Trek 8500 Mountain Bike
The Trek 8500 is a hardtail mountain bike with an alloy frame and a setup that is great for helping riders to develop their skills on the trail.
It is lighter and faster than many of the more affordable bikes of this kind, which means that you can enjoy improved power transfer and better long distance performance wrapped up in a durable package that has a lot to offer.
The Trek 8500 is based on an Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame with a semi-integrated head tube, hydroformed tubing and forged race dropouts. This is one of Trek’s best alloy frames, with a lower weight than its rivals and the same kind of stiffness and rigidity that is vital for straight line speed and uphill momentum.
The Fox Evolution Series 32 Float RL air spring shock is found at the front of the Trek 8500, with lockout and rebound adjust and a maximum travel distance of 100mm. This is a fork arrangement which benefits from utilising components from a respected manufacturer, so you can be sure that the suspension will continue to soak up hits consistently time after time without starting to show the effects of its use too quickly. In addition the lockout is a nice feature which makes tackling climbs that little bit easier, since you will not be expending energy unnecessarily and can enjoy performance similar to that of a fixed fork bike.
Trek 8500 Specifications
The Trek 8500 harnesses a 26 inch wheelset which is typical of this type of mountain bike. Bontrager Rate Lite Pro TLR Disc rims and XR1 Team tyres are a good combination, affording you the strength and hard wearing ruggedness which is necessary for persistent off-road usage.
You get Shimano Deore XT M785 hydraulic disc brakes with large rotors at the front and rear. Disc brakes are desirable on this type of bike since they offer improved performance compared to standard braking systems, while the hydraulic operation makes for a smoother experience which is manageable with added precision in contrast with more basic mechanical options.
The Bontrager Race X Lite range is used for the handlebar, stem and seatpost, while the Evoke 2 saddle with chromoly rails is light, in line with the components to which it is matched.
The drivetrain of the Trek 8500 is comprised of Shimano Deore XT components, with a trio of 10 speed chain rings allowing you to shift precisely and quickly while having the range of gears on offer which might normally be found on far more costly models.
Trek has built this bike to be ready to race, with the frame geometry and components all pushing you towards a fun off-road experience which can also give you the edge in competitive circumstances. Trek is also confident in the actual quality of the bike itself, from the hardware to the construction. As such most new models are subject to its limited lifetime warranty, which should give you peace of mind when picking this bike because it means that care and attention has been paid to make sure that it is as hard wearing as possible.
The Trek 8500 is part of a range of bikes which begins to introduce some performance-oriented features in place of parts which have been picked purely because they represent the most value-centric option. This means you will be paying more for it than you might a more basic hardtail mountain bike. However, the extra money you invest goes towards a ride experience that cannot be matched further down the food chain, so enthusiasts will be more than happy with its potential.
Trek 8500 Bikes For Sale
Trek 8500 Alternatives
Compare Bikes to Trek 8500 : Trek Roscoe
Trek have now discontinued the 8500 model but there are some very good alternatives to replace it, starting with the Trek Roscoe. Just like the Trek 8500, the Roscoe range are hardtail mountain bikes built using the Alpha aluminium frame, and where the Trek 8500 used the Platinum frame, the Roscoe settles for the Gold.
The Trek Roscoe is an excellent alternative to the Trek 8500.
| Trek | Trek | Trek | Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model: | 8500 | Roscoe 6 | Roscoe 7 | Roscoe 8 |
| Type: | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail |
| Frame: | Alpha Platinum Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Front Fork: | Fox Evolution Series 32 Float RL, 100mm travel | SR Suntour XCM 32, 120mm travel | RockShox Judy Silver, 120mm travel | RockShox 35 Gold, 120mm travel |
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Shimano Deore | SRAM SX Eagle | SRAM NX Eagle |
| Chainring: | Shimano 44/32/22T | 32T | 32T | 32T |
| Cassette: | 11-32T | 11-46T | 11-50T | 11-50T |
| Shifters: | Shimano Deore XT | Shimano Deore | SRAM SX Eagle | SRAM NX Eagle |
| Brakes: | Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc |
| Rims: | Bontrager Race Lite Pro TLR | Alex MD35 | Bontrager Line 40 | Bontrager Line 40 |
| Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 26" x 2.2″ | Kenda Havok 27.5" x 2.8" | Bontrager XR3 27.5" x 2.8" | Maxxis Rekon 27.5" x 2.8" |
| Weight: | - | 15.8 kg | 14.8 kg | 14.6 kg |
| Price: | £1,500 | £875 | £1,050 | £1,400 |
| More Info | More Info | More Info |
Compare Bikes to Trek 8500 : Trek X-Caliber
As mentioned, the Trek 8500 has been discontinued but one alternative could be the excellent Trek X-Caliber.
Like the Trek 8500, and the Roscoe, the Trek X-Caliber uses the lightweight Alpha aluminium frame, albeit the Gold frame rather than Platinum for the 8500. These are excellent chassis for hardtail bikes, giving good depth of control and handling. Front forks see the ever popular RockShox in place with 100mm travel for rough terrain. Other components to be retained include Bontrager rims, Shimano groupset and disc brakes front & rear.
The Trek X-Caliber is an excellent alternative to the Trek 8500, you’ll benefit from upgraded components and 29-inch wheels.
| Trek | Trek | Trek | Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model: | 8500 | X-Caliber 7 | X-Caliber 8 | X-Caliber 9 |
| Type: | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail | Hardtail |
| Frame: | Alpha Platinum Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium | Alpha Gold Aluminium |
| Front Fork: | Fox Evolution Series 32 Float RL, 100mm travel | RockShox Judy SL, 100mm travel | RockShox Judy SL, 100mm travel | RockShox Judy Silver, 100mm travel |
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Shimano Deore | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano Deore XT |
| Chainring: | Shimano 44/32/22T | 32T | 32T | 32T |
| Cassette: | 11-32T | 11-46T | 11-50T | 10-51T |
| Shifters: | Shimano Deore XT | Shimano Deore | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano Deore XT |
| Brakes: | Shimano Deore XT hydraulic disc | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | Shimano MT400 hydraulic disc |
| Rims: | Bontrager Race Lite Pro TLR | Bontrager Kovee | Bontrager Kovee | Bontrager Kovee |
| Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 26" x 2.2″ | Bontrager XR2 29" x 2.2" | Bontrager XR3 29" x 2.2" | Bontrager XR3 29" x 2.2" |
| Weight: | - | 13.4 kg | 13.8 kg | 13.4 kg |
| Price: | £1,500 | £800 | £975 | £1,150 |
| More Info | More Info | More Info |
Trek 8500 Specifications
- Frame: Alpha Red aluminium with semi integrated head tube, butted and formed top tube, hydroformed down tube with integrated gusset, bridgeless seatstay, forged race dropouts and replaceable derailleur hanger
- Front Fork: Fox F-Series Remote RL with air spring, rebound, remote lockout, alloy steerer and 100mm of travel
- Rear Shock:
- Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
- Number of Gears:
- Shifters: Shimano Deore XT 10 Speed
- Chainset: Shimano Deore XT
- Chainrings: 42-32-24 Teeth
- Bottom Bracket: Shimano press fit
- Cassette: Shimano HG8110 11-36 10 Speed
- Chain:
- Pedals: Not included
- Front Brake: Avid Elixir CR hydraulic disc brake
- Rear Brake: Avid Elixir CR hydraulic disc brake
- Brake Levers: Avid Elixir CR levers
- Handlebars: Bontrager Race X Lite flat with 7 degree sweep
- Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite with 7 degree rise
- Headset: FSA Orbitz 1-1/8″ semi-integrated sealed bearing
- Grips: Bontrager Race Lite
- Rims: Bontrager Race Lite disc wheel system, centerlock and tubeless ready
- Front Hub:
- Rear Hub:
- Front Spokes:
- Rear Spokes:
- Front Tyre: Bontrager XR1 Team 26×2.2″
- Rear Tyre: Bontrager XR1 Team 26×2.2″
- Tubes:
- Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 2 cro-moly rails
- Seatpost: Bontrager Race X Lite 31.6mm with 5mm offset
- Seat Binder:
- Weight:
- Colour:
- Extra Features:
