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Results have arrived, trek mountain bike buyer’s guide - best trek mountain bikes (supercaliber, procaliber & more).

Whether you have World Cup XC aspirations or dream of epic downhills, Trek has a mountain bike for you. Here's the skinny on Supercaliber, Fuel, Fuel EX, Slash, and many other models.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Feb 25, 2022

Posted in: Guides

Trek’s wide range of mountain bikes covers everything from ultra-lightweight XC hardtails to downhill and enduro trail slashers. But how do you know which Trek mountain bike is right for you?

This overview is your guide to all things Trek MTB. In addition to covering every model in the current Trek mountain bike catalog, we’ll decode Trek naming conventions and delve into Trek’s innovations in rear-shock technology.

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Trek XC bikes

Trek procaliber.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front

The Procaliber is Trek’s carbon XC hardtail and its lightest mountain bike. It’s a pure cross-country race bike optimized for fast courses where maximum pedaling efficiency is essential for climbing and acceleration. It features a rear IsoSpeed decoupler that provides extra compliance over rough roots and rocks.

Who it’s for: XC riders who want the lightest, most efficient bike, or who ride less-technical terrain.

Trek X-Caliber

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” for S) Suspension travel: 100mm front

The X-Caliber is Trek’s entry-level, aluminum XC hardtail. The lightweight aluminum frame provides lots of performance on fast courses without breaking the bank. It’s a great option for newer riders looking to get into XC racing.

Who it’s for: XC riders and racers looking for a budget hardtail.

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Trek Supercaliber

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 100mm front / 60mm rear

The Supercaliber is Trek’s lightest, most efficient, full-suspension XC bike. During development, Trek kept the Supercaliber under wraps (they literally hid the rear suspension during races) while Trek’s factory race team tested it at World Cups. The Supercaliber uses a unique IsoStrut suspension system with a frame-integrated shock. This provides 60mm of suspension travel, just enough to take the edge off bumps and harsh impacts while keeping the weight, stiffness, and efficiency close to the Procaliber hardtail. The Supercaliber is designed to be the perfect compromise between a hardtail and a 100mm full-suspension bike.

Who it’s for: XC riders looking for the lightest, most efficient full-suspension race bike available.

Trek Top Fuel

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 120mm front / 115mm rear

The Top Fuel is Trek’s full-suspension marathon XC bike. The previous generation Top Fuel was a pure XC race bike with 100mm of travel front and rear. In 2020, the travel was been increased to make it more capable on descents. The Top Fuel could be considered Trek’s “downcountry” bike, a cross-country bike that balances downhill performance and pedaling efficiency. It will hold its own in fast XC races, but it’s versatile enough for trail riders who enjoy big rides on technical terrain.

Who it’s for: Marathon XC racers and riders looking for a “downcountry” bike.

Trek trail bikes

Trek Fuel EX

Wheel Size: 29” (27.5” available for XS and S) Suspension travel: 140mm front / 130mm rear

The Fuel EX is Trek’s most popular mountain bike model, and for good reason. The latest generation of this all-rounder has been refined with more suspension travel and modern geometry to make it equally capable uphill and downhill. It’s designed to suit the majority of riders and the widest range of terrain. If you’re looking for a quiver killer bike that will feel comfortable, capable, and efficient enough for all types of riding, the Fuel EX is a top choice.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for one bike to handle everything from XC to technical downhill trails.

Trek Roscoe

Wheel Size: 27.5” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front (100mm on XS)

The Roscoe is Trek’s basic aluminum trail hardtail with 27.5” plus tires for traction and comfort. The robust aluminum frame and affordable component builds make it a great choice for newer riders building their confidence and skills on the trail.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a fun, inexpensive, easy to maintain hardtail trail bike.

Trek Stache and Full Stache

Wheel Size: 29” plus Suspension travel: 120mm front / 130mm front and rear

Discontinued in 2021, the Stache and Full Stache were Trek’s 29-plus hardtail and full-suspension models, respectively. These extra-large wheels and tires enhance rollover, traction, and comfort. These models are loved by bikepackers who need to carry large amounts of gear and desire extra comfort for backcountry riding and multi-day journeys.

Who it’s for: Trail riders and bikepackers looking for a mountain bike that maximizes traction and comfort.

Trek Farley

Wheel Size: 27.5” Fat Suspension travel: 100mm front or Rigid

The Farley is Trek’s fat bike specializing in terrain like snow and sand which require the additional “float” and traction of 4-5” wide fat tires. The newest generation of Farley uses 27.5” diameter fat tires instead of traditional 26” fat tires. Trek is a believer that using a larger diameter tire offers better performance in all conditions.

Who it’s for: Riders riding snow and sand.

Trek enduro bikes

Trek Remedy

Wheel Size: 27.5” Suspension travel: 160mm front / 150mm rear

The Remedy is Trek’s playful 27.5” trail bike. Older Remedy models were available with 29” wheels, but with the latest generation, Trek has committed to making the Remedy its sole 27.5” full-suspension bike. An ample amount of suspension travel allows the Remedy to tackle tough and steep downhill terrain while smaller 27.5” wheels make it feel easier to maneuver and throw around. It will suit riders who jump and jib their way down trails and who prioritize style and fun over all-out speed.

Who it’s for: Trail riders looking for a capable and playful bike.

Wheel Size: 29” Suspension travel: 170mm front / 160mm rear

The Slash is Trek’s 29er enduro race bike. It provides the most suspension travel and slackest geometry short of Trek’s Session downhill bike. Available only with 29” wheels, it smooths out the gnarliest terrain and maximizes downhill speed. The Slash is used by Trek’s factory Enduro World Series race team and will suit riders looking for a competitive enduro race bike, or a bike that will enhance their confidence on steep and technical downhill trails.

Who it’s for: Enduro racers and riders looking for the most downhill capable bike that can still be pedaled uphill.

Trek MTB range

Trek has a huge selection of mountain bike models, and within every model, there is a wide range of builds to choose from. The hierarchy within models is described using letters and numbers that can be confusing to uninitiated buyers. Below is a guide to decoding Trek’s naming and numbering system.

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Trek mountain bike range

Trek mountain bike models use a number (e.g. Trek Fuel EX 9.9) to indicate the frame material and component build. Models with a 5 through 8 use aluminum frames, with 5 indicating entry-level builds and 8 indicating top-of-the-line aluminum builds.

Models with a 9 use carbon frames. To differentiate build levels within carbon models, Trek uses a decimal system that ranges from 9.5 to 9.9, with 9.5 indicating entry-level builds and 9.9 indicating top-of-the-line builds.

Higher numbered bikes cost more but are equipped with better components.

For example, a Fuel EX 9.9 ($9,499) has a top-of-the-line OCLV carbon frame, SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension, and carbon wheels, stem, and handlebars. A Fuel EX 5 ($2,399) has a more budget-friendly aluminum frame, Shimano Deore drivetrain, entry-level RockShox and X-Fusion suspension, and alloy wheels, stem, and handlebars. In between are several Fuel EX models that offer different frame materials and component builds so riders can pick the bike that fits their needs and budget.

Trek suspension technology

Trek has a long history of innovation, and it has introduced several ground-breaking technologies to the sport. Here is a list of technology and features that are only found on Trek mountain bikes.

Trek RE:aktiv and Thru Shaft shocks

In 2014, Trek worked with Penske Racing to develop RE:aktiv valve technology for its rear shocks. In RE:aktiv shocks, a spring-loaded valve inside the shock body provides increased low-speed compression for more pedaling support. When the shock's shaft speed increases on rough terrain, the valve opens up to quickly absorb impacts before closing again. RE:aktiv shocks are designed to reduce the need for lockouts and compression adjustment on full-suspension mountain bikes when pedaling on smooth terrain or climbing.

In 2018, Trek added Thru Shaft to its RE:aktiv shocks. Most mountain bike shocks are designed around an internal floating piston, or IFP. When a shock absorbs a bump, a damper shaft moves through the shock and displaces oil. This displaced oil needs to go somewhere, so it pushes against the IFP, compressing a gas charge behind the IFP.

The Thru Shaft design eliminates the need for an IFP by allowing the damper shaft to exit out the bottom of the shock. The damper no longer needs to compress an IFP to create space for displaced oil. This makes the shock more responsive and reduces friction. RE:aktiv Thru Shaft shocks are currently found on the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Trek IsoStrut

IsoStrut is a minimal, frame-integrated shock designed to provide the comfort and control of rear suspension while maintaining weight, stiffness, and efficiency that rivals a hardtail. To save weight, instead of an ABP suspension pivot, there is flex built into the seat stays to provide a virtual pivot. In its current form, it is only found on the Supercaliber cross-country bike where it provides 60mm of suspension travel.

Trek Knock Block and Straight Shot down tubes

Most mountain bike frames have a curve in the down tube where it joins the head tube to prevent interference with the fork crown. Trek’s Straight Shot down tubes, however, are straight from the head tube to the bottom bracket to increase frame stiffness and strength. This means the fork crown might hit the down tube if it spins around during a crash.

The Knock Block system prevents this with a chip in the top tube that interacts with a keyed stem, spacers, and headset top cover. The Knock Block stops the handlebars and fork from spinning, preventing the fork crown from striking the down tube. There's also a molded guard on the down tube as a redundant measure. As an added bonus, Knock Block also prevents brake and shift levers from scratching or damaging the top tube.

Knock Block can be found on all of Trek’s carbon mountain bike models and the aluminum versions of the Fuel EX, Remedy, and Slash.

Hopefully this guide to Trek mountain bikes puts you in a better place to select the best Trek MTB to suit you riding needs (and also the best build for your price range). If you’re still having trouble deciding, reach out to a TPC Ride Guide at (866) 401-9636 who can better help you understand the pros and cons, and ultimately find the right bike for you. Do you already have one of these Treks? Let us (and other cyclists) know in the comments what you love about your Trek MTB.

What do you ride? Which Trek bike is your favorite? What questions do you have? Let us know in the comments!

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$3,679.99 $4,999.99

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$1,649.99 $2,249.99

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$5,739.99 $6,499.99

Canyon Ultimate CF SL Road Bike - 2021, Medium

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Trek Rail 2021 Review | A powerful, long travel e-MTB with ALL of the confidence

The not-so-minor details.

2021 Trek Rail 9

Trek Bicycles Australia

https://www.trekbikes.com

$10,499 AUD

- Raw speed and 'GET OUT OF MY WAY!' stability - Buttery smooth suspension performance - The robust ZEB - Mega traction - Powerful and highly responsive motor - Discreet and well-positioned Kiox display unit

- Motor rattle - Mode selector is bulky and awkward - Special key needed to remove the battery

Dan tests the 2021 Trek Rail 9

First introduced to the world for 2020, the Rail is Trek’s premium long travel electric mountain bike. As the natural successor to the Powerfly LT, the Rail offers significantly improved geometry, and it’s built around the latest generation Bosch motor with a 625Wh battery in the downtube. Equipped with 29in wheels, 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, it’s essentially the e-MTB version of the Slash. It’s a similarly capable and planted beast on the descents, though with 85Nm of torque between the crank arms, it can go up some rather extraordinary terrain too.

What’s changed for 2021?

While the Rail was already a brand new platform for 2020, Trek has implemented some significant updates for the 2021 model. And we’re not just talking Bold New Graphics™ here.

The biggest change – both figuratively and literally – is the new RockShox ZEB fork that now adorns the front of the Rail. At the very least a better visual match for the hulking downtube and buxom head tube, the ZEB also brings welcome assuredness to the front end thanks to its fatter 38mm upper tubes and mahoosif crown.

To match the supple ZEB, Trek has bolted in a custom rear shock. It’s the Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3 – the same shock found in the latest Slash , which has been codeveloped with RockShox and features the IFP-free Thru Shaft damper. It lends a big change to the overall ride quality, which we’ll touch on in more detail in a bit.

A 4th generation Bosch Performance CX motor still powers the Rail, but it has been updated with the latest software that’s unlocked a further 10Nm of torque over last year’s bike. The system also features Trek’s custom ‘eMTB Lite’ mode in place of the usual Tour mode.

The old-school Purion display is gone in favour of the snazzy Kiox head unit, which Trek places on the top tube just behind the Knock Block headset. A separate control unit now sits next to the left-hand grip, giving you fingertip control of the various assist modes.

The Goldilocks model

For the past five months we’ve been testing out the mid-spec Goldilocks model – the Rail 9. This bike is flanked by the cheaper Rail 7 ($8,999 AUD), and a pricier, carbon-framed Rail 9.8 ($11,799 AUD). All Rails are produced in four sizes from Small through to XL, which Trek claims will fit riders from 153cm to 196cm tall.

Selling for $10,499 AUD, the Trek Rail 9 is on the pricey side compared to the latest Merida eOne-Sixty 9000 and the Norco Sight VLT C1 29 , both of which feature carbon frames. However, it does offer notably better specs than the similarly-priced Specialized Turbo Levo Comp.

Of course specs and numbers on paper are one thing though – how a bike rides on the trail, how it handles and what it’s like to live with day-to-day is another thing altogether. To see exactly what the new Trek Rail is capable of, we put it into the hands of our tame enduro tester Dan. Read on for a closer look at the package, followed by our review of the Rail.

2021 Trek Rail 9 Specs

• Frame |  Alpha Platinum Alloy, ABP Suspension Design, 150mm Travel
• Fork |  RockShox ZEB Select+, Charger RC 2.1 Damper, 44mm Offset, 160mm Travel
• Shock |  RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RT3, Thru-Shaft Damper, 230×57.5 mm
• Drive Unit |  Bosch Performance CX Gen 4, 85Nm
• Battery |  Bosch PowerTube 625Wh
• Wheels |  Bontrager Line Comp 30, Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Rim Width
• Tyres |  Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, 2.6in Front & Rear
• Drivetrain |  SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 w/X1 1000 36T Crankset & GX Eagle 10-52T Cassette
• Brakes | SRAM Code R 4-Piston w/220mm Front & 200mm Rear Rotors
• Handlebar | Bontrager Line, Alloy, 35mm Diameter, 27.5mm Rise, 780mm Wide
• Stem |  Bontrager Line, 35mm Diameter, Knock Block, 50mm Long
• Seatpost |  Bontrager Line Elite Dropper Post, 31.6mm Diameter, Travel: 100mm (Small), 150mm (Medium), 170mm (Large, X-Large)
• Saddle |  Bontrager Arvada Elite
• Claimed Weight | 23.92kg
• RRP |  $10,499 AUD

Testing the Trek Rail

Having already spent a load of time testing the latest Trek Slash , Dan went straight onto a Large-sized Rail to match his 183cm height. The 465mm reach is about 20mm shorter than the Slash. However, the effective reach is almost identical, as the Rail comes with a slightly longer 50mm stem. The overall riding position is comfortable and relatively upright, complemented by Bontrager’s own 780mm wide riser bars and Arvada saddle.

Setup is otherwise straightforward on the Rail thanks to Trek’s online suspension setup calculato r. We followed the recommendations for Dan’s 83kg riding weight, and ran the fork with 20% sag and the rear shock with 30% sag. The big volume tyres were setup tubeless with 24psi in the front and 26psi in the rear.

Confirmed weight for our test bike without pedals is a smidge lighter than claimed at 23.92kg.

The suspension is insane

For sure one of the biggest standout qualities of the latest Trek Rail is just how bloody good the suspension is. The new Super Deluxe shock already impressed us on the Slash, but it’s even better here thanks to the improved sprung-to-unsprung mass ratio of the stockier Rail.

While it does look like a conventional Super Deluxe shock, the internals are anything but. Compared to the 2020 model, the new shock has ditched the RE:aktiv valve in favour of a standard shim stack. Essentially some of the pedalling support has been traded up for a gooier feel with a greater focus on traction and high-speed reactivity. You can still flip between Open and Firm settings via a two-position lever, and there’s also a separate dial for adjusting the low-speed compression damping in the Open position. We mostly left the low-speed dial in the neutral position, though the firmer option is useful for riding flowier jump trails where you want a little more support to push off of when pumping the bike through rollers and berms. The softer position is ideal for wet days and steep, traction-poor trails.

The near friction-free feel is amplified by the Thru Shaft damper, which skips the traditional nitrogen-charged IFP. The main damper shaft exits the base of the shock during compression, allowing for a constant column of oil inside the shock. Trek claims the Thru Shaft design reduces the ‘stick-slip’ sensation when the shock changes direction between compression and rebound.

On the trail, we’d have to agree with those claims. The back end of the Rail offers glue-like traction with impeccable small-bump compliance, and the rear wheel gets out of the way with incredible efficacy when it meets something hard and fast. Combined with the ABP platform, which helps to reduce the affect of braking on the suspension, it offers a very active and neutral feel. While Dan didn’t mess around with the compression settings much, he did tweak the rebound dial a click or two depending on the trail, going for a slightly slower setting on bigger jump trails to reduce back-end kick, and a faster setting for speedier recovery on rougher flat-out moto trails.

Up front, the ZEB is a fantastic complement to the rear suspension and the Rail’s frame in general. We’ve spent considerable time on the ZEB Ultimate (both separately and on the Trek Slash ), and both the chassis and DebonAir spring are identical in this cheaper Select+ model. The difference is in the damper, and while you do get adjustable rebound and low-speed compression damping, you miss out on the high-speed adjuster.

Performance on the trail is very similar between the two though, and we can’t say we missed that extra adjustment. It is possible to increase spring support by adding a Bottomless Token to the air spring, but we never needed to – from the factory the ZEB is plush, well controlled and it looks proper alongside the Rail’s vast front end.

Two-wheeled monster truckin’

With the stout ZEB and oozy suspension, the Rail absolutely loves going full-gas on steep terrain. In fact, we struggled to find any limit to its high-speed capabilities, which really aren’t that far off from a dedicated dual-crown downhill bike.

There is so much stability on offer – of course the generous mass helps, though the front wheel also tracks a predictable path thanks to the 44mm fork offset and slack head angle. On that note, the head angle is actually a bit slacker than claimed – we measured it at just under 64°, likely because the ZEB is slightly taller than an equivalent Lyrik. The Rail’s front end has a similar vibe to the raked-out Sight VLT, though it delivers noticeably less wiggle compared to the steeper head angles and 51mm fork offsets used on the Levo and eOne-Sixty. The Rail trumps all of them though with its effortlessly smooth suspension performance, which enhances high-speed control and generates traction on rough and loose sections of trail.

Speaking of traction, there’s bags of that courtesy of the aggressive Bontrager SE5 Team Issue tyres. These feature reinforced Core Strength casings, dual compound rubber, and plenty of volume – they measure up slightly larger than claimed at 2.63in wide. Initially Dan set them up with higher pressures, but that made them feel overly stiff and uncompliant. The robust casing means the SE5s is happier at lower pressures, allowing them to more easily contort to the trail surface rather than bouncing off of harsh edges.

Perhaps the only problem with the Rail’s warp-speed capabilities is that it’s often possible to come into sections too hot. In these situations, where the trail tightens up on you a little quicker than anticipated, there are times where it feels big. However, the grippy tyres, combined with the fact that the back end isn’t obscenely long (448mm), does mean you can wrestle it back into line.

It’s otherwise a very forgiving bike. Bacon was saved on numerous occasions, either while bombing down blown out rutted moto trails blind, or when a jump was mistimed. On one specific ride, where Dan was lapping the bottom section of the Epic trail at Mt Buller, he came into a bonus double without nearly enough speed. At that point all he could do was pull up on the bars, hold on, and hope for the best. The Rail’s suspension soaked up the cased impact without drama, avoiding what would have otherwise been a pretty horrible crash. Muchos gracias, Trek Rail.

But it’s no heffalump

Given this bike’s high-speed tenacity, somehow the Rail never feels   unwieldy. This was the same magic we found in the Slash – a very capable enduro bike that’s still totally comfortable on more mundane trails. Yes we’re talking about a 24kg e-MTB here, but aside from the occasional tight off-camber corner, it never feels overly cumbersome.

Trek has exercised some restraint in the Rail’s geometry – the wheelbase is long, but not ridiculously so. On the flatter, more adventure-based rides we took it on, it was plenty comfortable with good weight distribution. It doesn’t force a load of pressure through the grips, and it also doesn’t demand a whole lot from its pilot either.

On those longer and more pedally rides, the Bosch motor delivers a smooth transition past the 25km/h cutoff, and there’s very little drag through the cranks as you continue to spin. Of course at that point you’ll rudely be made aware of the overall weight and chunky 2.6in tyres.

You do get a tonne of traction when the trail points upwards though, with the Rail impressing on steep, technical climbs. The stated seat angle is listed at 75°, though shoving the saddle forwards on the rails helps to steepen it further, closer to 77° in our case. You can also flip the Mino Link in the rear rocker link pivot to steepen the angles by another half degree. We didn’t bother though, as the climbing position was fine, and we preferred the lower centre of gravity in the Low position anyway.

The 448mm chainstay length is also nicely balanced for a long travel 29er. Some brands are going shorter (and resorting to mullet setups) for more manoeuvrability on regular singletrack, while others are going longer for vertical wall-climbing capability on more rugged hiking/moto trails. Trek seems to have split the difference with the Rail, and it offers a nice compromise as a result.

Sure, a mullet setup will naturally deliver a more carveable ride experience. Bikes like the Merida eOne-Sixty or Canyon Spectral:ON offer a poppier and more sprightly ride quality on purpose built trails, especially for shorter riders. But there’s no denying that the Rail’s full 29er setup does provide more traction and stability, and it maintains momentum better on rough terrain – both on the ups and the downs.

Strong, responsive power delivery

The climbing performance is made all the more pleasurable on the Rail thanks to the smooth and rapid engagement from the Bosch Performance CX motor. The combination of finely-tuned speed, cadence and torque sensors give the motor excellent pickup that reacts quickly to the slightest pedal pressure, highly useful on very steep and technical singletrack.

Also useful is the extra couple of seconds of power delivery that you’re provided when you stop pedalling. This overrun feature is ideal when you need to take a moment to rest on a techy climb, allowing you to briefly lean on the motor while you catch your breath. It can be a little surprising at first, but once you’re used to it, it becomes a welcome tool in the Rail’s climbing arsenal, providing a noticeable advantage over the smaller and lighter Shimano EP8 motor.

There is the usual clacking noise from the internal clutch mechanism, which is noticeable when freewheeling over rough terrain. While it would be nice if this noise wasn’t there, it appears to be the tradeoff for the reduced motor drag. And once you realise the noise isn’t signifying an actual problem, it doesn’t take long to tune it out, as Dan did after the first few rides.

Otherwise the Bosch motor stands as one of the best power-plants currently on the market, thanks to its powerful response and strong torque. Being a powerful rider himself, Dan mostly left the motor in the Turbo assist mode to quickly gain access to the motor’s full output when needed. This differed from Wil’s experience with the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 . Being a lighter rider, he preferred using the less aggressive eMTB mode. That said, the Rail delivers so much traction from its supple suspension and big volume 29er tyres that it’s much better placed to harness the motor’s full power output, with less risk of wheel-spin and the bike pulling your arms out of their sockets.

Still, the eMTB mode is the one that will suit most riders thanks to its more flexible and adaptive feel. Of course you can also gain considerably more range by using the eMTB Lite mode (which we preferred over Eco) for longer rides where you’re pushing north of 1,500m of climbing.

Off the beaten track

We’ve had some amazing experiences while riding the Rail over summer, including a visit to some of the more remote areas beyond Mt Buller. A particular highlight involved an all-day adventure with a 20km ride up the valley, bikes then stashed in the bush, followed by a 25km round hike in the high country, before picking the bikes up and riding back down to the valley floor.

In between nightshifts working as a fireman in Melbourne, Dan’s also used his free mornings to go exploring beyond the city limits in areas which aren’t typically popular with mountain bikers, but frequented rather by hikers, 4WDs and dirt bikers. The Rail, with its generous 625Wh battery pack, has lapped up these e-MTB exploration missions, thriving on being thrown deep into the bush down steep, rutted, blown-out fireroads that you wouldn’t dream of tackling on a regular bike, or even on foot for that matter. In these often mobile reception-free zones, it does make you reconsider what you carry with you on a solo bike ride though – Dan’s added an Epirb, a first aid kit and snake bite bandages to his usual riding kit.

Longterm living

While there is plenty to be impressed about on the Trek Rail, there are less than impressive attributes too.

The remote switch looks clunky on what is a $10K mountain bike. The walk mode is also awkward to use, as it reduces your grip on the bars while you hold down the button at the top of the controller with your thumb.

We do like the Kiox display though, which offers a nice colourful screen that displays a tonne of data at your fingertips. Each mode has a different colour so it’s easy to tell what setting you’re in, and you can quickly check battery percentage and your estimated remaining range. Trek’s decision to mount the display on the top tube is also a good one – it puts the screen out of your immediate field of view, so it’s totally unobtrusive. It’s also less likely to get damaged in a crash.

It is easy to remove due to the magnetic attachment, but make sure you don’t lose it – without it the bike won’t turn on. It never happened to us, but there’s potential to knock the head unit off during a crash.

Otherwise the electronics are nicely finished, and it’s great to see the speed sensor discreetly integrated into the dropout, with a magnet attaching directly to the rotor. The spring-loaded latch for the main charge port hasn’t caused any issues, and you’re able to charge the battery both in or out of the bike.

Speaking of the battery, we did have an issue with it coming loose on one ride, causing one heck of a rattle inside the downtube. It turned out the upper battery mount had come loose, which was not ideal. It was particularly not ideal because Dan didn’t have the special battery key with him in his riding pack, which meant he couldn’t remove the battery to tighten up the mount. After getting home, he was able to release the battery, tighten up the mount, and it hasn’t caused an issue since. Still, this is another reason why Bosch needs to use a normal hex key for releasing the battery, as the key is just another thing to remember and potentially lose.

Component highs & lows

For a big e-MTB that’s as hungry for speed as the Rail, it’s fantastic to see big SRAM Code R brakes. While the rear is in need of a bleed, they otherwise haven’t caused an issue throughout testing, offering gobs of stopping power – props to Trek for spec’ing a 200mm rear rotor and a 220mm whopper up front. Bold!

The GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain has been solid too, and there’s plenty of usable low-range grunt with the big 52T sprocket. Dan did manage to break a chain early on, which was a scary experience – luckily he wasn’t too far from home. Spare master links and a chain breaker now live in the kit bag permanently.

Another random mishap occurred when a 532 error code appeared on the Kiox display, rendering the motor inactive as a result. Some Googling later revealed this was due to the speed sensor not picking up the magnet – a result of the rear thru-axle having come a little loose. This isn’t the first time we’ve had a thru-axle work its way loose, but it’s a timely reminder to check them periodically to make sure they’re always snug.

Otherwise everything else is still in one piece, including Bontrager’s Line Comp 30 wheelset. These feature Rapid Drive hubs with 54 engagement points, though for $30 AUD you can get a pawl kit to upgrade them to 108 points of engagement. The TLR rim strips provide secure tubeless setup, and overall the wheels have been pretty bulletproof, despite being run insert-free.

The tyres have also gone through the whole test period without a single puncture (you all know exactly what’s going to happen now…). Impressive given they’ve been given an absolute hammering, and that they’re actually not that heavy with a claimed weight of 1,080g per tyre. That’s considerably lighter than a Maxxis DoubleDown or Schwalbe Super Trail tyre.

Flow’s Verdict

When we first swung a leg over the Trek Rail at the launch back in 2019 , we were impressed with the balanced geometry, high quality suspension and responsive Bosch motor, which gave it genuine all-round talent. With this new model however, Trek has elevated the performance significantly thanks to the addition of the custom Super Deluxe shock and beefier ZEB fork, which give the Rail a whole new level of ploughability. Add in the confidence-inspiring handling, big 29in wheels and chunky 2.6in tyres, and you’ve got a serious amount of control and traction on tap for descending full-blown downhill trails.

The Rail doesn’t place all of its eggs in the descending basket though – those same attributes make it a great technical climber, and it’s surprisingly comfortable and easy to manage on less demanding all-day adventure rides too.

Value for money isn’t outstanding, particularly when you compare the Rail 9 to the likes of Merida and Norco. Pricing is on par with Specialized though, and you are getting a very robust, well-considered package here with big brakes, superb suspension and that powerful Bosch motor. The new Kiox display is aesthetically pleasing and well-placed, though we’d like to see some refinement to the controller. Otherwise we love the overall feel and power delivery, which complement the Rail’s technical prowess well.

For riders on the lookout for a big travel, ride-everything e-MTB that delivers outstanding traction and high-speed control, the Trek Rail is a seriously capable option to put on your list.

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Your complete guide to the 2021 trek mountain bike range.

Trek has had a long-standing presence in the mountain bike world with a vast range of bikes to back it up. The brands offering ranges from featherweight cross country bikes right through to downhill thoroughbreds. If you're in the market for a Trek bike and wondering which will suit you best, read on for our complete guide to their 2021 range.

• Your complete guide to the 2021 Canyon mountain bike range
• Your complete guide to the RockShox rear shock range - Deluxe, Super Deluxe, SID, Monarch and Vivid air and coil
• Buyer's guide to mountain bikes - get the best MTB for you

2021 Trek mountain bikes

• Full Stache
• Supercaliber

Understanding Trek's naming system

Trek's naming system follows a similar style to how Canyon names its bikes. Each bike's name is suffixed with a number, with higher value numbers corresponding to pricier and better-kitted bikes. Once we get to 9, Trek adds decimals to the suffix to denote changes in the bike's suspension package. All bikes with a 9 in the name get carbon frames but a 9.7 might get its suspension from Fox's Rhythm range for example, while a 9.8 will get better something from higher in the range. Also, you'll see that a lot of kit on the bikes come from Bontrager, for the uninitiated that's Trek's in-house component brand.

At the '9' level, we also see XT, XO1, and GX finding their way into the names. Yep, you've guessed it, that's the drivetrain the bike comes kitted with.

Another thing that's definitely worth mentioning is that a small selection of Trek's bike range is available through what the brand calls Project One. Project One offers the opportunity to have your bike personalised and custom painted with special, exclusive colours. This will mean you have to part ways with a heap of cash but in return, you'll get a bike that's unique to you.

As with the brand's range of bikes, the price range is vast with bikes starting from £440, right up to £9,200 and that's not even considering the Project One options. There's also a comprehensive range of gravel bikes and e-bikes.

Let's kick things off with the Slash. It's Trek's enduro bike which rolls on 29" wheels and gets 160mm of travel at the rear, paired with 170mm at the front. For 2021 it gets both an aluminium and carbon frame option all of which benefit from Trek's proprietary Knock Block system which saves your top and down tube if your front end spins during a crash. This bike also gets the Mino Link which is a geometry adjusting flip-chip, down tube guards threaded bottom brackets, an Active Braking Pivot, and storage in the downtube. As for the geometry, in the low setting, the Slash sees a 75.6° effective seat tube angle, a 64.1° head tube angle, and a 435mm chainstay. A large frame gets a 486mm reach. If you're after something a little more special, the Slash is available through Project One.

Slash 9.9 XTR

Topping the Slash range is the Slash 9.9 XTR. It gets Trek's OCLV carbon frame with the all-new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with an updated ThruShaft damper. At the front, you'll find the RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 which features chunky 38mm stanchions. As its name suggests there's a full Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain with an e*thirteen LG1 Race Carbon crank. The brakes here also come from the XTR lineup and they come with 4-pot calipers for extra stopping power. This bike rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line Pro 30 which are wrapped with a Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.6" Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead tyre at the front and an SE5 Team Issue with the same spec in 2.4" at the rear. It also gets a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper with Bontrager supplying the 820mm wide carbon bar, 35mm stem along with the rest of the build kit.

Slash 9.9 XO1

The Slash 9.9 XO1 gets all of the same trimmings as the 9.9 XTR but benefits from a SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain and SRAM Code RSC Brakes, along with a slightly friendlier price tag.

Slash 9.8 GX

Shaving a few thousand pounds of the range-topper is the 9.8 GX. This one is still built around Trek's carbon frame but this one gets a slightly downgraded RockShox ZEB Select+ RC with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. Here we get a SRAM GX drivetrain with a matching crankset and SRAM Code R brakes. As for the rest of the bike, it's the same as the 9.9 XTR.

Slash 9.8 XT

As its name suggests, the Slash 9.8 XT gets a very similar built kit to the 9.8 GX. However, this bike sees a Shimano XT drivetrain with SLX M7120 four-piston brakes.

Dropping a full £1.8k off of the 9.8 models, the Slash 9.7 is still built around a carbon frame and it swaps the RockShox suspension with a Fox Rhythm 36 fork and a Fox Performance DPX2 EVOL shock. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM GX and NX Eagle and the wheels here are the alloy Bontrager Line Comp 30's. Those come shod with a Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewall, aramid bead 2.6" tyre at the front with a Bontrager XR4 with the same spec and a 2.4" width at the rear. Trek has also swapped the dropper post for a TransX post and there's Bontrager's own alloy finishing kit.

With the Slash 8, we no longer get a carbon frame but we do get a RockShox Lyric Select+ RC fork with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate at the rear. This bike is driven by a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and there's a pair of SRAM Code R brakes. Everything else is the same as what you would get on the 9.7 model.

The Slash 7 rounds of the range with its alloy frame, RockShox Yari RC fork, RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock, and SRAM NX drivetrain. Here we get a pair of SRAM Guide T brakes and the rest of the bike follows suit with the 8.

Trek Remedy

The Remedy is Trek's long-legged trail bike which comes with four models for 2021. It rolls on 650b wheels and gets 160mm of travel at the front, with 150mm at the rear. Much like the Slash, the Remedy benefits from the Knock Block, the Active Braking Pivot, and the Mino Link. Geometry-wise, it gets a 65.6° head angle, a 74.2° effective seat tube angle, and 435mm chainstays in the low position. A large frame gets a 455mm reach, again in that low setting.

The Remedy 9.8 is the only bike in the 2021 line up that gets a carbon frame. It also gets a burly Fox Performance 38 paired with a Fox Performance Float DPX2 EVOL shock at the rear. This bike benefits from a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain matched with SRAM Code R brakes. As for the wheels, they're a pair of carbon Bontrager Line Elite 30's and they're wrapped with a Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls with an aramid bead in 2.6" with a Bontrager SE4 Team Issue with the same specs in the 2.4" width. Bontrager also supplies the dropper post with the Line Elite and the 820mm handlebar along with the 35mm stem.

As suggested by the lack of a '9' in its name, the Slash 8 comes kitted with an alloy frame. As for the fork, it's a RockShox Lyrik Select+ RC and that's paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock. This bike is also driven by a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and it gets the same brakes as the 9.8 rig. Differing from the range-topper, this build sees in a pair of Bontrager Line Comp 30 alloy wheels which get an XR5 Team Issue tyre that's tubeless-ready with Inner Strength sidewalls and an aramid bead in 2.6", also from Bontrager. At the rear, there's an XR4 with the very same specification. The rest of the bike follows suit with the 9.8 model.

Remedy 8 XT

Rather unsurprisingly, the Remedy 8 XT comes with a very similar build to the 8 but gets an XT drivetrain and Deore M6120 four-pot brakes. Everything else on this build matches the Remedy 8.

The Remedy 7 is the cheapest 2021 Remedy on offer. It gets a RockShox Gold RL fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock. There's a SRAM NX drivetrain with SRAM Guide T brakes. Apart from that, everything else is the same as what you'll get on the Remedy 8's.

Trek Fuel EX

The Fuel EX is Trek's do it all trail bike. It gets 130mm of rear travel and 140mm at the front. Just like the Slash, the Fuel EX gets built-in downtube storage and the Active Braking Pivot. It comes with a RE:aktiv shock with Thru Shaft, something that you'll only find on Trek bikes. It promises more grip and control with a shock the reacts to the ground faster than anything else on the market, says Trek. This bike also gets the Mino Link, Knock Block, and Straight Shot downtube. The Fuel EX comes in five sizes with XS getting 650b hoops and M upwards getting 29" wheels. However, size S comes with a choice of either wheel size. As for the geometry in the low setting, the bike gets a 66° head angle, a 75° effective seat tube angle, and a 437mm chain stay. A large frame benefits from a 470mm reach.

Fuel EX 9.9 AXS

Topping the range with a pretty hefty pricetag is the 9.9 AXS. On this model, you'll get a Fox Factory 36 with a GRIP 2 damper, paired with a Fox Factory Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. Of course, we then get wireless shifting from SRAM and the AXS range along with a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS dropper. It rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line 30 carbon wheels and they're wrapped with two Bontrager XR4 Team Issue tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads, measuring in with a 2.6" width at the front and a 2.4" at the rear. Bontrager supplies the finishing kit with a Knock Block stem and a 780mm OCLV carbon handlebar.

Fuel EX 9.9 XTR & XO1

Next up, the Fuel EX 9.9 XTR gets all of the bling. It's built around Trek's OCLV carbon frame and gets a Fox Factory 36 fork with a GRIP2 damper. At the back, there's a Fox Factory Float EVOL, RE:aktiv. As its name hints, this bike comes with a Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain with matching XTR M9120 four-piston brakes. There's also an option with a SRAM XO1 drivetrain with SRAM G2 RSC brakes. This one rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line Pro 30 OCLV carbon wheels which are wrapped in a pair of Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with the brand's Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid bead. At the front, there's a 2.6" tyre with a 2.4" at the rear on both wheel sizes. Then the bike comes kitted with a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper and the rest of the kit comes from the same brand.

Fuel EX 9.8 XT & GX

Offering a saving of over £2,000 over the top of the range bike is the 9.8 GX and XT. This bike comes with the same carbon frame as the most expensive bike but sees a downgrade in suspension and drivetrain. Here we get a Fox Performance 36 with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv shock. This rig comes with a choice of drivetrain with either SRAM's GX groupset or Shimano's XT. The GX build comes with SRAM G2 RS brakes whereas the XT model is stopped with a pair of Shimano SLX M7120 four-piston brakes. Everything else on these builds is the same as what you'll find on the 9.9 XTR model.

Fuel EX 9.7

The 9.7 is Trek's most affordable carbon-framed Fuel EX. It comes kitted with a Fox Rhythm 36 with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL shock. The drivetrain here is a mix of SRAM NX and GX with the former making up the shifter and the latter handing the mech. Gone are the carbon wheels, unfortunately, but instead we get a set of Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels wrapped in the very same tyres like the rest of the range. The rest of the bike follows suit with the pricier models but there's an alloy bar and stem.

Fuel EX 8 XT & GX

At the sub £3k mark Trek does away with the carbon frames and replaces them with cheaper alloy alternatives. On the priciest alloy option, we get a Fox Rythm 34 Float with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. On this build, there's a choice of either a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain or a Shimano XT with the former benefitting from SRAM G2 R brakes and the latter receiving a pair of Shimano MT4100 levers mated to MT420 four-piston callipers. This bike gets a pair of Bontrager Line Comp 30 alloy wheels and the rest of the build is the same as what you'll get on the 9.7 bike.

Fuel EX 7 NX

On the Fuel EX 7 NX we find a RockShox 35 Gold RL fork and a Fox Performance Float EVOL shock, note that this shock doesn't come with that special RE:aktiv tech. You've guessed it, this one comes equipped with a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain it gets its brakes from Shimano with a pair of MT4100 levers and MT410 callipers. The rest of the bike, including the wheels and tyres on this bike, is the same as the rest of the alloy range but we see a TransX dropper on this model.

Fuel EX 5 Deore

Rounding off the fairly extensive range is the reasonably priced Fuel EX Deore. It gets a RockShox Recon Silver fork with an X-Fusion Pro 2 shock. Then there's the Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes made up of MT201 levers and MT200 callipers. The wheels see a downgrade from the rest of the range with an Alex MD35 rim laced to Bontrager hubs. They're wrapped in a pair of Bontrager XR4 tyres and there's a TransX dropper post. The rest of the finishing kit comes from Bontrager.

Trek Top Fuel

Like it or not, but down-country bikes are becoming more and more prolific. Luckily for those who are on board with the trend Trek has a bike for you. It comes kitted with 120mm travel up front and 115mm at the rear with 29" wheels. In keeping with the rest of Trek's bikes so far the Top Fuel also gets a Straight Shot downtube and Trek's Active Braking Pivot. It's also kitted with the Mino Link and Control Freak cable management system. Moving onto the geometry, the Top Fuel sees a 68° head tube angle, a 75.7° effective seat tube angle and a 434mm chainstay. A large frame gets a 470mm reach and those numbers have been taken with the bike in its low setting. As for frame sizes, there's a choice from XS right up to XXL.

Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS

A few hundred pounds shy of the 10k mark, this bike comes with all of the top tech. It's made around a carbon frame with a RockShox SID Ultimate fork with a Race Day Charger damper and a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock. There's a RockShox TwistLoc Full Sprint lockout remote too. As for the drivetrain, here we get a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-speed wireless set up with SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes. The wheels on this bike area pair of Bontrager Kovee Pro 30 Carbon hoops and they're kitted with a pair of Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads in a 2.4" width. Finally, there's a RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper post, Bontrager OCLV carbon bar with a 750mm width and 35mm clamp and a Bontrager stem.

Top Fuel 9.9 XTR & XO1

Next up, the Top Fuel XTR and XO1 models get the same carbon frame but this time there's a Fox Factory 34 Step Cast with a FIT4 damper paired with a Fox Factory Float shock. This bike also gets the RockShox Twistloc remote lockout. With this model, there's a choice of either a SRAM XO1 drivetrain or the Shimano XTR set up. The XO1 model gets SRAM G2 RSC four-piston brakes while the XTR gets XTR M9100 brakes. Everything else on the bike is the same as the AXS model but the dropper, which is a Bontrager Line Elite.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT & GX

The Top Fuel 9.8 sees a saving of £2.4k and gets its suspension from RockShox with the SID Select+ RL fork and RockShox SID Ultimate RL shock. There's a choice of drivetrain on this bike too between either a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed with SRAM G2 RSC brakes or a Shimano XT drivetrain with SLX M7000 brakes. Everything else on this bike is the same as its pricier brethren.

Top Fuel 9.7

The 9.7 model is the cheapest with a carbon frame and it comes with a RockShox Reba RL fork and a Fox Performance Float DPS shock. There's a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes consisting of MT501 levers and MT500 calipers. This bike makes a move to Bontrager Kovee Comp 23 alloy wheels and they get the same tyres as the rest of the range. We get an alloy cockpit and a Bontrager Line Dropper.

Top Fuel 8 NX

At this price point, Trek introduces alloy frames into the mix. With the 8 NX there's a RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air with a Fox Performance Float DPS. There's still a remote lockout here but it comes from Bontrager in the form of the Drop Lock. As its name suggests, this bike is driven by a SRAM NX drivetrain and it's stopped with a pair of SRAM Level T brakes. The rest of the bike is the same as what you'll find on the 9.7 model.

Top Fuel 7 SX

The Top Fuel 7 SX is the most affordable bike in the range featuring suspension from RockShox with the Judy SL Solo Air fork and the X-Fusion Pro 2 shock. There's a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT200 brakes. This one rolls on the same alloy wheels as the rest of the range with the same tyres. In fact, apart from the TransX dropper post, everything else matches the Top Fuel 8 NX.

Trek Full Stache

While the Full Stache hasn't had an update for 2021, it seems rude not to include it as there aren't an awful lot of full suspension 29+ bikes on the market. Of course, it rolls on 29" wheels with chunky 3" tyres. It also has 130mm of travel at both ends but the frame is compatible with up to a 140mm fork if you fancy some extra lairy riding. There's also the Mino Link, Control Freak cable management and the Knock Block. It's built around an aluminium frame and gets a 67° head tube angle, a 75.5° effective seat tube and a 430mm chainstay in the low setting. A large gets a 480mm reach, again in the low setting.

Full Stache 8

With its aluminium frame, you'll find a RockShox Pike Select Plus RC fork with a Fox Performance Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. There's a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, aTruvativ Descendant 6k crank and SRAM Guide R brakes. This bike gets a pair of SUNringlé Duroc 40 SL wheels and they're shod with a pair of Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads. We get a Bontrager Line Dropper on this bike with a 780mm wide alloy bar, also from Bontrager.

Trek Supercaliber

Filling the role of the full suspension cross country bike is the rather unique looking Supercaliber. The standout feature of this bike is its IsoStrut suspension platform. It offers 60mm of fully tunable travel and what makes it special is that it does away with a rocker link thus saving a chunk of weight. The IsoStrut is also a structural feature of the frame which Trek says prevents twisting, flex and deflection which the brand claims offers a more direct power transfer. The whole range of Supercalibers feature carbon frames rolling on 29" hoops, Straight Shot downtube and the Knock Block. The geometry on this bike sees a 69° head angle, 74° seat tube angle and a 430mm chainstay. The reach of a large frame measures in at 455mm. There are six sizes from S to XXL and an ML size which gets a longer top tube than the M. Up front there's 100mm of travel.

Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS

The Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS takes the crown as Trek's most expensive mountain bike. It comes dripping with top-shelf kit such as the RockShox SID SL Ultimate with a Charger Race Day damper and a Fox Factory IsoStrut shock. This bike gets SRAMs XX1 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain with the carbon crank and SRAM Level Ultimate brakes. It rolls on a pair of Bontrager Kovee XXX OCLV carbon wheels and they're wrapped with a set of 2.2" Bontrager XR2 Team Issue, tubeless ready tyres with Inner Strength Sidewalls and aramid beads. Then the finishing kit also comes from Bontrager and the line of carbon components, including a 720mm wide handlebar.

Supercaliber XX1 & XTR

Next up the Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 and XTR get all of the same kit as the priciest model but they drop the fancy wireless shifting. Instead, there's a choice of either a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain with SRAM Level Ultimate brakes or a Shimano XTR drivetrain with XTR M9100 brakes.

Supercaliber XT & GX

Seeing a considerable saving from the rest of the range, the Supercaliber 9.8 GX and XT models get a downgraded Fox Performance 32 Step-Cast fork with a GRIP2 damper. There's also that IsoStrut suspension also provided by Fox but this model doesn't get that sleek Kashima coating, coming from the brands Performance line-up. These models come with a choice of either a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed groupset with both choices coming kitted with Shimano Deore XT M8100 brakes. Here we get a pair of Bontrager Kovee Pro 30 carbon wheels, then the rest of the kit is the same as what you would get on the other bikes.

Supercaliber 9.7

The Supercaliber 9.7 is the most budget-friendly option in the range. It's still built around that OCLV carbon frame and the Performance level IsoStrut shock but gets a RockShox Reba RL fork. This one is driven by a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and it's stopped by brakes from Shimano with the MT501 levers and MT500 calipers. This model gets slightly narrower Bontrager Kovee Elite 23 carbon wheels with the same XR2 tyres but the rest of the bike comes from Bontrager's alloy line of kit.

Trek Procaliber

The Procaliber is Trek's lightweight cross country hardtail. Compared to the Supercaliber it presents a mighty cash saving if you're looking for a race-ready XC bike. That doesn't mean that it's not without some cool tech, however. The Supercaliber benefits from what Trek calls the IsoSpeed decoupler which allows the set tube to rotate independently from the top tube to seatstay junction which Trek says offers some vertical compliance without sacrificing pedalling efficiency. As with the rest of the range, this bike gets the Straight Shot downtube and Knock Block too. Each bike in the Supercaliber line up comes with a carbon frame which rolls on 29" wheels and can fit up to 2.4" rubber. Here we see a 68.8° head angle, a 73.8° seat tube angle and 432mm a chainstay. A large frame benefits from a 450mm reach and there are six sizes, from S up to XL, including an ML size which gets a longer top tube than the M. The Procaliber gets 100mm of suspension.

Procaliber 9.8

Built around an OCLV carbon frame the Procaliber 9.8 comes with a Fox Performance 32 Step-Cast fork with a GRIP damper. It's driven by a Shimano XT drivetrain with Deore XT M8100 brakes but this one gets an e*thirteen TRS Race Carbon crank. The wheels here are a pair of Bontrager Kovee Elite 30 carbon wheels and there's a pair of Bontrager 2.2" XR2 Team Issue, tubeless-ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads. The rest of the kit comes from Bontrager too, with a 720mm wide carbon handlebar.

Procaliber 9.7

This model comes equipped with a RockShox Reba RL Solo Air and a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT501 brake levers hosed to MT500 calipers. This bike gets Bontrager's Kovee Elite 23 wheels, then the rest of the bike matches the 9.8 model.

Procaliber 9.6

On the 9.6 model of the Procaliber you'll get a RockShox Recon Gold RL and a mixture of Shimano kit making up the drivetrain. There's an SLX M7100 shifter and an XT M8100 derailleur. With this model there's the move over to alloy wheels, they come from Bontrager and the Kovee's. Then there are the same tyres as the rest of the range and an all-alloy finishing kit from Bontrager.

Procaliber 9.5

Finally the Procaliber line-up is rounded off with the 9.5. Even as the cheapest bike, it still gets that OCLV carbon frame but sees a RockShox Judy SL fork. There's a full Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT200 brakes. Then the rest of the bike features the same kit that you'll find on the 9.6 model.

Trek X-Caliber

If you're looking for a race-ready cross country bike but you're on a budget, the X-Caliber is the bike for you. Accommodating for its affordable price point is an aluminium frame rather than the carbon you'll find on its pricier sibling, the Procaliber. The X-Caliber comes kitted with rack mounts, so it's bike-packing ready, along with a mount for a kickstand. All frames feature internal routing and they all come kitted with Trek's Blendr stem. The X-Caliber comes with either 650b wheels on sizes XS and S with all larger bikes (up to XXL) roll on 29" hoops. As for the geometry, there's a 73° effective seat tube angle on sizes M and up while the smaller two sizes get a 73.5° effective seat tube angle. Then there's a 69.5° head tube angle (S and XSs get a 69.3° HA) and a 438mm chainstay on M and up, and a 425mm chainstay on the smaller bikes. Sizes S to XL get 100mm of travel leaving XS with just 80mm. Although, the frame will accept a maximum of a 120mm fork while the XS can accept a 100mm fork.

X-Caliber 9

Heading up the range, the X-Caliber 9 gets a RockShox Judy Silver Solo Air with a TurnKey remote lockout. This bike gets a Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes made up of an MT401 lever and an MT400 caliper. The wheels on this one are a pair of Bontrager Kovees and they're wrapped with a pair of Bontrager XR3s in the 2.3" width on all sizes. The finishing kit comes from Bontrager too with an alloy bar, stem, and seat post.

X-Caliber 8

The middle of the range X-Caliber 8 comes with a RockShox Judy SL Solo Air fork with a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. Stopping the bike is a pair of MT200 brakes from Shimano. As for the wheels, the rims come from Bontrager with a pair of kovees and they're laced to Formula DCL-141Q hubs. Then the rest of the bike is the same as the X-Caliber 9.

X-Caliber 7

The X-Caliber 7 gets much of the same kit as the X-Caliber 8 with the only difference in spec being its Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain.

Trek Roscoe

If you're looking for a trail orientated hardtail, the Roscoe fits the bill. Each build comes properly sorted with dropper posts, 120mm of travel (size S gets 100mm), 1x drivetrains and alloy frames. The bike also rolls on 650b+ wheels and tyres. They all feature internal cable routing, rack and kickstand mounts too. Onto the geometry, the Roscoe sees a 67.3° head angle, a 70.8° effective seat tube angle (with the medium frame getting a 70.7° effective seat angle and the S and XS getting 71.2° and 71.1° angles respectively), and a large frame gets a 428mm reach. As a 650b+ bike, it can run either 27.5x2.8" or 29x2.4" rubber.

On the Roscoe 8, you'll find a RockShox 35 Gold RL fork with a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes in the form of the MT501 lever paired with an MT500 caliper. It's worth noting that the fork comes with a flexy QR axle. The wheels here are made of rims from Bontrager and the Line 40s with a Bontrager hub at the front and a Formula hub at the rear. This bike gets a pair of Maxxis Rekon tubeless tyres with a 2.8" width and then the rest of the kit comes from Bontrager and the alloy range apart from the dropper post, which comes from TranzX with the JD-YSP18.

The Roscoe 7 benefits from most of the same kit as the 8, but this one gets a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Shimano MT200 brakes.

On the cheapest Roscoe 6 you'll get an SR Suntour XCM 32 coil sprung fork with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and MT200 brakes. This bike then rolls on Alex MD35 rims and Formula DC hubs which get a pair of Kenda Havok, wire beaded, 2.8" tyres. As for the rest of the build, that's just the same as the rest of the range.

Trek Marlin

If a sub £1k cross country, everyday bike is more your speed then it's worth checking out the Trek Marlin. Each bike in the range comes with an alloy frame and a fork with 100mm of travel (XS frames get 80mm). There are also rack and stand mounts, the Blendr stem, and internal cable routing. XS and S sizes roll on 650b wheels while sizes M to XXL get 29" hoops. On the Marlin, you'll get an effective seat tube angle of 73.5° on the XS and S frame while everything else benefits from a 71.9° effective seat tube angle. As for the head angle, on the smaller sizes it'll measure in at 69.3° and from M upwards it's a couple of degrees steeper at 69.5°. All frame sizes share a 438mm chainstay length and a large frame gets a 451mm reach.

The Marlin 7 comes kitted with a RockShox Judy coil sprung fork with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and Shimano MT200 disc brakes. The wheels are made of Bontrager Kovee rims laced to Formula DC hubs and they're wrapped with a pair of Bontrager XR2 Comp 2.2" tyres with wire beads. The rest of the bike comes with Bontrager's own finishing kit.

Trek Farley

Perhaps fat bikes are more your things. Allow me to introduce the Farley. There are two in the 2021 range with an alloy and a carbon option which, of course, roll on 4.5" tyres. Both bikes come with a dropper post, horizontal sliding dropouts, ideal for single speed setups and tubeless-ready tyres. As for the geometry, the Farley gets a 69° head angle, a 73° effective seat tube angle and a 455mm chainstay. The reach on a large is 441mm and there are four sizes available, from S to XL. 

The Farley 9.6 gets an OCLV carbon frame with a Bontrager Haru OCLV fork. The drivetrain on this bike comes from SRAM and the GX Eagle 12-speed shifting. As for wheels, they're Sunringle Mulefut 80 SL rims laced to Bontrager alloy hubs. Those are wrapped in a pair of Bontrager Barbegazi Team Issue, tubeless-ready tyres with inner strength sidewalls and aramid beads. The dropper kitted here is a TransX JD-YSP18 and the rest of the kit comes from Bontrager with a 750mm wide bar.

The Farley 5 is Trek's best value fat bike and it's built around an alloy frame. It gets a Shimano Deore M4100 10-speed drivetrain with SRAM Level brakes and there's a Race Face crank. It gets the same wheels as the 9.6 but the tyres here are a pair of Bontrager Gnarwhals. The rest of the kit is the same as the 9.6. It's worth mentioning that while the Farley 5 comes with a rigid fork, it'll happily accommodate a 100mm travel suspension fork.

Trek Session

The Session needs no introduction, but it's the brand's 650b downhill bike. There's only one model in the 2021 range which is built around an alloy frame. It gets Trek's Active Braking Pivot and the geometry adjusting Mino-Link. Up front, there's 200mm of travel and at the rear, there's 210mm. In the low setting, the Session gets a 63.6° head angle, a 445mm chainstay and a large frame gets a 426mm reach. There are four sizes, from S to XL and the 8 27.5 model will set you back £4,200

Trek Ticket

Finally, rounding off the Trek range of mountain bike is the Ticket. It's available as the full suspension, Ticket S (pictured) with 100mm of travel and the Ticket DJ, which is the hardtail version. Both come as a frame only with prices starting from £725, up to £1,400.

• www.trekbikes.com

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Author block

Liam Mercer

Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can also be found photographing bikes as well as revelling in cycling's intricacies. Whether it's gravel, mountain, or e-MTB as long as it's a bike on dirt, he's happy.

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The Best Trek Bikes You Can Buy Right Now

The Wisconsin-headquartered company has local values and a global impact.

Trek’s founding story is out of a Hollywood director’s mind and a non-fiction writer’s wish list: In 1976, Bevill Hogg and Dick Burke drank beers at the Pine Knoll Supper Club in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and debated over the name of their would-be cycling company. They settled on Trek and soon went to work in a barn between Madison and Milwaukee, where a total of five employees built the brand’s first bikes out of steel. The company is still based near the barn that facilitated its first years—its modern headquarters are in Waterloo, Wisconsin.

Fat and grippy tires mated to a light aluminum frame

Émonda ALR 5 Disc

A smooth-riding frame paired with Shimano’s terrific 105 group

Sturdy steel in an approachable package

Madone SLR 9

Every feature imaginable and a slippery aero frame

Top Fuel 9.9 X01

A super-efficient bike that shreds down hills

“We’re a uniquely American success story from small-town USA,” said brand manager Eric Bjorling. “So many of the values that have led to Trek’s success—hard work, craftsmanship, responsibility, commitment to our customers—are Wisconsin values.”

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Its values may be hyper-local and American, but it’s now a company at the center of a globalized cycling market that has made industry-leading technological advances.

A recent example of Trek’s “industry-leading technological advances” mentioned above is IsoSpeed, which is available at the front and rear on certain Trek models. The rear decoupler is at the junction of the seat and top tube, and the front decoupler is located at the top of the headset.

The front IsoSpeed decoupler allows the fork steerer tube to flex more than it would with a fixed upper headset cup, which helps damp some impacts. The rear IsoSpeed decoupler provides increased vertical seat tube deflection (compared to a traditional fixed seat tube design) for a smoother ride. The rear IsoSpeed system is adjustable on the latest Madone and Domane models, which lets the rider adjust the compliance level for terrain and or personal preference. You might not even need to adjust the rear slider to experience the road-smoothing effects of the two decouplers—our test team found that the all-over effect was fast and smooth performance equally suited to asphalt and cobbles.

Famed Classics specialist Fabian Cancellara, who retired from racing as a member of World Tour team Trek-Segafredo, worked with Trek engineers to develop the final version of IsoSpeed, which is especially useful on the cobbles and other rough surfaces that riders encounter on most Classics courses. Since the tech’s 2012 release on the Domane, Trek has claimed that IsoSpeed doesn’t sacrifice power transfer at the cost of more compliance.

Along with bolstering its ride-smoothing technologies, Trek has also begun implementing internal-storage compartments in the downtube of some of its road and mountain bikes. These handy “trap doors” debuted in the new Domane and Fuel EX, where an included organizer roll has pockets for a tube, CO2 cartridge, inflator head, and tire lever.

Trek has also started moving away from women’s specific bikes and adopting a “more bikes for everyone” ethos, where all bikes are offered in unisex sizing. The idea is that this will ensure that no matter your gender, you’ll have access to the full array of paint colors, build kits, and sizes.

And of course, Trek continues to roll out exciting new bikes. This year’s slate includes the third generation of the popular Domane roadster (now with even more ride-smoothing technology) and fully revamped versions of the Fuel EX and Top Fuel mountain bikes, which are both more capable than ever.

If you’re in the market for a road, mountain, or city bike (or any other style), Trek likely has something made for you.

How We Chose

Trek is among the most popular bike brands and has one of the most extensive bike lines in the world. Because it makes a lot of bikes—and a lot of bikes that our readers want to know about—our test team evaluates, rides, and reviews many Trek models throughout the year. This is not a complete overview of all of Trek’s models, but a focused list of the best. These are the Trek bikes that offer exceptional performance, value, technology, or features (or some combination of all four).

—BEST ALL-AROUND ROAD BIKE—

Domane slr 7, trek domane slr 7.

The third-generation of the Domane isn’t just the best Domane; it’s Trek’s best-ever road bike. And it’s one of the best road bikes on the market right now thanks to an equal blend of performance, comfort, practicality, and versatility. The Domane got more aerodynamic than the previous iteration (saving 12 watts at 40Kph), it takes at least a 38mm tire, and has hidden fender mounts and sleek internal storage. It also features compliance-enhancing decouplers front and rear that improve rider comfort and control without detracting from the bike’s pedaling efficiency or handling. The Domane’s steering is light and its handling precise, but with a mellower edge and more stability than a traditional road racing bike.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 23 IMAGES

―best new road bike―, émonda slr 9 etap, trek émonda slr 9 etap.

The new Émonda was born out of a request from Trek’s pro racers and pitched as the company’s “fastest climbing bike ever.” For a tidy sum, you get an aerodynamic frame with disc brakes, power meter, and wireless electronic shifting that weighs less than 15 pounds (for the 54cm size). And that’s with a hefty T47 threaded bottom bracket unit, lustrous paint , clincher wheelset, a chain-watcher, standard butyl tubes, 37mm deep rims, 160mm disc rotors front and rear, and SRAM’s largest Red cassette (10-33). This is an explosive bike: It feels as light as a feather and as solid as a steel girder at the same time.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 35 IMAGES

―best women’s trail bike―, $1,259.99 trek roscoe 7.

There’s so much to love about this bike. The SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, with a 30t chainring and 10-50t cassette, gives a massive range of gears and plenty of low-range options for easing the pain of climbing steep hills. Its 27.5-inch wheels are maneuverable in tight, technical terrain, and the 2.8-inch tubeless-ready tires offer great traction and a plush ride. The RockShox Judy Silver fork has plenty of travel for getting rowdy (1oomm for size the extra-small frame size, 120mm for small through large) and can be locked out for more efficient off-trail riding. And speaking of rowdy, a 100mm dropper post is a very cool addition to a bike at this price.

—BEST FIRST “REAL” MOUNTAIN BIKE―

Trek marlin 7.

The Marlin 7, which also comes in a women’s version , is ideal for aspiring racers, everyday trail riders, and casual commuters alike. Riders who like to pedal fast will appreciate its steep, aggressive head and seat angles, and a high bottom bracket that offers decent pedal clearance on the trail. Its cables are internally routed, too, which isn’t common on bikes at this price. It has a 2x9-speed Shimano drivetrain, which strays from the single-chainring trend that’s popular on off-road bikes at the moment but also provides plenty of gearing options. And even though the RockShox XC30 100mm coil-spring fork is heavier than some comparable air-spring models, it does a surprisingly good job on super-rocky trails. Add to that the 2.2-inch-wide Bontrager tires on 29-inch Bontrager Connection rims, which never squirmed too much on sketchy terrain, and you have a bike that not only looks fast but offers the kind of sharp handling and precise steering you’d expect from higher-priced racing models.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 27 IMAGES

―BEST ELECTRIC ROAD BIKE―

Trek domane+ hp.

The Domane+ e-road bike is the electric version of, naturally, the popular Domane. It’s designed for riders who appreciate that bike’s reliable comfort and IsoSpeed technology but want the added fun and function of e-assist. It’s also the ideal companion for anyone coming back from injury, slower riders who want to mix it up with a speedy group, and couples with different fitness levels. A Bosch Performance Speed motor provides a very welcome 28 mph of pedal assist, and the 500Wh Powertube battery sleekly integrates into the down tube. You also get massive tire clearance, fender and rack compatibility, and Trek’s Blendr stem for cleanly mounting accessories such as lights and computers to your handlebar.

―BEST NEW XC BIKE―

Supercaliber 9.9, trek supercaliber 9.9 xx1 axs.

The new Supercaliber is the brand’s latest attempt to create the ultimate XC race bike by merging the best attributes of a hardtail (stiffness, low weight) and full-suspension (traction, comfort, control) frame into one. And based on our rides, it’s the closest yet to that best-of-both-worlds machine with 60mm of rear travel. Trek’s IsoStrut design places a Fox Float shock into a tube—both ends of that tube are bolted to the underside of the SuperCal’s top tube. At the top of the seat stays is a sleeve (Trek calls it a carriage) that slides over the bolted-in tube. Cutouts in the tube allow a cross bolt to pass through the sleeve, the tube, and the rear shock eyelet. Trek says this design eliminates rotation around the shock shaft and prevents side-loading the shaft so the bike has the stiffness and feel of a hardtail, but with real full suspension for better comfort and control. And based on back to back testing with a hardail, the Supercaliber is everything it was designed to be.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 48 IMAGES

―BEST VALUE HARDTAIL―

Procaliber 9.7, trek procaliber 9.7.

Trek did a masterful job with this bike, skimping in the right places to save money and splurging in the areas that count for performance. The carbon frame is extremely lightweight; our size XL test bike weighed in at only 21.6 pounds. The IsoSpeed decoupler at the junction of the seat tube and top tube offers so much vertical compliance you can actually see the seat tube moving if you bounce on the saddle. Tubeless-ready Bontrager Kovee Elite 23 carbon wheels also keep weight in check and roll very quickly when wrapped in (stock) 2.2-inch Bontrager XR2 Team Issue tires. Be warned, though, these are race-day tires for dry conditions and not well suited to daily trail riding or muddy courses. SRAM’s GX Eagle drivetrain and alloy SRAM X1 Eagle crank keep cost in check and can stand up to plenty of hard riding and abuse. They do add significant weight, though, which makes this bike’s overall lightness all the more impressive. Our tester was surprised, however, to find a narrow 720mm handlebar. He said it felt strange at first but didn’t notice it anymore after a few minutes of riding.

―BEST ENTRY-LEVEL RACER―

Domane al 2, trek domane al 2 disc.

The good looks of the Domane AL 2 are the first indication that Trek didn’t mess around with this bike. Start digging deeper and you’ll find even more to like. The shaped aluminum frame is nicely made and has a vibration-damping carbon fork. The rims are tubeless-ready so you can upgrade to smoother-rolling tires filled with puncture sealant. And new for 2021, the Domane AL 2 is outfitted with disc brakes. That does come with a bump in price—the previous version with rim brakes was only $860. But if you ride in variable weather conditions, the more reliable performance from disc brakes may save your bacon. The shifters snick-snick the drivetrain through the gears lightly and crisply. There are other little surprising nuggets, like the pocket in the frame for a speed sensor and the included light and computer mount that cleanly integrates into the stem. Best of all, the bike is a joy to ride. Handling is stable, precise, and attentive to pedal strokes so you feel like you’re flying over the road, not pushing across it.

—BEST MARATHON BIKE—

Top fuel 9.9, trek top fuel 9.9 x01.

While the 2019 Top Fuel featured 100mm of travel in the front and back, the new top-of-the-line Top Fuel 9.9 has 120mm of front suspension and 115mm in the rear. Trek also did away with the floating mount that compressed the shock from both ends. Instead, the lower eyelet is fixed to the downtube, a change that reduces weight and improves stiffness. Tires are also beefed up. Instead of skinny race-oriented ones, this model comes with 29x2.40-inch Bontrager XR3 Team Issue rubber designed for a variety of riding conditions. Gnar capability is further enhanced thanks to a frame that’s slacker and longer. And it’s spec’d with a shorter stem and wider bars.

READ FULL REVIEW VIEW 47 IMAGES

—BEST ROAD RACE BIKE—

Madone slr 9 disc, trek madone slr 9.

It’s no longer debatable that “disc brakes aren’t aero enough to race on.” Tell that to the now numerous Tour de France stage winners who’ve won highly contested sprints on disc-brake-equipped bikes. And try telling that to Mads Pedersen , who rode to the World Championship title on this bike. The Madone SLR 9 Disc is the premier aerodynamic offering from Trek. The SLR 9 Disc’s frame is made from 700 Series OCLV carbon and features an adjustable IsoSpeed, which can be set to create more or less frame compliance. This technology gives the bike versatility to suit the rider and the route. Pro-level components include a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset (50/34 crankset, 11-28 cassette), flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes, Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 carbon wheels (tubeless-ready), and a Madone-specific seatpost, headset, and handlebar. Models range from $6,000 to $12,000.

—BEST FOR GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL—

The 1120 is a bikepacking beast, ready for your next days-long adventure as soon as you leave the shop. Complete with an aluminum frame, carbon fork, 1x11-speed Shimano SLX groupset, and bulbous Bontrager Chupacabra 29x3-inch tires, the bike’s components are capable of helping you ride through challenging terrain deep in the backcountry. What’s more, the 1120 comes stock with front and rear racks that will hold plenty of gear.

—BEST KID’S MOUNTAIN BIKE—

Trek roscoe 24.

The Roscoe 24 is a great bike for older children who want to take their riding skills off road. Designed to accommodate riders between 4-foot-2 and 5-foot-3, this bike comes with 24-inch wheels, 2.8-inch tires, a 1x8-speed Shimano groupset, and Tektro mechanical disc brakes, making it a well-equipped bike for younger riders as they learn how to navigate trails.

—BEST COLLEGE BIKE—

The 820 is Trek’s answer to people who just a want solid, reliable, and affordable bike to ride. With a steel frame, a fork with 75mm of travel, and 26 by 2-inch-wide tires, the 820 is labeled as an entry-level hardtail mountain bike. This steed would be great for college students looking for a reliable commuter and way to explore local trails or a family looking to buy a bike that can be used by several people for a variety of purposes. A 7-speed Shimano Tourney groupset, with a 42/34/24 crank and a 14-28 cassette, will enable almost any level of rider to get where they’re going.

—BEST FITNESS BIKE—

Trek fx 3 disc.

The name “ hybrid bike ” mean different things to different people. To some, it indicates a ride good as both a way to habitually exercise and explore. To others, it may only be a tool for good-weather fun. With an aluminum frame, carbon fork, and 32mm Bontrager H2 Hard-Case Lite tires, the Trek FX 3 Disc can be enjoyed by, and comfortable for, almost any sort of rider. The 9-speed Shimano Acera groupset features a 46/30 crank, 11-36 cassette, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

—BEST BUDGET ROAD RACER—

Emonda alr 5 disc, trek émonda alr 5.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the new Émonda ALR 5 Disc is full carbon. But it’s not. It’s an aluminum race bike with the same geometry as Trek’s carbon Émonda frames. The ALR 5 Disc comes stock with a full Shimano 105 drivetrain, a compact 50/34 crankset, an 11-28 cassette, and hydraulic flat-mount disc brakes.

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Trek Bikes Brand Review: A Close Look at the Iconic USA Bike Brand

T rek Bikes is one of the most popular and the most respected USA-based bike brands right now, and for a good reason. They offer models in all categories and all price points, for all types of cyclists. Let’s learn more in our in-depth overview!

No matter if you are an absolute beginner who can’t even ride, or you’re a pro cyclist with years of experience in the legs, Trek Bikes has a bike for you.

With more than 40 unique models, it’s both very easy and very challenging to find exactly what you’re looking for. Our in-depth overview teaches you all you need to know about each model series and many other things related to Trek.

Technologies

Trek’s range of models, trek mountain bikes, trek bikes – road, trek hybrid & city bikes, trek gravel & cyclocross bikes, trek adventure & touring bikes, trek tt/triathlon bikes, trek electric bikes, electra bikes, trek women’s bikes, kids’ trek bikes, new or used trek bikes.

The first bikes Trek made were touring steel frames , but as the business evolved, so did the selection of models. Soon enough, Trek began producing road racing bikes, and then mountain bikes from both aluminum and carbon.

The first Trek-branded all-aluminum bike left the production lines in 1985 and the first full-carbon model came out in 1989.

Today, Trek offers high-profile road bikes such as Domane, Madone, and Emonda; hardtail and full-suspension models like Marlin , X-Caliber, or Slash; Checkpoint and Boone gravel and CX bikes; and dozens of other popular model names in a wide range of categories.

Related:  Trek vs. Giant Bikes Comparison: Which Brand Is Better?

Over the years, Trek has pioneered or perfected many of the best technological solutions used in the top-level cycling sport.

Over the years, many of these advanced technologies have been passed down from best Trek bikes to mid-range and entry-level classes, improving the cycling experience for beginner and intermediate cyclists as well.

Here are some of the most ground-breaking technologies developed by Trek so far:

• OCLV Carbon:  Optimum Compaction Low Void carbon frames developed in 1991 — some of the lightest and stiffest in the world.
• Alpha Aluminum: Trek’s refined aluminum frames that rival carbon frames in terms of strength and overall weight.
• Active Braking Pivot: A revolutionary patented system developed to keep the rear suspension working while braking.
• RE:aktiv: Advanced suspension system that provides dynamic flow that automatically adapts its performance to the rider and the type of the terrain.
• Full Floater: Trek’s rear suspension system that allows for extremely supple and responsive rear suspension action, giving you the impression of bottomless travel.
• IsoSpeed Suspension: Road bike suspension that decouples the seat tube from the top tube, diminishing the fatiguing impacts of the road.

One of the secrets to Trek Bikes’ long-lasting success is that they make bicycles for EVERYONE. No matter what kind of riding you wish to do or how much you can stretch your budget, you can find a suitable model in Trek’s lineup.

Their beginner bikes such as FX, 820, or Marlin start at around $400; whereas their elite road models such as Domane or Madone cost upward of $12,000.

Below is a full list of ALL Trek model lines available at the moment of writing this article, organized into logical categories.

This is intended as an informative resource for people looking into Trek bikes , trying to decide which one suits their needs the best.

820 is the most affordable mountain bike in the Trek line. It consists of one men’s and one women’s model, both of which cost around $500. They are equipped with rim brakes, Shimano Tourney components, and 26″ tires, which makes them perfect for beginners.

Best for: 820 bikes are good for short daily recreational and fitness rides, as well as short commutes.

See On Trek Bikes

Marlin is one of Trek’s most popular entry-level MTB lines. It consists of several aluminum hardtail models that cost between $620 and $1,400, so they’re ideal for first-timers and experienced hobby cyclists. Marlin bikes feature front suspension, disc brakes, 2x or 3x drivetrains, and wide 27.5″ or 29″ tires.

Best for: Marlin series can be used for on and off-road riding, commuting, and all-around daily cycling.

Our review s of Marlin 4 –  5 –  6 –  7

Mountain biking enthusiasts who don’t have thousands of dollars but want quality trail bikes can choose the Roscoe line. These are fun aluminum hardtail bicycles with massive 27.5+ tires and specs that are ready to party. These models cost between $1,200 and $2,800 , so they are quite affordable as well.

Best for: If you want to ride trails more seriously with RockShox suspensions and SRAM or Shimano components, check out Trek Roscoe.

X-Caliber is Trek’s lineup of quality, yet affordable aluminum 29ers ideal for beginners and riders with some experience on the trails. They’re characterized by 120 mm of travel in the fork, light and efficient 1x drivetrains, and prices that remain between $1,500 and $2,000 . All models also feature powerful hydraulic disc brakes and size-specific tires.

Best for: Aspiring trail riders who aim to challenge themselves more, explore more technical trails, and do it all on a tight budget.

Farley is a collection of Trek’s super-capable fat bikes built around aluminum or carbon frames, depending on the model. They’re characterized by awe-inspiring 27.5″ x 4.5″ tires and mud-ready 1x drivetrains. Most models have rigid forks, but there are options with a suspension fork as well.

Best for:  Trek Farley showcases its abilities best when put against snow, mud, rocks, roots, and other extreme conditions.

Trek Procaliber is a group of race-ready aluminum and carbon cross-country hardtail bikes. They feature 100 mm of front suspension as well as IsoSpeed rear decouplers that improve control and comfort further. All Procaliber models also come with 29″ wheels, modern 1x drivetrains, and strong hydraulic disc brakes.

Best for: Cyclists interested in doing cross country racing or simply having fun and improving their skills on high-quality, yet reasonably-priced XC machines.

If you have more money than you know what to do with, why not spend it on the mouth-wateringly good Trek’s full-suspension Fuel EX line? These bikes are built with 140mm/130mm front and rear suspension, 29″ wheels, and efficient 1x drivetrains. The prices start at around $2,500 and cap at around $10,600  for the flagship Fuel EX 9.9.

Best for:  Expert trail riders (or those who practice becoming so) with money to spare, who want to ride a wide range of terrains, climb, descent, and race.

Top Fuel is a line of high-end , full-suspension bikes that are suitable for elite XC racing competitions. Every model features 120 mm of travel in the fork and 115 mm in the rear shock. All models are also equipped with super-capable 29″ wheels and tires that go up to 2.4″. If you want to own a Top Fuel bike, you’ll need to pay between $2,700  and $11,500.

Best for:  All-around fun on challenging and technical singletracks and top-level XC racing events. 

Stache offers a high level of performance in a simple and easy to maintain hardtail package. These are mid-range trail bikes built around carbon or aluminum frames, with prices between $2,500 and $4,000. They feature 120 mm of front suspension travel coupled with 29+ wheels and tires that are 3.0″ wide. They’re capable of some serious damage.

Best for:  Stache bikes are best for trail enthusiasts who want to have maximum fun on the most challenging terrain available in their area, but not worry much about upkeep costs. 

Remedy is one of Trek’s best-selling full-suspension bikes because of phenomenal money to value ratio and well-balanced components. It comes with 160/150 mm of front and rear travel, zippy 27.5″ wheels, wide-range 1×12 drivetrains, and dropper posts. The frames are aluminum or carbon, depending on the price. It’s the most trail aficionados can ask for!

Best for:  Remedy models are best suited for riders who enjoy fast and dynamic descents, jumps, drops, and other challenging on-trail stuff.

Slash is a capable long-travel enduro bike built to… well, slash the trails. Right now, this series numbers around seven models valued between $3,500 and $12,500. Therefore, these bikes are great for pro riders and those who feel that way. They have premium carbon frames, 160/150mm of front and rear travel, and huge 29″ wheels.

Best for:  Professionals and enduro enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of fast-paced downhill sections and challenging rocky trails. 

If you want the best of the best in the DH world, Session is the type of bike you should be looking at. Session models boast premium carbon frames, 190 mm of deluxe RockShox travel, 29″ wheels, and high-end SRAM and Shimano components. They’re ready to win races.

Best for:  Making the best results and winning World Cup Championships on the most brutal downhill courses.

Supercaliber

Supercaliber is a series of unique cross-country racing bikes with Trek’s premium IsoStrut rear suspension. The rear shock is integrated into the frame with unique pivotless seatstays. In addition, it also features 100 mm of front travel, 29″ wheels, 1×12 drivetrains, and progressive racing geometry. Supercaliberline consists of some of the most expensive Trek bikes that cost up to $12,000.

Best for:  Cross-country races that require maximum speed and technical terrain that requires the best possible components and geometry. 

The Domane series is Trek’s selection of fast, versatile, and technologically advanced endurance road bikes. It’s one of Trek’s best-known lineups, featuring IsoSpeed frame suspension, aluminum or carbon frames, and different levels of SRAM and Shimano components. Domane models cost anywhere between $1,100 and $12,600, so they’re suitable for everyone.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and professional road cyclists looking for all-around good performance on a quality road bike that can do it all. 

Our review s on Domane  2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 .

The Émonda line consists of some of the lightest and best-performing road bikes in the world. It’s built around three frame options – 700 OCLV Carbon, 500 OCLV Carbon, and lightweight aluminum. The most expensive Émonda bike costs $13,000, whereas the cheapest can be bought for just $2,300. They’re race-ready, good-looking, and suitable for all rider profiles.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and elite cyclists who want the lightest available road setup suitable for racing, fitness, and leisure riding.

Trek Madone is a top-of-the-line aero road bike developed in the wind tunnel. These bikes are super-light, super-fast, but super-expensive as well. If you want to own one, you’ll have to spend between $4.8K and $13K. For that money, you’ll get a carbon aero frame, aero wheels, high-end components, and supreme integration.

Best for:  Seasoned road riders in search of capital and marginal gains that would make them as fast and as efficient as possible. 

Related: Best Road Bike Brands

If you want an aluminum bike that costs between $600 and $2,000 and that can truly do it all, Trek FX is one of the best choices around. These are efficient and affordable hybrid bikes with entry-level or mid-range components, skinny 700c wheels, and comfortable upright geometries. Around 15 models are available, which includes men’s and women’s bikes.

Best for:  Recreational or fitness riders wanting to commute, run errands, get fit, or train on a daily basis without spending too much money.

Trek Verve is a lineup of comfortable, high-quality, yet accessible hybrid and fitness bikes that can serve as all-around workhorses to urban riders. They cost between around $700 and $1,000, which makes them very cost-efficient. Verve bikes are made from aluminum, roll on 700c wheels, and feature disc brakes coupled with entry-level components.

Best for:  Trek Verve is best for entry-level riders who need a dependable two-wheeler to use and abuse every day or just enjoy riding on the weekends. 

As its name tells you, Trek Dual Sport is a versatile series that can be used for on and off-road rides. These bikes are built around affordable aluminum frames, generally cost around $1,000 , and roll on wide 700c wheels. All models have disc brakes and 63 mm of front suspension. Riders can choose between step-over and step-though frame designs.

Best for:  Versatile riders who want one affordable bicycle that can be used for urban commutes and weekend out-of-town excursions on dirt and forest roads. 

Trek jumped on the gravel bandwagon with the Checkpoint series. These are versatile and efficient gravel and adventure bikes built around aluminum frames. Therefore, they don’t cost much — as little as $2,400 . The prices can get up to $12,000 for high-spec models. Checkpoint bikes feature wide 700c tires, 1x or 2x drivetrains, and disc brakes on all models. They look pretty cool as well!

Best for:  Trek Checkpoint can be used by beginner or seasoned cyclists for gravel races, bike touring adventures, daily commutes, or anything else that comes to mind. 

Trek Crockett is a capable aluminum cyclocross bike that can navigate the urban jungle or take you through a real jungle. These models ride on lightweight aluminum frames, knobby 700c tires, and dependable and efficient 1x drivetrains. At the moment, Crockett numbers three affordable models with price tags between $1,500 and $3,000.

Best for:  Trek Crockett works equally well as a fast CX racing machine and a rugged daily commuter. Use it to commute on workdays and go crazy on the weekends.

Trek Boone is the lightest, fastest, and best-looking cyclocross bike around. Boone frames are built with lightweight carbon fiber material and feature IsoSpeed front and rear decouplers that improve comfort and off-road riding efficiency. Boone also has performance-oriented racing geometry, race-ready components, and 1x drivetrains.

Best for:  Cyclocross racing for beginner riders and amateur or experienced athletes. 

The well-known 520 is one of Trek’s bikes with the longest tradition. Its classic touring steel frame was developed back in the 1970s when the company was established. Today, it’s equipped with front and rear racks, disc brakes, 700c tires, 27 speeds , and comfort-based geometry. It’s the best expedition tourer for the money.

Best for:  Trek 520 is a dependable touring bike that you can take around the world, ride over mountain passes, or use it as a day-to-day bike and commute on a regular basis.

If there is one bike that almost every bikepacker dreams about, it has to be Trek 1120. This is the ultimate bikepacking setup thanks to a lightweight aluminum frame, stiff carbon fork , well-designed front and rear racks, and fearless 29×3.0″ tires. Its 1×11 Shimano SLX drivetrain can get you up any hill and over any off-road section.

Best for:  Bikepacking and off-road touring that requires dependable components that can take daily abuse for months, years, and thousands of dusty miles.

Speed Concept

Speed Concept is the only TT bike Trek makes, if we don’t count in the Madone aero road bikes. This speed machine is made around a super-lightweight carbon frame developed after years of testing in wind tunnels. It offers total aerodynamic integration, minimal drag, and a 2×11 Shimano Ultegra drivetrain.

Best for:  Trek Speed Concept is most suitable for Time Trial events or Triathlon races where speed, aerodynamics, and power efficiency is all that matters. 

Trek Verve+ series is an electric version of the regular verve series. These are versatile electric hybrid and city bikes with step-over and step-through frames, making them suitable for men and women. They can assist your pedaling up to 20 mph thanks to Bosch electronics. They also feature lights, fenders, and a rear rack for easier commutes.

Best for:  Daily urban commuters and fitness riders who want to maintain an upright riding position and enjoy the comfort and extra boost Verve+ offers.

Trek Allant+ is series of mid-range and high-end electric hybrids with flat bars and premium Shimano components. They are capable of replacing your car thanks to powerful and reliable Bosch electronics that will support your pedaling up to 28 mph. Allant+ bikes are made with aluminum and carbon frames and feature fenders, racks, and lights.

Best for:  Urban riders who want to ditch their cars and do long daily commutes through busy city traffic that require utmost speed, reliability, and comfort. 

Trek Powerfly is a range of high-performing electric hardtail mountain bikes. The series numbers just two bikes at the moment — one men’s and one women’s. They’re built around lightweight aluminum frames and come equipped with high-end Bosch electronics that assist up to 20 mph. You also get 120 mm of travel and 1×12 SRAM drivetrain for around $4,200.

Best for:  Trail mountain biking enthusiasts who want to conquer hills more easily and focus more on descents and speedy flat sections. 

The Trek Rail series presents the best of the best one can get in the e-MTB world . Rail bikes cost between $5K and $12.5K, but they are worth the money. They have extremely long 160mm travel, 29″ wheels and tires, Bosch electronics (20 mph max speed), and high-end Shimano and SRAM components.

Best for:  Mountain bikers with high expectations and deep pockets who want to stay fresh when climbing and preserve the energy for aggressive descents. 

Domane+ HP/LT

One thing cannot be argued — Domane+ LT and HP are the best electric road bikes in the world. The HP series (28 mph max speed) provides maximum power, whereas the LT series (20 mph max) offers a good balance between power and weight. These bikes cost up to $12,500 , but they have the best groupsets you can find, the lightest and stiffest carbon, and the highest-end Bosch electronic parts.

Best for: Road riders with money to spare, who want the speed, weight, and performance of a standard road bike, coupled with electronics that will assist them along hilly sections.

In 2014, Trek acquired the Electra Bicycle Company , which is now part of Trek’s brand. That is why you can see many Electra bikes on Trek’s official website.

The Electra brand offers a wide range of city, cruiser, and hybrid bikes built around aluminum or steel frames and intended for daily recreational and fitness riding.

Electra’s lineup also includes electric models (“Go!” in the model name) and numerous kids’ bikes with a wide range of wheel sizes. These are quality and affordable bicycles, even though they don’t have “Trek” written all over them.

Below is a full list of Electra model series available on Trek’s website:

• Cafe Moto Go!

Trek advertises all of their bikes as unisex, although the smaller models are more suitable for women.

In previous years, Trek came out with two kinds of models, but pretty much all of the 2024 range is unisex.

The trick is, smaller models come with a curved top tube to make mounting the bike easier, but for bigger models, the top tube is straight.

See All Women's Bikes

Electra Kids Bikes 16″, 20″, 24″

At the moment, Trek offers a wide range of kids’ bikes under the Electra brand. These bikes are available with 16″, 20″, and 24″ wheels, so they are suitable for different ages. Electra does not have any balance bikes, but there are many 16″ and 20′ models with training wheels. There are also single-speed and multi-gear models for younger and older kids. The best thing about them is fun and colorful designs!

Best for:  Kids and teenagers of all ages, for riding around the block, commutes to school, or family weekend rides on bike paths.

Kickster is the only balance bike Trek offers. It costs around $160 and it comes with 12″ wheels, so it’s suitable for kids who are roughly 34″-40″ tall. It’s the best bike for very young riders to learn how to ride, practice balance, and progress on their own terms.

Best for:  Toddlers who need to learn how to maintain balance on two wheels. 

Precaliber, Wahoo & Roscoe

Precaliber, Wahoo, and Roscoe are Kids’ MTB series with wider tires, rim or disc brakes, and rigid or suspended forks. Trek Roscoe is available only with 24″ wheels, whereas Precaliber and Wahoo can be bought with 16″, 20″, 24″, and even 26″ wheels. These kids’ bikes are excellent for both on and off-road riding , trips to school, family rides, and any other fun cycling activities.

Best for: Children of all ages who need versatile bikes that they can ride on paved and unpaved roads, as well as on bike paths.

The MT-201 pedal trailer can be attached to the parent’s bike in front and allows the child to tag along and practice balancing while pedaling. The saddle is fully adjustable and the trailer comes with a 20″ wheel that makes it suitable for children between 45″-52″ tall.

Best for:  Toddlers and preschoolers who still need to perfect their balancing skills but want to follow their parents anywhere they go.

See All Kids Bikes on Trek

That means that you can probably easily sell them when you decide to upgrade and get a decent part of your investment back. Of course, assuming the bike is still in good condition.

If you have the money to spare, we recommend going for a new Trek bike that you will be able to sell for a decent chunk of the original price in the future, if you decide to do so.

Whenever possible, new is always better. It’s true that you can buy a bike with better specs for the same amount of money if you look for used, but you should only do it if you have enough experience to determine whether the bike is in good shape.

One of the benefits of buying a Trek bicycle is that you can usually choose from a large number of sizes. Most Trek bikes are usually available in 6 to 7 sizes , but some series come in up to 8 sizes (Domane).

Trek also offers size-specific wheels on many of their MTB models, such as the Marlin series. That means that the smallest frame sizes come with 27.5″ wheels, whereas larger frame sizes are 29ers. This ensures the best possible fit for riders of all heights.

One big plus is that Trek also offers height and inseam-based bike size charts , which is something that many other brands avoid. Therefore, to find the right size, just compare your height and inseam to the chart provided for every single bike.

Check out our favorite TREK bikes

What is a Trek bike?

These are bicycles made by Trek Bikes, one of the most popular USA-based cycling companies. Electra bikes can also be considered as Trek bikes because they are part of the same enterprise.

Are Trek Bikes Any Good?

Yes, Trek bikes are very good. Trek has a long history of making quality bikes that are used by beginner, hobby, and elite cyclists around the world. Trek bikes last for a long time and have excellent reselling value years after purchase.

Why are Trek Bikes so expensive?

Trek bikes are not expensive if you compare the price to the components. The price might be steeper compared to some other low-profile brands; however, the value you get is much higher as well.

Is Trek owned by Giant?

No, Trek is not owned by Giant. Giant makes some of Trek’s bikes in Taiwan, but they also do it as a paid service to for other major brands such as Scott or Colnago.

Is Cannondale owned by Trek?

No, Cannondale is not owned by Trek. Cannondale is owned by Dorel Industries.

What is the most expensive Trek bike?

Some of Trek’s most expensive bikes include Supercaliber, Domane, Madone, Emonda, Domane+, and Rail series. The highest-priced models cost around $12,500.

Is Trek worth the money?

Yes, Trek bikes are worth the money. Trek packs high-end technologies into their bikes, build their bikes around high-quality aluminum and carbon frames, and use only reliable Shimano and SRAM components.

Where are Trek bikes made?

Most Trek Bikes are made in the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, and China. Trek also has two manufacturing facilities in USA, Wisconsin – one in Waterloo and one in Whitewater.

Why are Trek bikes so popular?

Trek bikes are very popular because they offer excellent value for the money, they look good, they’re jam-packed with modern technologies, and they retain value for a long time. Their bikes are also ridden by many elite cycling athletes, which makes them even more desirable.

How much is a used Trek bike worth?

It depends on the model, age, and condition, but used Trek bikes have one of the best re-selling values of all bike brands.

See All Models On Trek Bikes

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5 thoughts on “ trek bikes brand review: a close look at the iconic usa bike brand ”.

The Trek Powerfly 5 Review may be an extremely advanced electrical off-roader that comes with spectacular specs to deliver unmatched skillfulness.

It offers the sort of power you’ll have to be compelled to tackle difficult cross-country terrains, however still feels natural on a leisurely weekend cruise round the neighborhood!

I was interested in buying a used xcalibur 7 and it’s a woman’s model. I can’t find any differences in the mens and woman’s besides the seat and coil spring. Is the frame and everything else the same? Thanks

Hi Jack, Good question. Unlike other mountain bikes with the top tube curving down for women’s bikes, there is not much difference except the frame size and the things you mentioned perhaps?

What’s the difference sl series. I’m confused, can you please explain.

Hi Antonio, It’s just an acronym: AL: Aluminium. CF: Carbon Fibre. CF SL: Carbon Fibre Super Light. CF SLX: Carbon Fibre Super Light Extreme etc 😉

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Trek 4500 Mountain Bike Review: Is it worth your money?

Mountain biking is an exhilarating and fulfilling hobby, but let’s be real, it can also be pretty expensive. 

Luckily, there are plenty of great budget bikes on the market that don’t compromise on performance. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at one of those bikes – the Trek 4500 Mountain Bike. 

So, if you’re in the market for a bike that won’t break the bank but still offers plenty of features and versatility, stick around for this review.

Trek 4500 MTB At A Glance 

Trek 4500 is an amazing hardtail mountain bike from Trek. It provides good riding on technical trails, and the lightweight frame makes it very convenient for beginners.

Trek 4500 inspires confidence on the trail with solid handling and durable components. It sports 26-inch tires and a suspension fork to smooth out bumps and major impacts. 

It also comes with a Shimano drivetrain, a RockShox Dart 2 fork, and with sturdy double-walled rims, so you can roll over anything with confidence. Also, the hydraulic disc brakes in the later models deliver precise stopping ability.

• High quality aluminum frame
• Durable components
• Reliable brakes and gears
• Sturdy wheels and tires
• Complex 3X drivetrain
• Small 26-inch wheels

Unfortunately, Trek doesn’t make this bike anymore, but there are some really impressive newer models with better designs which are excellent alternatives to the 4500 Trek mountain bike. 

I recommend Trek Marlin 5 and Trek Fuel EX 5 as great alternatives, you can scroll down to see our brief review of these bikes. 

Trek 4500 Mountain Bike: Features and Specifications

Frame and fork.

Trek 4500 Mountain Bike is the perfect companion for beginner trail riders who want a lightweight and durable bike that can handle mountain trails with ease. 

The hardtail aluminum frame makes it an excellent budget bike, with a trail-taming front suspension that absorbs impacts and road noise.

It comes equipped with a RockShox Dart 2 with 100mm travel suspension fork, which might not be the lightest, but it is super strong and very reliable.

Actually, the Suntour XCM suspension on the Trek 4500 makes it a budget to mid-range bike that packs a punch. And the relatively tight head tube angle that offers flexible handling for easy steering and control, especially during climbs and descents. 

With its great budget fork, the Trek 4500 is quite comfortable on longer rides and actually able to handle some riding on technical trails.

From my experience, the Trek 4500 is an excellent choice for beginners who want to hit the trails with confidence and style.

Gears and Brakes

Shimano is well-known for making reliable gears with smooth shifting and easy maintenance. And the Trek 4500 features Shimano components, it has the Shimano Alivio groupset.

With the Trek 4500, you get an incredible range of gearing, from low gears that smoothly take up steep climbs to a good range of high gears for fast descents.

Before this bike model was discontinued, it had many different models, and a few of its features changed with each new release. For instance, the oldest models were fitted with rim brakes, but the later models were upgraded to more reliable and effective hydraulic disc brakes. 

These bikes had the Shimano M395, which have excellent stopping power and will stop on a dime even in wet conditions. 

Now, whether you’re just starting out on mountain trails or you’re an experienced rider, you can trust the Shimano groupset and hydraulic disc brakes to give you the performance you need to tackle any terrain.

Wheels and Tires

If you’re looking for a mountain bike with excellent handling ability and great acceleration, then the Trek 4500 is a great choice. 

4500 Trek is equipped with 26″ wheels, which are smaller than other sizes like 27.5″ or 29″, but they make up for it with their maneuverability, and you can always fit larger tires.

The wheels are designed to be strong and durable, with 32 spokes and double-walled rims, this means that you can take on any trail without worrying about your wheels getting damaged.

Plus, it comes with Bontrager 26×2.2″ tires that provide great flexibility, but the traction is not so great. Bigger and wider tires on a mountain bike are ideal for providing traction on trails with loose dirt, and they also help to absorb shocks and bumps on the trail. 

Thankfully, you can always swap the 26-inches tire on the Trek 4500 for bigger ones. However, even the small tires are not so bad. With those tires, you can actually hit the trails with confidence and take on any challenge that comes your way.

The wheels and tires of the Trek 4500 are a great combination that provides excellent handling, durability, and versatility. 

Saddle and Handlebars

A good saddle and adjustable handlebars are crucial components of a mountain bike, as they can greatly impact your riding experience. 

With a comfortable saddle, you can ride for long periods without experiencing discomfort, while adjustable handlebars allow you to customize your riding position to suit your preferences and riding style.

For the Trek 4500 though, the comfort of the saddle is highly subjective. Whether you find it comfortable or not depends on how it makes your backside feel. From my experience, not many people find it comfortable, but that’s not an issue because you can always install a better saddle.  

And for the handlebars, Trek 4500 comes equipped with Bontrager handlebars, grips, and a stem. Its handlebar’s 31.8mm diameter and 15mm rise give it plenty of space for a comfortable grip when riding.

These handlebars are quite impressive and provide excellent grip, even in wet or muddy conditions, and helps to absorb shocks and vibrations on the trail.

The bar’s robust design can withstand some abuse while being used on the trail. And the stem has a 10-degree rise, which provides a comfortable riding position while also keeping you in control of your bike. 

The stem is also adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune your riding position for maximum comfort and performance.

Size and weight 

Trek 4500 comes in a range of sizes to fit different riders, with options ranging from 13″ all the way up to 24″, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for you. The frame sizes are precisely 13.5, 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5″

And for the weight, the Trek 4500 is relatively lightweight for a mountain bike, with an average weight of about 30 lbs (13.6 kg). That means it’s easy to handle and maneuver on the trails without being too heavy to carry around when needed. 

The maximum weight limit of 275 to 300 lbs is also good, providing plenty of support for a wide range of riders.

Ride quality and performance

The Trek 4500 is an all-around amazing bike. Its comfortable ride and great performance make it an excellent choice for any rider, regardless of skill level. 

While it may not be the lightest bike on the market, it has an incredible range of gears, making it very adaptable and easy to conquer a variety of terrain. 

Plus, its 26″ wheels provide excellent handling and acceleration, while the Bontrager XR2 26″ tires provide good grip in all kinds of conditions.

One of the best things about the Trek 4500 is its versatility. Whether you’re tackling light, dusty paths or hitting some loose terrain with serious speed, this bike can handle it all. 

Its sturdy frame and durable components make it perfect for trail riding, while the adjustable handlebars and comfortable saddle ensure a comfortable ride.

I highly recommend the Trek 4500 for anyone looking for a mid-range bike that delivers outstanding performance at a great price. Its combination of affordability, versatility, and quality makes it an excellent investment for anyone who loves mountain biking.

Best Trek 4500 Mountain Bike Alternatives

As Trek doesn’t make the 4500 mountain bikes anymore, you cannot buy them brand new. But, you will find even better performing Trek mountain bikes with more advanced features and superior build quality. 

If you absolutely want a Trek bike, then I recommend the Trek Fuel EX 5 or the Trek Marlin 5 as great alternatives for the Trek 4500. But if you’re willing to try a different brand, then the Schwinn Bonafide is a great choice with a much lower price tag.

Trek Fuel EX 5

Fuel EX 5 is a very efficient full-suspension trail bike that’s ready to handle the most rugged mountain terrains. It’s built for speed, with a sturdy chassis and supportive front and rear suspension to give you loads of support on both climbs and descents.

The Trek Fuel EX 5 stands out as a high-value, high-performance mountain bike with remarkable adaptability. It’s fitted with a Shimano 1×12 drivetrain, a dropper post for getting low on descents, and hydraulic disc brakes.

As a heavy trail-rider, this bike most likely checks all the boxes on your wishlist for a new bike. It’s a sure-footed bike that delivers better stability and control. And more importantly, it’s a fun bike to ride. 

Trek Marlin 5

Trek Marlin 5 is a trail mountain bike that’s built to gracefully handle daily adventures on rough terrains. It has a lightweight aluminum frame with a 2×8 drivetrain for smooth riding and shifting and powerful hydraulic disc brakes which provide fast and precise stopping. 

While the Marlin 5 is made for trail riding, it’s also versatile and can double as a commuter bike. This bike has a stunning frame with internal routing for the brake and shift cables, which can extend the lifespan of your wires by shielding them from the environment.

It’s the perfect bike for new trail riders and comes in seven frame sizes to fit riders of all heights. Marlin 5 is elegant and comfortable, with a ton of features that are typically reserved for more pricey bikes.

Schwinn Bonafide MTB

The Bonafide MTB is another great bike from Schwinn. It’s a mid-range bike with interesting features and an affordable price tag. 

The Schwinn Bonafide MTB gives you a pleasant and reliable riding experience with its aluminum mountain frame and sturdy suspension fork that absorbs bumps and big hits.

As a hardtail mountain bike, it’s designed for the trail with large 29″ knobby tires and durable alloy rims. The alloy rims increase longevity without adding extra weight, while the mechanical disc brakes offer precise stopping on the trail. 

The gear shifting is smooth and seamless, thanks to the 24-speed trigger shifters and front and rear derailleurs. This bike is fun and easy to ride, which makes it great for heavy riders.

Finally, is Trek 4500 mountain bike a good buy?

Well, that’s my review of the Trek 4500 Mountain Bike. I hope you found it helpful in making your decision. I know that mountain biking can be an expensive hobby, but the Trek 4500 provides a lot of value for the price. 

It’s versatile, sturdy, and has a great set of features that make it a great bike for a variety of riders. So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly mountain bike that can handle a range of terrain, the Trek 4500 might just be the bike for you.

You likely won’t find a brand-new Trek 4500, but the alternative options included above are really great choices.

You may also like:

• Best Budget Mountain Bikes Under $400
• Best Budget Mountain Bikes Under $300
• Best Mountain Bikes for $1500 and below

Dial up your biking experience.

BikeCrunch’s content is for informational and educational purposes only.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

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