TESTED: Trek Roscoe 9

Photographer: Georgina von Marburg

Tester: Georgina von Marburg

Riding Experience: Ridden and raced nearly all forms of two wheels across my young ‘career.’

Generally Rides: Trek Slash 9.9

Height: 172cm

Weight: 72kg

Bike Test Track: All the popular and not-so-popular trails at Mystic Mountain Bike Park. 

Trek have progressed their mountain bike range in leaps and bounds over the past few years, including the introduction of a super light eMTB and the down-country Top Fuel. Producing incredibly capable dual suspension bikes with increasingly light frames, you’d expect their hardtail range to be placed on hold if not entirely phased out. However, the US brand still values the role of the hardtail in its range as exemplified by the new Roscoe 9. The latest edition of the Roscoe, a model dating back to 2019, has developed in conjunction with the rest of their off-road range, providing slack modern geometry, more clearance for wider tyres, and updated components. If you’re still in the mind set that hardtails lack personality and panache, the Roscoe is here to write a fun new chapter. 

The Roscoe 9 is the most premium model in the range selling for $3699.99, and the highest specced of Trek’s alloy hardtail offerings. The Roscoe 7 shares the same frame for $2399.99, and the Roscoe 8 sits between the two at $3199.99. Each price junmp gets better components, and the more you’ll ask of the Roscoe, the more it’s worth getting a better model. I tested a size M/L which, being 172cm tall, is the size I usually ride in the Trek range. The Roscoe’s relaxed 65 degree headtube give it the “trail hardtail” title, while it’s 73 degree seat tube and short 430mm chainstays promise to keep the handling tought and agile. Years ago I owned a Trek Procaliber, but have since predominantly ridden dual suspension bikes; I was eager to board the Roscoe and see if it could cross that bridge between a cross-country workhorse and an everyday trail pony.  

Initial Impressions

Out of the box, the most noticeable asset of the Roscoe 9 is its brilliant paint job. You typically won’t find unique paint jobs on sub~$6k mountain bikes, but Trek have made an effort to reflect the Roscoe’s playful nature. The black paint splatter against the fading sand and olive background already made this hardtail stand out from the rest. 

The Roscoe 9 comes with a Fox Rhythm 36 fork with 140mm travel – an impressively capable fork on this humble hardtail. I put my usual air pressure in, minus a couple PSI as hardtails require you to naturally ride a little lighter, and a little less aggressive. These forks can be fully locked out via the GRIP damper, and the only dial to adjust will be your rebound. 

The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano SLX, XT, and Deore 12 speed. The non-series Shimano brake calipers were the only disappointing component, as I felt they should have reflected the rest of the group set with some highly regarded SLX calipers; of course, all of this would add cost and is a very upgradable feature for the dedicated hardtail owners. 

The Roscoe comes with a whopping 203mm front rotor and 180mm rear rotor. Combine the top braking power with a 150mm dropper post, these specs are begging to be ridden downhill. The Bontrager XR4 2.6” tyres are provided to give the rider even more confidence and give the Roscoe its famously burly aesthetic. It should be noted that these tyres do not make the Roscoe a ‘fat bike.’ They are only 0.1” wider than a typical 2.5” enduro tyre, providing slightly more traction and confidence to help compensate for the lack of a rear shock. 

After setting up the tubeless tires and shaving down the 780mm handlebars, the Roscoe was ready to shred! With my Shimano Saint M821 pedals attached, the bike came in at a smidge over 14kg.  

On The Trail

I’m used to riding a Trek Slash, and the Roscoe has some surprising similarities. The head angle and trail are nearly identical, as is the chainstay length; so while the wheelbase is 5cm shorter than its dual-suspension cousin, I immediately felt right at home on the Roscoe. Heading onto the trails and up the main climb at Mystic, I instantly appreciated the efficiency and responsiveness of the rigid rear. There’s no doubt that hardtails in general encourage you to climb more and explore further. And with its 30T front chainring, the Roscoe will happily be your shuttle buddy up the steepest of climbs. 

But the climbing is merely a means to an end for the Roscoe, as this thing is really built to go downhill. With the long dropper in action, the seat post nearly disappears completely. I gingerly tipped the Roscoe down one of my favourite black trails and anticipated a bumpy ride. But the Roscoe held its own brilliantly. It plowed through the rooty mess with its oversized tyres, allowing me to hook in and out of corners with ease. The steep sections were hardly an issue for the Roscoe thanks to its relaxed geometry and a fork which at times felt like a lot more than 140mm. Of course, I didn’t take some of my usual lines and gaps because the landing on a hardtail is much less forgiving. But I was nonetheless surprised at how comfortable the ride was. My hands were more tired than usual by the end of each run, but that’s to be expected; I was particularly grateful for the 203mm/180mm rotors for this reason.

But the real beauty of this kind of mutant hardtail is its versatility across disciplines. After devouring the fire roads and tackling technical descents, the pump track and dirt jumps were calling. This is a post-ride ritual that many riders will find themselves lured into with the growth of pump tracks and dirt jumps across various locations. However, if you’re riding a heavy dual-suspension bike, this section of the bike park can be a chore – few pump track challenges have been won while lugging a rear shock around! But the Roscoe was in its element here, allowing me to get more out of my ride than I usually would. It’s hard to believe that a trail hardtail such as this is actually more liberating than it is limiting. Regardless of the terrain, the Roscoe was ready to have fun deep into the afternoon.  

Our Take

While thoroughly enjoying my time on the Roscoe, the question was constantly lingering as to who this bike is for. Of course, it’s fun, versatile, and cheaper than a dual-suspension bike – but is that enough to warrant ownership? It’s not a bike that will excel in racing either XC or enduro, so that cancels out anyone wanting to compete. And it’s also not a bike that you can just take anywhere, so that cancels out Maydena holidaymakers. But as a hardtail, it does have a place in the advanced rider’s stable; nothing checks your skills like a hardtail, or offers a reprieve from hauling big bikes up climbs. And as a very capable hardtail, it also has a place in the beginner’s stable. For someone just getting into the sport, I couldn’t recommend the Roscoe enough; its modern geometry and impressive specs will inspire confidence while encouraging growth and advancements in skill. Yes, it’s a more premium price point than your typical ‘first mountain bike,’ but it will be giving back to its owner for years to come. 

Want more agro hardtails? Check out the Norco Torrent here! 

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Trek

Model: Roscoe 9

RRP: $3699.99 

Weight: 14.1 kg (as tested)

From: trekbikes.com.au

Available Sizes:  XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL

Frame: Material Alloy

Fork: Fox Rhythm 36, 140mm, 44mm offset

Shifter: Shimano SLX M7100 12sp

Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100 12sp

Crank: E*Thirteen Helix, 30T 170mm

Bottom bracket:  Shimano SM-BB32, threaded  

Chain: Shimano Deore M6100 12sp

Cassette: Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51T, 12sp

Hubs: Bontrager Boost alloy hubs, 6 bolt

Spokes Steel, J bend 

Rims: Bontrager Line Comp TLR, 28 hole

Tyres: Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, 29 x 2.6”

Brakes: Shimano M6120 hydraulic 4-piston, 203/180mm rotors

Stem: Bontrager Elite, 35mm

Handlebars: Bontrager Line, 27.5mm rise, 780mm wide

Seatpost: TransX JD-YSP18, 150mm travel (size M/L), 31.6mm

Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, 138mm wide