zurcenegue

I need to post to upload my pic

zurcenegue

I need to post to upload my pic

zurcenegue

I need to post to upload my pic

zurcenegue

I need to post to upload my pic

zurcenegue

Nice one

jase421

Read through some earlier posts on switching out to Carbon Forks. I have a 2013 8.4 DS with about 4000 miles on it. Mostly used for road riding and gravel trails. Never unlock forks. They are getting worn and clunky, not to mention the weight. Purchased a lightly used Whisky No. 5 fork thinking it would do the trick, but did not think about the fork length for the suspension forks. Have read about the suspension corrected fork, but can't find a carbon one that is reasonable. Wondering if anyone else has gone with a CX fork for their DS. Looks to be about a 60 to 70mm difference. I know the geometry will change, but wondering about how the ride is if you did make the change. BTW it is an XL frame if that helps.

zurcenegue

Jakespaar

The 2019 is the lighter, silver/grey one, right? Not that it should be a major consideration, but I prefer the looks of the straight downtube on that one.

andrei_r

The head tube looks waaay steeper on the 2019.

zurcenegue

Yes it's the lighter/grey one. If you are going to ask me, I like the paint of 2017 DS4 Matte Black vs the shiny color of 2019 DS4. :-)

Jakespaar

"I like the paint of 2017 DS4 Matte Black vs the shiny color of 2019 DS4."

I also prefer the darker color. I was just referring to the shape of the frame. I think that bend near the head tube looks strange on the '17.

zurcenegue

Oh I see. you noticed that bent going to the head tube, probably that is the weakness of the previous model.

By the way, in terms of operating the 2019 DS4 vs the 2017 DS4, I believe they are pretty the same EXCEPT the shifting of the 2019 DS4's on (front)chain ring is smooth or quick, unlike the 2017 which is so deep and it requires more effort in order to achieve the goal of sifting chain ring instantly.

ColonelSanders

Can you detect any difference in ride quality between the frames?

zurcenegue

I can't detect any difference on the frame, they are both sturdy and light.

Another difference I can see when climbing a very stiff hill wherein 2019 DS4 is much easier a little bit. It is evident on the specs of the Cassette/Rear Cogs specs:
2019 DS4 Cassette/Rear Cogs specs is SunRace, 10 speed: 11-40
2017 DS4 Cassette/Rear Cogs specs is Shimano HG50, 10-speed: 11-36

It means the 2019 version has more lower range which has advantage in climbing a very stiff uphill.

The rest of the components are pretty the same.


(As you can see on this photo the last cog is little bit bigger on 2019)

VTtrailrider

I posted a related question in the general hybrid forum, now I'm coming to the Trek source.

I have a 15+ year old Trek 7500 and a newer FX. My 16 year old son has outgrown all the family bikes and I'm going to be getting him his own. We're recreational bikers all the way, doing a lot of rail trails and dirt roads; the area where we live has great road biking but it's difficult enough to require dedicated bikes--so road biking is out with this purchase.

I'm hoping to find a bike that can do rail trails > logging roads and wood trails. I'm not talking about anything too aggressive or technical, but definitely some ruts and roots and rocks etc.

I'm trying to figure out if a DS3 or 4, which would obviously be fine on a rail trail, is up for some more adventurous wood trails. My 7500 is iffy up there, but it's over 15 years old and I have to admit I have never had a mountain bike to compare it to. So my question, a speculative one, is this: would a DS3 or 4 be a good choice for logging roads and wood trails? Or, conversely, would something like a Roscoe 7 or 8 do well on a medium-length rail trail ride, say 20-30 miles, or would it be too heavy and slow?

Thank you!

It seems to me that hybrids are really good at road > light off road. Is there a bike that is good at light trail (rail trail, bike paths) > woods trails?

zurcenegue

I believe the hyrbrid bike especially in the Dual Sport category like the Trek DS can handle the wood trails and also I don't know any category bike can handle the "Light" wood trail you are saying.
I can't think any category that will falls into "Light Wood Trail". the keyword is is light. if you choose MTB, it will be an overkill on "Light Wood Trail", and you will loose speed on bike paths, and on the road.

hokiefyd 

I think the biggest hindrance to off-road performance with a DS is the relatively skinny tires (38mm). If you upgrade it to 2"/50mm tires, you'll see a huge change in off-roadability. This is one advantage of a lighter mountain bike (like a hard tail). It'll come with either 29" or 27.5" wheels with at least 2.1" tires. The tires will be a real boon to comfort and traction off-road.

308jerry

In total agreement. I put 50mm tires on my DS 8.4. A tremendous amount of difference on gravel and sandy roads. It was a little unstable going down hill with the 38s, now I roll as fast as I can....

hokiefyd 

If taking this approach, make sure you factor in the additional height of 29x2" tires when you pick frame size. It's a nominal 12mm difference compared with the stock 38s, and that's in tire width and sidewall height (presuming a circular tire section), so you get 12m of lift on the bike with such a change. 1/2" doesn't sound like much, but if stand-over clearance is already tight -- might want to get the next size smaller. :-)

I found this out the hard way with my Giant Roam (same thing as a Trek DS). I bought the large frame, which fit "good and tight" with the stock 38mm tires. I eventually sized up to 29x2", which made a tight fit, um, tighter. I love the bike, though, so I sized down to 27.5" wheels, which really makes a difference. I found them on eBay as a wheel-and-tire package, and the tires were 27.5x2.2", and they fit great. I could probably go up to about 2.4" or 2.5" with the 27.5" wheels if I wanted. The smaller wheel size really opens up a lot of tire options.

Based on my own experience of doing a lot of the same type of biking that you do, @VTtrailrider, I'd recommend a DS in a size down, so you can fit 29x2" or similar tires on it (for comfort and stability) and still have plenty of room on the frame, or consider a Marlin or similar hardtail mountain bike that you can use like a hybrid, on road and trail. Tires like the Vittoria Mezcal and WTB Nano are really nice for mixed pavement/hardpack/loose environments.

VTtrailrider

Thank you all for responding. I've been riding for decades but I know nothing about mountain bikes (or, I'm learning, about bikes, period). I guess I had thought that there was a major structural difference between a DS and a hardtail mountain bike like the Marlin or Roscoe, maybe in the suspension, the strength of the frame, and so on. I think I'm hearing that, with tweaks and tires, there's more of a continuum.

The local shop was closed today after their big annual bike swap. I'll head down in the next few days with my son and get him in the saddle. And I'll try to sound wicked smart when I ask the sales guy about comparing geometry, swapping tires out, and the like. Now, where do you put the kickstand on these bikes?

hokiefyd 

I think that's a fair statement. Actually, as for structural differences, I think the biggest thing is the fork. In a DS, a Suntour hybrid fork (NEX or similar) is the best you'll get. A Roscoe or Marlin with a Rock Shox fork will be much nicer to ride off-road (and the fork will be more durable, too). I think as far as the frame strength goes, the DS would get by fine. Actually, I can speak from experience -- my dad has a 2015 8.4 DS and he has thousands of miles on it, most of them with an e-bike conversion doing desert riding in Utah. My brother's even been over the bars with it on a jump. It's definitely a durable bike.

Jac of Hearts

My story is in introductions but the short of it is I'll be hanging with you guys here. I bought a 2014 DS 8.5 today. The Marketplace post said it was like new and it really is.

I love it. Especially since I'm moving up from a 2009 Mako.

flyzapper

I'm thinking of buying a very lightly used 2017 DS 3 at a good price, and I want to get some opinions on the frame sizing. I'm 5'9.5", and the bike frame size is 17.5". I think I'm on the upper edge for a correct fit on this bike, but I'd like to hear from some current owners. I plan on mostly riding on converted gravel rail trails.
Thanks.

Jac of Hearts

I'm 5'7 with short legs but a long torso. I just bought a 17.5 and although it's a tight straddle the riding position is just right. I think the only real way to know is to ride it a little.

DSL6

Bought a new DS 4 today. I also have a 2014 DS 8.2 which I love very much. I know I'll love the DS4 just as much! I'll post pictures as soon as I have enough posts.