Maybe you've noticed... or maybe not. Anyway, starting from this year, Vero and I will be cruising a Trek bicycle. We're hoping - taking the current pandemic situation into consideration - to ride our new Trek 920 the furthest possible... but for now we've tested them around the corner and we're more than satisfied! Waiting for the real test of the Trek 920, in this article I'm listing 2021 Trek bicycles, in particular their touring models.
In this article
Trek bicycles: an overview
This brand from Waterloo is one of the most iconic companies globally known, mostly for mountain bikes and road bicycles. Rarely we connect Trek to bicycle touring, but not so many people know that their Trek 520 Disc is one of the most used for this activity. This is one of the 2020 best touring bicycles.
Together with 520 Disc and its variable Grando, there's the 920, which we're going to use this year. Lighter and well-performing, it's THE adventure bike by Trek. Then there is 1120, a monster cross bike for every type of terrain. So we're going to introduce four models, covering more or less everybody's needs. Let's jump into this analysis of four Trek bicycles:
Trek 520 Disc: technical specs
- Type: touring bicycle
- Frame: Trek disco touring Cr-Mo (variable thickness)
- Fork: 520 alloy disc touring
- Saddle: Bontrager Evoke
- Transmission: Shimano Sora/Alivio 3x9 48/36/26 - 11/36
- Brakes: TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disks, 160mm rotor
- Rims: Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36h
- Tyres: Bontrager H1 Hard-case Ultimate, 700x38c
- Weight (size 54): 14,2 kg
- Max. load: 125 kg
- Accessories: Bontrager BackRack Deluxe rear rack, Bontrager Carry Forward front rack
- Price: 1549 €
Trek 520 Disc: for comfort lovers
Trek 520 Disc is the most enduring in the range, so its creation is already well and tested. There are some innovations to be mentioned like the lever instead of the old bar-end system or the ThruSkew technology skewer. Steel frame, 36 spokes rims, anti-puncture tyres: these features make Trek 520 Disc the perfect bike for medium-long journeys and for people looking for comfort instead of performance. Mechanical disk brakes and generous geometries make this Trek bicycle perfect for bicycle touring even in remote areas. The fork and rear frame clearance host up to 700x50mm (29"x2") rims, more than enough to mount wide tyres, for every type of terrain.
This model is ideal as a touring companion, durable and trustworthy, even further than the usual commute in the neighborhood. 
Trek 520 Grando: technical specs
- Type: touring bicycle
- Frame: Trek disco touring Cr-Mo (variable thickness)
- Fork: 520 alloy disc touring
- Saddle: Bontrager Arvada
- Transmission: Shimano Tiagra/GRX 3x10 48/36/26 - 11/36
- Brakes: TRP Spyre C 2.0 mechanical disks, 160mm rotor
- Rims: Bontrager Affinity Disc, Tubeless Ready, 36h
- Tyres: Bontrager GR1 Expert, Hard-Case Lite, 60 tpi, 700x40c
- Weight (size 54): 13,3 kg
- Max. load: 125 kg
- Accessories: Bontrager Carry Forward front rack
- Price: 1549 €
Trek 520 Grando: for offroad lovers
Trek 520 Grando is an evolution in comparison to its older brother, with a more adventurous and gravel oriented soul. Compared to 520 Disc, the blue Grando has only the front rack. 40mm tyres great for gravel and dirt roads (instead of 38mm) and a mixed GRX/Tiagra chainset, explicitly dedicated to offroad cycling, it offers a 10-gears crown instead of a 9-gears.
In conclusion, this bike was born on the experience of the 520 and is now a little tank able to face every gravel road of the planet!
Trek 920: technical specs
- Type: touring bicycle
- Frame: Aluminum Alpha 100 Series
- Fork: 920 Adventure Disc
- Saddle: Bontrager Evoke
- Transmission: Sram GX/X5 2x10 42/28 - 11/36
- Brakes: Avid G2 Cleansweep Hydraulic Disk, 160mm rotor
- Rims: Bontrager Duster Elite, Tubeless Ready, thru-axle
- Tyres: Bontrager XR1, 29"x2.00"
- Weight (size 56): 12,9 kg
- Max. load: 136 kg
- Accessories: Bontrager BackRack Deluxe rear rack, 920 Touring front rack
- Price: 2049 €
Trek 920: traveling everywhere
Trek 920 will be our companion next year around the world. This model integrates the comfort from a touring bicycle and the reactivity from a road bicycle. Aluminum fork and frame, double, the 42/28 crankset will be a bit harsh on the steeper climbs with Nala's trailer and fully loaded... but the maximum load is high (136kg declared). We'll be touring safe and sound with tubeless-ready rims with 15mm and 12mm thru-axle. 2" tyres are a bit generous for the type of terrain we usually rock on, while hydraulic disc brakes will help a lot offroad.
In conclusion, this Trek 920 seems to be THE bike to use everywhere, on paved or dirt roads: we're looking forward to testing it around the world!
Trek 1120: technical specs
- Type: monster cross
- Frame: Aluminum Alpha Platinum
- Fork: Carbon HCM 1120
- Saddle: Bontrager Montrose Comp
- Transmission: Shimano SLX 1x11 30 -11/46
- Brakes: SRAM Level T, 180mm rotor
- Rims: SUNringle Duroc 50 SL, 28h
- Tyres: Bontrager Chupacabra, 29"x3.00"
- Weight (size 17.5): 14,1 kg
- Max. load: 136 kg
- Accessories: 1120 Adventure rear rack, 1120 Adventure front rack
- Price: 2869 €
Trek 1120: an exploration monster cross
Trek 1120 is a monster cross definitely for offroad adventures. With many technologic innovations, this among all the Trek bicycles is ideal for bikepacking on trails around the world. Boost hubs guarantee a better stiffness, so a perfect reactivity on all terrains. The telescopic seatpost is suitable for the descents, while its specific rack will host perfectly your bikepacking bags. The 69cm flat handlebar allows a great drivability offroad, while the sloping geometry reminds us of an All Mountain MTB.
In conclusion, everything in this Trek bicycle (monster cross) has been conceived for offroad adventurers. If you're that kind of traveler, this one might be your bicycle. 3" tyres are the last indicator to understand that this bicycle is not ideal if you like paved or mixed terrains.
What do you think about these new 2021 models by Trek bicycles? We're already in love with them!
