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Trek Domane SLR 9.9 Project One first ride review

Eye-burstingly expensive but bum-coddlingly comfortable

Rob Spedding

Incredible levels of comfort, potential gravel-dabbling versatility and the adjustable IsoSpeed system is genuinely useful

Very expensive, even for base-level models

The third generation of the Trek Domane carries the revised rear IsoSpeed layout first seen on the new Madone , has massively increased tyre clearances, features neat integrated storage, and has a host of aero-improvements that make it a true — and truly comfortable — super bike.

• The 2020 Trek Domane gets more aero, more adjustable and goes disc-only
• Trek’s cheapest ever Madone is here
• Best road bikes 2019: how to choose the right one for you

2020 Trek Domane SLR9.9 Project One key specs

• Updated frameset with top-tube mounted IsoSpeed system
• Semi-internal cable routing
• SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset
• Bontrager Aeolus XXX 4 wheelset
• Bontrager R3 28mm tyres
• Project One bikes start at £9,650 / €10,500

More comfortable, more aero, more faster-er

The headline figures for the new Trek Domane SLR are impressive — Trek claims the bike is up to 27 per cent more compliant than the previous flagship Domane, “one minute per hour faster” than the last model and the top-end Project One version we were given to test around the roads of Padova, Italy, has a £9,650 / €10,500 ($ N/A) price tag.

I’m not expecting you to feel sorry for me but that last figure is actually one of the problems with bike launches — we get to ride the toppest of top-spec machines and, with few exceptions, they’re always impressive. And Trek will be pleased to hear that their flagship Domane Mk. III is impressive.

I’m going to start with the faster claim. While not an overtly aero bike in the same vein as the Madone, Trek has generally cleaned up the Domane to make it more slippery.

There’s nothing instantly obvious — no Kammtail seat tube, air-slicing fork designs or minuscule clearances between tyre and frame. Cables, however, are now almost entirely internal which will go some way to reducing drag.

Almost entirely internal? Trek has opted to only internalise the cables from the top tube back, which is something that I’m happy to support. Should you want to swap your bars or, you know, travel with your bike, there’s no battling with a complicated, proprietary internally-cabled stem and bar system.

Is this setup faster than the last Domane? Well, the external ‘cabling’ on this rider surely negated any aero gains from the bike but, I was lucky enough to ride last year’s Madone SLR at its launch and that, genuinely, felt like a rocket ship. Even when I was feeling rinsed, I’d look down at my Wahoo and be amazed at the speeds I was sustaining.

The Domane didn’t quite perform such miracles and doesn’t have the same accelerative oomph as the Madone but, honestly, it feels fast enough, not least for an endurance bike.

Our test model was rolling on Bontrager’s excellent Aeolus XXX 4 47mm-deep aero wheels — these are stiff, stable and quick and complement the frame well.

We’re used to bike brands telling us how their latest and greatest bikes are lighter than ever before but the new Domane has put on around 200g over the previous iteration, but then the same — at the very least — can probably be said for me compared to when I rode that Madone.

I can’t say that the Domane felt like a slouch on the climbs — I did and our Italian ride guide Allesandro will vouch for that — but it isn’t necessarily designed to be a KOM-killer in the same vein as the Emonda . You’ll have to wait for the climbing verdict of someone far skinnier for a definitive view of the Domane’s ascending attributes.

Tyre-wise, you can fit rubber up to 38mm-wide on the new Domane with 4mm of clearance on either side, and all bikes below the 9.9 we were riding will ship with new 32mm tyres.

It’s de-rigueur to point a comfort bike at potholes and the Domane, with its front and rear IsoSpeed, does a truly excellent job at soaking up all but the biggest hits

These, claim Trek, roll faster than narrower tyres in almost all conditions and help contribute to the Domane being their most versatile road bike ever. Could the Domane be a road and gravel machine rolled into one? Certainly, the journalists who took the Domane on a hard, fast and technical gravel ride seemed impressed.

For the road ride, we were running standard 28mm rubber and this was in no way detrimental to the Domane’s main selling point — its comfort.

• Best road bike tyres in 2019: everything you need to know

Okay, the Italian roads we were riding were, on the whole, pretty good but there were still opportunities to test the bike’s compliance. It’s de-rigueur to point a comfort bike at potholes and the Domane, with its front and rear IsoSpeed, does a truly excellent job at soaking up all but the biggest hits.

The star of the Domane’s cushioning show is the adjustable toptube IsoSpeed damper... you can tune your Domane from racy stiff to smooth operator in just a couple of minutes

When we did encounter a rutted, broken asphalt descent the Domane handled it with aplomb — the compliance encourages you to descend faster and brake later than you might on a more rigid machine.

The star of the Domane’s cushioning show is the adjustable toptube IsoSpeed damper, which debuted on the Madone in 2018. Undo a couple of allen bolts below the top tube and a slider is revealed — move it forwards and you add more flex, backwards and the bike stiffens up.

As with the Madone, this really does work and there’s a tangible difference, meaning you can tune your Domane from racy stiff to smooth operator in just a couple of minutes. It’s worth mentioning that the top tube-mounted IsoSpeed system is only available on SLR models, although the SL’s will inherit the tuneable seatpost IsoSpeed currently found on the outgoing range toppers.

The front end IsoSpeed isn’t tuneable but does a good job of isolating shocks through the bars and the bars themselves are carbon IsoCore models. These have a layer of elastomer within the carbon which Trek says adds another 20 per cent of cushioning to the front end.

Elsewhere, our test build was decked out with SRAM’s Red eTap AXS 12-speed groupset . We love it, simple as that and, of course, the fancy Project One pearlescent paint is always a hit with any MAMIL who once lusted after a TVR Chimera .

2020 Trek Domane Mk. III early impressions

Obviously, we want to spend a lot more time on the new Domane and will be getting our hands on one back in the UK soon but first impressions are good.

It’s an excellent bike that does a very good job of catering for both fans of speed and connoisseurs of comfort. Of course, we’re also keen to test the more affordable — though the base Tiagra-equipped model comes in at a pricey $2,499 / €2,299 / £2,100 — 2020 Domane SL models as these are likely going to be more relevant to more riders. Watch this space.

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Results have arrived, trek project one bicycles.

Bikes are meant to be used.

Mountain Bikes

Customization options.

Trek Get Super Snazzy with New Custom Options – Project One

Trek’s Project One program is a way to customise a Trek build with options of spec and paint. And they’ve just added a few amazing options into the mix we think they are pretty wild, perhaps too wild, or just the right amount of wild?

The official word from Trek’s press release here:

Trek announced a refresh of its Project One custom bike program today, introducing six new paint schemes and an all-new catalogue of premium spec and drive train options.

This expansion of the programme adds even more depth to Trek’s custom offering, giving riders everywhere more ways to create a custom bike they’ll love.

Three of the new paint schemes (Amplified Alchemy, Sweet Gold Leaf and Holographic Diamond Flake) are additions to the premium Project One ICON Series of bespoke designs filled with texture, depth and mood.

Two of the remaining new paint schemes (Abstract and Palmarès) are part of an all-new Designer Series, a personal collection that comes directly from designers on Trek’s Waterloo-based team.

Trek also added an all-new Splatter Fade paint scheme to the Project One mix, which pairs modern tech and classic throwback style. Splatter Fade is currently only available on Project One mountain bikes.

Additionally, Trek revamped its spec and drive train options to offer new SRAM Force eTap AXS on select road platforms, the all-new Aeolus RSL Bar/Stem on Émonda and Madone, new saddle options, and new Aeolus Elite, Pro and RSL wheels.

For Project One mountain bikes, Trek added all-new SRAM Eagle drive trains and new RockShox and FOX suspension on all platforms, along with new Line carbon wheel, saddle and tyre options.

Project One gives riders complete control over the design of their dream road, mountain or triathlon – and there are more options today than ever before.

The new paint schemes and parts options are available immediately through Trek’s wide network of global retail partners and online at trekbikes.com in select markets.

Models available in Project One

Émonda SLR

Speed Concept

Supercaliber

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Trek Project One turns the bling up to 11 with gold flake and diamonds

Trek adds four new $1,000 themes to its custom paint palette

Custom paint is far from a new thing, there are hoards of brands offering customisation of cycling products ranging from point-of-purchase customisation such as Wilier's 'Choose Combine Create' and Orbea's 'MyO' to professional paint shops such as Hasie and the Robots , or the likes of Caitlin Fielder , who uses cycling shoes as her canvas. 

Best road bikes Best lightweight bikes Best carbon road bikes Best aero road bikes

One brand that has long been offering customisation is Trek . The Project One custom paint and specification programme is nothing new to the American brand, and it was this very paint shop that painted World Champion Mads Pedersen's Trek Madone in a whirlwind project that took just a week . 

But with the recent launch of the new Emonda , Trek launched new additions to its lines and turned the bling up to 11.

Four new themes have been added, called Amplified Alchemy , Sweet Gold Leaf , Holographic Diamond Flake and KOM . 

Amplified Alchemy

According to Trek, Amplified Alchemy is an enchanting fusion of metallic blues, purples and blacks, sitting at the intersection of science and magic. In non-marketing speak, it's pearlescent paint that shimmers between blue, purple and black depending on where you stand. 

Sweet Gold Leaf

Sweet Gold Leaf starts with a gloss black base but uses gold leaf for the entirety of the oversized Trek logo on either side of the down tube. This is then complemented by further gold flake flecks that sparkle throughout. 

Holographic Diamond Flake

Like Sweet Gold Leaf, Holographic Diamond Flake starts with a similar gloss black base, but adds flecks of diamond confetti throughout the frame and fork, while the Trek logo is finished in a holographic colour that lights up like a rainbow in sunlight. 

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KOM, defined as a colour picker by Trek, is more of a canvas than a theme in that it provides a templated design which allows 479,232 different combinations of colour ranging from deep matte blacks to radioactive yellows. The design features a simple diagonal intersection, either side of which can be customised to the owner's preferred colour, with the logo offering a third canvas for colour choice. All of which are then available in either gloss or matte finish and with a choice of black or chrome head tube badge.

Any of the above will set you back $1,000 or £1,100, depending on where you reside, when applied to the latest Emonda SLR. If none of those, the other two ICON themes, four standard themes, or additional colour-picker canvas options takes your fancy, there's always Trek's Project One Ultimate, in which you will be invited to Trek's HQ in Waterloo, WI, and work one-on-one with a designer to create a truly one of a kind machine. 

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Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton.

Josh has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years.

He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. 

These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.

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Trek Project One

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There’s no TV show or rapping host. But with Trek you get the chance to pimp a different type of ride. For a hefty price, Trek’s Project One program gives riders the chance to fully customize a road bike — down to the cable housing and grip tape.

To start, you pick from one of 13 Trek bikes to pimp, including Madone and Equinox TTX models. You can spend as little as $3,400 or as much as $8,600 for the base bike. From there, you tweak color and graphics, add your own text to the frame, customize wheels and components, change the color of the grip tape, and more.

You can make your bike as plain or elaborate as you want. All customization happens onscreen and in a Web browser. Hit “buy” and your custom steed will be in the works in short order.

You could modify basic options like color for free or upgrade the drivetrain for more than $1,900. You could even change the wheels and subtract more than $2,000.

Once you order your ride, it’ll take about a week to build — not bad for a custom bike. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/projectone

—Ryan Dionne

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Trek Project One Ultimate – Creating the $ 25,000 Dream Bike

What’s the difference between buying a $ 25,000 bike and a $ 2,000 bike? We travelled to the US to visit Trek Bicycles and find out how the billion-dollar company has brought a revolutionary concept of individualism and craftsmanship to the ultra high-end market. With an exclusive insight into the new superlative of luxury: The Trek Project One Ultimate program – the $ 25,000 bike.

Trek’s headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin are where our Project One experience begins. Walking around its factory and design facilities the messages that are imprinted on the walls make it all feel a bit Silicon Valley. Signs quoting Steve Jobs’ 10th commandment: “Prototype to the extreme”, are there encouraging employees to step out of everyday thinking and challenge average.

  Raised on rocket science.

The building’s atrium is divided into sections which visually project the company principles. “Born in a barn”, an ode to where the very first Trek bikes were made; “raised on rocket science” which depicts how since Trek’s inception in 1976, co-founders Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg have been constantly looking for ways to innovate and revolutionise their products. An endeavour that’s ranged from the first introduction of carbon into their frames in 1991 with the Trek 2500, to the current Project One programme. A tour through the factory sheds light on Trek’s carbon manufacturing process, along with the painting, assembling, test labs and race shop giving insight into how high Trek’s standards are – especially when building bikes for cycling’s top elite athletes. At this high-tech facility painting robots busily hum away alongside artists that hand paint the finishing touches, a highlight graphic designer Micah Moran made sure wasn’t missed.

Eliminating the Industry Status Quo – Project One

When you’re a company whose revenue hits the $1bn mark, quite quickly you’re stereotyped as being enslaved by economies of scale. This is where Trek Project One goes against the grain. Why is it that in the cycling industry the more you spend on a bike the less choice you seem to have? For most other industries it’s the reverse. So why have we come to accept that if we pay €10,000 we have less options on colour, parts, and wheelsets than with a €2,000 bike? Project One represents Trek’s unwillingness to rest upon its laurels and let others trailblaze the way; it’s the brand’s way of honouring the unique individual. Tell the laws of mediocre this isn’t right – that a multinational company can still do customisation.

The Project One online system allows you to choose from a range of models, not only road but off-road too. Easy to navigate, Trek have made choosing a custom bike as uncomplicated as choosing a suit from your favourite online retailer. With hundreds of different preset paint designs that vary in price depending on complexity, Trek offer a choice that ranges from classic to idiosyncratic. From animal print to green tinged flames curling around top tubes, it’s obvious the designers have fun. So much so they’re willing to sign their names onto your frame just to let you know it was a job done with care.

Not prepared to stop at just giving you free rein on your paint job, Project One lets you decide on componentry such as wheels, groupset, saddle. Darn! They even let you become that awkward customer and dictate which cable housing you want your machine to have. Project One starts at € 500 more than the base price of the model you are customising, with the online calculator providing an easy guide of how much each bit of customisation is going to cost. The biggest surprise for us was that the current lead time is only two weeks. To Trek customisation shouldn’t mean having to wait a lifetime, as is often the case with other makers.

  If you can dream it, we can make it reality — even if that means developing a new paint specifically for your frame.

Then after the Trek designers have collaboratively assembled your piece of art, if you really want to get all ceremonial about it, you can travel to the Wisconsin HQ for a grand unveiling and have your debut ride out with them on the Trek team lunchtime ride.

Trek Project One Ultimate – as unique as a fingerprint

If the Project One experience blows your mind we’ll give you some perspective. Say Project One is akin to fine dining at a Michelin starred restaurant, then Ultimate is that Michelin experience with a world-class chef, but joining them in their own kitchen. Starting at $ 25,000 Trek Project One Ultimate is the superlative of luxury.

Here this $ 25,000 dream adventure takes you on a journey of self-discovery. Starting in Wisconsin, you receive a bike fitting that details every conceivable body measurement to ensure your handmade, custom built frame fits you to perfection with the Trek Precision Fit.

Then your allocated personal designer sets out to know your story, what is it that makes you tick. Through a process of listening to everything you say – what you lust for, what you detest, what cycling means to you, a moodboard is created. This is the artist’s bloodline that helps them interpret and create the bike you want…even if they don’t have it. Well, within reason.

You still have to choose one of Trek’s models, but that’s really where the limitations on your creativity stop, as long as it complies with Trek’s safety standards – leopard print rocket boosters probably won’t make the cut.

With most frames taking a minimum of 13 hours for the paint job, Trek’s craftsmanship is market leading. Micah, the head graphic designer explained: “If you can dream it, we can make it reality — even if that means developing a new paint specifically for your frame.” One of the first Project One Ultimate clients, Boeing’s CEO, was set on having the Dreamliner aeroplane colours as a part of the design. This took Trek down a 20 hour colour mixing journey to perfectly match the pantones. It’s one of many stories that back up their self-confession of being obsessed to the point of absurdity.

Dreams Can Come True

A once-in-a-lifetime bike that conveys your story: the team at Trek live by their founder’s motto of ‘Raised on rocket science.’ The limits of possibility are continually being stretched. The descriptions of ‘fast and expensive’ don’t suffice these days when it comes to owning a premium bike. Trek’s Project One and Project One Ultimate approaches are able to instil a desire in the bike industry to shake up the status quo as well as meet – no, exceed – today’s ever increasing demand for custom bikes. Whether you’re in the market for a 2,000 euro or a 25,000 euro bike; your dream bike is about more than just performance, milligrams and rigidity. Your bike has to tell your story and disclose more about you than your passport does. If you’ve got enough money in the bank then Trek can definitely help you here.

For more information head to trekbikes.com

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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt

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What is Trek Project One?

If you’ve never heard of Project One from Trek, you might think it’s secret code for a new product that the bike manufacturer wants to keep under wraps. Something like a Trek electric car or maybe even a battery-powered bike. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Project One isn’t any of those things. And it’s much more than just choosing a unique color scheme for your Trek mountain or road bike.

Project One allows you to fully customize your bike from the frame to the drivetrain and everything in between. And yes, color is still a big part of it, but not just in the obvious places. Imagine selecting different colors not only for the frame and the wheels, but also for the saddle, cable housing and even the stem on your handlebar.

What Does Jans Have to Do with Project One?

Since Jans is a Project One dealer, I asked Karl ‘Jake’ Jacobson, the Manager of our Park Avenue store, to tell me a little about the program. “Project One from Trek started out with road bikes and now they’re doing upper-end mountain bikes,” says Jake. “It’s a cool way to customize your own color choices, components, and wheel sets. The concept is being sold through Jans in partnership with Trek.”

What that means to customers is that not only does our Park Avenue store have Project One paint swatches for you to see up close and personal, but our sales staff is also trained on the program itself and can tell you how to get started. They can also share expert advice on componentry and drivetrain options. Most importantly, Jans has some of the Project One models available in our rental and demo programs, so that potential customers can take them for a test ride to help determine which bike they want to order. For the remainder of 2014, Jans will offer the Domane 4.7 with Ultegra components as a road bike demo and the Trek Fuel EX 8 as a mountain bike rental. In 2015, the Trek Émonda will also be available to ride.

What Kind of Trek Bike Can I Order?

Since Trek has made Project One available on more affordable models of road and mountain bikes, the component, wheel and color combinations are virtually endless. So the first step in the process could potentially be the hardest – choosing the model of bike that’s right for you.

While demoing a bike will give you a feel for the bike itself, what really determines the best model for you is how often you ride. “Regardless of whether you’re buying a mountain or road bike, the more time you spend in the saddle, the lighter you want the bike,” advises Jake. “Someone who rides 4-5 hours a week will want the lightest, strongest, best components. In the case of someone who rides 2 weeks out of the summer, the components, and possibly the weight of the bike, aren’t as critical.” For mountain bikes, the Trek Project One models include the Superfly or Fuel EX while roadies can select a Madone, Domane, Émonda, Silque or Speed Concept. Women’s specific design (WSD) models are also available. For a full list of models visit the Project One website .

How Does Trek Project One Work?

After you’ve chosen the bike that you want to customize, the next step is to go to the Project One website and start designing. You can personalize paint colors, drivetrain, components and accessories.

The first step is selecting your frame paint colors, and these aren’t just the standard black and white. Choose from a custom color inspired by Tour de France rider Fabian Cancellara, or my personal favorite, the Real Fire Signature Series which features blue, green or red flames. Customers who select any Signature Series paint job, not just the flame theme, get the added bonus of designing a personalized signature decal that will be displayed on the top tube of the bike.

The next step is selecting your drivetrain. Choose from road bike gruppos such as Shimano 105, Dura Ace or Ultegra and mountain bike options including Sram XX1 and X01 or Shimano XT and XTR. Just make sure that your gruppo is consistent with the value of your bike and your riding style. “For someone purchasing a $2,000 Project One road bike, it doesn’t make sense to add Dura Ace to the bike,” cautions Jake. “That would be like putting a race binding on a beginner ski.” If you’re uncertain about the benefits of various drivetrain options, just come into Jans. Our bike experts will be happy to educate you.

Before moving on from the drivetrain decision, all customers get the added bonus of selecting a custom cable housing color. Mountain bike customers then determine their suspension preferences while roadies move on to the next big decision point – individual componentry.

Here the options are vast. Think wheelset, tires, stem, headset, handlebar style, bar tape, seat mast cap and saddle. For customers overwhelmed by the myriad of choices, Trek offers pre-configured component combinations to take the guesswork out of the process. Alternatively, riders who want to geek out on componentry can have a blast with endless possibilities that will give them the bike of their dreams.

Why Order a Project One Bike?

First off, it gives you a chance to make your riding buddies jealous with a bike that is completely customized to your riding style. And, quite frankly, the building process itself is a blast. Just ask the Jans’ bike shop mechanics that picked out unisex and women’s Project One bikes that we sold in our store this season.

“Project One is just so personalized,” says Jake. “One customer can select the top-end 7 series Madone, another can choose a 6 series that is still a pretty damn good bike for the money and someone else can choose a 5 series which is still responsive and lightweight without getting to race weight. Customers can switch it up and put anything on the bike component-wise. It’s endless what you can do with Project One.”

How Long Until I Get My Bike?

Now for the good news/bad news. As expected, most people order their Project One bikes in the summer, during biking season. According to Jake, “orders placed during the heat of the summer take about 2 months. But in the winter, you can have your bike in about 2-3 weeks.”

Our advice? Start demoing bikes now and talk with our experts about all of the different drivetrain and component options to determine exactly what type of bike you want to build. Then during mud season, or in the dead of winter, go online to trek.com, click on Custom Project One and have fun designing your personalized bike.

Once your bike has been handmade by the experts at Trek, it will be shipped to Jans (or your closest Trek dealer) where our Expert mechanics will assemble it; making sure your Project One bike works exactly as it should. Then all that’s left for you to do is take it for out for your first ride.

Liz Yokubison, Senior Editor

Related Links: Trek Project One website Jans Park Avenue store

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Trek 1.5 road bike review

The Trek 1.5 is designed to be solid and dependable option for the new road cyclist, that will feel equally at home on a commute as a long Sunday ride

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If you are looking for a first road bike or solid winter steed, this is a quality frame that will last the course and not let you down. The geometry is very relaxed, with this bike better suited to all day comfort and less flexible riders. The ride is smooth, but the brakes and a couple of other minor details let the overall package down when we consider the price.

Smooth ride

Accelerates well

Tiagra shifting is good

Tubeless ready rims

Lifetime warranty on the frame

23mm tyres not 25mm

No 32t cassette

Boring styling

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Trek frames are synonymous with quality and their faith in the product is backed up by life time warranty. The frame is Trek's top drawer 'Alpha aluminium' whilst the fork is carbon fibre. In order to test the Trek 1.5 we have been riding it throughout winter, on commutes and longer training rides.

>>> The best cheap road bikes ridden and rated

The One series is Trek's base level frame and would potentially suit a large number of cyclists. If you are in the market for your first road bike, a dependable winter bike, or just something for epic sportives that won't break the bank, the Trek 1.5 is a great option. Hinting at this versatility is the inclusion of eyelets on the stays and forks, to aid the fitting of mudguards. There is also loads of mudguard/tyre clearance under the brakes. But, if you are flexible, or have good core strength you may find the upright posture this bike encourages limiting when you want to get lower and more aero.

 Geometry

The geometry of the Trek 1.5 is relaxed. For those new to cycling, this means that the horizontal reach from the saddle to the handle bars is shorter and the vertical height of the handle bars is higher. Rather than a super aggressive flat back like Bradley Wiggins , this enables the rider to sit more upright, in a more relaxed position.

This makes it ideal for new riders, who are yet to develop the core strength and flexibility that makes an aggressive position more sustainable. Our 58cm test model came with 44cm bars, which although less aerodynamic than a narrower bar, they may help add stability to overall handling to less confident riders.

>>> Complete buyer's guide to road bike groupsets

The Trek 1.5 comes fitted with a range of components. The shifters and derailleurs are Shimano Tiagra , but the chain set is FSA Vera and the brakes are unbranded callipers. We were hugely  impressed with the quality of the shifting on this bike. The FSA chainset works well in this regard with little or no flex, to hamper shifts.

We felt that the brakes let the bike down. The unbranded callipers didn't feel as responsive or stable as a Tiagra or Shimano 105  calliper. The lack of strength translates to less braking power and compromised modulation. That considered, the first thing we would upgrade on this bike would be the brakes. This is disappointing when we consider the overall price.

Our test model featured 23mm Bontrager R1 tyres. These rolled nicely and were puncture free for over a few weeks of winter riding and commuting on roads strewn with potential puncture hazards. We would have preferred to see this bike come fitted with 25mm tyres as they are stronger and can aid comfort. We do however like that Trek have equipped the bike with tubeless ready rims . Using tubeless tyres could reduce the risk of punctures.

>>> Guide to road bike tyres

The Tiagra rear cassette is 12-30t. With professionals even adopting 32t cassettes on steep mountainous days, it would be nicer if the Trek came with either a 12-32t cassette or a medium length cage rear derailleur, which would allow a 32t cassette to be fitted. Being a short cage derailleur, it is designed to only go up to 30t. This is in contrast to other bikes in a similar price range, such as the Giant Defy 3 and B'Twin Alur , which both have 32t cassettes as standard.

Ride and handling

Our favourite thing about the Trek 1.5 is the ride handling. Use of round tubes helps contribute to stiffness, whilst the carbon fork offers some dampening. The ride is very smooth, with the frame doing an excellent job of ironing out imperfections and bumps. Considering how well the frame absorbs road buzz we were pleasantly surprised to find that the bike is no slouch when you want to accelerate out the saddle either.

Compliant frames can often feel spongy when you give it the beans, but the Trek 1.5 quickly gets up to speed without any fuss. Wheels on bikes in this price range can often be bargain basement, with spokes that feel as if they are made of cooked spaghetti, but we were pleasantly surprised by the Bontrager wheels on this bike. They compliment the frame well and don't sacrifice ride quality.

Overall, the bike feels nicely balanced, with the weight centred. This is noticeable when riding uphill or track standing. Our 58cm test weighed in at a respectable 8.7kg without pedals. Cornering can feel a little tame, but will always be the case when a bike has a high front end. A lower front end enables you to lower your centre of gravity to a greater degree.

Whilst colour is subjective, we feel the Trek is rather boring to look at. The first thing that draws your eye to a bike is the way it looks and the Trek looks pretty utilitarian. Don't expect to cop admiring glances at the cafe stop. That said, plenty of us value function over form.

For more information, head over to Trek .

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Oliver Bridgewood - no, Doctor Oliver Bridgewood - is a PhD Chemist who discovered a love of cycling. He enjoys racing time trials, hill climbs, road races and criteriums. During his time at Cycling Weekly, he worked predominantly within the tech team, also utilising his science background to produce insightful fitness articles, before moving to an entirely video-focused role heading up the Cycling Weekly YouTube channel, where his feature-length documentary 'Project 49' was his crowning glory.  

Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen

By Tom Thewlis Published 24 April 24

Bäckstedt recently landed sponsorship from the energy drink giants and joined the likes of Tom Pidcock, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Evie Richards as a Red Bull athlete

Find a scheme with lower commission, and lobby your employer to use it

By Adam Becket Published 24 April 24

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Trek one capital completes acquisition of alter eco foods.

HOUSTON , Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trek One Capital announces the acquisition of Alter Eco Foods. Alter Eco is a leading manufacturer of premium organic dark chocolate bars, truffles, granola and quinoa and markets its products in the U.S., Canada , Australia and New Zealand . The company's products are primarily sold through the organic/natural retail channel and the bars and truffles represent the number one dark chocolate retailed in this sector. The company's full cycle manufacturing process is 100% carbon neutral, product packaging is recyclable including compostable truffle wrappers. Raw materials are sourced from eco friendly farms focused on regenerative farming, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture and fair trade practices. Additionally, the company's products are certified organic and the company is B Corp certified.

Alter Eco was founded 20 years ago to create a premium organic chocolate brand to support cacao farmers in South America . The company has had rapid growth over the years by expanding market share in the organic/natural grocery channel and expanding its chocolate products including its proprietary truffle thin bars in a variety of different flavors. Keith Bearden was recently appointed CEO of Alter Eco and partnered with Trek One to lead the acquisition of the company. "I look forward to my partnership with Trek One along with their support and commitment to take the Alter Eco premium brand of products to the next level," commented Keith Bearden.

About Alter Eco

Alter Eco is a leading manufacturer of dark chocolate bars, truffles and granola in the natural food channel. The company was founded in 2004 and markets its products its products in the U.S., Canada , Australia and New Zealand . The company's focus is on "good for you" products which are manufactured and distributed within strict environmentally friendly standards. The product ingredients are sourced from organic regenerative farming and the company is B Certified, fair for life certified and carbon neutral. For more information please visit www.alterecofoods.com .

About Trek One Capital

Founded in 2023, Trek One Capital is focused on investing in lower middle market growth-oriented businesses. Trek One seeks to partner with owner-operators, founders and management teams where it can leverage its financial and operating experience to help drive the overall growth strategy. The investment focus is industry agnostic with flexible deal structures specific to each situation providing flexible debt and equity solutions. For more information please visit www.trekonecapital.com .

Contact: Brian Fontana [email protected] 832-289-6478

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trek-one-capital-completes-acquisition-of-alter-eco-foods-302051156.html

SOURCE Trek One Capital

Screen Rant

Star trek is officially redefining what "where no one has gone before" actually means.

The phrase "where no one has gone before" has been a rallying cry for Star Trek fans for years, and now it has taken on an awesome new meaning.

• The iconic catchphrase "where no one has gone before" gets an epic new meaning in Star Trek #19, by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Megan Levens.
• Captain Sisko and his crew are heading into the Pleroma, Star Trek's newly revealed "realm of the gods," prompting Doctor Crusher to call it "where no one has gone before."
• One of Star Trek's key tenets is that humanity can evolve and transcend, and the journey to the Pleroma is the first step in this quest.

For generations of Star Trek fans, the catchphrase “where no one has gone before” has been an iconic call to adventure, but now it has taken on a whole new meaning. In Star Trek #19, the crew of the Theseus is heading to the Pleroma, a mysterious new realm that promises great adventure–and great peril. As they prepare for the hazardous journey, the franchise’s catchphrase takes on new layers.

Star Trek #19 is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Megan Levens. T’Lir, the enigmatic Vulcan, has been revealed to be the last of the Organians and has charged Sisko and company with a new mission: travel to the Pleroma and help fix the damage Kahless has caused. Sisko is wary of the Pleroma, having been forbidden to travel there by the Prophets.

He discusses the impending journey with Doctor Crusher, and she refers to the Pleroma as “where no one has gone before.”

For Over 60 Years, Star Trek's Opening Monologue Has Perfectly Set the Show's Tone

It has undergone several changes over the years.

The catchphrase “where no one has gone before” is one of the most memorable in pop culture. Part of a larger opening monologue, the phrase has undergone a few alterations. When Star Trek premiered in 1966, the line read: “where no man has gone before.” When Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted in 1987, it was updated to the much better and more inclusive “where no one has gone before.” This has since become, with a few exceptions, the standard across the franchise, still recited in both the Abrams Kelvin-timeline movies and Strange New Worlds.

In the pilot episode of Star Trek: Enterprise , it was revealed Zefram Cochrane coined the phrase "where no man has gone before."

Star Trek is a story of exploration and discovery, and this catchphrase perfectly sums up this philosophy. Every week, the crews of the various Star Trek shows encounter bizarre alien life forms and awe-inspiring stellar phenomena. Ships like the Enterprise, Voyager or Discovery expanded the frontiers of knowledge while keeping the galaxy safe. Star Trek’s opening monologs set the tone perfectly for the incredible stories that follow. Now, on the eve of one of the biggest discoveries in galactic history, it is taking on a new meaning.

Star Trek Already Confirmed Its Real Final Frontier (& It's Not Space)

Star trek is about more than just exploring space--it's about exploring the human heart too, the pleroma may hold the key to humanity's evolution.

Yet, Star Trek is more than just stories of the exploration of space, but also expanding the potential of humanity . In addition to featuring a future where strife and war have been eliminated, the franchise has shown humanity has great potential, something Q alluded to in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “All Good Things.” Humanity will one day be like gods, and the Theseus’ journey to the Pleroma is the first step along the way. The Pleroma opens new possibilities in the Star Trek franchise, giving new meaning to “where no one has gone before.”

Star Trek #19 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!

• Rider Notes

2017 Trek 1.1

An aluminum frame race bike with mid-range components and rim brakes.

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May 2017 · Rupert Radley

The Trek 1.1 is Trek's bottom rung road bike, but that doesn't mean budget ride quality

Comfortable ride

Carbon fork

Tubeless ready wheels

Pannier rack/mudguard compatible

Brakes could be better

Read Review

Last updated July 21 Not listed for 2,464 days

Star Trek: Discovery Finally Gave Us A Closer Look At The Franchise's Most Mysterious Villain

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of "Star Trek: Discovery."

"Star Trek" might represent an idealistic vision of a bolder and brighter future, but the last few seasons of "Discovery" have proven that there will always be bad guys with a penchant for muddying up those ambitions in unexpected ways -- even in the 32nd Century. While the Borg, Romulans, and the warlord Khan often have a stranglehold on the title of "Best 'Trek' villains," one alien species in particular has remained shrouded in mystery for decades. First mentioned in foreboding whispers in "The Next Generation" and finally seen in the flesh (well, so to speak) in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," the Breen have played a significant role throughout the franchise in the years since ... yet Trekkies still had to wait until now to actually see what lies underneath their distinctive helmets.

The advantage of never showing us a Breen's face, as it turns out, is that "Discovery" was able to hide one in plain sight all along.

So far, the addition of scavengers Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) has felt like a shoe waiting to drop. The close-knit pair continue to frustrate Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the rest of the Discovery crew (nowhere more dramatically than in last week's time-traveling bottle episode ), remaining one step ahead of our heroes in their quest to recover whatever Progenitor technological treasure hides at the end of this galaxy-spanning rainbow. About midway through episode 5, titled "Mirrors," the writers unleashed their big twist. L'ak, thus far considered an unknown type of extraterrestrial, actually reveals himself as a Breen. Or, rather, an emotional Moll lets this information slip by accident during a particularly fraught moment. In the process, "Trek" finally unmasked its most enigmatic aliens.

Read more: Every Star Trek Show And Movie In Chronological Order

Putting On A Brave Face (Or Two)

In the span of one episode, "Discovery" officially made "Star Trek" history.

Long treated as a mystery that left everything up to our own imaginations, the Breen reveal puts a specific face to what had previously only been a name ... actually, make that two faces. While Moll and L'ak come to a tense faceoff with Burnham and Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) on board the mirror-universe version of the USS Enterprise while trapped in multidimensional space (it's a long story), the writers treat this as the perfect opportunity to delve into the scavengers' shared past. In a series of flashbacks, we find out that L'ak was part of the Breen royal family and disgraced by his powerful Primarch uncle. Hoping to earn his way back to his people's good graces, all his plans are upended by a torrid romance with then-courier Moll. With their backs against the wall and nowhere else to turn, the lovers choose their own path altogether and, along the way, L'ak reveals his most private aspect of himself: his Breen face.

Of course, the episode adds another twist and introduces the concept of the Breen having two  faces -- a solid, corporeal form they can present to others if they so choose, and a more translucent one. (Really, it can only be described as  squishier. ) In fact, this creepy and altogether unique visage symbolizes a much more meaningful difference, as we learn when L'ak's uncle calls his chosen face an "insult to your heritage." Apparently, most Breen have moved beyond this "weak" form and consider this some sort of societal faux pas. In just a few minutes, we discover more about Breen culture than we've ever known before.

New episodes of "Star Trek: Discovery" stream every Thursday on Paramount+.

Read the original article on SlashFilm

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Parker Hall

Review: Trek Fetch+ 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

One of the things that can be intimidating about buying a cargo ebike is how unfamiliar they feel. Whether a bike is designed with weird geometry and wheel sizes or odd features for heavy hauling, every ride can feel unfamiliar.

For traditional cyclists who want to haul a grocery store trip’s worth of groceries home but don’t want to mess with technology they’re unfamiliar with, the Trek Fetch+ 2 is a decent option. It’s more expensive than some of our favorite alternatives, but it has an easy-to-ride step-through design, well-made components, and great plastic buckets (and other accessories) for storage.

There are bikes with more advanced features for the money, but even after I spent a summer riding the Fetch+ 2, it barely needed a tune-up. For a modern cargo ebike with a classic cargo bike maintenance schedule, it might be worth spending a bit more cash.

On the Road

The Fetch+ 2 is the smaller of Trek’s two latest cargo ebikes, which includes the box-fronted Fetch+ 4 ($8,500) , which is more oriented toward toting around dogs and children in between groceries and beer.

The Fetch+ 2 instead is a more traditional step-through cargo bike that employs a myriad of attachments, most notably two plastic panniers that hang off an extended rack on the rear. You can get a padded seat cover for the rear to let friends hold on and ride, or mount a couple kids’ seats behind you, but I’d still probably use this bike more for errands than transporting little ones.

As an objet d’art , the bike is simple and unassuming, which is ideal for a bike this expensive. The battery is integrated into the frame, but a sizable bulge means nobody will fail to notice it's an ebike. You can get it in three colors. I liked the black of our review unit, but the bright blue would probably be my choice if I was buying one.

While much of the bike will be familiar to anyone who has ever seen or contemplated a cargo bike, Trek really gets the geometry and style of this bike correct as far as making it very usable for many tasks. Even the dual-sided kickstand pops up and down with remarkable ease (shockingly rare on other large ebikes I've used). I particularly enjoyed using the rear panniers for hauling flats of berries and other easily squished items that tend to rattle around in softer panniers.

The panniers fit a ton of stuff; I was able to get four full-size grocery bags spread between the two black plastic totes. I like that they had little plugs in the bottom that you could feasibly use a plastic bag to cover and then fill them with ice and drinks.

I spent a couple months using the Fetch+ 2 as my primary bike, and came away much more impressed than anticipated, given the specs and the price.

On paper, this is an expensive ebike to have pretty standard mid-drive cargo bike specs. The 85 Nm Bosch motor and 500-wH battery are good for 20-plus miles a day loaded down in any city, but they’re not better than models like the larger Xtracycle Stoker, which has the same torque and a 630-wH battery for $4,999. The Trek also doesn’t have a carbon belt drive and variable transmission, which we consider the best (and easiest to maintain) shifting mechanism for cargo bikes.

The more traditional chain-and-gears drivetrain and no suspension make this a less comfortable and more difficult-to-maintain bike than favorites like the Tern GSD ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ), which costs about the same. I have to say, I was expecting the difference in riding experience to be more severe. The fatter-than-usual 20 x 2.35-inch tires of the Trek absorbed potholes better than other suspensionless bikes. It also stopped just as well as its competitors, thanks to hydraulic disc brakes.

Mid-drive cargo bikes are much better than their rear-hub counterparts, especially when toting larger items or smaller humans, because they allow you to get more torque to the wheels, and provide a more traditional riding experience. I never found myself lacking for power, though I did crunch through the gears a bit when starting on a hill.

The Fetch+ 2 rides really well, with a solid frame and no creaks or sketchiness of any kind (as picked up from my local Trek dealer, another plus of ordering from the brand), and I really liked how bright the built-in lights were when riding home from soccer games and band practices at night. The fat wheels were easy to turn, giving this a turning radius similar to a non-extended ebike when I was making U-turns in the city. It also has a built-in phone mount with a wireless charger, which makes it really nice for using a map app to cruise to unfamiliar places.

It’s not a fun bike to ride in the traditional sense; it’s not the fastest or the most comfortable, but it is satisfyingly robust and confidence-inducing. In my months of riding, I never had a single issue with the bike. That’s unusual given the state of some of the roads I often took the Fetch+ 2 on the side of, and a testament to Trek's great build quality.

If I was a longtime Trek owner and interested in getting into cargo ebikes, I’d certainly give this line a look, with the understanding that I might find something I like better from Tern, Xtracycle, or another brand for the same price—or something from Rad Power Bikes or another more affordable direct-to-consumer manufacturer for less. It’s a well-made bike that does what it claims to do, but it’s on the spendy side.

It is a bit hard to come by, at least in bike shops around my hometown of Portland, Oregon. If you’re interested in this one for your treks around town, I’d make sure to call ahead for a test ride. If you want a familiar-feeling bike with all the frills of electrification, it’s worth a spin.

Cycling made Simple.

Made By Cyclists

Trek Alpha 1.1 Review

November 18, 2022

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Alpha 1.1 was an entry-level road bike built from 2011 - 17.
• Trek Bicycle Corporation is headquartered in Waterloo, Wis.
• The Trek Alpha 1.1 was one of the best values for the money.

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

‍ One of the best entry-level bikes that Trek ever made was the Alpha 1.1. Even though Trek no longer produces this gem, the bike still has plenty to offer.

Made from 2011 - 2017, the Trek Alpha 1.1 sought to attract a new generation of riders to the love of cycling. The Alpha was the least expensive of the Trek lineup, which helped it achieve a reputation for being a great value. The bike was known for being lightweight, fast, and very durable.

Battling years of negative press, Trek Bicycle Corporation found itself in full-blown damage control in early 2010. Their alleged involvement in doping plagued them (which their team leader, Lance Armstrong, admitted to using a couple of years later), coupled with a very public lawsuit over the leadership of Lemond Cycles had left a sour taste in the hearts of the public. To counter its tarnished public image, Trek introduced an entry-level bicycle to try and attract new riders. Their mission was to produce a higher quality road racer without the expensive price tag. So, to accomplish this task, Trek applied its research data and design experience to the task and worked with its far eastern counterparts to produce a lightweight, durable bike that could go very fast.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

‍ What’s So Special about the Trek Alpha 1.1?

The Trek Alpha is now only available used, mainly on eBay or with some bike dealers who have a good consignment program.

The Alpha 1.1 was a Quality Build.

Even though the 1.1 was designed at Waterloo, Wisc (where Trek headquarters are located), the bike was not assembled inside the US. While many Americans prefer items produced in the good old US of A, the fact that Trek continued to use its factories in China and elsewhere isn’t necessarily wrong.

For years, Trek had depended on these builders to consistently produce many high-end premium road racers. Using these same workers meant that the bikes would likely show a high degree of excellence, precisely what Trek needed to combat an increasingly agitated riding community.

The frame was made from aluminum tubing with an attractive glossy finish. Even though carbon fiber was becoming all the rage for high-end performance bicycles, aluminum was a much cheaper resource. The primary benefit of an aluminum frame is that it provides excellent strength qualities while at the same time costing less, meaning that the bicycle price can be contained. Trek used its extensive racing research to push the aluminum frame to the limit, keeping the weight down while still holding onto the structural rigidity needed for most riders.

The folks at Trek must have felt pretty good about the frame because they offered a lifetime warranty with every purchase, which was virtually unheard of at the time.

The Trek Alpha 1.1 utilized the traditional H2 top-tube sloping, which is supposed to be the optimal riding position (according to Trek’s research). The steep upright angle of the tube enhances the rider's overall comfort, making it easier for cyclists to stay on task and enjoy the ride. The designers knew that the more comfortable the ride, the longer a cyclist would stay on their bike, which is precisely what the company wanted. The design shows how committed Trek folks were to fashioning a bike to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Shimano Claris shifters and derailleurs provide the effective movement of gears when needed. Most bike reviews indicate the ride is soft, with no issues moving up and down hills through the gear ratios. While the eight gears might have been less than a professional racer would use, it is more than adequate for normal cycling. (The aluminum frame adds extra weight that might create issues for riders attacking inclines).

The wheels are Bontrager AT-750 double-walled alloy rims with 700c x 25 tires. The narrow tires lend themselves to increased speed and reliable handling when navigating corners.

Interestingly enough, the Bontrager is Trek’s primary tire supplier, and the tire is manufactured in Waterloo, Wisc. The Alpha 1.1 also has room for wider tires for additional grip on wet or muddy surfaces. There is also room for a rear rack or mudguards should their installation be necessary.

The shifter and rear brake cables are run alongside the downtube and provide effective braking and shifting. Most professional bikes run the cables inside the center tube to minimize wind drag and increase aerodynamics. However, the Alpha 1.1 seems content to run the brakes alongside the tubing rather than inside. (My preference is inside the tubing, as an integrated cable system, but this requires additional attention during the manufacturing process and increases the cost). Trek went with a parallel cable system to save dollars during the manufacturing process, and this is a win for the casual rider, who isn’t worried about shaving second off a stage time.

The seat is also a Bontrager Affinity which is soft enough to add comfort without discomfort on longer rides.

The Alpha 1.1 was the Least Expensive Bike Trek Made.

When it was introduced, the Alpha 1.1 was offered as the best value in bikes. Trek saw a need to create a market for new riders. By keeping the manufacturing costs to a minimum (including cheaper labor costs overseas), the company decided to pass those savings along to potential buyers.

The bike was priced well below the $500 mark, which made it easily affordable for most families. Now, the average American who felt the urge to channel their inner Lance Armstrong could have a bike similar to the Trek-Segafredo pro team used.

The Alpa 1.1 Performed Very Well

It didn’t take long for the researcher of the Alpha to discover that those who purchased the bike and rode it loved it. The reviews recognize that the short wheelbase made for a bike that was quick enough to chew up the pavement, handle well while cornering, and stay in control on the wet or less-than-perfect pavement.

The earliest renditions of the Alpha 1.1 had an aluminum fork and frame that tended not to dampen the bumps and jolts of imperfect road surfaces. While carbon forks and frames do a better job smoothing out the pavement, this complaint was not enough to make riders consider other models or take the Alpha off their list. However, the later model year Alpha (2017) shows a Trek carbon fork, which helped with some of the complaints about the ride. (Again, my preference here is to have an adjustable fork that allows the rider to quickly switch to suspension settings to handle rougher terrain, but this was something the folks at Trek were unwilling to do on their early road racers).

There have been some complaints as to the weight of the bike, but these were primarily complaints by riders who were used to riding a carbon-fiber frame. For these riders, the bike’s ride might seem chunky, particularly on steep inclines, where the additional weight can quickly come into play. Even though the bike may be harder to move uphill than other competing road bikes, the ride is just about what you might expect for its price point.

Why Did Trek Stop Making the Alpha 1.1?

For several years, the Trek Alpha 1.1 was a trendy bike for the company. Still, unfortunately, after the initial excitement for the bike wore off, Trek realized that buyers were flocking to other competitors producing better bikes. The emergence of smaller bike companies pushed Trek to drop Alpha 1.1 in favor of other lines, such as the FX series or the Emonda lineup.

At about the same time, Trek and Segafredo partnered to sponsor an International Racing Team. In 2022, the team has over 31 riders on the men’s side and 14 riders on the women's. The teams dominate the racing circuit and are almost always on the leaderboards.

Where Can I Purchase an Alpha 1.1?

Even though Trek still carries an image of the 1.1 on its website, the bike is not available to be shipped from the company. The only way to secure an Alpha 1.1 is through eBay, or another online site selling used bikes.

• A very reasonably priced entry-level bike
• The bike is well-made, with a lot of research behind it
• The company has an incredible resume in road racing
• Aluminum frame holds up well
• Perfect looking bike.
• No longer being made
• Trek losing ground to other competitors
• Click on Ebay to find out the latest price.

What kind of Bikes is Trek Making Now?

Even though Trek no longer produces the Alpha 1.1, the company still has a wide selection of bicycles for every discipline. The company makes a Marlin series, an excellent beginner bike for mountain and trail riding. Trek suggests the Edmonda series or the FX-1 for an entry-level bike for road riding. Trek also has a large selection of electric bikes. The FX+ is priced at around $2500, while the Domaine+ SLR retails for around $8500. which are not cheap but are great rides nonetheless. Here are some of our recommendations for the best bikes for entry-level riders in the Trek lineup.

• Entry Level Road/City Bike - FX 1
• Mountain Bike - Marlin 7
• Electric Bike - FX+
• Boy’s Bike - Roscoe 20
• Girl’s Bike - Wahoo 24

For more information on Trek bicycles, see the manufacturer’s website.

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About THE AUTHOR

Danny Lawson

Mountain biking is more than just a hobby for me - it's a way of life. I love the challenge and excitement that comes with it, and I'm always pushing myself to go faster and ride harder. Some people might think that mountain biking is dangerous, but I see it as the only way to live.

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The 1.2 is the middle of Trek's three 1 Series aluminium road bikes, sitting between the Shimano Claris-equipped 1.1 (£575) and the 1.5 (£750), which comes with Shimano Tiagra components.

Is it the right bike for you? We've picked out four reasons why it might be, along with a reason that might make you think twice.

1 It provides solid performance with few surprises

The 1.2 puts in a solid performance out on the road, offering a stable, predictable ride, the only real disappointment being the lack of braking power (see below).

Hitting the scales at 9.48kg (20.9lb), the 1.2 isn't as lively as many lighter bikes, but for £650 this is certainly a decent enough weight. Compared to bikes of a similar price, it accelerates well. You'll find a little more flex in the frame and fork than in higher level models in Trek's range, but this is a bike that's well capable of holding its own when you crank up the power.

You could't say that the 1.2 is the fastest climber but it's far from sluggish when things get lumpy. It's helped in its hill-climbing endeavours by a compact chainset (with 50-tooth and 34-tooth chainrings rather than 52 or 53 and 39). Most bikes of this price come with something similar these days. Matched up to an 11-28-tooth cassette, it'll allow you to get up the vast majority of gradients without your knees popping or your lungs bursting, while still providing enough big gears to keep you bowling along quickly on the flat and downhill.

Aluminium frames have a reputation for feeling harsh but that's a gross generalisation. Some are jarring – as some carbon frames are – but plenty aren't. This bike is certainly comfortable enough for racking up the big miles.

For a start, it comes in Trek's H2 fit. That requires a brief explanation. Compared to Trek's H1 fit, H2 has a taller head tube: 3cm taller in the case of our 58cm test model. Why? It puts you into a more upright riding position with less strain on your lower back and neck. You could achieve a similar position by adding a bunch of headset spacers on an H1 bike, but if you want your bars at that height, you're better off going for an H2 fit because the front end will be stiffer and the handling will be better.

The Bontrager Race VR-C alloy handlebar has a shallower drop than usual too: 124mm rather than the 145mm you get on Bontrager's Race Lite Classic, for example. That means it's that much easier to get down on the drops. A lot of people have a bar with a deep drop and rarely take their hands off the hoods.

The other reason for the comfort is that the 1.2 is inherently pretty smooth. Sure, there are plenty of bikes out there that will filter our more road vibration but this one does a decent enough job on that front. Swapping the 23mm tyres for 25s would add more comfort but this bike isn't crying out for them by any means.

The Bontrager Gel Cork bar tape provides good cushioning for your hands and the Bontrager Affinity 1 saddle has plenty of padding too. Truth be told, I found it a little too soft, verging on squidgy, but everyone has their own taste when it comes to saddles.

2 You get a neat, well-proven frame and fork

All three bikes in the 1 Series share the same 100 Series Alpha Aluminium frame. It's fairly busy looking with a squared off upper edge to the down tube that makes it resemble that of Trek's more costly Madone.

The top tube slopes towards the seat tube junction and tapers down as it does so, and slim seatstays provide compliance at the back.

You get mounts for a mudguard and a rack back there too. They'll be useful if you want to ride the bike year round and perhaps carry stuff to and from work on a daily commute.

You don't get the oversized bottom bracket or tapered head tube that are regular features designed to add stiffness to higher-end performance bikes, but this is a £650 bike and the frame is good for the money. The welds are pretty tidy throughout and the same can be said of the paint job.

The fork is Trek's own with carbon blades and an alloy steerer. Like the frame, it comes with eyelets for fitting mudguards that will save a lot of faffing.

It's worth noting that the Trek 1.2 is available in eight sizes from 47cm up to 62cm. That range will cover nearly everyone.

3 Shimano's Sora shifters and mechs are excellent for the money

Nine-speed Sora is Shimano's fifth tier road groupset (if you don't count the electronic variants) and it offers fantastic value for money.

Back in the olden days (before last year), you changed gear on Sora by pushing the brake lever to the side or by using a small thumb lever on the side of the shifter body, depending on the direction you wanted to shift.

Now, though, Sora levers are Dual Control, so instead of that thumb lever, there's a lever tucked behind the brake lever. It's the same design that Shimano use right up to top-level Dura-Ace and it's a big improvement, making it far easier to change gear from the drops.

Resting your hands on the hoods is comfortable and there's a little gear indicator on the top of each of the levers that you might find useful. I can't say I ever checked them – I just couldn't get into the habit – but they're there if you want to.

Whereas the gear cables run underneath the bar tape on Shimano's higher level groupsets, they head out from the side of the levers with Sora and loop around to the frame in the fresh air. That's certainly not a problem from a functional point of view, although visually it's a less tidy way of doing things. That's being picky, though. Sora shifting has taken a massive leap forward with this latest design. It works very much like the highest level offerings from Shimano, just adding a little weight. Even there, the difference isn't massive.

Trek don't give you a complete Sora groupset here, just the shifters and mechs. The chainset is FSA Vero, a square taper design that does its job just fine, and the brakes, as mentioned, are unbranded.

Most other big brand bikes at this price, such as the Giant Defy 3 (£649) and the Felt F95 (£649), have Shimano Sora components too. It's worth comparing the spec sheets to see exactly how they match up, but don't buy a bike solely on that basis.

4 Bontrager's wheels and other components are good, reliable kit

The wheels are made up from Bontrager's own alloy hubs, containing cup and cone (rather than cartridge) bearings, and Tubeless Ready http://www.bontrager.com/technology/why_tubeless_ready rims. That means you can run the wheels without inner tubes at some point in the future, although you'll need to upgrade to Tubeless Ready tyres first.

The tyres that come fitted as standard are Bontrager's T1s (700 x 23). They're some pretty hefty rubber, made for durability rather than all-out speed, but they're reasonably resistant to punctures and they hold the road well even in damp conditions.

I had no problems at all with the wheels during the month-long test period. They're not the lightest wheels ever, taking some coaxing up to speed, but they're still as round and as true as they were out of the box, and there's a lot to be said for trouble-free operation. Fast wheels aren't so fast when you're standing on the side of the road trying to remove a broken spoke.

Most of the rest of the kit is no-nonsense stuff from Bontrager too, the handlebar, stem and seatpost being reliable alloy options and the Affinity 1 saddle providing at least as much cushioning as most people will want.

And the compromises

There are no two ways about it, the 1.2's brakes are disappointing. Trek have put the Shimano Sora theme to one side here and specced nameless dual pivot callipers that lack bite. Don't get me wrong, they're consistent and they'll stop you, just not as quickly as you might like. You have to engage the brakes for a bit longer than normal or pull the levers a bit harder to get down to your desired speed.

You adjust to this within a ride or two and don't really think about it until you ride with people who have better brakes on their bikes, or jump back on to a bike with better brakes yourself. Then you're struck by the contrast.

Swapping the brake pads helps, but the bottom line is that these brakes are a compromise to make a price point and, for me, they're the weakest aspect of the entire bike.

Other compromises? There's nothing that really stands out. Trek offer a decent all-round package here.

The Trek 1.2 is a very good bike for the money. The frame and fork are sound, reliable options and the Sora shifters and mechs are better than anything previously available for this kind of cash. They're a great example of the benefits of trickle down technology.

Yes, if you pay a couple of hundred pounds more you'll get a lighter bike that leaps into life more eagerly when you up the intensity for a sprint or tough climb, but that's always the way. As it is, the Trek 1.2 is a very able road bike that'll reward your efforts with decent speed, and it's comfortable enough to ride all day long. The fact that it comes with mudguard and rack eyelets increases its versatility, so you can use it as a year-round workhorse if that's what you're after.

We'd have no hesitation recommending this bike for someone after their first proper road bike, or for anyone else looking for plenty of value.

Very good value, ideal for anyone looking for a first real road bike, with just the brakes as a low point

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek 1.2

Size tested: 58

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminium

Fork Trek carbon road

Sizes 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm

Front hub Bontrager alloy

Rear hub Bontrager alloy

Rims Bontrager Tubeless Ready

Tyres Bontrager T1, 700x23c

Shifters Shimano Sora, 9 speed

Front derailleur Shimano Sora

Rear derailleur Shimano Sora

Crank FSA Vero, 50/39/30 (triple)

Cassette SRAM PG-950, 11-28, 9 speed

Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage, toe-clip/strap

Chain KMC X9

Bontrager Affinity 1

Seatpost Bontrager Alloy, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 8mm offset

Handlebar Bontrager Race, VR-C, 31.8mm

Stem Bontrager Elite Blendr, w/computer & light mounts, 31.8mm, 7 degree

Headset 1-1/8" semi-cartridge bearings

Brakeset Alloy dual-pivot

Accessories

Bar tape Bontrager gel cork tape

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Trek say: "1 Series aluminium road bikes feature the same aero shaping and race-ready detail as our top-end bikes. They're strong, light, and built to fly over the pavement," [Trek, being from the US, use "pavement" to mean the surface of a road rather than a path].

Frame and fork

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

It's a tried and tested frame built to a high quality. The same goes for the carbon leg/alloy steerer fork.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

The frame is made from aluminium: what Trek call 100 Series Alpha Aluminium.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The 1.2 is built to Trek's H2 geometry that I've explained in the body of the review. Essentially, it's slightly more relaxed than a full-on aggressive race position, but it's still speed orientated.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

It's a little taller at the front end than a traditional low and stretched road bike.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

I found it comfortable both in terms of ride position and ride quality. It's certainly a long way from being a bone shaker.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

It's not mega-stiff but it's not too flexy either.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

I found the saddle a touch too squidgy for my taste, but I'd rather that than too firm.

In all of these marks, I'm comparing the bike to similarly priced alternatives.

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? It would certainly be on my shortlist if I was after a bike at about this price.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? I'd recommend it should be on their shortlist too.

Anything further to say about the bike in conclusion?

Nearly all big brand bikes at this price have these features: aluminium frame, fork with carbon legs and alloy steerer, an incomplete Shimano Sora groupset (chainset and brakes being the most frequent omissions), in-house aluminium handlebar, stem and seatpost. If you simply compare spec lists, you'll see that the 1.2 comes out better than some and not quite as well as others.

However, we'd caution against making a decision based solely on a comparison of spec sheets. We've not reviewed all of the 1.2's chief rivals, but we can tell you that this bike will provide you with a very good all-round performance, the brakes being the only real low point.

Overall rating: 8 /10

About the tester

Age: 43   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

13 comments.

I'm riding this bike now for over 6 years. Inexpensive when bought for  €600. Needed maintenance about 2 years ago which was about €400 (new wheelset, cassette/chain/cabling etc). I've replaced the 700x23-tyres by 700x25-tyres a long time ago without changing anything else. Works like a charm.

Great value for the money but brakes could indeed be better. Meanwhile looking to add a new bike (and use this one solely on the Tacx) with disc-brakes.

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The current Trek 1 Series bikes have plenty of clearance for fixed mudguards, even with a 25mm tyre. The 2013 1.2 had little clearance, and this was because Trek used the 2 series frame for that particular year. I'm guessing evo_playa has one of these. Agree that SKS Raceblade Long guards are great. The lack of availability is due to a redesign - SKS are developing the new version to allow for bikes with disc brakes. I gather they won't be available until this autumn at the earliest. UK distributors sold out of the old versions months ago.

Seems like a comparable spec and set up to other value bikes. Agree that even low spec bikes are good and has recently made me question my prior choice of 105 or nothing. Anyone know if Claris is any good ? Always found the Trek styling a bit bland but this one looks ok. The latest B twin road bikes seem anazing value if your in the market for a new bike. www.tinpony.co.uk/shop

Tin Pony wrote: Seems like a comparable spec and set up to other value bikes. Agree that even low spec bikes are good and has recently made me question my prior choice of 105 or nothing. Anyone know if Claris is any good ? Always found the Trek styling a bit bland but this one looks ok. The latest B twin road bikes seem anazing value if your in the market for a new bike. www.tinpony.co.uk/shop

The 8 speed Sora front and rear Derailleurs on my Trek are long since worn out and were replaced with Claris just before the winter kicked in. It works really smooth with no problems - even on the old Sora shifters with thumb button.

I've had the 2011 1.1 with shimano 2300 (remember that?) for just over 4 years now, and it certainly scrubs up well. Even with just 2300 and a different wheelset I've raced on it for a couple of years to some success, it certainly doesn't feel like it holds me back, which is very impressive for such a cheap machine. In fact, I like it enough to complete the change to 5700 groupset in the spring.

I can't say I ever had a problem with the brake calipers, and I can't tell the difference between the alloy calipers and the Shimano long drop calipers having swapped them out- they are certainly good enough.

However, I'm not a fan of the H2 fit with the massive head tube- I hate long head tubes and was lucky to get mine before they were introduced.

Excellent winter trainer and commuter. My 2007 Trek 1.2 is still going strong - it's had a few minor changes but still has the Sora 8 speed with thumb button - oh and a pannier rack!

It's still a lovely bike to ride and recommended first road bike.

Not a racing bike. Sit up and beg.

WHY wouldn't they put sensible 25mm tyres on the bike?

Mike T. wrote: WHY wouldn't they put sensible 25mm tyres on the bike?

Quite. I can't really understand why they'd have clearances so tight, seems unecessary. It may be that 25mm tyres would work with some mudguards already mentioned, but probably not full guards that also help keep crud off the chainset especially in winter.

Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets.

Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

craigr wrote: Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets. Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

As ever, SKS Raceblade Longs. Sorted.

KiwiMike wrote: craigr wrote: Word of warning though, if it is like my Trek 1.2 with the carbon fork you will be lucky to get a fixed mudguard that fits even though the bike has mudguard eyelets. Clearance on the front is not good and i had to end up using Crud mudguards for the front wheel.

Tried quite a few including SKS chromeplastic ones.

edit: tracked them down, looks like instock here : http://www.tredz.co.uk/.SKS-Race-Blade-Long-Mudguard-Set_51833.htm

Fairly simple and inexpensive to swap out the substandard brake calipers.

I upgraded my Trek 1.1 to Shimano non series long drop brake calipers and the difference in braking was amazing.

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Star Trek: Discovery Just Brought A Legendary Original Series Episode Back Into The Mix

Let's fly ... away from spoilers . Read no further if you haven't watched the latest episode of "Star Trek: Discovery."

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the strangest of them all? In "Star Trek," that title goes to one of the zaniest concepts ever introduced into the canon: The Mirror Universe. The idea of our alternate selves living completely different lives somewhere out there is no longer the sole domain of perhaps the nerdiest franchise in all of sci-fi (although shows like "For All Mankind," "Foundation," and "3 Body Problem" are creating some stiff competition), the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the best episode of "Community" ever made . Fans might be surprised to find out that many in the scientific community believe the theory is worth discussion these days . But "Trek" put its own unmistakable fingerprints on the multiverse by emphasizing one in particular that stands at odds with the usual Prime Universe — one that poses a fundamentally moral dilemma between the paragons of Starfleet we know and love, and the absolute worst versions of themselves.

It doesn't come as a huge surprise that "Star Trek: Discovery" would use its final season to travel full circle and return to the Mirror Universe that played such a significant role back in season 1 (even if, ironically, there might be a parallel universe out there where we were able to see  former showrunner Bryan Fuller's more complex and nuanced take on it ). But what's sure to shock and delight longtime fans in episode 5, aptly titled "Mirrors," is a deep-cut reference to arguably one of the most influential hours of "Trek" ever made, and the one that introduced the Mirror Universe in the first place.

A different kind of black mirror

There might not be any sinister goatees or chest-baring V-necks in sight throughout this episode of "Discovery," but the lasting effects of "The Original Series" episode "Mirror, Mirror" are plain to see. Upon entering the wormhole that took scavengers Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) into multidimensional space, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Book (David Ajala) discover the wrecked remains of their ship ... alongside the still-functioning husk of a familiar-looking Starfleet vessel, emblazoned with the name, "ISS Enterprise." For those who haven't brushed up on their 1967 "Trek" lore (and, quite frankly, shame on you if that's the case), Burnham helpfully points out that this isn't exactly the same starship captained by the fabled James T. Kirk thousands of years ago. It's one that has somehow found its way from the depths of the Mirror Universe (the exact specifics are oddly brushed aside) and remained stranded ever since.

But then "Discovery" goes a step further and hearkens back to "Mirror, Mirror" more thematically. While exploring the derelict ship, Burnham and Book stumble upon information about the previous occupants of the ISS Enterprise and specifically that of a certain Kelpian who rose from a slave to a leader in his own right. That, of course, refers to none other than the Mirror version of Saru (Doug Jones) seen in season 3, whom Emperor Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) saved from certain death and pointed towards his proper path. Where the ending of "Mirror, Mirror" suggests that Mirror Spock is still "a man of integrity" despite the ruthlessness of the Empire he serves, "Discovery" reconfirms that even the comically rampant evil of the Mirror Universe is no match for the stubborn idealism of "Trek."

New episodes of "Star Trek: Discovery" stream on Paramount+ every Thursday.

A 57-Year-Old Star Trek Mystery Has Finally Been Solved

The final season of Star Trek: Discovery just solved a franchise mystery that's been left open since a classic episode of The Original Series aired.

• Nearly 60 years ago, Star Trek: The Original Series introduced the Mirror Universe.
• Star Trek: Discovery returned to that parallel dimension in Season 1, showing audiences more of that world.
• In the final season of Star Trek: Discovery, the fate of a key vessel in the mirror universe is revealed.

The following contains spoilers from Star Trek: Discovery , Season 5, Episode 5, "Mirrors," now streaming on Paramount+ .

One of the most interesting concepts in the Star Trek mythology is its "mirror universe," a parallel dimension where almost everyone is evil. Of the universe's dozen series, only four ever explored it, and only two did so more than once. Star Trek: Discovery made the mirror universe key to its first season, and in its final one, the series revealed what happened to the ISS Enterprise 57 years after it was first introduced. When the show first debuted, some long-time fans felt the crew and the captain were not in keeping with the tenor of proper Starfleet officers. However, Season 1 revealed Captain Lorca hailed from that universe , explaining why he seemed more "evil" than the typical starship captain.

Once the USS Discovery traveled through a wormhole to the 32nd Century, Dr. Kovich told Dr. Culber that the Mirror Universe and Prime Universe were too far apart for "crossings" to occur any longer. However, while on the hunt for the clues to the location of the Progenitors' technology, Captain Burnham and Cleveland "Book" Booker find a pocket of interdimensional space housing a vessel from the Mirror Universe. However, it's not any old starship, it is the ISS Enterprise last seen in "Mirror, Mirror" when the Prime Universe's Captain Kirk told Mirror Universe Spock it only took one good man to start a revolution. Once Star Trek: Deep Space Nine reintroduced the Mirror Universe, what happened to the ship was an open question Discovery just answered.

Where the Mirror Universe and the ISS Enterprise Came From

Star trek: discovery's mary wiseman, wilson cruz and blu del barrio hype finale.

When Gene Roddenberry put together his pitch for Star Trek 60 years ago in 1964, a loose idea of the Mirror Universe concept was on an early pitch document . The full concept came from writer Jerome Bixby, based on his decade-old short story "One Way Street." The writer said "the universe [he] created was a very savage counterpart" and that "it's arguable...the universe itself might be termed a 'character,'" in The Captain's Logs Supplemental by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman.

In "Mirror, Mirror," Kirk, Doctor McCoy, Uhura and Scotty are sent via transporter accident to the Mirror Universe. The episode is mostly about them trying to survive long enough to be returned to their own universe. However, Mirror Spock figures out the captain and crew aren't from his version of reality. So, he ends up helping them recreate the accident so they can return home. Tiberius Kirk and the evil versions of the crew are also sent back, but it's strongly implied that Spock will quickly take control from him.

In Star Trek: Enterprise , a two-part episode set in the Mirror Universe brought the USS Defiant from The Original Series episode "The Tholian Web" to the past. This helps explain why the ISS Enterprise is so much like the Constitution class vessels from the prime universe. Each starship is also equipped with a Tantalus Field, a mysterious device that makes a captain's enemies vanish. Presumably, Spock used the vessel to start his revolution, and Deep Space Nine reveals how it all turned out. Yet, what happened to the ISS Enterprise remained a mystery, until "Mirrors."

The USS Discovery's Search for Clues Led Burnham to the Enterprise

Star trek: discovery's alex kurtzman & michelle paradise talk final season.

Captain Burnham and the USS Discovery crew are familiar with the USS Enterprise, though Captain Christopher Pike was her commanding officer then. After surviving the Time Bug placed on the ship by Moll, Burnham and Book take a shuttle into an "aperture" of extradimensional space to follow their ship's warp trail. When they enter it, Burnham recognizes the ship, but tells Book that during her time in the Mirror Universe in Season 1, she never saw that particular vessel. The ship has been stuck there for some time, and it's damaged. Not just from the pocket dimension it sits in, but it had been in a battle.

When Burnham and Book board the vessel, they discover something surprising. Rather than a Terran warship, they see the ISS Enterprise seemingly serving as a home to refugees . After restoring some power to the ship, they are able to locate Moll, L'ak and the clue they seek by scanning for the quantum signature of people and objects from the prime universe. A short fight breaks out, but circumstances align so that Moll and Booker have to work together to free L'ak and Michael from a security protocol.

When L'ak and Michael fight, she's able to get the clue and she, accidentally, wounds the Breen exile. Moll and L'ak escape in the shuttle Michael and Book arrived on, so they have to figure out a way to get the ISS Enterprise out of the extradimensional space it was marooned in so long ago. Naturally, they succeed with the help of quick-thinking by Commander Rayner on the USS Discovery. What's most interesting, however, is that throughout this adventure no one really wonders just how the clue from the Prime Universe ended up on the flagship of the Terran Empire.

Deep Space Nine Revealed the Fate of Spock's Terran Empire

Star trek: discovery actors doug jones & david ajala prepare for their last adventure.

The first show to return to the Mirror Universe was the first serialized Star Trek , Deep Space Nine in Season 2, Episode 23, "Crossover." Naturally, because that series was set on the space station close to the planet Bajor, this was the corner of the Mirror Universe that the episode (and its many sequels over seven seasons) explored. Rather than the jingoistic rules of the Terran Empire, however, humans were an oppressed class working the ore processing facilities on the Deep Space 9 station. It was ruled by an alliance of Klingons, Cardassians and Bajorans.

Kira Nerys met her counterpart, the leader of the station known as "the Intendant." She explained to her what happened after the real Captain Kirk transported back to his universe. Spock used the ISS Enterprise to become Chancellor of the former Empire, all the while making institutional reformations that made the society more peaceful and equitable. However, after years of being oppressed by the Terrans, the Klingon and Cardassian alliance was able to launch a successful campaign against them.

Still, Deep Space Nine left the ultimate fate of the Terran Empire -- and, more specifically, the ISS Enterprise -- an open question . In fact, Intendant Kira never really clarified when the Terran Empire fell, beyond saying that Spock's reforms began "almost a century ago." Still, knowing that the Terran Empire fell under a brutal assault by Klingons and Cardassians , a picture starts to emerge about why the ISS Enterprise would have been a home for refugees and made the perilous, impossible journey across dimensions.

A Terran Refugee Hid the Clue In the ISS Enterprise In the 24th Century

Star trek: discovery's sonequa martin-green embarks on one final voyage.

At the end of "Mirrors," Michael Burnham reveals the scientist who hid the clue on the ISS Enterprise was able to do so because she was, herself, a Terran . Some time before The Next Generation's "The Chase," she and a group of refugees fled the ISS Enterprise in shuttles and made their way into the Prime Universe. From there, many of them made homes in the Federation, and this particular scientist was the Junior Science Officer on the ISS Enterprise, Dr. Cho.

This means the Terran refugees fled the Mirror Universe sometime before the events of "The Chase." Yet, it was close enough to those events that Dr. Cho was able to make her way back to the ship that carried her and her fellow immigrant in order to hide the clue there. As Booker notes in the episode, the clues to the Progenitors' technology each come with a lesson. In this case, Dr. Cho wanted to subtly teach the searchers who followed her that things can always get better. She went from being a Terran scientist to a Branch Admiral in Starfleet. It's kind of like Starfleet's first mutineer becoming the captain of the first vessel on which she served afterward.

No matter the timeline or universe, the Enterprise is an important, historic vessel. The ISS Enterprise was a warship that brought fear and terror to whomever it visited. At least, until a man named Kirk told a man named Spock there was a better choice to make. In its final season, Star Trek: Discovery has found yet another way to tie its story into the fabric of the universe's past and the message Gene Roddenberry and all those who followed him wanted to give the audience. Things can always be better, but it takes people making the right choices to get there.

Star Trek: Discovery debuts new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Discovery