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Trek’s Latest Émonda ALR Is as Good as Aluminum Road Bikes Get

Dialed geometry, smooth welds, and an excellent ride feel add up to make the latest aluminum Émonda ALR a great alternative to pricier carbon bikes.

The Takeaway: The updated Trek Émonda ALR is thoroughly modern, yet simple and fully upgradable. Just the way an aluminum road bike should be.

Trek Émonda ALR 5

The Émonda ALR borrows its geometry (down to the millimeter) from its much pricier (and lighter weight) carbon fiber version of the Émonda. This means riders get the same, proven, race-winning geometry of the much pricier carbon model for around one thousand dollars less.

While the cost savings might be the most enticing feature of the ALR for many riders, the updated aluminum frame is the showstopper here. Much like its carbon version, the Émonda ALR features a mix of aerofoil (Kammtail) shaped tubes along with more traditional round profiles. Trek uses its 300 Series Alpha aluminum for the frame, which weighs in at 1,257 grams (claimed), for a painted size 56cm. It’s combined with a full carbon fork that adds 406g to the total package. This is impressive—weighing a mere 34g more than Trek’s carbon Émonda SL variant of the frame (which sells for $1,000 more than the ALR).

The Émonda ALR frame is also refreshingly free from proprietary standards. The bike uses a T47 threaded bottom bracket, a round 27.2mm diameter seatpost, and a completely normal handlebar and stem combination using a 31.8 bar clamp and 1-⅛ steer tube. All of these things make the Émonda ALR an easy-to-live-with bike that can be upgraded and customized as riders see fit.

Alloy-frame aficionados have divided opinions about the appearance of welds. Some prefer to see the handy work of the welder and how tidy they can make the welds, while others prefer not to see the welds at all. Fans of chunky welds will be disappointed as Trek employed its Invisible Weld Technology on the Émonda ALR. This technique creates an incredibly seamless look to the frame. At arm's length (and particularly with the black frame), riders can easily mistake the Émonda ALR for a pricier carbon bike.

Another big change is at the Émonda’s front end. Trek implemented an integrated cable routing setup that’s very similar to the style used on the Allez Sprint. This setup sees the cable housing and brake hoses run externally along the bar and stem and then enter the frame through the top headset bearing. This kind of integration has the advantage of allowing riders to easily swap stem lengths or handlebars while still achieving a rather clean-looking cockpit. While Trek avoids the major headaches of cockpit customization with this cable routing solution, like many other recent road and gravel bikes, it suffers the added complexity and expense of routine service (such as replacing cables and housing or servicing headset bearings).

Unlike high-end bikes with electronic shifting—since the Émonda ALR is only sold with mechanical shifting—there are double the cables routing through the headset. Bikes with similar routing often face more rapid deterioration in shift performance (compared to bikes where things are routed externally) due to the tight bends the derailleur housing must make to fit into the space. It makes replacing cables and housing a major headache and costly if you’re not doing it yourself.

According to Cadence Cycling Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, replacing a single-shift cable on a bike with through the headset routing can cost as much as $200 in labor. This is because shops tend to charge for this work by the hour and the time it takes to complete this service varies based on how complicated fishing the housing and cable is through the frame. To perform the same repair on a bike with externally routed cables, I was quoted a flat $25 labor charge.

Fit and Geometry

The Émonda ALR features the same H1.5 geometry that Trek uses on its Émonda and Madone carbon models. This geometry splits the difference between the aggressive H1 fit and the more relaxed H2 version. Meaning that a majority of riders should be able to find a good riding position regardless of whether they want to be long and low or more upright.

Additionally, Trek offers the Émonda ALR in a whopping eight sizes. The smallest size 47cm frame should be good for riders as short as 5’0”, and the largest size 62cm fits riders up to 6’5”, according to Trek.

The ALR Build

Trek currently offers only one complete bike Émonda ALR build. It features Shimano’s excellent 105 11-speed mechanical groupset, along with a Bontrager alloy bar, stem, and seatpost. Rounding things out is a pair of Bontrager alloy Paradigm SL wheels, which are very traditional with round J-bend spokes laced 2x but feature a 21mm internal width and are tubeless-ready. However, riders need to purchase the necessary items to turn them into tubeless wheels (including tubeless-specific tires, valves, and sealant).

Trek prices the Émonda ALR at $2,300 for the complete bike and $1,200 for the frameset.

Trek confirmed that the Émonda ALR will receive an update to 12-speed 105 in the near future. Unfortunately, Trek representatives have not told us how much it will cost or the complete specification list. (But for reference, a 12-speed 105-equipped Domane AL 5 sells for $2,000)

Ride Impressions

Aluminum road bikes often have a reputation for being overly stiff, harsh, and cheap (in a bad way). However, these traits are generally not found on modern and well-engineered aluminum frames. (And it’s such a pervasive stereotype that my colleague Matt Phillips wrote a whole column about it .)

While some bikes lean into aspects of that reputation (the Allez Sprint is an unapologetically stiff-as-hell criterium racing machine), the Émonda ALR takes a slightly different approach. Since it’s modeled after the carbon Émonda (a bike largely intended to win mountain stages in Grand Tour races), the ALR is designed with all-day comfort in mind. This makes the overall ride more relaxed and comfortable compared to the Allez Sprint and should be a plus for many riders.

Even if some might consider 11-speed 105 outdated (due to the recent launch of the 12-speed 105 R7100 components ), Shimano’s 105 R7000-series drivetrain is an excellent and well-proven groupset. The 11-speed group has precise and crisp shifting front and rear and also impresses with powerful braking at the wheels and excellent control of the levers.

In contrast, the most disappointing part of the Émonda ALR’s build kit is its tires. Which would be the absolute first thing I upgrade. The Bontrager R1 wire-bead road tires weigh 360g per tire and are very much included to help meet the Émonda’s price point. They make the bike feel sluggish in a straight line while also not helping to foster any cornering confidence. A swap to even a mid-range tire from any of the major tire brands will probably drop around 30-40g of rotating weight per wheel and dramatically improve the ride quality of the bike.

I found the rest of the ALR’s Bontrager finishing kit perfectly serviceable. The seatpost, stem, and saddle were nothing flashy but did the job. The handlebar has a rather classic feeling bend, drop, and reach. Best of all, if any of these stock items don’t work for you, it’s simple to swap any of them out for a preferred version.

Out of the box, I found the Émonda’s ride quality quite good but perhaps a bit on the firm side. Lowering the tire pressure to around 68-72 psi range greatly improved the comfort. And once I swapped to a set of Continental GP5000 tires, the Émonda ALR really began to shine on the road.

There’s nothing gimmicky about the Émonda ALR. It’s a classic road bike in the simplest sense of the term. Riding it for the first time felt familiar and reassuring. The geometry didn’t require me to adjust to the bike—I could just get on and go. Even on that first ride, I felt like I could dive into corners with the assurance of knowing what the Émonda ALR would do when I leaned in. The geometry was a perfect mix of stability and responsiveness with a dash of that springiness that good metal bikes have.

On flat and rolling terrain, the Émonda ALR is right up there with almost any non-aero road bike of the last few years. Its dialed geometry makes it a pleasure to descend on, and the frame has the right snap to be a truly wonderful climber.

What holds the ALR back on the uphills, though, are the stock wheels. At 1,800 grams, they’re not as heavy as some wheels on bikes in this price range, but they just feel soft and unresponsive. After upgrading the tires, a new set of wheels would be my next purchase for the Émonda ALR.

One aspect of the Émonda ALR that feels a bit dated for a road bike made in 2023: Trek caps the bike’s maximum tire clearance at 28mm. In practice, there is enough room to comfortably run 30 or even 32mm tires (depending on the tire and rim combination). Still, I would feel better with a bit more official wiggle room, especially as it’s gotten harder to predict the measured width of various tire and rim combinations.

Overall, the Émonda ALR gets way more things right than it does wrong. While it's easy to nitpick things like its tires and wheels, Trek uses these parts to get the Émonda ALR to its modest price. And the ALR is up there with some of the best aluminum race bikes. It’s an impeccably finished and thoroughly well-designed aluminum bike that’s only a few grams heavier than its mid-tier carbon version. Plus, the Émonda ALR shares geometry with its pricier siblings and uses no proprietary standards or parts. With the ALR, Trek made a bike that nails all the things that have always made me love aluminum race bikes.

Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. 

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Specialized Allez Sprint vs Trek Emonda ALR — which aluminium race bike will win this epic showdown?

First Published Apr 22, 2023

A few years ago, it looked like alloy bikes were all but dead; however, in 2023 they still represent a very real and very competitive alternative to carbon.

With Trek’s latest aluminium road bike  release a few weeks ago, the third generation Emonda ALR, two of the biggest brands in cycling, Trek and Specialized, now have bang-up-to-date performance aluminium bikes . But which is best? Here's a closer look at the weights, specs and geometry to help you decide which is best for you... 

Alloy bikes are back!

There was a point in time, roughly five years ago, when carbon performance machines were getting cheaper and cheaper. Having an aluminium bike often meant sacrificing either aerodynamics, weight, comfort, tyre clearance or in some cases a combination of all of the above!

> Opinion: "Aluminium frames are the work of the devil"

However, in the last few years, we’ve since seen a resurgence of bikes made of metal and not just at the lower end of brand's ranges. I was so impressed with the recent development in alloy tech that when purchasing a bike for racing, training and filming on, I opted for this Specialized Allez Sprint.

> Staff Bikes: Jamie's custom Specialized Allez Sprint Disc

Trek, eager to not be left behind, has brought its Emonda ALR bang up to date with this third generation featuring Kammtail aero tubing and fully integrated cables.

Trek claims that it’s “affordable, ultra-lightweight and faster than ever”, but is it good enough to beat the Allez Sprint? Let’s find out if I should have waited before spending my hard-earned cash on an alloy superbike...

A closer look at the frames

> Best road bikes 2023 — find your perfect drop bar bike whatever your budget

Call me vain, but a big part of any of my bike purchasing decisions comes down to looks. I personally think it’s important to like what you’re riding. After all, morale will make a far bigger difference to your riding ability than most other marginal gains!

The Allez’ looks are perhaps not its strong point... just look at these welds! Specialized claims that “smartwelding” its hydroformed tubes together is both stronger and results in a lighter bike (more on that further down the page). 

> Your complete guide to bike frame materials — Should you choose carbon, steel, aluminium, titanium?

Trek, meanwhile, uses its “invisible” weld technology, Okay, ‘invisible’ might be pushing it, but the welds are certainly inconspicuous at first glance.

The welds at the bottom of the seat stays are noticeable if you go looking, but the head tube and seat tube junctions do look almost like carbon, which I guess is the impression that Trek is shooting for.

Integrated cables

Like them or loath them, both of the bikes now fully integrate their cables; however, from the factory both use very similar designs where the brake hoses and gear cables (if required) run under the stem, and then into the frame via holes in the headset bearing cover at the top of the head tube (as shown on the Emonda above).

They then pass through the upper headset bearing and then down the downtube to the mechs and rear brake.

This has both pros and cons. Both manufacturers claim an aero advantage, although neither specifies how much. We’d suggest in the region of 2-3 watts at 40kph, i.e. negligible for most riders. It does arguably look neater though…

Obviously, the negatives of such a design are going to be set up and serviceability. If your headset bearings need replacing, then that’s a few hours of yours or your mechanic's life that can't be got back! And the trickier routing will drive many riders to a bike shop.

If you’re looking for a bike that forgoes the additional hassle of integrated lines, then neither of these bikes is for you. I’d suggest keeping your eye out for a previous generation of either.

Tube shapes

As previously mentioned, Trek has moved away from its more traditional tube shapes and gone for Kammtail tubing, where the trailing edge of the tube is squared off. This should be more aerodynamic than the previous generation Emonda, but without a wind tunnel, we're unable to validate this claim. Which do you think is the prettier bike though? Let us know in the comments section below as always. 

The Allez also utilizes Kammtail tube profiles, perhaps to an even greater degree as the seat tube and seatpost are not round either. This means that on the Allez, you do have to use the proprietary seatpost which happens to be the same as on the Tarmac SL7.

Colour options

When talking about colour schemes, it’s the Allez that rules the roost. In the UK the Allez is available in four new colours for the frameset in 2023 (shown above) and a further two colours for the full bike. Add on the eight from last year that you can, at the time of writing, still find in shops, and you have a huge variety from subtle to proper garish. 

Trek, meanwhile, offers the latest Emonda ALR in four colour schemes two for the ALR 6 (shown above), and a further two for the ALR 5 including the blue and orange that we have. Even I can do the maths on that one, it's just four colour schemes for now. It has to be said that the two black ones are pretty similar.

Trek has moved the ALR bikes from their H2 fit to H1.5. Back in the olden days, Trek gave you the option of an aggressive H1 fit or a more relaxed H2 fit on its performance-focused road bikes. This new H1.5 splits the difference really, and is what you’ll find on both Madones and carbon Émondas too.

Trek calls this “an optimised race-specific geometry [that] puts riders in the right position for power while minimising aero losses”.

It has to be said, the geometry of both bikes is very similar. Both are designed to be low-slung race bikes to help you cut through the wind and flick through turns in a criterium race.

> How to read a bike geometry table: the numbers made easy

In a size 54cm, you’ll find that the Specialized has a 1mm longer reach, a 4mm lower stack height, and a 2mm shorter wheelbase. If anything then, the Allez is probably the slightly more aggressive bike; but it really is marginal and we’re splitting hairs.

Both bikes also handle very similarly. They have exactly the same headtube angle, which means the steering is all but identical, and just 0.3 degrees difference in seat tube angle means that you get the same level of twitchiness/high-speed stability out of both.

The bottom bracket drop is also very similar on both bikes (that’s the distance between the bottom bracket and an imaginary straight line between the wheel axles). This is often the difference between feeling that you’re sat on the bike or 'in' the bike. It’s 70mm on the Trek and 72mm on the Spesh, making you feel slightly more 'inside' the Allez, but again it's marginal.

If you haven’t gathered by now, the bikes are vastly similar in geometry, and the minor differences that there are can be easily counteracted with different bar, stem and saddle positions. Arguably the biggest difference that I’ve found is the standover height. It’s a whopping 21mm more on the Allez.

This does mean that for the same saddle height, you’ll get more exposed seatpost on the Emonda, which means there’s more space for it to flex. That results in good rear-end comfort, especially with a carbon post. 

So, to summarise, you can’t make a decision about which one is best for you based on geometry; but you should be aware that both are pretty aggressive and have the fast handling characteristics nailed. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, cruisy and arguably more comfortable, then you should look at something like a sportive or endurance bike . 

> 8 cheap ways to get a lighter bike — save a kilo or more

Let’s see if we can split the two bikes apart a bit more on the scales. Both claim to have a focus on weight, but this is still an area where you will get a performance advantage from carbon. That said, the bike industry is becoming more and more aware that weight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be unless you’re climbing mountains on the regular.

The framesets are easiest to compare. It's 1,257g for the Trek and then 406g for the fork. This is the painted weight. 

The Allez, meanwhile, has a slightly heavier 440g fork, but we weighed our 54cm frame at 1,198g (painted) so slightly lighter. That gives the Spesh a total weight of 1,638g and the Trek is 1,663g. It looks like we’re not splitting them here either. 

Tyre clearance and bottom brackets

One area that you will find a difference is with tyre clearance. The new Emonda has a claimed maximum tyre size of 28c, which is actually quite small compared to many recent bikes. The Allez, meanwhile, has a claimed 32mm clearance, so if you’re looking to ride around on larger rubber then there’s a clear winner in this regard.

Does this make a world of difference? Well for many riders, it won’t make the slightest bit of difference. You can still use many of the latest super-wide wheelsets, and most racers I know won’t touch anything wider than a 28mm tyre.

> How to choose the best width road tyres for your riding

For me though, this is a contributing factor. I now race on 28mm tyres, but during the winter I’ve been training on a set of 30mm wide tyres. I do have a sneaky suspicion that they would fit in the Trek, but it’s clear that the Allez is the more spacious of the two bikes.

Moving towards the bottom bracket area, and things once again get quite similar. Like on many of the recent bike releases, you’ll find a threaded bottom bracket on both. This is sure to stir up a conversation, but as far as comparisons go they’re pretty similar.

> Bottom brackets - get the insider info on your bike's beefiest bearing

Like all of the modern Trek bikes, the Emonda ALR gets a T47 threaded bottom bracket. Like many of the latest Specialized bikes, the Allez Sprint gets a threaded BSA. Is one better than the other> In my experience, no. They both do a very similar job: a bearing cup threads into each side of the frame, and each is compatible with just about every road crankset that you’d want to use, from Shimano Hollowtech to SRAM’s DUB spindles.

Oh and if you’re looking to purchase one of these as a winter race or training bike, then I’m afraid you might be disappointed. Neither has mudguard mounts. 

Prices and specifications

While all of the above features are very important, there’s obviously going to be one major factor determining most people's bike choice, and that is the price. 

So, framesets only first. The Allez comes in at £1,600 and that includes the seatpost, thru-axles and a few bits and bobs in the bag, but not as many as you might expect. You don't get grommets for fitting a Di2 electronic groupset, for example. 

The Trek, meanwhile, seriously undercuts that at £1,300; although you will need to factor in a seatpost, as unlike the Allez it doesn’t ship with one. Even so, a decent quality carbon seatpost to fit the standard 27.2mm frame will likely set you back in the region of £100, which still makes the Emonda £200 cheaper than the Allez. 

Trek says in its press release that "leaves riders with enough cash to spend on sweet new kits, race registrations and post-ride beers."

However, that’s not the end of the story. Most riders will of course want to purchase an entire bike rather than just a lump of metal. If that’s you, then you’ll be eager to hear that the new Emonda ALR comes in two build specs: the ALR 5 with a Shimano 105 R7000 11-speed mechanical groupset, Bontrager Paradigm SL wheels and a build weight of 8.8kg, and the ALR 6 that has Bontrager Paradigm Comp wheels, a Shimano 105 Di2 groupset and the same 8.8kg weight.

The ALR 5 build is now the lowest in the ALR range, because the ALR 4 has been ditched with this third generation. This means that complete bike builds start at £2,325 for the ALR 5, and the ALR 6 is £3,150. 

> Review: Specialized Allez Sprint 2022

Meanwhile, the one and only Allez complete build is very similar to the ALR 5. Once again, the 105 mechanical groupset makes an appearance, and we weighed our review bike at 8.74kg. It currently retails in the UK for £2,600 so once again a little more than the Trek.

Both of those builds are let down by the weighty wheels, and that’s why I’ve switched out the Allez wheels to the new Roval Alpinist SLX wheels. Look out for our alloy wheel super shootout including these very soon to find out the most cost-effective alloy wheel upgrades from the likes of Hunt, Scribe, Mavic and Fulcrum.

> 2022 Specialized Allez Sprint vs Tarmac SL7: which is best?

So which one would I have? Well, I’ve already got the Allez, and to be honest the Trek is so similar that there’s not a chance I’m going through the hassle of switching the frame out.

The latest Emonda ALR is, however, the first aluminium performance bike that I’ve ridden that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Allez in terms of that get-up-and-go feeling.

Its geometry is excellent, as is the ride feel, so as long as you like one of the few colour schemes then the £300 lower price tag makes it a serious consideration. I do think that Trek has missed a trick with the tyre clearance only being 28mm but one thing's for sure... alloy is back!

Look out for our full review of the Trek Emonda ALR5, coming soon. Let us know which one is your favourite in the comments section below...

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Jamie has been riding bikes since a tender age but really caught the bug for racing and reviewing whilst  studying towards a master's in Mechanical engineering  at Swansea University. Having graduated, he decided he really quite liked working with bikes and is now a full-time addition to the road.cc team. When not writing about tech news or working on the Youtube channel, you can still find him racing local crits trying to cling on to his cat 2 licence...and missing every break going...

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14 comments.

Golly chucksneed got a hard time for having an opinion.

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People who post with the intent of being a WUM do. You don't actually think they believe anything they write?

Hirsute wrote: People who post with the intent of being a WUM do. You don't actually think they believe anything they write?

I don’t know what a WUM is. I also wouldn’t know I should believe anything anyone writes. The point I made was as I stated, rhetorical is what it is. 

Dhill wrote: I don’t know what a WUM is. 

WUM is internet shorthand for Wind Up Merchant.

The reaction to Chuck's EM needs to be seen in the context of the pattern of his comments, not just this one in isolation.

Generally I find his comments easy to ignore.

I'm all for aluminum and steel as it can be recycled whereas carbon will just end up as landfill.

themuffle wrote: I'm all for aluminum and steel as it can be recycled whereas carbon will just end up as landfill.

landfill? Most local authorities are incenerating waste now, and generating electricity in the process. 

Draw would work for me. Not fond of either brand. 

Yet both will be outdone by a similarly priced, or even cheaper, carbon bike. 'Premium' aluminium bikes are a scam for people who want to tell everyone that they could have spent less and gotten a better and lighter bike, but chose not to

Or...alternative view. It's offering more customer choice of high end frame materials because lightness isn't the be all and end all you seem to think it is.  By your silly trolling definition (see what I did there) Mason and Kenesis and others shouldn't exist. 

As an owner of several carbon bikes including an SL7 I'm well aware of its properties but my winter hacks, both MTB and road, are metal. It's so much more resilient to abuse in the dark, wet, muddy months. I'm really happy that brands are providing us with well specced, preformance metal offerings even though they don't provide the value they once did. 

ChuckSneed wrote: Yet both will be outdone by a similarly priced, or even cheaper, carbon bike. 'Premium' aluminium bikes are a scam for people who want to tell everyone that they could have spent less and gotten a better and lighter bike, but chose not to

Well if you knew anything about bikes (which I think many of us here have established - YOU DON'T) The Trek Emonda SL5 which has an almost identical build from groupset to wheels is only marginally lighter than the Alu Emonda on test. It is also a grand more expensive. So the Alu Emonda is a very attractive proposition to anyone looking at the pricepoint it comes in at. 

You can also get some absoloutly terrible carbon bikes. Carbon Fibre isnt some wonderful magical material. It has its limitations and that is where the skill of the designers come in. That is why a cheap chinese open mold frameset can cost a few hundred and a top end Colnago/S-Works/Cervelo/Pinarello etc etc will cost you 10 times more. 

You also can get a brilliant Aluminium frame. This also can be said of steel and titanium. Its just a material and used right can make bike better than a carbon fibre one. 

What about the latest  CAAD?

This is a comparison of Specialized Allez Sprint vs Trek Emonda ALR, assisted by the fact that the reviewer owns the Allez Sprint. To find a review of the CAAD13, type "site:road.cc caad13" into an internet search engine such as Google. 

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Trek's latest aluminium Émonda ALR is lighter and racier than before

Trek says that new Émonda ALR is ‘affordable, ultra-lightweight and faster than ever

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Trek has today launched a brand new version of the aluminium Émonda ALR. The third iteration of the the aluminium version of the Émonda, which Trek reckons to be the “highest-value road race bike in the line-up”. Trek has made and number of changes to Émonda - it has shaved off weight, hidden cables, added aero features, altered the geometry and switched bottom bracket standards

It claims that it designed the Émonda ALR in order to help riders "fly up climbs, across flats and through the finish line.” Trek says that the frameset on the new ALR is “lighter than ever before,” - the painted frame set is 1257g, while the carbon-fiber fork is 406g for a claimed frameset weight of 1,663grams.  That's a saving of around 250g on the previous model. 

As for complete bikes, the Shimano 105 Di2 equipped Émonda ALR6 is listed at 8.80 kg / 19.41 lbs while the mechanical 105 ALR5 comes in at 9.00 kg / 19.85 lbs.

An additional change from the outgoing bike is the update to the Émonda ALR’s geometry. The previous design utilised the brands H2 fit, while the new bike opts for the more race focused H1.5 fit.   

If you’re on the market for a new machine, and you’re considering an Émonda, the codes used by Trek may seem daunting. However, we can help clear that up for you. Trek’s carbon Emonda SL currently uses the H2 fit, while the race ready SLR frame that WorldTour team Trek-Segafredo uses is available as an H1 fit. 

Therefore the new Émonda ALR sits nicely between both fits, and is available as a solid compromise between the two.

The Émonda ALR5 is nicely colourful

Compared to the outgoing Émonda ALR, riders can also expect a lower headtube by approximately 1.9 cm - dependent on the size you opt for - which makes for a more direct feeling front end, and helps the rider in being able to adopt slightly more aerodynamic positions. 

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The new Émonda also gets new aero profiles on the frame along with integrated cabling. When comparing the framesets between the old and new generation of the bike, it’s soon evident that the new model is a lot more race focused, with straighter, clean lines and pointier angles.

Finally, by swapping out the previous press fit bottom bracket in favour of a threaded T47 unit Trek says that riders can "say goodbye to creaks". The Émonda ALR5 is available for £2,325/$2,300 and the ALR6 is £3150. The frameset is available for £1300/$1200.

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Tom joined Cycling Weekly in early 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine. 

He has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the recent Glasgow World Championships. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world and interviewed some of the sport's top riders. 

When not writing news scoops from the WorldTour, or covering stories from elsewhere in the domestic professional scene, he reports on goings on at bike shops up and down the UK, where he is based when not out on the road at races. He has also appeared on the Radio Cycling podcast. 

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Trek Emonda ALR first-ride review: Light and fast, but best on smooth roads

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

It wasn’t all that long ago that aluminum was considered largely obsolete as a frame material: too soft and heavy relative to carbon fiber, not as much zing or “life” as steel or titanium. But the material is nevertheless enjoying a strong resurgence, and Trek is the latest major brand to add fuel to that fire. The new Emonda ALR aluminum road family is reasonably competitive with carbon fiber in terms of weight and stiffness, and new manufacturing methods make it drop-dead gorgeous, too. It’s also comparatively cheap. But alas, there’s still a price to be paid.

The Emonda ALR by the numbers

On paper, it’s hard to argue with Trek’s new Emonda ALR.

At least as far as the scale is concerned, the Emonda ALR is nearly on-par with the carbon fiber Emonda SL. Claimed frame weight for the disc-brake is 1,131g, and 1,112g for the rim-brake edition — just 40g heavier than its fancier (and more expensive) cousin. And according to Trek, the Emonda ALR’s chassis stiffness figures aren’t far behind, either, thanks in no small part to the fact that its 300-Series Alpha Aluminum hydroformed tubes use nearly the same shapes as the upper-end Emondas.

Both rim-brake and disc-brake versions are on tap — naturally — and tire clearances are in-keeping with trends in the road space. Maximum official tire size on the rim-brake version is 25mm; 28mm for the disc-brake models. That sounds decidedly behind the times at first, yes, but keep in mind that Trek’s internal rating for maximum tire size is unusually conservative. Whereas most companies abide by international standards for clearance (at least 4mm of space on all sides of the tire at the closest point), Trek adds another 2mm on top of that, so comparing apples to apples, the rim-brake Emonda ALR will comfortably handle 29mm-wide tires, and the disc-brake bikes will fit 32mm-wide ones. Much better.

Handling-wise, Trek has carried over the same frame geometry as on the carbon Emonda models, which, in turn, were derived from the highly evolved figures of the long-standing Madone range. In other words, it promises truly neutral characteristics, with stable manners at high speeds, a seemingly contradictory willingness to carve through sinuous descents, and reasonable agility at low speeds without having the front end feel too floppy. Trek hasn’t changed its bread-and-butter road geometry much in ages, and that’s a good thing.

In terms of rider positioning, though, Trek will only offer the Emonda ALR in the tamer H2 fit with its slightly taller head tube. Riders who are specifically after a more aggressive posture will still need to look at the top-end Emonda SLR range.

Other features include partially internal cable routing (just through the down tube), 12mm front and rear thru-axles and flat-mount caliper interfaces on disc-brake models, quick-release dropouts and direct-mount caliper mounts on rim-brake models, PF86 press-fit bottom bracket shells across the board, tapered steerer tubes on the full-carbon forks, standard 27.2mm-diameter round seatposts with conventional external seatpost clamps, and a small pocket built into the non-driveside chainstay for Bontrager’s DuoTrap wireless speed and cadence sensor.

None of this sounds remotely groundbreaking. And the focus on stiffness-to-weight means there isn’t a smidgeon of aerodynamic shaping to be found here. There’s not a single mention of wind tunnels or grams of drag or yaw angles in any of Trek’s marketing collateral. In an ever-expanding world of sleek two-wheeled machines that are starting to look more like airplanes than bicycles, the Emonda ALR might seem like a throwback.

But oh, man, you just have to see the thing.

Invisible Weld Technology

The way aluminum bicycle frames are welded hasn’t changed much in decades. With few exceptions, tubes are mitered at the joints and held together in a jig for a close fit, and then the intersections are basically just melted together at high heat, with an additional bead of similar material — the weld bead — added on top for additional structural reinforcement. Sometimes welders take two passes over the joint, and sometimes it’s just one, and sometimes the bead is filed down for a smoother look. But by and large, the process is the same today as it was when people thought Jeff Bezos was nuts for thinking he could sell books over the internet.

Specialized legitimately moved things forward a few years ago with the introduction of Smartweld . Normally, those mitered aluminum tubes fit together kind of like how you would join empty rolls of paper towels together in a grade school art project, with the end of one tube carved out to fit tightly against the unaltered wall of the other tube.

But Smartweld is more like holding the bottom of two soda cans against each other. There’s a natural trough that the welding rod can fill, there’s more surface area to join together for better structural integrity, the weld itself is moved away from the areas of highest stress, the adjoining tube walls can be made thinner and lighter, and the resulting joint ends up more flush with the surrounding tube wall for a smoother finish. There’s more hydroforming work required to initially create that sort of interface geometry on the individual parts, but it’s a brilliant idea that Specialized has used to great effect.

Trek is now doing something similar, calling it “Invisible Weld Technology.” The concept is much the same, at least in terms of the weld joint geometry itself, but whereas Specialized moves the weld further up on the tubes, IWT uses the same weld location as a standard mitered joint.

Details aside, the result is visually stunning. For example, Trek has formed the head tube and top tube of the new Emonda ALR with the same shapes as the carbon fiber Emonda SL and SLR, and unless you look very closely, you can’t even tell where one part ends and the other begins; it’s truly seamless as far as your eyes are concerned.

Other areas of the frame are joined using more conventional welding techniques, and the Emonda’s press-fit bottom bracket shell is a far cry from the bulbous and hollow two-piece clamshell that Specialized uses on the Allez Sprint . But it’s important to note that Trek is just getting started with the IWT concept, and it’ll be very interesting to see where it goes from here.

Off-the-shelf, or build to suit

As good as the Emonda ALR platform sounds, Trek clearly isn’t interested in having it cannibalize sales from the carbon fiber Emonda families based on the build kits on tap. Just five complete models are available, all of which focus more on value than outright performance. Complete Shimano groupsets are featured throughout, along with hydraulic brakes for all disc-equipped models. The one exception are the Tektro brake calipers on lower-end rim-brake models, since Shimano doesn’t make a direct-mount caliper at that price point.

At the lower end are the Emonda ALR 4 and ALR 4 Disc, built with Shimano Tiagra and Bontrager Affinity TLR tubeless-ready aluminum clinchers. The rim-brake version costs US$1,360 / AU$1,500, and the disc-brake version (which won’t be brought into Australia) costs US$1,680.

At the upper end are the Emonda ALR 5 and ALR 5 Disc, built with the same Bontrager Affinity TLR tubeless-ready aluminum wheels, but with Shimano’s 105 groupset. Retail price for the rim-brake version is US$1,580 / AU$2,000, or US$1,890 / AU$2,400 for the disc-brake version.

There will also be a sole women-specific model, the Emonda ALR 5 Disc Women’s. Basic spec is unchanged, and it’s built with the same frameset, but touch points are altered to promote a better fit and feel. Pricing is the same as the standard Emonda ALR 5 Disc, but like the Emonda ALR 4 Disc, Trek doesn’t plan to sell it in Australia.

Trek still isn’t ignoring the performance potential of the Emonda ALR, either; there’s also a bare frameset available for riders that might want to do a higher-end build. Retail price is US$960 for either the rim-brake or disc-brake version, but neither will be imported into Australia.

Pricing and availability for other regions is still to be confirmed.

Bones, shaken

I rode a custom-built Emonda ALR for several hours on the roads surrounding Trek’s global headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin, where the rolling hills and seemingly endless expanse of sparsely populated roads provide plenty of opportunity to test a bike’s mettle. Rather than set us up on stock models, Trek went the DIY route, outfitting the frames with Shimano’s latest Ultegra mechanical groupset, low-profile Bontrager Aeolus XXX 2 carbon clinchers, 25mm-wide Bontrager R3 tubeless tires, and an assortment of Bontrager carbon fiber finishing kit. Total weight for my 52cm sample was just 7.4kg (16.31lb), without pedals, but with bottle cages and Blendr accessory mounts.

True to claims, the Emonda ALR felt satisfyingly stout under power, and plenty eager to squirt up short and punchy climbs. Front-end torsional rigidity is good, too, although not quite on-par with top-end carbon models, with some flex detected when you’re really wrenching on the bars.

As expected, handling is picture-perfect, like a well-trained horse that almost doesn’t require any physical input from its rider before doing exactly what you want it to. Set those numbers in stone, Trek.

But as pleasant as Trek’s home roads are, the asphalt is distinctly coarse and lumpy, and the pavement seams impossible to ignore. Trek has successfully showcased other bikes on this stage before, but for the Emonda ALR, it might have been better to choose somewhere with better-quality roads.

The Emonda ALR seems to put up a good fight against more expensive carbon bikes in terms of weight and stiffness, however it’s simply no match in terms of ride comfort. Even with the tires inflated to a modest 70psi or so under my 70kg body, the Emonda ALR offers a rough ride, with little vibration damping to speak of and plenty of impact harshness traveling up through the handlebar and saddle. If anything, it only highlights further the uncanny comfort of the new Madone .

That firm ride will certainly be viewed differently by different riders, and it’s important to note that frame compliance varies proportionally with frame size (and remember that I’m 1.73m tall, weigh 70kg, and ride a relatively small 52cm). Would a heavier and/or taller rider have a different experience? Maybe. But again, stiffness and weight still seem to me to have been the primary design objectives here, and frame compliance strikes me as falling further down on the list. Granted, switching to a more flexible seatpost and tires with more suppleness than the rather stiff-bodied Bontrager R3s of my test bike help, but there are limits to how much you can mask the inherent characteristics of a frameset. As is, the Emonda ALR wouldn’t be my first choice for a long day in the saddle on less-than-ideal road surfaces.

This isn’t to say that I wasn’t impressed with the Emonda ALR overall. I’m a big fan of aluminum bikes in general, and I’m definitely excited to see Trek (and others) devoting more attention to the genre. The Emonda ALR is light and stiff, and an unquestionably good value from a mainstream brand. Privateer racers will unquestionably find much to like here, as will anyone prioritizing stiffness and low weight, and living in areas with good-quality roads.

But just as perpetual motion machines, fountains of youth, and fusion reactors are still the stuff of folklore, the Emonda ALR isn’t quite a tale of getting true carbon fiber performance at aluminum pricing. If you enter into the arrangement with realistic expectations of what you might be getting, you’ll probably be happy with it. And as always, a test ride is probably a good idea before signing on the dotted line.

As much as some of us might like to believe otherwise, material properties are what they are, and as good as the Emonda ALR is, you still don’t get something for nothing.

www.trekbikes.com Disclaimer: Trek provided flights, accommodations, and loaner equipment for this event, and has previously advertised on CyclingTips.

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\"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"must watch: a diabolical day of racing at belgian waffle ride california\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/belgian-waffle-ride-california-race-recap\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"must watch: a diabolical day of racing at belgian waffle ride california\"}}\u0027>\n must watch: a diabolical day of racing at belgian waffle ride california\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"visma-lease a bike keeps faith in jonas vingegaard: \u0027winning the tour will be difficult, but not impossible\u0027","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/visma-lease-a-bike-keeps-faith-in-jonas-vingegaard-winning-the-tour-will-be-difficult-but-not-impossible\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": 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flat","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/alejandro-valverde-flat-tire-bwr\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/alejandro-valverde-flat-tire-bwr\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"que mala for el bala: alejandro valverde\u2019s first us gravel race is foiled by a flat\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-racing\/alejandro-valverde-flat-tire-bwr\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"que mala for el bala: alejandro valverde\u2019s first us gravel race is foiled by a flat\"}}\u0027>\n que mala for el bala: alejandro valverde\u2019s first us gravel race is foiled by a flat\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"report: amy pieters takes sd worx-protime to court in \u0027indefinite contract\u0027 dispute","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/amy-pieters-takes-sd-worx-protime-to-court\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/amy-pieters-takes-sd-worx-protime-to-court\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"report: amy pieters takes sd worx-protime to court in \u0027indefinite contract\u0027 dispute\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/amy-pieters-takes-sd-worx-protime-to-court\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"report: amy pieters takes sd worx-protime to court in \u0027indefinite contract\u0027 dispute\"}}\u0027>\n report: amy pieters takes sd worx-protime to court in \u0027indefinite contract\u0027 dispute\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"fresh legs, fresh mind: neilson powless returns to racing","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/fresh-legs-fresh-mind-neilson-powless-returns-to-racing\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/fresh-legs-fresh-mind-neilson-powless-returns-to-racing\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"fresh legs, fresh mind: neilson powless returns to racing\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/fresh-legs-fresh-mind-neilson-powless-returns-to-racing\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"fresh legs, fresh mind: neilson powless returns to racing\"}}\u0027>\n fresh legs, fresh mind: neilson powless returns to racing\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": 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• Rider Notes

2021 Trek Domane AL 2

An aluminum frame endurance bike with mid-range components and rim brakes.

Manufacturer Price

For This Bike

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Domane AL 2

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• 6'0", size 56cm, Just right

Oct 2022 · James Spender

The Domane is a tremendously smooth bike thanks to Trek’s IsoSpeed rear damping system and high volume, 32mm tubeless tyres

Over-engineered

Read Review

The new Domane is everything great about the old bike, plus lighter and quicker.

Sep 2022 · William Tracy

Trek has simplified its endurance frame and put it on a diet for a more enjoyable ride. 

Jun 2022 · Simon Withers

In these days of ever-increasing bike prices, Trek’s entry-level Domane is still refreshingly affordable

Great handling

Excellent component specification

Willing ride

The handlebar can transmit vibration at high tyre pressures on rough stuff

Oct 2021 · Ben Delaney

Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo) rode off the front of the peloton on the pavé and into the history books on Saturday, winning the first ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes aboard a Trek Domane with some custom touches. Deignan said her solo attack was definitely not the team plan, but that once she had a gap, she just kept … Continued

Jul 2021 · Mat Brett

Smooth-riding endurance bike with loads of tyre space and masses of versatility

Smooth ride

Space for big tyres

Internal storage

Not especially light

Jan 2021 · Dave Rome

Trek's new entry-level road bike combines an endurance fit with sporty handling and a whole bunch of versatility.

Huge tyre clearance, unique geometry is great for the purpose, quite comfortable ride quality, easy to service and upgrade, rides lighter than it feels to pick up, Shimano Tiagra just works, rim width, quality thru-axles.

Basic and heavy frame, making the bike tubeless requires new tyres and a handful of parts, extremely heavy wheels (especially given the bike’s price), handlebar drop shape is too compact.

Jul 2020 · Terry McKall

Entry level road bike or weekday commuter? How about both

Last updated April 16 Not listed for 1,114 days

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Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite 29er review

Long-legged, big-wheeled trail cruiser

Russell Burton

Arguably the most significant feature of Trek’s Superfly 100 AL Elite is tucked away behind the seat tube. It’s a Gary Fisher signature decal, signifying that this bike is, in genesis at least, the inspiration of one of mountain biking’s founding fathers – and the inventor of the 29er concept.

The AL Elite props up the bottom of the five-strong, 29in-wheeled Superfly 100 range, offering a trail-worthy spec at a price that just creeps over the magic £2k barrier. Great handling, sorted suspension performance, decent components and epic mud clearance make for big-wheeled trail fun. The Trek looks a tiny bit pricey compared to some of the competition, though.

Ride & handling: Fast rolling, great handling trail machine that’ll tackle anything you can throw at it

Big wheels only really look in proportion when they’re connected to a big frame. So our 17.5in test bike, in common with most 29ers around this size, has that slightly disconcerting effect of looking… well, not quite right at first glance. It’s only because we’re all used to smaller wheels, and we only mention it because that ‘not quite right’ feeling disappears the moment you climb aboard the Trek and turn the pedals.

From just-so weight distribution to a wheelbase that’s pretty much the identical twin of 26in-wheeled competitors and a front wheel that goes where you want it to, the Superfly 100 will have uninitiated riders forgetting about the big wheels within the first few minutes. Which is, when you think about it, about the biggest compliment we can pay it. Get on, ride, and enjoy the easy-rolling nature of 29er wheels.

Fox shocks with a high compression damping tune can make a bike feel constipated over small bumps. Not here. The big wheels certainly help, but the Superfly’s suspension remains supple and controlled on everything from technical climbs to flat-out descents. If we were to split hairs, we’d suggest that the front end is a tiny bit slower to respond in fast-changing situations, but that’s the laws of physics for you – more rotating mass, further from the centre of the wheel. There’s nothing anyone – not even Gary Fisher himself – can do about that.

Big wheels with 100mm of travel translate into fast, efficient and comfortable mile-munching. We’ve known that for a while, but what the Superfly 100 does so well is to iron out all the little niggles that have beset earlier attempts at big wheeled full-suspension nirvana. The geometry works, the handling is excellent, the weight is reasonable in an unexceptional kind of a way and there’s even decent mud clearance. Is it the best 29er full-susser available? No. But it’s well worth putting on your shortlist.

Frame & equipment: We wish the frame finish was a bit neater, particularly around the welded areas

Cramming big wheels into a bike offering 100mm of travel at each end isn’t straightforward. There’s less space for most components, a greater need to pay attention to geometry and a number of stiffness-related issues to deal with. Trek’s design team have been sweating the details, resulting in a frame that’s bristling with mostly subtle design solutions.

Fitting the frame tubes into the available space is arguably one of their less successful achievements, the conjoined top and down tubes necessitating large – and, it has to be said, not particularly tidy – welds. Never mind that, though, because all the functional stuff has been taken care of.

Trek’s Active Braking Point (ABP) pivot – which places the chainstay pivot around the hub’s rear axle – is here in versatile ‘Convert’ form, meaning that the standard 135x5mm rear axle can be switched to a stiffer, lighter 142x12mm design at a later date. A Bontrager-designed hub with widened, bigger diameter flanges and larger dropout contact area performs the same job up front.

The Superfly 100’s fork uses a crown with increased offset, which reduces trail (the distance between the front tyre’s contact point on the ground and the point where a straight line through the centre of the head tube also meets the ground) and sharpens steering responses, countering the 29er tendency to be slow-handling in the turns. Carefully shaped stays wrap cleverly around the rear tyre, giving this bike the best mud clearance we’ve yet seen on a big wheeled machine.

In common with many full-suspension designs the Superfly 100 struggles to accommodate a pair of standard bottle cage bosses. There’s one set in the usual place on top of the down tube but the second set has been shunted into a position right in line with the spray off the front wheel, under the down tube. You could put a bottle there, but you probably wouldn’t want to.

A Fox Float RP2 shock matches the fork nicely and clip-on sag indicators make the job of getting the right air pressure front and rear straightforward. Predominantly Shimano SLX-based components work well and should prove reliable and Bontrager finishing kit is all top-notch, although we’d swap the tyres for something with more grip if you ride a lot in wet conditions.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

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Trek 4300 Mountain Bike Review: Is it worth it?

Looking for a reliable and affordable mountain bike that can handle rugged terrain? The Trek 4300 might just be the bike for you. 

As a mountain bike, Trek 4300 is built to take on any adventure. Thanks to a durable aluminum frame, wide range of gears, and powerful brakes. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Trek 4300 mountain bike, its features, and what makes it stand out from the competition. 

Read on to find out if the Trek 4300 is the right mountain bike for you.

Trek 4300 Mountain Bike At A Glance 

Trek 4300 is a hardtail mountain bike with a lightweight and sturdy Alpha aluminum frame, which makes it easy to handle. While the Marlin 5 is made for trail riding, it’s also versatile and can double as a commuter bike. 

The Shimano drivetrain and powerful disc brakes offer great versatility on all types of terrain. While the front suspension provides excellent balance and stability on rougher roads or trails, ensuring smooth rides. 

It also comes with double-walled rims and puncture-resistant 26×2.0″ tires, making it a reliable choice for trail riding. 

Trek 4300 is the perfect combination of affordability and quality, which is a great choice for beginner riders looking to hit the trails.

• Sturdy and lightweight aluminum frame
• Responsive brakes and smooth shifting
• Comfortable riding position
• Adjustable saddle and handlebars
• Complex 3X drivetrain
• Small 26-inch wheels

Unfortunately, this bike has been discontinued, but Trek has impressive newer models with better designs which are excellent alternatives to the 4300 Trek mountain bike. 

We recommend Trek Marlin 5 and Schwinn Traxion as great alternatives, you can scroll down to see our brief review of these bikes. 

Trek 4300 Mountain Bike Features

Frame and fork.

First things first, the frame is a crucial component of any bike. In the case of the Trek 4300, it’s made of aluminum, which is a popular choice due to its durability, affordability, and lightweight. 

In fact, the original 4300 model used Trek’s Alpha Aluminum frame that’s tough enough to handle rugged trails with ease. As the model progressed, Trek introduced the Alpha Gold Aluminum material for the frame of the later versions of the 4300. 

This updated version has a more aggressive race geometry for speed, with internal cable routing for durability, and rack mounts for versatility.

You’ll also find that it has a replaceable derailleur hanger. Now, these upgrades made the bike more versatile and allowed it to handle a wider range of terrain.

Moving on to the fork, the Trek 4300 is a classic hardtail mountain bike with a front fork. This means that the front wheel is equipped with a suspension system that can absorb shocks and vibrations, making for a smoother ride on moderate terrain. 

The suspension fork has 70-100 mm travel, depending on the specific model, and it’s designed to handle mountain trails. However, it’s important to note that the suspension fork isn’t long enough to handle descents on rough trails. 

So while it can certainly absorb some bumps, it’s not enough for really difficult trails or downhill riding. But don’t worry, this bike can still take a lot of abuse. After all, it’s a mountain bike, and it’s designed to handle dirt trails.

Gears and Brakes

Gears and brakes are some of the most important components of a mountain bike, especially if you plan on hitting tough trails or climbing hills. 

Let’s take a closer look at the gear and brake systems on the Trek 4300 mountain bike.

In the first few generations of the Trek 4300, you could find a 3x8spd drivetrain with 24 gears.

But if you’re looking for something a bit more efficient, the later models of the Trek 4300 were fitted with the Shimano Acera M390 9-speed drivetrain. This gives you a wider range of gears for better control on hard trails.

Now, let’s talk about brakes. If you carefully look through all the different versions of the Trek 4300, you’ll find that some of them had rim brakes and some others had disc brakes. 

The older models were fitted with rim brakes, while the later models featured the Shimano M395 hydraulic disc brakes, which gives a much better braking power at a great price. 

Wheels and Tires

Most mountain bikes we see now have 29-inch wheels, but the Trek 4300 had 26-inch wheels and 26×2.20 tires, which actually are very agile and will quickly pick up speed. 

In later models, these tires were improved to be puncture resistant and could withstand increased tire pressure. 

We consider bigger wheels to be better for mountain riding, but small wheels aren’t that bad either because they are more agile, tend to accelerate faster and will easily move around tight corners. And these features are great for technical riding. 

But the bigger 27.5 and 29″ wheels actually provide more stability and comfort, which is why they are now preferred for mountain biking.

Despite the small wheels, the double-walled rims and 32-spoke design of the Trek 4300 are pretty solid and tough enough to withstand years of abuse on the trails.

At the end of the day, the wheels and tires on the Trek 4300 are a great combination for riders who want to tackle technical terrain and need a bike that can handle quick acceleration and tight cornering. 

While the market may be shifting towards larger wheels, the Trek 4300 is still a great option for those who value nimble handling and puncture resistance.

Saddle and Handlebars

The saddle is an important component of any bike, especially when it comes to mountain biking. 

While the standard saddle on the Trek 4300 may not be the most comfortable, the 31.6mm seatpost offers plenty of adjustment for a customized fit. 

You can even upgrade the saddle to one that suits your preferences for maximum comfort.

The handlebars of the Trek 4300 are a different story, though. Made from durable alloy, these handlebars are built to withstand the rigors of off-road riding. 

With a 31.8mm diameter and 15mm rise, the handlebars provide a comfortable and stable grip while you ride.

The stem of the Trek 4300 is also designed for both comfort and control. With a 31.8mm clamp diameter and a 10-degree rise, the stem ensures a comfortable riding position while keeping you in control of the bike. 

When you combine the Bontrager Riser handlebar and the Bontrager Approved stem on the Trek 4300, you get a comfortable and stable ride. 

Size and weight

When it comes to finding the right fit, the Trek 4300 Mountain Bike has got you covered. With a wide range of frame sizes available, from 13″ to 22.5″, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your body type. 

Actually, you may find sizes ranging from 13, 16, 18, 19.5, 21.5, 23.5″. But since these bikes have been discontinued by Trek, finding them in the exact size you want may be a challenge.

One thing to keep in mind is that the bike weighs around 28.2lbs (12.8 kg), which might not make it the lightest bike on the market. I believe this is due to the front fork, which adds weight but also adds extra shock absorption for a more comfortable ride. 

However, this bike is sturdy enough to support riders up to 265 lbs of body weight.

Ride quality and performance

The Trek 4300 Mountain Bike offers fun and confident rides on the trails, whether you’re hitting the trails or cruising around town. 

While it’s considered an entry-level mountain bike, don’t let that fool you. It’s a reliable bike that can be used for commuting, leisurely rides, or for hitting some challenging trails.

The comfortable riding position and triple chainring setup make it easy to tackle steep hills and rough terrain. Plus, the high-quality suspension system keeps things smooth and comfortable, no matter what kind of surface you’re riding on.

Trek 4300 has durable components that are built to last, so you don’t have to worry about things breaking down quickly. 

The responsive brakes and smooth-shifting gears give you complete control and make riding this bike a breeze. And, even in wet or muddy conditions, the disc brakes offer reliable stopping power.

One of the best things about the Trek 4300 is its versatility. While it’s certainly a capable mountain bike, it’s also a great choice for commuting or everyday riding. 

Best Trek 4300 Alternatives

As Trek 4300 mountain bikes are now discontinued, you cannot buy them brand new. However, Trek has a range of trail bikes that offer superior build quality and performance. 

These models are more advanced and come at a higher price point than the budget options available from brands like Schwinn and Mongoose, but the investment is worth it as the quality is unmatched.

In my opinion, the Trek Marlin 5 and Schwinn Traxion are great alternatives for the Trek 4300 mountain bike.

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 Traxion

The Traxion MTB is equipped with a remarkably solid aluminum full-suspension frame that easily picks up speed and maintains it very well.

This bike provides comfortable rides and handles bumps well, regardless of where your trail adventures take you. Thanks to the wide knobby tires, sturdy double-walled aluminum rims, and a superb trail-taming Schwinn suspension fork. 

The 24 speed shifters also ensure fluid gear shifting, which makes for a fun and pleasant riding experience. In addition to that, the mechanical disc brakes lock into place instantly when applied, and this ensures precise and efficient stopping. 

The wheels have all-terrain tires and alloy rims for strength and low weight. Plus, you can easily adjust the height of the saddle using the quick release seat post to get your best fit. 

Related Post: Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike Review

Finally, is Trek 4300 MTB a good buy?

The Trek 4300 mountain bike is a reliable and versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrains and riding styles. 

With its durable aluminum frame, wide range of gears, and powerful brakes, this bike is a great choice for both beginners and experienced riders. 

Trek 4300 offers a solid balance of performance and affordability. And if you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly mountain bike, the Trek 4300 is definitely worth considering.

You likely won’t find a brand-new Trek 4300, but the alternative options we included above are great choices too.

You may also like:

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

Trek 1000 Road Bike

Frame Material: aluminum Frame Angles: Unspecified Sizes: 43cm, 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 63cm Colors: Brushed, White/Blue Fork: Trek Rear Shock: Not applicable Brake Levers: Shimano Sora STI Dual Control Handlebar: Bontrager Ergo Stem: aluminum Headset: 1 1/8" threadless Aheadset Front Der: Shimano Sora Triple Crankset: Bontrager Sport, 30/42/52 teeth Rear Der: Shimano Sora GS Pedals: aluminum cage w/clips & straps Tires: 700 x 25c Bontrager Select

• USER REVIEWS

Comfortable seat. Comfortable handlebar position, nice retro styling. Easy to pedal. Great commuter bicycle. My last bike was a Walmart piece of junk bike and this bike is leaps and bounds way better. Responsive and effective brakes. Bakersfield Pro Concrete Pumping

Can't find any.

The frame is superb! Geometry are great, solid, no flexing, fits perfect, rather light weight. I am highly satisfied. Carlsbad Concrete And Masonry

None so far.

This was my brother's first training bike when he began racing. It was handed off to me and I used it as a commuter class in Syracuse NY, commuting every day of the winter, snow and all. The chain regularly dripped rust when it thawed inside my apartment despite my best efforts to keep it lubed. Headset bearings totally rusted out twice and replaced. It then turned into my off road bike with 30mm knobby tires, getting battered over rough roads in Colorado like Engineer pass. This bike can handle anything and I love it. Original derailers, shifters, and brakes are still working like a charm and I can't remember the last time I adjusted anything! Orange paint scheme is a classic.

Not going to win any bike races as it's a cheaper aluminum frame.

Not a light weight performance bike, but it is a solid bike. I've had mine for over 25 years and who knows how many miles. I've taken it out of town on centuries and ridden the mountains with it. It doesn't have the original components anymore having been upgraded about 20 years ago from Sun Tour to Shimano RSX. I'm on my 4th saddle and probably my 3rd set of wheels. The frame is still rolling though. I would rate it and the Specialized Allez as the 2 best bikes for those starting out in road cycling.

The components are not top of the line or even close and the bike is heavy. You're not going to be doing many races on this bike. But I bought this bike for under $400 new so I didn't expect a bike that would be used in the Tour de France.

Great bike. Come to Nairobi and look for Brent Aviation and they can take you to the safari country with your bike for testing. www.brentaviation.co.ke for more details. You will not be disappointed

None that come to mind as compared to others

I am the 3rd owner. Bought after 10 years of use. It's been a year with me and I love it!

Not yet known

It is nice and light! I bought it used but it's lighter than my Cannondale.

I don't like the where the shifters are located. I'd rather have them by the handlebars.

I really like it though and think I will get used to the shifters.

Amazing frameset - strong and durable, still competitive with new tech alu bikes

A little heavy (8.3 kg with Easton EC90 cockpit, Quattros and 6800 Ultegra)

(I am Polish so sorry for my mistakes) I had many carbon bikes but i still got this one since 2007. In 2009 i equipped this frame with 7700 Dura Ace groupset and mavic wheels. Right now i still ride this bike but with Fulcrum Quattro LG and 6800 Ultegra. The geometry is amazing. Frame is stiff so still the bike is competitive in sprints in local races. The ride quality is OK, but mostly due to my upgrades (Easton EC90 handlebar, steam and seatpost and 25mm tires on wide rims) After all this years i decided to sell all other (newer and lighter) carbon road bikes, because this is The ONE :D Tottaly worth its price back then.

First Road Bike, bought in 2005. Still going strong, 2014... Just routine maintenance. Left a review here years ago.

Wheelset, changed out to supergo years ago and been fine ever since. Great first road bike.

I believe the model now is a Trek 1.1...Great buy, reliable. No its not carbon, hence you don't have to baby it...

frame and geometry are great, solid, no flexing, fits perfect, rather light weight. The group on it was Sora Tiegra. I took it all off and put Shimano 105 group, 9 speed, triple, Campanolo Record chain, upgraded the rims to Rigida racing 2000, with 105 hubs, Union - BMW spokes. The bike rides like a dream. I like riding it better than my Carbon Trek 5200, but the 5200 has Campanolo Chorus Gruppo, which is flawless- like a Mercedes compared to the 105, which is like a sewing machine. This is an excellent frame and fork, the the Crane Creek headset on mine is outstanding

Not as light as carbon. Low cost of this bike makes it unlikely to get high end components. Trek seems to provide better than average frames and lower than average (for the money) components, so more than likely you will want to upgrade as much as possible.

Great bike for the money. Solid, dependable, great to ride long distances, I ride 50 miles each Sunday.

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Made By Cyclists

Discover the Unbeatable Features of Trek 7000

October 23, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Trek 7000 showcases an ideal blend of lightweight aluminum construction and robust durability.
• Its versatile design guarantees top-notch performance and comfort from urban roads to challenging trails.
• With a perfect union of cutting-edge tech and quality components, it stands as a commendable choice for cycling enthusiasts.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

‍ In the cycling world, few names evoke as much respect as Trek. The Trek 7000 stands as one of them because of its amazing features.

The Trek 7000 has an aluminum frame, contributing to its lightweight nature, making it easy for riders of all levels to handle. The comfortable seat post, rear derailleur, and smooth pedals ensure a comfortable ride on trails and terrains. This is a versatile mountain bike with solid durability.

This guide dives into a comprehensive review of this iconic bicycle, analyzing its unmatched features, from the intricacies of its frame to its sophisticated drivetrain and braking system. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer, this deep dive thoroughly explains what makes the Trek 7000 a revered choice among biking enthusiasts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

‍ Trek 7000 Bike Overview

The Trek 7000 is a versatile mountain bike for casual riders and those looking to hit the trails. This is a solid place to start looking for riders who love bikes with durability.

With its combination of quality components, comfortable ride, and stylish design, the Trek 7000 is an excellent choice for those who want to explore the great outdoors on two wheels.

It's known for its well-rounded features, such as durability and ease of use, and it comes with a medium price tag that doesn't break the bank. So, what should you know about the Trek 7000?

What We Loved

Frame and fork.

The aluminum frame of the Trek 7000 offers a lightweight yet durable foundation for this bike. It's an improvement over the earlier models, built with Alpha ZX aluminum. The high-tensile steel fork features curved blades, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride on various terrains.

The Trek 7000 boasts a reliable drivetrain, including a Shimano M131 crank, a Shimano TX51 rear derailleur, and SRAM MRX 7-speed twist shifters. These components work together to provide smooth gear changes and excellent performance on various trails.

Wheels and Tires

This mountain bike comes with Bontrager 550 36-hole alloy rims and Bontrager H4 700x35c tires, which provide excellent traction and durability on different surfaces. The wheels and tires are perfect for those who want to tackle off-road adventures or simply enjoy casual rides around town.

Comfort and Size

The Trek 7000 is available in a range of sizes to accommodate riders of different heights. We particularly appreciated the comfortable saddle and easy-to-grip handlebars, making for an enjoyable ride that accommodates various riding styles.

What Could Be Improved

While the Trek 7000 features decent stock brakes, some riders may prefer to upgrade to higher-quality brakes for better stopping power and control. This is especially important for those who plan to tackle more advanced trails or ride in wet conditions.

Accessories

Although the Trek 7000 is a great bike on its own, we believe some riders may want to add accessories like a rear rack, fenders, or upgraded pedals to further personalize their bike and improve its utility.

Trek 7000 Distinctive Features

Comfortable design.

As casual riders, we can't help but appreciate the Trek 7000's comfortable design. The saddle is specifically designed to provide a comfy ride, making it ideal for those long days on the trails.

The bike also has the option to add fenders, a rear rack, and other accessories that make it even more user-friendly. We definitely enjoy riding this mountain bike.

Lightweight Frame

The Trek 7000 mountain bike features a light yet strong aluminum frame. This lightweight property greatly affects our ability to ride longer and tackle uphill climbs easily. The lightweight frame makes it much easier to handle and maneuver while riding.

Smooth Ride Quality

When it comes to ride quality, this bike truly shines. The Trek 7000 is equipped with reliable components such as the rear derailleur and brakes. Its tires are designed for various terrains, providing excellent grip and traction. The bike's fork ensures a smooth ride by absorbing shocks and vibrations.

Core Strengths of the Trek 7000 Bike

Superior durability.

One of the main reasons why we love the Trek 7000 mountain bike is its superior durability. The aluminum frame is made of high-quality materials that can withstand the test of time.

With proper care and maintenance, this bike can serve both casual riders and mountain biking enthusiasts for years.

Efficient Performance

Another core strength that makes the Trek 7000 an excellent choice is its efficient performance. This mountain bike is designed to handle various terrains, making it perfect for those who love to take on new trails.

With a wide gear range, riders can easily tackle hills and enjoy a comfortable ride even on uneven surfaces. The tires on this bike are also designed to provide excellent traction, ensuring a smooth and safe ride.

Advanced Technology

Trek is a brand known for utilizing advanced technology in their bikes, and the Trek 7000 is no exception. The smooth welds on the frame and the durable aluminum material make it a light yet robust mountain bike.

The components of the bike, such as the drivetrain and brakes, are also designed to provide top-notch performance during rides. The high-quality aluminum material used in the frame ensures a durable and lightweight bike that can handle challenging trails.

The smooth welds are not just for aesthetics. They also contribute to the frame's overall strength and durability. The Trek 7000's wide gear range allows you to easily ride up hills and tackle various terrains.

Trek 7000 Frame and Build Quality

The Trek 7000 prides itself on an advanced aluminum alloy frame, ensuring a lightweight yet robust structure. This material choice provides an optimal balance between agility and sturdiness.

The frame's geometry, tailored for both comfort and performance, caters to varied rider preferences. Noteworthy is the meticulous welding technique which offers seamless joints, enhancing the overall aesthetics and durability.

With anti-corrosive properties and rigorous testing, the Trek 7000 ensures longevity, even in the toughest of conditions, justifying its reputation in the biking community.

Trek 7000 Drivetrain and Braking System

The heart of the Trek 7000's performance lies in its precision-engineered drivetrain. Sporting top-tier components ensure seamless gear shifts with a wide range to cater to steep climbs and fast descents.

The bike boasts a modern derailleur system, delivering crisp transitions between its multiple gears. Complementing the drivetrain is its efficient braking system. Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, the Trek 7000 offers rapid stopping power, ensuring safety even in wet conditions.

Compared to competitors, its responsive drivetrain and potent braking mechanism position it as a frontrunner in its class, providing an unmatched riding experience.

Suspension and Handling

Central to the Trek 7000's appeal is its state-of-the-art suspension system. Equipped with responsive front shocks, it promises a smooth ride even on rugged terrains. These suspensions are adept at absorbing shocks from bumps, providing cyclists with a jolt-free experience.

Its geometry is specifically designed to offer improved handling on diverse terrains - from city roads to mountain trails. Thanks to the bike's lower center of gravity, riders can expect unparalleled stability.

All these features collectively ensure that regardless of the path taken, the Trek 7000 guarantees a ride that's both comfortable and controlled.

How Durable Is The Trek 7000?

The Trek 7000 is a well-built mountain bike designed to withstand rough terrains and provide a comfortable ride for casual riders. The durability of this bike primarily lies in the materials used for its construction.

The frame of the Trek 7000 is made from high-quality aluminum, which provides the bike with a lightweight and sturdy structure. This material contributes to the bike's durability and enables it to handle tough trails without sustaining significant damage.

The components of the Trek 7000, such as the rear derailleur, brakes, and drivetrain, are also carefully selected to ensure a long-lasting performance. Quality tires are crucial for the durability of any mountain bike, and the Trek 7000 is no exception.

The tires used in this model are designed to provide excellent grip, even on challenging surfaces, ultimately enhancing the bike's longevity. The wheel design is super durable for off-roading too.

Is The Trek 7000 Worth Buying?

As mountain bike enthusiasts, we believe the Trek 7000 is worth considering, as it has built a solid reputation over the years. Designed for both casual riders and those new to the sport, this bike is known for offering a comfortable ride while still providing durability and performance.

One of the components contributing to the comfortable ride is the aluminum frame, which is both lighter and stronger than many alternatives. This makes the Trek 7000 easier to handle and more capable of tackling various trail conditions.

Additionally, the wide gear range on this mountain bike allows for easier hill climbs and a more enjoyable overall experience. We like the fact that the Trek 7000 is suitable for casual riders, but it's also designed to handle more adventurous trails.

Before making a decision, research your own and read reviews from fellow cyclists better to understand the Trek 7000's riders' experiences. We think it’s a good buy, and we're confident you'll enjoy hitting the trails with this reliable mountain bike.

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About THE AUTHOR

Danny Lawson

Mountain biking is more than just a hobby for me - it's a way of life. I love the challenge and excitement that comes with it, and I'm always pushing myself to go faster and ride harder. Some people might think that mountain biking is dangerous, but I see it as the only way to live.

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PedalChef is a blog on all things cycling. We are a group of people who love bikes, and we want to share the joy that comes with the experience. You can read more about us here .

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RIDER STYLE Aluminum

The 6000 is the latest entry in our aluminium line and he’s perfect for the rider looking for real value in the performance cycle. The 6000 is made of Alcoa 6061 T6 aluminium alloy and features the Trek Cruise Control Fork for smoother handling. The SunTour XC LTD group drives the Matrix Single Track wheel system. The 6000 offers the kind of cycling experience you would expect from a Trek aluminium mountain bike. The light weight and strength makes it a top performer. The price and quality make it a top value.

MTB CATALOGUE All models

All 1991 models, all catalogues, original specs for this model.

Frame Fork Handlebar Rims Hubs Pedals Brake Set Derailleurs Cassette Chainrings Cranks Seat Stem Tyres

Alcoa 6061 T6 Tk Cruise Cont TTemper CRMO Matrix STrackC Sansin 32H SR Low Fat SunTour XC Ct SunTour XC LTD ST ACU 12-28T S DXT 46/36/24 SunTour XC LTD Mtx Lycra Gel Matrix OS Mtx Cliffhanger

Tioga Avenger

15/16.5/18/20/22

Fork Travel

Original Colours

Gallery Bike by @re-rides

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Tuscany Bike Tour

We’re born from Trek bikes, and that means everything that makes Trek great is in our genes, too. Like the passion to provide unparalleled hospitality. To make adventure accessible for every traveler. And to do things right, in the right way. We are a team of globetrotters who believe that combining the thrill of active travel with the beauty of exploration can transform how you experience the world.

Twenty years ago, we were founded with a passion to elevate every aspect of your vacation into a series of unforgettable moments, delivered with exceptional hospitality by our talented team, from the moment you book to after you arrive home.

Why Active Vacations?

This is how the world was meant to be seen.  We believe that the world is built for adventure. And when you’re riding or hiking the views look brighter, the sounds clearer, and the memories are more vivid. You feel part of the landscape and immersed in the culture. Active travel is pure magic; not for where it can take you, but for what it can reveal. We believe it, and we’re here to show you.

Why Choose Us

Our passion for your vacation begins before you choose the destination. We are committed to elevating every aspect of your trip into unforgettable moments, delivered by our talented team at every point along your journey. We are relentlessly committed to providing the perfect vacation for you. From the care we take in creating our itineraries to offering the best Trek bikes and equipment, to our steadfast attention to every detail before, during, and after your trip, to the personalized care from our incredible guides – When you choose us, you’re traveling with a team that holds your memories in the highest regard and will consistently exceed your expectations.

Trips for Every Traveler

Adventure? Relaxation? Fitness? Memories? Yes.

From a luxury Mallorca vacation to leisurely riding an e-bike through the tulips of Amsterdam, whether you are looking for big days in the saddle in Girona, bumping handlebars with pros in France, hiking through five of the most historic villages in Italy, or planning a private getaway to Tuscany, we have the perfect trip for you.

Discover the World, Actively

 From the picturesque vineyards of Tuscany to the stunning coastlines of California, our handcrafted tours span remarkable destinations across Europe, North America, and beyond. Discover your next adventure and explore the world with us. Find your next trip today!

North America

More than a travel company, our president.

Starting from her days as a guide in the adventure travel industry, Tania Burke has long been passionate about active travel. For over 20 years, she has been building Trek Travel from the ground up, driven by the desire to show people the world through active travel.

Giving Back

Through a mix of volunteer efforts and financial contributions, Trek Travel strives to be a valuable member of the global cycling community and the local community around our Madison, WI headquarters. We contribute to the MACC fund, People for Bikes, and more.

Sustainability

Protecting our planet for future generations to explore and enjoy is a key value of our business. We seek opportunities to become more environmentally friendly both at our office and on our trips.

Join Our Team

We are a team of fun-loving globetrotters and cycling enthusiasts who passionately believe the world is best seen from the seat of a bicycle or with your own two feet. Want to be part of our team? Learn more»

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate luxury:.

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel:  4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - reserve:.

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discover:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

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Our most advanced aluminium ever

Aluminium frames and components have been commonplace throughout the cycling industry for much of its history, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t extraordinary opportunities for advancement and perfection. With Alpha Aluminium, Trek has applied the most sophisticated concepts of metallurgy and stretched them to the absolute maximum – building frames that are strong, light and provide a ride quality that rivals that of many of their carbon counterparts.

A lighter, more compliant ride

Over the years, aluminium frames have earned a reputation as being overly stiff and providing poor ride quality compared to their carbon brethren. The engineers at Trek have made it their mission to challenge this assumption, using methods that allow the material to retain its best characteristics – its lightness and strength – while simultaneously improving ride quality. Many cyclists enjoy the responsiveness that comes with stiffer aluminium frames. Unfortunately, what starts out as a snappy, fun ride can quickly become uncomfortable and fatiguing on long or rough outings, making aluminium a poor choice for endurance and adventure-minded riders. Alpha Aluminium was developed to build more compliant frames that retain the acceleration and affordability that have always made aluminium popular. By taking a comprehensive approach to frame design and construction, Trek is able to fine-tune frames to be stiff where necessary and compliant where possible. The result is a more enjoyable ride that expands the opportunities for you to comfortably enjoy your aluminium frame. With Alpha Aluminium you won’t have to think twice about hitting the gravel or signing up for a multiple-day tour. More than ever, an aluminium bike is the only bike you’ll need for recreation, touring, training and competition.

From blueprint to reality

Metallic materials can’t be moulded like composites. Creating the unique shapes that make for great ride characteristics requires forming, or an actual manipulation of the tube material to take on a desired shape. Holding a sincere belief that materials as difficult to work with as aluminium can in fact be manipulated into something exceptional, Trek has created unique Alpha Aluminium frame designs that are so much more than tubes of aluminium welded together. We go a step further in our willingness to experiment, and the difference is noticeable in performance, comfort and aesthetics. By stretching aluminium alloy to its absolute capacity, Trek engineers are able to achieve a two-fold benefit: reduced weight and reduced stiffness in key areas that produce a harsh ride quality.

What is hydroforming?

Proven effective in the world of high-end performance cars, hydroforming is the process of injecting fluid into a cylindrical frame tube to manipulate it into a more beneficial shape. Hydroforming allows Trek engineers to bring complex aluminium frame designs, especially those with advanced aerodynamic properties, from the drawing board to the production line. Ask any engineer, and they’ll tell you that the quintessential engineering shape is a circle. Alloy frame tubes begin as cylinders because this shape allows for an equal load distribution and stiffness that is uniform throughout the tube. Because circular shapes lack in aerodynamic properties, however, Trek employs hydroforming to manipulate the aluminium alloy tubes into performance shapes that retain strength while also adding to the frame’s aerodynamic properties and ride quality.

Seamless transitions

Trek’s advanced Alpha Aluminium frames feature Invisible Weld Technology, a revolutionary welding process that decreases weight and increases structural integrity, while also delivering finely tuned welds that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are strong. Let’s be honest: Looks matter. A premium road bike requires clean, esteemed aesthetics that are not blemished by sloppy, highly visible weld material at every joint. Invisible Weld Technology produces welds that are just that – invisible. By forming pressurised tube shapes that fit together perfectly, Trek’s engineers make it easier not only to weld tubes into frames, but dramatically reduce the amount of weld material required to do so. Less weld material allows for larger continuous surface areas on the frame, which increases strength and durability. Using less weld material also allows production engineers to control every gram of material that goes into the bike, which results in frames that are lighter than many carbon fibre alternatives. Trek’s lightweight, ultra-strong Alpha Aluminium frames with Invisible Weld Technology disrupt the notion that an aluminium bike can’t compete in ride quality or weight with a carbon bike.

A new era for aluminium

The amazing innovations of Alpha Aluminium have produced bikes that stand up against the highest performing road machines made of composite materials. Trek’s engineers have shown this material may never be obsolete, but that a willingness to experiment can lead to amazing results. Feel the difference of our most advanced aluminium ever today.