Before the group ride, my colleague and I hadn’t told the others what bike I was bringing. They only knew there’d be some “science.” I was conducting an experiment with the Trek Domane+ SLR 9, a top-end ebike with prime components. I wanted to see just what this super ebike could do for me on a group ride in which most of the cyclists were faster than me.
Technical details of the Trek Domane+ SLR 9
The Trek Domane+ SLR 9 debuted in October 2022. The frame is made with Trek’s top-end carbon-fibre formula, 800 Series OCLV. It’s equipped with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 derailleurs, levers, cassette (11-34 tooth) and chain. The crankset with its 50/34-tooth chainrings and carbon cranks is by Praxis. The Bontrager Aeolus RSL 37 wheels are crazy light and fast.
Like the analog Domane, the Domane+ has Trek’s IsoSpeed technology in the seat post. It’s the fourth generation of the company’s vibration-dampening system. Previous versions of IsoSpeed were adjustable. The company found, however, that most riders would simply set their IsoSpeeds, and then never touch them again. To lower the bike’s weight, and reduce complexity and maintenance, designers created an IsoSpeed that isn’t adjustable and set at a level of compliance comparable to the previous generation’s most comfortable setting. Also adding some squish to the Domane+ are the 32c Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tires. There’s clearance in the frame and fork for 40 mm treads, which is about 2 mm more than the non-e-Domane, making the pedal-assist bike quite capable for light gravel duty.
The Trek Domane+ SLR 9, with its Bontrager Pro IsoCore handlebar and Trek RCS Pro stem working to hide the brake hoses, tipped my scale to 11.8 kg. Now, before you remind me that most road bikes like this Domane are much closer to the UCI weight minimum of 6.8 kg, remember, this is an ebike. (The analog Domane SLR 9, which is comparable to my Domane+ SLR 9, weighs 7.25 kg in size 56.) So, 11.8 kg is pretty light.
The TQ-HPR50 drive unit
The TQ-HPR50 drive unit and battery first appeared on Trek’s Fuel EXe a few months before it showed up on the Domane+. I was intrigued by the new system, which is the same for both the mountain and road bike, except for the software. TQ, a…
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