2023 Trek Domane+ SLR eBike: Long Term Review

[@hardmtnbiker]

Nothing wrong with people that want a battery powered bike, it’s just not a traditional bike and kinda like a riding or power assist lawnmower vs a regular lawn mower. It’s your lawn and how much work do you want or are physically able to do.. As for traditional cyclists, we just pedal a lower and slower gear at times during our century or epic rides and it just takes longer, but I love cycling and want more time outdoors anyway, even if it exhausts me, I love it!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you for chiming in, I am all about lower gears and creeping along uphill 😄👌

[@hardmtnbiker]

@@GravelCyclist the destination is the journey and I love my long self propelled journeys on my non-motorized bicycle, even when I can barely make it through the pain.

[@arbeebringas2811]

It’s about enjoying more while being fit as well 😍

[@user-bi6eg1lo7v]

Thank you for posting about the battery removal; I was concerned about home maintenance of the battery. Knowing that I can DIY, I feel better.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, I have suggested to Trek HQ they think about modularizing the batteries into a smaller size of 98wh, so that multiples could be used, and ideally easily removed. This would also make the batteries possible to fly when removed from the bike, and in your carry on luggage. As this bike currently stands and any eBike with a battery of > 100wh (160wh is legal to fly with permission from the airline), you need to ship it ground to your destination, aka BikeFlights.com

[@brettoau84]

A shame these are limited to 25kmh here is Aus by law. Just too slow on the flats to keep up with other riders. 20mph/32kmh would be better.

[@chriskros8858]

EU law is very stupid and the say they are ecologig. Due to this limit people prefer commuting by cars (bike is to slow without assistance over 25 kph) so is it ecological?.

[@jackelinesaravy8427]

Now you can unlock the speed via Bluetooth

[@jbkstafford]

@@jackelinesaravy8427and how? I’ve got an aluminium domane+ for commuting and a bit of extra speed in car traffic would be great.

[@lupinewoof]

Which bike bag did you mount on the handlebars? Curious if you experimented with any triangle frame bags as the strap could cover "part" of the display which I'd be ok with. Love the bike!

[@GravelCyclist]

We ultimately ended up sticking with the Route Werks bag - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaCXnYqbZt9sedU

[@buckcram5908]

What's the ETA of your review of Corima Essentia 40 wheelset?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey there, likely a couple more weeks. Wrapping up some footage with the gravel tyres fitted to the wheels.

[@backcountryFLcyclist]

Definately seeing increased riders of e-bikes on some popular bike routes around central Florida. I have noticed some of them are really quick without the rider pedaling at all.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, I'm thinking the e-bikes you're seeing without any pedaling going on, are the non pedal assist type, basically a throttle controlled bike. I think pedal assist is the way to go, especially if you desire to get a legit workout than you can make difficult, or a lot easier.

[@donbarnard82]

What handlebar bag is she using? Does she like it?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey there, the handlebar bag was supplied by Giant Bicycle, I don't know if it was ever sold to the public? With that said, LGC does like the bag, but we are likely switching to a bag by Buckit Belts - buckitbelts.com - Here's a review of the bag I have - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4XVlpqPraqqr80

[@donbarnard82]

@@GravelCyclist Thanks, I'll check it out. Those look pretty cool. My wife has this same ebike, but the sram force version, and she needs a new bag solution over her other bikes where she had a top tube bag and saddle bag. There's not enough room in the triangle for a frame bag, so she'll probably end up with a handlebar bag and/or stem bag.

[@名無し-b9t]

What is the frame size of this domane?

[@GravelCyclist]

Size 50.

[@762MAW]

How much ?

[@GravelCyclist]

Visit the Trek website for pricing and specs.

[@762MAW]

@@GravelCyclist I'm actually Korean. I'm asking with Google Translate. Please let me know how many dollars you bought

[@GravelCyclist]

You need to visit the TrekBikes.com Website for latest pricing, sorry. This was a review bike and on temporary loan before being returned.

[@762MAW]

@@GravelCyclist OK THANKS YOU HAVE A NICE BIKE

[@ironray123]

E-bikes are like steroids. It's definitely cheating but, what the heck, when everybody is doing it, it seems like it's okay. I can see a time, in the not too distant future, when the majority of bicycles on the road/trail will be motor assist.

[@ZackWolfMusic]

Some cyclists can out ride e-bikes!

[@kdclt]

It's not cheating if you aren't racing. It gets you out there instead of at home.

[@chriskros8858]

great meet of transport- commuting to work even in mountain area is possible - car can stay in the garage - les pollution less trafic - if no 25 kph limiter than much more people would use it this way..

[@xcfitzwell3333]

I was an avid rider / racer who was recently diagnosed with a heart condition. An E-Bike will allow me to get back to my group rides and keep up with the group.

[@themillionhair]

dumb question: but what exactly are the benefits of an e-bike? I will never get it! maybe you can explain. A regular bike trains the muscles and the cardiovascular system. An e-bike negates this logic, doesn't it?

[@dirkhunt9425]

Thanks for the review, Sorry about being one of the aforementioned thugs (it was CM's Fault :) ). The drive is quiet. I've ridden with her and another friend(with long term medical issues) on the TREK ebikes and I cannot tell when the drive is engaged. I think there is a stigma that doesn't have to be there, There is a valid purpose for these bikes.

[@antonioalfaro9897]

Thanks for this interesting review of the new Domane+ SLR, especially the TQ assistance system. For several years I have been using an Orbea Gain based on the Mahle X35 assistance system, which could be said to be First Generation. Finally it seems that the TQ system comes to eliminate some drawbacks typical of the First Generation systems, such as considerable drag without assistance, rear hub motor, control algorithm based on rpm sensor only, unnatural sensation of the assistance operation. .. I would like to know if you have carried out any specific drag tests of the TQ system. There are supposed to be very few watts required to beat it, unlike first generation systems.

[@dblissmn]

We should amend our EV tax credit in the US to allow it to apply to e-bikes too.

[@GravelCyclist]

Interesting idea.

[@whistlerrealestate1]

I've been riding a Specialized Creo SL (aluminum model) with 2 wheel sets - one for gravel and one for road and it's been amazing. Totally capable on all terrain and SO FUN! I sold it last summer after riding it for 2 seasons. I'm back to a regular Domane SL6 gen 4 (thanks to your recent review Jom). Thanks for all you do with the channel. Great job - very helpful!

[@kelv6827]

Should I change anything else except wheel set.I really want to try it.

[@whistlerrealestate1]

@@kelv6827 Nope. Just get a 2nd set of wheels for gravel. Super capable as-is.

[@nicoleilechie3789]

What made you want to sell it & ditch the ebike version ?

[@whistlerrealestate1]

I wanted more of a workout. I still like proper pedaling. @@nicoleilechie3789

[@tryfly_]

I have this same Bicycle i Love It ❤️

[@mixaart4373]

why you don't ride a regular mountain bike when ride in forest? you don't respect your ass guys😂

[@GravelCyclist]

Don't need a mountain bike.

[@Robert-ns2pd]

Thank you Jom & LGC for this long term review. I first saw the TQ HPR-50 motor system in Frankfurt last Summer at Eurobike. After finding out that Fazua's minimums would be out of reach for my new Ebike company, I fortunately discovered the TQ booth showing off their system integrated into a Trek Fuel EXe. LGC's experience confirms what I've concluded about it's performance and target demographic. BTW, the battery access is much easier on the Fuel EXe, due to the inherent differences in the frame design that Trek chose between the EXe and Domane+ SLR.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you for your kind words. the TQ motor is so so quiet, I could not capture how quiet it was due to wind noise whenever the bike was ridden outdoors. I am providing some feedback concerning the battery for the Domane+, as I'd like to see a modular approach of batteries no larger than say 99wH, but at least three or four of them. Then, they could be removed from the bike for flight, and carried in your carry-on luggage without violating the 100wH rule for a single battery.

[@WilKommen-ci3ev]

Hello Gravel Cyclist and Lady Gravel Cyclist. Thank you so much for the great review. Did you ever experiment different settings with the Trek app to make uphill rides standing on the pedals more fluid? We found that there is some sort of lag in the amount of push provided by the motor from one leg to the other. Your advice would be appreciated.

[@drill_fiend1097]

It's interesting they call this Domane+ instead of Checkpoint+. But in general I would like to see more eGravel out there.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

27LBS compares to a lower end steel bike, actually not bad for an ebike. Not really for me, although I wouldn't mind trying it out once on the highest setting and haul some serious a$$.

[@bengt_axle]

Great look at the bike. LGC says she is using it for recovery, but there's no denying that she is an athlete. You can see it in here legs and and the stability with which she is pedaling. So I think other's experience may include more reliance on the battery. The only thing I feel Trek and others could have done better is to put the charging connector in an area that is not so vulnerable to water exposure or pooling. The underside of the top tube underneath the display or the upper portion of the downtube would seem better. But I guess if it works, it doesn't matter. Is the motor quiet or is the noise noticeable? And are the Conti Terras quiet on the road?

[@georgeforeman89]

I believe weight to be an absolute non-issue for those who don't race. Sure, if you're racing or just trying to go as fast as possible, weight probably matters. But as the Mrs said, she didn't find the weight to be an issue, and she is injured! This is a 30lb bike- most mountain bikes are around that weight and are designed to climb well. What matters most, in my opinion, is geometry and gearing. That cassette looks really nice for what this bike is meant for.

[@brettoau84]

Need a mate on one of these to lead me out for gravel KOMs!!😅

[@Adventures4vida]

I've only sold one of these at our small shop, and I would say the only thing i didn't like was the placement, and quality, of the electronic controls. Other wise this bike is awesome if you have money to waste!

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, thanks for your comment. A few weeks after this video posted, we broke, albeit all too easily, the electronic controls for adjusting the motor. The quality of that component is indeed disappointing, and we do agree that placement could be better. We would like to see the electronic controls for the motor manufactured from aluminium vs cheap plastic.

[@mtbmike1328]

Thanks for your excellent review. Even though you didn't pay 13K for it LGC most definitely rode it more than enough to give her honest opinion. She gets optimal battery life being such a strong cyclist!

[@GravelCyclist]

Appreciate the kind words. The bike in the video was a review sample supplied by Trek, and has since been returned to Trek HQ.

[@dzembassy]

Thank you for the fantastic job reviewing this gorgeous Trek e-bike! It would be nice if this bike (especially at this price point) had front and rear integrated lights. Since these e-bikes already have an onboard battery, why wouldn't Trek hard-wire front & rear LED lights to it for safety and convenience? Is it because of the added weight that they don't include them? We've all been caught out on rides that go a little longer than maybe planned and having integrated lights for rider visibility and safety on ALL e-bikes should be a no brainer IMO. Also, engineering a way to make the battery quickly and easily removable would be great as well.

[@GravelCyclist]

Agreed on your points about the battery, it needs to be easily removable, and modular, meaning, less than 98Wh to make flying this bike a legitimate possibility. 4 x 98Wh batteries inside the frame would make for some good runtime.

[@milkdud3618]

Too bad the the battery is not removable for charging and replacement. The Fazua is removable

[@GravelCyclist]

Yes, I spoke about the battery in the video. I would like to see removable batteries that are less than 100wh, that could be stacked in the frame. This would allow you to fly the bike and batteries. 100wh is the limit for each Li-On if attempting to carry on board.

[@DocT426]

Would you be willing to share the route from Haymarket, VA? I’d love to go ride it! I live close by

[@GravelCyclist]

All of your route desires are served at my Routes link, scroll down to see Haymarket and more in Virginia :) - www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-cycling-routes/

[@DocT426]

Thank you!@@GravelCyclist

[@ronpalet5719]

Any idea what size tire might fit if one put 650b wheels on it?

[@GravelCyclist]

650b x 42mm, no worries, I expect 47mm would work, but I have not tried.

[@bendoubleu7516]

Can you remove the speed limiter? Is it very hard?

[@GravelCyclist]

It may be a software limitation to protect the motor, I really don't know.

[@Bobertrowe78]

Would you see any issues with using a tailfin pannier rack with this bike?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi there, not at all. In fact, we acquired a Tailfin pannier rack for this bike, which we intend to use later on.

[@Bobertrowe78]

Great thanks for the info. I have domane+ slr 7 on order can’t wait for it!

[@BIKE-PLUS]

Interesting bike. When the weight is 2.5-3 kg lower, it will be a HIT

[@GravelCyclist]

Perhaps in another 10 years we may see that?

[@whistlerrealestate1]

When you're on an e-bike the weight is irrelevant. I've owned 5 mountain and road e-bikes over the past 5 years.

[@Morten_Nielsen1979]

​@@whistlerrealestate1No, cause when you go faster than 25 km/h you have no assistance.

[@whistlerrealestate1]

I'm in Canada. The top speed cutoff for the assistance here is 32 km/h.@@Morten_Nielsen1979

[@dblissmn]

@@Morten_Nielsen1979 Not in the US. In the US this bike got a category III certificate and so has a throttle and can do up to 28mph (45 km/h) on battery per federal category III regulations.

[@ohiomoto]

Interested in the height of LGC and size Domane+ she rides. My wife is interested in this bike.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello there, LGC is 5'6" and rides the size 50. Don't focus on the seattube length, rather, look at the top tube length, as you can always raise or lower a seatpost. With that said, LGC is on the shorter of the two seatpost options. Good luck!

[@ohiomoto]

@@GravelCyclist Good morning and thank you for the helpful information. My wife is 5' 4-1/2" with a 30" inseam. Trek sizing guide recommends the 52 which seemed a little long to me. Seeing how comfortable LGC looks on the bike confirms my thoughts. Not sure why the bike industry still pushes people toward larger sizes. I guess they like sore shoulders and numb hands. lol

[@ohiomoto]

@@GravelCyclist Wow, it has been nearly a year since I found this review! We ended up getting Scott Solace Gravel eRide 20s. They were quite a bit less expensive than the least expensive 2023 Domane+. We put the savings towards a couple of Trek Fuel EXe MTBs. It's been a lot of fun. My wife ended up with a 49cm and it is definitely the right size for her. Thanks again for the helpful information and informative review.

[@walcottav]

Thank you for the strong endorsement LGC. When the time comes down the line, there is definitely an e-bike in my future!

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

I watch quite a few videos about e-bikes, and I am struck by one thing a bit odd about most of them. Many of the presenters/demonstrators appear to be young(er) very fit riders, which leads me to question why they are even considering/ bothering with e-bikes in the first place. A keen cyclist in my yoof, I took it up again on my retirement, and throughout my seventies I was doing 100km rides at reasonable speeds, and didn't even think about e-bikes. As I moved into my early eighties I still did 50 - 60km rides, albeit probably slower, but at about 87/88 began to find my routes limited because the hills were becoming a problem. I struggled on until I hit 90 last year, when I decided a bit of assistance would not come amiss, so I fitted an e-assist kit to my road bike, which opened up the hilly routes again. I do not mean to blow my own trumpet - well, a bit, I suppose, - but I am led to ask again, why are so many younger people apparently considering e-bikes when it would normally be assumed that they shouldn't really need them?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello Edward, did you actually watch this video and see how it was used to help my partner rehab from an injury? I'm not going to mention her age, but she isn't 25yo any more, nor is she 90yo!, as yourself. I guess in that circumstance she could be considered younger?, but I am very happy to see a gent such as yourself if still riding. I cannot speak for reviews of other e-bikes or how they are used in other KZbin channels, I don't watch other channels. Thank you for chiming in with your comment.

[@vincekerrigan8300]

​​​@@GravelCyclist Thank you for your reply.Yes, I was aware that the lady was using this bike to help her recovery from injury, and I hope it aids her to recover fully. I presume her intention is to get back to the point where she will not use the e-bike anymore? I was however speaking about the general range of the videos I have seen where there was no question of short term use for reasons of recuperation, which would be beyond the means of most people anyway, but normal long term use, where my question re age remains valid. It seems my comment was, perhaps, not appropriate to your particular video.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello again, the lady in the video has been riding her regular non e-Bike for several weeks. The e-Bike may be used on occasion by her in the mountains to name an example, where her fitness does not match mine. This is only because I ride at least a third extra mileage on average weekly, with a very high intensity workout at least once a week. Finally, a question for you. You seem to be posting your questions / comments from two different KZbin accounts, with two distinctly different names...? This seems rather odd.

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

@@GravelCyclist I did this inadvertently I think, because I also have a tablet on which i view YT and the name got mixed up.

[@kdclt]

🎺

[@howlinhauler]

only gravel bike i will buy is an Egravel and i'm waiting on the right ONE! Propper mounts all around for an ebike is a must.Function over form.

[@hankhill3126]

Treks look tiny to me, no?

[@GravelCyclist]

If you watched the review, you would know this is the smallest size they offer, size 50 for a Domane+. Fit the reviewer perfectly. Larger size Treks are bigger, no?

[@hankhill3126]

@@GravelCyclist I have more BTC than you

[@GravelCyclist]

@@hankhill3126 BTC?