Is official... Trek launched electric Domane
 

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...mane/c/B221-6/


I know gigant already has an electric road bike... but is an interesting topic.

While on the one hand, having electric assistance is definitely against a "purist cyclist", I get the idea is a good option to have for long or very tough rides.

I do wonder if using the e-bike can decrease your performance on a regular bike... or feel you "suck" in a regular road bike.

This Domane gives assiatance up to 28 mph... which is higher than most people's cruising speed on a road bike.

Interesting that they decided on rather blatant e-bike aesthetics rather than a somewhat more stealth approach (like a normal crankset, for starters). I would think that something that didn't stick out like a sore thumb would sell considerably better, but I have to assume they've done their market research.

28 MPH is higher than legally allowed in most states.

It is supposed to stop assist at 20 MPH.

This thing is a moped, not an e-assist bike. I'm not saying its bad but just stating what it is.


-Tim-

Exactly. Forest gump or pee wee hermans bike
 

Why not a bike that looks like a regular bike.

just get a motorcycle

17kg!
I presume there is some kind of gearing step up in that crank/motor. 20:11 isn't tall enough.

The motor I can live with, but the SRAM brakes and drive train? What were they thinking?

LOL the one by

20T with a 11-36... you should be able to ride up Baldwin street with that gearing.

17kg, that's almost 3x the weight of my Emonda SLR.

I was thinking about that as well.
28mph would mean spinning ~190 RPM if that 20T is attached directly to the cranks!:eek:

I wouldn't get the non motor version, so I can't sit here and claim I am not interested in this because of the motor.
with that said, it's a fuggo bike and though I conceptually get that ebikes for road are coming, I don't love it.

I fear change.

It might be good practice for those of us who are mashers. :eek:

Especially if it only works in pure pedal assist mode. I.E. no power if you're not spinning at 190 RPM.

As far as looks... it is a pretty powerful e-bike at 350 watts. Plus, at least for me, the biggest need for assist would be on 40 to 150 mile bike rides. One would need quite a bit of battery to get there, otherwise one is just pedaling a 40 pound bike. :eek:

Let's see, say 100 miles, 20 MPH, = 5 hours. For a 500WH battery, that comes out to about 100W assist. One would at least break even over pedaling a 17 pound bike.

I can't really understand the point of electric assist bikes.
I get it for commuting where you may want to be a bit quicker for less effort, but for recreational riding it doesn't make sense to me.

It's illegal in most states.


-Tim-

If we consider this motor to be adding 10kg versus a non-e-bike, and we assume that the motor is only achieving 80% efficiency, the added weight is still "pedaling" itself at 8W/kg for those 5 hours. And if the motor is needed to do its full 350W in a short burst, that's 35W/kg. Even pro racers can't get anywhere near those figures; I'd call it much better than "breaking even."

:foo:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electr...#United_States
https://electricbikereview.com/forum...-matter.22738/

It looks like perhaps a dozen states allow E-Bikes at 25, 28, or even 30 MPH.

In other states, it might fall under Moped laws.

California regulates class of bike, and where it is legal to ride them, so one might find one restricted from several bike paths.

A lot of people try to "fly under the radar", and it is currently largely being ignored. However, if you got into an accident, for example, if the bike is non-compliant, then it could certainly affect liability.

I could probably hop the border, and buy it in Washington with the full 28MPH speed regulation. Hopefully convincing them not to charge sales tax. :)

"It doesn't get any easier, you just get faster" Greg LeMond.

Not any more Greg.

There is an internal 2.5:1 gear in the Bosch motor. To the rider a 20t is equal to a 50t on a normal bike.

Break from more stealth aesthetic is based upon integration of a monster battery for distance. Big BB is the same. Big watt motor for more speed.
First glance, Trek nailed this bike. Its OK it isn't a pretend motorless roadbike in favor of the performance many will seek that want an ebike with range and power. No doubt as you say, the design was market research directed. I believe if this forum was used as a focus group, the same design would emanate...members would choose this still pleasing shape of the Domane e-bike in spite of being less svelte than more road bike look alikes, in favor of power and range. Power and range rules the day as long as the aesthetic isn't too badly compromised I am sure would be the takeaway.

Over time, battery and motor tech will continue to evolve and lighter more stealth road bikes with electric motor will become available.

Unlike all the haters here, I love the tech for distance riding for an aging cyclist in particular. Love the idea of a high speed 50 mile ride for a rider in his 70's. In my 70's I still hope to have a FTP of 200w. 200 more watts seems like a good idea to have racer performance on a road bike.

I will probably own one in the next 10 years for 50 mile days when I want to rock and roll on long rides as I approach my mid 70's. I can still keep up with young riders on a regular road bike. In 10 years, the tech should be even better and in 20 years they may even figure out how to turn the whole bike frame into a solar collector and make them closer to the weight of a current road bike.

Good catch. Lots of KOM's up big hills set on e-bikes. Power to weight. E-bike wins. Overtime as tech becomes more integrated and e-bikes only get better, will be fantastic...especially for people losing fitness or never had it to begin with who want to keep up with 'anybody'. Seeing more and more on the road. Unfit Mom's with a basket on their e-bike who can keep up with me on my 17lb carbon wunderbike. :)

Really? Every time you roll out the door you ride 40-150 miles? I never do or try not to. I don't like being on a bicycle for more than 50 miles, particularly at higher exertion.
Most don't either. Battery life will be fine on this big battery bike. And battery life will only get better with time on e-bikes. On the flats, 100W with this heavier bike will still be a net positive in terms of rider watts saved for the same speed.

It was mildly annoying to be passed by an ebike the first couple times, but I'm all for them, whether recreation or utility - any shift away from the norm of 4000lb SUVs is positive, IMO. The prospect of an unskilled rider blasting along the MUP at 25+ mph is a little disconcerting, but there are already enough reasons for me to avoid spending too much time on MUPs, so not much of an issue for me.

And in another 10 years, they'll be lighter and less expensive. I could definitely see it as I get older. And I'll have the time for longer rides then.

A bit pricey, but I can imagine that the cyclotour companies will add some of these options to their packages, especially trektravel.. their current only available option as per below. Being able to offer this new bike can be a differentiator.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bc84c193c7.jpg