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Trek Teases Steel Full Suspension Bike, But Production May Be a PipeDream

Trek Prototype PipeDream Steel Full Sus hero(Photo / Trek Bikes)
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Today on Instagram, with the caption “Should we make this?”, Trek Bicycles teased a possible new full-suspension mountain bike. They’re calling it the PipeDream. The IG post continues by saying that the bike was designed by Trek’s Industrial Designer, Kyle Neuser, and “crafted by Trek’s prototype lab.”

Trek Prototype PipeDream Steel Full Sus Kyle
(Photo / Trek Bikes)

According to the post, the geo is borrowed from the new Top Fuel, as well as the rear end and rocker link.

Trek Prototype PipeDream Steel Full Sus rear end

The Instagram post mentions that it was Kyle’s vision to “combine the natural damping of steel with the proven geo and pedaling performance of the new Top Fuel”.

Steel is Still Real

Trek Prototype PipeDream Steel Full Sus bolt-on shock mount

The PipeDram is running bolt-on aluminum shock mounts that allow for future suspension tuning. It’s also nice to see some exposed cable routing on the classic skinny steel tubes.

The paint scheme on the PipeDream is meant to reflect the colorways of the steel Trek bikes of the 80s and 90s – their attempt to remind everyone that steel can still meet the demands that today’s trails dish out.

Trek Prototype PipeDream Steel Full Sus external routing

This “prototype” checks a lot of boxes. It is both modern and retro, and very good-looking. This is not the first nor the last bike company to make a kick-ass steel full-suspension MTB, but it’s rare to see something along these lines from one of the manufacturing giants.

Yay, or Nay?

For more on this bike, or to give a Trek a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on the PipeDream. Let them know if they should move forward with production, check out their Instagram account.

TrekBikes.com

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18 Comments
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Philipp
Philipp
16 days ago

In my opinion that is a great idea and the performance of steel is more than adequate for most customers. But the carbon rear end ruins it for me.

Craig
Craig
16 days ago

…it was Kyle’s vision to “combine the natural damping of steel with the proven geo and pedaling performance of the new Top Fuel”.

I like steel, and this is a really cool frame, but steel has zero natural damping properties, and Trek know this. Kyle should also know this. Not hating on the bike, it looks awesome and I bet it rides great but let’s cut the marketing BS, it’s been going on too long now.

Mr Dk
Mr Dk
16 days ago
Reply to  Craig

From the info I can’t see if its the alu og carbon rear they have used. The gen 4 comes in both I know but not sure if there is a visible difference. That said I agree the alu rear would be a better solution.

Nathan
Nathan
16 days ago

Aluminum, carbon, and titanium are also real.

satanas
satanas
16 days ago
Reply to  Nathan

But they don’t rhyme!

Tom Wenzel
16 days ago
Reply to  Nathan

Nostalgia does weird things to people, right? I heard Boeing is going to make a steel plane to cash in on being old school.

BobbyHowe
BobbyHowe
16 days ago

Wait, is Trek unaware that there’s already a fully steel company called Pipedream? WTF

nooner
nooner
16 days ago

All depends on what it weighs. Richey-esque steel could make for an awesome riding bike.

Bob
Bob
16 days ago

100% hell yes. Alu rear end please.

Collin S
Collin S
16 days ago

There’s a brand called Pipedream cycles, so I think Trek would have a hard time actually selling this bike with that name.

ScottyG
ScottyG
16 days ago

All about the Steel FS Squish!! 😉

PoulHansen
PoulHansen
16 days ago

“Natural dampening of steel”?? What for? 99% of dampening comes from full suspension, big tyres and seatpost.

Cptncrunch
Cptncrunch
15 days ago
Reply to  PoulHansen

If you dampen steel it might….rust.

Robin
Robin
13 days ago
Reply to  PoulHansen

98% of all statistics quoted online are made up on the spot. As it happens, nearly 100% of dampening is the result of fluids contacting wettable surfaces. On a bike, 100% damping comes from materials or systems that display hysteresis via deformation or movement: tires, suspension components, seatpost, the rider, etc.

Last edited 13 days ago by Robin
Luiggi
Luiggi
15 days ago

We need to stop scamming with the steel is real motto for at least two years.

Robin
Robin
13 days ago
Reply to  Luiggi

How is steel a scam? Sure the steel is real motto is dumb on an objective level, but steel frames are not scams. You do realize, don’t you, that frame material is not what drives frame performance, right? Its geometry, tube shape, tube diameter, tube thickness, and QC–including frame alignment–that dominate frame performance.

John
John
13 days ago

I support the move to make more bike parts out of steel when it makes sense. Whatever will be easiest to manufacturer in the US will be the affordable option, whereas all the high-end carbon and aluminum stuff coming from China will soon have monster tariffs on them. Plus, steel can be recycled easily…

Steelian
Steelian
11 days ago

Hey Trek, 2018 called, they want their HT angle back. Plenty of more modern geo steel full squish bikes out there. Stick to your lane Trek….

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