SkepticCyclist

Are there any real differences between these two Trek offerings?

WhyFi

The Domane SL5 Disc and the Domane SL5 Gravel have the same frame (different paint job), The Gravel comes with better levers (RS685 vs RS505) and calipers. The Gravel comes standard with 35mm semi-knobby tires (Schwalbe G-One All-around), whereas the Domane Disc comes with 32mm tires, IIRC.

If you can live with the paint job, the Gravel is better spec'd and a better value (I bought a Domane SL5 Gravel over the winter).

jmess

Only diff I am aware of is the tires they come with. I have another set of wheels for my 2017 SLR7 with mounted 35s that I use for gravel rides. I wouldn't recommend this bike for rougher gravel rides though. You will be much happier with a bike that you can run tires larger than 35s on. Also the frame geometry isn't optimized for gravel riding.

RocThrower

I also have the Domane Gravel, but I bought strictly for road riding. I actually love the blue/gray color, and the G-One tires went straight to my Space Horse. Like WhyFi said, the frames are exactly the same, but the Gravel has better specs.

SkepticCyclist

Thanks for the quick responses

WhyFi

Same - I took the stock wheels/tires off and put them to the side for the winter-ish riding and put on another wheelset with G-One Speeds (one of my requirements when shopping for a new bike was that it had to clear the 30mm Schwalbes) for daily riding. I have another gravel bike with 38s if I really want to go off-pavement.

I do think that the (IRRC) Battleship color is more interesting than the typical paintjobs that you see out there, but my niggle with it is that the matte finish does a really good job of showing dirt and grime, so you either need to wipe it down regularly or just embrace it.

Here's mine in its current form (well, actually, I just added a Silca seat roll because it's getting to the point where I don't have the luxury of doing rides with only one water bottle any more) -

RocThrower

Nice ride, WhyFi! I understand what you are saying about the finish now. Mine also shows a lot of dirt and grease marks, and is kind of difficult to keep clean. It's the first matte finish bike I have owned, and I have half-hardheartedly been looking at matte paint cleaners. Regardless, it's been a blast to ride!

DirePenguin

noodle soup

How do you like the cassette?

WhyFi

Like it. Like it a lot. There were a couple of hills at the end of a group ride (when my legs were getting crispy) where I would have liked a 28, but I was fine in what I think was a worst-case scenario for me.

noodle soup

Back in the early 90s I used to run a 12-19 corncobb and a 52/42.

12-25t 11 speed cassette, and a 50/34 is much more enjoyable.

bbattle

Trek has a true gravel grinder now in the Checkpoint. Can take tires up to 45mm. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...-bikes/c/B546/

gearing trivia: in the '49 Giro, Fausto Coppi's climbing gears were 47-21 and 47-24.


The roads around here run from new blacktop to washboard gravel and if it looks interesting, I'll head down it with my Domane 5.2. I was running Gator Skins but now I'm using Schwalbe Pro Ones. They measure 28mm(25mm advertised) and there's not much room left in the front.