The Trek 820 is designed as a gateway to the world of mountain biking. It’s built for riders seeking adventure on trails and paths, offering a robust steel frame and reliable components that can handle the rigors of off-road riding. This bike is perfect for beginners and those looking for a dependable and straightforward mountain bike experience without breaking the bank. Let’s delve into the specifications and features that make the Trek 820 a solid choice for your entry into mountain biking.
Key Features of the Trek 820
The Trek 820 mountain bike is packed with features that make it a capable and comfortable ride for novice trail explorers. From its sturdy frame to its functional componentry, every aspect of this bike is designed to provide a positive and confidence-inspiring introduction to mountain biking.
Frame and Fork
The heart of the Trek 820 is its Trek Custom Steel frame. Steel is known for its durability and ability to absorb vibrations, making for a more comfortable ride, especially on rough terrain. The frame is also equipped with rack mounts, adding versatility for commuting or light touring if needed. The 135x5mm QR dropouts are standard and easy to maintain.
Up front, the SR Suntour M-3030 fork provides 75mm of travel to soak up bumps and trail obstacles. This coil-spring fork is a reliable entry-level option, offering a degree of adjustability and improving control on uneven surfaces. It features a 100x5mm QR and is designed for a maximum travel of 75mm, ensuring balanced geometry and handling.
Wheels and Tires
Rolling on Bontrager AT-550 alloy rims, the Trek 820’s wheelset is built for durability. These 36-hole rims are strong enough to withstand trail impacts and are compatible with Schrader valves, which are commonly found and easy to inflate.
The bike accommodates tires up to 26×2.00″, offering a good balance of traction and rolling efficiency for varied terrain. Tire specifications can be further explored with the manufacturer for optimal performance based on riding conditions.
Drivetrain
The Trek 820 is equipped with a Shimano Tourney EF41 7-speed shifter, providing intuitive and reliable gear changes. This system is straightforward to use, which is ideal for riders who are new to mountain biking and gear shifting.
The front derailleur is a Shimano Tourney TY500, with a 31.8mm clamp, top swing, and dual pull design, ensuring smooth and consistent front shifting across the three chainrings. Paired with a Shimano Tourney TY300 rear derailleur, the drivetrain offers dependable performance for varied gradients and trail conditions.
The crankset is a Shimano Tourney TY301, featuring a 42/34/24 tooth configuration and 170mm crank arm length. This setup provides a wide range of gears, suitable for climbing, descending, and flat trail riding. A sealed cartridge bottom bracket with a 73mm shell ensures durability and reduces maintenance.
The cassette is a Shimano TZ500 14-28 7-speed, matched with a KMC Z7 7-speed chain, completing a functional and reliable drivetrain system. VP-536 nylon platform pedals are included, offering a solid and stable platform for pedaling, suitable for various types of footwear.
Components
Comfort and control are essential, and the Trek 820 delivers with its component choices. The Bontrager Sport saddle is designed for comfortable riding, even on longer trails.
Bontrager Sport saddle on a Trek 820 mountain bike
The seatpost is a Bontrager alloy, 29.2mm diameter with a 12mm offset, available in varying lengths (300mm, 330mm, 400mm) depending on the frame size (XS, S/M/L, XL respectively) to accommodate different rider heights.
Similarly, the handlebar is a Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm clamp diameter with a 15mm rise, and widths of 660mm (XS/S) or 690mm (M/L/XL), tailored to different frame sizes for optimal ergonomics. Bontrager SSR grips provide comfortable and secure hand contact points.
The stem is a Bontrager Comp, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7-degree rise, and comes in lengths of 60mm (XS), 80mm (S), 90mm (M/L), and 100mm (XL), again optimized for different frame sizes to ensure a comfortable and efficient riding posture. A 1-1/8” threadless headset is a standard and robust component.
Braking is handled by Tektro alloy linear-pull brakes, offering reliable stopping power for trail riding and general use.
Weight and Sizing
The Trek 820 in ML size weighs approximately 15.28 kg / 33.68 lbs, including tubes. It’s important to note the bike has a maximum total weight limit of 300 pounds (136 kg), encompassing the combined weight of the bicycle, rider, and any cargo.
The Trek 820 is offered in a range of sizes from XS to XL, with corresponding frame sizes of 13″, 16″, 18″, 19.5″, and 21″. Each size is designed to fit riders of different heights, ensuring a comfortable and efficient riding experience.
Trek 820 Geometry
| Size | Frame Size | Wheel Size | Head Tube Angle | Seat Tube Angle | Chainstay Length | Head Tube Length | Seat Tube Length | Reach | Stack | Standover | Crank Length | Fork Rake | Wheelbase | BB Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 13″ | 26″ | 74.0° | 70.5° | 43.0 cm | 11.0 cm | 33.0 cm | 40.6 cm | 52.4 cm | 70.5 cm | 170mm | 46mm | 101.9 cm | 73.8 cm |
| S | 16″ | 26″ | 73.5° | 70.5° | 43.0 cm | 11.0 cm | 40.6 cm | 43.0 cm | 55.0 cm | 73.8 cm | 170mm | 46mm | 104.0 cm | 77.2 cm |
| ML | 18″ | 26″ | 73.5° | 70.5° | 43.0 cm | 13.0 cm | 45.7 cm | 45.7 cm | 56.5 cm | 77.2 cm | 170mm | 46mm | 105.7 cm | 79.9 cm |
| L | 19.5″ | 26″ | 73.0° | 70.5° | 43.0 cm | 15.0 cm | 49.5 cm | 49.5 cm | 58.0 cm | 79.9 cm | 170mm | 46mm | 106.8 cm | 82.7 cm |
| XL | 21″ | 26″ | 73.0° | 70.5° | 43.0 cm | 17.0 cm | 53.3 cm | 53.3 cm | 59.0 cm | 82.7 cm | 170mm | 46mm | 107.9 cm | 85.4 cm |
This geometry chart provides detailed measurements to help riders choose the right size Trek 820 for their body and riding style, ensuring optimal comfort and control on the trails.
Conclusion
The Trek 820 mountain bike is a fantastic entry point into the world of off-road cycling. Its durable steel frame, reliable Shimano Tourney drivetrain, and comfortable Bontrager components make it a dependable companion for exploring trails and enjoying outdoor adventures. If you are looking for a robust and straightforward mountain bike to start your off-road journey, the Trek 820 is certainly worth considering.
