SPARKY SPORTS BIKES

E-road bikes have seen a big jump in tech recently. We take three of the latest and greatest lightweight models out for a ride...

- Warren Rossiter

Trek Domane+ SLR 6
£7,850 This endurance classic gets an all-new powerful TQ mid-motor

Weight 12.56kg (58cm) Frame OCLV carbon Fork OCLV carbon Gears Shimano 105 Di2 (52/36t, 11-34t) Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic disc Wheels Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 Carbon Motor system TQ-HPR50 300W motor, TQ 360Wh battery, LCD display, hood-mount remote controls Finishing kit Bontrager RCS Pro stem, Bontrager Pro IsoCore bar, Domane carbon seatpost, Bontrager Verse Short Elite saddle, Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite 32c tyres

THIS IS THE THIRD ITERATION OF the electrically assisted Domane+, and the motor system has changed yet again. The original model used Bosch's CX motor, which gave the bike a hefty 17.5kg weight. Next was the Fazua system, which reduced the weight to 13.8kg (58cm). The new TQ Harmonic pin-ring mid-mount motor and integrated 360Wh battery weigh just 1,800g, however, giving a complete bike weight of just 12.56kg (58cm). The Q-factor (the distance between the outside faces of the cranks) of 135mm is around the same as a standard road bike so it feels similar to ride. The frame retains Trek's IsoSpeed decoupler, a maintenance-free way of cushioning the rear end of the bike.

Endurance style 

The Domane+ geometry closely matches the current Domane SLR, and that means a superb endurance-biased riding position. The 611mm stack is tall without making you upright and the 380mm reach is sporty without stretching you out. The 1,027mm wheelbase adds stability at speed and the 72° head angle plus fork trail of 63mm provide neutral and balanced handling. The 73° seat angle puts you squarely over the cranks.