July 13, 2023 - We were stoked with the opportunity to test Trek’s new Domane+ SLR 7 AXS e-road bike, a category-defining, light-weight, high-speed power assist carbon e-bike that is hard to distinguish from a regular road bike.
The stunning look of this e-bike with smooth lines and aero-shaped tubing instantly grabs your attention – it just looks fast.
Partnering again with TQ Group’s sleek, silent, powerful compact and light weight HPR50 mid-drive motor with 50Nm of torque, Trek has created an e-road bike that crushes climbs and is ready to take you on epic adventures.
Built on their 800 Series OCLV carbon frame, Trek’s best and lightest, the frame is designed to help keep the weight down. TQ’s unique harmonic pin-ring transmission system does away with many of the pulleys and belts in other motors to keep the weight and noise down, and adds a mere 1.8 kg. The total bike comes in at an impressive weight of 12.3 kg.
The frame also features Trek’s endurance geometry with IsoSpeed vibration dampening system on the rear. Designed with additional clearance to handle the 40mm tires that come stock, the front end has a Bontranger Pro IsoCore handlebar that also helps eliminate vibration. The combination of the IsoSpeed and the larger diameter tires means this e-bike is perfectly suited for any road conditions.
The custom-tuneable SRAM wireless Force e-Tap rear shifters, rear derailleur and 12-speed drivetrain, with a 10×44 rear cassette, provide a huge gear range with ample options and lots of lower end gearing for the steep stuff.
The Praxis carbon crank with a 42-tooth chain ring and a built-in power metre assists in measuring and adding power via the motor.
The SRAM Force flat mount hydraulic disc brakes deliver all the braking power needed and the cables all run internally in the frame for a clean look.
The wheels feature the tubeless ready Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 OCLV carbon rims with Bontranger 40cc tires and thru axels in an all-black package.
Out on the road you’re instantly cruising and the quiet motor all but disappears under you with a natural feel like a tailwind, not like the bike it taking off without you. Power mode one is barely noticeable and adds a little boost, but modes 2 and 3 are where you’ll spent most of the time riding.
In level 2 the acceleration was natural and smooth as the motor adds watts to your power output and keeps you riding uphill with not much extra work on your part.
Level 3 was perfect to deliver enough power to allow the motor to put out more power than you are, and get you back home at the end of a long ride when you are dealing with a headwind.
The transition from power assist to over 32km/hr when the motor stops supporting you is super smooth and unless you are actually looking at the computer you can’t tell when you get over 32 km/hr and the motor kicks out.
The narrow profile of the HPR50 motor also means a low Q factor for a more natural pedalling position. Plus there’s no noise or drag when coasting or riding over the 32km/h speed limit.
The 360Wh integrated battery with 100km range was ample charge, and on longer rides I was never concerned about running out of power. You can add on a 160Wh Range Extender that fits neatly in the bottle cage for additional support needed to go the extra distance.
The smart display on the top tube also lets you know how much battery life you have left. To recharge, there is a port on the downtube that plugs into the battery. I always charged the battery overnight and it was ready and waiting in the morning at a full charge.
We loved the set up as is, but customization is available via the Trek Central app that seamlessly connects with the Domane+ SLR 7 for activity tracking and real-time range calculations.
Our Domane+ SLR 7 test model featured a flat Juniper colour that just oozed speed and seemed perfect for a gravel/endurance bike. Loading the e-bike into the car or on to a bike rack was a breeze, and while there is a walk-assist mode we never had a reason to use it.
Trek has created a light weight winner here, with an all-season e-road bike that is at home on gravel roads, group rides and anything in between.
The best part of the Domane + SLR 7 was that it motivated me to get out and try longer rides more often especially in the early season when fitness isn’t at its peak yet.
The SRP is $13,149.99 and for more information please visit here.
