martymc

Looking to upgrade my 12-year-old road bike and am looking for Trek Domane buying advice.

Getting older (48 in Sept), the typical ride is around 30-40 miles, looking for comfort while still deluding myself that I have still have speed. Rode a few and gravitated to the Trek Domane. Felt very comfortable to me without being squishy or just absorbing power. Was very impressed and decided to look at buying.

Found a used 2018 Domane SLR Disc Project One locally. Seems to be the stock bike (Di2, Aerolus 3 carbon wheels, etc. except with a custom paint job). However, I go to BicycleBlueBook.com and find the 2017 and 2019, but no 2018 listed. Did the Domane SLR Disc not get an upgrade in 2018?

The local 2018 SLR Disc in my size has an asking price of $5500. BicycleBlueBook lists the range of the 2017 as $3120-$3213 and the 2018 as $4238-4365. $5500 seems high unless I'm missing something.

My questions:
1) Did the Domane SLR only receive model updates in 2017 and 2019 (why I can't find a used value guide for the 2018)? Just use the 2017 values for a guideline?
2) $5500 seems high considering the above. Am I missing something? The bike had no added features -- i.e. power meter, upgraded wheels, etc.
3) If I'm set on Trek, is it worth buying used (and not getting Trek lifetime warranty) or should I pay the premium and buy new?

Many thanks in advance for your time and advice.

Iride01 

I couldn't buy a used bike that is only a few years old. Most sellers want close to what they paid for them and you can get brand new year old sometimes two year old bikes from the mfr or LBS for the same or less.

WhyFi

The frames from 2016-2019 should all be the same, I think, just different paint jobs. Is it an SLR7 or an SLR9? $5500 is a lot of coin on a used bike, either way, so you'll have to ask yourself if you're comfortable spending that and not getting a warranty.

Personally, I'd check my local Trek dealers and see if they have a non-2020 SLR with Ultegra Di2 that they're looking to move (2020 marked the first frame revision since 2016, so they I'd think that they'd be more inclined to aggressively deal on the older ones, 'specially now).

martymc

It's definitely an SLR 7 Disc and not a SLR 9. As an added negative, the Project One paint job is one I'd never, ever pick. It makes it easier to not get irrational.

Will start calling around for a 2019. I'm a 60cm which may increase my odds / hopefully.

dvai

The frame of the SLR 7 and 9 is the same that year BUT, the 9 has durace di2 versus ultergra di2. Also, the 9 has almost all carbon componens. Seat post, handlebars, stem, etc. The 9 came with Aerolus wheels versus regular carbon wheels.

If its a project one, the original owner may have done specific upgrades, which would explain why is a SLR 7 with Aerolus wheels.

5500 might be a good price depending on the components (and the condition).
A new SLR 7 was about 7000 and the 9 was about 10000.

Iride01 

If you aren't stuck on the brand, specialized is having a spring sale. 2020 Tarmacs and Rubaixs with di2 are well under your price. Wheels maybe not as good unless you want to spend all of that $5500.00.

ckindt

The wheels are Aeolus, as in King of the Wind, not Aerolus.
Are they 3 or 3 pro? There is a difference.

colnago62

I ride a 60cm. They are fairly hard to find in a shop. I was talking to Trek about a Project One bike I was having built and customer service told me that they build 60cm frames when ordered. They sell so few bikes in the 60cm size. The other thing to consider is not having a warranty. There is a possibility, the amount which seems to be of great debate, that the bottom bracket area might need repair at some time in the life of the bike. There really isn’t an easy way to tell which frames will need this repair. It may have had an issue and been repaired with oversized bearings, which is not a permanent repair. I ride Treks because they fit me and my riding style well. I have had two bikes need repair out of the four I own(ed). I would not risk that at the price that individual wants

wirides

You can get an awful lot of NEW bike for that kind of money. I wouldn't do it, but I'm not you.

dvai

Sorry. I meant Aeolus XXX is in the SLR 9

ckindt

Well, those are even more different. As in the best Bontrager offers.
Trek doesn't include those on the factory spec domanes except the SLR9.

eflayer

I'd never spend the bucks for SLR cuz I'd only want my bike to be as compliant as possible and would never ever use the adjustment gimmick.

This is a good option with some backing from Pros. You could do better on ebay or Craigs List but then you risk a bit more:

https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...ke-2019-60cm-1

Cyclist0108

A lifetime warranty on a new bike frame is worth I reckon about 1/3 of the pricetag.

jfranci3

The bluebook price is just a random number. The value of the bike is really how many sellers are willing to buy and how much they're willing to spend. I wouldnt' try to find another XYZ bike on the market. I'd figure out what other used highend, mass market bikes are on the market of similar 1-3 years old and use those for comps. There aren't many or any buyers for used highend bikes.

For reference, a new bike is $7k, rock bottom for a semi-modern carbon frame is $1k. It's not new and not old - I'd go $3.5-$4k.

noodle soup

If you want the bike to be as compliant as possible, you need to get the SLR version Regular SL models, are as compliant as SLR models when in the middle position.

eflayer

I'd still not go for SLR just so I could move the slider and leave it there the entire time. wide tires, less psi, and the iso things front and back would be my choices.

noodle soup

I agree on not spending extra for an SLR

The 2015 6.9 disc I own, is closest to the SLR7 in spec, but mine is 2+Lbs lighter. They are completely different frames, but the newest SLR frames are porky

SkepticalOne

I have both the 2016 and 2020 SLR7. The 2020 frame with adjustable Isospeed is very perceptibly better at damping than the previous gen. Noting to do with the adjustability... There is an elastomeric damper (bumper) in the new one that results in a dramatically better ride quality - mild oscillations that existed in the previous model are no longer present.

No issues with frame weight slowing me down.

I would shell out for the new 2020 SLR frame if you can make it work financially.

Sy Reene

Try this.. one way to at least price check what's on offer in some manner

TREK-60cm-PROSCLOSET

This would be my pick.. full Campy 12s Disc SLR Domane at $3300
https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...bike-2018-60cm

SkepticalOne

Very impressive package for the money!

colnago62

I have a 2018 model SLR and it is noticeably heavier than my Madone 9. bought it as a winter training bike, so the weight doesn’t matter to me, but it ain’t light.

RiceAWay

I've been a Campy man most of my life but after trying Ultegra Di2 I would never go back. The mechanical shifting bikes, especially in the larger numbers of speeds, in an attempt to keep things light, make all of the wearing surfaces on the parts too narrow and hence they wear out relatively soon. Shimano as the original developer of Brifters aren't quite as bad as Campy, but it is there never the less, and you find yourself adjusting the Campy every couple of weeks to maintain reasonable shifting. I went through a set of 10 speeds, bought a new replacement lever assembly and it went in two years. There are none of these wearing surfaces in Di2. While I didn't like the idea of plugging my bike in, the battery lasts so long that you have to remind yourself to charge it every couple of weeks. SRAM with their wireless might be easier to install, but I never liked their workmanship.

GnipGnop

Really? Where I live used bikes are priced well, plus the room to haggle.

Sy Reene

Someone thought it was a good deal... the campy Domane SLR was sold.
But, here you go.. a Di2 version of the SL level though... only ~$1300 more than the Campy model was
https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...ke-2019-60cm-1

Iride01 

Really!

Most don't sell, as I see them re-listed multiple times.