decotriumph

I have a 2014 Domane 5.2 (Ultegra 11-speed). I love it. I'm 6'2" and 280 lbs. It's holding up fine so far under my weight.

b_t

I bought a carryover 2013 Domane 4.5 in March for $2100, which was at the high end of my budget. I couldn't find another bike in that price range that was as smooth or comfortable.
I have about 1000 miles on it, and it still rides great.
The only thing that was crap IMHO was the Bontrager race seat which I swapped out.

blaze96

Thanks for everybody's great points and discussion about the Domane. Went back to the LBS to demo the Domane 4.3, 4.7 and 5.2 with good news and bad news. First the bad news, it appears the Domane 4.3's are all sold out until mid summer when the new 105's 11 speed become available. That narrows the choice to the 4.7 and 5.2. I couldn't believe it, but the 5.2 was a lot smoother on the pavement and had a much better feel compared to the 4.7. I've made an appointment for Friday to take the 5.2 out for a 30-45 minute ride with my pedals and shoes and more of my normal set-up. I'm still struggling to spend this much on a bike even though it will last for many years to come.

softreset

It's the integrated carbon seat mast. That's the general consensus from all of our test riders as well, the 5.2 is significantly smoother off the same rough patches than the 4.3/4.7

The shop I work at moves far more 5.2s (both Madone & Domane) to 4.7s. At that price point ($3000+) most of the customers I've helped don't really stress over the few hundred dollar difference of the 4.7 to the 5.2.

Like your justification, it's important to consider it over a longer term than just the 'here & now' when you're dealing with such an expensive purchase.

Chandne

The Domanes must sell pretty well here in Denver, though I don't see too many when I am out riding. If they ever go on clearance (5.2 or above) I'd consider picking on up. At $200 off, it isn't happening.

aubiecat

You won't care how much you spent on it after you ride some serious distance.

halfspeed

I rode a Domane 5.9 with Ultegra Di2 for about 260 miles in CA a few weeks ago. Surfaces varied from smooth roads, to beat up pavement (Drum Canyon) to rock and gravel (Figueroa) and terrain included significant climbing (Figueroa, Jalama beach road). Distances ranged from 20 to 75 miles. My favorite bike is my full carbon Torelli Montefalco and I own a titanium gravel/winter bike, and a Kestrel Talon and I've owned a bunch of steel frames over the years. I've also rented Madone 5.2, carbon Giant TCR, two SuperSixes, and a Scott CR-1. I'd rank the Domane somewhere in the middle of that group. I think the combination of the more upright position and the low BB just made it feel sluggish and unresponsive. The IsoSpeed coupler didn't seem to offer any significant improvement over my Torelli which surprised me, especially since the Domane was running 25mm tires and I normally run 23mm Veloflexes. If I were looking for an "Endurance" bike, I'd pick the Scott CR-1 before the Domane.

bruce19

My LBS said that Trek is replacing the Women's Domane with a bike called the Silque. Because of that they sold my gf her Domane 5.2 for $2499.

roadandmountain

Pure joy.

blaze96

Wow, what a great price on the women's domane! Is Trek also changing the men's model of the Domane?

My goal is to ride a metric century and possibly a century in the latter half of the summer or early fall. I want a bike that will perform but be as comfortable as possible given the events.

bruce19

That was an LBS deal not a Trek incentive. They only had that one Domane left and I was there when they put a $1000 off sign on it. I offered to give them a deposit on it and they said they'd hold it because "..we know you." Then I had to go home and convince my gf to buy it. Fortunately she took my advice and got it.

moppeddler

Second that. It took me a couple tries to get it right, but that Bontraeger saddle was a torture device.

roadandmountain

It's ironic that they're willing to spend countless hours designing frame sus. for maximum comfort, only to have all of their efforts negated by a house brand saddle.

bruce19

Bontrager has a saddle fitting system that has worked for me. My LBS has a saddle demo policy and I'm trying a Bontrager Affinity rated as "yellow" in their system. It is harder yet more comfortable than my Selle SL, Specialized Avatar and Selle Italia Gel Flow. As we all know saddles are very individual things. If they weren't we'd all be riding one saddle.

Roadlizzard

I have a Domane 4.5,I ridden 3200 miles in seven months. I have no regrets and would purchase another Domane without giving it a second thought. I like the bike so much that if I had it to do over again I would spend more and purchase a 5 or 6 series. With the miles I ride the Trek Care Plan works for me. Dealer has already changed the casset and chain

roadandmountain

Thanks for the info, bruce. I have heard about trek's saddle demo policy and it sounds pretty darn cool. I have to say that pretty much every new trek road bike review which mentions the saddle gives the stock saddle negative marks. The impression I've gotten is that the stock bontrager saddles trek specs tend to be on the hard side.

--

On an unrelated note, I wonder what price point 11 speed 105 will come in at. The current domane 4.3 has mostly 105 drivetrain components at $2200. If the new domane 4.3 with 105 11 speed comes in at the same price point, that would be awesome, although I'd be surprised if that happened. Perhaps a $100 price bump?

blaze96

Took the Domane 5.2 out for a 60 minute test ride and it was wonderful. I pulled the trigger and purchased the bike and I will send periodic updates if people are interested during the break in period. But in the end, the Domane was THAT GOOD!

Soonerinfrisco

I will throw my opinion out here, of course I am not an expert or elite cyclist by any stretch.

I honestly don't think the Domane and Roubaix are all that similar right off the shelf. I have ridden both recently as I am in need of a more plush ride. Getting older and have congenital narrowing of the spinal column resulting in neck pain with my Tarmac. I have rode both recently plus the Fuji Gran Fondo and the Felt Z4. I think the Roubaix is different from the other three. The Roubaix is very upright vs the others off the rack. I think the reason is that the seat tube is definitely more relaxed and results in a lower seat height vs the other 3. The other 3 are pretty similar as far as geometry and ride quality to me. The Roubaix definitely sits you back and upright. Personally I think the Felt and Gran Fondo are better values when considering components. I think the Domane was the most racey to me and probably had the least upright position. All 4 are very stiff as far as vertical compliance yet all 4 ride very nice, similar but a little better than my Tarmac, which I think is a nice smooth ride, just a very racey position. If the Z4 were more upright, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Great value.

For what I seek, the Roubaix is what I will buy. The fact that my LBS will take my tarmac as trade in for the F4 or Roubaix is a big plus for me. For me its not even close that the Roubaix is much more comfortable for me. might not be like that for everyone. I'd put the Domane in last place for what I need. However, if you want a bike that you can really go fast with as well as get a nice smooth ride, it might be your choice.

bbattle

It's probably a combination of being lighter, stiffer, better wheels and a change in geometry over my last bike. I spent maybe a half hour setting the saddle height and fore/aft points and it's been off to the races ever since. The Domane definitely fits me well, which certainly helps in climbing.

rangerdavid

5.9 series here. had it only about 3 months but it's damn nice. lots of chip seal roads around here and it smooths them out nicely.

rangerdavid

oh, and as for the saddle, I loved the Affinity that came on mine, but swapped it out for a toupe 155. I need the wider saddle and the Affinity comes in 148 at it's widest.

surgeonstone

no it is not.