Trek's version of the SL?

[Richard Stallard]

There is also a much cheaper Domane+ AL road bike which has an aluminium frame (vs. carbon fiber) and uses a Hynena drive similar to the Fx+.

Based on experience with my wife’s Fx+, I don’t think it is anywhere as good as my Vado SL, mainly due to the lack of proportional control of electric boost in response to rider torque. Despite that, my wife likes the bike because she can ride with no boost most of the time and only uses the motor if needed for hills or headwind. On the other hand, I ride my Vado SL with gentle (20%) boost most of the time with extra boost available if needed. For me, the Fx+ was a bit disappointing as it has all the elements, including torque sensor, to give a much better rider experience approaching that of the Vado SL.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

the new Domane e-road bike now has the harmonic pin motor. very clean design, similar specs to a creo but a pound or two lighter!

the price for the top end 12 speed dura ace version is surprisingly low - that’s about what a non-electric road bike with that group costs!

Trek Domane+ SLR is an e-bike with all the ride sensations of a traditional road bicycle

Treks Domane+ SLR is genuinely an all-new animal for all-road riding and more like a traditional road ride than we've ever experienced.

bikerumor.com

Well.
Domane+ SLR 6 costs from $8,500 to $8,900 (only depending on the frame colour!)
Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon is $7,000. Meaning a pound or two less of Trek costs $1,500 - 1,900.
I cannot see a gravel version of the Domane+ SLR either.

There is also a much cheaper Domane+ AL road bike which has an aluminium frame (vs. carbon fiber) and uses a Hynena drive similar to the Fx+.

• Domane+ SLR has the TQ motor
• Domane+ AL has the Hyena hub motor that does not compare to the TQ mid-drive motor
• Domane+ ALR has a Fazua motor
• Domane+ LT has a Fazua motor, too.

The Fazua versions (according to Trek website) are not available online anymore. That might mean Trek wants to discontinue them.

One line of road e-bikes and three different motor systems? How smart. (To be honest, I'm the most confused. Which of Domane+ would be kept for the future?) For me, Trek tries to desperately compete with Specialized but the brand has no vision of the future.
While all Creos have the same motor, batteries, system, and app.

 

[mschwett]

Well.
Domane+ SLR 6 costs from $8,500 to $8,900 (only depending on the frame colour!)
Turbo Creo SL Comp Carbon is $7,000. Meaning a pound or two less of Trek costs $1,500 - 1,900.
I cannot see a gravel version of the Domane+ SLR either.

• Domane+ SLR has the TQ motor
• Domane+ AL has the Hyena hub motor that does not compare to the TQ mid-drive motor
• Domane+ ALR has a Fazua motor
• Domane+ LT has a Fazua motor, too.

The Fazua versions (according to Trek website) are not available online anymore. That might mean Trek wants to discontinue them.

One line of road e-bikes and three different motor systems? How smart. (To be honest, I'm the most confused. Which of Domane+ would be kept for the future?) For me, Trek tries to desperately compete with Specialized but the brand has no vision of the future.
While all Creos have the same motor, batteries, system, and app.

the SRAM versions of the new domane are the “gravel” versions - 1x drivetrains and 40mm tires.

s-works creo is 14.5k, new domane with better group set is 13k. the entry-level domane comes with carbon wheels and electronic shifting, so it’s really not comparable to the comp carbon, it’s comparable to the expert, but cheaper. you’re not paying the extra money for a pound or two, you’d be paying it for the better groupset and wheels, and compared to the comp carbon it’s more like 2-3 pounds. should put some pressure on specialized!

 

[Richard Stallard]

Trek’s strategy of having different platforms for Entry Level and Top End models seems quite reasonable to me.

While I don’t disagree with the quality and design of Specialised SL bikes, the price puts them out of reach for many people, so having an entry level option with the backing of a worldwide brand like Trek could be a winner.

 

[Calcoaster]

Trek really emphasizes the new motor being almost silent, even providing graphs of its noise characteristics. The only complaint I have about my Creo is that I wish it was a little quieter, otherwise it’s the perfect (for me) bike.
When I first read about treks new pin motor, I saw that it spins at a much lower rpm than the specialized, I think it was half or less at the same cadence. I notice my Creo is almost silent at real low cadence, but at my average 85 it’s definitely noticeable unless there’s a lot of wind noise. At a cadence of 50 it’s virtually silent. Maybe specialized next gen 1.1 will spin at half the speed and be silent … AND be retro fit compatible … Slim chance of that, though.

 

[Calcoaster]

YouTube has a couple of clips of the tq hpr 50 motor noise in trek’s new mt bike and it’s really almost silent. The motor manufacture’s site shows the app it uses and it’s a lot like specialized’s, at least for programming the motor assist. Their eco mode stock setting is 55% assist with 200 w max. The high mode is 200% assist and 300 w max, all adjustable within the app. They also claim the motor efficiency is 90%, but there is still some mechanical loss through the drivetrain.
It will be interesting to see what specialized comes out with to compete with trek next year.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It will be interesting to see what specialized comes out with to compete with trek next year.

I don't think Specialized needs to be worried until Trek releases the full series of super lightweight e-bikes equipped with the same TQ motor and the system for:

• Road e-bike
• Gravel e-bike
• Fitness e-bike
• City e-bike
• Trail e-MTB
• Enduro e-MTB

So far, it is Trek to compete.

 

[Vamos]

the new Domane e-road bike now has the harmonic pin motor. very clean design, similar specs to a creo but a pound or two lighter!

the price for the top end 12 speed dura ace version is surprisingly low - that’s about what a non-electric road bike with that group costs!

Trek Domane+ SLR is an e-bike with all the ride sensations of a traditional road bicycle

Treks Domane+ SLR is genuinely an all-new animal for all-road riding and more like a traditional road ride than we've ever experienced.

bikerumor.com

I think that these Domane + SLR will give Specialized a lot of competition. As you say, they are about 2lbs lighter than a Creo. They also have 2x drive train, quieter motor with higher newton meter rating and a 165mm Q factor. The motor has been available on the Fuel EXe and had been getting good mtb reviews.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I cannot wait for the first owners in this Forum and their experiences.