Domane

The only place I have seen where people claim they can feel a difference between the four series Domane and the five and six series Domane's are in these bike forums. The reviews I have read have clearly stated that the reviewer really could not feel much if any difference between a four series Domane and the five and six series. I don't buy that the seat mast makes that much difference that any rider can feel it. I have a Domane 4.5 from 2013 and the seat post in the tube works very effective. The biggest difference you are going to get is the higher line carbon allowing for a little less weight.

My 4.5 Domane also came with Bontrager Race TLR wheels. I have since upgraded twice, first with a set of Bontrager Race Lite TLR wheels and then Boyd Altamont wheels.

bbattle

I test rode a Domane 4.5 and the 5.2. But the 4.5 was a larger size and we had to adjust the seatpost down for me. It did feel a bit lifeless to me; the 5.2 felt a lot better. The 4.5 was at the LBS while the 5.2 I rode was at one of the Trek Demo Days events.

But the 5.2 has a different carbon mix, different wheels, tires, components, etc.

All I can really say is that, FOR ME, I greatly preferred the 5.2 over the 4.5. Which is why I stress to the OP that he not dismiss any bikes based on forum opinions but go test ride them for himself.


Next year, Trek will release its new gravel bike, the Damone.

MeddlingKids

Thanks again for all the feedback and recommendations; I really appreciate all the insight! I visited three separate bike shops today and rode the following bikes (in the order I tested them out):

2015 Trek Domane 5.2 - I definitely get what people have said about this bike reducing bumps and road buzz. I also found it to be pretty responsive to "I want to go fast now" pedaling. That said, I just didn't really enjoy riding it much. I didn't find it to be as stable as some of the other bikes I rode and never really felt super comfortable with the steering, for some reason.

2015 Cannondale Synapse Ultegra - This thing felt sweet. It was comfortable to ride, relatively stable, and I enjoyed taking some sweeping turns on it. I definitely felt the sluggishness when trying to push the bike, though. From a cost perspective, they were willing to sell this at a pretty solid discount.

2015 BMC Granfondo GF02 - I didn't like this one at all. It was reasonably smooth but I felt like I was pushing a brick through the air. I also wasn't wild about the appearance of the frame, from a purely aesthetic standpoint.

2014 Bianchi Infinito CV - Wow was this bike awesome. Comfortable, stable, yet reasonably responsive. I definitely felt the most at ease on this bike and enjoyed it more than any of the others I have ridden (including the Roubaix). Unfortunately, this bike is also out of my price range. He had me riding a demo model that they used for a "take the bike around California and show it at events" purpose. As such, the bike had only been lightly ridden but the transporting resulted in a few scrapes, nicks and scratches but nothing major. They were willing to knock 24% off the retail price, which wasn't really sufficient given that this was essentially a used bike (and a year old). He was willing to discount the 2015, but not enough to make this bike in my price range, sadly.

I may try to figure out a way to get the Bianchi, otherwise it's down to the Synapse or the Roubaix. I don't really like the Roubaix that much more than the Synapse where I would be willing to pay $700 more for it, though. But, man that Bianchi...

Jaeger99

Rock solid stability was a high purchase priority for me, and one that led me to the endurance side of the fence. Lots or really good bikes in this category but the only one that I liked nearly as well as my Pinarello Rokh was the Emonda.

PaulRivers

Huh. While I can understand not feeling super comfortable with it's steering, I'm surprised you didn't find it stable.

Interesting, I felt the same way about the bike. Not necessarily a bad bike, but not a "feel like you're moving fast" bike. "I definitely felt the sluggishness when trying to push the bike, though" is how I felt.

Well dammit, the Bianchi is one of the few bikes I wanted to try but wasn't able to last year...hmm...

What was the cost difference for the Bianchi?

I wouldn't let some scratches and scrapes stop me from getting the bike if I really liked it. Would depend on how much more it cost. No point in spending a lot of money, but not quite enough, to be always riding something I didn't like that much.

MeddlingKids

They discounted the Bianchi approximately $1,100 but that was for a bike that's a year old and used. The discount on the 2015 was about $400.

tangerineowl

No Norco Valence dealer in your area?

RNAV

I test rode the Infinito CV last year (when I also test rode Madone, Domane, but prior to test riding the Emonda). It's a fantastic bike. It does a great job of dampening vibrations without eliminating road feel. Compared to the Madone and Domane, I definitely think it's the better bike . . . and if my local dealer had a demo for $1,100 off, I'd have bought it.

But good lord are they expensive! I was looking at a Domane with Red22, and a Bianchi Infinito CV with Force22 and bottom-of-the-barrel wheels was still 2 grand more!

Then I road the Emonda, which is frankly a better bike than the Bianchi. It absorbs road vibrations just as well, is lighter, and a much more reasonably-priced bike than what Bianchi is charging for their bike.

The Bianchi is a fantastic bike. If it's outside your budget, you really, really owe it to yourself to test ride an Emonda. It rides very similarly to the Infinito CV.

Long Tom

As with women and guitars, when you find "the one" that just knocks you out, you gotta go for it.

Buy the Bianchi. It'll still at the point of purchase but make you happy for the next decade-plus. Amortized across the life of the bike, the difference in cost is meaningless.

bikejrff

Can't agree more with Long Tom. If you buy a Synapse now and the Bianchi later (which you will) it will have cost you even more. try Adrenaline Bikes.

Adrenaline Bikes

I've bought two previous year (or two) models from them at excellent prices. A Vigorelli and an Impulso, both 2012's purchased in 2013 and 2014. Adrenaline is in CA I think, I live in Indiana.

PaulRivers

I faced almost exactly this same situation the last time I bought a road bike. I spent the extra money to buy a bike that was older, used (white bar tape was definitely not white anymore, if you know what I mean) but was another tier up in carbon quality and I liked riding more. I've continued to look back and be happy with the decision. You didn't post total cost numbers, but if you're already going to spend $3k on a bike, I'd rather spend $1k more and get a bike I enjoy riding than save $1k and never quite be happy with it.

The one other teneable choice for me would have been to buy a cheap entry level bike, but that's not as relevant for you - when I was buying mine they were just getting down how to make full carbon bikes well (2011 I think).

Just my opinion and experience.

MeddlingKids

The new Bianchi was $4200 before tax. The Cannondale would be $2600 before tax. I could probably try to get a bit lower on the Bianchi potentially. The demo bike isn't really a viable option for me at this point.

PaulRivers

Cool, not much to add that hasn't been said already. You should really try an Emonda. :-) I personally wouldn't drop that kind of cash on a "kinda like it" it bike, I'd either spend more or just get something much cheaper and wait and see if something else comes along in the future.

Good luck. :-)

StanSeven

I would buy what you really want. If you can't afford it now, wait until you save the difference. Or just get it now. Interest on financing is as close to zero as you can get.

OldTryGuy

Looks like a Defy was on top today, in the Paris Roubaix.

RR3

Leonard Zinn designed me the best bike for endurance. To my body. From Magnesium. None better. Steel is close. Trek Cronus Ultimate CX not too lousy and certainly bettter than than the Domane. Tested Roubaix and Domane. I suspect the two carbon frames that might rival mine would be Calfee or Parlee ESX or his touring model since both can take a sufficient tire width unlike the Specialized or Trek. Tire wide and supple sidewalls get rid of road vibration. Frame material or design? Not so much. Unless it is magnesium

gsa103

See if you can test ride a Bianchi Intenso. Its the same frame as the older Infinito, and is significantly cheaper. Its the exact same geometry as the Infinito CV.

Munk69

Sounded like the Bianchi is the bike that spoke to you. I would figure out a way to get it. You wont be truly happy until you do. Take this from experience

I second try the Emdona idea also! I hear / read that bike is just amazing.

MeddlingKids

Yeah, I may need to start calling around to see whether I can get better pricing than the $4,200 I was quoted this weekend for the Infinito.

As far as the Emonda is concerned, the geometry looks nearly identical to the Madone I've been riding. Not sure that's a good fit for me.

sqgator

If Defy is good enough for John Degenkolb, should be good enough for me.

Nothing outregeous about the winning Defy bike, just a complete Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset with Shimano C35 wheel set and Vittoria 30mm Tubular tires. Basically just a well made Giant bike and a great rider.

MeddlingKids

That's one I unfortunately haven't had the opportunity to ride yet, but I have heard great things. I'm not particularly wild about the mandated disc brakes on the carbon Defy, though.

MeddlingKids

After talking to a couple stores, a 10% discount is the max they're willing to do. While this still seems like a great deal, it's a tad more than I want to spend right now. I'm starting to cross some options off the list, but also adding a few names again that I may want to look at.

I have read some reviews on the Cervelo R3 that indicate it has some smoothing capabilities over rough roads, but the steering seems pretty quick. Are these all around good bikes for comfort but not necessarily as stable as some of the other options in this thread?

Also, is it worth checking out the Giant Defy Advanced Pro despite the fact that it comes only with disc brakes?

Jarrett2

The Defy was my second fave to my Roubaix. Probably worth a ride.

MeddlingKids

Did you ride it with the disc brakes? The only bike I've ridden that had discs was the Synapse and I wasn't really a fan.

Jarrett2

I own and have ridden road bikes with disc brakes. My preference is a good caliper brake on a road bike, but a well setup mechanical disc brake works just as well in dry conditions and better in not so dry conditions. I didn't dig the hydraulics as much. They stop well, but I found they rubbed more. It appears the road bike world is going that direction though.