trek domane sl6 2021 review

Trek Domane SL 6 Review: Top-Quality Parts and Endurance Performance

Trek Domane SL 6 Gen 4 is Trek’s second-highest bike in the carbon SL range and it spares no expense on top-quality parts and manufacture.

From here on up is the Domane SLR range, bikes that are focused on team-sponsored events and are mostly unaffordable to individual riders.

At its core, the SL 6 boasts Trek’s groundbreaking IsoSpeed shock reduction system built into its patented 500 Series OCLV carbon frame.

Together, the two offer one of the best carbon road bike framesets available, providing rigid stability and exceptional comfort.

Trek Domane SL 6 Quick Overview

Main features, is the trek domane sl 6 right choice for you, is it worth the money.

With a Shimano 105 groupset, internal Di2 routing, Paradigm Comp rims, and a carbon seat post, it’s clear to see that Trek spared no expense when building the Domane SL6.

• Frame : 500 Series OCLV Carbon, front and rear IsoSpeed, DuoTrap S compatible
• Fork : Domane SLR carbon, internal brake routing, fender mounts
• Front Derailleur : Shimano 105 R7150 Di2
• Rear Derailleur : Shimano R7150 Di2
• Wheels : Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25, tubeless-ready
• Number of Gears : 22
• Brakes : Shimano SM-RT70
• Tires : Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite, aramid bead, 700x32c
• Weight : 19.63 lbs / 8.90 kg

Get From TREK

The Domane SL 6 features quality parts from top to bottom, starting with the IsoSpeed frame and working down to the 105 groupset and Paradigm rims.

It’s a bicycle that personifies speed, comfort, and efficiency in every way possible.

Shimano 105 groupset

Domane SL 6 used to sport a Shimano Ultegra groupset, but this year they’ve switched it back to 105.

While it might seem like a downgrade, 105 is one of the most popular groupsets among road cyclists and amateur racers.

Shimano 105 groupset offers performance and reliability all in one

OCLV carbon IsoSpeed frame

Trek has spent years developing its IsoSpeed system and it’s come through several iterations to reach the current product.

Designed as a means to absorb road shock without sacrificing efficiency, IsoSpeed is a somewhat futuristic frame technology.

It works by decoupling the seat tube from the frame using a rocker cup that permits some flex while maintaining rigidity.

While it might sound like overkill, it works so well you’ll likely never want to ride another bike without it.

This has been combined with its highly compacted, low-void carbon frame to add strength and confidence on even the roughest terrain.

If you’ve ever come off of a long ride feeling like your flesh has shaken off your bones, you’ll appreciate IsoSpeed technology.

It is particularly welcome on the famous cobbled streets that any European rider will be very well familiar with.

Paradigm Comp wheels

Trek Domane SL 6 comes fitted with Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 TLR Disc road wheels with a Shimano 11-speed freehub on the rear.

The tubeless-ready rims have a 25mm inner width designed for wide road or gravel tires.

The SL 6 also comes with uncommonly large tires, in this case, Bontrager R2 Hard-Case aramid-bead 700x32c tires.

It’s an odd feature for a road bike but the extra fork clearance can actually take tires up to 38c in size.

Endurance geometry

The geometry on Trek’s Domane SL range of bikes is designed to balance speed with comfort. It utilizes a slightly higher head tube to put the rider in a less aggressive position.

This provides better stability and comfort while maintaining a high degree of performance.

This helps the rider to conserve energy over long distances so there is still some juice in the tank for the final home stretch.

Micro-adjust seatmast

Amongst the Domane SL 6’s multitude of features is the micro-adjustable carbon seatmast.

It’s lightweight, aerodynamic, and provides millimeter-perfect adjustments for the exact right fit.

Professional riders will know the difference that even a millimeter in seat height can have on performance.

With the micro-adjust seatmast, you’ll be able to shave those much-needed seconds off your record time.

The Trek Domane SL 6 comes in 9 different sizes to fit heights of 4’11” to 6’5″.

• 44 : 4’11” – 5’0″
• 47 : 5’0″ – 5’2″
• 50 : 5’2″ – 5’4″
• 52 : 5’4″ – 5’6″
• 54 : 5’6″ – 5’9″
• 56 : 5’9″ – 5’11”
• 58 : 5’11” – 6’1″
• 60 : 6’1″ – 6’3″
• 62 : 6’3″ – 6’5″

Trek Domane SL 6 is a professional carbon road for riders who compete regularly in races, sportives, and cycling events.

As the price indicates, it is not designed for casual use. The true potential would not be fully realized by an amateur rider.

However, the Trek Domane range does serve something of a niche in the carbon road bike world.

Rather than focusing purely on speed, Domane bikes are best suited to riders who will be tackling a variety of different terrain.

If you often find yourself held back by cobblestones, gravel, or dirt track, then the Domane SL 6 could be the answer you’re looking for.

It’s specifically designed to tackle undesirable terrain with smooth and calculated efficiency.

Check out our other reviews on Trek Domane Bikes: AL 2 , AL 3 , SL4 and SL5 . 

Related: Trek Bikes Explained – In-Depth Overview

However, if purchased for the right reasons and used for its intended purpose, the Domane SL 6 will certainly make the buyer feel they have got their money’s worth.

The strong and build and quality parts mean the bike will last for years without the need for any expensive repairs or upgrades.

It represents the type of investment that may cost a lot initially but pays off in the long run.

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2 thoughts on “ trek domane sl 6 review: top-quality parts and endurance performance ”.

I’m wondering about a point that was made in your review. You state that the IsoSpeed decouples the steerer tube and seat tube from the frame, but the Generation 4 Domane under review only has a rear IsoSpeed decoupler. (You can see this if you follow your link to the Trek web site for the bike under review.) The last Domane that had both front and rear IsoSpeed was Generation 3, which was discontinued in 2022.

Hi Steve! You’re right, thank you for pointing that out. It was an honest mistake that has now been corrected.

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Trek Domane SL 6 review

The versatile and comfortable Trek Domane SL 6 put to the test

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The Trek Domane SL 6 is a do-it-all bike that offers amazing comfort over long distances. It may not be the most sprightly bike out there, but it's a versatile machine that won't let you down, and comes with a great spec at a competitive price.

Comfortable

Slightly sluggish on steep hills

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The Trek Domane SL 6 enters Editor's Choice 2019 thanks to its superb versatility and great spec that provides comfort over any endurance ride. I've done century rides, touring rides and fast paced group rides with the Domane SL 6 never letting me down. A reliable bike that is a pleasure to ride, the Domane SL 6 is well worth it's place in this year's Editor's Choice.

The Trek Domane SL 6 is a very different kind of bike to the super-stiff frame and racey geometry I'd usually choose to ride. It's endurance setup and all-round capabilities won me over though and I was left hugely impressed after putting in a lot of miles on it.

>>> Best road bikes

>>> Buy now: Trek Domane SL 6 at Evans Cycles for £3200

The Domane is Trek's endurance offering, with its ride-smoothing IsoSpeed frame technology the unique selling point over other brands. The SL 6 is the mid-range offering, retailing at £3,200 with the most expensive version (the SLR 9) retailing at over £9,500.

The front and rear IsoSpeed is certainly the most noticeable thing when first riding the bike. Coming from a super-stiff frame, it's instantly noticeable how forgiving this bike is over rough roads and was perfect for the varying quality of British lanes in the early winter.

The IsoSpeed decouplers sit at the rear of the top tube and in the head tube, but unlike the higher end models in the Domane range you aren't able to adjust the rear IsoSpeed for more stiffness or more comfort on the SL 6. It would be a nice option to be able to adjust the bike to the style of riding your doing, but the comfort offered here on the fixed setting felt great nonetheless.

One concern ahead of riding the SL 6 was whether the dampening technology would compromise any power transfer or how fast the bike would feel. The SL 6 carbon fibre frame has some quite bulky tubes, and was responsive to seated and sprint efforts along the flats and draggy inclines. The aerodynamic shaping of the tubing also added to that feel.

Really steep climbs with efforts out of the saddle was the bike's weakest point however. It didn't feel sprightly - particularly in comparison to the Specialized Tarmac and Giant TCR I'd just ridden - and wasn't inspiring any attacking on the harsh ramps. But the Domane isn't really designed for that, though it features a wide range of gearing (50/34 at the front with 11-34 rear) that did allow me to get over anything with no trouble.

The best thing about this bike is definitely it's versatility. I used it for short commutes, long weekend rides, some short fast rides and even for multi-day touring. Trek has helped this feeling of versatility by building in neat features like the down tube storage compartment for your tubes, tyre levers and CO2 canisters, as well as built in mounts front and rear for Bontrager lights; all great touches that helped on those long rides and while touring.

Wheels can often be a mixed bag at this sort of price range, but I was impressed by the Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 wheels provided on the Domane SL 6. With a rim width of 25mm, the wheels came shod with 32mm tubeless Bontrager R2 Hard-Case Lite tyres that I thought rolled really well and felt plenty fast considering their size and shallow rim depth. Moreover, the wheels felt stable and robust, adding to the comfort factor for endurance riding. I had no punctures or issues with the wheels at all over hundreds of miles of testing. The frame also allows you to add up to 38mm tyres if you want to as well as mud guards, perfect for winter or taking the bike over cobbles or light gravel paths.

The SL 6 comes with mechanical Shimano Ultegra R8000 which as usual performed brilliantly with crisp and reliable shifting. The bike uses flat-mount Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes which really added to the feel on long or technical descents.

In terms of value I think the Domane SL 6 is in the expected range for what its offering, coming in £200 cheaper than the comparable Specialized Roubaix Comp for example. Although this isn't the kind of bike I would usually ride, I was genuinely taken with what the SL 6 offered with it's all-round capabilities.

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Follow on Twitter: @richwindy

Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.

An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).

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Review: Trek Domane SL Road Bike – Quick, Comfortable, & Easy to Recommend

It's easy to see why the domane all-road bike is so popular, even if it rubbed me the wrong way at times..

• Comfortable fit geometry
• Seriously smooth ride
• Surprisingly snappy handling
• Useful downtube storage
• Price is higher than most
• Not especially light

18.73 lb (actual)

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There’s a decent likelihood that if you see someone riding a Trek road bike from the last decade or so, it was the brand’s Domane model. The ubiquity stems largely from its fit geometry, which has historically been very welcoming to riders of all abilities. Furthermore, the Domane’s unique IsoSpeed decoupling suspension system promised levels of comfort that other road bikes couldn’t quite match.

The IsoSpeed suspension system lives on in this latest Trek Domane SL road bike, but the rest of the package might be the biggest change we’ve seen with the Domane yet. There’s aero tube shaping, a lighter frame, and an added sense of performance that wasn’t quite there with previous Domane SL bikes.

We spent 1,000 miles on the Trek Domane to find out just how good the Domane is, whether that pursuit for speed has removed any form of comfort, and the potential downsides of living with a bike like the Trek Domane SL.

Quick hits: Seven things to know about the Trek Domane SL

• The Trek Domane lineup features three main framesets: the top-tier Domane SLR , the aluminum Domane AL , and this mid-range Domane SL carbon road bike. The Domane RSL is available as a frameset.
• Every Domane features fully internal cable routing through the headset, though the stem functions similarly to a traditional stem.
• The latest Domane SL and SLR bring a new internal storage compartment for a tube, tools, and an included neoprene storage sleeve.
• Max tire clearance is a quoted 700c x 38 mm.
• A new Domane SL frame weighs a quoted 1391 grams, 300 grams lighter than the previous Domane SL.
• Domane SL features a rear IsoSpeed decoupler to improve seated comfort, though it is no longer adjustable.
• Domane SL is available in seven sizes to fit riders between 4’11” to 6’5”.

Frame details

The Trek Domane is known for being an approachable road bike. Much of that comes down to handling geometry that values straight-line stability over race bike agility. Its fit geometry is more accommodating of a non-competitive cyclist than other bikes in its category.

The IsoSpeed seat tube flex system isolates riders from road vibration in a way few other bikes do. And while there are a number of changes to the latest Domane SL, most of those characteristics carry on.

IsoSpeed is a critical component of any recent Trek Domane road bike. Previous generations really went for it, offering not only adjustable rear IsoSpeed systems but even a front-end system to balance comfort between the two ends. This latest system essentially overhauls IsoSpeed, largely for the better.

Most notable is that this latest iteration is said to offer as much flex as the softest setting in previous IsoSpeed systems while using a simpler D-shaped seat post. Previous Iterations of IsoSpeed used a carbon seat mast to offer the flex they wanted, but it was far more fiddly to use than this simpler system.

The front IsoSpeed system is gone, as the swap from 28 mm to 32 mm is said to be plenty comfortable. The fact that this system has far fewer moving parts and wear items should result in fewer creaks and durability issues compared to previous-generation systems. Trek says the system needs no servicing for the lifetime of the bicycle, and I never had issues with it in my time with the bike.

The Domane SL isn’t a particularly light bike. Some of that comes from the addition of a downtube storage hatch located under the bottle cage mount. Inside is a neoprene mini tool sleeve as well as plenty of space to add more snacks and perhaps a vest should you need to. It’s a genuinely useful storage area, with a sturdy latch and hatch system.

Trek’s Domane continues with internal cable routing, though this system is among the more refined systems I’ve seen and worked with. Cables are external at the bars until they’re routed under the stem, leaving some slack to play with stem height. And while the spacer profiling limits what types of stems you can swap with, doing the swap itself is an easy enough process that almost anyone can manage.

The internal routing system itself is one of the better setups I’ve seen. A guide at the inside of the downtube includes a holster for the Shimano Di2 battery, with guides for brake hoses and cable housing easily accessible from the downtube storage hatch. It’s easy to work on, all things considered.

Tire clearance has always been a strong suit of the Domane, and that hasn’t changed. Max clearance is a quoted 700c x 38 mm tire. I was able to fit a 40 mm (42 mm width as measured) Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tire front and rear without rubbing. That clearance makes light gravel and dirt road riding doable, but it would be problematic on a muddy or chunky ride.

Other bits of note include the use of a T47 threaded bottom bracket, the addition of top tube bag mounts, and hidden fender mounts. The frame gets its own integrated chain keeper, a nice touch that indicates the general user-friendliness of the bike.

The build brought in for review was the Trek Domane SL 6 Gen 4. The highlight of the bike is the Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain. The Bontrager Paradigm 25 wheels feature tubeless-ready alloy rims with a wide 25 mm internal width. The 32 mm Bontrager R3 Hard-Case tires, Bontrager Verse Short saddle, and Bontrager alloy handlebars complete the build.

A size 56 cm bike has a quoted weight of 8.62 kg (19 pounds. My 50 cm build weighed in at 8.5 kg (18.73 pounds) without pedals and accessories but with tubes in the tires.

The Domane has a reputation for being an upright road bike with handling that might be best described as stable. While the bike is stable, the geometry is far more agile than you’d expect.

Trail figures are around 59 to 61 cm across just about every size but the 44 cm bike. Handling geometry is quick enough for most people, though the low 75 to 80 mm bottom bracket drop and 420 mm chainstays add some straight-line stability back.

Fit geometry and rider positioning can be considered as upright, with a taller stack height and short reach dimensions. These numbers are taller and shorter respectively than even most all-road bikes, but I’d argue the numbers are realistic for most riders. Those looking for a more than 6 cm of saddle to bar drop (particularly on small sizes) will be better suited to something like their Emonda or Madone road bikes.

Standover heights across most sizes are about as low as I’ve seen on an endurance road bike, which is helpful for the height-challenged among us.

Riding the Trek Domane SL

The value of the Domane doesn’t necessarily come from its cost or its tech-forward features, but rather in its promise of being a comfortable, approachable road bike. That isn’t lost here: the Domane is one of the most approachable road bikes you’ll find and an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a road bike.

The Domane rides as smoothly as it always has on smooth tarmac and chip-seal. The way the bike goes about smoothing out those small, constant vibrations is impressive. Roads I remember as feeling particularly jostling felt far smoother, both at the saddle and at the bars.

Much of that smoothness comes down to the 32 mm wide tires, which are wider than you’d find on most other all-road and endurance bikes out of the box. That said, narrower tires didn’t detract much from the bike’s smoothness over chip seal-type surfaces. Stay seated, and let the rear end of the bike do its job.

As much as I liked the Domane SL, the bike didn’t feel as eager as I would have hoped. Steeper climbs and even pedaling from a stop indicated that much of that came down to rotational weight. But with a set of carbon wheels and a good set of 30 mm tires, the Domane really woke up.

A set of Hunt Aerodynamicst 44 wheels and 30 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tires gave the bike the feel of a bike far more willing to not only get up to speed but maintain it as well. If you’re itching to make an upgrade, rest assured that a decent set of carbon wheels – like their own Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37V – wake the bike up dramatically.

The stock Bontrager wheels are serviceable otherwise. They’re on the heavy side at over 1950 grams with tubeless tape and valves, but spoke tension and overall build felt like they were going to last. As serviceable as they are, however, it helps to know that you a swap to mid-range Hunt carbon wheels cut over 1 pound (520 grams) from the weight of the bike.

The Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tires are grippy and seem to be long-lasting. That said, I felt the tires felt stiff and slow. A simple tire upgrade alone makes the bike feel considerably more eager.

I found little fault in the rest of the build kit. Shimano 105 Di2 works phenomenally, with quick shifts and gearing plenty low for fondos. The Bontrager Verse Short saddle is wonderfully supportive for how soft the saddle feels. The Bontrager short-reach handlebar choice deserves some praise; its 38 cm width in a 50 cm frame is smaller than most product planners choose but the right size for smaller folks.

The Domane SL rubbed me the wrong way

There was one notable fault I found with the bike, however: the IsoSpeed cover rubbed the inside of my legs on a 125 mile (200 km) road ride enough to create a rash.

A bit about me: I am fairly small at 5 foot, 6 inches and 130 pounds (59 kg) in kit. My legs aren’t particularly big, but they aren’t as lean as they could be either. I’ve received a professional fit and matched that fit onto the Domane SL to ensure my cleats (and feet) are roughly where they should be.

Here’s what the lead engineer of the Domane SL had to say:

“The Domane SL maintains the same thigh clearance as used on other road bikes. How far the max width carries up the seat tube can very slightly between models and this variation may be what you are experiencing compared to another Trek road bike. If it is an issue you could try going to a smaller size which moves his saddle up compared to the frame.”

The Domane SL top tube is wide, particularly as it approaches the seat tube junction. It’s wider at the seat tube junction than any other road bike I’ve ridden this year, though I don’t usually have problems with wide top tubes. The design weakness comes is the location of the IsoSpeed cover; the plastic cover seemed placed perfectly to rub the inside of my legs just above my knee raw.

Could I have sized down? Not really. I was on a 50 cm frame with the seat post extended to its minimum insertion point. Any smaller and I would need a drastically longer stem that would alter the handling Trek intended the Domane to have from the factory. Ultimately, some helicopter tape along the seam stopped the rub, but should I have to do that with a new frame?

Like as with any other bike, give the Domane a test ride before you buy it, particularly if you’re smaller or have bigger thighs like I do. I suspect I am in a very, very small majority of folks to experience this. Considering how many Trek bike dealers there are in the world, it should be easy enough to take the bike for a spin.

The Trek Domane SL 6 vs the competition

Call it an endurance road bike or an all-road bike, this segment is one of the most competitive segments you’ll find. The three endurance road bikes I’ve ridden in recent memory are the BMC Roadmachine , Canyon Endurace , and Cannondale Synapse . The Domane offers the most upright fit geometry, but all are fairly comfortable to ride for the average cyclist.

Surprisingly, I found the Domane to have the quickest steering of the bunch. Despite that, it feels about as stable in a straight line as the other bikes. Add in the IsoSpeed system that seemed to smooth out chipseal as well if not better than the other bikes too as well as its internal frame storage and the Domane starts to stand out.

The Endurace edges the other three bikes out on value for money, offering Shimano Ultegra Di2 and nicer tires at a lower price point. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were able to find the Trek, BMC, or Cannondale on sale at a local bike shop, in which case you start to find good value for the money.

I would also take a close look at the Trek Domane AL , one of the most impressive bikes I’ve ridden in recent memory. It might lack the ultimate polish and ride smoothness of the carbon bikes, but the handling, rider fit, and wide 32 mm tires are still there. It’s a fantastic bike.

Choose the Domane SL if you’re looking for about as smooth a ride as you’ll find, want internal frame storage, and need the ultimate warranty support that comes from seemingly having a Trek dealer on every block.

Long story short, I came away surprised by the bike. The latest generation Domane SL is every bit as smooth as you’d expect a Domane to be, and an approachable bike too. There’s a reason why it’s a go-to recommendation for most cyclists: the Domane reliably ticks every box for most road cyclists.

You pay for the privilege of riding the Domane, but considering how smooth the bike is over tarmac, I’m sure a vast majority of riders will be more than happy with it. The clearance for gravel bike tires, the internal frame storage, and the general refinement of the bike are all icing on what is a truly versatile all-road bike.

Just make sure you ride it so it doesn’t rub you the wrong way.

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Trek Domane SL 6 Review: My New Favorite Gravel Bike

• by Riding With Ryan (Official)

Converting a road bike to a gravel bike is easier than you might think. In this Trek Domane SL 6 review we will cover what is both good and bad about the bike, as well as the modifications made to turn it into a gravel bike. If you have the AL version of the Domane pay attention. Converting the aluminum frame to gravel uses a different set of tire clearance specs.

As a road bike the Domane SL 6 would not rank well in many categories outside of comfort. As a gravel bike this thing is fast! Let’s dive into the details…

How Much Does Trek Domane SL 6 Weigh?

No road bike review would be complete without talking about weight. In this Trek Domane SL 6 review we will go over weight numbers and why they aren’t that important. There is no denying this is a “heavy” carbon road bike, but the well thought out features make it easier to ride farther and faster.

My Domane SL 6 is a size 56 cm. It weighs exactly what Trek said it would at 20.51lbs. With bottle cages, tire swaps and more I am running at closer to 22.5 lbs. A big reason this bike is over 20 lbs is because of the front and rear IsoSpeed.

The added weight of IsoSpeed may cost you a few watts, but what you gain in comfort more than makes up for it. Because this bike is so comfortable I can ride longer and faster on big rides. It also makes the bike perfect for those rougher gravel surfaces. You can run a narrower tire and maintain your comfort on gravel thanks to IsoSpeed. The reduced surface friction keeps me fast on the road too.

Trek Domane SL 6 Specs

The Trek Domane SL 6 is spec’d with a carbon fiber frame that includes both front and rear IsoSpeed. if you aren’t familiar with IsoSpeed it is essentially a coupler build into the from at the front headtube and where the seat tube connects to the top tube. The coupler absorbs some of the vibration before reaching your contact points making for a smoother more comfortable ride.

The wheels that come on this bike are Paradigm Comp 25. They aren’t the lightest wheels on a bike at this price point, but they are tubeless ready and work great with gravel tires.

The group set on this bike is the mechanical shifting version in Shimano Ultegra. The disc brakes are of course hydraulic, and I have to say I really prefer Shimano disc brakes over SRAM.

The saddle that comes with it is a Verse Comp, but saddles are something that should be custom fitted to each individual so I would recommend transferring your old saddle over or fitting for a new one.

The Elite IsoZone handlebars from Bontrager are nice. Because I did a gravel conversion, I switched over to ENVE bars that flare the drops out for a wider hand position during sketchy portions of trail.

Is the Domane SL 6 Worth It?

Even though I love this bike, I can’t say I will ever buy another one. For me, I want that high end electronic shifting on a race frameset, or I want something cheaper I can build up myself. Buying a carbon bike with mechanical Ultegra doesn’t get me excited anymore.

A big reason for my change of opinion could be the arrival of my Project One Trek Domane SLR 7 with Di2 Ultegra on it. Once you’ve ridden a bike with electronic shifting it is hard to go back to mechanical setups.

For many people the Domane SL 6 will already exceed their max budget. The 2021 SL 6 comes with a price tag of $4,099.99. One way I’ve been able to justify that high price tag is by using two different wheel sets. One wheelset has my gravel tires, the other my road tires. Now the bike works perfect to fill the needs of two different bikes.

How To Convert Trek Domane To Gravel Bike

There are a few steps required to make the change to a gravel bike. First, and most obvious, is a tire change. If you have the SL version of the Trek Domane you can fit a 38mm gravel tire, per trek. I personally use a 40mm gravel tire. I’m sure doing so would void my warranty if that tire were to cause damage, but I have over 1,000 miles without issues thus far.

For more information on gravel tires read: Which Gravel Tire Is Best?

Once you have your tires upgraded you will need to protect your bike. The new gravel tires will throw small gravel pieces are your frame. There is a product called Ride Wrap that makes precut vinyl for most bike models. Alternatively, you can pick something like this: 3M Clear Paint Protection Vinyl up on Amazon for $20 bucks.

Finally, converting a disc brake bike will be best. I really don’t like rim brakes covered in dust. When they get wet you lose stopping modulation, and your gravel riding experience will be a lot better on a disc brake bike. With the Domane being an endurance road bike the frame geometry is perfect for gravel biking.

If you have an old endurance road bike in the garage you already have the perfect bike to convert to gravel. If you want to really make a full conversion get some new handlebars that have drops flaring outward. This is a must have for a race gravel bike.

Can You Use Domane As A Touring Bike?

The short answer here is no. Even with the modifications made to turn it into a gravel bike, a touring bike requires racks for storage of supplies. Even as a gravel bike the Domane’s biggest downfall is a lack of storage add-ons available. Thankfully there is plenty of storage inside the downtube. There are also plenty of mounting locations for water bottles.

If this Trek Domane SL 6 review has you eager for a bike but you can’t find anything in stock visit a Trek dealer. One thing I love about Trek is the dealer locator on their website . For example, on the Trek Domane SL 6 page, you can see what dealers nearby have this exact bike in stock. Simply select color and size, then head to the closest dealer with the bike in stock.

If you don’t like drop bars and are looking for a bike at a much lower price point then the Trek FX 2 Disc may be the bike for you. Read my Trek FX 2 Review here.

2 thoughts on “Trek Domane SL 6 Review: My New Favorite Gravel Bike”

Hi Ryan, I’d like to know deeper insinghts about your sentence such as ” If you have the AL version of the Domane pay attention. Converting the aluminum frame to gravel uses a different set of tire clearance specs.” because I’m planning to buy a Domane AL for riding on/off roads as usual.

Thanks in advance. Best regards.

The aluminum frame and carbon frame have different tire clearance numbers. Double check with trek before committing to a size.

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Trek Domane SL 6

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Radioactive Red/Trek Black, Matte/Gloss Trek Black, Purple Abyss/Trek Black, Viper Red, Crystal White

Size / 44cm, 47cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm

At a glance

- Domane SL 6 Disc is a performance road bike that’s both fast and comfortable. It has all the road-smoothing advantages of a lightweight OCLV Carbon frame with Front and Rear IsoSpeed, a full Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, high-quality wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes for confidence and braking power in any conditions. Plus, it has an easy-access storage compartment for stowing ride essentials.

It’s right for you if… Quality, comfort, speed, and adventure are your main considerations. You want a lightweight carbon bike that will stand up to the rigors of all-day rides and races with the road-smoothing benefit of wide tires and Front and Rear IsoSpeed plus the all-weather stopping power of hydraulic disc brakes.

The tech you get A 500 Series OCLV Carbon frame with road-smoothing Front and Rear IsoSpeed, a stable Endurance Geometry for comfort on the longest days, powerful flat-mount disc brakes, and a full 2×11 Shimano Ultegra groupset. Plus, Bontrager Paradigm Comp Tubeless Ready wheels with 700×32 tires for confidence and compliance, a fatigue-reducing Bontrager Elite IsoZone handlebar, a micro-adjust seatmast, and fender mounts. Internal storage and cable routing add to the bike’s capability and sleek look.

The final word All the road-smoothing benefits of a carbon Domane with a more performance-oriented Shimano Ultegra groupset and the extra stopping power of hydraulic disc brakes. This bike is fast, light, smooth, and ready for adventure.

Why you’ll love it

- Domane SL 6 Disc is an outstanding all-around road bike: race-worthy spec, a lightweight carbon frame, and Front and Rear IsoSpeed that soaks up fatiguing bumps, so you can stay stronger longer

- The unique IsoSpeed Carbon fork, which swoops forward toward the dropouts, absorbs vibrations from the road, so your arms won’t fatigue as quickly

- A sleek internal storage compartment gives you a versatile spot to stow tools and gear

- Tubeless Ready Bontrager Paradigm wheels deliver extra confidence and comfort on long, fast rides

- The stable Endurance Geometry is comfortable over long distances, but this is still a quick race bike

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame 500 Series OCLV Carbon, front & rear IsoSpeed, internal storage, tapered head tube, internal cable routing, micro-adjust seat mast, 3S chain keeper, DuoTrap S compatible, fender mounts, flat mount disc
• Wheels Front: 12x100mm thru axle Rear: 12x142mm thru axle
• Tires [F] Bontrager R2 Hard-Case Lite, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 700 x 32c
• Crank Shimano Ultegra R8000
• Bottom Bracket Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing
• Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra R8000, braze-on
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra R8000, long cage, 34T max cog
• Shifters Shimano Ultegra R8020, 11 speed
• Brakeset Shimano Ultegra R8070 hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Elite IsoZone VR-CF, alloy, 31.8mm, internal Di2 routing
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada Comp, steel rails
• Seatpost Bontrager carbon seatmast cap, integrated light mount, 20mm offset
• Stem Bontrager Pro, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree
• Grips Bontrager Supertack Perf tape
• Headset FSA Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom

Q: How much is a 2021 Trek Domane SL 6?

A 2021 Trek Domane SL 6 is typically priced around $4,100 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: What size 2021 Trek Domane SL 6 should I get?

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2022 Trek Domane SL 6

A carbon frame endurance bike with high-end components and hydraulic disc brakes.

Manufacturer Price

Domane SLR 7 AXS - 2022, 58cm

In Stock: LG

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Domane SL 6

Similar Bikes

(descending)

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Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

4'11" – 5'3"

5'1" – 5'5"

5'3" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'9"

5'8" – 6'0"

5'10" – 6'2"

6'0" – 6'4"

6'2" – 6'5"

• 6'0", size 56cm, Just right

Now on its fourth iteration, the Trek Domane AL is packed with updates, a lighter frame, and room for larger tires.

Read Review

Jan 2023 · Josh Croxton

Fewer Isospeeds means it's a little less comfortable, but the new Domane SLR 9 is fast, fun, and ready for an adventure

Easy to use storage compartment with neat & organising tool wrap

Simplified Isospeed vibration damping

38mm tyre clearance

Power meter included

Neat, low-maintenance integrated cockpit

Oh boy is it pricey

I would hope for top-spec tyres at this price

Oct 2022 · James Spender

The Domane is a tremendously smooth bike thanks to Trek’s IsoSpeed rear damping system and high volume, 32mm tubeless tyres

Over-engineered

The new Domane is everything great about the old bike, plus lighter and quicker.

Sep 2022 · William Tracy

Simplified IsoSpeed headlines a lighter and faster version of the endurance bike built for Roubaix.

Aug 2022 · By

The Trek Domane SLR 9 certainly wins the prize for the most striking paint job. Thanks to its bright Project One colour scheme, you can’t miss it. But can the bike also outshine the competition in terms of all-road performance with its IsoSpeed system and new Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset? We compared it with six of this year’s best all-road bikes to find out.

Best performance in most scenarios

Lots of long-distance comfort

Very convenient thanks to storage compartment

Mounting points for mudguards

Limited seat post adjustability

Front cable routing takes a bit of getting used to

Apr 2022 · Ben Delaney

Major changes include elimination of the seat mast, front IsoSpeed and adjustment on rear IsoSpeed.

Jul 2021 · Mat Brett

Smooth-riding endurance bike with loads of tyre space and masses of versatility

Smooth ride

Space for big tyres

Internal storage

Not especially light

Last updated April 28

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This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

• Exceptional
• Not so good

The Trek Domane SL is a smooth-riding road bike – even an all-road bike – courtesy of IsoSpeed tech both front and rear, which helps it damp down small vibrations and bigger hits. It's not the lightest bike out there, but if ride quality is your main concern, it's a real contender.

First of all, a quick explanation of the bike we're reviewing. The Domane SL frameset arrived at road.cc built up with the new SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset so that we could review those components too. It's not a standard build, but we've not reviewed the Domane SL before and thought we'd take the opportunity.

> Buy now: Trek Domane SL Disc frameset from Trek for £2200.00

Our 58cm bike, complete with Zipp 303S wheels set up tubeless with WTB Exposure 700 x 30mm tyres, weighs 8.82kg (19.4lb).

Trek does offer the Domane SL 6 eTap with a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset for £4,200, although this model is fitted with Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 wheels.

Okay, on with the show...

IsoSpeed is the headline news here, so let's kick off with what it actually is. You can scroll down a few paragraphs if this is old news for you.

Trek first introduced IsoSpeed in 2012, although it has evolved since then. Rear IsoSpeed came first, decoupling the top of the seat tube from the rest of the frame. The aim is to take the edge off big hits and smooth out smaller vibrations by allowing a small amount of movement at the saddle, thereby keeping you feeling fresher for longer. That's the plan.

How does it do it? Although the seat tube is fixed to the bottom bracket area in the normal way, it isn't moulded to the top tube or seatstays. Instead the tubes are joined by a pivot, allowing the seat tube to flex more than would otherwise be possible.

Front IsoSpeed is a more recent introduction, the idea being greater compliance at the handlebar. Front IsoSpeed comes in the form of a rocker cup at the top of the headset that allows the fork's carbon steerer to flex backwards/forwards, but not from side to side.

Put another way, the upper section of the headset can tilt to take advantage of the inherent flex in the steerer, meaning the stem and handlebar can move slightly in response to rough roads. See? It's simpler than it sounds.

Best of three

The Domane frameset comes in three different flavours. At the entry level there's the Domane AL, with an aluminium frame. This one doesn't feature front or rear IsoSpeed although, a little confusingly, Trek does describe the carbon fork as IsoSpeed on the basis that the legs are designed to absorb vibration. Complete bike prices start at £695, although the cheapest disc brake model is £895.

At the top of the range there's the posh Domane SLR, which comes with front and (adjustable) rear IsoSpeed. Bikes are priced from £6,600.

In the middle you get the Domane SL bikes, which are made from a lower grade of carbon than the SLRs – Trek's 500 Series OCLV, rather than lighter and stiffer 700 Series OCLV. You get both front and rear IsoSpeed, neither of which is adjustable. That means you can't alter the setup according to the terrain but, on the other hand, it's simpler.

> road.cc Frameset of the Year 2020/21

The most accessible 2022 complete SL currently available is the Domane SL 6 eTap mentioned above, although the 2021 Domane SL4, with a mostly Shimano Tiagra groupset, is £2,325.

On the road

So the big question is: how much difference does the IsoSpeed technology make? Don't think that all this tech means the Domane SL feels unlike any other road bike you've ever ridden.

First of all, if you've ridden mountain bikes with loads of travel, IsoSpeed is nothing like that. Not even on the same page. Cast all thoughts of mountain bike suspension from your mind.

When you're riding on level, well-surfaced tarmac, IsoSpeed doesn't feel unusual at all, and even over rough roads it's subtle. In some ways it feels like running wide tyres at fairly low pressures... though in other ways it doesn't feel at all like that (I'll explain in a mo).

You get just a bit of movement to insulate you from what's going on beneath your wheels, and it's more noticeable at the saddle than the handlebar. Crack into a steep-edged pothole at warp speed and you still feel it – just slightly less than you otherwise would.

The main feature, though, isn't the protection from the big hits, it's the smoothing you get from the smaller stuff: little holes, manhole covers, drains, frost damage, badly patched tarmac, kerbs on and off the cycle path... you know, all those things you constantly encounter on a typical ride.

It would come in handy over cobbles too, although chances are you don't have too many of those around your way.

Again, IsoSpeed doesn't eliminate bumps and vibrations from any of this stuff, it just turns it all down a few notches. It's forgiving. The rougher the surface, the bigger the difference IsoSpeed makes. It's great on old, scuffed up tarmac and it's also pretty active on gravel roads although, naturally, the tyres make a big difference here.

> 19 of the best 2021 gravel bikes & adventure road bikes

The Domane takes a maximum size of 700 x 38mm. It isn't designed as a gravel bike – and most people would prefer something a bit wider for full-on gravel – but it's brilliant for short cuts to link up two sections of tarmac, for instance, and if you fancy riding gravel on 38mm tyres, well, you can fill yer boots.

I said above that IsoSpeed can feel like you have large, low pressure tyres – but not entirely. The big difference is that a big tyre can feel squishy and mushy when you put the power down, and that can be annoying on the road.

IsoSpeed doesn't feel like that at all. There's no extra bounce when you're out of the saddle, and no additional lateral movement. The front end tracks and steers well, with no nasty surprises when you bang it hard into a fast, downhill bend.

Speaking of surprises, the frame-integrated storage compartment is a natty addition. You flick a lever on the down tube – where the bottle cage attaches – to release a plate and access the space inside.

The cover has a multi-tool slot on the back, and Trek also offers a tool roll specifically designed to fit. It takes stuff like a CO2 canister and chuck, tyre levers, a spare tube, an emergency Snickers bar... you do carry an emergency Snickers bar, don't you?

Specialized does something similar on its Diverge gravel bikes, and while packing things in these cubbyholes is a bit of an art, it's a really handy addition for emergency essentials.

The Domane SL is relaxed by road bike standards. Trek calls it an endurance fit. I've been riding the 58cm model with a 54.8cm seat tube, a 56.7cm effective top tube, and a 19.5cm head tube. It's a tall bike with a 61.1cm stack height, while the reach is short at 38.0cm. That puts the stack/reach at 1.61 for this size.

Some people are going love how the ride position is more upright than a more speed-orientated bike's, such as Trek's Madone or Emonda, for instance, while others won't be down with it at all. It depends what you're after.

Trek says the current generation Domane is much more aero than previously – courtesy of truncated airfoil tube profiles – but there's only so far you can tweak your position, and that's always going to be more significant when it comes to drag. Personally, I can't see typical Domane SL buyers being over-concerned with aerodynamics, although I guess it all helps.

The brake hoses are exposed only between the ends of the handlebar tape and the front end of the top tube, just behind the stem, where they duck inside via a removable plate. This ensures a clean look and keeps them out of the wind.

As mentioned, the bike I've been riding has a SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset so there are no shift cables/wires to worry about anyway, but if there were any, this is the only place you'll see those too.

Other features you need to know about include the adjustable seat mast that's particular to the Domane – held by an internal clamp accessed via a slot in the extended seatpost – and the T47 bottom bracket. Hooray for threaded BBs!

Mudguards? You can fit 'em easily enough. You get threaded holes on the fork legs (filled with itty bitty grub screws when not required) and another beneath the fork crown. You get more at the bottom of the seatstays, and fairly discreet mountings for a chainstay/mudguard bridge towards the top.

The only real downside to the Domane SL is that it's not particularly light. Trek claims a frame weight of 1,365g while, as mentioned, this complete bike came in at 8.82kg (19.4lb). Okay, the SRAM Rival eTap AXS isn't a lightweight groupset, but then a few hundred grams on the frame doesn't affect the ride as much as some people would have you believe.

The money bit

There aren't many road bikes designed to smooth the ride quite like the Domane. The most obvious rival is the Specialized Roubaix, which has Future Shock front suspension – a spring in a cartridge above the head tube that allows movement of the stem and handlebar.

The top-end Specialized S-Works Roubaix Team frameset is £3,700, but comparing prices with the second-tier Domane SL is unfair. Trek's flagship Domane SLR frameset is £3,500, so there's not a great deal in it.

The Domane SL keeps you comfortable thanks to relaxed geometry, front and rear IsoSpeed tech, and the ability to take tyres up to a whopping (by road bike standards) 38mm wide. It's as versatile as it is smooth, and if you want to mix up the surfaces you ride on while retaining plenty of speed, the Domane SL is a strong option.

Smooth endurance bike with loads of tyre space and masses of versatility

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Domane SL Disc frameset

Size tested: 58cm

Tell us what the frameset is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Trek says, "The lightweight Domane SL Disc Frame Set is built with 500 Series OCLV Carbon and includes road-smoothing Front and Rear IsoSpeed, so you can stay stronger for longer. This carbon endurance road frame is designed for flat-mount disc brakes, has a built-in storage compartment, and includes a headset and a Domane Disc full carbon fork."

Trek tells you everything you need to know about IsoSpeed over here: www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/inside_trek/isospeed

Trek says, "IsoSpeed challenges the traditional design of a bicycle frame. Devoid of the more favoured approaches to the compliance quandary (such as suspension systems, elastomers or a vibration damper), IsoSpeed maintains the diamond-shaped frameset geometry but 'decouples" the seat tube from the top tube, allowing the seat tube to flex with the forces of the road. The result is a bike that moves with the road while maintaining the feel and efficiency of the traditional race bike design.

"One of the consistent pieces of feedback from riders that have enjoyed rear IsoSpeed was that even though they could plough unfazed through rougher roads than ever before, they could still feel the road shock through their arms from the front wheel. Our solution was to take everything that works from IsoSpeed and move it up the bike. The same technology that provides great compliance at the saddle now delivers compliance at the front end. Front IsoSpeed, located at the top of the headset, is captured in a rocker cup similar to rear IsoSpeed. This allows the steerer tube to flex, providing additional compliance at the front of the bike. The rocker cup of the upper steerer has zero lateral movement, allowing the bike to steer and handle with precision."

State the frame and fork material and method of construction

Frame: 500 Series OCLV Carbon, front and rear IsoSpeed, internal storage, tapered head tube, internal cable routing, 3S chain keeper, DuoTrap S-compatible, mudguard mounts, flat-mount disc, 142x12 mm thru-axle

Fork: Domane SL carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, mudguard mounts, flat-mount disc, 12x100 mm thru axle

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

It's built to a very high standard.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

Trek calls it an 'endurance fit,' and it's pretty relaxed by road bike standards. I've been riding the 58cm model with a 54.8cm seat tube, a 56.7cm effective top tube, and a 19.5cm head tube. It's a tall bike with a 61.1cm stack height, while the reach is short at 38.0cm. That puts the stack/reach at 1.61 for this size.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

It's taller and shorter than an equivalent Madone or Emonda, say, putting you in a considerably more upright position.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Yeah, this is what the Domane is all about. It feels very comfortable courtesy of the front and rear IsoSpeed, and the ability to fit tyres up to 38mm wide. The relaxed geometry takes the strain off your back and neck, too.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

The IsoSpeed tech allows up/down movement, but doesn't affect the lateral stiffness of the bike.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

It feels pretty efficient, yes.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?

My shoe just missed 30mm tyres; there's a small amount of overlap with larger tyres.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? It's pretty neutral

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

This is a bike that's more about stability and ride quality than sharp handling.

This isn't especially focused on accelerating or sprinting.

Your summary

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The most obvious comparison is with the Specialized Roubaix, which has Future Shock front suspension – a spring in a cartridge above the head tube that allows movement of the stem and handlebar.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? If ride quality was my highest priority, definitely

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The performance is very good. Although the price is higher than many other road bikes, it's very good when you consider the tech that features here.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 48   Height: 190cm   Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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£2,325 for a Tiagra equipped bike is having a laugh......

It's horses for courses. I had an SL5 disc with Vison 40mm carbon rims and 105 as standard a few years ago and tbh, it's a nice enough bike but I found it dull as dishwater...as did a couple of people I know who bought better and lesser versions of the same model year.

The person I sold mine to loved it however and boasted of smashing PB's. If you can I'd advise a test ride

How upright are we talking? Can you still stretch yourself out riding the drops?

SaintClarence27 wrote: How upright are we talking? Can you still stretch yourself out riding the drops?

More than likely, provided you get the correct size.

The only way to answer that is to sit on one. A decent substitute is to compare the geometry to a model you're familiar with.

It's certainly taller, but not that much shorter than an Emonda say.

I have both and they're setup within a couple of mm of each other

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That's a race not some person commuting to work is it? It's hardly the same thing!!!!!

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Trek Domane vs Specialized Roubaix: Which Is The Best Endurance Road Bike?

In this post I’m going to compare the Trek Domane with the Specialized Roubaix. Which, if you’ve stumbled upon this post by accident and you’ve missed the tone of things round here, are both road bikes.

I’ll give an overview of the range of bikes available within each of these model families. I’ll also look at the particular features that are specific to the bikes, particularly in the area of comfort and ride smoothening.

This is part of a series of posts I’m writing, comparing the road bikes stables of these two large US bike manufacturers, Trek and Specialized. If you haven’t already, you should check out my introductory post on the subject .

Whilst other posts in this series (will) deal with aero bikes, lighter climbing bikes and gravel bikes, this one is really about my specialist subject (sort of): the bike for the older, more comfort-seeking gent.

Or ‘endurance road bike’, as the cycling industry seems set on calling it.

Why I Might Be Biased

I own a Trek Domane (a 4.3, which I bought in 2013). I really like it.

So much so that I just took it back to the frame, cleaned all the components, bought some new bits and then put it all back together:

I do therefore have an affinity towards it, and Trek in general.

That said, I would  really  like a Roubaix (or any high-end Specialized road bike), so I can’t see me being particularly negative about it, or the company as a whole, as I write this post.

Drool mode… engaged:

Bikes Mentioned In This Post

Er, this isn’t going to come as much of a shock…

• Specialized Roubaix – click here to visit the Specialized website to see the full range
• Trek Domane – click here to see the Domane at Trek

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I get a commission.

It’s All In The (Brand) Positioning

Trek and Specialized, pretty early on, both identified that the sort of bike frame that might suit the amateur MAMIL (more relaxed geometry; a bike that soaks up bumps in the road; a more upright riding position, all else being equal) was similar to that used by the pros in the more arduous cobbled classics races (sort of: the pros still use an aggressive riding position).

Thusly, with a bit of smart branding, we could buy a bike altogether more suited to our riding needs and low levels of flexibility whilst still pretending that we had a race-ready riding rig.

If Fabian Cancellara was riding the Domane and Tom Boonen the Roubaix whilst battling it out on the  Carrefour de l’Arbre  in the early 2010s, who could question the pro pedigree of our choice of bike?

Fabian Cancellara's farewell Paris-Roubaix Trek Domane SLR | https://t.co/U3YFUhcXU6 https://t.co/DizNSUTTvt pic.twitter.com/0GX0kKRfur — Cyclingnews (@Cyclingnewsfeed) April 8, 2016

In fact, in the pro world, there is probably less of a gap between ‘endurance’ and ‘race’ bikes these days.

The early and middle parts of races are generally being ridden with more intensity, so race management is much more about reducing fatigue going into the later stages.

Increasing rider comfort on the bike can help with this, and this is being reflected in pro bike geometry, riding positions and tyre choices.

Professionals still look better on a bike than us mere mortals though.

Trek (You Say) Domane

Trek’s endurance bike is the Domane. No one seems to know how to pronounce the word.

Whilst sort of looking French, it’s made up. It’s an anagram of Madone (the name of Trek’s aero road bike, as well as an infamous climb near Nice).

If I were in Trek’s marketing department, I’d say it the same way you pronounce ‘domain’ in English. As I’m not, it seems to be ‘doe-ma-knee’ (emphasis on the ‘ma’).

I Am A Very Happy Domane Owner

You can  read my ‘review’ of my Domane 4.3 here . That was written years ago (I’m thinking of doing an update in video form). Here’s a photo from the archives:

I bought the bike back in July 2013 as part of an extensive overhaul of my whole bike setup ( new bike, new bike fit, new pedals, new shoes ). It hasn’t disappointed. It’s still going strong.

One of the reasons for getting the Domane (in addition to trying to fool myself that I’m a pro Spring classics rider) was that if it was designed to be robust enough for the Roubaix cobbles, then it must be capable of dealing with the Derbyshire potholes. This reasoning has played out.

My Domane has been subject to a good amount of (road surface based) abuse. I’ve upgraded the wheels (to these Campagnolo Zondas ) but the stock ones (Bontrager) held up well.

Is That Frame Broken (Fire Up The Isospeed Decoupler)?

The most innovative feature of the Domane is the fact that the top tube doesn’t actually connect to the seat post. Which sounds like a recipe for disaster.

In truth the tubes do connect. They’re just not fused together (is that what they do with carbon fibre? ‘bonded’ maybe). Instead, there is an ‘Isospeed Decoupler’ linking the two.

This bracket allows the seat tube to flex (a bit) over its full length, rather than being held in place where it meets the top tube. This limited amount of ‘give’ reduces vibration and that brittle jarring you get when riding over rough surfaces.

And ‘rough surfaces’ is essentially the lot of the British MAMIL in his home environment.

All this vibration damping and flexing at one of the key rider contact points aims to reduce (unnecessary) fatigue over the course of the ride, so the rider is fresh enough to contest the selection, when it comes. Or in my case, to allow me to finish a ride (hopefully).

Upgrades To The Original Domane

My Trek Domane features the first generation of Isospeed ride cushioning.

Subsequent models have seen a number of iterations of the rear ride dampening technology.

In addition to making the joint more sleek, for the higher end SLR models, Trek has given riders the ability to adjust the amount of flex in the seat tube via moving a slider, initially on the seat tube itself and, most recently, underneath the top tube.

The original rear Isospeed was introduced for the derrière. Since then, Trek has brought in a front Isospeed for your…. arrière?

The front Isospeed is located at the top of the headseat, allowing for (again, limited) flex in the steerer tube, reducing the road noise that riders feel through their arms.

Trek describes the headset as sitting in a rocker cup. This allows front and back movement in the steerer tube, but no lateral movement. Which is probably a good thing if you want to avoid riding into hedges.

You can  read more about the whole Isospeed caboodle on the Trek website  (if you should so desire…).

Other Things That Have Changed Since 2013…

Whilst the UK legislative agenda may have ground to a halt, we’ve at least had the ‘disc brake revolution’.

All Domanes these days come with disc brakes only. No rim brakes allowed (other than on the aluminium version, the AL, but thats essentially a different bike for a different blog post).

With great (disc brakes) power comes great responsibility (tyre clearance). I recall when I bought my Domane, much fanfare was made about its ability to handle wider tyres. That was something like 28cm.

The most recent generation of Domanes can take up to a 38cm width. They’ll be fitting it with front and rear suspension next. Oh, wait…

Next, the latest generation of Domanes have a hole (deliberately) in the down tube which provides an internal storage compartment for tools and, say, a CO2 cartridge.

And what’s this?

The Trek Domane No Longer Uses A Press Fit Bottom Bracket!

That’s right. The BB90 press fit bottom bracket that is apparently hated by everyone (but which I enjoyed learning how to fit in this video) has been replaced with a T47 threaded bottom bracket.

Mechanics everywhere will rejoice. Monty will stand around looking vacant.

(Whilst he’s looking vacant, let’s move on to the Specialized Roubaix)

Roubaix Roubaix Roubaix Roubay (Ooo-oo-ooo-oo)

Specialized’s endurance bike model is, as mentioned, the Roubaix. It featured on the short list of bikes I considered back in 2013.

Roubaix is a town in northern France famous historically for producing wool and textiles. It was chosen as a model name by Specialized to fit in with its strategy of choosing industrial names for bikes, like the Tarmac.

(I’m very tempted just to stop here…)

Sure, there’s a famous bike race each year that finishes in the Roubaix velodrome. Famous for traversing 29 cobbled sectors ( proper  cobbles). Famous for testing riders and their bikes to the limit. And being called ‘the Hell of the North’.

So Specialized probably named the Roubaix after that. Sure sure sure.

Does The Specialized Roubaix Have Suspension?

At the time I was looking at buying a Roubaix, Specialized tackled the whole ‘quasi-suspension’ thing by integrating ‘Zertz’ inserts into the seat stays and the fork.

These plastic (okay, ‘viscoelastic polymer’) dampeners purported to absorb vibrations that would otherwise pass unhindered into the rider’s butt-oxe and hands.

Specialized adopts a similar principle to the comfort features of the Domane. Logic as follows:

• Vibrations lead to fatigue.
• Fatigue leads to tiredness.
• Tiredness leads to pain.
• Pain leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to… suffering.

Anygroad, Specialized have dispensed with Zertz in the most recent generations of Roubaix (Roubaiz?). Instead they do have an actual shock absorbing piston, with 20mm of travel, built into the head tube.

This feature, known as the ‘Future Shock’ gives (understandably) more vertical movement than the Zertz-based flexy-forks approach. This makes for a more comfortable rider experience in the ‘cockpit’ area of the bike.

Like Trek’s Isospeed feature (in the more expensive models), the Future Shock 2.0 used in bikes at the higher end of the Roubaix range can be adjusted to control the amount of dampening.

Towards the bottom end of the range (Roubaix Comp and below), the Future Shock 1.5 is used, which does not have the adjustment knob (it still has 20mm of travel though).

Does The Specialized Roubaix Have Rear Suspension?

In short, no.

Distinct from the Domane, the Roubaix provides no mechanical ‘comfort features’ around the seat tube and chain stays. Your butt-oxe will no longer be cossetted. Many apologies.

That said, all of the models come with the S-Works Pave seatpost (there you go – a little bit of S-Works bling, even at the low end of the range).

Specialized states that the Pave is the ‘first compliant seatpost that’s aerodynamic’ and without any ‘contraptions’ (surely a dig at Trek?). More flex has been built into upper part of the seat post (quite what ‘more flex’ is relative to isn’t stated).

Anyhoo, at least Specialized are thinking about these things, so it’ll be better than nothing.

The Specialized Roubaix Range

The aim of this section is to give an overview of the Specialized Roubaix range so you can quickly triangulate between the name (Sport, Comp, etc), the price and the high level spec.

For more detail you’ll want to check out the Specalized website (also the range differs slightly between the US and the UK).

Roubaix Sport

• Cost: £2,750 / $2,900
• Frame: FACT 10R
• Suspension: Future shock 1.5
• Colour scheme options: 2
• Components: Shimano 105 R7000 (11 speed) other than Praxis Alba crankset (compact)
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470

Roubaix Comp

• Cost: £3,500 / $3,600
• Components: Shimano Ultegra R8000; compact 11 speed; clutch rear derailleur RX800

Roubaix Expert

• Cost: £4,750 / $6,000 (no idea why the US price is so high relative to the UK)
• Colour scheme options: 1
• Suspension: Future shock 2.0
• Components: Shimano Ultegra R8000 Di2; compact 11-speed; clutch rear derailleur RX805 (Di2)

Roubaix Pro

• Cost: £6,600 / $6,700
• Suspension: Future Shock 2.0
• Components: SRAM Force eTAP with RED etap rear derailleur; 12 speed; compact (46/33t)
• Wheels: Rovel Alpinist CL

S-Works Roubaix – SRAM Red eTAP AXS

• Cost: £10,500
• Frame: FACT 11R
• Components: SRAM RED eTAP AXS 12-speed with power meter
• Wheels: Rovel Alpinist CLX

S-Works Roubaix – Sagan Collection

• Cost: £10,069
• Components: Dura-Ace Di2 11-speed with dual-sided powermeter
• Wheels: Rovel Rapide CLX

The Trek Domane Range

Oof, there are a lot of variants of the Domane available, making them difficult to summarise without this post descending into a turdpile of tedium*.

(* Ha ha, yes, I see, you already think it’s a tur…)

Again, you’ll want to check out the full range at the Trek website:

At the top end you have the SLR series of bikes, all of which use Trek’s highest quality OCLV 700 Series carbon frame (something to do with the quality of the carbon layup…).

Then you have a few sub-variants:

• SLR 6 – mechanical Ultegra / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,800 / £5,500
• SLR 7 – electronic Ultegra Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $7,800-8,300 / £6,350-6,900
• SLR 7 eTap – wireless electronic SRAM Force eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $8,500-8,800 / £7,000
• SLR 9 – electronic Dura-Ace Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels – $12,000 / £10,000
• SLR 9 etap – wireless electronic SRAM RED eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels – $12,000 / £10,100

In case you’re wondering, the prices ranges for the two SLR 7 variants is because there appears to be a ‘standard’ colour scheme for each one (lower price) and then a few colour options that are built to order (higher price)

The SLs all have the OCLV 500 series frame. Not as high spec as the 700 but designed to be lightweight, strong and stiff (but aren’t they all…).

• SL 4 – mix of Shimano Tiagra and Praxis / Bontrager Affinity Disc wheels – $2,400 / £2,100
• SL 5 – Shimano 105 / Bontrager Affinity Disc wheels – $2,900 / £2,550
• SL 6 – mechanical Ultegra / Bontrager Paradigm Comp wheels – $3,800 / £3,350
• SL 7 – electronic Ultegra Di2 / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,000 / £5,100
• SL 7 eTap – wireless electronic SRAM Force eTap AXS / Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheels – $6,200 / £5,650

In case it’s not obvious (it really isn’t), you can transmogrify between the SLR and SL ranges to see that the number 7, say, corresponds to a spec featuring Ultegra Di2 and Aeolus Pro 3V wheels.

I’ll save the electric and aluminium versions of the Domane for other blog posts.

Is There A Trek Domane Women’s Bike?

Actually, yes. And no. Mainly no.

Trek used to do a higher end women’s version of the Domane. Now they are saying that for all new Domane SLRs and SLs, they’re producing frame sizes down to 44cm (i.e. small). So there should be an option that fits every rider, whether they are man, woman or squirrel.

As an aside, there are two new AL (aluminium-framed) versions of the Domane that are described as ‘Women’s’. The frames do look slightly different to the equivalent men’s models (they’re a different colour at least) but the bumf on the website makes more of them being fitted with ‘women-specific’ saddles and handlebars than the geometry.

It’s Probably Worth Saying…

I’ve only ridden one Trek Domane (the one in my garage). The technology and ride feel has no doubt moved on. Similarly, I’ve never been lucky enough to try out a Specialized Roubaix.

This post from Bikeradar  provides a comparison based on their reviews of both bikes (albeit from previous generations of both bikes). And for an actual bike review, you’d like to think they’ve ridden them extensively…

Which Should You Buy?

Here I must disappoint. I’m going to sit on the (carbon fibre) fence.

I have really enjoyed riding my Trek Domane this past six years. Many readers of this blog found it by reading my original ‘review’ of the bike. Almost every comment or email I’ve received about it has been positive.

That said, I (obviously) covet a nice Specialized Roubaix. I’m sure it’s also an excellent choice.

So it looks like if you’re in the market for a new endurance bike (and no cyclist is truly out of the market for a new bike), you’ll have to test them both out. What a hassle…

Stay tuned for the next episode in this occasional Trek versus Specialized series.

In the meantime, do you own either the Domane or the Roubaix (or maybe both!)?

Let me know your views in the comments below.

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9 thoughts on “Trek Domane vs Specialized Roubaix: Which Is The Best Endurance Road Bike?”

Hello, At long last after38 years I have now switched from a vintage Koga Miyata Radonneur steel frame to Specialized Roubaix and I am amazed about the quality and smoothness of the ride. Yes, my steel steed was comfortable but some sections of tarmac roads we have here in Scotland are horrible, even on a steel bike. Imagine my astonishment when I rode the Roubaix (2016 model), Zipp Firecrest303 carbon wheels, on these roads and they just became smoother and less harsh. I always thought that carbon is harsh but in the right configuration it is marvelous, not to mention the nearly 9kg in weight saving.

I have a 2016 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Elite Disc, and it is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. When I was buying in 2016 I got my shortlist down to the Domane and Roubaix. Test rode both, and couldn’t separate them for ride quality and comfort. It eventually came down to price, with the Roubaix being £50 less. On saying that, I’m heading back to the ride quality of steel in a few weeks time, with a Mason Resolution 2 on order. So, if anybody fancies a well looked after Roubaix…? 😂

Thanks for the info. Im still riding my 2013 domane 500 series as well. But thinking it’s time for disc brakes. You didn’t mention electronic shifters either ! Maybe time for that info as well !

Have been following you for a while, always find you entertaining and informative. I wrote off my beloved 2015 domane disc in a ‘night time chain gang vs pothole’ incident (as well doing a number on my right wrist, which is now part bone, part titanium). ( I am now banned from night riding by SWMBO). Bought a Mason Definition 2 with Di2, based on the reviews and an hours ride from their base on the South Coast. But we’ve never ‘gelled’. It gives me neither the comfort nor the speed of the domane. It also feels quite harsh up front, which is not good for my often painful wrist, so the new domane is an itch I think I’ll have to scratch. Looking at a sale 2020 SL 7 with Force eTap and carbon wheels at a bargain price. Never had eTap, but the reviews are excellent. A little nervous as I adore Di2, but almost certainly going to pull the trigger once I’ve had a ride.

Hi Glenn – did you go for another Domane in the end?

Hello Glenn, could you share more about your “wrist?” I just purchased the 2021 Roubaix Sport, after returning from an almost 30-year hiatus and riding, again, my 40 year old, too-big-for-me Fuji Flair. Riding the new bike, I brake entirely too hard and have jolted myself to where I hurt my right wrist (I am right-handed). Thanks in advance for your time and attention.

I’ve ridden a Trek Domane 4.3 since 2013 and recently purchased the Domane SL5. I’ve found the post very low in comparison so have flipped the stem, which has made me more upright. The Arvada saddle for me is creating a lot of pressure compared to my Affinity (no longer available) saddle on my 4.3. I’m therefore changing this to a Trek Versa and hope this will alleviate the problem. Still love my 4.3 and hopefully will enjoy my new SL5 as much once it’s sorted to my liking. The SL5 is my 4th Trek with the pride of my collection being the SL8 full Dura Ace Emonda.

The Affinity saddle is available for a bargain basement price of $75 (carbon rails too). I picked one up for my Trek Fuel and it is the most comfortable saddle I have tried. Search “overstock” on trek’s website. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/factory-overstock/bontrager-affinity-pro-carbon-factory-overstock-bike-saddle/p/24630/?colorCode=white

I had the domane 4.3 for many years, great bike. Now I went for the domane sl7 2021 with di2. I love it!

I did my first bike race at 315km. What a comfort!

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Trek Domane SL5 review

Are you sitting comfortably? You soon will be...

Robert Smith / Immediate Media

Aoife Glass

Comfortable ride with handy on-bike storage

Heavier than most bikes at this price point

Trek's Domane SL5 is a compliant, comfy ride, and while it does sacrifice speed, if you’re not phased by that trade-off, you’ll enjoy many miles of riding in comfort on this bike.

Trek, like Specialized, eschews women-specific geometry, instead opting for a unisex fit that’s designed to better suit all riders. This may mean you’ll want to swap out the saddle but, since most riders opt to fit their preferred seat anyway, this isn’t something I’d mark a bike down for.

• Women’s bike size guide
• Best women's road and gravel bikes
• Best women’s bikes: a buyer’s guide to find what you need

The Domane SL5 features a carbon frame and fork constructed from Trek’s 500-series OCLV carbon. The tapered steerer gives a responsive, stable feel. It’s not the most agile bike but the stability instils confidence, particularly on long, fast descents when it’s reassuringly predictable.

IsoSpeed is the stand-out feature of the Domane. This is essentially a polymer-based decoupler at the stem and seatpost that acts to absorb vibrations and isolate the handlebar and saddle from road chatter. The result is not only noticeable, it’s addictively good.

If you value comfort above all else, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bike as good.

A new and very welcome feature for 2020 is the in-frame storage. An internal storage compartment in the down tube, which is accessed by removing a panel that sits under the down tube bottle-cage mounts, provides enough room for storing essential bits and pieces.

Pop in your spare tubes, levers and tools and you won’t need to carry a saddle bag. Or you might want to stow an emergency set of lights just in case you get caught out.

The oversized down tube and bottom bracket area give a great feeling of power transfer when putting down some leg muscle. While this bike never feels as agile or racy as the likes of the Liv Avail and Canyon Endurace , partly because of the smoothing effects of the IsoSpeed, it’s actually got a great lick of pace and the comfort means you can keep pushing harder for longer without fatiguing.

Another great feature is the seat mast, which is integrated into the seatpost and designed to allow micro-adjustment. It’s a dream feature for anyone who needs to get their saddle height just right for comfort and performance.

Wide tyre clearance means plenty of room for chunkier tyres or muddy conditions, or for a set of mudguards for wet-weather riding.

Internal cable routing keeps the frame neat and sleek and the vibrant, colour-shifting purple paint is eye-catching.

The Domane has a huge range of sizes, from 47 up to 62, for riders of heights from 152cm (4ft 11in) up to 190cm (6ft 2in).

Shimano 105 may not be a premium groupset, but it offers very smooth, reliable shifting. The 50/34t chainrings combined with the 11-34t cassette give a wide range of gears that are both suited to and standard for endurance-focused bikes, providing good gear choices at each end of the range to master steep hills and fast sprinting.

Bontrager finishing kit includes a Comp VR-C alloy handlebar, carbon seatpost and Arvada Comp saddle with steel rails.

The Elite stem is Blendr compatible, which means it’s easy to fit a range of accessories, such as Bontrager lights and computers, GoPros or Garmins without fiddling with imperfect mounts.

Wheels are the tubeless-ready Bontrager Affinity Discs, fitted with Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite tyres in a 700 x 32c size.

One downside is that at 9.94kg for the size 54 tested, it was the heaviest bike I had on test, due in large part to the heavy budget wheels and tyres.

The Bontrager wheels weigh in at over 1,800g, while the Bontrager R1 Hard-Case tyres come in at around 410g and they are not tubeless-compatible, so there’s also an inner tube adding to the weight.

Even if you don’t want to invest in new wheels straight away, upgrading to lighter, tubeless tyres will save you a chunk of weight relatively cheaply, and make this bike a whole lot more sprightly.

When it comes to comfort, the Domane still can’t be beaten, though. Endless hours in the saddle over all types of road surface flew by and I could happily have just kept on trucking because the plush ride kept my legs feeling perky.

How we tested

This bike was tested against four other bikes that we consider to be some of the best for female riders – some unisex, some women’s specific.

On paper and based on experience, these five bikes are leading lights in their various fields – whether that’s comfort endurance, race endurance, gravel and adventure, or all-rounders – based on price and performance.

Testing took place (pre-lockdown) in the Welsh mountains, Mendip hills and on the flat and fast Somerset Levels (plus the odd gravel path and wooded singletrack).

Other bikes on test:

• Liv Avail Advanced Pro 2
• Sonder Colibri Ti Force 22
• Canyon Endurace WMN CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2
• Juliana Quincy CC Rival

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