Hybrid Bicycles - Trek 8.3 DS ...

hello eveyone,

i'm new here and just recently got my first bike. i got into biking after a couple of surgeries that made it hard for me to continue running. it was hard getting over the fact that i may not be able to run anymore but biking has certainly eased the pain! anyway, i decided to go with a 2012 trek 8.3 DS and couldn't be happier...... :thumb:

hello eveyone,

i'm new here and just recently got my first bike. i got into biking after a couple of surgeries that made it hard for me to continue running. it was hard getting over the fact that i may not be able to run anymore but biking has certainly eased the pain! anyway, i decided to go with a 2012 trek 8.3 DS and couldn't be happier...... :thumb:

Welcome to Bike Forums ! Nice choice, You will find yourself in good company here. Richard : )

Welcome to Bike Forums ! Nice choice, You will find yourself in good company here. Richard : )

thanks! i see you live in north carolina. i just graduated from the university of houston and might have an opportunity around Hickory. the biking has to be great over there.....

Love the black wheels on that bike. The 8.3 is a popular MTB choice on this Commuters forum. Very versatile!

Way to go and WELCOME! We would love to hear your riding adventures!

Way to go and WELCOME! We would love to hear your riding adventures!

Thanks! Well my first adventure consisted of about an hour around the neighborhood roads. Good excersize but man my ass hurts! Hopefully i build a tolerance to my seat soon.......

Lol

My husband just bought a DS 8.3 today also. He loves it so far! I got the Neko -I love it as well :)

My husband just bought a DS 8.3 today also. He loves it so far! I got the Neko -I love it as well :)

You might have posted that on another thread, but Congratulations !

My husband just bought a DS 8.3 today also. He loves it so far! I got the Neko -I love it as well :)

congrats, i'm now actually looking for a bike for my girl as well. what made you decide on the neko ??

The owner of the bike shop showed it to me when I was considering the 7100...as a more versatile option. It was a little more money, but they gave us 10% off on everything we bought, so it wasn't too bad. I loved the look, and it felt sportier when I was riding it. I was also told that I might like it better in the long run, instead of constantly sitting so upright. I'm happy I went with it!

Nice :thumb:

How does the 8.3 DS compare to the Giant Roam 1? I'm looking to pick up a bike soon and I never thought to look into this.

How does the 8.3 DS compare to the Giant Roam 1? I'm looking to pick up a bike soon and I never thought to look into this.

I'm really not sure as i'm not really familiar with the giant roam 1. Things i like about the DS are the ability to lock the suspension when your on road runs, the disk brakes for when i take it in the mud/offroad, price was great when compared to the specialized crosstrail of the same caliber, and i really love the look of the bike.

Looking at the components, the Giant Roam 1 and the Trek 8.3 DS seems pretty close. Both have locking front forks and disc brakes, and Shimano Acera parts. I'm gonna see if the shop I checked out earlier this weekend also has the 8.3 DS so that I can compare.

1 week old 8.3 DS here as well!!! I got the black/Ti color...Absolutely love this bike!!! Great Choice!!

i agree, loving it more everytime i ride. took it to downtown houston today and realized how nice it is to turn the suspension on and off. really eases the rough trails and roads when you need it. love the hybrids ability to continue going when the roads end.....

The Giant Roam 1 is an awesome bike to, very fast on the road, but ready to hit the trails with no problem. Could have been had for 549.00 dollars at the LBS here. Can not compare it to the Trek though, never rode the 8.3, but looks very nice also. Richard : 0

One difference I notice between the 2012 Giant Roam 1 and Trek 8.3DS is that the Giant is 9 speed 11-34 and the Trek is 8 speed 11-32. Fork is the same and drive components are mostly the same.

Other differences are slightly longer chainstays on the Giant Roam 1 but shorter wheelbase. Giant also lacks a 15" size.

Just bought my Trek 8.3 2013 model I love this bike its really comfortable fast and handles hills quite easily. The lock out suspension is a bonus especially when i'm on the local roads where i live. I had a Giant Boulder before this bike which I used all the time but fancied a new bike so happy that I made this choice.

hello eveyone,

i'm new here and just recently got my first bike. i got into biking after a couple of surgeries that made it hard for me to continue running. it was hard getting over the fact that i may not be able to run anymore but biking has certainly eased the pain! anyway, i decided to go with a 2012 trek 8.3 DS and couldn't be happier...... :thumb:

I'm in the same boat as you......my knees can't take jogging anymore. The doctor told me "no running". I used to ride years ago while in the military and decided to buy a bike. I purchased a 7100 which I liked but just recently bought a 2012 8.4 DS which I really like. Its fun to ride and nice to get some exercise. I just joined this forum. Its nice to see there are others like me here!

Just bought my Trek 8.3 2013 model I love this bike its really comfortable fast and handles hills quite easily. The lock out suspension is a bonus especially when i'm on the local roads where i live. I had a Giant Boulder before this bike which I used all the time but fancied a new bike so happy that I made this choice.

Agree with you on the lock out feature. Very nice! Congrats on your purchase.

I have had my 2012 8.3 since christmas and it is legit. BUT as you have probably read from others the brakes squeeeeeeellll when going downhill and even just light riding. Also the red green on the lockout just shows red. I did not know if you just lift off the cap/ lockout lever you can fix that. also now I have also upgraded the lockout by now have two off possitions and a on in the middle instead of just the off-red/on-green. And that is because I accidently broke off the tabs inside the cap that makes it only 2 positions. So my lbs is ordering a new cap and it will take till friday to get my bike back! lame.

I have a 2013 8.3 and like it a lot. I did buy some new Bontrager Evoke RL grips. I rode with them for the first time today and must say they are a nice upgrade from the stock bontrager grips. No more tingling pinky finger.