Have had this bike for a week now. Love it. I'm 3mph faster on average than on my Trek FX and can go longer with less effort because it holds its speed so well. Took your advice and upgraded to GP5000s. Such a good bike. Thanks for the review.
Amazing video! You’re such an incredible speaker who really knows how to educate us fellow bike lovers. Thank you for all that you do, Hiker Biker Omar!
Omar is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He has helped alot with his experience and videos and has personally assisted me to find the right bike for me. I have no words to express my gratitude so I left this comment for everyone to know!!! 🙏🙏🙏
Fantastic review and very comprehensive. I was also looking a the Cannondale Synapse 105 and I got hung up on the 105 group set but your comments on the Tiagra is the "New group set of the people. Haven't made a final decision but going to go check out the AL4
I’ve been jonesing to buy a bike after many years of not riding. With that in mind, I spent a great deal of time researching one that would allow me to enjoy varied terrain. Just today I settled upon the Trek Domane AL 4 for virtually the same reasons that you had stated in your video. Amazing that was. Thank you greatly for having helped justify my decision.
I just ordered this exact same bike today before I ran into your excellent video, it really convinced me that this bike is the right choice for me. I am very curious how I'm going to like to ride it coming from a 15 year old Trek 2000. Thanks a lot for the effort you put in making this video.
This is the video ive been lookin for! i thought you had thousands of subs, by judging the quailty of your video is really impressive. Thank you for the amazing video, really liked it. Subbed!
Good review. I'm really considering this bike. It would be my first bike thats considered a road bike, but I ride 95% rail trails that is light gravel, and asphalt. Definitely am going to test ride one. Thanks.
Hello, Omar. Thank you for this video. This bike is on my mind for a long time, i guess i will buy it soon and it will be the first race bike of my life. 🤔🚲🚴🏻
great video. thanks for the tips. i think i’ll be getting this bike. upgrading from a TREK FX2 and i’m just looking for better performance/ speed without losing the ability to do a little gravel riding.
@hikerbikeromar thanks a bunch, I've been riding a trek 1000 sl from the 2ks for the last 2 years. It is time to upgrade, and I was torn about the 5 having 105 components. Your video addressed that concern. I don't think I will need that 105 for $400 more.
@Azav312 I don’t think so either. I’ve ridden both, and I think the Tiagra is an excellent groupset, and I don’t see any reason to spend the extra cash. I couldn’t tell the difference between the two from a performance standpoint. Feel free to keep me posted!
Considering getting this bike,I 've been doing alot of gravel up in Northern Maine with freshtrailsadventures and in the green Mountains of VT,I'm a climber by trade ,will probably up grade to the 105 crank to get the 32,you did a great job in this video,it will make a good lite gravel bike ,when I put bigger tires,thank you,
Great video. I must disagree with one point you made, I have 2022 Domane AL3, the breaks work just fine. Several times riding I have to make sudden stops for various reasons, no problem with the breaks, just keep the rotors clean. Again great video, keep up the great work.
Great review , I was given an old Mavic which old Tiagra 3x8 , it had never been serviced or cleaned , I rode it and the gears snicked in despite years of crud on them , its also got rim brakes and they work great too , its a great groupset that should be around for some time (I think 105 mechanical is being phased out ?) .
Cool! Yeah I think the 105 mech is slowly being phased out, although they did just release a new 12 spd version. My guess is the new ones going forward will be electronic only. Thanks for watching!
I was planning to buy this bike in 2021, but after testing it and Emonda ALR, I went with the Emonda. Mostly because how riding the bikes felt and also because Domane had Sora and Emonda had Tiagra. Don't regret the decision. Would now love to buy a Trek Checkpoint ALR as it's more relax geometry compared to their carbon version.
Can confirm, the AL3 has terrible brakes. You sort of get used to them after a while, but they are outright dangerous if you're used to actually good disc brakes. Great review!
I’m an old man starting biking again. I would just like to wear my sneakers, and hop on for some leisurely rides. I’ll be getting a Trek Domane AL 4 in the future with any luck, and need advice, please, as to what pedals to purchase.
That's a great question! I totally agree with wearing sneakers and using flat pedals. In fact, back when I used to do competitive time trialing, my fasest ride ever recorded was actually while wearing slippers and flat pedals! I couldn't believe it. Any flat pedals will do, but my personal favorite are the Catalyst flat pedals. They are much wider than regular flat pedals, so you get more foot support and therefore more general stabiity and comfort while riding: pedalinginnovations.com/buy-your-pedals/
Thanks for the review. Great perspective on this bike. I’ve owned the AL4 for a little over a year and I do 90% of my riding on rail trail gravel. (The Katy Trail in Missouri) When I got the bike I switched to cheap 700x38 tires😢. I recently switched those to a Maxxis tire (same size). Wow, what a difference! As my mileage increases , I’m trying to decide if I upgrade to a checkpoint SL5 (carbon frame)???
@@svennoppe That's a good question. For me personally, I'd definitely go for the Domane. It's going to have a bit more of a relaxed geometry and the componentry on the AL5 will be higher end than the Diverge E5. But I believe the AL5 costs a few hundred more, so if that is a concern, then that's something to think about. But overall, I think if you grab the Domane, it could last your whole cycling life, and would be a great investment. Of course, I recommend going into a shop and trying them both out if possible, since things like comfort can be subjective.
Thanks for your vids. I wanna buy my first road bike. The sl 5 is not available as of now so i thought about the al 4 or the bmc roadmachine three. So both bikes stand the test of time in your opinion?
Absolutely! Both bikes will last a very very long time. If I were you, I’d go for the Domane if it’s your first road bike. I think you will find it to be more comfortable. However, you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Hi Omar. Thanks for the review. I'm a little confused about choosing the right size. Can you tell me what your measurements are and what frame size you use? I'm 6.07 feet tall with an 0.39 inch inseam and 24 inch arms. If I refers to trek size chart I should go for the 58 but manufacturer usually use oversized recommendations. Cheers
I am fairly close to your measurements actually. I am 6'1" with a 35 inch inseam, and the 58 fits me perfectly. It is very natural feeling. I definitely think a size 58 would fit you very well. Of course, if you are able to get in a shop and try 58 vs 56, that would be best, but I've tried a 56 on multiple occasions and it has definitely felt too small for me. That's just my two cents. Thank you for watching!
Hi Omar, nice video! I am stuck deciding between the Domane AL 4 and Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon. There is a price difference and I don't mind paying more for the Diverge. The Diverge is a full carbon bike with 1x11 Apex 1, future shock 1.5, carbon seat post, better wheels etc. My question is, which of these would be a better first bike in your opinion? Not in terms of value or price point but in terms of riding position and comfort. I don't want something aggressive but both bikes seem to be on the more upright side. Also, I am 6ft with a 33" inseam. Which size would you say would be good for me? Unfortunately, I can't test ride as there are no dealers near me. I'd really appreciate your input and advice. Thanks!
Hey man, thanks for the message! Great questions. This is just my personal opinion, but I think the Domane will be the better first bike for sure. The Diverge sport is actually fairly aggressive, at least compared to the Domane, and is mostly at home on gravel, whereas the Domane is a multi purpose bike. It can be used on road just as easily as gravel, and I think is a much better allrounder. The Domane really is my favorite bike for that reason, and it's always been the bike I recommend for new riders. Given your sizing, I believe a size 58 would fit you perfectly. Of course, take it with a grain of salt since I am just going by two measurements, but from all the people I have helped with sizing, I can pretty confidently say a 58 would be perfect for you. Good luck!
@@hikerbikeromarThanks for the reply. Interesting... I was looking at the stack to reach ratio and both were similar however I guess there is more to it then that. I did notice the top tube is significantly longer on the Diverge. Just curious, are you saying the Domane is more versatile due to the gearing?
@@nohandle641 Yep, my main reasoning was because of the reach and gearing, but also the general beafy nature of the Diverge vs the more nimble frame of the Domane. The stack is similar to the Domane but in my experience, having such a long reach like the diverge has I think will make the bike a bit uncomfortable long term. Then the gearing on the diverge I think will be a bit more clunky since it's a 1x, so the increments I don't think will feel as natural as the 2x on the Domane. Then the issue of overall weight and clunkiness, which I think will be better on the Domane. I'm afraid the Diverge will feel a bit beafy on the road given the wider fork and bigger tires, where as the Domane will probably cruise quicker and with less effort. But if you do decide to go on gravel, you could easily swap out the tires for something wider and set it up as an excellent gravel option. On the other hand, if you plan on doing mostly gravel, then the Diverge would of course be better. But I think the Domane will win in most categories for general use. Of course, this is just my two cents!
Hello! Is this a good bike for climbing hills? The 2023 AL 4 colors are so much better than AL 5 but I'm unsure if I will miss out a lot if I don't go with the 11-speed on the 105 groupset.
Weight, gear ratios, and geometry are what matter most. For example, a super aero aggressive frame with gearing meant for sprints on flat roads will not put you in a position to climb well. A bike like the Domane AL 4 however, is an excellent all rounder for everything.
I’ve been riding on a trek FX3 the last 7 years and looking at upgrading. I prefer riding on bike paths. Looking for something lightweight, comfort, speed. I’m just worried the change in handlebar from FX Flatbar to domane drop bar . Do you recommend domane?
I definitely recommend the Domane. I think you will find the drop bars more comfortable than the flat bars on the FX3. The drop bars give you more more positioning options for hands and body, and will likely be an upgrade in every way.
@sandrak6855 the main difference is the material they are made out of. The AL is aluminum whereas the SL is carbon fiber. Most of the SL versions have better components than the AL as well (such as better drivetrain, better brakes, etc). Both are great options. I have a review on the SL you can find on my channel too if you care to watch.
2 questions. 1.) is there a bike in the same price range that you would recommend over the AL 4? 2.) im 30 yrs old and i bought a dual sport 2 a month ago because i absolutely hate running and i need to get in shape. I bought the dual sport because i wasnt sure if i was going to like doing trails or riding on pavement more. Long story short i like going fast and ive been riding on pavement more and like it better so ive been eyeing up the domane al 2 through 4 and my main question would be should i wait to buy a new bike and just enjoy the ds for now or should i buy a dedicated lighter road bike and keep the ds for winter riding? Thank you.
Good question! A lot of it comes down to personal preference. I personally don't like the flat bar bikes for anything other than commuting. For road biking as a sport, I think the Domane is a much better fit, and the Domane in general is one of my favorite bikes ever made. It has comfort like I've never seen on any bike, and it is so versatile. You can put some wider tires on there for winter or gravel riding, or you can keep the tires smaller for pure road riding. Out of all the bikes available, the AL 4 is very easy to recommend, and I like it more than the dual sport by a long shot. The only other bike worth considering in this price range would be the Scott Speedster (www.scott-sports.com/us/en/product/scott-speedster-20-bike?article=290372061), but I think the Trek is the best option personally!
@@hikerbikeromar thank you for the quick reply. That speedster one is pretty nice too i was also looking at the orbea avant h40. Idk ill have to think about it leaning pretty heavily toward the al 4 though i do really like it. Thank you again.
Hi Omar , love you videos man ! Quick question , how does this bike compare with the canyon endurance 8 disc ?which is about the same price , and which one would you prefer . Thank you 🙏
Hey man, thanks for the compliment! Both bikes are very similar, but with the Canyon, you are getting a better value since it’s going to ship with a Shimano 105 drivetrain, vs the Tiagra on the Trek. Both have a very similar geometry, so should be nearly identical comfort wise. I’d say, if you are able to find a good deal on the Trek (as in $1600 or less), I’d say go with the Trek. Otherwise, since they are both the same price, I’d say the Canyon is absolutely the better deal.
@@hikerbikeromar thank you so much Omar I’ll wait to see if I can find a better deal with trek if not I’ll go with canyon ! Tnx again and keep the videos coming 😎😎😎
Nice video! I think I'm going with the Domane for my first bike. I wanted to ask you about sizing because it looks like you have plenty of experience with Trek. Would you say their sizing chart is accurate? I am 6ft tall with 34" inseam and 73" wingspan. They are recommending the 58. What do you think about this? Unfortunately there are no local trek dealers near me so I can't try. Thanks!
Definitely, a size 58 would be perfect for you. I've got lots of experience sizing people on the Domane as it's my favorite bike to recommend, and definitely a perfect 1st bike. Thanks for watching!
@@hikerbikeromar Perfect. I'm waiting for the new version of the AL 4 to be listed on the Trek site but I notices the AL 2 Disc in on sale for $1099. It's very tempting. Would you recommend the Al 2? Or should I wait for the Al 4?
@@rsx101 Good question! Personally I would wait for the AL4. I am not sure when they will announce it, I've only heard rumors they were going to announce it this month. Although if that were the case, you'd think those current ones would be on sale too. But either way, I would definitely recommend the AL 4 over the AL 2, 100% of the time.
I bought the domne al2 and I hate it,,, I found it way two high front end, I removed all spacers Wich brought ma stem down almost 2" However I still don't like riding it, I bought the 52 n hindsight I probally would have preferred a 50cm,,,
It definitely helps to make the bike feel sporty and faster! If comfort is your main goal, keeping the spacers is the better choice. But removing them definitely livens up the performance. I made a video where I slammed the stem and talked about the resulting ride quality. Feel free to watch it at ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html
Other than looking down at the gears to check, there’s no way to really tell. However, after a few minutes of riding, it will become very intuitive and you’ll just “know”. I was wondering the same thing when I first got into cycling as well!
I really liked this review and was wondering if I could get some advice. I’m 15 and getting into road riding with my dad. I’m trying to choose a bike close to 2000 usd. I’m going to use it for my main goal right now which is a ride that’s got a lot of climbing (11ft elevation gain over 103 miles) but also want to be able to throw cross tires on it and race cross in the fall. My current ideas are the domane al 4, the emonda alr 5 and the canyon endurace 8. Sorry for the long message but thanks for any help you can provide
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like a cool ride you’ve got planned. I think both the Domane AL 4 and Canyon Endurace 8 are going to be excellent options. The Emonda on the other hand I don’t think is the right choice for your use case. The Endurace 8 will probably be your best bet since it’s got Shimano 105 components, otherwise, the Domane AL 4 will an excellent choice too. Both are highly customizable and can fit all different kinds of riding styles.
@@hikerbikeromar my only worry with the domane is the weight, it seems like it’s meant for longer flat rides conspired to giant climbs which I end up doing a lot as I live near mountains. Is the weight that noticeable while climbing with it?
@@Babyoildealer That's a great question, I never felt the weight was very noticeable. With the right tires and innertubes, I was able to get mine to 22.7 lbs. You could easily get it lighter with additional upgrades, such as a lighter saddle, carbon fibrer seatpost, and more importantly, a set of carbon fiber wheels. The Emonda ALR 5 is a good bike too, but with the Domane, you'll be able to put up to 38mm tires, which I think will help you with Cyclocross and gravel.
I think it would really come down to what type of riding you do most, road or gravel? I will say, the Domane can be a very formidable gravel bike too, however. I’d only go for the checkpoint if you were doing pretty much gravel exclusively.
@Hiker Biker Omar And another final comment! I just saw the FX Sport 4 2023 comes with 40c gravel tires now and a mtb drive train. How would this compare with the Domane in terms of riding style, speed and comfort?
That’s a great question! I used to own an FX Sport 4 (2022 version), and I really was not a fan. For me, the flat handlebars were significantly more uncomfortable, especially on longer rides, it was downright painful. Drop bars are so much better in my opinion since you can change your position up. In terms of speed, the Domane was faster in my testing, most likely due to aerodynamics. The FX Sport forces you in a much more upright position. It’s great for commuting since you get better visibility, but I didn’t like it for my type of riding. This is just my opinion!
Greetings from Philippines!!! Great review and i learned a lot from this video.. my friend and I is planning to buy AL4.. What size fits best for 5'4" and 5'5" height? I hope u can give me advice on what fits us best. More power and thanks.. 🚴♂️
Thank you so much for watching! I think that is awesome you and your friend are looking to grab this bike. It's an awesome option and you will for sure love it. For your and your friends height, a size 52 would almost certainly be best. If you are able to, I still recommend trying it out in a shop to make sure, but otherwise, I'd say size 52. Feel free to check out my upgrade video as well: ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html
Do you think that Domane AL 4 and by extension AL 5 is very comfortable for long rides? I thinking of the AL 5 and most reviews say its very comfortable.
This video was made with stock tires. I did however make an upgrade video where I changed the tires on this bike: ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=HikerBikerOmar It's an awesome bike!
What do you mean by it will struggle in those situations? Is it the bike quality that can't handle the pressure? Or geometry or even groupset? I am trying to reach 20 mph avg, but still struggling. I wanna know your opinion
If you ride on mostly flat ground, such as in a place like Florida or Kansas, you can probably do 20mph average. Otherwise it's a combination of weight and components that will hold you back. The bearings for example are not the highest end, so there will be a bit more friction there. The integrity of the frame is also not going to be as solid as a carbon fiber bike, so the power transfer will not be as efficient. The lower end components add up the weight, which will of course slow you down a bit. Then there's the overall geometry of this thing being a more upright bike with fatter tubing, so it won't cut through the wind as seemlessly as an aero bike for example. Having said that, it's still a really fun bike to ride, and frankly, I enjoy riding this more than my super high end $7k Carbon race bike. At the end of the day, fitness matters more than anything. You could do 20mph average with this, but a bike built for speed will get you to that goal quicker.
I have a SL6. I like it overall, but it's not the fastest, due IMHO to: wider tires (32), wide down tube and not the lightest. The speed a rider can average is dependent on their fitness. I've noticed that it doesn't trail off, when on group rides everybody coasts, I don't fall back but have to tap brakes. So I imagine it's not that slow.
Thank you! I am 6”1’ with a 34 inseam and ride a size 58. I tried a size 56 and it was noticeably too small, but the 58 fits me perfectly. I think you be spot on for a size 58!
Have had this bike for a week now. Love it. I'm 3mph faster on average than on my Trek FX and can go longer with less effort because it holds its speed so well. Took your advice and upgraded to GP5000s. Such a good bike. Thanks for the review.
Thanks so much for sharing! So happy it worked out for you.
Amazing video! You’re such an incredible speaker who really knows how to educate us fellow bike lovers. Thank you for all that you do, Hiker Biker Omar!
Thank you so much for watching Angela!!! Your support means so much!
Omar is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He has helped alot with his experience and videos and has personally assisted me to find the right bike for me. I have no words to express my gratitude so I left this comment for everyone to know!!! 🙏🙏🙏
You are most welcome! Happy to help any time!
Fantastic review and very comprehensive. I was also looking a the Cannondale Synapse 105 and I got hung up on the 105 group set but your comments on the Tiagra is the "New group set of the people. Haven't made a final decision but going to go check out the AL4
Thanks for making this video! I was debating between the 4 and 5 earlier this year and went with the 4 after watching this. Pretty happy so far!
Thank you for sharing! Glad you like it!
Great review! Technical, relevant, and comprehensive. I just picked mine up today.
Thank you! Congrats on the purchase! You’ll love it
I’ve been jonesing to buy a bike after many years of not riding. With that in mind, I spent a great deal of time researching one that would allow me to enjoy varied terrain. Just today I settled upon the Trek Domane AL 4 for virtually the same reasons that you had stated in your video. Amazing that was. Thank you greatly for having helped justify my decision.
You are most welcome! Thank you so much for watching, and enjoy your new bike! You'll absolutely love it.
Looking forward to the upgrade videos! I've been eyeing this bike for the last several months and your review is incredibly informational. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching, and for your generous comment! Upgrade video coming soon! :)
I just ordered this exact same bike today before I ran into your excellent video, it really convinced me that this bike is the right choice for me. I am very curious how I'm going to like to ride it coming from a 15 year old Trek 2000. Thanks a lot for the effort you put in making this video.
You are so welcome, thank you for the comment! It’s really an awesome bike, you’ll love it!!
This is the video ive been lookin for! i thought you had thousands of subs, by judging the quailty of your video is really impressive. Thank you for the amazing video, really liked it.
Subbed!
You are so welcome, thank you so much for your support!! 🙏
Good review. I'm really considering this bike. It would be my first bike thats considered a road bike, but I ride 95% rail trails that is light gravel, and asphalt. Definitely am going to test ride one. Thanks.
I think you’ll love it! Thanks so much for watching!
Hello, Omar. Thank you for this video. This bike is on my mind for a long time, i guess i will buy it soon and it will be the first race bike of my life. 🤔🚲🚴🏻
Thank you so much for watching! You’re gonna love it!
great video. thanks for the tips. i think i’ll
be getting this bike. upgrading from a TREK FX2 and i’m just looking for better performance/ speed without losing the ability to do a little gravel riding.
I think this is the perfect option for you! You’ll love it.
Thanks for the review. Going to the bike shop now to check this domane fx4 out. I’m current riding an Electra townie 😅
This was a very detailed & appreciated video review. I think im going to go with the 4 instead of the 5.
Thank you
Thanks for watching! You’ll love it, it’s an amazing bike.
@hikerbikeromar thanks a bunch, I've been riding a trek 1000 sl from the 2ks for the last 2 years. It is time to upgrade, and I was torn about the 5 having 105 components. Your video addressed that concern. I don't think I will need that 105 for $400 more.
@Azav312 I don’t think so either. I’ve ridden both, and I think the Tiagra is an excellent groupset, and I don’t see any reason to spend the extra cash. I couldn’t tell the difference between the two from a performance standpoint. Feel free to keep me posted!
thanks for the video, learnt a lot about my first road bike!
You are most welcome. Thank you so much for watching!
Considering getting this bike,I 've been doing alot of gravel up in Northern Maine with freshtrailsadventures and in the green Mountains of VT,I'm a climber by trade ,will probably up grade to the 105 crank to get the 32,you did a great job in this video,it will make a good lite gravel bike ,when I put bigger tires,thank you,
You are so welcome, thank you for watching!
Great video thanks I’d probably loose the music through out but that’s just me , very informative probably going with one as a second bike
Thanks does the suggestion! I appreciate the feedback.
The best bike review that i have ever watch. Congrats and thanks Hiker Biker Omar 👋🙏
You are most welcome, thanks so much for watching!
Great video. I must disagree with one point you made, I have 2022 Domane AL3, the breaks work just fine. Several times riding I have to make sudden stops for various reasons, no problem with the breaks, just keep the rotors clean. Again great video, keep up the great work.
Thank you so much for sharing! I absolutely appreciate your insight.
Great review , I was given an old Mavic which old Tiagra 3x8 , it had never been serviced or cleaned , I rode it and the gears snicked in despite years of crud on them , its also got rim brakes and they work great too , its a great groupset that should be around for some time (I think 105 mechanical is being phased out ?) .
Cool! Yeah I think the 105 mech is slowly being phased out, although they did just release a new 12 spd version. My guess is the new ones going forward will be electronic only. Thanks for watching!
I upgraded my claris groupset to a tiagra groupset on my Domane 2 (big difference) but kept the same mechanical brake system.
You make great videos, by the way. Very informative. Very helpful.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your comments!
Thanks for the video! This reinforced my decision to buy the Domane AL4.
You’ll love it!!
If it's a "gravel" bike, then sure is a must-have item!
I was planning to buy this bike in 2021, but after testing it and Emonda ALR, I went with the Emonda. Mostly because how riding the bikes felt and also because Domane had Sora and Emonda had Tiagra. Don't regret the decision. Would now love to buy a Trek Checkpoint ALR as it's more relax geometry compared to their carbon version.
Emonda ALR is an awesome bike!
awesome review, I'm going to get one of these!
Thank you! You’ll love it!
Great review, if Trek made the next size up, I would love to buy.
Thanks Scott! If you haven’t already, you could consider purchasing a longer stem. Not sure if that would help?
Great review
Can confirm, the AL3 has terrible brakes. You sort of get used to them after a while, but they are outright dangerous if you're used to actually good disc brakes.
Great review!
Thanks for sharing!!
it is a great bike, if you want to add wheels, and other up-grades.
Amazing review bro, thanks a lot.
Thank you so much!
I’m an old man starting biking again. I would just like to wear my sneakers, and hop on for some leisurely rides. I’ll be getting a Trek Domane AL 4 in the future with any luck, and need advice, please, as to what pedals to purchase.
That's a great question! I totally agree with wearing sneakers and using flat pedals. In fact, back when I used to do competitive time trialing, my fasest ride ever recorded was actually while wearing slippers and flat pedals! I couldn't believe it.
Any flat pedals will do, but my personal favorite are the Catalyst flat pedals. They are much wider than regular flat pedals, so you get more foot support and therefore more general stabiity and comfort while riding: pedalinginnovations.com/buy-your-pedals/
Good review. Thank you.
Thanks for the review. Great perspective on this bike. I’ve owned the AL4 for a little over a year and I do 90% of my riding on rail trail gravel. (The Katy Trail in Missouri) When I got the bike I switched to cheap 700x38 tires😢. I recently switched those to a Maxxis tire (same size). Wow, what a difference! As my mileage increases , I’m trying to decide if I upgrade to a checkpoint SL5 (carbon frame)???
It’s incredible the amount of difference the tires can make! Checkpoint is also an excellent bike. I’ll have a review coming in that one soon!
which tires do you recommend?
I absolutely love the continental GP 5000 tires. Best tires I have ever used.
@@hikerbikeromar I'm unsure about the Domane Al5 or the Specialized Diverge E5? Do you have a preference and why?
@@svennoppe That's a good question. For me personally, I'd definitely go for the Domane. It's going to have a bit more of a relaxed geometry and the componentry on the AL5 will be higher end than the Diverge E5. But I believe the AL5 costs a few hundred more, so if that is a concern, then that's something to think about. But overall, I think if you grab the Domane, it could last your whole cycling life, and would be a great investment. Of course, I recommend going into a shop and trying them both out if possible, since things like comfort can be subjective.
Nice detailed review.
Thanks for watching!
Trek's early internally routed cables used to make a lot of rattling noises. Hopefully they've rectified that now.
I have the same problem in my Marlin 5
Thanks for your vids. I wanna buy my first road bike. The sl 5 is not available as of now so i thought about the al 4 or the bmc roadmachine three. So both bikes stand the test of time in your opinion?
Absolutely! Both bikes will last a very very long time. If I were you, I’d go for the Domane if it’s your first road bike. I think you will find it to be more comfortable. However, you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Excellent Video! very practical
Hi Omar. Thanks for the review. I'm a little confused about choosing the right size. Can you tell me what your measurements are and what frame size you use? I'm 6.07 feet tall with an 0.39 inch inseam and 24 inch arms. If I refers to trek size chart I should go for the 58 but manufacturer usually use oversized recommendations. Cheers
I am fairly close to your measurements actually. I am 6'1" with a 35 inch inseam, and the 58 fits me perfectly. It is very natural feeling. I definitely think a size 58 would fit you very well. Of course, if you are able to get in a shop and try 58 vs 56, that would be best, but I've tried a 56 on multiple occasions and it has definitely felt too small for me. That's just my two cents. Thank you for watching!
Thank you for the comprehensive review and information. Great work!
What size is the bike you reviewed and weighed?
You are most welcome, thank you for watching! This was a size 58.
Awesome review! Would you mind sharing what bike stand that is?
Thanks! It was this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039TE2US/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12:58 Squirell in the background
Hi Omar, nice video! I am stuck deciding between the Domane AL 4 and Specialized Diverge Sport Carbon. There is a price difference and I don't mind paying more for the Diverge. The Diverge is a full carbon bike with 1x11 Apex 1, future shock 1.5, carbon seat post, better wheels etc. My question is, which of these would be a better first bike in your opinion? Not in terms of value or price point but in terms of riding position and comfort. I don't want something aggressive but both bikes seem to be on the more upright side. Also, I am 6ft with a 33" inseam. Which size would you say would be good for me? Unfortunately, I can't test ride as there are no dealers near me. I'd really appreciate your input and advice. Thanks!
Hey man, thanks for the message! Great questions. This is just my personal opinion, but I think the Domane will be the better first bike for sure. The Diverge sport is actually fairly aggressive, at least compared to the Domane, and is mostly at home on gravel, whereas the Domane is a multi purpose bike. It can be used on road just as easily as gravel, and I think is a much better allrounder. The Domane really is my favorite bike for that reason, and it's always been the bike I recommend for new riders. Given your sizing, I believe a size 58 would fit you perfectly. Of course, take it with a grain of salt since I am just going by two measurements, but from all the people I have helped with sizing, I can pretty confidently say a 58 would be perfect for you. Good luck!
@@hikerbikeromarThanks for the reply. Interesting... I was looking at the stack to reach ratio and both were similar however I guess there is more to it then that. I did notice the top tube is significantly longer on the Diverge. Just curious, are you saying the Domane is more versatile due to the gearing?
@@nohandle641 Yep, my main reasoning was because of the reach and gearing, but also the general beafy nature of the Diverge vs the more nimble frame of the Domane. The stack is similar to the Domane but in my experience, having such a long reach like the diverge has I think will make the bike a bit uncomfortable long term.
Then the gearing on the diverge I think will be a bit more clunky since it's a 1x, so the increments I don't think will feel as natural as the 2x on the Domane.
Then the issue of overall weight and clunkiness, which I think will be better on the Domane. I'm afraid the Diverge will feel a bit beafy on the road given the wider fork and bigger tires, where as the Domane will probably cruise quicker and with less effort. But if you do decide to go on gravel, you could easily swap out the tires for something wider and set it up as an excellent gravel option.
On the other hand, if you plan on doing mostly gravel, then the Diverge would of course be better.
But I think the Domane will win in most categories for general use. Of course, this is just my two cents!
Thank you very much. This was very helpful. @@hikerbikeromar
I went AL5 was almost going for an SL5 but decided to stick with aluminum and save about $1500
AL5 is an awesome bike!
@@hikerbikeromar super excited! Still gotta wait a couple days before pick up!
Hello! Is this a good bike for climbing hills? The 2023 AL 4 colors are so much better than AL 5 but I'm unsure if I will miss out a lot if I don't go with the 11-speed on the 105 groupset.
I think it climbs perfectly fine! Unless you are in the mountains, I don't think the extra gear will make much difference.
@@hikerbikeromar Is weight the biggest factor for making a bike a good climbing bike?
Weight, gear ratios, and geometry are what matter most. For example, a super aero aggressive frame with gearing meant for sprints on flat roads will not put you in a position to climb well. A bike like the Domane AL 4 however, is an excellent all rounder for everything.
I’ve been riding on a trek FX3 the last 7 years and looking at upgrading. I prefer riding on bike paths. Looking for something lightweight, comfort, speed. I’m just worried the change in handlebar from FX Flatbar to domane drop bar . Do you recommend domane?
I definitely recommend the Domane. I think you will find the drop bars more comfortable than the flat bars on the FX3. The drop bars give you more more positioning options for hands and body, and will likely be an upgrade in every way.
@@hikerbikeromar Thank you
@@hikerbikeromar Do you know the difference between the Trek Domane AL and the Domane SL?
@sandrak6855 the main difference is the material they are made out of. The AL is aluminum whereas the SL is carbon fiber. Most of the SL versions have better components than the AL as well (such as better drivetrain, better brakes, etc).
Both are great options. I have a review on the SL you can find on my channel too if you care to watch.
@@hikerbikeromarThank you
2 questions. 1.) is there a bike in the same price range that you would recommend over the AL 4? 2.) im 30 yrs old and i bought a dual sport 2 a month ago because i absolutely hate running and i need to get in shape. I bought the dual sport because i wasnt sure if i was going to like doing trails or riding on pavement more. Long story short i like going fast and ive been riding on pavement more and like it better so ive been eyeing up the domane al 2 through 4 and my main question would be should i wait to buy a new bike and just enjoy the ds for now or should i buy a dedicated lighter road bike and keep the ds for winter riding? Thank you.
Good question! A lot of it comes down to personal preference. I personally don't like the flat bar bikes for anything other than commuting. For road biking as a sport, I think the Domane is a much better fit, and the Domane in general is one of my favorite bikes ever made. It has comfort like I've never seen on any bike, and it is so versatile. You can put some wider tires on there for winter or gravel riding, or you can keep the tires smaller for pure road riding. Out of all the bikes available, the AL 4 is very easy to recommend, and I like it more than the dual sport by a long shot. The only other bike worth considering in this price range would be the Scott Speedster (www.scott-sports.com/us/en/product/scott-speedster-20-bike?article=290372061), but I think the Trek is the best option personally!
@@hikerbikeromar thank you for the quick reply. That speedster one is pretty nice too i was also looking at the orbea avant h40. Idk ill have to think about it leaning pretty heavily toward the al 4 though i do really like it. Thank you again.
Hi Omar , love you videos man !
Quick question , how does this bike compare with the canyon endurance 8 disc ?which is about the same price , and which one would you prefer . Thank you 🙏
Hey man, thanks for the compliment! Both bikes are very similar, but with the Canyon, you are getting a better value since it’s going to ship with a Shimano 105 drivetrain, vs the Tiagra on the Trek. Both have a very similar geometry, so should be nearly identical comfort wise. I’d say, if you are able to find a good deal on the Trek (as in $1600 or less), I’d say go with the Trek. Otherwise, since they are both the same price, I’d say the Canyon is absolutely the better deal.
@@hikerbikeromar thank you so much Omar
I’ll wait to see if I can find a better deal with trek if not I’ll go with canyon ! Tnx again and keep the videos coming 😎😎😎
Sounds great man!
Good review 👌👏👏👏👏
Thank you!
Nice video! I think I'm going with the Domane for my first bike. I wanted to ask you about sizing because it looks like you have plenty of experience with Trek. Would you say their sizing chart is accurate? I am 6ft tall with 34" inseam and 73" wingspan. They are recommending the 58. What do you think about this? Unfortunately there are no local trek dealers near me so I can't try. Thanks!
Definitely, a size 58 would be perfect for you. I've got lots of experience sizing people on the Domane as it's my favorite bike to recommend, and definitely a perfect 1st bike. Thanks for watching!
@@hikerbikeromar Perfect. I'm waiting for the new version of the AL 4 to be listed on the Trek site but I notices the AL 2 Disc in on sale for $1099. It's very tempting. Would you recommend the Al 2? Or should I wait for the Al 4?
@@rsx101 Good question! Personally I would wait for the AL4. I am not sure when they will announce it, I've only heard rumors they were going to announce it this month. Although if that were the case, you'd think those current ones would be on sale too. But either way, I would definitely recommend the AL 4 over the AL 2, 100% of the time.
I should definitely buy it. But it’s sorta kinda expensive. Even entry level bikes are expensive these days.
Agreed
I bought the domne al2 and I hate it,,, I found it way two high front end, I removed all spacers Wich brought ma stem down almost 2"
However I still don't like riding it, I bought the 52 n hindsight I probally would have preferred a 50cm,,,
does it make sense to remove the front spacers on a domane, to sit more sporty again, but keep a shorter distance to the hands placement?
It definitely helps to make the bike feel sporty and faster! If comfort is your main goal, keeping the spacers is the better choice. But removing them definitely livens up the performance. I made a video where I slammed the stem and talked about the resulting ride quality. Feel free to watch it at ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html
I missed the mention of the ISO Speed dampening feature. Was it included in this model?
It actually wasn’t. They don’t include that in their AL version bikes. Only the SL and SLR
how do you see which speed/gear you are driving? i only have bikes with flat bars
Other than looking down at the gears to check, there’s no way to really tell. However, after a few minutes of riding, it will become very intuitive and you’ll just “know”. I was wondering the same thing when I first got into cycling as well!
I really liked this review and was wondering if I could get some advice. I’m 15 and getting into road riding with my dad. I’m trying to choose a bike close to 2000 usd. I’m going to use it for my main goal right now which is a ride that’s got a lot of climbing (11ft elevation gain over 103 miles) but also want to be able to throw cross tires on it and race cross in the fall. My current ideas are the domane al 4, the emonda alr 5 and the canyon endurace 8. Sorry for the long message but thanks for any help you can provide
Thanks for the comment! Sounds like a cool ride you’ve got planned. I think both the Domane AL 4 and Canyon Endurace 8 are going to be excellent options. The Emonda on the other hand I don’t think is the right choice for your use case. The Endurace 8 will probably be your best bet since it’s got Shimano 105 components, otherwise, the Domane AL 4 will an excellent choice too. Both are highly customizable and can fit all different kinds of riding styles.
@@hikerbikeromar awesome thank you so much
@@hikerbikeromar my only worry with the domane is the weight, it seems like it’s meant for longer flat rides conspired to giant climbs which I end up doing a lot as I live near mountains. Is the weight that noticeable while climbing with it?
@@Babyoildealer That's a great question, I never felt the weight was very noticeable. With the right tires and innertubes, I was able to get mine to 22.7 lbs. You could easily get it lighter with additional upgrades, such as a lighter saddle, carbon fibrer seatpost, and more importantly, a set of carbon fiber wheels. The Emonda ALR 5 is a good bike too, but with the Domane, you'll be able to put up to 38mm tires, which I think will help you with Cyclocross and gravel.
@@hikerbikeromar I plan on doing the mods you do plus a new seat post. One last question, is the al 5 worth the extra price over the al 4 disc?
I'm stuck on this or forking over extra cash to get the checkpoint alr 5
I think it would really come down to what type of riding you do most, road or gravel? I will say, the Domane can be a very formidable gravel bike too, however. I’d only go for the checkpoint if you were doing pretty much gravel exclusively.
@Hiker Biker Omar And another final comment! I just saw the FX Sport 4 2023 comes with 40c gravel tires now and a mtb drive train. How would this compare with the Domane in terms of riding style, speed and comfort?
That’s a great question! I used to own an FX Sport 4 (2022 version), and I really was not a fan. For me, the flat handlebars were significantly more uncomfortable, especially on longer rides, it was downright painful. Drop bars are so much better in my opinion since you can change your position up.
In terms of speed, the Domane was faster in my testing, most likely due to aerodynamics. The FX Sport forces you in a much more upright position. It’s great for commuting since you get better visibility, but I didn’t like it for my type of riding.
This is just my opinion!
Greetings from Philippines!!! Great review and i learned a lot from this video.. my friend and I is planning to buy AL4.. What size fits best for 5'4" and 5'5" height? I hope u can give me advice on what fits us best. More power and thanks.. 🚴♂️
Thank you so much for watching! I think that is awesome you and your friend are looking to grab this bike. It's an awesome option and you will for sure love it. For your and your friends height, a size 52 would almost certainly be best. If you are able to, I still recommend trying it out in a shop to make sure, but otherwise, I'd say size 52.
Feel free to check out my upgrade video as well: ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html
@@hikerbikeromar thank u so much sir 🚴♂️
A domane with no decoupler??
may i know what size of your bike and how tall are you in cm ?
Of course. I am 6’1 (185 cm), with a 86.5cm inseam, and the bike size is a 58.
Do you think that Domane AL 4 and by extension AL 5 is very comfortable for long rides? I thinking of the AL 5 and most reviews say its very comfortable.
Yes absolutely, 100%! I can easily say that the Domane AL4 and AL5 are hands down the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden.
@@hikerbikeromar Thank you very much!! Ordering soon then!!
Can I ask how taller are you? And what is the size of your trek domaine? Thank you. I’m having trouble of the geometry of my bike.
Yes of course, I am 6’1 and ride a size 58. It fits me perfectly. What kind of trouble are you having?
did you make the video withthe tires changed? i have this bike
This video was made with stock tires. I did however make an upgrade video where I changed the tires on this bike: ua-cam.com/video/hfqQ20wEER0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=HikerBikerOmar
It's an awesome bike!
What do you mean by it will struggle in those situations? Is it the bike quality that can't handle the pressure? Or geometry or even groupset? I am trying to reach 20 mph avg, but still struggling. I wanna know your opinion
If you ride on mostly flat ground, such as in a place like Florida or Kansas, you can probably do 20mph average. Otherwise it's a combination of weight and components that will hold you back. The bearings for example are not the highest end, so there will be a bit more friction there. The integrity of the frame is also not going to be as solid as a carbon fiber bike, so the power transfer will not be as efficient. The lower end components add up the weight, which will of course slow you down a bit. Then there's the overall geometry of this thing being a more upright bike with fatter tubing, so it won't cut through the wind as seemlessly as an aero bike for example. Having said that, it's still a really fun bike to ride, and frankly, I enjoy riding this more than my super high end $7k Carbon race bike. At the end of the day, fitness matters more than anything. You could do 20mph average with this, but a bike built for speed will get you to that goal quicker.
I have a SL6. I like it overall, but it's not the fastest, due IMHO to: wider tires (32), wide down tube and not the lightest. The speed a rider can average is dependent on their fitness. I've noticed that it doesn't trail off, when on group rides everybody coasts, I don't fall back but have to tap brakes. So I imagine it's not that slow.
What kind of bike stand is this ?
It is this one here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039TE2US/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Great video! I'm exactly 6 ft. What size would you recommend?
Thank you! I am 6”1’ with a 34 inseam and ride a size 58. I tried a size 56 and it was noticeably too small, but the 58 fits me perfectly. I think you be spot on for a size 58!
@@hikerbikeromar 6’3, I should go with a 61 right?
Yes absolutely!
@@hikerbikeromar Thank You HBO!! Ended up going with an AL 5 in a 56. Thanks again!
You are so welcome. Enjoy the new ride!
what is your experience with the canyon brand ?
Canyon is excellent! They are extremely competitively priced and specked very nicely. I’ve never ridden a Canyon bike that I didn’t think was amazing.
is it 54or56 frame?
This was actually a 58
@@hikerbikeromarhmm... looks like 56 in most manufacturers. i am 6 feet tall. i guess i am 56cm size for this bike
56 would most likely be perfect for you
Nice video
How many speeds?
10 speed rear casette, and 2x front chainring. So 20 speed alltogether.
@@hikerbikeromar thank you!
Wow you look exactly like Jesus at the end. I subscribed for that and that only. Keep up the content!
Jesus rides a Trek. Good to know.