Review: 2012 Trek Lush Women’s Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Since posting the first photos back in July the 2012 Trek Lush has been a buzz around Bike Shop Girl. The Twitter stream gets many comments, Facebook gets many questions and my email has its own little folder of women waiting to hear more on first test rides and availability. As I mentioned a few weeks back I was fortunate enough to be loaned a 2012 Trek Lush Carbon for review and demo purposes from the East Coast Women’s Trek Demo rep.
Initial Impressions of the Trek Lush
It took a full ride to get used to riding a 26″ full suspension bike again. Lucky for me the Trek Lush is very forgiving and climbs well even when wrenching out of the seat like a single speed freak.
The bike is responsive, with the DRCV rear shock and full floater design on the backend the bike rides very well uphill. The 26″ wheels allows you to whip around the turns and cut short angles as needed. Going down hill is the most fun you can have on a non-all mountain bike. The 120mm of travel (just shy of 5″) is more than enough for cross country riders, while the DRCV rear shock and sturdy fron Fox Shox is confident inspiring to push you a bit harder and faster.
Comparing the Trek Lush to EX Series
I’ve been riding an 2009 Trek EX-8 since it came out. It has treated me well and after riding the Lush it inspired me to pull it out of the attic where it has been sitting, hibernating, since the spring. Riding the two I need to say the suspension works pretty much the same for me. The biggest difference is my EX-8 doesn’t have the DRCV rear shock, and I would love to have the 15-mm thru axle on the front fork as it really stiffens up the front end in the corners.
The other thing you will notice is the geometry and of course weight. The Lush fits women better, has a better stand over and everything I have read on test rides, the Lush reacts better to lighter weight women with the suspension setup. I’m 160lbs, so I don’t need to worry about the lighter weight suspension setup!
Overall Impression
Since the Trek Lush Carbon was a loaned bike from a traveling rep I didn’t have the bike as long as I normally do. I didn’t make as many long 5 hour rides in the mountains as planned due to weather but I did ride the bike a good amount.
The Trek Lush, is a great riding women’s designed full-suspension mountain bike. It is straddling the line of cross country machine and light all mountain. I believe having a completely redesigned bike like this will push the targeted market. Hopefully get more women to try new things and go confident as this bike does inspire confidence.
The handling of the bike tracks very well, allows you to make some errors that other bikes would make you regret. That has always been the way of the Trek “full-floater” suspension design.
The Trek Lush in the carbon model will be a stretch for some women. I am sure Trek didn’t stock as many of this model, but I do believe there is opportunity to sell a sub $5k mountain bike and the person interested in it will want the spec that Trek put on the bike. A good drive train, carbon bars, light components and stout yet reasonably weight wheels.
It was a very, very, fun bike to ride. Personally I don’t think I would go for the carbon mostly for the cost. If you are a woman in the mountain bike market, the Trek Lush series starts at $2,199 which is rather reasonable for the bike build. If you can find a local demo and take one for a spin.
Things I Would Change
There were two main points on the bike that I highly disliked.
The grips – some folks like those foam basic grips. I am not one of them. The whole time I was missing my Ergon‘s!
The crank – I wanted a compact double on this bike. It would make the shifting and chain slap a ton better, plus I don’t see myself climbing on a 120mm bike in the granny gear or jamming in the big chainring/small cog very often.
Disclaimer: Trek Bikes provided this bike free for review, I wasn’t paid or bribed.
2012 Trek Lexa Women’s Road Bikes
The 2011 Trek Lexa bikes were an amazing hit for Trek Bikes corporation.
It’s one of the top selling women’s road bikes. Many women asked for Lexa by name at demos, and dealers also told us they had many women coming in asking about them. Women love the comfortable fit, race-inspired performance, and the fact that we have so many color and graphics options. It was fantastic to see so many of them at the many triathlons that we sponsored this year. - Trek Women Brand Manager
These bikes are also a very searched term that brings many new readers to Bike Shop Girl. We should have a couple of Trek Lexa’s in our hands soon for review. Make sure to check back if you are looking for more riding feedback!
2012 Trek Lexa Road Bike Line Up
2012 Trek Lexa SLX $1,379.99
The SLX is the top dog of Trek women’s aluminum road bikes. This frameset has shaped aluminum tubing to allow for stiffness where you need it, compliance where it benefits. Equals a lighter ride that is more comfortable to ride. The drivetrain is mostly Shimano 105 10-speed matched with Bontrager components. Available from 47 – 58cm. Also available in a white and grey color.
2012 Trek Lexa SL $1,209.99
The SL takes a step down on frameset to a more standard round tubing. Still a great frame design if you are riding <40 miles. Drivetrain is the new Shimano Tiagra 10-speed with Bontrager components. The bike is available in a compact double (two chainrings) and triple. I hope that you’ll find mostly the compact double at your local bike shop. Available from 47 – 56cm. Also available in a dark blue and white color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
2012 Trek Lexa S $959.99
The same frameset as the SL with different parts. Taking a large step down to a Shimano 9-speed Sora drivetrain. This bike is a great starter, but if you really get riding you’ll start wearing out parts. Personally the plum color of this bike is my favorite of the Lexa lineup as I’ve never seen a women’s bike this color. Also available in a light carolina blue and white color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
2012 Trek Lexa $729.99
The same frame as the SL and S but now with an aluminum fork. Drive train is 8 speed and I would recommend this for either someone looking to dabble in the sport, a teenager still growing or someone on a tight budget. If you think you’ll ride more than 2-3 times a month, take the upgrade to the Lexa S as the carbon fork and 9 speed parts will be better suited if you keep the bike for awhile. Also available in a white and mint color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
View the full line up and more details at TrekBikes.com
First Impressions: 2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s Cyclocross Bike
A beautiful brown box with a huge Raleigh logo on the side showed up this past week for review. Inside, a 2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 women’s cyclocross bike in for review. I previewed the line back in August and received a good amount of tweets and comments about the line. At $1,650 this bike could be a break through road/cross/commuter/do all women’s bike. Allowing more options and ways to get women on one well spec’d bike. I have high hopes, and the bike will be abused to see if they meet the hopes.
Here for photos? Scroll all the way down.
Out of the Box Raleigh RX 1.0
Very first thing I noticed is the coloring of the bike, very white with mint green ascent color.
Next thing was the drive train and sissy brakes. Yes, I call those brakes on the handlebar sissy brakes but I do like them! SRAM Apex shifters front derailleur, Rival rear derailleur, Tektro RL721, FSA Gossamer Pro Cross BB30 Cranks and sprinkled with Avenir components. Finally, rolling on Weinmann rims with Formula hubs and Vittoria CX Cross XG Pro tires.
Features of the 2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s Cyclocross Bike
A few key details I am really digging on the bike so far.
Rear rack bosses. Allows the bike to be used for more than cross. Commuter, grocery getter, campus ride, road bike, baby puller, and well… do you get the idea?
Tektro brakes. These brakes set up well, and are rather inexpensive.
Shaped rear seat stays. It is hard to see in a flat photo, but the rear stays are flattened which in practice should smooth the rear end allowing the aluminum to give some. At the least it shouldn’t be as darn stiff vertically (to your butt/back.)
The rims are slightly deeper in depth. The jury and all of its testing is still not shown if deeper rims help get through mud and sand. Regardless, they are deeper on these wheels and show the labels off well. Also, makes the bike look faster.
More words to come soon…
A first review will be ready in a couple weeks. Need to get this bike dirty first!
Disclaimer: Raleigh USA provided this bike for review, I wasn’t paid or bribed.
First Look: 2012 Trek Lush Women’s Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Back in July I revealed a new women’s designed full suspension 26″ mountain bike from Trek. The Trek Lush has been one of the top searched items to Bike Shop Girl since that day in July. Fast forward a few months, while hitting up Facebook last night an angel came knocking in the fork of my regional Trek Women’s Demo rep. Ross Rushin dropped a 2012 Trek Lush Carbon in 17.5 into my grubby and greasy hands today. I’ll have her to crush the dirt for a couple weeks. Give you all a good review of riding, tech features and my overall feel.
Rain pushed aside I hope to swap the stem and get pushing dirt tomorrow
Preview: Garmin Edge 200 Cycling Computer for Budgets
A Garmin for those on a shoe string budget but wanting the GPS functions and advantages, meet the Garmin Edge 200. MSRP of $149.99 and the function list reminds me that of the old Edge 205 but with a cleaner and smaller look. Add to it 14 hours of run time with a rechargeable battery, I’ll be putting this on my Christmas list instead of the 800!
“The Edge 200 was designed for those budget conscious cyclists looking for the basics — speed, distance, time and calories,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With no set-up or sensors required, simply switch on, press start and go. The Edge 200 adds so much to your ride that no ride will ever be the same again.”
Photos: 2012 Bontrager Vella Bags
A few more photos of the new bagline, Vella, from Bontrager in 2012.
Preview: 2012 Bontrager Vella Bag Line
Bontrager has released a new line of bags called the Vella. Modeling after what many European companies have known for the past few years, women don’t want bags that look like bike bags when they get off the bike.
2012 Raleigh RX Women’s Cyclocross Bikes
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
Want to know how I can tell you with 100% certainty that the bicycle industry is finally valuing women? Two things, women’s 29ers and women’s CYCLOCROSS bikes. Yes, it is old news (other news sites scooped it a couple weeks ago) but I need to share with you one of those things that I am so super excited about. Two, yes two, women’s cyclocross full bicycles from Raleigh Bicycles in 2012.
This could be do to Raleigh’s Sally having a girlfriend these days and realizing the needs of women. Maybe Raleigh’s Sally needs the shorter top tube and taller head-tubes that women’s bikes have to offer. Raleigh is taking a stand for cyclocross in 2012 with 8 models for cyclocross and I am proud of them for stepping up.
2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s Cyclocross $1,650
Aluminum frame, EC70 carbon cross fork and BB30. SRAM Apex & Rival 10 Speed.
2012 Raleigh RX Women’s Cyclocross $1,100
Same frame and fork as the 1.0 but stepping down to Shimano Sora 9 speed.
Photos from Bike Rumor
Stealing the photos from BikeRumor.com
2012 Raleigh Bicycles Women’s 29er Mountain Bikes
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29er Women’s Mountain Bikes
You are hearing it here first, two models of 29ers for women from Raleigh for 2012. Yes, another large bike manufacturer seeing that women like 29ers too. Each model of the Raleigh Eva 29 will be available in three sizes, Sm, MD, LG, with women’s geometry (waiting for geometry chart.) Both bikes are mid to entry level but a great place to start for Raleigh. Once I see the geometry I’ll give more feedback! Raleigh did get the brake rotor size right. 180mm front rotors and 165mm rear rotors on both bikes.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29 Comp $1,050
SR Suntour 80mm fork with lockout. A mix of Shimano Deore and Alivio in 9-speed and Tektro Draco Hydralulic brakes.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29 Sport $770
Suntour XCR 80mm fork with lockout. Shimano Alivio 9-speed and Hayes Mechanical disc brakes.
2012 Raleigh Bicycles Capri Womens Road
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
2012 Raleigh Capri Women’s Road Bikes
You may or may not know but I’ve been test riding a 2011 Raleigh Capri for the past couple months. Timing seems to be everything as right when I’m about to post a review about a bike, Sally turns around and sends me the new information for the 2012 line.
Raleigh Capri Carbon 3.0 MSRP $3,000
Full carbon frame and fork with the same geometry as the Capri from 2011. A mix of Shimano Ultegra and 105 but mostly all Ultegra besides the 105 shifters and brakes. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri Carbon 2.0 MSRP $2,400
Same frameset, full carbon as the Capri Carbon 3.0. Full 105 groupo and a lesser quality hub but same rims. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri Carbon 1.0 MSRP $2,000
Same frameset, full carbon as the Capri Carbon 3.0. New Shimano Tiagra 10 speed and KMC chain (come on Raleigh.) Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 4.0 MSRP $1,650
Hydroformed aluminum frame, carbon fork with alloy steerer. Full Shimano Ultegra 10-speed except for brake calipers. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 3.0 MSRP $1,300
Same aluminum frame and fork, but with a downgrade on parts to Shimano 105 10-speed for the majority of the drivetrain. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 2.0 MSRP $930
This bike takes a step down to Shimano Sora 9-speed and FSA cranks. A step up from the 1.0 with 8-speed but still not with the mainstay of 10 speed. Available in 45, 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 1.0 MSRP $710
The starter model for Raleigh, Shimano 2300 8-speed. A good beginner bike but if you get riding you’ll quickly ride out of this bike. Available in 45, 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Preview: 2012 Cannondale Bad Girl Urban Line
Another sneak peak into the new bikes for 2012. This time it is an urban Cannondale Bad Girl, the newest bike from Cannondale and the sister to their long time Bad Boy. The commuter and random alley hunting, urban lover, in me is jumping up and down to share this with you!
2012 Cannondale Bad Girl
Available in 3 models, (1, 2, 3) and two sizes “small” or “tall”.
Cannondale had this to say about the new Bad Girl
Sophistipunk. Urban mobility with attitude, sleek and stylish with a street scrapper’s heart yet nimble and fun handling, with a “heads-up” riding position. Bad Girl’s unique frame design combines a kickass silhouette with great standover clearance. Couture inspired artwork ensures that, punk show or premiere, you arrive in style.
Cannondale Bad Girl 1 $1670
The frame mimics that of the old school “Delta-V” mountain bikes. The Bad Girl 1 also has the Cannondale Lefty Headshok, with new OPI (one piece integration) fork The drivetrain is a good mix of Shimano Deore/SLX, with Magura Hyraulic disc brakes. Rip up the streets or commute in style, this bike takes the fitness hybrid and commuter to another level.
2012 Cannondale Bad Girl 2 $1100
Everything from the Bad Girl 1 but with a little less parts. The same frame, different fork and downgrading the drivetrain. Still hitting the right price point and hydraulic disc brakes!
2012 Cannondale Bad Girl 3 $800
Again, the same frame but with 8 speeds in the back (instead of 9) and more basic mechanical disc brakes. This is the budget friendly, go to commuter rig for ladies!
Preview: 2012 Trek Lush Full Suspension Bike for Women
I think bike manufactures are finally getting it. Women’s bikes are not taking a “unisex” bike, shortening the top tube and throwing a women’s saddle on there. Let me introduce you to the 2012 Trek Lush. There aren’t too many details but this is what I have so far.
120 mm of suspension. Ground up design with a lower center of gravity and lower stand over. The spec’s and prices haven’t been released but with 4 different models from “Lush” to “Lush Carbon” I would bet that the pricing and spec will mirror the EX line that has been Trek’s mainstay for the past few years.
