The Roscoe has been a mainstay in Trek’s lineup of hardtails since the first version launched back in 2017. It has changed a bit over the years, but it has always been a bit more aggressive and trail-oriented than the brand’s other hardtails. That’s especially true of the all-new Roscoe Gen 4, which has been completely redesigned to “give riders what they’ve been asking for from the brand’s hard-charging hardtail.”
Apparently, Trek listened to consumer feedback and looked into the common upgrades riders made to their bikes when redesigning the Roscoe. The updates appear to be focused on making the Roscoe more fun, capable, and comfortable right out of the box. While the geometry of the Roscoe 4 is relatively similar to the previous version, Trek bumped the fork travel up to 150 mm and made numerous other changes to the frame and build specs. Let’s dig into what’s new.
Trek Roscoe Gen 4 Details
The Roscoe frame is crafted from Trek’s Alpha NEXT Platinum Aluminum. The brand states that it is pursuing the world’s lowest-impact aluminum and that this alloy has a lower environmental impact. Trek also claims the updated frame is 100 grams lighter than the previous model.
While the previous Roscoe came with a 140 mm fork, the Gen 4 frame is built around 150 mm of front travel and is approved for up to 160 mm. The frame also gets a new, more angular aesthetic with straight tubes. Trek reduced the number of frame sizes from six to five, but lowered the standover height enough that they claim it will fit riders in the same height range. The small frame comes with 27.5-inch wheels for a more proportional fit and lower standover for shorter riders. The medium to extra-large frames all come with 29-inch wheels front and rear.
Additionally, the seat tube has been shortened and straightened to improve insertion for longer droppers — the small frame comes spec’d with a 150 mm — but that also means there are no bottle bosses on the seat tube. Fortunately, there are bosses on the downtube and an accessory mount on the underside of the top tube. Trek also includes a Roscoe-specific bolt-on frame bag, which looks cool and provides some on-bike storage. According to Trek, riders will still be able to fit a bottle on the frame with the bag installed. The latest versions of Trek’s Checkpoint gravel bikes are also compatible with Trek’s own model-specific frame bags, and it’s nice to see that carried over to the Roscoe now, too.
Another notable change is a switch to ZS headset cups, making it possible to use an angle-adjust headset should you wish to make geometry changes. The frame has molded rubber chainstay protection and comes with a new bolt-on downtube protector. Cable routing is internal, and although the press materials state that it has a “fully guided dropper tunnel,” the frame appears to still have the internal cable fastener on the downtube. It has a UDH, threaded bottom bracket, and boost 12 x 148 mm axle spacing.
Geometry
The Roscoe Gen 4 comes in five frame sizes and is claimed to fit riders between 5’1” and 6’5”. For the most part, the geometry is quite similar to the previous model, including the 65-degree head tube angle, which seems spot on for a hardtail with a 150 mm fork. The 10 mm bump in fork travel stretches out the wheelbase by just a tiny bit and contributes to a slightly higher stack as well. Reach numbers are moderate, growing from 415 mm on a small to 500 mm on a large, with a comfortable 470 mm on a large. Chainstays are a playful 430 mm across all sizes except the small frame, which shrinks to 425 mm with 27.5-inch wheels.
The most notable changes to the new Roscoe’s geometry are lower standover heights, shorter seat tube lengths, and steeper effective seat tube angles. While the previous version had 74.7-degree effective seat tube angles across all sizes, the Gen 4 goes a little steeper, starting at 75 degrees on a small and increasing to 77 degrees on the XL. This should prop riders up into a comfortable and efficient pedaling position. Small frames come with a 15 mm rise handlebar, while all other frames come with a 40 mm rise bar.
Trek Roscoe Gen 4: Builds and Pricing
The Roscoe Gen 4 is currently offered in two complete builds. Prices start at $1,499 for the entry-level Roscoe 7 and top out at $2,399 for the fancier Roscoe 8. The previous version was also sold as a frame only, and hopefully, the Gen 4 will be as well, but Trek doesn’t currently have that as an option on its website.
Trek Roscoe 8 Gen 4: $2,399
- Fork: Fox Rhythm 36, 150 mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speed
- Brakes: Shimano Deore M6100 4-piston
- Wheels: Bontrager Line TLR 30
- Tires: Bontrager Brevard Pro XR 2.5”
- Seatpost: TranzX JD-YS134, Size S: 150 mm, Sizes M/ML: 170 mm, Sizes L/XL: 200 mm
- Handlebar: Bontrager Comp Alloy 40 mm rise (Size S: 15 mm rise)
- Saddle: Bontrager Verse Comp
- Colors: Dark Star (black), Lava
- Claimed Weight: 31.27 lbs. / 14.18 kg (Size M with TLR sealant, no tubes)
Trek Roscoe 7 Gen 4: $1,499
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL, 150mm travel
- Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 10-speed
- Brakes: Shimano MT200
- Wheels: Bontrager Line TLR 30 w/ Shimano TC500 hubs
- Tires: Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR 2.4”
- Seatpost: TranzX JD-YS134, Size S: 150 mm, Sizes M/ML: 170 mm, Sizes L/XL: 200 mm
- Handlebar: Bontrager Comp Alloy 40 mm rise (Size S: 15 mm rise)
- Saddle: Bontrager Verse Comp
- Colors: Matte Olive Grey, Buff Beige
- Claimed Weight: 32.04 lbs. / 14.53 kg (Size M with TLR sealant, no tubes)
Trek Roscoe Gen 4: Availability
The all-new Trek Roscoe Gen 4 is available now in North America at your local Trek dealer, Trek stores, and on the brand’s website.
