Yesterday, Trek Bikes launched two all-new bikes: the Gas and Gas+. Like their predecessors, the EX and EXe, the Gas and Gas+ are basically the identical bikes, now with the “+” denoting the addition of a pedal-assist motor and the related elements. Right here, we’ll be discussing the finer particulars of the brand new Gas, the do-it-all pedal-it-yourself path bike changing the very extremely regarded Gas EX. The brand new Gas definitely has some massive sneakers to fill.
The first change right here is the all-new body design that serves as the idea for the Gas platform. From there, three distinct choices, EX, MX, and LX, enable riders to decide on the journey numbers and setup that greatest serve their wants. The brand new fashions additionally embody a handful of different body and have updates, however there are basically three new bikes to debate right here, so let’s dig in.
All The Choices
The brand new Gas is available in three totally different inventory configurations masking the vary out of your do-it-all 145 mm path bike to your hard-hitting 160 mm enduro sled, with a mixed-wheel possibility in between. Between the EX, MX, and LX variations, you may nearly consider it because the Gas EX, the Treatment, and the Slash all rolled into one platform.
Between the three configurations, the frames stay the identical, and it’s the rocker hyperlinks and shock mounts that change between them. Relaxation assured, Trek claims to have accounted for altering geometry and suspension really feel whereas reconfiguring the body for every setup. Moreover, Trek sells these rocker hyperlinks ($100) and shock mounts ($20) individually to change between the totally different configurations in case that’s one thing you need to tinker with later.
Talking of choices, the brand new Gas is obtainable in carbon fiber or with Trek’s new low-impact aluminum body, and a jaw-dropping 26 builds or as a body solely (in carbon or aluminum).
Gas EX
The brand new EX seems to be the default setting, which Trek refers to because the “traditional configuration.” With 145 mm of rear journey, the EX setup has 5 mm extra journey than the outgoing mannequin, and nonetheless slots properly into the do-it-all path bike journey bracket. That’s paired with a 150 mm fork, twin 29-inch wheels, and a really well-considered, versatile, fashionable geometry that goals to steadiness climbing and descending skills.
Gas MX
Not surprisingly, the MX construct will get a combined wheel setup with a 27.5-inch rear and a 29-inch wheel up entrance. Suspension journey will increase barely within the rear to 150 mm, which is paired with a 160 mm fork. In keeping with Trek, it will get a extra progressive leverage price to associate with the smaller rear wheel to make it “fast, playful, and poppy — ultimate for getting zesty on aspect hits and railing tight turns.” For many who have been lamenting the lack of the Treatment, it’s not a direct alternative, nevertheless it’s about as shut as you’re gonna get lately.
Gas LX
With a distinct rocker hyperlink and an extended stroke shock, the LX setup bumps as much as 160 mm of body journey and a 170 mm fork. In keeping with Trek, “It’s the proper experience for these wanting the hard-charging functionality of Trek Slash with out its excessive pivot suspension.” With 29-inch wheels and a extra relaxed geometry, the LX construct seems to be prepared for some quick, tough, and steep long-travel path bike enjoyable.
Gas Body Updates
The brand new Gas body has been fully redesigned, and it has a brand new silhouette, but it maintains a distinctly Trek aesthetic. Whereas the brand new frames ditch the interrupted high tube of the outgoing mannequin, they hold the delicate curve of the highest tube, which supplies it a glance that’s undeniably Trek.
In keeping with Trek, they’ve additionally elevated dropper insertion to the purpose that “most riders on medium frames can run a 200 mm dropper submit.” Moreover, new high tube accent mounts enable riders to bolt extra issues to the body, and the in-frame storage compartment has been up to date, so you may presumably match extra inside, too. Rather than offering riders with angle-adjustable headsets, the brand new Gas frames include normal zero-stack headsets that can be utilized with any variety of aftermarket angle-adjustable headsets if you wish to go that route.
Suspension Design
Like its predecessor, the Gas makes use of Trek’s Lively Braking Pivot (ABP) suspension design. Whereas it appears to be like fairly just like a four-bar structure, the defining characteristic of the ABP design is the pivot level across the rear axle. This design is meant to assist isolate the suspension from braking forces, permitting it to stay lively even if you’re on the brakes.
Trek makes use of totally different rocker hyperlinks and shock mounts to change the quantity of journey, leverage price, and geometry for the totally different setups to create totally different “builds” or setups utilizing the identical body. The shock mounts even have development flip chips, so you may swap between excessive and low development primarily based in your preferences or the shock you’re utilizing.
Geometry
With three variants primarily based on the identical body, there’s rather a lot to wrap your head round geometry-wise. Between the EX, MX, and LX setups with totally different rocker hyperlinks and shock mounts, there are some minor adjustments to the angles and different measurements, however they’re comparatively delicate. Nonetheless, there are three separate geometry charts to take a look at, which might make one’s head spin only a bit.
For starters, the carbon-framed Gas is available in 5 body sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The aluminum-framed variations are available in 4 sizes, skipping the XXL. Some may discover that Trek did away with the M/L dimension for these bikes, however there seems to be a superb sizing development with out it. By way of the dimensions run, there are wise steps up in attain and stack with chainstays rising proportionally, too.
The EX configuration goals for the do-it-all path bike candy spot by way of journey and textbook “fashionable path geometry.” From there, every setup variant, EX, MX, and LX, makes use of totally different rocker hyperlinks, shock mounts, and fork journey, which lead to barely totally different geometries. These delicate adjustments are additionally geared towards their supposed makes use of, with the bikes getting progressively slacker head tube angles as journey will increase. The pinnacle tube angle goes from 64.5 within the EX setup to 64.2 in MX and 63.5 in LX. It has been talked about already, however the brand new Gas fashions don’t include angle-adjusting head cups. As an alternative, the usual ZS setup makes it potential so as to add your personal in the event you select.
The opposite primary quantity that most individuals are is attain, which is longest within the EX setting and reduces barely with every bump in body/fork journey. For instance, in a dimension giant, attain begins at 485 mm in EX, strikes to 481 mm in MX, and drops to 473 mm in LX. Total, nevertheless, there are wise jumps in attain up the dimensions run, beginning at 430 mm in dimension small and topping out at 530 mm in XXL.
In an effort to maintain issues proportional and balanced, the chainstays are size-specific. They begin at 437 on the small and medium frames, then develop by 5 mm per dimension as much as 452 on the XXL. One may go on all day concerning the different delicate variations in geometry, so in the event you’re tremendous , here’s a chart displaying the three totally different variations.
Weight
Just like the Gas EX earlier than it, the brand new Gas fashions are usually not the lightest bikes round. After all, the carbon-framed variations are a bit lighter with a claimed body weight of seven.3 kilos in comparison with the ten.1-pound aluminum body. The highest-of-the-line Gas EX 9.9 XO AXS is the lightest at 30.6 kilos, with weight growing barely with the totally different part tiers and the totally different forks and shocks separating the EX, MX, and LX setups. Nonetheless, the claimed weights of the carbon builds are all underneath 35 kilos, whereas the aluminum-framed fashions are all within the 36 to 38-pound vary.
Trek Gas: Builds and Pricing
The brand new Gas is offered as a body solely with shock, and is obtainable in carbon fiber or aluminum. The carbon body goes for $3,000 with a Fox Float X manufacturing facility, whereas the aluminum body comes with a Fox Float X Efficiency and sells for $2,000. The EX setup seems to be the one possibility for the frame-only, though the rocker hyperlinks ($100) and shock mounts ($20) can be found individually, so you may change it up in the event you like.
With carbon and aluminum frames, quite a few totally different part/value tiers, and three distinct setups (for many builds), there are a whopping 26 totally different Gas builds to select from. There are 4 carbon and 4 alloy builds, every with three totally different variations, plus two lower-end alloy builds that are available in EX solely.
With solely a few exceptions, every full construct is available in an EX, MX, and LX variant, with the first variations within the construct being the fork, shock, and dropper. The EX and MX builds value the identical, whereas the LX builds command $200 extra. Head to Trek’s web site to get a full rundown of all of the specs, it’s far an excessive amount of to listing right here.
Gas Carbon
The 4 carbon-framed Gas builds vary in value from $6,000 to $8,500 (+$200 for the LX variations). Inside that vary, riders have the choice to decide on between wi-fi and mechanical shifting from SRAM or Shimano. Once more, the forks, shocks, and droppers differ between EX, MX, and LX fashions. The carbon frames are available in three colour choices: Gloss Chameleon Inexperienced/Matte Black, Purple Phaze/Amethyst Marble, and Gloss Darkish Carmine/Matte Trek Black.
Gas 9.9 XO AXS: $8,500
Gas 9.8 XT Di2: $6,500
Gas 9.8 Eagle 90: $6,000
Gas 9.8 XT: $6,000
Gas Alloy
There are a complete of six alloy builds, though solely 4 of them are available in all three variants. The 4 Gas 9 Alloy builds will be bought in EX, MX, and LX variations. Their specs mirror these of their carbon counterparts, with choices for wi-fi or mechanical shifting from Shimano or SRAM. The Gas 9 Alloy frames are available in three colour choices: Matte Juniper/Blue Sage Splatter, Lithium Gray/Trek Black Splatter, and Matte Sedona Pink/Pennyflake Splatter.
Gas 9 XO AXS: $6,000
Gas 9 XT Di2: $5,500
Gas 9 Eagle 90: $5,000
Gas 9 XT: $5,000
The extra reasonably priced Gas EX 8 and Gas EX 5 are presently solely provided within the EX configuration. They’re provided in two body colour choices: Lithium Gray/Trek Black Splatter and Gloss Fury Pink/Matte Darkish Carmine.
Gas EX 8 (Eagle 70): $4,000
Gas EX 5 (Deore 12-speed): $2,900
Challenge One MTB
It is usually value mentioning that the Gas 9.9 and 9.8 Carbon fashions and the Gas 9 Alloy are additionally a part of Trek’s Challenge One MTB program. That is basically a customized construct program the place riders can cherry decide their favourite elements for the proper construct proper out of the gate.
Trek Gas: Availability
The brand new Trek Gas fashions can be found now at your native Trek supplier, Trek Retailer, or by means of the Trek web site.
trekbikes.com
