jet987

Yea I just noticed that so I adjusted my seat to be flat and level, feels better now.

jet987

I exchanged my 8.2 DS for an 8.3 DS, so now I have front suspension, thanks anyway

Zinja

Anyone have a 2016 model?

Filerunner

I just got a 2016 8.5 DS Last Tuesday, love it so far.

Zinja

Nice. I should have the same one this week.

Does it have a rear fork suspension mechanism of any kind? I'm not clear on that.

routenull0

Just took my first dive into a real bike and bought an 8.4 DS 22.5 in Matte Black. The local Trek shop didn't have any 22.5's in stock for this 6'4 guy so I have the unfortunate wait of 2 weeks for it to arrive, which I'm assuming will be a 2016 model. But that means I have time to order / secure some much needed accessories, which brings me to my first question, what are the must haves?

I've already purchased water bottles and cages, helmet, and locking mount kit for my Tundra to help with transport, so I am now looking at a small under seat back to carry anything else (flat repair,etc), but there seem to be a lot of options.

limbot

Congrats on the new bike!

You've got the basics already. Other things I can suggest:
Clear glasses and sunglasses - You can get some nasty things flying around while you're "speeding" along. I just buy clear protective glasses from the hardware shop and use them for dark, night or muddy rides
Gloves - You can get some nasty gravel rash if you fall off and the first thing you'll do is put your hands down.
Lights - I run a flashing front and back even during the day. These are just "be seen" lights and obviously if you're going to be riding at night you'll need a "see by" front light.

Don't buy a seat bag until you work out what you need to fit in it.
For me the "essentials" for my seat bag are:
-Spare tube (easier than trying to repair a tube on the side of the road just rip out the old one and replace and then repair the old tube when you get home)
-Puncture kit ( just in case you get two punctures and have already used your spare tube )
-Couple of tyre irons
-Couple of CO2 canisters (easier and smaller than a pump)
-CO2 cannister adapter (no good having CO2 if you can't get it into your tube )
-Set of small allen keys (only for emergencies, I dont like multitools personally)
-Leatherman Squirt PS4 ( mainly for the screwdriver but also has pliers, scissors, knife)
-Couple of zip ties ( never know when they'll come in useful)
-$5 for emergency drink/food/tip

I'm about to add:
-Chain quicklink ( as I'm pushing distances now and want to be able to cover that eventuality)
-Chain tool (see above )

But I need a bigger seat bag to add those in (see recommendation about not buying a seat bag till you've got what you want to put in it )

ColonelSanders

With how much harder it is to see lights in the day, I think one needs even better lights during the day, than they do at night, in order to be effective.

routenull0

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm leaning towards getting a small backpack instead since the backpack can carry a bladder setup as well.

Filerunner

No rear suspension, just front. Works well.

avidone1

I like the ds 8.6 for a lot of reasons, but I can't help but be a little put off that the frame material and process on the $1300.00 model
is exactly the same as on the 500.00 model. With specialized their $1200.00 comp disc uses a higher quality frame than their base model.
Is anyone else put off by this?

ColonelSanders

That is an interesting point.

It definitely puts me off the Specialized models that lack the higher grade of aluminium and I've often thought the DS 8.4 was a standout due to having Trek's higher grade of aluminium.

Wittyname

The real question would be, what's different between Spec's and Trek's grades? Without a direct comparison there's no reason to think either is better or worse than the other

ColonelSanders

I suspect that Specialized's M4/E5 aluminium is better(or at least lighter) than Trek's Gold Aluminium, but I think Trek's Gold Aluminium is probably better than Specialized's A1 aluminium.

I base this on Specialized not using any higher grade of aluminium than M4/E5, but Trek has a Platinum Aluminium as well as a 100, 200 & 300 series aluminium.

fasterthansound

Hi, first post here. Been shopping for a while, and I think I've decided on the 8.4 DS. Two questions for you guys-

1. Are the 2016's really available? I see a few people say they have bought one, but I only see 2014 and 2015's locally. (new)

2. Tektro vs Shimano brakes. I's seen online some people got Shimano on their 8.4. The model I'm looking at has Tektro. Should I care? Are they comparable?

Thanks!

dixosw

Just purchased an 8.4 DS. Here is what the local Trek dealers told me....
"Most of the 2015 Models are already sold thru for the year and in-stock now are the 2016 Models or the models that carry forward (meaning no change for the next model year)".
Supposedly, the the 8.4 is no change and the colors are the same between 2015/2016 also. I decided to take the plunge and am happy I did. Mine came with the Tektro brakes.
I haven't ridden a bike for 35 years, last bike was when I was a kid - a bright yellow Raleigh Chopper! Loving the 8.4 and getting back into cycling. Will give the seat another couple of weeks before deciding on whether it has to get replaced with something better but otherwise no complaints other than it's exposed how much work the engine needs (me, that is).

dixosw

I read through all the earlier posts and saw the articles about Suntour recalls, but this one seems newer (July 2015) and seems as though several DS models might be affected. Thought I'd pass it along. Just checked my recently purchased 8.4 and I'm just, barely outside the range of affected serial numbers. Might want to check yours.

https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/...by-SR-Suntour/

Cheese Monster

Let me re-phrase myself: I got a bike which the LBS guy said was a 2016 8.4

It does look like it's exactly like the 2015, so maybe that's what it is! Still, I love it!

stevil

Just got mine last night... really nice... what did they give you for tires?

Zinja

2016 DS 8.5, 19" frame. Very nice ride!

FM1178

Congrats on the 8.5. Sharp bike. I'm really liking the white color.

limbot

I really like the DS in white (luckily since I have the 2013 8.4 I matte white ) . Is that matte or gloss (can't tell from the pic but I think it's gloss from Treks site? )

ColonelSanders

Sadly for Australians, Trek has decided to not bring the 8.6DS into Oz for 2015/6, with the 8.5DS being the highest model they offer.

limbot

Interesting. I was talking to my local Trek Shop Owner today as he's just got back from Trek World. More about his holiday than about the bikes. Have to pickup a new hoop he ordered me later in the week, might ask him about the reasoning and see if he knows.....

ColonelSanders

Probably because the colour of last year's model was very polarising and sales were terrible.

If only they could have made the 2015 colour scheme like this :

The 8.6 gets the Blue Ink of the 8.5, the 8.5 gets the black & white of the 8.4 & the 8.4 which has two colour options, gets the Chrome, and then there is also the Viper Red version for those who find the chrome offputting.

If Trek had done that, I suspect their sales would have been much, much better.