2023 Trek Roscoe 20
- Price: $499
- Category: Children’s bicycle
- Frame: Aluminum
- Gear: 1×8
- Tires: 20×2.80”
What we like about it: The best riding teaching tool to help your child overcome the uneasiness that comes with riding.
What we don’t like about it: Too few body color options.
Rating (4.6/5)
Introduction
Hey! Are your kids obsessed with mountain bikes? If your answer is yes, then don’t miss our star today – the Roscoe 20, a medium-fat kid’s bike that performs extremely well on muddy trails.
First of all, the 2.8-inch medium-fat tires provide ample protection for the child’s stable ride, and the aramid beads protruding from the surface are like a suction cup adsorbed to the ground. Both crowded streets and rocky winding trails can be faced perfectly. In addition, the Shimano 1×8-Speed speed control system makes the experience of riding more enjoyable for small children.
We have two months of measurement experience with the Trek Roscoe 20. To make the results more informative for you, we’ll elaborate on the performance, key features, components, and specifications of the Trek Roscoe 20 while riding, as well as other versions of the series. If you’d like to see more versions, please refer to our review.
Trek Roscoe 20 General Riding Review
The Trek Roscoe 20 has its design considerations for comfort, taking into account the 42-52″ height size so that it is not too extreme in the Frame stack setting. In addition, the 48.3mm setting allows the son of my ex-colleague, Tom, to maintain a comfortable enough sitting position without feeling uncomfortable. It also has a shorter wheelbase (measured at 86.3cm) to offset the instability of the 2.8″ tires in the corners. As a result, Tom can maintain an extremely stable posture even in fast-turning tunnels. Not only that, the alpha aluminum alloy is friendly to children. Because the lighter body is easier to control and does not look bulky.
For the saddle, a suitable design with padding was chosen. This also means that it can greatly reduce the damage to children’s bodies from the gravel bumps in sandy travel. The Kids’ Kraton’s handlebar is the result of many measurements and is very comfortable to touch with high-quality nylon rubber. “I enjoy riding on the Trek Roscoe 20,” is something Tom often says to me.
Of course, Shimano Altus M315, 8 speed is also a point that must be mentioned. The Altus SL-M315 shifter is easy to use for kids who don’t need overly complicated shifting, and Tom was in the highest gear for the final sprint. He was able to get a clear picture of the current speed configuration, thanks to the numbered gear display, which is very kid-friendly for riding.
Trek Roscoe 20 Trail Riding Review
After all, it is a great kids’ off-road vehicle, and it still performs well on the trails. I took Tom to the children’s off-road park with its rough roads and gravel-lined artificial trails.
The 20×2.80” medium fat tire plays a crucial role in riding on the sand. Its raised aramid beads have an extremely rough surface and the wider tread design allows Tom to maintain a more stable ride. I wasn’t worried about him falling off the bike, I had full confidence in his skills and the Trek Roscoe 20.
Meanwhile, the 1×8-Speed Shimano drivetrain is the highlight of the Trek Roscoe 20’s setup, with no clogs or jams throughout the shifting process. From flat roads to soft sand, Tom acts like a precision computer during the ride, calculating and judging road conditions until adjustments are made accordingly.
Of course, the alloys on the Trek Roscoe 20 make a big difference on the bumpy trails, offsetting a lot of the uncomfortable bumps. It’s not as high a travel number as other forks, but considering this is a kid’s bike, after all, I think the travel value is acceptable.
Overall, both Tom and I were very impressed with the Trek Roscoe 20.
Main Features
Frame
Trek has its considerations for the design of its kids’ bikes. the Alpha aluminum frame has a lighter body weight, which is a consideration for how easy it is for children to control the bike. the 20-inch kid-specific frame geometry has a sloping top tube that makes it easy for a 12-year-old like Tom to straddle the frame and maintain a smooth stance.
The only downside is that the three-color paint configurations may not meet the expectations of most children.
Geometry
For the choice of geometry, Trek also took into account the body size of the many children who love to ride off-road, adding angles that meet many ergonomic requirements. To eliminate the steering hindrance of overly heavy fat tires, Trek Roscoe 20 has set the wheelbase to a shorter size (863mm). This will provide extremely responsive body steering for children as young as twelve years old.
The 72° seat tube design is also a bold attempt by Trek Roscoe 20. The seat tube angle is around 70-72° for adults, which is designed to allow children to pedal more efficiently and in a more comfortable position. So you can rest assured that your child will be able to take the Trek Roscoe 20 as far as possible on those complicated single-track dirt trails.
Components and Specifications
Shimano Altus M315, 8 speed Drivetrain
The reliable mountain bike drivetrain allows the Trek Roscoe 20 to handle all the obstacles that arise on the mountain. This is because the easy enough shifting allows the kid to make quick and smooth shifts without using a lot of force. I have to be honest and say that there was some wobble in the chain at the beginning of the shift, but that didn’t happen after I made some simple adjustments. But after all, it has a good enough price, so I can still accept these small flaws.
Chen-Shin, 20×2.80” Tires
The fat tires are set up to handle the gravel and dead leaves of trail riding. As you know, annual maintenance bills can be a significant expense for parents. And the slick 2.8-inch Chen-Shin tires have a larger footprint and provide great traction. Whether on ascending or descending sections, it performs well in almost any condition and you can rest assured of its durability. Not only does it travel fast and maintain ultimate body stability on the Yellowstone sand, but the Trek also comes with a 30-day unconditional repair fee. So you don’t have to worry about your kids damaging the tires on outdoor rides.
Tektro MD-M280 Mechanical Disc Brake
The Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc is designed for children’s bicycles and has a lighter appearance, weighing only 145 g. The 160 mm stainless steel construction gives it a longer life. In addition, the sound insulation pad made of high-quality resin at the bottom can isolate most of the noise and dissipate most of the heat. It is also widely compatible with the braking system of most mountain bikes.
Trek has a very high priority for the safety of children’s bicycles. When children need to take the brakes while riding, they can quickly and efficiently apply the emergency brake by gently pulling the brake lever. Even on slippery and muddy roads, the Tektro MD-M280 mechanical disc still performs impressively.
Other versions of Trek Roscoe
To give you more options, we have tested other models of the Trek Roscoe series for a certain period, including the 2023 Trek Roscoe 24, to be objective and fair.
The Trek Roscoe 24, as we found out through testing, has a heavier volume and a larger tire size. (24×2.8″). This also means that it may not be as good as the Roscoe 20 in terms of steering and that the heavy bodywork can overwhelm your kids when they get in the way. Of course, Trek also compensates for this by setting a shorter rear fork length, allowing it to perform well in races as well. At the same time, the 544mm stack is not suitable for younger children, it is more suited to larger boys. If your child is a cyclocross enthusiast and is over 150cm tall, then the Trek Roscoe 24 may be more suitable.
Learn More: Trek Roscoe 24 Review – A Colorful Childhood, Trek To Decorate It For You
FAQ
- What is the price of Trek Roscoe 20?
The Trek Roscoe 20 is priced at $499.
- What is the gear count of Trek Roscoe 20?
The Trek Roscoe 20 has a gear count of 1×8-Speed.
- What is the body frame of Trek Roscoe 20 made of?
Aluminum.
- What sizes are available in Trek Roscoe 20?
Size chart for Trek Roscoe 20.
| Tires Size | Rider Height |
| 12″ | 86 – 102 cm 2’10” – 3’4″ |
| 16″ | 99 – 117 cm 3’3″ – 3’10” |
| 20″ | 114 – 132 cm 3’9″ – 4’4″ |
| 24″ | 130 – 150 cm 4’3″ – 4’11” |
| 26″ | 146 – 160 cm 4’9″ – 5’3″ |
Trek Roscoe 20 Specs
Frameset
| Frame | Alpha Gold Aluminum, tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, ISCG 05, threaded BB, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| *Fork | Size: XS RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 37mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 140mm travel Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 140mm travel |
| Max compatible fork travel | 150mm |
Wheels
| Hub front | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Hub rear | Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Rapid Drive 108, Shimano 10 freehub, Boost148, 12mm thru axle |
| Skewer rear | Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever |
| Rim | Bontrager Line Comp 30, Tubeless Ready, 28-hole, presta valve |
| Spokes | 14g stainless steel |
| *Tire | Size: XS Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 27.5×2.60” Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.60” |
| Tire part | Bontrager TLR sealant, 6oz |
| Rim strip | Bontrager TLR |
| Max tire size | Frame: 29×2.60″ (XS – 27.5×2.60″) Fork: see manufacturer |
Drivetrain
| Shifter | SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed |
|---|---|
| Rear derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle |
| *Crank | Size: XS, S, M, M/L, L SRAM X1 Eagle, DUB, 30T steel ring, 52mm chainline, 170mm length Size: XL SRAM X1 Eagle, DUB, 30T steel ring, 52mm chainline, 175mm length |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB, 73mm, BSA threaded |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 11-50, 12 speed |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed |
| Pedal | VP-536 nylon platform |
| Max chainring size | 52mm chainline: 32T, 55mm chainline: 34T |
Components
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width |
|---|---|
| *Seatpost | Size: XS, S TranzX JD-YSP18, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 361mm length Size: M TranzX JD-YSP18, 130mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 425mm length Size: M/L, L, XL TranzX JD-YSP18, 150mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 470mm length |
| *Handlebar | Size: XS, S Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width Size: M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager Rhythm Comp, alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 780mm width |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Trail Comp, nylon lock-on |
| *Stem | Size: XS, S Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 35mm length Size: M, M/L, L, XL Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 50mm length |
| Headset | FSA IS-2, 1-1/8” top, 1.5” bottom |
| Brake | Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT420 caliper |
| *Brake rotor | Size: XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180mm Size: XS, S, M, M/L, L, XL Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 203mm |
Weight
| Weight | M – 13.54 kg / 29.86 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes) |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg). |
Video
What we like about it
- The lightweight and durable Alpha Gold aluminum frame provide a compact and tough body.
- The 1×8 Shimano drivetrain’s wide range of adjustments brings extreme traction to your travels.
- 2.8″ tires for increased traction and stability.
- The child-specific frame geometry has an angled top tube to make it easier to get on and off.
What we don’t like about it
- Too sparse a selection of colors.
- Not very suitable for taller children to ride.
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Price | Tires | Drivetrain | Click view |
| 2023 Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed | $425 | 20×2.0″ | Single speed | Click view |
| 2023 Specialized Riprock 20 | $650 | 20×2.35″ | KMC X9EPT, 9-speed, | Click view |
| 2023 Marin Hidden Canyon 20 | $499 | 20×2.125″ | Shimano Tourney, 7-speed | Click view |
| Voodoo Sobo Junior Mountain Bike | $419 | 20×2.25″ | Shimano RD-TX800 8speed | Click view |
2022 Trek Roscoe 20 vs 2023 Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed
As we can see, the Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed is a bike set up for those younger kids. But the 398mm stack is a little too much for some kids. The biggest difference between the Trek Roscoe and the Jett 20 is the drivetrain, which doesn’t have a speed control system but only a single speed setting.
In my opinion, the 1×8 shifting of the Trek Roscoe 20 will allow the kid to get better shifting. This will give a relatively better base for shifting training later on.
Although it is a bit more expensive than the Specialized Jett 20 Single Speed, I would give preference to the Trek Roscoe 20 for safety reasons because the Trek Roscoe 20’s 20×2.80” tire size is relatively easier for kids to handle, knowing that a wider tire width is more stable.
If, however, you want your kids to master riding more safely, the Trek Roscoe 20 might be a good one to try.
2022 Trek Roscoe 20 vs 2023 Specialized Riprock 20
The Specialized Riprock 20 and Trek Roscoe 20 are very similar in many ways. The same aluminum body can make them able to ride lighter and faster while also having a longer service life.
It is worth mentioning that the Specialized Riprock 20 has a slightly different choice of brakes than the Trek Roscoe 20. It chooses the more popular hydraulic disc brake on the market but also has a more sensitive and rapid response braking.
But if you think about the various conditions that can occur when kids are riding, I think hydraulic disc brakes may not be so desirable. Yes, hydraulic disc brakes are a little better than mechanical discs. At the same time, it will also face high post-maintenance. After all, there are always some bumps and bruises in the kids’ rides.
For this reason, I would prefer the Trek Roscoe 20 because its mechanical disc brakes offer good braking performance with relatively low maintenance costs.
In terms of price, the Trek Roscoe 20 is almost $150 cheaper. So if you consider the budget, this car is one of the options worth trying. Not to mention its branding, it will bring more eyes to your kids.
Learn more ：Top 8 Best Children Bikes – Suitable For Children Of All Ages
2022 Trek Roscoe 20 vs 2023 Marin Hidden Canyon 20
Both are children’s mountain bikes, and the Marin Hidden Canyon 20 doesn’t have the same wide range of speed settings as the Trek Roscoe 20. That’s not the only factor in determining whether it’s good or bad.
But for sure in terms of speed, the Marin Hidden Canyon 20 doesn’t perform as fast as the Trek Roscoe 20 does. We tested the same dirt and gravel trails and found that the former was only 16km/h. So if your kid’s goal is various small trail races, then maybe the Trek Roscoe 20 will give him a better riding experience.
2022 Trek Roscoe 20 vs 2022 Voodoo Sobo Junior Mountain Bike
Voodoo Sobo Junior Mountain Bike has enough consideration in the choice of aluminum, it chooses lighter aluminum products, which also makes the body more light.
But it doesn’t have a fork on the front end of the body, which means your child may have to suffer too much bumpy vibration when riding on sand or gravel trails, which may not be conducive to small trail rides.
You might say that the Trek Roscoe 20 doesn’t have fork damping either. But if you look closely enough you will find that the Trek Roscoe 20 has 2.8″ wide tires, which will give your child a more stable ride on relatively bumpy trails. Also, the wide tires on will absorb some of the bumps and make the ride more comfortable for your kids.
If, however, your child prefers to ride on bumpy roads, this Trek Roscoe 20 might be a good option.
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