mikepulsifer

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

andrei_r

It's already pretty trail-worthy in my opinion. And there's been reports of people fitting 2.1 inch tires on it. Here's one thread about it

hokiefyd 

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.

Roamer2

Absolutely! The Trek site says it has clearance for 29x1.8 tires. Slap some mini-knobbies on there & go for it!

travbikeman

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.

mikepulsifer

I'm in the Eastern Panhandle.

Trails I'm looking to take my DS3 on are:

• Poor House Farm Park
• Cacapon Resort State Park

(sorry, not enough posts yet for links)

hokiefyd 

I'll have to check those out.

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.

mikepulsifer

Thanks. mtbproject has good info for both parks and it looks like even Cacapon has options that don't include rock hopping.

travbikeman

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.

mikepulsifer

There are some trails in Cacapon that are way too much for a DS. Others may not be?

hokiefyd 

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!