How to choose the right bike?
Choosing the right bike starts with how you plan to use it. Each type of bike is designed for a specific purpose - whether it’s long rides mainly on tarmac, mountain biking, trails, jumping and off-road riding, getting around city streets and dedicated cycle paths, or riding off-road, gravel racing and cycle touring. Your intended use should be the main factor that influences your choice of a new bike.
Road bikes
Road bikes are fast and efficient, whether you’re heading out on smooth tarmac roads, rougher gravel tracks off-road, or anywhere in between. However, road bikes differ from their trail relatives in a few ways, such as drop handlebars, a lighter build and narrower tyres.
Mountain bikes
Mountain biking comes in many forms - from relaxed rides along farm tracks on a light hardtail with front suspension, through sporty XC riding off-road, to technical descents on a full-suspension bike. Whatever style appeals to you, we’ll help you choose the right MTB that best matches your plans and the terrain you’re heading into.
Gravel bikes
Gravel bikes are all-surface machines built to handle endless kilometres of unpaved roads and off-road riding. They balance the off-road capability of mountain bikes with the speed and lightness of road bikes. That means you get all the advantages you need to tackle any surface.
Hybrid bikes
Hybrid bikes offer perfect versatility - combining the speed of a road bike with the robustness of a mountain bike. Thanks to comfortable geometry and versatile tyres, they’re an ideal choice for commuting, fitness and weekend trips. You’ll appreciate their all-round character on tarmac as well as on compacted paths or light off-road terrain, making them the perfect companion for everyday riding and weekend adventures.
E-bikes
It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out or you’re already an experienced rider. Trek e-bikes multiply the fun and the opportunities for everyone. Our e-bike guide will introduce you to the information you need so you can boost your bike’s performance, go even further, ride faster and more often, as you add a bit of juice to the pedals on the cycle path, climb steep roads with ease, or make errands and commuting easier with support.
Another important factor when choosing a bike is its size.
Mountain bikes
Frame size is easiest to determine based on rider height. However, many cyclists find they fall between two sizes (for example M - M/L). Choosing the smaller or larger size then depends on your personal riding style and body proportions.
- For technical riding, descents and rooty sections, choose a smaller frame - you’ll get better handling and control in demanding terrain.
- For performance riding and long distances on tarmac, choose a larger frame - it offers more stable tracking and more efficient power transfer when pedalling.
How tall are you?
Measure your height by standing barefoot against a wall so that your back, heels, shoulders and head touch it. Look straight ahead, place a book or another flat object on your head and slowly step away from the wall. The object should be level with the floor. Mark the point where the underside of the object touches the wall. Your height is the measured distance from the floor to the mark on the wall.
Your inseam length?
How to measure: Stand barefoot with your back close against a wall. Take a tape measure. Start measuring from the ground at the inside of your foot and extend it up to the crotch area, as if you were sitting on a saddle. Measure the distance between your crotch and the ground - this is your inseam length. Inseam length is important for the correct bike size, so please measure carefully.
| Size | 2XS | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider height (cm) | 135 - 145 | 145 - 155 | 155 - 165 | 165 - 176 | 173 - 180 | 177 - 188 | 188 - 195 | 195 - 203 | 195 - 203 |
| Inseam (cm) | 64 - 68 | 69 - 73 | 74 - 78 | 79 - 83 | 81 - 86 | 84 - 89 | 89 - 91 | 91 - 97 | 91 - 97 |
Road and Gravel bikes
The correct bike size is determined mainly by your height and inseam length, regardless of gender. For its new road bike models, Trek has switched from numerical to letter sizing, making it easier to navigate when choosing. Older models retain the original numerical sizing.
Old sizing
| Size | 44 | 47 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 60 | 62 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider height (cm) | 150 - 153 | 152 - 158 | 158 - 163 | 163 - 168 | 168 - 174 | 174 - 180 | 180 - 185 | 185 - 190 | 190 - 195 |
| Inseam (cm) | 71 - 73 | 71 - 75 | 74 - 77 | 76 - 79 | 78 - 82 | 81 - 85 | 84 - 87 | 86 - 90 | 89 - 92 |
New sizing
| Size | XS | S | M | ML | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider height (cm) | 143 - 158 | 158 - 162 | 162 - 173 | 173 - 179 | 179 - 188 | 188 - 213 |
| Inseam (cm) | 67 - 74 | 74 - 76 | 76 - 81 | 81 - 84 | 84 - 88 | 88 - 100 |
Finally, it remains to choose the right frame material.
- Aluminium frames offer a great price-to-performance ratio. They’re durable, relatively light and cope well with everyday handling. Their stiffer nature can transmit more vibrations, but modern designs significantly reduce this. An ideal choice for beginners and advanced riders looking for a reliable bike at a reasonable price.
- Carbon is the top material for frame manufacturing. It stands out for low weight and excellent vibration damping, which ensures high riding comfort. It allows designers to fine-tune precise ride characteristics in different parts of the frame. However, it’s more susceptible to mechanical damage and its purchase price is significantly higher.
What do the letters shown after the bike name mean?
These are the lightest and best carbon frames we offer. SLR frames made from OCLV Carbon 800 and 900 Series boast top technologies and are ridden by elite racers.
Our lightweight OCLV Carbon 500 Series. These road frames are a bit lighter than the SLR models. They still deliver an affordable machine with great performance features.
Our highest-performing Alpha Aluminium 300 Series frames. They’re light, have improved details such as hydroformed tubes and smooth welds, and won’t break the bank.
Our entry-level Alpha Aluminium 100 Series frames ideally combine performance with price. They have smart features and look great. Overall, they represent excellent value.