It feels like cheating: The Trek Domane+ SLR9 gravel bike, reviewed

One of the issues I really like most about working at Ars Technica is the lunchtime bike rides. My house within the northwest suburbs of Chicago lies two miles from the Des Plaines River Trail and about three miles from the North Branch Trail. When the climate cooperates, I’m typically furiously pedaling by the woods on my Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike.

So when Trek supplied me the prospect to experience its top-of-the-line Domane+ SLR 9 e-bike, I jumped on the alternative. Yes, the climate will be dodgy throughout seasonal transitions, however I’d be dealing with the altering temps and gusting winds astride a carbon-frame gravel bike with carbon wheels… and a 50 Nm electrical motor paired with a 360 Wh battery within the downtube.

But at the same time as I picked up the Domane+ from an area bike store, one query saved popping up. Why would I wish to experience an electrical street bike?

I experience for quite a lot of causes. I take pleasure in it, I like being out in nature, I like using with pals, and it is implausible train. The Domane+ would hopefully make the using expertise higher, however I would not be getting the total cardio profit from my rides with a motor doing a number of the work. Electrified commuter bikes, cargo bikes, seaside bikes, and even mountain bikes have built-in use circumstances. But for a man who loves burning energy on a bicycle, the existence of this $13,000 e-bike is one thing of a head-scratcher.

The Domane+ SLR 9 begins at $12,999. Along with the aforementioned Checkpoint, Domane is one in every of Trek’s two gravel bike traces. There are delicate variations in geometry between the 2, however the primary distinction is that the Checkpoint comes with 40mm tires, whereas the Domane has 32 mm customary.

As one would count on from a motorcycle with this price ticket, the Domane+ has been bedazzled with top-of-the-line parts. Starting with the gear you’d discover on a daily bike, this Trek has Bontrager Aeolus RSL 34 OCLV carbon wheels, Shimano’s top-of-the-line Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed wi-fi digital drivetrain, 32 mm Bontrager RC Hard-Case Lite tires, and an LED show with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity constructed into the highest tube.

At first look, the Domane+ does not look like an e-bike. With the battery parked inside it, the downtube is thicker than the non-electrified Domanes, and there are a few buttons on the handlebars for controlling the motor, which is positioned inside the underside bracket. The distinction is noticeable when you decide the Domane+ SLR 9 up: it weighs 25.91 lb (11.75 kg), practically 10 lb (4.5 kg) greater than its human-powered counterpart (and about 4.5 lb greater than my aluminum-frame Checkpoint ALR 5).

The 50 Nm motor inside the underside bracket is powered by an built-in 360 Wh battery that may present 250 W of energy repeatedly, with 300 W of peak energy. The Domane+ has three help modes. Eco provides 75 W of energy to your pedaling efforts, Mid provides you 150 W, and the High setting 300 W. With boosts as much as 28 mph, the Domane+ is a Class 3 e-bike. Some states and municipalities have restrictions on Class 3 e-bikes, so ensure you are conscious of the legal guidelines the place you reside.

Built into the highest tube is an LED display that may show velocity, battery degree, estimated vary, and what number of watts you are cranking out. As a motorcycle laptop, it is rudimentary, so I bought a cellphone mount. While that allowed me to experience with the Trek Central app open, which may present all the information you’d need on a experience, it additionally partially obscured the LED on the highest tube.