El_Guapo

I currently own a Trek 8.3 DS which I enjoy riding. However, although I can usually keep up with most of my roadie friends I would like to find something a wee bit quicker without having to commit to a roadbike. Does anyone know if the 8.5 DS is significantly lighter than the 8.3 or is the difference in price simply a result of different components?

drjdan

That is a very good question. I have a DS 8.5 and don't see how could be much difference in weight since both use same frame. The price difference between a DS 8.2 and DS 8.5 is double. I know the 8.5 has remote lockout shocks and disk brakes, but I consider those a feature difference and can understand some cost difference for them. I really don't understand what the other component upgrades do for you.

So the question is after 2 hours riding, would the rider of 8.5 be less tired, gone more distance, gone faster than the 8.2 rider or see some other differences or just enjoy the fact that his parts cost more. I can understand for example one car trim being more expense than another but that is primarly a visual difference.

a1penguin

Mountaing bikes will always be heavy. Upgrading from and 8.2 to 8.5 is probably not going to get you much closer to your roadie friends. Hybrids are also pretty heavy compared to road bikes. The upright riding position of MTB and hybrid and the wide handlebars will make these bikes slower than a road bike (comparatively speaking). The Trek website claims they are both "Alpha Gold Aluminum" frames, but the components on the 8.5 are better. I don't know if the "better" also includes "lighter". For road bikes, that's always true, but I'm not sure how much weight matters for Mountain bikes.

drjdan

That word "better components"--I don't understand what means? Less maintenance, slower wear out, less chance of breaking--what exactly is the value proposition?

jsdavis

More durable and stronger materials and construction, lighter weight, lower friction, stayed in adjust better.

For example Shimano Altus crank is 1.3kg according to Amazon and the high end XT crank is around 780g. Only about 500g or so which doesn't seem like much until you start adding things up.

drjdan

Thanks. That gives me good understanding.

jsdavis

Not sure what tires you have, but have you considered getting smoother tires for the street? That will help your speed some.

zerogravity

As far as GEARING, the DS 8.3 actually has better road gears while the 8.4 and 8.5 have better climbing gears.

The 8.3's crank gears have 28/38/48 while the 8.5 have 26/36/48. The parts or COMPONENTS are lighter...we are talking about a pound..if that matters to you.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/compare

jsdavis

Some other things liike hubs might not be sealed to prevent ingress of water and dirt.

Hydraulic brakes, I think the Deore and better gets Servo Wave which allows adjustment of the ratio of lever pull to brake power.

CYCLINGISMYLIFE

You may want to check out the giant roams. Also do you really need suspension?

WC89

Yes. If you're using the stock knobbies, then a change to slick or semi-slick tires at same width or narrower will improve the speed.

drjdan

My DS 5 stock tires are what the marketing guys call a combo tire they claim is designed for both road and mountain. I realize they cannot be perfect for both, but before I got my bike did multi day rentals of hybrids with knobbies and with road tires. I find the stock tires provide a softer ride than both and an easier and faster ride than the knobbies on pavement and much better than road tires on off road.

Dunbar

I would say get a Trek FX but your bike is so close to the FX if you lock-out the suspension and put skinnier/slicker tires on it. If you do a lot of off-roading than maybe pick up another set of wheels so you can swap back and forth between road and mountain bike tires. That would be kind of a pain with disc brakes so if you have space for a second bike though I'd just get another bike. Keep an eye on Craigslist for a Trek FX in your size.