Trek road bike comparison

Mar 4, 2024 6 min

Domane VS Emonda VS Madone

New post, new bike review! This time it's the brand Trek to the collar, your will be our command, our video. So we compare for you the 3 road bikes from Trek, the Domane, the Madone and the Emonda with each other and find out which one is the best for you!

Before we dive into the technical details, let's explain the main features and purposes of the three bikes, starting with the Domane. This endurance-focused bike is all about comfort and compliance on longer rides. It's a very versatile bike that, with its wider tires, can handle even light gravel. The Emonda, on the other hand, is the lightweight of the Trek road bikes. It has been aerodynamically optimized and the individual components are selected and matched so that the total weight remains minimal. So it is an ideal climber makes. The fastest of all is the Madone, an aerodynamic beast built for pure speed on straight stretches.

1. Geometry.

Let's first take a look at the frameset and geometry. The Domane has the most relaxed frame geometry with the longest stack and a relatively short reach, so you sit in a fairly upright position. It also has a much longer wheelbase, which provides more stability. The Emonda and Madone, on the other hand, are no different in terms of geometry, but you sit more athletically on them compared to the Domane. This improves power transfer and aerodynamics on the bike. The shorter wheelbase also makes these two more maneuverable.

2. Frame material and tire clearance.

As for the material, the frames of the Domane and the Emonda are in aluminum and both the 500 and lighter 800 series OCLV in carbon, the Madone is only available in carbon. The comfort and versatility of the Domane are further enhanced by the 38 mm wide tire clearance (on the carbon version, 35 mm on the aluminum version), the top tube and fender mounts and the newly optimized rear iso-speed on the carbon model. The 3rd generation model also has a front iso-speed, but Trek has since removed it to save on weight.

The Madone and the Emonda, on the other hand, are designed for speed and with 25 mm wide tires which have a tire clearance of 28 mm. Since the Emonda is designed for lightness, it does not have ISO speed, so you will really feel the road here. The Madone, on the other hand, has ISO speed on the rear wheel. All bikes are aerodynamically optimized in their own way, but the Madone takes it up a notch with its aerodynamic Kammtail Virtual Foil tube design, cutting through the air like it's butter!

3. Components.

Regarding the shifting groups there is not much to mention. All three have similar equipment and the shifting groups are in the same price range. However, there are some differences in the design of the seatpost, the handlebar, and in the choice of wheels, that support the main purpose of each bike. Besides the SLR version, the Domane comes with pretty standard road wheels and a typical round handlebar, while the seatpost has a Kammtail Virtual Foil shape to improve aerodynamics. The Emonda, on the other hand, has some sort of saddle mast to further reduce weight and a flatter, wider handlebar to make the bike more aerodynamic. The wheels are also more aerodynamic, with a rim depth of about 37mm. To further improve aerodynamics, the Madone has wheels with a rim depth of 51 mm, an Airfoil seatpost and the most aerodynamic handlebar.

4. Price.

The price varies depending on the model, of course, but for each bike you can spend up to almost 15,000 euros. The Domane starts at €949 and goes up to €14,499. You can get a carbon model starting at €2,999. The Emonda, on the other hand, ranges from €1,949 to €13,999, with the carbon model also starting at €2,999. Finally, you can spend up to 14,299 Euros for the Madone.

When we compare the cheapest and most expensive bike of each model in terms of total weight, the Emonda is unsurprisingly the lightest of the three. The Madone is second and the Domane third. The Madone is lightest in the less expensive category, but that's because the Madone doesn't come in a less expensive aluminum version.

5. Which Trek road bike should it be for you?

If you're looking for a comfortable and true all-rounder, then it's best to go for the Domane. If you're looking for minimal weight and good climbing ability, the Emonda is probably for you. If you want to experience pure speed, the Madone with its unparalleled aerodynamics is your new bike.

However, since these bikes can be quite expensive, as we have just seen, we recommend you to check out the buycycle website to find them at a reduced price. If you still need some advice or have any questions, or want to sell your bike, you can always contact our team at any time. Until then, as always, we wish you happy browsing, happy cycling!

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