Bicycles: Trek Domane+ AL 5 vs. Brompton Electric P Line

Quick Verdict

The Trek Domane+ AL 5 is better suited for riders prioritizing speed, comfort on longer rides, and traditional road bike feel. The Brompton Electric P Line is ideal for those needing a highly portable and storable e-bike for urban commuting and limited storage space, despite its lower top speed and smaller wheels.

The Trek Domane+ AL 5 is a road e-bike designed for endurance and comfort, featuring a hub motor, aluminum frame, and Shimano 105 components.
The Brompton Electric P Line is a folding e-bike with a steel and titanium frame, smaller wheels, and a focus on portability and storage.
The Domane+ AL 5 offers a higher maximum assisted speed and hydraulic disc brakes, while the Brompton Electric P Line excels in foldability and compact storage.
The Brompton Electric P Line has a smaller battery capacity (300Wh) compared to the Domane+ AL 5 (250Wh + optional 250Wh range extender).

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Trek Domane+ AL 5	Brompton Electric P Line
Name	Trek Domane+ AL 5	Brompton Electric P Line
Motor Type	HyDrive hub drive motor	250W Brushless DC motor
Battery Capacity	250 Wh. An optional 250 Wh range extender battery is available.	300Wh 36V
Frame Material	100 Series Alpha Aluminum	Heat-treated steel mainframe with a titanium rear frame and fork
Wheel Size	700c	16-inch wheels
Number of Gears	2x11. Some sources say 2x12.	Available in 4-speed or 12-speed options
Brake Type	Shimano 105 hydraulic disc brakes	V-Brakes
Weight	Around 31 lbs (14.06 kg) for a 56cm frame	From 15.41 kg (33.9 lbs)
Foldability	Not Foldable	Folds in under 20 seconds to a compact size of 64cm H x 58cm W x 27cm D
Assistance Modes	3 assist modes	Three levels of pedal assist
Display Type	Integrated into the top tube, showing battery level and assist mode	Three LEDs to indicate power settings, designed to be used with a phone app
Charging Time	Around 4 hours	Fully charges in 4 hours
Maximum Assisted Speed	20 mph (25 km/h in Europe). Some sources say 32 km/h.	15.5 mph
Price	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

Trek Domane+ AL 5: 250Wh battery, 20 mph max speed, 31 lbs weight. Brompton Electric P Line: 300Wh battery, 15.5 mph max speed, 33.9 lbs weight, foldable in 20 seconds.

Pros and Cons

Trek Domane+ AL 5

Pros:

Smooth assistance for climbing and handling urban traffic
Helps to tackle long hills
Useful when facing stronger headwinds
Endurance geometry for comfort
Carbon fiber seat post and fork
More upright riding position
32mm tires and IsoZone handlebars for a smooth and comfortable ride
Shimano RT66 hydraulic disc brakes handle wet descents without overheating
Confidence inspiring braking
Integrated display shows remaining battery and current assist level
Shimano 105 components are considered workhorse drivetrain
Quiet motor
Rack and fender mounts
Hyena Rider Assist (HRA) app can be used to tune the assist levels
Range extender battery is available

Cons:

Weight makes it feel less responsive on flats and climbs compared to lighter road bikes
Range decreases drastically when climbing

Brompton Electric P Line

Pros:

Lightweight compared to other Brompton electric models
Compact and easy to fold for storage and transport
Durable components with a 7-year frame warranty and a 3-year electrical component warranty
Good electric assistance for hills

Cons:

Small wheels may not be ideal for uneven surfaces
Lightweight saddle may become uncomfortable on longer rides
Front-mounted motor can make the steering feel a bit jittery
Rim brakes rather than disc brakes

User Experiences and Feedback

Trek Domane+ AL 5

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

The HyDrive hub motor provides smooth assistance for climbing and handling urban traffic.
It helps to tackle long hills.
The motor is useful when facing stronger headwinds.
It depends on usage. It can reach up to 55 miles in eco mode.
The Domane+ AL 5 has an endurance geometry, carbon fiber seat post and fork. It is more upright than racy bikes. The 32mm tires and IsoZone handlebars also contribute to a smooth and comfortable ride.
It has Shimano RT66 hydraulic disc brakes that will handle a wet descent without overheating. The hydraulic disc brakes provide confidence inspiring braking.
The bike has an integrated display in the top tube that shows the remaining battery and current assist level.
Shimano 105 components are considered workhorse drivetrain.
The motor is quiet.
The weight of the bike makes it feel less responsive on flats and climbs compared to lighter road bikes.

Brompton Electric P Line

What Users Love

Easy to fold and unfold once you get the hang of it
Very compact when folded, making it easy to store and transport

Common Complaints

Real-world battery range can vary depending on assistance level, rider weight, terrain, and temperature
No dedicated display screen

Value Perception

Claimed battery range is 20-45 miles
One reviewer got 20 miles on maximum assistance
Using the middle power level returned around 26 to 30 miles