It’s seemed like an open secret for ages, but today, 145 days after it was ridden by Elisa Longo Borghini to Paris-Roubaix victory in April, the covers are finally lifted off the all-new 2023 Trek Domane.
It marks Trek’s second major road bike launch in three months and includes the mid-tier Domane SL, top-tier Domane SLR, and the return of the race-ready, limited-edition Domane RSL (Race Shop Limited).
Unlike Trek’s other recent launch, where the all-aero Madone received some frankly wild design ideas (it had a hole in the seat tube), the new Domane seems to have gone in the opposite direction, favoring simplicity and weight savings over the usual tact of ride smoothing technology.
Domain’s new direction
Since its inception, the Trek Domane has used IsoSpeed decouplers to smooth the road and improve compliance. The original Domane, released in 2013, introduced the technology and had an IsoSpeed decoupler integrated into the seatpost cluster, allowing the seatpost to flex independently of the frame.
Each iteration since then has advanced this technology. The second generation, launched in 2017, made it adjustable and added a second IsoSpeed up front. In 2020, the technology was refined for the third generation and remained a core part of the bike’s identity.
Fast forward to today’s fourth-gen launch, and it appears Trek has taken a very different approach. The front IsoSpeed decoupler has been removed entirely, and while it remains in the rear, the newly refined iteration is much simpler and no longer adjustable.
With the decoupler removed and an upgrade to Trek’s latest 800 Series OCLV carbon, the new Domane claims to be the lightest ever, over 300g lighter than its predecessor.
The 800 Series OCLV carbon fiber layup was first introduced in 2020 with the Emonda SLR and was recently applied to the Madone. It will be featured on the Domane SLR – an upgrade from the current model’s 700 series – as well as the RSL. The Domane SL will retain the 500 Series carbon found in the current model.
Trek’s new approach continues in the evolution of the frame’s tube shapes, which have been aerodynamically revised as the Domane becomes more racy than ever. Updated Kammtail tubing has been fitted throughout the frame, and a more conventional D-shaped seatpost replaces the previous model’s two-piece mast and seatpost system.
Up front, a nifty two-piece cockpit sees cables under the stem and integrated into the top of the head tube, rather than through the top tube like the previous model. The new cockpit may be similar in design to the new Madone, but differences in the cable routing from stem to frame mean the new, narrower cockpit is unfortunately not compatible here.
Trek hasn’t made any specific aerodynamic claims for the Domane, but these updates along with the reintroduction of the Domane RSL (last seen in 2017) indicate a renewed focus on the Domane’s race performance, rather than the shock-absorbing Rolls Royce Phantom of yore.
Versatility remains
However, it’s not just about racing. Well, it is if you choose the RSL, but we’ll go into more detail on that later. The SLR and SL models attach great importance to versatility. That comes in a variety of forms, including the storage compartment in the down tube, the hidden fender mounts that adorn the fork and rear triangle, and the new attachment point on the top tube for a small bag that allows for clean integration of additional storage on longer rides.
These two models also retain the ability to handle 38mm tires, although with the mudguard fitted this drops to a still plenty of 35mm of clearance. They also continue to use Trek’s “H2” geometry, which is aimed at endurance rides with a taller head tube and shorter reach than a similarly sized Madone or Emonda.
RSL returns
As mentioned, the recent launch sees the return of the RSL [Trek’s highest level ‘Race Shop Limited’ tier of bikes and components], previously seen in the second generation of Domane, and is the model raced to 1st and 3rd place at Paris Roubaix Femmes. Go with the Domane RSL and you’re getting a bike that’s arguably closer to the latest Emonda than the outgoing Domane.
Most notably, this means a switch to Trek’s more aggressive H1.5 geometry, which matches that of the Emonda and Madone. We’ve highlighted the difference in the image above. But that’s not all, the RSL also dispenses with the down tube storage compartment, which saves 100 grams on the frame alone. There are also no hidden mudguard mounts, and the tire clearance of 38 mm has been reduced to 35 mm by adapting the frame shape, which also leads to a weight reduction.
Interestingly, the SLR and SL models are limited to a maximum chainset size of 52/36T (or 50T for the 1X version), while the RSL can handle chainsets up to 54/40T and 54T with single chainrings.
Compatibility and frame specifications
Speaking of limitations, all of the new Domane models can be used with fully braided mechanical groupsets—they’re not limited to electronic drivetrains like the Madone—but they do see a limitation with certain derailleurs. Specifically, since the frame does not have a derailleur housing stop, it is only compatible with derailleurs that have one built in. This includes Shimano but excludes SRAM.
Home mechanics can rejoice as Trek continues to specify T47 threaded bottom brackets, a move that follows the trend that actually started with Domane’s previous launch in 2019.
Tubeless fans, too, can rejoice – as can fans of the simple things – because every single model in the new Domane range comes with tubeless-ready wheels (with different features, of course, depending on the price), complete with tubeless valve and sealant pre-installed and ready for driving.
Trek Domane 2023 builds and prices
model | weight | group | Wheels | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
SL5 | 8.93kg | Shimano 105 R7020 mechanical | Bontrager Paradigm SL | $3499.99 / £3300 / €3499 / AU$4999.99 |
SL6 | 8.90kg | Shimano 105 R7170 Di2 | Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 | $4699.99 / £4400 / €4999 / AU$6499.99 |
SL 6 eTap | 8.89kg | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 | $5299.99 / £4800 / €5299 / AU$6499.99 |
SL7 | 8.26kg | Shimano Ultegra R8170 Di2 | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $6,829.99 / £6,400 / €6,999 / AU$ N/A |
SL 7 eTap | 8.48kg | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $7,499.99 / £7,250 / €7,699 / AU$9,499.99 |
SL frameset | 2.50kg | N / A | N / A | $2,499.99 / £2,700 / €2,999 / AU$ N/A |
SLR 6 | 8.26kg | Shimano 105 R7170 Di2 | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $7999.99 / £7000 / €7499 / AU$10999.99 |
SLR 6 eTap | 8.25kg | SRAM Rival eTap AXS | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $8399.99 / £7500 / €7999 / AU$11599.99 |
SLR 7 | 7.89kg | Shimano Ultegra R8170 Di2 | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $8549.99 / £9000 / €9999 / AU$12299.99 |
SLR 7 eTap | 8.38kg | SRAM Force eTap AXS | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 | $9,699.99 / £9,500 / €10,499 / AU$13,199.99 |
SLR 9 | 7.25kg | Shimano Dura Ace R9270 Di2 | Bontrager Aeolus RSL37 | $12,749.99 / £12,000 / €12,999 / AU$16,999.99 |
SLR 9 eTap | 7.80kg | SRAM Red eTap AXS | Bontrager Aeolus RSL37 | $13,199.99 / £12,500 / €13,999 / AU$17,499.99 |
SLR frameset | TB | N / A | N / A | $4,199.99 / £4,500 / €4,999 / AU$ N/A |
RSL frameset | 1.60kg | N / A | N / A | $4199.99 / £4500 / €4999 / AU$5600 |
#Treks #Domane #lighter #simpler #classier
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