trek domane al 2 61

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2024 Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4 review: Budget all-road

An impressively versatile and previously-loved bike now held back by a pursuit of aesthetic-led design.

As a tech editor, I’m often more excited to test entry-level bikes than those with sky-high prices. Sure, a 7 kg superbike built with scrap from a space program (not really) is a hoot to ride, but it’s the balance of budget and function that intrigues me so much more about the lower end. 

Here, the assumption is often that those new to cycling will start with such a lower-cost bike. These bikes can make or break the future growth of cycling, and my hope is that the person buying such a bike has a positive experience that encourages them to stick around the sport we love so much.  

That’s where the Trek Domane AL comes in. I tested the previous iteration (released for 2021) and found it to be one of the best entry-level road bikes available. It offered a welcoming fit and confident handling without feeling dull. It provided ample tyre clearance to be used as either a road bike or light gravel bike. It was simple to keep well-tuned. Most importantly, it was an entry-level bike that I truly enjoyed riding. 

And that brings us to the latest iteration of Trek’s best-selling road bike. On paper, the new fourth-generation Domane Al retains a lot of what I liked in its predecessor, but it, of course, introduces a few new twists to the proven recipe. This is a solid bike, but as you’ll read, it fails to impress like the previous version. 

The short of it:  Trek’s most budget road bike, revamped, and still with class-leading tyre clearance. Good stuff:  Room for 40 mm tyres has this one ready for the gravel-curious. Solid build kit and frame will shrug off loaded commuting and mixed surfaces. Ready for fenders and a rack. Welcoming geometry and comfortable touch points. Bad stuff:  Disc brakes make for a heavy bike, and the mechanical disc brakes here aren’t stellar. Heavy wheels and tyres make the bike feel more sluggish than it wants to be. Through-headset cable routing makes no sense on a bike with mechanical gears and brakes. Ultimately cheap gearing and brakes for a bike that, while Trek’s entry-level, isn’t as affordable as it should be.

The new Domane Al explained 

In its modern form, the Domane Al is a dropbar bike that blurs the line between being an endurance road and an all-road bike – the latter being a category of bike that is designed with the versatility to split its time across tarmac and well-kept gravel roads. And with official room to easily clear 38 mm tyres (I comfortably fit measured 41 mm rubber in my sample), it certainly has the tyre clearance to go off-road. Still, look to the gearing and geometry, and it’s clear Trek still intends this one first and foremost for those wanting a road bike (get a gravel bike if your ambitions are predominately focused on riding off-road). 

As Trek’s most affordable road offering, the Domane Al offers a base-level aluminium frame (100 series Alpha in Trek speak) with a handful of more premium features. Many of the tubes are formed into angular shapes to handle specific forces and/or offer a unique aesthetic flourish. For example, the top tube tapers from matching the oversized head tube to that of the comparatively slender seat tube. Meanwhile, the oversized down tube is anything but round in its profile. 

Shapes aside, the most obvious new fancy feature is seen with the oversized headset bearings that now house four gear/brake housings within it which are then fed into the aluminium frame or full carbon fork. That full carbon fork on all price points of the Domane AL is new, too, included in an effort to save weight. 

With such generous tyre clearance, the frame has room and provision for full-length fenders (via a removable seatstay bridge) – with them installed, you’ll still comfortably fit 35 mm rubber. There are mounts for a top tube bag, and a third bottle cage can be mounted on the underside of the down tube. 

Component fitments are kept joyfully regular with an English threaded bottom bracket shell, a 27.2 mm seatpost, an external seatpost clamp, and flat mount brake calipers. And in a first for Trek, and perhaps a first for a road bike of this price point, there’s a Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) – a now-standard concept from the mountain bike world that not only ensures you can buy a replacement derailleur hanger anywhere, it also means the frame is ready for newer T-mount type derailleurs (first seen with SRAM Eagle Transmission ).

However, there is one exception to easy component fitments, and that’s the cable routing through the headset – I’ll return to this. 

More quality features include a small adjustable chain-catcher that’s ready in case of a shifting mishap. And then the provided thru-axles offer a nice conical interface, with a removable handle that contains a 4 mm hex key for use across the bike (for adjusting bars, seatpost, etc.) 

I’m happy to say that Trek has made no changes to the geometry since the previous iteration. Across the seven sizes, the Domane AL is intended to put the rider in a more relaxed position than a race bike. The bike also balances a longer wheelbase for stability with relatively quick steering angles to keep it feeling zoomy (61 mm trail figure in a 54 cm with 32 mm tyres). And as Trek has done with Domane for a number of years, the bike sits comparatively low to the ground with a 80 mm bottom bracket drop in the assumption you’ll be running larger-volume tyres (32 mm as stock). 

If the parts dangling off it weren’t enough proof that this bike exists to hit a certain price point, then its weight certainly offers that confirmation. A 56 cm frame is quoted to weigh 1,518 g, while the matching carbon fork sits at 475 g. All told, the base-model Domane AL 2, as tested, strained my scales at 10.42 kg without pedals or cages, and while that’s far from light, it does shave about 200 g off its predecessor. 

As tested, the base-model Domane AL 2 (US$1,200 / €1,200 / £1,125 / AUD$2,000) is built with a mix of Shimano’s entry-level Claris components and a few even cheaper non-series bits for a 2×8 gearing setup. The Tektro disc brakes are of the mechanical kind with a design that pulls both brake pads simultaneously to clamp onto the disc rotor (a design concept shared with the more premium TRP Spyre brake). Meanwhile, Trek’s componentry house brand, Bontrager, is responsible for all the other pieces, including a gravel-inspired handlebar with a subtle amount of flare, a well-padded and welcoming short-nose saddle, and a simple but effective twin bolt alloy seatpost.

Potholes will be fearful of being hit by the Paradigm SL wheels, and the Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite wire-bead tyres that are ready to ride through a river of broken glass bottles. The build may be heavy, but it’ll take more knocks than a door. 

Step up to the Domane AL 4 at US$1,700 / €2,000 / £1,875 / AU$N/A and you’ll see the bike get a welcome upgrade to Shimano Tiagra 2×10 shifting and matching hydraulic disc brakes. Meanwhile, all the other bits are the same as the base model. This is the model I tested in the previous iteration and the one I sought to test again. Alas, it’s unfortunately not offered within the small island of Australia. As I’ll come to explain, this one is worth the extra expense if it’s available in your region. 

Finally, spending US$2,000 / €2,300 / £2,150 / AU$N/A gets you the Domane AL 5. This top-tier option has Shimano’s new 105 12-speed mechanical groupset , while the rest remains the same as above. 

Handling and versatility

Riding the Domane AL is a familiar and welcoming experience. Straight from the box, it offers a comparatively upright but not cramped riding position, and it can be easily (and cheaply!) tuned to offer a more leisurely or aggressive fit. 

The stock stem length (100 mm in the size tested) and new 80 mm reach handlebar left me without complaint, but my initial impressions were that it made the reach feel longer than expected, especially given how upright the position otherwise is. Those wanting a truly relaxed ride may need to swap out to a shorter stem length, while those wanting a truer road bike experience can use the 45 mm of stem spacers provided for fine-tuning the stem height.

I found my 54 cm Domane AL sample handled best with the handlebars lowered by 25 mm (lower handlebar height helps to put more weight on the front tyre and lowers your centre of gravity), however, what fits you best should be the priority. 

Either way, the Domane AL fits the way an endurance-type road bike should, and it’s a far more inviting experience for newer riders than bikes that try to mimic pure race bike geometry. It’s a fit that should have mountain bikers feeling at home, and likewise for those fresh to cycling. 

It’s easy to make a road bike stable, but make it too stable and the bike can become dull to corner with and a little lifeless in finding a rewarding flow. Trek’s proven geometry figures strike a nice balance between easy-riding stability and reactivity. The Domane AL has a longer wheelbase and slacker head angle to ensure it’s not nervous like a race bike, but then, a longer fork offset helps to reduce the trail figure for a ride that remains rewarding to dip into high-speed corners. 

In reviews, we often cover the ride quality of a frame (basically, how smooth the bike feels). The Domane AL is by no means a rattle-can like aluminium bikes of the distant past, but equally, its relatively basic tubing does mean you’ll feel the edge of larger bumps. However, so much of how this bike rides and handles is seemingly intertwined with the stock wheel and tyre setup, something I cover in the following section. 

As a budget offering, you can expect this bike to lack the same level of polish as more premium options. The welds are fairly consistent but aren’t made to look pretty. Likewise, the candy red paint (a black/grey option also exists) offers a premium look, but closer inspection shows it lacks a mirror polish. And then, every time I looked at the crooked Domane logo on the top tube I was further reminded that this was Trek’s budget offering. 

Regardless of how it rides, the Domane AL is certainly robust enough for thumping down a gravel road. Likewise, the room for actual 40 mm tyres means you can equip it for proper off-road use. However, like many road-going bikes, that larger tyre makes the gearing taller (harder), and therefore you’ll probably be wishing for easier gearing on loose steep climbs. Similarly, the frame geometry isn’t ideally optimised for such big rubber, and at least for smaller sizes, you’ll be hitting your toes against a wider front tyre (aka toe overlap) when turning at low speeds. Thankfully, no such toe overlap issues were present with the stock 32 mm tyres in the tested size 54 cm. 

When weight matters 

Physics tells us that the bike’s weight often makes a negligible difference to one’s speed. Still, one of the joys of a pure road bike is the whippy and reactive sensations earned through a light bike, and while it may not result in a huge difference in the Strava rankings, it sure can make a difference in how big of a grin you carry up the hill. 

It’s here where the Domane AL and its excess mass tend to disappoint. There’s no other way to put it, but in its stock form this bike just feels sluggish and hesitant to move. No doubt the basis for such blame comes from the disc brakes, a complaint that my colleague Caley Fretz recently articulated with his review of the more race-orientated Trek Emonda ALR . I won’t repeat that rant, but disc brakes carry increased cost and increased weight, and in an effort to save money, there’s an even bigger trade-off in the weight. However, this is an increasingly pointless argument as rim brake bikes become forever harder to find, and when you do find them, you can bet you’ll be limited to a far narrower tyre width. 

OK, so the new Domane Al is only available with disc brakes and that’s absolutely not going to change. Plus, those disc brakes are why this bike can fit gravel-sized tyres. Thankfully there is good news here as so much of this slug-like-biomimicry is simply related to the provided tyres and wheels. 

Weight is one negative to the stock Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels. Although more obvious was the penalty in rolling resistance and ride quality from the Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite wire-bead tyres (quoted and measured at 32 mm). Here, the provided tyres and wheels have the bike feeling more like an urban commuter than a sporty road bike, and one riding friend remarked that they noticed how suddenly slow(er) I was while testing this bike!

Swapping the wheels to some mid-priced Shimano 105 carbon wheels and performance-type 28 mm road tyres dropped an entire kilogram from the bike. More obvious than the weight was the night-and-day difference in the ride quality and rolling resistance. Suddenly the Domane Al felt like a road bike should – it was reactive to input and didn’t slow as noticeably when the road inclined. Equally, the wooden ride quality caused by the stiff tyres was now softened, resulting in a ride that simply felt smoother for an equivalent tyre pressure. 

Spending the value of a bike on wheels and tyres will of course always transform the ride. It’s often the best upgrade you can do to any bike, and that’s no different here. Even if the budget doesn’t allow for new wheels, changing from the stock 470-gram wire-bead tyres to a more performance-oriented folding tyre will significantly improve your average speed and feel on the bike. 

Now the stock wheels and tyres hold back the bike from being the road bike the Domane AL wants to be, but there are customers who they’re well suited for – notably commuters. Those with aspirations of riding to work during the week and enjoying the sights on the weekend will be well served by the stock wheels and tyres, just don’t expect to ride efficiently with them. 

Shifting, braking, and internal guidance  

Testing such budget bike models is always interesting – sometimes they pleasantly surprise me, other times I’m left wondering about particular specification choices. For the Domane AL 2, it’s a mix of both. 

Sitting below Sora, the Shimano Claris shifting is Shimano’s most budget dropbar option to earn an actual model name. If you were to compare it to Shimano’s mountain bike groupsets, you’d be looking at what used to be Acera (now replaced by CUES). It’s so budget, in fact, that Shimano only offers it in a mechanical brake configuration where it can be connected to rim brakes or as seen here, mechanical disc brakes. 

With both brake pads simultaneously clamping onto the disc rotor, in theory, the provided brakes are pretty good amongst a sea of ever-cheaper mechanical options. However, in practice, I was reminded once again just how stubborn the stock pads and rotor are to bed in for full power. The brakes were downright dangerous for the first 30 minutes of riding, and even once fully bedded in, the power was more comparable to a rim brake than a hydraulic disc brake system. 

While the braking power isn’t great, the Claris brake hoods are at least comfortable to hold. That’s a nice change from what the cheapest stuff used to feel like. Meanwhile, the shifting never failed to find the desired cog, but in doing so, it lacks the smoothness of Shimano’s 10-, 11-, and 12-speed shifting systems. The bigger bother was the square taper crankset that was flexy enough for me to hear the chain rub against the front derailleur when riding out of the saddle. 

Related, I found myself out of the saddle more often as the combination of the compact (50/34T) front gearing and 11-32T cassette don’t provide quite low enough gearing given the sheer weight of the bike and the larger 32 mm tyres. Adding salt to the wound, this gearing will only become a bigger issue if you choose to increase the tyre size further. 

One of our growing complaints with many modern road bikes is that the ever-increasing integration of components and hiding of cables has brought great complications to tuning how a bike fits and how easily it is serviced. Here, Trek at least gets the former right. 

The Domane AL now hides the cables through the headset but thankfully not through the handlebar or stem. As a result, there are no limitations or barriers to adjusting the height of the handlebars, the length of the stem, or the position of the saddle. All this stuff remains traditional and simple to swap and change – no advanced mechanical know-how or specialist tools are required. This semi-concealed design also means you can still box the bike for travel without much of a hiccup. Even better is that you’re unlikely to need to make any component changes as the provided parts offer a comfortable position straight from the box. 

OK, so that concealed cabling may look nice (that’s fundamentally its core purpose), but it absolutely introduces future servicing complications. Changing brake or gear outer cables is certainly more of a fiddle, but hardly a stress compared to the nightmare that will be incurred if you were to ever wear out or rust away a headset bearing that the fork steers on. Here, all the gear cables and brake cables will need to be disconnected (and likely replaced) along with the bartape in order to swap that simple bearing – a service that is likely to cost at least an extra hour of professional labour. 

Worse yet, the bearing durability is now compromised because the elements are welcome to enter through the holes for the brake and gear cables. Indeed a sweaty session on the indoor trainer or a soggy ride out on a gravel road will see contaminants begin to reach the final seals of those bearings. 

All of this is to say that I strongly believe clean aesthetics is not enough reason for brands to utilise concealed cabling on entry-level bikes – a complaint not at all exclusive to Trek. These lower-cost bikes don’t have wireless electronic gears, but rather still use mechanical gears that need smooth paths for the cables to flow. Meanwhile, the bike tested also has steel cables for the brakes, and you can bet that the marginally increased lengths of required cabling come at the cost of increased friction, greater cable compression, and therefore reduced brake efficiency. Hydraulic disc brakes help a lot here, but even then, you still have mechanical shift cables to weave. 

So what’s the answer? Well, you’re locked into this with the new Domane Al. It’s the one thing I think is an obvious (and significant) downgrade from the previous iteration of the Domane AL. And it’s one area where I think the new Specialized Allez Sport keeps things more practically modest (well worth consideration at this price point). Unfortunately for many at this price point, the effort of making such budget bikes look more premium comes at a practical cost, and Trek is joined by the likes of Orbea, Scott, and an increasing number of others in this trend.

The wrap 

Modern bicycles have improved in so many ways. The durability is impressive. The ability to run wide tyres for mixed terrain removes limitations of where and how you can ride your own bike. And no doubt, bikes are more ergonomic and better for the body than before. 

Still, I look at the combination of disc brakes and concealed cabling on a bike built with Shimano’s most entry-level gearing and can’t help but think how much better this bike could be if it had an even simpler frame and a decent rim brake. The braking would be comparable, it would be far lighter, and it would either be significantly cheaper or better equipped. 

Again, that’s not a complaint unique to Trek, but the base-model Domane AL 2 is a prime example of a bike that arguably lacks value where it matters. Indeed it’s a good bike in many aspects, but it carries a hefty asking price for a bike running shifting parts that previously came with bikes costing half as much just a handful of years ago. 

Spending more for the Shimano Tiagra-equipped Domane AL 4 immediately solves all of my issues related to the brakes and shifting. Still, it doesn’t solve for the sluggish tyres and increased complexity of the through-headset cable routing. Either way, if you do decide a Trek Domane AL is right for you, then just know that you’ll be at a speed disadvantage until you at least change the tyres. And as with any bike with through-headset cable routing, be prepared for bigger service bills through the ownership of such a bike. 

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Trek Domane AL 2 Review: High-End Endurance on a Budget

An affordable mid-range road bike for those looking to level up their weekend rides to something a bit more competitive.

The Domane AL 2 is a good bike for those looking for an introduction to competitive road racing. It may not have all the bells and whistles of an expensive road bike but provides everything needed to put some serious hours in on the tarmac.

You’ll struggle to find a road bike under $1,000 that comes equipped with the same quality parts and advanced frame geometry.

Trek Domane AL 2 Quick Overview

Main features, is trek domane al 2 worth the money, final verdict.

Overall, the Trek Domane AL 2 is an excellent introductory road bike for amateur riders looking to take their cycling to the next level.

It has a professional frame feel, but it’s not too aggressive so it doesn’t take the fun out of the ride.

If you’re looking for quality at an affordable price, it’s hard to fault the Trek Domane AL 2.

Whether you simply want comfort and performance for weekend rides or a bike that will help you compete professionally, it’ll do the job.

• Frame: 100 Series Alpha Aluminum
• Fork: Domane Carbon, fender mounts
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Claris R2000,
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Claris R2000, 8-Speed
• Number of Gears: 16
• Rear hub: Formula RX-142 alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle
• Rims: Bontrager Tubeless Ready 24-hole, 17mm
• Tire Size: 700x32c
• Weight: 23.73 lbs / 10.76 kg

Get From Trek

The Trek Domane AL 2 combines midrange Shimano components with a high-quality frame, carbon fork, and some nice finishing touches to provide a smooth, solid ride.

Lightweight endurance frame

The Domane AL 2 adopts Trek ‘s high-performance 100 Series Alpha aluminum frame for a blend of comfort and performance.

The frame aims to strike a balance between saving on weight while maintaining decent strength and stiffness.

All frames come fitted with a lightweight Trek carbon fork to keep the weight down and provide a comfortable ride.

The endurance geometry is another well-balanced work of art that manages to put the rider in a race-ready position without compromising on comfort. The frames have an average 74-degree seat tube angle with 8cm of clearance on the bottom bracket and 37.4cm of frame reach on the midsize (54cm) bike.

Frame sizes range from 44cm to 62cm to accommodate riders of almost any height. The smallest 44cm model has a 65.7cm standover height, with an 84.2cm standover height on the largest unisex model

IsoSpeed Carbon Fork

The Trek IsoSpeed headset and carbon fork is designed to provide a smoother ride while improving stiffness and reducing weight.

It features a unique dropout placement that optimizes the wheelbase and a rocker cup with zero lateral movement for extra precision.

The slightly wider fork provides additional tire clearance, allowing for wider tires if you feel the desire to tackle tougher terrain.

Shimano Claris Drivetrain

Shimano provides the gears, derailleurs, and shifters for the Domane AL 2. Trek has chosen to go with the Claris R2000 gearing system which, while not top of the range, provides a smooth shifting experience.

Claris is a well-trusted gearing system used on many midrange road bikes. Some professional riders may opt to upgrade to Shimano’s Sora or Tiagra system at a later stage but if well maintained, Claris gears shouldn’t give any trouble.

The rear cassette features 8 speeds ranging from 11T to 34T and on the front crank is a compact double ring with 50 and 34T cogs.

DuoTrap S Compatibility

The Bontrager DuoTrap S digital sensor is a nifty tool that can be attached to compatible Trek bicycles for measuring cycling data. Rather than messy, makeshift zip ties, the DuoTrap S screws securely onto the frame and transmits data wirelessly to your phone or bicycle computer.

You can use the DuoTrap’s combined ANT+ 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth signals to simultaneously send data to both your phone and a Trip 300 cycling computer. The sensor is concealed neatly on the inside of your chainstay to maintain a clean appearance and aerodynamic functionality.

Blendr Compatible Stem

The Trek Domane AL 2 features a stem that is compatible with the Blendr integration system for cycling accessories. It allows for the easy attachment of various holders for lights, computers, phone holders, and navigation systems.

Blendr is a proprietary stem attachment system developed by Trek’s Bontrager components team. It fits a wide range of purpose-built Blendr Duo Base attachments to fit almost any bicycle accessory. No need for any more fiddly screw-on or clip-on attachments that often fail, putting your devices at risk.

There are seven sizes of Trek Domane AL 2 for riders 4’11” to 6’3″

• 44 : 4’11” – 5’0″
• 49 : 5’1″ – 5’4″
• 52 : 5’4″ – 5’6″
• 54 : 5’6″ – 5’9″
• 56 : 5’9″ – 5’11”
• 58 : 5’11” – 6’1″
• 61 : 6’1″ – 6’3″

Trek Domane AL 2 is worth the money!

It fits neatly into the price range of road bikes with similar components. While you might find cheaper bikes with a Shimano Claris drivechain, not many would benefit from the same quality frame materials that Trek is famous for.

When you add the lightweight carbon fork and high-quality finishing touches, you have a bike that would be difficult to beat for around $1,000. If you can afford the extra cash for the Domane AL3 and want slightly better parts, go for it. But if you want value for money, with the Domane AL 2, you certainly can’t go wrong.

Check out our other Trek Domane reviews: AL3 , SL 4 , SL 5 , and SL 6 .

Want to read more about Trek Bikes? Check out our review on the best Trek Bicycles You Can Get .

The Domane AL 2 is part of a range of Trek bikes aimed at riders looking to advance their road cycling to the next level. While it is one of the lowest-specced bikes in the range, it is in no way a beginner’s bike.

The Domane AL 2 is the perfect bike for an amateur rider that wants to begin competing more seriously in competitions or weekend sports.

If you feel you are already past the stage of an amateur competitor, you could check out the slightly upgraded Domane AL3. It’s slightly lighter and benefits from a Shimano Sora groupset.

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Trek Domane AL 2 review

In these days of ever-increasing bike prices, Trek’s entry-level Domane is still refreshingly affordable

Dave Caudery / Our Media

Simon Withers

Great handling; excellent component specification; willing ride

The handlebar can transmit vibration at high tyre pressures on rough stuff

The class-leading Domane has always been the wild child in Trek’s triumvirate of road bikes whose names are all anagrams of each other. Shortlisted for our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year award , the AL 2 offers impressive handling and spec at an entry-level price.

Forever searching for alternate lines, not phased by rough surfaces, and with the ability to conquer almost anything, the Domane was one of the first really effective endurance bikes .

Far from the World Tour’s Paris-Roubaix winning rigs, this Domane AL 2 promises elements of those bikes’ performance at a very realistic price. Is it just marketing, or does it really work?

Trek Domane AL 2 specifications

The Domane AL 2’s frame is built from Trek’s 100 Series aluminium tubes, which include some hydroformed profiles. It’s Trek’s lowest grade of aluminium tube, as you’d expect on an entry-level road bike , but shows obvious design care, and is welded neatly throughout.

The IsoSpeed carbon fork is designed to absorb a lot of road vibration up front, with a 27.2mm alloy seatpost and well-padded saddle at the rear.

To keep costs low, Trek fitted Shimano’s 8-speed Claris groupset, although the double chainset is substituted with a non-series RS200 item, and the brakes with some unbranded Lee Chi alloy dual-pivot calipers. The alloy handlebar and stem are from Bontrager, as are the TLR wheels and tyres.

Trek Domane AL 2 geometry

The Domane follows the evolved geometry trend for endurance bikes, which is that of slightly relaxed race machines.

The head angle on my 54cm example is 71.3 degrees, with a 73.7-degree seat angle. Head tube length is kept to a sporty 16cm, while the effective top tube length is 54.2cm.

The chainstays are 42cm, the wheelbase 101cm, and bottom-bracket drop is a stability-inducing 8cm, which all suggests that the Domane AL 2 has the essential qualities to calm stormy tarmac.

Trek Domane AL 2 ride impressions

An endurance bike is intended for all road types, although predominantly tarmac. With countless miles of roads and lanes to hand, where smooth surfaces were definitely the exception, I aimed the Domane at many of my tried-and-tested training routes.

I inflated the 25mm tyres to 75-80psi, which usually works well for my 78kg, and took in every sort of climb, slog and drag I could, as well as plenty of technical corners.

Trek has designed the Domane to fit most riders, whether they prefer to get long and low, or ride in a more commanding position. Since testing the very first Domane to arrive in the UK, I’ve always found them to be an ideal fit, straight out of the box. So it proved here, with all positional options easily achievable.

Unlike its loftier brethren, and particularly the carbon Domane range , the Domane AL 2 can only count on an IsoSpeed fork to help quell roughness.

The aluminium frame, although nicely constructed, has no elements that are designed to offer any IsoSpeed-like benefits. Instead, the rear of the bike relies on the classic 27.2mm alloy seatpost and a very plush saddle. The air volume of the 25mm tyres, which measure 27.5mm wide, helps further.

Up front, Bontrager’s alloy Comp VR-C handlebar and Elite stem are fairly standard fare, with a tough black finish and rounded drops.

The head tube mimics the shaping of the carbon Domane, and is satisfyingly, organically chunky.

All of the cables are routed externally, running beneath the down tube, and the rear brake cable angles pleasingly across beneath the flattened top tube from right to left, which gives it an ideal route from the left brake lever.

Casting an eye over the AL 2 exposes the groupset shortcuts, which help keep costs down.

The non-series RS200 chainset is pretty basic, and spins on a UN300 cartridge bottom bracket, with square tapered axle ends.

These are simple fit-and-forget items that can provide decent service, but their bearings are well inside the bottom bracket shell, and this narrow arrangement makes them prone to lateral play sooner than bottom brackets with more widely spaced bearings positioned on each side of the shell.

The Domane’s plain black dual-pivot rim brake calipers aren’t named on Trek’s component spec, but a check of the spare parts list shows them to be Lee Chi items.

From the lever, their action feels quite lively, but whatever Trek has used for the brake pads seems to be allergic to alloy rims, as they have no bite, just a very wooden feel with no pad compression or the ability to increase pressure and stop faster.

I didn’t get the chance to ride them in the wet, but I doubt that would improve their performance. Swapping the brakes would have been very easy and inexpensive, and it’s a shame Trek didn’t do exactly that.

In the very comfortable saddle, the Domane AL 2 showcases its bump-smoothing ability. Like oil calming a rough sea, it glides along, seemingly rolling across the surface.

If I was riding on 32mm or larger tyres at lower pressures, it would be easier to understand, but these are 25mm at normal road pressure. The higher-specced carbon Domanes amplify this effect much further, but finding this ride quality on an entry-level machine is impressive.

Anyone expecting a choppy ride on a budget aluminium frame will be blown away by the Domane AL 2.

Where the tarmac’s top surface coating has worn away, leaving uneven patches, or when it looks more washboard than A-road, the Domane rounds off the sharpness of the expected impact, keeping everything well under control.

The Shimano Claris levers have a very familiar feel, and are about as comfortable as most Shimano levers. Their shifting, across an eight-speed cassette, has less finesse than Shimano’s 10, 11 and 12-speed groupsets, but is still quite swift.

One downside of only having eight sprockets is larger jumps between some gears, which is inevitable with their 11-32 range. The front shifting performance is acceptable – it mainly does the job reliably, but occasionally needs a little coaxing not to get stuck mid-shift.

The gearing range is ideal for the Domane’s expected use, with a 50/34 compact chainset mated to that 11-32 cassette. Almost 1:1 low gearing on a reasonably swift road bike is quite generous, and 50x11 is big enough for most scenarios.

That relaxing ride quality translates to handling fun. It gives great confidence when cornering, descending and changing line to avoid obstructions. The Domane feels utterly stable, encouraging you to push a little harder, and the Bontrager tyres grip very well.

With a helpful breeze and friendly gradient, the Trek can really fly, but when the tables are turned, the Bontrager TLR wheelset shows its limitations.

On short drags, where I’m usually able to carry speed, until needing to stand up and power over the top, I found my approach speed was slower, and I’d have to change at least one gear before slogging over the crest.

They’re solid wheels that can be converted to tubeless for some puncture protection, but trying to muster a town sign sprint requires far more power than it should, and the resultant speed is underwhelming.

With mounts for full mudguards and a rear rack, this Domane could make an ideal winter bike or quick commuter , and there’s enough room for at least a 28mm tyre without mudguards.

Trek Domane AL 2 bottom line

Trek’s Domane AL2 has a lot to offer, especially at this price.

Its tidy frame and vibe-eating fork are a sound basis for a good bike, which overall the Trek is.

The groupset does its job well, but the non-series chainset and narrow cartridge bottom bracket let the side down, with some iffy shifts and axle deflection. And the less said about those rim brakes, the better.

The ride quality from 25mm tyres is impressive, and increasing volume would add comfort and a little grip. Adding speed would require a wheel upgrade , which is quite straightforward, but not essential.

Budget Bike of the Year 2022 | How we tested

Our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year testing was handled by regular BikeRadar contributors Simon Withers and Robin Wilmott – two highly-experienced testers who have reviewed dozens of road and gravel bikes at the budget end of the market over the years.

Testing involved long rides on favourite routes around Bath, as well as laps of rolling hills in Somerset. Unlike our more performance-focused categories, the best road bikes around £1,000 are also more likely to be used for commuting by bike and other errands.

With this in mind, we’ve paid close attention to how easy the bikes are to live with for day-to-day use and how they fare on urban jaunts.

Our 2022 Budget Bike of the Year contenders are:

• Boardman ADV 8.9
• Forme Monyash 2
• Giant Contend 1
• Trek Domane AL 2
• Triban RC 500

Thanks to our sponsors HUUB , Lazer , 100% and Garmin for their support in making Bike of the Year happen.

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• Performance | Sport
• Domane AL 2 Gen 4

Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4

Domane AL 2 is a speedy and versatile performance road bike that's a perfect starting point for anyone looking to get into road riding. With an Alpha Aluminum frame, clearance for larger tires, an 8-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain, rack, fender, and top tube mounts, and a comfortable all-day riding position — Domane AL 2 is perfect for group rides, fast commutes, and even venturing beyond paved paths to most gravel roads. It's right for you if… You're looking to venture into the world of road bikes and want one that's fast, smooth, and comfortable, and won't break the bank. You want to ride primarily on roads but also want a bike that can handle a rail trail and most gravel paths, too. Days spent pedaling under the sun sound perfect and you need a bike that is comfortable enough to let you ride as long as you see fit. The tech you get A 100 Series Alpha Aluminum frame with advanced tube shaping for high-end looks and ride quality, a Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset, powerful disc brakes for all-weather stopping, super durable wheels, integrated frame mounts for carrying additional gear, flared handlebars for extra control and stability, and 32mm tubeless ready road tires for added cushion. The final word Domane AL 2 is a true road bike and the perfect option if you're just getting into riding. It's comfortable for long days, quick enough to hang with the group, and extremely versatile for when you're ready to venture off-road. Why you'll love it - A totally versatile and smooth ride that's a perfect choice for your first performance road bike - Versatile 40mm tire clearance (as measured) lets you run bigger tires for extra comfort on most gravel roads - Internal cable routing and an integrated cockpit provide premium looks and a clean aesthetic - Rack, fender, and top tube mounts make it easy to carry all the gear you'll need - Powerful disc brakes allow for super fast stopping power in all conditions

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

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• Sport/Performance
• Domane AL 2 Gen 4

Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4

Domane AL 2 is a speedy and versatile performance road bike that's a perfect starting point for anyone looking to get into road riding. With an Alpha Aluminum frame, clearance for larger tires, an 8-speed Shimano Claris drivetrain, rack, fender, and top tube mounts, and a comfortable all-day riding position — Domane AL 2 is perfect for group rides, fast commutes, and even venturing beyond paved paths to most gravel roads. It's right for you if… You're looking to venture into the world of road bikes and want one that's fast, smooth, and comfortable, and won't break the bank. You want to ride primarily on roads but also want a bike that can handle a rail trail and most gravel paths, too. Days spent pedaling under the sun sound perfect and you need a bike that is comfortable enough to let you ride as long as you see fit. The tech you get A 100 Series Alpha Aluminum frame with advanced tube shaping for high-end looks and ride quality, a Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset, powerful disc brakes for all-weather stopping, super durable wheels, integrated frame mounts for carrying additional gear, flared handlebars for extra control and stability, and 32mm tubeless ready road tires for added cushion. The final word Domane AL 2 is a true road bike and the perfect option if you're just getting into riding. It's comfortable for long days, quick enough to hang with the group, and extremely versatile for when you're ready to venture off-road. Why you'll love it - A totally versatile and smooth ride that's a perfect choice for your first performance road bike - Versatile 40mm tire clearance (as measured) lets you run bigger tires for extra comfort on most gravel roads - Internal cable routing and an integrated cockpit provide premium looks and a clean aesthetic - Rack, fender, and top tube mounts make it easy to carry all the gear you'll need - Powerful disc brakes allow for super fast stopping power in all conditions

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

• Rider Notes

2019 Trek Domane AL 2

An aluminum frame endurance bike with mid-range components and rim brakes.

Manufacturer Price

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Domane AL 2

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Last updated April 28 Not listed for 1,862 days

• Domane AL 2 Gen 3

Trek Domane AL 2 2023 Blue

£ 925.00

Domane AL 2 Disc is a fabulous pick for your first road bike. The lightweight frame is responsive yet stable for a fun, confidence-inspiring ride. Plus, it's built with reliable parts and disc brakes that provide better stopping power in any weather. Best of all, the comfort-focused design makes every — Read More

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Description

Domane AL 2 Disc is a fabulous pick for your first road bike. The lightweight frame is responsive yet stable for a fun, confidence-inspiring ride. Plus, it’s built with reliable parts and disc brakes that provide better stopping power in any weather. Best of all, the comfort-focused design makes every single ride more enjoyable.

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Trek Domane AL 2 Disc

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

Weight / 56 - 10.55 kg / 23.26 lbs

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"An astounding and affordable all-roader"

"Its crazily versatile, it can be so many different things which is so cool that it then rides so much like a road bike. I was really blown away."

Specifications

• Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminum, tapered head tube, internal routing, fender mounts, DuoTrap S compatible, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle
• Fork Domane AL carbon, tapered alloy steerer, internal brake routing, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle
• Wheels Size: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve Size: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 Bontrager Paradigm SL, Tubeless Ready, 24-hole, 21mm width, presta valve
• Tires Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x32c
• Chain Shimano Sora HG71, 8 speed
• Crank Size: 49, 52, 54 Shimano RS200, 50/34 (compact), 170mm length Size: 56, 58, 61 Shimano RS200, 50/34 (compact), 175mm length
• Bottom Bracket Shimano UN30, 68mm, threaded cartridge, 110mm spindle
• Front Derailleur Shimano Claris R2000, 31.8mm clamp
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Claris R2000, long cage, 34T max cog
• Shifters Shimano Claris R2000, 8 speed
• Brakeset Tektro C550 mechanical disc brake, dual piston, flat mount, 160mm rotor
• Handlebar Size: 49 Size: 52
• Saddle Size: 49, 52 Size: 54, 56, 58, 61
• Seatpost Size: 49 Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 250mm length Size: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 Bontrager Comp, 6061 alloy, 27.2mm, 8mm offset, 330mm length
• Stem Size: 49 Size: 52, 54
• Headset FSA Integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Q: Where to buy a 2022 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc?

The 2022 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2022 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc weigh?

A 2022 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc weights 56 - 10.55 kg / 23.26 lbs.

Q: What size 2022 Trek Domane AL 2 Disc should I get?

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Shop new & used Trek Domane bikes and framesets at TPC - The Pro's Closet. Find reviews, specs, weight info, prices and size charts on various models (SL 7, SLR) and popular model years. Read our Trek Domane Quick-Take Review below.

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Trek Domane - Weight, Specs, Price

Trek domane 3rd party reviews, 2022 trek domane review - a tpc quick-take.

• IsoSpeed Technology: A standout feature, the rear IsoSpeed decouplers absorb fatiguing road chatter. They make the ride unmistakably smooth, like riding on a cushion of air.
• Storage integration: The built-in storage compartment on the down tube is genuinely useful. It beats having to strap a saddlebag to the frame and clutter the bike.
• Versatility: Generous tire clearance (up to 38mm without fenders) and the overall design mean the Domane is adept at handling both tarmac and light gravel. It opens up avenues for exploration beyond the usual road routes.
• Endurance geometry: Maintaining the spirit of the Domane lineage, the 2023 version offers a comfortable, upright riding position suited for long rides.
• Weight: (18.5 lbs size 56cm) The Domane, with all its tech and features, is on the heavier side, especially in its base models. This might not be a concern for the casual rider, but weight weenies might raise an eyebrow.
• Cost: The technology packed into the Domane makes it a bit pricey. While you get a lot for your money, it might be overkill for those not intending to utilize all its features.
• Aero compromises: Compared to race or aero road bikes, the Domane doesn't cut through the wind as efficiently. It's built for comfort over speed, and it shows.
• Over-engineering for some: While tech enthusiasts might rejoice, the myriad of features could be overwhelming for someone looking for a simple endurance experience.

Bottom Line: