The question I have is, would the 2012 model Domane allow for the internal cables to be routed? If not, what year did Trek start to allow for this? Thanks

Just spend $500 more now.
Save Up To 60% Off Shimano Electronic Di2 Ultegra 6800 2x11 Speed Road Bikes- Motobecane Le Champion Carbon Aero Road Bikes

Wow, that is a deal!!!!

Thanks for the suggestion but I have ridden the Domane and feel very comfortable on it. Never seen or heard of Motobecane.

Any thoughts on the original question?

If you're looking at the red/white 5.2s on eBay, those are considered 2013 model year bikes. It's 10-speed Ultegra (6700) and has internally routed cabling. That was one of the 'upgrades' from the 4.7 to 5.2 (internally routed cables), among other things. The 4-series frames and down, had externally routed cables.

Get the Motobecane, it already has full Ui2, internal routing, and probably better wheels than the Domane

Trek has a good archive site where you can do your own research:

2015 Bike Archive - Trek Bicycle

Best wishes!

I'll just say this as a warning - the #1 mistake I see people make is buying the wrong size of bike because it's a "good deal". It's like buying the wrong size of pants because they were on sale, it's just not going to work. You're better off with a $2,000 entry level Domane in the right size than you are with a $5,000 Domane (or any model) in the wrong size.

Don't know how much you know about your size on a Domane, but fyi.

That's exactly the information that I was looking for. Thank you!

Another follow on question. Has the 5.2 frame changed much from the 2013 model to the 2015 or are we talking about a paint job?

Totally agree. I have ridden a 56cm Madone for the past year and the bike tech suggested a 54cm Madone. I test rode it and it felt good but again, I'm pretty much a novice. I am going in to a Trek dealer today to get measured up for a bike.

Fyi again, bike measurements vary between even different models from the same manufacturer (like a madone and emonda could fit different in a "56"). You're more likely to get consistent results from the same manufacturer, but if you have a choice best to go with the the exact same model of bike. You can also usually fit 2 bike sizes, but you want to avoid anything that cannot be fitted to you. If you're new, one thing you can do is get sized at the shop for the bike, buy it online, then pay for a fitting at the shop. This both serves to get you fit well and to compensate the shop if you're not buying the bike from them.

Still though personally, I tell everyone if they're buying a bike from the shop it's a lot less chance of it being the wrong size - especially if you can get someone who knows what they're doing at the shop to size you.

5 Series frames have not changed. When you go to DI2 ask your LBS to order the frame kit for the 5.9, the kit will include the grommets and stops for the internal electronic wiring, easy as pie!

Was just in to my LBS and I fit a 56cm Domane

Here's where I'm torn.

Option 1: Get a never ridden 2014 Domane 5.2 from my LBS for $3000 CAD
Option 2: Get a lightly used 2013 Domane 5.2 from eBay for $2000 CAD + ~$100 for taxes, duties, etc.

Any thoughts guys?

You'll get Trek's lifetime frame warranty on the new bike. You'll also go from 10-speed 6700 Ultegra to 11-speed 6800 Ultegra. There's also the LBS relationship you're creating, the argument could be made that this is priceless.

If I were going for carbon this time, the warranty alone might be enough to sway me. However, you also have to factor in the cost of tax, which increases the gap between the new and used bikes.

On top of that, the cost of a replacement frame might be equal to the price difference of new vs. used. So, if the frame holds up, you just pocket the very significant $1200+ difference. If it doesn't, you pay out of pocket and you still break even.

That leaves the issue of 10 vs 11 speed ultegra, which may or may not be a priority for op.

I bought a new 2013 Domane 6 series frame last September. I didn't get the cash up to build it until the first of the year. I built with Dura Ace 9000. I have had several bikes over the years and the Domane fits me exactly, feels perfect under me, rides beautifully, and I couldn't be happier with it. I can't stay off of it. Either way, you can't go wrong. Good choice.

I would go for the 11 spd.

Man this decision is really tearing me up inside. I have a friend that knows the owner of the LBS so I am guessing I could probably get a couple hundred off the bike so it makes it even harder.

Question on the 11 speed. If I get the 10 speed, is it as simple as changing out the cassette and re-indexing the shifters or is there more to it than that?

There is much more to it. The 11 spd cassette is wider than the older 8-9-10 spd cassettes. 11 spd is not backward compatible. To convert a 10 to 11 speed would require new shifters, chain, cassette, derailleur, and the biggi,e a new rear wheel with a 11 spd compatible hub. Wheel labor is so expensive to have a hub laced into the wheel, it would be cheaper to get a whole new wheel. That is why I suggested the 11 spd.

I know what your are feeling. The owner of our LBS is also a good friend of mine. It is hard to price that relationship. I deal with the LBS most the time even when I know it will cost more.

Good Luck!

When buying a used always budget extra for repair/replacement of worn parts and fit items. Once you take that into account, you're not going to be saving much at all. Definitely go for the new bike.

As mentioned the frames are the same so your choice is between groups. Personally the new 6800 is a great redesign over the 6700. The 11 speeds is practically incidental although you at least future proof yourself for a few years. But the new brakes in the 6800 are much better, the shifting is smoother (especially in the front) with the new gear. I believe both come with the Race lite wheels, I know the 2014's wheels are tubeless compatible, not sure about the 2013, probably are. I would do the 2014

Much appreciated. I'm gonna go with the new bike. I never really took into account the replacement of work parts so the price difference is negligible.

Also I need a full fitting done and the LBS provides a $100 discount for those that buy from them so as an expense I have to incur anyways, I think new is the way to go.

Sounds like your mind is made up, but just to give you some peace of mind, I was in the same position last year. My LBS had a 2013 Madone with 10-speed Ultegra on sale for a good price, but I opted for the 2014 with 6800, and I don't regret it. Like once poster noted, the extra gear is incidental; the re-design is great and it's still shifting like a dream.

+1. New is the right call for this poster and between those two bikes.

Congrats, and as you know a proper fit by a qualified person is the best investment to be had!

Ummmmm guys???

I just took at look at the Trek archive and 2014 only came in the matte black (2014 Domane 5.2 Compact - Bike Archive - Trek Bicycle)

The 2015 comes in a choice of matte black or orange and black (Domane 5.2 - Trek Bicycle)

They have the 2015 on for $3000???

Am I reading this right? If so, this must be a SMOKING deal ...