Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 Review
- Price: $979
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 700C Aluminum
- Gear: 1×10
What we like about it: A high-performance hybrid electric bicycle that allows for long rides on various terrains, whether it’s city streets or gravel paths, and more.
What we didn’t like about it: Limited color options to choose from, making it challenging to cater to everyone’s preferences.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 is a powerful commuter bicycle that excels in various road conditions. Its comfortable riding posture makes it a suitable choice for all riders.
Next, we’ll delve into the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4. Additionally, later in this article, we’ll compare it to a few other top bicycle models. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, feel free to follow us.
Riding Experience
As a commuter bicycle, the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 offers a comfortable riding experience. The lightweight frame and ample gear options make riding easier and faster.
To test this, I planned a countryside ride toward our area with the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4, enjoying the scenery along the way. I had pre-booked a hotel at the destination using IHG. The road conditions here were good, with long stretches of flat roads and some unpaved gravel paths. The latter half of the route included uphill and downhill sections.
On-Road Cycling
As soon as I hopped onto this bike, I could feel that its geometry was perfectly balanced, allowing me to find a comfortable equilibrium between an upright posture and a more aggressive one. This ensured that I could ride for extended periods without feeling overly fatigued, while maintaining a higher riding speed.
The lockable suspension fork also provided a rigid feel, much like a non-suspension bike, ensuring efficient power transfer with every pedal stroke. The sturdy frame enhanced power transmission responsiveness. Overall, the bike felt robust, eliminating any sense of sluggishness or instability while riding.
Furthermore, the Shimano Deore gearing system allowed quick and responsive shifting, providing me with the necessary gears when needed. The shifting operation was smooth and effortless.
In conclusion, I found the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 to be a comfortably enjoyable bike for on-road cycling, offering both a relaxing and swift experience.
Uphill, Downhill, and Gravel Riding
During uphill climbs, the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4’s lightweight aluminum alloy frame and efficient power transfer allowed me to ride faster. When the slope steepened, the 1×10 gearing with a wide range of options, combined with the larger freewheel, provided an easy pedaling sensation, conserving energy.
For long downhill stretches, I could rely on the 700c large wheel diameter to achieve higher speeds without the need for constant pedaling. The Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes allowed for quick speed reduction, ensuring safety during rapid descents.
Finally, on gravel sections, the SR Suntour NEX suspension fork paired with the 40c wide tires absorbed road vibrations, providing a comfortable ride with minimal bumps.
As I approached my destination, I couldn’t help but feel excited about my bike. It made my entire commuting experience enjoyable.
Specifications
The Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 comes in four sizes (S to XL) of aluminum alloy frames to choose from. Catering to riders with heights ranging from 5’1″ to 6’6″, it accommodates almost all rider heights.
Equipped with 700Cx40mm tires across the lineup, it ensures impressive rideability and stability. Additionally, as the riding speed increases, it offers enhanced cruising speed.
The Shimano drivetrain components provide a silky-smooth shifting experience and efficient power transmission. Furthermore, the hydraulic disc brakes deliver robust braking capability and reliability.
Lastly, the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 features multiple mounting points on the frame for racks and fenders, enhancing the bike’s load-carrying capacity and adaptability for diverse weather riding.
Video
What do we like about it?
- The Shimano drivetrain system offers smooth shifting and efficient power transmission.
- The bike supports rack and fender installation throughout, enhancing load-carrying capacity and adaptability to various weather conditions.
- The aluminum alloy frame with internal cable routing presents a cleaner appearance, also making daily cleaning more convenient.
- Tubeless-ready rims and puncture-resistant tires instill rider confidence for more adventurous rides.
- The hydraulic disc brakes ensure responsive braking performance, even in challenging conditions.
- The hydraulic lockout feature on the front fork guarantees efficient riding: close the fork for smooth roads, and open it for rough trails.
What don’t we like about it?
- Limited color options to choose from, making it difficult to cater to everyone’s preferences.
FAQ
- What is the weight of this bike?
It retains the Alpha Gold aluminum frame structure. The size XL weighs approximately 14.1 kilograms (31.1 pounds).
- Is this bike suitable for long-distance rides?
With numerous expansion mounting points that enhance the load-carrying capacity, it is indeed suitable for long-distance rides.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here we have a sizing chart for you. Of course, it doesn’t always have to be followed, and the best way to find the perfect size is to try it out.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″ – 5’6″ | S |
| 5’4″ – 5’10” | M |
| 5’8″ – 6’2″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’6″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Size: S, Alpha Gold Aluminum, curved top tube, DuoTrap S compatible, internal cable routing, rack & fender mounts, post mount disc, kickstand mount, 135x5mm QR; Size: M, L, XL, Alpha Gold Aluminum, DuoTrap S compatible, internal cable routing, rack & fender mounts, post mount disc, kickstand mount , 135x5mm QRTire Clearance: 45cColors: Matte Trek Black; Rage Red |
| Fork | SR Suntour NEX, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 100x5mm QR, 63mm travel |
| Headset | 1-1/8” threadless, sealed cartridge bearings |
| Stem | Size: S, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: M, L, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length; Size: XL, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 110mm length Size: M, L, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 90mm length; Size: XL, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm clamp, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 110mm length |
| Handlebar | Size: S, M, Bontrager Comp Lowriser, alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 600mm width; Size: L, XL, Bontrager Comp Lowriser, alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 660mm width |
| Saddle | Bontrager H1 |
| Seatpost | Bontrager alloy, 27.2mm, 12mm offset, 330mm length |
| Grips | Bontrager XR Endurance Elite, lock-on, ergonomic |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M5120, long cage |
| Crank | Size: S, M, Prowheel alloy, 40T narrow-wide ring, 170mm length; Size: L, XL, Prowheel alloy, 40T narrow-wide ring, 175mm length |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore M4100, 10 speed |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M4100, 11-46, 10 speed |
| Chain | KMC X10, 10 speed |
| Brakes | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc |
Wheels
| Rims | Bontrager Tubeless Ready Disc, 32-hole, Presta valve |
| Front Hub | Formula DC-20, alloy, 6-bolt, 5x100mm QR |
| Rear Hub | Formula DC-22, alloy, 6-bolt, Shimano 8/9/10 freehub, 135x5mm QR |
| Tires | Bontrager GR1 Expert, Hard-Case Lite, wire bead, 60 tpi, 700x40mm |
| Disk Rotors | Shimano RT26, 6-bolt,160mm |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Wheelset | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Giant ATX | Click View | 26″ / 650b Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano EF41 | 3×7 |
| GT Transeo Comp | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Tektro Mech Disc Brakes | 3×7 |
| Kellys CARSON 90 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano MT200 | 3×10 |
| Kettler TRAVELLER 3.0 30G Diamond | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | SHIMANO MT204 | 3×10 |
Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 vs. Giant ATX
Between these two bikes, I would wholeheartedly recommend the former one as it excels in all aspects.
Firstly, when it comes to the drivetrain components, although both feature Shimano components, the former has a higher-level setup. The 1x drivetrain of the former makes riding operations more convenient, allowing you to focus more energy on riding itself. Meanwhile, the latter offers more gears, providing a broader range of shifting options while riding.
However, the most significant distinction between these two bicycles lies in the braking system. The hydraulic disc brakes on the former outperform the rim brakes on the latter, offering a more potent and reliable braking capability.
Consequently, considering these two bikes, the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 is the more worthwhile choice.
Learn More: Is Giant ATX Worth Buying? [2022 Giant ATX Review]
Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 vs. GT Transeo Comp
In terms of the drivetrain components, the former is equipped with the Shimano Deore drivetrain, which is more reliable and trustworthy compared to the microSHIFT RD-M26C used in the latter. The 1x drivetrain of the former provides a simpler operation, while the 3×7 drivetrain of the latter offers more speed options, but it can also be more complex.
Regarding the braking components, both of these bicycles feature disc brakes. However, the hydraulic disc brakes on the former are more powerful in terms of braking capability compared to the mechanical disc brakes on the latter. Additionally, over extended periods of use, mechanical disc brakes might experience a decline in braking performance, whereas hydraulic disc brakes remain reliable.
Ultimately, I believe the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 boasts superior performance, making it my preferred recommendation.
Learn More: Is GT Transeo Elite A Good Bike? [2022 GT Transeo Elite Review]
Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 vs. Kellys CARSON 90
Comparing these two bikes, in terms of the drivetrain components, the latter is equipped with a Shimano XT, which is a higher tier compared to the Shimano level used in the former. The shifting sensitivity will be better, and the transmission efficiency will be stronger.
As for the braking components, both of these bicycles use Shimano MT200 brakes, so the braking capabilities are equally reliable.
In terms of geometry, the former will lean more towards being aggressive, while the latter will tend to favor comfortable riding.
In conclusion, even though the components of the Kellys CARSON 90 might be more high-end than those of the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4, I still prefer the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 for its slightly more aggressive geometry and better aesthetics.
Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 vs. Kettler TRAVELLER 3.0 30G Diamond
When comparing them, they are two bikes with distinct styles.
In terms of geometry, it’s evident that the former has a more aggressive shape, lighter weight, and offers a faster riding speed. On the other hand, the latter provides a more comfortable, upright riding posture, resulting in a slightly lower riding speed.
For drivetrain and braking components, both employ Shimano parts, delivering similar transmission performance and braking capability – dependable components.
Ultimately, if you’re seeking a more comfortable riding experience, the Kettler TRAVELLER 3.0 30G Diamond would be a better fit. Conversely, the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4 can satisfy your need for speed in cycling.
Summary
Above is my assessment of the Trek Dual Sport 3 Gen 4’s riding performance. In our view, it’s a powerful all-around commuter bicycle suitable for a variety of road surfaces. This is why we’ve given it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in other commuter bikes, we also evaluate bicycles of various price ranges, including some intriguing options. Feel free to explore our other reviews as well.
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