Trek 850 Specs and Review

For decades, Trek Bicycle Corp. has been known as one of the most trusted bicycle brands. It has a wide range of bicycle models that have greatly contributed to the popularity of the sport. In this article, I’ll describe the Trek 850, including its key specs and features.

Trek Bicycle Corporation initially launched the Trek 850 bicycle model in 1983. It is not as costly as its competitors but has superior qualities. The Trek 850 frame is light but strong, allowing it to move quickly and climb efficiently. It is easy to maneuver and offers an excellent ride.

The Trek 850 bike is great for professional riders and beginners. Read on to learn more about the Trek 850 mountain bike, including all of its features.

Trek 850 Models Through the Years

trek 850

Trek Bicycle Corp. has released several Trek 850 models through the years. Below is a list of all those releases and their corresponding color description.

1983 Trek 850

This bicycle was the first-ever Trek 850 model released by Trek Bicycle Corp. Its basic color is black metallic, while its panel and head tube are in red.

1984 Trek 850 and 1985 Trek 850

The basic color of the 1984 and 1985 Trek 850 bicycle models is black. Both models have red graphics on them.

1986 Trek 850 Antelope

For the 1986 Trek 850 Antelope, the basic color is tamarack or olive drab. It is also available in pink to white fade.

1987 Trek 850 Antelope

The basic color of the 1987 Trek 850 Antelope is metallic blue with white decals. It is also available in red fade or blue fade, and both feature silver decals.

1988 Trek 850

In 1988, Trek Bicycle Corp. released another Trek 850 bicycle model. This time, the basic color is yellow featuring blue decals. It also comes in black basic color featuring magenta decals.

1989 Trek 850 Antelope

Another Trek 850 Antelope was released in 1989. This time, the basic color is silver featuring bright blue decals. It also comes in denim blue basic color featuring yellow decals.

1990 Trek 850 Antelope

The 1990 Trek 850 Antelope is another stylish model released by the Trek Bicycle Corp. Its basic color is intensely blue, and it features white decals. It is also available in white basic color featuring black decals.

1991 Trek 850 Antelope

As for the 1991 Trek 850 Antelope, the basic color is red, and it features a black splash design. The decals are in white with black and silver shadows.

1992 Trek 850 Antelope

Trek Bicycle Corp. released another Antelope the following year. This time, the basic color is sour grape, and it features white decals.

1994 Trek 850

The next Trek 850 model was released in 1994. One of the releases features violet and black fade as its basic colors, and it has white decals. The other one features the basic steel blue color, and it has black decals.

1995 Trek 850

As for the 1995 Trek 850, one of the releases comes in mercury silver and steel blue fades basic colors and features black decals. The other one comes in an ice green basic color, and it features blue decals.

1996 Trek 850

In 1996, another Trek 850 model was released. This time, the basic colors are Saturn silver and ice indigo fade, featuring ice indigo decals. It is also available in dry ice red basic color with black decals,

1997 Trek 850

The 1997 Trek 850 model features dry ice blue basic color. It features black decals.

Trek 850 SHX 1993 to 1997

Between 1993 and 1997, Trek Bicycle Corp. has also released several Trek 850 SHX models. These were mountain bikes with suspension forks.

The 1993 Trek 850 SHX Antelope has a basic color of Hood River red and charcoal fade. It features white decals.

In 1994, the Trek Bicycle Corp. released the Trek 850 SHX model. Its basic color is charcoal, featuring gold decals.

The 1996 Trek 850 SHX model features dry ice red basic color with black decals. At the same time, the 1997 Trek 850 SHX model features dry ice blue basic color with black decals.

Trek 850 Specs

trek 850 bike

Trek 850 models are not only popular among people looking for brand new bicycles. They are popular too among cyclists who love to restore old bicycle models. The Trek 850 is the model of choice for bike restoration mainly because of its durability and impressive performance.

Let’s take a look at the specs of a 1995 Trek 850. Basically, all other Trek 850 models have similar general features. So, let’s take a look at the following:

  1. Frame and Fork
  2. Components
  3. Wheels

1. Frame and Fork

The 1995 Trek 850 model is a non-suspension mountain bike. Its frame construction is made of TIG-welded steel. It features an oversized Chromoly frame material. The fork material is made up of Chromoly, forged dropouts, and unicrown crowns.

2. Components

The components of the 1995 Trek 850 include parts supplied by Shimano Alivio. The brake set is composed of Shimano AceraX brakes and Shimano Alivio levers. It features Shimano Alivio MC11 RapidFire Plus shift levers.

This model also features Shimano Alivio’s front derailleur. It includes a top-pull and bottom bracket mount. As for the rear, the Shimano STX rear derailleur is installed.

The 1995 Trek 850 model features the Shimano Alivio HyperDrive-C, 24/32/42 teeth crankset. Its pedals feature Wellgo LU-945 with straps and clips. Its rear cogs have a 7-speed and 11-28 teeth. The chain is Shimano CN-IG30 measuring ½ inches x 3/32 inches.

As for the Seatpost, it is Kalloy SP-242 and measures 26.6 mm in diameter. The saddle is of Trek HiDensity foam. The handlebars are alloy, the handlebar stem is Chromoly, and the headset is 1 ⅛-inch Tange-Seiki OV-850.

3. Wheels

The 1995 Trek 850 model features 26-inch wheels. The hubs are Shimano AceraX, while the rims are Araya GP-710 with 36 holes.

The front tire is a Trek Big Kahuna measuring 26 x 2.10 inches. As for the spoke band, it is stainless steel with a 2.0 mm straight gauge. It also features brass spoke nipples.

The Impressive Reputation of Trek Bikes

trek 850 review

Trek Bicycle Corp. has been in the business for decades, and it has definitely built a name for itself. Today, the company is recognized to offer one of the best bicycle brands worldwide. In fact, its name has started to become synonymous with innovation and high quality. You have probably noticed its logo featured in various professional cycling competitions.

However, Trek bikes are not only for professional cyclists. Trek has a wide range of bicycle models to ensure that they can cater to all types of cyclists. Suffice it to say that they have models that fit beginners, intermediate cyclists, and advanced ones.

Trek is based in the U.S., but the bikes are sold internationally. In fact, over 60 percent of the company’s revenue comes from its global sales.

Trek Bike Features

What are the qualities of Trek Bikes that make them so popular? Let me list down some of its best qualities:

  1. Best Framesets
  2. Great Design Geometry and Overall Feel
  3. Built for Performance
  4. Impressive Build Quality
  5. Premium Quality Suspension System

1. Best Framesets

If you are a cyclist, then you know that the frameset is the core of any bicycle. Impressively, Trek has mastered the construction of this critical bike component.

Trek framesets are strong, light, and attractive. They are flawlessly constructed, allowing the suspension systems to be installed and calibrated seamlessly.

These bikes feature internal cable routing and storage compartments incorporated into the frame itself. The company’s IsoSpeed frameset innovation impressively challenges the basics. An example of this is the seat post and the head post separated from the rest of the frame.

Trek’s innovation results in a more comfortable ride quality which any other traditional styles have always unmatched.

2. Great Design Geometry and Overall Feel

Frame geometry evaluation is such a complicated process. But the goal of Trek has always been to make this process simple.

With Trek bikes, riders have the option to choose between small, medium, and large conveniently. This eliminates the need to calculate tube lengths to find the geometry that fits the rider best. The ability of Trek to provide universal geometry allows everyone to have access to all of its bikes’ color and finish options.

Obviously, Trek very well knows what they are doing. Definitely, they are capable of tailor-fitting geometry to the riders. In fact, they have a bike model that provides both endurance and professional style builds. These features can support either an upright or aggressive riding position.

3. Built for Performance

After having discussed framesets and geometry, it is apparent that Trek bikes can perform excellently. But there is more than just that.

The Trek road bikes feature thin construction. They are light and rigid, allowing them to move gracefully. At the same time, the Trek mountain bikes feature heavier materials to withstand hard riding. But still, they are lighter than other mountain bikes. This is to ensure full safety as well as ideal handling.

When it comes to the components of Trek bikes, they are all top of the line and sourced from leading brands. The premium quality tires, shifters, drivetrain, and brakes are assembled with utmost care.

4. Impressive Build Quality

Trek bikes feature nothing but sophisticated materials and construction technologies. This is to ensure the products’ longevity and ride quality.

Their carbon fiber frames are amazingly light and meet all Optimum Compaction Low Void (OCLV) specifications. OCLV frames are constructed in such a way that they have tight precision and offer premium aerospace quality.

However, Trek also has bike models made of aluminum. They have Alpha Aluminum Frames which feature varying rigidity as well as flexibility for increased comfort.

The aluminum used is hydroformed. It enables exact control over the contours of all tubes, allowing frames to optimize their aerodynamic qualities from different angles.

Trek bikes impressively feature invisible join points. This makes the bikes aesthetically pleasing. At the same time, it highly contributes to structural integrity.

5. Premium Quality Suspension System

According to cyclists, the ultimate innovation made by Trek is the mountain bike suspension. In fact, Trek has patented its Full Floater suspension system. This system incredibly works well with all their other original design components. It delivers singular performance even over the harshest terrain,

The Full Floater suspension system is separately mounted from the frame. Instead, the shock is integrated between a point on the rocker link and the swingarm. This then results in a smooth and seamless ride, providing the cyclist with a floating feeling. This is why they decided to call it the Full Floater system.

Also, Trek has invented the Active Braking Pivot (ABP) system, which directly affects the suspension. ABP has the capability to relocate the brakes and pivot points. That way, they don’t interfere with suspension. This prevents cyclists from experiencing jarring and bone-rattling stops, as well as the risk of high-speed riding.

Conclusion – Trek 850 Review

Trek Bicycle Corp. first launched the Trek 850 bicycle model in 1983. It is not as costly as the other brands but has superior qualities nonetheless. Its frame is light but strong, allowing it to move quickly and climb efficiently. It is easy to maneuver and offers an excellent ride. What’s great about this Trek model is that beginners, intermediate cyclists, and professionals can use it.

This Trek bike model is not only popular among cyclists looking for brand new bicycles. They are popular too among cyclists who are interested in restoring old bicycle models. The Trek 850 is the model of choice for bike restoration mainly because of its durability and impressive performance.

So, whether you’re looking for a brand new bicycle or an old one to restore, you will never go wrong with the Trek 850.

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