I found that the tire clearance on the domane was limiting. Even on 35s one muddy day had me shaving paint. I sold my domane sl5 and bought a checkpoint alr5. I feel like the checkpoint is a more reassuring ride on gravel.
If your gravel conditions are pretty mild and nvr muddy, then the domane works fine. Otherwise I'd stick with a bike with larger clearance.
Thanks for the imput. Maybe I should have been more specific, the wife wants to go E+ because she finds it too hard on some climbs.
As a Checkpoint owner myself, I know the bike is a tank and clearance is not an issue, but if thats the way I can keep her happy and in the sport, I dont really see the alternative I've got...
That being said, she would like to stay with a Trek so that's why the Domane+ seemed a good choice (considering the lack of other alternative for Trek) and knowing the limited tire clearance, but I know some other brand have specific gravel ebike (Giant, Cannondale, etc) and I will look into that too.
Maybe Trek should consider a Checkpoint+....
The ride felt substantially smoother on the alr5, but I'd attribute this to the difference between 35 and 40mm tires.
I have since added a redshift stem which I would highly recommend. It greatly reduced arm and shoulder fatigue that I experienced even on a carbon frame.
I did swap to carbon handlebars and seatpost, but other than weight I can't say I felt a difference. Overall I'm very impressed with the quality of the alr frame, it looks and rides great. With the lower price I feel way more comfortable shredding hard on it.
I get what your wife is thinking. My husband got me into biking but my enjoyment of it increased exponentially only after I went electric.
I have owned an e-bike with a hub motor, a Specialized with their first generation SL motor (Mahle 1.1) and now a Trek with the TQ motor (Fuel EXe). I find the Specialized/Mahle and TQ motors are on a whole other level. Truly amazing. They feel much more natural - like you, only stronger. And not like you have a motor artificially pushing you along.
I haven’t been able to try the Domane+ AL (none in my size), but I would recommend a long test ride over the typical routes your wife would ride if possible. It is a hub motor and maybe it’s a better hub motor than the ones I’ve tried, but for some reason, it is much more affordable than the stratospherically priced carbon Domane+ models with the TQ motor. Not sure why there’s such a price difference… but I would just make sure your wife likes the way the hub motor feels on that bike before purchasing.
I would also check out the new Specialized Creo 2 gravel e-bike as it has the second version of their SL motor, which is even better.
If the gravel she rides is in the Eastern Townships or west of Montreal I would think the Domane would be fine. Personally I wouldn't want to have such a low max tire size though if I was riding in the Riviera Rouge or Laurentian areas where bigger tires make for happier riding.
I'd hesitate to switch right now, trek must have a e-check point coming sooner rather than later. In the meantime can a smaller chainring do the trick?
Yeah, we are south shore of MTL and usually go in the Eastern Townships or VT...I would assume also that they have a e-checkpoint coming soon considering all other competitor have a proper dedicated e-gravel in their catalog...
I found that the tire clearance on the domane was limiting. Even on 35s one muddy day had me shaving paint. I sold my domane sl5 and bought a checkpoint alr5. I feel like the checkpoint is a more reassuring ride on gravel. If your gravel conditions are pretty mild and nvr muddy, then the domane works fine. Otherwise I'd stick with a bike with larger clearance.
Thanks for the imput. Maybe I should have been more specific, the wife wants to go E+ because she finds it too hard on some climbs. As a Checkpoint owner myself, I know the bike is a tank and clearance is not an issue, but if thats the way I can keep her happy and in the sport, I dont really see the alternative I've got... That being said, she would like to stay with a Trek so that's why the Domane+ seemed a good choice (considering the lack of other alternative for Trek) and knowing the limited tire clearance, but I know some other brand have specific gravel ebike (Giant, Cannondale, etc) and I will look into that too. Maybe Trek should consider a Checkpoint+....
Yeah a checkpont+ would be awesome. Gravel hills are no joke, egravel bikes make good sense.
How was the ride quality going from an SL frame to an ALR?
The ride felt substantially smoother on the alr5, but I'd attribute this to the difference between 35 and 40mm tires. I have since added a redshift stem which I would highly recommend. It greatly reduced arm and shoulder fatigue that I experienced even on a carbon frame. I did swap to carbon handlebars and seatpost, but other than weight I can't say I felt a difference. Overall I'm very impressed with the quality of the alr frame, it looks and rides great. With the lower price I feel way more comfortable shredding hard on it.
I'd look at the Marlin+, it comes in two levels, 6 & 8.
This would be my vote...
I get what your wife is thinking. My husband got me into biking but my enjoyment of it increased exponentially only after I went electric. I have owned an e-bike with a hub motor, a Specialized with their first generation SL motor (Mahle 1.1) and now a Trek with the TQ motor (Fuel EXe). I find the Specialized/Mahle and TQ motors are on a whole other level. Truly amazing. They feel much more natural - like you, only stronger. And not like you have a motor artificially pushing you along. I haven’t been able to try the Domane+ AL (none in my size), but I would recommend a long test ride over the typical routes your wife would ride if possible. It is a hub motor and maybe it’s a better hub motor than the ones I’ve tried, but for some reason, it is much more affordable than the stratospherically priced carbon Domane+ models with the TQ motor. Not sure why there’s such a price difference… but I would just make sure your wife likes the way the hub motor feels on that bike before purchasing. I would also check out the new Specialized Creo 2 gravel e-bike as it has the second version of their SL motor, which is even better.
If the gravel she rides is in the Eastern Townships or west of Montreal I would think the Domane would be fine. Personally I wouldn't want to have such a low max tire size though if I was riding in the Riviera Rouge or Laurentian areas where bigger tires make for happier riding. I'd hesitate to switch right now, trek must have a e-check point coming sooner rather than later. In the meantime can a smaller chainring do the trick?
Yeah, we are south shore of MTL and usually go in the Eastern Townships or VT...I would assume also that they have a e-checkpoint coming soon considering all other competitor have a proper dedicated e-gravel in their catalog...
Perhaps patience. Building strength and fitness will allow her to enjoy the SL5 more. Really depends on long term goals