While we can’t give you a detailed breakdown of how this eBike rides, we want to provide you with some general impressions of the feel, performance, and design of the Trek Domane+ ALR eBike.
*To see current pricing on the Trek Domane+ ALR click here
Like other eBike categories, premium eBikes range in quality, ranging from “just good” to others that are standout options–that every cyclist will want to try. The Trek Domane+ ALR is closer to the latter than the former and stands out as a premium bike even before you buy it. It has six different sizes to choose from and a greater range than usually seen with many other eBikes.
Further helping the Domane+ ALR stand out is the combined motor and battery into one removable drive pack, with a 65+ mile range and 55 Nm of torque. The Shimano 11-speed drivetrain provides precise gear control, with fantastic looking hydraulic disc brakes that provide reliable stopping power thanks to the 160 mm rotors.
With an average weight of just 34 pounds across the six frame sizes, every version of the Domane+ ALR is lightweight and easy to travel with, featuring 27.5’’ by 1.35’’ tires for high-speed riding and tight turning. If you want a premium eBike well suited for urban riding, for getting to work quicker, or having fun touring the sites along the highway, keep reading our review of the Trek Domane+ ALR eBike!
Bike-Category: Class 1: Pedal activated motor assist up to 20 MPH.
Who It’s For: Cyclists wanting a premium city/cross-country bike built to be lightweight, fast, and energy-efficient with a fully removable battery/motor system.
Bike Specs
- FRAME: 300 Series Alpha Aluminum
- UI/REMOTE: Fazua Evation touch remote
- BATTERY: Fauza 250 Wh Battery
- CHARGER: 2 Amp Charger
- MOTOR: Fauza Evation 250 W / 55 Nm Torque
- CHAIN: Shimano 105 HG601, 11-speed
- SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano 105 R7025 Levers
- CASSETTE: Shimano 105 HG700-11, 11-34 T
- CHAINRINGS: FSA Alloy Fazua, 50/34 chainrings
- DERAILLEUR: Shimano 105 R7000
- RIMS: Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25, Tubeless Ready, 25mm rim width
- TIRES: Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 27.5’’ x 1.35’’
- SADDLE: Bontrager Arvada Comp, steel rails, 138mm width
- STEM: Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree
- HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Comp VR-C, 100mm reach, 124mm drop
- GRIPS: Bontrager Supertack Perf Tape
- BRAKES: Shimano 105 hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160 mm rotors
- PEDALS: Aluminum Platform
- KICKSTAND: Mid-Frame Adjustable Length Kickstand
- BELL: N/A
- HEADLIGHT: Optional Add-On
- TAIL LIGHT: Optional Add-On
- FENDERS: Optional Add-On
Pros
- Premium road bike built for riding through the city or keeping up with your friends as you ride across the country. Two colors and an impressive choice of six sizes.
- 300 Series Alpha Aluminum construction provides excellent durability without compromising on the weight. The average frame weight is just 34 lbs.
- Unique Fauza Evation 250 Wh / W drive pack. An integrated motor and battery into the same removable system. Removable motor for a more traditional cycling experience.
- 2 amp smart charger. Full recharge time takes just 3 to 4 hours. Easy to bring with you in a backpack or briefcase. A removable battery to charge indoors or while on the bike.
- The unique motor design has up to 55 Nm of torque despite a small energy drain. Able to climb hills with ease in the city. Over 65-mile range with optimal rider settings.
- Shimano HG500, 11-42 T cassette with 38 T Prowheel chainring drivetrain. 11-speed gear options, providing extensive control as you ride through town or across the country.
- Fazua Evation touch remote. Simple button system to control your motor and monitor your battery without distracting you while you ride. Smart app compatible.
- Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 27.5’’ x 1.35’’. Ultra-thin making is a great option if you want to race your friends or ride cross country. Tubeless-ready for gravel/cobblestone.
- Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160 mm rotors. Sleek design that matches well with the rest of the bike. Good stopping power, even when riding downhill.
Cons
- Limited overall safety options. Headlight and taillight are both optional add ons. Tires could use some additional reflective taping as well.
- Basic motor control system for a premium eBike. While it is smart app compatible, you must purchase an additional mount if you want to control the motor with your smartphone.
- Handlebar grips consist of Supertack tape. It provides you with a rough texture that’s great for maintaining your grip but can feel uncomfortable after long road rides.
Features
- 300 Series Alpha Aluminum
Premium-grade aluminum with size-specific tubes just big enough to balance weight support, stiffness, and the space needed for internal wiring. An ultra-lightweight design, with the total assembled weight averaging 34 pounds.
- Fauza 250 Wh Battery
Fully removable battery, so you can charge indoors or off your bike when you want to lighten your frame weight even further. Despite the small size, it can travel over 65 miles in a single charge with optimal riding settings.
- 2 Amp Charger
A standard charger that you find with many electric bikes, especially those with smaller battery size. Lightweight and easy to pack in your backpack, and able to fully recharge your battery in just three or four hours.
- Fauza Evation 250 W / 55 Nm Torque Motor
The Trek Domane+ ALR’s main draw is that the battery is connected right to the motor, so it’s easily removed if you want to convert your bike to a traditional frame. Low battery drain, but with 55 Nm of torque to help you climb all types of hills.
- Fazua Evation touch remote
Simple, easy to use control system built into the top tube of your bike. Adjust your assistance level, or monitor your battery level without taking your eyes off the road. Smart bike compatibility for more dynamic motor control and extensive readout functionality, though a separate phone mount is required.
- Shimano HG500, 11-42 T Cassette with 38 T Prowheel Chainring Drivetrain
An 11-speed drivetrain provides plenty of gearing options for precise, controlled performance while riding. Extremely reliable Shimano drivetrain setup, with mounts ready for added fender support if you want the extra coverage.
- Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite, 27.5’’ x 1.35’’
Ultra-thin tires built with speed and acceleration in mind and with a tight turn radius are fantastic for cycling through tight city streets. Tubeless-ready and optimized for riding on the road, cobblestone, and gravel alike.
- Bontrager Comp VR-C Handlebars with 300 Series Alpha Aluminum Fork
Compact handlebars with a shallow drop for cyclists who want to lean in and ride with minimal wind resistance impact. The fork is built with the same lightweight aluminum as the frame, further providing substantial shock absorption when you hit a bumpy path.
- Shimano 105 Hydraulic Disc Brakes with 160 mm rotors
Flat-mounted hydraulic disc brakes are built to be lighter, cleaner, and longer-lasting than typical mechanical disc brake systems. 160 mm rotor stopping power helps you come to a quick and steady rest, even when riding downhill.
- Aluminum Platform Pedals
High-quality oversized aluminum platform pedals, able to support short and tall cyclists alike. They are more durable than most plastic pedal platforms and a pedal that provides better traction support for your feet.
In-Depth Review
Frame
While many eBikes are constructed with 6061 aluminum alloy, Trek has opted to go with an advanced, custom aluminum alloy construction called 300 Series Alpha Aluminum. The result is undoubtedly impressive because you have an eBike that is just as durable as many other frames on the market but with an average frame weight of 34 pounds.
The other key benefit is that it is more customizable. With Trek offering six different frame sizes to satisfy all riders, an impressive range you don’t see with many eBike models. With the Trek Domane+ ALR, Trek is spot on when they say that they have a bike that will fit almost everyone.
Motor & Battery
The Trek Domane+ ALR is a class one eBike, with pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.
We usually review batteries and motors together despite being two separate components, but that isn’t the case with the Domane+ ALR. A unique characteristic, and one of the main highlights this premium bike, is that the motor and battery are one in the same. Shaped like a typical eBike, when you take out the battery, you take out the motor system as well.
Outside of making it easier to replace both systems over time, it also means that if you want a more traditional biking experience, you can take out the drive pack and save over 6.5 lbs in frame weight.
Performance still matters, though, and we’re happy to say that the system meets the mark. The 250 W / Wh drive pack has up to 55 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to help you climb even steep hills in the city. This is one of the more energy-efficient motor/battery systems we’ve had the chance to review because, despite the small size, the Domane+ ALR can travel over 65 miles on a single charge.
Because it’s fully removable, you can take the drive pack indoors or leave it on the bike to charge. The basic 2 amp smart charger included with the bike can charge the drive pack from 0% to 100% in 3 to 4 hours. Whether you want to top off your battery at work or get some juice in as you relax in a restaurant, you’ll be able to do so easily with the Domane + ALR electric bike.
Display/Assist Modes
The Trek Domane+ ALR can be classified as a smart bike, featuring two different ways to control the motor system. The typical method is with the simple button controller located just in front of the handlebar’s stem, which you can use to change your pedal-assist mode and monitor the battery life. Many riders will want more detailed riding metrics, which will be available by connecting your eBike to the Trek compatible smartphone app.
Not only will you be able to track your speed, range, and other vital readouts from your phone, but you’ll be able to change multiple motor assist settings as well. It’s a great setup, but we wish that the Domane+ ALR had a built-in phone mount like some other eBikes with a similar motor control combination. As it stands, you’ll need to buy a smartphone mount and add it to the handlebars if you want the app in front of you while riding.
As a class 1 eBike, the Domane+ ALR will help you accelerate up to 20 MPH before the motor shuts off, a limit in place so you can ride the bike without additional licensing. The bike also features multiple pedal-assist levels, which will help you prioritize different motor settings beyond just your smartphone app configurations.
High pedal assist levels drain the battery faster but provide greater power and acceleration, while lower pedal assist levels maximize the range but don’t offer as much motor power. Switching pedal assist modes is easy, so try them all out and switch to the pedal-assist mode best suited for your riding situation.
Handling
- On Streets- The Trek Domane+ ALR is built to be ridden almost exclusively on paved roads, so it’s going to handle best riding on city streets. The 27.5’’ x 1.35’’ tires make it very easy to accelerate and turn, so you will have no problem keeping up and even weaving with the ebb and flow of traffic. Whether you live in an area with constant stop and go riding or long paved highways separating you from your destination, you’ll find the Domane+ ALR suited for getting you where you want to go.
- Turn Radius- The Domane+ ALR comes with some of the thinnest tires we’ve reviewed on an eBike, with the main benefit that you have an extremely tight turn radius on the bike. Whether you want to go through narrow doorways, get through a close alleyway, or just make a sharp turn to round a corner as you participate in a race, you can do so with the Domane+ ALR. Just be aware that due to how thin the tires are, it doesn’t have the same level of stability and traction as your average eBike. Lean too hard into a turn, and you’ll find yourself falling over before you know it.
- Low-Speed Handling- The Domane + ALR is effortless to handle at low speeds given its low 34 lbs weight, but we have a couple of suggestions to make it even easier. Set the pedal-assist to a low setting, and you’ll have a small motor boost to help you travel along without forcing you to ride at a higher speed. Alternatively, dismount the bike and turn on walk mode, and you’ll get motor assistance while you’re walking along the ground. Both settings use up power, but the drain is small enough that the overall range is barely impacted.
Gears/DriveTrain
While there are some minor differences in component sizes depending on your frame model, the drivetrain for the Domane+ ALR consists of a Shimano HG500, 11-42 T cassette with a 38 T prowheel chainring, the two connected with a custom Shimano 105 HG601 chain. This is an 11-speed eBike, so you have precise gear control that will help you figure out the best, optimal cadence no matter the occasion, whether it be racing along flat streets or trying to climb a tough hill.
There aren’t any fenders included with the stock model, but that isn’t a negative since cyclists who want to prioritize speed and stick to urban, well-paved roads would take them off anyway. For your typical cyclist, though, especially those who intend to ride on wet weather days, fenders will help keep your tires and drivetrain clean and well protected from debris and the elements. Even without them, though, Shimano makes some of the most dependable drivetrain eBike setups in the world, so you’ll rarely suffer a chain drop with the Domane + ALR.
Brakes
Before we highlight their performance, we want to note the exceptionally well-designed custom Shimano 105 flat hydraulic disc brakes. You might not notice them often, but the brakes are sleeker than what we usually see, improving the Trek Domane+ ALR electric bike’s overall appearance.
They certainly don’t slouch in stopping power either! With the 160 mm rotors, you”ll come to a quick and steady stop even when riding downhill. While they both have their advantages, we also prefer hydraulic disc brakes over mechanical disc brakes since they last longer and are more durable than most mechanical disc brake setup. Even focused racers need to make an emergency stop from time to time, and you’ll be able to do so with the Trek Domane+ ALR electric bike reliably.
Suspension
There isn’t much in terms of suspension support on the Domane+ ALR, but if you stick to the recommended urban riding environments, you won’t need much more support. The front fork is made out of the same 300 Series Alpha Aluminum construction as the rest of the frame and provides some minor shock absorption, with additional suspension support from the tubeless-ready tires.
If you ride over loose gravel or cobblestone path, you can without feeling too unsteady on this eBike. We recommend sticking only to paved roads since the bike doesn’t perform well once you hit loose dirt or even the easiest mountain trails.
Pedals
Pedals aren’t the most crucial component to consider on an eBike, but it is one way to separate a run-of-the-mill eBike from a premium one. The Domane+ ALR has durable aluminum pedals, which provide better traction support than average plastic pedals.
However, the pedals do lack side reflectors, an important safety feature that makes it easier to spot a cyclist. One of the few major complaints we have about the Domane+ ALR, in general, is that it doesn’t offer much in terms of increasing rider profile visibility, a factor when it comes to the risk of suffering a collision. While the pedals feel great to ride on, swapping them out for reflector pedals would upgrade your safety.
Grips and Saddle
The overall comfort of the Domane+ ALR is a mixed bag and depends a lot on rider preference. The Bontrager Arvada Comp saddle is very comfortable to sit on, but it is narrow. You may have to swap it out for the thicker saddle if you’re taller or heavier.
The handlebar is the Bontrager Comp VR-C low riding handlebars with 100mm reach and 124mm drop. The handlebar setup is excellent for helping you maintain a lower posture for decreased wind resistance, which in turn will lead to greater overall riding efficiency. Instead of traditional grips, the handlebar is covered with Bontrager Supertrack Perf tape, which is ultra-grippy to help you maintain a tight hold even when riding at 30+ MPH speeds. The only problem is that the tape cushioning isn’t as comfortable as your typical grip setup, so you’ll probably need to wear gloves as well if you do plan to ride the bike for more than a couple of hours.
Wheels and Tires
If speed matters above everything else, you’ll undoubtedly like the Bontrager Paradigm Comp 25 27.5’’ x 1.35’’ tires. They’re mounted on tubeless-ready rims. With a 25mm width they can be very effective when riding on loose gravel and cobblestone.
The tires feature a cool Bontrager Switch thru-axle with a removable lever, which makes them really easy to dismount and service the tires on the rare occasion you suffer a flat. Built with high speed riding in mind the tires will travel hundreds of miles before it comes time to service the Domane+ ALR electric bike.
Accessories/Upgrades
As we mentioned earlier, one of the few concerns we have with the Trek Domane+ ALR is the almost total lack of lighting and reflective safety features. While available as accessories, we would prefer at least a headlight and taillight included with the stock model, even if it drives up the price a little bit.
A few lighting accessories should be some of the first upgrades you should make to the Trek Domane+ ALR. After that, Trek does have a wide range of accessories to consider, so here are a few more we recommend:
- Bontrager Flare RT Rear Brake Light
- Bontrager Ion 200 RT Front Bike Light
- Bontrager Pro Water Bottle Cage
- Bontrager Premium Pedal Sets
- Bontrager Tire Lever/Multi-Tool
- Bontrager Pro Flat Pack
Recommendation
*For up-to-date pricing on the Trek Domane+ ALR click here
The Trek Domane+ ALR is a fantastic premium electric bike, with just a few complaints and quirks holding back an otherwise stellar cycling experience. Available in six sizes to accommodate all types of adult riders, the Domane+ ALR has an average full assembly weight of just 34 pounds, making it one of the lightest eBikes we’ve had the chance to review. The standout feature for the Domane+ ALR is that the battery and motor are part of the same drive pack, maximizing energy efficiency while keeping the weight down.
You can travel over 65 miles on a single charge, and with 55 Nm of torque you’ll have the pushing power you need to travel up the occasional steep city hill. The 11-speed Shimano 105 HG700-11 drivetrain is very reliable, with smooth shifting and precise gear control to help you maximize your performance for almost every terrain and occasion.
The brakes perform as well as they look, with flat Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes and 160 mm rotors that’ll help you come to a quick and steady rest, even when you’re racing and need to come to an emergency stop.
You’ll want to add some lighting features, and the comfort grips, saddle, and handlebars can be hit or miss depending on your riding preferences. If you look past or upgrade the few troublesome components, though, then the Trek Domane+ ALR is one of the best city commuters and cross country electric bikes on the market!
Thank you for reading our spec review of the Trek Domane+ ALR electric bike! Be sure to leave a comment if you want to see our review team do a full performance or video review of this eBike.
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