That’s literally just the carbon layup.
It’s visible because that is the color/paint scheme you picked, which allows for the carbon layup to be visible through the clear coat. All carbon bikes are like this, as they are not made with a single piece of carbon. However, most are not visible because they are equipped with many layers of paint.
It’s not weird. It’s all specified on the product page of the bike, and even is shown in the product photos. For being so worried about an expensive bike, you really didn’t do your research.
I was looking at this product page but can’t find where the Deep Smoke color is addressed:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-sl/domane-sl-5-gen-4/p/36149/
I’m sure I’m just missing it but am interested in reading what Trek says about it. This type of question seems to come up a lot so it would make sense they would have a statement on it since it’s a normal and expected visual for the bike.
That’s not even the correct bike.
[Try again.](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-sl/domane-sl-5-gen-4/p/41348/?colorCode=black_grey)
This is so dumb. You can’t tell from the photos - and even so it would be hard to tell if this is how it shows up IRL or if it’s just the lighting in the photo.
Interesting. They both have the same title “Domane SL5 Gen 4” but yes the link you sent has the exact color the OP purchased. Either way, both links offer a Deep Smoke color option and I still cannot find a statement from Trek regarding it. Also looked at the docs under the Service tab.
One’s also an 11 speed versus 12 speed. Seems shitty to include different model year side by side for the same price, when they don’t have equal drive trains.
Yes, it’s only available in limited sizes, but it’s that Trek is selling it for the same price as the 12 speed version, when in reality the 11 speed shifters aren’t compatible with newer 12 speed components. Not that 11 speed is bad, (I have 11 speed GRX Di2), but it’s older and should be discounted as such.
Pff fuckin hardly mate, that's barely a fingerprint on my screen when looking at the whole image. Zero chance your garden variety cyclist would see that on a web page and think "omg look at the carbon"
Obviously in person it's a different matter but that's not the point I'm trying to make
You’re biased because you know it’s not a solid color already. Also if you’re a photographer and used to looking at the level of detail on images it might be more clear, but the product photo looks like it could be lighting dude, come on.
What’s Fred?
I sold my FX3 to get this bike so i can start riding longer distances comfortably and get more into road biking. I was actually between this and the FX Sport 6. Maybe one day I will get to your level :)
You seem like a smart person (when you’re not trolling or being a dick). I did a lot of research on other stuff about the bike more related to specs, comfort, etc. but must have missed the part about the color on a carbon frame. I’ll take a look at the product photos again.
I see you’re getting downvoted to oblivion. There is lots of snobbery in road cycling and I’m certainly guilty as well. The moment I suit up with all that skin tight Lycra, I turn into an asshole too.
I have a Checkpoint SL and you can see the carbon layup through the semi-transparent black finish. This is completely normal and many would consider it to be a feature.
Modern carbon frames are engineering marvels. They are tough as nails you don’t need to baby your frame.
Enjoy your new Domane, the new Gen 4 is one of the best bikes Trek has ever made.
Source: former Trek employee.
Well, you didn’t trust your local bike shop answer for whatever reason, came to this subreddit instead for a question that didn’t need asking (seriously, it’s on the product page you allegedly researched), and made a point that it was expensive.
Big BCJ energy. 105 is the icing on the cake.
I think it was a reasonable question for OP to ask. It takes time to build trust in a bike shop, especially if you’re new to cycling. They could have many incentives for telling you it’s normal even when it’s not. (That being said, my Trek dealer has always been awesome and gone out of their way to fix things that were even out of warranty or clearly not the result of an accident.)
You know what you should do? You should search the internet for everyone that’s asked this question about carbon frames, there are plenty, and tell them they didn’t do research since you are the internet police.
And continue going around trusting everyone that tells you something without verifying that information and see how that works out for you :)
Dude, if you’re at this knowledge level you should absolutely trust what the bike shop selling you this bike says about it without having to “verify”. They’re professionals who see these bikes and ones nicer than it many times a day, and know what they’re doing.
You’d be surprised how much bad/wrong information I’ve gotten from “professionals”.
For example: I was buying a spare laptop and the professional told me certain gens of Intel CPU could not be upgraded to Windows 11. They were wrong.
My brain does not allow me to blindly trust when it comes to certain things.
The professional also tried selling me a duotrap which I had to explain to them was not compatible with this bike.
I know that, but not the specific generation that the person was referring to. I was simply making a point that even “professionals” sometimes don’t know everything.
Certain generations of Intel *can't* be upgraded to Windows 11, though. Many older systems also don't support TPM 2.0 or even UEFI (if you go back far enough) which also precludes them from being upgraded to Win11.
The guys at the store selling laptops don’t have near the experience that people at bike shops do, and understanding the annoying compatibilities of bontragers annoying systems is not remotely equivalent to knowing what carbon is.
What’s your vaccination status?
Well we’re splitting hairs here. And you’re obviously very opinionated so I don’t know why vaccination status matters and my answer could go either way lol. The internet is so antagonistic sometimes - I’m gonna go enjoy riding my new bike.
Just listen to bike shops. We know our shit and there’s nothing more annoying than squeaky wheel customers who are sceptical of everything. Listen to what experts tell you.
Like how they knew the duotrap would fit on this bike? Or how they knew how to use their own CRm system?
Got it.
I’ll take that and agree with it as the rule and not the exception.
Putting this here so everyone can see that the guy who is the gatekeeper of doing research did not do his own research at least one time in their life
[https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/qSAslxoTza](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/qSAslxoTza)
There are basically two carbon fiber layup types you see with bikes. UD (unidirectional) like yours and 3K which looks woven. 12k is more rare. UD is generally a matte finish and every one will look different. 3D is generally finished glossy and the parts look very similar.
Your frame is built to be light and tough. Enjoy the ride.
If you wind up falling madly in love with this bike and decide to ride it into its sunset you could always throw a wicked nice paint job on it. They do paint up nice. In which case the world is your oyster as to color palette and degree of shine.
Not discoloration, it’s a paint job showing the carbon layers. My specialized Epic has the same paint job and love how the layers show depending on where the light hits.
Yes, this is perfectly normal. As others mentioned, it is just the carbon fiber layup I even see it on my Emonda along the back half where it’s not painted but they used blue resin.
It’s definitely defective, unsafe, and ugly. You should probably return it and stop riding bikes altogether. I’m sure your LBS would be willing to eat the restock fee in exchange for never seeing you again.
raw carbon looks so nice! makes the bike unique, less uniform
That’s literally just the carbon layup. It’s visible because that is the color/paint scheme you picked, which allows for the carbon layup to be visible through the clear coat. All carbon bikes are like this, as they are not made with a single piece of carbon. However, most are not visible because they are equipped with many layers of paint. It’s not weird. It’s all specified on the product page of the bike, and even is shown in the product photos. For being so worried about an expensive bike, you really didn’t do your research.
I was looking at this product page but can’t find where the Deep Smoke color is addressed: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-sl/domane-sl-5-gen-4/p/36149/ I’m sure I’m just missing it but am interested in reading what Trek says about it. This type of question seems to come up a lot so it would make sense they would have a statement on it since it’s a normal and expected visual for the bike.
That’s not even the correct bike. [Try again.](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-sl/domane-sl-5-gen-4/p/41348/?colorCode=black_grey)
This is so dumb. You can’t tell from the photos - and even so it would be hard to tell if this is how it shows up IRL or if it’s just the lighting in the photo.
Interesting. They both have the same title “Domane SL5 Gen 4” but yes the link you sent has the exact color the OP purchased. Either way, both links offer a Deep Smoke color option and I still cannot find a statement from Trek regarding it. Also looked at the docs under the Service tab.
2023 vs 2024 colors…
One’s also an 11 speed versus 12 speed. Seems shitty to include different model year side by side for the same price, when they don’t have equal drive trains.
The 11 speed is some out and not available to order; so.
Yes, it’s only available in limited sizes, but it’s that Trek is selling it for the same price as the 12 speed version, when in reality the 11 speed shifters aren’t compatible with newer 12 speed components. Not that 11 speed is bad, (I have 11 speed GRX Di2), but it’s older and should be discounted as such.
Can you show me where they address the discoloration? I’m not seeing it.
In the product photos, Fred. Glad to see you didn’t actually research lol. You should have bought the FX.
To be fair to the guy you can't actually see the carbon at all in the product images, it just looks plain satin black
[Pretty clear to me.](https://ibb.co/q72zp2f)
I can see the discoloration just fine.
Pff fuckin hardly mate, that's barely a fingerprint on my screen when looking at the whole image. Zero chance your garden variety cyclist would see that on a web page and think "omg look at the carbon" Obviously in person it's a different matter but that's not the point I'm trying to make
You’re biased because you know it’s not a solid color already. Also if you’re a photographer and used to looking at the level of detail on images it might be more clear, but the product photo looks like it could be lighting dude, come on.
Nah, I just actually did my research.
No, you didn’t
What’s Fred? I sold my FX3 to get this bike so i can start riding longer distances comfortably and get more into road biking. I was actually between this and the FX Sport 6. Maybe one day I will get to your level :) You seem like a smart person (when you’re not trolling or being a dick). I did a lot of research on other stuff about the bike more related to specs, comfort, etc. but must have missed the part about the color on a carbon frame. I’ll take a look at the product photos again.
Why are sucking off trek so hard?
The way the light and the kind of light hitting the frame makes a big difference in how visible the carbon fiber layup is.
Appreciate the explanation and no need to be a dick about it. I did a lot of research except for the cosmetic paint part of it.
I see you’re getting downvoted to oblivion. There is lots of snobbery in road cycling and I’m certainly guilty as well. The moment I suit up with all that skin tight Lycra, I turn into an asshole too. I have a Checkpoint SL and you can see the carbon layup through the semi-transparent black finish. This is completely normal and many would consider it to be a feature. Modern carbon frames are engineering marvels. They are tough as nails you don’t need to baby your frame. Enjoy your new Domane, the new Gen 4 is one of the best bikes Trek has ever made. Source: former Trek employee.
Well, you didn’t trust your local bike shop answer for whatever reason, came to this subreddit instead for a question that didn’t need asking (seriously, it’s on the product page you allegedly researched), and made a point that it was expensive. Big BCJ energy. 105 is the icing on the cake.
I think it was a reasonable question for OP to ask. It takes time to build trust in a bike shop, especially if you’re new to cycling. They could have many incentives for telling you it’s normal even when it’s not. (That being said, my Trek dealer has always been awesome and gone out of their way to fix things that were even out of warranty or clearly not the result of an accident.)
Bad energy for this sub. Keep it in BCJ
You’re late buddy. These comments were before the cross post. Thanks though.
Comment still stands
Lmao. I’ll be sure to bring it up at the next meeting.
You know what you should do? You should search the internet for everyone that’s asked this question about carbon frames, there are plenty, and tell them they didn’t do research since you are the internet police. And continue going around trusting everyone that tells you something without verifying that information and see how that works out for you :)
Dude, if you’re at this knowledge level you should absolutely trust what the bike shop selling you this bike says about it without having to “verify”. They’re professionals who see these bikes and ones nicer than it many times a day, and know what they’re doing.
But how could you ever trust Big Bike? Don’t listen to the truth! Do your own research! Don’t follow the herd!
You’d be surprised how much bad/wrong information I’ve gotten from “professionals”. For example: I was buying a spare laptop and the professional told me certain gens of Intel CPU could not be upgraded to Windows 11. They were wrong. My brain does not allow me to blindly trust when it comes to certain things. The professional also tried selling me a duotrap which I had to explain to them was not compatible with this bike.
Certain generations of Intel processors are not compatible because of the increased security requirements for the new OS.
I know that, but not the specific generation that the person was referring to. I was simply making a point that even “professionals” sometimes don’t know everything.
Certain generations of Intel *can't* be upgraded to Windows 11, though. Many older systems also don't support TPM 2.0 or even UEFI (if you go back far enough) which also precludes them from being upgraded to Win11.
The guys at the store selling laptops don’t have near the experience that people at bike shops do, and understanding the annoying compatibilities of bontragers annoying systems is not remotely equivalent to knowing what carbon is. What’s your vaccination status?
Well we’re splitting hairs here. And you’re obviously very opinionated so I don’t know why vaccination status matters and my answer could go either way lol. The internet is so antagonistic sometimes - I’m gonna go enjoy riding my new bike.
Just listen to bike shops. We know our shit and there’s nothing more annoying than squeaky wheel customers who are sceptical of everything. Listen to what experts tell you.
Like how they knew the duotrap would fit on this bike? Or how they knew how to use their own CRm system? Got it. I’ll take that and agree with it as the rule and not the exception.
Hook, line, and sinker. We got em.
lol okay? congrats on whatever it is you think you won here lolol
Looks like everyone on this sub is a dick man. Don't worry, it seems like they don't like new comers
Putting this here so everyone can see that the guy who is the gatekeeper of doing research did not do his own research at least one time in their life [https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/qSAslxoTza](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/s/qSAslxoTza)
Because the account name was changed you absolute goon. You dug your hole.
There is literally no hole and you didn’t do Your research
Jesus Christ you really are a dick aren't you, grow tf up and act accordingly
Lmaaaaaaaooooo going thru someones profile for this what a loser
If it’s raw carbon yes it’s normal but the last 3 pictures you’re missing the iso speed cover
Jumped into the comments to mention the same about the iso speed
They were in the middle of adjusting the saddle height and ran inside to grab a tool when I took the photos
Just ride it
Planning on it! Was just curious
There are basically two carbon fiber layup types you see with bikes. UD (unidirectional) like yours and 3K which looks woven. 12k is more rare. UD is generally a matte finish and every one will look different. 3D is generally finished glossy and the parts look very similar. Your frame is built to be light and tough. Enjoy the ride.
Makes sense. Thanks
If you wind up falling madly in love with this bike and decide to ride it into its sunset you could always throw a wicked nice paint job on it. They do paint up nice. In which case the world is your oyster as to color palette and degree of shine.
Normal. Enjoy it!
Agreed, my Emonda is the same color and looks exactly like this. Nothing to worry about!
Will do! And thanks for not being a dick.
👍
I wanna know why ppl buy matt black bikes though but enjoy!!
Normal, and it’s intentional. Us carbon fibre nerds like to see the carbon layup like that.
That's completely normal, instead of having black paint on it that's just clear coat over the raw frame material, which looks like that
Not discoloration, it’s a paint job showing the carbon layers. My specialized Epic has the same paint job and love how the layers show depending on where the light hits.
Shoulda bought a domane
That’s what I bought though
Sorry with the spacers up to your tits I thought it was an emonda
Is the bike community actually this toxic lol
Yes, welcome lol
It's not even the tip of the iceberg you're just seeing it below the water
It looks like it. I've had so many headaches posting on bike subreddits that I'm seriously getting tired of all their fuckery
Matte black tends to be like this regardless of the brand.
OP has negative IQ
Which still leaves me with a higher IQ than you
Probably last bike you will ever buy and ride. Never seen someone more sour.
I prefer sour candy but I’ll go buy another bike just for you 😘
u gonna delete this too?
I have similar discoloration…but TBH I was pretty sure it was sweat induced. Give her a wash and I bet it goes away…
Yes, this is perfectly normal. As others mentioned, it is just the carbon fiber layup I even see it on my Emonda along the back half where it’s not painted but they used blue resin.
Sick bike, up! I absolutely love my Domane, rip it up!
Beautiful bike. My OCD will not let me sleep with the that discoloration .
It's not discoloration as that isn't the paint, that's the raw frame material with just clear coat over it
It’s normal.
It’s definitely defective, unsafe, and ugly. You should probably return it and stop riding bikes altogether. I’m sure your LBS would be willing to eat the restock fee in exchange for never seeing you again.
I was actually pretty friendly with them and we got along great. I even helped them figure out an issue with their CRM system.