Geez! This is getting complcated!

I just rode a DS 8.1 and it felt really good. But I never asked if it was a 2012 or 2013. I've been debating on saving money on the 8.1 or upgrading to 8.3 or 8.4. The different geometry and absence of a second bottle mount concern me.

I believe the 8.1 is new for 2013. The lowest model in 2012 was the 8.2.

It appears the all have two water bottle mounts, but depending on frame size the second might be either under the down tube, or on the seat tube.

Edit: sorry for the bad pic, but this is the 2013 8.4 I saw. Pretty sure it is a 19".

Another change/downgrade from 2012 to 2013: According to the Trek website, only the 2012 models -- not the 2013's are "Fender Ready"...

From looking at the website, it seems that the 2012's and 2013's are both the same price, but the 2013's have:
-- smaller frames
-- smaller diameter tubing
-- a bottle mount was eliminated from the seat tube
-- fender mounts were eliminated

Have there been any other changes/downgrades?

For me, the smaller frame size could be a problem: I have scoliosis and, unlike most riders, an upright seating position gives me a back ache. I need to stretch out a little and form a triangle between the seat and handle bars to provide support for my back. When I'm sitting up straight I can't do that and my back muscles start to cramp up.

Also, I go through a bottle about every 10 miles: only one water bottle just isn't enough for me...

And, I am thinking of a DS as complement to my road bike that I can use in wet conditions -- so I wanted to mount fenders...

So, for me, these are NOT good changes!

I got a 17.5" frame. So not very big. I'm 5'8".

If you want to stretch out more, just get a longer stem(100-120mm) and have a offset Seatpost.

Trek's website was updated today to include the 2013 8.5 as well as an 8.6. The 8.6 seems identical to the 8.5 except it is ten speeds instead of nine, and has an MSRP of 1369.99 instead of 1189.99.

... And they upgraded some components. Trek always seems to mix and match components instead of going with a complete groupset. That being said: the 8.5 is essentially a Deore groupset and the 8.6 is slightly higher. The easy way to see that is to do a "compare" of the two bikes on Trek's website and scroll down into the the details.

The new 8.5 and 8.6 also have some sort of rear suspension built into the seat stays called IsoZone.

My New 2013 8.6 DS

I also like the 2012 DS8.4 better. I like the larger frame and the higher bottom bracket. In addition I like that the cables are routed on the underside of the top tube where they are less likely to get dinged/snagged on things. I am 190cm (6'2?) and the larger frame is much more comfortable. Thinner tubes would be nice if you ask me, but heh.

I jumped on it and got one of the last 2012 8.5's. The frame is clearly bigger than the 2013, this one barely fits while the 2013 gives me plenty of standover height. I don't like where the cables are because they are always catching on the plastic straps of my car carrier.


But, my ONLY complaint is the cheap, LT3 tires they put on the 2012...


Oh! and they advertised it as 'rack and fender' ready and it does have fender mounts. But my LBS could not get a fender to squeeze between the rear tire and the front derailer. He swapped me the top fire Deore for a bottom pull SLX and the fender went on just fine.

Thanx for that..i noticed it and wondered if it was indeed some sort of suspension built in. I guess it would be fine now as a TRUE Hybrid. As a performer, i don't think i would like the Flex especially on the trails. Oh well..gotta love Evolution!

I think it is more of a ruber elasomer that absorbs vibrations, not really inteded to absob big bumps.

I just saw the complete line except 8.5 yesterday. There's now a 8.6 which is an 8.5 with a 10 sp.

I just picked up my 2013 DS 8.4. It is a 21" frame and has mounts on the down tube and the seat post tube. One thing I have seen complaints about is the lock out cap popping off. I can verify that within 4 minutes of riding the bike it did. I pulled into my driveway and there is a dramatic incline from the road. I had the cap in the locked out position and as soon as I hit the driveway, the cap went flying off. Very disappointing. I can see this cap is going to go missing. I am thinking about taking a small piece of Kevlar string and attaching it to the cap with a drop of super glue and attaching the other end to the frame. That way when it does pop off again, it won't be lost. I absolutely love everything else about the bike, I just can't believe they haven't figured out how to keep that cap from popping off.

yea mine popped off within minutes as well, i used some PVC cement (the stuff for gluing the sewage and central vac pvc piping). a drop of the stuff holds more than one would need