The
Madone and
Emonda share a similar Bike Fit, the former is their aero model where as the
Emonda is focused more on weight reduction and as such a popular choice for those who enjoy climbing, so arguably as you want to do "
25-50 miles averaging 4000 ft of assent" at this stage I'd personally shortlist the Emonda over the Madone. In comparison the
Domane has a shorter, higher reach to the bars as well as being by design more compliant; aimed at the 'extra mile' as well as the 'extra mph'.
I have drawn up both on
BikeCAD for you, both 56cm with the same saddle height and set back (click on each for a larger picture)
Morphing one into the other may help illustrate; especially the reach and drop to the bars, plus the effect the shallower head angle, longer chainstays and wheelbase have on the overall set up. In addition features like the '
isospeed' and larger tyres all combine to influence the difference between the two. (If you like using tech/software there is a free version of
BikeCAD, that you may enjoy; I've added these two to their public
design archive for you)
As an analogy to help compare I have two bikes that tick similar boxes to these, my
Van Nicholas Chinook is closer to the Emonda and my
Van Nicholas Yukon more like the Domane. Both are the sum of their parts of course, but even if I had the same components and finishing kit on both my Yukon would still not inspire me to try hard in quite the same way. When I get to the bottom of my regular climb of
Box Hill on my Yukon I am inclined to change down gears and just roll up it; where as on my quicker bike I am more inclined to change down fewer gears and attack it; which I have to say normally translates to me blowing up and crying for my mum but you get the picture.
That is where you may have a dilemma, the more compliant bike can take time to win you over, on a short test ride the Emonda may feel seductively quick, but in time although technically the Domane is the slower bike factor in the 'tortoise and the hare' effect then for many it's this bike that's the valid choice over the more focused
Madone and
Emonda; in your case especially if there is potential that you may evolve into enjoying longer rides than 25-50 miles. Trying to compare the difference in performance is always down to the perception of the rider; a deal breaking difference to one may well be no difference to another, plus your initial conclusion may change as you gain experience. Coming from a mountain biking back ground you will probably still find the Domane quick, because in short it still is; it's just not as focused as the Emonda.
A quality local store will be able to guide you through the options, factor in your goals and if relevant any issues then help you conclude what is the right choice; for the 'you' of now and significantly the 'you' that may well evolve into. It's important to think what style of riding you actually enjoy and be really honest with yourself with what it is you want, so many don't think it through clearly and perhaps buy a less valid choice as a result. In my case for example the older I get the more I enjoy cycling to 'chill out' rather than 'work out', so I use my Yukon far more. I am in my late fifties now; the 'me' in my twenties would have come to a different conclusion, I would have used my quicker bike far more simply because most rides were in the higher effort ranges and the bike set up to compliment that would have been my 'go to' bike. This is what I mean by being honest with yourself, I have seen quite a few not admit even to themselves that what they actually enjoy is wafting along far more than going out for a blast, the result is they buy a bike set up to be quicker and harsher, a decision that they then later regret; vice versa applies of course.
That's ideal if you get to have each bike for a weekend, astonished that a dealer has all three in your size to test as all of them are scarce with long lead times for new orders; late 2022 for each model
