Trek Roscoe 9 (2022)

As recommended recently on here… anyone own/ridden one? this looks a great fun hardtail for general UK trail riding, gets good reviews. All the reviews mention a slightly slow/draggy nature to the bike, this would be solved by swapping out the 29 x 2.6inch tyres I assume ? How would the bike be with some fast rolling 2.25 tyres for long XC rides (70-100milers)?

https://www.jejamescycles.com/product/2064593/trek-trek-roscoe-9-mtb-matte-quicksand-olive-fade-black-2023/option/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz19fKJPPthOEHUNpEu1mjCNY2Kh8imAk3Ub6ROfQGSUfpTrs59RN2jwaAj5QEALw_wcB

The components look really good for the price point, the Fox 36 & Bontrager wheelset being the icing on the cake.

I’ve got the Top Fuel with the same wheels, excellent wheels.. was going to put my DT XM481’s on instead, but actually prefer these, decent pickup etc.

Ive had the Bonty SE4 and SE5 in 2.’6’s on my hardtail, and they felt slow, combo of heavier casing plus 2.6

Same bike, same weight wheels, with Bonty xr2/3 in 2.3? was totally different,   likewise the xr4’s in 2.4 on the top fuel are perfect for all but the crappiest conditions, with decent rolling speed and climbing efficiency.

I’d try the tyres out, see how you get on. At least with Bontrager you can go up and down casing/grip easiliy enough without much confusion

Thanks Alan, just what I was thinking. I would likely put a pair of 2.35inch Nobby Nic on the bike, I think it would solve the “draggy” nature the reviewers were referring to. The reviews seem very mixed as to whether the bike is light/heavy, the American reviews all reference it being a light and nimble bike (13kgs – “Hardtail Party” ), but “The Loam Wolf” review (Scottish) describes the bike a burly and heavy at 14.4kgs?

I got one when I could no longer resist the price drops. It is a brilliant bike for the money, with a really good finish and the wheels in particular stand out when you ride it.

But for all that, it’s really not an XC weapon. It’s a bit burly in the frame for that. And the fork is pretty thuggish too. And note, it’s an OEM-only Fox 36, so no pressure release valves or other high-end niceties.

All that said, with some skinnier tyres it does me well enough on XC rides. It’s not too big or heavy and climbs well with the front end staying down.

I was looking for an XC bike when I got the Roscoe 9, but they were far more compromised in terms of plushness of forks, drivetrain and finishing kit so I decided to go with the Roscoe.

I don’t regret it.