trek bike steel frame

Welcome to the unofficial Vintage-Trek* bicycle web site. This is a noncommercial, just-for-fun, hobbyist site.

The primary purpose of this site is to gather and disseminate information about early lugged, steel-framed road bikes made by the Trek Bicycle Corporation , Waterloo, Wisconsin. In response to popular demand, the site has expanded to include not-so-vintage Trek bikes of all kinds as new as 2012 .

Mountain bikers , and carbon and aluminum aficionados do not despair - the brochure extracts on the site contain a list of specs for all of the bikes Trek produced in that year. Additionally, the table of Trek models by year includes all Trek bikes through 2005.

Other Resources - Specs for all Treks 93 and newer are on the BikePedia.com site. Additionally, specifications and pictures for 2003 and newer Treks are available on the Trekbikes.com web site archives .)

Before this site began, in various bicycle-related Internet discussion forums there were posted questions like:

• How old is my Trek?
• How was it equipped when new?
• What was the original selling price?
• Where was it in the price/quality hierarchy?

The query usually went unanswered. This site is an attempt to provide the information that answers questions such as these.

What Is on This Page?

Introduction | On This Site | Is it a Trek? Determining Year and Model | Collectability | Contributors Comments Appreciated | Contact | About this Site | My Treks

What Is on This Site?

On this site are Trek brochures or catalogs covering the period 1976 to 2012. There also are four early price lists from bike shops in Santa Barbara, CA. The price list and values page also has a list of bike prices when new. This information was provided mostly by visitors to this site. This page also includes suggestions for estimating the current value of a Vintage Trek.

There is a timeline for steel Trek road bikes that often can be used to identify or date a frame. A table of Trek models by year and color includes virtually all Trek bikes from 1976 through 2005.

Serial number information can be found on the serial number page .

Methods of determining the date of manufacture of bicycle components (and often the bikes they are on) are described here .

NOTICE : We are trying to sort out NITTO manufacturer's date codes. See here for details .

Suggestions for buying or selling a vintage Trek are given on the site as well as tips for refurbishing or upgrading your bike. Included is a section on general specifications for vintage Treks.

There also are catalogs from Gary Fisher (1988-2010); Klein (1989-2008), and LeMond (1996-2008) on the site.

Is It a Trek?

It usually is easy to identify a bike frame as a Trek, even if it has been repainted, as virtually all of them have "TREK" conveniently stamped or cast into one or more places on the frame. Possible locations are the top of the seat stays, the seat lug, the bottom bracket, and the top of the fork crown. An exception is the TX900 which has no cast-in "TREK".

Determining the Year and Model of Your Steel Trek

One often has to be a bit of a detective to sort this out.

• If you know the model number, compare the colors of your bike against the Models/Years/Color listing. This works only for Treks from about 1982 onward. The earlier bikes models were available in numerous colors.
• Check the serial number of the frame. If a 7 character alphanumeric, see the results of the Serial Number Decoding Project . If it is 6 digit numeric, in the range 000000 to 270975, go to the serial number page to get the year and model number. If it is 6 digit numeric higher than 270975, the year may be able to be determined from the Table II on the serial number page. Other serial number formats are described on the serial number page .
• Check the description of graphics by year in the timeline to match up your bike. Go to the brochures , the BikePedia.com web site (for 1993 and newer), the Trekbikes.com web site archives (for 2003 and newer) and perhaps the gallery for more detail. For most years, (generally 1981 and newer) color is telling. For many models, two or more colors were available, but only one color is pictured. The other is listed on the model description page or in the separate specifications table. Complicating bike identification by color, Trek occasionally added a bike color after the brochure for that year was made. As they are identified, these additional colors are included in the Models/Year/Colors page. If your frame has been repainted, you may be able to find the original paint inside the bottom bracket shell, seat tube, or head tube. Occasionally, a frame was returned to Trek for repainting. Trek would use the then current colors and graphics, not the original ones. This means that color and graphics can (rarely) be misleading as to year.
• If your bike has a model name or model number, look it up on the Models/Year/Colors table to find the years your bike was sold.
• Compare the components on the bike with those described in the brochures, if you think they may be original. (BTW - This is tedious.) Cranks and brakes (and often seatposts), are more likely to be original than other components. (Note: Trek occasionally changed the components from what were described in the brochures. Improved parts became available during the year or specified parts became unavailable. In the case of unavailable parts, Trek invariably substituted better parts.)
• Date the components on the bike (if you think they are original), guided by the component dates page. Dated components most likely to be original are brakes, handlebars, cranks and seatposts.
• For some years, the model number (in the form xxx) appears on the bike. Easy - even I often get this right.
• If the serial number is a 7 character alphanumeric, see the results of the Serial Number Decoding Project . If the number is a 6 digit numeral, check to see if your serial number is listed on one of the serial number years .
• Racing? Touring? Sport? Measure the chainstay length, from the center of the crank to the center of the rear dropout. A length of 43.5, 44, 44.5, up to 47 cm (the Model 720 and 85 620) typically is a touring model, racing models are shorter at 41 to 41.5 cm or so. Sport versions are somewhere in between, at 43 cm or so.
• Compare the components on the bike (and frame colors on 81 and newer) with those described in the brochures . or in the descriptions on the BikePedia.com (93 and newer) or the Trekbikes.com web site archives (for 2003 and newer) web sites.
• For many models, two colors were available, but only one color is pictured. The other is listed on the model description page or in the separate specifications table.
• Eyelets on dropouts? (for fenders or racks) - typically none on racing models (except for the first 4 or so years), yes on touring models, yes on most sport models.
• Rear derailleur cable routed above or below bottom bracket? See 1982 Timeline page entry.
• Cantilever Brakes? = Touring model. Centerpull Brakes = Touring (early 1982 720/728). Sidepull brakes? Very common. These only rule out models with cantilever and centerpull brakes.
• Fastback seatstays with no TREK stamped on seat lug =TX900. (See Chas. Porter's bike in the gallery .) Also, the TX900 has three holes, of increasing size, in the top of the seat lugs and head lugs.
• A seatpost diameter of 27.4mm indicates a Model 170. The Model TX300 is 26.8mm. All other vintage Treks are 27.2mm.
• See Is it Columbus Tubing?

Collectability of Steel Treks

People often ask about the collectability of old Treks. Here are some general comments from my own observations and from the collected experience of others.

• Lots of steel Trek bikes were made; most are not rare. However, virtually all steel Treks are quality riders and are valued as such. Vintage Treks with upgraded components are more valuable as riders, but this can decrease the value as a collector's item.
• Top level Treks are considerably more collectable than lower level bikes. However, keep in mind that an entry-level Trek is at a mid-level price/value in comparison to the offerings of most other manufacturers.
• Earlier Treks are more valuable as they generally are more rare. Now that the serial numbers are generally understood, one can verify the age of the frame.
• Condition is all important to collectability. A bike with original paint is more desirable (to a collector) than a repainted bike. Additionally, bikes with components as provided by the factory are more desirable to the collector. In the case of bikes originally bought as bare frames, the components should be period correct.
• The early bikes were built with traditional frame building methods and therefore are more desirable to the collector (in my view). This change from traditional methods to more automated methods was fairly gradual from 1976 to 1980, but then increased. Cast one-piece head tube/head lug assemblies appeared on some bikes in 1980 or 81. This began with lower level bikes but extended to mid level bikes later. (A small picture of this headtube/lug device is on page 2 of the 89 catalog .) Cast seat lugs, with sockets for the stays, appeared in about 1984. Artisan frame builders were generally replaced with frame technicians in the early 80s as more automated techniques were developed and employed. These changes did not necessarily reduce the quality of the frames, but did move Trek farther from traditional methods. This did achieve the goal of reducing production costs and helped keep Trek cost competitive (and solvent) in a highly competitive environment.
• Vintage Trek bikes do not (yet) have the cachet of some English or European bikes, which generally have a much longer history. However, during the Vintage-Trek period, the quality of the frame materials, construction methods, and finish are certainly equal or superior to the vast majority of English and European top-level production bikes, and exceed many custom bikes as well.
• The early Trek bikes, up to about 1983, have fender clearance. (The touring bikes beyond 83 all have fender clearance.) If people want a proper wide-tired touring bike, winter bike, or rain bike, all with fender clearance, they must typically buy a modern cyclocross bike or a custom bike. Most other modern road bikes don’t have the clearance (and don't have lugs). This helps keep vintage Treks popular as riders.
• The early bikes, 1976 to about 82, were built using sliver solder, a more costly and desirable method. Many later models were built, at least partially, with sliver as well.
• Ishiwata 022 steel frames were less expensive than Reynolds- or Columbus-tubed frames, but the steel quality was equal to the others. They are often described as “best value”.

Some vintage frame or bike models have special significance; these include the TX900, 720/728, 170, and 520 .

The TX900 was the early top-of-the-line frameset, dating from 1976 to mid 1978. The Columbus tubing, racing geometry, and fastback seat stays were characteristic of this model (not to be confused with the later bikes from the mid-80s having cast socketed seat lugs in fastback form). Another special feature is the three holes, of increasing size, in the top of the seat lugs and head lugs. The unique and distinctive design, and relative rarity, adds to the value of these frames.

The 720/728 touring bikes , dating from 82-85 were (and still are) highly-rated bikes for serious touring. The long chainstays, 47cm, provide heel clearance for the rear panniers, and contribute to a comfortable ride. These frames and bikes are still highly sought after by knowledgeable tourists. A similar steel lugged frame is not currently available except from a custom framemaker. In my opinion, these framesets and bikes will only increase in value over time. The steel racing Treks will never again be used by top racers for racing. However, the 720 will be used (and coveted) by experienced tourists well into the future. Trek made a total of 7929 720 and 728 bikes and frames (number calculated by Mitch Hawker).

(Note: Trek ran out of model numbers; don't confuse these touring 720s with the 1990-1999 Model 720 MultiTrack bikes.)

The Model 170 , arguably Trek’s best steel racing frame, was available during the period 1983 to 1985. They were made with Reynolds 753 tubing. Among their users was the 7-11 Team. Tim Isaac designed the 170. Expert framebuilders John Thompson, Rick Faultersack, and Kelly Gamble built them.

The 520 touring bike first appeared in 1983 and probably has made more trans-America crossings than any other bike model. It still is offered by Trek in steel (although not lugged), which has helped maintain significant model recognition among bicyclists. This longevity and popularity has raised the value of this bike over similarly-priced vintage Treks of the period.

Two parameters are specially important to the 520 over the years: chainstay length (as pointed out by Robert Cooke) and the type of brakes used. Long chainstays are used on touring bikes to provide a more stable, cushioned ride and to provide more room for panniers (saddle bags). Serious touring bikes in the 80s and 90s were equipped with cantilever brakes (the classic center-pull cantilevers). These were considered powerful enough to stop a heavily loaded bike going downhill. The sidepull brakes of the time were considered less capable for such extreme duty. It wasn't until Shimano developed their "V-brake" (known generically as the side-pull cantilever or the direct pull brake) that a viable alternative to the traditional cantilever was available. This new brake was used on the 520 after 1999. The table below shows these two 520 characteristics through time. These data should be of use to people who plan to buy a vintage 520.

Table I - Brake Type and Chainstay Length for Trek Model 520 from 1983 through 2012

The 620 touring bike was offered in 1983, 84, and 85. It was a level above the 520, but because it was short lived and no longer in production, it is not as familiar to potential purchasers. On the used market, this often means less money for an even better bike. Only the 85 model had the extra-long 47cm chainstays, matching those of the 720.

Some Trek models shared the same frame. For example, if you want a 1983 frame with 620 geometry and materials, you can look for a 1983 600, 630, or 640, all of which have the same characteristics as the 620. The geometry and frame materials are normally given in the brochure for that year.

Contributors

Many thanks to the people who have contributed significant information to the site. They are: Tom Adams, , Mark Agree, Don Allgire, Peter Berger, Wayne Bingham, Alan Burnett, Larry Black, Dave Breitlow, Ed Brown, Colin Campbell, Dan Carlsson, Mark Carter, Andrew Chadwick, Chris Clement, Bill Clements, Chris Cleveland, John Colt, Nels Cone, Robert Cooke, Mark Crabtree, Julia DeGrace, Kris Echert, Taryn Echert, Anita Edens, Dave Evans, David Feldman, Ivan Feldman, Erik Frey, Tim Fricker, Cory Fry, Rich Ferguson, Marsha Gill, Don Gillies, Dickey Greer, John Hallows, Lyle Hanson, D. Hansen, Keith Hatfull, Mitch Hawker, Sean Hickey, George Hoechst, Bill Howard, Jim Jack, Jennings Kilgore, Michael Johnson, John Keller, Steve Kurt, Jeff Kwapil, JP Lacy, Kevin Maher, Dave Mann, Steve Mann, Tom Marshall (T-mar), Tom Meara, Michael McCullough, Marty Meison, Lou Miranda, Dale Mizer, Greg Mooncalf, Mike Marro, Kirt Murray, George Nenni, Larry Osborn, Dennis Pieper, Andy Poplawski, Chas. Porter, Tim Rangitsch, Jack Romaine, Michael A. Roberts, Brandon Rouse, Roger Sacilotto, John Satory, Paul Schleck, Travis Sherwood, Dan Shindelar, Bruce Squires, Dave Staublin, Jay St. John, Scott Stulken, Tom Sustarich, Mike Swantak, David Temple, Elisabeth Thomas-Matej, Kevin Tita, Craig Tornga, Kevin Truelove, Mark Wade, Martin Walsh, Leighton Walter, Ben Weiner, Luker White, and Brad Ziegler.

This site would not have been possible without their help and support. I know there will be more to thank in the future.

The list above does not include the many hundreds of other people who have provided a serial number or other smaller contribution to the site. Our hearfelt thanks to these folks as well.

Comments and Information Appreciated

Please send your comments, corrections, and materials! If you have additional information about steel Treks; old brochures, price sheets, or other information, please pass them along. Easiest digital form is probably as .gif files (for graphics) or .jpg files (for photographs) scanned at 150 dpi or more. If you send printed information, it will be scanned and returned to you.

Currently, I am not adding more photos to the Gallery. Now that we have all (or virtually all) of the brochures/catalogs for each year, the Gallery is not as important as it was earlier. My current task is to sort out the many other forms of serial numbers used on Trek bikes throughout the years.

How to Contact Me

Skip Echert - E-mail: [email protected]

About This Site

At a bicycle shop in Santa Barbara, in about 1978, I picked up a Trek brochure which described the "pre owned" frame/bike that I had just purchased. In 2001, I found that brochure in my old papers and was surprised to find two other Trek brochures and four price lists that I had salted away as well. These materials were the genesis of this site, which went online in 2001. The amount of material on the site has grown steadily over time, much of it from the information and documents generously provided by site visitors.

As the site expanded, and visitors could find information to answer their questions, the nature of the questions has evolved. For example, I now get few questions about the early serial numbers (as they now are well documented) but more about the many later ones used by Trek.

The site currently gets 12,000 to 20,000 unique visitors per month. We have received and replied to over 2400 emails. Many of the questions asked and then researched have been the basis for information added to the site.

I have a Trek TX900, originally sold new (frame only) in 1977 to a very accomplished teenager who raced it in and around Santa Barbara, CA. He had equipped it mostly with Campagnolo Nuovo Record parts from 1973 and earlier, a Zeus front hub, a Super Olimpic rear hub, and Cinelli bars and stem. He, or the previous owner, had replaced many of the steel bolts in the components with titanium or aluminum after-market items. I purchased it from him in 1978 for the sum of $375. He was 16 when he sold it, after discovering girls and cars.

A few years ago, I replaced the sew-up rims with clinchers, carefully spread the rear triangle to 126mm and replaced the (then) splitting rear hub with a 6 speed Campagnolo model. At the urging of Don Altman, a bike-savvy friend, I replaced the the Teledyne titanium crank axle (by the way - beautifully crafted) with a stock Campagnolo model. Don knew that many of these aftermarket axles had failed - with painful consequences for the rider. (I was probably perfectly safe, as my horsepower output could never be described as "gear busting"). After making this substitution, I realized the axle had been the cause of wobble in the chainrings. With these changes, the bike now is even a greater joy to ride. Perhaps one day the TX900 will have matching rims, tires, hubs, and brake pads. (Or would that just indicate a lack of imagination on my part?)

In 2002, I bought a 1981 Model 613, in almost new condition, at Recycled Cycles in Seattle. I decided this would be my (almost) modern bike. It is now a 24-speed index shifter, assembled from used and new parts. See this gallery page for details.

In June of 09, John Keller, a major contributor to the site, gave me a 1980 Model 710 frame in excellent condition. Wow! The results of the buildup can be seen on a page in the gallery .

I received the fabulous gift of a 1985 Model 720 frameset in April of 2014. It was from numerous members of the BikeForums.net Classic and Vintage forum. It was offered as a thank you for the Vintage-Trek website. What generous people! Earlier, in corresponding with Dave Vegafria about his 720s, I casually mentioned my long-term hope of getting a 720 one day. Without mentioning anything to me, Dave thought the time could be sooner. He posed the question on the forum and got dozens of offers of support. Since it arrived, I have gathered almost all of the needed components. When finished, it will be in the gallery.

My son has a 1993 Model 8700 Trek carbon-tubed mountain bike. He bought it at a local pawn shop for $100 in 2004. It had been updated with an early suspension fork.

Introduction | On This Site | Identify as a Trek | Determining Year and Model | Collectability Contributors | Comments Appreciated | Contact | About this Site | My Treks

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

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

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

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

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Bike Finder

Results have arrived, steel is real: 13 steel bikes you should know.

Bikes have been made from steel for over 100 years. For some, it's the only frame material worth riding. If you want to feel for yourself why "steel is real," then these are some of the bikes you need to ride.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Jan 11, 2023

Posted in: Bikes

Why are steel bikes so good? For the “ steel is real ” crowd, the ride quality, durability, and looks simply can’t be beaten. Steel provides a comfy and springy feel. It can survive the worst abuse and be repaired when damaged. And aesthetically, like a Greek statue, skinny steel tubes are just classically beautiful. If that doesn't sway you, then you might just have to ride steel to understand. 

If you’re feeling steel-curious, you don’t need to drop big bucks and wait months for a bespoke, handmade frame to experience the joy of a steel bike. There are plenty of great, affordable options available now. I’ve picked out some of my favorite steel road, gravel, and mountain bikes from our inventory that will ride well and last a lifetime. 

[button] SHOP STEEL BIKES [/button]

Steel Road Bikes

Ritchey road logic.

[product-block handle="2016-ritchey-logic-road-m"/]

The nimble, stiff, and comfortable Road Logic epitomizes how a steel road bike should ride. The timeless design comes from Tom Ritchey, a framebuilding legend who designed and built some of the first mountain bike frames and components. The Road Logic features a heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel with a straight headtube and aggressively short-butted sections optimized for TIG welding to save weight and improve ride quality.

All-City Zig Zag

[product-block handle="all-city-zig-zag-bike-700c-steel-105-honeydew-bling-55cm-1"/]

The Zig Zag is All-City’s take on a modern endurance road bike. It uses All-City A.C.E. (air-hardened, custom extruded) tubing which uses custom butted profiles and the thinnest walls possible to save weight and dial in the ride characteristics without sacrificing strength. With ample clearance for 35mm wide tires, it can even handle rough pavement and light gravel. Hidden fender mounts keep it looking sleek and racey, but add versatility and protection for when the weather turns.

Pegoretti Duende

[product-block handle="2021-pegoretti-duende-l"/]

I’ve always loved Dario Pegoretti’s work , and even though this Duende wasn’t built by the master himself (he passed in 2018), it carries on his spirit. The Duende is made from oversized Columbus ZONA tubing and doesn't focus on stiffness as much as racier models like the Round, Mxxxxxo, or Responsorium. Instead, it's designed to be a comfortable all-day bike that does everything well. It's all capped off with one of Pegoretti's beautiful trademark custom paint schemes. 

Standert Triebwerk Disc Limited Edition

[product-block handle="2019-standert-triebwerk-disc-l"/]

Looking for something super unique but don't want to pay a premium? Standert is the answer. Based in Berlin, this German brand specializes in steel (and aluminum) bikes that "bridge the gap" between bespoke and mass-produced bikes. The Triebwerk Disc is an endurance road frame built for "real road riding" with Columbus Select tubing and comfy geometry. The paint is inspired by Berlin's culture, fashion, sneakers, and streetwear and bold color schemes like this have become part of Standert's signature aesthetic. 

[button] SHOP STEEL ROAD BIKES [/button]

[newsletter]

Steel Gravel Bikes

All-city cosmic stallion.

[product-block handle="all-city-cosmic-stallion-bike-700c-steel-rival-axs-wide-black-brick-bronze-49cm"/]

All-City again! All-City is one of the most popular steel brands in the US, so of course they have lots of models to handle every style of riding. The Cosmic Stallion is All-City’s lightest and most performance-oriented gravel bike made for chasing PRs during training and podiums on race day. It uses the same lightweight A.C.E. tubing as the Zig Zag so it moves fast both on and off-road, but thanks to the stable geo, it really shines when the terrain gets rough.

Niner RLT 9 Steel

[product-block handle="2017-niner-rlt-9-steel-m-3"/]

Niner offers the carbon RLT 9 for weight-concious racers, but decided to design a steel version for “purists” who are after a more lively ride feel, maximum durability, and classic aesthetics. It’s made for all-day adventures with stable geometry, lots of mounts for gear, and clearance for massive 700c x 50mm tires. The RLT 9 Steel is built using air-hardened Reynolds 853 steel, which is thinner and lighter than most steel without sacrificing strength.

Bombtrack Hook

[product-block handle="2022-bombtrack-hook-m"/]

Bombtrack comes from the rough and tumble world of BMX, so they understand how to make tough frames that last. Bombtrack actually has a massive selection of steel bikes , and the Hook is its “classic” gravel option using 700C tires. It’s comfortable and easily adaptable, with direct mounts for a top tube bag, three bottle cage mounts, and rack and fender mounts. Load it up or leave it stripped down for faster group rides and races. 

Ritte The Satyr

[product-block handle="2021-ritte-satyr-m"/]

Ritte has been building bikes for just over a decade and it's been gaining popularity fast thanks to its beautiful and striking bikes. The Satyr is designed for pure fun, with clearance for 700c x 50mm tires and geometry influenced by Tom Kellogg’s years of experience building championship winning frames. With Reynolds 725 tubing, it has the feel of high-end custom steel without the high-end price tag. 

Specialized Sequoia Expert 

[product-block handle="2018-specialized-sequoia-expert-l"/]

The original Sequoia was actually the first bike Specialized ever produced, debuting in 1974 as a touring bike. It then came back in 2016 as a steel gravel bike. The frame uses Specialized’s premium cro-moly tubing and ultra-thin seat stays to maximize compliance. Compared to Specialized’s flagship Diverge gravel bike, it offers more durability, comfort, and cargo capacity to satisfy adventurers taking on massive gravel epics. Unfortunately, it's been discontinued so it can only be found used (for now).   

[button] SHOP STEEL GRAVEL BIKES [/button]

Steel Mountain Bikes

Kona honzo st.

[product-block handle="2020-kona-honzo-st-l-2"/]

I wrote the Kona Honzo a love letter on Valentine’s Day because it’s one of the bikes I regret selling the most. It’s a basic steel trail hardtail, and though it’s not exceptional at any one thing, riders like me love it because it’s pretty good at almost everything. Run it with a lightweight 120mm fork for XC adventures or a burly 150mm fork for enduro riding. If you want to go singlespeed, the sliding dropouts let you do that too! 

Canfield Nimble 9

[product-block handle="2019-canfield-nimble-9-l"/]

Canfield’s Nimble 9 is the original all-mountain hardtail. When it debuted over ten years ago, few bike builders were making steel hardtails with big forks designed to shred. It’s now in its fifth generation and still handcrafted in small batches with burly 4130 steel and sliding dropouts. It’s super versatile, compatible with 140-160mm forks, singlespeed or geared set-ups, and 29”, 29-plus, or 27.5-plus wheels with up to 2.8-inch tires.

[product-block handle="2021-orange-p7-29-s-m-1"/]

The brand from Britain might be best known for its aesthetically divisive single-pivot full-suspension bikes, but Orange knows it way around a hardtail too. With tough Reynolds 525 tubing, a 65-degree head angle, and a 140mm fork, the P7 is built to thrown down gnarly trails and take a serious beating. It is the epitome of the British “hardcore hardtail.”

Marin Pine Mountain

[product-block handle="2021-marin-pine-mountain-2-l"/]

Marin bikes come from Marin County, California, the birthplace of mountain biking, and it’s experienced a bit of a revival with the release of several new and innovative mountain bike models. The Pine Mountain is a do-it-all rig with a 120mm fork, 29" wheels, stable trail geometry, and as you can see, A LOT of frame mounts. This makes it the perfect companion for everything from quick lunch rides to epic multi-week bikepacking adventures loaded up with gear. 

[button] Shop steel mountain bikes [/button]

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Certified Pre-Owned

Trek Domane SL Road Bike - 2020, 60cm

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Best steel bikes: a buyer's guide

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In the past, all the best bikes were made from steel because it is both strong and relatively lightweight. Steel ran the show.

Then, in the 1980s aluminium became the material of choice offering an improved strength to weight ratio. Carbon quickly followed, being even stronger for its weight and having the added bonus of being able to be moulded into aerodynamic shapes.

>>>Read: Should your next bike be carbon, aluminium, steel or titanium?

In recent times steel has been undergoing a resurgence. Although heavier than aluminium and carbon, it delivers a ride quality that has been described by some as “sublime”. Roads feel less chattery as the metal has something of a spring to it. With modern frame building techniques, the weight difference of steel versus aluminium and carbon is not actually as large as you might think.

>>>Read: Best lightweight bikes

Another reason for steel’s revival is that the metal is relatively easy to work with, making it the custom frame builder’s material of choice when it comes to constructing bespoke frames; a frame designed from the ground up for your specific needs can really transform your riding. But it's more than just having a perfect fit: the geometry of the bike can be adjusted to get the most out of your riding style.

>>>Read: How cycling comfort can improve your ride

This guide includes links to some products. With each product is a ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Best Deal’ link. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay.

Best Steel Road bikes

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.

Mason Resolution 2

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

The second generation of Mason’s Resolution model, Italian-made Columbus steel is crafted into a bang up-to-date frameset that has all the features you would hope to see. It takes Flat-Mount disc calipers, 12mm Thru-Axles, threaded BSA bottom bracket and has space for up to 35mm tyres.

So much thought has been put into each of the tube shapes, from the tapering seatstay with their hourglass profile to the large diameter D-Section downtube which wraps under the bottom bracket to add stability.

Increasing its versatility are the discrete pannier rack and mudguard mounts along with the internal dynamo routing path through the fork. Where other brands have oversized their seat posts, Mason has kept with 27.2mm which helps to further deaden the road buzz.

The Light Blue St Johns Retro

This Cambridge-based brand can trace its heritage back to the 19th century when they produced hand-built bikes for the wealthy members of the University. Their range includes gravel bikes, modern winter bikes, racing bikes, track bikes, as well as this beautifully constructed light touring bike.

The copper mudguards complement the tan saddle and bar tape and contrast strikingly with the polished crankset, handlebars and seat post. The tubing comes courtesy of Reynolds in their 725 flavour slots into intricately wrought lugs. The straight top tube meets the seatstays at the seat post, giving that classic double triangle profile.

A touch of modernity brushes the gearing, with a 50/34 compact chainset and nine speed 11–28 cassette. But the downtube shifters, pulling a Sunrace rear derailleur across the block, keeps you firmly in the 20th century. The legendary Dia-Compe GC610 Centre Pull brakes leave ample space for up to 32c tyres.

Condor Classico Road

Condor first opened the doors of their London shop in 1948 and produce their hand-built frames in Italy. Their range is extensive, but this model really caught our eye. The Columbus SLX steel tubes and investment cast lugs combine into a classic frame shape. The bottom bracket is threaded and so is the headset, taking a quill stem as opposed to the more modern A-headset.

Modernity strikes with the 11-speed Campagnolo Potenza groupset. A wide range of gears - but with small steps between them - can be accessed easily from the hoods. There’s no awkward fumbling for another gear when you’re climbing out of the saddle and are met with a vicious ramp.

The dark and stealthy 11-speed groupsets of Shimano and SRAM would look painfully out of place on a frame like this - and Condor know its. It's why the sleek lines and silver finish of the Potenza derailleurs, crankset and brake levers suit this bike down to the ground.

Ribble Endurance 725 Disc

Steel shouldn’t just be the preserve of those who can afford the premium that boutique bike brands charge. Ribble known for their great value bikes - also purvey some excellent steel models. Reynolds 725 tubing is chosen for its natural vibration dampening properties. In fitting with that, the geometry is more endurance focused, providing a comfortable position for long rides.

There is a winning combination of modern touches and old-fashioned practicality. There are 12mm Thru-Axles and flat mount brake calipers are spec’d, but the bottom bracket is threaded, and the cable routing is external.

Ribble allows you to customise the components of your bike. You could go for Shimano 105 with hydraulic disc brakes for £1,399 or Shimano Tiagra for a pound under £1,000. You could get those groupsets for £400 less if you compromise on the frame. Although the initial outlay is a little larger, this is a bike that will last.

Mercian Pro Lugless

Mercian has been producing hand-built bikes from their Derby base since 1946. The frames are bespoke to your exact individual requirements and you can customise almost any part of it.

The Pro Lugless frame - although present here with a straight top tube, rim brakes and vertical dropouts - can be built in a myriad of ways. You could have a sloping top tube and disc brakes. Or have no brakes and sliding dropouts for a track racer. Or completely change the geometry and ride it as a winter bike.

But built as a road racer, it is a potent bike. The Reynolds 853 tubing offers stiffness for efficient power transfer but absorbs the road chatter far better than carbon. It might not be the lightest, but it is well suited for hard and fast crits where pinpoint handling is paramount. Having a bike that fits you like a glove does a lot more to instil the confidence you need than shaving some grams off the frame.

Bombtrack Tempest

Another steel racer, this one takes a more modern bent. The frame is made from Columbus Cromor tubes and has a taper headtube for precise handling, a T47 bottom bracket, 12mm Thru-Axles and flat mount disc brakes.

The TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes actuate both pads, in contrast to most mechanical calipers where only one of the pads is moved. Paired with Jagwire KEB-SL compressional cable housing to eliminate any feeling of sponginess, this set up presents a compelling alternative to hydraulics. The same benefits of better braking in the wet over rims are present, but you don’t have the faff that is bleeding and it is really easy to fine tune the clearance between the pads and the rotor to eliminate any rubbing.

Providing a smooth and confident ride with its steel frame, combined with brakes that aren’t fazed by the wet, this bike is well suited for shoulder-season races. When you have to battle the wind and the rain as much as the other riders, this is when this bike really shines.

Enigma Endeavor

At the other end of the spectrum is the Endeavour, coming from the East Sussex brand Enigma. A combination of Columbus, Reynolds and Dedacciai tubes combine to make a lightweight and compliant frame.

The frame is optimised for 32–40mm tyres, offering its usage beyond just long road miles and even gravel and bridleway trails. There are mudguard and pannier mounts, providing the option for more traditional touring as well as bikepacking.

The cable routing is designed to play well with electronic groupsets, but it does particularly well for mechanical. The cable housing is external, which makes it easier to access when replacing a cable. But the best part is that the gear cables are never left exposed, the housing runs the full length of the cable, shielding it from all the dirt and grime and greatly increasing the service life in tough conditions.

What to consider when buying a steel frame

Tube shapes

It’s not just the material that makes a difference to the ride, the way the tubes are put together has a large effect as well. A lightweight and stiff set of tubes can result in a heavier and more flexy frame than one made with nominally heavier and more compliant tubes, if constructed in the wrong way.

Butted tubes have varying thicknesses that allow them to be stronger where they need to be and saving weight elsewhere. They also allow for a frame that is both stiff when it comes to power transfer through the pedals, but compliant when it comes to road chatter. Ovalized tube shapes allow for refinement in where the bike is strong and where it is forgiving.

>>> Steel bikes: the best of British metal

You might think that having a custom-built frame is somewhat superfluous, but it can have a significant effect on the quality of your ride - potentially even more so than the frame material. There’s more to gain than just the perfect fit. The geometry can be tailored to further compliment your riding style, whether that’s shorter chainstays and a steeper head angle for agile handling, or a slacker seatpost for more relaxed cruising.

Not being aware of the exact numbers measurements you want from a frame needn’t present an impediment. The frame builders with their time earnt expertise will be able to discern how your bike should be constructed from a conversation about the exact feeling you want from your bike.

Disc vs rim brakes

Aside from questions of aesthetics about whether discs look the part on thin tubed steel frames, there are real practical - and physical - elements to consider.

Steel delivers its ride quality by the way that it flexes. The forces that disc brakes exert - particularly on the front fork - means significantly more material is needed to withstand the power of disc brakes. This extra material reduces the amount the fork can flex and leads to a harsher ride quality. If you’re choosing a steel framed and forked bike for its ride, rim brakes will really maximise this quality.

>>> Everything you need to know about disc brakes

That’s not to say that rim brakes are the only option for steel bikes. Disc brakes, with their powerful and consistent stopping capacity, definitely have their advantages in a range of situations. If you’re pairing a steel frame with a carbon fork - or you’ve chosen steel for the custom fit as you want a dependable frame that will stand the test of time - then discs do present a compelling option.

A steel frame will last a lifetime if properly looked after. If neglected, it will rust and decay. The paint protects the outside of the tubes, but a rust inhibitor should be applied to the inside of the tubes on a yearly basis to prevent any build up. If the paint of a steel frame is scratched, lead oxide paint should be applied swiftly to prevent rust.

Aluminium seatposts should be removed and regreased before and after every winter. Left to its own devices, aluminium can chemically bond itself to steel, making it impossible to remove the seatpost by force.

>>> Ritchey bike range

Tube grades

Although the tubes may all be made from steel, there is a large number of different grades of steel that can be used. This is worth paying attention to because it has an effect on how the ride feels.

There are many different grades, so this will just be a quick run through of the main offerings from the British tubing manufacturer Reynolds. Columbus, Dedacciai and others have their own grading systems.

Reynolds 531: This was first introduced in 1935 and set the standard for steel frames right up to the 1970s. More modern tubesets are now produced, but it is still available on special order for vintage frames.

Reynolds 631: This is the successor to the 531 tubing and provides a supple ride quality as well as an excellent fatigue life, making this a good material for an endurance bike. It can provide a strength to weight ratio that is equal to many aluminium frames.

Reynolds 725 :The construction of this material allows for thin gauge tubes with tight tolerances, providing significant weight savings.

Reynolds 853 :This is a modern and stiff tubeset with a strength to weight ratio that is similar to titanium. However, due to this stiffness, it is recommended that 725 or 631 is used for the forks blades when the frame is constructed from 853.

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After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 

Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third , completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12 .

But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia . 

Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg

The ultra-distance benchmark that pits riders against a 4,000km self-supported Europe-wide trek reaches double figures

By James Shrubsall Published 27 April 24

Charming, simple, and always a great workout, this is the perfect town bike

By Joe Baker Published 27 April 24

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

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

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

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

Technologies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See On Trek Bikes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supercaliber

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Best Road Bike Brands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speed Concept

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Domane+ HP/LT

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Cafe Moto Go!

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

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

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

See All Women's Bikes

Electra Kids Bikes 16″, 20″, 24″

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

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

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

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

Precaliber, Wahoo & Roscoe

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

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

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

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

See All Kids Bikes on Trek

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out our favorite TREK bikes

What is a Trek bike?

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

Are Trek Bikes Any Good?

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

Why are Trek Bikes so expensive?

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

Is Trek owned by Giant?

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

Is Cannondale owned by Trek?

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

What is the most expensive Trek bike?

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

Is Trek worth the money?

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

Where are Trek bikes made?

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

Why are Trek bikes so popular?

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

How much is a used Trek bike worth?

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

See All Models On Trek Bikes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The 12 Best Bikes For Men in 2024

For off-roading, grocery-hauling, head-clearing, and everything in between.

Best Overall

Trek verve 3 disc.

Best City Bike

Cannondale bad boy 3.

Best Bike Under $400

Schwinn discover 2.

Best Overall Fixed Gear Bike

State bicycle co. wulf.

Best Fixed Gear Upgrade

Brooklyn bicycle co. wythe fixie.

Best Cheap Mountain Bike

Mongoose dolomite fat tire mountain bike.

Best Mountain Bike

Specialized stumpjumper comp.

Best Overall E-Bike

Rad power bikes radcity 5 plus.

Best Cruiser E-Bike

Aventon pace 500 e-bike.

Best Cargo E-Bike

Trek fetch+ 2.

There are so many reasons why we support being Bike People. You're healthier . If you're riding your bike to work , you're not staring at your phone on the bus, and you've gained some valuable time back from Big Tech. On the weekends, you're not glued to a laptop or bingeing a new show . You're taking afternoon rides by the beach , weekend off-roading adventures, or more regular trips to downtown areas where cool people hang out. Regardless of where you are, as long as you’re on the saddle, with a slick bike helmet , you’re living the good life.

To get you started on your two-wheeled journey, our experts found the 12 best bikes for men. The list includes e-bikes that’ll that make light work of city streets, mountain bikes, and daily commuters. Grab one of these, a car rack , some bike bags , and accessories . Then, you're good to go. No matter which you choose, these 12 bikes for men will do your life as a cycling enthusiast justice.

If you’re a one-stop-shop kinda biker, this hybrid model that’s fast on the road and also steady on loose terrain will satisfy your needs. Its lightweight, sporty form will transition you smoothly from flat pavement to light off-road surfaces, even holding up after you log miles after miles. Lastly, if the weather isn’t cooperating, the powerful disc braking system will work just fine and let you slow down or stop on a dime.

Type: hybrid bike

Best for: commuting, cruising, light off-road riding

A city bike needs to be fast, easy to store, but most of all, maneuverable through populated streets. Cannondale's Bad Boy 3 is all of those things. It has fast-rolling, grippy tires and nimble handling for taking on tight corners, reckless drivers, and equally reckless pedestrians. It also packs quite a bit of speed, making commuting no problem and allowing you to see even more of your city on recreational rides. There's also its wide gear range, disc brakes, and reliable durability to help you take over the city.

Type: hybrid commuter bike

Best for: commuting, cruising, urban cycling

While this touring bike is the cheapest on this list, it by no means feels, looks, or rides cheap. It's basic, sure—a seven-speed twist shifter for quick gear shifts, a linear pull brake for precise stops, and a rear carrier for easy storage are the only noteworthy features it's got. But it manages to look invaluable in its streamline frame and fork. Whether you cruise it around the neighborhood or zoom it down the city skylines, it'll turn heads.

Type: hybrid cruiser bike

Best for: commuting, cruising

Hey, we'll make fun of fixie guys as much as anyone, but you can't deny that the preferred mode of transportation from the hipster years has its place. When you're in a city, especially on that's not especially hilly, there's few better ways to get around. They're easy to maintain and easy to ride in traffic, so long as you get one that has brakes.

We love this fixed gear from State. It looks good, it has front and rear brakes, and there's a handful of customization options to fool around with.

Type: fixed gear

Best for: city riding

Want a fixed gear bike? Get one from Brooklyn, the capital of the genre—sorry to other hipster locales. Just like the last one, this bike has front and rear brakes. That might hurt your street cred in Greenpoint, but it makes the bike a lot more practical.

Brooklyn Bicycle Co. tends to have the edge on other brands making new fixed gears because of a few key things. First, the bike gets shipped to a pro shop near you, and they do all the assembly. Second, there are nice performance touches like a fancy steel alloy frame, puncture-resistant tires, and a smooth steel drivetrain.

So, you just got into mountain biking? This is where you should start. Instead of getting a lightweight, blazing fast single track bike, get this cheap slow and steady style from Mongoose.

The fat tires will slow you down, and they might even inhibit you on certain tracks. But they will carry you over all sorts of shit. Stray off the trail a little? They'll keep turning. Hit a gnarly rock or root? They'll keep turning. Bump a tree with your front end? They just keep turning. Before you dive into the sport and fuck up a $3,000 bike, buy this beater.

Type: mountain bike

Best for: trail riding

Ok, if you're looking to go in on a true mountain bike, this is one of the best overall mountain bikes on the market. Between its meticulously developed suspension kinematics, a mid-travel ripper to finely carve terrain, and FlipChip adjustability to tune your fit, what more could you ask for? Nothing. If you've gotten the single track bug and want to get serious about it, this is the bike for that.

E-bikes are great but can run large and heavy. That's what makes Rad Power bikes in general , but especially its newest bike, the Mission, so damn special. It feels like a standard city bike—that is, until you ride it. The RadCity 1 is built with strong brakes and is portable like any good city bike, but also has the added bonus of E-bikes: Trekking long distances or up hills without getting sweaty. It's ideal for commuters who don't want to show up to work drenched. Rad does an excellent job at manufacturing accessories too, like electric brake lights and front spots, back crates, and more. The bike blends the best of both worlds, giving you that extra electric boost to compete with traffic.

Type: hybrid e-bike

Best for: commuting, cruising, light terrain riding

A bike is a great way to keep you active on vacation. Typically a cruiser—which allows riders to sit upright, even lean back, and stretch their limbs—is ideal for this kind of riding, on both paved pedestrian lanes and dirty, bumpy paths. Pace 500 is perfect for that billing. It’s an e-bike with a potent motor that’ll take you to destinations faster, all while saving you energy. Once perched on its relaxed frame, you'll be set for a comfortable riding posture for the beach or the city, and if you know there are a few potholes or gentle hills on your route, turn up the pedal assists to help you crush them.

Type: cruiser e-bike

Want to replace a vehicle? Trek's Fetch+ 2 is our favorite bike for it. You can tote two kids or a whole lot of groceries in this thing, and it is ridiculously easy to ride. That comes down to the Bosch drive unit. You can ride it uphill in summer heat, and you're not going to get tired. The bike does all the work for you.

Add to that a lightweight aluminum frame and a surprisingly sleek build, and you've got the ultimate weekday car replacement.

Type: cargo e-bike

Best for: commuting and cruising, especially with families

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike

We love Rad Power Bikes, if you can't tell. They make simply the coolest E-bikes we’ve seen, with one of the best ecosystems of any bike company out there. While the RadMission is a great city bike, the RadRunner is practically a motorcycle (but far less dangerous because, well, it's still an E-bike). This thing has huge terrain tires, a sturdy frame, and so much room for crates and accessories. If you're someone who lives miles away from work, this guy will get you there without you needing to break a sweat. Couple its long battery life with its accessories, and it has no problem with late-night riding. Even if you're a guy who'd drive to a neighbor's house, you'll find yourself riding it to get to work every day, rain, snow, or whatever. It's also ideal for delivery drivers. The bike gives you the freedom of short-distance driving, a perfect beast for anyone who'd rather not Uber three to seven miles.

Swagtron Swagcycle EB-7 Elite Electric Bike

We love well-designed things, especially when that design saves space. A lot of folks have jumped on the folding bike bandwagon, but the good people over at Swagtron have mastered it with the Swagcycle EB-7 that we had to endorse . It's an e-bike with a seven-speed gear shift that'll thrust you from peddle-only to full-throttle. And the ride is simply smooth, courtesy of its enhanced rear suspension. Even on the hills, its motor and electric pedal assist will get you up. Then, simply fold and sling it on your shoulder—yes—or tuck it away.

Type: folding e-bike

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Whether they make bikes or boots, pans or purifiers, manufacturers find ease of mind back in U.S.

Americans have long accepted, even come to expect, that products in their everyday lives are made overseas. But some of that manufacturing has returned home, and some never completely left. Among the benefits for businesses are quality control and the satisfaction of connecting with customers willing to pay for a product made in their own country.

Here are some examples.

More than 1,000 shoe factories shut down. Weinbrenner did not.

Weinbrenner Shoe Co., has made Thorogood boots in Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Some of its earliest catalogs showed hobnailed shoes for quarry workers and manure-proof uppers for farmers.

The company, based in the central Wisconsin city of Merrill, has some production in Asia and Central America. But executives said 80% of its boots are made in the United States. Some of its less expensive footwear and specialty boots are made in other countries.

“We've really been diversifying away from Asia,” said Rob Burnett, senior vice president of operations.

Weinbrenner traces its roots to Milwaukee when German immigrant Peter Weinbrenner opened a cobbler’s shop in 1855. His son, Albert, built a shoe factory at East Juneau Avenue and North Market Street, with a power plant in the basement solely for the factory’s electric needs.

The company, incorporated in 1892, moved from Milwaukee to Marshfield, not far from Merrill, in 1935 when a delegation from the city proposed building a factory and leasing it out for a nominal amount. About a year later, Merrill made Weinbrenner a similar offer and the company added a second factory.

Weinbrenner, and Port Washington-based Allen Edmonds Shoes, have kept shoe making in Wisconsin while much of the industry left the U.S. decades ago.

“Since 1980, more than 1,000 shoe factories have shut down,” said Weinbrenner President Jeff Burns.

Weinbrenner was on the verge of becoming a casualty of foreign competition until 1988 when a group of area business leaders bought the company. In 2000, they sold it to the employees under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, which remains in effect today.

But hard times continued for the manufacturer, which was best known for leather boots that were often compared with the boots made by Red Wing Shoes across the border in Minnesota. “There were a lot of tough years. I mean, we made bowling shoes, golf shoes, anything we could do to survive,” Burns said.

Factory automation helped keep production in Wisconsin, along with government contracts requiring made-in-the-U.S. products.

Generations of families have worked in the Merrill and Marshfield factories. When the company is in local parades it hands out socks, not candy. The American flag on its boots is a selling point for consumers, and the union shop status appeals to the skilled trades.

“But we can’t just put a flag on something and expect people to support it. We’ve got to make the finest boots in the world,” Burns said.

He credits the workforce.

“Their skill and commitment are now recognized all over the world. It’s the reason this company continues to grow, and it’s the reason we will be here for another 130 years,” Burns said.

Hand-welded steel frames in the Motor City? No, these are not cars.

Detroit automakers put America on four wheels. Now, in an old factory near an automotive scrapyard, a company called Detroit Bikes has staked its claim in the bicycle industry.

Part of Cardinal Cycling Group of Little Rock, Arkansas, Detroit Bikes is an anomaly among U.S. bicycle companies, which largely took their manufacturing overseas decades ago.

In a nod to the Motor City’s muscle car heritage, Detroit Bikes makes classic steel-frame bicycles for everyday use on city streets and bike paths. Under a licensing agreement, the company has even produced a limited edition Schwinn Collegiate in the venerable "campus green," with a step-through frame.

A huge boost in bicycle sales during COVID fueled growth at Detroit Bikes and others in the industry.

Detroit Bikes has 3-speed bicycles with simple, sturdy shifters, that sell for around $500. The company has worked with schools, breweries and other organizations that want their name or logo displayed on the bikes.

Its steel frames are hand-welded in the factory about 10 miles west of downtown. The wheels are assembled individually as well.

Detroit Bikes is tiny compared with Wisconsin-based Trek Bicycles, which builds most of its bikes in Asia and elsewhere outside the United States. But it’s not a boutique bike builder that serves niche, higher-end markets. Even if the company becomes more focused on expensive and electric bicycles, said General Manager Gary Thornton, it’s not going to leave the U.S. or abandon its established customers.

“They are what brought us to the dance," he said. "If twenty years from now somebody could pull one of these Detroit three-speeds out of a garage and ride away, just like they’d do now on an old three-speed Schwinn, I’d be pretty happy with our legacy."

Cookware made in Wisconsin offers 'true craftsmanship'

In some circles, Wisconsin is to cookware what Detroit is to automobiles.

Mirro Aluminum Company, founded in 1909 in Manitowoc, was once one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cooking utensils, before leaving Manitowoc around 20 years ago. Regal Ware, of West Bend, has a history of continuous manufacturing of cookware dating back to the early 1900s.

A relative newcomer, 360 Cookware, has made products in West Bend nearly 20 years.

“There’s really not a lot of us left anymore, of true, honest-to-goodness American cookware manufacturers,” said 360 founder Bryan Hurley.

Now, 360 Cookware has found a niche with a line of high-end cookware popular in the U.S., Japan and Latin America.

“I would bet that every time I sell one of our products to any English-speaking customer, there are at least 30 Spanish-speaking customers who have bought the same thing,” Hurley said.

The company’s products are almost entirely hand-crafted in the U.S., but it hasn’t claimed a coveted Made-in-the-USA label because since 2019 it was "forced to outsource bonded (metal) materials from South Korea,” Hurley said. “While we are huge believers in bringing manufacturing back to the USA, in this scenario, it was simply not an option.”

Hurley could plead his case before the Federal Trade Commission, but the legal fees would be costly and there’s no guarantee he would prevail. For now, he'll wait, and instead offers tours of the West Bend factory where customers can see for themselves how the products are made.

The plant is a small operation with only about 20 shop-floor employees. Retirements will eventually become an issue since it’s difficult to find young people in the skilled trades.

“It’s true craftsmanship,” Hurley said.

The company's U.S. manufacturing has been noticed in industry circles.

"In terms of companies coming to me looking for a made-in-the-USA solution, I’ve had more interest in the last two years than the last 20 combined,” Hurley said.

The company was started in 2004 by a small group of workers who lost their jobs when the former West Bend Company, which made cookware and appliances, was sold to a firm that moved manufacturing to China.

The group refurbished 250-ton presses used to make ammunition during World War II.

Hurley's father, Dave, was among them. He started in the cookware business in the late 1960s after dropping out of high school to enlist in the Marine Corps. He returned home from the Vietnam War as a decorated Marine but struggled to earn a living until he got into cookware sales.

Bryan said he’s proud to follow in his father’s footsteps.

"I always tell people I was born in a one-quart pan. It's the only business I've ever known," he said.

By reducing the number of manufacturing steps, costs went down

Peter Mann knows how difficult it is to sever manufacturing ties with China. As founder of the Oransi air purifier company, he tried in 2012, but the cost of making things in the U.S. was simply too much.

The quality of the U.S.-made product was better, but "it priced most people out of the market,” Mann said.

However, this spring he opened a factory in Radford, Virginia, home to Radford University and nearby Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. It started out with about 30 employees, but there’s plenty of room to grow in the 157,000 square foot plant, which previously was a Volvo truck distribution center.

“Going forward, we’re making everything here,” Mann said.

His reshoring solution, after making his products in China for more than a decade, was to reduce the number of manufacturing steps.

“We started from scratch,” Mann said. The upfront cost for the tooling was high, but in the long run, the payoff will be in products that are cost competitive with Asia.

A redesigned electric motor for the air purifiers that’s more powerful and quieter was at the heart of the change. It’s also going to drive future home appliance products for the company, Mann said.

He started Oransi in 2009 in Austin, Texas, seeking a solution for his infant son’s asthma. Three years later he found a manufacturer in Connecticut, but it couldn’t compete with the lower costs in China.  

However, southwest Virginia had electric motor companies and a wealth of talent from Virginia Tech and New River Valley Community College.

Mann partnered with one of those companies and moved his business to Radford. The work was needed in the city, which had lost furniture-making jobs to China.  

Mann's goal is to increase the plant’s employment to about 100 people, making air purifiers and other products using the same motor technology.

A former Dell Computer executive, Mann was raised in upstate New York in the 1980s, where he saw the loss of manufacturing jobs to China.

“For me, personally, it’s rewarding to see things go back the other way,” he said.

KI, a global company, has a local supply chain

KI Furniture, based in Green Bay, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of furniture for schools, offices and healthcare facilities, yet the main factory gets most of its materials from Wisconsin.  

The plant’s employees, some of them farmers as well, are from the Green Bay area, including small towns such as Allouez, Denmark, Holland and Pulaski.

Worldwide, KI has nearly 3,000 employees, but it remains employee-owned and not beholden to Wall Street. The company was founded in 1941 as Krueger Metal Products to make basic folding chairs from scrap metal, about as modest a start as a company with global reach could have.

Not long ago, KI reshored the manufacturing of an important product in its business – heavy metal carts used to haul stacks of folding chairs – from China.

“It was a humbling experience and it worked out well,” said Operations Director John Kersten.

KI, unlike some manufacturers with sprawling supply chains for materials and services, does most of its furniture making in-house in its Wisconsin plants, from bending and cutting metal to upholstering, finish work, and final assembly.

“When you can do all these different processes, you control your own destiny,” Kersten said.

Young adults right out of high school sometimes work alongside their parents and grandparents in the furniture plant. College students and farmers are there, too, for the flexible hours and employee benefits.

KI has automated processes where there’s a need and a financial payback.

“But no one’s ever lost their job here because of automation. We need plenty of humans to do everything from start to finish,” Kersten said.

In Wisconsin, the company has plants in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Bonduel and Fort Atkinson. It also has plants in North Carolina and Ontario, Canada.

Some furniture parts, such as chair wheel castings, might come from China. But it’s only a small percentage of the company’s supply chain, according to Kersten.

Nearly everything the company needs is within a half day's drive of Green Bay.

“We prefer to stay with local suppliers where we can make changes fast if we need to,” Kersten said. “Even in a snowstorm I can get what we need the next day.”

The company still makes the ubiquitous folding metal chair it started with prior to World War II. It’s made tens of thousands of chairs for places like the Las Vegas Convention Center, K-12 schools and colleges all over the country.

KI has been owned by its 2,000 U.S. employees since 2018 when then CEO Dick Resch and Resch family members sold their 71% stake back to the company, consolidating the shares with the company’s employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP.

An ESOP functions as a trust fund that owns the company. Full-time employees who meet some basic work requirements are granted shares in the fund as part of their deferred compensation. It makes a difference in how people perceive their work, Kersten said.

“If someone’s working on a piece of upholstery here and it isn’t perfect, they will get other people involved to make sure it is, because that’s the face of their company,” he said.

The Bringing It Home series was created with the support of the Pulitzer Center and  the Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowship . The Center champions the power of stories to make complex issues relevant and inspire action. The Longworth Fellowship, which was awarded to reporter Rick Barrett and photojournalist Mark Hoffman, is devoted to bringing global issues to Midwestern readers. Neither the Pulitzer Center nor Longworth played a role in the reporting, editing or presentation of the series.

90s Trek MTBs - Steel frames, rigid forks, 26" wheels

Full list of steel, rigid fork mountain bike models Trek made between 1990 and 1999, grouped by year, containing details on frames and main components for easy reference.

Based on riding style, build level and performance, Trek offered these in two series. The 9XX series , called Single Track , consists of a range of race, competition and performance bikes, aimed at pro riders and serious off-road enthusiasts. The 8XX series , called Antelope until 1993 and Mountain Track from 1994, covers a range of multipurpose models, from commuting and recreation to trail and light mountain biking.

1990 View catalog

Trek 990 Single Track (1990)

Trek 970 Single Track (1990)

Trek 950 Single Track (1990)

Trek 930 Single Track (1990)

Trek 850 Antelope (1990)

Trek 830 Antelope (1990)

Trek 820 Antelope (1990)

Trek 800 Antelope (1990)

1991 view catalog.

Trek 990 Single Track Competition (1991)

Trek 970 Single Track Competition (1991)

Trek 950 Single Track Performance (1991)

Trek 930 Single Track Performance (1991)

Trek 850 Antelope Performance (1991)

Trek 830 Antelope Mountain Sport (1991)

Trek 820 Antelope Trail Performance (1991)

Trek 800 Antelope Sport Trail (1991)

1992 view catalog.

Trek 970 SingleTrack Competition (1992)

Trek 950 SingleTrack Performance (1992)

Trek 930 SingleTrack Performance (1992)

Trek 850 Antelope Performance (1992)

Trek 830 Antelope Trail Performance (1992)

Trek 820 Antelope Sport Trail (1992)

Trek 800 Antelope Sport Trail (1992)

1993 view catalog.

Trek 970 SingleTrack Competition Race (1993)

Trek 950 SingleTrack Performance (1993)

Trek 930 SingleTrack Performance (1993)

Trek 830 Antelope Performance Trail (1993)

Trek 820 Antelope Sport Trail (1993)

Trek 800 Antelope Sport (1993)

1994 view catalog.

Trek 970 SingleTrack Competition (1994)

Trek 950 SingleTrack Performance (1994)

Trek 930 SingleTrack Performance (1994)

Trek 920 SingleTrack Performance (1994)

Trek 850 Mountain Track Performance (1994)

Trek 830 Mountain Track Performance Trail

Trek 820 Mountain Track Sport Trail (1994)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Sport (1994)

1995 view catalog.

Trek 990 SingleTrack ZX Series Competition (1995)

Trek 970 SingleTrack ZX Series Performance

Trek 950 SingleTrack Performance (1995)

Trek 930 SingleTrack Performance (1995)

Trek 850 Mountain Track Sport (1995)

Trek 830 Mountain Track Sport (1995)

Trek 820 Mountain Track Recreation (1995)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Recreation (1995)

1996 view catalog.

Trek 990 SingleTrack ZX Series Competition (1996)

Trek 970 SingleTrack ZX Series High Performance (1996)

Trek 950 SingleTrack High Performance (1996)

Trek 930 SingleTrack Performance (1996)

Trek 850 Mountain Track XC Enthusiast (1996)

Trek 830 Mountain Track XC Enthusiast (1996)

Trek 820 Mountain Track Recreation (1996)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Recreation (1996)

Trek 800 Sport Mountain Track Recreation (1996)

1997 view catalog.

Trek 930 SingleTrack XC Series Performance (1997)

Trek 850 Mountain Track XC Series Enthusiast (1997)

Trek 830 Mountain Track XC Series Enthusiast (1997)

Trek 820 Mountain Track Recreation (1997)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Recreation (1997)

Trek 800 Sport Mountain Track Recreation (1997)

1998 view catalog.

Trek 920 SingleTrack Performance (1998)

Trek 820 Mountain Track Enthusiast (1998)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Recreation (1998)

Trek 800 Sport Mountain Track Recreation (1998)

1999 view catalog.

Trek 820 Mountain Track Recreation (1999)

Trek 800 Mountain Track Recreation (1999)

Trek 800 Sport Mountain Track Recreation (1999)

Acronym for all terrain bike.

Trek's exclusive fork design.

A tube having different wall thicknesses along its length, while its diameter remains constant.

Low alloy steel with a medium carbon content, that gets its name from the primary alloying elements, chromium and molybendium. It has an excellent strength to weight ratio and is considerably stronger, harder more durable than mild carbon steel.

Trek's exclusive fork design using taper gauge tubing and provides a blade with more elasticity for better shock absoption.

The thickness of the tube at both ends is thicker than in the centre.

Shifting system, where part of the handlebar grip rotates back and forth, clicking into each gear.

Low alloy steel that can withstand significant stress before breaking or becoming deformed. The term 'tensile' refers to the amount of stress a material can endure before failing.

Steel tubing connected with socket-like sleeves, called lugs.

Shimano's multi-condition brake system with specialized shoes, levers and cables designed for enhanced stopping power in rain, mud and snow.

A house brand for Trek during the 80s and early 90s.

Optimal Dimension; Trek's large diameter, thin wall tubing design.

Oversize; Trek's large diameter, thin wall tubing design.

Shimano's oversize hub system designed to minimize wheel flex.

Shimano's under handlebar, two-finger shift system, giving riders the ability to downshift more than one gears in one stroke.

Brake lever system that lets riders adjust braking power modulation.

Shimano Integrated Shifting. Shift mechanism indents control cable advance for quick, precise gear changes without over-shifting.

Shimano Linear Response. Friction reducing levers, cables and calipers.

Japanese steel tubing manufacturer for bicycle frames.

A tube having a maller diameter at one end and a larger diameter on the other end.

Tungsten Inert Gas welding is an arc welding process that produces the weld with a non-consumable tungsten electrode.

Trek-designed components. The higher the number ona given component, the higher its performance level.

Three different wall thicknesses along the length.

American tubing manufacturer.

Special all-terrain tubing, developed to withstand demands of off-road cycling.

A lighter weight version of the AT frame set, featuring a triple-butted down tube.

Zero Excess; Trek's guiding principle of making stronger bikes with less material.