You made the right choice. Sure a TCR or Madone may be a little faster over a short distance, but if that comes at the expense of comfort, added fatigue, ability to focus and push, it will probably be slower on anything but the shortest outings. That combined with all the other reasons you listed make the choice pretty clear.
I would not say for beginners, it`s main purpose is for long distance rides! Also to feel relaxed no matter what type of rider you are! Otherwise, great channel, very professional and alot of great advices!
Thanks! I actually measured the reach from the saddle to the shifters. Beleive it or not, it's exactly the same distance as on my Giant TCR! I do have the stem lowered though, but not as "relaxed" as a hybrid or mountain bike.
I have the same exact bike i love it the bontraga 51 feels amazing on this bike but I to wanted to swap it out for the new madone this video make sense I'm still undecided this video helped a little bit
Carbon wheels and race tires really wake this bike up! It's up to you if you want to get a dedicated road bike. I would rather have one bike that can do both road and gravel, but lots of people like to have 2 separate bikes that specialize in each discipline.
Purchased a 2023 Domane SL5 during covid replacing a 2018 Domane. Upgraded the wheels to Bontrager Pro 51 and went crazy replacing the Ultegra mechanical with the new 105 Di2. So, best of both worlds. Great for group rides, sometimes averaging 30kph and supper comfy, fast and stable. Also have a souped up Edmonda with Ultegra mech 11, carbon wheels, and going back and forth is pretty natural. The Emonda is mostly on the trainer. Domane is NOT just for beginners. A lot of people ride Domane in my club and is probably one of the most popular bikes. With the upgrades, the Domane is one of my favorite bikes ever! Also have a souped up 2024 Checkpoint SL6.
Sounds like a great setup! I wish I went with a di2 version of the Domane, would’ve been one less hassle when t comes to maintenance. You’ve got a pretty sick quiver of bikes!
DId you ever try the specialized roubiax ? and compare it to this ? I own an trek fx (flat bar) but sometimes I feel like I'd appreciate the hoods position.. can't decide that, or get a more relaxed bike like specialized sirrus x
Never tried a Roubiax, but it's the same type, an endurance bike. I would always choose drop bars with hooded levers over flat bars for riding on the road. You get more hand positions, and the hoods are your natural hand/shoulder angles. Think of giving someone a thumbs up, or handshake, your arm is straight, not rotated 90 degrees inward. Spec Roubaix, Trek Domane, Giant Defy, Canondale Synapse, they are all endurance bikes, and will have higher bars. I would get one of these, run the stem as high as you can on the steerer, and even flip the stem to get even more height. I found it takes only a few rides to get used to lower bars. Hope this helps!
Great video. How tall are you and what size is your bike? I love my Domane AL 2 but I think I’m ready for a faster bike. I’m 5’8” and ride a 54 cm and I’m feeling stretched out. Thinking of maybe trading, but might try a shorter stem first. I been riding 3 times a week, about 60 miles a week for the last 2 years. I can’t seem to be able to go more that 15 mph on the Domane (average speed), but I love it since it’s my first real road bike. Came from a Trek FX before the Domane. Any advice?
Try putting on a shorter stem. I wouldn’t want anything shorter than a 90mm stem. See how you feel then, and you can try pushing the seat forward. For speed, start lowering the bars and definitely upgrade your tires to something like the gp5000 and TPU inner tubes. This will make a huge different for not a lot of money. Up to you if you want to get new wheels, as I think the AL2 is rim brake and 8 speed, you might be better off saving that money for a disc brake set of wheels.
@@tommilano5431 thanks for the advice, the AL2 does come with disk brakes. Good call on the TPU inner tubes, I was thinking about going tubeless before realizing these exist. I don’t like to move the seat forward as it hurts my knees and where I have it now, is perfect just a bit far for my reach
I have this exact Domane in all black size 52. I am about 5’9”-5’10” and I feel great on it. I remember reading Trek forums that the size guides on the website are a little on the longer side. I could probably fit into a size 54, but for me the 52 is a great fit.
@@TheAortega18 OMG THIS! So validating, I kept telling the guy at the TREK store a 52 or maybe even 50cm but I was so inexperienced I trusted him and their video fit equipment. Moral of the story: if you are spending over $1k on a bike and you are inexperienced, get a proper bike fit from a pro. I should have gone for the 52 cm and not the 54
@@CiscoCheang unfortunately, bike shops will sometimes just try to sell what’s on the floor. The Domane does run big, mine is a 56 and it has the same reach as my size large TCR!
Interesting how your first main reason you wanted to sell the bike was the endurance geometry, and the first main reason you decided to keep the bike was... the endurance geometry! 🙂
I agree! I've realized I didn't really give this bike a chance when I got it. I was busy looking at my TCR with electric shifting and racy geometry with rose colored glasses.
@@tommilano5431 I actually have a very similar bike -- a 2022 SL6 AXS, with Sram Rival electronic shifting but the same frame as yours. I do find the bike a bit heavier than I'd like. This is due in part to the heavy-ish aluminum wheels. The maneuverability doesn't match my 2009 Trek Madone with aluminum wheels, rim brakes, and mechanical Ultegra shifting, but it has one major advantage over the Madone: a wider range of gears, or at least, significantly lower gearing at the low end. Where I ride it in Pennsylvania, there are lots of tough hills, and while I can barely make it up some of them on the Madone, it's much easier with the Domane.
I sold mine a few months ago. Owned it for exactly 1 year. 6000miles done on it here in Ireland. Never had an issue. It wasnt off the rack..I had a few upgrades. A bike is only as Fast as the Rider...18 Strava KOMs, 100+ Top 10s and 700+PRs on Strava. Heavy comapred to my Merida but this bike hammered many lighter bikes and was great value for money.
No.. m actually lookin for a trek domane.. since i m here can i ask something regarding the bike. I try to buy online but it says this bike is (UL NOT CERTIFIED) .. i wanna know how's ur experience with the bike battery.. does it over heat.
You made the right choice. Sure a TCR or Madone may be a little faster over a short distance, but if that comes at the expense of comfort, added fatigue, ability to focus and push, it will probably be slower on anything but the shortest outings. That combined with all the other reasons you listed make the choice pretty clear.
Agree, thank you! It all comes down to comfort and fit.
I would not say for beginners, it`s main purpose is for long distance rides! Also to feel relaxed no matter what type of rider you are! Otherwise, great channel, very professional and alot of great advices!
Thanks! I actually measured the reach from the saddle to the shifters. Beleive it or not, it's exactly the same distance as on my Giant TCR! I do have the stem lowered though, but not as "relaxed" as a hybrid or mountain bike.
Agree! Domanes are in their domain on long distance rides. But, when it comes to riding up several thousand feet on those long rides...ugh.
I have the same exact bike i love it the bontraga 51 feels amazing on this bike but I to wanted to swap it out for the new madone this video make sense I'm still undecided this video helped a little bit
Carbon wheels and race tires really wake this bike up! It's up to you if you want to get a dedicated road bike. I would rather have one bike that can do both road and gravel, but lots of people like to have 2 separate bikes that specialize in each discipline.
Purchased a 2023 Domane SL5 during covid replacing a 2018 Domane. Upgraded the wheels to Bontrager Pro 51 and went crazy replacing the Ultegra mechanical with the new 105 Di2. So, best of both worlds. Great for group rides, sometimes averaging 30kph and supper comfy, fast and stable. Also have a souped up Edmonda with Ultegra mech 11, carbon wheels, and going back and forth is pretty natural. The Emonda is mostly on the trainer. Domane is NOT just for beginners. A lot of people ride Domane in my club and is probably one of the most popular bikes. With the upgrades, the Domane is one of my favorite bikes ever! Also have a souped up 2024 Checkpoint SL6.
Sounds like a great setup! I wish I went with a di2 version of the Domane, would’ve been one less hassle when t comes to maintenance. You’ve got a pretty sick quiver of bikes!
My gawd!
Thanks.
DId you ever try the specialized roubiax ? and compare it to this ? I own an trek fx (flat bar) but sometimes I feel like I'd appreciate the hoods position.. can't decide that, or get a more relaxed bike like specialized sirrus x
Never tried a Roubiax, but it's the same type, an endurance bike. I would always choose drop bars with hooded levers over flat bars for riding on the road. You get more hand positions, and the hoods are your natural hand/shoulder angles. Think of giving someone a thumbs up, or handshake, your arm is straight, not rotated 90 degrees inward.
Spec Roubaix, Trek Domane, Giant Defy, Canondale Synapse, they are all endurance bikes, and will have higher bars. I would get one of these, run the stem as high as you can on the steerer, and even flip the stem to get even more height. I found it takes only a few rides to get used to lower bars.
Hope this helps!
@@tommilano5431 Yea, that is the sentiment I feel. Drop bars are expensive though. The Domane al4, is like 1700 (i wouldn't go below that one).
Great video. How tall are you and what size is your bike? I love my Domane AL 2 but I think I’m ready for a faster bike. I’m 5’8” and ride a 54 cm and I’m feeling stretched out. Thinking of maybe trading, but might try a shorter stem first. I been riding 3 times a week, about 60 miles a week for the last 2 years. I can’t seem to be able to go more that 15 mph on the Domane (average speed), but I love it since it’s my first real road bike. Came from a Trek FX before the Domane. Any advice?
Try putting on a shorter stem. I wouldn’t want anything shorter than a 90mm stem. See how you feel then, and you can try pushing the seat forward.
For speed, start lowering the bars and definitely upgrade your tires to something like the gp5000 and TPU inner tubes. This will make a huge different for not a lot of money. Up to you if you want to get new wheels, as I think the AL2 is rim brake and 8 speed, you might be better off saving that money for a disc brake set of wheels.
@@tommilano5431 thanks for the advice, the AL2 does come with disk brakes. Good call on the TPU inner tubes, I was thinking about going tubeless before realizing these exist. I don’t like to move the seat forward as it hurts my knees and where I have it now, is perfect just a bit far for my reach
I have this exact Domane in all black size 52. I am about 5’9”-5’10” and I feel great on it. I remember reading Trek forums that the size guides on the website are a little on the longer side. I could probably fit into a size 54, but for me the 52 is a great fit.
@@TheAortega18 OMG THIS! So validating, I kept telling the guy at the TREK store a 52 or maybe even 50cm but I was so inexperienced I trusted him and their video fit equipment. Moral of the story: if you are spending over $1k on a bike and you are inexperienced, get a proper bike fit from a pro. I should have gone for the 52 cm and not the 54
@@CiscoCheang unfortunately, bike shops will sometimes just try to sell what’s on the floor. The Domane does run big, mine is a 56 and it has the same reach as my size large TCR!
You seem to have considered everything. Is storage space an issue for you?
It’s not. Having 4 bikes just seems excessive, but as long as I’m using them it’s okay.
Interesting how your first main reason you wanted to sell the bike was the endurance geometry, and the first main reason you decided to keep the bike was... the endurance geometry! 🙂
I agree! I've realized I didn't really give this bike a chance when I got it. I was busy looking at my TCR with electric shifting and racy geometry with rose colored glasses.
@@tommilano5431 I actually have a very similar bike -- a 2022 SL6 AXS, with Sram Rival electronic shifting but the same frame as yours. I do find the bike a bit heavier than I'd like. This is due in part to the heavy-ish aluminum wheels. The maneuverability doesn't match my 2009 Trek Madone with aluminum wheels, rim brakes, and mechanical Ultegra shifting, but it has one major advantage over the Madone: a wider range of gears, or at least, significantly lower gearing at the low end. Where I ride it in Pennsylvania, there are lots of tough hills, and while I can barely make it up some of them on the Madone, it's much easier with the Domane.
I sold mine a few months ago. Owned it for exactly 1 year. 6000miles done on it here in Ireland. Never had an issue. It wasnt off the rack..I had a few upgrades. A bike is only as Fast as the Rider...18 Strava KOMs, 100+ Top 10s and 700+PRs on Strava. Heavy comapred to my Merida but this bike hammered many lighter bikes and was great value for money.
Nice! It’s a great bike, and I really underestimated it when I first got it.
How much bro
Yo! Not for sale, decided to keep it for now. I’ll hit you up if I do sell.
If you change your mind and wanna sell it.. lemme know.. i live in woodside, queens.
Thanks, I’m keeping it. I have a TCR for sale.
No.. m actually lookin for a trek domane.. since i m here can i ask something regarding the bike. I try to buy online but it says this bike is (UL NOT CERTIFIED) .. i wanna know how's ur experience with the bike battery.. does it over heat.