Trek Road Bikes Guide: Domane vs. Émonda vs. Madone

Trek road bikes: Trek logo, and road bikes Domane, Emonda, Madone examples.

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Trek’s road bike lineup consists of Domane, Émonda, and Madone. Below, I will explain their differences and advise you on which one to buy.

The short answer is as follows:

  • Domane has the most relaxed geometry. It’s a versatile endurance road bike for the masses, suitable for beginners and intermediate riders.
  • Émonda is a performance-oriented lightweight road bike for more serious cyclists or pros.
  • Madone is a pure-blood aero racing bike for demanding riders and racers.

Continue reading for more details, the differences between ALR, SL, and SLR, and much more.

Domane vs. Émonda vs. Madone

Here’s a closer look at these 3 models and their main features.

FamilyTypeIdeal forPrice RangeBrowse
DomaneEnduranceBeginners, less flexible, adventure, long-distance riders, people on tight budget$1,129.99 to $13,199.99Browse Domane
ÉmondaLightweightPassionate roadies, racers, pros, climbers$2,299.99 to $13,199.99Browse Émonda
MadoneAeroPassionate roadies, racers, pros, sprinters$4,729.99 to $13,199.99Browse Madone
Trek road bike families with the info about their type, ideal group of people, and price range.

Trek Domane: All About Comfort

Trek Domane

Domane could be classified as an endurance road bike. This means a relaxed geometry that doesn’t push you into as aggressive a position as Émonda or Madone.

Domane sits somewhere between those two. It’s reasonably aero and lightweight but doesn’t excel in any of these categories.

On the other hand, it has a wide tire clearance, so you can equip it with wide tires (up to 38mm), which are more comfortable. This means we can also classify it as a gravel bike and compare it with Trek Checkpoint.

It features an IsoSpeed decoupler, which absorbs shock and vibrations, making the ride smoother and more comfortable.

You can see I mentioned comfort several times. That’s because Domane is all about comfort.

Price-wise, it is Trek’s most affordable road bike line.

Domane AL 2Domane AL 2 DiscDomane AL 3 DiscDomane AL 4 DiscDomane AL 5 DiscDomane 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)
FrameAluminumAluminumAluminumAluminumAluminumCarbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)
ForkCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Available sizes47-6249-6144-6144-6149-6144-6247-6247-6247-6247-6247-62
WheelsBontrager
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 size700c700c700c700c700c700c700c700c700c700c700c
TiresBontrager 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 size28mm 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
DrivetrainShimano 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
PedalsWellgo R199not includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot included
SaddleBontrager Verse CompBontrager Verse CompBontrager Verse CompBontrager Verse CompBontrager Verse CompBontrager Verse Short CompBontrager Verse Short CompBontrager Verse Short CompBontrager Verse Short EliteBontrager Verse Short EliteBontrager Verse Short Pro
BrakesAlloy 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
Weight9.57 kg / 21.09 lbs10.76 kg / 23.73 lbs10.30 kg / 22.71 lbs10.45 kg / 23.04 lbs10.10 kg / 22.27 lbs8.93 kg / 19.69 lbs8.90 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)
BuyBuy Domane AL 2Buy Domane AL 2 DiscBuy Domane AL 3 DiscBuy Domane AL 4 DiscBuy Domane AL 5 DiscBuy Domane SL 5Buy 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
This table compares the features of Trek Domane bikes.
Specifications source: trekbikes.com, updated 26/04/2023

Trek Émonda: Lightweight Yet Aero Racing Bike

Trek Émonda

Émonda is a lightweight road bike designed for racing. It has more performance geometry than Domane.

It’s not as aero as Madone, but more aero than Domane. It’s also lighter, making it ideal for climbing and riders who want an agile bike.

Since the 2021 redesign, it can be classified as a hybrid road bike (lightweight yet aero), following this industry trend.

It doesn’t have fancy features like the decoupler to keep things simple. So together with its more aggressive geometry, it means it is less comfortable than Domane.

Émonda ALR 5Émonda SL 5Émonda SL 6 Pro
Émonda SL 6 AXS
Émonda SL 7
Émonda SL 7 AXS
Émonda SLR 6
Émonda SLR 6 AXS
Émonda SLR 7
Émonda SLR 7 AXS
Émonda SLR 9
Émonda SLR 9 AXS
Price$2,299.99$3,349.99$4,999.99
$5,299.99 (AXS)
$6,199.99
$6,699.99 (AXS)
$7,699.99
$7,999.99 (AXS)
$8,999.99
$9,499.99 (AXS)
$12,549.99
$12,999.99 (AXS)
FrameAluminumCarbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)
ForkCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Available sizes47-5647-6247-6250-6247-6247-6247-62
WheelsBontrager Paradigm
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Paradigm SL
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35
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 size700c700c700c700c700c700c700c
TiresBontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite (28mm)Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite (28mm)Bontrager R2 Hard-Case Lite (28mm)Bontrager R2 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)
Max tire size28mm28mm28mm28mm28mm28mm28mm
DrivetrainShimano 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
Pedalsnot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot included
SaddleBontrager Verse Short CompBontrager Verse Short CompBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus P2 CompBontrager Aeolus P2 EliteBontrager Aeolus P2 Pro
BrakesShimano 105
hydraulic disc
Shimano 105
hydraulic disc
Shimano 105
SRAM Rival
hydraulic disc
Shimano Ultegra
SRAM Force
hydraulic disc
Shimano 105
SRAM Rival
hydraulic disc
Shimano Ultegra
SRAM Force (with power meter)
hydraulic disc
Shimano Dura-Ace
SRAM RED
hydraulic disc
Weight9.00 kg / 19.85 lbs8.87 kg / 19.55 lbs8.25 kg / 18.19 lbs
8.69 kg / 19.16 lbs
7.80 kg / 17.2 lbs
7.97 kg / 17.56 lbs
7.35 kg / 16.21 lbs
7.48 kg / 16.5 lbs
7.10 kg / 15.66 lbs
7.37 kg / 16.25 lbs
6.60 kg / 14.56 lbs
6.75 kg / 14.89 lbs
BuyBuy Émonda ALR 5Buy Émonda SL 5Buy Émonda SL 6 Di2
Buy Émonda SL 6 AXS
Buy Émonda SL 7
Buy Émonda SL 7 AXS
Buy Émonda SLR 6
Buy Émonda SLR 6 AXS
Buy Émonda SLR 7
Buy Émonda SLR 7 AXS
Buy Émonda SLR 9
Buy Émonda SLR 9 AXS
This table compares the features of Trek Émonda road bikes.
Specifications source: trekbikes.com, updated 26/04/2023

Trek Madone: Aero Is Everything

Trek Madone

Madone is a pure-blood aero road bike with racing geometry suitable for flats and rolling terrain.

It’s stiff to transfer the power you put into pedals efficiently. It’s so stiff that it requires getting used to. One of my friends couldn’t get used to it because of its stiffness.

Since the 2022 redesign, it doesn’t have an IsoSpeed decoupler anymore (Gen 6), but Trek introduced IsoFlow, radically changing how this frame looks (Gen 7).

Madone is a go-to choice for sprinters and people who know what to expect from their bikes.

On the other hand, it’s probably the least comfortable road bike from Trek’s lineup.

Madone SL 6
Madone SL 6 Di2
Madone SL 6 (Gen 7)Madone SL 7
Madone SL 7 AXS
Madone SL 7 (Gen 7)Madone SLR 6 (Gen 7)
Madone SLR 6 AXS (Gen 7)
Madone SLR 7 (Gen 7)
Madone SLR 7 AXS (Gen 7)
Madone SLR 9 (Gen 7)
Madone SLR 9 AXS (Gen 7)
Price$4,729.99
$5,199.99 (Di2)
$5,499.99$6,999.99
$7,499.99 (AXS)
$6,499.99$7,999.99
$8,399.99 (AXS)
$9,049.99
$9,699.99 (AXS)
$12,749.99
$13,199.99 (AXS)
FrameCarbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (500-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)Carbon (800-series OCLV)
ForkCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbonCarbon
Available sizes47-6247-6250-6247-6247-6247-6247-62
WheelsBontrager Aeolus Comp
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51
tubeless-ready
Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51
tubeless-ready
Wheel size700c700c700c700c700c700c700c
TiresBontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite (25mm)
Max tire size28mm32mm28mm32mm32mm32mm32mm
DrivetrainShimano Ultegra or Shimano 105 Di2
2×11spd or 2×12spd
Shimano 105 Di2 2×12spdShimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Force eTap AXS
2×12spd
Shimano Ultegra Di2 2×12spdShimano 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
Pedalsnot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot includednot included
SaddleBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus CompBontrager Aeolus P2 EliteBontrager Aeolus P2 EliteBontrager Aeolus P2 RSL
BrakesShimano Ultegra or 105
hydraulic disc
Shimano 105
hydraulic disc
Shimano Ultegra
SRAM Force (AXS)
hydraulic disc
Shimano Ultegra
hydraulic disc
Shimano 105
SRAM Rival (AXS)
hydraulic disc
Shimano Ultegra
SRAM Force (AXS)
hydraulic disc
Shimano Dura-Ace
SRAM RED (AXS)
hydraulic disc
Weight8.74 kg / 19.27 lbs
8.70 kg / 19.19 lbs
8.40 kg / 18.52 lbs8.26 kg / 18.22 lbs
8.48 kg / 18.71 lbs
8.00 kg / 17.64 lbs7.75 kg / 17.09 lbs
8.03 kg / 17.71 lbs
7.48 kg / 16.51 lbs
7.76 kg / 17.11 lbs
7.10 kg / 15.66 lbs
7.36 kg / 16.23 lbs
BuyBuy Madone SL 6
Buy Madone SL 6 (Di2)
Buy Madone SL 6 (Gen 7)Buy Madone SL 7
Buy Madone SL 7 AXS
Buy Madone SL 7 (Gen 7)Buy Madone SLR 6
Buy Madone SLR 6 (AXS)
Buy Madone SLR 7
Buy Madone SLR 7 (AXS)
Buy Madone SLR 9
Buy Madone SLR 9 (AXS)
This table compares the features of Trek Madone gravel bikes.
Specifications source: trekbikes.com, updated 26/04/2023

Trek Road Bikes Range Explained

You already know the differences between Domane, Émonda, and Madone. But what do the abbreviations and numbers in their names mean (e.g., Trek Madone SLR 7)?

The abbreviation refers to the frame material. The key is as follows:

  • ALR 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).

And the numbers mean 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 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.

Trek Road Bikes FAQ

Conclusion

When comparing Trek road bike models and their specs, I found that bikes with SRAM are heavier and more expensive than those with Shimano groupsets, even though SRAM groupsets are usually cheaper than Shimano on their own.

So, I recommend buying a Trek road bike with a Shimano groupset unless you want to try SRAM or prefer it.

The AL models are aluminum and good for beginners because they are affordable. The SL models are made of 500 OCLV carbon and are suitable for most people, while the SLR models, made of 800 OCLV carbon, are perfect for more demanding riders.

The Domane AL line is versatile and comfortable, thanks to wider tires and relaxed geometry. The AL 4 with the Tiagra groupset (2x10spd) offers the best value, in my opinion.

The Émonda line is for racers and those who like slimmer tubes. Its racing geometry pushes you into a more aerodynamic position than Domane, and its lower weight allows for better responsiveness and handling. I believe the Émonda SL 6 with Shimano 105 Di2 is the best option and much cheaper than higher-end models.

Finally, Madone is for those who want aero properties and aggressive racing geometry. The 7th generation offers beautiful bikes that stand out thanks to the IsoFlow. The previous generation was pretty heavy and “old school.” Choose a model that fits your budget. I suggest the Madone SL 7 with Shimano Ultegra Di2 because of its hidden buttons.

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