The Trek Domane+ LT 9 in review

For our group test, Trek put stock in an ebike with a mid-motor drive and trust that the Domane+ LT 9 will be the best road bike of the 2021 season. With the additional power of the FAZUA Ride 50 Evation system, how does it compare to 14 of the most exciting bikes of the 2021 season? Find out here.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2021 – 15 models in review

The Trek Domane+ LT 9 draws looks inexorably. To begin with, that’s because of the Gloss Purple Flip finish #colorporn! Once you’re done ogling the paint job, you’ll notice the hefty appearance and it becomes clear that this is an ebike. Trek rely on FAZUA’s Ride 50 Evation system consisting of a gearbox fixed in the bottom bracket and Drivepack. The gearbox incorporates a torque sensor and cadence measurement, letting the system know how much power the rider is producing so that it can deliver appropriate motor support depending on the assistance mode. The Drivepack unit is partly integrated into the down tube, can be completely removed and contains a 250 W, 55 Nm motor together with a 252 Wh battery that can be swapped out. You can switch the system on and select between the three assistance modes, Breeze, River and Rocket via the Bluetooth remote on the top tube. While Breeze will support you with a constant 100 W regardless of your own input, the progressive River mode modulates its output in sync with your power up to a maximum support of 210 W. Rocket then, once again, supports you independently of your input, this time with 250 W. Different modes for different uses. Do you have heavy legs and need a little support? Choose Breeze. Do you want to work hard but be quicker than usual? River is your thing! Shuttle service needed? It’s Rocket time! All this applies to the factory settings but the modes can also be adjusted individually, for example with Rocket providing short-duration peaks of 400 W support. A Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset with 50/34 t chainrings and 11–30 t cassette eschews the standard cranks in favour of the FSA SL-K Light cranks that were developed especially for the FAZUA unit.

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The gear range is sufficient for flat sections and hilly tours, but on longer hills without or with limited motor assistance, a 34 t cog at the back wouldn’t hurt. Instead of DURA-ACE rotors, the Domane+ LT 9 comes with 160 mm XTR mountain bike rotors. The cockpit consists of the 100 mm long Bontrager XXX Blendr carbon stem and the 420 mm wide Bontrager Pro IsoCore VR-CF bars. The latter damp vibrations and small bumps effectively thanks to a special carbon layup and, thankfully, let you forget the lack of IsoSpeed system at the front of this Trek. The bike rolls on 700 x 32C Bontrager R3 tires, mounted tubeless on the Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V TLR wheels, which balloon to 34 mm wide thanks to the impressive 25 mm inner width of the rim – a very well matched wheel and tire combination for this group test and bike concept! The Trek Domane+ LT 9 frame is furnished with mounting points for mudguards and is ready to be fitted with an integrated light system. The Trek Domane+ LT 9 costs € 10,999.

Size	50	52	54	56	58	60	62
Seat tube	450 mm	475 mm	500 mm	525 mm	548 mm	567 mm	586 mm
Top tube	519 mm	530 mm	542 mm	554 mm	567 mm	579 mm	593 mm
Head tube	130 mm	145 mm	160 mm	175 mm	195 mm	220 mm	245 mm
Head angle	71.1°	71.3°	71.3°	71.9°	72.0°	72.1°	72.1°
Seat angle	74.6°	74.2°	73.7°	73.3°	73.0°	72.8°	72.5°
Chainstays	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm
BB Drop	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	78 mm	78 mm	75 mm	75 mm
Wheelbase	996 mm	1,003 mm	1,010 mm	1,008 mm	1,022 mm	1,032 mm	1,042 mm
Reach	368 mm	371 mm	374 mm	377 mm	380 mm	383 mm	386 mm
Stack	546 mm	561 mm	575 mm	591 mm	611 mm	632 mm	656 mm

The Trek Domane+ LT 9 in review

The Trek Domane+ LT 9 weighs 13.42 kg in size 56 making it the heaviest bike in the test and significantly heavier than the two other E-road bikes. It can’t hide that fact when it comes to the handling, making it the bike that requires the most significant steering input to change direction. As a result of its more imprecise and not particularly direct steering, it feels sluggish and falls behind the SCOTT and Orbea ebikes.

The Trek Domane+ LT 9 might be the heaviest ebike in the test but also offers the widest range of application amongst the E-road bikes. Charge the battery, attach lights and mudguards, and you have an all-round carefree package!

Nonetheless, it always remains good-natured. That character also fits the moderately stretched position which is well-suited to long distances and offers the best comfort of the three ebikes in the test. The adjustable IsoSpeed system on the seat tube, the wide Bontrager tires and the IsoCore bars do a whole lot of work. The IsoSpeed system decouples the seat mast from the main frame generating lots of comfort. However, the bike loses marks for the seat mast cap, which is very short due to the IsoSpeed system, limiting the range of adjustment. Riders with comparatively long legs won’t be happy here. In addition, you should also be aware that the Trek has a wider Q-factor than traditional bikes as a result of the FAZUA gearbox in the bottom bracket. The stiff frame means the bike responds directly, even above the assistance limit of the motor, though it does miss some sprightliness due to its high overall weight. As such, the Domane+ LT 9 can’t match the SCOTT Addict eRIDE Premium. By contrast, acceleration with motor support is very powerful. The FAZUA motor delivers noticeably more torque than the MAHLE Ebikemotion system, while the throttling of the motor at the 25 km/h assistance limit feels very natural. Having gotten used to the comparatively high inertia of the bike, there’s nothing to complain about regarding ride security. Even on rough ground its sits planted and with its good stability conveys the highest sense of trust of all the ebikes in the test. And this trust is maintained while braking too – there’s plenty of power on tap!

Tuning tip: mount mudguards and lights and nothing will stop you

Conclusion

The Trek Domane+ LT 9 expands the definition of road bike very much in the direction of E-SUVs with drop bars but convinces with the best everyday practicality of all the E-road bikes in the test. The mudguard mounts and ready-to-use light mounts make it the ideal bike for all those looking for a powerful cruiser for paths away from asphalt but who also like to push hard on the pedals themselves now and then. What you won’t find is a low weight or a cornering demon.

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For more information head to trekbikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2021 – 15 models in review

All bikes in test: BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Ultegra (Click for review) | Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 eTap (Click for review) | Cervélo Caledonia-5 Dura Ace Di2 Disc (Click for review) | Mason Resolution Ekar (Click for review) | MERIDA REACTO TEAM-E CUSTOM (Click for review) | MERIDA SCULTURA ENDURANCE CUSTOM (Click for review) | OPEN MIN.D. (Click for review) | Orbea Gain M20i (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL FOUR DISC Ultegra Di2 (Click for review) | SCOTT Addict eRIDE Premium (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Aethos (Click for review) | Storck Fascenario.3 Comp Disc Ultegra (Click for review) | Trek Domane+ LT 9 | Wilier Filante SLR (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt