The Trek Archive of a 2012 8.5 DS does look like your bike.

If that is a 2012 just wonder if the fork was checked because of the issues back in 2014.

Super excited to start biking with my DS 8.6

How do you like it?

Upgraded the saddle on my 2015 8.5ds last year & starting to feel really comfy.

I haven't biked in a long long time -- but I am just absolutely in love with this bike!!

Greets all. Founding member of the thread here returning after hiatus...

Really, really boss tire. Had them on a previous bike. Amazing dual purpose rubber. Total confidence on the hard pack, still rolls decent on the pavement. Been meaning to get a set of the narrowest (1.9 I believe?) but have held off for a couple reasons.

Just got back from the LBS, had a look at the 2016 8.4. The geometry (as I theorized last year) is noticeably different from what they were doing in 2013/214 (which itself was very different from 2012). Feels like a completely different bike. A little disappointed that some of the outfit has taken a step back (while the price advanced a few bucks). The tires especially I don't feel are appropriate to the price point, they still wont use break levers with adjustable travel, the stem seems....lean.

Even so, I like the posture so much I might just have to flip it and gradually spend dosh upgrading it.

Off the cuff, how well do these things hold their value? What would you ask for an embarrassingly underused 2013 DS 8.4 (% of new)?

I've fitted my stock wheels (Trek DS 8.3 2015) with 2.1" Ralphs (see attachment). Couldn't fit anything wider in the rear as it was pressing against the frame

So here is my new 2016 Trek 8.3 DS bike that I picked up a few weeks ago. Its the first bike that I've owned since my days of riding my old BMX bike. I love this thing and I can't wait to take it to the local trails around here. So far I have about 50 miles and I'm enjoying it so far.

Nice! I really like that creamy green color. Wish I would have selected something other than black, but it's too late now

From the photo it looks like you have your seat quite low relative to the bars. Just curious which size frame is that and roughly what your height is.

The frame is the 17.5" model and 5'9". Got one of those short inseam/long torso set up on my personal frame. I believe that I've raised the seat a bit since this picture was taken but not by much.

I know it is a long time since this disscussion was active, but I would like to say that my experience with the IsoZone frame on my 2013 8.5DS has only been good, after 3.5 years of using the bike almost every day for commuting with and without a trailer for kids and in all kinds of weather (I live in denmark) and some times light offroad in the forrests, the IsoZone itself shows no signs of wear nor tear. My guess is that Trek stopped making it because it was to expensive and the consumers did not trust it or want it enough. It could also be a question of benefit vs cost. The IsoZone does work, but it isn't something that you notice that much, I think on a newer version of the bike you could inflate the rear tire a bit less and have almost the same benefits i guess.

I just ordered a set of Maxis Ignitor 29 x 2.1 for my 2014 8.4 DS. Hoping they clear cause I want something to ride on the trails. I put 700x42 Bontrager H5 for all the road riding I do. I will post pics once they arrive.

Regardless of what you guys do to the ds it will never feel like a mountain bike. If you change tires, rims or front fork the bike is still going to be a hybrid . You need to change the frame also. The frame geometry is different between hybrid and mountain bike. If you want to be confident riding a technical trail get a mountain bike. Thats what i did 15 years ago after buying my first hybrid. You will be glad that you did.

I had a leather Brooks on a road bike that I built back in the 70's
Once its broken in, it was a great seat.
I really did not know that they were still around. I might just have to look into one.

Then apparently you have never ridden a DS, or at least taken a close look at its geometry...which is almost identical to Trek's "real" 29er mountain bikes. In fact, the DS is so close to MTB posture that I am actually trying my damnedest to frankenbike my 2013 DS INTO more of a hybrid...

Currently own a 14 ds that looks like yours and have a 08 GF ss mullet. Did you ever own a mountain bike than you would know they feel different.

Yesterday put both my bikes next each other side by side. There was a noticeable difference with the rake. The ds was more straight up and down. Using a ds as a mountain bike is just plain stupid in my option. You can agree or disagree. At the end of the day you can do whatever you want with your ds.

Trek has all new DS line for 2017... 8.6 is no longer available being replaced with D4. I haven't seen it our anywhere, but my LBS is in Wisconsin and they can get the new year stock already. I'm picking up the bike on Saturday and will post pics and a review. In the mean time here is the Sales Sheet:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11053231/DS%204.pdf

42t seems a bit small for the big ring. My 2013 8.5 has a 48t big ring. Keeps me moving at a respectable speed when on the road.

i am definitely going to test ride one when my LBS gets them.

Went to my local bike shop today to special order my TREK DS 8.3! They had black in stock which I tested out along with the Specialized Crosstrail and I really preferred the Trek, I wanted Volt green which they did not have so I have to wait 7-10 days to get. Needless to say I haven't been this anxious since being a kid waiting on Christmas! Fixed my old Haro which I am too big for and my girlfriend will be using that, I cannot wait to get my trek next week hopefully and start riding again!

According to that spec sheet 42/28 so looks like they've gone lower gearing and maybe they've gone 2x10 with a dual ring (can't confirm as SRAM says "This product is installed on bicycles as original equipment only, it is not sold separately" though it does look like the S1000 is available double or triple

Even the picture looks like it might be a double on the front.

Better for trails but not as good for road would be my quick interpretation

Hey All,
New to the forum & Cycling in general. Picked up the 2017 DS4 yesterday and figured I'd share some images.

[IMG][/IMG]