7 Problems in 14 Days Ownership: 2021 Trek Domane HP Electrical Bike You Should Avoid At All Cost

[MrNoFluFF.com]

7 Problems in 14 Days Ownership: 2021 Trek Domane HP Electrical Bike You Should Avoid At All Costs.

The worst part is the Trek certified mechanics do NOT know how to work on the electrical bikes. I had to take my bike to three different Trek Corp own Bike shops to I found someone that can work on it.


Problems are as follows:

1. Engine Code Errors 550 and 503

2. Battery problems. Batter would not comes out and was stuck in body of the frame.

3. Front and Back lights shorting and cutting out problems (took to shop 3 times and problems still not fixed)

4. Rear derailer would not shift right, and to the bike to trek dealer 9 times and problem was not fixed.

5. Two Broken Spokes from same rear rim in 14 days of ownership. Had to walk long ways home with the kids because spoke broke 2nd time on July the 4th far from home. .

6. Hand-bar tape came off after first day ride.

I have had to go to the Trek Bike shop over 12 times now!

Its seam like I paid $7K and bought a headache! Thanks Trek!

Only reason I bought a HP is because I bought 2021 checkpoint sl5 and the buy was flawless and I was super happy with it. So I figure HP would be bug free like checkpoint but boy was I wrong! The HP has more bugs then cake has calories

Lastly, I have caught Trek Mechanic lying multiple times when they can not fix a problem, at two different stores. I even have proof in writing where Trek Mechanic lies about the "Fenders" not fitting because wrong size when the last Trek Mech install it wrong! I google it and know it was wrong what mech was saying after I got home.

Here is YouTube video of all the Problems

 

[Deacon Blues]

Sorry to see you're having so many problems with your new ebike.
Most regular bike shops are way behind the curve when it comes to working on ebikes. They sell them (some reluctantly) but many of them don't have the knowledge to fix them.
I'm glad my Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3 has been reliable (3800km), because the closest Cannondale dealer (and the shop where I purchased the bike) is 180km from my house.

 

[J.R.]

Nice looking bike! Shame you're having so many issues. It really takes the shine off the new bike experience. I hope you get it sorted out.

I wouldn't say it's a bike to avoid buying at all cost, maybe your dealer is to be avoided for ebike purchase and service, at all cost.

Best of luck!

 

[MrNoFluFF.com]

Sorry to see you're having so many problems with your new ebike.
Most regular bike shops are way behind the curve when it comes to working on ebikes. They sell them (some reluctantly) but many of them don't have the knowledge to fix them.
I'm glad my Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3 has been reliable (3800km), because the closest Cannondale dealer (and the shop where I purchased the bike) is 180km from my house.

Bingo! They sell them...but the 3 trek shops I been to do not know how to work on the bike.

 

[MrNoFluFF.com]

Nice looking bike! Shame you're having so many issues. It really takes the shine off the new bike experience. I hope you get it sorted out.

I wouldn't say it's a bike to avoid buying at all cost, maybe your dealer is to be avoided for ebike purchase and service, at all cost.

Best of luck!

Thank brother. I have taken my bike to three different Trek dealerships and two out three did not know how to fix problems. So it’s not just one dealer In Trek fleet. From my experience 1/3 know how to work on the bike they sell.

 

[drodg]

I know from reading way too much on the internet that any of the major bike brands with e bikes can have a problem bike. I feel really bad for you and that is unfortunate. I have a 2021 HP and other than a few small issues it has been very trouble free. I know from reading about these bikes and the Specialized Creos that both seem generally very good bikes. I think Trek should replace your bike with another bike and it sounds like you have a lemon law case but that probably depends on your state.

 

[Dallant]

My Allant+7 battery latch system needed adjustment to open but only took an hour or so for the Trek shop to get it right. It’s never given me a bit of trouble since. It charged just fine in the ebike. I’ve had very good service from the Trek shops I’ve been in, mostly for tire issues, Bosch system updates, and now a front brake noise issue on my new Rail 5 EMTB.

 

[Dallant]

Thank brother. I have taken my bike to three different Trek dealerships and two out three did not know how to fix problems. So it’s not just one dealer In Trek fleet. From my experience 1/3 know how to work on the bike they sell.

Where are you located?

 

[MrNoFluFF.com]

Took itThe Colony Scheels Texas and mechanic told me he is new and only had two weeks certification as a mechanic and he’s also new to riding bikes but more importantly he couldn’t even adjust my handlebar brake levers to fit my arm.

so next I took it, Corporate Trek Retail store in Coppell Texas, and Skip the repair manager did not know anything about my bike and he was not willing to do job to fix the listed problems above. I took to them so many times!!. The skip, service manger, even put fender wrong! nor did he know how adjust the iso speed. All he kept saying is how Trek has not trained him on the newest bikes. Skip could call corporate for support for whatever reason he was not motivated to do so, let me remind you the spike is not even 12 days old at this point.

So next I took to, Corporate Trek Owned Retail store in flower mound Texas. Service manager there seems like he knows a lot more than the other two stores put together.

However he’s not very friendly and he tried to charge me money to do the warranty for defective product that they sell That not even 30 days old. for example they wanted me to pay them to do the battery alignment even though the bike was not even 30 days old. I refused! So they waived it. Also the mechanic at flower mound told me that my fenders were wrong size when I bought it from Trek and they where right size. but once again I googled it and I realize that the first trek mechanic had installed it incorrectly and the second mech also didn’t know what he was talking about because it was missing couple of pieces to make it work right. [small piece of connector that connect to the frame on back rear wheel so the fender can rest on it as my bike is carbon and need Thst little piece ]

overall not too confident about corporate Trek owned mechanic because I have caught two different ones lying to me multiple times now when they can’t fix something.

 

[mschwett]

call around to the other trek shops in Dallas. ask their service department if they have a tech with a lot of experience on that specific bike. if so, make an appointment, bring your list of problems clearly written down, and get them fixed.

there’s something very odd going on. minor electrical problems aren’t that uncommon in eBikes, but there is nothing exotic about the wheels, bar tape, or derailleur on that bike…

 

[MrNoFluFF.com]

call around to the other trek shops in Dallas. ask their service department if they have a tech with a lot of experience on that specific bike. if so, make an appointment, bring your list of problems clearly written down, and get them fixed.

there’s something very odd going on. minor electrical problems aren’t that uncommon in eBikes, but there is nothing exotic about the wheels, bar tape, or derailleur on that bike…

That’s exactly what I’ve done. Thanks for the tips. They sold ones!
1. Call trek store and visted 3 so far
2. I write down the problems on email for mechanic as you can see in Image. I keep record.

 

[Dallant]

Best of luck! Its quite rare that folks have this list of issues with Treks and even more rare to have the number of crappy experiences with Trek dealers.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I don't think its the bike its the dealerships thats the issues. cant assemble a bike then cant deal with problems.

 

[Tyson]

4. Rear derailer would not shift right, and to the bike to trek dealer 9 times and problem was not fixed.

5. Two Broken Spokes from same rear rim in 14 days of ownership. Had to walk long ways home with the kids because spoke broke 2nd time on July the 4th far from home. .

6. Hand-bar tape came off after first day ride.

This post conveys the wrong message to potential Domane+ HP owners since it isn't about this model of bike. As others have stated, this really points to the service you are getting - and it is real unfortunate that you are in this situation. The warning here: If you are going to spend this amount of money this is a good warning to interview the shop you purchase from and make sure you are comfortable with their capabilities working on e-bikes (and you still won't know for sure).

To the point of poor service, 3 of the issues above are not Domane+ HP specific. The rear derailleur and shifters are a high end Shimano part that people don't have issues with on this bike or other bikes. The bar tape is an easy fix and I really liked the default tape and even reused it when I switched handlebars. The wheels are also not Domane+ specific, and it is even possible that the shop did some improper tuning on the wheels and put too much tension on a few spokes. Especially if you took it in for a first broken spoke, something was wrong to have a second break if they checked the wheel and spoke tensions when they replaced the first spoke.

I have 2 Domane+ HP in the garage, and the one I ride I use as a gravel bike (I swap to stronger wheels when off road). I put a lot of miles on it, and some of them are on harsh gravel roads riding with people on mountain bikes. With all the vibrations I have never had a power glitch. After 2,000 miles it still shifts fine but it does need adjustment as it breaks in from new as all bikes do. The reason I have 2 is that I was so impressed with this machine that I bought one for my wife. My friend bought a Creo even though I lobbied him to buy a Domane+ HP. It is a fine bike too but it lacks the power and range, and the motor system is exclusive to Specialized where Bosch will have wider support and potentially longer support time frame for parts. The Creo is lighter, and that is nice, and it is a little more gravel oriented with the little "Future Shock" and a little better tire clearance.

For the issue with the lights, this bike does have a design flaw with the connection to the rear light. It is wired up through the seat post and the wire can easily be cut by sticking out when adjusting the seat height or getting smashed when the seat is adjusted to its lowest (especially on small frame). The rear light can't be set to flash, or to come on independent of the front (which is a nice light but also can't flash). So after spending $7k, you need to spend another $35 for a rear flasher. The good news is there are connectors to the light in the seat tube so you can disconnect and remove the factory light easily (may need some pliers to pull apart connectors) but MAKE SURE TO TAPE OFF THE CONNECTOR ENDS SO THEY DON"T SHORT before you push the wire back down the seat tube.

 

[MrNoFluFF.com]

This post conveys the wrong message to potential Domane+ HP owners since it isn't about this model of bike. As others have stated, this really points to the service you are getting - and it is real unfortunate that you are in this situation. The warning here: If you are going to spend this amount of money this is a good warning to interview the shop you purchase from and make sure you are comfortable with their capabilities working on e-bikes (and you still won't know for sure).

To the point of poor service, 3 of the issues above are not Domane+ HP specific. The rear derailleur and shifters are a high end Shimano part that people don't have issues with on this bike or other bikes. The bar tape is an easy fix and I really liked the default tape and even reused it when I switched handlebars. The wheels are also not Domane+ specific, and it is even possible that the shop did some improper tuning on the wheels and put too much tension on a few spokes. Especially if you took it in for a first broken spoke, something was wrong to have a second break if they checked the wheel and spoke tensions when they replaced the first spoke.

I have 2 Domane+ HP in the garage, and the one I ride I use as a gravel bike (I swap to stronger wheels when off road). I put a lot of miles on it, and some of them are on harsh gravel roads riding with people on mountain bikes. With all the vibrations I have never had a power glitch. After 2,000 miles it still shifts fine but it does need adjustment as it breaks in from new as all bikes do. The reason I have 2 is that I was so impressed with this machine that I bought one for my wife. My friend bought a Creo even though I lobbied him to buy a Domane+ HP. It is a fine bike too but it lacks the power and range, and the motor system is exclusive to Specialized where Bosch will have wider support and potentially longer support time frame for parts. The Creo is lighter, and that is nice, and it is a little more gravel oriented with the little "Future Shock" and a little better tire clearance.

For the issue with the lights, this bike does have a design flaw with the connection to the rear light. It is wired up through the seat post and the wire can easily be cut by sticking out when adjusting the seat height or getting smashed when the seat is adjusted to its lowest (especially on small frame). The rear light can't be set to flash, or to come on independent of the front (which is a nice light but also can't flash). So after spending $7k, you need to spend another $35 for a rear flasher. The good news is there are connectors to the light in the seat tube so you can disconnect and remove the factory light easily (may need some pliers to pull apart connectors) but MAKE SURE TO TAPE OFF THE CONNECTOR ENDS SO THEY DON"T SHORT before you push the wire back down the seat tube.

Thanks for sharing. I believe I read your trek hp review on this forum which led me to buy this bike after reading and watching all reviews i could find.

I hope my reviews will help someone save money Or make better decision regarding buying HP

 

[fooferdoggie]

with two broken spokes you need a new rear wheel.

 

[rich c]

Thanks for sharing. I believe I read your trek hp review on this forum which led me to buy this bike after reading and watching all reviews i could find.

I hope my reviews will help someone save money Or make better decision regarding buying HP

All you and future buyers need is a better dealer, the bike would have been just fine if test ridden and evaluated by a good mechanic before you picked it up. Bicycle dealers are no different than any other retail business right now. Every business has employee shortages, and if they had a good employee, that employee will go anywhere else for better pay. You don't really think they pay a bike mechanic a strong living wage do you? Many are not paid at a level to be a highly trained and skilled.

 

[Dallant]

All you and future buyers need is a better dealer, the bike would have been just fine if test ridden and evaluated by a good mechanic before you picked it up. Bicycle dealers are no different than any other retail business right now. Every business has employee shortages, and if they had a good employee, that employee will go anywhere else for better pay. You don't really think they pay a bike mechanic a strong living wage do you? Many are not paid at a level to be a highly trained and skilled.

Buyer beware!
This is a very big issue and corporations are spending less and less on training and development while consumers are drawn to more and more complex devices. It’s very hard for a shop who sells few of these ebikes (compared to analog bikes) to keep up. You are buying into the shop as much as you are the ebike.
I had the exact same issue with my Corvette a few years back. Very few of them were sold in my rural area and getting them maintained by mechanics who saw one maybe once or twice a year was a crap shoot. Can’t imagine how the new mid-engine C8 or the new Ford Lightning etruck are going to be dealt with by dealership service departments.

 

[Deacon Blues]

As more people purchase and ride ebikes shops will have to train staff to work on these bikes. If they don't they won't survive.
If a bike shop sells half a dozen ebikes per year they're not going to spend a lot of time and effort to become a knowledgeable ebike mechanic. This will change if 50+% of their bikes sales are for ebikes. Then, they'd better be prepared to repair and maintain these ebikes.

One of the riders in our senior's cycling group recently bought a Domane+ LT from a small, local bike shop that sells Trek bikes. We live in a small town and the next Trek dealer is a considerable distance away. The shop sells only a handfull of ebikes each year (the owner is a serious road rider and not a big fan of ebikes). He's knowledgeable when it comes to repairing/maintaining regular bikes, but knows very little able the electrical working of an ebike.
He has done some minor repairs on her bike (re-torqued the motor mount), but if she has a more serious electrical failure I doubt he'll be able to fix it. She'll have to find another shop that will be knowledgeable enough to repair her ebike.

 

[Cramer Long]

As more people purchase and ride ebikes shops will have to train staff to work on these bikes. If they don't they won't survive.
If a bike shop sells half a dozen ebikes per year they're not going to spend a lot of time and effort to become a knowledgeable ebike mechanic. This will change if 50+% of their bikes sales are for ebikes. Then, they'd better be prepared to repair and maintain these ebikes.

One of the riders in our senior's cycling group recently bought a Domane+ LT from a small, local bike shop that sells Trek bikes. We live in a small town and the next Trek dealer is a considerable distance away. The shop sells only a handfull of ebikes each year (the owner is a serious road rider and not a big fan of ebikes). He's knowledgeable when it comes to repairing/maintaining regular bikes, but knows very little able the electrical working of an ebike.
He has done some minor repairs on her bike (re-torqued the motor mount), but if she has a more serious electrical failure I doubt he'll be able to fix it. She'll have to find another shop that will be knowledgeable enough to repair her ebike.

WHAT ? Besides light flicker (which I am sure is how he's installing and removing the battery) Everything else he says are issues fixed like a non e-bike . E-bikes shift different watch Courts Videos : You're supposed to stop peddling when shifting . The Shifter can easily go 3 gears . In fact will if you hold it to long . It's made to
505-503 error is Http No service in location error ALWAYS THIS Also comes up when the battery isn't seated properly . It's easy to not get it in right .
Doesn't matter whether it's an E-bike or Cell phone etc .
Broken Spokes ?? Spokes don't just break . Was he riding the kids on the Bike one on the handle bars one on the back ? Or is he really a big dude ? Just asking