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In this article, I’ll help you navigate the Trek Domane endurance road bikes (also sometimes called all-road gravel bikes) by comparing the Domane AL 2 to SLR 9.
You will also learn:
- Who are they best suited for?
- Why I think you shouldn’t buy Trek Domane with SRAM groupset.
- And which model gives you the best value for your money?
Let’s dive in to help make your decision easier.
Trek Domane AL 2 to SLR 9
The following table summarizes the main differences between all Domane bikes.
| Domane AL 2 | Domane AL 2 Disc | Domane AL 3 Disc | Domane AL 4 Disc | Domane AL 5 Disc | Domane SL 5 (Gen 4) | Domane SL 6 (Gen 4) Domane SL 6 AXS (Gen 4) | Domane SL 7 (Gen 4) Domane SL 7 AXS (Gen 4) | Domane SLR 6 (Gen 4) Domane SLR 6 AXS (Gen 4) | Domane SLR 7 (Gen 4) Domane SLR 7 AXS (Gen 4) | Domane SLR 9 (Gen 4) Domane SLR 9 AXS (Gen 4) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,129.99 | $1,199.99 | $1,449.99 | $1,799.99 | $2,099.99 | $3,499.99 | $4,699.99 $5,299.99 (AXS) | $6,829.99 $7,499.99 (AXS) | $7,999.99 $8,399.99 (AXS) | $8,549.99 $9,699.99 (AXS) | $12,749.99 $13,199.99 (AXS) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon (500-series OCLV) | Carbon (500-series OCLV) | Carbon (500-series OCLV) | Carbon (800-series OCLV) | Carbon (800-series OCLV) | Carbon (800-series OCLV) |
| Fork | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Available sizes | 47-62 | 49-61 | 44-61 | 44-61 | 49-61 | 44-62 | 47-62 | 47-62 | 47-62 | 47-62 | 47-62 |
| Wheels | Bontrager tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm SL tubeless-ready | Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 tubeless-ready | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 tubeless-ready | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 tubeless-ready | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 tubeless-ready | Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 tubeless-ready |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Tires | Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite 28mm | Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite 32mm | Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite 32mm | Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite 32mm | Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready | Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (32mm) tubeless-ready |
| Max tire size | 28mm without fenders 25mm with fenders | 35mm without fenders 32mm with fenders | 35mm without fenders 32mm with fenders | 35mm without fenders 32mm with fenders | 35mm without fenders 32mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders | 38mm without fenders 35mm with fenders |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Claris 2×8spd | Shimano Claris 2×8spd | Shimano Sora 2×9spd | Shimano Tiagra 2×10spd | Shimano 105 2×11spd | Shimano 105 2×11spd | Shimano 105 Di2 or SRAM Rival eTap AXS 2×12spd | Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Force eTap AXS 2×12spd | Shimano 105 Di2 or SRAM Rival eTap AXS 2×12spd | Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Force eTap AXS 2×12spd | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM RED eTap AXS 2×12spd |
| Pedals | Wellgo R199 | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included | not included |
| Saddle | Bontrager Verse Comp | Bontrager Verse Comp | Bontrager Verse Comp | Bontrager Verse Comp | Bontrager Verse Comp | Bontrager Verse Short Comp | Bontrager Verse Short Comp | Bontrager Verse Short Comp | Bontrager Verse Short Elite | Bontrager Verse Short Elite | Bontrager Verse Short Pro |
| Brakes | Alloy dual-pivot rim | Tektro C550 mechanical disc | Tektro C550 mechanical disc | Shimano Tiagra hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes | Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force eTap AXS hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 or SRAM Rival eTap AXS hydraulic disc | Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force eTap AXS hydraulic disc | Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM RED eTap AXS hydraulic disc |
| Weight | 9.57 kg / 21.09 lbs | 10.76 kg / 23.73 lbs | 10.30 kg / 22.71 lbs | 10.45 kg / 23.04 lbs | 10.10 kg / 22.27 lbs | 8.93 kg / 19.69 lbs | 8.90 kg / 19.63 lbs 8.89 kg / 19.61 lbs (AXS) | 8.26 kg / 18.22 lbs 8.48 kg / 18.7 lbs (AXS) | 8.25 kg / 18.19 lbs 8.35 kg / 18.41 lbs (AXS) | 7.89 kg / 17.41 lbs 8.38 kg / 18.48 lbs (AXS) | 7.25 kg / 15.99 lbs 7.80 kg / 17.2 lbs (AXS) |
| Buy | Buy Domane AL 2 | Buy Domane AL 2 Disc | Buy Domane AL 3 Disc | Buy Domane AL 4 Disc | Buy Domane AL 5 Disc | Buy Domane SL 5 | Buy Domane SL 6 Buy Domane SL 6 AXS | Buy Domane SL 7 Buy Domane SL 7 AXS | Buy Domane SLR 6 Buy Domane SLR 6 AXS | Buy Domane SLR 7 Buy Domane SLR 7 AXS | Buy Domane SLR 9 Buy Domane SLR 9 AXS |
Specifications source: trekbikes.com, updated 26/04/2023
Domane Pros & Cons Summary
I summarized the pros & cons of the Domane series below.
Domane Pros
- Wide tire clearance (up to 38mm)
- Aluminum and carbon models are available
- Versatility
- Relaxed geometry
- Availability in multiple sizes and colors
- Integrated cable routing
- Lifetime warranty
Domane Cons
- Slower than Madone and heavier than Émonda road bikes
Domane Main Features
Let me now explain the most important features of the Trek Domane road bikes.
Frame and Geometry
The Domane bikes are part of Trek’s road and gravel bikes lineup (together with Trek Checkpoints). They’re made of aluminum or carbon, depending on the price range.
The names of the bikes have abbreviations that refer to the type of material used for the frame:
- AL are aluminum frame bikes.
- SL are bikes with 500 series OCLV* carbon (mid-range).
- SLR are bikes with 800 series OCLV carbon (high-end).
*OCLV carbon is Trek’s patented carbon fiber process (learn more).
ALR Domanes are great for beginners, thanks to their affordability. They are competitive with bikes from other manufacturers.
SLs are the best mid-range option. They are lighter than ALs but heavier than SLRs. But they are much more expensive than ALs and more affordable than SLRs.
And finally, SLRs are the most high-end, which results in lower weight but higher price.
Most Domanes are available in 47-62 sizes, so whether you are short or tall, you should find a size that will suit you.
They are also available in multiple colors to suit your liking.
Their geometry is relaxed, similar to other endurance road bikes or all-road gravel bikes.
It’s ideal for long-distance riding at a slower pace because it is more gentle to your lower back and neck. The following picture shows the comparison with Canyon Endurance CF 7.
Weight & Aerodynamics
Trek Domane frames are heavier than Émonda, especially due to their thicker tubes, hidden storage compartments, and IsoSpeed decoupler on the higher-end models.
However, they take inspiration from Madones, so you can also enjoy some aero gains.
Unfortunately, no data from wind-tunnel testing are available. However, if you don’t count every second and prefer comfort, Domane is hands down a better option.
Wheels and Tires
Most low to mid-range Domane models come with Bontrager Paradigm SL (or Comp) aluminum wheels. More expensive models have carbon wheels like the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 or better.
Fortunately, all the wheels are tubeless-ready. Just make sure that the model you choose has tubeless tires if this feature matters to you.
Domane bikes are known for their wider tire clearance compared to Madone and Émonda (28mm). They can fit tires up to 38mm, making them ideal for light gravel, dirt roads, and other off-road adventures.
The wider tire clearance is what makes Domane bikes so versatile. You can ride them fast on paved roads, but they can also handle off-road terrain.
Groupset
Unlike many gravel bikes on the market, the Domane bikes have 2X drivetrains, not 1X.
Trek fits them with Shimano and SRAM groupsets, and the number in the bike name indicates the groupset.
- Models ending with 2 use Shimano Claris (R2000) groupset.
- Models ending with 3 use Shimano Sora (R3000) groupset.
- Models ending with 4 use Shimano Tiagra (R4700) groupset.
- Models ending with 5 use Shimano 105 (R7000) groupset.
- Models ending with 6 use Shimano Ultegra, 105 Di2 (R7100) or SRAM Rival AXS groupsets.
- Models ending with 7 use Shimano Ultegra Di2 (R8100) or SRAM Force AXS groupsets.
- Models ending with 9 use Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (R9200) or SRAM Red AXS groupsets.
Interestingly, the Domanes with SRAM are heavier than the Domanes of the same series with the Shimano groupset. In addition, those with Shimano are also cheaper.
This is somewhat strange because Shimano retail prices are higher than SRAM. That’s why I recommend choosing Trek bikes with Shimano groupsets unless you prefer SRAM.
TIP: You might also be interested in this comparison of Shimano vs. SRAM.
Extras
Unlike the Émonda and Madone, Trek Domane bikes have racks and fenders mounts, making them a better choice for bike packers.
Additionally, they also offer hidden storage compartments for extra storage capacity.
And lastly, carbon frame Domanes have an IsoSpeed decoupler that improves riding comfort by absorbing road vibrations.
Trek Domane FAQ
My Verdict
So, which Trek Domane bike is the best?
If you’re considering buying a Domane, I suggest a model with a Shimano groupset. They are lighter and less expensive than the equivalent SRAM models.
The AL models are ideal for beginners and those who want to try a versatile road bike.
I believe the Domane SL models offer a better price-value ratio than SLRs because they are much cheaper while being reasonably lightweight and have similar components. The Domane SL 6 with the Shimano 105 Di2 is a good deal.
If you have more money to spend and don’t want to compromise, check out the SLR line.
