trek fx 820

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for video reviews.

Trek 820 Review: Is It a Good Bike or Waste of Money?

CyclistsHub is supported by its readers. We may receive a commission if you buy products using our links.

Trek 820 is the most affordable mountain bike from Trek. The question is:

Is it a good bike? Should you spend your money on it?

Trek 820 is a mountain bike suitable for beginners because it’s affordable yet well-made. This means it has a quality steel frame, Shimano components, and front suspension for absorbing bumps. In addition, it’s available in a step-through option suitable for women.

Below, you will learn more about it, and I will also explain how it differs from more expensive mountain bikes .

Let’s dive in!

Is Trek 820 a Good Bike?

Trek 820 is a good bike considering its price of $499.99 (when writing this review).

For this money, you get:

• An entry-level mountain bike with front fork suspension for absorbing bumps.
• A steel frame with a relaxed geometry for a comfortable riding position.
• Shimano Tourney groupset and Bontrager components.

You don’t have to use it strictly for off-road riding. Many owners also use it for commuting on paved roads.

However, if necessary, you can easily cross unpaved sections full of potholes, rocks, etc. The wide, knobby tires and front suspension will absorb them so you can enjoy a comfortable ride.

Another feature of why Trek 820 is popular is its gear range. Thanks to the 3X chainring and 7spd cassette, you can choose from 21 gears.

Trek 820 is suitable for riders 4’6″ – 6’8″ (137-203 cm) tall and has a weight limit of up to 300 lbs (136 kg).

Pros and Cons of Trek 820

Here I summarized the pros and cons of Trek 820.

Pros of Trek 820

• Quality and sturdy steel frame
• Available for men and women (step-through option)
• Affordable price
• Comfortable geometry, allowing upright riding position
• Suspension fork
• Available in a wide range of sizes
• High weight limit of up to 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Platform pedals included
• Compatible with accessories like racks
• Lifetime warranty and wide distributors (support) network

Cons of Trek 820

• 3X drivetrain (2X and 1X are more popular thanks to their simplicity)
• Limited color selection
• The higher weight of 33.7 lbs (15.3 kg)
• 26-inch wheels

To fully understand the pros and cons, I recommend reading the following section where I compare its features with today’s mountain bikes.

Owner’s Experience with Trek 820

The following part summarizes the experience of the owner of Trek 820, who was kind enough to provide us with pictures and his insights. You can follow him on Instagram @trek_grando .

“It’s a steel frame bike with front suspension great for mild mountain biking. Suspension is definitely on the stiffer side and can bottom out somewhat easily.

My bike is almost entirely stock, minus the front wheel and grips. The saddle is also a factory replacement, and the decals on the front suspension are missing.

The bike and I were hit by a car last year. The front wheel was destroyed, and there were some heavy scratches on the paint. The decals on the fork were torn apart. I was able to hide the blemishes with some touch-up paint.

The bike was serviced after the accident, and only the front wheel and left crank arm needed replacement. So, needless to say, the bike is very robust and strong.

If I had one complaint about the bike, the gearing is far too short, and there are some big jumps between gears. But it’s a low-end bike, so that’s understandable.

Tires handle loose or muddy terrain fine but are very loud and slow on the pavement.

The Trek 820 is a robust, rugged lower-end / entry-level mountain bike. It’s dependable, relatively capable, and very comfortable.

I’d recommend this for someone new to riding, mountain biking specifically. It’s a great way to get out on some trails without breaking the bank. I feel I can take great confidence in knowing it is a solid bike that I won’t have to ever really worry about.”

Main Features of Trek 820

Below, I explain Trek 820’s features and how they compare to more expensive mountain bikes.

Durable Steel Frame

Trek 820 is one of the few mountain bikes based on a steel frame.

Steel is relatively affordable, durable, and stiff but heavy. So, if you don’t care about the bike’s overall weight and durability is your priority, Trek 820 is the bike to buy.

More expensive mountain bikes have aluminum or carbon frames. You can read my article dedicated to bike frame materials , where you learn more about their benefits.

On the other side of the spectrum are aluminum mountain bikes. For example, Trek 3700 and Trek 4300 have an aluminum frame.

Another thing I want to point out is the frame geometry. It’s relatively relaxed, so you will sit in a more upright position, which is suitable for beginners and people with limited flexibility.

26-Inch Wheels

Trek 820 comes with 26-inch wheels. These are more agile, accelerate faster, and feel more responsive than 27.5 or 29-inch wheels.

But, they are not as fast and comfortable as the other two alternatives. On the other hand, 26″ wheels provide better maneuverability.

If you can, I recommend trying them in person so you can feel the riding difference.

Trek 820 is equipped with Shimano Tourney (shifters, derailleurs, cranks, cassette), Bontrager, and other 3rd party components.

Of course, they are low-end because the bike’s price doesn’t allow for more expensive components.

820 also comes with rim brakes. Today’s mountain bikes mostly come with disc brakes. But they are more expensive and also heavier than rim brakes.

Another thing to mention is the width of the handlebar. Trek’s 820 handlebar is only 660-690mm (depending on the bike size). Modern mountain bikes come with 700 to 800mm handlebars.

The current generation of Trek 820 comes with a 3×7spd drivetrain, offering 21 gears.

This range is wide enough for various terrains. Just make sure you avoid cross-chaining. See the following illustration for more info.

The disadvantage of the 3X drivetrains is their complexity, more complicated maintenance, and higher weight.

More expensive mountain bikes come with 2X or 1X drivetrains that are much simpler.

You don’t have to think about the cross-chaining with them as much. They are also lighter and easier to maintain. That’s why they are more popular.

Suspension Fork

Trek 820 comes with a 75mm travel SR Suntour M-3030 fork (unlike the old Trek 800 ).

The travel of forks on entry-level mountain bikes ranges from 50 to 100mm. So, it sits somewhere in the middle.

This travel will absorb some bumps, but it’s not suitable for hard trails, for example.

In other words, it’s less forgiving than mountain bikes with longer travel and higher quality forks (that cost the same as the entire Trek 820).

Remember, SR Suntour M-3030 is one of the cheapest forks on the market. So you shouldn’t expect much from it.

Trek 820 Specifications

Below, I summarize the most important technical specifications. They differ based on the year the bike was produced:

• Frame material: Steel
• Weight: ±33.7 lbs (15.3 kg) depending on frame size
• Wheel size: 26-inch
• Brakes: Rim
• Groupset: Shimano Tourney
• Gears: 3×7spd
• Fork: SR Suntour M-3030 (75mm travel)

What Size of Trek 820 do You Need?

To choose the correct size of Trek 820 (WMN) for your height and inseam, refer to the following Trek 820 sizing charts.

Trek 820 (also available in a step-through option for women ) is a mountain bike worth buying if you are a beginner.

It’s one of the bikes that you can rely on on various terrains. And you don’t have to be afraid of breaking it, thanks to its durable steel frame.

Its main shortcomings include higher weight, limited color selection, and rim brakes.

Trek 820 FAQ

Yes. Trek 820 is a worthy mountain bike for beginners and people who want a reliable commuter bike. It has a durable steel frame and quality components from Shimano, Bontrager, and other brands to last you for years. Its main disadvantages are the higher weight, less effective suspension fork, and rim brakes.

Trek 820 comes in different colors and has a standard frame. 820 WMN is a step-through bike with a women-specific saddle.

Trek 820 weighs ±15.3kg (33.7 lbs). Remember, the weight differs based on its size.

Trek 820 has been in Trek’s lineup since 1987. ( Source )

About The Author

Petr Minarik

2 thoughts on “trek 820 review: is it a good bike or waste of money”.

My Trek 820 was purchased in Riyadh Saudi Arabia and came with 27” wheels. I didn’t know this was not standard. I have ridden my Trek all over Saudi Arabia for 4 years and Have now ridden for 4 years in Florida. It has worked well and now I bought a full suspension Trek Fuel 5. The Trek is a great bike!

Cool, thanks for sharing your experience, Thomas! – Petr

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Start typing and press enter to search

Trek FX Vs. Verve: Complete Comparison! [2024 Update]

October 16, 2022

Erik Bassett

Last updated: January 13th, 2024

The Trek FX, FX Sport, and Verve are fun and practical hybrids with a nice range of spec levels.

All three series are appropriate for riding in roughly the same situations : mostly pavement, at a non-racing pace, with some gravel or well-kept trails thrown in.

Riding posture is the biggest practical difference. The FX and FX Sport prioritize efficiency whereas the Verve prioritizes comfort —something I’ll cover at length below. That’s not to say the FX is uncomfortable or the Verve is slow. Rather, they have some geometry and component differences that tilt the balance one way or the other.

This guide will cover what stands out to me in terms of value, suitability, or overall riding experience, so you can find the right model for you .

This article might contain affiliate links. As a member of programs including Amazon Associates, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Trek Verve, FX & FX Sport compared

Verve for relaxed, everyday riding & commuting.

The Verve series has more upright posture, slightly swept-back handlebars, and wider tires that hint at traditional city bikes. Consider the Verve if you like the concept of a classic Dutch bike , but need something much lighter, livelier, and more affordable.

It’s a terrifically practical bike, and livelier than any beach cruiser, but perhaps still too relaxed to satisfy performance-oriented riders.

FX for sportier riding & commuting

The FX models use slightly aggressive, forward-leaning posture that’s more efficient and nimble. If you ride for sport as much as transportation, or you need more nimble handling for hectic downtown traffic, then you should feel at home on an FX.

Posture is moderately forward-leaning, as on a mountain bike. Most riders find that pleasant enough, but it won’t feel as relaxed and comfortable as the Verve.

FX Sport for all-out speed (or just enjoying the best)

Finally, if what gets you excited is an ultra-light flat-bar road bike for chasing PRs and even venturing onto some gravel , then the FX Sport (one of today’s lightest hybrids ) might be right up your alley.

It would be a top-tier commuter…but the lack of rack mounts reduces its utility.

My quick picks

The FX 1 and Verve 1 are terrific budget options —not just within the Trek range, but overall. The more relaxed, comfy Verve and the livelier-feeling FX have long been my favorite affordable hybrids on the market.

Rather than flashy components or cutting-edge materials, your money buys a reliable and versatile bike that’s easy to upgrade if you like , but will keep most riders happy off the shelf.

But unlike cheap-o Target bikes , they’re from a supremely reputable brand that’s sold (and serviced) worldwide.

If weight is a goal and budget’s not, then the FX Sport 6 has nearly all the lightweight goodies money can buy. By my reckoning, it’s the third-lightest hybrid around, losing out to Specialized and Canyon by only a pound or so. It adds a grand onto the already high price tags of the FX 4 and 5…but if you’re looking for the best , then simply buying it is usually more satisfying than going halfway.

Finally, if you have the budget for thoughtful upgrades but aren’t keen to go all out, then the Verve 3 and FX 3 are the best value . Both have meaningful drivetrain and brake upgrades over their cheaper variations.

Frame and fork

The FX line shares an aluminum frame made of Trek’s proprietary Alpha Gold alloy. The FX 2 and 3 add internal cable routing, which is a nice aesthetic touch that’s worth the mild headache when it comes time to replace cables.

Forks do differ, with steel on the FX 1, aluminum on the FX 2, and carbon on the FX 3. Carbon’s obviously the lightest, and in my general experience, it provides the best vibration dampening of the three: better than aluminum, and generally better than entry-level steel. Take that with a grain of salt, since I haven’t been able to test all three FX variations side-by-side.

The FX Sport uses an identical carbon frame and fork across the line.

Finally, the Verve line also shares an aluminum frame, and the Verve 2 and 3 offer a lighter aluminum fork compared to steel on the Verve 1.

Notes on weight

Weight varies by size, but you can expect:

• Verve: 30–32 lbs
• FX 1 and 2: 26–27 lbs
• FX 3: 25 lbs
• FX Sport 4 and 5: 22–24 lbs
• FX Sport 6: < 21 lbs

Pragmatically, bicycle weight matters far less than marketers (and many cyclists) would have you believe. Wheel and tire weight does affect acceleration, since it’s exponentially more work to start mass rotating versus merely moving forward. Otherwise, unless you’re regularly picking the bike up, a couple pounds in the frame and fork won’t make a meaningful difference while riding.

Granted, more upright bikes like the Verve will feel slower since their posture is less aerodynamic. They also happen to weigh more, but it’s just a coincidence. Any perceived sluggishness has more to do with posture and less to do with weight . (They’re also more comfortable, so less efficiency is just a trade-off, not necessarily a problem.)

Finally, before paying top dollar to shave weight, consider what racks, accessories, and cargo you’ll carry . A few pounds’ difference between two bikes—say, the FX 1 and FX Sport 4—might seem like a lot, but it’s a tiny percentage by the time you throw on a pannier and baskets full of groceries.

Geometry & sizing comparison

I find that geometry affects ride quality at least as much as the frame and fork material or weight. You can tweak it with seatpost and bar/stem changes, but you can’t fundamentally change it, so geometry might be the single most important thing to understand when comparing bikes.

Verve geometry: long & relaxed with a convenient step-through option

The Verve is available with a step-over or step-through frame, with sizes S-XL for riders approximately 5’1″ to 6’6″. The step-through version adds an XS option for riders down to 4’10”, so there’s an option for probably 99% of adults and older children.

I applaud Trek for not calling the Verve step-through a “women’s” bike. Men—myself included—often ride step-through frames for the sheer convenience of mounting and dismounting with cargo or a child on the back!

The Verve has noticeably longer chainstays and a slightly longer effective top tube than the FX/FX Sport or most other hybrids. I find that these longer-wheelbase bikes have a smoother, predictable feel in general. Length only becomes a liability in racing situations or technical singletrack, but those are far outside the intended use of these and all other hybrids.

The Verve’s 70.5° head tube angle is about one degree slacker than most hybrids’. This cooperates with the long wheelbase and taller front end to make steering feel a bit steadier , especially at high speeds.

The seat tube angle varies by size (that’s typical) but is a bit more relaxed than on other hybrids. That helps maintain a decent hip angle relative to the higher handlebars.

FX geometry: a quintessential, versatile hybrid

The FX comes in step-over or “stagger” (low-step) options. Both come in sizes S-L for riders 5’1″-6’1″, and the step-over FX extends to XXL for those between 6’1″ and 6’8″.

If you were to write down the archetypical hybrid bike geometry, it would probably resemble that of the FX. Everything, from head and seat tube angle (74° and 71.5° on a medium) to the 450mm chainstays, are more relaxed and generous than on a road bike , but still lively enough for weaving through traffic (if that’s your thing).

Some low-step sizes get 1° slacker head tubes than their step-over counterparts, but that isolated difference won’t be too apparent, and certainly won’t be a game-changer.

The low-step FX Stagger models are not true step-through frames. They’ve got far more standover clearance, but aren’t that much easier to swing a leg through. If you want low clearance for getting on and off, then go with the low-step Verve instead.

FX Sport geometry: a surprisingly steady feel

As for the FX Sport, it’s strictly a step-over design , in keeping with practically all high-performance carbon bikes. Sizes XS-XL cover riders from 4’10”-6’6″, so there’s a super-light option for almost everybody—or at least everybody with the cash.

You might expect the FX Sport to share the steep angles and snappy feel of most road bikes, but that’s not the case. Its geometry is nearly identical to that of the regular FX, differing by only a few millimeters here and half a degree there.

I’m of the opinion that aggressive road-bike geometry is overrated in general, and downright undesirable with flat bars (due to their greater leverage and torque), so the FX Sport’s geometry should still keep aggressive riders happy without introducing quirks or unpredictability for less intense ones.

You can always upgrade drivetrain parts (subject to some compatibility limits), but it’s still nice to have good value and plenty of gear range out of the box.

Rather than rehashing the manufacturer’s specs, I’ll draw your attention to a few notable points.

Gear range comparison

Below are the minimum and maximum gear inches for all FX, FX Sport, and Verve models. I’ve also noted the gear configuration, although overall range (high gear inches minus low gear inches) is what really counts.

In my experience, a low under 30″ and a high above 90″ should let you pedal up and down almost anything you’ll tackle on a hybrid. All models check those boxes. To learn how to interpret these numbers, check out this guide to hybrid bike gearing .

Derailleurs

All FX and Verve models use Shimano derailleurs , but from significantly different tiers . I’m glad to see that Trek skips the entry-level Tourney rear derailleur altogether. While serviceable, I always perceive it as less crisp than its slightly upgraded siblings. (It’s manageable as a front derailleur, where shifting is less frequent and needs less precision, so the front Tourney on the Verve 1 + 2 and FX 1 doesn’t bother me.)

I believe the Acera rear derailleur on the FX 3 and Verve 3 makes a meaningful difference from the Altus on the 1-tier bikes…but not enough to justify an upgrade by itself.

On rough terrain, the FX 3’s and FX Sport 4’s clutch-equipped Deore will make a significant difference in shifting precision. The FX Sport 5’s and 6’s GRX (also clutch-equipped) is an appreciable bump up again, but not the night-and-day difference of going from no clutch to clutch in the first place.

Wheels & tires

The Verve 3, FX 3, and all FX Sports come with tubeless-ready rims . It’s still possible to set up conventional rims as tubeless, but it’s a less painful process when they’re designed for that in the first place. Rims are alloy across the board, except for the FX Sport 6, where your (considerable) money buys a carbon set from Bontrager.

The Verve comes with 700C x 45mm tires, which is also the maximum width with or without fenders. That’s a terrific size for city riding: plenty of air volume to absorb all reasonable bumps and chatter, but not so bulky as to slow you down. Sensitive riders might perceive a suppler feel from the Verve 3’s 60 tpi casings (versus 30 tpi on the 1 and 2), but I suspect few will notice and fewer will care.

The FX takes 700C tires up to 38mm without fenders or 35mm with fenders. That’s good clearance for most paved riding, although I’d like to see a few more millimeters to clear fatter tires for rougher city streets and occasional gravel adventures. The FX 3 comes with 32mm tires, as opposed to 35mm on the 1 and 2, which is on the skinner side of what I find appropriate for a modern hybrid.

The FX Sport has stock 700C x 40mm tires. That’s the maximum width with fenders. If you choose to skip fenders, then the tire clearance bumps up to 42mm—nearly as wide as the Verve! That’s quite a bit for such a speedy, pavement-focused, so you’ll be covered for any halfway-decent city street, most gravel routes, and even some gentler trails.

Other components

Beyond what I’ve already covered, you’re likeliest to notice and care about differences in braking and in the feel of the cockpit (namely, the bar and stem).

All FX, FX Sport, and Verve models (except the FX 1) have disc brakes . Hybrids generally don’t need disc brakes unless extreme terrain, sticky mud, or massive cargo are on the agenda. Still, they’re nice to have. (I’m partial to the power and modulation of hydraulic discs over entry-level mechanical. However, high-end mechanical disc brands like Avid and TRP are terrific for anything shy of extreme mountain biking.)

The FX 1’s Tektro V-brakes work terrifically when properly set up. I’ve owned many pairs on many different bikes over the years, and actually find them more powerful and better-modulating than entry-level mechanical discs.

The Verve 1 has Tektro mechanical disc brakes . They’re par for the course in this price range: definitely on the bottom end of usable mechanical discs, and less powerful than good rim brakes, but at least consistent in wet weather. Once the pads bed in with use, they’re serviceable as long as you keep them in meticulous adjustment. Consider upgrading to TRP or Avid mechanical discs if you find them inadequate…although it’s probably cheaper (and definitely easier) just to buy the hydro-equipped Verve 2 in the first place.

You’ll find hydraulic Tektros on the mid-tier Verve 2 and FX 2, and a roughly similar Promax model on the FX Sport 4. I’m not enamored of them, but they’re at least a worthwhile step up from mechanical Tektros. For my money, things start to get good with the Shimano M2xx-series hydros on the Verve 3, FX 3, and FX Sport 5 and 6.

The FX 3, Verve 3, and all FX Sport models use Bontrager IsoZone bars and grips , meaning they include foam inserts to dampen road vibrations. I strongly prefer locking grips like these, since they stay in place perfectly and are easy to remove/replace.

The IsoZone inserts are a simple (and effective) alternative to the suspension stems that some competitors offer. They do not replace proper suspension forks on rough trails, but suspension isn’t necessary for commuting, cruising, fitness riding, or most other uses that hybrids are intended for.

The FX 2 and 3 and all FX Sports have 15mm of handlebar rise and very little sweep (I’d eyeball it at ~10°). The FX 1’s 30mm of rise will feel just a hair more relaxed .

The Verve has a bit more rise—about 45mm depending on the version—but I estimate closer to 30° of sweep for a more neutral wrist angle. You’ll also get a quill stem, which does feel less stiff under power, but is far easier to raise/lower and helps further dampen vibrations.

So, what’s the better cockpit configuration? I’m partial to swept-back handlebars for any and all paved riding, so in my book, the Verve wins for posture and comfort . The wrist angle is simply more pleasant, and I don’t notice a significant difference in control.

Accessories & mounts

Finally, a few details can make it easy or hard to configure your bike for commuting or other practical uses.

Blendr mount compatibility

Besides the FX 1 and Verve 1, all models have Blendr-compatible stems . It’s a nifty mounting system that attaches one or two accessories (like a headlight, phone, and/or computer) directly to the stem rather than cluttering the handlebars.

But given how easily those things mount on their own—usually with a 1/2″- or 1″-wide rubber strap—I’ve never seen the need for a Blendr stem on my personal bikes.

Racks & fenders

All models have fender mounts , so they’re a cinch to equip for year-round rides.

As for luggage, the FX and Verve all include rack mounts . Racks are useful on their own, and perhaps more importantly, they allow for panniers, which are far more comfortable than a backpack and don’t impact handling like a basket.

Unfortunately, the all-carbon FX Sport line skips the rack mounts , so luggage options are essentially limited to a backpack. (You can roll the dice and mount a basket or rack with P-clamps…but carbon frames and forks aren’t always meant to handle forces from those angles.)

Common questions & comparison about the FX & Verve

Should i get the trek verve vs. dual sport.

They differ quite a bit in posture, but not much in performance. Consider the Gen 5 Dual Sport if you’ll regularly ride on dirt/gravel, and prefer a sportier feel than the upright Verve. Conversely, get the Verve if you prefer more upright posture or you need a step-through frame.

I would avoid the Gen 4 Dual Sport. It had a heavy, poorly performing suspension fork, and its 40 mm tires were a bit narrow for off-road use. I’ve recommend the Gen 5 Dual Sport only because Trek switched to a rigid fork and bumped up to 2.0″ (~50 mm) tires.

How about the Dual Sport vs. FX?

The FX and the Gen 5 Dual Sport have substantially similar riding posture, so it’s a question of how much time you’ll spend on pavement versus dirt/gravel.

If you stick to pavement and you like a sportier feel, then the FX still makes sense. Otherwise, if you spend significant time off-road or just want a smoother feel over nasty pavement, the Dual Sport is a terrific option.

Note that between the two, only the FX has a step-through option.

Is it worth upgrading to the Trek Verve 2 vs. Verve 1?

If the extra $200 isn’t a big deal, then I recommend the Verve 2 over the Verve 1. The biggest upgrade is hydraulic disc brakes, which greatly outperform mechanical at this price range. And the Shimano Altus rear derailleur feels modestly but appreciably crisper than the budget Shimano Tourney—especially when shifting over bumpy ground.

The Verve 2 also adds a suspension seatpost, but I wouldn’t let that guide the decision. In my experience, sprung saddles are preferable on upright bikes since they don’t affect leg extension.

Is the Trek FX 1 or FX 2 a better deal?

Budget permitting, I’d pick the FX 2. I staunchly believe the FX 1 is a great value at its price point, but those with extra cash will appreciate the FX 2’s hydraulic disc brakes (vs. rim), slightly more dependable Shimano Altus M2000 derailleur (vs. Altus M210), and nearly two-pound weight savings.

And what about the FX 2 vs. FX 3?

The differences between the FX 2 and FX 3 are more marginal. If price is a concern at all, then stick with the FX 2 and use the savings for apparel or accessories .

To be fair, the FX 3 has a couple of legitimately nice upgrades that I don’t mind paying for. It swaps the aluminum fork for vibration-dampening carbon fiber, and uses a more modern 1×10 drivetrain with the terrific Shimano Deore rear derailleur. But those are incremental improvements, not game-changers.

Summary: Trek FX vs. Verve

I consider all FX, FX Sport, and Verve models good examples of their style and price point . You may find arguably better specs for your money with some direct-to-consumer brands (I’m partial to Priority and Brooklyn) but you’ll sacrifice the convenience and easy test-rides of mainstream bike-shop brands.

The FX and Verve are both terrific for commuting, leisure riding, and fitness/training. Choosing between them comes down to maximizing speed versus comfort . They’re actually more similar than not, but the Verve will keep you slightly more upright. That’s easier on the back and neck, but can feel slow when accelerating or battling a headwind. Don’t worry: the Verve is far from a beach cruiser , so you’ll have no problem climbing hills or navigating tight spaces.

The FX and FX Sport will encourage moderately forward-leaning posture (albeit less aggressive than any drop-bar road bike), which most of us will find more efficient but also less comfortable.

I consider the Verve 3 and FX 3 the best value . On a tighter budget, the Verve 1 and FX 1 remain outstanding choices , especially if you won’t encounter steep hills and foul weather where high-end disc brakes really count. If money’s no object—and you can live without rack mounts—then the FX Sport 6 spares almost no expense to create a snappy and featherweight package.

Trek Bikes Brand Review: A Close Look at the Iconic USA Bike Brand

T rek Bikes is one of the most popular and the most respected USA-based bike brands right now, and for a good reason. They offer models in all categories and all price points, for all types of cyclists. Let’s learn more in our in-depth overview!

No matter if you are an absolute beginner who can’t even ride, or you’re a pro cyclist with years of experience in the legs, Trek Bikes has a bike for you.

With more than 40 unique models, it’s both very easy and very challenging to find exactly what you’re looking for. Our in-depth overview teaches you all you need to know about each model series and many other things related to Trek.

Technologies

Trek’s range of models, trek mountain bikes, trek bikes – road, trek hybrid & city bikes, trek gravel & cyclocross bikes, trek adventure & touring bikes, trek tt/triathlon bikes, trek electric bikes, electra bikes, trek women’s bikes, kids’ trek bikes, new or used trek bikes.

The first bikes Trek made were touring steel frames , but as the business evolved, so did the selection of models. Soon enough, Trek began producing road racing bikes, and then mountain bikes from both aluminum and carbon.

The first Trek-branded all-aluminum bike left the production lines in 1985 and the first full-carbon model came out in 1989.

Today, Trek offers high-profile road bikes such as Domane, Madone, and Emonda; hardtail and full-suspension models like Marlin , X-Caliber, or Slash; Checkpoint and Boone gravel and CX bikes; and dozens of other popular model names in a wide range of categories.

Related:  Trek vs. Giant Bikes Comparison: Which Brand Is Better?

Over the years, Trek has pioneered or perfected many of the best technological solutions used in the top-level cycling sport.

Over the years, many of these advanced technologies have been passed down from best Trek bikes to mid-range and entry-level classes, improving the cycling experience for beginner and intermediate cyclists as well.

Here are some of the most ground-breaking technologies developed by Trek so far:

• OCLV Carbon:  Optimum Compaction Low Void carbon frames developed in 1991 — some of the lightest and stiffest in the world.
• Alpha Aluminum: Trek’s refined aluminum frames that rival carbon frames in terms of strength and overall weight.
• Active Braking Pivot: A revolutionary patented system developed to keep the rear suspension working while braking.
• RE:aktiv: Advanced suspension system that provides dynamic flow that automatically adapts its performance to the rider and the type of the terrain.
• Full Floater: Trek’s rear suspension system that allows for extremely supple and responsive rear suspension action, giving you the impression of bottomless travel.
• IsoSpeed Suspension: Road bike suspension that decouples the seat tube from the top tube, diminishing the fatiguing impacts of the road.

One of the secrets to Trek Bikes’ long-lasting success is that they make bicycles for EVERYONE. No matter what kind of riding you wish to do or how much you can stretch your budget, you can find a suitable model in Trek’s lineup.

Their beginner bikes such as FX, 820, or Marlin start at around $400; whereas their elite road models such as Domane or Madone cost upward of $12,000.

Below is a full list of ALL Trek model lines available at the moment of writing this article, organized into logical categories.

This is intended as an informative resource for people looking into Trek bikes , trying to decide which one suits their needs the best.

820 is the most affordable mountain bike in the Trek line. It consists of one men’s and one women’s model, both of which cost around $500. They are equipped with rim brakes, Shimano Tourney components, and 26″ tires, which makes them perfect for beginners.

Best for: 820 bikes are good for short daily recreational and fitness rides, as well as short commutes.

See On Trek Bikes

Marlin is one of Trek’s most popular entry-level MTB lines. It consists of several aluminum hardtail models that cost between $620 and $1,400, so they’re ideal for first-timers and experienced hobby cyclists. Marlin bikes feature front suspension, disc brakes, 2x or 3x drivetrains, and wide 27.5″ or 29″ tires.

Best for: Marlin series can be used for on and off-road riding, commuting, and all-around daily cycling.

Our review s of Marlin 4 –  5 –  6 –  7

Mountain biking enthusiasts who don’t have thousands of dollars but want quality trail bikes can choose the Roscoe line. These are fun aluminum hardtail bicycles with massive 27.5+ tires and specs that are ready to party. These models cost between $1,200 and $2,800 , so they are quite affordable as well.

Best for: If you want to ride trails more seriously with RockShox suspensions and SRAM or Shimano components, check out Trek Roscoe.

X-Caliber is Trek’s lineup of quality, yet affordable aluminum 29ers ideal for beginners and riders with some experience on the trails. They’re characterized by 120 mm of travel in the fork, light and efficient 1x drivetrains, and prices that remain between $1,500 and $2,000 . All models also feature powerful hydraulic disc brakes and size-specific tires.

Best for: Aspiring trail riders who aim to challenge themselves more, explore more technical trails, and do it all on a tight budget.

Farley is a collection of Trek’s super-capable fat bikes built around aluminum or carbon frames, depending on the model. They’re characterized by awe-inspiring 27.5″ x 4.5″ tires and mud-ready 1x drivetrains. Most models have rigid forks, but there are options with a suspension fork as well.

Best for:  Trek Farley showcases its abilities best when put against snow, mud, rocks, roots, and other extreme conditions.

Trek Procaliber is a group of race-ready aluminum and carbon cross-country hardtail bikes. They feature 100 mm of front suspension as well as IsoSpeed rear decouplers that improve control and comfort further. All Procaliber models also come with 29″ wheels, modern 1x drivetrains, and strong hydraulic disc brakes.

Best for: Cyclists interested in doing cross country racing or simply having fun and improving their skills on high-quality, yet reasonably-priced XC machines.

If you have more money than you know what to do with, why not spend it on the mouth-wateringly good Trek’s full-suspension Fuel EX line? These bikes are built with 140mm/130mm front and rear suspension, 29″ wheels, and efficient 1x drivetrains. The prices start at around $2,500 and cap at around $10,600  for the flagship Fuel EX 9.9.

Best for:  Expert trail riders (or those who practice becoming so) with money to spare, who want to ride a wide range of terrains, climb, descent, and race.

Top Fuel is a line of high-end , full-suspension bikes that are suitable for elite XC racing competitions. Every model features 120 mm of travel in the fork and 115 mm in the rear shock. All models are also equipped with super-capable 29″ wheels and tires that go up to 2.4″. If you want to own a Top Fuel bike, you’ll need to pay between $2,700  and $11,500.

Best for:  All-around fun on challenging and technical singletracks and top-level XC racing events. 

Stache offers a high level of performance in a simple and easy to maintain hardtail package. These are mid-range trail bikes built around carbon or aluminum frames, with prices between $2,500 and $4,000. They feature 120 mm of front suspension travel coupled with 29+ wheels and tires that are 3.0″ wide. They’re capable of some serious damage.

Best for:  Stache bikes are best for trail enthusiasts who want to have maximum fun on the most challenging terrain available in their area, but not worry much about upkeep costs. 

Remedy is one of Trek’s best-selling full-suspension bikes because of phenomenal money to value ratio and well-balanced components. It comes with 160/150 mm of front and rear travel, zippy 27.5″ wheels, wide-range 1×12 drivetrains, and dropper posts. The frames are aluminum or carbon, depending on the price. It’s the most trail aficionados can ask for!

Best for:  Remedy models are best suited for riders who enjoy fast and dynamic descents, jumps, drops, and other challenging on-trail stuff.

Slash is a capable long-travel enduro bike built to… well, slash the trails. Right now, this series numbers around seven models valued between $3,500 and $12,500. Therefore, these bikes are great for pro riders and those who feel that way. They have premium carbon frames, 160/150mm of front and rear travel, and huge 29″ wheels.

Best for:  Professionals and enduro enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of fast-paced downhill sections and challenging rocky trails. 

If you want the best of the best in the DH world, Session is the type of bike you should be looking at. Session models boast premium carbon frames, 190 mm of deluxe RockShox travel, 29″ wheels, and high-end SRAM and Shimano components. They’re ready to win races.

Best for:  Making the best results and winning World Cup Championships on the most brutal downhill courses.

Supercaliber

Supercaliber is a series of unique cross-country racing bikes with Trek’s premium IsoStrut rear suspension. The rear shock is integrated into the frame with unique pivotless seatstays. In addition, it also features 100 mm of front travel, 29″ wheels, 1×12 drivetrains, and progressive racing geometry. Supercaliberline consists of some of the most expensive Trek bikes that cost up to $12,000.

Best for:  Cross-country races that require maximum speed and technical terrain that requires the best possible components and geometry. 

The Domane series is Trek’s selection of fast, versatile, and technologically advanced endurance road bikes. It’s one of Trek’s best-known lineups, featuring IsoSpeed frame suspension, aluminum or carbon frames, and different levels of SRAM and Shimano components. Domane models cost anywhere between $1,100 and $12,600, so they’re suitable for everyone.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and professional road cyclists looking for all-around good performance on a quality road bike that can do it all. 

Our review s on Domane  2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 .

The Émonda line consists of some of the lightest and best-performing road bikes in the world. It’s built around three frame options – 700 OCLV Carbon, 500 OCLV Carbon, and lightweight aluminum. The most expensive Émonda bike costs $13,000, whereas the cheapest can be bought for just $2,300. They’re race-ready, good-looking, and suitable for all rider profiles.

Best for:  Beginner, intermediate, and elite cyclists who want the lightest available road setup suitable for racing, fitness, and leisure riding.

Trek Madone is a top-of-the-line aero road bike developed in the wind tunnel. These bikes are super-light, super-fast, but super-expensive as well. If you want to own one, you’ll have to spend between $4.8K and $13K. For that money, you’ll get a carbon aero frame, aero wheels, high-end components, and supreme integration.

Best for:  Seasoned road riders in search of capital and marginal gains that would make them as fast and as efficient as possible. 

Related: Best Road Bike Brands

If you want an aluminum bike that costs between $600 and $2,000 and that can truly do it all, Trek FX is one of the best choices around. These are efficient and affordable hybrid bikes with entry-level or mid-range components, skinny 700c wheels, and comfortable upright geometries. Around 15 models are available, which includes men’s and women’s bikes.

Best for:  Recreational or fitness riders wanting to commute, run errands, get fit, or train on a daily basis without spending too much money.

Trek Verve is a lineup of comfortable, high-quality, yet accessible hybrid and fitness bikes that can serve as all-around workhorses to urban riders. They cost between around $700 and $1,000, which makes them very cost-efficient. Verve bikes are made from aluminum, roll on 700c wheels, and feature disc brakes coupled with entry-level components.

Best for:  Trek Verve is best for entry-level riders who need a dependable two-wheeler to use and abuse every day or just enjoy riding on the weekends. 

As its name tells you, Trek Dual Sport is a versatile series that can be used for on and off-road rides. These bikes are built around affordable aluminum frames, generally cost around $1,000 , and roll on wide 700c wheels. All models have disc brakes and 63 mm of front suspension. Riders can choose between step-over and step-though frame designs.

Best for:  Versatile riders who want one affordable bicycle that can be used for urban commutes and weekend out-of-town excursions on dirt and forest roads. 

Trek jumped on the gravel bandwagon with the Checkpoint series. These are versatile and efficient gravel and adventure bikes built around aluminum frames. Therefore, they don’t cost much — as little as $2,400 . The prices can get up to $12,000 for high-spec models. Checkpoint bikes feature wide 700c tires, 1x or 2x drivetrains, and disc brakes on all models. They look pretty cool as well!

Best for:  Trek Checkpoint can be used by beginner or seasoned cyclists for gravel races, bike touring adventures, daily commutes, or anything else that comes to mind. 

Trek Crockett is a capable aluminum cyclocross bike that can navigate the urban jungle or take you through a real jungle. These models ride on lightweight aluminum frames, knobby 700c tires, and dependable and efficient 1x drivetrains. At the moment, Crockett numbers three affordable models with price tags between $1,500 and $3,000.

Best for:  Trek Crockett works equally well as a fast CX racing machine and a rugged daily commuter. Use it to commute on workdays and go crazy on the weekends.

Trek Boone is the lightest, fastest, and best-looking cyclocross bike around. Boone frames are built with lightweight carbon fiber material and feature IsoSpeed front and rear decouplers that improve comfort and off-road riding efficiency. Boone also has performance-oriented racing geometry, race-ready components, and 1x drivetrains.

Best for:  Cyclocross racing for beginner riders and amateur or experienced athletes. 

The well-known 520 is one of Trek’s bikes with the longest tradition. Its classic touring steel frame was developed back in the 1970s when the company was established. Today, it’s equipped with front and rear racks, disc brakes, 700c tires, 27 speeds , and comfort-based geometry. It’s the best expedition tourer for the money.

Best for:  Trek 520 is a dependable touring bike that you can take around the world, ride over mountain passes, or use it as a day-to-day bike and commute on a regular basis.

If there is one bike that almost every bikepacker dreams about, it has to be Trek 1120. This is the ultimate bikepacking setup thanks to a lightweight aluminum frame, stiff carbon fork , well-designed front and rear racks, and fearless 29×3.0″ tires. Its 1×11 Shimano SLX drivetrain can get you up any hill and over any off-road section.

Best for:  Bikepacking and off-road touring that requires dependable components that can take daily abuse for months, years, and thousands of dusty miles.

Speed Concept

Speed Concept is the only TT bike Trek makes, if we don’t count in the Madone aero road bikes. This speed machine is made around a super-lightweight carbon frame developed after years of testing in wind tunnels. It offers total aerodynamic integration, minimal drag, and a 2×11 Shimano Ultegra drivetrain.

Best for:  Trek Speed Concept is most suitable for Time Trial events or Triathlon races where speed, aerodynamics, and power efficiency is all that matters. 

Trek Verve+ series is an electric version of the regular verve series. These are versatile electric hybrid and city bikes with step-over and step-through frames, making them suitable for men and women. They can assist your pedaling up to 20 mph thanks to Bosch electronics. They also feature lights, fenders, and a rear rack for easier commutes.

Best for:  Daily urban commuters and fitness riders who want to maintain an upright riding position and enjoy the comfort and extra boost Verve+ offers.

Trek Allant+ is series of mid-range and high-end electric hybrids with flat bars and premium Shimano components. They are capable of replacing your car thanks to powerful and reliable Bosch electronics that will support your pedaling up to 28 mph. Allant+ bikes are made with aluminum and carbon frames and feature fenders, racks, and lights.

Best for:  Urban riders who want to ditch their cars and do long daily commutes through busy city traffic that require utmost speed, reliability, and comfort. 

Trek Powerfly is a range of high-performing electric hardtail mountain bikes. The series numbers just two bikes at the moment — one men’s and one women’s. They’re built around lightweight aluminum frames and come equipped with high-end Bosch electronics that assist up to 20 mph. You also get 120 mm of travel and 1×12 SRAM drivetrain for around $4,200.

Best for:  Trail mountain biking enthusiasts who want to conquer hills more easily and focus more on descents and speedy flat sections. 

The Trek Rail series presents the best of the best one can get in the e-MTB world . Rail bikes cost between $5K and $12.5K, but they are worth the money. They have extremely long 160mm travel, 29″ wheels and tires, Bosch electronics (20 mph max speed), and high-end Shimano and SRAM components.

Best for:  Mountain bikers with high expectations and deep pockets who want to stay fresh when climbing and preserve the energy for aggressive descents. 

Domane+ HP/LT

One thing cannot be argued — Domane+ LT and HP are the best electric road bikes in the world. The HP series (28 mph max speed) provides maximum power, whereas the LT series (20 mph max) offers a good balance between power and weight. These bikes cost up to $12,500 , but they have the best groupsets you can find, the lightest and stiffest carbon, and the highest-end Bosch electronic parts.

Best for: Road riders with money to spare, who want the speed, weight, and performance of a standard road bike, coupled with electronics that will assist them along hilly sections.

In 2014, Trek acquired the Electra Bicycle Company , which is now part of Trek’s brand. That is why you can see many Electra bikes on Trek’s official website.

The Electra brand offers a wide range of city, cruiser, and hybrid bikes built around aluminum or steel frames and intended for daily recreational and fitness riding.

Electra’s lineup also includes electric models (“Go!” in the model name) and numerous kids’ bikes with a wide range of wheel sizes. These are quality and affordable bicycles, even though they don’t have “Trek” written all over them.

Below is a full list of Electra model series available on Trek’s website:

• Cafe Moto Go!

Trek advertises all of their bikes as unisex, although the smaller models are more suitable for women.

In previous years, Trek came out with two kinds of models, but pretty much all of the 2024 range is unisex.

The trick is, smaller models come with a curved top tube to make mounting the bike easier, but for bigger models, the top tube is straight.

See All Women's Bikes

Electra Kids Bikes 16″, 20″, 24″

At the moment, Trek offers a wide range of kids’ bikes under the Electra brand. These bikes are available with 16″, 20″, and 24″ wheels, so they are suitable for different ages. Electra does not have any balance bikes, but there are many 16″ and 20′ models with training wheels. There are also single-speed and multi-gear models for younger and older kids. The best thing about them is fun and colorful designs!

Best for:  Kids and teenagers of all ages, for riding around the block, commutes to school, or family weekend rides on bike paths.

Kickster is the only balance bike Trek offers. It costs around $160 and it comes with 12″ wheels, so it’s suitable for kids who are roughly 34″-40″ tall. It’s the best bike for very young riders to learn how to ride, practice balance, and progress on their own terms.

Best for:  Toddlers who need to learn how to maintain balance on two wheels. 

Precaliber, Wahoo & Roscoe

Precaliber, Wahoo, and Roscoe are Kids’ MTB series with wider tires, rim or disc brakes, and rigid or suspended forks. Trek Roscoe is available only with 24″ wheels, whereas Precaliber and Wahoo can be bought with 16″, 20″, 24″, and even 26″ wheels. These kids’ bikes are excellent for both on and off-road riding , trips to school, family rides, and any other fun cycling activities.

Best for: Children of all ages who need versatile bikes that they can ride on paved and unpaved roads, as well as on bike paths.

The MT-201 pedal trailer can be attached to the parent’s bike in front and allows the child to tag along and practice balancing while pedaling. The saddle is fully adjustable and the trailer comes with a 20″ wheel that makes it suitable for children between 45″-52″ tall.

Best for:  Toddlers and preschoolers who still need to perfect their balancing skills but want to follow their parents anywhere they go.

See All Kids Bikes on Trek

That means that you can probably easily sell them when you decide to upgrade and get a decent part of your investment back. Of course, assuming the bike is still in good condition.

If you have the money to spare, we recommend going for a new Trek bike that you will be able to sell for a decent chunk of the original price in the future, if you decide to do so.

Whenever possible, new is always better. It’s true that you can buy a bike with better specs for the same amount of money if you look for used, but you should only do it if you have enough experience to determine whether the bike is in good shape.

One of the benefits of buying a Trek bicycle is that you can usually choose from a large number of sizes. Most Trek bikes are usually available in 6 to 7 sizes , but some series come in up to 8 sizes (Domane).

Trek also offers size-specific wheels on many of their MTB models, such as the Marlin series. That means that the smallest frame sizes come with 27.5″ wheels, whereas larger frame sizes are 29ers. This ensures the best possible fit for riders of all heights.

One big plus is that Trek also offers height and inseam-based bike size charts , which is something that many other brands avoid. Therefore, to find the right size, just compare your height and inseam to the chart provided for every single bike.

Check out our favorite TREK bikes

What is a Trek bike?

These are bicycles made by Trek Bikes, one of the most popular USA-based cycling companies. Electra bikes can also be considered as Trek bikes because they are part of the same enterprise.

Are Trek Bikes Any Good?

Yes, Trek bikes are very good. Trek has a long history of making quality bikes that are used by beginner, hobby, and elite cyclists around the world. Trek bikes last for a long time and have excellent reselling value years after purchase.

Why are Trek Bikes so expensive?

Trek bikes are not expensive if you compare the price to the components. The price might be steeper compared to some other low-profile brands; however, the value you get is much higher as well.

Is Trek owned by Giant?

No, Trek is not owned by Giant. Giant makes some of Trek’s bikes in Taiwan, but they also do it as a paid service to for other major brands such as Scott or Colnago.

Is Cannondale owned by Trek?

No, Cannondale is not owned by Trek. Cannondale is owned by Dorel Industries.

What is the most expensive Trek bike?

Some of Trek’s most expensive bikes include Supercaliber, Domane, Madone, Emonda, Domane+, and Rail series. The highest-priced models cost around $12,500.

Is Trek worth the money?

Yes, Trek bikes are worth the money. Trek packs high-end technologies into their bikes, build their bikes around high-quality aluminum and carbon frames, and use only reliable Shimano and SRAM components.

Where are Trek bikes made?

Most Trek Bikes are made in the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, and China. Trek also has two manufacturing facilities in USA, Wisconsin – one in Waterloo and one in Whitewater.

Why are Trek bikes so popular?

Trek bikes are very popular because they offer excellent value for the money, they look good, they’re jam-packed with modern technologies, and they retain value for a long time. Their bikes are also ridden by many elite cycling athletes, which makes them even more desirable.

How much is a used Trek bike worth?

It depends on the model, age, and condition, but used Trek bikes have one of the best re-selling values of all bike brands.

See All Models On Trek Bikes

Related Topics:

The Ultimate Guide to the Best BMX Brands in 2024

Best Italian Bike Brands: History, Innovation, and Legendary Design Explored

Velotric E-Bike Brand Review: Discover the Perfect Blend of Style, Performance, and Value

5 thoughts on “ trek bikes brand review: a close look at the iconic usa bike brand ”.

The Trek Powerfly 5 Review may be an extremely advanced electrical off-roader that comes with spectacular specs to deliver unmatched skillfulness.

It offers the sort of power you’ll have to be compelled to tackle difficult cross-country terrains, however still feels natural on a leisurely weekend cruise round the neighborhood!

I was interested in buying a used xcalibur 7 and it’s a woman’s model. I can’t find any differences in the mens and woman’s besides the seat and coil spring. Is the frame and everything else the same? Thanks

Hi Jack, Good question. Unlike other mountain bikes with the top tube curving down for women’s bikes, there is not much difference except the frame size and the things you mentioned perhaps?

What’s the difference sl series. I’m confused, can you please explain.

Hi Antonio, It’s just an acronym: AL: Aluminium. CF: Carbon Fibre. CF SL: Carbon Fibre Super Light. CF SLX: Carbon Fibre Super Light Extreme etc 😉

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trek 820 Review – Is This Bike Worth Buying?

The Trek 820 is almost certainly the least expensive “name brand” mountain bike you can buy. With an SRP of $439 (check the Trek site for the latest MSRP ) it hardly seems possible that this bike comes from the same manufacturer that produces some of the most respected – and expensive – mountain bikes on the market. It does, though, and that makes a difference. Trek is a large company that makes lots of bikes. That means they make lots of frames and they order lots of components from some of the biggest names in the industry. That gives them pricing leverage that they pass on to the customer. It would be almost impossible for a smaller or less well-connected company to produce a similar bike at the same price.

You’re also getting the expertise of some of the industry’s top bike designers and builders, and that shows in the design of the frame, the component selection, and the overall value.

The Trek 820 is a basic bike that steps away from many of the trends that define modern mountain bikes. The bike features 26” wheels, not the 27.5” or 29” versions that dominate the industry today. The brakes are old-school rim brakes. The drivetrain has 3 gears in front and 7 in back, and the front fork offers only 3” of travel. Clearly this is not a race ride or a big hit machine, but how does it stack up for its intended purpose: around-town riding and introductory trail rides?

Let’s take a look..

Quick Overview: What I Think of the Trek 820

For older riders (like me) who took up mountain biking back in the 90s, the Trek 820 has a “blast from the past” feel to it. Back in those days we all rode bikes with rim brakes, short-travel forks, 26” wheels, and steep angles. We had a ton of fun and rode some steep, rough trails. We didn’t feel limited by those bikes, because there wasn’t anything else. We didn’t know they were supposed to limit us, so they didn’t.

That doesn’t mean that the Trek 820 is an ideal ride for steep, rugged trails. If you can get a modern full suspension slack-angled trail slayer you’ll have a much better tool for that job. But if you don’t happen to have a few thousand dollars ready to pour into a bicycle, you can buy a Trek 820 and have a great around-town ride that can do more on the trail than a lot of riders realize. Those modern trail bikes are great, but don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t ride trails without one.

In short: if I could choose any bike I wanted, I wouldn’t choose a Trek 820. If I had to choose a bike that cost under $450, I probably would choose a Trek 820. It may not be the best bike you can get, but it’s probably the best you can get for $439.99

What You Get

Let’s look at the key components of the Trek 820.

The Trek 820 frame is made of steel. That means three things. It’s heavy, it’s strong, and it’s inexpensive. Because it’s a Trek, it also has a sleek design, impeccable welds, and high-quality finish and paint. The 820 will never be a light bike, but you will not break the frame and you won’t get tired of looking at it. 

The 820 carries a simple coil spring suspension fork from SR Suntour, a leading Japanese manufacturer of low to mid-end suspension. Travel is 75mm (3 inches), very short by today’s standards but enough to suck up the impact of rough roads, curb drops, and small root-and-rock trail chatter. It won’t hold up to big hits, but that’s not what it’s meant to do. It’s sturdy and durable and should deliver solid service for years.

The 820 comes with a Shimano 3×7 drivetrain: 3 gears in the front and 7 in back. The shifters and derailleurs are from the Shimano Tourney series. They are the cheapest drivetrain components Shimano makes, but they are still produced by one of the world’s two premier drivetrain manufacturers. That matters, because Shimano lets its technology trickle-down: as new upgrades are introduced in the premium levels, the old premium features move down to the lower level parts. 

The Tourney drivetrain won’t win you any bling points at the bike shop, but it will get the job done. You’ll have appropriate gears for level ground, moderate climbs, and all but the steepest steep climbs, and you’ll be able to shift smoothly and precisely. You may have a problem if you want to upgrade the drivetrain. Due to compatibility issues, you’d have to replace all the parts simultaneously, potentially an expensive proposition.

Because the Trek 820 is a beginner-oriented bike, I’ll point out that the durability and performance of drivetrain parts depend heavily on good tuning and the use of proper shifting technique. If you buy your bike – any bike – online, be sure that it’s set up by a qualified mechanic. Take the time to learn good shifting technique. Your equipment will perform better and last longer if you use and maintain it well! Many of the complaints you see in online bike reviews are not issues with the bike or its components, but with the way it was assembled and tuned.

The 820 carries Tektro alloy linear-pull rim brakes. These brakes work by clamping two rubber pads onto the rim of the wheel. This is an old-school braking technology that has been largely replaced by disc brakes on more expensive bikes. It still works, and it’s been used successfully for many years. Disc brakes will perform better in very wet or very muddy conditions, but rim brakes will stop you and control your speed very effectively.

You will have to be careful if you want to use another wheel. Mountain bike wheels (of the same size) are often interchangeable, but rim brakes must be used with a compatible rim. Many rims designed for use with disc brakes don’t have a flat surface designed to be gripped by rim brakes.

The 820 carries a basic, solid wheelset that will do its job, in keeping with the overall theme of the bike. The wheel size is 26”: that size is no longer popular but it was the mountain bike standard for decades, and provided solid service to a generation of riders. The Formula hubs are durable and effective. The rims and tires are from Bontrager. Trek has a long-standing relationship with Bontrager, which supplies many of the components for their lower-end bikes. That relationship brings two advantages. Bontrager makes solid, utilitarian parts, and because Trek orders a large number of parts from the company, they get competitive prices, which they pass on to the consumer.

The Bontrager LT3 tires are a compromise. They are knobby enough to give decent grip in moderate trail conditions but don’t have a high enough profile to create massive tire drag on cement. They won’t grip the trail like an aggressively knobby tire would and they won’t roll as smooth and fast on cement as narrow slicks would, but they will give you a solid platform on a wide variety of different surfaces.

Note that the maximum tire width is 2.0”, which may constrain your options if you want to step up to a wider more trail-capable tire down the line.

Other Components  

Trek fills out the 801’s component spec with what you’d expect: solid, reliable parts, primarily from Bontrager. Nothing is high-end, and you won’t see any featherweight titanium bits or elegant hyper-precise CNC machining, but everything there will do its job and hold up to abuse. 

The 820 frame comes with a full range of mounting points for luggage racks and other accessories. This feature is important on an around-town commuter bike: if you’re going to work or running down to the store you may need to carry a light to moderate load, and the racks make that a lot easier. They also make the 820 suitable for use as an entry-level bikepacking bike. The mounted kickstand, rarely included on pure mountain bikes, makes short-term parking easier.

Component Roundup

You won’t find high end parts on the 820. That’s expected: this is a bike designed to be the most affordable name-brand mountain bike on the market. What you will find is an intelligent selection of parts carefully selected to deliver durability and serviceability at the lowest profitable price.  

Let’s rate the 820 component mix on a 1 to 5 scale relative to other bikes in the sub-$700 range.

The components of a bicycle don’t work alone: everything has to fit together and work together to deliver the performance you need. Let’s look at how the total package performs.

Sizing 

The 820 comes in two versions. The 820WSD is five sizes, from XS to XL, and fits riders from 4’6” to 6’8”. The 820 also comes in a version designed for women, the 820WSD, which features a sharply dissenting top tube that provides very low standover height, a very appealing feature for smaller riders, especially less experienced smaller riders. The WSD comes in three sizes: XS, S, and L.

The smaller sizes of the 820 make this bike a great option for younger riders. If you want to buy a good quality bike for a growing child but you don’t want to overspend on a bike that will be outgrown in a year or two, the 820 in S or XS is a great option.

If you’re a beginning rider the whole concept of bike geometry may seem too complex to grasp. Even experienced riders may be confused over the details! To put it very simply, “slack” or “modern” geometry places the front wheel ahead of the handlebars, which adds stability and reduces the tendency to go over the bars on steep descents. This may also cause the front to wander on steep climbs.

“Steep” or “traditional” geometry places the front wheel under the handlebars, which gives stability on smooth roads and steep climbs. It also makes it easier to tip the bike forward on a steep descent, so you’ll need to drop the saddle down and keep your weight well back when the trail turns down.

The Trek 820 is very much in the “traditional” category, which is appropriate to its purpose. That will serve you well on road rides, but if you ride steeper trails you will need to adjust your body position to keep your weight low and back and the downhills. It’s absolutely possible – aggressive riders rode steep-angled bikes for many years – but it might take some effort.

Performance

The quickest way to sum up the Trek 820’s performance is that it rides above its price tag. This is a bike that carries a price tag not much above department store bikes, but has none of the looseness, squeaking, or rattling that so often go with inexpensive bikes. Part of that is because Trek sells through a network of credible dealers with trained mechanics that assemble and tune the bikes they sell. Many department stores or general sporting goods stores sell bikes that are assembled by unqualified staff members, and that often results in poor assembly and tuning, which in turn can create issues with the brakes, drivetrain, and most other parts of the bike.

The 820 is solid. It’s heavy for a hardtail, but that goes with the price: bikers say you can have two of cheap, light, and strong, but never all three. The 820 drops the lightness, but it’s cheap and sturdy, and that’s what you want in an inexpensive bike.

This bike is a hybrid designed to serve two purposes. As an around-town commuter, errand bike, and exercise/recreation tool it would be hard to ask for more. A pure road bike will be faster and more efficient, but the wider tires, wider bars, and more upright riding position of the 820 will feel more secure, stable, and comfortable for beginning riders. The shifting and gear combinations will serve for all but very steep hills, and the entry-level Shimano drivetrain shifts smoothly and easily. The multiple mounting points make it easy to set up a rack system to carry your daily loads. The low-end nature of the bike will not limit you to any appreciable degree in this type of riding, and if you have a chance to ride a more expensive bike you may wonder what makes it worth that price tag.

The limitations of the 820 may be more evident on the trail. You can certainly ride this bike on mountain bike trails, but you will feel the bumps and you will have to learn some basic skills from the start. That’s not a bad thing. Learning to stand up on the pedals, let your knees work as shock absorbers, and move your weight forward for climbs and back for descents is important. Those skills will help you even on a much more sophisticated bike. The limited suspension will force you to pick a line rather than plowing over obstacles and letting your suspension do the work. You won’t be doing jumps or drops, but you wouldn’t expect to on a bike like this.

The Bottom Line

If you haven’t ridden a bike before or if you rode as a child and are getting back on a bike for the first time in a while, the Trek 820 makes a perfect entry point. It’s affordable and you’ll get the kind of quality that will assure that your learning experience is good and your equipment doesn’t hold you back.

If you’ve ridden bikes before and you need a highly affordable bike for daily use and around town and occasional trail rides, the Trek 820 will be one of your top picks. If you’re looking for a stable, secure bike to ride around town, to work, and to school the Trek 820 will be a perfect fit.

If trail riding is your priority and you’re looking for a dedicated mountain bike, you might be better off saving a little more and looking for a bike designed for that purpose. If that’s not realistic from a financial perspective, you can go with the Trek 820 and ride trails with it. You’ll just need to understand the limitations of your equipment and work within them, leaning more on your skills than on your bike.

Trek approaches their low-end bikes with the same care that they put into designing their high-spec packages, and it shows. The Trek 820 is very inexpensive, but it’s intelligently designed and specced, solidly built, and effective. If you’re on a limited budget and you need a working bicycle, it’s a great choice.

Let’s compare the Trek 820 to other name-brand bikes in the sub-$700 range as an overall purchase. Remember that the 820 is in most cases going to be by far the cheapest option in that category. If you compared the 820 to department-store no-brand bikes in its price range and below you’d be looking at a 5 rating right down the line!

• Rocky Mountain
• Specialized
• YT Industries
• Allied Cycle Works
• Black Market
• DALLINGRIDGE
• Diamondback
• Early Rider
• EVO Bicycles
• Growler Bikes
• Guerrilla Gravity
• iGO Electric
• Intense 951
• Juiced Bikes
• View all brands
• Production Privee
• Rad Power Bikes
• Rambo Bikes
• Riese & Müller
• Soul Fast E Bikes
• Spark Cycleworks
• State Bicycle Co.
• Structure Cycleworks
• Surface 604
• Van Nicholas
• Vintage Electric
• We Are One Composites

• Cross Country

• All Mountain

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Weight / ML - 15.28 kg / 33.68 lbs (with tubes)

At a glance

820 is an excellent entryway to a world of off-road adventures. It’s the most affordable mountain bike in our lineup and the ideal choice for beginners who are interested in the MTB life but also want a hybrid bike that’s as equally suited to light trails as it is to potholed city streets.

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame Trek Custom Steel, rack mounts, 135x5mm QR
• Fork SR Suntour M-3030, coil spring, 100x5mm QR, 75mm travel
• Crank Shimano Tourney TY301, 42/34/24, 170mm length
• Front Derailleur Shimano Tourney TY500, 31.8mm clamp, top swing, dual pull
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Tourney TY300, long cage, 34T max cog
• Shifters Shimano Tourney EF41, 7 speed
• Brakeset Tektro alloy linear-pull
• Handlebar Size: XS, S Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 660mm width Size: M/L, L, XL Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 690mm width
• Seatpost Size: XS, S Bontrager alloy, 29.2mm, 12mm offset, 300mm length Size: M/L, L Bontrager alloy, 29.2mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length
• Stem Size: XS Size: S
• Grips Bontrager SSR
• Headset 1-1/8'' threadless

Q: How much is a 2020 Trek 820?

A 2020 Trek 820 is typically priced around $400 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2020 Trek 820?

The 2020 Trek 820 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2020 Trek 820 weigh?

A 2020 Trek 820 weights ML - 15.28 kg / 33.68 lbs (with tubes).

Q: What size 2020 Trek 820 should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more MTB in your mailbox?

The latest on mountain bikes delivered straight to your mailbox.

More Bikes in Range View All

Trek 820 WSD

Trek 820 Women's

More cross country bikes view all.

Trek Capitola

KTM Ultra Glorious 29

- Internal cable routing - Kickstand/rack/mudguard ready

Merida eBig.Trail M#rida

Smart Entry internal cable routing, Integrated downtube and chainstay protectors, Merida Boost 12x148mm rear thru axle, Includes fender: C093-02F, Includes lights: CG-119PG-BLACK(1) / CG-404RG-BLK

Deals View All

View all deals, recent posts view all.

Blackburn Honest Digital Pressure Gauge Review

It's 2020 people. The squeeze and bounce test doesn't cut it anymore (and this is…

Comparing Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines. They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in…

Undomestic Mountain Bikes: Here’s what we know

Update March 2020: Undomestic has announced that they are manufacturing frames "at this moment" and…

Send Feedback

Have a suggestion? Looking for a bike that's not on MTB Database? Or perhaps you've spotted an error?

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with the form below.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Learn more.

About MTB Database

Explore, search and compare thousands of the world’s best mountain bikes here on Mountain Bike Database.

Compare prices, components, suspension, reviews, images and more on current and past MTB’s. You can even share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Trek , Specialized , Giant , Santa Cruz , Norco and more .

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information for mountain bikes on MTB Database. If you’ve spotted any issues, please let us know . We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. Bear in mind that these tools serve as a guide and simply provide a general indication. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike.

Bikes By Brand

Bikes by year, bikes by riding style, bikes by wheel size, popular bikes.

• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Comp
• 2022 Trek Marlin 6
• 2022 Specialized Enduro Comp
• 2022 Specialized S-Works Epic EVO
• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Expert
• 2022 Giant Fathom 29 1
• 2022 Trek Marlin 7

Latest Bikes

• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE 70'S
• 2023 Orange Phase 29 Factory
• 2022 Commencal META SX V4 TEAM Frame
• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE LTD
• 2023 Commencal META SX V4 - Frame
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 vario
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 silent

• Crosscountry
• Rider Notes

2021 Trek 820

A 26″ steel frame hardtail crosscountry bike with mid-range components and rim brakes. Compare the full range

Manufacturer Price

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

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.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Compare the full 820 model range

4'5" – 5'2"

5'0" – 5'6"

5'4" – 5'11"

5'9" – 6'3"

6'1" – 6'6"

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

Last updated April 22 Not listed for 1,143 days

Brochures | Price Lists and Values | Trek History | Trek Timeline | Serial Numbers Component Dates | Gallery | Contact | Buy/Sell Suggestions Refurbish/Upgrade | Bike Resources | Home

*Trek is a trademark of Trek Bicycle Corporation, Waterloo, WI

All copyrights in the TREK brochures, pricelists, owner's manuals and photographs displayed on this website are the sole property of Trek Bicycle Corporation, Waterloo, Wisconsin.

All materials in this site not copyrighted by others are Copyright © 2001-2015 Skip Echert Web Associates , All rights reserved.

Search This Blog

This is the blog for Scheller's Fitness and Cycling. Find posts about events in the community, cycling products, fitness products and other interesting and useful bike and fitness information.

• 2014 mountain bikes
• 2014 Trek 820
• 2014 Trek bikes
• 2014 trek mountain bikes
• mountain bikes
• schellers fitness and cycling

Another Beginner MTB Bike- The 2014 Trek 820 - Versatile and Sturdy

(review) 2014 trek 820 - get going on those mtb trails.

Thank you so much for this article! I am new to the biking community, and this post has given me much more consolidated insight than any other resource I've found. mountainbikeez

This is a good post read more more explanation

Amazing!This is really a nice & important post.Your blog is so much informative & helpful. diamondback overdrive bike

Post a Comment

Our locations:, popular posts, 2014 trek 7.2 fx | bike review | scheller's fitness and cycling, 2015 trek endurance/race bike: domane pictures.

2023 Trek 820 Review

Are you looking for a budget-friendly mountain bike that will provide you with great performance? 

Look no further than the 2023 Trek 820. 

Whether you’re an occasional rider or a daily commuter, it’s packed with features to make your ride smooth and enjoyable.

As cycling becomes ever more popular, so too do the number of bikes available on the market. 

The Trek 820 is one of the newest additions to the line-up, specifically designed to provide cyclists with a reliable yet affordable option.

The Trek 820 promises to be your ultimate companion, whatever your cycling needs may be. 

In this review, you will learn about its features, performance and comfortability — to help ensure that it’s the perfect bike for you.

The Trek 820 is an all-purpose mountain bike that is built to endure anything from cross country trails to urban streets. 

In this article, we’ll provide a thorough review of the 2023 Trek 820 so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for your style of riding.

The 2023 Trek 820 is a rugged mountain, bikepacking, and gravel bike designed to take you on the wildest off-road adventures. 

It features a Trek Custom Steel frame and Bontrager AT-550 wheels, giving you greater control over your ride.

It comes with Shimano Tourney derailleur paired with a 3×7 drivetrain system, so you can shift smoothly throughout each terrain. 

The 75mm suspension fork ensures responsive handling when navigating tight bends and drops. 

Another great feature includes discreet mounts for bikepacking accessories.

Product Features:

– Steel Frame & Bontrager Wheels

– Shimano Tourney Derailleurs

– 75mm Suspension Fork for Responsive Handling

– Tektro alloy linear-pull for Reliable Stopping Power in All Conditions

– Discreet Mounts for Bikepacking Accessories

– 26×2.00″ max tire size to Enhance Comfort & Traction

Frame and Design

The 2023 Trek 820 features aTrek Custom Steel frame designed with clearance 26×2″ tires. 

This design also helps cushion impacts, making it a great choice for riders who want a comfortable ride. 

The Shimano Shift/Brake levers make shifting effortless, while the SR Suntour fork provides 75mm of travel that may not be suitable for downhill trails but is perfect for light off-roading and tackling urban streets.

The wheelset features quick release hubs equipped with spunky Bontrager alloy rims made with stainless steel spokes, giving this bike a good balance between weight and durability. 

The Bontrager LT3 tires are 26×2″ which allows for increased traction on any surface – perfect for off-roading or taking on wet city streets.

The Tektro linear pull brakes offer predictable stopping power in dry conditions. 

You’ll also get Shimano Twist shifters as well as an ergonomic saddle plumbed with dual springs giving you plenty of support during long rides. 

The Shimano Tourney, 42/34/24t crankset is paired to a 14-28, 7 speed cassette giving you enough gear range to tackle those local trails.

Finally, the price tag is where this bike really shines; offered at just under $500, it’s one of the most affordable high performing mountain bikes on today’s market. 

With its durable frame design and components, it’s suitable for nearly any kind of cycling adventure so if you’re looking for an all-around quality bicycle without breeding on your wallet then make sure to check out the 2023 Trek 820!

Order online and have it shipped to your local dealer for final assembly!!

Related Posts

2023 Cannondale Habit Carbon 2 Review

Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS Gen 4 Review

Royce Union RTE Electric Mountain Bike Review

2023 Trek 520 Grando Review

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

Adrienne So

Review: Trek FX+ 2

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

If you come to me and say, “I’ve never ridden an electric bike before,” I am probably going to take a few factors into consideration. The first is safety. If you’ve never built a bike, I’m probably not going to recommend a mail-order one you have to assemble yourself. You don’t want to discover that you've failed to tighten a screw when you’re going 20 miles per hour down a hill.

You also probably want a bike that’s reasonably priced, comfortable, and convenient to ride. In fact, you might want one that’s as close to your first human-powered bike as possible. Trek’s FX+ 2 hits all the sweet spots. It’s made by a reputable manufacturer with a wide retailer network. The reasonable base price includes all the commuter components, like integrated lights and fenders. Most importantly, it’s light and maneuverable.

It’s not a 65-pound “starter” ebike that will crush you if you stop on a hill or forget to charge the battery. Nor is it a smart bike that makes you spend 20 minutes walking through an app before you can ride it. I've been testing ebikes at home for years, and this is the first one my 60-year-old dad has felt comfortable grabbing and using to chase after my kids. “Sometimes I don’t even turn it on,” he remarked the other day. That’s the whole point.

The FX+ 2 comes in two configurations and three different sizes. The default model has a regular step-over top tube, and the FX+ 2 Stagger has a step-through top tube. Both come in a variety of colors and have small, medium, and large sizes. I’m 5'2" and the small-size Stagger fits me well. However, if you’re smaller than 5 feet, you might want to look at a different bike.

The cables, battery, and motor are inside the frame. The only clue the FX+ 2 Stagger is an ebike at all is a small unit with only three buttons on it: a power button, and plus and minus symbols. When you turn on the bike, its lights turn on, and two light meters show how much battery you have left and what level of pedal assistance you have toggled on.

That’s it. There’s no bright LCD display and no throttle. This might seem like a downside, but I use my electric bike for commuting and running errands. When I lock it up on a rack, it gives me peace of mind to know that no one’s going to spot a lone ebike in the wild and immediately try to steal it (or the battery).

I also appreciate the clarity in the controls. I’ve tried other electric bikes with a one-button toggle, but I could never remember how many times to press the button to toggle the level of assist, or what light indicated how much battery I had left.

The FX+ 2 has a 250-watt Hydrive rear hub motor, which is the European standard. That might seem slightly underpowered to Americans looking to power up huge hills, but the bike is so light and maneuverable that having a smaller motor doesn’t matter much at all. The medium frame size weighs 40 pounds—almost 30 pounds lighter than my own Tern GSD S00.

Not only is it easy to scootch up hills, it’s also easy to maneuver onto crowded bike racks when I’m out, or to lift onto our hanging bike rack in my garage. Also, for the past two weeks, it’s the first bike both my dad and I have grabbed to run errands around the neighborhood. The stated range is 35 miles, but we’ve put at least 10 miles on it by now, and the battery seems largely untouched. The fast 45c road tires didn’t hurt, either.

It does lack a few features we're used to seeing on higher-end ebikes by now, like a low-maintenance carbon belt drive or a continuously variable shifter. Instead, it has a regular bike chain on a nine-speed Shimano shifting system, with a derailleur that, yes, you may have to adjust occasionally.

But honestly, this was more than fine by me. I didn’t have to learn a new shifting system or figure out how to calibrate the gearing with the assist levels. I wasn’t riding a bike that was trying to predict how much assist I’d need and when—I could simply toggle on more or less as I rode. In that way, it felt much easier and more natural. 

It also has a lot of accessories that may be equally important, especially as the weather here in Oregon has grown cold, gray, and wet in the past few weeks. The 120-lumen headlamp is incredibly bright. The bell is incredibly loud. The fenders have kept my jeans relatively dry, and I’ve been able to bungee items onto the rear rack. A kickstand keeps it up in the garage for quick access, and hydraulic disc brakes work even when the rain is pouring down.

The price point may seem high compared to direct-to-consumer bikes from Aventon, Lectric, or Rad Power. But once you start adding up the cost of quality components, labor, and accessories, their prices start inching up. Mail-order companies are able to offer much lower prices on base models because their motors are cheaper. With a nicer motor, a mail-order bike like the Ride1Up Prodigy is priced comparably to the FX+ 2, and you have to assemble and safety-check it yourself.

Over the years, I’ve seen bicycle manufacturers debate and then struggle to add or subtract features that will make electric bikes more attractive to people who haven’t biked before. Extremely low step-throughs! Weird shifting systems! Apps! Huge tires! Maybe the best way to get people on an electric bike is the same way you get people on a regular bike—by making it fun, light, and easy to ride.

File Description: UUEE - Sheremetyevo International - Moscow, Russia Sheremetyevo International Airport is an international airport located in the Moscow Oblast, Russia, 29 km (18 mi) north-west of central Moscow. It is a hub for the passenger operations of the Russian international airline Aeroflot, and one of the three major airports serving Moscow along with Domodedovo International Airport and Vnukovo International Airport. It is now the 2nd largest airport in Russia after Domodedovo. In 2010, the airport handled 19,329,000 passengers and 184,488 aircraft movements. Using ADEx 1.52, aeronautical maps and Google Earth the default AFCAD has been completely reworked to reflect today's situation including gate assignments.

File Description: UUEE Sheremetyevo International Airport updated with the new 6L-24R runway.

AVSIM Library System Version 2.00 -- 2004-May-01 © 2001-2024 AVSIM Online All Rights Reserved

Follow Puck Worlds online:

• Follow Puck Worlds on Twitter

Site search

Filed under:

• Kontinental Hockey League

Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

Share this story.

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

<< Previous page

Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

Shopping Cart Items: 0 Cart Total: 0,00 € place your order

Price pdf version

student - 2,75 € individual - 3,00 € institutional - 7,00 €

Copyright В© 1999-2022. Stratum Publishing House

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.

A free masterclass in bike repair basics

Get your bike ready to ride

• filter controls Items 24 24 48 72 filter controls Sort by Featured Featured A-Z Z-A Price Low-High Price High-Low