Hybrid Bicycles - Trek DS 8.5 vs. Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc

Trying to decide between Trek DS 8.5 vs. the Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc.

Any recommendations?

The 2 bikes are not really comparable as far as components.
8.5 Crosstrail
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SLX Rear Derailer Acero
9 Speed Cassette 8 Speed
Shimano Crank Suntur
Shimano Deore Hydraulic Brakes Tektro
I can go on...but it seems like the Crosstrail is more in the DS 8.3 level compared to the 8.5. If these were your two choices, the 8.5 is the way to go. It would be closer if it were compared to the 8.3, but even then, i would probably go with the 8.3 as well.

I did notice that, but I did not see any higher end models of the Crosstrail. My understanding is the Crosstrail is the bike most like the DS in the Specialized brand of bikes. Does Specialized not sell as high end bikes as Trek?

I did notice that, but I did not see any higher end models of the Crosstrail. My understanding is the Crosstrail is the bike most like the DS in the Specialized brand of bikes. Does Specialized not sell as high end bikes as Trek?


Well, i really wouldn't call the 8.5 High end either to be honest. The Deore system is close to the bottom line of the Shimano Group beating out the Acera and Alivio. The Crosstrail is a more than capable bike im sure. It's price point is meant for the sub $800 budget so it really becomes a choice of preference and what dealers are close to you.

My guess is that Trek doesn't sell a lot of DS 8.5 models due to the $1050 SRP. Specialized probably figured they wouldn't sell too many units and purposely chose not to make any for this year. The number of lost sales they probably considered negligible and focused elsewhere.

According to Bikepedia, in 2010, Specialized had a Crosstrail comparable to the 8.5DS but has not had a Crosstrail Comp since.

According to a trade pub I found, the average cost of a bicycle sold by bike dealers $524. Mountain and road bikes can cost thousands or even tens of thousands, but hybrid bikes...they don't go that high. Just look at some of the posts around the hybrid forum about which bike people should buy and $524 sounds about right as an average of people's budgets.

My guess is that Trek doesn't sell a lot of DS 8.5 models due to the $1050 SRP. Specialized probably figured they wouldn't sell too many units and purposely chose not to make any for this year. The number of lost sales they probably considered negligible and focused elsewhere.

According to Bikepedia, in 2010, Specialized had a Crosstrail comparable to the 8.5DS but has not had a Crosstrail Comp since.

According to a trade pub I found, the average cost of a bicycle sold by bike dealers $524. Mountain and road bikes can cost thousands or even tens of thousands, but hybrid bikes...they don't go that high. Just look at some of the posts around the hybrid forum about which bike people should buy and $524 sounds about right as an average of people's budgets.

Unfortunate; for once, Canada comes out ahead (re. selection): Crosstrail Comp, Pro, and Limited, e.g.

http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62236&scid=1102&scname=Multi+Use

I actually looked at both of those bikes this weekend. The store manager said wait until next year if you want a Specialized. They're getting a new for 2013 Crosstrail. He thought it was going to blow away the DS 8.5

http://bicyclesportshop.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/ridden-reviewed-a-preview-ride-on-the-2013-specialized-crosstrail/

So with that move to the 2 x 10 front crank set. Is Specialized moving this bike away from their advertising it as a "true single track capable" hybrid?

I actually looked at both of those bikes this weekend. The store manager said wait until next year if you want a Specialized. They're getting a new for 2013 Crosstrail. He thought it was going to blow away the DS 8.5

http://bicyclesportshop.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/ridden-reviewed-a-preview-ride-on-the-2013-specialized-crosstrail/


He would be correct. The 8.4 and 8.5 will not be offered for 2013, grab a '12 if you want one!

He would be correct. The 8.4 and 8.5 will not be offered for 2013, grab a '12 if you want one!

I didn't hear that. The 8.5 looks like a really nicely spec'd bike. It's a little expensive for what most hybrid rides want though.

I didn't hear that. The 8.5 looks like a really nicely spec'd bike. It's a little expensive for what most hybrid rides want though.

I can't remember where I heard that they would be discontinued, but I know I read it somewhere. The 2013 DS series is already showing up on the Trek website and there's no .4 or .5 listed. Maybe that means they're gone or maybe they will be added to the site later?

The big glitch with the DS bike seems to be the brake squeal, it gets me wondering.....do the Specialized bikes have the same issue? Hmmm....

I have disk brakes on my DS 8.5 and they don't make any noise. Very good brakes.

He would be correct. The 8.4 and 8.5 will not be offered for 2013, grab a '12 if you want one!

I was just in my LBS an hour ago and they were setting up 2013 8.4s on their floor. The list price is $899. I asked about the 8.5 and they said it wouldn't be available "for a few months". See my recent post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828787-2013-Trek-DS) for another observation about the 2013s.

I'm somewhat intrigued with what I've read regarding the 2013 Crosstrail. If they're prices are in line with their 2012 models, they seem like they'd be tough to beat. I don't see how they can have hydraulic disc brakes and Sram X9 components on their highest-end model and still retain their $770 MSRP price-point (as compared to the 2012 Crosstrail Sport Disc). If that's the case, when can I buy one?!!

Ok, my bad. I don't want to be spreading misinformation. I did see a 2013 8.4 listed for a bike shop in the U.K. Colors look like black or white, not bad, but hard to tell until you see it in the store. I guess they are just slow to release them here in the States. Hopefully they will show up on the US website soon!

I actually looked at both of those bikes this weekend. The store manager said wait until next year if you want a Specialized. They're getting a new for 2013 Crosstrail. He thought it was going to blow away the DS 8.5

http://bicyclesportshop.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/ridden-reviewed-a-preview-ride-on-the-2013-specialized-crosstrail/

After taking a really good looking at the Specialized, it looks like a 29er with road tires.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj396/cs1sales/2013_crosstrail.jpg

For 2012, U.S. Specialized dealers sold the Sport Disc as the highest level Crosstrail, but if you go to the Canadian site you'll see that they carried three higher-level models, including Comp and Pro. I am pretty sure that the Crosstrail in the blog article was one of these higher-end models, which certainly must go for over $1000, and must mean that the U.S. will carry the full line of Crosstrails in 2013. I sure hope so, because this looks like the bike I want to get for next year!

In case they don't, I wonder what the policies are if I drove across the border and bought one to bring back (I'm less than an hour away)?

I notice the 2013 Crosstrail article has since been revised, now stating it's equipped with SRAM X7 components, opposed to X9 as initially stated. The model in the article, 2013 Crosstrail Comp Disc, retails for $1,200 as per http://capitalbicycle.com/product/13specialized-crosstrail-comp-disc-172658-1.htm. It's a great looking bike, but at that price-point it hasn't bumped the Giant Roam 0 from the top of my list for consideration.

Did you also notice that the Crosstrail Pro goes for $1980? I can't imagine what would be on it that would put it over $700 over the Comp, but in any case that's a lot of money for a "hybrid"!

Ok, my bad. I don't want to be spreading misinformation. I did see a 2013 8.4 listed for a bike shop in the U.K. Colors look like black or white, not bad, but hard to tell until you see it in the store. I guess they are just slow to release them here in the States. Hopefully they will show up on the US website soon!

Well, I have proof that they (the 8.4 DS) are coming to the US. I just ordered one. The LBS can get the white ones by the end of July, and the gray ones (what I ordered) by Aug 5th-ish. I was going to get a 2012, but the '13 are almost here.

I hate to redirect this thread but this is the closest topic I've found to what I am looking for.

I am torn between the 2013 models of the ds 8.4 or the crosstrail sport disc.

2 of the LBS near me have the trek for $750 if I order by the 22nd or for $819 regular. Everywhere else has been $900. I've been finding prices on the crosstrail around $830.

I like the look and most of the components of the 8.4 but I like the way the specialized feels in terms of handlebar placement and seat comfort.

One thing that concerns me is the lockout adjuster has a history of coming off on the ds 8.4 but the lockout on the crosstrail sport disc is only on or off but is better secured into place.

I just wanted to get some other educated opinions on the difference between the bikes an thoughts on which one I should get.

You might want to wait for the 2013 Crosstrails to start arriving in the next few weeks. The Sport Disc is basically the same, but they're now going to have three higher-level models in that line with component upgrades from the other versions. I have my eye on the Comp Disc, but that's going to cost in the $1200 range (the top-level Pro is several hundred more!).

The show-stopper for me on the 2013 DS is that it no longer has a bottle mount on the seat tube, which is really a requirement for me.

The show-stopper for me on the 2013 DS is that it no longer has a bottle mount on the seat tube, which is really a requirement for me.

My 7.4 FX also does not have a seat tube bottle mount (could be because of size), so I got one of these:

http://bontrager.com/model/07758

I actually prefer it to frame mounted bottles. It is easier for me to reach and holds 24oz Camelbak Podium Chills without issue. Plus wearing a backpack of any sort is a real bad idea here since we are routinely over 100 and it would be just too hot to wear. Here it is on the bike:
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