Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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jm-black
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by jm-black »

Hi all,

so I finally picked up my new bike on Saturday in 52cm. To be honest, it fits quite nicely, been out on two 1hr rides and no back issues, feel very comfortable, and the slightly shorter cranks also seem to be working well for me. The seat post is maxed out to give me a saddle height of around 70cms (based on my inseam of 80/82cm).

This is my first roadbike, never had drop handlebars before, so steering felt a bit twitchy and less stable compared to my hybrid, but as i am riding it more, i am getting a better feel for it and more confident.

Back to the original questions, I think i would need to try out a 54cm bike, but again so far so good here.

Image

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However, the front-end is creaking a bit. Not sure it was like that when i picked it up (10miles ride home), but i did change the blendr mounts in the front, which required taking off the handlebar, so not sure this creaking is from the handlebar or the front iso decoupler. Bringing the bike back to the shop on friday to check.

Tried to record noise:
[youtube]EtoJQTPeKT0[/youtube]

Also noticed a small gap between the bearing cover and the frame, but was told that this is normal and shouldnt sit flush with the frame (although i am doubtful to be honest, from reading more about this online, this could be the result of wrong/missing washers)

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Jamesh
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Jamesh »

Nice bike!

I do think that that gap is too big and any noises should investigated.

Cheers James
djurciuko
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by djurciuko »

jm-black wrote: 9 Nov 2020, 6:54pm Having just gotten into cycling and having bought a hybrid in the summer, i am now looking to get a "proper" roadbike (rather than trying to convert the flat to a drop handelbar...)

However the question of right fit is really puzzling me at the moment, as I was given mixed messaged by two separate bike fitters
My measurements
Height 5.8 (173m)
Inseam around 80-82cm

Based on the trek website, i should be a 54cm
Bike fitter #1 also confirms based on my measurements, in person consultation etc, i am a 54 (although only has a 52cm in stock)
Bike fitter #2 insists i am a 52 size (they have both 52 and 54 in stock). They say based on my inseam, and the relatively high seat tube of the domane, i should go 52 else my seat post would be too low (on the website pictures, it does look like the domane seattube doesnt allow for a lot of seatpost, fair point!)

So far i went with the 52, expected delivery by the end of the month.

However i keep going back and forth, i guess a bit of buyers remorse, should i cancel and get 54cm? My hybrid is a trek fx 4 in size M, and i quite like the size/fit, however i was told by bike fitter #2 that i can't compare the two bikes, completely different geometry...

Or am I overthinking this and at the end of the day as long as the bike is properly fitted, it doesnt matter?

Appreciate any help or guidance, many thanks! :)
After 3 years I am solving same problem, same height, same inseam and jumping between 52 and 54. Would be very interesting to know how it ended? Are you happy with your choice? O maybe you upgraded to 54? What is your feedback.
Looking forward to hear your recommendations.
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Vorpal »

djurciuko wrote: 5 May 2023, 11:59am
After 3 years I am solving same problem, same height, same inseam and jumping between 52 and 54. Would be very interesting to know how it ended? Are you happy with your choice? O maybe you upgraded to 54? What is your feedback.
Looking forward to hear your recommendations.
Welcome to the forum. jm-black hasn't logged in recently, so you are unlikely to get an answer, but it's possible they are lurking & will reply.
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Wipperman_95
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Wipperman_95 »

I've had both sizes, as I'm 5ft8 with an inseam of just under 30 inches. FWIW, and it's not really relevant, my average speed, and performance is better on the smaller bike. I'm currently on a 54, but would return to a 52 next time.

However, I'd suggest looking at Bikefit Tuesday on You Tube; very interesting and thought provoking....He suggests most people are riding bikes too big for them.....
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531colin
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by 531colin »

Wipperman_95 wrote: 10 May 2023, 2:17pm I've had both sizes, as I'm 5ft8 with an inseam of just under 30 inches. FWIW, and it's not really relevant, my average speed, and performance is better on the smaller bike. I'm currently on a 54, but would return to a 52 next time.

However, I'd suggest looking at Bikefit Tuesday on You Tube; very interesting and thought provoking....He suggests most people are riding bikes too big for them.....
Whats the difference between the 2 sizes? My guess would be
half a degree on seat tube angle?....you can tune this out by moving the saddle, unless you are right at the end of the rails
a few millimetres on stack and reach....again, you can tune this out by varying the spacer stack and stem length/angle....unless you are at the end, etc
Maybe the smaller frame is stiffer?
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Debs »

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djurciuko
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by djurciuko »

Wipperman_95 wrote: 10 May 2023, 2:17pm I've had both sizes, as I'm 5ft8 with an inseam of just under 30 inches. FWIW, and it's not really relevant, my average speed, and performance is better on the smaller bike. I'm currently on a 54, but would return to a 52 next time.

However, I'd suggest looking at Bikefit Tuesday on You Tube; very interesting and thought provoking....He suggests most people are riding bikes too big for them.....
Have you ever ride trek domane before? I am 5.7 (174cm) with 31.8 (81cm) inseam and currently riding domane size 56. It is waaaaay to big for me. I am thinking about 52 or 54. I am wondering there will be some issues with max seat height on 52, but I like its stack. I am interested in domane mainly because it fits 38mm tires. I am riding on road during my trainings and attending gravel events. Set up for my 56 attached. Maybe any1 could give me proper suggestion which size to buy? :D
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Paul Smith SRCC
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Paul Smith SRCC »

Wipperman_95 wrote: 10 May 2023, 2:17pm...Have you ever ride trek domane before? I am 5.7 (174cm) with 31.8 (81cm) inseam and currently riding domane size 56. It is waaaaay to big for me. I am thinking about 52 or 54. I am wondering there will be some issues with max seat height on 52, but I like its stack. I am interested in domane mainly because it fits 38mm tires. I am riding on road during my trainings and attending gravel events. Set up for my 56 attached. Maybe any1 could give me proper suggestion which size to buy? :D
At this stage with your dimensions I'd concur 52 or 54 would be on my radar.

If you are confident that you know your saddle height and setback then that will help work out which of the two sizes is the most appropriate. Note I have highlighted confident, it's valid to use a current saddle height and set back to help choose a new bike size but only if it's correct. Especially during the pandemic when many purchased bikes online using the manufactures listed size advice based on the rider's measurements how many then still ended up with the wrong size; it's well worth being thorough to help you come to the right conclusion.

Your local trek dealer should be able to help, if they don't have either size instore for you to try some may offer a fitting service, potentially with a fitting jig so you can feel the difference between each size.
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drossall
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by drossall »

djurciuko wrote: 5 May 2023, 11:59amAfter 3 years I am solving same problem, same height, same inseam and jumping between 52 and 54. Would be very interesting to know how it ended? Are you happy with your choice? O maybe you upgraded to 54? What is your feedback.
Looking forward to hear your recommendations.
I'm also almost exactly the same height as both of you. I looked at the geometry on the Trek site (see also Debs' post), and also at jm-black's set-up above. Remarks:
  • It's not usual to have road bars any more than level with the saddle, and you may want them lower (take some washers out). jm-black's bars look as high as you'd want them (though they are turned up a bit, which only adds to the height). I'd want that size, just to be sure of the freedom to lower them a bit. And that all depends on whether the saddle is at the right height for the rider in the first place.
  • The quoted sizes are top-tube lengths. I'm accustomed to wanting a frame that's in the lower half of the range, as my (our) height is not particularly great. That makes me lean towards 52cm.
But you can't really do this without trying the bike, and knowing what your saddle height should be in the first place.
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Vorpal »

In my opinion, it depends upon your body proportions, as well as height.

I am around the same height (5'8"), but I have longer legs & shorter body than most people my height, so I would go for the smaller size, based upon reach.
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Paul Smith SRCC »

Vorpal wrote: 2 Jun 2023, 7:37am In my opinion, it depends upon you body proportions, as well as height.....
There is more to choosing the correct size than just height and inseam.

To name a few considerations these including range of motion, shoe and even hand size, how you use your muscle groups, style of riding and by the latter I mean someone who likes to work out more than chill will often prefer a more aggressive position and vice versa, there is a chance that the that will even effect the size choice. Ankling will also play a part, look at the three riders below, Mathieu Van der Poel, Chris Froome, Bernard Hinault all ankle differently and again this would need to be considered as that will also influence the size of bike.
Mathieu Van der Poel, Chris Froome, Bernard Hinault.jpg
Mathieu Van der Poel seems to pedal toe down where as in comparison Chris Froome drops his heel more; I'd imagine both have had their bike fit analysed more than most and evolved into a style that works for them; Bernard Hinault is far more generic, many riders adopt that style of ankling.

To obtain the correct set up we all need to start somewhere, some choose a bike fit from a specialist or a more experienced rider, plus there are quite a few good online bike fitting guides and videos; I often link someone to a pdf as just one example from 531Colin (click)
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Wipperman_95
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Re: Trek Domane SL6 - 52 vs 54?

Post by Wipperman_95 »

djurciuko wrote: 1 Jun 2023, 2:41pm
Wipperman_95 wrote: 10 May 2023, 2:17pm I've had both sizes, as I'm 5ft8 with an inseam of just under 30 inches. FWIW, and it's not really relevant, my average speed, and performance is better on the smaller bike. I'm currently on a 54, but would return to a 52 next time.

However, I'd suggest looking at Bikefit Tuesday on You Tube; very interesting and thought provoking....He suggests most people are riding bikes too big for them.....
Have you ever ride trek domane before? I am 5.7 (174cm) with 31.8 (81cm) inseam and currently riding domane size 56. It is waaaaay to big for me. I am thinking about 52 or 54. I am wondering there will be some issues with max seat height on 52, but I like its stack. I am interested in domane mainly because it fits 38mm tires. I am riding on road during my trainings and attending gravel events. Set up for my 56 attached. Maybe any1 could give me proper suggestion which size to buy? :D
Ha ha, Yes, I'm on my fifth Domane; 2x52, and 3x54......
Trek Crockett 4
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