Trek’s road bike range has everything covered, whether you’re looking for outright speed, a lightweight climber or comfort and endurance. If you’re thinking of upgrading or expanding your road line-up, read on to find out whether Madone, Émonda or Domane is the bike you need in your life.
The Madone is the most aero model from Trek's core road bike line-up, built for serious racers and riders who want the ultimate in speed and performance on the flat and more rolling routes. It’s great for time trials, circuit and road racing or just going out for a blast on your favorite road. The new Madone made waves when it was first unveiled last year, with the IsoFlow seat tube design attracting a lot of attention. This feature puts a diamond-shaped hole where bikes would normally have the tube, offering aero benefits, weight savings and similar ride-smoothing benefits as the IsoSpeed decoupling technology. Trek Madone has a more aggressive geometry than the Domane, meaning it is a bit lower and longer at the front of the bike, putting you in a more aero position so it cuts through the wind and allows you to carry far more speed. Madone is our pick for riders who prioritise pure speed and performance over things like comfort and climbing.
Prices for the latest “gen 7” Madone range from £7,600 for the Madone SLR 6, which comes with Shimano Di2 groupset and a 1x12 drivetrain, all the way up to £14,500 for the incredible Madone SLR 9 AXS (pictured, above). However, it is still possible to snap up bikes from previous generations for less, including the Madone SL 6, which is available at £4,800.
The Trek Émonda is a nimble lightweight bike with a construction that’s designed for quick response and for outstanding performance on the climbs. The Émonda ALR is Trek’s lightest aluminium bike, but if you’re really looking for weight savings, it’s got to be an SL or SLR model, with the 500 Series OCLV Carbon and 800 Series OCLV Carbon frames, respectively. Both are light but the 800 Series is incredible, weighing in at less than 700 grams. Like the Madone, Émonda’s geometry puts the rider in a more aerodynamic position and the frame features aero styling too, all helping to minimise drag. The Émonda is a great choice for riders who want a race bike that’s great on hills and responsive in the turns.
Prices range from £1,750 for the Émonda ALR 4 (pictured above), which features a great spec for the price and is perfect if you’re looking to get into racing. The Émonda ALR 4 is currently in our sale at £1,499 with a range of sizes and colourways in stock right now.
The range tops out at the Émonda SLR 9 AXS at £12,950, which features the 800 Series OCLV Carbon frame, ultra-light Aeolus RSL 37 wheels and SRAM's highest level RED AXS wireless electronic drivetrain. We think the SL 6 Pro Di2 Pro is an excellent mid-range pick for £4,625.
The new Trek Domane is the bike for those who want to stay comfortable for longer road rides. When it was released, the latest generation won the women’s 2022 Paris-Roubaix, one of the toughest and roughest terrains you will ever see a racer ride on, with over 90 miles of battering cobbles on the route, so it definitely has what it takes to compete. Domane features Trek's innovative IsoSpeed decoupler technology, which isolates the seat tube from the rest of the frame, soaking up the bumps, reducing fatigue and delivering an altogether smoother experience. It also has wider tyre clearance so you can run up to 38c, depending on whether you’re sticking to the roads, taking on varied terrain or heading out on light gravel, which the Domane eats up easily. This is the perfect bike for riders who are looking for slacker, more upright, stable geometry which is ideal for tourers and weekend explorers, wanting a more comfortable bike.
The entry point to the Domane range is the AL 2 at £850, which is an excellent first step into the world of comfortable day-long riding, and it extends to the SLR 9 AXS at £13,400, the official Trek-Segafredo race team replica bike. If you’d like a road bike with motor assist, Domane is the only one of Trek’s core road line-up to also feature an e-bike range.
Madone, Émonda and Domane are all brilliant bikes, with the pedigree of a racer but with their own strengths. Which is best for you obviously comes down to what kind of riding you plan to do. If you want the fastest, most aero road bike possible, then the Madone is a great choice. The Émonda is another one that’s favoured by people who want speed but the geometry better suits steeper climbs then the Emonda is a great all-rounder for a lightweight bike that can be raced on the weekend and ridden in your local club ride during the week. The Domane is the one for you if you want a road bike that’s still swift but also comfortable for longer days in the saddle or if you’re venturing off pavement.
Come along and speak to our expert team if you need advice on which is right for you, including which bike and model would suit your needs. We have dedicated roadies in our team who would love to help.
You can also try before you buy by having a test ride in our spacious car park. Remember, we make buying a bike more affordable by offering 0% finance through Klarna, part exchange and access to a number of cycle to work schemes. Please call us on 01751 474220.
