women’s ride guide
women’s ride guide
C ON T EN T s
02 Things we love 04 FAQ 06 If she rides it, it's a woman's bike 08 Road bikes defined 10 Road bike anatomy 18 Project One 20 The women of the road 22 Matrix Pro Cycling 24 Trek Travel 26 Linsey Corbin 28 Road gear 30 Puppetmasters 34 Fix a flat 36 Hi vis gear 38 Mountain bikes defined
EDITORIAL Designed, edited, and written by Trek Bicycle
IMAGES Cover, Katie Compton / Chris Milliman Leg day / John Laptad
40 Mountain bike anatomy 48 Courage hails from Ciudad de MĂŠxico 52 Trek Dirt Series 54 Mountain gear 56 Tracy Moseley 58 City bikes defined 68 Mind the glass
Things we love / John Laptad, Christopher Bacarella, Sterling Lorence, Jamie Forrest FAQ / Christopher Bacarella If she rides it, it's a woman's bike / Chris Milliman Road bikes defined / Emily Maye, John Laptad, Todd Herbst, Jamie Forrest Project One / Jamie Forrest The women of the road / Matthew Beaudin Matrix Pro Cycling / Huw Williams Linsey Corbin / Chris Corbin Road gear / Jim Carman, Jacob Ausel Puppetmasters / Jamie Forrest Fix a flat / Ami Kochendorfer Hi vis gear / Jim Carman, Jacob Ausel Mountain bikes defined / Matt Delorme, Sterling Lorence, Chris Milliman, Jamie Forrest, Nathan Hughes Courage hails from Ciudad de MĂŠxico / Matt Delorme Trek Dirt Series / Logan Swayze Mountain gear / Jim Carman, Jacob Ausel Tracy Moseley / Matt Delorme
70 City gear 72 Loved the world over
City bikes defined / Chris Milliman, Todd Herbst Mind the glass / Todd Herbst City gear / Jim Carman, Jacob Ausel Loved the world over / Mike Palzkill, Jamie Forrest, Michael Kunst, Chris Milliman
silque SSL
l e g day
every day
things
we love
Cycling braids a great barista
Braids: They have quickly become a trend for women on two wheels across the globe. Most of our Bontrager women’s specific helmets are developed with long hair in mind—giving ample space to keep your braid game strong.
This one’s for all the café sommeliers out there. The ones who don’t need to ask us which milk to use, and always know our preferred foam ratio. The world may take you for granted, but to us, you’re a gem. And that’s why we ride the three extra blocks to get to you—because we know you’re not just anywhere. We’ll go out of our way because you do the same. Thank you for stealing our hearts while soothing our souls. We promise never to ask if this is decaf.
graphic tees For the times between rides, our t-shirt collection has got you covered. Inspired by the heritage and soul of an iconic American brand, these tees are the perfect way to spice up your wardrobe.
little black dress
california wine country
A little black dress is always in. Women's specific cuts not only flatter the female figure but also ensure superior on-bike fit. Stock your closet for every season.
California Wine Country is a joy to pedal; so join Trek Travel and experience a vintage fashioned just for you.
Moms A lot of us at Trek are parents—and selfishly, we want our passion for riding to start early and last a lifetime. An addiction to fast bikes is not a bad legacy. Life is short, get them on good bikes from the start.
headwear equippe d with pony tail holes A must-have for any three-season cyclist, Bontrager's Thermal Headband or Cap fits nicely under a helmet, and keeps your ears warm and toasty on cool weather rides.
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C O L O R
blendr
ROY-G-BIV is an understatement these days. The color combinations for your accessories are virtually endless.
Bontrager stem technology lets you clip your gear directly to the stem for a clean look and maximum user-friendliness.
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yo u as k , we a n swe r
f r e q u e n t ly a s k e d
questions What’s chamois butter? An anti-chafing cream that goes between your skin and shorts. Great for long rides and multiple days in a row of riding.
What’s a chamois? A chamois (pronounced “shammy”) is a pad built into cycling shorts to reduce chafing and irritation. Historically, riding shorts were made of knit wool, with a leather patch where the pad resides today. Cheers to progress.
How often should I put air in my tires? It’s good practice to check your air pressure before every ride, and to inflate to the middle of the recommended range of pressure (this varies based on the tire). You’ll find a PSI rating on the side label of your tire. It may be a single “inflate to” number, or it may be a range. Never exceed the maximum number. In fact, lighter riders need less pressure. These riders find that lower PSI will improve traction and provide a smooth ride.
What should I wear under my riding shorts? No underwear. Absolutely nothing, in fact, unless a solid layer of chamois butter suits you.
Should I use clipless pedals? If you’re looking to do longer rides or gain performance, learning to use clipless is beneficial. There is a short learning curve to clipping in and out of these pedals, so practice near a wall or in a doorway before heading out on the road or path.
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How often should I clean my drivetrain/lube my chain? Once a week is plenty often, unless you find yourself on your bike in the middle of a rainstorm. Keeping your drivetrain clean and free of debris is just as important as lubing the chain. Pro tip: To minimize contamination, lube your chain after your ride instead of before.
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if she rides it, it’s a woman’s bike Trek was the first major bicycle company to develop a full line of bikes designed specifically for women, and we’ve been refining our women’s product line ever since. In our decade and a half of research about how women ride, the most important thing we’ve learned is that a woman’s bike is any bike that meets a woman’s needs, whether it’s a WSD model engineered specifically for women, a mainline staple customized for women, or a ride from our comprehensive gender-neutral line.
Wo men ’ s S p ec i f i c D e s i gn Trek WSD bikes are built from the ground up to address the unique needs of women. These models feature frame geometry, touchpoints, and details like size-specific compliance and suspension leverage ratios that have been engineered expressly for women to deliver a high-performance, fun, confidence-inspiring ride. F o r wo men w i t h a ri de-to -w i n m e n tal i t y Trek Women’s models have the same frame geometry as mainline bikes for women who feel best on a gender-neutral frame. These models are equipped to deliver the proven performance of Trek’s top race bikes with the added benefit of thoughtfully engineered touchpoints customized to meet the needs of women. R i de t he bi k e t h at ’ s r i gh t There’s a perfect Trek out there for you. It may be a WSD or Women’s model, or it may be one of our gender-neutral models. The deciding factors are how it feels, the way you ride, and the style that appeals to you. Which bike is right for you? It all starts with your Trek Retailer, the experts in getting every rider on the right bike.
words here
r oa d
Power. Passion. Performance. These light, swift bikes have what it takes to keep you out front.
wh ich road b ike?
Trek is the #1 performance bike brand. Our R&D department is the best in the world, and they’re committed to making every one of our road bikes, from hand-built carbon race machines to refined aluminum models, the absolute best in its class. Here’s the information you need to start the journey of finding your perfect ride.
P e r f o r m a n c e R ac e Conquer the highest climbs, attack off the front, fly down the steepest descents, all on the fastest, lightest machines on the road. Our performance race bikes combine innovative materials and construction with top-of-the-line components to deliver performance across the board. silque, lexa, émonda, Madone, 1 Series, kids' krx
T r i at h l o n Trek tri bikes aren’t just highly refined, absurdly aerodynamic machines that cheat the wind, transfer all your power to the road, and carry what you need to stay on course. They’re also your ticket to the final leg of the race. Every detail of every Trek Speed Concept is designed to absolutely kill your bike split and leave you with enough energy left to crush the run. Speed Concept
E n d u r a n c e Turn rough roads and gravel into miles of pleasure as you drop the hammer on your best ride ever. Whether you’re taking on your first or fiftieth solo century ride, there’s no better way to salute a long day in the saddle than on a Trek endurance race bike. Silque, lexa, Domane
F i t n e s s This is our most popular bike category, with good reason. Fitness bikes are the ultimate multi-talented ride. Workout machine, capable commuter, suburban warrior... they do it all. They’re the surest answer to the question, “What kind of bike should I get?” FX, CrossRip
Cyc l o c r o s s If mud, sand, and pain are your style, then cyclocross is your sport. Trek CX bikes give you every possible advantage in a full lineup of badass rides built to win in the worst conditions. We can’t promise you a victory, but we guarantee these cyclocross bikes will wring out your best race performance yet. boone, crockett, kids' krx
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t o u r i n g a n d a dv e n t u r e There’s no better way to see the world than from the saddle of a touring bike. A dedicated tourer is comfortable, reliable, capable, and always ready for the next adventure. In other words, the perfect traveling companion. 920, 720, 520
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r oPaHdABIKES bikes AL
Silque
True story: we shipped an unlabeled prototype Silque to a high-end Trek retailer to assemble for a test session. He took it for a ride and promptly declared it the best Trek road bike ever. High praise for someone outside the target audience. Silque was designed as a silky smooth, super-fast road platform perfectly suited to the average female rider. The result is a lighter, quicker platform for lighter riders, regardless of gender. Great legs aren’t included, but they are a natural outcome.
Lexa SLX Seeglass Liquid Red Frame 200 Series Alpha Aluminum, IsoSpeed Fork Trek carbon road Rear derailleur Shimano 105 Crank Shimano RS500 Wheels Bontrager alloy hubs, Bontrager TLR rims
Silque SSL Crystal White/Volt Green/Aloe Green Fade Frame 600 Series OCLV
Carbon, IsoSpeed Fork Trek full carbon road Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra Di2 Crank Shimano Ultegra Wheels Bontrager Race X Lite TLR
Silque SLX Seeglass Blue Ink/Crystal White/Trek Cyan Frame 600 Series OCLV
Carbon, IsoSpeed Fork Trek full carbon road Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra Crank Shimano Ultegra Wheels Bontrager Race TLR
Silque SL Matte Trek Black/Flamingo Pink Frame 400 Series OCLV Carbon,
IsoSpeed Fork Trek carbon road Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra Crank Shimano Ultegra Wheels Bontrager Race TLR
Lex a Fifteen years of pioneering the design of bicycles for women has led to Lexa, the world's most popular women's specific road bike line. Why? Lexa just gets it right. Fast, light, and built to fit women better from the start. Right saddle, right reach, right bar height, right bike. 11
Lexa S Seeglass Black Pearl Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminum Fork Trek carbon
road Rear derailleur Shimano Sora Crank FSA Vero Wheels Bontrager alloy hubs, Bontrager TLR rims
road b ike s
É m o n da
Émonda is the lightest production road bike line ever created. At a feather-bending 10.25 lbs/4.65 kg, Émonda SLR 10 climbs like a rocket, sprints like a cheetah, descends like the falcon to the mouse. Don’t be the mouse.
Speed Concept
Speed Concept has time and time again been referred to as the fastest bike on the planet, and for good reason. It offers total aerodynamic integration, incredible fit, and even Project One customization, all in one incredible system.
Émonda SLR 9 Women's Red Smoke/Chi Red Frame Ultralight 700 Series OCLV
Carbon Fork Émonda full carbon Rear derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Crank Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels Bontrager Aeolus 3 D3
Émonda SL 8 Women's Matte Trek Black/Grape Frame
Émonda SL 6 Women's Crystal White/Trek Cyan Frame
Émonda SL 5 Women's Appleseed Blue/Trek Charcoal/
Émonda S 5 Women's Black Pearl/Crystal White/
Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon Fork Émonda full
Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon Fork Émonda full
Volt Green Frame Ultralight 500 Series OCLV Carbon
Flaming Rose Frame Ultralight 300 Series OCLV Carbon
carbon Rear derailleur Shimano Dura-Ace Crank
carbon Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra Crank
Fork Émonda full carbon Rear derailleur Shimano 105
Fork Émonda carbon Rear derailleur Shimano 105
Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels Bontrager Race TLR
Shimano Ultegra Wheels Bontrager Race TLR
Crank Shimano 105 Wheels Bontrager Race TLR
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Crank Shimano 105 Wheels Bontrager alloy hubs,
Speed Concept 9.5 Women's Dnister Black/Wintermint to Lime Green Fade Frame 600 Series OCLV Carbon, KVF tube
Bontrager TLR rims
shape Fork SC full foil carbon Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra Crank Shimano Ultegra Wheels Bontrager Race Lite TLR
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r oa d b i k e a n at o m y Silque SL
Saddle
Stem Headset Brake lever / shifters Handlebars Head tube
Seat post Seat post clamp Top tube
Brake Down tube
Fork Seatstay Seat tube Front derailleur Cassette Chainstay
Hub
Rear derailleur
Spokes
Crank arm Chainring
Rim Tire
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silque
you had me
yo u h a d m e a t h i l l s
at hills
women's silque
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b e yo n d pa s s i o n
silque ssl
Custom Flame in Dnister black, Liquid red, yellow, painted by Lisa in Waterloo, WI The passion for the bicycle is shared, from painter to rider. We’ll create your custom bike the way we build every Project One: by hand, one at a time, with the love and care only the most experienced builders and artists can offer. The rest is up to you. Customize your Trek at trekbikes.com/projectone
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the women of the
r oad These aren’t your fair-weather riders. These women thrive on two wheels, from sun up to sun down, in snow and blistering wind, in sunshine and downpour. Our ambassadors are always up for adventure, and they want you to join them.
We believe in the power of story, and we believe there’s no better story than one that begins on two wheels: an epic climb to a breathtaking mountaintop view, the four-flat spin that made you late for dinner, the sunrise jaunt that became a century when you found new friends at the mid-ride espresso stop. This year, we’ve partnered with Rapha to create an ambassador program for women around the globe who yearn to endure, explore, and share their adventure. Our ambassadors are leaders, enthusiasts, and companions. They host group rides and riding clinics. They work together from different cities, countries, and continents, connecting to other riders along the way. Their goal is simple: Go by bike and bring back great stories. Extraordinary things happen on rides. Meet the ambassadors and be part of the story: pages . rapha . cc / womens 1 0 0
custom silque SL Project one
g r e at at h l e t e s
ride trek
custom émonda slr Project one
m at r i x w o m e n ' s p r o cyc l i n g t e a m
A pict u re of victory : the s u ccessf u l development of women ’ s cycling at all levels
The UK-based Matrix Fitness Racing Academy, known within the peloton as “On the Drops,” is a Trek-sponsored women’s UCI cycling and development team. Matrix has been at the forefront of the women’s road racing scene since its inception in 2009, and the team has certainly made itself known along the way. With eleven riders from nearly as many countries all under the age of 25, the team shares two Olympic gold medals and seven individual World Championship titles.
Even with such a robust team portfolio, the brightest days for Matrix are still to come. By applying a world-class sports science strategy to all things training, these ladies will continue to establish their legacy on the women’s pro circuit. And Trek will continue to be a proud sponsor of the Matrix women as they work toward the ultimate goal: more women on bikes more often. matri x procycling . cc
Aboard the émonda SLR Women's
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Taste Tuscany of
l a dolce vita is waiting Sun-drenched landscapes, the warmth of the Toscani, and the region’s incredible cuisine and wine are the recipe for an unforgettable and magical Tuscany bike tour. Find the perfect bike trip for you. t r e k t r av e l . c o m
g r e at at h l e t e s r i d e t r e k
raced to
win
because the world needs heroes— and we're inspired by the will and audacity to put it all on the line.
linsey corbin, pro triathlete, speed concept 9 series
speed concept 9 series, linsey corbin, pro triathlete
raced
to w i n 26
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Sorbet oh so sweet
Upgrade your ride with essential gear. b o n trag e r . c om
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puppetmasters
nathalie & barbara Managing the logistics of an entity as intricate as the Trek Factory Racing WorldTour team is a complicated endeavor. Flights, food, clothing, shelter, transportation across borders, passports from 18 different countries. Not to mention all of the day-to-day calamities that arise when coordinating the wellness of 27 of the world’s best athletes in a sport as notoriously calculated as road cycling. If the team’s infrastructure was a delicate game of Jenga, Nathalie Desmarets and Barbara Van Maeldergem would be the pieces you'd never touch.
keeping all the pieces in perfect balance
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puppetmasters
a team of the best riders , s u pported by the greatest engineers and eq u ipment , racing with passion and integrity to inspire fans across the world
By all accounts, Hospitality Director Nathalie Desmarets was born into cycling. She attended her first race at the tender age of eight days old. Her parents, who both raced professionally, owned a bike shop in the southwestern Belgian town of Mouscron, a stone's throw from the French border, where Nathalie spent the formative years of her early life playing among the velos. Derailleurs replaced rattles. At an age when most children are learning to ride a bike, Nathalie was already truing wheels. The Desmarets name is known throughout the region's cycling circles, as Nathalie's mother, father, uncle, and grandfather all raced in some professional capacity. Her father won the Paris-Roubaix amateur race and even raced on the Bic cycling team with Johnny Schleck, scion of Trek Factory Racing's Andy and Fränk Schleck.
The second half of Trek Factory Racing’s operations staff is Barbara Van Maeldergem. Without her, nobody gets what they need when they need it. As Logistics Manager for the team, Barbara oversees the global transportation and accommodation needs for over 40 people of more than 18 nationalities. In Belgium, where cycling is as much religion as it is sport, you would think the Brakeel-raised Van Maeldergem would jump at a job with a cycling team, but she never expected to find herself in this sport. "Cycling? No, no, no. I grew up a tennis fan. I would wake up all hours of the night to watch the matches." After completing a degree in tourism, Barbara moved to Playa del Carmen to cut her professional teeth, spend some time in an environment away from her native lowlands, and hone her Spanish. In 2006, Van Maeldergem returned to Europe to work for the Discovery Channel cycling team and has been moving riders, staff, buses, and equipment throughout the world with a deft hand ever since.
Her parcours to her current position with Trek Factory Racing is a winding path that includes a degree in cosmetology she never intended to use, as well as a stint organizing regional French political conferences. It was a gig doing contract work for Roland Garros, the Parisian home of the French Open, that led her back to the realm of sport. No matter how far Nathalie got from cycling, she always knew she would return. "For me, cycling is a destiny. It is in my blood."
It’s reasonable to imagine it would take an army of workers to keep the operation working smoothly, but the responsibility falls on the shoulders of two extraordinary women. Without them, not only would the athletes of Trek Factory Racing not be able to win races and inspire fans around the world, they wouldn’t even make it to the start line.
Sharp-witted and armed with a steely resolve and the ability to speak six languages (Dutch, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian), she is the signal-caller of a team that includes 27 athletes, 8 soigneurs, 6 coaches, 4 doctors, 1 bus driver, and 1 chef. You don't get on a plane or check into a hotel unless Barbara says so. But if you do, believe that you will hear from her. The better Barbara is at her work, the better the riders and staff members can be at theirs. And Barbara is the best in the business.
Tall, with striking blonde hair, a disarming smile, and an affable charm, Nathalie speaks English with a French accent that seems perfectly suited for her role as the team's maitre d', ensuring riders, guests of the team, and sponsors are comfortable in whatever the present social situation. "Being a woman in cycling is not hard for me because it is my life,” she says. “The riders see that you work hard and they respect that. My training has been much like a rider’s." When asked about the nuances of being a woman in a male-dominated sport, Desmarets sets her clear blue eyes a thousand yards into the distance for a moment before refocusing with the answer. "If you want to be a woman working in cycling, you have to be a woman. There is no place for girls. You must be yourself."
27 athl e t e s
8 soi g n e u rs
She cites flexibility as a necessary trait in her position, but the way she says "flexible" is suspiciously resolute, suggesting that what’s really necessary is that everyone around her understands she is the ultimate authority.
6 coach e s
4 doctors
1 b us driv e r
1 ch e f
As the team races into their second season, be sure to keep an eye out for Nathalie and Barbara, and remember that the riders on Trek Factory Racing wouldn’t be able to perform without the management of these extraordinary women. Though they may not be racing, you will always see Nathalie and Barbara working just as hard, keeping all the pieces in perfect balance. 32
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flat? fixed. Our simple how-to video will show you how to get back on two wheels in no time flat. Download the video now and carry it on your phone for when you need it.
t r e k b i k e s . c o m / f i x f l at
Hi Vis be seen
Are you afraid of the dark? You won’t be anymore. b o n trag e r . c om
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wh i c h m o u n ta i n b i k e?
m o u n ta i n
Conquer any trail, from tame to treacherous, on the world’s finest off-road bikes.
Trek is the world leader in mountain bike technology. No surprise that our mountain bikes are the most technologically advanced on the market. Each platform leads its class, and every model is loaded with features and details that will make any ride, on any trail, better.
c r o s s c o u n t ry Our tech-loaded XC mountain bikes are the lightest, smartest bikes on the trail. They give you the ultimate performance edge, so you can go as fast as your legs and heart will allow, and have a great time doing it. Just point these race-ready rockets in the right direction and go. lush, cali, superfly fs, superfly, kids' superfly, x-caliber
e n d u r o Trek technical trail/enduro mountain bikes are up for whatever you are. They live for sharp turns, drops, and rugged terrain, and don’t sweat it when the trail pitches up. They’ll let you go all day, get to places others can only dream of, and get back in record time. So go ahead, throw yourself into any challenge. We promise your bike will not hold you back. Remedy, Slash
s p o r t There’s a whole world off the beaten path. Explore it on a Trek sport hardtail mountain bike. These bikes are built to withstand the elements and do your bidding, whether that’s riding off curbs, venturing onto your first singletrack, or completing your first race. Whatever your intention, sport hardtails hold the key to a world of off-road adventure. skye, marlin, 3 series, 820, police, kids' superfly, kids'
g r av i t y Trek’s World Cup-winning gravity bikes are loaded with Trek-exclusive technologies, from incredibly advanced suspension techs to frame refinements that make these the lightest, toughest bikes on the mountain. Go big, race hard. Embrace gravity. Session, Ticket
t r a i l Trek singletrack trail bikes are your do-more ride. They’re versatile, light, and exceedingly capable, climbing as well as they descend, conquering trails from the Dolomites to Durango. They’re the right bike for anything from a quick stint in the park to a brutal day of racing. No other bikes offer this level of no-compromise performance, any-situation versatility. Lush, remedy, fuel ex, fuel ex jr, stache, farley, farley 24
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d ua l s p o r t If you can have just one bike, make it a dual sport. These smoothriding, adventure-loving bikes are fast on the road, capable and confident when the road turns rough, and ready to roll from road to trail if that’s where the day takes you. neko, dual sport series, kids' dual sport and neko
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m o u n ta i n b i k e a n at o m y lush carbon 27. 5
Handlebars Brake lever / shifters Stem Saddle Head tube Seatpost Top tube Seat clamp
Suspension fork
Seat tube Down tube
Rocker arm Rear shock
Spokes Rim
Seatstay Disc brakes
Cassette Chainring
Hub
Chainstay
Crank
Rear derailleur
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m o u n ta i n b i k e s
Trek Gravity Girl Steffi Marth out on the town in China, 2013
L u s h Seriously, we were thinking about the lush forests of British Columbia when we named this bike. Lush is a confidence-inspiring full suspension bike thanks to a low standover, WSD Rider Right tuned suspension, and versatile 27.5" wheels.
C a l i From the state that invented endless summers comes the women’s cross country fun machine, Cali. Available in carbon or alloy because variety truly is the spice of life. Cali is ready for the trail party with the smartest choice of wheel size: the one that fits you best. Cali Carbon SL Satin Red Smoke/Catalyst Orange Frame OCLV Mountain
Cali SLX Satin Trek Black/Viper Red Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum Front
Lush Carbon 27.5 Gloss Trek Black/Matte Trek Black Frame WSD OCLV
Lush SL 27.5 Matte Trek Charcoal/Trek White Frame WSD Alpha Platinum
Lush 27.5 Sangria/Chi Red Frame WSD Alpha Platinum Aluminum, 120mm
Carbon Front suspension Fox Evolution Series 32 Float, 100mm Rear
suspension RockShox Reba RL, 100mm Rear derailleur Shimano Deore
Mountain Carbon, 120mm Suspension Fox Evolution Series 32 Float, 120mm;
Aluminum, 120mm Suspension Fox Evolution Series 32 Float, 120mm; Fox
Suspension RockShox XC30, 120mm; RockShox Monarch RL Rear derailleur
derailleur Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus Crank FSA F2000 Wheels
XT Crank Race Face Ride Wheels Bontrager sealed hubs, Bontrager Mustang
Fox Performance Series Float DRCV, RE:aktiv Rear derailleur SRAM X1, Type 2
Performance Series Float DRCV, RE:aktiv Rear derailleur Shimano Deore XT
Shimano Deore Shadow Crank Race Face Ride Wheels Bontrager front hub,
Bontrager Mustang Elite TLR
Elite TLR rims
Crank SRAM X1 1400 X-Sync Wheels Bontrager Rhythm Comp TLR
Shadow Plus Crank SRAM S1010 Wheels Bontrager Duster Elite TLR
Formula rear hub, Bontrager AT-650 rims
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m o u n ta i n b i k e s
Skye
Above all else, choose a bike model that fits. That is the one indisputable piece of advice we have for you. Which is also a good plug for Skye, which features Smart Wheel Size, pairing the wheel size to the appropriate corresponding frame size a rider requires. This is the best way to make sure a bike fits correctly. So it is with Skye, our fit-right, trail-ready bike designed to fit women best.
Skye SLX Matte Black Pearl/Flaming Rose Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum Front suspension RockShox XC32, 100mm Rear derailleur SRAM X7 Crank SRAM S800 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager Mustang Elite TLR rims
Skye SL Crystal White/Volt Green Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum Front suspension SR Suntour XCM, 100mm Rear derailleur Shimano Altus Crank Shimano M371 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-650 rims
Skye S Matte Trek Cyan Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum Front suspension SR Suntour M-3030, 75mm Rear derailleur Shimano Altus Crank Shimano M131 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-550 rims
stache , heather irmiger , trek factory racing
s h redding
made simple
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cou rag e h ai l s
from Ciudad de México Trek’s copywriter Andrew Dutton bears witness to the extraordinary courage of Mexican downhill champion Lorena Dromundo
She has overcome more obstacles, crossed more lines, pushed more boundaries, than anyone else here. And still, she is not allowed to compete. Farther down the course, the women’s Mexican downhill champion, Lorena Dromundo, scopes a ledge before an eight-foot drop. Locals are still readying the landing, slapping it with shovels to pack down the dirt and gravel before the event.
bean-shaped tiled pool. His age is difficult to peg, though it is clear he is significantly older than the other riders here. He is remarkably thin, with sunken cheeks that give him a pronounced skeletal visage, and there is a gleaming bald spot at the top of his head and scattered grays in his stubble. He rides the oldest bike at the race.
Dromundo is compact and fierce, no more than five feet tall, with bright green eyes of startling intensity, like she has the power to stare through brick walls. As one of the preeminent female downhillers in the world, Dromundo has developed a loyal following. The small silver-mining town of Taxco lies only a couple hundred miles from her hometown of Mexico City, and her fans have turned out by the thousands. Everywhere she goes, it seems, children trail behind her bashfully requesting autographs or just basking in the closeness of their hero.
I’m standing at the bottom of the staircase, at the apex of the sharp right-hand bend, holding a phone that controls a GoPro a videographer has placed halfway up. It is an admittedly dangerous place to stand, but it’s the only place where I can see the top of the staircase, which is a necessary part of knowing when to start the camera. A large crowd is packed against the ramshackle buildings beside the course. Fans have climbed onto roofs for better views, staked claim to rickety balconies, chased away stray dogs and squeezed into adjacent alleys to see riders whoosh by inches away. Every spectator is wildly enthusiastic, as agitated and ready to explode as a shaken soda can.
And there couldn’t be a better role model for young mountain bikers, especially girls. Lorena, as it turns out, is the only woman who showed up to race the notoriously difficult course. Because of this, there’s some question of whether or not the women’s race will even be run. Halfway down the treacherous Taxco Urban Downhill course, there is a staircase of more than one hundred steps, each with a jagged lip so sharp I can feel it through the sole of my boot. The steps aren’t level or uniform. Every other is pitched harshly to the left or right, deeper or shallower than the one preceding and following.
packed so tightly on both sides there’s barely a handlebar’s width for the racers. If you dropped a tennis ball at the top, you might not see it again for miles. The racers take it all in stride, as professionals do. But the staircase— it gives universal pause.
If you’ve ever descended a staircase in the dark and missed the bottom step, felt the floor drop out from underneath you, felt the instant of panic before finding purchase, you know what it’s like to walk this section of Taxco Urban Downhill. Here, every step inspires a minor terror.
I’m told by Brett Rheeder, a Trek slopestyle rider who ranks among the sport’s elite and will go on to finish eighth this weekend, that the staircase is especially difficult because it has to be approached at exactly the right speed. Too fast, you won’t make the sharp right bend at the bottom; too slow, the bike will behave unpredictably, and the plush suspension may send you bouncing into the side of a building, into a crowd, or worst of all, headfirst down the remaining steps. Most importantly, once committed, you can’t even feather the brakes without almost certain injury.
Scouting the course on foot the day before the race with Trek’s top riders, I get the sense that I’m not the only one this section unnerves. Not that the rest of the course seems, to me, any kinder—two-story drops onto pitched plywood landings, off-camber trail, spectators
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In Taxco, you know a rider is on course because the roar of cheers crashes down the streets like a wave. You hear it coming like a hard rain approaching. Plus, there’s a kind of pass-it-on-game the crowd has worked out to warn other spectators. At the top, just before the rider starts, someone yells, “¡Pista!” Farther down the hill, the word is caught by another fan, who turns down the hill and yells it again. And so it goes: the “¡Pista!” precedes the roar, which precedes the rider, all the way down.
But she came anyway, courageously, to take on one of the most terrifying urban downhill courses ever created. This says more about her than any race result. She is the living embodiment of a message that is crucial for young women to hear: No matter what, keep showing up. The next day, during the practice runs, I get to see what happens when a rider brakes mid-way down the staircase. Mountain bikers understand there is an element of risk in every ride. Crashes happen— it’s the nature of the sport, and something accepted with a measure of resignation. To push the boundaries, in mountain biking as in anything, we must expect to be met from time to time with failure.
The way the “¡Pista!” warning words—all these spectators cooperating to ensure the safety of the riders—impresses me to a dizzying degree of euphoria. I ask a young Mexican boy to translate the word, but he’s too shy or, more likely, doesn’t understand my unpracticed Spanish.
I had noticed the rider around the converted monastery where we’d been sleeping, working, and drinking light Mexican beers beside the
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The injured rider moves painfully slowly, grimacing in the arms of the medics, still in the center of the staircase. He cannot safely be pulled away. I catch a flash of a bright jersey farther up the hill, and I feel the full weight of that roaring wave rushing downward. It cannot be stopped or even slowed. That flash of jersey appears suddenly at the top of the staircase. Though covered in pads and a full-face helmet, the approaching rider is immediately recognizable to me because of her small stature. It is Lorena, unmistakably, barreling over the edge. There is a moment of stillness then in the crowd, as everyone surrenders to the near certainty of catastrophe. This week in Taxco, while standing on the lip of a drop or at the top of the trail, and especially at the top of the staircase, I’ve been bowled over by the depth or fearlessness and skill required to survive an event like this one. It’s a remarkable perspective, because it elevates these athletes, for me, to a kind of super-hero status. Lorena’s abilities are so astonishing it’s like witnessing her shoot a web from her wrist and scale the face of a skyscraper.
The roaring wave of cheers rolls toward us, and then the rider I’d seen at the monastery is cresting the top of the staircase. But something isn’t right. He’s a little off-kilter, too close to the edge, too fast. He tries to correct it, leans, brakes, but his feet leave the pedals. I catch a glimpse of a gloved palm. It is an unnatural collision of forces, as if a great wind has swept him upward, tossed his body and his bike on an unexpected trajectory. He cannot fight the physics of his circumstance. There is a brief moment where time seems to slow: the rider in the air now, a hush over the crowd.
And so that’s why, even in the chaos of this moment, with Lorena coming down the staircase and the injured man still barely upright in the middle of it, I somehow know everything will be fine. I trust that she will deftly and gracefully steer around him, that she will save the man and save herself.
Silence, and then through the silence the crack of bones on concrete and an animal-like moan as the wind leaves his lungs, another when he tries to gasp but cannot.
But that’s not what happens.
Within seconds, spectators envelop the rider. A red-shirted medic charges up from where he had been standing beside me. The helmet is pulled off, the neck braced. The rider is lifted, slowly, slowly, to lean on the shoulders of his fans.
Because ten steps above the crashed rider, a man wearing an official’s vest bounds from the edge of the course, grabs her handlebars, and yanks them, redirecting her trajectory and crashing her directly into a rock wall. We can give the official the benefit of the doubt. We can say he acted in the moment, that he had the interest of Lorena and the other rider in mind. At best, this was an ill-advised attempt to prevent further damage. But here’s the issue I take: his reaction suggests that he did not trust Lorena and did not believe she could perform the task for which she is celebrated around the world.
And then: “¡Pista! ¡Pista! ¡Pista!” In a race, a downhiller has the momentum of a city bus. This discipline requires extraordinary concentration and, from what I can tell, a bit of insanity. There have been studies about these kinds of athletes, and it has been proven that the brain of a downhiller functions in a fundamentally different manner, that these riders process fear differently, that they don’t interpret danger like most people. And it’s a good thing, because this is not the place for doubt. In downhill, with uncertainty comes disaster.
To intentionally crash any rider is unequivocally wrong, but it seems particularly unjust in this instance. Word has come down from the race officials that because not enough women have come to Taxco to race, the women’s event will be cancelled. Lorena appealed to race with the men, but her appeal was rejected.
Louder now: “¡PISTA! ¡PISTA! ¡PISTA!”
To push the boundaries, in mountain biking as in anything, we must expect to be met from time to time with failure.
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keep showing up
Lorena’s strength is simply staggering, and more people need to understand the heroism she exhibits for young women across the world as she fights the uphill battle for women’s downhill racing.
It’s worth repeating: Lorena appealed to race with the men, but her appeal was rejected. As if in consolation, she is offered the opportunity to ride the course during the practice runs. For all intents and purposes, this run—the run where she is not only forced to deal with men who crash in front of her, but must also contend with an official jumping onto the course and grabbing her handlebars—is her race. This is the only opportunity she has to show her fans what they came to see. And where’s the equity in that? The truth becomes painfully, vividly clear to me as I watch Lorena pulled off the course. She has overcome more obstacles, crossed more lines, pushed more boundaries, than anyone else here. And still, she is not allowed to compete. That’s why what happens next is so profoundly awesome. Lorena collects herself, adjusts her helmet. She fires off a long string of Spanish at the official. I don’t understand it, of course, but it’s loud and accusatory in tone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the general gist
was something like, “You have no idea what I’ve been through to get here. Don’t ever, ever, ever get in my way.” She decks him, knocking him in the chest with her fists, unapologetically, with a remarkable force that sends him reeling backward. She walks her bike down the rest of the staircase to where I’m standing at the bottom. I think I should somehow help her, but what can I do? I’m standing next to Lorena, trying to make small talk with her as the chaos of the scene around us dissipates, but her mind is understandably elsewhere. Maybe the adrenaline is fading, maybe she’s coming to terms with the terror of being pulled off her bike, maybe she’s boiling at the unfairness of the race officials’ decision. She turns and looks off into the distance, down the hill toward the majestic Santa Prisca Church at the town square, and she seems to be fighting an internal battle. Her bright green eyes are wet at the corners. Standing beside her, I am overwhelmed and humbled. Here’s a woman doing precisely what she was put on this planet to do. Lorena’s strength is simply staggering, and more people need to understand the heroism she exhibits for young women across the world as she fights the uphill battle for women’s downhill racing. In the bright glow of Taxco’s cobble-stoned streets, I witnessed an extraordinary, unforgettable act of courage. After a minute or two, we hear the familiar “¡Pista!” from up the hill. A rider tears past. Lorena looks up toward the staircase, points her bike down the course and swings her leg over the frame. She rolls out, slowly at first but with every pedal stroke gaining speed.
Queens Mountains of the
If you’re looking to learn new skills, increase your confidence on the bike, or simply enjoy the sport like never before, Trek Dirt Series mountain bike camps are for you. dirtseries .com
Volt vixen
The hardest part is leaving the trees behind. Now you don’t have to. b o n trag e r . c om
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Tracy Moseley Bas i c ba das s fo r a c o u p le d e ca d e s Career summary: Enduro World Champion 2013, 2014 World Downhill Champion 2010 World Cup Champion 2006, 2011 16 DH World Cup wins 1 4X World Cup win 7 x British National DH Champion 2 Norba DH wins 2 x British National 4X Champion 4 x British Series winner 23 National DH wins 2nd – World Cup Overall 2005, 2007, 2009 3rd – World Cup Overall 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010 4th – World Cup Overall 2004 2nd – World Championships 2006, 2009 4th – World Championships 2002, 2003, 2007 Maxxis Cup Series Champ – 2004, 2005 5th – World Cup Overall 4X 2003 European Downhill Champion 2001 European Dual Slalom Champion 2000 2 x National Junior DH champ 2 x European Junior DH bronze medallist 2 x National Junior Series Titles World Junior Silver Medallist GREA T A T HLE T ES RIDE T REK
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which city bike?
city
Bikes that let you live the two-wheeled life. Haul, commute, get fit, represent, have fun.
Trek city bikes have an agenda: make the world a happier, healthier place by getting more people on bikes more often. We make the best bikes for every purpose and every rider: smart, fun bikes that fit the way you work, play, and live.
u r ba n u t i l i t y Our urban utility bikes are built for the daily routine. They make it easier to haul, easier to commute, easier to mix it up, easier to do just about anything by bike. They’re the best way to soak up the sights, sounds, and vibe of the city. Wherever the urban landscape takes you, there’s a Trek to get you there. chelsea, District, Lync, CrossRip, Allant, Police
f i t n e s s This is our most popular bike category, with good reason. Fitness bikes are the ultimate multi-talented ride. Workout machine, capable commuter, suburban warrior... they do it all well. They’re the surest answer to the question, “What kind of bike should I get?” FX, CrossRip r e c r e at i o n Trek recreation bikes are built for what bicycling is really about: the joy of hopping on your bike and going, just for the fun of it. The relaxed, stable riding position keeps things easy, and plush saddles and generous gearing encourage you to keep riding just a little longer. Saddle up, roll out, and enjoy every minute of the ride. Verve, Shift, Tandem, Kids’, Pedal Trailers
t o u r i n g a n d a dv e n t u r e There’s no better way to see the world than from the saddle of a bike. A dedicated adventure touring bike is comfortable, reliable, capable, and always ready for the next adventure. In other words, the perfect traveling companion, whatever your route or destination. 920, 720, 520
d ua l s p o r t If you can have just one bike, make it a dual sport. These smoothriding, adventure-loving bikes are fast on the road, capable and confident when the road turns rough, and ready to roll from road to trail if that’s where the day takes you. Neko, dual sport Series, CrossRip, kids' dual sport and neko
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city bikes
FX
Make the world your gym with FX. But don’t stop there—FX has a lot more to offer than fitness. It’s great for commuting, for running errands, for remembering how much you love to ride your bike. Our most popular global model is lighter, sleeker, and Bluetooth-ready.
city bikes
words here
N e k o The versatile sister of Dual Sport, Neko is a women’s specific get-around-on-any-terrain machine with a little sparkle for all the right reasons. Our graphic artist Stacey made sure the entire Neko line was equipped with Seeglass, a paint with crushed glass that reflects light for a more eye-catching look in darker conditions.
7.5 FX Women's Seeglass Sangria Frame WSD Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork Bontrager Nebula, carbon Rear derailleur Shimano RD-R350 Crank Shimano FC-R460 Wheels Alloy hubs, Bontrager TLR rims
7.4 FX Women's Platinum Frame WSD Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork Bontrager Nebula, carbon Rear derailleur Shimano
7.3 FX Women's Seeglass Mermaid Frame WSD Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork FX Alloy Rear derailleur Shimano Alivio
Deore Crank Shimano Acera M391 Wheels Formula alloy front hub, Shimano RM30 alloy rear hub, Bontrager TLR rims
Crank Shimano Acera M371 Wheels Formula alloy front hub, Shimano RM30 alloy rear hub, Bontrager TLR rims
7.2 FX Women's Seeglass Crystal White Frame WSD Alpha Silver Aluminum
7.1 FX Stagger Trek Charcoal Frame FX Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork High-
7.0 FX Stagger Platinum Frame FX Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork High-tensile
Neko SLX Seeglass Rage Red Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum
Neko S Seeglass Crystal White Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum
Neko Seeglass Misty Jade Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum
Fork High-tensile steel Rear derailleur Shimano Acera Crank Shimano
tensile steel Rear derailleur Shimano Acera Crank Forged alloy Wheels
steel Rear derailleur Shimano Tourney Crank Forged alloy Wheels Formula
Front suspension SR Suntour NRX, 63mm Rear derailleur Shimano SLX
Front suspension SR Suntour NEX, 63mm Rear derailleur Shimano Acera
Front suspension SR Suntour NEX, 63mm Rear derailleur Shimano Altus
M131 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-750 rims
Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-750 rims
alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-550 rims
Crank FSA Dyna Drive Wheels Shimano RM35 hubs, Bontrager TLR rims
Crank FSA Dyna Drive Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-750 rims
Crank Shimano M131 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, Bontrager AT-750 rims
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city bikes
Chelsea
Chelsea is a district in New York. It’s also a district in London. Best of all, it’s a women’s District in our city bike lineup. Wherever you find it, Chelsea represents freedom, independence, and high style.
Chelsea 9 Canary Yellow Frame Trek Custom Steel Fork High-tensile steel Rear derailleur Shimano Acera Crank Forged alloy 3 piece Wheels Formula alloy hubs, double-wall alloy rims
Allant Women's Cosmic Black Frame FX Alpha Silver Aluminum Fork High-tensile steel Rear derailleur Shimano Acera Crank Shimano M131 Wheels Formula alloy hubs, double-wall alloy rims
Allant A is for Allant, which is a loose French translation for getting in motion. Need to get to work? Go Allant. Need to fly to the store? Go Allant. Need to send some kisses? Go Allant. Stock with fenders, Allant is rack-ready, life-ready off the shelf.
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7.4 FX Women's
head ov e r
heels
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mind the
glass Glass o n th e road : n ot g ood . Glass i n y o u r pai n t : g r e at . L e ar n how T r e k ' s S e e g lass coati n g
Know the number one barrier that keeps people from riding bikes more often? Safety concerns. So we spend a lot of time developing technologies that keep people safer on our bikes. One of our favorites: our exclusive Seeglass coating that uses crushed glass to make your entire frame more visible—not to mention more fabulous—in low light.
and product graphic designers embarked on a quest to find a coating that would turn the bike frame itself into a visibilityboosting asset. Their solution is beautiful in its simplicity and elegant in its application: Crushed glass, added to a clear paint composite and applied to a bike frame, captures and reflects light from headlights, street lamps, even oncoming bike lights, announcing your presence from every angle. Better yet, the glittering grains of glass in our Seeglass coating add vibrance to your bike's finish in any light. Safe AND sexy? Done.
Visibility is a major safety issue for cyclists riding on dark days, at twilight, and at night. Depending on time of year, latitude, and local climate, those low-light conditions may make up the bulk of your potential ride time. We speak from experience when we say this is a problem well worth solving.
Seeglass began as a technology for our women’s models, but it's been such a shining success that we've expanded it to most of our city bikes and beyond. Be seen, be safe, and get out there and ride!
Proper lighting, reflectors, and appropriate clothing go a long way—and we've got those covered. But we wondered: What if we could make the whole bike more visible? Our paint engineers
k e e ps y o u saf e a n d st y lish .
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Maui merriment
From city starlet to gym guru, we’ve got you covered. b o n trag e r . c om
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l ov e d t h e w o r l d ov e r
Millions of people ride Trek bikes in hundreds of countries around the world. Wherever there is someone on two wheels, there is a measure of joy to which we all relate. Geography may divide us, but we are united by the power of the bicycle—a simple, elegant solution to many of the world’s most complex problems.
Trek. We believe in bikes.
“This is what I want people to understand about Trek: It’s like a family. The business is owned by the family, and people are treated like they’re part of the family. We take care of people because that’s the kind of company we are.”
J OHN BURKE P R E S I D E N T, T R E K B I C YC L E
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