Ride and Review: NEW Trek Domane - 2nd ride, comments and views while adjusting to a different bike

Settle in, the review of the new Trek Domane has already provided the catalyst for some long rides while I adjust to a bike that's different to my own. After two years without a test bike, I'm used to telling the #StoryOfMyRide - ie. sharing views and thoughts while I pedal along... and on the Sunday before the UCI Road World Championships begin in Wollongong, I set off in a southerly direction from my base in Sydney.
The Domane is promoted as an "all-day bike", built for comfort and confidence on all kinds of terrain.
My second ride on the review bike took me down the coast to the bike paths just to the north of Wollongong. I offer a few comments about the Domane during what became a 160km journey with plenty to see while also giving me a chance to consider the benefits of what is a beautiful bike to ride.
This is part one of my Ride and Review for Sunday 11 September 2022.
- Rob
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#BikeTest #Trek #Domane #Cycling #ProductReview
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2023 Trek Domane (part 1) - 1st ride: • Ride and Review: NEW T...
2023 Trek Domane (part 2) - workshop session: • NEW Trek Domane: unbox...
For more, see the #StoryOfMyBike playlist:
• Story of my bike
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Music:
That Corner In Harlem by Sam Barsh
TRIYW0YB8EMA2XQI
Selfcare Sunday by Ghost Beatz
RSYWMFPUQQKZFPTK
Forgetting by Reveille
DULV4VAXR1SNX67D

[@ylana4444]

The way you think and verbalize on your bike just cracks me up. I do the same thing. Ask myself many rhetorical questions. I always tell people I do my best thinking on my bike!

[@ride-media]

It might not always be clarity but it is quality thinking time. - Rob

[@gair1944]

I picked up my new 2023 Trek Domane SLR 7 with Full Ultegra Di2 a couple weeks ago. I just completed a Pro-bike fit and they were very impressed. I got the 56cm and I am 5'10 1/2 at most. The stock stem is ideal and the fit was very easy to dial in, The Aelous Pro 37 wheels spin up so fast and they are nice and quiet. The bike handles nimbly and feels racier to me than my 2020 Specialized Roubaix Ultegra 11 speed Di2. By the way, the new 12 Speed Ultegra Di2 does seem to have smoother and quicker shifting. It's very refined. LOVE it!

[@ride-media]

Gary, thanks for the note. Good to get a first-hand perspective of a new bike purchase - and a comparison with what you used to ride. The Trek is indeed a stand-out for many reasons. The comfort is excellent - and, having had a chance to compare it with a different review bike (Lapierre Xelius SL frame with Shimano Ultra Di2 12-speed), I can say that the difference is considerable. Easy-to-ride, all-day comfort with the Trek. Good position considerations and ideal bike for more riders than many may realise. Cheers - Rob

[@haydenm.3912]

Do you know what your inseam is? I'm on the edge of sizing between 56 and 58 so im asking around. Thanks!

[@gair1944]

@@haydenm.3912 32" Inseam. Not sure if you need metric. I am convinced a 54cm would be too small for me. When I went to test one out at my LBS, the seat post would not raise enough for me with a 54cm. But the 56cm works great. (Probably a slightly taller seat post) But it all fits really well.

[@haydenm.3912]

@@gair1944 Thank you!

[@PDM1967]

Just picked up an SL5. Like it a lot so far.

[@ban182]

Picked up the new SL7 last Friday. Was comfortable on the bike within about 5 minutes. So smooth and quiet. I opted for Pirelli 35mm. Wonderful!

[@ride-media]

Excellent. (With SRAM or Shimano?) Be sure to add comments as my review series progresses and we can compare notes. Today was ride number five and I got to follow Annemiek van Vleuten around the City Circuit in Wollongong for a little while. (I nervously stayed well behind, but it was fantastic to see the Olympic champion out on the streets today.) And the bike, being as easy to manage as it is, allowed me to concentrate on watching one of the world's best athletes in action. Great experience...! - Rob

[@ban182]

SRAM Force etap. Heaven!

[@artgreen6915]

10:44 the cinematic quality was very nice though! You were talking about those beautiful places, and they looked it!

[@mikelogan2684]

Deliciously smooth that's a new one A very tasty review

[@seryozhasteve]

Just replayed this Rob. Terrific review, you put so much into this. OMG I wish I was back in Aus on my new Domane SL7 - Live the bike, though not for me an easy process to get the exact right fit coming off a pure Bianchi road race back.

[@MrBazsi888]

max tyre clearance ?

[@SprintTri57]

I upgraded the Bontrager with conti5000 tubeless. Trek had to warranty the Bontrager rear tire bulge. The upgrade increased speed and comfort in my opinion

[@CB-ld8no]

Clearance sale on old 2022 Domane+ LT9. Switch to 700x40mm Cinturato Gravel H. Very fast rolling comfortable stable ride.

[@vanecvetkovski]

Hey Rob. Wifey reckons that there’s no such thing as an all day bike. Only 2-3hour bikes ever been made. 😬

[@marcinpisarek7079]

Yaep Mates. To anyone Whom ...concern?. Let's assume: flat asphalt road, calm day = not windy, 75kg rider. A Q on speed/aerodynamics/weight feature of TD SL6 2023. Can You easily speed-up to 40km/h and keep it for a distance of 0.5 to 3/4+...km with no much effort? Who's got practical experience with TD SL6 2023?

[@laudel7]

Nice jersey what it is? And great vid 👍

[@elzbietagarus7078]

nice test . how would you compare it with the cervelo aspero or cervelo r5 ? regards

[@lilth501]

Just wondering what was that bikeparth you went on before Kurnell. Never been on that run before

[@ride-media]

Not too sure which bike path you mean. The one with the beautiful trees? That’s by Botany Bay… Cook Park. (I think it’s called.)

[@MMstlouis]

Are you gonna keep the stock 90mm stem or you are gonna put a longer one? It seems pretty short for a guy of your size.

[@ride-media]

Yep, the stem is short... but it suits the bike. (See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGSxoIiNi7aYprM - this is a video about other things but I mention the bike too.) - Rob

[@salsalawyer]

Put my order in the RSL edition of this bike. Sadly won't be in until January..

[@ride-media]

Reggie, good news... and a bit of a bummer you have to wait. Hope you've got something to ride in the meantime, while you wait for the new one...! - Rob

[@salsalawyer]

@@ride-media I have a Gen 3. Switching for the simpler Iso speed, lighter weight, and the more aggressive geometry. RSL is an Emonda with IsoSpeed in the rear but bit heavier.

[@nicholasvipond2205]

Great video 👍 Can’t wait to give the new Domane a spin myself. What size are you riding and how tall are you.

[@ride-media]

Nicholas, I'm on a 54cm and I'm 178.5cm (or thereabouts...). You can see more about the bike at ridemedia.com.au and there are also earlier episodes of this review. - Rob PS. Glad you liked the video. (Gotta get the second part of it edited ... not so much about the bike, but it was a fantastic second ride.)

[@googwithers7496]

@@ride-media I'm enjoying your video review of the Domane Rob. I'm about to pull the trigger and order one but I am a bit undecided regarding frame sizing. I'm also about 177cm and have previously ridden 54/M size frames. However the Trek site sizing chart suggests we should be on 56cm. I've sat on a 2023 54cm Emonda and it felt familiar, however I note in the geometry that the Domane has a shorter Reach than the Emonda so maybe the 56 is within our limits. You commented that you needed to set the seat back which I am guessing is a function of the shorter reach and slacker head tube. Any further thoughts on the sizing and ride position on the Domane?

[@ride-media]

@@googwithers7496- all reasonable questions and, again, there are variables so I don't want to answer thinking that I know your exact body dimensions. That being said, it does seem to me that Trek is advising on larger sizes than what has been normal (maybe for this bike, maybe for their entire range in 2022 / 2023). You are not alone in stating that Trek is suggesting a larger bike than you'd have thought... For me, the 54cm is a dream. Since the early rides (documented and posted) I've really found it to be a fantastic fit. As you've seen in this video, there was a slight shift of the saddle (back on its rails (only a little bit) and that's solved the early concerns I had. Really interested to hear what you end up doing. (Note: writing this while watching the U23 race at the worlds, so got my mind on a few things... but hope that helps a little bit.) - Rob

[@MMstlouis]

I am 176. Trek suggests 56cm. I think I would prefer to go 54 with a longer stem. The 56 has a 17.5 (compared to 16cm for the 54) head tube which I find gives a pretty high stack height and won’t allow to ride in a low enough position to give the Domane a little bit of edge when it comes the time to ride a little faster. What do you think?

[@ride-media]

@@MMstlouis Martin, From the comments I've received since starting this review, it seems that Trek's sizing recommendations are generally for a larger bike than what we are used to (you are not the only one to tell me Trek suggests a larger bike). The 54cm is perfect for me at 178.5cm. I've pushed the saddle back ever-so-slightly ands it's a great fit. I'll add more in the coming days but I'm coming off a hand surgery that has halted my riding dramatically... (I'll explain more in a future video.) - Rob

[@mikelim6158]

What sunglasses are you on ? Looks fantastic

[@ride-media]

Mike, The sunglasses are the POC Elicit and you're right, they are fantastic...! (Here's a little clip with a bit more about them - not much, but I'll post more on them at some point...): kzbin.info/www/bejne/enWmXoGihbtgerc - Rob

[@gair1944]

Very enjoyable video Rob. I'm across the world in Southwest US (Tucson,AZ) Year round riding and great path that circles the city. 116 miles total. I am placing an order for SLR 7 / Utegra Di2 this week. They are in short supply and I have to wait 120 days unless it arrives sooner. Curiously I test rode a 56cm and I am about the same height as you. It felt really good but this was a 15 minute test ride. Wondering if I should test ride a 54cm after all. Hmmm.

[@ride-media]

Gary, I've just returned from a quick ride in glorious weather and I've been thinking a lot about the sizing of this bike - actually, that's front of mind right at this moment... as the shorter stem was something that I made comment about on very first few kilometres. Then, I also questioned the saddle position (initially), but I adjusted that on my second ride and found a sweet spot and have never looked back. And I tell you all this as, on today's ride, I spent almost the whole time with my hands down in the drops. The slightly higher front end and the shorter stem (and the need to have a safe, secure position for my left hand - which as recently been subjected to surgery, and the wound is still healing) all combined to put me in a very comfortable position. On the 56cm, I'd not have been able to do that. And all this is relevant as: 1. I'm considering making some adjustments to MY bike (ie. not a review bike) - inc. perhaps a shorter stem 2. The Trek site / sizing suggestions (maybe inshore as well as online) seem to be steering customers towards larger-than-usual bikes... and your story reflects this. LONG answer when I could have just said: Yes, try the 54cm before you buy! Damn long wait... hopefully it's exaggerated and you'll have your bike sooner than later. (But be sure to order the size that suits you!) Cheers Rob

[@gair1944]

@@ride-media Thank you for the quick and thoughtful reply

[@gair1944]

@@ride-media ps: I’m actually about 5’10”. So maybe right in between a 54cm and a 56cm. I’ll give it a try. I am currently riding a 2020 Specialized Roubaix 56cm and experiencing soreness between my shoulder blades. So maybe it’s not a great fit. My position may have changed since I was fitted when I bought it. The Trek store said you’re in a 56cm, here ride this trek domane 56cm. They didn’t take any measurements. Just took my word for It and honestly I don’t really know if my fit is proper after all. Lol