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All-new Trek Domane drops adjustable & front IsoSpeed for 700g weight savings, adds room for bigger tires!

Domane SLR 6 Etap
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The all-new Trek Domane lost its super-secret status after winning the 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes by Trek-Segafredo’s Elisa Longo Borghini. Now on its fourth generation, the Trek Domane SL and SLR are getting an aero makeover but maintaining the all-day comfort for which the line is known.

Trek Domane 2023 Paris Roubaix
Photo credit: Trek Bikes

Trek Domane 2023 — Lighter, faster, and fits 38mm tires

Trek cut significant weight from the previous version of the Domane Sl and SLR. The new models weigh around 300g (SL) & 700g (SLR) less than the previous generation.

Trek Domane 2023 side back

How did Trek achieve this? First, the frame is simplified; the front IsoSpeed is gone entirely, same with the adjustability of the rear IsoSpeed. Plus — the carbon quality moves to 800 Series OCLV Carbon for the SLR only.

Trek Domane 2023 Full bike stem

Trek also did away with any internal cable stops on the Domane frames, so if you’re cable shifting, full housing is the only option. Along those lines, if you’re planning on running a front derailleur, you’ll need to have one with a cable stop built-in to the design.

Domane SL5 seat post jpeg

Simplified IsoSpeed

The latest version of the Trek Domane features a new iteration of the IsoSpeed rear “suspension” system, along with a new D-shaped KVF post. The D-shaped post is one of the many aerodynamic advancements for the new Domane. The frame receives an updated Kammtail tube shaping and a newly integrated cockpit that improves aerodynamics and gives a clean look.

Trek Domane 2023 Full bike d shaped post

Both Domane frames have 100 x 12 mm front, 142 x 12 mm rear spacing, and a T47 bottom bracket. The new Domane SL/SLR can accommodate up to 2x 52/36 (min 46/33) and 1x 50T chainrings for those looking to maximize their gearing options. The Domane RSL can accommodate a 54T single front chainring or 2x 54/40.

Trek Domane 2023 Full bike frame storage

Bigger tires & Internal frame storage

The new Domane features its greatest tire clearance yet, up to 38mm tires. The SL and SLR frames also have hidden fender mounts and a top tube bag mount. If you need more storage, the SL and SLR frames now share the same internal storage as the Checkpoint and others in the Trek family.

Trek Domane 2023 Paris Roubaix pro bike check

Domane Race Shop Limited (RSL) frameset

The new Domane also comes in a Race Shop Limited (RSL) frameset (and only as a frameset), which is the same design Trek-Segafredo’s Elisa Longo Borghini rode to victory. The RSL frameset prioritizes ultimate speed and performance over comfort and versatility. This frameset features a more aggressive H1.5 racing fit, ditches the downtube storage (saving about 100g), and features a smaller tire clearance (35mm max) to be the lightest version possible. The Domane RSL frameset is only available in 52 – 60cm sizes.

Domane SLR 6 white pearl

Trek Domane SL/SLR geometry

The Trek Domane SL and SLR have the same Trek “endurance” or H2 geometry. The H2 geometry features a higher top tube and a slightly longer wheelbase to give the bike a stable feel no matter the terrain. The all-new Domane SL and SLR frames boast a wide range of sizes, starting at 44cm and ending at 62cm.

rek Domane 2023 Geometry_Domane_SL_SLR

Trek Domane RSL geometery

The Trek Domane RSL features Trek’s race-focused geometry; the aggressive H1.5 geometry. The H1.5 is a new moniker for Trek geo, blending the H1 we see on the road race line and the less aggressive H2 geo. For the Domane RSL, this means a lower head tube; for example, in a size 54cm frame, the Domane RL/SLR has a head tube of 16cm, and the RSL framesets are 10cm. Comparing stack and reach; the same 54cm frameset, the Domane SL/SLR has a stack of 57.5 with a reach of 37.4, and the Domane RSL stack is 52.7cm with a reach of 39cm. The wheelbase is slightly shorter comparing the 54cm Domane SL/SLR and RSL frameset, 101cm for the SL/SLR, and 99.8cm for the RSL.

Trek Domane 2023 Geometry_Domane RSL

What does this mean? You must stay on top of your yoga routine and double-check your fit if you want to ride the same frameset as the pros. The H1.5 geo also means this version of the Domane should handle more like a road bike and less like a gravel bike.

Domane SLR6 studio

Trek Domane 2023 SL/SLR and RSL Key Features

  • All-new, lighter, non-adjustable rear IsoSpeed system / Front IsoSpeed removed to shed weight
  • 800 Series OCLV carbon on Domane SLR and RSL
  • Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) tube shaping and an all-new integrated cockpit for improved aerodynamics
  • Top tube bag mount for clean installs on big days out
  • Price ranges, starting with the Domane SL5 for $3,499.99 and ending with SLR eTap at $13,199.99
  • Available: Now

Trek Domane 2023 Paris Roubaix on the cobbles

All-new race-focused Domane RSL frameset

  • Frameset only sizes 44cm-60cm
  • Race-orientated H1.5 geometry
  • No downtube storage saves 100 g over standard SLR frame
  • 35 mm max tire clearance
  • Won 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes under Elisa Longo Borghini!
  • Price: $4,199 (frame, fork, and seatpost)
  • Available: Now

Domane SLR 6 Etap

Trek Domane 2023 Models and pricing

The popularity of the Trek Domane requires a vast amount of build options, and Trek delivers on that with fourteen different build options. The options range from the Domane SL5 with Shimano 105 with Bontrager tubeless alloy wheels ($3,499) to a Project One Domane SLR with SRAM eTap and Bontrager RSL tubeless carbon wheels ($13,199).

Trek Domane 2023 Full bike full bike glamor

It’s safe to say that if you’re looking for a Domane with a particular build or spec, out of the fourteen options, one should stick out… As long as you’re OK with a starting price of at least $3,499 that is.

Trek Domane 2023 Availability

The new Trek Domane SL, SLR, and RSL will be available globally on trekbikes.com and through Trek’s global network of retail partners. Curious how it rides? Read our first impressions here! 

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Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago

RSL version has trail value of only 51-52mm.
That’s because it share the same fork offset as the regular version.
But that fork (offset) is designed to work with slacker HTA.
So, when pair with steeper HTA of RSL version. Then we get possibly the fastest handling feel bike in production. Most other racing road bike have 56-62mm trail. Here the RSL bring it down to 51-52mm.

Vik kov
Vik kov
1 year ago
Reply to  Hexsense

Quite the opposite of domane idea, as stable and confident bike. My tarmac sl5 disc was 51-52mm and it was a bit too fast. 53-55 works a bit better Imho

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago
Reply to  Hexsense

The RSL’s HTA isn’t steep. The trail figure for the new Madone (which has their long standing geometry) is between 5.6-5.8 on the core size bikes and Trek’s geo and handling have been very neutral for decades now.

Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinger

It’s relative.
RSL HTA isn’t that steep but it’s way steeper than regular version which the 53mm offset fork design to work with.

Madone with similar HTA has 40-45mm fork offset. So their trail value is neutral 56-58mm. The 53mm fork offset makes Domane RSL’s trail value low.

Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinger

If Madone and Emonda which is racier than Domane has 56-58mm trail.

Is it not worth mentioning that Domane RSL has 51-52mm trail?
An endurance bike which has significantly faster handling than their all out race bike…
To me, it’s a detail worth pointing out and explain why.

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago
Reply to  Hexsense

The HTA’s of RSL Domane and stock are differ by less than 1 degree in most instances. Madone/Emonda are more than 1 degree steeper. Domane has many other geometry differences that add stability like longer chainstays, much more BB drop, etc. Trail is worth pointing out but it’s not the only determining factor in how the bike will handle. The RSL/Pro geometry has been around for 3 iterations of these bikes. I had one. It was more stable and less twitchy/responsive than the Emonda’s and Madones.

Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago
Reply to  Dinger

Yes there are other factors that contribute to stability. But
from my test, trail value is by far the biggest indicator of how the bike handle user input.
Longer wheelbase and lower bb do wonder increasing traveling direction stability against terrain irregularity. But when rider tilt the bike, either to corner or just rocking it out of the saddle, the trail value is the one big factor to consider. HTA is second order factor. HTA affect the trail value so it indirectly make the bike handle slower or faster. But still, trail value is the one that indicate how much the bike try to re-center itself up right.

Trek Domane Pro 2017 has 59-61mm trail value. They pair steeper HTA with less fork offset versus a more regular “endurance” version. 51-52mm trail is new to this version RSL as far as I see. Correct me if I’m wrong, with a geometry of older Pro that has low trail value please.
https://geometrygeeks.bike/bike/trek-domane-sl-6-pro-2017/

Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago
Reply to  Hexsense

Reply to myself after more search,
There indeed, exist Domane RSL 2017 with this same low trail value.
https://geometrygeeks.bike/bike/trek-domane-slr-pro-endurance-rsl-2017/

So… 51-52mm trail isn’t new but still uniquely only available in RSL/ Pro geometry Domane.

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago
Reply to  Hexsense

Another fly in the ointment is that there were two “Pro” geometries available in Domane. Classics (which is like this one) and Koppenburg (which was a H1 Domane with handling geometry much closer to Emonda/Madone’s.

But again, the trail figure works in concert with everything else. As mentioned, I rode one of these for a couple of seasons. It was most definitely a lazier handling bike than the standard geometry. It simply didn’t feel as “athletic” as a more conventional geometry. Really good for sitting in the saddle and tapping out he pace, though.

Fred
Fred
1 year ago

So wait, the SL5 is the older Shimano 105, and the new Gen4 SL6 which used to be Ultegra now has the new 105 Di2 at the old price point, and now Ultegra Di2 has moved upmarket to the SL7. Holy price increases. Bicycle prices are insane, no thank you. As consumers, we should stop buying for a while until prices get to be sane.

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Fred

Second’d on the price. Trek here seems to offer very poor value when compared to many of their competitors. For ~20% less you can get a very similarly-spec’d bike elsewhere. And Trek continues to do the strange thing where if you buy SL 6, you can get interesting colors; pay more for SL 7 tier and suddenly it’s available in just white and gray.

TypeVertigo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

Trek hasn’t really been good value for many years, IMHO. In my neck of the woods, you buy a Trek to set yourself apart from “plebs” who buy, say, Giants.

While I appreciate the innovation Trek brings to the table, I haven’t been swayed away from my pleb-machine because of the inherent “tax” Trek commands.

JEREMY MOORE
JEREMY MOORE
1 year ago
Reply to  TypeVertigo

The big companies like Trek, Specialized and Giant have little deviation in price when you compare competent specs with the right carbon layup model. The richies are buying the higher end carbon from all these brands or actual niche brands like Colnago, Pinarello, or something custom etc.

JEREMY MOORE
JEREMY MOORE
1 year ago
Reply to  Fred

Their expenses are going up. They’re not lowering the price for you. It’s not like they’re having any trouble selling at those prices either.

willy
willy
1 year ago
Reply to  JEREMY MOORE

i dont fully understand ppl who buy these bikes for 13-14k. the value is horrible in my eyes. they’ll be 50% cheaper in 2y too. did everyone make a ton more money except me in the last 2y? lol

Dinger
Dinger
1 year ago
Reply to  willy

Very few people spend that kind of money on a bike at retail. The volumes are tiny. 105-Ultegra are the majority of sales.

DefRyder
DefRyder
1 year ago

Holy guacamole, the pricing structure! I guess we’ll be thanking Trek soon for heralding the return of steep discounts cuz not many regular customers like us can afford questionably specs & price points.

Dingo
Dingo
1 year ago

Ummm the last one fit 38s. So no, not the biggest tire yet.

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