trek roscoe 20 review

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2021 Trek Roscoe 20

A 20″ aluminum frame mountain youth bike with mid-range components and mechanical disc brakes. Compare the full range

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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

3'8" – 4'4"

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

Sep 2022 · Guy Kesteven

Roscoe looks great on paper but it’s disappointing on the trail

Super wide size range

Dropper post

Tapered head tube

Potential plus tire gains

Outdated frame

Cable rattle

Numb brakes

Wet hating, tubed plus tires

Read Review

Aug 2022 · Alan Muldoon

Launched back in 2019, the Trek Roscoe 6 is definitely showing signs of ageing. Yes, it’s had a fresh lick of paint and some specification updates since then, the biggest change being the addition of a dropper seat post. Other than that though, it’s essentially the same bike that now costs £1k rather than £675. But is it good enough to be added to our best hardtail mountain bikes guide? Trek Roscoe 6 need to know: Massive 2.8in Kenada tyres on smaller 27.5in rims boost confidence and control The Trek Roscoe 6 gets a 130mm dropper post as standard Shimano Deore 10sp drivetrain and 11-46t cassette The wider 141mm Boost quick release dropouts provide extra tyre clearance But it’s not the jump in price or the front derailleur mount that instantly date the Roscoe 6. It’s the 27.5in wheels shod with voluminous 2.8in tyres. Every other bike in this category has made the switch to 29in wheels with narrower tyres, so has Trek simply backed the wrong horse? Frame Before we answer that question, let’s take a closer look at the frame. Manufactured from Trek’s Alpha Gold aluminium the Roscoe comes in six unique sizes, XS though to XXL. Dig into the number though and again the Roscoe looks dated with an elevated BB height and relatively steep head angle. It’s a good thing then that the generous reach and short chainstays have stood the test of time. Yes, the seat angle is a little too laid back to provide an optimum position for seated climbing, but it does open up the top tube measurement so the bike feels roomy in every other situation. Suspension Fatter tyres need fatter forks to provide the necessary clearance, so the Roscoe 6 comes with a SR Suntour XCM 32. It’s coil sprung and listed as having 120mm travel, but grease marks on the chrome steel upper tubes indicated that we never managed to get more than 100mm travel out of it. No bad thing, as the firm spring rate helped prop up the front end and maintain better overall geometry for shredding. The Suntour fork also has no rebound damping adjustment, so limiting its movement with a firmer spring is a crude, but effective way to maintain control. On the plus side, we welcomed the additional stiffness and security of the 15mm bolt-thru axle. Components Like Specialized, Trek has its contact points dialled. The Bontrager Arvada saddle is firm but comfy and we can’t emphasise enough how good it is not having to stop and fiddle with a dodgy quick release seat collar every five minutes. Yes, the action of the 130mm TranzX post feels a little crude, and it also adds at least half a kilo to the overall weight of the bike, but it’s worth it. The balloon-like 2.8in Kenda Havok tyres, and especially the fatter inner tubes, increase the overall weight too, so combined with the wider 35mm rims the Roscoe 6 weights in a portly 15.57kg, making it the …Continue reading »

Plus size tyres

Rattly Suntour fork

Feb 2022 · Daz Hall

As a gnarly trail shredding bike, it won’t surprise anyone that the Trek Roscoe is biased in favour of the rowdier type of riding.

Nov 2021 · Luke Marshall

The Roscoe’s a well-rounded package that delivers an engaging ride, but with a few compromises

Lots of frame sizes to choose from

Shimano Deore gears work well

Best frame protection on test

Wide tyres can feel vague and roll at high speeds

Weak brakes compared to others

TranzX dropper post was sticky

Sep 2021 · JP Purdom

The Trek Roscoe 9is a killer offering for riders wanting an all-around hardtail ripper with a balanced geo and solid build spec.

Surprisingly capable

Balanced geometry

Comfortable climbing position

Reasonable price

Minor spec niggles

Sore ankles

Jul 2021 · Beta

We know trickle-down technology, but trickle-down geometry is far too rare. the new Trek Roscoe brings the shred to the masses.

The 2022 Trek Roscoe gets 29" wheels, modern trail geometry update and a 140mm fork, evolving into a progressive hardtail mountain bike

Trek's Roscoe 9 marries an aluminium frame with trail riding orientated geometry to chubby 2.8" Plus tyres on 27.5" rims. While it doesn't jam in as much value as direct sales rivals, it more than makes up for that with a fun, refined ride and coherent kit list. Review: Genesis Tarn 20 - a steel framed Plus tyre trail hardtail Buying your first mountain bike: our guide to everything you need to know Review: Trek Fuel EX5 Women's 27.5 Plus - confidence inspiring Plus trail susser The Roscoe is a bit of a departure for Trek.

Last updated April 16 Not listed for 1,100 days

Is Trek Roscoe 20 A Good Bike? [Trek Roscoe 20 Review]

Table of Contents

Trek Roscoe 20 

• Price : $499
• Category : Children’s bicycle
• Frame : Aluminum
• Gear : 1×8
• Tires : 20×2.80”

What we like about it: The   best riding teaching tool to help your child overcome the uneasiness that comes with riding.

What we don’t like about it: Too few body color options.

Rating (4.6/5)

Introduction

Hey! Are your kids obsessed with mountain bikes? If your answer is yes, then don’t miss our star today – the Roscoe 20, a medium-fat kid’s bike that performs extremely well on muddy trails.

First of all, the 2.8-inch medium-fat tires provide ample protection for the child’s stable ride, and the aramid beads protruding from the surface are like a suction cup adsorbed to the ground. Both crowded streets and rocky winding trails can be faced perfectly. In addition, the Shimano 1×8-Speed speed control system makes the experience of riding more enjoyable for small children.

We have two months of measurement experience with the Trek Roscoe 20. To make the results more informative for you, we’ll elaborate on the performance, key features, components, and specifications of the Trek Roscoe 20 while riding, as well as other versions of the series. If you’d like to see more versions, please refer to our review.

Trek Roscoe 20 General Riding Review

The Trek Roscoe 20 has its design considerations for comfort, taking into account the 42-52″ height size so that it is not too extreme in the Frame stack setting. In addition, the 48.3mm setting allows the son of my ex-colleague, Tom, to maintain a comfortable enough sitting position without feeling uncomfortable. It also has a shorter wheelbase (measured at 86.3cm) to offset the instability of the 2.8″ tires in the corners. As a result, Tom can maintain an extremely stable posture even in fast-turning tunnels. Not only that, the alpha aluminum alloy is friendly to children. Because the lighter body is easier to control and does not look bulky.

For the saddle, a suitable design with padding was chosen. This also means that it can greatly reduce the damage to children’s bodies from the gravel bumps in sandy travel. The Kids’ Kraton’s handlebar is the result of many measurements and is very comfortable to touch with high-quality nylon rubber. “I enjoy riding on the Trek Roscoe 20,” is something Tom often says to me.

Of course, Shimano Altus M315, 8 speed is also a point that must be mentioned. The Altus SL-M315 shifter is easy to use for kids who don’t need overly complicated shifting, and Tom was in the highest gear for the final sprint. He was able to get a clear picture of the current speed configuration, thanks to the numbered gear display, which is very kid-friendly for riding.

Trek Roscoe 20 Trail Riding Review

After all, it is a great kids’ off-road vehicle, and it still performs well on the trails. I took Tom to the children’s off-road park with its rough roads and gravel-lined artificial trails.

The 20×2.80” medium fat tire plays a crucial role in riding on the sand. Its raised aramid beads have an extremely rough surface and the wider tread design allows Tom to maintain a more stable ride. I wasn’t worried about him falling off the bike, I had full confidence in his skills and the Trek Roscoe 20.

Meanwhile, the 1×8-Speed Shimano drivetrain is the highlight of the Trek Roscoe 20’s setup, with no clogs or jams throughout the shifting process. From flat roads to soft sand, Tom acts like a precision computer during the ride, calculating and judging road conditions until adjustments are made accordingly.

Of course, the alloys on the Trek Roscoe 20 make a big difference on the bumpy trails, offsetting a lot of the uncomfortable bumps. It’s not as high a travel number as other forks, but considering this is a kid’s bike, after all, I think the travel value is acceptable.

Overall, both Tom and I were very impressed with the Trek Roscoe 20.

Main Features

Trek has its considerations for the design of its kids’ bikes. the Alpha aluminum frame has a lighter body weight, which is a consideration for how easy it is for children to control the bike. the 20-inch kid-specific frame geometry has a sloping top tube that makes it easy for a 12-year-old like Tom to straddle the frame and maintain a smooth stance.

The only downside is that the three-color paint configurations may not meet the expectations of most children.

For the choice of geometry, Trek also took into account the body size of the many children who love to ride off-road, adding angles that meet many ergonomic requirements. To eliminate the steering hindrance of overly heavy fat tires, Trek Roscoe 20 has set the wheelbase to a shorter size (863mm). This will provide extremely responsive body steering for children as young as twelve years old.

The 72° seat tube design is also a bold attempt by Trek Roscoe 20. The seat tube angle is around 70-72° for adults, which is designed to allow children to pedal more efficiently and in a more comfortable position. So you can rest assured that your child will be able to take the Trek Roscoe 20 as far as possible on those complicated single-track dirt trails.

Component s and  Specifications

Shimano altus m315, 8 speed drivetrain.

The reliable mountain bike drivetrain allows the Trek Roscoe 20 to handle all the obstacles that arise on the mountain. This is because the easy enough shifting allows the kid to make quick and smooth shifts without using a lot of force. I have to be honest and say that there was some wobble in the chain at the beginning of the shift, but that didn’t happen after I made some simple adjustments. But after all, it has a good enough price, so I can still accept these small flaws.

 Chen-Shin, 20×2.80” Tires

The fat tires are set up to handle the gravel and dead leaves of trail riding. As you know, annual maintenance bills can be a significant expense for parents. And the slick 2.8-inch Chen-Shin tires have a larger footprint and provide great traction. Whether on ascending or descending sections, it performs well in almost any condition and you can rest assured of its durability. Not only does it travel fast and maintain ultimate body stability on the Yellowstone sand, but the Trek also comes with a 30-day unconditional repair fee. So you don’t have to worry about your kids damaging the tires on outdoor rides.

Tektro MD-M280 Mechanical Disc Brake

The Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc is designed for children’s bicycles and has a lighter appearance, weighing only 145 g. The 160 mm stainless steel construction gives it a longer life. In addition, the sound insulation pad made of high-quality resin at the bottom can isolate most of the noise and dissipate most of the heat. It is also widely compatible with the braking system of most mountain bikes.

Trek has a very high priority for the safety of children’s bicycles. When children need to take the brakes while riding, they can quickly and efficiently apply the emergency brake by gently pulling the brake lever. Even on slippery and muddy roads, the Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc still performs impressively.

Other versions of Trek Roscoe

To give you more options, we have tested other models of the Trek Roscoe series for a certain period, including the Trek Roscoe 24, to be objective and fair.

The Trek Roscoe 24, as we found out through testing, has a heavier volume and a larger tire size. (24×2.8″). This also means that it may not be as good as the Roscoe 20 in terms of steering and that the heavy bodywork can overwhelm your kids when they get in the way. Of course, Trek also compensates for this by setting a shorter rear fork length, allowing it to perform well in races as well. At the same time, the 544mm stack is not suitable for younger children, it is more suited to larger boys. If your child is a cyclocross enthusiast and is over 150cm tall, then the Trek Roscoe 24 may be more suitable.

Learn More: Trek Roscoe 24 Review – A Colorful Childhood, Trek To Decorate It For You

• What is the price of Trek Roscoe 20?

The Trek Roscoe 20 is priced at $499.

• What is the gear count of Trek Roscoe 20?

The Trek Roscoe 20 has a gear count of 1×8-Speed.

• What is the body frame of Trek Roscoe 20 made of?
• What sizes are available in Trek Roscoe 20?

Size chart for Trek Roscoe 20.

Trek Roscoe 20 Specs

What we like about it

• The lightweight and durable Alpha Gold aluminum frame provide a compact and tough body.
• The 1×8 Shimano drivetrain’s wide range of adjustments brings extreme traction to your travels.
• 2.8″ tires for increased traction and stability.
• The child-specific frame geometry has an angled top tube to make it easier to get on and off.

What we don’t like about it

• Too sparse a selection of colors.
• Not very suitable for taller children to ride.

Comparison Table

Trek roscoe 20 vs specialized jett 20 single speed.

As we can see, the Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed is a bike set up for those younger kids. But the 398mm stack is a little too much for some kids. The biggest difference between the Trek Roscoe and the Jett 20 is the drivetrain, which doesn’t have a speed control system but only a single speed setting.

In my opinion, the 1×8 shifting of the Trek Roscoe 20 will allow the kid to get better shifting. This will give a relatively better base for shifting training later on.

Although it is a bit more expensive than the Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed, I would give preference to the Trek Roscoe 20 for safety reasons because the Trek Roscoe 20’s 20×2.80” tire size is relatively easier for kids to handle, knowing that a wider tire width is more stable.

If, however, you want your kids to master riding more safely, the Trek Roscoe 20 might be a good one to try.

Trek Roscoe 20 vs Specialized Riprock 20

The Specialized Riprock 20 and Trek Roscoe 20 are very similar in many ways. The same aluminum body can make them able to ride lighter and faster while also having a longer service life.

It is worth mentioning that the Specialized Riprock 20 has a slightly different choice of brakes than the Trek Roscoe 20. It chooses the more popular hydraulic disc brake on the market but also has a more sensitive and rapid response braking.

But if you think about the various conditions that can occur when kids are riding, I think hydraulic disc brakes may not be so desirable. Yes, hydraulic disc brakes are a little better than mechanical discs. At the same time, it will also face high post-maintenance. After all, there are always some bumps and bruises in the kids’ rides.

For this reason, I would prefer the Trek Roscoe 20 because its mechanical disc brakes offer good braking performance with relatively low maintenance costs.

In terms of price, the Trek Roscoe 20 is almost $150 cheaper. So if you consider the budget, this car is one of the options worth trying. Not to mention its branding, it will bring more eyes to your kids.

Learn more ： Top 8 Best Children Bikes – Suitable For Children Of All Ages

Trek Roscoe 20 vs Marin Hidden Canyon 20

Both are children’s mountain bikes, and the Marin Hidden Canyon 20 doesn’t have the same wide range of speed settings as the Trek Roscoe 20. That’s not the only factor in determining whether it’s good or bad.

But for sure in terms of speed, the Marin Hidden Canyon 20 doesn’t perform as fast as the Trek Roscoe 20 does. We tested the same dirt and gravel trails and found that the former was only 16km/h. So if your kid’s goal is various small trail races, then maybe the Trek Roscoe 20 will give him a better riding experience.

Trek Roscoe 20 vs Voodoo Sobo Junior Mountain Bike

Voodoo Sobo Junior Mountain Bike has enough consideration in the choice of aluminum, it chooses lighter aluminum products, which also makes the body more light.

But it doesn’t have a fork on the front end of the body, which means your child may have to suffer too much bumpy vibration when riding on sand or gravel trails, which may not be conducive to small trail rides.

You might say that the Trek Roscoe 20 doesn’t have fork damping either. But if you look closely enough you will find that the Trek Roscoe 20 has 2.8″ wide tires, which will give your child a more stable ride on relatively bumpy trails. Also, the wide tires on will absorb some of the bumps and make the ride more comfortable for your kids.

If, however, your child prefers to ride on bumpy roads, this Trek Roscoe 20 might be a good option.

In case, the above comments are helpful to you, please remember to share the subscription. Have a great day!

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Trek Roscoe 20 - Learnings and Mods

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New here. Wanted to share my experience buying, owning and modifying a Trek Roscoe 20 kids + sized bike. I had scoured the internets for information on a good beginners MTB and had a few things in mind before discovering the Trek at my LBS. I have three kids and this is for the oldest, so it made sense to me to get something good, and make it great to create the best experience for all three of the kids over the next 9 years. I want them to learn to love cycling with me. The hunt was on for a great base to start from. Light frame, and descent build would set up an easy upgrade. I like to tinker and modify everything, so simply buying the best thing I could find was no fun, but the basic ingredients had to be there, and the fit had to be right. My oldest is 6.5 years old, already has great balance and bike handling skills, and needed something to grow with. Long story short, after much interweb research I was prepared to order the Cannondale Cujo 20, but found the Trek Roscoe 20 in person at my LBS. I had not seen a thing on this bike on the internets, but after looking at it, having her ride it, two things were obvious. It fit perfectly with room to grow, and it had a build that would allow me to mod it quickly. The stock bike can be found online, so look for the specs there. But the big wins are the frame, it's weight, and the wheels/hubs from the factory running disc brakes and an 8 speed. This allowed me to go immediately to 10 speed and upgrade the brakes to something much better without the hassle of having to build a wheel set first thing.  

First Impressions The bike weighed at the LBS was 24.48lbs with nylon pedals. It ran well when my daughter took a test ride. It turns quickly, shifted well enough, and was easy for her to climb on and off. The handlebars might be a little wide, but she will quickly grow into them. The brakes stop the bike well, but being mechanical, they lacked feel. More than that, they lacked the ability to adjust the reach of the levers enough. There is an adjustment screw, but it just didn't go as far as my daughter needed. They would be more than acceptable for daily use, but I cant leave well enough alone. The 8 speed Tourney derailleur and thumb shifter work well. They were consistent and didn't require too much force to shift. There was some slop, but that was expected at this level, and totally acceptable. For me, the use of the thumb shifter was a HUGE improvement over the grip-shift found on most of these 20" bikes. Another immediate observation was the incredible length of the derailleur cage and just how far it stuck out from the bike. Again, totally serviceable and worthy of riding into the ground. The crank is noted as 32T on the website, but mine was a 28T. Two things of note here...the 28 made the gearing wonderfully low when combined with the 11-34, and interestingly, when weighed, it was actually pretty darn lightweight. Less than what I eventually replaced it with by ~100g! The hubs and wheels are also nice all things considered. Particularly in the rear where you can swap to a 10 speed without any modification. I have yet to weigh them individually yet, as I have plans to go tubeless eventually. More on that later. But I am sure they weigh a bit with huge 2.8 CST tires, requisite tubes, and budget rims. One thing to note was what might be sloppy spoke build. It looks like some of the spokes are bent and wonky. Nothing seems loose, and the wheels spin true, but they don't look right to my eye. I'm going to guess they could easily withstand anything my daughter can throw at it, but I am committed to swapping them eventually to be sure they are right, and to use in better hubs. Of note, the front wheel appears to be true, but off center by about 10cm. Need to fix that. One final note on running gear, the bottom bracket was crunchy from the start. I tried to adjust a bit, and found it to have a major lack of grease, but nothing could make the improvement I was looking for. Due for replacement. Overall, for a $500 purchase, it is well composed and ready for some fun adventure directly from the showroom floor. I would HIGHLY reccomend that you go through the bike, loosed the overtightened hardware and running gear, lube and grease where necessary, and put it back together with care and a torque wrench. I can't help but believe these are not being assembled by passionate weathered Italian men like your Pinarello, but instead with power tools in Asia and by ham-fisted mechanics looking for their next break. It's performance and longevity are up to what you do when you first get it home.  

Modifications Objective - make it lighter, more durable, and fun/easy to use. First to go were the brakes. I swapped with Shimano BR-M396. They were super easy to install, have much better feel, and have fairly significant reach adjustment. They come preassembled so they require you to shorten the tubing, but have the parts needed in the box. You just need mineral oil. Immediate and significant improvement. Next was swapping the rear cassette to a Shimano 10 speed 11-36. Pick up a couple extra teeth on the far end, and more importantly, a couple more cogs to even out the jump from gear to gear. This was also easy as going from 8 to 10 speeds requires no change to the rear hub. This required a new derailleur and thumb shifter. For the shifter I splurged the $45 to use an XT version, opting for the metal components and smoother action. It's well worth it. And on the far end, I swapped with the Shimano Zee short cage, also $45. This is Shimano's budget downhill derailleur, but it has an incredibly short cage, is tucked into the frame, both making it less likely to be hit and damaged. And it has a clutch as well! Win win win. Combined with the XT shifter, it runs through all gears quickly and efficiently. One thing I have observed and you should keep in mind is that small hands can and will have a tough time pushing thumb shifters. They DO get more skilled with time and practice though. I wanted to change out the crank to be able to run a narrow-wide chainring, and possibly shave a few grams in the process. Low and behold, the stock crank was actually 28T (not a narrow-wide but stamped steel chainring) and it was alloy, adding up to something actually very light in stock form! But I ordered a Spawn 127mm w/NW in 32T. It is heavier than the stock unit, has 4 more teeth, and is SO nice. Dang kid. This takes me to that crunchy bottom bracket. I planned on a simple swap to a Shimano UN55. It was not that simple. First, to take the hard work out of aligning the chain-line, order the 113mm 73. I did the measurement and the maths and there you go. The stock BB is 133mm due to the construction of the crank. I'm sure you could make a 127mm crank work if you wanted to run the stock crank, but it was way out of line for the Spawn. Be sure you either copy this setup, or take the time to buy the crank, mock it up, do the maths, and order the right crank. And if you are between two measurements, go to the smaller one. All of that yielded a buttery smooth BB for less than $20. Connect the rotating bits with an XT 10 speed chain. At this point the major functional components have been upgraded and the bike rides outstanding. She can grind up hills, through loose sand, smooth streets, and even ride directly over parking blocks like they aren't there. We did a few cosmetic things to personalize the bike. Lizard Skins Moab Lock on Grips Rant Hella PC pedals She is happy. Dad is happy. Next upgrades...Chinese carbon bars, Kenda Slant 6 tires, and tubeless setup.  

gobo333 said: Next upgrades...Chinese carbon bars, Kenda Slant 6 tires, and tubeless setup. Click to expand...

Nice thread post some pics...might pick up a 24 soon still on the edge for my youngest daughters next bike.  

Thanks for the post, this is great stuff! I'm on the fence of buying the Roscoe 20 for my younger daughter and knowing that I can swap the spare 11-36 cassette I have laying in my part bin is great. I looked at the Riprock but I didn't like the weight, grip shifter and freewheel at the back. With 2.8 tires I plan on bringing her ride with me during winter as for a 48lbs girl the tires should be ok on groomed trails. Might want a tire with better grip though.  

Thanks so much for this detailed post, this is exactly the kind of stuff I'd look to do when I pickup a Roscoe 20 / 24. My kids are a little on the short side, so I was wondering what mods I could do to shorten the reach. The Trek website does not seem to list the stem length (it just says 31.8mm - which is the diameter no doubt). Would you be willing to post the stem length for your Roscoe 20? I could also roll the handle bar a bit, to make use of the rise, but that alters the sweep too, so I would not be able to get very far with that.  

Good stuff, just ordered my 6 year old one in lilac! I'll be matching a few of your ideas like the 10sp (but with a NX cassette) the short cage Zee mech, narrow/wide ring, Shimano MT500 hydraulics with XT rotors, tubeless, 30mm stem w/ cutdown 1" riser bars and might even build some new wheels!  

Want to see! Lilac with mods! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

Shimano MT500 hydraulics with XT rotors Click to expand...

I already have then as take offs! I should be able to get 1 finger braking with her  

1 finger braking was by far the biggest challenge/habit we had to break ...  

Definitely a challenge -- I'm still working on it myself! Looking ahead, what size bars does it start to become feasible on kids' bikes? On the 460mm wide bars on our Spawn Yoji 14, there's not enough room to even move the levers far enough inward for it to be possible.  

has anyone here with a Roscoe 20 managed to set up tubeless? I've spent hours trying with the original CST tyres but cannot get the tyres to take air!  

Before I committed to trying tubeless, I decided to see how low I could drop the pressure with the stock CST/tubes setup. Granted my daughter is small, and not a hard core shredder yet, but I’m running them at ~8lbs and have yet to experience a flat. She rides straight up and over curbs and parking blocks like it ain’t no thing. You might be past this point already. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

I just wanted convert to save a bit of weight and have the extra puncture protection from the sealant since we have a lot thorns around here .. I think the only chance I have is building the inner of the rim up with lots of Rim Tape, unless someone has had success another way!  

I’m proud to say after countless hours and my wife can vouche for that…..”you’re in the garage again?” 😂😂😂……I can say, we finally got tubeless!! Other than cleaning the rim and having TLR tires: •I did three layers of gorilla tape •screwed in the Stan’s schrader tubeless valve rather than just shoving it down. •wrapped an 18” inner tube on the outside of the tire to hold it in placed. Ensure it’s centered and pressure is evenly distributed. •dry fit first with air compressor. •added tire sealant via valve core •inflated to 35-40lbs to lock in the bead •spin and rotate tire to spread the sealant. Prior to adding sealant and checking for leaks, I did have some leaks from the base of the valve and some spokes. I imagine the sealant will do it’s job as it’s been 2hrs now and holding.  

The Roscoe 20 is an awesome bike. I searched diligently over the spring/early summer for the right bike. I was in the local Trek dealer to order one before they had even heard about its release. I made the factory brakes work by adjusting the reach screw all the way in and letting a little cable out so they engage where he has more strength. The brakes are certainly the low point in my opinion, but they get the job done. I am frequently back and forth on replacing them. My wife keeps saying "you want to spend how much on brakes for a $400 kids bike?!" We've been running about 8 psi in the tires since day one without issue.  

I second that for the brakes. The mechanical are hard to activate for a kid. Even entry level hydro brakes are easier than mechanical. Only problem is now my kid is spoiled and could never go back to mech brakes... :lol: For those who would want tire with more grip, Vee make the crown jewel in 20 x 2.80: https://www.veetireco.com/listings/plus-size-crown-gem/ I might give them a try as the CST are too slippery in snow. Only problem is that they are hard to find in Canada...  

Oooooh! Look nice! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk  

I just ordered my son a Silver Roscoe 20! It will arrive at the LBS in a few days. Based on everyone's recommendation, I would like to upgrade the brakes to hydraulic as well. Are the rotors reusable? Just need to swap the lever and add caliper/line?  

yes, I've got the original rotors on with slx brakes. Had to face the frame so the rear caliper would align up. Would love to get it tubeless, has anyone managed it?  

Just bought one in Pink for my daughter... I have Richard over at Stikrd making up some custom stickers in turquoise for it to make it hers. Then I've got a Zee 10sp drivetrain for it with some Shimano Deore brakes and the Tioga Dazz lite pedals. Want to try and cut some weight from there but not really sure where I'll start other than tubeless.  

Brakes seem the way... either sell the mechanical as new or keep them until they outgrow the bike and swap them back to sell.  

Just picked up a Roscoe for my daughter. Some new Jr size levers should be here Friday to replace the stock levers. This got me to thinking, instead of hydraulic brakes how about Avid/SRAM BB7 mechanicals to replace the stock calipers? I had BB7s on a bike years ago and I recall them being quite good and almost comparable to hydros. What do you all think?  

I put on a TRP Spykes for the front brake on my son's bike, which are a step up from the BB7s since they actuate the pistons from both sides. Braking power is good, but the force to pull the lever is still a little greater than a hydraulic brake. The only reason I went with them was to keep front & rear levers the same, since the rear was a v-brake.  

Late to the party but stoked to have found this thread. Had been planning on buying a new bike for him for his birthday, to size up from a 16" wheeled Redline Pitboss, but jumped on a used Roscoe in good condition via Craigslist, for $250. Aside from cosmetic scrapes, only really concrete degradation from new is tire wear. So glad to have this thread as a guide as his birthday present will now be cycling gear and upgrades to his bike. Really look forward to upgrading him to hydraulic brakes and expansion to 10 speed, maybe a smaller chainring. He's practically just over the bare minimum size to ride the bike and also has only ridden on the street and a BMX dirt track, so gonna take a little bit for him to develop ability to climb. I'm a recent convert from road to dirt, so he can come along at his own pace and I'll be happy to ride whatever he can handle.  

has anyone here with a Roscoe 20 managed to set up tubeless? Any problems using a 10 speed chain?  

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First Look: 2022 Trek Roscoe Hardtail

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