Hey everyone!
I‘ve been riding a Checkpoint ALR5 1x for two years and been loving it. That being said, I‘m looking for another bike that’s more geared towards road riding / speed and maybe the occasional amateur race. I can get the following two for exactly the same price:
Domane SL5 Gen 4 and Madone SL5 Gen8
Both cost 2999€ here in Germany. I have a tough time deciding. I like that the Madone is a full roadie/racing bike. With the Domane I like that it has the storage in the frame as well as mounts for a top tube bage, plus that I can at least still get across some „light“ gravel if needed. I‘d be curious what anybody else thinks is making a difference between the two? Would I even notice a significant speed difference as an ambitious amateur?
by chrhoh
7 Comments
I’d get the Madone if you already have a Checkpoint and are looking for speed / racing. You can get a strap on tube bag and a saddle bag, no need for the tube storage (coming from someone who has a Domane)
The long and short of it, it will come down to your long term goals and preference on geometry. Domane is more upright and Madone is more aggressive. It didn’t take me long to adapt to a Domane but I’ve had trouble adapting to a Madone.
However, my long term goals are based on raw speed and time reduction for lengths under 60 miles.
Domane, 95% of the cyclists who buy a madone aren’t good enough to take advantage of its geometry and aerodynamics, and the lower muscle fatigue from the domane’s isospeed and seating position usually lends itself to better times on longer rides
I really wanted to like the Madone, but took one for a 30 mile test ride and it couldn’t be over soon enough. I’m just an endurance bike guy and have finally learned to accept it.
If you want to go fast and your body can handle the lower stack height, get the Madone. If you want to go far, and be more comfy while doing it, get the Domane.
You need to test ride them to see how they feel. If you can be comfortable on the Madone, I’d get that for the riding you’re looking for. Don’t make a decision based on the storage compartment.. I have it and barely use it lol
A bike fitter once said: If you plan to get into racing get the race bike- Madone.
If you don’t plan on racing, why get a race bike?😆 -Domane. Can still be fast on a domane!