Trek Roscoe 7 Review

‍Mountain bikes are a great choice for the next level of biking adventure, and those who want to venture in must choose the right model for them.

The Trek Roscoe 7 brings the best of Trek innovation and development to bear with a competent bike that serves its charge well. It has good handling, simple design and construction, and provide the right level of thrill on climbs and descents.

We’ve taken a look at each feature on this bike to bring the best review information for your decision. Let’s dive in.

‍Where to Buy the Trek Roscoe 7

The Trek Roscoe 7 costs $1,899 to buy, and is only available to purchase through the Trek website.

A Brief History of Trek Bicycles

Trek Bicycles was founded in 1975 as a subsidiary of an appliance distributor in Wisconsin. They initially wanted to compete with high-end bikes from Italy and Japan. They built their own factory in 1980 to address rising demand, moving into racing and mountain bikes.

Trek remained at the front line of innovation, introducing their first bonded aluminum bike frame in 1990 and carbon fiber the year before. They acquired additional brands over the ensuing decades, and currently manufacture and distribute under the Trek name, as well as Electra, Bontrager, and Diamant.

They market their bikes through 1700 independent retailers, and in stores in 90 countries.

Trek Roscoe 7 Review

Trek Roscoe 7 Specs and Geometry

The Trek Roscoe 7 is a hardtail bike, which means that only the front wheel is under movable suspension. This provides some extra stability on the back end, which is essential for rougher mountain trails or steeper descents.

The frame is built of Trek’s Alpha Gold aluminum alloy. This hallmark material leans into the current standard of aluminum frames for performance bikes, providing a better strength at a lighter weight. It’s interesting to note that Trek got its start with hand-brazed steel frames, and while the transition to aluminum was tricky for the company, it didn’t stop the innovation that has clearly continued till now.

Speaking of lighter weight, the Roscoe 7 weighs in at 31.5 pounds. This may not be the very lightest bike out there, but when you’re hitting the trail you’re not necessarily interested in shaving off previous seconds from your time. You want a tough bike that will hold up against the elements, and this one is hardy enough for the job.

This bike comes in six sizes, allowing for riders of all ages to choose the fit that is best for them. Some components, like the handlebars and seat, can be further adjusted to fit your exact needs, but starting at the frame level provides a close enough match out of the box.

The drivetrain is simple enough, with 12 gears included with this bike. There are some more complex models out there, but complexity is not always necessary, particularly if you’re just starting to learn how to shift effectively on trails. This provides plenty of control and confidence to novice trail riders, while giving the right level of tweaking for more experienced ones.

The Roscoe 7 employs progressive trail geometry, intended to make climbs easier. Simple adjustments to the angles of the frame mean that you’re not seated in an uncomfortable position on the ascent, which can be a problem for some bikes.

The geometry also compensates for downhill grade as well. Leaning too far one way or the other in design can compromise the experience for riders, but the Roscoe 7 seems to have a balanced view of design that clearly shows in the ride quality.

Trek Roscoe 7 Build Quality

There is a lot to love about the Trek Roscoe 7.

First off, the travel fork at the front end boasts an impressive 140 millimeters of travel. This provides plenty of cushion on rough tracks, and ensures the bike won’t crumple under the rider at the first jostle. This is a significant amount of travel that will require some tuning, and may be an adjustment for newer riders who may not be used to it, but it’s one of the many great benefits on this bike.

The wheels are sized at 29 inches, which is large enough to provide speed when needed but also make good use of the chunky tires to eat up the track.

The tires also utilize a tubeless system, meaning that there are no tubes to inflate directly. This means that tires may be run at lower pressures than the traditional format, which can be helpful on a rougher ride. This is yet another way that the Roscoe 7 leads the competition with the right materials and assembly.

The seat uses a dropper post to allow the seat to drop temporarily. This is useful on climbs or descents, when a lower seating position may be preferable to a higher one. The switch between the two is easy as well, meaning you can swap one way for one part of your ride then back again. Some have complained about the quality or stability of this setup, but the inconvenience is likely minor.

The Roscoe 7 also keeps bike component safety in mind, utilizing guards for chains and cables at key damage points. They have really thought ahead to where key stressors may affect ride quality or component integrity.

Internal cable routing is another safety and security feature. The cables for brakes are not exposed to the elements, and not in danger of being cut or damaged. This is another safety feature that takes the rider’s best interests into account.

The brakes are slightly lower quality than would be expected on this bike, but they are perfectly serviceable, and don’t leave that much to be desired.

Another small plus to this bike is the ability to hold two water bottles. This may seem like a luxury that doesn’t need mentioning, but riders must stay well hydrated during long trail rides, and this handy feature again shows the care for the rider that has gone into the engineering.

Trek Roscoe 7 Handling

The wider tires (2.6 inches) can tackle tough terrain as well as smoother paved roads. The tubeless design also allows for lower tire pressures at speed without compromising handling or safety, which is another feather in the Roscoe 7’s cap.

On the other hand, the tires have been criticized on occasion for less-stable handling at speed, or on downhill grades. As long as riders pay close attention to their surroundings and feel out what the bike is doing, the danger is not imminent.

The front fork does have a lockout feature to provide extra stability when needed. This is especially helpful on climbs, when travel might not be necessary or beneficial.

As previously mentioned, the brakes could do with some upgrading. They can feel a bit loose on gravel, or on wet roads.

Trek Roscoe 7 Ride Quality and Performance

The pedaling position on the Roscoe 7 is comfortable enough, and minor adjustments to the handlebars or seat can take care of the difference.

This bike is also fast enough to keep up with the pack. It may not set any records, but competent speed coupled with an outstanding frame build quality and other winning features make up for any shortcomings in the record-setting department.

Climbing and Descending

Climbing was as comfortable as level tracks, and the dropper post came in handy on downhill rides. This bike is great fun at every stage of the trail.

The only major complaint on the downhill was that the bike feels less stable at higher speeds.

Trek Roscoe 7 Pros and Cons

Trek Roscoe 7 Pros

The Roscoe 7 builds on the well-established legacy of Trek’s mountain bike line, taking the best of the technology and materials for this entry that caters to novices and veterans alike.

The sturdy aluminum frame is coupled with superior geometry, with progressive angles to account for needed ride flexibility on climbs and descents.

The drivetrain is simple enough, but 12 speeds are all you need when they are delivered in such a reliable way.

The Roscoe 7 is replete with safety-focused features. Tubeless tires that don’t require inflation as often, internal cabling, and well-positioned guards keep vital components safe from any interference or damage.

The dropper post also makes transitioning from various stages of your ride easier, with a lower position on climbs and descents, then a higher stance for level or longer rides.

Even simple luxuries like an extra bottle holder show the care and attention given to the rider’s every need. And all at an affordable price point.

• Strong brand reputation for mountain bikes
• Sturdy frame construction and geometry
• Simple shifting scheme
• Tubeless tires and internal cabling lead to greater safety
• Dropper post makes every stage comfortable
• Care and attention to the rider’s needs at every turn

Trek Roscoe 7 Cons

One area where Trek seems to have skimped out on the Roscoe 7 is with the brakes. This component may need to be swapped out for a hardier version; “serviceable” is not necessarily a term that should be applied to such a vital system.

The tires, though a decent size and width, do have a tendency to waver at higher speeds.

• Brakes leave something to be desired
• Tires waver at high speeds