I bought the Roscoe 7 last year in 2022. Coming from a cruising city bike, I love it! I'll upgrade things as they wear out. As a light trail rider, it's enough for me. I can see an experienced & advanced mountain biker needing a Roscoe 8 or 9. It's a terrific bike for me. 😊
It’s a great bike for a starter bike because it can be fully upgraded and the geometry will be current for years to come. Enjoy it! Video on my Roscoe build will be out soon
@blad go right for the 9! Any of the NEW Roscoe's will be and upgrade from the R6 model... BUT if you want the most bang for your buck the R9 is the way to go!
@andrew the US version of the R9 is based off a Project 1 color scheme.. in the Uk they get the R9 in a solid red. I agree, they should have given the US at least 2 color options in the most expensive trim level
This is coming from a guy that has more than 5 high end bikes in his garage. This is a beautiful and wonderful bike for 1,400; that you can upgrade as you go. Now if you are rich maybe you "need"something fancier. I have this bike; the things you want to change are: grips, handlebar, pedals and tyres; the rest in pretty good as it is. Even the brakes are powerful enough (the stopped me on several severe downhills). So the frame alone is almost 1k and this bike with Shimano Drivetrain is 1.4k and it is a bad deal? Oh and this guy has kept the frame. He cannot make up his mind I guess; again, I have this bike and it is a wonderful machine that Chou can even take to blue trails (change the tires for Maxxis, before doing that).
@mariacantero-k9y I suggest you watch the video again and this time pay attention. This video was made when the Roscoe line up was at MSRP. The entire video I’m explaining which bike has the most VALUE in the Roscoe line up - it’s the R9 hands down. The R7 is a great bike for a beginner or someone who is purchasing their 1st “real” mountain bike- I also mentioned that in the video… several times. Not sure why you try to bring up the cost of the frame - it’s $750 from Trek - not $1k. I would love to see these “severe” downhills the Shimano MT200’s “stopped” you on, they are hydraulic brakes - they will eventually stop you - but not the performance an experienced rider would want or need. Glad you love the bike, I have 2 more videos on the Roscoe build I think you would also enjoy. -Tyson
Sorry but I disagree. I did but a Roscoe 7 for $1,399 (on sale), NEW MArzocchi $290 (NEW - I was lucky), MAxxis Tires $ 110 both, Grips $35, Deore Metal DEORE brakes 160, SHIMANO premium brake rotors 35 each -made in JAPAN. The REAR HUB works perfectly. The shock is very good but I have my Marzocchi waiting (I am extending the life of my forks since now I have 2!!!!); Brakes are the equivalent of the Tektros 4 piston (Not bad, not great -but pretty good for my weight: 180 pounds). BUY THE CHEAPEST ONE (ROSCOE 7 NOT 6) AND UPGRADE IT AS YOU GO!!!!!!!!! THIS GUY IS TOTALLY WRONG! HIS MATH IS NOT ACCURATE; I HAVE an updated ROSCOE 7 myself THe Roscoe 8 comes with the SRAN CRAP. My custom ROSCOE 7 is way better than the ROSCOE 9. BETTER TIRES, BETTER BRAKES (SHIMANO 400 sucks); equal fork (MARZOCCHI- Made by FOX). Sorry dude I definitely DO NOT AGREE with your math.DO NOT BUY THE ROSCOE 7 IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY OR YOU ARE REALLY A PRO WHO IS NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED, OTHERWISE; BEST HARD TAIL I ever HAD.
The video was made when the Roscoe line up was full price. Even with your math the R9 is a much better value than the bike you built with parts on sale.
I half expected the fricken awful Sram SX. Nothing wrong with the Shimano stuff on this bike - it works. Maybe the whole bike is a bit pricey. There are discounts if you search. The Recon is an ok fork, the 35 on the 8 hardly any better. I'd pick Deore over the 8's NX.
The drivetrains on the 7 and 8 are equal - depending on if you are a fan of Shimano or SRAM. The deals right now are crazy… R9’s for $2k. The used market is even better. It’s a great time to buy a bike, bad time to be selling.
Both the Roscoe 7 and 8 come from Trek with RS suspension. The R7 comes with a 140mm Recon. I upgraded to a RS 140mm Yari on my R7. The R8 comes with a RS Gold 35 from Trek. So depending on what RS fork that had on the bike, it could have already been upgraded.
I have a question as I am just wanting to get into riding mountain bikes but also for losing weight. I am right at the weight limit at 300 pounds. I believe the bikes should be OK because I’m certainly not planning on doing any jumps off of rocks anytime soon and I don’t live in the mountains, but we do have some single track trails here in Traverse city. I don’t know enough about all the different forks, etc. do you feel that the Roscoe nine would better support a heavy rider than a Roscoe seven?
@jeffbucknam7393 thanks for the view and comment! You will be fine getting into the sport with the R7… BUT you will feel more comfortable with the suspension set up on the R8 or R9. The fox 36 on the R9 is the beefiest fork in the Roscoe Line up… With all the crazy sales going on head to your local Trek shop and pedal a few around. See if you can feel the difference between the R7 and R8.
@@TheMTB103Your math is off bro. Yes, it cost money to upgrade but you can/will also SELL the parts that came off. So the figures you are throwing around are misleading.
I'm a middle aged dad riding a 4yo Marlin 7 with no intentions of doing anything more than blue trails or riding XC or gravel trails so this bike would probably make more sense than upgrading my current bike any more.
Should I get teh roscoe 9 right now, the clearance sale makes it $2,000 which is $800 off of it's original price, but then again this video is a year old, so I am not sure. I would be getting a very much needed upgrade from my marlin 5. It's also $600 more than the roscoe 7, and it's normally a $900 difference when not on sale.
@joeyhoff2574 if you can find a Roscoe 9 in your size for $2k that is a steal! It is always beneficial go get the best bike you can afford. With the R9 you will not need to upgrade anything, it’s a top notch hard tail. The bike market is crazy right now, you can also check the used market for a R9. With Trek the frame warranty will transfer to the 2nd owner. You will feel a drastic improvement over your Marlin.
Are you set on getting a hard tail? If you think you may want a full suspension check out the trek fuel ex gen 5… Trek still has these new in stores at crazy low prices. You can get one very well equipped for about $2k. The fuel ex gen 6 is a totally different bike, but more expensive. I’m moving from a trek slash to a fuel ex gen 6 for my next race season.
This opinion hurts my head. That's what you get at that price point. Yours points are the case for every bike. Pay more, get a better bike. You're expecting a cheaper bike to be like the top of the range. Ffs
@kingrara5758 you probably need to watch the video again… and pay attention. The video is breaking down the VALUE in the Trek line up… not simply saying the most expensive is the best. The most expensive is NOT ALWAYS THE BEST VALUE.. but in the case of the Trek Roscoe line up the R9 is the clear winner in value by a long shot. Especially with these new sale prices.
@@TheMTB103 I think you'll find that price point is nearly always the best bang for buck. Diminishing returns for your money as they get more expensive from there.
That’s not usually the case- the mid range price is usually the best bang for your buck. The top end spec is usually reserved for those who want the best of the best and will pay for it. With the Roscoe Trek didn’t do that. Look at the Fuel EX Gen 6, the mid level specs are much better values even with the extreme sale prices.
@@TheMTB103 I would call the 8 mid range. But still, no bike at the pricepoint of the 7 was going to satisfy you based on your criticisms and for those who can't afford more, the 7 is one of the better specced bikes with an air fork and dropper post.
I understand what you are saying - but you keep changing your POV. First you wanted to point out the best bike was the most expensive and now you are saying the cheapest one is the best buy. The R8 has the least value in the line up because the components are mid range at best and it’s so close in price to the 9. The entire point of my video was to show the BEST VALUE in the Roscoe line up. I am part of a Trek Roscoe group and I was tired of seeing riders purchase the cheapest bike (R6), realize the fork sucked - then spend $1k on a fork upgrade. By this point they have spent more than the best spec’d bike from Trek and have an entry level bike with a kick ass fork… But still have low end brakes, wheels, hubs etc. By taking the time to break down the value in each build from Trek new riders can save money and leave with a better bike. As I mentioned in the video - the entry level R7 is a GREAT bike to start out with because you can upgrade years later as they become a better rider, but an experienced rider would probably be disappointed with the R7 out of the box.
Steve is usually great with advice.. he does tend to skew his advice for riding in Sedona. I’m in a Roscoe group and my inspiration for this video was seeing too many riders but the cheapest bike then 1 week later buy a $1k fork for it 🤦🏻♂️
For an absolute beginner i think i may go with the Roscoe 7. At first i was contemplating the Marlin 7 then talked myself to the 8 then talked myself to the Roscoe 7. It’s a crazy game of going down the rabbit hole lol.
I like the looks of this and as a “basically” novice, I think I’ll still go with it. Seems well spec’d for the price and as someone who just turned 50, I don’t think I’ll be doing anything too extreme that would necessitate a bike 2x the cost. Off topic: Bentonville (Arkansas)? Do you know Graham Cobb?
We do not know Graham Cobb… do we need to look him up our next trip? The R7 is a great starter bike or for anyone who will not push the bike hard. Trek also has them on sale at the moment $200 off!
Unfortunately living up here in Canada the math is quite different. To upgrade from the 7 to 8 is $800 CAD and to the 9 is $1300 CAD. Personally not being a pro level rider the 7 is plenty bike for me and within my budget.
The 7 is a great bike and can be upgraded over time… but we wanted to point out the best value for the dollar amount spent. The R9 comes right out of the box with everything needed for a killer HT
I completely agree the 9 is the best bike and if I could afford it that is the one I would buy but $1300 CAD is beyond my budget. I will be upgrading from a 2005 Kona Hoss so the 7 will be such a vast improvement for me.
I just bought the Roscoe 8 as my first trail bike, dont even have it yet. At the original MSRP of 2400 it would not have been in consideration for me but now that its down to 1600 I feel like its as well spec'd or better as anything else I see at that price. Im excited to get on it.
You are 100% correct! It’s a bargain at $1600 and you will love it. Trek has the R9 at $1999 right now if you can even find one. Get out and ride and enjoy a great bike!
Would be a great bike for a young teen to start Mountian biking ? As long as they are tall enough to at least fit on a small. I would not go XS, they are hard to find and hard to resell after they have out grown it.
You mean Miami green? Trek knows what they are doing… the best colors came at the lower price points. That is why I also got a 7… the new colors on the 2024 R6 are great as well! Check out my video on my R7 build - Tyson
The Ultimate Hard Tail Mountain Bike! Custom Build + Parts List for a 2023 #TrekRoscoe ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OXXegHy2Jj4.html
@TheMTB103 I bought it and replaced the brakes/rotors/bars/stem/rear wheel and fork. I've taken a smart cost saving approach to keep the cost down. My original hub came damaged it seemed so I bought a wheel in a massive race face sale. Lyrik came from a chromage overstock sale for 700$ and I bought 4 piston shimano deore brake take offs. I am probably very close or bit above a roscoe 9. Looking back a roscoe 9 would possibly be the best decision especially because I love the colourway but I'm not mad about having a more premium fork then the heavier rhythm.
I've also enjoyed the journey of buying specialty tooling and making these changes. I would agree roscoe 9 is the best decision for a normal person but I think in my situation it's a grey area
It is definitely fun to buy and pick out your own parts, then ride them. Helps for future bike buying decisions as well. You learn a little more of what you like and what works for you riding style. What color way did you get on the R7?
We are here to help! Im in a few Roscoe groups and many local bike shops have been offering the R9 at a discount if it’s in stock. Doesn’t hurt to ask!
@TheMTB103 a Chinese kid riding a full rigid would smoke you on a 5k bike. Don't kid yourself. If it has suspension, it's good enough for the majority of people.
So did you buy this simply for the awesome paint job? I love the look so much that i'm considering buying this to upgrade but i can see that the 9 is much better value and id rather have the better components
@chrismilne - 100% the color scheme sold me. I had a custom HT that I built in 2021 and used all those high end parts on that R7 frame. The only stock pieces left on my R7 are the dropper post, dropper lever and saddle. I have a video in edit on the build so I can share specs with everyone. The R9 is the best value by far… but if you don’t have a budget you can get one of the fun R7 colors and just make it your own. Another downside to the R7 is that everyone buys that model for the price… I was at thunder dome in Bentonville and there were 4 other guys with the same R7 🤦🏻♂️. Theirs were all stock, but unless you really know what to look for, to the untrained eye they all look the same.
@mvh_caredits why do you want to change bikes from the Marlin 7? The answer to that will let me know if the new Roscoe 7 or the 1st Gen R8 is a better bike for your needs.
@@TheMTB103 because my fork now is super stiff and i already have it on its softest setting and here in the netherlands we have a lot of roots in every trail and its giving me a lot of wrist and elbow pain so i want to upgrade and the roscoes have droppers and 1x12 drivetrains
All good reasons to want to upgrade. If you ride a lot of downhill I think the geometry of the new R7 will be more fun. The R7 is also a 29er while the 2021 R8 will be a 27.5+ bike. Pros and cons of both. Personally I would go with the new R7 because it’s up to date geometry and you can upgrade any parts as you go. The frame on the 2021 R8 is outdated with the QR 141 rear wheel. Just my thoughts - hope that helps
Personally I don't agree with anything in this review but the hub because I have hired this bike at bike parks and works amazingly. And BTW this is the best bike I can afford
@mrdogz was the R7 your 1st real trail bike or did you upgrade from a starter bike to the new R7? That makes a huge difference in your expectations when choosing this new model Roscoe.
I hired the bike for a while out of a bike park and no I have an XC bike at the moment. I'm not saying your wrong by the way I'm just saying that's my opinion
The R7 is a great 1st trail bike or a bike that you can grow into. My POV for this video was to help potential buyers break down the value in the line up, the R9 offers the best bang for your buck. I am on a few Roscoe forums and I would see so many riders buy the R6 due to the low price point and then go on a couple rides and then buy a $1k fork for the bike...if they had $2k to spend they should have just purchased a $2k bike and would be way better off. Thank you for the watch and the comments! -Tyson
I just ordered a R7 today and the reason I bought it is ecause I could not afford any other roscoes. I completely respect your opinion and I 100% agree that that the R8 or 9 are better if you can afford them but this is my first trail bike and I'm still a child
I think you’re kind of missing the point of this bike… Or you’re just searching for reasons to tear down popular bikes to increase your readership/SEO. You keep referring to the Roscoe 7 as if it is meant for an experience rider who is going to have to throw away components the moment they get the bike higher end components. The build on the bike compared is decent to comparable bikes in the price range. Sure it doesn’t have a phenomenal shock, hub, etc., but for what it is, it’s a decent build. With the 2024 price drop the manufacturer did on the bike, it’s even more attractive. You also don’t mention that this bike has a tapered steerer tube, which is a lot more upgradable than most bikes in this price range that have a straight steerer. Buyers who do want to upgrade to a better shock will have a much easier time because of this feature. Lastly, you refer that to the Roscoe 7 as the bottom model in the series, but that is in fact, the Roscoe 6. I have years of trail/Enduro riding under my belt and I can recognize that this bike would be great for someone starting out, or even a light use for an experienced rider. Your video shows you going through chunky trail and off a small rock drop, both of which this bike will likely be able to handle should the rider choose good lines. Sure, an inexperienced rider will struggle through rock gardens because this bike isn’t made to “float” over such terrain. I’ve ridden pretty gnarly stuff on my old hardtail from the 90s and the bike is still kicking ass after 25 years.
I don’t think you actually watched the video or listened to what I said. The point of the video was to showcase the value in the Roscoe line up. The current R7 is a great bike for a beginner as I said several times in the video. I also talked about the upgrades I did to my R7 to showcase what buyers can possibly do with the frame. I have 2 other videos on the bike you are more than welcome to watch. The R9 is the best value by far in the Roscoe line up, especially now with the new price point of $1999.99. When the video was made the R6 was still a previous generation Roscoe. The R6 update did not come to retail until the 2024 model. Thanks for the views and comment.
I'm a primarily dirt bike woods rider. Leaning more towards mtb riding. Not a beginner mtb rider either. Not a jumper but take trail riding seriously. An r9 is a budget stretch. Thinking about the 8. What's your thoughts to jump right to the 9 for me,
When buying a MTB in general, getting the best build you can afford will always pay off. You won’t have the need to upgrade right away and you have built in value for resale if you move on from the bike in the future.
I think the R7 is the best budget friendly of the line, Prices are out of control, I used to have a Demo8 2 and aftera few years away from biking I am looking at my first HT in quIte some time. My heart says R9, my wallet says R7
@chrisiontreal the R7 is a GREAT 1st “real” mountain bike… but will be a disappointment for anyone looking to jump to the R7 as an upgrade from and entry level bike. The R9 is where the real value is at. It’s a buyers market right now and great deals on new and used bikes, I’m sure Trek will be having sales heading into summer.
I feel like your missing the point of buying the Roscoe which you never bought up being geometry. There’s no doubt trek has massively improved the Roscoe’s geo, and ultimately it really doesn’t matter what spec you get as long as the geo is good.
@bassboy1126 You actually have it backwards… the spec is the most important part because the frame is the same among the R7-R9. If you are only buying a bike based on the frame you need to do a frame up build and not buy a complete bike. This video compared the best value in the Roscoe line up buying a complete bike.
@bidibee I actually replaced a 2022 San Quentin 3 with my Roscoe. They have the same geo, BUT the Marin is a 27.5 only and I wanted my HT to be a 29er and share wheel sets with my FS. There has been no change in the Marin other than colors since Matt Jones designed the frame back in 2020. It’s a killer bike, but I love my Roscoe build- video coming soon.
@@TheMTB103 Actually the San Quentin has changed quite a bit for 2023 - short seat tube and more slack; however, it's still a 27.5 so I guess it doesn't really matter for you. Thanks for sharing your content.
@bidibee you are 100% correct, I didn’t notice those 2 changes when I did a quick comparison from 2022 to 2023. I did a quick check because I’m selling my 2022 and wanted to see if there were more than just another color change and indeed there was. Thank you for pointing that out! I would keep my Marin as a DJ bike but then I would need to sell my actual DJ. Too many bikes! I need to thin the heard
What about the Roscoe 7 they have for sale right now on the Trek website? Is that the 2024 version? Is that worth it or is the Roscoe 8 the better deal?
The only change in the 2023/2023 R7 is the color of the frame. All great bikes… get the best one you can afford. The 9 is the best value by far, but you will be happy with the 7 or 8 as well
@@TheMTB103 Yeah, I know the 9 is the best value. But I didn't want to go all out on my first bike. What state are you riding in if you don't mind me asking? I'm really afraid of wildlife when riding.
@@TheMTB103 Texas is super flat from what I have gathered while having been there. I assume you must be going to places like Bentonville in Arkansas. Do you know why some people call it the mountain bike capital? I didn't really see any mountains in Bentonville in videos. Never been to Arkansas though
I’d recommend at least consider 1 level up from where you think you are. People underestimate how quickly they will progress. You did a great job comparing the financial sides vs impact on spec capabilities esp in a video that wasn’t 30 minutes+.
@chis thank you! I did have in all the technical specs on each bike in the 1st draft but I know all that info is in many videos covering the new Roscoe line up… I was very disappointed when I 1st rode my R7 even tho I knew I was going to strip the bike down and upgrade it to make it the bike it should be. I see so many riders buy a $1k bike then turn around and buy a $1k fork for it… if they had $2k they should have purchased a $2k! Thank you for the feedback!
Brought Roscoe 7 - upgraded it after ridden off stock components. Keep riding Trek Roscoe 7.. Happy enough.! Love that model line up. Love Marlin's Line up! Especially Marlin 5!
I have the same bike, love the tan walls on the maxxis! What model did you get on front/ rear tires and the size!? Would maxxis rekon 2.6 fit that’s what I’m considering!
@matt I’m running Maxxis Rekon 2.4 front and back. The only parts left on the bike from trek are the frame, dropper post, and dropper post lever. It’s a super fun build, I think it’s about 28lbs
I bought a Marlin 5 Gen 2 a few months back thinking it would be ok and I would only ride ever so often. I ride every other day and am ready to now upgrade. I had been eyeing the Roscoe 7 but now you have me wondering if I would regret that purchase.
What types of trails do you ride each week? The stock R7 will be a HUGE upgrade from a Marlin 5. The R9 will be your best value if you plan to keep riding and improving your skills, especially if you are riding blue trails and eventually want to ride black trails. Trek has all the Roscoe’s on sale right now. If you only ride easy flat green trails mixed in with some sidewalk/gravel the R7 will be perfect with you and you probably will never notice the flaws in the bike. Let us know your thoughts and we can help make recommendations! -Tyson
I live in Florida so our “black diamond” is not the same as I rode in Missouri on those black diamonds. Mostly sand, and lots and lots of roots on the trails here. Anyway I cant contact you direct to show you the trails I ride and help me choose? Thanks -Chad
Im my country average salary is 450 dollar....its hard to buy Roscoe 8.....for me Roscoe 7 2022 is enough.... Actually l didn't make decisions yet Giant phatom 1 or Roscoe 7
I’m gonna buy my first bike ever. I’m looking at the Roscoe lineup.. I can’t decide hard tail or full suspension. At $2499 for the Roscoe 9 I could probably do a full suspension. Roscoe 7,8,9 are on sale for trekfest. What about the Rosco 8 is that a worthy upgrade to the 7 or just skip that and go to the 9? any other hotels you would recommend in around that price range?
@kenny_edmonton the R9 is on sale at many Trek shops for $2k! But yes in this crazy bike market you can get a decent entry level FS for $2k. A hardtail is a great way to start out without breaking the bank - see how much you actually ride and enjoy the sport
I am getting my first substantial investment bike (between 1k and 2k). I've had low-end GT and Giant and was considering the Roscoe 7. You seem knowledgeable, do you know anything about the Norco FS A4. It's the only full suspension I really like. (Also considered the Roscoe 7 comps from Cannondale and Specialized.)
@eric I just looked up that Norco- it looks like a solid starter 1st FA bike. It’s on par with the Roscoe 7 but a FS. It has low end suspension, brakes, 11sp vs the Roscoe 12sp. Overall it looks like a good deal. See if jenson or any of the big online retailers are offering a sale. It’s a great time to buy a new bike!
Spot on. I recently acquired a new Roscoe 7 as a trade for my gravel bike. Luckily for me it was a straight trade and no money loss on my end. I upgraded the fork, brakes, saddle, rear wheel and now just waiting for my 35 bars. Now if this was a purchase I would’ve 100% gone with the roscoe 9 hands down.
@blacklungmtb Thank you for the watch and feedback! I’m a fan of the Roscoe line up… I got the 7 just for the cool paint and I had a parts bin ready to upgrade. I will finally finish my NEW Roscoe review video and share my thoughts.
The Roscoe line up is a nice rowdy HT bike that can rip downhill but also pedal decent for those who want to just casually ride. Overall it’s a great bike
Got it via Trek discount for around 1000USD. It is great bike in that price range and as You said: it will be upgraded as i go. For now only handlebar, grips and pedals are going to be replaced. The rest will come once i see the need. For all who wonder if they should get it - if You are novice like me look at the frame and price mainly since going for best of the best at the start of hardtail journey will leave you spending absurd money for things that should be chosen based on practice and not theory :) Just enjoy the journey because from what i see there is no end game here :)
@lem0nificarion you got a great deal at $1k USD. Trek just introduced the new R6 for $1200. The new R6 is the new frame 29er with very low end parts for a novice rider to get into the sport… but the frame is the key part. Just like the R7 at the time I made that video… it’s a frame that can be upgraded for years and still be current. Enjoy the bike! I have one more Roscoe video about to be released. Thank you for the watch and comment! - Tyson
Sooo I ordered a Roscoe 7 for more street light dirt riding...... I'm 5'6 with short legs and a long torso soooo I need a Medium frame for body length but can't touch the ground. Bought just for the drop seat so I can have a bike that works for my body lol
This video makes sense if you are super serious biker. But if that was the case there would be some super niche bike that would be better than any in the roscoe line?
@robmingis you CAN find better hardtails on the market than the R9…but they can cost up to $5k. There is no hardtail on the market that is a better value than the Roscoe 9. With the bike market in a major slump some Trek dealers have been letting go new Roscoe 9’s for $2k. As I mentioned the Roscoe 7 is perfect for a 1st time buyer. I made this video so buyers will think about bike value vs just buying the cheaper model.
Got the Roscoe 7 in Miami Green in 2023 as a bike to get me into doing more downhill / trails / jumps type stuff and I love it. Was £1159 and got it on a thing we have in the UK called "cyclescheme" where the government basically pays for it for you to ride to work 😅 removed all tax so will have paid under £900 for it. Got a set of brand new Rockshox 35 Golds with 150mm for an extra 10mm of travel and the thicker stanchions and for now, its perfect for me. bonus, they were only £150 Looking at current Trek prices though I think when i upgrade to a full sus i wont be going with them
@@TheMTB103 Not sure but i definitely like some of the YTs, Propains and Nukeproofs! That'll be the goal but historically ive always somehow ended up with a trek so it might be a slash 🤣
Excellent quick informative video i have been looking for more gearing for climbing my marin wildcat 4 27.5 is maxed out i love the dam thing 9 speed microshift i insanely put rockshock pike on it i should stayed with suntour but bike shop was trashing 27.5 bike offered me deal on the used pike fork cant climb my hills on wildcat ok rant over i wanted more gearing 1/11 or 1/12 spoiled by pike cant down grade to 100 mm Trek but i been waging Trek 8 gen 2 or Roscoe 7 or Canyon 5 grand canyon large scared because of sizing i'm 5'10 my marin a large its catered to women sizing sighs . Trek i could get a deal but after you trashed the free hub on Roscoe 7 the cheap handle bar i'm like crap luv my bike shop but there Trek shop they have given me great service arm twisting to the max they have made so many free repairs and upgrades like the pike only charged me 100 bucks and 50 dollar labor sure its used any hoot thanks for write the 7 off the list i'm a every day rider not beating my bike just i ride year round
@@TheMTB103 no no to the roscoe i started fighting with myself here are the evils. i work with with a Trek shop owner they cut me deals on everything i get fixed there on my Marin that is a heavy weight on my shoulders sometimes they never charge me or just the parts price . i kinda threw them a bone i was searching for 11 speed or greater no bite so i'm searching been eyeing canyon 7 thou or canyon stioc 4 but the Roscoe is off the island wont tell my co worker that your video scared me away from Trek unless insane deal
Trek Japan does not even list the R9. Just R7 and R8. Suppose Weak yen inventory availability. Discounts on X-Caliber, others but the Roscoe full price. No need to discount a bike in demand.
@thomas… that’s so interesting about Japan… Trek has all the Roscoe line up on sale in the US and UK. Can you get a R9 shipped to Japan at a reasonable price?
@@TheMTB103 The R8 is 341K vs R7 253K about usd$650. Includes 10% sales tax. Trek has R8 my size in shop but not R7, have to order depends on if in country main island(faster delivery) . Prefer R7 price. The R9 not worth chasing at those prices.
I had the Marlin 7 before this and being on a super tight budget when this thing came on special, and with a trade in, I grabbed it for about $750 USD $1100 here in Australia. The difference is night and day as you would expect. I would have loved to have gone with the 9 straight up but just didn't have the money so I 'm happy to have a bike that I can upgrade as I grow my skills and understanding of mountain biking. The Marlin Series is majorly limited in that respect. The other bonus is that the 7 came in the colour I liked.
The 7 has the best colors for sure! That’s why I got mine. The new 6 has some cool frame colors as well. Any new Roscoe will be a big jump up in quality from the Marlin line up. Enjoy your bike and ride as much as you can! You can always upgrade parts as you grow as a rider
The Scott scale 960 is a completely different type of bike than the Roscoe. The Scott is an XC bike with only 100mm of travel. The Roscoe is an all trail bike for any type of terrain and has 140mm of front travel. What style of riding are you looking to do? That should determine what bike is best for you.
I am a novice - rode a ton as a kid. Recently I rented a bike in northern Mn at Cuyuna and had an absolute blast. Now I'm debating what bike to get. I'll admit I am deeply grappling with the cost of the sport and the 7 is already feeling steep to me. That said - do you think the 8 is worth the extra $400? Also... this is a preferential question, but I am not a fan of the color scheme of the 7...how much should that factor into a purchase decision?
@joshheiger8942 great questions! Trek is no dummy, that is why they put the universally most attractive paint schemes on the 7 and 9. I purchased my 7 just for the paint color. That being said, if you like the more subtle paint in the R8 you should snag one of those while they are on sale vs getting the R7 just on price. The better fork, brakes, rear hub and color are worth far more than the $400-$500 you will be spending extra to get the R8. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, Mountain biking is no exception. I think you would be super happy with the R8 and it will be a bike you can upgrade if your skill level starts to rapidly improve. What bike did you rent? Also, did you see the video on my current R7? Thanks for watching and asking a great question! -Tyson
I grabbed a matte olive black 2023 Roscoe 8 for $2k with the Trekfest sale ending last day of April, today. 1650 for the 7, 2k for the 8. Any 9's in this area were not available immediately in my size, M/L, and were not on sale so $900 more than the 8, also don't care for the color. The teal and Miami colors of the 7 are nice but not for the cost to upgrade all the parts. I'm coming from a cantilever braked Specialized Hardrock so this thing is a beast and I'm excited to have a real bike. Buying a new bike and then new upgrades seems like a lost cause unless you get a huge discount on the cheaper model and no discount on the better model. Used Roscoes in my area cost the same or more than new at asking price. People are insane.
One flaw in your math... You're only considering the total cost to upgrade from 7 to 8... and not factoring in the money you could make back by selling the old parts you upgraded. Doing that, the upgrade comes in much cheaper than buying the 8 outright. Or at the very least you can keep the old parts for emergency backup if something breaks, that you wouldn't have if you just bought the 8 outright for around the same price.
You won’t be able to sell the hub, or the brakes off the R7, the fork will fetch $200-$300 tops if you immediately take it off and sell it. So you are only going to add in $300 to offset the cost. Even if you did that you are on the hook $500 plus tax and labor to upgrade the R7 to the R8 level. Why not spend $900 more total and get the best fork, brakes, hub, drivetrain, bars/stem set up right off the bat? What are your thoughts?
@@TheMTB103 I trust you if it's more involved. I'm just going off the basic info as if it cost the same to buy an R7 and upgrade it to R8 vs buying the R8 straight out.
Wanna know what you think of this I have a 2020 roscoe 7 with a rockshox pike select 140 mm, Xt 4 piston m8120s, and uprgaded rotors. This is also honestly my first trail bike, and I bought it used with all those upgrades. I decided to go for a hardtail as I do some dirt jumping too, and I felt I would have a better experience overall with this bike. I went from a size small marlin 4 (I'm 6 foot) to a size large in this bike. The marlin 4 did suprisingly well considering what it had, I rode it on my local black and double black dirt jump lines, and the roscoe feels great.
2022-2023 is the same bike, no changes. They will be the same bikes for at least another year. When the video was made Trek did not have any bikes on sale. All the info provided in the video still holds true at the sale price… local Trek shops are giving $400 off the R9 as well, that’s the best value by far… bro
I plan to buy the Roscoe 7 for my wife, since she like that color. I checked caliber, marlin and some other lines. The blue color is so gorgeous but the thick tires are problem, most of time we will ride in flat road.😢
I get that for wanting to upgrade from beginner bike with another beginer bike may not be the way to go. But for me upgrading from old 2008 Kona cinder cone with 26 wheels outdated geometry, 3 by deore drive train, rockshox dart 2 coil fork. I think the roscoe 7 would be like night and day. It is always better to put the most you can on complete package build because upgrading will always cost more on the long run. But a budget is a budget and people want to eat other than hotdogs and kraft dinner lol or gas the car if want to ride more than just local. Like someone else mentioned the price differences are higher between builds in Canada. Upgrading down the line can also make sense if you need save up money before. Bottom line, may not be good choice for some doesn't mean bad choice for you. I am a old beginner lol, in my fifties and use to BMX as a kid and teenager, then mountain biking in late 80s and 90s. Only thing considering saving up more for what would be my first ever full suspension bike. My Kona is used as a commuter bike mostly and since I have recently moved and live beside some nice trails and bike park now, want to get back to my roots in MTB. The Roscoe 7 Miami green color scheme with a red Marzocchi z1 or z2 bomber fork, red grips and pedals would look sick !!!
@robert - thank you for the watch and the comment! If you go from the 2008 Kona to a 2023 R7 you are upgrading from an outdate bike to a modern bike, the difference will be huge. But if you buy an R7 and then purchase a new fork… you should have just purchased the R9 - especially with the Trek sales going on. A budget is a budget… but getting the best bike for your dollar will maximize that budget.
Ok,so I want to know...I was going to get the Marlin7 or push forward and get the Giant Trance 3..$2000 is my limit and I want to do LONG rides,like rail trails and longer single track..I rode for a long time on a Cannondale hardtail clipped in,with dual suspension riders...or i will check out the Roscoe sales..
Do you feel you need a FS? The Roscoe sale is not that great… $200 off 7, $400 off the 8 and if your LBS has a 9 in stock they have also been giving $400 off. If you are going to be doing mostly XC and light trails I think you will be fine on a Marlin 7 or 8.
@mrsuperdinho9 I explain the answer to your question in detail in the video. I purchased the R7 for the frame, I had a doner bike ready to supply all the major components. Our new video released today has a complete parts list on the build. I will share the link with you
The Ultimate Hard Tail Mountain Bike! Custom Build + Parts List for a 2023 Trek Roscoe 7 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OXXegHy2Jj4.html
I literally just got back from my local shop looking at a Marlin 7 but I saw the Roscoe and thought, Man that is really nice but maybe for an upgrade after some experience. I'm a beginner, beginner (other than BMX when I was a kid) so I'm not trying to go all out on cost and specs. My budget cap is 1K. I've always just bought basic Walmart or Target (Schwinn Ascension type stuff) bikes just to have something to ride around the neighborhood but now that I'm 50+, I want to focus on my overall heath so I want to do light mountain biking and give it a real go. I looked at a GT Avalanche ( I know another big box bike) but it was nice. Trying to decide between that or a Marlin 7. Any suggestions?
@GDubb! Personally I would go with the Marlin solely on the support of Ttek and your local bike shop. The GT is a decent bike for the price but you will be dealing with Dicks Sporting Goods for issues vs a real bike shop. Make sure you get the Marlin 6 or higher and you will be set with a great starter bike! Hit those trails
Great question… but the R7 hands down. The 2023 Marin SQ1 only comes with a 9 speed drivetrain, a heavy coil fork vs air fork on the R7… and the Marin SQ1 still uses a 141 QR rear hub, - that’s very outdated and you won’t be able to replace those parts easy if needed. Thanks for watching the channel! -Tyson
way better engagement, i went from 21 to 22, you could move the 21 shockingly far between clicks, way tighter on the 22 7 despite not being high engagement, and the speed range is omg different, the 21 was so slow lol
@sferteirac great question! It’s all about engagement. A low end hub - like the one on the R7 out of the box- has very low points if engagement. Meaning you have to move the crank quite a bit before you deliver any power to the rear wheel. This is also known as slop. When riding technical terrain you need power asap to get you over obstacles. With High engagement hubs you are moving the rear wheel immediately when the slightest force is put down on the pedals/cranks. Let me know if that makes sense..
Oh, that makes perfect sense.. I actually have a "Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost141, 5mm QR" on my X-Caliber 9 and am not quite happy with the slope.. but thought it was supposed to be like so. Should I upgrade?
That’s a hard question.. if it is bothering you then yes you can upgrade. But in reality a high engagement hub is a luxury- not really needed just to get out and enjoy your bike. That being said I do love a high end hub, I’m running i9 Hydras on my race enduro bike and the bontrager 108 on the Roscoe.
Can I upgrade to the Bontrager 108 and had 3 extra "teeth" as I saw somewhere someone doing? Would it be a simple and "direct" mod? What's your view on this? Thanks and sorry for the bother..
Im looking at it right now. I have simple merida old school geometry 70 angle, short reach. Since im not planing to send it, but more for comfort it will be a great upgrade. Also not fan of 12s, would put 10s on it. It has tru axles and better fork or close to same as my manitou markhor. Great tire space, comes with 2.6 which is also too much for me. Since i have 2.3. Love the fact is has shimano shadow instead of srams bulky stuff. Havent found anything better for same price range. Maby if i lived in America.. And it has dropper.
@@TheMTB103 2.3 tires are way way cheaper than 2.4 and above, almost 2x of costs for let's say continental. Also I want slack head angle if go to woods for little fun. Maby I'm overthinking on head angle ? Caliber has almost same as my Merida big 9
Ah ok, if you will be doing some trail riding the more slack frame Will be much more fun. The 2.6 tires are slow if you have to pedal, especially uphill or on flat ground. I run both sram and Shimano drivetrains and they feel exactly the same to me, both just quality and durable.
Hey @rybreww ! Thanks for the comment. With the sales at Trek there is really not a better starter trail bike than the R7. The giant talon, is not as good, the salsa timber Jack, the specialized fuse. What other bikes have you been looking at ?
The color way from the R9 is a copy of a special trek project 1 that came on the slash. The UK also got a cheery red R9 frame… not sure why it didn’t come to the states.
Actually I believe the color is Crimson red but yes , a deep cherry color. Super sweet and if they had it here in the states Iwould buy it as I am not crazy about the Desert Storm look🫤
You can’t assume everyone rides that hard to flex axles and bars. My GF love’s hers and if she goes pro we’ll follow the two other opinions and spend $800 on forks. You bought one but can’t see someone at another level finding it a great fit?🤔
The R7 is a great bike for a 1st trail bike.. but it is not a good choice for an experienced rider who is looking to upgrade from his/her starter bike. The 9 gives you everything a HT needs at a decent price.
@@TheMTB103 so a couple other opinions on RU-vid say buy a 7 and put the difference in price in a high end fork. I agree the most economical way is to buy it as a package to match your riding for sure! Some people getting into it ease into it as they progress. The 7 is a great hard tail foundation.
We totally agree and say that at the end of the video… it’s a great 1st trail bike because you can grow into it… BUT if you are looking to buy the R7 as an upgrade from your 1st trail bike… most people will be very disappointed. Also, buying the R7 and then spending $700-$800 on a fork doesn’t make sense financially… you can spend $900 right away and get a better fork, hub, drivetrain, brakes, bars & stem that come stock on the R9.
Thank you! I had PNW on my old 2020 R8 and loved them. On my new R7 I’m running Renthal Fat Bars but will change to Trail 1 since they are a team sponsor.
A Roscoe 7 is not a beginner bike this bike is built for more skilled and advanced riding this is the only guy that I have heard say not to buy the roscoe 7
The R7 is an entry level bike. For many new riders getting into the sport this is the price point they want to spend to test out mountain biking. The R7 is not designed for advanced and skilled riders, the brakes, fork, and hub are for beginners. The reason I made the video was to show buyers the value among the Roscoe line up. Most bike reviews don’t do this and new riders end up buying the cheaper bike and immediately spend more money on upgrades when they didn’t have to. Right now you can get an R9 from Trek for $2k, this is an absolute steal if you can find one in your size.
Why would you say 31.8 is Better performance? Why would most pro riders (downhill/enduro) use 35mm? I personally prefer a 35mm bar.. I just think it feels better and looks a lot better, especially on beefy bike frames. There is a reason why the R9 comes with a 35mm stem and bar vs the 31.8.
@@TheMTB103 compliance. 35 is more stiffer and causes more arm pump. Most riders use or either go back to 31.8 hence why the availability of it is more than that of 35. Only good with 35 is if it is Carbon which the Bontrager line on the R9 isnt. So you need to upgrade that nevertheless. And I dont know why you mentioned pro riders (downhill/enduro) to build a case when the roscoe isnt even that type of bike. Theres a lot other disciplines in mtb and most of them dont benefit from it aside from aesthetics The only reason why the 35mm exist anyways was to make a wider bar in which it is as sturdy as a 31.8
I mentioned downhill/enduro because the new design of the Roscoe leans that direction more than XC. You bring up good points… personally I have not felt any more compliance out of a 31.8 vs 35mm.
@@TheMTB103 R9 was meant to be just a trail bike/AM. 140 travel only vs 160-180. In these day and age, no one goes enduro/DH on a hardtail especially when the pricepoint for these bikes are very close. Also some enduro/DH even have a 31.8 as their stock like the commencal, Ibis ripmo or canyon sender 6. And lastly, one of the best 35mm handlebar out there is Oneup and even though its carbon, they made sure to make it compliant by making the vertical part narrower/flatter. Theres a lot of debates out there and most of them point out the same thing that stiffer isnt always better.
@rossejera I’m familiar with all those things. The R9 coming stock with 29x2.6 was not intended to be pedaled around… the bike is at it’s best pointed down hill even with only 140mm. I actually race enduro (not on a HT) but have seen many racers out there with hardcore HT’s putting up very fast times. The choice of certain manufacturers to use 31.8mm bars on certain bikes can also be argued that it leaves room for the bike to be upgraded or for components to be on higher model bikes so customers feel they are getting their moneys worth… rather than thinking they actually believe the 31.8mm is a better set up for the bike.
Nice review. Agree with your theory go with the best bike you can afford. Always cheaper than upgrading. When I complete my Roscoe build I’ll send pics. I’m using my fox 34 fork and deore 2 piston brakes off my fuel.
I have no knowledge of this, but looking at the hub it different in specs from the one on rosoce 7. E.g it is a 6 bolt rotor, and the roscoe breaks uses center lock, would that be compatible? The roscoe 7 uses a 12 gear hub, but is the Bontrager Rapid Drive 108 Fat Hub compatible with that? On website it says shimano 10/11.
@rasmus you would not need to change the wheel, you can have a bontrager 108 rapid drive laced up very easy. You would then need a new driver and possibly a new cassette depending on what route you go.
You can research the parts yourself, but you will need a bike shop to lace up the hub. It takes special tools and has to be done in a precise way to keep the wheel from falling apart.
I bought the 2023 Roscoe 7, changed few parts and don’t regret a thing! It’s an awesome bike, you will be surprised! Parts will get worn out eventually and that’s when you upgrade them! I’m ain’t no beginner Mountain biker, by the way! I have a review of this bike on my channel!
@MrD - but what was your total cost after you swapped parts? Brakes? Hubs? Fork? You probably were close to the cost of the R9 by that point. We were just pointing out to buyers to do the math before they jump in at the low price point. The R9 is ready to shred out of the box with only pedals and maybe grips.
@@TheMTB103 I already had those parts laying around, it prolly costed me about 100 bucks for my bike tech install and bleed the parts and brakes for me. In my case, I’m married and my wife hates when I buy bikes or parts! So my excuse is to buy a cheaper bike and slowly upgrade parts if I need! To me R9 was not a good deal cause I already have a full suspension bike and it doesn’t matter the brakes and suspension it has I will not be able to ride it as hard as I ride my FS. I bought the R7 because it is a great looking bike with a nice paint job. Not all trails require a full suspension bike around here and it becomes boring really quick.
@MrD - I did the same thing. I build up a 2022 Marin San Quentin 3 with quality parts and moved all those to my 2023 Roscoe 7 - I got the Teal with the Marigold Trek logo. Killer looking frame. I will post a video about it soon. I race enduro so I also have a 2022 Trek Slash Project 1… but I ride the Roscoe at most of my local trails for fun.
So glad it helped! The R7 is a great bike for a beginner… way better than my 1st bike… BUT I wanted to break down the best value in the Roscoe line up for buyers looking to truly “upgrade” to a better performance MTB.
Great video and great comparison to the lineup of ROSCO models. Question...I currently have an old TREK 3700 series MTB that I purchased in 2007. I have since injured my back and thankfully made a good recovrey. Well, I now have to be careful with how "crazy" I get riding my MTB. For someone like me who does not do any "crazy" riding would the ROSCO 7 be a good all around paved trail, dirt trail riding bycycle? Or should I get the ROSCO 8/9? I do not plan on doing anything excessive due to my injury but I want something robust and that will give me years of happy MTB"ing. Thankn you in advance for any tips/advice.
@antonio thank you for the feedback! My 1st MTB was a Trek 3700! Haha! I think for you the R7 would be perfect, you can always upgrade it if you get more serious into trail riding years later. You may want to change tires on the R7 for your use… the bike comes with 29x2.6 and they are pretty big and heavy… even tubeless. You may want to drop down to 2.4 width. That is what I have on my R7 and I ride some pretty serious trails. The bike is just much faster and lighter. The bigger tires are great for rolling over large objects.. but if that’s not your plan no need to be slowed down by the fat rubber.
@@TheMTB103 Greetings, thank you for the prompt reply. I saw an R7 at my local bicycle shop and it was resonably priced as well. Keep up the great work.
i dont do proper mountain biking, i only have a bike for gravel trails and family rides out through forests etc. surely this bike would be a great upgrade from a Marlin 6?
It would be a big upgrade from a Marlin 6 for trail riding… if you are on a current model Marlin 6 you will definitely be faster on gravel than on a R7. The Roscoe comes with 29x2.6 tires for trail riding that will be very slow on gravel.
