trek virtual vs actual

Your Bicycle Size Guide

Trek Bike Size Chart By Height In CM & Inches (Road Bike/MTB)

A Trek bike size guide is all you need when the search for the correct bicycle size is still on. Known to be the number 1 performance bike brand all over the globe, Trek has been stacked with powerful engineering and classy bikes.

There are many questions revolving around passionate fans of the brand with one of them being, what size Trek bike do I need?

Well, the answer is very simple. You will need to go through the charts below for a particular bike type and model you are looking for.

Trek size charts

Trek bike sizes can vary, and that can lead to more confusion among potential buyers. The below charts will help in choosing the right model according to your height and inseam.

Trek mountain bike size chart

Trek mountain bikes come in different categories and offer sizes for every individual, starting from extra small to extra large. Take a look at the tables below and select the ideal fit for yourself.

Category – Full suspension, Hardtails, Electric, Cross Country, Trail, Enduro, Downhill, Fat Bikes, and Fuel EXe (E-MTB)

Models/Series – Supercaliber, Top Fuel, X-Caliber, Procaliber, Farley, Roscoe, Marlin, Powerfly, Service, 820, Slash, Remedy, Fuel EX, and Session

Trek MTB Cross Country (820)

Trek e-mountain bike.

Models/Series – Powerfly, E-Caliber, and Rail

Trek road bike size chart

Road bikes are an essential part of the brand that caters to a wide range of audience, thanks to its diverse range of models. These Trek road bike size charts shall help you pick the right bicycle that can go a long way for an adventurous ride.

Category – Performance/Gravel

Models/Series – Madone, Emonda, and Domane

Category – Bikepacking/Cyclocross

Model/Series – 520 and 520 Grando

Models/Series – Checkpoint and Boone 6

Model Series – 1120

Trek electric road bike sizing

Models/Series – FX+, DUAL SPORT+, vEREVE+, and Allant+

Trek alpha sizing for MTB – what is it?

The old-school approach of measuring the frame size of Trek bikes is a thing of the past. With newer inventions and modern bike geometry, alpha sizing is used in place of numeric sizing on Trek mountain bikes.

Why is alpha sizing important?

1. Easier approach

Instead of using size numbers like 19.5, the sizes can be classified into S, M, ML, L, XL, and XXL. So, someone with a 17.5 size can go for the medium and a 19.5 is a large size. You don’t have to keep a tab on numbers; instead, the alphabet makes it easier.

2. Measurement based on reach

In earlier times the frame size measurement of Trek bikes was solely based on seat tube length. Things have changed, and modern mountain bike geometry focuses more on reach as of now. Hence, alpha sizing measures what matters and is a more simplified way of measuring bike size.

Trek sizing – virtual vs actual

This can puzzle you a bit as they both are somewhat similar yet there is a subtle difference. Actual size can be termed as the overall length of the seat tube from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube intersection with the centerline of the seat tube.

On the other hand, virtual sizing is the overall length of the seat tube ranging from the center of the bottom bracket to the mid-point of the imaginary horizontal top tube in which it connects with the seat tube.

If I had to give you an example, a bike might have a virtual size of 18.5 and an actual size of 17.5. This means that the bike size feels like 18.5, but in actual sense, the frame size is 17.5. It doesn’t make much of a difference as it is there only to let you know what it is (actual size) and what it looks like in size (virtual size).

People also ask

Trek 17.5 frame size – what does it mean.

A 17.5 frame size is considered an M size (Medium) in terms of alpha sizing. Any individual who is 161-172 cm or a height of 5’3.4”-5’7.7” . If you are within this height range, going for a medium size shall be the right choice.

Trek medium frame size is for what height?

A medium size frame size (17.5) is ideal for a person with a height between 5’3.4”-5’7.7 ”. In centimeters, it is ideal for those around 161 to 172 cm in height.

Trek 24-inch bike is for what age?

When it comes to children, their bikes are measured in terms of wheel size instead of the standard frame size. These kid’s bikes have a size range between 12-26 inches, depending upon the height of the kid.

As far as a 24-inch wheel size is concerned, any kid between the ages of 8-11 can go for a fun ride with it. Some of the popular 24-inch bike models are Trek Roscoe 25, Wahoo 24, Trek Precaliber 24 , etc.

Trek 26-inch bike is for what height?

A 26-inch wheel-size bike is for kids with a height of 4’9”-5’3” (146-160 cm) . Wahoo 26 is a prime example of a bike in this category.

Trek 20-inch bike is for what age?

Trek 20-inch bikes are for children between 5 to 8 years of age. Additionally, if they are within the height of 3’9”-4’6” , it should be suitable for them.

Are Trek bikes good?

Trek bikes are considered to be extremely good and solid in build. It is known to be the number 1 performance bike brand all over the globe. Having its humble beginning in the year 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin, it has turned into the largest bicycle manufacturer all over the world. With an array of bikes ranging from, mountain, road, electric, and kids bikes, there is a lot to choose from a mammoth list.

How much is a used Trek bike worth?

It depends on a lot of factors in terms of how old the bike is, the year of production, which model, and a lot more. However, it can be within $1000-10,000 (depending on the model and other factors) .

Where are Trek bikes made?

The majority of their bikes are manufactured in Taiwan, China, Netherlands, and Germany too.

Why are Trek bikes so expensive?

Usually, the bike brand prefers top-tier components, suspensions, and frames that are ahead of its competitors. This results in additional costs that can be seen in the price tag and also many top-end Trek bikes are custom-made with less production, leading to being more expensive.

Trek bikes are a class apart in many ways with a range of bikes on offer for its fans across the world. Choosing the right size for you can be tricky, but this is where the Trek frame size chart comes to the rescue.

Trek as a bicycle brand might be on the costly side, but they punch above its weight to provide top-class bikes for the masses. I am always someone who roots for quality, and Trek provides what I need.

One comment

Thanks for your informative post. I really like the Trek alpha sizing for MTB because Trek frame sizes use alpha sizing rather than the usual inches or centimeters (cm), and they usually have a certain range of measurements.

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• This topic has 15 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 11 years ago by stevemtb .
• trek fuel ex8 sizing 19.5 virtual for 5'11??

Wondering if anyone has a trek fuel 19.5 virtual for some like me who is 5’11.

Looking at getting one off the classifieds here but it’s a 3 hour drive to test it which isn’t going to happen.

I think the trek sizing means if is 18.5 normal which I think should be ok but ideally if anyone has similar be good to gear from them.

IMO I’d say you were virtual 18.5″ (Actual 17.5″). They come up pretty long…my brother is the same height as you and is on a vir 18.5″. I’m 5′ 9″ and found the vir 18.5″ a bit stretched.

Best to see if you can get a try on one…any Trek dealers near you with demo bikes?

I’m 5,9/10 and ride a 17.5 actual 18.5 virtual with a 70mm stemif that helps. I think a 18.5 actual would be the right size for you.

Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition

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Cheers lads, going to try alpine bikes tomorrow but not sure what size they have.

Running 17.5 actual with 75mm stem and 711mm bars at 5’9″. Fits and runs like dream…not sure if the 2013 model differs to my 2012 in terms of geo though.

I am just under 6ft and ride a 2010 19.5″ (virtual), and find it spot on, even with a 100mm stem and layback post. Do have a long upper body/arms though, so may not suit you as much, but you can always run shorter stem and straight post. You gain in higher BB clearance too, as its lower than some 5″ bikes.

I did try an 18.5 and did feel good, especially coming from a slightly small hardtail too, but bought mine 2nd hand and was too good a deal to miss. now i have got used to the full suss, the stability downhill and extra room on longer rides of the larger frame overcomes the slight loss of agility on tight singletrack, for me at least.

Hi 5-10 / 5/11 here and on a 18.5 virtual. A 19.5 might be a bit big.

My 6’2″ mate has a 20.5 inch frame and its just right

I’m 5’11” and I rode a virtual 18.5″ ex8- as others have said they’re pretty long. I wouldn’t have wanted a bigger frame.

Hi, my brother has a remedy 8 2010 virtual 18.5″ and I have a remedy 9 2012 virtual 19.5″. We are both the same height at 5’8″ ish. I run mine with a 50mm stem and he has a 70mm stem – both are hard to tell apart in terms of reach and stand over. The only difference you notice is approx 1/2″ extra wheelbase on mine. I think the frame will be a good fit, you may need to play with the stem and seat position a bit to get the right fit and feel. Hope that helps.

Just over 5’11” here and I’ve got a 19.5 virtual which fits fine with a slightly shorter stem. But I have longish arms and legs (33′) and I think I’m right at the lower limit for that size of frame. I could just as well have gone with a 18.5

I’m 5′ 10″ and my ’06 Top Fuel at 17″ is small, but my 2010 Fuel EX at 18.5 is perfect…

It is one of the good things about trek; plenty of frame sizes to choose from. None of this small, medium and large nonsense. 🙂

just over 5’11, 33″ inside leg, fairly short body. i ride virtual 19.5 75mm stem. its fine

5’10 and I’ve got a 2012 Remedy 9 in 19.5 virtual. Tested a 2013 Remedy 8 in 18.5 virtual which was spot on but there was only a 19.5 2012 left in the sale. Placed side by side I couldn’t spot any difference in the sizes so I went for the larger one.

Riding it round the red routes at GT and Inners it’s been absolutely spot on but I’m starting to worry that it might feel a bit big to chuck around on Enduro stages. For the Fuel I’d say it will be absolutely fine (unless you’re doing a lot of steep stuff that you’d really want the saddle out of the way).

The topic ‘trek fuel ex8 sizing 19.5 virtual for 5'11??’ is closed to new replies.

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Trek sizing question

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Greetings one and all and Happy New Year... My question is a straight forward one concerning Trek and their sizing. I have heard that Treks run a little small...does anyone here have any information about that...? If so where does the information come from...? I'm thinking of getting a new bike and I want to be sure before I leap. Thanks.  

critical dimensions... Compared to the most typical center to center or center to top methods of measurement, a Trek frame of a given size will be vertically smaller than most other brands, because they use the entire seat tube length as the "frame size". A 58cm frame, for instance, might only measure 54.5cm c-c. What you really need to look at is the head tube, with the headset to determine vertical size. The new Madone uses an integrated headset (typically 15mm tall) , while older models use a taller conventional headset with a 25-30mm height. Treks tend to be a bit long in TT length compared to most other brands, although you must also consider the seat tube angle to determine frame reach. Steeper STAs increase the reach by about 1cm per degree.  

When looking at 2008 Treks, keep in mind that some road performance models are measured differently for nominal frame size than they were last year. Madone 5.1 through 6.9 are now measured (both for nominal frame size and effective top tube length) to a "v" dot on the seat mast. The dot marks the spot where a virtual horizontal top tube would intersect that mast. Madone 4.5 and 4.7, Series 1, Series 2 and Pilot are measured to where a virtual horizontal top tube would intersect the seatpost. The TI track (except for the 62 cm) and FX is measured by actual seat tube length, with FX nominal frame sizes given in inches. Accordingly, most of the 2008 Trek road bikes may no longer "run small." But even with the new sizing scheme, nominal frame size isn't the important fit dimension, as explained in C-40's reply.  

still small... Trek's latest geometry drawing actually shows one endpoint for the horizontal TT length to be at the top-center of the head tube. While unusual, it doesn't create much difference in the TT length mesurement, even if the STA and HTA differ by 2.5 degrees. The Trek frame with a 120mm head tube length is called a 54cm, while my LOOK frame, which is measured by the traditional c-c method, having the same head tube length is called a 51cm. The Trek frame has about 6mm more reach. To get the same reach as my LOOK, I'd have to drop down to the 52cm frame and settle for a 10-15mm shorter head tube. Whether the horizontal line crosses the seat post or seat mast makes no difference, but it's nice that they marked the point on the seat mast. Trek also lists a stack height and reach mesurement, just like Cervelo. The concept of reach is useful, but still has a major drawback. To compare the reach of two frames, they must have the same stack height, otherwise there can be significant errors in the comparison - about 3mm for each centimer of stack height sifference. If you're trying to decide between two frames sizes, you still have to add 3mm per centimeter of stack height to the reach of the larger frame to figure the difference in stem length.  

C-40 said: The Trek frame with a 120mm head tube length is called a 54cm Click to expand...

I'm looking the other way Thanks for the info so far...actually what I'm looking to do is go FROM my 2006 Trek 5200 to a 2008 Orbea Orca the Orca comes in a 57 and I am currently riding a 58... Thanks again...  

Swildey said: Thanks for the info so far...actually what I'm looking to do is go FROM my 2006 Trek 5200 to a 2008 Orbea Orca the Orca comes in a 57 and I am currently riding a 58... Thanks again... Click to expand...

my thinking is That the slightly smaller Orbea will not be really noticed. I can't seem to find the geometry specs for the 06 Trek anymore it would be nice to know the TT length and STA to compare to the Orbea...but me-thinks i'll be comfortable on the 57... Thanks...  

Swildey said: but me-thinks i'll be comfortable on the 57... Thanks... Click to expand...

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Understanding Bike Geometry

Jump to bike geometry terms

A bike's geometry strongly influences its handling, your comfort, your aerodynamics and your power output. Fit can have far more impact on performance and feel than expensive components.

What is the ideal fit? That depends on your style of riding and your priorities.

Road bike fit and geometry

Differences in road bike geometry are now primarily about choosing (and adapting) a bike to fit your body’s biomechanics, rather than a bike’s handling.

On a road or TT bike, you’re generally trying to achieve a balance between three factors: comfort, power and aerodynamics.

Power, aero, comfort: choose any two.

• Power: optimise saddle height (typically high) and fore/aft position relative to BB
• Aero: lower stack, longer effective top tube (flattening your back and reducing frontal area)
• Comfort or sustainability: higher stack, shorter reach (sitting up)

You’ll find ‘sportive’ road bikes often have a shorter reach and higher stack, keeping your head up to ease neck strain on a long ride. Racier bikes will be longer and lower… more aerodynamic, but tough to maintain that position for a long time.

The parameters affecting road bike handling have settled on a formula that’s known to work for each category and differs little between brands. You’ll find most road race bikes have steeper head angles and shorter wheelbases, making them sharper handling than a more easy-going endurance bike.

Example: Racy TCR vs endurance Defy

Because road bike fit is so dependent on your body’s dimensions and your own flexibility and strength, a professional bike fit is often a good investment. We’re not on commission, but we’re convinced enough of the merits to have built a big list of bike fitters , searchable by location.

Mountain bike fit and geometry

On a mountain bike, unless you’re XC racing and striving for pure efficiency, you’ll probably focus on handling rather than your body’s biomechanics.

Climbing and descending place different demands on geometry, so it can be useful to think in terms of position when seated (going up) vs position when standing (going down!).

Standing - geometry for descending

When standing, reach and stack define your position over the bike, as your only contact points are your hands and your feet. Dropper posts mean your saddle position is no longer a factor when descending. You’re then thinking about handling on the descents; a slacker head tube angle and longer wheelbase gives stability. (Conversely, shorter chainstays can make a bike feel more playful - quicker to turn and easier to manual - at the expense of wheelbase length.) A lower BB lowers the centre of gravity of the heaviest thing on the bike - you - and helps it carve around corners.

Seated - geometry for climbing

When seated, seat tube angle and top tube length define your position fore and aft. When climbing, you want your centre of gravity forward to keep the front wheel weighted. A steeper seat tube angle helps achieve this. The TT length plus stem length defines how stretched out you are - for sustained climbing, most people will prefer a bit more space in the cockpit. To enjoy the climbs on your new LLS enduro rig, compromise may been needed when thinking about head angle (steeper will make it more nimble on a twisty climb) and BB height (higher will help avoid pedal strikes on roots and rocks).

Long, Low and Slack

Driven by the rise of Enduro (and the dropper seatpost), the last 10 years have seen a marked trend towards longer, lower, slacker bikes.

• Longer reach (with shorter stem) and wheelbase - for stability at high speed
• Lower bottom bracket - for carving corners
• Slacker head angles - for steep terrain and going fast
• (and steeper seat angles - to maintain a good climbing position)

Subjective as it may be, it's now widely accepted that a long reach, short stem and wide bars make for more precise steering. However, the difference in stem lengths need to be taken into account when comparing bikes of different age or intended use. A modern enduro bike might be designed around a 40mm stem, an XC bike (or any MTB a few years old) might assume a 70mm stem. That 30mm difference needs to be added to the reach or effective top tube to give a fair comparison of cockpit length.

The long-low-slack trend is not just for enduro-oriented bikes either; the latest crop of XC bikes also feature long reaches and slack head angles (BB height is more affected by suspension travel and wheel size).

There are so many factors that affect MTB handling besides geometry - tyre pressure, suspension setup, weather conditions! - we’d recommend spending several hours with any prospective new buy at a demo day.

Bike geometry terms A guide to the terminology used throughout geometrygeeks.bike

Top Tube Length aka: Effective Top Tube, Horizontal Top Tube, Virtual Top Tube

Top tube is a good indicator of overall size of the bike.

It's measured 'effectively' horizontally from head tube axis to seat tube axis.

Older bikes frequently had horizontal top tubes, but now sloping tubes are much more common. Where the top tube is horizontal the Effective Top Tube and Actual Top Tube will be identical.

A longer top tube has you more stretched out on the bike, all other things being equal. This will give you a racier, more aerodynamic position on a road bike - possibly at the expense of all-day comfort.

Actual Top Tube Length

Top tube length as measured from head tube axis to seat tube axis, along the tube itself.

This is not particularly useful for bike fit.

Seat Tube Length

"Centre to Top" or C-T is the length from bottom bracket centre to top of seat tube. Useful because you can measure it and helps you work out how much seatpost you need.

"Centre to Centre" or C-C is the length from bottom bracket centre to the middle of where the top tube meets the seat tube. Was a bit more useful when bikes were made without sloping top tubes.

"Effective" is the length from the bottom bracket centre to the point where a horizontal line from the top of the head tube meets the seat tube axis. Less commonly used.

One of these is often used as an overall measure of a bike's size.

Head Angle aka: Steerer Angle

The angle the forks make with the ground.

A slacker (smaller) head angle gives more stable handling at speed but can feel wander-y while going slower. A steeper (larger) angle makes a bike more precise at slow speeds, but twitchier when going faster.

Seat Angle aka: Seat Tube Angle, Effective Seat Tube Angle

Seat tube angle. Steeper (larger) places you further forward while seated, slacker (smaller) stretches you out more.

When descending on a mountain bike you'll often be standing, so designers can focus seat angle on climbing performance - this is why MTB seat angles have become much steeper recently.

On mountain bikes where seat tube does not intersect the BB, we use the 'effective' angle.

On time trial bikes, the saddle can often be repositioned to give a wide range of effective seat angles. This is all about optimising sustainable power for the individual.

Actual Seat Tube Angle

On mountain bikes where seat tube does not intersect the BB, the actual angle is sometimes given. Effective angle is usually more useful to consider, unless you run an abnormally high or low saddle.

The vertical distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre-top of the head tube, where the virtual steering axis passes through.

A low stack feels low, aero and racy. Go too low and your back and neck might start to ache on longer rides, though.

The horizontal distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre-top of the head tube, where the virtual steering axis passes through.

Very useful for gauging how long a bike feels.

In mountain biking, reach has been lengthening as stems get shorter and bars wider, giving a more stable ride at speed.

Length of head tube.

A tall head tube may mean you can't fit forks that have had their steerer tube cut, such as those from a smaller bike. Make sure the fork steerer is long enough to allow for headset cups, stem height and head tube length.

A taller head tube raises your hand position, but Stack is often a better measure for this.

Chainstay aka: Rear Centre

Distance from rear wheel axle to bottom bracket centre.

Shorter chainstays make a mountain bike easier to wheelie/manual and can feel more 'playful', but a tradeoff can be keeping the front wheel planted on a steep climb.

Chainstay length also contributes directly to the total wheelbase, so a shorter chainstay can feel quicker to corner but less stable at speed.

Front Centre

Distance from centre of bottom bracket to the front axle.

Distance between front and rear axles.

This is the overall length of the bike.

Standover aka: Standover Clearance, Standover Height

Standover height or clearance is the height from the ground to the top tube. Normally measured at a point halfway along the top tube, but sometimes measured at the lowest point too. Treat with caution!

How far the bottom bracket is below a line drawn between front and rear axles. Sometimes given as a negative number. Almost every bike ever will have a BB below that line.

A bigger drop lowers your centre of gravity, good for cornering but less good for catching your pedals on the ground!

How far the bottom bracket is above the ground.

Describes the same thing as BB drop, but varies depending on tyre choice, suspension sag and other factors.

Fork Rake aka: Fork Offset

How far in front of the steerer tube axis the front axle is.

Along with head angle, the fork offset determines Trail.

The distance between the point where the projected steerer tube axis meets the ground and the point where the the wheel contacts the ground.

More trail feels more stable at speed, but can cause more 'flop' of the front wheel when turning more slowly.

A slacker head angle gives more trail.

Seatpost Size (Diameter)

Diameter of seatpost required for the frame. Some frames may require specific shapes of seatpost (e.g. aerodynamic profile) or use a fixed seatmast.

Seatpost Length

Length originally specified as part of the complete bike, or a dropper post.

Handlebar Width

Width originally specified as part of the complete bike.

Road bike bars are usually chosen with the rider's shoulder width in mind. If you're super aero though, you might go narrower to keep your frontal area small.

Stem Length

Length originally specified as part of the complete bike.

On a road bike, stem length is one of the easiest ways to adjust your stretched-out-ness.

Typical MTB stems have shrunk from 100-120mm to under 50mm to accommodate wider bars and longer reach.

Crank Length

Those with longer legs will usually choose longer cranks, but shorter cranks can be useful for 1) making gearing harder for the same cadence and 2) better ground clearance too.

BB Type aka: Bottom Bracket Type

Bottom bracket standard, e.g. Pressfit BB30 or Threaded 73mm shell.

Axle Spacing

Rear axle spacing standard, e.g. 12x148 Boost or 135x9 QR.

Fork Length aka: Axle to Crown, A2C

The distance from front axle to top of fork crown. On a suspension fork this is measured with fork uncompressed.

• 700c road wheel
• 26"/27.5" (650b)/29" MTB wheels
• 29+ semi fat.

Star Trek’s Holodeck: from science fiction to a new reality

Senior lecturer, RMIT University

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Fabio Zambetta has received funding from the ARC (Australian Research Council) under the ARC Linkage and ARC Discovery programs.

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Many of the technological advances predicted in Star Trek’s fictional universe have become reality , such as the mobile communicator and hand-held tablet computers.

Others, such as tractor beams and warp drives , are still a work in progress. But what of the Holodeck ?

The Holodeck first appeared in The Practical Joker , a 1974 episode of the Star Trek animated series. It was depicted as a recreation room containing a simulated, alternative version of reality. It featured heavily in The Next Generation series and in the 1996 film First Contact .

Anyone entering the Holodeck could interact with “solid” props and characters in any scenario based on whatever parameters they programmed.

These programs are not unlike the narrative-driven, cinematic videogames we have today, such as Grand Theft Auto , Red Dead Redemption or The Witcher .

The Holodeck was a narrative device that allowed Star Trek’s writers to experiment with philosophical questions in settings not available in a typical sci-fi context.

It inspired several generations of computer scientists who spearheaded research in artificial intelligence, computer graphics and human-computer interaction.

The convergence of these research areas has given rise to other forms of reality on the path to the construction of a real Holodeck.

A real Holodeck?

In virtual reality ( VR ) we are fully immersed in a synthetic, “virtual” version of reality, experienced through dedicated VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive .

A typical example of VR is an immersive war game that puts a user in charge of a Roman army as Caesar, battling Vercingetorix’s Gaul troops at Alesia.

But VR has a major drawback for some applications. Being isolated from the real world, it’s not easy to engage in social interaction or physical movement in a way that feels natural to most people.

Augmented reality ( AR ) blends synthetic, virtual objects with the view of our physical reality. In AR, we can interact with virtual humans inhabiting our physical space or we can work with our children, for example, to build virtual LEGO houses on real tables in our own living rooms.

Headsets are available that allow us to create AR in our office or lounge rooms, such as the Microsoft Hololens or the Meta .

But AR headsets still suffer from several technical limitations, such as a reduced field of view. The software that lets the virtual and real worlds interact believably and naturally still needs work.

Sensing humans

Real-world Holodeck programs would also need the technology to sense human actions. This would provide useful information that the virtual personas inhabiting the Holodeck programs would use to anticipate our human intentions.

Progress here has been fast and constant, with great improvements in speech recognition and language translation, such as Apple’s Siri , Google’s Assistant and Microsoft’s Cortana .

We now take almost for granted the ability to search for information with speech or to command our mobiles to schedule meetings and appointments. Other devices, originally conceived for entertainment applications, can track human gestures or even their full body posture.

For example, Microsoft Kinect can track a human body, and the technology is now included in the Hololens as its gesture-recognition component.

Lots of other sensing devices are now commonplace in mobile devices, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and temperature and pressure sensors.

The general trend is towards giving humans the ability to communicate using a combination of their body and their voice via hands-free or wearable user interfaces.

Enter the artificial intelligence

The key ingredient for Holodeck programs in the real world is the ability to equip virtual characters with sophisticated forms of artificial intelligence (AI).

AI and machine learning – the art of teaching a machine how to learn to perform a complex task – have seen advances in areas such as automated game playing , autonomous car driving and drone control , and deep learning .

These advances, while noteworthy, do not necessarily show strong progress towards general forms of artificial intelligence (AGI) exhibited by humans.

It has been argued that defining or providing general human intelligence may prove a very elusive problem for a long time, or indeed forever.

Fortunately, a restricted version of a Holodeck program may only require a slightly weaker, not fully general form of intelligence. This was exemplified by androids in the popular TV series reboot of Westworld .

Almost human? Close enough

The good news is that this may shorten the time needed to realise the hypothetical Holodeck programs. The bad news is that such a feat is still beyond us at this stage, although recent progress in machine learning will likely help us close the gap faster.

The question is then whether we shall ever be able to reach the level of sophistication in AR and AI needed to build a Holodeck? And if so, when?

Making predictions on such matters is not trivial, but I am inclined to think that current advances in VR and AR technologies will provide us with the required sophisticated headsets within the next five to ten years.

The question then is also whether we shall ever be able to achieve AR using alternative forms of projections that remove the need for a headset altogether.

This may be possible, eventually, but it would be irrelevant if headsets could be miniaturised and potentially implanted into human eyes, similar to what was suggested in other sci-fi classics such as Neuromancer or Snow Crash , and recently advocated by transhumanists .

The recent predictions about breakthroughs in general artificial intelligence by experts seem to converge around a date around 2040. This would put the sort of AI required for Holodeck characters somewhat earlier than that.

So I believe that one day humans will be able to experience some form of Holodeck similar to what was envisaged in Star Trek.

To paraphrase Star Teek’s infamous Borg alien race, I will say that resistance to this technological progress is futile and it will be assimilated, one day.

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• Science fiction
• Augmented reality
• Virtual reality
• Machine learning

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SOLAR SYSTEM TREKS

• Galleries Feature of the Month Did You Know? Virtual Reality Library Layers of Interest
• Features Virtual Reality 3D Printing 3D Visualization Calculate Distance Calculate Elevation Calculate Sun Angle Trek Map Services
• Links SSERVI Earth's Moon Mars Exploration Program Planetary Data System (PDS) Solar System Exploration NASA Science NASA's Eyes NASA 3D Resources OpenSpace MoonDiff

A Watery Past

A World Well-Done

Furnace Under the Clouds

Signs of a Distant Ocean

Giant Moon of a Giant Planet

Icy Moons Treks

Saturn's Icy Entourage

Our Next Step

Mars' Doomed Moon

Methane Rain

A Small World of Big Boulders

Closest Dwarf Planet

Dragon Palace

Protoplanet

• Solar System
• Coming Soon

The Solar System Treks are online, browser-based portals that allow you to visualize, explore, and analyze the surfaces of other worlds using real data returned from a growing fleet of spacecraft. You can view the worlds through the eyes of many different instruments, pilot real-time 3D flyovers above mountains and into craters, and conduct measurements of surface features. The portals provide exciting capabilities for mission planning, planetary science, and public outreach.

Feature of the Month

Virtual Reality Library

Apollo Landing Sites on the Moon

Possible Future Landing Sites on the Moon

Great Landscapes of Mars

Views of Vesta

Active Geology on Ceres

Great Landforms of Mercury

Trek Galleries

Did you know.

You can use the “Experience TrekVR” tool in many of the Trek portals to create your own virtual reality flyovers of terrain that interests you. We’ve also created a list of pre-made VR flyovers of some of the more popular sites to help get you started in your VR explorations. Use your smart phone to scan the QR code associated with each flyover, put your phone in a pair of cardboard-compatible goggles, and start flying. Keep an eye on this page! We’ll be updating it with new flyovers.

These flyovers use data from the Wide Angle Camera aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to provide a broad view of the fascinating geography that led to these sites being selected for the first stages of human exploration on the Moon. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Moon Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow and a red X marking the landing site. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

In January 2018, NASA conducted a workshop to discuss and identify potential future landing sites on the Moon for future missions. For more information see https://lunar-landing.arc.nasa.gov . Here are VR flyovers for some of the highlighted sites. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Moon Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

From the solar system’s tallest mountain to its deepest canyon, Mars is a world of epic landforms. We explore some of them here. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Mars Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

Vesta is the second most massive object in the asteroid belt, after the dwarf planet Ceres. It is considered to be a protoplanet, a kind of planet embryo and an example of one of the building blocks for larger planets. Its shape is not at all spherical, after massive impacts by smaller asteroids blasted away much of the southern part of the world. Vesta was studied in detail by NASA’s Dawn robotic spacecraft. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Vesta Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

Located within the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, the dwarf planet Ceres measures 945 km across. Ceres seems to have a rocky core surrounded by a thick mantle of ice (and perhaps even some liquid water, beneath a crust rich in clay and carbonates. There are many signs of active geology on Ceres. The role of lava on Ceres was played by water, erupted as liquid from below and building mountains of ice. Ceres was studied in detail by NASA’s Dawn robotic spacecraft. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Vesta Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

Mercury is the smallest and innermost of the major planets in our Solar System. Its close proximity to the Sun results in scorching daytime temperatures of 700 degrees Kelvin. Yet permanently-shadowed craters near the pole contain deposits of ice! In some ways, the surface of Mercury resembles that of our Moon. But Mercury also has many unique and spectacular landforms. Using data from NASA's MESSENGER mission, which studied Mercury from orbit in 2011-2015, we will explore some of these amazing features. For each site, we provide a screenshot map from Vesta Trek showing the flyover path marked in yellow. We also include a QR code or browser link for you to use in viewing the flyover.

Layers of Interest

Feature of the month archive, trek features.

Virtual Reality

3D Printing

3D Visualization

Calculate Distance

Calculate Elevation

Calculate Sun Angle

Trek Map Services

Have Google Cardboard or a set of VR goggles? Open the Tools panel to draw a path to float along with full 360 views, or get started with some of our favorite fly-alongs in our Virtual Reality Library . If you are unfamiliar with QR codes, watch the short video below to see how it works with Trek Virtual Reality. Currently not available in Titan or Icy Moons Trek.

Pick a feature or area that you would like to 3D print, and we'll give you the file! A few of the portals - Bennu , Ceres , Ryugu , and Vesta - have pre-generated 3D print files of the entire globe. Just go to the Menu situated in the top-right corner of the Trek portal and select "Download 3D Globe Print File(s)".

Explore the Moon, Mars, and Vesta in 3D. Spin our moon, the Red Planet or the huge asteroid around its axis, orient it whichever direction you want, and approach from any angle. Change the projection or view by clicking the globe or '3D' button located at the bottom-left of any Trek.

Draw a straight line, a polyline, or freehand your own proposed rover traverse, and we'll give you the distance. It may look tiny on the map, but you'll be amazed how huge (or small) these celestial bodies are. Draw your line, polyline, or freehand polyline and let us do the calculation.

Draw a line, polyline, or freehand polyline and see how the elevation changes. We extract the elevation profile from a digital elevation model (DEM) of the terrain and give you the results in an interactive graph. If you would like to see numbers in a convenient format, simply export the elevation profile to a .csv file.

Note: The GIF shows an older version of our elevation profiler. The current one, which you can access on the respective Trek sites, works in the same way AND has a nifty zoom feature. Try it out and let us know what you think in the Feedback link below.

Select 'Calculate Sun Angle' from the Tool menu then place your marker. Choose the start and end dates and times, set your interval and submit. (The default interval is set to 50 and will display 50 data points interspersed equally between the start and end time. The lower the number, the less accurate the results because the less frequent the readings.) The results are given in a graph showing the Elevation and Azimuth of your placed marker to the sun.

Most of the map layers shown from Treks are available through OGC RESTful Web Map Tile Service (WMTS). Through this service, you can display map layers from Treks on your software system. Read through our documentation at WMTS Layer Services .

Trek Related Links

NASA Science

Explore and discover Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics and Astrophysics

NASA's Eyes

Experience Earth and our solar system, the universe and the spacecraft exploring them, with immersive apps for Mac, PC and mobile devices

Z2 Spacesuit

Deep Space Habitat

Curiosity Rover

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Stache 29+ - any 5'11" guys on an 18.5 frame?

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I got in a short test ride on a 2016 Stache 9 size 18.5 (virtual) at my LBS this past weekend. It was too small - I just couldn't get back far enough behind the cranks. Despite the fact that they have a great deal on the 9 and that I like the color and kit, I had to pass. I think it is wiser to go with the 19.5 and shorten up on the stock stem, and that should dial things in nicely. I'm mulling ordering a Stache 7 - still trying to sell myself 100% on the color.  

Makes sense. LBS recommended 18.5 but 19.5 with a 60mn stem felt better. I'm 5 10 (was 5 11 years ago)  

Charlie Don't Surf

matt.s67 said: I'm 5'11 with a 32.5" inseam and I ride an 18.5 virtual / 17.5 actual Stache 7. Fits me fine...I could probably go up a size though. I never rode an 18.5 actual. Click to expand...

I too am running a 19.5 @ 5'10" Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk  

osteo said: Interesting how peoples preferences are. I'm 5'11.5" (or was years ago!) and am on an 18.5 (actual) Stache 5. The sticker that shows the size is gone so measured from the middle of the crank to the top of the seat tube collar and compared this number with my wife's 16.5 framed Stache (checked the measurement to make sure I measured correctly). I find the bike fits me perfectly, but have not ridden the 19.5 bike to compare. My inseam is 34" and do know my arms are long, 1.5-2" longer than normal (generally our wingspan is the same as our height). Attaching a pic to give an idea on seat height. Actually, I have my measurements in my phone: Seat to bar (front of seat) 57cm Middle of crank to top of seat 76cm View attachment 1113166 Might be best you get that test ride. Click to expand...

Finally tried a 19.5. After much deliberation, getting a Stache 7 19.5 with 50mm stem. I'm 5 10 with 32.5 inseam  

Please explain Trek virtual vs. actual sizing. I rode my buddies 17.5 (virtual?) stache 9 with a 50mm stem today and the reach felt very short to me at 5'9". I'm thinking I need a 18.5 virtual?  

noose said: Please explain Trek virtual vs. actual sizing. I rode my buddies 17.5 (virtual?) stache 9 with a 50mm stem today and the reach felt very short to me at 5'9". I'm thinking I need a 18.5 virtual? Click to expand...

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Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Choosing a road bike makes a lot of sense!

Why’s that?

It’s the most versatile bike among all bike ranges available.

And if you’ve narrowed down your options to Trek and Specialized Road Bikes, you still have one more hurdle to cross.

Which brand makes the better road bike? Perhaps a better question is: which option is best for you between Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes?

This article highlights the most important details you need to consider so you can make an informed buying decision by the end of this article.

Let’s get started!

Overview of Trek Road Bike

Founded in 1975, Trek is a US-based bicycle company better known for its road bikes.

The legendary Lance Armstrong made Trek Road Bikes even more popular. The former professional road racing champion won seven straight Tour de France titles on a Trek road bike!

But you don’t have to be a professional cyclist to use Trek.

The manufacturer has an impressive range of bikes for just about anyone – men, women, and even kids !

It doesn’t matter the type of rider you are or your preferred riding terrain. Trek has a bike in its lineup for every style and experience level.

With these bikes, you can expect hydraulic disc brakes . You’ll also find trigger shifters with most bikes in the Trek’s lineup.

SRAM gears and Rockshocks forks are a common feature, too.

Since the manufacturer targets riders in all categories, the bikes are built to suit different budgets.

What Are the Range of Road Bikes for Trek?

• Aluminum Road Bike (Entry-level Emonda and Domane): Beginner and budget models
• Endurance (Domane): Offers a relaxed fit
• Lightweight (Emonda): Great racy model, good for climbs
• Aero road (Madone): Excellent pick for all road cycling
• Gravel (Boone, Checkpoint, and Crockett): Suitable for adventure

Pros and Cons of Trek Bikes

Here are the major pros and cons to keep in mind if you are eyeing Trek Bikes.

• Extensive range of bikes : Trek has a wide collection of bike types for just about any kind of rider. That means you’ll likely find something suitable for your experience level.
• Customizable : The brand designed its bike to allow for easy customization. Plus, you can adjust the bikes to suit long-distance racing and recreational riding.
• Lightweight design : The bikes are constructed using lightweight carbon fiber material. Yet, they are durable and will last for a long time with normal use.
• Aerodynamic design : Trek makes each bike using precise computerized aerodynamics. This means they offer increased comfort and are highly versatile.
• Pricier bikes : In general, Trek bikes tend to be pricier than similar options from other brands.
• Less smooth rides : Although Trek road bikes have impressive stability and endurance, they don’t offer the same level of smoother rides as Specialized road bikes.

Overview of Specialized Road Bikes

Specialized was established in 1974, with the Allez forming the foundation of the manufacturer’s road bike range.

Later in 1995, the brand launched the Full Force range of mountain bikes. It didn’t take long for Specialized to become the company to beat when it comes to mountain bikes.

That doesn’t make it the lesser brand in terms of road bikes.

It closely matches Trek in a sort of fierce competition when it comes to technology, components, and features.

Specialized also has an impressive range of top-notch bikes designed for nearly all kinds of riders.

The manufacturer may be famous for its range of mountain bikes, but it also offers kid’s bikes, e-bikes, active bikes, and of course, road bikes.

Specialized is a fantastic choice if you don’t mind splurging on a first-rate road bike.

What Are the Range of Road Bikes for Specialized?

• Aluminum Road Bike (Allez): Beginner-level or budget models
• Endurance (Roubaix): Offers a relaxed fit
• Lightweight (Tarmac): For races and climbs
• Aero Road (Venge): Excellent pick for all road cycling
• Gravel ( Diverge ): Suitable for adventure

Pros and Cons of Specialized Bikes

Here’s a quick rundown of the general pluses and minuses of Specialized Bikes.

• Caters to riders of all levels : Whether you are a pro or just getting into the cycling world, Specialized has a bike for you.
• Great build quality : The brand makes bikes with excellent stability and maximum comfort. This makes them a great choice for just about any terrain.
• Suspension system reduces impact : Bumps and bad road conditions are less likely to hamper your riding experience due to the Future Shock Suspension system of Specialized Bikes.
• Lightweight construction : The carbon fiber material used in constructing Specialized Bikes makes them light and easy to handle.
• May be too tall for some riders : Although the inclusion of the Future Shock Suspension system is a good thing, it also increases the height of the bike. This might be a turn off if you are looking to own a road bike with normal height.
• High price point : These bikes tend to come with higher price tags compared to similar bicycles from other bike brands.

Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes: Similarities

Road bikes from both Trek and Specialized share a few things in common. The following are the most apparent similarities.

Construction Materials

Both manufacturers use the same materials to build their bikes.

Higher-end bikes from both Trek and Specialized use carbon fiber material. This is a lightweight, stiff, strong, and very durable material.

Also, both brands use aluminum for their lower-end bike models.

But just because they are budget bikes doesn’t mean the construction materials are poor quality.

Instead, both manufacturers use premium aluminum to build less expensive or entry-level bikes.

Price is a major deciding factor for many people, and understandably so.

You might want a bike with the best features, construction materials, and cutting-edge technologies, but paying for it might be a pipe dream if you don’t have the budget.

Sadly, both Trek and Specialized Bikes are not exactly cheap. You’ll have to part with a pretty penny to get most of the high-end models.

Thankfully, both brands offer lower-end bikes.

Comparing the price range of Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes shows that both brands are at par with each other.

Although pricing is similar, actual price tags will depend on specific bike models or types.

If price is the most important consideration, you may want to go with Trek . But it won’t make any huge difference unless you plan to buy a higher-end model.

Entry-level Trek Road Bike models have a starting price of a little above $1,000.

But you might be looking at paying more than $12,000 if you’re eyeing a high-end option, such as an electric model.

On the flip side, budget or beginner-level Specialized Road Bikes start from around $1,000. High-end road bike models can cost up to $15,000.

Parts and Components

Trek and Specialized both use Shimano components and SRAM for their bikes.

These are high-quality components, putting many of the bikes at the same level when it comes to components. 

Keep in mind that the final price of a bike is determined by the components and parts used in building it.

That’s another way of saying it is best to compare bikes in the same price range from these brands.

By doing so, can rightly figure out which option has the edge in terms of parts and components.

Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes: Differences

Obviously, these equally great bicycle companies are different.

And while they may have very similar components, features, and even employ the same revolutionary technologies, there are still marked differences between them.

Beginners may have a difficult time picking out these differences, but experienced riders can easily tell them apart.

Here are the major dissimilarities:

Customization

You can build the bike of your liking with Trek.

You can choose from frames to forks and colors and just about every other component in-between.

Trek bikes are that flexible!

Considering there is a wide range of bikes to choose from plus the ability to customize the bikes, Trek might be a more appealing choice when it comes to variety.

On the flip side, Specialized doesn’t offer customization services.

You’ll have to make do with the manufacturer’s offerings.

The good thing is there are plenty of bikes and style options to choose from!

Rear Suspension Design

There is a sharp contrast when it comes to how Trek and Specialized design their rear suspension systems.

With Trek, you get the Full Floater rear suspension design. This suspension system prevents an increase in the movement of the shock mount as you pedal.

Here’s a simpler way to say it:

The Full Floater rear suspension offers more pedaling efficiency.

But that’s not all!

Trek bikes also include an Active Braking Pivot rear suspension system that functions somewhat like the braking systems in most modern cars.

The function of the Active Braking Pivot rear suspension is to reduce skidding in the bike’s wheel.

Specialized bikes have a completely different design focus in terms of rear suspension.

The manufacturer uses the Future Shock rear suspension system that provides increased stability and more control during rides.

With this rear suspension in place, riders can enjoy smoother rides, regardless of the road condition or terrain.

Tire Clearance

Trek Road Bikes tend to have more tire clearance than Specialized Road Bikes.

With Trek, you get a tire clearance of 32mm. On the other hand, Specialized has a tire clearance of 28mm to 32mm.

If you’re new to the cycling world, this may not make much meaning to you. But here’s a quick lowdown to help you get the gist.

Tire clearance for the average road bike is typically 28mm . However, road bikes that are designed for serious racing will have a tire clearance of between 32 and 35mm.

This tire clearance range would have been impossible some years ago. But thanks to modern technology, brands can now manufacture smaller brakes to create more tire clearance.

The more tire clearance your bike has, the more space you have to install wider tires.

And with wider bike tires come increased stability, traction, safety, and overall comfort .

Overall Design and Fit

You’re most likely considering road bikes because of their improved comfort and endurance levels.

Trek Road Bikes offer just the right amount of endurance and stability you need to cover long distances.

On the other hand, Specialized Road Bikes are designed to provide smoother rides no matter where you choose to ride them.

What’s more?

If you are choosing a road bike or any other bike for that matter, you must consider how it fits . And this has a lot to do with how you are built.

Here’s what that means.

Some riders have longer legs with shorter torsos, and others have shorter legs with longer torsos.

Whether you consider your build normal or abnormal is not the point. Instead, it is finding the right type of road bike that fits your build.

While both brands have plenty of bikes to pick from, Trek allows you to build tailor-made bikes.

So, if it seems difficult to find a road bike that will fit you perfectly, you might want to consider going with Trek.

Trek vs Specialized Road Bikes: Which One is Better for Me?

Should you buy Trek Road Bikes or is Specialized Road Bikes a better choice?

Ultimately, that’s your choice to make.

But here’s something that might help ease the decision.

Trek might be a slightly better brand if you are looking for variety. The manufacturer caters to a wider range of riders – in fact, all types of bikers.

But if high-end and pricier road bikes appeal more to you, Specialized might be a better option.

Bottom line: You can’t go wrong regardless of the brand you choose. Both manufacturers offer the best road bicycles, making it a bit difficult to say one is better than the other.

Resources :

• SportsRec.com

Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Danijel Cakalic

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Matthew Carpenter

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