Which Trek should I buy?

[Leeism]

Hi all

I recently had a bike for and have decided to buy a new bike.

I am looking at the domane 5.9 and the domane 6.2

I like the di2 that comes with the 5.9 but the 6.2 has a US made frame and is lighter from what I have been told.

I can get the 6.2 for $250 more than the 5.9

What I want to know is everyone's opinions on both of these bikes. It would be used for commuting and endurance rides.

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/ro ... _9_compact

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/ro ... _2_compact

Thanks

Lee

[Xplora]

Easy answer... do you want UDI2 or not? There is no WAY the frame is going to give you that much extra performance to justify the difference IMO unless you're a gun rider and you don't want electronic gears. Some don't want them. You're really at the pointy end of the lineup... do you need that extra something? I'm happy with my Madone 5.2 and it seems every other lad and lass at the Trek store ride is also happy with their 5's as well. Feel it under the bum, make the call.

[Howzat]

Madone 6 series is made in the USA. But all Domanes are made somewhere in Asia.

[Leeism]

Actually I read some where that the domanes are made in Taiwan.

Yeah I would like electronic, I have ridden a couple of di2 bikes just for test rides. Is it really that good?

[jcjordan]

The 6 domane is made from the same carbon as a 6 madone as is not exportable in a non production form.

The difference in the frame will be weight.

[winstonw]

I like the di2 that comes with the 5.9 but the 6.2 has a US made frame and is lighter from what I have been told.

I can get the 6.2 for $250 more than the 5.9

What I want to know is everyone's opinions on both of these bikes. It would be used for commuting and endurance rides.

If you are doing endurance rides, here's what most of the experienced enduro guys I know carry:

two larger water bottles 2000g (fluid and bottle weight)
extra electrolyte powder 50g
food for 3-4 hours 600g (including several planned stops for top ups)
3 tubes 250g
1 tire patch 10g
2 CO2 cylinders and chuck 40g
1 mini pump 100g
maybe a spare tire 200g
sunscreen 60g
multi-tool 150g
mobile phone and water proofing 150g
bike computer 60g
wind/rain vest 80g

total = 3750 grams

further, when barreling down a rough country road at 70+kph, and bashing into the occasional pothole, it may dawn on you your 1518gram Bontrager Race Light wheels with 18 spokes on the front and alloy nipples are not up to the task, especially if you weigh over 75kg. So, then you might be inclined to start thinking about 32 spoke heavier duty rimmed and hubbed wheels at around 1700g.

If I was buying a new bike, I'd buy Di2 with its 133gram weight penalty because I'd value dropping chains and jamming gears less often, and believe me, on long tiring rough country road rides where your bike is having the c4@p vibrated out of it, $hlt like this happens more often than you imagine sitting in your comfy suburban lounge chair.

But how about we also consider the majority of cyclists are not sub 10% bodyfat, and the majority could well afford to lose 5000g.

Now, considering Trek don't publish weights, what was that bike weight difference you were considering so seriously?

[Westernjim]

Not sure where you are but Bikeforce Joondalup (WA) have just got in an order of Madone 6.9 2012 models and are selling for $5999.
I had a test ride during the week and they are just ridiculously good. Actual weight with pedals 6.5 kg.

[Xplora]

^^^^ The truth is spoken.

Even if the tubes and tyres allowance is excessive, and we drop the estimate in HALF, that's 2-3kgs that you can't avoid taking and you won't notice 133 grams at all if you can find a place to take a nature break.

The frame IS better, but unless you are pulling serious watts (ala Fabian Chancellara) then you might not see a benefit from the better frame. The Domane 3 and 4 aren't routed internally, so aren't comparable but you really have to be racing to see a performance gain there, ESPECIALLY COMMUTING. I would suggest that a nice set of wheels (used Zipps or Enve's, such as the ones that jasonssv is selling right now) would make up for any performance difference and then some, if you really found yourself falling behind.

[Leeism]

Thanks guys

I went and rode a 56cm 5.9 today and liked it. Asked the guy at the shop and he says there is about 5oo grams between the 2 bikes. Guess I will just lose a KG .

So just have to wait till probably april to get it.

Can anyone tell me month Trek usually displays their new models? As I dont want to get the 5.9 in april and 2 months later the 2014 model comes out.

Thanks

Lee

[Xplora]

New bikes in November?

[sb944]

I got the runout sale in mid September, but not sure if I could have got the 2013 bike that early.

[jcjordan]

The LBS I deal with has never really had to deal with a run out on Trek, normally desparet to see the new stock due to shortages, so can't help you there.

Trek normally do a really good sale on the middle and upper models during July

[AndyRevill]

Agree. My Trek LBS normally have "sales" around TDF time - I couldn't wait that long. I test rode a 5.9 and thought it was awesome. Unfortunately my budget would only stretch to a 4.5 but I'm still in love

Andy