trek bike archives

Vintage Trek Catalogs

Table of Contents

Here you can find all the Trek catalogs from 1976 up to 1999. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you can find them further in the article.

Trek Catalogs

Trek Catalog 1976
Trek Catalog 1977
Trek Catalog 1978
Trek Catalog 1979
Trek Catalog 1980
Trek Catalog 1981
Trek Catalog 1982
Trek Catalog 1983-1
Trek Catalog 1983-2
Trek Catalog 1984
Trek Catalog 1985All-Terrain
Trek Catalog 1985Trek2000
Trek Catalog 1985TrekRacing
Trek Catalog 1985TrekSport
Trek Catalog 1985TrekTouring
Trek Catalog 1986
Trek Catalog 1987
Trek Catalog 1988
Trek Catalog 1989
Trek Catalog 1990
Trek Catalog 1991
Trek Catalog 1992
Trek Catalog 1993
Trek Catalog 1994
Trek Catalog 1995
Trek Catalog 1996
Trek Catalog 1997
Trek Catalog 1998
Trek Catalog 1999

History and Iconic Models

Trek started out in 1975 by providing only frames. In 1976 they would supply entire bicycles.

For many people Trek is most famous for sponsoring Lance Armstrong’s U.S. Postal team during the late 90’s up to his retirement.

But Trek already pioneered the use of carbon fiber in 1989 with the Trek 5000.

It would result in the short-lived but daring design of the Y-Foil, introduced in 1998. One of the few bikes that is designated with something more than just a number.

They were also early adopters of the mountain bike craze, with the Trek 850 launched in 1983.

Their early foray in using carbon fiber would be later used with the introduction of the iconic Y33 and Y22 models. Mountain bikes with a monocoque carbon fiber frame. Although it used the suspension technique URT ( unified rear triangle ) which would turn out to be rubbish, the original design was considered iconic.

If you’re interested in learning more about vintage Trek bicycles, please visit vintage-trek.com .

Trek Models

Mountain bike, you might also like.

Vintage GT Catalogs

Here you can find a selection of GT catalogs from 1990 up to 1998. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year,

Vintage Kona Catalogs

Here you can find all the Kona catalogs from 1989 up to 1999. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you can

Vintage Giant Catalogs

Unfortunately I was only able to find a couple of Giant catalogs. Although it’s a huge bicycle brand, finding the Giant catalogs proved to be

Vintage Cannondale Catalogs

Here you can find all the Cannondale catalogs from 1983 up to 1999. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you

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Quick Links

"Rub the area with candle wax of a color that contrasts with your paint. Lightly wipe it off with a rag. The wax stays in the indented area of the S/N. Now you can easily read the number. I have included a photo of the results from my bike. In this case I used a red candle to make the serial number stand out. Note that even with the serial number filled with wax, the leading "0" is almost imperceptible."

Serial Number Descriptions

The serial number descriptions are divided into five categories. Click on the link below to go to the appropriate category.

Prior to Late 1980 | Late 1980 to Late 1986 | Late 1986 to 1999+ Foreign Built After 84 | Jazz by Trek | Missing Serial Numbers

PRIOR TO LATE 1980

Before late 1980, Trek used an alphanumeric serial number scheme. Each seven-character number consists of three letters mixed with numerals. The serial number list and the code for the list are not available from Trek (but hope springs eternal). In the meantime, we have the results of the serial number decoding project:

The second number is the last digit of the year , 6, 7, 8, 9 (for 197X) and 0 for 1980. See note below , **** , for year exceptions . Again, this is the date of serializing, not necessarily model year.

The last three characters - The final letter ranges from A to Z and the final two numbers go from 01 to 99. The last letter might be a run designation, with the last two numerals the frame number in that run? Alternatively, the letter extends the range of the character from 0 to 9 (if a number) to 1 to 26. This gives a range of 2600 for the 3 characters. Any other ideas for these last three characters?

The rest of the code defines time to a month. Perhaps once Trek was nearing more than 2600 bikes/frames of a given model per month, a new serial number scheme needed to be developed. Hence the change to the sequential system that was started in late 1980.

* There is no Model 310 in the brochures on the site; however, a frame has been reported that has Ishiwata high tensile double butted main tubes with the SN A4F9H67. It has touring length chainstays. According the the SN, it apparently was made in June 1979, after the TX300 is no longer in the brochures, but no similar frame is listed. Another small mystery; for now we'll call it a 310. ** One interesting variant of the SN code has been submitted. It has a leading B and has eight characters instead of the usual 7 (B4K6B109). It has SunTour dropouts, and had a partial tubing sticker that included the text "TENSION BUTTED". The date from the SN is Nov. 76. Probably a TX200 with an extra character in the SN. *** Several frames with a leading serial letter of G have been reported with Columbus tubing stickers. TX700 frames were available as special order, with Columbus tubing instead of the specified Reynolds 531. These bikes were designated as Model TX770. However, this model did not appear in any of the Trek brochures on this site.

**** Year Exceptions:

A. Serial numbers beginning with M or N (41X and 61X bikes or frames) seem to have a different meaning for what normally is the year digit. The year digit is the fourth character in the number. In the 50 M and N serial numbers that have been sent in by owners, the year numbers go from 0 through 9. The remaining part of the serial numbers seem normal. According to the brochures, Trek did not make 41X and 61X bikes or frames during 76, 77, 78, and 79 and also not in 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, or 89. These serial numbers apparently do not follow the year convention used for other Trek models. It is likely these frames, SNs beginning with M or N (Models 41x and 61X), were contracted out or were made in a separate Trek facility, and were given the old serial number form so as not to interfere with the sequential numbers being assigned by Trek in their main shop, which began in late 1980. This variation to the SN system may have been done to extend the numbering system. By using the fourth character as an extension of the last three, the serial numbers could be extended from 2600 possible combinations to 26,000 for a given month. For M and N leading serial numbers, if the TREK letters on the seattube have no colorwrap behind, the bike is from 1980 or perhaps 1981. If it has a colorwrap, the bike is probably from 1982. B. Serial numbers for four model 510 frames (with a leading F) have been reported that have similar unexpected year dates. (Our thanks to Rich Ferguson, Fred Gomez, and Chris Tank.) The fourth characters are 2, 3, 4, and 5, there may be more. The frames have the early TREK graphics on the seattube. These frames may be related to the M and N leading serial number bikes in the section above. C. One early TX700 (leading G), an evaluation frame sent to a bike shop, had a 4 in the year digit. Another impossible year code. This 4 may signify an evaluation unit. D. Trek used this form of serial number (leading O "oh") for their custom-made 950 frames. The production (non-custom) frames were numbered using the late 1980 to 1986 system described below. Three (leading O) 950 frames have been reported that contain unlikely year codes of 5, 6 and 7. Model 950 frames were not made in 1975, 76, or 77, but only in 1980, 81, or 82, (according to the brochures). Another 950 frame was reported with a 0 (zero) in the year code, but was painted as a 1982. From the geometries, they all appear to be custom frames.

When a Trek frame was repainted by Trek, an additional set of numerals was often stamped into the bottom bracket to indicate the frame was repainted. These numbers were usually four digits, in the form NNNN.

Late in 1980, Trek changed to a new numbering system for their frames built in the U.S. The frames were numbered sequentially, beginning with number 000001. The record of the assembly runs was documented in a handwritten journal. Trek (Kevin Tita) graciously provided a copy of the journal for this web site. The list ended in November of 1986 with number 279975. This serial number system actually extended through at least 1997 (see Table II below).

The journal includes run number, model number, frame size, and serial number range. Incidental information, including dates and comments on the frames, appears sporadically through the journal. A "run" was for a particular frame size and frame model.

We all owe thanks to Luker White who generously donated his time to convert much of the paper list to digital form.

These data were mined to produce bike production by model for each calendar year. The results can be seen on the Trek Bike Production by Model, Late 1980 through 1986 page.

Click on the date link in Table I below to go to the detailed serial number information for that year.

Table I - 1980 to 1986

N otes for Table I:

Table I contains dates of frame serializing, and are not necessarily model year. At some time late in each year (generally September or October) frames were built for (then painted with colors for) the next model year. This journal information is summarized by year in Table I. The year designations in the table are approximate; not all of the runs are sequential in time. This may be a result of subcontracting some frame fabrication.
For some years, the model number given may be the lowest number (or an X00 number) for a series of models that have the same frame. For example, a 1981 frame appearing on the list as a Model 610 could have been built into either a 613, 614, or 616 bike.
Some of the Model 170 serial numbers are 6 digits but do not follow the numerical sequence. A future task is to sort 170 numbers. Some of these are presented in the 83, 84 link at the bottom of the table.
Some early and mid 80s bottom brackets were marked with 58TSI or 60TSI. In the early 1980s Tim S. Isaac designed new lugs and a new bottom bracket shell for Trek. The new bottom bracket shell is typically marked with 58TSI (or more rarely, 60TSI). This designation is not part of the serial number but is a model number of the shell. The TSI are Tim's initials. The 58 or 60 refer to the angle between the seattube and the downtube.
Some frames in this period have a leading "A" before the 6 digit number. This may be more prevalent on lower level models. The "A" may not be part of the SN. Just disregard it when looking up the number in the tables below.
Frame Sizes in the SN list below are as given on the paper copy. For some entries, only a two-digit number was given, the extra 1/2 or 3/4 inch was dropped. So - an entry of 22 inches really means a 22.5" frame size, 19 means 19.75", 25 means 25.5".
The list has two major gaps, corresponding to missing pages. Page 9 ends with SN 027870 and the next page starts with 029118. Page 61 ends with 210065 and the next page starts with 215226.

LATE 1986 to 1999+

This 6 digit (7 digit beginning in 1993) code extended into at least 1999, at least for some models (generally mid to upper level and made in the US). The number may or may not have a leading zero, making the six digits into seven digits prior to 1993. The model is not available for these numbers but the year can be determined or estimated from Table II below. The information in the table is from serial numbers submitted by site visitors. Our thanks to them. In contrast to the serial number dates in Table I above, the years in Table II represent model years, not the date the serial number was applied.

Table II - Model Years 1987 to 1999

FOREIGN-BUILT FRAMES AND BIKES AFTER 1982

Three different serial number forms have been submitted for 1983 Trek Model 400 frames. One, marked "made in Japan", begin with JS followed by six numerals. The SN was located on the bottom of the bottom bracket. A second serial number is 81765. According to the Trek-provided SN list, this corresponds to a 22" (22.5") Model 400 frame made in 1983. This SN form is for frames/bikes made in the US The number was marked on the bottom of the bottom bracket. The third number is 403300950, which indicates foreign built, but the nation of origin sticker was missing. This number was marked at the bottom of the down tube. It is likely this 400 was made by the same manufacturer as the 1984 bikes described in the paragraph below. For the 1983 Model 400, it appears Trek used three sources for their frames or complete bikes.

Several 1984 Trek 460s, 420s and 400s have been reported with 9 digit numeric serial numbers stamped on the lower seat tube instead of on the bottom of the bottom bracket. These frames, or complete bikes, apparently were made in Japan by an outside contractor. The numbers submitted are in the range of 401000000 to 440000000.

An 8 or 9 character alphanumeric code was used for mid- and low-level frames subcontracted in Taiwan. Most of these bikes were labeled "Made in Taiwan" (although the sticker often is easily removed). This form of serial number appears to have been used during the period 1987 to 93. The number leads with a T (for Trek?) then a numeral, one letter or two, then five (sometimes 4) numerals. Sean Hickey suggested the first numeral is the year of manufacture, and the letter is the month of the year (A - L). This is confirmed by serial numbers that were submitted by other Trek owners. If there are two letters after the year numeral, the first is the month. The second runs from A through at least Y. It might be a way of extending the 5 digit number series by a factor of 26.

A later 8 and then 9 character alphanumeric SN scheme, used beginning in about 1989, also begins with a T (for Trek?). These later T numbers were used on lower level subcontracted frames but do not follow the 2nd and 3rd or 3rd and 4th character date meanings above.

Beginning in about 1993 (model year 94), an 8 character alphanumeric code was used for some bikes. It begins with G and another letter (e.g. GN, GQ, GR, GS, GU, GV, GW, GY and GZ). These are followed either by: 6 numerals, or a numeral and a letter followed by four numerals. The first numeral in the SN may be the year of serialization.

JAZZ BY TREK

Jazz is a line of foreign-built, entry-level bicycles that Trek sold in the early 90s. (See the history page for a bit more info and the brochures page for a 93 catalog). There seems to be at least three serial number types:

A Flipside model had the serial number JT0116 stamped on the bottom bracket shell. The JT probably stands for "Jazz" and "Trek". The numbers may be the sequential frame number, beginning at 0001.
The second type is a 10-character serial number. The first two characters are letters which are followed by eight numbers. Examples are JT09010099 and FI08003231.
A Latitude model has a 10-digit, all-numeric serial number: 1230707859. This number also was stamped on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell.

These three serial number forms may mean that Trek used at least three subcontractors for the Jazz line.

MISSING SERIAL NUMBERS

A few owners of early Treks, mostly, from 1976 through the early 80s, report their frames are not marked with serial numbers. A past Trek employee wrote that the police in the Madison and the surrounding area said TREK was famous for bikes with no serial numbers. Seems hundreds didn't get any numbers at all. The serial number guy just missed a few?

Three other possibilities: 1. In the early years Trek allowed, and even encouraged, their workers to use company equipment and materials to build personal frames after hours. These frames often were not serialized. The practice stopped after production was increased, resulting in little available down time for the equipment. 2. The serial number on a repainted frame that was not first stripped, may disappear under the new paint. 3. The number is under the plastic cable guide attached to the bottom of the bottom bracket shell.

Prior to Late 1980 | Late 1980 to Late 1986 | Late 1986 to 1999+ Foreign Built After 82 | Jazz by Trek | Missing Serial Numbers

*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.

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Review: Trek Fetch+ 2

Side view of black and grey bike with slender rack over the rear tire. Image on a grey and white marble background.

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

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

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

On the Road

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

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

Side view of black and silver bike with 2 containers attached near the rear wheel and 2 containers attached near the...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Side view of grey and black bike with small rack over the rear tire

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

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

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

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Trek Bicycle opens its first Reno store and showroom

The first dedicated trek store and showroom in reno is located at the crossing at meadowood square..

A big name in cycling is joining the list of shops in the area as Trek Bicycle opened a new 8,000-square-foot store and showroom in Reno.

The Trek store is in south Reno at The Crossing at Meadowood Square across the street from Whole Foods. The store is Trek’s first in Reno, according to the K Corp., which manages the shopping center at 6407 S. Virginia Street.

The store sells the latest bikes and products from Trek and the Bontrager brand. Offerings include cycling accessories, apparel and gear. The store includes a demo area to try out the bicycles.

The Trek store also provides service for any brand of bike. The full-service bike shop offers tune-ups, maintenance, repairs and customizations.

The Trek showroom is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The Crossing at Meadowood got Reno’s first dedicated Panera Bread last year . Other stores there include Blind Onion Pizza, FedEx and Hotworx.

La Vuelta Femenina: Lidl-Trek win opening team time trial despite late crash

Realini takes race lead as Visma-Lease a Bike second by a hair, SD Worx-ProTime third

Lidl-Trek won the opening TTT of the Vuelta Femenina in Valencia, beating Team Visma-Lease a Bike by only nine hundredths of a second after having to regroup after a crash in the final kilometre. The team was fastest at the intermediate timing point and looked like the certain winner, but Ellen van Dijk crashed in the final corner, taking down Elynor Bäckstedt with her and disrupting the paceline.

With the seconds ticking down, Brodie Chapman and Elisa Longo Borghini waited for Gaia Realini and Lizzie Deignan to catch up, and Longo Borghini threw her bike on the finish line to take the victory. Realini crossed the line first and will be the first wearer of the red leader's jersey.

SD Worx-Protime were less than two seconds behind in third place.

"I am really happy about this result for me and for the team. I'm not completely happy because in the last corner, two of my teammates crashed, but in the end, we take this result and focus on the next stage," Realini said after the stage where she encouraged her teammates to give it their last on the final metres.

How it unfolded

Starting at the Museu de les Ciències in the centre of Valencia, the out-and-back TTT course took the teams south of the city with an intermediate time at the turning point after 8.2 kilometres. After 16km, teams finished outside the L'Oceanogràfic.

Team Coop-Repsol were the first of 21 teams off the start ramp, and their finishing time of 20:48 minutes stood until Lotto Dstny Ladies stopped the clock after 20:30 minutes. VolkerWessels had the same intermediate time as the Belgian team but gained time in the second half, setting a new best time of 20:21 minutes.

EF Education-Cannondale set a new benchmark with 19:29 minutes, taking 52 seconds off the best time. The US team stayed in the hot seat for 24 minutes – FDJ-SUEZ finished just 0.14 seconds slower, but Team Visma-Lease a Bike had set the best intermediate time, 13 seconds faster than EF-Education-Cannondale, and at the finish, the yellow-clad team was nine seconds faster.

Canyon-SRAM slotted into a provisional second place, eight seconds down on Visma-Lease a Bike, before everyone awaited the favourites of Lidl-Trek. They had passed the turning point with the fastest time by eight seconds, but the crash in the last corner made for a nail-biting finish where only 0.09 seconds remained of their advantage.

SD Worx-Protime had been 13 seconds slower than Lidl-Trek at the turning point but came very close at the finish, only 1.8 seconds down in the end. Movistar Team were last off the ramp and finished in eighth.

The race continues on Monday with a stage from Bunyol to Moncofa that is likely to end in a sprint.

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Lukas Knöfler started working in cycling communications in 2013 and has seen the inside of the scene from many angles. Having worked as press officer for teams and races and written for several online and print publications, he has been Cyclingnews’ Women’s WorldTour correspondent since 2018.

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E-bike tour guide pedals Yellowstone, Gardiner rides

BILLINGS – In the winter, Jay O’Connor used to feed 55 horses that in the summer provided horseback rides for fishing or hunting guests.

Now O’Connor owns 40 e-bikes that he parks in the garage for the winter and ignores.

As the owner of Big Sky Ebike Tours and Rentals in Gardiner since 2020, O’Connor said he’s “living the dream” guiding cycling tours in and around Yellowstone National Park. After all, where else can cyclists possibly see bison, elk, bighorn sheep, bears, foxes, coyotes, deer and a variety of hot pools, fumaroles and geysers in one trip, not to mention spectacular views of the surrounding mountains?

O’Connor’s guided rides inside Yellowstone include a 17-mile trip around the base of Bunsen Peak on a gravel service road closed to public vehicles. From Old Faithful, his Geyser Basin Tour pedals to Morning Glory Pool along the Firehole River and then on to Biscuit Basin. Shuttling the bikes he can then skip on to Firehole Lake Drive and ride Fountain Freight Road to Grand Prismatic Spring.

“I don’t do anything on the roads at all,” he said, instead focusing on getting his guests away from crowds.

Last weekend, with the 50 miles of highway from Mammoth Hot Springs to West Yellowstone open to bicycle traffic only, O’Connor was leading tours from Mammoth to Norris Geyser Basin, a 38-mile round trip.

Outside the park, one of his most popular tours travels down the Old Yellowstone Trail to the red-colored rock uplift of Devils Slide and on to Yankee Jim Canyon where the Yellowstone River is forced into a narrow gorge. The return ride stops at Yellowstone Hot Springs for a soothing soak.

“That’s a really popular ride for us because there is so much wildlife in the basin,” O’Connor said.

Costs range from $175 for the Bunsen Peak ride to $275 for the Geyser Basin tour. Four people is the minimum for a tour, otherwise an additional fee is tacked on. Bike rentals are $50 an hour to $100 for a full day.

Up and down

Much like the trails and roads he rides, O’Connor’s business has seen some ups and downs since it was launched.

Opening during the COVID pandemic was a “kick in the teeth,” but then participation in outdoor activities grew because indoor venues were closed. That inaugural year was followed by a solid summer of growth before the historic 2022 flood. The raging waters of the Gardner and Yellowstone rivers washed out the nearby North Entrance road to Yellowstone. Gardiner businesses were suddenly isolated at a dead end. Last year, tours rebounded after the route was reopened, and so far this year O’Connor is quickly filling his summer tours.

“My primary demographic is families and people over the age of 40,” he said.

Feeling young again

E-bikes are also a personal choice for O’Connor. He had a hip replacement last year and was still able to pedal 20 miles a day with the motorized assistance the cycles provide. His first ride on an e-bike made him feel like he was 20 again, propelling him to start the tour and rental service.

“This business wouldn’t work with a traditional bike,” he said.

That’s because when touring, he uses a microphone that connects to earbuds each rider wears. This way he can tell his tour group what power level of assistance he’s at and what gear the cycle is in, so everyone stays at relatively the same pace.

On traditional bicycles, the group would likely be more spread out depending on the rider’s ability, or lack thereof.

Most of O’Connor’s tours are under 25 miles, so the bikes’ batteries last for the entire ride. On longer trips, like in the spring when he goes from Mammoth to Norris and back, he carries an extra battery.

On one of those spring rides into the park, O’Connor came around a corner to find a newly awakened black bear only 10 feet off the road.

“He was groggy,” he said. “He must have just crawled out of hibernation.”

Rather than fleeing from the pack of riders, the bear ambled over to a boulder and curled up for a nap. That’s not something most bike riders will encounter, providing a charge unlike the one e-bikers may typically need.

Want an electric vehicle? Better keep our hydropower

As we embark on a second "Great Electrification," in an effort to decarbonize our economy, it’s worth remembering the first one that occurred 80 years ago.

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NCM Milano Electric Bike Review

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NCM make high-quality, but affordable electric bikes, in this review I will explain why I believe the NCM Milano is the best electric commuter bike for the money.

About NCM Electric bikes

NCM electric bikes are owned by Leon Cycle GmbH a German company based in Hanover. Their e-bikes are designed in Germany and manufactured in China.

Specification

The centrepiece of this Electric bike is the X15 geared rear hub motor: This reliable 250W rear electric motor is known for its durability and high torque output, enabling the rider to maintain 15.5mph for long periods. There is no compromise in handling with the small motor centred in the rear hub.

NCM Milano electric bike photos of saddle, rear wheel and handlebar grips

48v13ah Lithium battery pack with USB charging port for mobile devices: Bulky battery packs take up a considerable amount of space, but the Milano’s battery is integrated into the down tube of the bike, keeping the weight low and central, which helps to improve stability. The manufacturers claimed a maximum range of 75 miles seems a little optimistic. The total battery energy capacity is 624wh (watt hours), so if you were consuming 20wh per mile, your range would be 31 miles. My friend owns one of these bikes and gets an average range of around 40-50 miles.

NCM milano electric bike view of battery

This bike is built for comfort: The Schwalbe touring tyres, Suntour front suspension, adjustable handlebar stem, Selle Royal ergonomic grips and saddle with suspension post all make for an incredibly comfortable ride, even over longer distances. The Shimano 7-Speed gears, index perfectly – shifting is crisp and precise.

photos of the ncm milano tyres, display panel and front light

Fully functional control panel display: The Das-Kit LCD gives you all the information you would expect from an e-bike display. including journey time and mileage. It also has 6 power levels of pedal assist, so you can fine-tune the power output to suit your ride.

Excellent build quality: The NCM Milano is designed to look great but with no compromise on functionality and safety. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors provide adequate braking and the brake levers incorporate motor cut-off switches to ensure safe riding. The front and rear lights work off the battery and provide an extra level of safety – especially when riding in the winter. Internal cable routing finishes off the package neatly and not only looks great but protects the cables from the elements.

In my opinion, the NCM Milano electric bike offers exceptional value for money. It is unusual to see such a high-quality, well-made e-bike at this price point. What’s more the specification is excellent. The 48v13ah battery will certainly provide users with a realistic range of between 30-45 miles, or 31 miles using the 20wh per mile calculation. The claimed range of 75 miles may be a little optimistic for everyday use – it depends on how much you use the electric assist.

Tektro Mechanical disc brakes should provide adequate stopping power, while the Schwalbe tyres will provide a reasonable amount of puncture protection.

The attention to detail on this bike is great. The internally routed cables and the integrated battery pack make for a very clean finish, something you only usually find on more expensive e-bikes.

The fact that this bike has mudguards, a pannier rack, lights and a kickstand fitted, means that it is excellent for the daily commute in all weathers, or perfect for some weekend touring. The inclusion of a gel saddle and suspension seat post make this bike a truly comfortable and versatile all-rounder.

If you are in the market for an incredibly versatile and affordable e-bike this definitely ticks all the right boxes

A friend of mine purchased one of these back in the Summer and he was kind enough to let me take it for a spin. I can honestly say it was a revelation! The gel saddle was incredibly comfortable and the small X15 hub motor was quiet and smooth. It produced a lot of power for such a small motor, making climbing the steep Cornish hills a doddle! The brakes and front suspension were more than adequate for the back lanes of Cornwall.

I really cannot recommend this bike enough. It has to be one of the best value e-bikes on the market at the moment, and the specification is great.

The great thing about this e-bike is that it is a true hybrid – it is equally comfortable being ridden on tarmac or unpaved surfaces. It can even be used for some light off-road riding.

If you are in the market for an incredibly versatile and affordable e-bike this ticks all the right boxes.

Incidentally, NCM’s other 48v 250w bike is called the NCM Moscow , I will be reviewing this bike shortly. I have personally worked on and ridden a Moscow, and it is on par with the Milano for the ride and builds quality. It uses identical electric components but in a mountain bike-style frame.

Meet Tony, a passionate e-bike advocate and enthusiast who discovered the life-changing benefits of electric bikes back in 2016. Tony’s technical experience within the e-bike field was gained while running a successful electric bike conversion business for 5 years in his home county of Cornwall, UK.

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46 Comments

boa taarde tenho uma biçicleta destas mas necessito de assistencia em Portugal. ela não arranca e não encontro uma ofecina que repare esta marca e com a garantia

Hi! Thank you for the review! I bought Milano a week ago, so far so good. I found the first assist speed to be stronger that I’d like it to be. Is there any way to rebalance those 1-6 modes within the given range, so it starts not as strong?

Don’t know if this is still open, but I really like the Milano plus, my only question, is how easy is it to remove the battery beneath that tube? Can it be done one handed? Cornwall my home!

Turning the key releases the battery catch, then you need to lift it slightly, move it forward and remove. I would imagine it’s possible to do it one handed, but it would be fairly tricky as the battery weighs around 3kg.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Regards, Tony

bike seems well make and sturdy but i find the tyres are so skinny that when you are on slightly uneven surfaces even at a slow pace & i’m talking in number 1 setting it is dangerous and you could so easy fall off on a slightly uneven footpath. It’s ok on even ground but i wouldn’t let my wife ride it. I’ll try putting new tyres on it & see how it goes or it will be sold. In comparison i have another basic ebike in the states which is so stable this is nowhere close to and ride all types of tracks on it which is also a similar style. i would say I’m disappointed in it so far & feel its an accident waiting to happen.

Bonjour J’ai juste une question ,je mesure que 5 pieds !!!! Donc le small peut-il me convenir

Bonjour, Je pense que même la version 26″ est peut-être un peu trop grande. NCM recommande une hauteur minimale de 5′ 2″ de 160 cm.

Excellent review Tony,

I went ahead and bought the Milano and I’ve been very impressed with it so far. I was wondering if you’d know whether the 48v 16ah battery for NCM bikes would be compatible with the Milano model? I can’t seem to find a 48v 13ah battery anywhere.

Many thanks, Andy

An NCM Milano Plus battery should fit straight in. The 16Ah battery is the same size and uses lithium cells with a higher energy density.

Bonjour Je viens d’acheter ce vélo Mais je me pose la question, comment mettre en route la lumière avant ? Merci de votre aide

Appuyez et maintenez la touche « + » sur l’écran pour allumer le phare.

Bonjour Tony, Merci pour votre commentaire très instructif. Je souhaite acheter le Milano car après avoir étudier le marché des vélo électriques; il semble être d un excellent qualité-prix. J ai expérimenté le Veligo. Il me semble etre un peu similaire. Mais j ai une petite hésitation…si vous pouviez m éclairer…a t on sur le vélo le dos droit? Je pensais le prendre en taille L (28 pouces)(Je fais 1,74m) pour avoir une assise plus confortable. Je l utiliserai quotidiennement pour aller travailler. Pensez-vous que c est un bon choix? Ou devrais je m orienter vers un vélo de ville type Elops de Decathlon ou Sydney de Ubanbiker?(que je trouve tout de même assez cher) Merci pour votre réponse. A très bientôt, Linda

Bonjour, La taille fait référence au diamètre de la roue (28″). Tous les cadres NCM Milano sont identiques et correspondent à une taille moyenne. Cela devrait être parfait pour votre taille. La potence du guidon est également réglable, ce qui vous permet de monter le guidon encore plus haut si nécessaire. Salutations, Tony

I am seeing two different Milano Max models…N8C and N8R. They look exactly the same and with the same specifications. What is the difference?

I checked online for milano and price was 1189 Canadian dollar. On Monday I decided to buy it but unfortunately price went up to 1359$. I’m surprised as during holiday season everywhere else reducing their prices but your price was raised.