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Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 Review: Beginner’s Dream Mountain Bike

The Trek Marlin 6 2023 is the newest iteration of the entry-level XC hardtail family designed for light trail riding, gravel paths, fire roads, and mixed-terrain commuting. 

The 2023 Gen 2 model is the same as the Trek Marlin 6 2022, only with different colors and a new name. Trek overhauled its naming system for the upcoming year, referring to the models by the number of generations there have been. So the latest version of a Trek bike has the highest ‘Gen’ number.

This Trek Marlin 6 review will cover the bike’s main specs and highlights, answer some buyer questions, and provide our verdict on who should buy one. 

How Much is the Trek Marlin 6?

Trek Marlin 6 price is $850 and sits in the middle of the price range of the five Marlin models. The cheapest model costs $630, and the most expensive is $1,330. Alongside the 820, the Marlin is Trek’s most affordable mountain bike family.

• Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain
• Rack and kickstand mounts
• Progressive sizing 
• Low-performance coil fork

Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 Full List of Specs

Trek marlin 6 gen 2 full review.

In this section, we will cover the main features of the Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 and what makes it stand out in the sub-$1,000 MTB category. 

Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 is available in four modern paint jobs that will suit any type of rider.

What Type of Bike Is a Trek Marlin 6?

The Trek Marlin 6 MTB is a modern-looking cross-country hardtail with a 100mm coil suspension fork, perfect for beginner mountain bikers. Unfortunately, the rudimentary suspension limits the Marlin 6 to relatively mild trails. Nonetheless, it makes an excellent day-to-day bike for commuting, transport, and leisure.

Alpha Silver Aluminum Frame

Trek uses its Alpha Silver aluminum frame for the Marlin 6. Thanks to the company’s consistent design and materials innovations, these frames outperform the similarly-priced competition in compliance and comfort. 

Internal cable routing means Marlin 6 looks sleek and neat, while it also protects the cables from excessive wear and tear.

The frame has quick-release axles, tidy internal cable routing, and mounts for a rack and kickstand, allowing you to equip the Marlin for commuting or bikepacking. One unusual feature of this bike is the curved top tube on the smaller models (XS, S) that lowers the standover height for a better fit. 

Is the Trek Marlin 6 Good for Jumps?

No, the Trek Marlin 6 isn’t good for jumps. Unfortunately, as a cheap hardtail, this bike uses a low-performance coil-spring Suntour XCT 30 fork with 100mm of travel (80mm on XS). This fork performs poorly on bumpy trails but is adequate for day-to-day riding and light off-roading .

Thankfully, the fork has preload and hydraulic lockout settings, but the headtube isn’t tapered, meaning it will be harder to upgrade.  

Shimano Deore 10-Speed Drivetrain

The standout feature for us is the Shimano Deore M4100 10-speed drivetrain. The Trek Marlin 6 is one of the only bikes with this hardware at $850 or below. In addition, an 11-46t cassette and 30t chainring provide plenty of gearing for steep gradients. 

Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain is a standard in this price range across the industry, as it provides plenty of gear range and smooth gear shifting.

Generally, sub-$1,000 mountain bikes have cheaper drivetrains that shift poorly and lose efficiency quickly. However, Deore M4100 is durable and smooth-shifting , and the single chainring makes it easier to maintain. 

Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Another excellent inclusion for a bike of this price is hydraulic disc brakes. Although entry-level, Tektro’s HD-M275 brakeset with 160mm rotors performs well at this price range and for a bike of this spec. 

Hydraulic discs allow you to stop safely in wet weather and with plenty of power and reliability in most situations. However, if you plan on tackling advanced trails, neither this bike nor the brakes are adequate. 

2.20″ Tires and Progressive Wheel Sizing

The Trek Marlin 6 has Bontrager XR2 Comp tires for handling hardpack trails, gravel paths, and pavement where traction is relatively predictable. These XC-style tires roll fast and provide decent grip but will slip and slide in wet trail conditions. 

Even though the tires are not tubeless-ready, they are wide enough to provide plenty of traction in varying conditions that come with modern mountain biking.

The XS and Small sizes of this bike have 27.5″ rims, while the others use 29ers. Progressive sizing makes the Marlin fit more consistently across rider heights. Unfortunately, the wheelset and tires are not tubeless-ready. 

Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 Sizing Chart

• XS — 4’9″-5’1″ / 145-155cm
• S —  5’1″-5’5″ / 155-165cm
• M —  5’5″-5’8″ / 165-173cm
• M/L — 5’8″-5’11” / 173-180cm
• L —  5’11”-6’2″ / 180-188cm
• XL —  6’2″-6’5″ / 188-195cm
• 2XL — 6’5″-6’8″ / 195-203cm

Who Is Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 Best Suited For?

The Marlin 6 Trek MTB is best for beginner mountain bikers who want to start learning the skills and techniques of the sport on light trails. In addition, cyclists who want a bike for comfortable day-to-day use, running errands, and mixed-terrain commutes will enjoy the Marlin 6. 

We recommend the Marlin 6 Gen 2 to beginner to early-intermediate mountain bikers who mostly stay on light trails and rough dirt and gravel roads.

Again, this bike is limited by its cheap fork, so if you want a bike to grow into and challenge your mountain biking skills, you may want to check out one of the higher-end Trek MTBs. 

Other Trek Marlin Bikes We Reviewed:

• Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2 Review
• Trek Marlin 5 Gen 2 Review
• Trek Marlin 7 Gen 2 Review
• Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 Review

Is Marlin 6 Gen 2 a Good Buy?

We think the Trek Marlin 6 Gen 2 is a solid choice at just $850. The new-style frame and geometry make it look like the real deal, even if it can’t handle hard riding. 

Most of the Marlin 6’s components are excellent for the price range, including Shimano’s Deore drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, durable Bontrager tires, and a quality frame with solid ride characteristics. 

Don’t miss out on this excellent deal if you’re looking for a cheap do-it-all bike that’s at home on pavement, light mountain trails, and everything in between.

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Jordan Grimes

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Trek Marlin 6 Review: Is This Bike Worth Buying?

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What do you want from your MTB? Is it a bike that you can take to work every day? Something light that you can easily transport if needed, something with multiple speeds that will allow you to commute with ease?

Or are you after an adventure, a bike that you can have fun with? If you live near mountain trails, for example, you might want a bike that can handle a few bumps in the road. In that case, you’ll want something tough with great suspension that can easily deal with tougher terrain.

Bottom Line Up Front: So, we would recommend it overall ( you can pick it up online directly via Trek here ) – particularly if you’re on a tighter budget and you want to upgrade it later on down the line. It’s one of the best out of the box budget buys.  

The Marlin 6 is a GREAT budget pick to get started. An excellent all-around mountain bike, with room for plenty of cusomizations and upgrades later. Only if you need it.

Table of Contents

How does Trek stack up against other companies?

Trek is known as a brand to be trusted. Thanks to years of quality craftsmanship and its long alliance with Lance Armstrong, Trek is considered to be a solid brand in the mountain bike space.

In terms of price, Trek offer a range of different options – from around $450 for the FX (a basic hybrid bike) right up to $12,500 for the Madone SLR 9 Disc brakes eTap suspension lockout (a state-of-the-art racing bike). The Marlin 6 is on the lower end of the price scale.

Trek are quite similar to Diamondback in their price range. Although Trek do offer a lot of expensive bikes (which is to be expected given their expertise), they have more budget options than Fuji and Cannondale.

What kind of bike is the Marlin 6 ?

Trek Marlin 6 is designed to be a multi-purpose real mountain bike: it’s built with mountain biking trails in mind, but it’s also great for commuters, with extra features like rack and fender mounts.

It could be the perfect choice for you if you want to hit the trails at the weekend, but also need a bike to commute to work in the week. It’s not built to go downhill or for heavy trails, however.

It’s also an entry-level bike (for mountain biking) – this means it’s a lot more affordable than some other bikes on the market.

The Main Features of the Marlin 6

Let’s take a look at some of the features of the Marlin 6.

What is the Trek Marlin 6 made from?

The Marlin 6 is made from aluminum, making it a pretty lightweight bike. There are seven sizes to choose from, so you should be able to find one that fits you. It comes in orange or silver.

What are the wheels like?

Depending on which size you buy, the wheels are either 27in or 29in – this is to help the larger bikes to have a smoother ride (with minimal impact to standover height). This is great because the larger wheels allow you to have a better riding experience on slightly rougher terrain. The wheels are heavy, however, which caused some users problems as they tried to pick up speed.

The wheels are Bontrager Connection 32-hole double-walled, and the tires are Bontrager XR2.

What other features does it have?

The Marlin 6 is designed to be able to handle lighter trails and cross country moderate terrain – so you won’t be able to hit the hardcore trails with this one. It does offer multiple gears (24 speeds / shift levers) with a rack and fender mount, however, which makes it ideal for commuting or mixed use riders.

How does the Trek Marlin 6 perform?

Some people found the Marlin 6 to be a little stiff and unresponsive, with the wheels reducing the responsiveness quite drastically at times. This makes it less comfortable to ride on trails, as it doesn’t seem to perform well on drops, with limited softening. However, in terms of riding on smoother, flatter terrain, it seems to perform nicely. A great entry level bike for mountain biking.

Check out how Marlin 6 Compares to Marlin 7.

What are the specs of the Marlin 6?

In terms of specifications, here are the main things you need to know:

• Fork – SR Suntour XCT fork, 100-mm travel fork
• Crankset – Shimano
• Derailleurs – Shimano Altus
• Brakes – Tektro M290 disc brakes (hydraulic disc brakes and brake levers)
• Saddle – Bontrager Evoke 1

What warranty will I receive if I buy it?

Like all Trek bikes, once you register it, you get a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

Trek Marlin 6 is suited for…

• Riders on a tight budget but want a versatile crossover bike
• Those who want to try a bit of trail riding but also need a bike to commute to work/ride on flatter terrains (cross country mountain bike)
• A solid floor of great performance (from great brakes, excellent drivetrain, dropper post, silver aluminum alloy…)

Trek Marlin 6 is not suited for…

• Anyone wanting to tackle tougher trails
• Those that don’t want to upgrade/change parts on their bike to improve the riding experience

What do users think of Trek Marlin 6?

There are a range of views here. Many people find that it works very well on flatter ground, and they enjoy the large wheels and multiple speeds. Quite a few users decided to change the grips and pedals  (for different types of pedaling), which made riding the Marlin 6 a bit more enjoyable.

Generally, it’s considered a good bike for the price, and people say it is a good bike for customization – so if you want a bit of a ‘blank slate’, you can tinker with it to your heart’s content.

On the other hand, people found that braking and sudden turns put stress on the suspension fork legs, making them stick – and that it generally feels like a stiff, not very responsive ride on trails. Small jumps and dips in the trail were quite unforgiving for some people, which is a shame. A few people mentioned that the undampened suspension also made for a less comfortable riding experience on trails.

So, mixed opinions – it could work for you if you want to give trails a go, or if you’re willing to customize it, but it’s mostly suited for commuting (with kickstand and all).

The Pros and Cons of the Trek Marlin 6

Here are the best and worst bits about this particular model:

• Great price point ( see here for latest )
• Very customizable
• Handy for commuting
• Doesn’t ride as well on trails
• Can be a bit stiff and unforgiving

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about the Marlin 6.

It weighs around 31.77lbs.

The maximum weight for riders is 300lbs.

People suggest you can ride the Marlin 6 on blue and green level trails with no problems. However, there may be more suitable bikes out there for you if you plan to hit the trails a lot.

Most users don’t recommend it – it can deal with small drops okay, but it isn’t designed for jumps.

Yes – it comes in a variety of sizes, too, so you should be able to find one that suits you.

Yes, there are two choices – orange and silver.

Where can I find Trek bikes?

What are the Best Trek Marlin 6 alternatives?

There are a few alternatives we can recommend if you don’t want the Marlin 6:

Diamondback Overdrive – This is a great bike at a similar price point to the Marlin 6. The wheels have great traction (making it great for trail riding), and it has a comfortable seat. It’s also very easy to assemble out of the box, making it a good choice for beginners.

The classic returns this year with 27.5” wheels, 24 speeds, a plush four-inch Suntour suspension fork, and powerful disc brakes. Big knobby tires grip every root and rock, keeping you confident and in control as you explore the trail. Whether you're a diehard hardtail aficionado or looking for a solid starter mountain bike, the Overdrive doesn't disappoint.

Trek Marlin 5   – This is great for beginner riders and offers similar features to the Marlin 6, including the alpha silver aluminum frame. You can get it for as little as around $500 , which is great if you’re on a tight budget. Again, it’s great if you want a bike that can handle the commute (commuter road riding) as well as some mild-to-moderate mountain bike trails (road and trail).

Marlin 5 is a trail-worthy daily rider that's perfectly suited for everyday adventures, on and off the trail. A front suspension fork with 100mm of travel, 21 speeds, and mounts for a rack and kickstand make it an ideal choice for new trail riders or anyone looking for a comfortable, stable commuter with the ruggedness of a real mountain bike.

Kona Blast – this is a tough bike that comes in at under $1,000 but can handle some tougher trails than the others on this list, thanks to the robust frame sizes (also aluminum frame) and excellent suspension. It can also handle some good jumps, too, so if you want to go on more adventures with your bike, it could be worth the extra money.

Conclusion – is the Trek Marlin 6 worth buying?

The Marlin 6 is going to appeal to a specific type of person. If you’re on a tight budget, you want a bike that can handle mild trails and you want to use it to commute to work, then the Marlin 6 is a great bike for you.

Also, if you’re willing to tinker around with it, you can slowly upgrade it to improve your riding experience over time. This is a great bike if you’re new to the MTB world and you fancy customizing a bike for the first time (as a more novice rider).

However, you do get what you pay for, and in this case, this budget bike doesn’t stack up very well against its more expensive counterparts. It’s not as fun to ride as other bikes we’ve reviewed, especially on rocky, bumpy trails. If you want a hard-wearing bike that you can have an adventure with, the Marlin 6 isn’t going to be for you.

Bottom Line: So, we would recommend it overall ( you can pick it up online directly via Trek here ) – particularly if you’re on a tighter budget and you want to upgrade it later on down the line. It’s one of the best out of the box budget buys.  

If you can afford to spend a few hundred more dollars and you don’t want to bother with customization, we’d recommend investing in a different model that is a bit more comfortable to ride such as the Diamondback Overdrive .

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Trek Marlin 6 Review: Sufficient for Beginners, but…

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This article is an in-depth review of the Trek Marlin 6 , an entry-level mountain bike.

I interviewed one of its owners. We discussed several aspects you might be interested in knowing before purchasing, such as whether the price matches the quality, its advantages and disadvantages, and more.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Marlin 6 is a good MTB for beginners . It uses a modern 1X drivetrain that is simple but offers limited gears (10spd only). Marlin 6 is ideal for non-demanding terrain like flow trails but not the best choice for more challenging terrain due to its short fork travel of 100mm and the absence of a dropper post. Feel free to buy it here or read on for more info.

About Tomasz

Hi, I’m Tomasz, and I’m 31 years old. I’m an active person who loves sports, especially cycling. I enjoy riding on quiet paths away from big cities, especially in mountainous and forested areas. Cycling makes me happy.

Trek Marlin 6 Summary

Trek currently offers Marlin 4 up to Marlin 8 . The higher the number, the more high-end (and expensive) the bike. Below is the summary of Marlin 6.

Trek Marlin 6 Main Features

• Weight (w/o pedals): 31.11 lbs [14.11 kg]
• Wheels: Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 27.5″ or 29″ depending on the bike size
• Fork: SR Suntour XCM 30, coil spring (100mm travel)
• Groupset: Shimano Deore (1×10spd)
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275 (hydraulic disc brakes) 
• Tires: Bontrager XR2 Comp
• Saddle: Bontrager Arvada

Trek Marlin 6 Pros & Cons

Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of Trek Marlin 6.

Trek Marlin 6 Pros

• Renowned brand
• Good price-value ratio
• Available in 7 sizes (XS-XXL)
• Compatible with racks 
• Modern 1X drivetrain
• Shimano Deore has a clutch system
• Lock on grips

Trek Marlin 6 Cons

• Limited color options
• Limited gear range
• Short travel front fork (only 100mm of travel)
• Wheels are not tubeless ready
• No dropper post

Tomasz’s Experience with Trek Marlin 6

What other alternatives did you consider before buying the Marlin 6, and why did the Marlin 6 win out in the end?

I compared various brands before purchasing the Marlin 6. I found that the Marlin 6 outperformed them in terms of accessories, workmanship, and price.

Have you bought the bike online or in a store? 

I purchased the bike from an online store, and it arrived fully assembled and adjusted, making it 100% ready to ride.

For what type of riding do you use this bike the most?

I exclusively use the Marlin 6 bike for cycling trails and adventure rides. I enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-track trails and paths, riding mainly on side roads, riverbank embankments, and through forests.

How would you describe its riding characteristics?

I think the Marlin 6 bike has excellent riding characteristics. It’s very comfortable and rides exceptionally well. It’s sturdy and torsionally strong. The handlebars and shifters are comfortable and don’t tire out the wrists and hands.

Does the front suspension work well?

The front suspension of the Marlin 6 bike works very well. It absorbs bumps effortlessly, and even when locked on even ground or hills, it performs well.

Would you like to have more gears, or are you ok with the modern 1X drivetrain?

Modern 1X derailleurs have limitations, especially on long straight sections where you can feel the absence of a second sprocket in the front. In other words, the gear range on Marlin 6 is limited.

How comfortable is it on a scale from 1 to 10?

I think I can give it a solid 10 without much thought.

What is your overall feeling from the ride?

I am very satisfied with my riding experience on the Marlin 6 bike. It handles well, and I am glad I bought it.

Is there something you don’t like about it?

I don’t have any major complaints about the Marlin 6 bike, but there is room for improvement in the modern 1X drivetrain. As I mentioned earlier, it can sometimes feel like something is missing.

What do you like the most about it?

What I like the most about it are the construction of the frame, the colors, and the very comfortable steering.

Trek Marlin 6 Alternatives

The Trek Marlin 6 alternatives include bikes from the same family, such as the Marlin 4 (cheaper) or Marlin 6 (more expensive), and MTBs from other brands. I recommend checking out my articles on beginner mountain bikes or mountain bikes for under $1000 for more inspiration. 

Would you recommend buying the Trek Marlin 6?  

Yes. I recommend buying Marlin 6. This bike has exceeded all my expectations, allowing me to access otherwise difficult places. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a bike in this price range.

Tomasz, thank you again for your time and for sharing your experience!

Trek Marlin FAQ

The main difference between Trek Marlin and Trek Dual-Sport is their intended use and design. Trek Marlin is an entry-level mountain bike series designed for off-road trail riding, while the Trek Dual-Sport is a versatile hybrid bike capable of handling a wider range of terrain, including pavement, gravel roads, and light off-road trails.

The main differences between Trek Marlin 4 and Marlin 6 are in the groupset and weight. Marlin 4 uses 3×7spd while the Marlin 6 has a 1×10spd drivetrain. The 3X drivetrains are becoming obsolete because of their complexity and high demands on correct shifting. That’s why I recommend spending more on Marlin 6.

The main differences between Trek Marlin 5 and Marlin 6 are in the groupset and weight. Marlin 5 uses 2×8spd while the Marlin 6 has a 1×10spd drivetrain. The 1X drivetrains are popular due to their simplicity, ease of use, and lower weight. I believe the Marlin 6 is worth paying more. Despite the narrower gear range, its use is much easier for beginners. 

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Trek Madone 6-Series long term review

Redesign of workhorse road chassis.

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Trek cooked up a radical redesign of its workhorse Madone 6-Series road chassis last year, infusing a healthy dose of aero ingredients borrowed from its groundbreaking Speed Concept TT/tri bike.

As expected, the aero claims are eye opening: 25 watts of saved energy at 40km/h compared to the previous Madone – nearly two minutes per hour. We can't verify those figures ourselves without hitting the wind tunnel – and they certainly can't be felt while out on the road – but what we can confirm is that Trek has carried over most of the existing Madone DNA to produce yet another solid ride.

Ride and handling: Same Madone brilliance but with a slightly smoother ride

Purported aero benefits aside, the new Madone feels much like the old one in many ways – and that's a good thing. As always, one of the best features is the bike's handling.

While many machines are billed as 'neutral', the Madone defines the term with intuitive manners that practically require just a thought to go where you want. Neither overly twitchy nor somnabulantly boring, the pitch-perfect geometry – 73-degree head tube angle, 976mm wheelbase, and 72mm bottom bracket drop on our 52cm sample – carves a wicked arc through sinuous high-speed descents, confidently switches lines mid-corner, and still nails the proverbial 'peel a banana at speed' test.

Trek has, however, tweaked the numbers a bit. Specifically, the more aggressive 'H1' fit variants now have a slightly more stretched-out position but the consequently longer (and, thus, more stable) front center is offset by a slightly steeper head tube. Aside from the increased reach, then, riders moving from an older H1 frame to a newer one shouldn't notice any difference handling-wise.

Drivetrain and front-end rigidity also feel unchanged from before, which is again just fine given that the predecessor was very good in those respects. While still not quite on par with some more stoutly reinforced options, the Madone 6-Series is an eager and lively beast when you get on the gas. Save for especially fit riders with above average power outputs, we doubt most people will notice a difference.

Ride comfort has improved too, albeit marginally. Trek's move to a chain stay-mounted rear brake (more on this later) leaves the seat stays unencumbered by extra reinforcements, and they're impressively slim from seat cluster to dropouts in order to flex a bit more under impact. Despite the major visual change – this is the first carbon Madone not to use some sort of seat stay wishbone – it's still a fairly firm ride.

Frame: Dramatic Kammtail shaping

Rather than run two separate carbon road bike campaigns – one that prioritizes stiffness and weight and another that concentrates on aerodynamics – Trek has decided to roll all three priorities into one chassis.

As with the Speed Concept, the key element is Trek's Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) tube shaping, which uses truncated airfoil cross-sections that supposedly maintain the aerodynamic performance of a traditional teardrop shape but without requiring unusually narrow profiles that might compromise structural requirements or violate UCI technical regulations.

As such, the Madone looks fairly traditional from a distance, and includes Trek's long-standing design features: the ultra-wide BB90 bottom bracket, the fat E2 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in tapered head tube, the round no-cut integrated seatmast, and the generously proportioned down tube and chain stays. However, a closer looks reveals that the more upright elements are shaped more like a 'U' with flat trailing edges.

Further nods to cheating the wind include direct-mount front and rear brakes, with the former's shape integrated and blended into the fork crown and the latter moving down beneath the chain stays where the airflow is already turbulent.

Virtually everything is carbon fiber, too, including the bearing seats for the integrated headset and bottom brackets and the rear dropouts. Once again, the non-driveside chain stay incorporates a pocket for the ultra-tidy Bontrager DuoTrap wireless speed and cadence sensor.

Cabling is internal throughout and convertible between electronic and mechanical drivetrains. Removable ports at the rear brake and under the bottom bracket shell ease maintenance some but the lack of internal guides still makes servicing tricky if you don't have the forethought to run liners through the frame before yanking out the old cables.

Unfortunately, we took issue with some of the routing's entry and exit ports, too. The entry ports for the derailleurs and rear brake are too far forward, meaning that riders with smaller frames (or ones using shorter and/or lower stems) will have to run bigger loops of housing to prevent binding.

Trek recommends running derailleur lines around the head tube and crossing them back over inside the down tube but we had better luck both visually and functionally by straightlining everything front-to-back.

Likewise, the rear brake path is less than optimal. While the port placement is questionable on its own, Trek further complicates matters by adding a plug-in quick-release and barrel adjuster – necessary evils given the brake placement.

However, while the add-on fits sloppily in the stop (making for a vague feeling lever), it effectively kicks the port even further forward. And the exit port's location immediately behind the bond line at the bottom of the down tube makes feeding a cable through an exercise that almost requires having a stiff drink on hand.

Even worse, the cable noticeably drags on the exit port's aluminum noodle, too. Adding in a short piece of housing liner helped with the friction, though, while yanking out the crank and bottom bracket (not to mention a flashlight and a spoke on hand) made it a little easier to run the cables. Even so, what should have been a five-minute job was anything but.

On the plus side, the hidden rear brake and internal routing yields a distinctly clean-looking rig with minimal filigree to muddy up the sleek lines. Once those lines are run, the frame will also mostly protect them from dirt and water, so at least you won't have to deal with replacements that often.

While the new frame might be more aero, it isn't any lighter. In fact, the 52cm H2 Madone 6-Series frame we tested more than two years ago weighed 948g, while this new one is 1,000g even despite the more compact H1 front triangle geometry. Likewise, fork weight has climbed a bit, up from 300g to 330g.

Equipment: Mostly solid kit but integrated brakes are disappointing

Our wonderfully light, 6.54kg (14.42lb, without pedals) custom-built test bike was an early media sample sent before Shimano had adequate stock of the new Dura-Ace 9000 group. As such, Trek built it up with previous-generation Dura-Ace 7900 that will no longer be available, so we won't bother to comment on it here aside from saying that the new kit will be even lighter.

As usual, Trek's house brand Bontrager label adorns just about everything. The lightweight RXXXL carbon handlebar is comfortable in terms of its compact bend and shock absorbing abilities, the Affinity RXL saddle is light and distributes pressure fairly evenly (but seems better suited to slightly more upright positions), and the utterly reliable RXL forged aluminum stem gets the job done with minimal fuss, although its relatively small-diameter extension is falling behind the times stiffness-wise.

Bontrager also includes its latest Aeolus 3 D3 carbon clincher wheels wrapped in aero-profile R3 tires. At a claimed 1,440g per pair they spin up reasonably quickly, as expected, while the ultra-fat, 35mm-deep rim supposedly matches the aero performance of much deeper wheels.

As an added bonus, they're impressively stable in crosswinds, and because the rim is actually wider than the tire there's no need to undo the brake quick-release when changing a flat. The ultra-reliable, DT Swiss-built star ratchet rear hub internals should last for ages, too. Stiffness could be a little better, though – we noted repeatable brake rub up front when climbing out of the saddle.

Likewise, the R3 tires might be more aerodynamically efficient than traditional rubber with their slightly oval profile and molded-in 'wings' to smooth the gap between tire and rim, but the stiff casings don't ride as well as the Madone chassis deserves. In addition, the raised center lends a tippy feeling on-center with a disconcerting transition that makes the bike want to 'fall' into corners.

We swapped them out for a set of Continental Force/Attack clinchers and happily restored the Madone's innate handling prowess, along with a much improved ride quality.

The one major Bontrager-related disappointment is unfortunately a significant one. While Shimano will soon have its own direct-mount brakes to offer, the stock Bontrager Speed Limit calipers are just about all that's available for now.

The rear brake isn't accessible while riding

Weight is competitive, at 154g apiece with mounting hardware, but they're visually chunky and cheap looking. The associated hardware feels rather low-rent, too, with a lowly steel M6 locknut used for the rear cable anchor and soft aluminum pad hardware that easily takes a set, making it difficult to get a good adjustment.

More to the point, they don't work as well as they should. The flex-free mounts yield a firm lever but high-end power is lacking, exacerbated by the stock Bontrager cork pads' so-so initial bite. We had to squeeze awfully hard to rein in speed when hurtling down some of our most familiar descents. In addition, the pivots bind if they're tightened down too much. Loctite on the threads is a must.

Even the brakes' placement complicates matters. None of the pad fixing screws can be readily accessed on the bike – meaning you have to readjust the cartridges every time you swap pads – and it's virtually impossible to sight the rear brake pads on the rim while simultaneously squeezing the lever. Adding even more fuel to the fire is the fact that they simply don't look very high-end, either.

Trek has managed to integrate aerodynamic performance into the new Madone while impressively maintaining all of the old bike's most important characteristics: weight, stiffness, ride quality, and handling. The devil is in the details, though, and we can't help but feel a few important ones were overlooked here.

Price: US$3,629.99 (frame, fork, Cane Creek IS-2 headset, Bontrager Speed Limit brakes, and Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon seatmast cap) Weight: 6.54kg (14.42lb, 52cm H1, as built, without pedals); 1,000g (frame only with water bottle bolts, rear derailleur hanger, and housing stops); 330g (fork only without compression plug, 180mm steerer) Available sizes: H1: 50, 52 (tested), 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm; H2/WSD: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64cm Cyclingnews verdict: 3 ½ stars More information: www.trekbikes.com

Complete bicycle specifications

Frame: Trek Madone 6-Series Available sizes: H1 fit: 50, 52 (tested), 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm; H2 fit: 47, 50 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64cm Fork: Trek Madone KVF full carbon Headset: Cane Creek Forty integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" tapered Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite Handlebars: Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR-C Tape/grips: Bontrager Cork Front brake: Bontrager Speed Limit Rear brake: Bontrager Speed Limit Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace FD-7900 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace RD-7900 Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-7900 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 11-25T Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7901 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7900, 53/39T Bottom bracket: Enduro Pedals: n/a Wheelset: Bontrager Aeolus 3 tubular Front tire: Bontrager R3 Road, 700x23c Rear tire: Bontrager R3 Road, 700x23c Saddle: Bontrager Affinity RXL Seat post: Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon

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Trek Project One 6 Series Madone review

Bespoke superbike from the big boys

www.robertsmithphotography.co.uk

Given the chance to create his own bespoke bike, Neil Pedoe used Trek's do-it-yourself Project One system to spec and colour co-ordinate a super-high-end road machine, and he loved the end result.

• Frame: Highly technical, super-light, super-stiff but above all incredibly comfortable (9/10)
• Handling: Assured cornering for such a light frame; ultra-efficient at climbing and sprinting (9/10)
• Equipment: The spec options are wide and various for all budgets – we went for extravagant (9/10)
• Wheels: The stiff and aerodynamic Bontrager Aeolus 5.0s are the perfect addition to such a quick, comfortable frame (9/10)

Some of you are going to ask why, if you’ve got this kind of money to spend on a custom bike, you would ignore all those elitist boutique brands with their cachet of exclusivity. Anyone can buy a Trek, can’t they?

The best reason is simply that Trek have spent all the time and money needed to try to make the best multi-day stage racing bike in the world.

Given that less than a year ago Alberto Contador won the Tour de France on the same frame, closely followed by Lance Armstrong in third on another one, it would be hard to argue that they haven’t succeeded.

Suit you, sir

“Fifty eight,” says Jeremy Barker as I walk over to shake the hand of the man in charge of bike fitting at Bath’s John’s Bikes . Thinking he’s guessing my age I’m a little gutted, then quickly realise he’s having an ‘educated guess’ at what size my custom Project One 6 Series Trek should be. An hour’s measuring and chatting later and he’s confirmed what he already knew.

Jeremy is included in the price of a Project One Trek – or at least the benefit of his or your chosen Trek dealer’s bike fitting experience is – because this isn’t a bike you can just walk into a shop and buy, and you can’t buy it online either.

But what you can do online is tweak, fiddle and fantasise to your heart’s content on Trek’s Project One website, with thousands of different custom paint finish, colour scheme and bike specification combinations to create your dream bike.

On the paint scheme front alone there are five Select Series schemes that come at no extra charge, and then 11 different Signature series colour schemes, each of which can be customised too. As can the detail colours of your wheels, cables, bar tape and even seat detailing.

The paint selection was fairly simple for me – I chose the one that looked like it had been made to match the new Cycling Plus team kit, with fantastic looking colour coded semi-deep Bontrager Aeolus 5 carbon clinchers to match. Nice. The price of this Custom Flames paint job is about £320 extra – but look: they’ve even sprayed the fork with flames.

Once you’re done, you can save your creation and tweak it another day, print it out or get the site to send it to your local Trek dealer to get your order under way.

You don’t have to start with a blank sheet though, and there are default specification levels provided all the way through for those not so keen on spending evenings on an online shopping experience.

Adding the compulsory dealer is a clever feature of the customisation route – Trek let you mess around online as much as you like but add the control of a trusted local bike shop’s Jeremy Barker to make sure you don’t mess up your own dream bike.

The only thing that’s not custom about the Project One is the choice of three basic frame geometries. They are a women’s WSD model, the Pro and the Performance. The only difference between the two men’s models is that the Performance has a 30mm higher front stack.

Ma Madone à moi

Apparently, most people buy the Performance. You might notice I’ve got about 3cm of spacers under my stem anyway, so perhaps I wouldn’t have needed them if I hadn’t gone for the Pro. But I’ve got time trials planned this year, and fancy seeing just how low I can go.

The groupset I chose was SRAM Red – mainly because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. To be honest, it takes some getting used to. If you tend to ride on the hoods a lot, you need to be very careful with your fingers. If they’re flapping around when you get out of the saddle it’s very easy to accidentally downshift. The upshift is more time-consuming than even Ultegra, which is a bit of a shame, because it's a good looking groupset.

The wheel choice is pure extravagance, and accounts for going on £1,500 of the build. But not only do Bontrager’s Aeolus 5.0 clinchers look awesome, they ride faultlessly too, with no flex even under the biggest climbing loads. There are 11 sets of rims to choose from, right up to a deeper Aeolus 9.0 clincher.

Normally I go for 175mm cranks, but as my knees are getting creakier, I went for slightly shorter 172.5, and of course a compact double. Like a certain rider from Texas, I subscribe to the high cadence school of pedalling. Unlike Mr Armstrong my power-to-weight ratio means I need some pretty small gears though. So a small 34-tooth inner chainring on the front and a generous 11-26 cassette on the back should see me round most of the hilly sportives I’ll be aiming for in 2010.

You can get two lengths of seat cap on the Madone: either 135mm or 175mm, the shorter of which was right on the limit line for me. So I just swapped it. It’s a great system, and means there’s no weakening slot needed in the top of the seat tube.

One of my favourite touches on the Madone is the Duotrap sensor in the rear left chainstay, which picks up the cadence from the crank on one side, and speed, mileage and so on from the back wheel. It transmits all this data via a wireless Ant+ signal, which means that all that money you spent on your fancy Garmin Edge or other high-end bike computer is not wasted. You’ll also never be able to cable tie widgets to your top-end bike with a clear conscience again.

On the road

The ride is simply awesome. The biggest surprise is how comfortable it is. I was reluctant to take Levi Leipheimer’s word for it when he says on Trek’s website that it’s the most comfortable bike he’s ever ridden – he is after all a hardened pro. I'm neither pro nor hardened but do happen to agree.

The impressive thing here is that despite this comfort, the Madone is stunningly efficient at going forward. Trek tell us this is thanks to the extra girth of the 90mm wide bottom bracket, the OCLV carbon tubing and all manner of other carbon building black magic. The bottom line is it rides beautifully.

Okay, so my Project One is incredibly expensive, but consider that you can spec up the same awesome Tour de France-winning frame with a 105 groupset and less fancy kit for £2,800, and you realise just how versatile this custom build can be.

This review is part of a series of bespoke bike tests that we'll be featuring on BikeRadar over the next month.

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Trek Marlin 6

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Weight / M - 14.71 kg / 32.43 lbs (with tubes)

At a glance

Marlin 6 is a quality introductory cross country mountain bike with front suspension, 24 speeds, and a wide range of gearing for easier pedaling on climbs. It’s built in Trek’s trail heritage, but also equipped with features like mounts for a rack and kickstand that make it a great choice for daily commuters.

Where To Buy

"Look fast, feel fast, go fast."

"Unlike some bikes on the cheap end of the spectrum that cater to the recreational user, this one is aimed firmly at entry-level riders who want a bike that's affordable yet capable of riding and racing hard."

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Silver Aluminum, internal routing, chainstay disc brake mount, rack and kickstand mount, 135x5mm QR
• Fork SR Suntour XCT 30 HLO, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset on 29ers, 100mm travel (13.5: 80mm travel)
• Wheels Bontrager Connection 32-hole double-walled
• Wheel Size 29" 27.5"
• Tires Bontrager XR2, 29x2.20˝ front, 29x2.0˝ rear (13.5 & 15.5: 27.5x2.20˝)
• Chain KMC Z7
• Crank Shimano Tourney TY501, 42/34/24
• Shifters Shimano Altus M310, 8 speed
• Brakeset Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc (13.5 & 15.5: Tektro HD-276 short reach lever)
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width (13.5: 690mm width)
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada
• Seatpost Bontrager alloy, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 12mm offset
• Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible
• Grips Bontrager XR Endurance Comp
• Headset 1-1/8˝ threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Q: Where to buy a 2019 Trek Marlin 6?

The 2019 Trek Marlin 6 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2019 Trek Marlin 6 weigh?

A 2019 Trek Marlin 6 weights M - 14.71 kg / 32.43 lbs (with tubes).

Q: What size wheels does the 2019 Trek Marlin 6 have?

The 2019 Trek Marlin 6 has 29" and 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2019 Trek Marlin 6 should I get?

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I've had a soft spot for Trek's Madones for a while because the ones I've ridden in the past have been soooo responsive. They're light and punchy, sharp-handling and lots of other things that you want from a performance-driven road bike. The good news is that this new design is the best ever. It's an absolute delight to ride.

What we have here is a bike built around the 2013 Madone 6 Series frame. You'll find the new features described below on the cheaper 5 Series (complete bikes starting at £2,100) and the newly introduced and more expensive 7 Series.

The difference is in the carbon. The 6 Series bikes use 600 Series OCLV (optimum compaction low void, if you're interested) carbon which has a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than you get with the 5 Series but a lower stiffness-to-weight ratio than the 7 Series.

All three of these Series (but not the lower end Madones) get a completely new frame design for 2013...

New KVF tubing

The biggest new feature is the KVF aero tubing. KVF? It stands for Kammtail Virtual Foil and it was first introduced on Trek's Speed Concep t time trial bike.

Essentially, the KVF tube profile is an airfoil shape with the tail chopped off square. Trek reckon that the design makes the air behave as if the tail was actually there in order to reduce drag. The advantages of cutting the tail off are that it uses less material and so reduces weight; it works well in crosswinds; and it allows Trek to stay within the UCI's equipment rules.

You can see the KVF shape most clearly on the down tube – the sides curve around and then the rear edge is cut off flat. Trek use the same shaping on the head tube, seat tube, the seat stays and the upper portion of the fork blades. Extensively, then.

How much difference does it make? You have to have a statistic these days and Trek say the KVF shaping reduces frame (not including fork) drag by 60g over the previous generation Madone. Without taking the bike to a wind tunnel, we couldn't tell you how accurate that is. We're reporting it rather than confirming it.

Brake design

Integration has become ever more important in bike design recently with manufacturers seeking to reduce drag by making everything blend together for more aerodynamic efficiency.

Trek have been busy creating their own new front brake that fits neatly to the fork. Well, their in-house Bontrager brand have. One arm of the Bontrager Speed Limit brake is attached via a central bolt, the other fixes direct to the fork leg. This saves a little weight and allows the two arms to sit flush against the fork crown. Trek reckon that the combined effect of the KVF fork shaping and the integrated front brake reduces drag by another 76g.

Trek put the rear brake just behind the bottom bracket – a position that has been used on many bikes down the years including a whole bunch of today's time trial machines.

Slinging the brake down here allows Trek to keep it hidden from the wind for improved aerodynamics. It also means there's no longer any need for a brake bridge between the seatstays, cleaning up the airflow in that area. Plus, because they don't have to deal with the braking forces, those seatstays can be made with less material to reduce weight.

It works well. You'd be hard pressed to tell any difference between the braking power you get with Trek's new design and a standard set-up. I wouldn't say there's much in it either way. You can adjust the pad position of the rear brake on the fly just as easily as if it was mounted in the standard position because Trek fit a barrel adjuster at the point where the cable enters the head tube.

I did wonder whether the positioning of the rear brake would mean it would get bunged up with gunk from the UK's perma-damp roads, but that hasn't been an issue. It is a little more awkward than usual to clean but it's really not much of a problem.

Other features

The new Madone naturally comes with internal cabling, the rear mech cable emerging right at the end of the chainstay, and it's fully compatible with Di2 electronic shifting.

Trek continue their integration theme with a DuoTrap digital sensor recessed into the chainstay. You'll probably already know that this can take speed and cadence measurements and send them wirelessly (ANT+ compatible) to a computer on your bars.

Trek also integrate their 3S chain keeper directly onto the frame. It's a tiny plastic stop that bolts to a threaded hole just above the bottom bracket. There's no great level of technology going on here but it's really unobtrusive and it works to prevent the chain coming off the inner chainring and damaging any of that lovely carbon.

Okay, so that explains a few of the 2013 Trek Madone's key design features, but how does it ride? That, after all, is what matters.

Well, put simply, this bike rides beautifully. For a start, the lightness and punchiness of previous generation Madones is still there. Our complete bike weighs in at 6.78kg (14.9lb). That's with a mechanical Dura-Ace 7900 groupset and Bontrager's Aeolus 5 clinchers (we're going to do a separate review of those, so standby for that).

You can choose your own spec through Trek's Project One custom programme. Our one would cost you £6,725 – those wheels really jack the price up – although you can have a 6 Series Madone from £3,400 if you adjust the spec.

The Madone really flies forward the second you increase the power. It reacts so quickly. And when you get busy on the climbs, it's perfectly happy to pitch in and do its part.

I'm pretty big by cycling standards (75-77kg) and, despite its light weight, the Madone stood up to all the power I could sling its way. Trek's E2 head tube houses a standard 1 1/8in upper bearing with a big 1 1/2in bearing at the bottom, and it's a chunky piece of work. It holds the front end super-stable and, along with those KVF fork blades, it makes for precise handling through long, sweeping turns and quick, zigzagging ones.

The bottom bracket is Trek's BB90 standard with widely spaced bearings and there's very little flex there either. As far as I can tell, Trek have managed to keep all of the Madone's frame stiffness with this latest incarnation. Despite the big changes, it's every bit as solid as before.

The other big feature is vertical compliance. Now, I don't really like to go on about vertical compliance too much because it's the biggest cliché in cycling. On Road.cc, we tend to take the Mick when manufacturers mention it because they'll wheel out the phrase even if their bike rides like a boneshaker. But that's not to say that vertical compliance isn't a valuable property for a bike to have; it certainly is if you want a comfortable ride.

The reason I bring it up is because the new Madone does have plenty of, you know... VC. Sorry, it just does, especially compared to other aero road bikes I've ridden. That back end in particular just seems to soak up rough roads, unexpected dips and so on.

It helps that I have such a massive (some might say 'ridiculous') amount of seatpost to take the sting out of things. Well, not seatpost exactly... the Madone uses what Trek call 'a no-cut Ride Tuned seat mast'. In other words, you get an extended seat tube with a long mast topper on the outside that gives you 10cm of adjustment. As the name suggests, you don't need to cut the seat tube to length like you do with some systems.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the Bontrager Inform Affinity RXL saddle. Buy it separately and it's a £100 perch with carbon rails and a carbon-fibre reinforced shell. It's just that I found it to sag in the middle and that's really not comfortable for me. But, when it comes to saddles, one man's meat is another man's poison. Probably not the best choice of words there. Ahem!

As for the ride position, our 6 Series frame is built to Trek's H1 fit which is designed to be low and aero. Trek have increased the reach of the existing H1 geometry a touch for a slightly more stretched ride position.

I'm happy with that setup and find it perfectly comfortable but you might not, in which case, you're in luck... The 6 Series is available in an H2 fit too. The biggest difference is in the length of the head tube. With the H1 fit it's 16cm on a 58cm frame; with the H2 fit it's 19cm. That means your ride position is a little more upright to take the strain off your back and neck, without the need to use a stack of flexing spacers. The H2 setup is still performance-orientated, but it's a bit more relaxed.

I won't bother telling you about the Shimano Dura-Ace groupset because it's not standard – although, as I said, you can spec it if you go through the Project One system. You can also choose your own colour and have your name on the top tube if that's your thing.

I won't tell you about the Aeolus 3 wheels either because we're going to cover them in a separate review. They're brilliant though.

So, that just leaves me to round things up and I'll do that by saying the new Madone is an absolute triumph. It really is. It's light, it's very, very fast and it's way more comfortable than you've a right to expect of a high-performance bike (albeit that I didn't get on too well with the saddle).

I'd love to be more critical and give you a few negatives as well but I'm not going to do that just for the sake of it. This is one of the very best road bikes out there. If the 7 Series is even better, well, we'll happily ride one of those for a bit too. In the meantime, I suppose we'd better box this one up and send it back.

Lightweight, very fast and comfortable - a super-high performance bike that won't disappoint, if you have the cash.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Madone 6 Series 2013 (custom build)

Size tested: Project One build

About the bike

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

The frame is made from 600 Series OCLV carbon

The fork is full carbon too, including the dropouts

Our bike came with this spec:

Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Brakes Bontrager Speed Limit integrated brakes with Shimano Dura-Ace levers

Wheels Bontrager Aeolus D3 3

Handlebar Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR-C

Stem Bontrager Race X Lite

Saddle Bontrager Affinity RXL Carbon

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

It's a race/performance bike. The pros teams might be on 7 Series Madones but, really, the 6 Series of bikes are professional level.

In the build we have, it's 6.78kg without pedals (size 58cm). Add the pedals and it's just above the UCI's 6.8kg minimum weight limit for racing.

Trek say, "Madone 6 Series is race-bike royalty, with its legacy of 9 Tour de France wins. Still the same incredible ride feel and hand-built quality, now with an all-new super-aero shape.

"6 Series has charged the steepest climbs, staged the biggest comebacks, carried the greatest legends. It will take you past your limits, beyond your expectations."

Frame and fork

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

Spot on. You can chose your own colour from a vast selection.

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

The frame is Trek's 600 Series OCLV carbon. For all the details, including how it compares to their other grades of carbon, go to Trek .

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

You get to choose between Trek's H1 and H2 geometries.

Essentially, H1 is low and aero. H2 is a little more relaxed. The main difference is in the height of the head tube. It's a bit longer with the H2 so you get a more upright ride position - although it's still a performance-orientated set-up.

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

See above on that. You can go for low and stretched or a bit more relaxed.

Riding the bike

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

Very comfortable, yes, especially for a performance-orientated machine.

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

Yep, it's as rigid around the front end and bottom bracket as previous generation Madones, as far as I can tell.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Yeah. Trek have built plenty of Tour-winning bikes in the past and this one is the equal of those in terms of efficiency.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

A touch on the 58cm frame we have. Not a problem, though.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? The lively side of neutral.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

It feels super-smooth compared to a lot of other high-performance bikes and the steering is pin sharp.

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

I actually didn't especially like the saddle. I felt the comfort was despite the saddle rather than because of the saddle. It's always a matter of individual taste. There's plenty of give in the frame and seatmast to keep things feeling smooth.

The drivetrain

Not especially good value compared to Ultegra or 105 but very good value compared to top-end groupsets from the other leading brands

Wheels and tyres

You can get lighter wheels; these major on aerodynamics.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes.

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Without doubt.

Overall rating: 9 /10

About the tester

Age: 41   Height: 190cm   Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:    My best bike is:

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

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

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

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It's possibly a small detail, but one of things I love about the Trek kit is the DuoTrap compartment. Attention to detail like that matters to me and hints that other things have also had a little more care taken over them. Personally I'd go for a Domane as the roads around where I live are far from ideal...but this is stunning.

I think the translation to grams is effectively a comparative that makes it easier for cyclists to understand. Rather than talk about how it reduces the drag coefficient, they talk in grams because people can understand how this is equivalent to, say buying a lighter group set, or saddle, for instance. So if I am thinking of buying a bike, and like one that weight 6.80Kg, and the other weighs 7.0Kg, but is fandangled in such a way that it reduces drag by 200g, there's no real difference.....I think that is the logic.

But if I was an engineer I would probably dislike the terminology, but I guess most people without an engineering background would struggle to understand how a drag coefficient would affect their ride, especially when so often there are so many factors that add to or detract from riding performance - aerodynamics and weight being just two.

im going to say something i have never said before.. these new treks actually look really impressive.

russyparkin wrote: im going to say something i have never said before.. these new treks actually look really impressive.

Have to agree. Never liked Trek much, always seemed a bit sterile and a bit ugly. Nothing offensive, just very anonymous. This model really does look the part.

In science and engineering drag would typically be measured in Newtons, ie. units of force.

I'm not sure why the cycling community measure it in grams, as of course grams (kilograms SI) is a measurement of mass. Weight on the other hand, is a force due to mass sitting in a gravitational field. Measuring drag in grams, is, in my view (as an engineer) just wrong.

Why is drag measured in weight (grams) as opposed to er...erm, well whatever you measure drag with?

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Results have arrived, used bike buyers guide: trek domane model history.

The Trek Domane is an endurance road bike that can do it all — road race, commute, super-long rides, and even light gravel. Trek designed the bike frame's IsoSpeed Decoupler system to offer enough compliance for comfort, while maintaining pedaling efficiency. Here's your guide to the Domane line.

Written by: Micah Ling

Published on: Jun 8, 2021

Posted in: Guides

The Trek Domane is a classic example of an endurance road bike : It can do it all. You can hop in a road race with it, commute on it, take it for your long ride, and even venture onto gravel with it. Endurance road bikes are built to perform, but also to be comfortable.

What Trek Domane is right for you?

History of the Domane

The first-generation Trek Domane. 2016-2019 Domane -Addition of a front IsoSpeed decoupler to decouple the steerer tube from the head tube and further reduce vibrations -New slider introduced on Domane SLR models that allows riders to adjust the level of damping offered by the rear IsoSpeed -Disc version allows 32mm tire clearance 2020+ Domane -More aerodynamic frame -Even more tire clearance added, up to 38mm -Hidden Storage compartment in the down tube

The latest Domane design packs in aero, comfort, and storage features.

Different builds

Here are a few of our favorite Domane builds from Trek that we’ve seen at TPC.

Trek Domane 5.2 Compact Road Bike - 2013

Trek designed the Domane to absorb bumps but also sustain speed. Its IsoSpeed decoupler improves comfort without sacrificing power transfer. This system separates the seat tube from the top tube so that it can flex freely. The compliance helps the bike isolate the rider from bumps and vibration. At the front, Trek designed an IsoSpeed fork that used more rake and a reversed dropout. A carbon IsoZone handlebar featured closed-cell foam pads in the top and drops of the handlebar, to mute the jarring of cobbled roads.

Trek Domane 5.9 Road Bike - 2016

Trek Domane SLR 6 Disc Road Bike - 2017

To further improve vibration reduction, an IsoCore handlebar was added. It includes a layer of rubber inside the carbon fiber. Tire clearance gets bumped up from 25mm to 28mm on the rim brake version, and 32mm on the disc brake model. On high-end models like the SLR 8, there’s also an upgrade to electronic shifting and a removable panel in the down tube for the Shimano Di2 battery.

Domane SL5 - 2020

With the newest models of the Domane, the top tube IsoSpeed on high-end SLR models has been improved. It is tunable and offers a finer balance between stiffness and comfort. It uses a repositioned slider under the top tube and an additional elastomer integrated into the design to offer more damping (SL models retain the original non-adjustable IsoSpeed system). The tube shapes have all been tweaked, borrowing technology from Trek’s more race focused road bikes to improve aerodynamics. The new Domane offers more tire clearance and can fit up to 38mm tires. The Hidden Storage compartment in the down tube provides a discrete space on the bike to store spare tubes, tools, and snacks.

If you’re looking for a versatile bike, the smooth ride, predictable handling, and upright riding position make the Domane perfect for both a new cyclist looking to push their mileage, and a seasoned racer, interested in rougher roads. The IsoSpeed technology reduces muscle fatigue and joint stress by absorbing vibrations from varied terrain, making it ideal for someone who truly wants to explore. Generally, if you want disc brakes, look at 2015 models and newer. Trek offered the Domane with rim brakes from 2013 to 2019. From 2020 onward, the new generation Domane will only be available with disc brakes. If you want electronic shifting , look for 2017 and newer. And if you want clearance for tires as wide as 38mm, or aero features, look at the 2020 and 2021 models.

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Trek Domane 6 Series Road Bike

Domane 6 Series with IsoSpeed has it all: Blistering speed. Incredible race comfort and stability, even on the punishing pavé of Flanders and Roubaix. Don’t endure. Conquer.

• USER REVIEWS

Supple ride for a carbon frame Great geometry for people like me with short torsos and long legs Great tire clearance for running 28c tires Excels off road - the rear end soaks up bumps unbelievably well Stiff Rack mounts if you live in rainy climates

Not as 'snappy' feeling as other bikes (specifically comparing to a Madone 6/7 series) Not as light as some other frames out there

I've had a 6 series Trek Domane for about a year now and overall I'm pretty impressed. It's not mind-blowing, but it's great for what it is. I came off a titanium frame so the ride was not as good, but still great for a carbon road bike. I love the huge tire clearance and off-road abilities of the bike. It makes road biking more fun when you can explore some dirt roads/trails on your rides. Overall I'm pleased with the bike. I posted an in-depth review here with tons of pictures and frame weights: http://www.probikeswap.com/trek-domane-review/

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Trek Madone Cannondale Supersix Evo

Smooth and Fast with no BB flex !

Down tube water bottle cage moves from side to side.

I have ridding many bike's made with every material known to man. You see I have lived a little ! This is the best ride I have had ! Speed, Comfort and It's dam sexy !

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Jim Merithew

Review: Trek Domane 6 Series

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I can't escape the truth: I have reached a certain age.

I've traded in my Chuck Taylors for more comfortable kicks with more support, I've been fitted for progressive lenses, and I've even faced the inevitable fact I will be growing more hair out of my ears and nose than on the top of my noggin.

But I would have never believed I was ready to trade my stiff, fast and race-worthy road bike for an "endurance" bike. Trek swayed me, though, with the new Domane – a road frame outfitted with some pavement-smoothing technology that kept my poor old bones from getting too rattled on long days in the saddle.

Trek's approach to reducing the shocks of the cobbles? The Domane's IsoSpeed technology – it's a decoupler system which separates the seat tube from the top tube, so the bone-shaking bumps of the road aren't directly transferred to the rider's body.

At the point where the top tube reaches the seat tube, it splits, forming a "Y," and the tubes continue toward the back of the bike to form the seat stays. The seat tube nestles into the nook of that "Y." It's held in place by a cartridge-bearing pivot, so it's free to pivot fore and aft. Fitted in the joint of the "Y" is a small bumper made of rubber-like material (it's actually elastomer) that absorbs road shock.

I was a little skeptical at first. Would this bumper make the bike less fun by zapping all the snap out of the frame? It only took a couple of short rides to quell all doubt – the Domane is a blast.

The decoupler under the saddle, matched with the new IsoSpeed fork up front, takes just enough edge off rough roads and jarring debris to make the ride more pleasant, but not so much to make things uninteresting or too cozy.

In general, I prefer a stiffer bike I can toss around, something along the lines of the Madone, TCR Advance or Cervelo R5. But I found the Domane plenty stiff and lively enough to not want the ride to end. I made repeated trips up into the Oakland hills followed by ripping descents through the Berkeley hills, and at no point did I wish I was aboard a different steed. By the time I hit the four-hour mark of my ride – the point where I'd normally be feeling pretty stiff and beat-up – I was still semi-fresh and wanting more.

The Domane I tested was spec'd with Shimano's 7900 Dura Ace group and a set of Bontrager's Aeolus 5.0 carbon wheels. Although I am excited get my hands on the new Dura Ace group (which I haven't tested yet) and a set of new Reynolds carbon fiber hoops, the package on my loaner Domane left little to be desired. The shifting was crisp, the braking was spot-on and the wheels made spinning up to speed a joy.

Trek may have come a little late to the endurance bike category, but in my opinion, it's been worth the wait. This isn't the bike I'd choose for the local criterium series, or the one I'd pick if all my rides were under two hours and blistering fast. But the Domane smoothes out the most unnerving road vibrations while still being a blast to ride.

WIRED IsoSpeed tube coupler and shock-absorbing front fork mitigate the worst effects of rough roads. All-day comfort while remaining more Ferrari than La-Z-Boy. Tech is inconspicuous and doesn't look nerdy.

TIRED There's a gaggle of cables at the stem. The correct saddle pairing for this technology remains a mystery – the Bontrager saddle on my test bike left my butt wanting better.

Is The Trek 6000 Mountain Bike Worth Buying? [Trek 6000 Review]

Table of Contents

Manufacturers will gradually abandon mountain bikes that are affordable while still providing good value for money.

However, as a cycling enthusiast, you are always looking for a mountain bike that fits you and is suitable for daily use.

With this comprehensive review of the Trek 6000 mountain bike, welcome to the Best Bike Select blog.

What are the Trek 6000 mountain bike’s features, as well as its advantages and disadvantages? We have detailed instructions on how to purchase a it.

Are you in a hurry? Let’s get this party started.

Features of Trek 6000 mountain bike

Stylish appearance (4.0/5).

The Trek 6000, like most men’s mountain bikes, has a dark paint job. The mystery and premium feel of Mount Grey/Gloss Black are palpable.

Gray is one of the most versatile colors, and Mount Grey is one of the few attractive grays. The frame’s exterior design is similar to that of Trek mountain bikes.

The stylish appearance of men’s mountain bikes reflects the rider’s taste.

Alpha Gold Aluminium Frame (4.0/5)

Frame composition: Alpha Gold Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/ rack & fender mounts. Smooth welded joints and sturdy special frame construction.

Can accompany the rider for quite a long time. Comfortable headtube angle, perfect for casual riders.

30 speed (4.5/5)

That’s right, the Trek 6000’s 2012-style 3 X10 gear configuration combines to create 30 different speeds.

Despite the fact that 1X mountain bikes are currently popular. An exaggerated 30 different speeds, on the other hand, is a very rare presence in any brand of mountain bike.

It increases the adaptation and learning curve, but this does not deter riders who enjoy multi-speed mountain bikes. Of course, the Trek 6000 is still a 27-speed mountain bike in 2009.

A comfortable ride is impossible to achieve without a good speed mix. You have 30 speeds at your disposal; learn the hard way.

Shock front fork (4.0/5)

The 2009 model had a RockShox Dart 3 shock fork, but the latest 6000 has an SR Suntour XCR-RL shock fork with 100mm of travel.

This is the bare minimum for trail riding, and it’s difficult to match the Trek in terms of shock absorption when compared to the 70-90mm shock forks on cheap mountain bikes.

The shock fork has enough damping effect for riding on rocky roads, but it cannot be ridden intensely for long periods of time, making it unsuitable for intermediate riders.

When the road is flat, the spring knob can be used to suspend the work of the shock fork, allowing the rider to convert the power to maximum and increase the speed of the ride.

26×2.2″ tires (4.0/5)

The Trek 6000 rides on Bontrager 26×2.2″ tires, which are narrow mountain tires with more limitations for riding in difficult terrain. It can ride smoothly and without skidding on muddy trails.

On rough surfaces, it also effectively converts riding power into tire grip.

Hydraulic disc brakes (5/5)

The brakes on the new 6000 mountain bike have been improved. The 2009 Trek 6000 still used Avid BB 5 mechanical brakes, but the new model uses advanced and popular hydraulic disc brakes that require less maintenance or are maintenance-free.

A sharp descending downhill section requires very little force to stop. More drifting maneuvers are also possible. (Because of the danger, newcomers should practice on flat roads first, then move on to mountain roads.)

Adjustable handlebar and seat height (5/5)

When riders select a suitable mountain bike, one of the more debatable points is how well the frame size and height match.

There are a lot of mountain bikes on the market that don’t have much adjustability. The Trek 6000 mountain bike has a handlebar height adjustment with a 15mm rise.

In addition, there is a 9 degree rear sweep. Adjusting the seat height necessitates the use of a tool.

Quick release front and rear wheels

Both the front and rear wheels have quick-release mechanisms for simple maintenance and adjustment at any time.

The installation will also be quite simple; if you want to update some accessories manually, you will only need basic tools to complete them.

Learn more: Is The Trek 6500 A Good Mountain Bike? [Review]

Advantages and disadvantages

• Stylish aluminum frame
• 100mm travel shock fork
• Off-road friendly tires
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Adjustable handlebar and seat height
• Affordable price

Disadvantages

• Can’t order online

Trek 6000 mountain bike Full Specifications（2012）

• What frame sizes are available for the Trek 6000?

15.5″, 17.5″,18.5″,19.5″,21.5″.

• How much does the Trek 6000 body weigh?

Approximately 26.6 lbs.

• What body colors are available for the Trek 6000?

Trek 6000 mountain bike red is the 2009 model. The latest Trek 6000 bicycle is Paramount Grey/Gloss Black.

• Trek 6000 mountain bike price?

There are still some 2012 Trek 6000 mountain bikes available for purchase offline. The price is expected to be around $800. Depending on whether some of the features have been upgraded.

If you own a used Trek 6000 it will be valued based on the condition of the bike. 2009 Trek 6000 bicycle trade-in price is estimated to be $80.

• Is the Trek 6000 mountain bike worth buying?

The configuration, the 30-speed number, and the hydraulic disc brakes are appealing to beginners.

The integration of these components into a high-quality cross-country mountain bike. It is well worth the money if you are looking to purchase your first mountain bike.

With a comfortable ride, an off-road configuration, and the ability to use it as a commuter bike, this is not a particularly good choice for an intermediate rider.

After all, you want better technical advancements, and woodland adventures necessitate better gear. So whether it’s worthwhile to buy depends on whether you’re a casual rider.

Bicycle Comparison

Trek 820 mountain bike vs trek 6000.

Trek 820 has two types of frames, if you are a female rider, you can consider Trek 820 WSD, a frame suitable for female riding, and the Sky Blue paint is very bright.

There aren’t many differences between the Trek 820 and Trek 6000 in terms of configuration. The Trek 820 is a low-cost mountain bike that can meet the needs of commuting and low-difficulty mountain riding at a low cost.

However, if you enjoy mountain riding, the Trek 6000 is ideal. 30 speeds almost completely outperform the 21-speed configuration, and while 10 and 11 speeds are popular now, I still prefer the 30-speed Trek 6000.

Excellent maneuverability is provided by hydraulic disc brakes. There are also wider tires, which add to the difficulty of mountain riding. The 6000 is an excellent choice for improved mountain riding.

The Trek 820 is currently the hot newbie mountain bike. We have also done a full review of it, if you want to know more you can click more.

Learn more: Is The Trek 820 Mountain Bike Really Suitable For Newbies?

Trek Marlin 5 mountain bike vs Trek 6000

The Trek Marlin 5 is very similar to the Trek 6000, and it is not very expensive.

More details, such as the internal alignment, which is cleaner than the Trek 6000 and protects the cables from damage, have been optimized. The same hydraulic disc brakes, no discernible difference in braking effect.

The Trek Marlin 5’s style is enhanced by the gorgeous paint color.

Young people may dislike the dull black, and the bright colors make for a more visually appealing commuter ride.

However, the speed is limited to a 2X8 configuration, which is slightly slower than the Trek 6000. The Trek Marlin 5 is an excellent choice for anyone new to trail riding or looking for a comfortable, stable commuter with the ruggedness of a true mountain bike.

The Trek Marlin 5 is also an excellent replacement for the Trek 6000.

Schwinn High Timber VS Trek 6000

The Schwinn High Timber is one of the best options for those on a tight budget who want to get their hands on one right away, and it also comes with a good warranty.

The Schwinn High Timber is reasonably priced, but it lacks the features of the Trek 6000. 27.5-inch medium size tires are also an inexpensive tire size to replace.

The Schwinn High Timber has mechanical disc brakes front and rear, without the ease of braking with hydraulic brakes, but compared to The Schwinn High Timber is more for the casual rider, and at an affordable price, many entry-level riders like them.

For those who want to know more, we have also done a detailed review specifically for the Schwinn High Timber .

Final rating (4.5/5)

The Trek 6000 is a high-quality mountain bike from Trek that is perfect for entry-level mountain riders. If you are a new mountain rider, you are not familiar with it, but you can get a good impression of the Trek 6000 with this review. Most of the mid-range accessories combined into the Trek 6000 can be ridden in more mountainous areas. Woodlands, trails, and gravel roads all perform well. All in all the Trek 6000 is a good mountain bike and worth buying.

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Screen Rant

This cobra kai character needs to win season 6’s final tournament more than anyone else.

Cobra Kai has plenty of tournament contenders ahead of season 6, but when it comes to which one will win, one character stands out above the rest.

• Miguel stands out as the top contender for victory in the Sekai Taikai tournament in Cobra Kai season 6.
• The absence of major victories for Miguel since season 3 raises the stakes for his potential triumph.
• Miguel winning the Sekai Taikai would bring the Cobra Kai series full circle, validating his journey and Johnny's teachings.

Of all the characters vying for the title of the Sekai Taikai champion, none needs it more than Miguel in Cobra Kai season 6. As season 5's setup for the final chapter strongly implies, the Sekai Taikai is shaping up to be the endgame for Netlix's Karate Kid sequel series. Described as an international karate tournament, the Sekai Taikai looks to be a competition where each of the teenage characters will get an opportunity to prove how much they've learned from their respective senseis.

As it stands, multiple characters are considered tournament contenders after Cobra Kai season 5's ending . The obvious choices for this role are Miguel, Sam, Robby, and Eli, who are all likely participants since Johnny and Daniel's dojo did secure a spot in the event. Other names worth mentioning are Tory and Kenny. Kenny seemingly left Cobra Kai, but could wind up back in the picture in time for the tournament. The same is likely to be the case for Cobra Kai's Tory now that she's on good terms with Johnny and Daniel's students. This gives Cobra Kai plenty of options for the Sekai Taikai's winner , but one name stands out above all the rest.

Miguel Desperately Needs A Major Win In Cobra Kai Season 6

An argument can be made for several different characters when it comes to who should win the Sekai Taikai, but the one with what may very well be the strongest case is Miguel. After all, Miguel has been training longer than any other student in the series. Sam has technically had the longest association with karate, but she seemingly stopped practicing for years and only became seriously interested in season 2. M iguel, on the other hand, is the reason the show's story took off in the first place ; convincing Johnny to teach him karate was what led to Cobra Kai reopening and the revival of Johnny and Daniel's rivalry .

In addition to being the character who has poured the most time into his training, Miguel is also someone with a deep-rooted passion for karate . How much he wanted to win was on full display when he made a heartfelt speech about how karate changed his life in order to ensure that the All Valley Karate Tournament wasn't canceled. Sadly, issues with Johnny and Sam piled up and clouded his thoughts, resulting in an unceremonious ending to his tournament hopes in season 4. The following season saw Miguel regain his interest in karate and continue to support his friends and mentors, showing that he's still the hero of the series.

Miguel Hasn’t Had A Major Victory In Cobra Kai Since Season 3

In spite of his importance to the series and his victory in the show's first tournament, Cobra Kai hasn't been very generous to Miguel when it comes to big wins, especially in recent seasons. Cobra Kai season 5 confirmed Miguel is the superior fighter to Robby , but saw Miguel refrain from finishing the fight. Plus, the fight was really just about Miguel and Robby's personal rivalry ; it wasn't an official match or a fight that had any real stakes in terms of the dojo war narrative. In fact, the last time Miguel had a one-on-one fight that fit with that criteria was in season 4, and that ended in disaster.

Injuring his back against Eli in the semifinals and choosing not to return to the mat culminated in Miguel - season 1's winner - being a non-factor in the finale. Instead, all the action went to Eli, Robby, Tory, and Sam. Cobra Kai could have rectified Miguel's absence from this conflict by allowing him to be the one to represent the combined dojos in the exhibition match against Cobra Kai in season 5, but rather than take the route, the series elected to give this responsibility to Eli. For that reason, Miguel's last major victory has to be traced all the way back to the season 3 finale when he defeated Kyler , a secondary villain who is now routinely beaten in the series.

Miguel Winning The Sekai Taikai Would Bring Cobra Kai Full Circle

A victory in the Sekai Taikai for Miguel would be the most fitting ending the series could provide , and not just because of what it would mean for the character. In season 1, Johnny worked hard to ensure that his students - specifically Miguel - won the All Valley Karate Tournament. He ultimately did achieve that goal, but it was marred by Miguel's dirty tactics in the final round. Since then, Johnny tried to change course and get his students to win the right way. Unfortunately, Johnny hasn't been able to see that wish come to fruition, as his dojo was stuck on the sidelines during the final round of the season 4's tournament.

With all that in mind, Miguel winning the Sekai Taikai would be a validation of both his own journey and Johnny's . Such an outcome would bring Cobra Kai's story full circle in a way that wouldn't feel like a repeat of season 1. Miguel won using the old principles of Cobra Kai that Johnny wanted to leave behind, while Cobra Kai season 6's Miguel can win on his own merits and fully earn his victory. Doing so would effectively pay off six seasons of stories for Johnny and Miguel.

*Availability in US

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Was Star Trek: Lower Decks cancelled because it's an adult-themed cartoon?

S tar Trek have ventured into animation three times in the past fifty-one years with Star Trek: The Animated Series debuting in 1973, Star Trek: Lower Decks debuting in 2020, and Star Trek: Prodigy making its first appearance in 2021. The Animated Series was cancelled after two seasons with Prodigy being cancelled after one before Netflix picked it up. The recent cancellation of Lower Decks after season five, though, has caused some speculation about the reasons behind it and if it had anything to do with the style of the series.

TV Fanatic speculates that Lower Decks may be ending because of its adult-themed humor and slapstick comedy with the writer, Jason Collins, adding that the cancellation "may follow the trend of networks and streaming services canceling adult-themed cartoons for various reasons. "

It's true that Lower Decks offered humor that the other Trek series didn't, but the newer series have started using language that the older shows didn't as well. That's just a sign of the times, so to speak. Way back when, strong language couldn't be used on network television, but streaming opens up more possibilities. It's not usual to hear four letter words and jokes that you might not say in a crowded room.

But Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan and executive producer Alex Kurtzman both called five seasons a miracle in the current landscape of shows. Star Trek: Discovery was cancelled after five seasons as well, and so it stands to reason that the ending of Lower Decks is more due to current Star Trek practices.

Yes, there are fans who don't like Lower Decks' brand of humor or its focus on comedy rather than drama . There are also fans that do not like to hear some of Star Trek's greats like Patrick Stewart dropping the F-bomb. But unwanted curse words and questionable jokes haven't dissuaded all the viewers. If that was the case, many current shows on streaming networks wouldn't last more than a season.

While it's true that things are different with the Star Trek franchise, there are plenty of Trek fans that enjoy the Rick and Morty type of cartoons and embraced Lower Decks for what it was. Was it for everyone? Of course not, but neither was Star Trek: Picard or Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Lower Decks simply filled a niche that had not yet been filled by another Trek series. And many fans are sad to see it go.

This article was originally published on redshirtsalwaysdie.com as Was Star Trek: Lower Decks cancelled because it's an adult-themed cartoon? .

Every Episode of Star Trek: Picard Season 2, Ranked

Star Trek: Picard Season 2 was a varied and emotionally heavy season, and here's how critics and fans ranked each episode in the time-travel saga.

This article contains a brief mention of suicide.

The return of Jean-Luc Picard to the Star Trek universe was always meant to be a three-season affair. The second season was filmed during the height of the pandemic, and went through many iterations under the direction of three executive producers. In more ways than one, it was a tonal shift from the seasons on either side of it. How critics and fans ranked every episode of Star Trek: Picard Season 2 shows how challenging and contentious the middle chapter of this saga was. The story explored time travel, introduced an alternate timeline, and was bookended by a massively important moment in Starfleet's present.

Picard Season 2 was an emotionally heavy season with a clear political point of view and a sense of fun that comes with setting sci-fi characters in the contemporaneous present. In both the special features of The Complete Star Trek: Picard home release and the making-of book Star Trek: Picard: The Art and Making of the Series , the challenges in making this season are laid bare. With Rotten Tomatoes representing the critics and IMDB's user ratings representing the audience, each episode of Star Trek: Picard Season 2 is ranked based on the story it told and the impact it had on both the characters and audience.

10 The Picard Season 2 Premiere Was Full of Promise

Star trek: picard season 2, episode 1 "the star gazer", star trek theory: picard retconned the divisive enterprise series finale.

Of all Star Trek: Picard 's ten sophomore episodes, "The Star Gazer" ranks the highest among its peers in Season 2 . It's a fantastic beginning to the story, which both ties up loose ends from Season 1 and sets the characters on a new adventure. Most importantly, however, it brings Starfleet back into the fold in a big way. Picard delivers a Starfleet Academy commencement address, and he is then summoned to the USS Stargazer to answer a plea for help.

The episode sends off Soji, an ambassador for her synthetic siblings on the galactic stage. Dr. Agnes Jurati is with her, but quickly beams aboard the Stargazer, commanded by (her ex) Captain Cristobal Rios. Raffi, Elnor and Laris return, the first two also in Starfleet and the latter still with Jean-Luc but yearning for something more. It ends with the return of Q who, at the last moment, whisks Picard away from certain death.

9 Picard Season 2 Almost Took Place in an Alternate Timeline

Star trek: picard season 2, episode 2, "penance".

The first two episodes of Star Trek: Picard Season 2 debuted the same day, so it makes sense they are ranked close together. The strange new world this episode introduces may be why some viewers became disillusioned with the rest of the season's 21st Century setting. Executive Producer Terry Matalas said on Inglorious Treksperts that this episode mostly came from the Season 1 showrunner Michael Chabon before he left to adapt one of his novels for Paramount.

The characters were meant to spend more time in this alternate timeline , which reveres Adam Soong, one of many Brent Spiner lookalikes related to the creation of Data. The Earth is ravaged by climate change and seems very similar to the xenophobic Mirror Universe. Picard, Raffi, Seven of Nine, Elnor, Jurati and Rios have to bust a Borg Queen out of prison so that they can time travel and fix the past. Still, it might have been fun to spend more time in this evil, alternate future.

8 Season 2 Teamed Picard Up With a Character Tying TOS to TNG

Star trek: picard season 2, episode 5, "fly me to the moon".

Actor Orla Brady played Laris, who is absent from the season save for the first and final episodes. However, she returned to the cast as Talinn, the Romulan successor to Gary Seven from The Original Series . The character known as a "Watcher" was introduced as a potential spinoff from Gene Roddenberry for NBC. While it didn't take off, it did create an interesting bit of Star Trek lore. While Gary Seven was a human with access to advanced alien technology, Talinn is a Romulan tasked with protecting the timeline on Earth.

Laris is primarily responsible for the safety of Renée Picard, ancestor of Jean-Luc and the woman who discovers "a sentient microbe" on Europa that helps fix climate change. It's also the episode where the other political storyline (Rios and the present-day "Butterflies" being persecuted by ICE for helping undocumented migrants) are broken out of custody in a fun action sequence. It's also the episode where Agnes is injected with Borg nanoprobes by the queen, setting up the next episode in the Star Trek: Picard Season 2 ranked list.

7 A Gala, a Sassy Borg Queen and a Musical Number Shook Up Picard Season 2

Star trek: picard season 2, episode 6, "two of one", 'keep being noisy': picard star provides star trek: legacy update.

This version of the Borg Queen was played by Annie Wersching , who passed away in January 2023 from cancer. Great throughout the series, this episode features the Borg Queen and Jurati sharing a mind. As the Borg Queen tries to take over her body (reliant on emotional responses for control), the two make a great inside woman as they help Team Picard sneak into a gala. Allison Pill also does a rendition of the great Pat Benatar song, "Shadows of the Night."

"Two of One" doesn't just refer to the Borg-ified Jurati, either. This episode features Jean-Luc have a touching heart-to-heart conversation with his ancestor Renée. They are also two of a kind. Picard also faces off with Adam Soong, though he runs the Admiral down with his car. Because of his synthetic body, Rios, Raffi and his friends take him to Dr. Teresa Ramirez, leader of the Butterflies and physician who doesn't ask a lot of questions.

6 Picard Season 2 Does 'Star Trek: The Voyage Home'

Star trek: picard season 2 episode 3, "assimilation".

The third episode of Picard Season 2 is ranked high because it continued the breakneck pace established by the first two episodes. Team Picard time travels to the past with the help of the Borg queen, presenting the third new locale for the series: the 21st Century . However, this is where the bulk of the season takes place, much like Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was mostly set in the then-contemporaneous present.

A lot happened in this episode. Seven of Nine and Raffi try to blend in to the 21st Century and scan for a person using technology too advanced for the time. Rios is meant to help, but he's injured and ends up in a clinic with Dr. Teresa Ramirez and her son Ricardo, who are eventually arrested by ICE. Agnes and Picard try to outwit the Borg Queen. However, the most important moment in the episode was the death of Elnor. Fatally wounded by Seven of Nine's alternate timeline husband, his death devastates Raffi.

5 Guinan Brought the Return of an Old Friend With a New Face

Star trek: picard season 2 episode 4, "watcher".

Whoopi Goldberg's affable bartender Guinan returned in the Picard Season 2 premiere , but the character returned in a big way played by Ito Aghayere. The first episode established that Guinan, an ageless El Aurian, can alter her appearance to older or younger as she sees fit. Picard has to convince her to help him save humanity, even though she doesn't think Earthlings are worth the effort.

This is the episode which focuses most heavily on the immigration story in Season 2, with Rios in ICE custody trying to explain why he has no identification. As Seven of Nine and Raffi try to find him, they discover how migrants can fall through the cracks of the system. This plays out while juxtaposed with Guinan's condemnation of humanity. However, Picard is able to make a plea based on what he knows of where humanity can go in the future, in a very Roddenberry-esque Star Trek moment.

4 Picard and Guinan Find Mercy and Vulcans from Agent Wells

Star trek: picard season 2 episode 8, "mercy", star trek's wil wheaton wants a crusher brothers spinoff series.

Introduced at the end of the previous episode, Jay Karnes makes his return to Star Trek . Having previously played a time agent in Star Trek: Voyager , in Picard Season 2, he plays FBI Agent Wells, who is a firm believer in alien activity and arrests both Guinan and Picard based on video footage he has of the latter transporting onto the street. He questions them both, threatening the mission and the timeline. It's revealed that he had a pre- First Contact Vulcan encounter as a child . He ultimately lets Picard and Guinan go, seemingly fired for bringing them in at all.

Meanwhile, the Borg Queen has control of Agnes, and Seven of Nine and Raffi have to try to find and capture her. They find her consuming metals from car batteries, which is toxic to Agnes, but is what the Borg Queen needs to assimilate more people. She doesn't kill Seven or Raffi, proving Agnes still has some measure of control. Borg Jurati then goes to Adam Soong, convincing him to help her steal La Sirena and strand Team Picard in the 21st Century.

3 Season 2 Brought Picard Face-to-Face With His Greatest Fear and Regret

Star trek: picard season 2 episode 7, "monsters".

This episode is ranked one of the lowest by Picard viewers, and it's understandable. Not a lot happens in the episode, despite the introduction of James Callis as a hallucination of a therapist and Picard's father . This episode dives deeply into the memories of guilt and the mystery of what happened to Jean-Luc's mother. It's emotionally heavy and does somewhat lag on the breathless urgency of trying to find Agnes and stop Adam Soong.

Still, this is an emotionally powerful episode that recontextualizes what viewers have been seeing about Picard's past. His father is revealed to not be the abusive villain fans thought. Picard's mother is not a victimized woman trying to be free, but rather someone suffering from mental illness or injury. It's a traumatic, frightening event and (with help of Watcher Talinn and some sci-fi telepathic technology), Picard works through it.

2 The New Borg Were the Best Thing Picard Season 2 Brought to Star Trek

Star trek: picard season 2 episode 10, "farewell".

While the finale of Picard Season 2, "Farewell" is mostly about denouement, outside of the last mission to ensure that Adam Soong doesn't kill Renée Picard. Talinn sacrifices herself. Rios decides to stay behind in the 21st Century. Wesley Crusher returns as a Watcher , and Q and Picard have a final heart-to-heart chat, just before he sends them all back to the proper future. He's even able to resurrect Elnor since he had a little power left over because Rios stayed behind.

The best part of the finale was the reveal that Agnes Jurati was the Borg Queen from the first episode of Picard Season 2. With the alternate timeline Borg Queen, she created a new kind of collective. People choose to join the Borg, and even retain some measure of individuality . These new Borg agree to stand guard against a rupture in spacetime through which an unknown threat has yet to emerge. They become provisional members of the Federation, continuing the Star Trek tradition of old enemies, eventually becoming allies.

1 Star Trek's Most Emotionally Heavy Episode Is About Picard's Guilt

Star trek: picard season 2 episode, "hide and seek".

The penultimate episode of Star Trek: Picard Season 2 is a massive episode, both for its action and its emotional weight. There is a big battle at Chateau Picard where the new Jurati Borg assimilate mercenaries hired by Adam Soong. They try to kill Picard and his friends, but Agnes eventually convinces the Queen to try a different way than she had in the past, since in every timeline assimilation and violence leads to the Borg's destruction.

Most importantly, this episode reveals how Picard's mother died and why Jean-Luc felt so much guilt for it. His father locked her in a room to stop her from hurting herself. Jean-Luc unlocked the door and went to lie with his mother and comfort her. After he fell asleep, she took her own life. As much as Picard Season 2 was about fixing the past, outsmarting the Borg and other Star Trek things, Picard's revelation was the true mission . He had to forgive himself by letting go of the guilt that kept him at arm's length from people and preparing him to be a father.

The complete Star Trek: Picard is available to own on Blu-ray, DVD, digital and streams on Paramount+ .

Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard Season 2 pits the iconic Admiral against his greatest nemesis Q for a time-travel adventure that exposes Jean-Luc's deepest secret.

Every 'Game of Thrones' Spinoff Series in Development or Cancelled

Although 'Game of Thrones' is over, the future looks bright for Westeros.

The Big Picture

• HBO's House of the Dragon has been a success, with plans for a second season airing in 2024.
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge King is another spinoff in the works based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg.
• George R. R. Martin announced that HBO is exploring other potential spinoffs with animation, including an animated series set in the Yi Ti dynasty.

It’s currently an era where media empires live and die based on the properties at their disposal. Disney is entirely devoted to curating their Marvel and Star Wars franchises, Amazon is dominated by fantasy content like Lord of the Rings and The Wheel of Time , Paramount is shaping its new streaming service around the Star Trek franchise, and Netflix has based their success around properties like Stranger Things and The Witcher . There is no bigger weapon in HBO’s arsenal than Game of Thrones . Although George R.R. Martin has yet to conclude the novel series , the Game of Thrones universe continues to expand with additional spinoff shows .

Game of Thrones was a sensation when it aired. Although fans have been vocal about their distaste for the final entry in the saga, the first seven seasons of the series offered some of the best dramatic storytelling of the Golden Age of television. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series offered the perfect mix of high fantasy, political intrigue, shocking plot twists, and great characters. The series earned four Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series and cultivated a loyal fanbase. Tts first spinoff, House of the Dragon , has already created a similar path of success, earning critical acclaim and a massive ratings boost for HBO with its first season with a second season coming this summer. Although Game of Thrones is now over, the future looks bright for Westeros . Here is every spinoff series that has been in development.

House of the Dragon

The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO series  Game of Thrones. Based on George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood , House of the Dragon  is set nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones , telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.

Martin collaborated with showrunner Ryan Condal to create the story of the war of succession that plagued House Targaryen . Set around two centuries prior to Game of Thrones , House of the Dragon picks up during the rule of King Viserys I ( Paddy Considine ). When Viserys is unable to bear a male child, he decides to name his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra ( Emma D’Arcy / Milly Alcock ) as the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. This sparks conflict with the King’s vengeful brother, Daemon ( Matt Smith ).

The first season of House of the Dragon consisted of 10 episodes, and the strong viewer response to not only the pilot episode “ The Heirs of the Dragon ,” but every episode following, suggested that fans were happy to return to Westeros in spite of how Game of Thrones ended — as well as ensured House of the Dragon 's status as must-watch Sunday night television. The pilot was so popular that it caused HBO Max’s service to crash . A second season is set to air June 16, 2024 , with plans for subsequent seasons being developed .

Aegon’s Conquest

While the legend of Aegon the Conqueror has been teased throughout House of the Dragon , the story of the most influential member of House Targaryen has yet to be seen on screen. In one of the most important moments in the history of A Song Of Ice and Fire , Aegon I launched a series of strategic weddings, devastating dragon attacks, and ruthless alliances in a massive campaign of Westeros. He succeeded in conquering six of the seven kingdoms, as he was unable to reach Dorne.

“Aegon’s Conquest” will be the subject of another spinoff series from writer Matt Tomlin , who received acclaim for his strong work on the DC superhero film The Batman and is co-writing The Batman Part II . While there is no word on potential casting updates or a release window, the details of “Aegon’s Conquest” can be found in Martin’s novel Fire and Blood .

Cancelled — Untitled Jon Snow Sequel Series

One of the chief criticisms of Game of Thrones Season 8 was the unsatisfying fate of Jon Snow ( Kit Harington ). Even though he is really a Targaryen and the rightful ruler of the Iron Throne, Jon ends the series by going back to the North and leaving Bran Stark ( Isaac Hempstead Wright ) to rule . While a new series that continues after the ending of Game of Thrones was proposed to give the character a more satisfying sendoff, Harington confirmed recently that the Jon Snow spinoff series has been cancelled .

Harington was set to reprise his role in an untitled spinoff, which Martin revealed that the actor had pitched himself. While he did not entirely rule out the possibility of some sort of Jon Snow story existing one day, Harington stated that the Jon Snow spinoff is "off the table because we all couldn't find the right story to tell that we were all excited about enough." However, Harington's future at HBO may be bright, as he is set to appear in the highly anticipated third season of Industry in late 2024.

The Sea Snake

One of the standout characters in House of the Dragon was the most enigmatic member of the King’s Council, Lord Corlys Velaryon ( Steve Toussaint ). Also known as “The Sea Snake,” Corlys earned his reputation through his infamous adventures as a naval warrior. HBO appears to be working on a prequel series to House of the Dragon that will focus on The Sea Snake’s earlier, globetrotting days.

The pilot script for The Sea Snake comes from The Mentalist creator Bruno Heller . Prior to pitching The Sea Snake , Heller also approached HBO about a prequel series focused on Robert's Rebellion, the period when Robert Baratheon ( Mark Addy ) and Ned Stark’s ( Sean Bean ) fought against “The Mad King” that immediately predates Game of Thrones . While there's been no word on the Robert's Rebellion project, Martin did reveal that The Sea Snake (also titled Nine Voyages ) would now be an animated series.

Animation Is the Future of 'Game of Thrones' — And That's a Good Thing

Cancelled- 10,000 ships.

Another prequel series that was in the works followed adventures in the Westerosi waters. Set 1,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones , the 10,000 Ships series would have focused on a key figure within Westerosi legend: the founder of Dorne, Princess Nymeria . The princess is a legendary figure whose name has been mentioned multiple times, most notably Arya Stark's ( Maisie Williams ) direwolf is named after the princess. Person of Interest writer Amanda Segel was attached to the project in a creative capacity.

While L.A. Confidential and 42 screenwriter Brian Helgeland worked on mapping out the narrative, he confirmed that 10,000 Ships was cancelled because the "show was too far removed from the pillars of the original." However, Helgeland did not rule out the possibility of it being picked up in the future and stated that he wanted to work close with Martin should interest in the project ever be renewed. His ambitious idea centered around a group of nomadic people on a "big floating city," and would have focused on Nymeria and her people as they "travel around a fictionalized version of the Mediterranean, looking for a new home to settle in," turning Nymeria to a Moses-esque figure.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge King

The Tales of Dunk and Egg book series consists of three novellas written by Martin that are set 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones . Set between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones , A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge King follows Ser Duncan the Tall (also known as “Dunk”) and a young Aegon V Targaryen (aka “Egg”) during their early adventures. So far, the book series includes 1998's The Hedge Knight , 2003’s The Sworn Sword , and 2010’s The Mystery Night , but Martin has indicated that he’s interested in continuing the series. The books are being adapted to a series that is currently in development with writer Steve Conrad tapped as executive producer and writer for the series. The show also recently cast Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell for the titular roles.

The Golden Empire Animated Series

HBO is reportedly looking to expand its Game of Thrones universe into animation. Martin announced on his blog that several animated sereis were in development , citing the popularity of animated programming like Blue Eye Samuari as the primary reason to move Westeros into animation. Although he revealed two previous pitches had been shelved (not specifying which ones), Martin was optimistic, claiming that the creative team is " getting close to taking the next step with a couple of them ." On top of The Sea Snake, Martin had previously confirmed that one of the shows will be focused on the Yi Ti dynasty of Essos. The Golden Empire would focus on the area of the Game of Thrones map that serves as a loose parallel to Imperial China. Martin has only said that a “young writer” is working on the show, but that the early artwork is “stunning.”

Cancelled — Untitled Flea Bottom Series

The slums of King’s Landing aren’t just a hive of scum and villainy, it is in these impoverished communities where characters like Ser Davos Seaworth ( Liam Cunningham ) were raised. Unfortunately, the further adventures of the Flea Bottom residents aren’t going to be the subject of any spinoff series. A live-action show focused on Flea Bottom and its heroes was in the works, but is no longer moving forward.

Cancelled — Bloodmoon

Veteran Marvel screenwriter Jane Goldman was handed the prequel series Bloodmoon , set during the Age of Heroes era 8,000 years before Game of Thrones . A pilot starring Naomi Watts, Jamie Campbell Bower , and Naomi Ackie was shot, but HBO opted not to green-light the series. HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys later said that while the pilot wasn’t a disaster, “it required a lot more invention.”

Watch Season 1 of House of the Dragon on Max in the U.S.

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