Carbon endurance road bike Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS 1x for the cols: 6.63 kg, 44x46, power meter

Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS 1x: 6.63 kg to conquer the cols

At 6.63 kg in size ML, the Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS 1x Gen 5 is the range's weapon for the mountains. OCLV Series 900 frame, SRAM RED XPLR AXS 1x13 with power meter, Aeolus RSL 37 wheels and Aero RSL bar-stem: every part points towards lightness. The Serpentine red, from deep burgundy to bright red, underlines its character.

Technical specifications

Who is it for?

For the climber who wants the lightest possible Domane for the slopes of the Caroux, the Espinouse or the Monts d'Orb. It will appeal to the light, trained cyclist who spends more time climbing than on the flat and accepts a sportier position.

The LVR workshop view

OCLV carbon, Trek's signature. In the mountains, lightness is won first on the frame. Trek's OCLV process, in place since 1992, presses the fibre layers with heat to eliminate micro-voids; Series 900 adds rigid 3D moulding and fewer overlaps. The result: approx. 835 g of unpainted frame in ML, about 220 g less than in OCLV 500, and up to 20 % more strength than OCLV 800. The rest comes down to the equipment: RED XPLR single chainring, RSL 37 wheels, 28 mm tyres and integrated cockpit account for the 660 g gap with the SLR 9 AXS 2x.

The 44x46 offers a very low gear, useful on steep sections, and the 44x10 is still enough to pick up speed on the descents. On the other hand, the gaps between sprockets are bigger than with 2x12: on steady gradients, you sometimes have to choose between two cadences.

The 28 mm Pirelli tyres are a surprise on a Domane, whose philosophy is built around 35 mm sections: they save weight and make the bike livelier, but filter less, and the frame accepts up to 40 mm. The Aero RSL bar-stem, shared with the Madone, also puts you lower than the raised bar of the other SLR models; we adjust its height with spacers before handover.

Which Domane should you choose?

Our take: 6.63 kg in ML is 660 g less than the SLR 9 AXS (7.29 kg), at the cost of a lower position and narrower tyres. If comfort comes first, the SLR 9 AXS remains the more coherent choice; for speed and the mountains, the 1x takes the advantage.

Your questions

Why buy from LVR Cycles? LVR Cycles, Trek retailer in the Hérault, prepares every bike before handover and offers bike fitting to get the best from the Aero RSL cockpit.

Please note that the specifications may be changed without prior notice by the manufacturer, based on the availability of components and other factors.