Trek Emonda and Trek Domane are among the most popular Trek road bikes. Both bikes are built to be lightweight, fast, and comfortable. Although they seem to be similar in many ways, they have differences in terms of their specifications.
So, how do these road bikes compare?
The key difference between Trek Emonda and Trek Domane arises in their performance. Trek Domane is an endurance road bike designed for comfort and better ride quality, while Emonda is a race road bike that’s well-known for agility and speed. So Emonda is best for on-road racing, while Domane is ideal for road tours.
Here are the differences between Trek Emonda and Trek Domane.
Table of Contents
Overview of Trek Emonda
If you’re looking to upgrade from a lower-level road bike and make a significant jump in performance without breaking the bank, this is a good bet. With this road bike, you get a high-performance machine that will help you take on longer and more challenging rides and enjoy your time on the road. Emonda’s geometry provides a snappy and responsive ride that won’t break your back.
Trek Emonda comes with a semi-aero design that reduces aerodynamic drag, making it super-fast. Its lightweight design makes it a better racer and climber since it’s easier going uphill with a lightweight bike compared to a heavier one. Emonda prioritizes speed and agility more than ride comfort and stability. This is a great option for beginners looking for a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver, and quick bike.
Pros
- Ideal for those who value comfort and speed
- Great maneuverability on the road
- Lightweight road bike
- Amazingly stiff ride
- Exceptionally fun to ride
Cons
- Not the best choice for imperfect road surfaces
Overview of Trek Domane
Trek Domane is a high-quality endurance road bike with a more upright geometry, making it perfect for road tours. If you’re looking for the best road bike for gravel surfaces, this is a good bet since its endurance geometry focuses more on stability than speed. Since it has an upright geometry, this road bike is suitable for riders with back issues. What’s more, the fact that you can easily ride it on gravel means that it is a perfect all-terrain choice.
Pros
- Balanced comfort
- High level of integration
- Impressive specs
- Versatile
Cons
- Slightly sluggish on steep hills
Trek Emonda vs. Domane: Side by side comparison
At a glance:
| Trek Emonda | Trek Domane | |
| Bike type | Race road bike | Endurance road bike |
| Geometry | Race geometry | Endurance/ sportive geometry |
| Bike Weight | Lighter than Domane | It weighs slightly more than Emonda |
| Drivetrain | 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain | 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain |
| No of gears | 2×11 speed gearing system | 3×11 speed gearing system |
| Speed | Faster than Domane | Slower than Emonda |
| Brakes | Shimano Dura-Ace Disc Brake | Shimano Dura-Ace Disc Brake |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c |
| Tires | Up to 30c | Up to 38c |
| Frame sizes | 47cm to 62cm | 47cm to 62cm |
| Colors | 7 colors | colors |
| Price | A bit pricier than Domane | Less costly Emonda |
Detailed Comparison:
Bike type:
The Trek Emonda is a race road bike, while the Domane is an endurance road bike. The key difference is that an endurance bike is designed to ride smoothly on different road surfaces, while a race bike is meant for racing on-road.
Geometry:
The Trek Emonda is designed as a race bike since it comes with race geometry. Trek Domane is an endurance bike that has a sportive or endurance geometry. A race geometry focuses on improved aerodynamics and is more aggressive, making it a great choice for racing. A sportive or endurance geometry comes with a more upright posture, making it a good bike for long rides or tours.
Bike Weight:
The Trek Emonda is the most lightweight Trek bike making it ideal for racing. However, this doesn’t mean that Domane is very heavy, but Emonda is lighter than Domane.
Drivetrain:
Both bikes come with a 12-speed Shimano Dura-ace drivetrain which guarantees quick acceleration and smooth and efficient shifting.
Gears
The Trek Emonda comes with Shimano 105 2×11 speed gearing system, while Domano has Shimano 105 3×11 speed gearing system.
Speed:
The Trek Emonda and Domane are undeniably fast. However. Emond’s low weight and race geometry make it speedier than Trek Domane. It’s important to note that the speed of both bikes entirely depends on your riding experience and where you ride.
Wheels
The wheels in Trek Domane are Bontrager AT-650 alloy front/back wheels, while Trek Emonda comes with Bontrager Race Lite i23 tubeless-ready disc carbon wheels.
Frame sizes:
Trek uses the same sizing guide for both road bikes to ensure that they cover all cyclists. These bikes have frame sizes ranging from 47cm to 62cm.
Price:
Trek Emonda is more expensive than Trek Domane. Here’s a comparison table for their different bike models.
| Emonda | Domane | |
| SLR6 | $6,699.99 | $6,799.99 |
| SLR7 | $8,849.99 | $8,349.00 |
| SL7 | $5,929.99 | $6,629.99 |
| SLR9 | $12,549.99 | $12,249.99 |
Conclusion
Although Trek Emonda and Trek Domane have several similarities, they differ mainly in purpose and geometry. Generally, Emonda is a great on-road racer, while Domane is a better tour bike.