Can a Trek DS3 (2017) be made "trail-worthy?"
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 10
Bikes: Trek DS3, Trek Domane, Brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Can a Trek DS3 (2017) be made "trail-worthy?"
I have a 2017 Trek DS3 that has 1,300 miles on it, almost all of it road before I got my Domane. I'd like to get into some light mountain biking (e.g. not interested in jumps) ... basically rougher terrain than the C&O Canal towpath and where I wouldn't dare take my road bike. Can the DS3 handle it? Can it fit any beefier tires (rear tire is already worn from all those miles)? I'm afraid that if I try to sell it and buy even an entry-level MTB, I'll still be out hundreds.
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Senior Member
I have a 2017 Trek DS3 that has 1,300 miles on it, almost all of it road before I got my Domane. I'd like to get into some light mountain biking (e.g. not interested in jumps) ... basically rougher terrain than the C&O Canal towpath and where I wouldn't dare take my road bike. Can the DS3 handle it? Can it fit any beefier tires (rear tire is already worn from all those miles)? I'm afraid that if I try to sell it and buy even an entry-level MTB, I'll still be out hundreds.
Thanks
Thanks
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,141
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1446 Post(s)
Liked 762 Times
in
570 Posts
Mike, your DS 3 is ready to go as it is now. You can fit some larger tires on it, and you can even consider going to 27.5" wheels with wider tires, which would put the overall diameter of the tires about the same as the stock tires. My dad has a 2014(ish) 8.4 DS and uses it on rocks and trails in southwestern Utah on a daily basis.
Are you in eastern WV? There is a small number of us in this area, who have biked together on the C&O. It's a great trail for a group ride.
Are you in eastern WV? There is a small number of us in this area, who have biked together on the C&O. It's a great trail for a group ride.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 81
Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 2; 1952 Schwinn Green Hornet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Absolutely! The Trek site says it has clearance for 29x1.8 tires. Slap some mini-knobbies on there & go for it!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,704
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times
in
123 Posts
The DS is very similar to the Specialized Crosstrail. I ride my Crosstrail often on the C&O! Depending on the type tires, you should be good! BikeTiresDirect has some great tires usually on sale.
Heh, just reread the OP message. Yes, you should be able to ride rougher than the C&O, but depends how rough? Going over rocks rough....maybe not. Depends on your definition of rough.
Heh, just reread the OP message. Yes, you should be able to ride rougher than the C&O, but depends how rough? Going over rocks rough....maybe not. Depends on your definition of rough.
Last edited by travbikeman; 07-12-18 at 09:07 AM.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 10
Bikes: Trek DS3, Trek Domane, Brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mike, your DS 3 is ready to go as it is now. You can fit some larger tires on it, and you can even consider going to 27.5" wheels with wider tires, which would put the overall diameter of the tires about the same as the stock tires. My dad has a 2014(ish) 8.4 DS and uses it on rocks and trails in southwestern Utah on a daily basis.
Are you in eastern WV? There is a small number of us in this area, who have biked together on the C&O. It's a great trail for a group ride.
Are you in eastern WV? There is a small number of us in this area, who have biked together on the C&O. It's a great trail for a group ride.
Trails I'm looking to take my DS3 on are:
- Poor House Farm Park
- Cacapon Resort State Park
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,141
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1446 Post(s)
Liked 762 Times
in
570 Posts
Poor House Farm Park
Cacapon Resort State Park
I just read about the MTB trails they're building at Cacapon in the Winchester paper a month or so ago, but we have yet to check them out. When I do, I'll bring my Giant Roam, which is Giant's entry in the "dual sport" segment. I do light single track with it locally, and I have no worries that it (or a DS or a Crosstrail) wouldn't be up for rides at Cacapon (obviously, not rock hopping or stuff like that). I have 29x2" tires on my Roam, and I think the DS is rated for up to 1.8" tires.
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 10
Bikes: Trek DS3, Trek Domane, Brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'll have to check those out.
(links)
I just read about the MTB trails they're building at Cacapon in the Winchester paper a month or so ago, but we have yet to check them out. When I do, I'll bring my Giant Roam, which is Giant's entry in the "dual sport" segment. I do light single track with it locally, and I have no worries that it (or a DS or a Crosstrail) wouldn't be up for rides at Cacapon (obviously, not rock hopping or stuff like that). I have 29x2" tires on my Roam, and I think the DS is rated for up to 1.8" tires.
(links)
I just read about the MTB trails they're building at Cacapon in the Winchester paper a month or so ago, but we have yet to check them out. When I do, I'll bring my Giant Roam, which is Giant's entry in the "dual sport" segment. I do light single track with it locally, and I have no worries that it (or a DS or a Crosstrail) wouldn't be up for rides at Cacapon (obviously, not rock hopping or stuff like that). I have 29x2" tires on my Roam, and I think the DS is rated for up to 1.8" tires.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,704
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times
in
123 Posts
Poor House Farm should be fine, I did a quick walk around on that a few months ago when the pond was drained. It didn't seem anything that a DS could not handle with decent tires.
Not sure on Cacapon, first I've heard of it, but am too noticing rocky biking pictures via Google.
Not sure on Cacapon, first I've heard of it, but am too noticing rocky biking pictures via Google.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 10
Bikes: Trek DS3, Trek Domane, Brompton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There are some trails in Cacapon that are way too much for a DS. Others may not be?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Posts: 4,141
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1446 Post(s)
Liked 762 Times
in
570 Posts
I understand there are 4-5 miles now of beginner level single track at Cacapon. I haven't yet been there in person to know for sure. From what I've seen online, there are trails at Cacapon that I wouldn't even walk down nevermind bike!