At the start of Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2022, Trek-Segafredo unveiled a new Domane bike, with a custom paint job ready for the Hell of the North. After Lizzie Deignan stole the show with her radical custom Domane in 2021, Trek has once again turned heads in 2022. While staff on the team were coy about the specifics of the new bike, we were able to get a closer look at the new whip as team mechanics made the finishing touches ahead of the race.
The Domane has always been a bike that is ideal for the cobbles thanks to its IsoSpeed system which isolates the rider from the vibration of the cobbles. The new iteration, however, sees the front IsoSpeed suspension system removed and the rear IsoSpeed is no longer adjustable. The seatpost is also now a more conventional system. The new Domane also looks more aerodynamic, featuring a bulkier downtube.
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Ex-professional rider for the Trek-Segafredo men's team, Koen de Kort, now works in a team management role across both squads, gathering feedback from riders on their equipment to feedback to sponsors. While De Kort would have had a crucial role in the development of the new Domane, he remained tight-lipped about the features of the new bike when questioned by journalists.
The Trek-Segafredo team have stuck to a single front chainring on the front, paired with SRAM's anodized wide-ratio cassette which still offers a the same range of gear options as a two chainring set-up. World champion Elisa Balsamo had a 52T chainring on her Paris-Roubaix Domane. A K-Edge chain retainer also watches over the front of the drivetrain to avoid any risk of the chain dropping as the bike judders over the cobbles.
At the front of the bike, the riders used a traditional bar and stem combo rather than an integrated handlebar system. The remote shifters on the tops of the handlebars will be an asset going over the cobbles.
The team's Bontrager Aeolus RSL wheels were equipped with Pirelli P Zero Race tubeless tyres in what appear to be 30mm size. This will reduce the risk of punctures over rough cobbled sections, and the wheels will likely have a sealant inside that will fix any holes before air can escape. The team have their Paris-Roubaix numbers stickered on the rear of the bike, a nice touch which signifies the importance of this race for the team.
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UCI officials were scanning all of the team bikes for motors ahead of the race.
The bike features a 'Project One' sticker to signify that this bike will be part of the brand's custom offerings when released to the public this summer.
