Anyone got a Trek Domane?I

[JohnyCat]

Hi guys, new member here. I am putting down my deposit on a Domane 5.2 tomorrow and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who has a Domane. My mind is made up though. This is the bike for me and what I want to do so I am committed to this model. I am going for Ultegra carbon pedals and I am looking to upgrade the wheelset. I would still like to hear if anyone uses the Bontrager race wheels that come with the bike but my plan is to go for some Fulcrum Zeros with an Ultegra cassette and sell the original wheels with 105 cassette which is the only non Ultegra spec on the bike.
I am wondering how people find the compact drive train or if anyone has gone Triple
I am 51, a new rider, with a strong fitness base from life long running and I want to do Sportif and travel across the Pyrenees from france to Santiago de Compestella (not the Pilgrims way) and take in a few Le Tour climbs and Basque country and Pekes of Europe, before following the Cantabrian coast to Santiago. AND YES... I am a novice rider....
I live in Teesdale and have plenty of hills to practice on.

A guy called Lee-M has the 5,2 and left me a greeting on the welcome matt. I can't Pm him so if you know him please ask him to PM me.

Thanks

John

 

[Lee_M]

that'll be me - I'll PM you!

 

[Lee_M]

or I would if I could work out how!

feel free to ask me anything you like on here though

 

[samsbike]

I know nothing about the domane 5.2, but given your fitness base and the fact it has a large rear cassette (28 it appears) I think you would be OK with a compact.

 

[Lee_M]

I have the compact too, but then I live in Essex, where cat5 is as hard as it gets, there are some steep short sections, but my main problem with getting up them is my determination to do them faster, I'm sure I could sit in the big ring and get up them fine, not sure actually that the triple makes that much difference

I'm also not sure you need to upgrade the cassette or wheels tbh, but who am I to stop anyone spending their money
I still use the Bontrager Race, and they seem light enough to me and the cassette is fine - in general all the kit is better than I am, so an upgrade probably would make a lot less difference than managing to lose a few pounds
as I said in other threads, I did my first 100k last week and it all coped admirably, including going up the only real hill I could find - out of the centre of Bishops Stortford

 

[Rob3rt]

A compact will be fine.

TBH, I prefer doubles to compacts.

 

[Ccchicane]

If you are going to be selling those wheels with 105 cassette give me a shout, could be interested, thanks :-)

 

[JohnyCat]

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback. I got your posts after I got back from my LBS, Cowleys of Northallerton , who are great by the way. Considering the fact that the guys there are racers I am pleased and surprised that they recommended a triple for me. I hear what you say about Compacts and I have agonised over the issue. Firstly, I am a Hill Runner and I love mountains. All my biking will be done in the hills. Those that know where I live know that there are some serious climbs around me and that is where I want to be. My previous bike was a tripple and I know how to work them. I had a 53/39/30 with a 12/25 cassette. I hardly ever used the granny ring but it was there. I also used to spin out at 51mph downhill on my 53 so I would miss the 53 if I went compact. The Pyrenees are coming early in my cycling career so I am pleased to have the insurance. And of course, I am a big wuss!!

Thanks for touching base Lee-M. Did you post any pics of your bike? Likes -dislikes?

Ccchicane, I will be selling the Brontrager Race wheels with 105 and I will touch base with you when I get my bike (mid- March).

thanks for the replys to everyone.