Trek Domane AL 5
Neat features add to its versatility and practicality, and it majors on aesthetics too
£1775 / CLASSIC ENDURANCE METAL FROM WISCONSIN, USA
At this price, you’re not going to get the ground-breaking IsoSpeed decouplers of Trek’s carbon Domanes – the comfort of this more modestly priced aluminium Domane comes from its geometry and largevolume tyres. But it’s a great-looking bike, tidily welded and with a metallic orange finish that’s stunning in the sunlight. The Domane’s sportive/ endurance geometry creates a riding position that’s comfortable enough for day-long cruising, and is complemented by the well-shaped bar, padded bar tape and Bontrager saddle. The 32mm tyres also nicely damp road vibrations and smooth out ruts, potholes and bumps.
The components are well-chosen, based around wide-ranging Shimano 105 gears and hydraulic brakes. The Bontrager Affinity TLR wheels may only be a higher-entry-level offering but they have a tough double-wall construction, a 21mm internal width and they’re tubelessready. We like Trek’s attention to detail too, from the anodised bottle cage bolts to the routing of the cables through the front triangle and fork, plus proper mudguard mounts – including a removable seat stay bridge – and a chainstay slot for Trek’s DuoTrap sensors (for training data).
Rear rack mounts and ‘bento box’ bosses on the top tube round out a comprehensive package. All these contribute to the Domane’s versatility and practicality, and it majors on aesthetics too, but while the ride is stable, composed and comfortable, the AL 5 never sent my pulse racing. The acceleration is somewhat laboured and the weighty wheels don’t exactly zip along, which is fine for leisure jaunts and commuting, but sprinting against your chaingang mates you’re going to be left in their wake.
If you’re thinking with your head and not your heart, the AL 5 is pretty much the SUV of the bike world – not exactly exciting but solid, steady and dependable. It’s a road bike for grown-ups like me – except I’m not quite ready to act my age yet.
THE VERDICT
An SUV in bicycle form – great at what it does but lacks thrills