Latest rider reviews

Dialled in an S-Works Roubaix SL8 after trying many wheels and saddles. With Roval CLX III wheels it feels fast, smooth and agile, only slightly slower than their Tarmac SL9, and on the same wheels the Roubaix is much smoother; runs the hardest Future Shock spring.

“Overall, the bike feels great. With CLX III wheels, it feels fast, smooth, agile, and just a little slower than the Tarmac SL9.”

Owns a Roubaix SL8 and says the Future Shock is what makes the bike; it adds a little weight, but they believe suspension adds performance on the right roads. Rides stock 32 mm tyres and just fitted 40 mm Terra Speeds for a trip.

“I know alot of people are down on the future shock but to me it’s what makes the Roubaix. It does add weight which is a little annoying but that really only matters on the scale.”

A larger rider with a 2026 Allez Comp is very happy with it and has ridden it stock over rough roads without trouble. On rides of up to two hours the only comfort limit has been the stock saddle.

“I’ve got the 2026 Allez comp. I’ve been very happy with it, and have taken it (stock) on some nasty roads without issue.”

Has owned a Tarmac SL7 from new since 2022 and rides it often. Sees no reason to move to the SL8 or SL9: the frame is still stiff and aero, with internal routing and room for 32 mm tyres, so only parts or wheels would change.

“I ride mine often and have had it new since 2022. when I ride that bike, I see no reason to upgrade. only components if I choose or wheels. frame is still plenty still, aero, internal routing, clearance for 32”

Owns both a Tarmac SL7 and an SL9 and feels no real difference between them; swapping wheelsets changes the ride far more. Does not find the SL9 more compliant, though notes that they set tyre pressure carefully for comfort.

“I also don’t feel the SL9 to be more compliant but might be the case that I focus on the correct tire pressure to achieve a comfortable ride.”

Bought a Domane SL 5 Gen 4 with 105 as their first road bike about six months into riding, a year ago, and is very happy with it. Says the carbon frame helped them progress, has since upgraded to Ultegra Di2, and thinks an aluminium bike would have been replaced within a year.

“I went with the SL5 Gen 4 with the 105 gear set and was extremely happy I did. Having the carbon frame really helped me progress in riding. I have since upgraded the gear set to the Ultegra Di2.”

Wanted a Domane SL 6 Gen 5 but it was back-ordered, so bought the SL 4 and fitted used Bontrager carbon wheels with GP 5000 tyres, which made a huge difference. Finds the Tiagra drivetrain pretty nice, with a 36-tooth cassette for easier climbing.

“I ended up buying an SL4 and found some used Bontrager carbon wheels with GP 5000 tires. Made a huge difference. The Tiagra drivetrain is actually pretty nice and has a 36 tooth cassette for easier climbing.”

Bought a used Domane SLR 7 Gen 4 with Ultegra Di2, 45 mm carbon wheels and 32 mm tyres. Next to a Swift Ultravox it feels less nimble and responsive, yet on their usual 54 km loop they averaged 4 km/h faster at the same effort with a lower heart rate, which they put down to less fatigue from road buzz.

“Coming from a Swift Ultravox, which felt a lot more nimble and snappy, the Domane felt a lot less responsive and a bit less fun. It felt slower too.”

Started as a complete novice on a Domane AL 2 Gen 4 with mechanical brakes and 8-speed Claris. A year later, with better skills and fitness, they outgrew the drivetrain and are having 12-speed 105 fitted.

“I bought the Al2 Gen 4, with mechanical brakes and 8 speed claris. One year later,better biking skills ,better fitness now as well. Just updated to 12 speed 105 ,still in the shop getting installed.”

Replaced a Giant Defy Pro they rode for eight years with an Aethos 2 Pro. Says it fits like a glove, is comfortable on long rides and fast, accelerates superbly on climbs and feels solid descending; a little twitchy at first, and the electronic shifting won them over.

“I decided to get the Atheos 2 Pro. It fits like a glove. Comfortable in long rides. A little twitchy but got used to it quickly. It’s fast. Acceleration on hills is amazing. Descending feels solid.”

Moved from a Gen 7 Madone SLR to a Gen 8 SLR with the same SRAM Force group. Finds the new frame much stiffer, which they prefer, and plans 30 mm tyres for comfort; the new sizing was odd and needed a shorter seatpost to reach their fit.

“Although the bike being stiffer was a problem to them I actually much prefer this and will just use bigger tires (30s) instead of stock (28s)”

Rides a Domane SL7 Gen 4 and ordered a Madone SL7 Gen 8 after a test ride. Found the fit comfortable straight away and the ride very different from the Gen 7 Madone: comfortable and fast, close to the Domane. Liked the 39/42 handlebar enough to order an RSL bar and move the stock one to the Domane.

“After test riding it, I found it very comfortable out of the box without doing anything special regarding fit. Totally different ride experience compared to the Madone Gen 7. The Madone Gen 8 is a great bike.”

Owns a Roubaix SL8 Sport with mechanical 105 and a Tarmac SL8. The Roubaix rides far more comfortably on bumpy roads and light gravel, but is less stiff and reactive and transfers power worse, so the Tarmac is their main bike and the Roubaix is for winter and rough roads.

“The ride quality is great and absorbs the bumps much better than my Tarmac SL8 (105 di2). It is less stiff and less reactive than the Tarmac though.”

Runs a 2026 Allez with two wheelsets, 30 mm road and 35 mm gravel tyres. Has ridden a few gravel and rail trails on it and it feels great, but 35 mm is the widest tyre the frame takes.

“I have a 2026 Allez with two wheel sets, one with 30mm race tires and one with 35mm gravel tires. I have done a few gravel/rail trails with it and it feels great”

Has ridden their Tarmac SL7 up and down mountains and finds it as current as anything they could buy now. Thinks the SL8 and SL9 are only marginally better climbers and that the one-piece Roval cockpit removes any reason to upgrade.

“I’ve been up and down mountains on my SL7 and it’s as current as anything else I could buy now, small reasons for upgrading won’t be worth the trouble for at least another tarmac iteration or 2.”

Upgraded from a Tarmac SL7 to a Tarmac SL9 Expert and says it just wants to fly, while feeling clearly more comfortable than the SL7.

“Tarmac 9 expert.. this thing just wants to fly. Upgraded from an sl7. Definitely feels more comfortable than my sl7.”

Bought a Domane SL 6 Gen 4 on sale and is really happy with it; chose it over X-Lab bikes they test rode because it fit better. After always riding aluminium, they are still getting used to the extra care a carbon frame needs.

“First, I love Trek. I bought a Domane SL 6 Gen 4 on sale for $3,899, and I’m really happy with it.”

Rode a Domane SL 6 AXS Gen 5 in June and liked it, especially the AXS shifting. Coming from a Madone it felt a little slower on 35 mm tyres instead of 28s, but expects it to be very comfortable and stable, and plans to buy a 1x version with 40 mm tyres for rough roads and light gravel.

“I got to ride one in June and it was great! I’m a SRAM fan so the AXS was great as usual. I currently ride a Madone so it was a little slower going from 28 to 35mm tires.”

Overall happy with a Domane AL 2 Gen 4, but the 8-speed Claris cassette leaves them between gears at their preferred cadence. Considering swapping the stock 11-34 for a 12-28 to get closer gear steps, since the Chicago area has few real climbs.

“Overall happy with my Domane Al 2 Gen 4, but the 8 speed Shimano Claris cassette has been killing me - feels like I’m always between gears for preferred cadence.”

Ordered a size S Madone SLR 7 Gen 8 after a test ride. Found the sizing spot on (a size M felt too big) and the power transfer excellent; also owns a Domane SLR 7 and an Émonda SLR 7.

“Have a S SLR7 gen 8 on order comes in this week. On my test ride the sizing was perfect! And the power transfer is amazing.”

Upgraded from a 2011 Specialized Dolce Elite to a new Roubaix SL8 Comp. On the first 50 km loop they set their fastest-ever 50 km and loved the wider tyres, Di2 shifting and disc brakes; the old bike was comfortable, but they did not know what they were missing.

“Took her out today for her first 50k circuit (and my fastest ever 50k) and loved every second. The wider tires, Di2 electronic shifting, disc brakes… amazing!”

Rides a non-S-Works Tarmac SL7 with upgrades, including the Rapide cockpit, and absolutely adores it; calls it the best-looking Tarmac and plenty of bike for non-racing riding.

“I’m not racing but I absolutely adore mine with the upgrades. Not an S-works but it’s enough for me for sure!”

A 54-year-old new road rider has had a Domane SL 6 AXS Gen 5 for three weeks in the North SF Bay, picked after a pre-purchase bike fit. Loves it: surprisingly comfortable on the tubeless 35 mm tyres, 50 miles in the past week, and good service from the shop after a slow-speed fall.

“My biggest surprise was how comfortable the bike is… 35mm tires are helping that with tubeless. I rode 50 miles this week alone and I love it more each time out”

Has had a Domane AL 2 Gen 4 for a year for road and gravel, chosen over a Checkpoint for its 2x gearing. Rode the Delaware tow path on the stock 32 mm tyres without trouble, finds it comfortable with fine Claris shifting, and has fitted tubeless Girona Pro tyres for trail bikepacking.

“I rode road and gravel last year on the Delaware Tow Path with no problems on the stock 32’s. The bike is comfortable and shifts fine with the Clairis.”

Bought a 2027 Domane SL 5 Gen 5 after test riding it back to back with a discounted Gen 4 and could not feel the missing IsoSpeed, even with an elbow problem. Calls the ride simply smooth on 35 mm tubeless tyres, and misses only the dropped downtube storage.

“Trek's bet is basically that a 35mm tire at low pressure does more than a frame pivot ever did, and after a couple hours on cracked pavement and some crushed limestone, I think they're right.”

Commutes daily on a Domane AL 2 and calls it the perfect commuter for the price. It is heavy for a road bike, the mechanical disc brakes are slow to bed in, and it is not the most comfortable on gravel; recommends replacing the stock tyres.

“I use it for the daily commute and it's perfect. It is heavy for a road bike, and the mechanical disc brakes don't bed in very quickly, but it's a pleasure for only $1500 Aussie bucks.”

Moved up from a Trek FX1 hybrid to a Domane AL 2 Gen 4 a year after starting to ride, loves it and rode their first near-century on it. Thinks the AL 4 with Tiagra and hydraulic brakes is the sweet spot if the budget allows, and plans to keep the AL 2 for years.

“I started cycling in June 2023 on an FX1. Got a Domane AL2 Gen 4 the following summer and I love it. I completed my first (almost) century last summer.”

A lifelong road and mountain biker who races an Émonda keeps a Domane AL 2 Gen 4 for relaxed rides and, with different tyres, gravel. Loves the frame and the comfortable, welcoming position; the stock groupset leaves a lot to be desired next to Ultegra Di2 but is solid and does the job.

“have this exact same bike for chill rides with the spouse or swapping tires and using it as a gravel bike. I absolutely love this bike, the frame feels great and the ergonomics are comfortable and welcoming.”