Trek Domane Disc 6.9 Long-Term Review

Trek Domane Disc 6.9 Long-Term Review

Ride and managing: Moreprecise, greater braking, and (potentially) a fair smoother ride Which the Domane Disc offers better braking performance compared to standard Domane comes as no real shock, especially given Trek's decision to look with Shimano's exceptional (and highly refined) R785 hydraulic set up. As we've experienced before, there's fantastic electric power on tap using minimal hand effort plus a positive initial bite that's far from grabby or overly abrupt.

Even greater, that power is exceptionally simple control with exceptional lever feel no discernable fade even on long descents, as well the performance is unflappably in step with rain, heat, and mud having minimum effect. We did experience some noise when the rotors got hot plus a bit of lever tremble (more on of which later) but in any other case, there's little in order to complain about.

Pretty tellingly, at one level during testing all of us climbed back onboard another test motorbike with broken-in Mavic Exalith 2-treated tires – arguably the benchmark for edge brake performance – as well as the difference was akin to worries with disc brakes as opposed to drums.

Even so, it's the ancillary changes that go with the move in order to disc brakes that contain us so looking forward to the Domane Disk – namely, the switch in order to thru-axles at both ends as well as the increased tyre clearance.

The standard Domane which consists of quick-release dropouts is no slouch with regards to frame stiffness – and in fact, Trek confirmed that it is nearly on par while using edgier Madone regarding drivetrain efficiency and also even better with regards to front-end stiffness. Not surprisingly, then, we couldn't discover any difference within rear-end stiffness caused by the stouter network.

We did, nevertheless, notice a moderate boost in handling precision up front, particularly on bumpier surfaces for instance crushed gravel and washboarded dirt roadways. Moreover, the more precise fit of the thru-axles relative in order to open dropouts meant we could repeatedly get rid of and reinstall both equally wheels without inducing any pad rub about the rotor.

Given the company's global market and various national basic safety guidelines, Trek officially can easily only officially agree to the Domane Disk worldwide for use with tyres no wider compared to included 25mm Bontrager treads. However, we found a good amount of room for 30mm-wide Challenge Strada Bianca open up tubulars and their influence on the bike's ride was revelatory.

Evidently, the bigger tyres generated immense cornering grip in conjunction with improved drive and braking traction on looser country roadways. While they of course added some fat, they also tempered usually the one major criticism we've got on the in any other case excellent Domane software: the disparate ride quality involving the front and rear ends (and at an authentic complete weight regarding just 7. 52kg/16. 58lb within stock form devoid of pedals, it's a very capable climber using some leeway about the scale).

Trek's novel IsoSpeed fit cluster pivot is equally as fantastic as about the standard Domane, turning standard sidewalk into glass and flattening even washboarded dust roads into something that's a great deal more tolerable. Combined while using well tuned carbon frame, the Domane Disc's hind end is exceptionally effective in squelching vibration while also devouring greater bumps – a new trait no endurance bike from other individuals has managed to realize to this amount.

However, the front conclusion rides notably rougher because there is no IsoSpeed-like mechanical gadget up there in order to even things available. The higher-volume tyres go quite a distance toward accomplishing of which, and it's a new pity Trek won't include them because stock equipment. Should you be careful about that wide-profile tyres you ultimately choose, the bike truly even rolls through the road faster as compared to before, even from substantially lower inflation pressures.

Otherwise, the regular Domane traits take over, including the awesome stability from speed, surefooted cornering traits, and comfortable cycling position. The front conclusion can admittedly feel a little floppy when relocating more slowly, however, and tighter corners require a little more conviction to tear through given the long wheelbase and slack angles.

We're happy to accept those eccentricities in trade for the incredibly confident high-speed ways, however, and even the super-tall front end may be largely tempered by swapping into a shorter headset cover along with a more aggressively angled base.

Frame: Progressive design and style, slick aesthetics

Even though the front triangle of the Domane Disc differs little in the standard OCLV 600-Series carbon Domane save for the altered internal wire routing setup, the rear end and fork are totally new.
 

Trek mounts the rear brake caliper towards the chainstay so the seatstays now achieve further rearward to make room before arcing back down to meet the dropouts. Those dropouts may also be far meatier than before to make room for the bulkier thru-axle electronics and since there is no conventional rear braking mechanism mount required, the seatstays go bridge-free.

Normally, the standard Domane capabilities carry over, such as tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in entrance end, the 90mm-wide BB90 bottom bracket shell using directly pressed-in bearings, a built-in chain catcher, keenly undetectable mudguard mounts, along with a pocket in the non-driveside chain remain for Bontrager's DuoTrap instant speed and cadence sensor.

In advance, Trek retains the conventional Domane's radically bent fork, which the creator claims offers a lot more bump absorption compared to a more conventional set up (and we'd agree, at least into a point). As while using frame, the dropouts are substantially bigger than on the edge brake variant so that you can accommodate the ungainly convertible thru-axle dropouts even though some of that visible mass is concealed because of the integrated post bracket brake caliper an eye.

Equipment: Fantastic Shimano hydraulic/Di2 team and solid Bontrager products
Our top-end Domane Disk 6. 9 model came loaded towards the gills with top quality equipment that integrated a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic transmission mated in order to R785 hydraulic levers and brake calipers, new Bontrager Affinity TLR Disk aluminium clincher tires, and a number of carbon and lightweight alloy Bontrager finishing set.

As we've famous on previous events, there's little negative that could be said about the unflappable Dura-Ace Di2 tranny – push the buttons as well as the chain moved through the various cogs and chainrings with impressive speed and perfection, all with however the slightest wiggle of this finger. And as we've already mentioned above, the associated R785 brakes are exactly what fans would want beyond a high-end hydraulic highway disc system.

Our complaints are usually fairly minor and limited by insufficient tactile feedback about the shift buttons and many persistent rattling in the levers on hard roads. We were able to eliminate most of the latter with several tiny bits regarding thick tape applied just within the lever body but we'd obviously favor that Shimano metal out this bug in the factory.

Otherwise, we were currently quite familiar with a lot of the excellent Bontrager finish kit, such for the reason that cushy Race Back button Lite IsoZone carbon bar, the reliably sturdy Race Back button Lite forged lightweight alloy stem, and the light-yet-comfortable Paradigm RXL seat.

We were pleasantly surprised, however, by the Affinity Elite TLR Disk wheelset. Though not especially light only over 1, 600g each set, the seventeen. 5mm-wide (internal width) aluminium rims provide a reasonably spacious basis for wider tyres and they've proven impressively solid with no truing required despite repeated bashing on less-than-ideal roads. Time will tell if your latest incarnation regarding Bontrager's house-brand hubs will last (the company has once again moved away via DT Swiss).

Potential buyers should make realize that the Domane Disc's entrance and rear thru-axle dimensions are distributed to mountain bikes so you'll also be capable of swap in numerous 29er wheels, as well.

 

Bottom line: Wonderful long-distance cruiser
Altogether, we found the Domane Disc 6. 9 to just one component away from being a wickedly capable software for eating in place long stretches regarding road – any kind of road, as as it happens. We love the item as is but upgrading to high-performance, higher-volume tyres makes the bike truly exceptional.

Prices £6000
Specifiactions :

• Brand: Domane Disc 6. 9 (14)
• Built by: Trek
• Available Colours: black
• Available Dimensions: 50cm 52cm 54cm 56cm 58cm 60cm 62cm
• Bottom Bracket: Trek BB90 simply by Enduro
• Brakes: Shimano BR-R785
• Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000
• Archipelago: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
• Cranks: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000
• Fork: Trek Domane IsoSpeed whole carbon disc
• Figure Material: OCLV 600-series carbon fiber
• Front Drailer: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070
• Top Tyre: Bontrager R3 Hard-Case En aning
• Front Tyre Sizing: 700x25C
• Grips/Tape: Bontrager gel cork
• Handlebar: Bontrager Contest X Lite IsoZone
• Headset Variety: integrated, sealed cartridge displaying
• Rear Drailer: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070
• Rear Tyre: Bontrager R3 Hard-Case En aning
• Rear Tyre Sizing: 700x25C
• Saddle: Bontrager Paradigm RXL
• Seatpost: Bontrager Ride-Tuned Co2 seatmast
• Shifters: Shimano ST-R785
• Originate: Bontrager Race Times Lite
• Weight (kg): 7
• Wheelset: Bontrager Affinity Elite TLR Compact disk
• Year: 2014
• Chainring Sizing (No of Teeth): 34 50
• Weight (lb): sixteen. 58
• Brake Levers: Shimano ST-R785
• Figure size tested: 52cm

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