trek domane 2 series

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Trek domane 2-series – first look.

Trek unveiled the Domane 6-Series ahead of Fabian Cancellara’s Spring Classics campaign – now the American firm has revealed a full range of machines, including two aluminium models which make up the 2-Series.

Sat in the same room as Cancellara’s yellow Domane from the Tour de France at Trek World Europe, the company’s trade show in Frankfurt, the more affordable machines attracted just as much attention.

The Domane 2-Series shares much of the technology of its WorldTour sibling. There’s the IsoSpeed decoupler, the IsoSpeed fork (a heavily curved fork with reverse dropouts which improves front-end compliance), and the endurance fit, although the aluminium bikes don’t get the built-in 3S chain catcher, which comes as standard on 4-Series machines and above, while 5 and 6-Series bikes get Bontrager’s IsoZone handlebars, which have integrated pads designed to reduce vibration displacement by a claimed 20 per cent.

The Domane is packed with technology across the board but it’s the decoupler which rightly attracts most attention. It isolates the seat tube from the rest of the frame, so the seat tube can rotate – or flex – independently from the top tube-seatstay junction, increasing vertical compliance  – or comfort, to you and me.

Look at the decoupler on the 2-Series bikes and there’s one obvious, aesthetic difference, however. Using aluminium, rather than carbon fibre, to build the frame presented Trek with a whole new problem – aluminium fatigues over time. In order to achieve the required compliance while maintaining strength, Trek welded two tubes together to form the seat tube. You can see the weld in the picture below.

Trek’s road bike product manager, Ben Coates, said: “The way aluminium reacts to the forces on the seat tube is very different to carbon fibre. The IsoSpeed functions in very much the same way, but it was very difficult to determine the amount of control.

“This was a very complicated frame to make. We had to end up welding two tubes together so that we could have two different characteristics to control the amount of dampening and compliance.

Coates admitted the fatigue properties of aluminium may raise eyebrows but is confident in the frame’s ability to withstand everything thrown at it.

“There is some question about it, but it’s backed by Trek’s lifetime warranty,” he said. “The aluminium has been tested to extreme fatigue cycles and it’s built to last. It functions very well.

“The weld is integral to the success of that bike. We tried other ways to make the compliance function properly but actually joining two completely different tubes was the most successful way and it works very well; that’s part of the technology and it requires that joint to control the flexibility.”

The Domane 2-Series comprises two bikes, with the 2.3 retailing at £1,200, while the 2.0 comes in at the magic £1,000 Cycle to Work mark. The 2.0 is equipped with a Shimano Tiagra triple groupset and Bontrager wheels and tyres, with Bontrager’s componentry arm also providing the saddle, seatpost, handlebar and stem, while upgrades on the 2.3 cover the Shimano 105 shifters and brake levers, and a carbon Bontrager seatpost, plus the crankset’s a compact rather than a triple.

Stock is expected in the UK in August. Trek expect the ability of the 2-Series bikes to accommodate larger tyres and mudguards to prove attractive to a British audience.

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• Rider Notes

2019 Trek Domane AL 2

An aluminum frame endurance bike with mid-range components and rim brakes.

For This Bike

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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 AL 2

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Good stability

High comfort without a negative impact on efficiency

Confidence-inspiring at speed

Cable routing around the cockpit

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Smooth, fast, and smart: The new Domane is everything a modern road bike should be.

A stunning blend of speed, comfort, and versatility

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Jul 2019 · Dan Cavallari

Trek introduces the third generation of its endurance bike, the Domane, and gets a lot of things right. Dan Cavallari went to Italy to ride it.

Last updated April 28 Not listed for 1,811 days

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

The New Trek Domane: A Great Bike Made Better

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

The Takeaway: Trek’s best road bike gets faster, lighter, quicker, and better

• Frames are 300 grams lighter
• Slight aerodynamic improvements
• Compatible with any bar and stem

Price: $3,500 (SL 5) to $13,200 (SLR 9 eTap, tested) Weight: 19.7lb. (SL 5) to 16 lb. (SLR 9) 16.8 lb. as tested (SLR 9 eTap 52cm)

Trek Domane MK.4 Gallery

Trek Domane Generation Four—What is New

My biggest knock against the third-generation Domane was the weight. It was an excellent and feature-rich bike but a little hefty. So, I am happy to report that one of the most significant changes to the fourth generation frame is it is lighter by about 300 grams (more than half a pound. A large part of the weight savings came from simplifying the bike’s signature rear IsoSpeed Decoupler and eliminating the IsoSpeed Front system that debuted in the previous generation Domane.

When asked why Trek eliminated IsoSpeed Front, Jordan Roessingh, director of road bikes, stated that much of the system's benefit—which never offered the same compliance improvement as rear IsoSpeed—was made redundant by riders' increased adoption of higher volume tubeless tires run at lower pressures. Combined with the system’s weight penalty, Trek decided the juice was not worth the squeeze and punted IsoSpeed front into the dustbin of history.

Meanwhile, at the rear, Trek removed the adjustment from the SLR’s top tube IsoSpeed. All frames now have fixed compliance. Reggie Lund, a design engineer at Trek, said that it found, “A lot of our riders were never taking advantage of the adjustability on the previous generation bike,” so they decided to remove the feature which simplified and lighted the frame. Roessingh stated that the new Domane’s fixed compliance is in line with the previous generation SLR’s IsoSpeed set to the most compliant position.

SL-level frames also see a change to their rear IsoSpeed system. Trek has multiple iterations and generations of IsoSpeed. While third-generation Domane SLR frames had adjustable top tube IsoSpeed, third-generation Domane SL frames had non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed. SL and SLR fourth generation Domanes get the new non-adjustable top tube IsoSpeed.

Roessingh said that one of the drawbacks of the third-gen Domane’s non-adjustable seat tube IsoSpeed was that the system got more rigid as the seat tubes got shorter. In short, smaller and likely lighter riders experienced a rougher ride than larger riders. Top tube IsoSpeed eliminates this compromise and lets Trek tune compliance per frame size, said Rosseingh, so all riders experience similar levels of comfort.

Another signature feature of carbon framed Domane models that went to the dustbin was Trek’s No Cut semi-integrated seat mast. Instead, all models now use a seat post, although a proprietary D-shaped post instead of being round. Thankfully, Trek offers two lengths (280 and 320mm) and two offsets (five and 20mm) to help riders dial in fit. The seatpost clamp hides under a snap-on cover on the top tube, which helps clean up the lines of the new Domane.

Another way Trek cleaned up the Domane’s appearance is with a new stem with a cap that hides the hoses and housing before they enter the frame through the upper headset cover. But while the bike appears to have fully integrated routing, you can swap stem lengths without pulling the hoses or housing. The bike is compatible with a standard handlebar, and riders can use standard stems. However, if you want to install a standard stem, you will need to acquire a different upper headset cover from Trek, and you will probably want to zip-tie your hoses and housing together underneath the stem.

Trek’s Domane stem comes in sizes 60 to 130mm in minus-seven degree rise and 60 to 100mm in plus-seven degree rise. The faceplate features a single bolt mount for a computer/light/camera. Unfortunately, the Domane stem’s one-bolt mounting standard is different from Trek’s one-bolt mounting system for the Madone and Emonda and also different than any of the other stems with this feature (3T, Cervelo, Fizik, Specialized, Felt, Easton).

Trek also states that the new Domane is more aerodynamic than the previous generation due to the updated shape of the fork, downtube, seat tube, seat stays, and more-integrated cables in the front. However, Trek did not provide any data on the aerodynamic improvements. When I asked Roessingh for time or watt improvements, he told me, “I don’t think we have a specific claim other than saying we do know the bike is faster. But it’s not a huge amount so it’s not a claim we’re labeling as one of the headlines of the launch.”

One small new feature added to the Domane is a mount in the top tube for a feed bag. What has not changed is the Domane has clearance for up to a 38mm tire, hidden fender mounts, the threaded (T47) bottom bracket, and the in-frame storage accessed through the hatch in the downtube.

SL and SLR frames are compatible with mechanical drivetrains. But, there is a catch outlined in Trek’s FAQ, “The frame does not have a front derailleur housing stop, which means that you are limited to front derailleurs with a built-in stop, like Shimano toggle front derailleurs.” That means the frame is not compatible with SRAM or Campagnolo mechanical-shift drivetrains.

Trek Domane Four—SL Versus SLR

There are two grades of Domane frame: SL and SLR. According to Roessingh, “SL and SLR are essentially identical from a feature set perspective and frame shape perspective.” The biggest difference is the carbon: The SL uses Trek’s “500 Series” carbon while the SLR uses “800 series” carbon. That material difference results in a 200-300 gram reduction in frame weight. According to Trek, this puts the SL frameset at 2,500 grams and the SLR frameset around 2,200 grams.

Trek Domane Four—RSL for the Racers

Although Trek’s professional racers ride a Domane in some events, typically the cobbled classics, they do not ride the standard frame. Instead, they use the Domane RSL (Race Shop Limited). It is the frame ridden to victory in the 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes by Elisa Longo Borghini , and it has a few notable differences from the mainline frame.

The primary distinction is fit. The RSL fame is much lower and longer than the SL and SLR Domane. Using a 56cm frame as an example the RSL’s reach is 21mm longer (395 versus 347mm) while the stack is 43mm shorter (548 versus 591mm). The RSL also has a much shorter trail length (51mm compared to 61), likely because of the increased weight the RSL’s geometry places on the front wheel.

Other changes include eliminating the top tube bag mounts and in-frame storage hatch—you do not need those things when you have a fleet of team cars behind you—and the fender mounts. These changes help shave weight off the frame compared to the standard Domane. The RSL frame also has less tire clearance—its maximum tire width is 35mm instead of 38mm—but will fit larger chainrings (RSL: 2x 54/40, 1x 54T; SLR and SL: 2x 52/36, 1x 50T) than the SL and SLR models. Another noteworthy difference: The RSL is only compatible with electronic shifting.

Trek only offers the RSL as a frameset ($4,200) and only in sizes 52 to 60cm, four fewer sizes than the mainline frame. Claimed frameset (frame and fork) weight is 1600 grams for the RSL. On paper, that makes the RSL a whopping 600 grams lighter than the SLR. But when I fact-checked that weight delta with Roessingh, he told me, “The way we measure ‘frameset” weights in those metrics isn’t apples to apples. It includes a bunch of hardware and components. The RSL frame weight is only about 100g lighter than the SLR’s.”

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Geometry

Most of the Mk. IV Domane models carry forward the Mk. III’s endurance geometry with no changes. It is a shorter reach and a taller stack fit, with a longer wheelbase and mellower handling than a race bike. Trek offers nine sizes, from 44 to 62cm.

The RSL version previously mentioned features a lower and longer fit race fit that is even more aggressive than the Madone and Emonda race bikes with the brand’s H1.5 geometry. The RSL is only offered in five sizes, from 52 to 60cm.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Builds, Prices, and Weights

Trek’s rolling out the new Domane with 11 models: five SL builds priced between $3,500 to $7,500 and six SLR models priced at $8,000 to $13,200. Only one model, the $3,500 SL 5, has a mechanical shifting drivetrain (Shimano 105); all the rest have electronic drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM. The SL 5 is also the only 11-speed bike; the rest are 12-speed.

All models come with Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels and Bontrager’s R3 folding-bead, tubeless-ready tires in 32mm.

Claimed weights start at 8.93Kg (19.7 lb.) for the SL 5, with the lightest complete bike coming in at 7.25kg (16 lb.). One interesting note on prices and weights: For the same relative equipment level— Ultegra Di2 versus Force eTap AXS —most Shimano-equipped bikes are less expensive and lighter than the SRAM-equipped bikes. There is a big “but” because all SRAM-equipped Domanes from the SL 7 eTap and up have power meters while the Shimano builds have standard cranks. The other exception is the SL 6 ( Shimano 105 Di2 ) and SL 6 eTap ( SRAM Rival eTap AXS )—the Shimano bike is $600 cheaper but slightly (10 grams) heavier.

As always, the Domane will eventually, though not immediately, find its way into Trek’s Project One customization program for riders who want to pick their parts and paint. Trek also offers the SL ($2,499), SLR, and RSL (both $4,200) framesets for purchase.

Trek Domane Mk.IV—Ride Review

Trek’s Domane has been a favorite of mine since the first generation, but the third generation was flat-out amazing. Comfortable, practical, and fun, it had most of the speed of a race bike without the bullshit that makes race bikes so limited and limiting. It fits big tires! You could run any bar and stem! It could store a burrito in the downtube! And it was fast .

So when Trek told me they were sending me the new, fourth generation, Domane I hoped and prayed that they found a way to make it better without messing up what made it so great. And friends, my hopes and prayers were answered because riding the fourth generation Domane was like reacquainting with a dear old friend, but one who lost a bunch of weight and now goes to therapy. Because this bike is everything the gen-three Domane was, but better.

You can read what I said about the third-generation Domane when I reviewed it and when I wrote it up as our 2020 Bike of the Year and take all of the good stuff and apply it to the new, fourth-generation Domane. But my complaints about it being a little heavy are gone. And with the weight reduction, the gen-four Domane unlocks new performance levels.

The biggest difference is the new bike is quicker, snappier, and just flies. When you hear someone talk about a comfortable road bike, it usually suggests a bike that is squishy and slow feeling. But when you get on a bike that is fast, quick, and communicative but also floats and coddles the rider like a newborn baby, well, that is a special bike. And that is what the new Domane is: Special. A great bike made better. A bike for the modern road rider: Freaking fast, wonderfully comfortable, and oh so practical.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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With the Domane (pronounced doh-mar-knee), the seat tube attaches at the bottom bracket like normal, but rather than being fixed at the top tube, there's a bearing between the two tubes. The idea is that the seat tube can pivot to a degree, so the saddle can move downwards (and a little backwards), providing more give and adding comfort to the ride.

The carbon Domane provides about 30mm of compliance. If you want to do something similar with aluminium, you need to be careful because when you flex aluminium it will fatigue over time.

For that reason, Trek have made the seat tube by welding two different sections of aluminium with differing characteristics, to determine the amount of vibration damping and compliance. The end result is that the aluminium Domane offers about half the amount of compliance of the carbon version. If you're worried that the aluminium might fail over time, Trek provide a lifetime warranty.

I found that the IsoSpeed Decoupler damped out high frequency vibration to an extent, and it helps to take the edge off bigger hits too – potholes, raised manholes and the like – but having ridden the carbon version last year, I wanted more. Still, you have to remember that this is a £1,200 bike whereas the carbon Domane 4 Series starts at £1,500. Anyway, I'll come back to the whole IsoSpeed system later with a more detailed look at the ride...

Construction & fit

The Domane 2.3, like the £1,000 2.0, is made from Trek's 200 Series Alpha Aluminium, and it's built to what Trek call their 'endurance fit', meaning that it's 'still racy but with a slightly higher head tube'.

To put figures on it, we have the 58cm model here with a 54.8cm seat tube, a 56.7cm effective top tube, and a 19.5cm head tube. That's not a crazy-tall front end but it's pretty high.

For comparison, a 58cm Madone in Trek's H2 fit has an effective top tube that's 0.7cm longer and a head tube that's 0.5cm shorter. In a highly performance-orientated H1 fit, a 58cm Madone's effective top tube is 57.9cm and the head tube is 16cm.

In other words, the Domane's geometry is more relaxed than that of the Madone so you find yourself sitting in a more upright, less stretched out position. I don't like a particularly high front end to my bikes so I took out the headset spacers early on and got myself into a kind of medium position, but you could leave them in if you prefer your bars up high.

While we're on a geometry trip, the Domane has a slacker head angle than the Madone, a longer sweep to the fork and longer chainstays. The result is a significantly extended wheelbase – 1,022mm versus 987mm. That means that the Domane feels considerably more stable. It has a greater bottom bracket drop too, further adding to the stable feel.

Just a couple more figures: the headset is a standard (if there is such a thing these days) 1 1/8in top and bottom while the bottom bracket is Trek's own wide BB86.5 design. It's a press fit system that, unlike a few others we've used lately, remained creak-free throughout testing.

Usefully, as well as SpeedTrap compatibility (where a computer sensor can sit neatly inside the fork leg), Trek provide mudguard mounts front and rear that are hardly noticeable, and you get eyelets for a rear rack too. That makes a lot of sense on a bike that might well get used year round and be pressed into service for Audax and/or commuting.

The spec is based around Shimano's mid-level 105 groupset. The 105ness encompasses the shifters, mechs and the brakes. The only real compromise here is the Shimano R565 compact chainset that's not as light as a 105 version. Most of the rest of the kit comes from Bontrager, Trek's in-house brand.

The IsoSpeed Decoupler certainly does provide compliance – call it 'downward saddle movement' if you don't like the bike brochure jargon. You notice it most over rough roads where the bike smoothes over small bumps, holes and jaggedy bits.

The effect is quite hard to describe. It's not really like mountain bike suspension, or at least it's nothing like the same scale. We're talking about micro-movement here. The feeling is more like having a tyre with a lower than normal pressure in, but without any of the squirming or effects on handling (or risk of pinch flats!). In fact, Trek boast that there are no drawbacks to the Isospeed system. It adds very little weight and there's no impact on frame stiffness.

Trek have included other features to help keep the ride comfortable too. As I mentioned above, the carbon-legged fork has been designed to encourage give at the front end and you get 25mm Bontrager R1 tyres. The low-drop (125mm) Bontrager Race VR-C handlebar comes with Bontrager's thick gel/cork tape and Bonty's Affinity 1 saddle has a whole lot of padding throughout – too much for my taste although, as always with saddles, comfort comes down to personal preference.

The result is a ride that feels just a bit smoother than you get with competitors at this price. I'd like to emphasise 'a bit' here. It's not chalk and cheese, black and white, day and night. You feel like you're riding a bike that's different, but not that different. There are carbon bikes out there that offer more compliance than you get here without the need for an IsoSpeed Decoupler to achieve it.

Aluminium versus carbon

I tried out a carbon Domane last year, albeit for just for one ride, and that was significantly different, both in dealing with high-frequency buzz and with bigger bumps. There was far more movement there. Maybe that's not a fair comparison because the carbon version is more expensive, but if you're sold on the idea of more compliance, do consider the Domane 4 Series seriously.

Of course, it's not quite as easy as that, because the carbon Domanes are more expensive. The cheapest, the 4.0, comes with a Shimano Tiagra build (Shimano's groupset level below 105) and costs £1,500. If you want the same spec as the 2.3 on a carbon Domane, you need the 4.3 that's priced at £1,800 – so you're effectively paying £600 extra for that extra compliance.

Another thing to consider is that the Domane 2.3 isn't the lightest £1,200 bike out there. Ours hit the road.cc Scales of Truth at 9.27kg (20.4lb). We're certainly not saying that weight is everything, but the £1,249 Giant TCR SL2 that we reviewed recently was almost a kilo lighter at 8.35kg (18.4lb).

Our Domane was in no way lethargic but it lacked the spark and energy of some similarly priced bikes when accelerating and climbing. It just needed that little bit more urging on to get up to speed, and I was glad of the compact chainset hooked up to a 12-30-tooth cassette when it came to tackling steep climbs. Lighter wheels would certainly help here, as they usually would. The Bontrager Approved rims on alloy hubs are perfectly sound and they've remained 100% true throughout testing, but they're not especially lightweight.

Good, but not quite the moon on a stick

Don't get the impression that the Domane 2.3 isn't a good bike. There's certainly a lot to recommend it. Trek are right to say that there's no loss of frame rigidity with the IsoSpeed Decoupler, for example. It's a pretty stiff bike at both the head tube and the bottom bracket, even when you get out of the saddle and throw it about.

It's a good level of spec for the money too. Shimano 105 is great stuff both in terms of function and durability – possibly Shimano's best balance – and all of the Bontrager kit is well thought-out too. If I'm being picky – and I am – I'd like lighter wheels... but I want the moon on a stick, me.

So, who should buy the Domane 2.3? Well, I would say that it's not the most manoeuvrable of bikes when riding in a group, and it's not the most reactive, but that's not really what the Domane is about.

It's at its best when you're cruising along, when all that stability I mentioned means it takes care of itself with the minimum of attention. And that decent level of comfort becomes more valuable the longer you're in the saddle, and for that reason it's a good option if you're likely to get in the big miles on long weekend rides, Audaxes or sportives.

Comfortable, stable endurance bike with an innovative design, but not the lightest option out there.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Domane 2.3

Size tested: 58cm

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame 200 Series Alpha Aluminum, IsoSpeed, press-fit BB

Fork Trek IsoSpeed carbon, SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels Alloy hubs w/Bontrager Approved alloy rims

Tyres Bontrager R1, 700x25c

Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed

Front derailleur Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp

Rear derailleur Shimano 105

Chainset Shimano R565, 50/34 (compact)

Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12-30, 10 speed

Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1, steel rails

Seatpost Bontrager Carbon, 20mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset 1 1/8in integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Brakeset Shimano 105 brakes w/Shimano 105 STI levers

Tell us what the bike 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 say, "Domane 2 Series is the world's finest aluminum endurance bike. It features Trek IsoSpeed technology and our innovative endurance geometry for comfort and stability in all conditions."

It's certainly an endurance bike, at it's best for getting in the big miles in reasonable comfort.

Frame and fork

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

You might be sceptical of the IsoSpeed Decoupler but it does add a degree of compliance - just not as much as you get with the carbon version of this bike.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

I've discussed this in the text. Essentially, it's Trek's Endurance Fit which is more relaxed than one of their more race-orientated fits.

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

The reach is shorter than that of an equivalent Madone, and the stack is higher, giving a more relaxed ride position.

Riding the bike

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

Yes, it was comfortable. If you're coming at it expecting tons of bump-gobbling suspension, you're going to be disappointed. Likewise, if you're expecting as much give as you get with a carbon Domane. The IsoSpeed Decoupler gives you just a little more compliance than you would otherwise get.

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

Yes, it's a clever trick but there's no apparent loss of frame stiffness with the IsoSpeed Decoupler.

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

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

The tiniest amount for me. Not a problem

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Certainly not lively or twitchy. The bike feels very stable.

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Kind of, but it was a bit too sedate for my taste.

Would you consider buying the bike? It wouldn't really suit me.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? If they were after a comfortable endurance bike

Overall rating: 7 /10

About the tester

Age: 41   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

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: time trialling, 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. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. 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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If only they offered the carbon version as a frameset option (not the crazy-priced 6)...

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What a monstrosity. Will be a pig to ride sure enough.

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Cycling Plus

Trek Domane 2.3 review

Smooth ride and lower weight for 2014

Russell Burton / Future Publishing

Trek 's innovative Domane wowed our testers last year and the flagship frames went on to race-winning success in the pro rank's toughest races. The great news for the rest of us is that it's the lower-tier alloy Domanes that get the biggest improvements this year.

• HIGHS: 'Decoupler' ride is a genuine roughness-eraser without eating wattage
• LOWS: The effects of the extra weight and upright ride position are unavoidable when you hit the climbs
• BUY IF... You want the smoothest road ride possible without a noticeable performance trade-off

While the switch from a two-piece welded seat tube to a single hydroformed section might not seem earth-shattering, the 2014 frame is 80g lighter than 2013's. That's impressive because of the unique 'Decoupler' mechanism hidden under the top tube/seat tube junction's neat rubber grommet.

Rather than a solid connection, the tubes are pinned together with a pivot that lets the frame flex much more fluidly in response to road buzz and impacts. Add a smooth-riding fork and big 25mm tyres and the ride is limousine-like. Potholes that normally find sore fillings as surely as a dentist's probe barely registered, and the longer the ride, the more noticeable the fatigue-reducing comfort advantage became.

What's remarkable is that this smoothness doesn't come with any noticeable loss of power transfer. The saddle might sway a little more than usual, but that just makes power application feel smoother – particularly on staccato surfaces – rather than soggy.

The tall head tube means a more sedate character to the ride while its overall weight tempers acceleration and climbing. That was most apparent on sharp, Strava -hunting test rides where the Trek would gradually slide off the pace as the gradient steepened. But the gaps started to lessen as riders on the other bikes began to tire over longer rides.

Smooth, surefooted handling – albeit occasionally vague through the fork – meant the Domane became our go-to ride choice on days when we just fancied taking it easy or exploring battered backroads.

Features such as the screw-in mudguard eyes, rack mounts and computer sensors add an impressive practical element to a bike perfectly suited to big weekend rides after beating the bus into work and back across potholed city roads all week.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio

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2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc Review

The 2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc is an entry-level road bike with a range of features for riders who are looking for a reliable, performance-oriented ride. 

For the rider on tight budget, you won’t find many alternatives at this price point that offer the same level of quality and performance.

The Domane AL 2 Disc’s well thought out frame geometry makes it agile, responsive and comfortable to ride. 

Additionally, its Shimano Claris components are easy to use yet durable enough to handle everyday riding tasks. 

We put the 2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc to the test in our review. Keep reading to learn more about this affordable but capable road bike that won’t disappoint!

With a focus on stability, comfort and speed, the 2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc is an ideal entry-level road bike for aspiring cyclists. 

This performance-driven frame offers versatile geometry combined with great components to provide an exceptional ride for all types of terrain. 

Here’s a closer look at what makes the 2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc such an attractive bike:

Lightweight Frame and Fork

The Domane AL 2 Disc takes advantage of the tried and tested 100 Series Alpha Aluminum frame, which is comprised of aluminium tubing for lightness and durability.

The fork is constructed from carbon fiber that has been streamlined to minimize weight without compromising stiffness or strength.

Disc Brakes

The AL 2 Disc also features mechanical disc brakes along with 160mm rotors that deliver greater control over your speed than traditional rim brakes. 

Whether it rains or shines, you can enjoy improved stopping power in all conditions thanks to these modern disc brakes that remain reliable in wet weather.

Shimano Groupset

This upgraded version of the original Domane sees an upgrade to Shimano’s Claris groupset that comprises eight-speed shifters and derailleurs along with compact 50/34T chainset that distributes power evenly across all gears. 

Shifting is precise even under load for improved confidence on technical terrain as well as roads.

Lightweight Wheelset

To keep this road bike nimble and responsive when accelerating, it comes with a lightweight wheelset made from high-quality material including Bontrager double wall rims and Formula hubs deliver smooth rolling even on uneven surfaces like cobblestones or trails. 

The tires are 32mm wide and a max width of 35mm therefore giving generous comfort plus grip in both dry and wet conditions alike.

Biking enthusiasts who are looking for a performance-oriented yet affordable bike should seriously consider the 2023 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc model as their go-to choice! 

With its perfect compromise between agility and comfort, this bicycle promises plenty of thrill rides ahead!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

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Results have arrived, used bike buyers guide: trek domane model history.

The Trek Domane is an endurance road bike that can do it all — road race, commute, super-long rides, and even light gravel. Trek designed the bike frame's IsoSpeed Decoupler system to offer enough compliance for comfort, while maintaining pedaling efficiency. Here's your guide to the Domane line.

Written by: Micah Ling

Published on: Jun 8, 2021

Posted in: Guides

The Trek Domane is a classic example of an endurance road bike : It can do it all. You can hop in a road race with it, commute on it, take it for your long ride, and even venture onto gravel with it. Endurance road bikes are built to perform, but also to be comfortable.

What Trek Domane is right for you?

History of the Domane

The first-generation Trek Domane. 2016-2019 Domane -Addition of a front IsoSpeed decoupler to decouple the steerer tube from the head tube and further reduce vibrations -New slider introduced on Domane SLR models that allows riders to adjust the level of damping offered by the rear IsoSpeed -Disc version allows 32mm tire clearance 2020+ Domane -More aerodynamic frame -Even more tire clearance added, up to 38mm -Hidden Storage compartment in the down tube

The latest Domane design packs in aero, comfort, and storage features.

Different builds

Here are a few of our favorite Domane builds from Trek that we’ve seen at TPC.

Trek Domane 5.2 Compact Road Bike - 2013

Trek designed the Domane to absorb bumps but also sustain speed. Its IsoSpeed decoupler improves comfort without sacrificing power transfer. This system separates the seat tube from the top tube so that it can flex freely. The compliance helps the bike isolate the rider from bumps and vibration. At the front, Trek designed an IsoSpeed fork that used more rake and a reversed dropout. A carbon IsoZone handlebar featured closed-cell foam pads in the top and drops of the handlebar, to mute the jarring of cobbled roads.

Trek Domane 5.9 Road Bike - 2016

Trek Domane SLR 6 Disc Road Bike - 2017

To further improve vibration reduction, an IsoCore handlebar was added. It includes a layer of rubber inside the carbon fiber. Tire clearance gets bumped up from 25mm to 28mm on the rim brake version, and 32mm on the disc brake model. On high-end models like the SLR 8, there’s also an upgrade to electronic shifting and a removable panel in the down tube for the Shimano Di2 battery.

Domane SL5 - 2020

With the newest models of the Domane, the top tube IsoSpeed on high-end SLR models has been improved. It is tunable and offers a finer balance between stiffness and comfort. It uses a repositioned slider under the top tube and an additional elastomer integrated into the design to offer more damping (SL models retain the original non-adjustable IsoSpeed system). The tube shapes have all been tweaked, borrowing technology from Trek’s more race focused road bikes to improve aerodynamics. The new Domane offers more tire clearance and can fit up to 38mm tires. The Hidden Storage compartment in the down tube provides a discrete space on the bike to store spare tubes, tools, and snacks.

If you’re looking for a versatile bike, the smooth ride, predictable handling, and upright riding position make the Domane perfect for both a new cyclist looking to push their mileage, and a seasoned racer, interested in rougher roads. The IsoSpeed technology reduces muscle fatigue and joint stress by absorbing vibrations from varied terrain, making it ideal for someone who truly wants to explore. Generally, if you want disc brakes, look at 2015 models and newer. Trek offered the Domane with rim brakes from 2013 to 2019. From 2020 onward, the new generation Domane will only be available with disc brakes. If you want electronic shifting , look for 2017 and newer. And if you want clearance for tires as wide as 38mm, or aero features, look at the 2020 and 2021 models.

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Trek Domane 4 Series Road Bike

Domane 4 Series flies past any other carbon endurance race bike in its class, with IsoSpeed for race comfort, endurance geometry for stability, and Power Transfer Construction for speed.

• USER REVIEWS

Smooth ride

Saddle White bar tape Heavy wheels

The ride is very smooth through the saddle, but a lot is transmitted through the handlebars. The bike is very stable on downhills up to my max of 44 mph. Upgraded the cassette and chain to Ultegra and shifting the rear became much smoother; cheapest maintenance change to do when your chain is worn. Upgraded the wheels to Dura Ace and lost about 1.25#; climbing instantly became better. Next upgrade is carbon handlebars 46cm and hopefully I'll get less road transmission into my arms. The dirty white bar tape will go away. The saddle was replaced early on with a Brooks. I average about 200 miles per week and do a significant amount of moderate climbing. So far there is about 7000 miles on the bike and I really enjoy it. I didn't give it a 5 overall because there is always something better out there, but this is the bike I'll be riding for a few more years at least. One of my better purchases. I recommend this for anyone looking for nimble, comfortable ride. Probably not for a racer, because lighter models are available.

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No longer care if there is chip seal. Smooth ride for your butt. Good component set.

Race light wheel spokes do not hold up. Remember you are isolated from a lot of the impacts the bike is absorbing. Hands and feet still vibrate. Section of road with caterpillar track damage hurts my feet but the vibrations don't get to my seat. White bar tape immediately looks dirty. Bontrager seat is not comfortable. 4 series carbon not so light. Notice seat movement with cadence over 105. (but smoothed out stroke, originally noticed movement over 90 cadence). Carbon bike: SKS raceblade fender mounts mar the surface finish. I need to get the Trek fender mount accessory pieces.

Smoooooth! Good commuter and distance ride. Bet you will change out wheels and seat. Reliable and takes a beating so you don't.

Very stiff, very smooth, great handling. 6800 ultegra group is brilliant. Wheels feel excellent, stiff durable and smooth. Spokes are standard dt which will make replacements cheap and easy to source.

Seat hurt me, but others may like it...not a deal breaker.

2014 Trek Domane - I've been riding and racing for about 15 years, have owned 1 custom steel, 2 aluminum, 1 carbon and a scandium alloy bikes. This is a huge step up! The marketing jargon is true, the bottom bracket is as stiff as any bike I've ridden. However the isospeed REALLY works, I was even pedalling seated across stock grids! It handles great, and all (except stock saddle) the bits feel spot on. Oh and it looks great. It's actually a really nice pearlecent white which you can't see on the website. I test rode giant defy advanced, cannondale synapse, specialized roubaix. All the others were good, but this was the best, I don't want to change anything other than the seat. This was also the cheapest. Oh yeah I'm not little either with a fighting weight of 90 kg if it can be this good for me, I reckon it's pretty darn good. Highly recommend it.

Those little nuts on the presta stems Reflectors Air in tires

This is a great bike. I like riding it.

Ultegra/105 components, superior seat vibration relief, light and stiff frame, metallic paint scheme.

None so far after 500 miles

Great mix of Ultegra and 105 components for this price range. The standout though is the Iso Speed decoupling, its no gimmick and definitely smooths out road chatter and bumps from uneven pavement. Its not a miracle cure and your hands still get rattled up on rough pavement but coming from a Synapse using the same saddle, there is a HUGE difference in what you feel transmit to your seat. The frame is beefy and offers great comfort for up to 63 miles, my longest since owning it, with just slight discomfort which I know my upcoming fitting will remedy. The frame has a BB90 bottom bracket, hidden fender bolts, a chain dropping prevention device (I've dropped mine 3 times, LBS says it needs adjusting) and will take 28mm tires which is my next upgrade and has been highly recommended. The other Bontrager RL components seem like good pieces so far.

Canondale Synapse

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