trek session 8 2019 price

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Trek Session 8 27.5 review

Impressive pedigree, but a letdown in the rough

‘ABP’ rear suspension provides a solid, supple action

Relatively short front end feels cramped, high bottom bracket and short frame deliver a sometimes precarious-feeling ride, harsh fork and weak brakes are disappointing for the price

While Trek's top-end Sessions had a complete redesign for 2018, this budget model uses a frame carried over from previous years. It’s a design that’s enjoyed huge success on the World Cup circuit, but how has it stood the test of time?

Editor's note: This bike has now been superseded by the 2019 model which was not available for review at the time of this test

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Trek Session 8 27.5 frame

Trek’s ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension system is essentially a single-pivot with linkage-driven shock design, except it uses a rear-axle pivot to reduce the effect of braking on the suspension action.

The shock is compressed between the upper rocker link and the forward tips of the chainstays. Trek calls this set-up ‘Full Floater’ and uses it to tweak the leverage curve so that the Session provides 210mm of slightly progressive travel.

A ‘Mino Link’ chip allows the bottom-bracket height to be adjusted by 10mm and the head angle by half a degree.

Trek Session 8 27.5 kit

To be blunt, you don’t get all that much for your money.

The Session 8 has solid DT Swiss wheels, Bontrager tyres and SRAM drivetrain parts, but its BoXXer RC coil fork houses RockShox’s more basic Motion Control damper. The SRAM Guide R brakes were also disappointing, lacking in power and developing a spongy feel after a few muddy rides.

Trek Session 8 27.5 ride

The Session felt small and cramped. In fact, I found myself double-checking that Trek had sent the XL frame I’d requested.

Not only is the reach noticeably short, but the minimal-rise bar (15mm) sits low on the negative-rise stem. With a high-ish bottom bracket, the bar feels even lower when riding. At 6ft 3in, I was practically rubbing my knees on the bar when I leaned forward to pedal. Plus things felt precarious in steep or technical sections.

I ended up swapping out the bar for something taller and with less backsweep, as well as putting a 5mm spacer under the stem. Even then, the high bottom bracket and short front centre meant the ride was far less stable or confidence-inspiring when things got fast or technical.

The Trek’s higher centre of gravity makes pushing hard into turns feel like more of a gamble too, despite the impressive grip of the high-volume Bontrager G4 tyres.

Up front, the Motion Control fork also puts the Session at a distinct disadvantage. It’s noticeably harsh on high-speed hits in particular, where it spikes badly. The damping just can’t react in time to keep up with square-edged bumps and the result is a clunky feeling through the bar.

In contrast, the rear suspension is very supple. The RockShox Vivid R2C shock is fancy for this price point, but doesn’t offer any big advantage over the simpler coil shocks found on other bikes.

Because of the short and tall frame, I had to run the rebound damping (particularly the high-speed rebound) pretty slow to provide enough stability over jumps and G-outs, and this compromised sensitivity a little. I also swapped the stock 500lb/in spring for a 550lb/in replacement to make the bike feel more balanced.

Trek Session 8 27.5 verdict

The outdated geometry, harsh fork and underwhelming brakes meant I really struggled to get on with the Trek.

Smaller riders can go some way to addressing the first complaint by going up a size, to get a longer reach (if the seat tube isn’t too long), but the high bottom bracket still undermines the handling somewhat. Considering all this (as well as the price), it's a hard bike to recommend.

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2020 Trek Session 8 27.5 Bike (discontinued)

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Specifications

Sizes and geometry.

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Trek Session 8 DH 27.5

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte Dnister Black

Size / S, M, L, XL

Weight / 38 lb 6.5 oz (17,420 g)

At a glance

Full Floater, EVO link suspension, ABP (Active Braking Pivot), Mino Link adjustable geometry, Internal cable routing

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Platinum Aluminum with integrated frame protection
• Fork RockShox BoXXer RC, coil spring (S, M red; L, XL blue), low speed compression, internal preload, Motion Control IS, 20mm Maxle DH, 200mm
• Shock RockShox Kage RC, coil spring, rebound, adjustable hydraulic compression damping, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 8.75" x 2.75", S 400lb, M 450lb, L 500lb, XL 500lb springs
• Hubs DT Swiss FR2150, 110x20mm front, 157x12mm rear
• Wheels DT Swiss FR2150
• Wheel Size 27.5"
• Tires Bontrager G4 Team Issue, 27.5" x 2.35"
• Chain 445mm, MRP, Truvativ Descendant, 36 tooth, SRAM PC-1110
• Crank Truvativ Descendant
• Bottom Bracket 356mm, Sealed cartridge
• Rear Derailleur SRAM GX DH, Roller Bearing Clutch
• Shifters SRAM GX DH, 7-speed
• Brakeset SRAM Guide R hydraulic disc, SRAM Guide R
• Handlebar Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 2-bolt head, zero offset, 31.6mm, Standard single bolt, 31.6mm, Standard single bolt
• Stem Bontrager Direct Mount, 31.8mm
• Grips Bontrager Rhythm, dual lock-on
• Headset FSA Orbit, sealed cartridge bearing

Q: How much is a 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5?

A 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 is typically priced around $4,000 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5?

The 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 weigh?

A 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 weights 38 lb 6.5 oz (17,420 g).

Q: What size wheels does the 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 have?

The 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 has 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2017 Trek Session 8 DH 27.5 should I get?

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Trek Session 8 2021

About the Trek Session 8 2021

The Trek Session 8 2021 is a Full suspension Downhill Mountain Bike with a alloy frame. Equipped with a SRAM GX drivetrain of 7 gears (1x7). Its features include internal routing, boost 110 , and e-thru axle. The bike weighs approximately 16,27 kg.

Internal routing

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• Rider Notes

2019 Trek Session 9.9 29

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension downhill bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

Manufacturer Price

For This Bike

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Session 9.9 29

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Nov 2018 · Drew Rohde

A review worth reading if you are considering a 29er DH bike. The Trek Session 9.9 downhill bike has a couple interesting quirks but is without a doubt one of the best DH bikes we've ridden in. If you're a racer looking for pick up speed and drop seconds, check this bike out!

Oct 2018 · Paul Aston

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Sep 2018 · Seb Stott

A pricey bike let down by a basic fork, disappointing brakes and dated geometry

‘ABP’ rear suspension provides a solid, supple action

Relatively short front end feels cramped, high bottom bracket and short frame deliver a sometimes precarious-feeling ride, harsh fork and weak brakes are disappointing for the price

If you're a DH racer, your special edition bike usually comes out during worlds - if you're good enough to qualify and your bike sponsor loves you.

May 2017 · Matt Phillips

All new carbon framesets for both 27.5 and 29 inch wheels for Trek's downhill race bike

Trek releases the 2018 Session with updated geometry, refined linkage, and a revamped Float X2 shock. There's also a 29 inch version, which the internet will probably have nothing to say about.

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Last updated September 16 Not listed for 1,686 days

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