Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap in Review

The Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap wants to combine endurance race performance, high levels of comfort and all-round riding characteristics. Does the platform, which has already had wins at the Roubaix and Flanders races, have a chance at success in our gravel group test?

Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test.

Developed to dominate the Spring classics, the Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap has a range of unique features. The updated IsoSpeed system, adopted from the current Trek Madone, is designed to offer the highest level of comfort. It consists of two components. At the rear, the seat tube is decoupled from the top tube, allowing it to swing freely with adjustable compliance. An updated integrated damper is designed to reduce the undamped, springy feeling of previous versions. Up front, Trek uses the same principle by decoupling the top half of the steerer tube from the head tube to provide more compliance. The design prevents lateral movement, meaning the handling of the bike shouldn’t be affected. Additional comfort is provided by the vibration damping IsoCore carbon bar which features an elastomer fill. Integrated mounts for light, mudguards and the internally routed cables all contribute to the clean look. A compartment in the down tube eschews the need for a saddlebag, offering space for a tube, multi-tool, tyre levers and CO2 cartridge. The frameset clears up to 700 x 38C tires and is constructed from Trek’s 700 OCLV carbon – Trek’s high-end carbon construction. Our test bike came with a complete 2×12 SRAM RED eTap AXS groupset and Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V wheelset, weighed 8.08 kg in size 56 and costs € 11,299.

The Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap in detail

Drivetrain SRAM RED eTap AXS
Gearing 48/35 t and 10-28 t, 2×12
Brakes SRAM RED HRD, 160/160 mm
Handlebar Bontrager IsoCore VR-CF, 420 mm
Stem Bontrager XXX, 100 mm
Seatpost Bontrager Integrated, 20 mm offset
Wheels Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V
Tires Bontrager R3 TR, 700 x 32C

Size	44	47	50	52	54	56	58	60	62
Seat tube	390 mm	420 mm	450 mm	475 mm	500 mm	525 mm	548 mm	567 mm	586 mm
Top tube	501 mm	509 mm	519 mm	530 mm	542 mm	554 mm	567 mm	579 mm	593 mm
Head tube	95 mm	110 mm	130 mm	145 mm	160 mm	175 mm	195 mm	220 mm	245 mm
Head angle	70.3°	71.0°	71.1°	71.3°	71.3°	71.9°	72.0°	72.1°	72.1°
Seat angle	74.6°	74.6°	74.6°	74.2°	73.7°	73.3°	73.0°	72.8°	72.5°
Chainstays	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	420 mm	425 mm	425 mm	425 mm
BB Drop	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	78 mm	78 mm	75 mm	75 mm
Wheelbase	983 mm	986 mm	996 mm	1,003 mm	1,010 mm	1,008 mm	1,022 mm	1,032 mm	1,042 mm
Reach	360 mm	364 mm	368 mm	371 mm	374 mm	377 mm	380 mm	383 mm	386 mm
Stack	510 mm	527 mm	546 mm	561 mm	575 mm	591 mm	611 mm	632 mm	656 mm

The Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap in review

In comparison to its test competitors, the Trek is a decidedly quick accelerator. Its excellent efficiency makes climbing easy and riding at high speeds a true delight. It’s not at all susceptible to crosswinds, offers a stable ride as well as very capable and intuitive handling. On the road, the sporty Standert has a slight advantage in terms of speed, but the scales tip in the Trek’s favour on gravel. The relatively compact position, the excellent stability and its high comfort make it the perfect companion on forest tracks. However, if you’re looking for an aggressive position, more precision and more agile handling, you might be better served by the Standert.

The Project One finish is called New Molten Marble and will melt the roads you ride

Loose ground and technical terrain can be ridden, but are not the Trek’s forte as it quickly reaches its limits here. The IsoSpeed system convinced us throughout the test period with its high level of comfort. The adjustable and well-damped compliance is a big improvement over previous versions of the concept. The down tube storage compartment can hold all the spares you need, while the low position helps maintain the bike’s centre of gravity. It’s just the inlet on the top tube for the internally routed cables that doesn’t quite match the otherwise sleek design.

Conclusion

If you’re on the lookout for an endurance bike for training, long rides, occasional gravel excursions and your next Gran Fondo, you don’t need to look any further. With the Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap, the American brand has introduced an innovative and coherent concept with high levels of comfort, innovative features and lots of stability. Quick direction changes that require precise line choice or riding on technical terrain are not the Trek’s strengths, which neither is nor wants to be a dedicated gravel bike.

For more info: trekbikes.com

Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test.

All bikes in test: Argon 18 Dark Matter | Cannondale Topstone Carbon Ultegra RX | Canyon Grail AL 7.0 | Cervélo Áspero | Giant Revolt Advanced Pro Force | Kona Libre AL | Liteville 4-ONE MK1 | OPEN WI.DE. | Pivot Vault Team Force | ROSE BACKROAD GRX RX810 Di2 | Santa Cruz Stigmata CC | Specialized Turbo Creo SL Expert EVO | Standert Pfadfinder | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap

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Words: Photos: GRAN FONDO-Team