Originally released as an endurance road bike designed to take riders wherever the road took them, from wins at Paris-Roubaix to their first century. Now in its fourth iteration, the Domane is as refined and versatile as ever, with a performance focus bringing with it a new lightweight frame, space for big tyres and the same smooth ride quality as its predecessors. Join us as we take you through all you need to know about the 2023 Trek Domane SL, SLR and RSL.
- Related Reading: We currently have a Domane SLR 7 eTap on hand for review; keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks for a full review.
A Winning Debut
While the fourth generation Domane in all-new keen-eyed viewers will note that the bike was first revealed to the public at the Spring classics, with the men’s and women’s pro teams riding the new steed to great success at Paris Roubaix. On the women’s front, Elisa Longo Borghini won from a breakaway aboard the new model, while teammate Lucinda Brand also finished on the podium in third. The Domane has a history of success at the cobbled classics dating back to Fabian Cancellara continuously racing the platform to success from 2012 to his retirement in 2016, while Lizzie Deignan famously won the first iteration of the Paris-Roubaix femmes aboard a Domane in 2021.
Lighter, Aero and Mechanical Friendly
Arguably the biggest shake-up for the Domane line-up is the generous weight savings offered both at SL and SLR levels. Range-topping SLR variants make do with Trek’s latest OCLV 800 series carbon fibre, which, combined with the IsoSpeed tweaks detailed below, cleave up to 700g off the complete weight, while SL level builds save up to 300g.
During the launch presentation, Trek stated that one of the main goals with the fourth generation was to get the entry-level SL 5 under 9kg for a complete build. The weights for the entire product line-up range from 8.93kg for the entry-level SL 5 down to a competitive 7.25kg in a Size 56 SLR 9, so it's safe to say it's a tick in that regard.
Outside of the weight savings, the frame is a much more refined platform than its predecessor, particularly in the aerodynamics department. Trek has deployed its Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) tube shaping to key areas of the Domane, evident particularly in the deeper headtube design, truncated downtube and hourglass-shaped top tube. Also claimed to assist in the aero department is the move to a d-shaped seatpost. While Trek hasn’t provided any wind tunnel data to boast the aero gains made, cleaving that much weight and adding slippery frame tube shapes are sure to have a tangible effect in the real world.
The 2023 Domane also sees a number of consumer-friendly tweaks to assist with serviceability. Included in these is a revised integrated cable system that sees the housings from the front of the bike enter in front of the steerer tube, a T47 bottom bracket standard, and wireless and mechanical groupset compatibility across both SL and SLR level frames while the internal storage system carries over from its predecessor.
Pared Back IsoSpeed
Sitting as the Wisconsin outfit's most popular road-going model, there’s no denying that the IsoSpeed vibration dampening system first unveiled on the original Domane does a splendid job at soaking up road buzz and adding some much-needed comfort to longer rides. However, with the widespread adoption of wider, more compliant tyres, and in an effort to save some weight, Trek has decided to simplify its IsoSpeed elastomer technology. This means removing it entirely from the front of the bike, which makes for much more fuss-free servicing, and revising the cumbersome, adjustable rear IsoSpeed system into a simpler, non-adjustable system that is incorporated into the seatpost/downtube junction. The simpler system is said to retain the same compliance and ride quality as its predecessor without the weight penalty of the old adjustable system.
Space for Wide Rubber and Accessories
While the fourth generation has dipped into performance a little more than its predecessors, there’s still a host of features that boost the versatility of the new machine. Working in harmony with the simpler IsoSpeed system, the fourth generation Domane will comfortably fit tyres up to 38mm wide (35mm with mudguards fitted) and is available on bike shop floors with 32mm tyres fitted as standard. Trek themselves say that this 38mm measurement is on the conservative side and allows for 6mm of additional clearance around the tyre, meaning that wider rubber could potentially be used if you’re looking for a bike to pull double duty.
On the accessory front, the Domane also features mounting points for mudguards as standard, while both SL and SLR frames score mounting points on the top tube for a bento bag, perfect for those long meandering rides.
Limited Edition
Also announced alongside the Domane SL and SLR was an exclusive RSL option. Originally made to the exacting standards of the men’s and women’s pro teams, the Domane RSL is available as a frameset only and is said to save over 100g over the range-topping SLR model. This is largely a result of removing both the mudguard and bag mounts mentioned above, while the clearance is limited a little more to 35mm, and the downtube storage compartment has also been removed. Geometry-wise, the RSL features Trek’s H1.5 fit, which is more aggressive, thanks to a shorter top tube and increased reach over the Endurance fit offered on the Domane SL and SLR.
Pricing and Availability
At the time of publishing, Both the SL and SLR models are set to be available from selected Trek dealers from launch in limited quantities, with more stock set to follow in the coming weeks. Weights (measured Size: 56CM), prices and specs of the Australian range are listed below.
Domane SL
Domane SL 5: RRP AU$4,999.99. 8.93kg, OCLV 500 Frame and Fork, Shimano 105 R7000 mechanical 11-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Paradigm SL wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SL 6: RRP AU$6,499.99. 8.90kg, OCLV 500 Frame and Fork, Shimano 105 R7170 Di2 12-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SL 6 eTap: RRP AU$6,499.99. 8.89kg, OCLV 500 Frame and Fork, SRAM Rival eTap AXS 12-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SL 7 eTap: RRP AU$9,499.99. 8.48kg, OCLV 500 Frame and Fork, SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-speed disc groupset w/ power meter, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR
Domane SLR 6 P1: RRP AU$10,999.99 . Weight TBA, OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, Shimano 105 R7170 Di2 12-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR 6 eTap P1: RRP AU$11,599.99. 8.25kg, OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, SRAM Rival eTap AXS 12-speed disc groupset w/ power meter, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR 7 P1: RRP AU$12,299.99. 7.89kg, OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra R8270 Di2 12-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR 7 eTap P1: RRP AU$13,199.99. 8.38kg, OCLV 500 Frame and Fork, SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-speed disc groupset w/ power meter, Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR 9 P1: RRP AU$16,999.99. 7.25kg, OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 12-speed disc groupset, Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheelset, Bontrager R3 32c tubeless tyres.
Domane SLR 9 eTap P1: RRP AU$17,499.99. 7.80kg, OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-speed disc groupset w/ power meter, Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheelset, Pirelli PZero Race TLR 30c tubeless tyres.
Domane RSL Frameset: RRP AU$5,600.00. OCLV 800 Frame and Fork, H1.5 Fit
Prices correct at time of publishing and are subject to change
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