glg1954

In late March I bought the subject bike at a northern Virginia bike shop. On the test ride there were no issues. Sweet ride! On my first actual ride I noticed a creaking sound on the bike that got louder the longer I rode. I determined it was from the handlebar area. I returned the bike to the shop and they took the headset apart and lubed everything. It still made the noise. They agreed to keep the bike for the weekend and take it apart again. In addition to lubing it again they rerouted the brake cables. The shop was sure they got rid of the noise. On my second ride it was even louder. They ended up giving me another bike, identical to the first one. I rode it Monday night and it has the same noise but not as loud. Generic problem? I returned the bike and they refunded my money.


Yesterday I went to a different bike shop in Maryland and test rode the same bike. It had the same noise. I ended up getting the Emonda SL7.


Has anyone else had a headset noise issue with the 2022 Trek Domane SL7. I recorded the noise via video on my iPhone. Not sure how or if I can post that here.

WhyFi

The 2022 SL7 uses the same frame as all of the SLs from 2020-2022, so any of those users could chime in.

The Domane line-up is unique in that it has a de-coupler up front to allow more flex of the steerer tube, which does smooth out the bumps and cracks in the road. This also has the potential to be an additional source of noise, though I didn't have any such issue with my 2018 model - which has a similar de-coupler set-up, but with different cable routing - over several thousand miles.

Mojo31

My 2020 SL5 is very quiet. The only noises I've experienced were (a) some clicking when mashing that was cured with a BBInfiniti bottom bracket, and (b) a minor rattle in the right brifter when going over rough surfaces and not on the hoods that I cannot figure out (the left makes no such noise).

Iride01 

So how do you like the Emonda?

Are there other bikes you didn't get that we need to speculate about?

Welcome to BF!

cxwrench

The only thing I can think of (as an ex-Trek employee) would be that the headset wasn't tight enough. This is the ONLY bike/headset I know of that actually has a torque spec for bearing preload, it's 4nm.

Rdmonster69

I have an SLR 6 that I bought last summer and have about 650 Miles on it. Should be the same frame. Has been totally silent with none of the issues you have mentioned.

WhyFi

Different frames (though the front end configuration may be similar/identical - I haven't looked). Anyway, SL and SLR denote the frame, there are differences in the carbon and features between the two, and the number indicates the build-out.

Rdmonster69

Thanks for pointing that out. Hate to be the giver of bad info. I think the front ends are the same which is why I posted that but you are correct. Different carbon and adjustable rear isospeed. Could make a difference as the front end could be spec'd differently as well.

Troul 

BB or pedals/cleats. Drop some lube on each pedal cleat & then try that on the BB with the DS pointing vertically up. If it is the BB, TREK should put out a mass recall to refund for parts spent by consumers &/or free replacement with a better quality BB for those that have not addressed it yet.

biker128pedal

I have a 2021 SL6. Check under the steerer too cap and see if the Allen bolt under it is loose. My was and I had to tighten it as above. It still I had no noise from that. I do get some noise from the cables as the snake from the bars to the frame. But only if I turn the bars side to side.

glg1954

Sorry for the late reply. I love it so far. It is a more aggressive setup than the Domane. I am getting a bike fit this Friday. I have always ridden a 58 and that is the size of the Emonda.

glg1954

They tried everything with the Domane to fix it. They even rerouted the break cables which was a big mistake.

glg1954

It is definitely the headset area. If I take either hand off the handlebar, the noise stops completely. If I get out of the saddle, same noise. Uphill or downhill, same noise.

glg1954

I've checked with others that have the SL5 and SL6 and their bikes are quiet. So I've ridden 3 Domane SL7's and they all have the noise. The first one I had was the worst. A friend of mine just recently bought the same bike (SL7) and it also makes the noise. It's crazy!