trek crossrip elite gravel

Trek CrossRip Elite review

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Trek CrossRip

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Words Derri Dunn | Photos Daniel Gould

Until its 2013 models were unveiled, American cycle behemoth Trek offered a dizzying array of commuter vehicles: dozens of bike types, from brash urban fixies to basketed shoppers. Yet, conspicuously, it hadn’t yet produced anything to fill one of the most successful iterations of the all-purpose bike to emerge in recent years: the drop-bar, disc-braked, multi-terrain machine.

That all changed last year when Trek’s UK arm chose to slim and streamline its range. Gone were the Dutch-style bikes, the singlespeeds and the electric cycles; in came the all-purpose CrossRip.

Although there’s a nod to its cyclo-cross roots in the bike’s name, Trek makes few bones about this being a much more everyday vehicle than a race bike. After all, it has two specialist cyclo-cross ranges already, the Cronus and the Ion. The CrossRip is less about racing and more about real life — one bike to do it all.

All-purpose primed

There’s certainly plenty to recommend it for a variety of purposes. The fork and rear stays bear the full complement of drillings to accept any combination of mudguards and luggage racks, and the clearances are massive around the tyres to make sure it’ll accommodate your chosen rack-fender set-up.

Ridden ‘naked’, it’ll take 29x1.8in mountain bike tyres, Trek says, so you could turn it into a fairly capable mud-plugger too, if that’s more your thing. With skinnier rubber and a heavy-duty rack, it could work nicely as a tackle-anything, round-the-world touring machine, particularly as it has mechanical disc brakes for ultimate reassurance descending rough, mountainous roads with luggage piled up.

In fact, the brakes are just one part of the bike that demonstrates pleasing attention to detail: the front one is a common 160mm size, but at the back, where frankly you don’t need as much stopping power, the rotor is a mere 140mm. The Hayes CX is an unusual choice — compared to the more frequently specced Avid BB5 and BB7 road brakes — but they are neither twangy nor feeble in use on road or over rougher surfaces.

So the CrossRip feels adventure-ready, but if the ride to work is as wild as you get, it’s just as well prepped for you. Tellingly, the wheel skewers are Allen key bolt-type, rather than quick-release, providing much better theft protection. The dull grey paintwork is another nod to urban intentions, blending into the metropolis in an understated way. Less so the pretty anodised blue trim on ferrules and skewers, though, which always give a really trick finish and expensive sheen to any bike.

Gearing on the CrossRip is Shimano’s new iteration of Sora, now with sensible STI levers instead of the thumb paddles of old. It’ll never have the finesse of the more expensive gearsets in this series — Tiagra and 105 — but it’s a perfectly functional nine-speed set-up. That said, on a £950 bike, this groupset seems a tad stingy. Sora is used because, we’d guess, the budget has been chewed up elsewhere, notably by the provision of internal cable routing. Unlike the anodised blue trimmings, this is not just about looks — it’s the ultimate protection for the cable inners, particularly on a machine like this, which might see some mucky trails.

Largin’ it

On our first outing on the CrossRip, the first thing we noticed was how large it felt and looked. Our test bike was the smallest size — 50cm — despite a pretty short little stem, yet for our 5ft 6in rider the CrossRip appeared both long and broad. A wide set of bars with padding below the tape are part of this beefy illusion, as are the 700x32c tyres, of course, but it’s also a long bike, which you can feel in its stability once rolling.

The ride isn’t especially cosseting or refined, but nor is it clattering or agricultural. The CrossRip feels like it is just getting on with the job of steamrollering you over the rough and smooth in a no-nonsense manner. There’s some sensation of road-drag as you pull away, which a smoother set of tyres would improve immeasurably — well worth it if you ride mostly on tarmac.

If you never tackle rough stuff, the CrossRip is more durability than you need. On the same budget, you could find a lighter, nippier road bike with a posher groupset that would meet your requirements. But if you have that niggling feeling that one day you might want to venture down the path less travelled or perhaps take that six-month two-wheeled jaunt overland to Mongolia, this multi-purpose steed feeds into those aspirations very nicely, while still being perfectly at home as your everyday ride.

Specification

Trek CrossRip £950

Frameset 100 Series Alpha aluminium

Gears Shimano Sora

Chainset FSA Vero 50/34t

Brakes Hayes CX5 mechanical disc

Wheels Bontrager Nebula rims, Formula hubs

Tyres Bontrager H5 Hardcase Ultimate, 700x32c

Bar/stem Bontrager Race Lite/SSR

Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1

Seatpost Bontrager SSR

Size range 50, 54, 56, 58, 61cm

Weight 10.89kg

www.trek.com

Alternative

Kona Jake £1199

For years, the Kona Jake was almost peerless as the entry-level cyclo-cross bike of choice. Nevertheless, to keep up with current trends for disc brakes and all-round use, the 2013 model has received some pretty major upgrades. Most noticeable are those rather beautiful Tektro Lyra 140mm disc brakes. We think they look lovely, but sadly, in our experience, the Lyras can be a pig to set up and maintain. The Tiagra groupset is a small upgrade from the CrossRip’s Sora, but at £250 more, the Jake requires a chunk more budget.

www.konaworld.com

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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away , following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed. 

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Is Trek Crossrip Elite A Good Bike? [Trek Crossrip Elite Review]

Table of Contents

Trek Crossrip Elite

• Price: $1200
• Frame: Aluminum alloy
• Tires: 700x32c
• Gear: 2×9

What we love about it: A super affordable carbon-brazed fork paired with a lightweight aluminum alloy body, and an on-board dual drivetrain that lets you go faster and have more options.

What we don’t like about it: It can’t do the racing rides of a professional off-road bike, although there are more all-around possibilities.

Rating: (4.8/5)

When it comes to Trek’s CrossRip line, we can’t forget a classic, a small peak, the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite. While it may be a bit old for today, it’s still a must-have all-around road bike on the recommended bike list for beginners, including me.

In design, it will do its best with heart. For example, a full carbon brazed fork is available at an optional price, which is a very effective combination in absorbing shock. The dual-layer drivetrain can adapt to a variety of riding scenarios, whether it is urban roads or outdoor trails.

Due to the rise of gravel road bikes in the past two years, the 700x32c tires of the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite can also fully adapt to this gravel trail, rolling smoothly and powerfully across the road, allowing you to stay in the trendy riding trend.

Learn more: Trek CrossRip 1 Review-Is The Trek CrossRip 1 A Good Commuter Bike?

Road Performance

If you’re looking for a novice ride and don’t want too many options, then I totally recommend starting with the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite.

From a comprehensive analysis of all aspects, the Trek CrossRip Elite can definitely be called an all-rounder. The slack geometric frame indicates that it is a hybrid road and commuter mode, and the off-road performance is appropriately added.

The modest 27.2mm seat tube length isn’t as demanding on a novice’s stance as an absolute dirt bike. The tall 700x32c tires have more traction on the ground and can take you far away with less effort. You must know that cycling is also a sport that tests your muscles. If you damage your muscles at the beginning, it will definitely make you lose the fun of riding.

70% of the people who bought this car got used to it from commuting roads, so at the beginning of the evaluation, we came to the streets with a lot of traffic. There are sidewalks and narrow guardrails that need to be passed quickly and a lot of racing cars. I believe that if you are not good enough, you will not be able to complete this ordeal.

However, with my familiarity with road bikes, I didn’t feel overly concerned about the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite. The Shimano Sora-branded drivetrain allowed me to pass more pedestrians from the start.

Here’s a general introduction to people who don’t know much about bicycle parts, Shimano is a great company, which means you won’t spend too much time on post-maintenance later on your rides.

Plus, the 2×9 drivetrain means you have 18 speeds to adjust. For the average cyclist, I think it’s enough. But the fashion in recent years, about 24 kinds of speed is also a trend.

I can’t ask too much of the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite at this point, as it does satisfy my basic quest for speed. At this point, I can give it excellent.

It’s obvious that when we ride outdoors, there’s always bad weather, such as rainy seasons. On slippery roads, it is no small challenge for a bike to stay smooth.

Fortunately, the Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate tires for Trek CrossRip Elite are very strong, and they are not ordinary smooth tires. The patterns on them can increase the friction of the ground.

I’ve watched the Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate perform after riding in the rain, and I’ve seen the water flow out of the tires very regularly, which means it’s effectively removing dirt and rain.

Also, fit Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc brakes to avoid unexpected situations. I’m sure you don’t want to meet some beautiful ladies on the road around the corner and can’t stop to politely say hello~, or to scramble to avoid those cute wild animals as we ride into the city’s parks.

Despite the fact that hydraulic discs have been fashionable for nearly two years, mechanical discs make you feel a little retro. But in terms of performance, believe me, the performance of the mechanical disc is not inferior to the hydraulic disc brake, and it is also simpler in later maintenance. We will talk about this later.

General Riding

When I embarked on a wild adventure with this elegant bike, I was a little underconfident at first. After all, for bicycles in the past two years, the all-carbon brazed body is the trend, and so are the 24 or so transmission systems. At this point, I have to admit it’s a bit behind for the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite.

The sections I rode were familiar to me as they consisted of various rough structures such as gravel, lush grass, and a short forest trail.

The body of the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite is constructed of 100 Series Alpha Aluminum aluminum. Although it is not as light as carbon brazing, it is superior in its resistance to rough friction. While body bruises are a testament to your riding experience, for most of us, we like a decent-looking frame. So from this point, an aluminum frame is acceptable.

Of course, if it’s fair to say, the weight puts a lot of pressure on the steeper ascents, hindering the traction of the tires. In a downhill road environment, the downhill speed will be accelerated.

Of course, don’t worry too much, the Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc brakes are very sensitive under my rigorous multiple downhill dive tests, which is an uncompromising principle.

When I started to face the gravel-filled path, I was very resistant inside. If the tires are not strong, then this test means unsuccessful. Luckily, the Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate tires were sturdy and powerful enough to roll over these pesky sharp stones without causing the car behind me to be scratched by the flying stones.

Because it is a product in 2016, the internal routing technology is used in the problem of routing. While this made braking harder, it was great for me traversing overgrown conditions with no risk of entanglement.

I don’t want to spend my time unraveling the weeds tangled in the body, which would be unwise. This also applies to forest trails, those sharp branches are no less damaging than gravel, and the smooth passage of gravel roads gave me the confidence to travel through the forest.

Main Feature

The 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite has a very stretchy frame. I’m riding a size M (for reference: I’m 5’10”) and it didn’t put a strain on my ride. At the same time, a female friend of mine wears a skirt suit while riding, and the pannier can also be expanded.

Even though I think the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite would be a very superior choice for most urban commuters, there’s no denying that color-loving won’t please everyone. If you like calm, and dependability, then the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite in black is for you. If you want a little jump in your boring life, your options are lacking.

Of course, its functionality is very open, allowing brackets and lights to be installed. You only need to find the adaptation on the trek official website, which is also very convenient. This is an essential link for anyone who needs to carry a package. When you are riding outdoors, if the time is relatively late, the lights will also help you solve the problem of sight.

Since I’ve been testing for over a week, I think I can still say a little about the comfort of the saddle. The Bontrager Evoke 1 is the all-purpose saddle in the Trek CrossRip line, and comfort is moderate. It may be a little uncomfortable for those who are thinner and need to fit a very soft saddle.

We found that, despite being a 2016 model, riding the Trek CrossRip Elite didn’t differ much from the latest model in terms of comfort. I think it might have something to do with its decent seat and head angle. 

The seatpost length of the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite is 27.2mm, which is also quite satisfactory. Therefore, for novice riding, it can also make you do not need to spend too much effort, and the degree of freedom of posture is higher. Urban commuters certainly don’t want to be on the road every day with sore muscles. 

The geometrically beautiful model didn’t bother with aerodynamic drag. This is necessary for the fast commuting of the city and the traffic lights that must be faced every day. Some heavy and wide models will drag the rider’s speed when riding. 

Components and Specifications

Bontrager satellite plus full carbon fork.

Although the Trek CrossRip Elite has an aluminum body, the fork is a full-carbon brazed material. If you can understand a little bit about the material properties of carbon brazing, you should know that it is very effective in absorbing shock.

If you are not satisfied with the smooth roads of the city, and are very interested in yearning for the outdoors, but at the same time worry about the soreness of your arms due to long-term bumps, then I recommend that you try to take the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite to test it. From my tests, I don’t think there are any concerns in this regard.

A carbon-braced fork can also help a little when it comes to saving weight in a very large frame. This means that if you’re riding a slow ascent, a carbon-braced fork will help you spend less effort.

Shimano 2×9 Drivetrain

At the same price, there are many brands of models that use a single-group transmission system, but I prefer a dual-group power transmission system, which will give you more freedom in speed selection. At the same time, if you encounter a little emergency and struggle with your riding speed to keep up with the passage of time, you will regret not choosing a dual-group drivetrain.

Plus I’m a fast-paced person and if my bike starts slowing like a very old man it would be a bit of a social shame, after all, no one wants to be the last one.

When I tested a bike with a single group 1×10 drivetrain a few months ago. It was an unfair race, and I was traveling with a dual drive, and I was kind of funny when I was behind, but I don’t want to go through a moment like this again.

At the same time, in terms of uphill performance, the 2×10 will easily let you pass the difficulty of uphill. No cyclist wants to waste time going uphill, and neither do I. Of course, so does the Trek CrossRip Elite.

Hayes CX Expert Mechanical Disc

The debate about hydraulic discs and mechanical discs has been very hot in recent years. For me, hydraulic discs outperform mechanical discs both in terms of weight and aesthetics. But don’t forget, the value of a thing is still reflected in its ability. As for the brakes, I think I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is almost no difference between the two.

The most important point, the advantage of the mechanical disk, is the maintenance cost. A considerable number of cyclists want to maintain the bicycle as easily as possible.

For users who have hydraulic discs, the replacement of hydraulic discs is a lot of money, so the maintenance of mechanical discs is simpler.

Another point also makes me have a certain respect for the mechanical disc: we often ride on muddy or rainy roads, and the mechanical disc is more adaptable to this environment than the hydraulic disc.

Of course, it is undeniable that the mechanical disc is indeed heavier than the hydraulic disc, and the weight of the body is also a relatively large factor affecting the riding experience. In this day and age of lightweight bikes, it’s true that mechanical discs aren’t going to please everyone.

Due to the different operating principles, the wear of the mechanical disc on the wheel is also smaller than that of the hydraulic disc. Heating is less, although this is minimal, but as a responsible reviewer, I still need to give some hints.

Previous Versions of the Trek CrossRip Elite

We compared the 2015 Trek CrossRip Elite to the 2014 Trek CrossRip Elite. In terms of some basics, the CrossRip Elite remains consistent. The same carbon brazed front fork makes the shock absorption more efficient, and the weight of the body is reduced, making it easier to climb uphill.

The high-quality 100 Series Alpha Aluminum’s aluminum body makes outdoor riding more worry-free and more resistant to rough wear. Likewise, the alloy body is no match for the lightness of an all-carbon brazed body. The same level is also shown on the drivetrain, Shimano 2×9 drivetrain, 18 shifting channels. That’s more than enough for a crowd with no racing requirements.

The performance of the tires is also consistent, using Bontrager H5 700x32c tires. Tall and well-patterned tires are of great help in terms of speed and a relaxed and stable feel.

At the same time, there is a certain improvement in the braking of the mechanical disc. The 2015 Trek CrossRip Elite uses a Hayes CX Expert disc, and the 2014 Trek CrossRip Elite uses a Hayes CX 5 disc. Of course, this improvement in braking will definitely have some impact on riding, which is relatively more sensitive and fast.

In terms of color, the Trek CrossRip Elite series does not have many choices. As I mentioned earlier, this is a pity for urban fashionistas who like bright colors. The 2015 Trek CrossRip Elite is the same black as the 2016, and the 2014 Trek CrossRip Elite is gray. The same low-key, the same strong.

What do we like about it?

• The carbon brazing front fork, which can effectively absorb vibration, also surpasses the cost performance.
• This dual 2×9 power transmission system gives you more speed choices and more room for improvement.
• Despite its lower maintenance cost, the mechanical disc is not inferior to the hydraulic disc in terms of braking power.
• The 700x32c tall and sturdy tires can easily adapt to the complex environment in the wild, and the rolling force is more powerful.
• The built-in wiring is more concise, avoiding all kinds of winding and cleaning troubles.
• A free geometric frame can be fitted with brackets and lights to reduce commuter burden.
• Stable downhill power allows you to avoid body drift.

What do we not like about it?

• Single colors may not be appealing to people who want to attract attention.
• The alloy frame has a bit of a weight hold for steeper climbs.
• Without the more expensive all-carbon brazed body, more can’t be done in terms of body shock absorption.

Trek FX Sport 5 vs  2016 Trek CrossRip Elite

Comparing the Trek FX Sport 5, it’s clear that the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite’s superior value for money. On top of being nearly $1,000 cheaper, the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite’s drivetrain is a dual-group build. Although there are four fewer speed options than the Trek FX Sport 5, in the process of most daily riding, there is almost no difference.

Meanwhile, the Trek FX Sport 5 has wider tires, so it will be a little stronger on the ground. But at the same time, it will also increase the resistance on commuting and off-road climbing. However, if you’re a fan of sand and snow, wider tires do benefit.

Learn More: Trek FX Sport 5 Review-Is It A Good Hybrid Bike?

Canyon Commuter Sport 8.0 vs  2016 Trek CrossRip Elite

As a product, the Canyon Commuter Sport 8.0 didn’t stand out as much when compared to the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite. Although the single-group transmission system has improved a few levels in speed selection, in my experience, the difference is not too big.

But I have to mention that the Canyon Commuter Sport 8.0 is a little quieter because of the belt drive. But for most of our outdoor riding, this kind of improvement doesn’t seem to be an important feature. Also, the tires are sized to be a little harder on some slopes than the 700×32 tires on the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite.

Although they share the same aluminum body and carbon-braced fork, the Canyon Commuter Sport 8.0 is more than $700 more expensive than the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite. Also, age is different, and I don’t think the Canyon Commuter Sport 8.0 is that advanced enough.

Marin Presidio 4 DLX vs  2016 Trek CrossRip Elite

Likewise, the Marin Presidio 4 DLX and Trek CrossRip Elite’s aluminum body and full carbon brazed fork mean they’ll handle roughly the same amount of drag while riding. Coupled with the same tall 700x32c tires, the riding experience is basically the same.

For the Marin Presidio 4, it has to be mentioned that it has achieved an upgrade in the braking system. The hydraulic disc is used, which is lighter and more modern, but in terms of braking effect, the difference will not be obvious. Because almost every bicycle brand attaches great importance to brakes, whether it is mechanical or hydraulic, the ability is the same.

Of course, the hydraulic disc will make the body lighter, which is undeniable. Overall, the $2,349 price of the Marin Presidio 4 DLX does have some economic pressure.

Priority 600 vs  2016 Trek CrossRip Elite

One big feature of the Priority 600’s design is its smaller wheels relative to the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite. The small wheels do feel a little sluggish at speed, but at the same time, they outperform the larger ones in terms of grip, cushioning and stability on gravel and outdoor trails. But maybe a little pity for the city roads we use more often.

Compared to the drivetrain of the 2016 Trek CrossRip Elite, the Priority 600 improves the range of speed options a bit, but not by much. The Priority 600 uses a more expensive belt drive system, which handles noise better than conventional models. But if you’re riding outdoors, the difference isn’t very noticeable.

At the same time, the price of 2499 does not produce a greater advantage and is not the best economical and practical choice.

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Alpha 100 Aluminium is Trek's base material for making bikes but the Crossrip is nicely built and finished, with neat welds and an understated grey finish. We had the big 61cm bike which felt pretty rangy with a 60.8cm effective top tube. I could have happily ridden the 58cm (59.3cm ETT) too. The head angle is 72.5° on both those bikes, slackening to 71° in the smallest size, 50cm. The 20cm head tube doesn't sound that huge for what's a big bike but the carbon-bladed, alloy steerer fork is cyclocross length so that lifts the front of the bike too over what you'd expect from a road fit. The resulting position is comfort-oriented; the stem points down so you can flip that for an even higher front if you want but I already found myself as upright as I'd want to be. Cruising in the (fairly shallow) drops was comfortable for fairly long stints, and although the bike's more upright position isn't as aerodynamic, that's not really much of an issue.

It's a chugger rather than a tight and twitchy ride, the Crossrip; think big diesel. That's not a criticism, it's simply the nature of the bike, happy to cruise along and take everything in its stride. It's not unresponsive when you stamp on the pedals or wrench the bars round, but it's happier when you take things at a steadier pace. The position and the feel of the bike is very reassuring and I'd be plenty happy doing long rides on the Crossrip, but I wouldn't be expecting to break any PBs.

Is it a cyclocross bike? Well, not really. You can generally tell whether a company thinks a CX bike will actually be used for CX by checking the gearing and tyres; here we have a road compact chainset (an FSA Vero) and wide cassette, and Bontrager 32mm hardcase touring tyres. It's a bike for tarmac and hardpack, rather than lugging round a muddy field for an hour. You could; the geometry and build don't preclude it. But if you want to race, this isn't the best bike for your grand. Other touches mark this out as more of a town bike, for example the security-conscious skewers that open with an Allen key rather than a quick release, and the urban camouflage paint job.

So it's a disc-equipped commu-tourer then. And if you want a bike for a bit of everything but mostly commuting or all-weather miles, it's a good bet. The Crossrip is a very capable bike on the tarmac and it's perfectly happy heading onto unsurfaced paths too, with the unflappable Bontrager tyres shrugging off flints and thorns. We've checked them over and they've barely registered a scratch. The payoff for that is that they're a bit heavy and, sluggish on the blacktop, but if you're sticking to better surfaces you could swap them out for a lightweight set of 28s.

Shifting-wise, new Sora is pretty good; certainly it's masses better than old Sora. There's one more ratio (nine instead of eight) which might please you but the real change is from thumbshift to proper Dual Control with the downshift behind the brake lever. It's much easier to use from multiple positions and it's a lighter action too. the engineering isn't quite up to the standard of the dearer groupsets (natch) so it's a bit clunky compared to 105 or Ultegra, but it's a big step forward.

At the back you get an 11-32 cassette; coupled with a 50/34 compact up front that's all the gears you're likely to need, unloaded at least. The Crossrip has rack mounts and, unusually for a carbon fork, low rider mounts too, so in theory you could fully load it up, but you'd want much lower gears than those specced for any heavy touring. It's a pity Trek don't offer a triple version for that extra versatility.

Then there's the brakes. The brakes are really, really good. It's the first time I've tried a bike fitted with the Hayes CX-5 callipers and I think I might even prefer them to Avid BB7s. Heresy, I know. But these are great mechanical discs. They're a bit of a faff to get set up just so, but once they're up they're super: lots of power and great modulation. They squawked and squeaked a bit when they were brand new and after every hose down but once they're bedded in you just get the nice buzz of the rotor pattern on the pads, and masses of stopping power.

In the interests of science – and since it's a big debate we all seem to be having – I tried to cook them, dragging them down the longest of Bath's descents (a mile and a half) and hauling them on at the bottom. There was a bit of fade, especially when just using the back brake with its smaller 140mm rotor, but they never felt like you'd run out of anchors. The back one could do with a better quality cable outer that doesn't compress, but that's my only gripe really.

The excellent brakes mean going downhill on the Crossrip is a lot of fun, with the confidence that you'll be able to scrub off speed daring you to push a bit quicker. The bike's good at speed, stable and reassuring with the steering direct. Once you get to the bottom of the valley and have to hoik yourself up the other side it's a bike that favours a seated approach. Getting out of the saddle and stomping up climbs feels like hard work, and it's not too hard to eke some flex out of the FSA chainset. Spinning feels more efficient.

Bontrager kit rarely warrants much of a mention at this level; suffice to say it does the job extremely well without showing off. The Race Lite Isozone handlebar is comfy in all positions and the SSR stem nice and stiff. The saddle was okay if a bit bulky, but it's easily swapped if it doesn't sit well with you.

The £950 RRP feels like a fair deal, rather than a bargain. You're getting new Sora and good discs on a nice frame and the bike as an overall package is well thought out and a nice ride. There's plenty of competition at this kind of money and the Crossrip Elite holds its own well.

Well put together, comfortable commu-tourer with solid spec and excellent brakes

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Trek Crossrip Elite

Size tested: 61cm

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

Frame: 100 Series Alpha Aluminium

Fork: Bontrager Satellite Plus, carbon disc w/lowrider mounts

Sizes: 50, 54, 56, 58, 61cm

Wheels: Formula aluminium disc hubs w/Bontrager Nebula Disc 32-hole rims

Tyres: Bontrager H5 Hard-Case Ultimate, 700x32c

Shifters: Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed

Front derailleur: Shimano Sora

Rear derailleur: Shimano Sora

Crank: FSA Vero, 50/34 (compact)

Cassette: SRAM PG-950 11-32, 9 speed

Pedals: Wellgo track-style aluminium

Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 1

Seatpost: Bontrager SSR

Handlebar: Bontrager Race Lite IsoZone, aluminium, VR-CF, 31.8mm

Stem: Bontrager SSR, 10 degree

Headset: Cartridge bearings, sealed

Brakeset: Tektro aluminium levers w/ Hayes CX5 mechanical disc brakes, 160mm front, 140mm rear

Grips: Bontrager cork tape, IsoZone inserts

Extras: Mudguard & rack mounts

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

"The new drop-bar CrossRip is quick in traffic, sure-footed when the weather or pavement gets rough, comfortable over the long haul. Road bike? Cross bike? Commuter? Yes."

Well, at least two of the three

Frame and fork

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Urban stealth finish is fairly hardy, welds are tidy, graphics minimal

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

dual 72.5° angles, 60.8cm ETT, 20cm HT

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

It was fine, I could probably have ridden the 58cm fine too

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

Very comfy, rangy and reasonably upright

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

The platform is stiff enough, the crankset isn't the stiffest

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Yes, most of the time

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Neutral

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

Stable and predictable, sometimes a touch on the slow side

The drivetrain

Wheels and tyres, your summary.

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? For a commuter, yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 7 /10

About the tester

Age: 40   Height: 190cm   Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...   My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with SRAM Apex

I've been riding for: 10-20 years   I ride: Every day   I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

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Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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Extremely comfortable bike, though not the fastest. Bought it a year ago and after 10.000km, almost 7.000 crossing Europe in four months from Tarifa (Cádiz, Spain) to North Cape (Norway), all I can say is good: good shifting, good brakes (although both will thank better cables and housings), pretty cheap, but strong wheels... Just the bottom bracket got somewhat hard to move (but still works) and the FSA cranks needed to be thightened every pair of weeks. It does perfect on asphalt, so on gravel and even stands light mountain biking. I'm planning to ride it on next year's Paris-Brest-Paris, maybe it will do good as a randonneur too. I'll tell you, guys.

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Bought this last week, and its a good bike; i agree that there are better value options out there, but one thing i have often found over the years is that a bike can look good on paper, but not be a very inspiring ride.

I've been pretty pleased with it - Sora is nowhere near as bad as i feared (i use Ultegra on my road bike, and have used last year's Sora with the button shifters on a friend's spesh allez and didn't like them one bit), shifts cleanly (as good as the tiagra i had a few years back), and no complaints. The ride is generally good, not the quickest, but spritely nonetheless, and will be when i stick some lighter tyres on.

For me the geometry was important, standover height was a factor (this is my weekend bike, so occasionally i have to stick kid's seat on the back, and can't physically get my leg over some cross bikes!), and the general scope of the bike fits perfectly for that role. Yes, i could've got a better cross bike elsewhere, a better value bike elsewhere, but the Trek just feels 'right', so i'd recommend.

neilysump wrote: as good as the tiagra i had a few years back

That looks bloody expensive, or poorly equipped for the price. Look around and there are £1000 Cross bikes come commuters with 105 levers and mechs.

The Merida Cyclo-cross 4-D has the same brakes and easily as good a frame and fork, but 105. It comes with cross tyres and cross crankset, but that's no big deal for commuting (a good shop will switch them for nothing), and it has all mudguard/rack mounts.

Otherwise, check out the Genesis CDF, with is about £850 £900, steel frame (more comfortable) and with Sora. Standard compact chainset and more rack/guard mounting options that you thought possible on such a bike.

joules1975 wrote: That looks bloody expensive, or poorly equipped for the price. Look around and there are £1000 Cross bikes come commuters with 105 levers and mechs. The Merida Cyclo-cross 4-D has the same brakes and easily as good a frame and fork, but 105. It comes with cross tyres and cross crankset, but that's no big deal for commuting (a good shop will switch them for nothing), and it has all mudguard/rack mounts. Otherwise, check out the Genesis CDF, with is about £850 £900, steel frame (more comfortable) and with Sora. Standard compact chainset and more rack/guard mounting options that you thought possible on such a bike.

Merida CC4: http://road.cc/content/review/74758-merida-cyclo-cross-4

Genesis CdF: http://road.cc/content/review/61480-genesis-cdf

Interestingly John didn't get on with the Hayes CX5 discs on the Merida, although I reckon the quality (and simplicity) of the cabling is really important on a mech disc, so maybe Merida skimped a bit there to get the bike under the grand. Deffo good spec for the money though and some high-quality cables and outers would only add another £30, you could ditch the cross-top levers too if you wanted

I've looked at the Trek Cross Rip Elite but prefer the Whyte Charing Cross better Group Set (Tiagra)(and a better paint job :D)

Who gives a shit about Lance, they've got Canc!

That looks a great bike, and would make commuting much more enjoyable than the joyless lump I'm currently riding to work.

Maybe Trek will have to adjust their pricing scheme now that they can't charge more because they're buddies with Lance Armstrong.

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Bob from Accounts "a brief summary of the evolution of shopping trolleys over the years"    

Did that wonderful man ride into you, or did he realise he was going to hit you and go around you?...

Waxing legs is not something I am willing to do ever. Razor or cream 😁

If the road was closed, what was she doing on it? Ah she probably means closed to cars. Cars never hurt anyone, do they.

Exactly. First thing they do when they get new kit is throw away the instructions.

Sounds as though they're planning to put all their eggs in its one basket, at any rate.

I don't agree with everything in your post but your point about the utterly trivial marginal cost of driving is the key thing. Once you've shelled...

Just get a lift to the top......then enjoy the descent......which is a test of skill, not fitness.

Well, they are in so far as you can often buy the version with the cheap aluminium wheels or the one with the carbon wheels. And some sellers allow...

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Trek CrossRip Elite

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Does anyone own a Trek Cross Rip Elite? I am thinking of buying one but I cannot find one in any bike shop so I would like to have some input regarding this bike. Thanks!  

What do you plan on using it for? It's more of a commuter bike that a cyclocross bike.  

Mostly for paved rail trails/ green ways and when vacationing on trails that are paved and stone dust.  

Then it, along with a Specialized Tri Cross....would be a good bike for you.  

You like this more than the Trek? I liked the fork clearance on the Trek and it can accommodate a 29 inch wheel, not that I would be considering switching.  

The CrossRip seems really nice for the money. Components are a little low end but the frame and fork along with the massive tire clearance open up a lot of possibilities down the road.  

Both take "29" wheels....a 29 wheel is the same as a 700 road wheel. I don't " like" either of them...as in they are pretty much the same bikes...pretty good lower priced, commuter/ path bikes. Either will be fine for what you want to do with it. Don't over think it. You obviously like it...buy it and ride it.  

Just out of curiosity, what Cross bike do you like?  

The crossrip elite is pretty killer. I would not use it for cross racing, as the geo is a bit relaxed. But the component spec for the money is not bad. The hayes brakes are nice looking and work extremely well(huge upgrade from the bb5's on the base model). The carbon fork is a bit flexy, which is nice on this style of bike as you are looking more for comfort than speed. I have put about 20 miles on one and it is a fun utilitarian bike that just likes to be ridden.  

It is between the Specialized Elite and the Trek but they are virtually the same bike. I will go with the Trek since the geometry is a little better suited to my size. How is the shifting on this bike? I know this setup is not the best but I do not want to spend a ton of money since my main ride is a FS Superfly. Thanks!  

Cool looking bike Looks like the big 3 are beginning to acknowledge the gravel-multi terrain market. Consider buying the bike from a shop that offers free or discounted tune ups/service and have them zero the shifting in for you. A lot of peoples shifting problems are due to technique. Youll figure it out.  

That is good advice, as well as keeping the drive train clean. The only thing I am really uncertain about are the tires. They appear to be real road tires and although I will be riding mostly on pavement, it will be paved rail trails so the pavement is lumpy and rough. I was thinking of asking them to change them out with some fast rolling/cyclocross, small knobby tires. Advice would be greatly appreciated!  

There are a number of all terrain/CX tires out there. I really like the 35c Clement MSO CX all terrain tire.  

jrm said: tires out there. I really like the 35c Clement MSO CX all terrain tire. Click to expand...

Guys I'm new here and a total noob so bear with me. I placed an order for a 50cm Elite on Xmas Eve, I'm 5'9" with a 30.5" inseam. The LBS had a 54cm std CrossRip that I test rode and as soon as I sat on it the salesman said It looked long for me. He looked at the frame specs and compared them to the standard road bike and found that the 54cm model had a 56.8cm top tube length(the 50 has a 54.6cm length). After riding the CrossRip he put me on a really nice Domane 2.0 which measured a true 54cm and the fit was much better. The Tiagra components and compact double on the Domane really convinced me to go for the Elite model even though I think the flat black looks better. If the new Sora components feel half as good as the Tiagra on the Domane I'll be happy. I thought the 2300 stuff on the std bike felt nice compared to some of the crap ive ridden in the past. I'm a bit nervous about the tires too but I'm going to give them a chance and wear em out before deciding on something else.  

The new sora is a world better than last years. And Bike fit is a huge debate and many people have opinions and ideas that make sense. I prefer the long and low aproach... which can be achieved on either size that you pick. But the smaller size(50) will make you feel a bit more in control and promote power moves and be a bit more lively. But you may want to swap the stem to get yourself a bit longer and lower. The 54 may feel a bit more stable and apear to be a better fit with less seat post protruding, but with the sloping top tube there is goig to be a bit of post sticking out to achieve proper fit. Fit is a very personal thing. so let the sales man know how you are feeling.  

I picked up the bike today and couldn't be happier. After riding both the 54 and 50 I chose the 50 Elite. The smaller frame just felt more nimble and stable under low speed conditions and didnt seem to give up any stability at speed. The Elite is a step up from the standard CrossRip in every way. I could tell very little difference between the new Sora components and the Tiagra on the Domane I test road previously. The Hayes brakes are very smooth and stopped every bit as good or better than the BB5 brakes on the standard model. The only negative I can think of so far is the seat is hard and hurts my pelvis a bit. Might havde to change the seat.  

BTW, when you start looking at new saddles, if you haven't bought one already, check out the WTB saddles. Many riders love them and it comes standard on the Salsa, Fargo 2.  

i just ordered my 50 cm cross rip elite a few days ago. i wish the top tube was an actual 50cm and not a 54 cm. but once i get the bike and see. i will know if i goofed. can't really do anything else though, since that is smallest cross bike model with discs.  

The size should not be a problem, you have some adjustment in the cockpit length with the saddle, and if you cannot get enough adjustment there, the stem could be changed. Let me know how you like the bike and please post a photo!  

i am small and ride a 52 cm road bike  

Did the bike shop fit you?  

4cm is only 1.57 inches. Like mentioned above there should be no problem getting the bike to fit you. Heres a couple pics from yesterdays 8 mile ride. Couldn't be happier.  

Attachments

The bike looks great and so does the scenery, I really miss Wilmington!!  

i have over 40 years race experience. i can even ride something a little big. but i wanted something i could really ride and handle with ease and i wanted disc brakes more than anything those pix make me think the bike will be just fine. it is small and just has a long-er top tube than other/standard cross race bikes which can be fixed with a short stem. if i even need a change at all. eye candy. now even more anxious.  

Thanks, its nice when it's not 100 degrees out! Bike rode great, it had rained yesterday and was pretty sloppy.The bike handled the rougest gravel road section I could find with ease. It's all sand here so bigger tires will be a must for any real single track. I'm also 210lb so I'm no lightweight.  

You will be fine, if need be it will amount to minor adjustments, you will love the bike!  

how is the pedal / front tire overlap ? i am hoping the longer top tube is the blessing in disguise to avoiding tip of shoes touching front tire in cornering  

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Commutes Are Faster and Less Sweaty on the Speedy Trek CrossRip+

This full-featured commuter offers road-bike handling and a boost up to 28mph

Price: $4,200 Weight: 40 lb. (52cm) Class: Type 3 Motor: Bosch Performance Speed 350 watt/63 Nm Battery capacity: 500 Wh Frame material: Aluminum Drivetrain: SRAM Force1 1x11, cable actuated Brakes: SRAM Force hydraulic disc Wheel size: 700c The right bike for: Riders who want a road-bike experience and a faster commute

If you’re not ready to drop $4,200 on a new e-bike, don’t ride Trek ’s CrossRip+. Because if you do, forget it: You’ll drop the plastic at the register faster than you can say “63 Newton-meters of torque.” If you’re a red-blooded cyclist, you’ll become addicted to this utilitarian road e-bike and its smooth and torquey Bosch motor that boosts you up to the 28mph cutoff speed.

With a drop bar, traditional road-riding position, and road-bike-like handling, the CrossRip+ will feel more natural to an experienced cyclist than it will a newbie. Those position and handling qualities also make the CrossRip+ more suited to longer rides on mixed terrain than for battling the tight confines of a dense city .

A rear rack—designed for mounting bags, not for the direct attachment of cargo —slickly integrated lights, full-coverage fenders, and a kickstand are included, so you’re just a set of bags (and maybe a bell) away from giving up the car for many of your commutes and errands. The stock 38mm-wide tires feature toughened sidewalls to help protect against flats, and do smooth the ride a bit. But this bike’s frame is stout, and this is a fast bike, so you’re going to hit things hard, and the ride can be jarring at times.

The CrossRip+ makes a lot sense when you ride it. It’s full featured and very utilitarian, and makes “ugh” trips easy .

Front and rear LED lights are integrated into the frame.

Full Featured

Aluminum fenders and reflective sidewall tires are standard.

A sturdy kickstand is included when you buy a CrossRip+.

Stopping Power

The speedy CrossRip+ has powerful hydraulic disc brakes.

Shaped to Match

Tube shaping helps the external battery look more integrated.

The CrossRip Family

There’s one CrossRip+, and its offered in one build.

The frame is aluminum, with quick-release dropouts, an integrated (and removable) rear rack, a water-bottle mount on the down tube, fender mounts, and a kickstand, which is attached at the rear dropout. The fork features an aluminum steerer, carbon legs, and thru-axle dropouts.

A Bosch Performance Speed mid-drive motor provides assist up to 28mph, making this bike a class three/speed bike. An externally mounted Bosch 500 watt hour battery—currently the largest the company offers—powers the Crossrip+’s motor and lights. Like any e-bike, range varies wildly depending on the level of assist, terrain, and other factors, but you can expect 20 to 100 miles between charges. The battery may be charged in the bike, or removed for charging. A keyed lock secures the battery to the frame.

The Bosch Purion controller and display is compact and has a backlit, monochrome screen. It provides speed and distance info, current mode, battery charge, and estimated range. From it you can control the assist level, as well as the light mode.

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Minimalist Lid

Thousand Heritage Collection Inspired by vintage moto helmets. $85 | Thousand

The CrossRip+’s drivetrain is SRAM Force1 1x11 with a wide-range 11-42t cassette. Stopping is managed by SRAM’s Force hydraulic disc brakes. The rest of the build comes from Bontrager and includes a tubeless-ready wheelset, 38mm tires with flat-resistant casing and reflective sidewalls (the tires are not tubeless ready), and aluminum seatpost, stem, and handlebar. Bontrager’s IsoZone padding under the bar tape provides a bit of extra shock absorption.

Integrated front and rear LED lights, full-coverage aluminum fenders with mud flaps, a kickstand, and a rear pannier carrier are stock. Note the rear structure isn’t a rack—it doesn’t have a platform to carry a box or a grocery bag—but rather a platform for attaching a pannier or pannier system.

If you like the CrossRip+’s platform, but aren’t looking for an e-bike, Trek offers three CrossRip models from $1,070 to $1,890. All these bikes feature wide-range 2x drivetrains and disc brakes, however, they do not come standard (though they can be fitted with them) with fenders, rack, lights, or kickstand like the CrossRip+.

Endurance Road Geometry

The CrossRip+’s geometry is similar to that of an endurance road bike: sporty and a little upright.

Getting down into finer details, the 49cm and 52cm Crossrip+’s chainstays are 435mm, which is in the ballpark for a endurance bike that can take pretty big tires, but then jump to a whopping 472mm on the largest sizes (55, 58, 61cm). That’s part of the reason there’s an almost 50mm jump in wheelbase (1,037mm to 1,085mm) between the 52cm and 55cm, despite those sizes sharing the same reach (387mm). If you happen to be in the 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 range, you could probably ride either size and would get to choose if you want a shorter wheelbase for a more lively ride, or a longer one for more stability (note the stack difference: 560mm versus 579mm).

Ride Impressions

The CrossRip+’s riding position, handling, and overall experience is similar to a road bike. Experienced road cyclists will adapt easily to the CrossRip+ and will quickly fall in love with the speed and the sensation of floating up hills offered by the smooth Bosch motor.

But it was the multi-surface/multi-condition/long-distance versatility that makes the CrossRip+ such a special e-bike. The combination of wide and tough 38mm tires, a drop bar, near-road-bike handling, and the strong push of the Bosch motor make for a bike that lets the rider take the shortest or most fun route without always having to stick to paved roads. And the full-coverage fenders and excellent SRAM disc brakes make this a four-season, all-weather e-bike and killer commuter.

For longer and mixed-surface rides, the drop bar was quite functional. Not only could I change hand positions for comfort, but I could also get low at higher speeds (improving the rider’s aerodynamic profile will increase range). Riders can also switch to a more confidence-inspiring position for dirt paths and trails.

One thing that experienced cyclists might find a bit frustrating to adapt to is getting in sync with the motor when riding out of the saddle, “It’s very difficult to get the motor surge timed to your pedal stroke,” said one tester. Most e-bike motors provide their best experience when the rider is seated and pedals with a high, consistent cadence, so this isn’t a knock against the CrossRip+ specifically. But the CrossRip+ is so suited to longer and varied rides that it’s inevitable that the rider will be doing standing climbing with it, which magnifies the motor’s shortcoming in this situation.

With so many things affecting an e-bike’s power consumption, it’s hard to give a precise number for the CrossRip+’s range. But here’s what one of our testers got when he used the CrossRip+ for a 29-mile (each way) commute with about 1,800 feet of climbing.

If he used Eco mode exclusively, and was careful, he could do the round trip on one charge. But if he wanted to get there faster, he could use Sport mode with a bit of Turbo for the hills. He’d use the entire charge for one half of his commute, and need to recharge at work before riding home. In the latter case, he averaged 18mph, and the ride took about an hour and 40 minutes.

If you think one half of your commute will use more than one half of your charge, note that the Bosch battery charger is clunky, so you’re not going to want to carry it with you every day. A standard charger will cost you about $190, and will recharge the CrossRip+’s battery in about four and a half hours.

The front and rear lighting is well integrated, and kicks out decent light. However, if you’re planning to do serious nighttime commuting, you’ll probably want to supplement the integrated headlight with secondary unit.

We weren’t thrilled to discover the CrossRip+’s rear rack isn’t really a rack—there’s no platform, so there’s no way to carry anything—but rather a structure for mounting panniers, so be prepared for an additional investment if you want to carry anything on the bike. If you prefer to wear a backpack, the structure can be removed and the rear light relocated into the frame.

The CrossRip+ handles well, though its handling is better suited to open roads and higher speeds and less toward salmoning through mid-city rush-hour traffic. The big tires and padding under the bar tape do help smooth the ride, but the CrossRip’s overall ride certainly is firm, and occasionally jarring. At least some of this is because the CrossRip+ is so fast that you’re hitting a lot of bumps faster and harder than you would on an unpowered bike.

The CrossRip+ is a versatile multi-surface bike with the power, speed, handling, and riding position that make it an excellent choice for long and fast commutes, as well as longer, assisted pleasure bike rides.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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Trek CrossRip+ Review

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• Class 3 Electric Bike Reviews
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• A lightweight, high speed, electric road bike with sturdy 12 mm thru-axle on the front wheel, Carbon fiber fork, and Alpha 200 Gold alloy frame to dampen vibration
• Capable and comfortable on hard packed trails as a gravel grinder, sturdy Aluminum fenders and custom rear rack increase utility and the rack has nubs to retain panniers
• Excellent safety features including reflective logos and accents on the frame, reflective tires, and integrated lights with a headlight that can be set to blink, low solid, or bright solid
• Bosch Purion display panel is compact but the buttons aren't as easy to click, menu options are limited, the Micro-USB port cannot be used for charging, and it's not removable, the bike comes in five frame sizes but is priced higher

Video Review

Introduction

Body position:, suggested use:, electric bike class:, learn more about ebike classes, availability:, model year:, bicycle details, total weight:, battery weight:, motor weight:, frame material:, frame sizes:, geometry measurements:, frame types:, frame colors:, frame fork details:, frame rear details:, attachment points:, gearing details:, shifter details:, brake details:, seat post length:, seat post diameter:, tire brand:, wheel sizes:, tire details:, tube details:, accessories:, electronic details, motor brand:, motor type:, learn more about ebike motors, motor nominal output:, motor peak output:, motor torque:, battery voltage:, battery amp hours:, battery watt hours:, battery chemistry:, charge time:, estimated min range:, estimated max range:, display type:, display accessories:, drive mode:, written review.

Trek pulled out all the stops with their CrossRip+ electric road bike. This thing comes in five sizes, includes sturdy full-length Aluminum alloy fenders, a custom designed rear rack with light integration and sturdy pannier rods, reflective paint and tire stripes, and an aimable three-mode integrated headlight! You get a SRAM 1×11 drivetrain, which means considerably fewer gears than the non-electric CrossRip line which range from 18 to 22 speed… but this is actually at the high end for Bosch powered mid-drive electric bikes. The one-by drivetrain reduces complexity, means fewer adjustments and chain drops, and is quite capable given the power of electric assist. The derailleur features a clutch system to improve tension and reduce slap when you go off-road, and the 20 tooth chainring (equivalent to a 50 tooth traditional chainring) is shielded by an alloy chainring guard that reduces drops while simultaneously keeping pants clean and snag-free. Because the motor controller offers software-driven shift detection, shifting remains relatively smooth even when the motor is operating at high power. Internal cable routing and a flattened downtub create a blended look, the black plastic casing on the motor and battery work well here because the frame color is matte black, but the battery is still external and the motor is not tilted and semi-integrated the way that it is on some of the latest mountain models or with alternative motor systems from companies like Brose. But, the even distribution and relative light weight of the bike (roughly 46 lbs) make it a standout. Some of the fancier battery and motor designs can be more difficult to remove in my experience and require a bit more frame reinforcement which probably adds weight. The CrossRip+ rides beautifully, even when the motor is turned off. The cockpit is clean and the single-paddle shifting mechanism on the right hood is simple once you get used to it (short click for higher gears, longer two-click or three-click for lower gears). This bike even comes with a small flick bell, easy-reach light switch beneath the display, and an adjustable length rear-mount kickstand… though it began to rattle when I took the bike off-road so consider removing it, tightening it, bringing a tool along, or using Loctite Blue if you encounter similar noise. The Trek CrossRip+ is feature complete and more than just a road bike. Larger tires provide cushion, stability, and gravel riding options, they can be setup as tubeless because the rims support it, and I fully enjoyed the SRAM hydraulic disc brakes with 180/160 mm rotor setup. I was able to stop adequately with just the front brake while filming and descending. There are only a few options in the road e-bike category right now in the US that I have seen, and the Trek CrossRip Plus is leading the pack in my opinion.

Powering the bike is a dynamic Bosch Performance Line Speed motor. This is the motor that can reach 28 mph (45 kph) vs. just 20 mph, and it’s perfectly suited to the aerodynamic, racy style of the Cross Rip Plus. Rated from 250 watts to 600+ watts, the motor can deliver 60+ Newton meters of peak torque and is one of the most responsive products on the market right now. It spins a smaller chainring, as mentioned earlier, which was chosen to improve chain grab and I believe it also starts and stops faster than a more traditional size. This sprocket spins 2.5 times for every 1 crank revolution, and there’s a gearbox inside the motor that does this conversion. As demonstrated in the video review above, this leads to a bit of noise and friction when the bike is powered off… but it’s very minor. When the motor is active, as you spin faster and add more power through the pedal assist menu options (Eco, Tour, Sport, or Turbo) a different noise is produced. A high pitched electronic whir is audible, but not as bad as the camera shows when frame-mounted. For me, a ~135 lb active bicycle rider, the Bosch Performance Line motors are all very capable. I have no problems climbing and can reach and maintain 28 mph with the Speed line. But I have heard some larger riders express that the bikes only just reach 28 mph and require more work than some other products. This is a pedal-assist only electric bike, you do have to pedal to get the motor to activate and it delivers increased power based on torque. If you pedal lightly, the motor isn’t going to respond as fully. This is the kind of thing that’s worth trying out in person, make sure you shift gears to find the sweet spot between effort, output, and speed. Thankfully, Trek is one of the Big 3 bicycle manufacturers in the US which means there are plenty of dealers to visit who should provide some test ride opportunities. For me, the drivetrain is setup just right, 11 gears is enough to enjoy a full range of speeds and the combination of higher-end SRAM derailleur, sturdy rubberized slap guard, chainring protector, and frame sized crank arms (longer 175 mm cranks for the larger sizes) work together perfectly.

Powering the CrossRip+ is a Bosch Powerpack 500, a 25% larger battery than the very popular Powerpack 400 that has been floating around for several years. The neat thing is, this pack is built into the same casing design as the 400 and is backward compatible. So, if you’re someone who has one of these older batteries, it will work as a backup or range extender. Maybe you plan on doing some e-bike touring or trekking, bikepacking could also be fun, and these batteries only weigh 5.4 lbs to 5.7 lbs so you could toss one into a trunk bag or pannier and be all set. The charger that Bosch offers here is also quiet impressive. It’s compact and fast, rated at 4 Amps vs. just 2 Amps for cheaper electric bikes. At the top of the battery is a loop handle for easy lifting and carrying. Near the lower left side is a battery level indicator that can be used to assess fill level off the bike. Inside the pack are premium 18650 Lithium-ion battery cells which are energy dense and durable, not suffering as much from memory if they aren’t charged frequently. To maximize life, store the pack in a cool dry location at 50% for longer periods. Extreme heat and cold may impact performance and heat will degrade the pack faster. Note that even though this battery is powering the motor, backlit display panel, and both headlights, it should offer 16+ miles per charge in even the most challenging conditions with assist at high according to Bosch testing. For most rides, I’d estimate 30+ miles and up to 100 miles if you use the lower levels of assist and stay on smooth relatively flat paved surfaces. This thing is efficient and sleek, your body position is going to be aerodynamic… but anytime you raise the speed (especially above 20 mph) efficiency starts to drop exponentially due to air resistance.

Operating the Bosch Purion electric bike system is a snap, and the cockpit on the CrossRip+ is super clean. The Purion display is small and only has four buttons: power on top, + and – on the front, and walk mode on the bottom. Trek has disabled walk mode for all of their ebikes as of this review… so no need to mess with that lower button. Once the battery pack has been charged and mounted properly, just press the power button on the display and watch as it blinks to life. It shows your current speed, assist level (or other trip stat), and a five bar battery infographic at the bottom. From here, click the plus or minus button to raise or lower assist, and watch as Eco, Tour, Sport, or Turbo are shown. Those readouts may disappear if you’re in the odometer or range menus and you can cycle through by holding minus for a couple of seconds. Range is very useful, and probably where I’d leave the readout, because it dynamically updates based on the last mile of performance, current battery capacity, and assist level in use. You can literally switch from Eco to Turbo on the fly and see how far you can expect to go based on that last mile of riding! I do have a few gripes about the Purion display, and the primary one is that it’s not removable like the Intuvia. As mentioned earlier, it also doesn’t have an active Micro-USB port (the port is there for diagnostics and software updates only), and the + and – buttons respond best to finger presses towards the display vs. the lower left edge. They pivot at an angle vs. straight down which means you have to reach further in when pressing them. One neat design feature with this Purion display is a matching lower section with a white switch for cycling headlight modes. The rear light just flashes slowly at all times but the headlight can go from bright flashing to low solid or low bright and that is a first for me to see on an ebike! Most other companies only offer a constant on mode… and they usually have externally mounted lights that are not aimable. The headlight can be aimed up or down by using a small Allen key adjustment. The back light is mounted into the rack or can be set into a rack support tube if you remove the full rack. I love that they thought about both use cases and kept the light functional for both.

The Trek Cross Rip Plus really impressed me, I went into this review not knowing what to expect but was won over by the attention to detail, proven Bosch drive systems, and high level of customer support. I have met with Stephanie Jones on several occasions now to review Trek e-bikes and see how dedicated the rest of the team is. For this review, I got extra help from a Territory Manager named Chris who reinforced what I had learned on the website and during my own short demo rides. He was a bit more quiet and reserved than I, but he knew his stuff and was a great rider. This is a product you will pay more for, but should last longer and perform better than a lot of competing products. There’s only one color choice as of now and it’s called Matte Trek Black. Many of the stem, seat post, rack, and tire hardware are from Bontrager (Trek’s in-house brand) and they are all solid. If it were me getting this bike for high-speed commuting, I would definitely consider a 27.2 mm suspension post from BodyFloat or Suntour (BodyFloat comes in multiple stiffnesses and even offers lightweight Carbon fiber options) and I might even experiment with the ShockStop stem or a similar product, just to take the edge off. The larger tires and Carbon fork make enough of a difference that I didn’t come away from the trail tests with a headache, but if I were doing that a lot, the suspension options would become critical. The fact that Trek included bottle cage bosses on the seat tube and went with puncture protected tires is icing on the cake, little touches that I guess I’d expect given the price and their reputation for quality. Big thanks to Trek for partnering with me on this review and sending two awesome reps out to ride with me. I welcome feedback and questions in the comments as always.

• This is one of the lighter weight electric bikes I have tested, especially when you consider the rear carry rack and full-length alloy fenders, at roughly 46 lbs, it’s easier to pedal unpowered or lift onto a car rack
• Very few electric bikes offer the aerodynamic drop-bar setup that you see on the CrossRip+ and it can be very difficult to retrofit, with this setup you get three hand positions which offer a range of aggressive body positions
• There’s plenty of utility on offer here, in addition to the sporty ride, check out the bottle cage bosses on the seat tube and sleek rear rack with pannier hangers and blockers
• Trek has an ABC’s campaign to emphasize safety (always, be, seen but also always on, bio-motion, contrast) and the reflective Bontrager H1 tires with Hard-Case puncture protection, reflective decal accents on the frame, mini flick-bell near the stem, powerful SRAM Force CX 1 hydraulic disc brakes, and integrated LED lights with flashing mode and an aim adjustment for the headlight set it apart and above most other electric bikes I have reviewed
• Controlling the bike, selecting different assist levels or activating the lights while riding, is intuitive and comfortable thanks to the control pad placement and unique light switch integration, I have never seen the white switch slider thing before but it worked great and stayed out of the way
• Motor and battery weight are positioned low and center on the frame, this improves handling and makes the bike stable when lifting… consider removing the ~5.7 lb battery pack when carrying the bike up stairs or lifting it onto transport rack
• I absolutely love the rear rack, it is paint matched, sleeker than most aftermarket products, has pannier slider blocks and a notch at the base for bungee cords or clips, and has been designed to be easy to take off while leaving a spot to re-mount the rear light
• The 1×11 speed drivetrain is simple, durable, less likely to drop the chain, and features an alloy chainring guard to keep pants clean and snag-free, the SRAM Force CX 1 derailleur features a clutch system to reduce chain slack and provide smoother shifting
• Bosch mid-drive motors offer shift detection, this produces some gaps in power to reduce mashing and allow for smoother shifting under power, it’s software-driven and not perfect in my experience, but the combination of speed, cadence, and torque sensors allow you to reduce pedal force to further alleviate mashing when shifting (as you would on a traditional bicycle)
• The front wheel offers quick release and uses a 12 mm thru-axle vs. a standard 9 mm skewer, this provides strength and stiffness when steering and cornering at high speeds and supports the greater bike weight
• I love the thick rubber slap guard on the right chain stay, it provides good protection against paint chipping and noise if you decide to ride off road and use this like a gravel grinder vs. urban road bike, note that Trek chose a larger 20 tooth chainring (equivalent to a 50 tooth traditional chainring) for comfort pedaling at higher speeds, this also reduces chain suck and chain slap
• Bosch provides a faster 4 Amp charger with many of their electric bikes and I believe that’s what you get with the CrossRip+ which is going to fill the high-capacity 500 watt hour battery faster, the charging interface is consistent when the pack is mounted or being charged off-bike and that means you don’t have to screw around with extra dongles or adapters which could get lost, the pack is also relatively compact and lightweight at ~1.7 lbs
• The downtube is flattened out to make the battery mount more secure and help it blend in visually, the black motor and battery casing match the cabling and blend in well with the paint job
• Five frame sizes allow you to dial in fit and improve comfort on longer rides (including crank arm length and stem length differences), this is especially important for commuters, trekking, and gravel grinder trail riding because there is no suspension, consider a 27.2 mm BodyFloat to add some cushion or a ShockStop stem replacement
• The slightly fatter tires, carbon fiber fork, and “comfortable” Alpha 200 Gold Aluminum alloy frame are designed to dampen vibration on any surface, they improve comfort over the narrowest road tires and an alloy fork and you can run the tires tubeless for decreased weight if you want to because apparently the rims allow for it
• During my ride test, even off road, the fenders stayed relatively quiet, the bike was brand new but I got a sense that the rack and fenders were designed to not rattle and were more custom than a lot of aftermarket fenders I see on other electric bikes
• The headlight switch is so cool, it allows you to make the headlight flash by pressing forward, be solid and dim in the center position, or be solid and bright in the back position… this is one of the only electric bikes I have seen with integrated lights that can flash! I believe that the rear light flashes at all times
• The Bosch Purion display is compact, so it stays out of the way if you’re riding with hands in the flat bar position, but it’s not removable like the Bosch Intuvia, nor does it offer Micro-USB charging
• Minor consideration here, the Bosch Performance Speed motor is rated to support pedaling up to 28 mph but I have heard from some riders that it only barely reaches this speed and requires more effort than some competing products, this may help to extend range and I appreciate that it can support up to 120 RPM pedaling while other products sometimes reach only 100 RPM, I reached 28 mph easily on several occasions during my ride test but I only weigh ~135 lbs and am an active rider, the efficient tires and lightweight build make it pretty easy on this bike
• I love that this bike has a kickstand and appreciate that it’s adjustable but feel that it’s a bit short, the bike seemed to lean way over during my photos and ride tests (even on flat sections) and given that the rear rack may be loaded with gear, I feel that the stand should support longer length and I would also recommend tightening the bolts that hold it on (or using Loctite Blue ) because the stand on our demo bike was rattling loose off-road
• The Bosch Performance Line motors offer higher torque and are quick to start and stop but can also produce more noise, a distinct whirring noise in the highest power levels and when spinning faster
• This electric bike is not cheap at ~$4.5k but you get a vast network of dealers who can order it and get you fitted properly, provide service, and there’s a lifetime warranty on the frame with comprehensive two year warranty on the motor, battery and other non-wear components
• Official Site: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/electric-bikes/crossrip/crossrip/p/1373000-2018/?colorCode=black
• More Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sDs9PQrF3dQeCBNg1

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Comments (17) YouTube Comments

I bought this bike because of the lighter weight, aerodynamic ride position, excellent components, integrated lighting system and commuter ready rack. Also because it had a short and predictable delivery time – Trek had plenty of these bikes in stock before they started selling them in California, so it took less than a week to get my bike delivered. I also like the Trek brand and dealer network.

I wanted an electric bike for my commute, which is about 15 miles each way, with a 500ft climb up to and over the Golden Gate Bridge. Most 28mph class 3 speed-pedelec bikes would probably achieve the ride in comparable times, and most other bikes would probably be quite a bit more comfortable than the Crossrip+. However, I wanted a bike that I could also ride at a decent speed under my own power.

My first ride to work took about 55 minutes. This is just over 16mph on average, which slower than I had expected, though significantly faster than my regular bike average of about 12mph. And the e-bike required a lot less effort of course. I had hoped that the ride would take about 45 minutes – which would’ve been 20mph average, but I hit plenty of red lights, stopped at all the stop signs, slowed down to 15mph on a bike trail, and also switched the motor off while crossing the 1.7 mile long Golden Gate bridge (abiding by the bridge authority’s rule). In downtown San Francisco I also had to slow down for other bike and car traffic.

On the ride home, I was able to keep the motor off all the way. I got up to 20mph fairly easily on flat sections (no headwind), and the 500ft climb with the 45lbs bike wasn’t too terrible in the lowest gear (the total weight for this bike plus my gear and my body weight is about 245lbs – which is only about 8% heavier than the total weight for my regular bike). The temptation to switch the motor on increased with every mile, and doubled when a regular road bike passed me, and quadrupled when a Stromer zipped by. But I held fast and made it home under my own power in 1h15. With the possible exception of a Giant Road-E+, I’m not sure I could’ve done this on any other e-bike.

Here are a few things I’ve noticed:

• The motor cuts out at about 27.2mph. Getting from 27.2 to 28 is up to the rider, and it’s very hard – it’s not “just another 0.8mph”. Once the motor cuts out you have to do all the work – the full 28mph – which requires more than 400 watts to maintain according to bikecalculator.com .
• The Bontrager Montrose Comp saddle is hard, but I’ll get used to it after a few more rides. With the tires inflated to the max, the bike is not at all comfortable on rough roads. I’m willing to pay this price for a more efficient ride. Thudbuster is always an option though.
• While 45lbs is still heavy, maneuvering the bike around in a garage or loading it onto a hitch bike rack is not a problem. I can also pick it up to hang it vertically from the front wheel without pulling a muscle.
• It’s not the prettiest of bikes – the battery stands out like a pimple, but the rack and electronics are well integrated and the cables are relatively clean (compared it to the crows nest on some other e-bikes).
• The Bosch Purion display is really basic, but functional (I’ve convinced myself I like the minimalism – but a watt meter would have been so awesome!). Walk-mode doesn’t seem to be enabled.
• At first I didn’t like the noise the Bosch motor makes (especially compared to the super quiet Brose motor), but at 20mph the wind drowns out the motor noise. I’m also really glad to have shift sensing in the motor. When you’re biking up a steep hill and realize you’re in the wrong gear, you have to keep peddling to shift gears. Even if you’re trying to peddle just hard enough to keep the chain moving, a motor without shift sensing would continue to assist and pull much harder on the chain than you intent. Gnash! The Bosch motor in this bike minimizes the extra unnecessary strain on the chain and gears.
• The headlight is definitely bright enough, but since it mounted on the frame and not the handlebar, the light keeps pointing straight when you turn the handlebars. This is a little unnerving in tight turns but is easily fixed by attaching an extra small light, like a Cygolite Dash Pro , to the handlebars.
• The bike is super stable and easy to ride. The DoubleTap shifter is neat.

I swapped the standard pedals out for multi-function clipless/platform Wellgo WPD-95B pedals so I can clip in for long rides or ride comfortably with regular shoes. BTW, Wellgo has the most stunningly retro website I’ve seen, literally, in 20 years.

Wow Hans! You win the comment of the day award, thanks for such a thorough and insightful writeup about the Trek CrossRip+ and your commute. I feel like you were very honest and fair about the trade offs and I’m sure this will help others who might be considering the bike for similar use. Indeed, Trek has purposefully disabled walk mode on all of their models. Maybe they are trying to avoid anything that could be construed as a throttle… but it seems a little overkill to me :)

Thanks Court! Thank you also for the great reviews that you provide! You’ve helped so many people find the bike that works best for them.

Really nice follow up on Courtney’s always excellent reviews, I’m trying to decided between the Super Commuter and Cross Rip+. The Super Commuter seems to be a more tightly assembled bike especially where the battery is concerned. Do you find the battery is mounted securely? Also the Super Commuter has a shield under the motor, I didn’t notice one on the CrossRip+ do you find that to be a problem when you ride on gravel or wet weather? Thank you

I bought the crossrip+ today. I am pretty sure I can drop Peter Sagan on climbs now. It has 4 modes. ECO, tour, sport and turbo. ECO is actually not bad. On climbs, turbo is unreal. When I raced road bikes a few years ago I would ride about 4,000 per year. Climbing is where I usually did best (USA cat 3). When I would get dropped racing with category 1 guys it happened in slow motion. I would dig as deep as I could and couldn’t push enough watts to maintain contact. If I said “hey guys, wait up!” They would hear me say that. Riding solo today, the speed I was able to climb on a bike that weighed about 3 times as much, plus the 35 lbs I gained in 3 years of inconsistent exercise is difficult to describe. When riding the crossrip, if one of the guys who used to drop me said to me “hey guys, wait up”, I would only hear “hey gu”

The acceleration is so strong and continuous that I would feel a little sorry for Peter Sagan if we ever crossed paths on the hilly roads around my humble split level home. Obviously the key is the hills. Yesterday was my birthday. My 2nd mid life crisis is in full swing. As I sit here eating leftover ice cream and cake I can’t wait for the Sun to come up to hop on this ebike.

Happy birthday! Sounds like you’re having a blast… and now it’s okay to eat that ice cream and cake because you’ll be burning it all off, riding your bike :P

Thanks for sharing some of the excitement and your first impressions. These things really are a blast, it’s nice to get outside and feel the excitement, nature, and connection with friends who ride along. Keep it up!

I’m confused as to how you can achieve such high speeds with that gearing. A 20 tooth front ring with a 11 sprocket on the back on a 700c bicycle at 90rpm is only around 17 mph. So how do you pedal up to anything close to 28mph. I must be missing something…. Could you explain this? Maybe I’m missing some magic of an electric bike. I was assuming it just added power to the crank but otherwise functioned like a normal bicycle. So wouldn’t I have to spin at some crazy speed to get close to 28mph?

Great question David, the Bosch Performance Line mid-motors use a proprietary sprocket that connects to the motor through a reduction gearing system. It spins 2.5x for each full crank revolution. The 20 tooth chainring is one of their larger sizes and is equivalent to a traditional 50 tooth chainring (2.5 x 20). This reduction gearing design introduces a slight bit of drag when pedaling unassisted or beyond the maximum assisted speed of 28 mph. It also introduces some extra noise, but the smaller sprocket provides excellent chain retention and starts and stops very quickly. I suspect that eventually, Bosch will move to standard sized chainrings for all of their motor systems. They have already done so with the Active Line and you can see an updated version of that motor here . It’s just not as powerful or fast as the Performance Line Speed motor on the CrossRip+

Eric Breidenbach

I have appreciated the attention to detail that goes into these videos and written reviews. Thank you Court. Seriously consdering the CrossRip Plus: I have a couple of questions:

• On my electric car (2011 nissan leaf), I only charge to 80% in order to prolong battery life. I read something similar (can’t remember where now) about the PowerPak 500, that ideal storage is between 30 and 60%. If I use the battery 4 days a week, and leave the battery in the charger when I get home until my next use, will I be degrading the battery life because it will be sitting at 100% for chunks of time? Does the charger handle this in any way?
• Looking at a 2019 model of the Crossrip plus. Wondering if there is anything known about any differences from 2018, or are they identical?
• My round-trip commute is 19 miles, with 750 feet elevation gain. I am sure I can do it without re-charging, but am wondering what the highest level of assistance I can get is and not run out of juice. Extrapolating from the range calculator (which does not go above 20 mph!) it indicates I should be able to get at least 20-25. My first test ride with the battery not fully charged left some doubt in my mind. Anyone with real world experience?
• The price is a hard one to swallow, when I am used to paying ~$1200 – $1500 for your decent road bike. Any thoughts on whether this might come down like a lot of other technology after the first few years? I noticed the MSR price appears to have gone down on this model $300 from $4500 to $4200 recently.

Lots of good questions there, Eric. I think it probably is ideal to keep the battery in a central range… whether that’s 20% to 80% or the 30-60 you mentioned. Bosch is a bigger company that has spent more resources on drop tests, overcharge tests etc. and I suspect that their charger and controller are designed to limit wear on the pack. I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over this… my Uncle still has and uses his original Haibike battery and it has been several years. He rides every day and only has a PowerPack 400!

I don’t know much about the 2019 Crosrip, haven’t seen it in person or researched it yet, sorry. You should easily be able to do your commute with lower levels of assist and if you don’t go above 20mph the whole way. Speed pedelec motors (like the Bosch Performance Line Speed) definitely use more power, but this ebike is so efficient with the skinny tires and lightweight aero design. The big factors are tire pressure, rider weight, hills, and which level of assist you ride in. Wind can also make a difference. Yes, price is a big deal here… there’s an opportunity cost in waiting, but this is one of the nicer road style ebikes on the market. I did see a new Trek road-ebike with PowerTube battery, that looks really nice. I’m not sure if it’s the CrossRip or what, but it was shown in my Bosch Interbike video here , towards the end. I hope this helps :)

Byron Mucke

I am sure you already know what the bike is but just in case somebody is doing research on the Crossrip the bike shown in the video that uses the PowerTube is the Domane+. Thanks for all the great reviews and in depth coverage.

I recently visited the Trek dealer here on Maui to order an ebike. I expressed interest in both the Verve+ and Crossrip+ models with a preference for the Crossrip. When the store rep called Trek to determine availability they were told that neither was available in my size. (I am 5′ 5″, 150lb, 82 yr. old avid biker riding an average of 20 mi. 4-to-6 days a week). I was also advised that Trek would soon be producing a new line of ebikes for 2020 and that the new models would likely replace the externally mounted battery with a battery that would recess into the downtube. I was disappointed with the fact that the two models I found particularly attractive would likely be discounted. I prefer the battery mount on the current Verve and Crossrip and planned to purchase a backup battery for longer trips. I also hoped to add some additional extras (shock absorbing seat post, Frog pedals, carrier bags, etc.). Is there any possibility of obtaining a Crossrip + or Verve+ before these models are discontinued?

Hi Ray! I feel you, my preference was for the external battery as well because it’s lighter and easier to use with additional packs. Unfortunately, it might be difficult to find and then very difficult to ship one of these prior-year (or current year) models to Maui. If your shop isn’t in a position to have one transferred within their company/supplier then it might be time to consider a similar ebike that does have the battery you want? I had heard that Trek was selling through on some of these more popular models. Sorry man :(

Thanks for the feedback, Court. I too think that Trek is making a mistake by discontinuing the Crossrip+. Perhaps it’s my age and working class background, but the Crossrip impresses me as a working person’s ebike. It has design features that give it a solid middle class, “by your bootstraps” character. Today’s elders (65+yrs.) are far more physically active than they once were. They want to stay in good physical shape – and they want to get out and interact with the environment and other active seniors. The Crossrip+ has the basic style and no-nonsense features that are uniquely American. Trek would be well advised to continue producing the Crossrip+ and to focus on serving the active senior movement.

Well said, Ray. I appreciate the time and care you’ve invested in this response and perhaps Trek will see it. My primary contact switched companies recently, but Trek is still one of my favorites in the industry and seems to be doing quite well. I will pass this on to my next contact and wish you well in finding a good alternative. Perhaps there is a BULLS model that would fit the bill, they have a wide range of products to offer and good customer support in my experience.

Any news on what they are going to replace the crossrip+ with? I live and work in San Francisco and want something for commuting + the occasional trip across golden gate up to Marin. I have been waiting since July to buy an eBike but should probably just pull the trigger and get something else. Do you know if something like the Luna Fixed Stealth or VanMoof would make it up San Francisco’s hills with ease?

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The New 2016 Trek 920, 720, 520 and Crossrip Touring Bikes

Table of Contents

The 2016 trek 920 adventure touring bike, the trek 720 light touring bike, the trek crossrip light touring bike, the trek 520 long distance touring bike, want to compare these touring bikes with dozens of others, helpful resources, touring & bikepacking bike overview.

Trek have recently been busy building one of the most comprehensive adventure and touring bike line ups around. There are now SEVEN  different bikes, including the 2016 Trek 920, which are suited to everything from road touring right through to adventure off-road. I’ve put this resource together to guide you through the different models and help determine what might best suit you.

The 2016 Trek 920 is a tweaked mountain bike with a drop handlebar. It’s designed around wide, knobby mountain bike tyres which can take you to more places than slicks. It uses a mountain bike drivetrain and wheels, in combination with drop handlebars and bar-end shifters.

Although the 2016 Trek 920 is best suited to off-road riding, a swap-out to slick tyres would make it an exceptional long-distance touring bike. The geometry is actually prime for heavy-loaded touring with it’s high ‘fork trail’, long chainstay/wheelbase and tall front end. That said, the gearing is optimised around lower speeds, so the 42t front chainring may have you spinning a bit on road descents.

The bike price including front and rear racks is US $1989 .

The 720 is one of Trek’s lightweight touring options. It uses an alloy frame and carbon fibre fork to keep the weight down (11kg or so), making it a great multi-purpose bike like the Cannondale Touring. It comes with Shimano 105 11-spd gearing, TRP Hydro/Cable disc brakes and some front side-mount racks and dry bags.

The 720 is best suited to smooth roads with a lightweight load, although it’s a really sturdy bike and will handle front and rear panniers if you needed. It’s smallest gear is 29 gear inches, which is a little large for really steep hills including a load, but will be fine for most touring. There are eyelets for racks and fenders.

The price is US $1889 including the front dry bags.

The CrossRip is almost identical to the 720 in every way – it even uses the same aluminium frame tubing and carbon fibre fork. The geometry is ever so slightly different between the bikes; you’d be pretty hard pressed to notice the subtle differences. The most noticeable difference may be the 5mm taller and longer front end of the CrossRip. The likely reason for Trek having these two near-identical bikes is so they can market the bikes in two separate bike categories (fitness and touring).

Like the 720, CrossRips are most at home on a smooth road with a light load but will handle four panniers well. The bikes use either compact or road triple cranksets, working with wide-range cassettes to achieve a lowish drive gear (close to 1:1 / 29 gear inches). The bikes have eyelets for racks and fenders.

The CrossRip is available in three different builds. The LTD comes with Shimano 105 11-spd gearing and TRP Hydro/Cable disc brakes and is priced at US $1679 . Next up, the Elite uses Shimano Sora 9-spd gearing and cable disc brakes and is US $1199 . For a bit less money again, you can get the Comp with Shimano Claris 8-spd gearing at US $1099 . If you’re tossing up between the CrossRip LTD and 720, go the CrossRip as it has a US $200 price advantage!

The 520 has been in the Trek line-up for 33 years! It’s actually the longest running model in Trek’s bike range. As you can imagine, the geometry of the 520 has been refined a lot over this period. The bottom bracket is low, the chainstays are long and the steering pretty slow. All good things for touring.

The 520 uses 4130 steel for both the frame and fork. The spec is super simple, solid and reliable with 36 spoke wheels, cable brakes and bar-end shifters. The gear range is exceptional, spanning from 22 to 118 gear inches. This should be enough to climb almost anything with all four panniers, but if you wanted even more low gears you could switch the cassette to a 34t (21 gear inches).

The price is US $1259 with v-brakes and US $1359 with disc brakes. My pick would be the disc model!

Check out the  Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide  which compares touring bike steering, sizing, gear ratios, specification, pricing and more. The Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide does the same thing, however, with a focus on lighter bikes and models with more off-road capability. Both of these guides are updated annually with the latest models at no extra cost!

All About Touring Bike Brakes Frame Materials for Bicycle Touring How to Select Touring Bike Gearing Understand Bicycle Frame Geometry What’s the Difference between Cyclocross and Touring Bikes?

2016 Advocate Lorax 2018 All City Gorilla Monsoon 2016 Basso Ulisse 2016 Bianchi Volpe and Lupo 2016 2016 Bombtrack Beyond 2017 Bombtrack Beyond 2018 Bombtrack Beyond 2018 Bombtrack Arise Tour 2019 Bombtrack Beyond 2016 Brodie Elan Vital 2016 Cannondale Touring 2019 Cannondale Topstone 2020 Cannondale Topstone 2016 Cinelli Hobootleg Geo 2018 Co-Op ADV 4.2 2017 Curve Grovel V2 2017 Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon 2016 Fuji Touring 2017 Fuji Touring 2018 Fuji Touring 2018 Fuji Touring Disc 2016 Genesis Tour de Fer 2016 Giant ToughRoad 2017 Giant ToughRoad 2018 Giant ToughRoad and ToughRoad GX 2016 Jamis Aurora and Aurora Elite 2019 Jones Plus SWB 2020 KOGA WorldTraveller-S 2016 Kona Big Rove 2016 Kona Roadhouse and Sutra LTD 2016 Kona Sutra 2017 Kona Sutra 2018 Kona Sutra 2018 Kona Sutra LTD 2019 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD 2020 Kona Sutra and Sutra LTD 2020 Kona Unit X 2016 Marin Four Corners 2017 Marin Four Corners 2018 Marin Four Corners 2016 Masi Giramondo 2018 Masi Giramondo 2016 Niner RLT9 2016 Rawland Ulv and Ravn 2016 Salsa Deadwood 2017 Salsa Fargo 2018 Salsa Fargo Ti Frameset 2018 Salsa Journeyman 2016 Salsa Marrakesh 2017 Salsa Marrakesh 2018 Salsa Marrakesh 2020 Salsa Marrakesh 2017 Salsa Vaya 2019 Salsa Warbird 2016 Specialized AWOL 2017 Specialized AWOL 2017 Specialized Diverge 2018 Specialized Diverge 2019 Specialized Diverge 2017 Specialized Sequoia 2018 Specialized Sequoia 2019 Specialized Sequoia 2018 Surly Bridge Club 2017 Surly Troll 2016 Traitor Wander 2019 Trek 520 2016 Trek 920, 720, 520 & CrossRip 2017 Trek CrossRip 2018 Trek 920 2018 Trek 1120

• trek crossrip

Hi Alee. I just got the 920 on Friday and took it riding on the weekend!

It had about 15 kgs on it, about 75% rear loaded (until the front panniers arrive; also to give the rear wheel a bit of settling in before I head on a bigger trip). At first I thought it was not handling too good with the weight, but then I got the rear panniers forward and the weight properly L/R balanced …amazing difference 🙂 I’m new to this.

I did about 60 kms on tarmac undulating country roads around Tatong and then I’m not sure maybe about 60kms without much load (~7kg on rear) on state park clay road, gravel track, and variously more difficult track. I had lots of fun finding the boundaries (mainly mine), not being used to that type of bike or tyres. It felt well behaved and definitely good for a bit of fun with my limited off road experience. As I practiced picking lines and committing, ignoring obstacles etc, my confidence in what the bike was doing was rewarded.

I was running Schwalbe Marathons, as recommended elsewhere in your blog (pumped hard on the tarmac, soft off). The hums along the tarmac and tracks straight.

Really happy with the choice…found some things for me to learn about riding with weight and off sealed roads, got my body worn out in the sun, dust and hills, had heaps if fun. Successful foray into trekking with panniers 🙂

Sounds like you’ve made a great choice!

Hey Alee Given the 720 is cheaper than the crossrip at my local dealer? Which one would be the better option? I’ve more or less settled on the 720 since it to me looks lighter and with better specs. 🙂

They really are almost identical in spec and geometry. Go with the 720 if you like that better!

I had the Trek 728 back in 1982 and it was perfect. Unfortunately, I sold it in 1986. I am getting ready for a TransAmerican Bike Trail 4,000 mile trip. Which TREK is the right one for this kind of trip with four panniers all around? The 520? What year?

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7 most PRESTIGIOUS & EXPENSIVE districts in (and near) Moscow

1. Rublevka

Rublevka, simply put, is Russia’s “Beverly Hills”: home to rich, famous, and influential Russians who live in luxury, hidden behind tall fences and walls. Technically, it is located outside Moscow, some 10 kilometers to the west via the Rublevo-Uspenskoe Highway, yet the area, and its residents, are nonetheless an integral part of Russia’s capital.

Officially, there is no such an administrative unit as Rublevka. Instead, the name of the area is a social construction, popularised in mass culture as a synonym of being filthy rich, as it is one of the most expensive residential areas in the world. It is also a play of words as – you know it – the ruble is the Russian currency.

In Tsarist Russia, nobility built homes here, only to be replaced by dachas of Lenin, Stalin, and other state officials after the Bolshevik Revolution. In Soviet times, famous scientists, artists, and writers — including Mstislav Rostropovich, Andrei Sakharov, Dmitry Shostakovich — had dachas in Rublevka. Today, Rublevka is inhabited by oligarchs, multi-millionaires, and all-powerful figures. The Russian President’s official residence is in Novo-Ogaryevo – not far from Rublevka.

Although Rublevka is considered the most famous luxury residential area in the immediate vicinity of Moscow, there are many other elite villages and areas in the Moscow Region, most of which are located to the west of the capital.

2. Ostozhenka and the ‘Golden Mile’

The Golden Mile is an unofficial name for one of the most expensive residential areas in Moscow. It is a small piece of land where luxury real estate has been built. It is located between Ostozhenka Street and Prechistenskaya Embankment, a 10-15 minute walk from the Kremlin, with some of the buildings overlooking the Moscow River.

With prices up to $40,000 for a square meter, Ostozhenka is often listed among the most expensive streets in the world. Given that an average apartment there is around 240 square meters in size, the price tag for it can reach as high as $10 million or even more.

“[Before 1989], this area was abandoned, because of the planned construction of the Palace of the Soviets (which was to be built on the site of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour). The entire area was planned to be cleared to make possible the construction of a wide avenue leading to the Lenin Hills [currently known as Vorobyovy Gory],” says Alexander Skokan, an architect and a founder of the Ostozhenka Bureau.

However, the Palace of the Soviets was never built. Instead, luxury houses began to be erected there. Consequently, it may be hard to come by residents in this area, as most of the buildings have been bought for investment purposes.

3. Khamovniki

Khamovniki is the official name of a district located in central Moscow. It starts from Aleksandrovskiy Sad next to the Kremlin and spreads across to the Luzhniki Stadium and Sparrow Hills (Vorobyovy Gory) in the western part of the city.

Historically, this is where weavers used to live, who were known as ‘Khamovniki’ in the 17th century. Hence, the name of this historic district.

Today, Khamovniki is one of the most popular areas of the Russian capital among apartment buyers. Yet, it’s also one of the most expensive districts in Moscow, where one square meter of apartment costs approximately $11,000; a price tag far beyond the average in Moscow.

The Moscow River, multiple parks and numerous metro stations make this elite district ecologically clean and also easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Pre-revolutionary houses, Soviet buildings and modern projects are available on this stretch of land. Among others, one of Russia’s greatest writers Leo Tolstoy owned an estate in Khamovniki in 1882 (which is now part of his family estate).

4. Yakimanka

This is a neighboring district to Khamovniki, lying to the Southwest of the city center. Everyone who has ever been to Moscow knows Gorky Park, which covers most of the district’s territory. Yakimanka is one of the most stylish areas in Moscow and it is well known for its clubs, cocktail bars and cozy restaurants, as well as for the State Tretyakov Gallery and the Muzeon Park of Arts.

The district is also home to old factories built in the early 19th century. Most of these buildings have been rebuilt as offices. Elite real estate in this district may also cost up to $20,000 per square meter.

This is another historic and luxurious district, craved by anyone who dreams of settling in Moscow. It stretches from the Moscow Kremlin on the west to the Moscow River in the east, with New Arbat Avenue being its major artery. Here, the famous Spaso House , the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Russia since 1933, is located, as well as other historical landmarks .

As in many other districts in Moscow, Arbat has it all when it comes to real estate: pre-revolutionary houses, Soviet buildings and modern luxury apartment blocks. An average price tag for a square meter of real estate here is $10,000. Yet, naturally, you can find much more expensive housing than that in the area.

6. ‘Presnya’

The Presnensky district, as it is officially known, lies to the immediate north of the Arbat district. Although real estate here is generally not as expensive as in the above-mentioned districts, there are two especially affluent areas that make the average price tag skyrocket: Patriarch Ponds and the Moscow City business center, where the famous skyscrapers are located.

One square meter in one of the towers of the Moscow City business center can cost up to $20,000. Considering there are premium apartments that take a whole or even multiple levels, the final price can be extremely high.

7. Tverskoy, Meschansky, and Zamoskvorechye

Zamoskvorechye.

These three districts — two to the north of the Kremlin and one to the south — are all affluent areas of the city. The State Duma and the Governor-General Building (which today is the Moscow Mayor's Office), among other important buildings, are located in Tverskoy district.

These three districts are similar to each other in the sense that they lack vacant land to make major new development projects possible. Instead, a relatively small number of offers is on the market. The average price of one square meter of housing in these areas amounts to $7,300.

Click here to find out what to sightsee on Tverskaya street.

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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
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Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

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I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

The tour lived up to all expectations

I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

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The 7 Best Things to do at Night in Moscow

By Chris Boyle

Moscow nightlife can be both fun and very confusing.

Restaurants often turn into clubs, and of course there’s the infamous ‘face control’ door policy which only admits the most beautiful, the most cash-laden and the most cultured – and very much depends on the whim of the ‘face master’ on the door at each club.Head to the right venue though, and you’ll find them full of beautiful people up for a crazy party.

Asking your hotel to phone ahead can help, as well as taking a few glamorous faces – and the ability to spend. Face control is simple; those who look cultured, wealthy and beautiful get in, those that don’t, won’t.

Cuisine: European, Japanese

RAI. It’s not just the name of a club – it’s the benchmark of glamour, the pinnacle of hedonism and the definition of an entire clubbing era.

The 8 Best Restaurants in Moscow

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A growing organism, RAI is always developing to remain at the forefront of club culture. Since hitting the Moscow scene four years ago, the club has refined its cutting edge vibe and today you’ll find a trendsetting venue that competes with the world’s most distinguished nightspots.

RAI sits at the heart of the Russian capital and pulsates with the beat of this legendary city. Loud and lavish, the parties here attract some of the most beautiful people on the planet.

Always evolving and moving with the times, RAI last year launched Evolution, a brand new program of quality music, stunning shows and an atmosphere you won’t find elsewhere. Trendy, tasty and utterly irresistible, RAI is the club of choice for those in the know.

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Opening hours: Thu, Fri, Sat 11pm – 7am

Type of music: House, vocal house, deep house, progressive house, mash-up

Metro: Kropotkinskaya

Guarded parking

Bolotnaya Embankment, 9 (near the Red October chocolate factory)

+7 985 364 0101

www.raiclub.ru

CITY SPACE BAR

The top floor of the luxurious Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy is home to one of Moscow’s trendiest bars. Chic, stylish and ultra-modern, City Space Bar is a great place to start and finish your evening.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking 360 view of the Moscow skyline, while the expert bartenders mix up a selection of fabulously extravagant cocktails; classic drinks have been given a modern twist by these ‘cocktail designers’. Winner of several awards, including the coveted World’s Top Ten Bars (by the Bartender’s Guide 2008), City Space Bar is a hotspot for the city’s fashionable elite.

+7 495 221 5357

[email protected]

34th floor Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy, Kosmodamianskaya Nab, 52, 6, Moscow 115054

cityspacebar.com

Rivalling Imperia Lounge for the toughest door policy in Moscow, Soho Rooms attracts Russia’s social elite.

Models and celebrities are in abundance, as well as the capital’s movers and shakers. The club consists of four different rooms: the Dining Room, Disco Room, Bar Room and the Summer Terrace. The Disco Room is where the action happens and where you’ll find top DJ’s David Guetta and Alex Gaudino luring the likes of Naomi Campbell, Gerard Butler and Roman Abramovich onto the dance floor. Located on the banks of the River Moscow, Soho Rooms is one of Moscow’s premier clubs and is highly recommended.

Manager: Dmitry Braude, Managing Director

+7 495 988 7474

[email protected]

Savvinskiy Embankment, Pereulok 12, Str 8, Moscow

www.sohorooms.com

BOLSHOI THEATRE

One of the world’s finest opera and ballet halls is returning to active service this year.

The Bolshoi Theatre, the second largest opera house in Europe, is one of the most instantly recognizable monuments in the Russian capital. The opera house has been in existence since 1776, and despite several fires and a bomb attack, the theatre’s Classical Greek design is still very impressive. The Theatre has a varied ballet and opera program, many of which are traditional Russian performances, such as Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. Currently, the main stage of the Bolshoi Theatre is closed while it undergoes a $730m renovation that will see the theatre reemerge as one of the world’s top opera halls. During the early part of 2011, shows will still be available at the Bolshoi Theatre’s New Stage.

+ 7 495 692 0818

[email protected]

1 Teatralnaya Square

www.bolshoi.ru

Considered by many Russians to be the best place to start your evening before heading for the slightly wilder clubs, Kalina is a stylish bar with a fabulous view.

Located on the 21st floor of a Moscow high-rise and just a few minutes walk from Old Arbat street, the bar offers a breathtaking view of Moscow and an elegant and sophisticated interior. The bar has an excellent drinks menu that includes a vast array of cocktails, expertly prepared for you by the resident mixologists.

+7 495 229 5519

[email protected]

8, Novinskiy Boulevard, Lotte Plaza Shopping Center, 21st floor

www.kalinabar.ru

IMPERIA LOUNGE

When the company that produces Imperia Vodka announced that it would be opening a club in Moscow in 2010, it caused a stir amongst Muscovites.

Since vodka is the national drink in Russia, any announcement from one of the country’s main distributors was likely to create a buzz, and with Imperia Lounge, the hype was justified. Floor-to-ceiling screens project lasers and graphics onto the walls and the clientele is almost entirely made up of Russian models and celebrities. The club has one of the toughest door policies in town and exercises the legendary Moscow face-control, so you’ll really have to impress to get past that velvet rope. Once inside you’ll see why Imperia Lounge is the place to see and be seen. The multi-level industrial space features wall-mounted LCD displays and go-go dancers suspended on circular pedestals above sunken lounge spaces, together with a cool VIP deck. The music is supplied by some of the hottest DJs around, making it one of the coolest dance floors in Moscow. It gets hot and sweaty so be prepared for a crush!

Olga Milenina, VIP Manager

+7 495 967 0990

[email protected]

5 Mantulinskaya Ul, Building 7, Moscow 121151

www.russianstandard.com

Housed in a cavernous 17th century converted warehouse, GQ Bar is the brainchild of restaurateur Arkady Novikov.

The entrepreneur owns a string of restaurants and bars across Russia, all of which have a reputation for the high-class clientele they attract and the quality of food and drink on offer. GQ Bar continues this theme with the clientele seemingly pulled from the magazine images that adorn the walls of the restaurant. The bar has a timeless décor of dark oak and white walls, and the large windows provide plenty of light. A great place to start your evening, GQ Bar is located in the Baltschug area, close to many of Moscow’s finest hotels and tends to attract a more mature, business-minded crowd.

+7 495 956 7775

Ulitsa Baltschug Dom 5, Moscow

eng.novikovgroup.ru

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

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