Category Archives: Bikes & Gear

Our partnership with Santini and new guest jerseys for 2023!

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Santini as our official supplier of cycling apparel. As a household name in the cycling apparel industry, Santini is known for its premium quality and cutting-edge design. These new top-of-the-line jerseys will be available to guests on select trips, allowing you to ride in style and comfort. “This partnership with Santini is a natural fit for Trek Travel,” said Tania Burke, President of Trek Travel. “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible cycling experience, and Santini’s premium cycling apparel will help us achieve that goal. We are excited to work with Santini to create a unique and memorable cycling experience for our customers.”

Santini has been producing cycling apparel for over 50 years and has developed close relationships with professional teams, like Trek Segafredo, and athletes around the world. The 2023 guest jerseys are made of lightweight performance fabrics, keeping you cool and looking great while riding. The design features a white and navy colorway, complemented by Trek Travel’s signature light blue accents. Guests who book a Signature, Reserve, Cross Country, or Pro Race trip this year will receive the new Santini jersey. Check out our jersey reveal video and gear up for your ride in 2023!

Organized bike tour companies are adding more pedal power with the inclusion of the e-bike (electric-assist bicycle) so all levels of bikers can enjoy the whole ride, making bicycling more accessible and ultimately, more people travelling more often by bike. Sal Vaglica, contributing writer for USA TODAY’s Go Escape Winter magazine, features Trek Travel in his article in the Winter 2022 edition of Go Escape Magazine by USA Today.

Sal Vaglica writes,“Riding an e-bike is certainly a workout — you’ll earn a glass or two of wine — but with a tour, that’s just about the toughest part. Once paid, almost everything from your hotel and dinner reservations to turn-by-turn directions is handled for you. You’re left to focus on enjoying the vacation instead of fretting about logistics.”

“We did our first trip with e-bikes back in 2019 through Scotland,” says MarySue Howisey of the tour she took with her husband through Trek Travel. “Getting e-bikes was the best decision because you focus on the vacation and the views, and not the hill in front of you. And you can breathe after you get to the top.”

Read the full article in USA Today’s Go Escape Magazine»

See some of the trips from Trek Travel’s E-bike Collection

Scotland Bike Tour

Arizona Bike Tour

Costa Brava Bike Tour

Portugal Bike Tour

Glacier Under Canvas Bike Tour

Fingerlakes Bike Tour

If you look around your home, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a Bosch appliance, but did you know that Bosch is also responsible for engineering the pedal-assist technology that powers our e-bikes? We sat down with some of the e-bike experts at Bosch to learn more about the motors that make our bikes go.

Who is Bosch?

Bosch was founded in 1886 and contributed one of the key technologies that helped make internal combustion possible for use in automobiles – the magneto ignition device. Today, Bosch technology is present in a variety of industries around the world. In fact, it’s difficult to go through a day without Bosch technology touching your life in some way. Bosch sensors are in more than 50 percent of cell phones, Bosch home appliances and power tools are found in homes and worksites globally, Bosch security cameras adorn buildings all around the world, while Bosch hydraulic technology is present in the Panama Canal and Tower Bridge in London. Virtually every vehicle on the road in the world today has Bosch technology on it, and Bosch was the first to bring life-saving safety technologies like anti-lock braking and electronic stability control to market. Known for its quality and dependability, Bosch’s technology and expertise in electric motors, sensor technology, displays, and lithium-ion batteries makes them the leading and most-qualified supplier for electric bike systems.

When and why did Bosch start making e-bike motors?

Bosch first forayed into e-bikes in 2011, when the Automotive Electronics division launched its first e-bike system and essentially shaped the modern e-bike as we know it today. Once a small startup within Automotive Electronics, e-bike is now its own independent division within Bosch, which truly demonstrates just how far e-bikes have come and how highly valued they are within the company as a pillar of Bosch’s mobility solutions sector.

So, why e-bikes? Broadly speaking, Bosch sees the mobility of the future characterized by three elements: automation, electrification, and connectivity. E-bikes exemplify these traits, and broaden Bosch’s definition of mobility to include more than just automotive transportation. Mobility is a basic human need, in whatever form it takes to get from place to place, and e-bikes unite technology with healthy human-powered mobility, which really stays true to our motto, “Invented for Life.”

What can you tell us about the components that you’ll find in the Trek Verve+ 3 that we ride on our trips?

The Trek Verve+ 3 sports the Active Line Plus, a well-balanced Class 1 drive unit with a max assist speed of 20 mph or 32 km/h. It has enough torque to succeed on hills while maintaining excellent battery range, bringing simple enjoyment to everyday riding. It’s quiet, reliable, and has barely any noticeable pedal resistance. The power of the Active Line Plus is delivered smoothly to achieve a natural riding sensation.

Purion is our compact, easy-to-read display that’s mounted on the left handlebar with the e-bike assist controls integrated within it. The display provides a clear overview of the charge status, speed, riding mode, range, trip distance, and total distance. All the important details are just a thumb-click away, perfect for riders who want simplified information and controls.

Bosch’s PowerTube lithium ion batteries have the power you need for any ride, and are easily rechargeable from any standard 110v wall outlet. The Verve+ 3 integrates its PowerTube 500 battery within the frame for worry-free riding, and a safety latch prevents the PowerTube from falling out even on challenging terrain.

How much power is in a typical e-bike battery?

Our e-bike batteries have their capacity measured in watt hours (Wh) and come in several sizes ranging from 400 Wh to 625 Wh. On average, you’re paying roughly 17 cents for every battery charge, and traversing anywhere from 35 to 100 miles on a single charge, depending on various factors (which you can learn about on our interactive e-bike Range Calculator page). It’s tough to compete with that level of energy efficiency versus a car!

Are there any surprising statistics or facts to know about?

• • Our Speed, Torque, and Cadence sensors make over 1,000 measurements per second as you ride, which translate to smooth, realistic, and quick responses to every pedal push you make.
• • Our 4-amp Charger will take your e-bike battery from zero to full charge in roughly 4.5 hours.
• • The Purion display also lets you control your integrated lighting by holding the “+” key.
• • As a company, Bosch has made good on our promise to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.
• • The Robert Bosch foundation, a nonprofit foundation, holds 92 percent of the company’s shares, seven percent are in the hands of Robert Bosch’s descendants, and the company holds the remaining one percent.
• • Our complete e-bike system features the UL 2849 safety standard from the prestigious Underwriters Laboratory (UL), a strong commitment to long-term component quality for peace of mind.
• • Want a tune-up? Our field team has trained over 4,400 retailers in North America to bring e-bike expertise to every neighborhood.
• • E-bikes are so much fun, it’s virtually impossible to complete an e-bike ride without smiling.

What’s the most important thing to know about e-bikes?

E-bikes are even more fun with friends! Riders on your Trek Travel trip can enjoy the same sights and climb the same hills regardless of differences in riding skill or fitness level, making a tour by e-bike an unforgettable experience for everyone.

It’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean your fitness should go cold, too. Get our winter cycling training tips, tricks, and training plans to keep riding through all seasons.

It’s easy to let your fitness slide in the winter. Eating habits change, weather becomes less inviting, and summer cycling season seems like a faint memory. But here’s the truth that nobody ever tells you: cycling training in the winter is what riding strong in the summer is all about. The winter is where you lay the groundwork for great season; the kind of groundwork you just can’t build in a few rides. I’ve been riding and training for almost 20 years, and in that time, I’ve learned that winter is work season. Here are a few tips for training, dressing for, and succeeding despite the precipitous drop in temperature.

Winter Cycling Training: Zone 2 is Number 1

If you’re familiar with cycling training, you might have heard of “zone 2” riding. The rest of us refer to this as “base training,” and it’s what winter is all about. Base training is just that: the foundation of riding stronger, later. With a proper base, you’ll have more endurance, more repeatability, and the fitness to go on long rides day after day. A good base also makes hard efforts feel easier, so even if you only plan on riding short distances in the summer, base is your friend.

The good news? Building it is as easy as Thanksgiving pecan pie. It just requires dedication to your “Zone 2” heart rate. If you can test yourself, great. You’ll get a Zone 2 heart rate from that test. If you don’t want to test, you can also ride by feel, in the zone I call “comfortably uncomfortable.” It’s where you’re working hard, but you can sustain the effort for an extra long period of time. It’s usually anywhere from 65%-80% of your maximum heart rate. And then the challenge is to spend as much time in that zone as possible. Five hours a week? Great. 10 is even better. At 20 hours, you’re approaching pro fitness.

The trick is to avoid disruptions to your time in zone. No stops. No freewheeling. No coasting. Just spend as much uninterrupted time as possible. After one to two months of this, you’ll end up with stronger legs, and you’ll be ready for harder efforts later.

Winter Cycling Training Gear

Cold changes everything. It either forces you indoors, or forces you to layer up for outdoor riding. Let’s take a look at each.
Outdoors
Since I’m in Colorado, I can count on one thing: Change. The weather starts cold in the morning and warms up fast. And the only way to protect against changing weather is layering up. For every ride, I put on several layers to stay warm at first, and gradually peel them off as the sun comes out. That means bib tights or leg warmers, a base layer, long sleeve jersey, jacket, gloves, a hat or balaclava, and either shoe covers or winter shoes. Check out our favorite winter riding gear on trekbikes.com.
Indoors
The rise of smart trainers and online training software has completely changed the experience of riding inside. Today, cyclists can get on their Peloton spin bikes, or they can choose to recreate the experience of riding outside with a direct drive (wheel-off) smart trainer that adjusts the resistance for them, and an online gaming simulation or software like Zwift or TrainerRoad. There are plenty of options to choose from, and if you decide you really love it, you can augment the experience with tools to help you climb or even rock the bike underneath you. Browse trainers and get riding inside.

Winter Cycling Training Programs

Like you probably heard from your parents before – failing to plan is only planning to fail. Any great summer season starts with a great plan, and there are plenty of options to choose from. I personally have used several, but my current favorites include Zwift and VisionQuest. Zwift offers indoor training plans for winter, with specific options depending on the nature of your event. You just need to start by taking a fitness test, guesstimate the number of hours you can commit to per week, choose your plan, and go. The software takes care of the rest.

VisionQuest offers a similar program, only with more options, more ways to customize based on your goals, and more one-on-one time from a coach. They also understand Trek Travel trips better than any other coaching service available, so they’ll know how to get you in shape for a killer cycling vacation.

Winter Cycling Training Camps

If you just can’t bring yourself to layer up and get outside, or the idea of spending an hour on a stationary bike sounds like torture, there’s only one option left: ride where it’s sunny. Luckily, Trek Travel understands your needs, which is why we offer several winter training camp options to sunny getaways like California or the beaches in Mallorca, where there’s nothing to do but ride in short sleeves and shorts.

Just remember – even in winter, your training plan should still be the same. Putting in the winter miles, whether it’s in your basement, in your wool jersey, or in a warm escape, will still lay the foundation for an exceptional summer of strong cycling.

We hope these winter cycling training tips have been helpful! Have a great winter season!

This topic can be a personal or even an awkward one, but we’re going there anyway. We’re talking about chamois cream.

If any of you have experienced the dreaded chafe, you know just how important this topic is. We’ve gathered our top three tips for you and your saddle to consider when choosing and using your chamois cream.

It’s as easy as riding one in the first place.

Whether you are looking to save money on your next bike or have been dreaming of a bike that’s a bit out of your price range, there’s a perfectly good solution out there: buying used. The used bike market is very healthy, and if you’re a smart shopper, opting for a used bike can lead to some great deals. If you aren’t sure where to start, our experts are here to offer advice on how to buy a used bike that you’ll love for years to come.

Here are our top four tips for buying a used bike…

STEP 1: KNOW THYSELF

Savvy shoppers have an idea of what they want before they enter the bike market, whether it’s an award-winning Trek Madone, Domane, an e-bike, or anything else. The more you know about what you want, the better you’ll enjoy the shopping experience. That means a little research into the proper style, brand, parts, wheels, and accessories can go a long way. Do you want disc or rim brakes? What size cassette do you want? And color is always a critical component of the decision. To get some direction on whether you should choose a road bike, a hybrid, an e-bike, a mountain bike, or something else, check our Trek’s helpful bike finder. And remember that some of these choices potentially affect your future resale value if you plan to sell this bike on the used market eventually, too.

It may also go without saying, but before you start shopping, you should know your size requirements too. You may not be looking for a precision fit, and that’s fine, but it’s always important to know whether you should be riding a small, medium, large, or extra large. These sizes are relatively arbitrary across brands (they often refer the length of the top tube of the bike, but don’t always), but if you know your actual numeric size (50, 52, 56, 58, etc.), you can narrow your field of choices.

STEP 2: FIND THE MARKETPLACE

There are so many places to buy used bikes these days, from Craigslist, to eBay, to Facebook Marketplace, to even your local bike shop (just call them and ask!). We’re partial to the Trek Travel used bike store as a great place to find a pre-owned, mechanic-refurbished ride, but if we don’t have the style or size you’re looking for, there are plenty of other places to purchase a used bicycle.

Each of these marketplaces come with their own set of risks and opportunities, so make sure you protect yourself accordingly. Craigslist is the least-regulated marketplace, which means it’s important to meet in neutral places to pick up the bike, inspect the bike closely, and try to pay with a third-party payment processor like PayPal for some added payment protection. However, you might be able to negotiate some fantastic pricing. On the other hand, a local bike dealer is typically going to be more reliable and will often complete an inspection to make sure the bike is in good working order. The price of the used bike from a dealer may be a little higher because of the added work care put into the bike.

STEP 3: INSPECT YOUR RIDE

When you finally see your bike online or in-person, do as much due diligence as possible. Don’t expect the seller to be completely forthcoming with information that could affect the sale price, so inform yourself before you negotiate. Things that affect price could include:

• ● Nicks to paint or slight frame damage (normal wear and tear is fine) – an old trick is to “snap” the frame or flick your finger across all the tubes in the frame and listen for different sounds to see if cracks exist beyond the naked eye.
• ● Chain life – Chain stretch can wear the cassette and/or chainrings. Make sure to inspect the chain visually for rust or damage, and if you can test-ride the bike, listen for squeaking or grinding, which indicate there repairs may be needed.
• ● Wheel truing or adjustments – Take a look at the wheels from multiple angles to ensure they appear to be free of dents and bends that would make riding difficult and that they are aligned properly in the frame.
• ● Specifications on groupsets – e.g. does a bike come with a varied parts spec (Ultegra and 105 or SRAM and Shimano)? Ask why. Has something been replaced?
• ● What is included or not in the price? Many sellers may not include personal accessories like saddles, pedals, water bottle cages, or computer mounts. This is perfectly normal, but can also be a point of negotiation.

STEP 4: AGREE ON A BOTTOM LINE

Many prices in online marketplaces are suggested prices, so make sure you do some due diligence on market price if possible. One of our top tips for buying a used bike is to use resources like eBay to understand the market value of a used bike and use services like BicycleBlueBlook.com to do some research on a specific model. You may also have to pay for shipping for interstate purchases, which you can calculate at USPS.com.

Buying a used bike can provide as much joy as getting something new. You’ll still get the same thrill when you ride it for the first time, and it can still take you to the same amazing places⁠—all at a fraction of the cost. If you’re interested in discovering what’s available in the Trek Travel used bike store, start here. Our used bikes are available at great prices and always come with a 52-point inspection to ensure everything is in working order.

Now that you’ve learned how to buy a used bike, visit our travel portfolio and plan your next great cycling adventure too! We’ll see you on the road!