Roscoe 8 MTB By Trek Bikes – Australian Review

The Roscoe 8 Trek bike is for anyone who's looking for a reliable bike that can handle rough terrain while not sacrificing comfort or control. This trail hardtail has 27.5+ mid-fat tires, a 120mm suspension fork, and a wide-range 1×12 drivetrain, all designed to give you a high-quality bike model you can count on.

In our Trek Roscoe 8 review we're going to go over the the build quality of the bike, as well as some of the features you can expect with this model. We'll also provide a break down of the pros and cons of this bike, along with a section in the review talking about who will get the most from this bike.

 

roscoe 8 mtb australia

Build Quality

You're getting a lot or value for the price point when it comes to this bike. From the Alpha Gold Aluminum frame of the Trek Roscoe 8 to the different frame sizes and tire specs, each component of the bike is designed to give you what you need when it comes to performance. Riding bikes, road or rougher terrain paths, can be dangerous if you don't have a model you can rely on. That's why the build quality is so important and why mountain biking requires bikes with a high safety rating.

In this first part of the review, we're going to look at the build quality of the Trek Roscoe 8 so you know what sort of materials went into the bike and what you can expect at this price range. We'll cover the frame, the size options, and the tubeless ready tires that come with the bike.

Trek Roscoe 8 Frame

The Trek Roscoe 8 is built with an aluminum frame that helps the bike perform well on rough trials and terrain. While the frame is heavier than the fully-carbon frames sometimes found on mountain bikes, the Alpha Gold Aluminium frame is widely considered to be one of the most streamlined frame designs you can find.

The tapered head tube gives you exact handling from the frontier and has 141 rear hub spacing. This spacing gives you shorter chainstays for better navigation handling at the back end of the bike. The frame also has internal derailleur & dropper post routing, rack & kickstand mount, Boost141, and 5mm QR.

 

frame of the roscoe 8

Trek Roscoe 8 Geometry

The weight of the frame is 14.5kg, with some slight weight differences being present depending on the Roscoe 8 bike size you purchase. The different sizes are 13.5, 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 21.5, and 23 inches. The frame also offers extra space for long-travel dropper posts. As with the weight of the frame, the dropper size differs depending to the bike size you get.

From extra small to plus size, the bike geometry and configurations ensure that you get the best model bike for your riding needs. Of course, the components on the bike may different depending on the size bike you get. For example. a plus size Trek Roscoe 8 will have 14 g stainless steel black spokes, while other sizes would have silver spokes.

Trek Roscoe 8 Wheels

The size tires on the Roscoe 8 are 27.5×3.0 inch Maxxi Rekon tubeless tires. These Schwalbe Rocket Ron Performance tires give you a lower pressure for a better surface contact rating and improved overall performance and comfort. The 130 mm dropper post also helps you climb those steep inclines with more ease than other bike models can deliver.

The tires also have 60 tpi and have a Bontrager TLR rm strip. The front hub is made from Bontrager alloy with a sealed bearing and alloy axle. It has a 6-bolt design with Boost110 and a 15 mm thru axle. The rear hub is a Formular DCL-141Q sealed bearing with a 6-bolt design and Shimano 10 freehub. It also has Boost141 and a 5 mm QR. The rim is a Bontrager Line 40 and is tubeless ready. It has a 28-hole, 40 mm width with a presta valve.

Features

Some of the features included with the Roscoe 8 Trek bike include a unique suspension system, especially when compare to mountain bikes, as well as the drivetrain and other components. We'll review each of these aspects of the Trek bike so you have an idea of what's included with the Trek Roscoe 8, as well as so you know what you can expect from the bike when you travel along terrain that changes from smooth roads to rough paths.

Trek Roscoe 8 Suspension

Because the Trek Roscoe 8 is a hardtail bike it has no rear suspension, instead relying on the front suspension system. This type of bike is more than just a trail bike as it's designed to handle tough terrain with a stronger overall build. The bottom line when it comes to these bikes, Trek Roscoe included, is that they will deliver excellent riding performance that's fun for experienced and beginner riders alike.

The lack of a rear suspension means the Trek Roscoe 8 is lighter than other types of bikes that are designed for riding off roads and smooth paths. This includes a mountain bike that may be able to handle rougher terrain but provides a different experience compared to a hardtail bike. This lighter weight also helps the bike pick up speed faster than other bikes, even though the frame itself weighs more than a carbon alternative.

 

roscoe 8 front suspension

Trek Roscoe 8 Drivetrain

The Trek Roscoe 8 has a SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed drivetrain with a Bontrager Arvada saddle that has a width of 133 mm. The Trek Roscoe 8 also has Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes which help with both control and stopping power. This extra grip is essential for controlling your wheels while riding on mountain bike trails or down steep inclines.

The specs include the SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed shifter and rear derailleur, the Truvativ Descendant 6k Eagle crank with GXP and 30T alloy ring, the Truvativ Powerspline bottom bracket, and the SRAM PG-1230 Eagle cassette. The max chainring size is 32T, with the pedal being VP-536 nylon platform.

Trek Roscoe 8 Components

Trek Roscoe 8 includes a 138 m width saddle, Bontrager Arvada design with steel rails. The handlebar and grips are from the Bontrager line, with the handlebar being 31.8 mm Bontrager alloy with a 15 mm rise. Depending on the size, the width is either 720 mm or 750 mm. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Comp with a nylon lock-on.

RockShox Judy Silver fork is an upgraded component of the Trek Roscoe 8 bike. This Judy fork provides better spacing and includes a tapered steerer. The working style of this RockShox fork, which is also on the Trek Marlin 7 MTB, gives you an effective working style for an affordable price, especially when compared to other fork options at this price point.

The seat tube angle differs depending on the bike size. For example, one effective angle is 71.1 degrees for XS size bikes, while another one is 70.9 degrees for XL. As with all bikes, you'll need to figure out what size you need to know the best angle to use for your seat.

Pros

  • Durable bike for hitting mountain trails
  • Reliable and responsive build that performs in tougher riding environments
  • Brakes respond quickly and provide above average control
  • Affordable option when compared to other bikes in this field
  • Provides a comfortable ride for long distances

Cons

  • The aluminum frame may be a drawback for some people
  • The drivetrain needs to be fine-tuned to deliver better performance
  • Not as fast in urban situations as other bikes

Target Consumer

If you're used to riding mountain bikes, or have an older mountain bike that needs to be replaced, the Roscoe 8 is one of the bikes you should consider. As we've gone over in this review, the Roscoe 8 provides a lot of high-quality features for the price. The geometry is perfect for riders of all sizes while the tires deliver a unmatched grip while riding on mountain bike paths or wet roads.

The Roscoe 8 is also suited for someone who likes to have fun on the road or on mountain paths. With the responsive brake levers and wide gear range, this bike delivers where it matters the most. The aluminum frame is an added bonus if you prefer this type of material over carbon alternatives.

Conclusion

Trek has delivered yet another high-quality bike that's packed with useful features to improve your riding experience. If you're looking for a fun, reliable, and safe bike to use on the road or on rough paths, this is a great choice. The price point isn't as high as other bikes with similar features and the variety of sizes makes the Roscoe 8 a good match for anyone.

The cons with this bike aren't compelling enough for us to not recommend this bike for you if you're looking for a a comfortable way to ride across different types of terrain for long periods of time.

While more expensive that a bike like the Trek 3500 MTB, it still is a mid range affordable prospect.

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