trek 1120 adventure touring fork

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Trek 1120 Review: Footsteps of Giants

By Logan Watts

Founding Editor & Routes Director

2,052 Posts

The Trek 1120 follows in the same 29+ tracks that many bikepacking-specific rigs forged ahead of it, but this bike cuts its own trail with an innovative front rack, a thoughtfully designed rear harness system, and surprising trail prowess… all at a lighter weight than we expected. We’ve been quietly testing one over the last few months; here’s the full review.

PUBLISHED Feb 5, 2018

With additional photos and insight by Ryan Sigsbey

With multiple companies creating bikepacking-specific bikes around the 29+ platform, it’s as if bikepacking has an official tire size. Bear in mind, big wagon wheels aren’t for everyone, and there are plenty of 27.5+ bikepacking rigs too, but it’s no surprise that this legacy continues to thrive… for plenty of reasons we’ve already covered within this site. It all started with the Krampus in 2012, and then came the Surly ECR , which was sort of the first big-tired purpose built bikepacking bike. It was only a matter of time before others created variations on the theme: The Chumba Ursa 29+ , the Carver Gnarvester , Salsa’s Deadwood and Woodsmoke , the Bombtrack Beyond ADV , and the Why Wayward . There are a few others as well, and probably more to come.

• Frame/Fork: Aluminum/Carbon
• Seatpost: 31.6mm
• Bottom Bracket: PressFit 92
• Hub specs: 148 x 12mm (R); 110x15mm (F)
• Max tire: 29×3″
• Weight (L w/racks): 29.4 lbs (13.3 kg)
• Price: $2,499

Following suit, the 1120 was a natural progression for Trek. The Wisconsin based titan has a longstanding history of making bikes in the adventure travel and touring category. First the 520 and 720 touring bikes became classics back in the early 80s. Then Trek found success with its more recent gravel and dirt-drop tourer, the Trek 920 . It only made sense to add a couple hundred to the naming schema for a big-tired bikepacking rig. And this they did with a bang, creating a 29+ rig that is quite a departure from all the rest, even their own Stache .

Before we dig in, let me clarify the nature of this review. I’ve had this bike since August, but an injury/surgery/recovery kept me off of it for a couple of months. Then I got about a dozen rides in with it and had a bit of a relapse… from which I am still recovering. So, I enlisted the help of Ryan Sigsbey , a friend, photographer, bikepacker, and creator of the Trans-WNC . Ryan took it for a week or so, gave it a few rides and took it on a bikepacking trip to add his perspective. As such, this isn’t a long term review. Instead you’ll find an in depth analysis and a couple different perspectives regarding our experiences using it, comparisons, technical details… and, as usual, plenty of photos (don’t miss the new carousel galleries).

Newfangled Racks

There’s a lot to talk about with this bike, so let’s start with the 1120’s two most prominent features, the bright orange tangles of metal at its fore and aft. These proprietary aluminum racks provide a very stable platform for strapping all sorts of gear. They also eliminate the need for a standard seat pack and handlebar roll by offering innovative means of attaching equipment and drybags to the bike. In general, they allow the bike to carry more stuff than with a standard bikepacking setup.

The Front ‘Cradle’ Rack

Load capacity 7.03kg/15.5 lbs | Weight 441g The Trek 1120’s unique fork-mounted front rack is designed to cradle a large dry bag or an assortment of other cylindrical objects — think tents, fishing rod tubes, sleeping mats, etc. This places the load just a scoach lower than a conventional handlebar roll, which, in theory, lowers the center of gravity and increases stability. The rack is incredibly user-friendly, very stable, and does a great job preventing bag and cable interference, which is its biggest innovation. It also eliminates the need for handlebar straps, which frees up valuable real estate on the bars. All the same, the chunky aluminum rack adds about 441 grams that wouldn’t be there with a handlebar mounted bag.

The Trek 1120 front rack is heftier and sturdier feeling than I expected. Constructed from heavy duty aluminum tubing welded to a thick mounting plate, the rack attaches to the Carbon Adventure Fork with four beefy hex bolts in a unique trapezoidal pattern. When attached it feels rock solid. After initial use and inspection, I would certainly trust it on a big trip. One of its most interesting features are the protruding columns on the underside and back of the rack (these are also present on the rear rack). These rounded pegs serve as strap guides that work really well at keeping the straps from sliding and the load in place.

Ryan and I stumbled upon what we think is the ideal system for this rack. The main bag, as shown, is the large dry bag from a Salsa Anything Cradle Kit. It’s a pretty big bag that can hold up to 15 liters, according to Salsa. The Revelate Salty Roll would work equally as well. To cinch it down we used two 32” Voile Straps which provided a very secure and tight fit. Honestly, this is probably the most stable feeling system I’ve ever tried on the front of a bike. That being said, the options really are endless with this rack. I could even see wrapping up a Hyperlite day pack and using that as the roll, or a combination of items such as a tent and another roll bag.

Ryan: The front rack is very straightforward, and with the use of a dry bag and a couple Voile straps, lashing down your load couldn’t get any easier. There are some nice details on the rack to keep the straps right where you want them. The rack is pretty beefy, and maybe a little overkill for most loads, however it provides a very solid platform.

The Carbon Adventure Fork

Rake 51mm | Axle-to-crown 510mm The suspension corrected fork is called the Trek 1120 Adventure HCM Carbon Fork. It is made up of a carbon fork and crown with a bonded alloy steerer tube. The fork features 110mm BOOST spacing as well as triple accessory bosses on either side and rack mounts just above the dropout.
 A lot of people have been asking about this fork… specifically whether it will be available to purchase on its own. Right now the ‘Trek Carbon Adventure Fork’ is the only carbon fork being made with triple bottle mounts and 110mm BOOST spacing. Apparently the fork is available through Trek dealers as a crash replacement. But, it’s not going to be marketed, meaning that it is not likely there will be too much stock available at any given moment. The suggested retail prices are $399.99 for the fork and $131.99 for the rack. Specs are as follows: rake is 51mm, axle-to-crown is 510mm. Part numbers are 561208 for the fork and 560997 for the front rack.

As far as performance, the fork is stiff as expected. It’s not as bump absorbent as the noodly MTB carbon forks of old or many of the modern gravel forks. However, I would expect this from an expedition worthy MTB fork. And, it does soak up some of the chatter.

One thing Trek missed in their design is the addition of dynamo wire routing. However, the fork has two tiny drain holes, one on each side, that could perhaps be drilled out to allow routing through the fork with a top-cap charger such as the Sinewave Reactor. Of course, this would void the warranty, and I have no idea if it is definitely possible. Otherwise, the carbon fork has all the right features, including triple mount bosses, rack mounts above the dropout, and there is even a threaded hole at the back of the fork crown to mount a fender.

Rear Rack and Harness System

Load Capacity 12Kg/25lbs | Weight 695g (Rack), 271g (per harness) The rear rack is quite interesting as well. Unlike most rear carriers, it only mounts to the upper portion of the 1120’s seat stays via four bolts, two welded bolt mounts that are threaded perpendicular to the stays and two long bolts that screw directly into mounts on the stays. Overall the rack feels solid and generally secure. One might assume that the upper bolt mounts would be subject to stress, but it seems like the longer bolts do more of the work. Two long bolts came loose during Ryan’s bikepack, but we think they might not have been torqued properly to begin with. He was able to easily tighten the screws and everything stayed secure.

The 1120 comes with two drybag harnesses designed in tandem with the rear rack. Each one secures to the rack with two wide velcro straps and four compression webbing straps that also serve to batten down the load. The harnesses seem very well made from what appears to be hypalon with a plastic hard backer and barstitched webbing with metal compression buckles. Each fits a dry bag ranging from 5 to 10 liters in volume (8L recommended). The setup is similar to having two small rear panniers — albeit far more taut and secure — and allows a bit more packing space than that of a traditional seat pack. This concept was developed to clear the space between the seat and the top of the rack, facilitating the use of a dropper seat post… or for smaller riders who simply can’t fit a large bag between the saddle and the top of a 29+ wheel/tire. It also lowers the weight that would normally be carried in a large cantilevered seat pack. When the real estate atop the rack is included, this system can double the load potential of a more “traditional” seatpack setup. However, with the rack and harnesses weighing in at 1237g/2.7lbs, it more than doubles the weight of a seat pack such as the Revelate Terrapin (539 grams).

As mentioned, the rear rack also provides an angled upper platform that’s useful for strapping down cylindrical items such as a tent or sleeping pad, without interfering with the 1120’s 125mm Bontranger dropper seatpost. Ryan lashed on a 5 liter Sea To Summit Big River Dry Bag containing spare warm clothes and such, and I tried it with my Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 .

Ryan: The rear harness system was a little finicky at first and wasn’t nearly as easy as the front. The harnesses velcro to the sides of the rack to keep them temporarily in place. Then, once you stuff a dry bag in the harness, you have to loop the webbing around the rack and hook the buckle in. Do this to the other 3 straps and then your all set. It takes a little bit to get used to, but after unloading and reloading a few times I got the hang of it. I was using 6 and 8 liter dry bags and they seemed to fit pretty well. Anything bigger might be a squeeze. There’s extra space to attach a tent, sleeping pad or an additional dry bag to the top of the rack as well.

While Out Bikepacking

Although I wasn’t able to take the 1120 out on a multi-day bikepacking trip (for reasons mentioned earlier), I did set it up in various configurations and even rode it partially loaded a couple of times. The first thing that stood out to me is how tight, solid and stable the luggage systems are. The front rack is clutch. There would be little love lost if I could use it in lieu of all other handlebar harnesses or rolls from here on out. It’s nice to not worry about handlebar straps, or interference with cables and other such accessories. That said, with the proprietary mounts, this rack isn’t an option with a suspension fork, or any other fork for that matter. It’s also pretty specific to roll-style bags or cylindrical items that can’t be opened on the go.

The rear rack and harness system is also quite sturdy. It is probably one of the most movement/rattle/wag free systems I’ve used, the closest being the Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion . It’s clear that Trek’s engineers did their homework and focussed on creating a system that moves the weight down, while still maintaining the bike’s agility, maneuverability, and dexterity on tight and twisty singletrack.

Ryan: Since the racks are mounted much lower on the bike than a normal seat pack or front roll bag it really brings the center of gravity down and provides a more stable ride. That coupled with the dropper post means you can really lean into turns and keep up speed. These features also help to keep the bike rubber side down on steep descents. In addition, the solid rear rack eliminates any tail wag that can sometimes be experienced with standard seat bags. Generally that isn’t a big deal, but with this setup it’s removed altogether.

Trek 1120 vs Surly ECR

When I saw early photos of the 1120, I immediately wondered whether it has a similar geometry and feel to the Surly ECR, the original 29+ bikepacking beast. The answer is yes, to some extent… but it’s also quite different. Comparing the large ECR with the 19.5” 1120, the ECR is shorter in both directions. The 1120’s stack height and reach are a little bigger — 642/451mm respectively — than the ECR at 633/420. But, the Trek is also steeper overall with a seat tube angle of 73.5° and the head tube at 70.3°, whereas the ECR’s angles are 72.5 and 70°. Minor differences, but I was generally happy that the seat tube angle is steeper on the 1120. This, in effect, lengthens the 1120. So even with a 21mm shorter chainstay (425mm when the wheel is slid forward in the Stranglehold dropouts), at 112.7cm, the Trek’s overall wheelbase is still 1.6cm longer than that of the ECR. Otherwise, they have matching effective top tube lengths, and the BB drop on the 1120 is 5mm higher than the ECR’s at 80mm. This is a welcome difference, as the ECR is generally limited to 3” tires due its unusually low BB.

Honestly, I thought the 1120 felt similar to the ECR as far as its stance. However, it does seem a bit more nimble and spritely on the trail… probably owed to its lighter weight (approximately 2-3 pounds lighter, with racks) and shorter chainstay (and that was at the long setting for the dropout).

Trek 1120 vs The Stache

The trek 1120 as a trail bike.

Trek bills the 1120 as a touring bike. But judging by its the dropper seat post, short chainstay, and hydro brakes, they also want it to be able to double as a trail bike. Pondering the Trek 1120 as a dedicated trail bike will probably not be relevant to a lot of folks. If you can’t imagine slinging a rigid bike around on your favorite trails, then that’s that. However, a lot of people are looking for one bike to do it all, and the 1120 will likely be tasked as such. I could even envision some folks swapping the fork for a suspension fork until a big bikepacking trip is in order.

When considering 1120 as a quiver killer, the main thing that it has going for it is its relatively steep seat tube, low BB, big cushy tires, and of course, the short chainstay. As mentioned, at 425mm it’s only a hair longer than that of the Stache. However, the relatively steep head tube doesn’t exactly match. I personally would have preferred it a little slacker than 70°. That said, even with the Stranglehold dropout in the back position, the bike felt surprisingly stable during the few occasions I took it rack-free down local descents, such as the Black Mountain Trail and Ridgeline. The 1120 felt generally comfortable and capable for a rigid bike, which usually means slowing things down anyways. I don’t think this is a do-it-all bike for mountain bikers who have a discerning palate when it comes to trail geometry, but it’s certainly capable. It’s also worth noting that if you were planning on swapping a suspension fork when not in bikepacking mode, you could theoretically employ a Cane Creek Angleset to make that HTA a little slacker.

As far as the frame material, the Trek 1120 frame is welded from Trek’s own Alpha Platinum Aluminum. As Skyler found with the Kona Big Honzo , it’s hard to pinpoint the difference between aluminum and steel when there are 3” tires separating the frame from the bumps. The bike is stiff. And it’s also very light. The combination of these two traits makes it feel pretty responsive for a 29+ bike.

One thing I’ve always hated about aluminum is that ‘tink’ sound that randomly happens when a seatpost or something else is loose. Steel is far more dull and less obtrusive, and carbon just sounds like something is creaking. Aluminum can kind of be unnerving, IMO. I noticed the tink a couple of times on the 1120. Not sure exactly where it was coming from, but it went away after a while. With aluminum, it always helps to keep bolts and fittings greased and tight.

Ryan: As a newcomer to the plus tire world, I was amazed at how the tires absorb much of the small trail chatter. Cruising over small roots and rocks was a breeze and as long as I kept up momentum, the bike felt as if it would roll over most anything.

The more upright position, rigid fork and backswept handlebars are certainly features that lean more towards an off-road adventure bike than a trail slaying ninja like it’s bigger brother, the Stache. The bike does have a more nimble feel than I expected and handled a smorgasbord of terrain with a fair amount of ease.

The 20mm longer chainstays [while in the back position as we kept it] and the almost 2 degree steepened head tube angle in comparison to the Stache give the bike a much more stable feel, one that also provides more comfort on longer days in the saddle.

A few other frame highlights include a tapered head tube, internal derailleur and dropper post routing, and Trek’s own Stranglehold dropouts which allows the chain stay length to be fine tuned from 525-540mm. According to Trek, this also means that you could run a compatible 12 x 142 Rohloff hub.

The Trek 1120’s build, as expected, has a selection of Bontranger components. However, Trek made some nice choices in the bike’s bombproof drivetrain featuring mostly Shimano SLX components with a wide-range 11-46 11spd cassette paired with a RaceFace 30t chainring. This provides a granny gear with about 19.9 gear inches for loaded travel even with the voluminous 29×3″ Chupacabra tires.

There were a couple components I didn’t like. First off the Bontrager Crivitz handlebars… Unlike a lot of folks, I am just not a comfort/sweep bar convert. Even if I were, at 690mm, these bars aren’t wide enough. I am also not sold on the Sun Ringle Rims/Chupacabra combo. Both are fine while riding. While they came set up tubeless, I broke the seal when testing the new Wolf Tooth tire lever tool. It was not easy to reset the bead, to say the least. That leads me to think the tolerance isn’t quite tight enough on the rim, or the Chupa is off. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please leave a comment.

The spec also might be a little confusing to some. On one hand, with an innovative rack system, sweep bars, distance-oriented geometry, and loads of mounts, this bike is without a doubt a dirt-road touring machine that on the outset screams for big adventure in far off places. However, I would argue that the out of the box components don’t speak the same language. The dropper post, 28-spoke wheels, PF bottom bracket, and hydraulic brakes are odd choices for such endeavors. The latter is not much of a concern these days (especially for weeks or month long trips), and the other two can be remedied (if the PF BB is a concern, check out Wheels’ threaded options ). On the flipside, with a short chainstay, hydro brakes, and a dropper post, the 1120 has several ingredients that make it look like a trail bike. But, the steep head tube angle and comfort handlebars don’t quite seal the deal. Nevertheless, despite the 70° headtube, I was pleasantly surprised how well the 1120 did when unloaded on the trail. So in essence, in some ways, the parts match the bike, and in others they don’t.

Here is the full build list.

• Front Hub Bontrager sealed bearing, alloy axle, Boost110
• Rear Hub Bontrager alloy, Boost148
• Rims SUNringle Duroc 50 SL 28-hole
• Tires Bontrager Chupacabra, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 29×3.00″
• Shifters Shimano SLX M7000, 11 speed
• Rear derailleur Shimano SLX M7000, Shadow Plus
• Crank Race Face Aeffect, 30T Direct Mount Narrow Wide
• Bottom bracket PF92
• Cassette Shimano SLX M7000, 11-46, 11 speed
• Chain Shimano HG-601
• Saddle Bontrager Montrose Comp
• Seatpost Bontrager Drop Line 125, internal routing, 31.6mm (15.5: Drop Line 100)
• Handlebar Bontrager Crivitz, 31.8mm
• Grips Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on
• Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, w/computer & light mounts
• Headset Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8” top, 1.5” bottom
• Brakes SRAM Level T hydraulic disc

• The front rack and fork are unparallelled and offer several major advantages over typical handlebar mounted bags. Plus the fork is quite nice with two sets of triple bosses.
• With racks, this size large Trek 1120 — set up tubeless — weighs 29.4lbs… incredible for a big-footed bike with two chunky, well built racks.
• A well conceived geometry leaning more toward distance dirt tourer.
• Good choice of drivetrain components for bikepacking and dirt touring.
• Rear rack and harness system are a nice way to add a little more volume compared to a typical seat pack… all while slightly lowering the center of gravity. And it’s rock solid.
• The PressFit bottom bracket will likely be one of the biggest gripes about this bike. But, as mentioned in the Norco Search XR review, there are ways around this being a risky (or squeaky) affair.
• Playing the devil’s advocate, the aluminum frame will likely be the second con. While it’s not as vibration dampening and repairable as steel, it’s certainly lightweight.
• The frame triangle doesn’t quite jive with size large universal fit frame bags. The best bet is a custom bag if you want a frame pack.
• I would prefer a rigid seatpost and a price closer to $2k. But, considering you get two racks, the harnesses, and don’t necessarily need any bikepacking bags, it’s actually not a bad deal.
• If it were up to me, the front-end would be a little slacker.
• Size Tested Large (19.5″)
• Weight (as tested with tacks) 29.41lbs (13.34kg)
• Rider Height/Weight 6’0″/170lbs (1.83m/77kg)
• Place of Manufacture Taiwan
• Price $2499.00
• Manufacturer’s Details Trek

Ryan: The Trek 1120 is a great bike for off-road excursions and anywhere you could use a little extra float, think sandy desert arroyos or loose trails. It’s comfortable, stable and provides a solid platform for strapping gear and a low center of gravity to keep you in control. I’m not sure this is the do-all bike that Trek states on the website, however it does provide a very stable off road touring option that can take you off the beaten path without having to invest in a plethora of specific bikepacking bags.

As Ryan mentioned, I’m not sold on the idea that this is a perfect do-all bike. Although Trek doesn’t necessarily claim it as such, they certainly based the build kit and spec around the idea that it’s both a dirt-road expedition bike and a modern trail bike. But, I’m afraid this approach makes the 1120 fall short at the extreme definition of each. That being said, with a few minor tweaks the 1120 can be adjusted to serve either purpose.

Ultimately, Trek’s rack systems are very smart and well executed. This is what will sell this bike. The front rack and fork is spot on. And as some riders can’t quite get their pack list down to the standard kit, or others need bigger kits or space for more water, or smaller riders need an alternative packing option, the 1120’s harness system and rear rack provides a very innovative, functional and solid solution.

When I started testing this bike the first thing that came to mind was The Baja Divide… or other such long-distance, sandy, water-starved bikepacking routes. For such trips 29+ tires are the perfect choice. And having all the gear you need on the two racks frees up five bottle mounts for water storage. The Trek 1120 begs for such pursuits. Out of the four bikes I currently have at my disposal, if I were to head out on the Baja Divide tomorrow, I’d happily swap the handlebars, saddle and seatpost, and set out with the 1120.

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Trek 1120 Review

A bikepacker’s fantasy, 1120. A touring bike with limitless off-road potential is made possible with a tough all-terrain frame, 29+ tyres, a built-in rack system, and mountain-ready components like a 1x drivetrain. This bike is made to travel to the most remote backcountry locations in the globe, but it’s also perfect for quick overnight bikepacking excursions and sub-24s.

Specification

  pros & cons, c heck specifications here.

You should consider it if you respect independence, value freedom, and want a vehicle for off-road travel and bikepacking in areas where other bikes can’t go. Trek 1120 is intended for the eccentric and nocturnal personalities among us. Trek 1120 is the vessel to use if filling in the final unexplored areas of the map is your thing.

A wide-range 1×12 Shimano drivetrain, a carbon fork, our custom rack system, included bag holsters that secure and protect 8L dry bags of your choice, Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes for superior stopping power, 29+ tyres, and a Bontrager Line dropper post that makes it simple to mount, dismount, and descend while loaded are all included in the technology you get.

Aluminum Alpha Platinum Frame

Trek 1120 frame is built of sturdy aluminum and carbon. Aluminum Alpha Platinum is used in its construction. The bike’s frame was created using Trek’s ground-breaking Stache platform.

The Trek 1120 frame is quite tough because it was designed to handle any terrain. It does weigh a little bit more than some Trek mountain bikes that are identical to it because of how tough the frame is.

The Trek 1120 offers every gear you should require for lengthy rides over challenging terrain. The simple and efficient 1x drivetrain has a wide range. For both mountain trails and dirt roads, the gearing performs admirably. This bike may be used for everything from flat terrain to off-road travel in harsh conditions.

There are 11 gears on the Trek 1120. The high-quality gearing mechanism on this bike allows it to be used for both on-trail and off-trail adventures.

Shimano is the manufacturer of all the shifters and gears used in the drivetrain. This mechanism makes shifting gears simple and ensures that the vehicle stays in the gear you intend it to be in.

Large 29+ wheels are on the Trek 1120. These wheels have excellent grip and roll quickly. The huge wheels assist in absorbing much of the shock from below on uneven ground. The wheels are over three inches wide, which provides excellent ground contact and keeps the bike stable under all conditions. With the rims on these wheels, tubeless tyres can be used to lower tyre pressure and avoid flats.

Trek 1120 wheels have excellent stability, durability, and traction. The 28-spoke wheels are reasonably sturdy.

Carbon Fork & Suspension

The Trek 1120 Adventure HCM Carbon Fork is the name of the suspension-corrected fork. It consists of a steerer tube constructed of bonded alloy with a carbon fork and crown. The fork has triple accessory bosses on either side, 110mm BOOST spacing, and rack mounts just above the dropout.

The major purpose of the Trek 1120 is to be used for bikepacking journeys, and this suspension system is very good in protecting the rider from the elements. The user won’t experience any jolts as the bike smoothly glides over obstacles like pebbles and sticks.

Newfangled Racks

These specialized aluminum racks offer a very sturdy surface for strapping various types of equipment. By providing creative ways to attach gear and drybags to the bike, they also do away with the necessity for a typical seat pack and handlebar roll. In general, they allow the bike to carry more goods than with a typical bikepacking arrangement.

Oh! What a feeling factors

This bike breaks down barriers and allows you to flee, and it has the necessary specifications so you can easily pack it up and go.

For the greatest packing balance, it is simple to secure 8L bags in the rear rack and additional gear up front using the sturdy harness system and integrated rack.

You can configure your ultimate excursion ride however you see fit thanks to so many mounting options.

It also makes a great mountain bike; simply remove the racks if you want to shred.

If your derailleur breaks in the middle of nowhere, you can easily switch to singlespeed thanks to the horizontal sliding dropout.

Specifications

Check specifications here

Pros & Cons

Ideal for BikePacking

Huge improvement over the previous model., lighter, faster, and had room for more gear., awesome bike for a long tour, racks and holsters are ideal, can carry virtually all you need, some may find heavy on climbs, what would be the advantage of trek 1120 over a fat bike.

The Trek 1120’s robust design and integrated rack system make it the ideal choice for off-road touring. 29″ wheels are used “diameter, making them roll more quickly than a fat bike. With the 3 “Wide tyres still provide wide traction while maintaining the speed of a fat bike.

What does Trek 1120 weigh?

M – 14.08 kg / 31.05 lbs

This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 300 pounds (136 kg).

Which size do I get for Trek 1120?

The charts below illustrate our suggested sizes based on height, but other elements, such as arm and leg length, can affect how well something fits. You’ll see some overlap in our suggestions as a result. For example, not every rider who is 5’8″ will fit on the same size bike. Consult the specialists at your neighborhood retailer for the greatest advice on finding your ideal fit. 

Is Trek 1120 comes with the racks?

No, the racks are independent from the Trek 1120 and may be purchased from your local Trek retailer, however they were made expressly for this frameset and won’t fit the majority of other bike types.

Total score

Our rating​.

Many respectable mountain bike enthusiast websites and magazines, including a profile in Time magazine, have highlighted the Trek 1120 as one of the top-rated mountain bikes of this year. The component brand Bontrager is owned by the manufacturer Trek. This enables them to produce high-quality parts that are streamlined for the performance of their bikes, and the majority of their mountain bikes are pre-built with the possibility for adjustments.

The bike you get if you want to go on real adventures. Every component of the Trek 1120 is designed to improve bikepacking and is strong enough to tackle the toughest trails you may encounter. Trek 1120 is the ideal shred sled for epic exploration thanks to its included racks, trail-specific specifications, and 29+ wheels.

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Key features - Plus-sized touring: bigger tires, bigger terrain, bigger adventures - All-new proprietary rack system for backcountry gear storage - Carbon adventure fork: light and strong, with mounts aplenty - Go-anywhere adventure spec: wide range 1x drivetrain, disc brakes, & dropper post

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Road Test: Trek 1120, Another Perspective

The May 2018 issue of Adventure Cyclist features staffer Dan Meyer’s take on the new Trek 1120, a purpose-built bikepacking rig with custom racks and immense 29 x 3.0in. tires. The bike was new to Dan, but it felt familiar to me. I’d seen a prototype Trek showed off at the Sea Otter Classic a few years ago called the “Stache” sporting a similar look (down to the color scheme).

By the time it got to market, the Stache line was much more trail-focused and the adventure-ready model the brand had shown in California was nowhere to be found. But I liked the idea of the platform so much that I bought the low-end, rigid model Stache 5 two years ago (and wrote a bit about it in our 2016 Holiday Gear Guide ). The 1120, then, was the bike I’d more or less tried to buy back in 2016. But was the original concept better than the bike I’d ended up with?

The similarities are many, though Trek has since updated the low-end Stache 5 to include a suspension fork. The 1120 and my bike are both aluminum with rigid carbon forks, sport the excellent Bontrager Chupacabra 3.0in tires, and roll on the biggest wheel size the mainstream bike industry offers. But the 1120 features the aforementioned custom racks, swept-back bars, slightly more upright geometry, and much lower gearing thanks to the 30-46T combo for grinding uphill when loaded. The component spec across the board on the 1120 is a bit higher end, but then so too is the price tag — $2,500 vs. $1,580 for the new suspended Stache 5.

Rack System

Those racks, unique to the bike, are a mixed bag. In the rear, clearance for the included dropper post is appreciated, and Trek’s harness system for accommodating 8-liter drybags is clever, if low-tech. Our test model’s rear rack was a little twisted, something Trek assured us was limited to a few media demo bikes, but other than a little tire rub when cornering while loaded, the rack wasn’t a problem. Up front, the direct-mount attachment to the fork crown was fantastic, and I’d gladly retrofit the front rack to my current bike if I could (I can’t).

The 1120 is a fascinating bike, but my love for the Stache is undiminished.

Aside from the slight manufacturing issue, the big rub is that despite being alloy, the racks add nearly four pounds to an already beefy bike, bringing the weight to a hair under 32 lbs. with pedals. For comparison, my rigid Stache, with an aftermarket dropper and upgraded carbon bars, tips the scales at closer to 26.5 lbs. That was enough to convince me to remove the racks for any day ride — no hardship since they mount directly and didn’t require futzing with spacers and such, but still a minor inconvenience.

The Bontrager bars check all the boxes on my personal “dislike” list, and certainly each rider’s mileage may vary. While the swoopy bars and upright position were comfortable for dirt road miles, I’d gladly swap to standard flat bars and trade a bit of comfort for more control in varied terrain. My wrists also seem to prefer the flat bar angle, though many riders have a different experience.

Pedaling and Braking

Going and stopping is certainly superior on the 1120 thanks to SRAM’s Level T brakeset, which doesn’t have the initial bite of Shimano hydraulics but feature excellent modulation, and the 30T chainring at the front of the 1x drivetrain and Shimano’s insane 11–46T cassette out back. Compared to the standing-is-required 32-36T combo on my bike, spinning the 1120 up grades was a pleasure.

So where does that leave me? Given the chance, would I shell out for my beloved Stache 5 again or pony up for Trek’s prototype-done-good 1120? The latter is a pure bikepacker, and the front rack especially is nearly reason enough to lean toward the gray-and-orange beast. But I’d rather have a mountain bike that rips trails and can be pressed into duty as an overnight machine than a bikepacking rig that feels just a little, well, less on my favorite singletrack. I’m always in the camp of buying a bike for the type of riding you do most rather than overcompensating for the outlier (this is very much in opposition to the buy-a-4×4-in-case-it-snows-once-a-year school of thought). The 1120 is a fascinating bike, but my love for the Stache is undiminished. It remains one of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden.

Alex Strickland is the Editor-in-Chief of Adventure Cyclist, and he recently upgraded the cassette on his Stache to an 11–46T.

Related Reading

My year of bikepacking: the bucket list, road test: tumbleweed stargazer, cycling the world: a new film about a big journey.

Trek 1120 Bikepacker Review

• Weight 15,34 kg (complete)
• Size 17,5″
• Price € 2699 / $ 2649,99 

The Trek 1120 is a bikepacker that comes off the shelve complete with racks so you can start your first bikepacking adventure almost overnight. But is it any good? Read the review and watch the video!

Trek Adventure Family

The Trek 1120 Bikepacker is part of the Trek Adventure Family that consists of the 520 – a classic touring bike with a steel frame  -, the 920 – a more gravel orientated touring bike with an aluminum frame – and the 1120 Bikepacker, the Hummer of the family. Expect a review on the Trek 520 later this year!

Trek 1120 Frame

The total weight of the Trek 1120 is 14,17 kg according to Trek. I measured my testbike – size 17,5 – at 15,34 kg including pedals, racks and cargowebbing. The weight is fine for this kind of a bike. Trek doesn’t provide the weight of the frame, but I am curious to know.

The heart of the Trek 1120 is an aluminum frame – Alpha Platinium Aluminum – with a very sloped top tube. Those of you who know the Trek brand might see the resemblance with the Trek Stache. And that is in fact the inspiration for the 1120. The rear end of the frame is quite special. The chain stay on the right side – where the chain is situated – is above the chain itself while on the left side the chain stay is at its normal low position. The construction on the right side is officially called a mid stay and deals with the problem on fitting large 29” tires and not making the wheelbase longer than necessary. Explanation in the video! For a bike that should handle nimble you don’t want a too long wheelbase. That said: if you compare the chainstay length of the 1120 to the one of the Stache the 1120 is a bit longer enhancing the climbing capabilities of the 1120. At the rear you find a 148 mm BOOST hub with a 15 mm axel. 

Adjustable dropouts: Stranglehold dropouts

Talking on chain stay length: the dropouts on the rear are adjustable in the horizontal direction. Thanks to these so-called ‘Stranglehold dropouts’ one can easily adjust the wheelbase over a length of 15 mm from 525 mm-540 mm to the circumstances or your riding style. On more demanding fast turning curvy tracks you might want a more nimble bike – so a shorter wheel base – and on a longer less curve distances you might prefer the a more stable ride, so a longer wheel base.

Bottle holders

The frame has three points to store bottle holders: one in the seatpost, one on the inside of the downtube and one on the outside of the downtube. I used only the two inside the frame but if you use a triangular bag in the frame you need the lower outside one. On the outside downtube you can fit a large 1.5 bottle holder.

Carbon fork

The fork of the Trek 1120 is made of carbon but the alloy steerer tube bonded in to it. Totally carbon would not be possible off course. The fork itself is a thing of beauty. On the crown four holes with integrated nuts hold the front rack. On the lower end of the fork three holes with integrated nuts on both sides give you the possibility to attach low rider racks or bottle-holders to expend the carrying possibilities of the 1120. Like most Trek mountainbikes the fork has the 110 mm BOOST spacing to fit the 110 mm BOOST hubs. The axel is a 15 mm thick one to provide loads of stability while braking. 

As mentioned above the front rack is mounted directly to the forks crown with four hex bolts. It is quite easy to attach or detach so you can use the Trek 1120 also as a mountainbike. The rack I weighted at 442,2 grams on my precise scale. The load capacity of the rack is 7 kilograms and that is enough weight to put on the front end of a bike that high. With low riders on touring bikes I normally go to the max of 10 kg in total and that is possible because it keeps the center of gravity quite low. With the high mounted rack on the Trek 1120 the center of gravity is not ideal so less weight is better.

I put a lightweight MSR Freelight 1 tent (1130 grams) on it together with some small stuff I need on the go. Super is the shape of the rack: it’s a sort of shovel shape you find on large road construction trucks and it wraps around the luggage. Next to that the rack has many pints you can attach or hook cargo-webbing around. Or just to twee simple velcro straps like I did. The fact that the rack is connected to the fork and not to the head tube has its benefits: the rack moves in the direction you steer and I found that a very logical thing. Also if you turn the track in front of the bike is more visible. I once tested a Bikepacker with the rack mounted to the head tube and I found corning a very weird experience.

For the rack in the rear a lot is similar to the one in the front. It is attached to the frame on four points with four hex bolts. This makes the rack one solid extension to the frame and 12 kg of cargo is allowed. This is good for the balance especially on fast curvy downhill tracks. The rack is easy to detach and weighs 701 grams (1188,7 with webbing). The rack is shaped nicely around the rear wheel and has a fixture to bolt a light or a reflector to.

With the Trek 1120 and the rack come two harnesses that are designed for the rack and that will store two large dry bags. The harnesses are easy to adjust and are made of a solid material. The compression straps are closed with neat aluminum buckles. The harness also has a row of loops that are very practical in connecting more stuff on the outside of the harness. I like the Trek approach with the harnesses because it works well with a lot of different dry bags. Since most of us have already a vast collection of dry bags, buying new gear is not necessary. It also works with ultra cheap garbage bags. Need more space? On top of the rear rack it is easy to fit a waterproof duffle. This also prevents your back from getting dirty and wet…

SRAM Brakes

The brakes on the Trek 1120 are SRAM Level T hydraulic disc brakes. The front and rear feature a 180 mm disk. Both calibers have two pistons. The brake levers are short so they don’t get stuck behind branches and aren’t easily damaged in the occasional tumble. On the levers you find a small hex screw to adjust to position of the lever to smaller or bigger hands. Although the SRAM Level T brake sets are not the newest on the market and basically a budget level set, they do well on the 1120. Brake power is more than sufficient and you don’t need a lot of strength in the fingers to come to fast full stop. Not even fully loaded.

11-speed gears

Totally in line with the ongoing trend on fitting cross country mountainbikes with a 1 x 11 set gearset, Trek does the same with the 1120. The front features a 30 teeth sprocket and on the rear Trek mounted an 11-46 cassette. Al drivetrain gear parts are Shimano: SLX M7000 shifters en rear derailleur.

Shadow Plus

The later is equipped with Shadow Plus technique. With Shadow Plus you can fix the derailleur so that is doesn’t hop around when riding over a bumpy terrain resulting in a smoother ride with less change of derailing the chain. It also prevents the ‘klettering’ noise when the chain hits the chain stay and the scratching the chain stay as an extra. The Shimano SLX is also a bit of an entry level set but it works fine. Shifting upwards is possible one-by-one or three sprockets in one go. Shifting down go’s one-by-one like pulling the trigger on a gun. The Shimano SLX system never failed me and I rather have this than the more expensive sets. 

Bontrager components

Trek uses of course a lot of Bontrager components on the Trek 1120. For those who don’t know: Bontrager is Treks own component brand. The Bontrager parts are the 110 en 148 BOOST hubs, the Montrose Comp saddle, the Drop Line 125 drop seatpost, the Crivitz handlebar, the Race Lite grips and the Elite stem.  The Chupacabra 29 x 3.00” tires are also from Bontrager but the rims are from SUNringlé: Duroc 50 SL with 28 spokes. For so far the technical part, now lets ride!

I have been testing the bike on- and off road. During long flat hauls with headwind guaranteed and nice twisty, bumpy single trails in the forest. I consider the Trek 1120 to be a hybrid: a mix between an old-fashioned mountainbike (with modern state of art geometry) without suspension and a touring bike. 

The performance is overall fine. The bike handles well. I did ride it with the rear wheel in the front dropout position and in the rear position. If you like tight cornering than the front position is better, but I liked the bit more relaxed ‘long wheelbase’ position generally more. Since I changed to that position I don’t feel the urge to change it back again. The dropper seat post with the remote on the handle bar worked fine and I like dropper posts a lot because of their purpose on steep trails, but also to change the riding position on long distance travels. 

The Bontrager tires with their small profile are generally fine. Grippy in sand and mud, fine on tarmac or other hard surfaces. They are tubeless-ready which saves weight but on touring bikes I’d use tubes. The brakes performed well. They are easy to adjust and they don’t need much force to apply maximum stopping power. Also on loose surfaces they are quite forgiving.  The same for the Shimano shifters and derailleur: easy to use, accurate and no miss shifting here. 

The racks are an example to other manufacturers: this is how it should be done if you build a Bikepacker. The racks are solid, they are one with bike and the load capacity is enough for the ‘minimalistic’ Bikepacker approach. I do like the multi-functional harnesses!

Ridecomfort

As a mentioned before: I did ride the bike on longer straight distances and on twisty trails. And now I have to write something about ridecomfort. 

If you intend to use the Trek 1120 as a Mountain Bike Bikepacker for shorter ‘weekend’ trips, than I don’t have much to beef about. Those kinds of rides are mostly very dynamic with not to much time in saddle. If you use it as a Touring Bike Bikepacker… I do have some issues.

On longer hauls the position on the bike is sort of comfortable. I noticed that the position on the bike is quite sportive. Due to the special shape of the handlebar there is quite some weight on the wrists and with this handlebar there is not a lot you can do about this. I found the downward twist of the handlebar just a little bit off. The same for The riding position is sort of sportive due to the low and curve handlebar. Saddle and handlebar are very personal choices so let me know if you feel different. In the coming weeks I will try some different handlebar and saddle configurations and keep you posted on this development.

A last little remark is the front end of the Trek 1120. The frame is stiff and I like it. The carbon fork is a bit to stiff to my liking. If you ride a lot on smoother roads it is not a problem although with the tires well inflated you feel almost every small bump. On bumpy trails you need to pay attention to the pressure in the tires. Too hard: the ride will be uncomfortable and the front will bounce a lot; too soft, no bouncing but it takes a lot of energy. So carefully tuning and experimenting is advised.

One final thing: be aware that the Trek 1120 is rated for 136 kilograms in total. So rider, cargo and bike!

In the months that I’ve testing the Trek 1120 I’ve enjoyed it a lot and riding is generally a pleasure. As a Bikepacker it is capable of carrying a good load and the racks are top notch. I also liked the easy effective storage harnesses. The hydraulic operated disc brakes are fine and shifting through gears is precise. The position on the bike is quite sporty. The shape of the handle bar is not to my liking as is the very hard saddle. The big beefie tires give a lot of comfort if ridden with the right tire pressure in relation to the road/track circumstances. Especially the carbon fork is demanding a good deal of pressure tuning: bring a pump! Overall the Trek 1120 is solid Bikepacker that is capable of off-road adventures to long distance traveling. The price of  € 2699 or $ 2649,99 is decent. I rate the the Trek 1120 Bikepacker at 9.0/10 points.

Information   www.trekbikes.com

Also have a look at my Saddle and Handle Bar update on YouTube

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Trek 1120 (29+) Adventure Bike Review

The Trek 1120 isn’t a new bike. It’s been around for a couple of years now. From the time that I saw an early photo of one of the rack prototypes, I’ve been intrigued by the cargo-carrying (bikepacking) capacity of the 1120 and its signature integrated rack system. The 1120 is very similar to a Trek Stache 29+ Wheels mounted to a pretty unique aluminum frame. The 1120 shares the same symmetrical elevated chainstay and adjustable Stranglehold dropouts, but it’s 15 mm longer than the Stache to accommodate loaded touring.

I know a lot of people hate-on the big 3 US bike brands, but in the case of the 1120, Trek designed, prototyped and then manufactured a sophisticated and elegant example of an omni-terrain adventure bike with the 1120. They created a bike that can cover everything from mountain bike singletrack to almost anyplace on earth bikepacking. The drive-side chainstay is what allows the Stache and the 1120 to handle so well. I’m used to a longer wheelbase 29+ rigid bike and the shorter chainstays of the 1120 make it handle twisty singletrack with less body english and (probably) faster. I say short cahinstays and moderately slack head angles for the win!

That being said… I’ve heard rumblings about the same issues that always come up with elevated chainstays. Bottom bracket flex and cracked frames. I didn’t experience either of those two things but if you want to run a singlespeed drive train, you might run into bb-flex issues. I ran the stock Shimano 1×10 drivetrain and the 1120 felt solid and handled an impressive variety of adventures over this past summer.

I’ve owned a Surly Krampus since they were introduced so during the test period I was able to experience back to back ride comparisons between the two bikes. It was a lot closer than I would have predicted., but I like the 1120 better than my Krampus. The 1120 has a dropper-post. (I could put a dropper on the Krampus) The 1120 handles slightly better on singletrack and somehow also managed to easily cover one hell of a lot gravel, asphalt, chip-seal and rail-trail. The 1120 replaced both my Surly Crosscheck and Krampus this summer and this past summer was the summer that I got my groove back.

This past spring I had some minor surgery that I’d been putting off for years and during the pre-surgery doctor visits, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. After the surgery, I couldn’t ride for six weeks. This was back in March. The time off of the bike made me appreciate my passion for riding and ya kwow….(stay’n alive). So I’ve changed my diet and dedicated myself to riding six days a week in hopes of returning to some modicum of physical fitness. The plan has worked (my last A1C was 5.5) and I’ve lost a bit of weight along the way. For most of that time period, I rode the 1120 for almost all of my riding. It was my gravel bike, mountain bike, bikepacking and packrafting platform. I even took the 1120 to gnomefest. I tried to utilize this ‘Swiss Army Knife’ in every way that I could come up with. I guess what I’m trying to say is that my review is based on a lot of time in the saddle during a summer that I have come to appreciate more than words can express.

Enough about me, let’s talk about the bike – The matte gray frame and fork is contrasted by orange racks and downtube graphics. The racks are what drew me to the 1120 and that’s what most of the questions center around when people see the bike. They post “what racks are those?” The answer is that they’re made by Trek just for the 1120. The front rack attaches to the crown of the fork and the rear rack attaches to the back of the chainstays. Four bolts do the trick for either rack and they come on and off easy enough.

The 1120 also comes with a pair of drybag holders designed to mount on the rear rack. They have two large velcro straps and five ‘C-Clips’ to hold an 8-10L drybag in place as a mini pannier. The rack positions the bags so they don’t get in the way when you’re pushing your loaded bike up some steep sketchy goat trail. Trek Product Manager, David Studner shared that Travis Brown had done field testing during the development of the 1120 and had valuable input into the design of the bike’s racks. David also shared that the development team took a fresh look at how riders were using bikepacking bags to carry gear. The 1120’s racks are the product of the team’s fresh design intent.

The 1120 came with a set of 29×3.0 Chupacabras mounted tubeless to a set of SUNringle Duroc 50 SL rims laced to Bontrager Alloy hubs. The star of the wheels is the Chupacabras. Trek changed the name and now they’re called the XR2. I love these tires as an all-conditions do everything low rolling resistance tire. It’s a great choice for a swiss army bike/knife. Singletrack at 11 psi and gravel/pavement at 15psi seemed to be the sweet spot for traction sweet chewiness. (I want a pair for my Krampus). Six months of riding and the wheels were quiet, solid performers. I never experienced a flat tire or any other problems with the wheels, but I think that the rear thru-axle on our test demo might be haunted. Periodically, when I’d go to ride the 1120 the rear T/A would be loose. I’d tighten it up and it would be fine for a while, but then without warning, it would happen again. I think that my wife might be mess’n with me or we have some sort of a lefty-lucy spirit out in the garage.

The racks make loading the 1120 with camping gear a cinch. The front rack makes it a two strap show. I think that’s four fewer straps that I need with my handlebar mount set-up. The very first thing that I did with the 1120 this spring was take a trip to Iowa City and do an overnight gravel/camp with Adam Blake and a couple of other dudes. I was able to carry way too much stuff on that trip.

I did a three-day tour in the Kettle Moraine State Forest that I’d been daydreaming about for years on the 1120. The bike’s big wheels really come into play during off-road touring. The 1120 is a very capable mountain bike and those big wheels roll over anything in their path.

I went packrafting with the 1120 this summer. I rode out to Lake Mills and paddled across Rock Lake and then pedaled back to the ranch. The last trip that I took on the 1120, JP and I followed a route that I created with the Wahoo Elemnt Roam that I’m learning to enjoy? We rode up to one of our favorite MTB trails through the Black River State Forest near Wisconsin’s elk herd and wolf pack(s).

About the only gripe that I have with the 1120 is the bars that came with the standard build aren’t really my cup of tea, but who knows…you might love them. I swapped them out to a set of Fatback Sweet 16 carbon bars after a handful of rides and rode happily ever after.

The smurfy summer of 2019 was made all the more splendid because of my time spent turning the pedals on this bike. The 1120 is one hell of a lot of adventurebike for the $2649 price tag ecspecially when you take into consideration the racks and accessories that come with the bike. I’d throw this bike at just about any adventure that a 3″ tire can handle. This thing can carry more than you need and delivers one of the most versatile fully rigid, adventure bike platforms that I’ve experienced…plus it rides real nice!

For more information about the Trel 1120 visit – https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/adventure-touring-bikes/1120/1120/p/22005/

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One Response to Trek 1120 (29+) Adventure Bike Review

I’m thinking it is time for Trek to bring the 1120 and Stache up to date in terms of rim and tire width. Old school 3.0 tires on i45 rims are becoming obsolete. I would prefer to have the 1120 and Stache come with 2.6-2.8 tires on i30-35 rims. With the narrower tires/rims you still get most of the Plus goodness but with a lot less weight. And replacement wheels, if needed, are much easier to get. Wheels with i45 rims just aren’t that common now days.

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Trek Bicycles

TREK 1120 ADVENTURE TOURING 29" FORK

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• (FRONT BOOST) 110mm / 15mm / 51 mm / Skewer Axle Diameter = 15 mm / Crown Race ID = 39.8 mm / Steerer length = 220 mm / Axle to Crown = 510 mm / Steerer O
• Steerer length = 220 mm / Crown Race ID = 39.8 mm / Steerer OD = Mountain-tapered / 51 mm / Skewer Axle Diameter = 15 mm / Axle to Crown = 510 mm /
• Nautical Navy
• 35 In stock

TREK 1120 ADVENTURE TOURING 29" FORK

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1120 Adventure HCM fork - Stache

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Just found out that the same fork offered on the new Stache 1120 will be sold through Trek as a stand-alone option. They are on backorder right now and go for $400. Good news for older Stache frames or even other 29+ frames looking for a better carbon fork with extra mounts! My main concern on this new model is how it compares to the current stock Stache fork in geometry. Is it taller, making the HA steeper? I do like all the mounting options, but would not prefer a longer fork. Tough to get actual fork numbers through Trek. :madman: The 1120 has a new fork, the 1120 Adventure HCM Carbon. Unlike the 2016 Trek Stache 5 that came with a rigid carbon Bontrager Bowie fork in the standard 100mm width, this new fork uses the BOOST 110mm spacing. All of the 2017 Trek Stache models came with suspension forks using the BOOST 110mm, no rigid forks were offered on any of their plus bikes. The 1120 Adventure HCM Carbon fork allows for mounting of the proprietary front rack as well as accessory mounts that allow for bikepacking accessories such as the Widefoot Designs Liter Cage, Salsa Anything Cage, or Blackburn Outpost Cargo Cage. :thumbsup:  

(edited, fork's no longer available) I've got one of these 1120 Adventure forks laying around for a build I never got to. PM me if interested.  

Looks like a-c is 510mm. Not sure how that compares to the suspension forks.  

At 510 a-c I think this fork is spot on! Was also looking at the Niner boost RDO fork which is listed at 490 a-c. Looking to mount a rigid carbon fork to a 17 Stache frame, without changing the HA too much. I would also need to have rack mounts for bikepacking, so this HCM fork looks to be the answer! For reference, here are the AC heights for several common forks. Note that these measurements are often consistent across multiple models of the same manufacturer, but check to be sure. ROCKSHOX PIKE 120mm (27.5): 512mm AC 100mm (29+): 523mm AC 110mm (29+): 533mm AC MANITOU MACHETE 120mm (27.5): 516mm AC 100mm (29): 510mm AC 120mm (29): 530mm AC FOX 34 100mm (29): 517mm AC 120mm (29): 527mm AC 100mm (27.5+): 515mm AC 120mm (27.5+): 525mm AC  

Got mine last week...one of the last they had in stock. No trail time yet, but sure looks purty.  

Attachments

Nice ride! Any feedback - ride report on the fork and overall bike yet? How much of the steer tube did you cut off?....looks to be stacked up!  

This fork looks taller to me than the standard carbon fork on the Stache. Maybe just an optical illusion or something. I guess a bit taller fork would slacken the HA but would also make the front wander some on steep climbs. Still a great fork for 4 bills!  

I want this for the Stache build in my mind. Wouldn't mind a 530 A2C though. I'm running a 140 Yari  

A2C for the Yari @120mm is 543mm.  

Sagged?  

A2C for a Yari Boost 29+ 120 is 543. A2C for a Yari Boost 29+ 140 is 563. Running 25-30% sag, 521-528 A2C would work well for me.  

I've got a size large Stache frame just sitting in a box...if I can't sell it, I think a rigid setup just might be perfect.  

How much?  

Around 500 since that's what I paid for my XL  

Carbon frame? What year?  

Lol, carbon for 5 bills... Nope. Heck, an aluminum frame is over a grand now. I figure in the neighborhood of half price is fair'ish. It's a '17. It's the only Large on eBay right now. You can see it there.  

Anyone else found a fork similar to this?^^ Like the fork at 510mm a/c. Also looking for a chiner carbon in 500 to 510mm for the Stache, but having a hard time finding one. Plus the 1120 fork is not currently in stock at my Trek dealer. Not really liking other options under 500mm a/c size.  

We don't have them in stock at the east coast distribution center in Charcoal, but we have them in Trek Black. But your LBS can backorder one to have it arrive when in stock. As for another option, I personally haven't seen another like this one out there.  

Not to dig up an old thread, but I got my 1120 fork today, What fork race did you change to? It seems like the one off my pike is different. Actually, they both measure 39.8, it just seems like the one on the pike was tapered and easy to set. The one on the stache is straight and a real tight fit. I might just need to man up. Thanks!  

Corthchr said: Not to dig up an old thread, but I got my 1120 fork today, What fork race did you change to? It seems like the one off my pike is different. Actually, they both measure 39.8, it just seems like the one on the pike was tapered and easy to set. The one on the stache is straight and a real tight fit. I might just need to man up. Thanks! Click to expand...

Is it black? How much? email me ryan dot feagan @ g mail  

Sorry about that. I pulled the fork out to take photos and started looking at it and decided to get back to doing a rigid Stache build.  

If interested in selling, email [email protected]  

What is the offset of this fork?  

Just posted my carbon Stache 9.8 Rigid for sale Here in the classified forum  

Reviving this old thread to find out if any of you 1120 fork owners ever weighed that bad boy and don't mind sharing its stats. Fingers crossed!  

I believe the 1120 fork weighs in around 600 g. Trek does not seem to have these for sale an longer, go figure. They do carry Whisky No. 9 https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com/product/whisky-parts-co.-no.9-mountain-fork-371338-1.htm  

The 1120 fork is still available on the dealer site in both black and charcoal.  

I just noticed the fork doesn't come with an axle. Does it require a specific one, or can I use any 15 x 110 boost axle? EDIT: Finally got a knowledgeable Trek rep on the phone who knew the thread pitch, axle length, and so forth.  

I’m looking for the same info! Bought a sram maxle stealth assuming it would fit but it was the wrong thread pitch :madman: Do you know what the correct thread is? Thanks!  

Really? Wow! The thread pitch supposedly is M15 x 1.5 and the length and length 158 mm, exactly what the maxle stealth dimensions are. You saying it doesn't fit worries me. They really should have provided an axle with the fork to make this more simple. Did you get the boost maxle?  

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Trek 1120 Review: Is It The Best Touring Bike?

• By Daniel Shakibaie
• Mountain Bike , Trek Bikes

The Trek 1120 Touring bike is for bicyclists who want to take on all terrains. It has a rugged, durable frame that is also lightweight. This model is perfect for backpacking trips and bike tours because it has a heavy-duty rear rack system for hauling gear.

It is ready to go for mountain trails and more. It is built to take on any kind of terrain, no matter how rough. It is made by Trek bikes who specialize in manufacturing touring/mountain bikes for adventure rides. All of the features and components are optimized for most extreme backcountry destinations and off-road adventures.

The streamlined design has a sporty black and orange color scheme. Compared with similar mountain bikes, the Trek 1120 is lighter, faster and has more storage room. The 29+ tires are very forgiving of all terrains. One of the larger tires’ benefits is that they offer more traction, which makes for a more stable ride over bumps. It doubles as a trail bike, but it really shines for it’s off-trail capabilities.

One of the features that makes it great for bike tours is high-capacity racks and holsters for storage. This bike is best used for trails that are off the beaten path. For regular everyday riding, such as the commute to work in the city, this bike is not going to be the best choice for you because of the aggressive riding position. If you are looking for adventure, then you will love everything that this tour bike has to offer.

• Fork/Frame: Aluminum/Carbon
• Weight (L W/Racks): 29.4 LBS (13.3KG)
• Bottom Bracket: PressFit 92
• Max Tire: 29 x 3”
• Wheels: Chupacabra
• Seatpost: 31.6MM
• Hub Specs: 148 x 12MM (RR); 110X15MM (F)
• Cassette: Shimano Wide-Range 11-46 11SPD
• Handlebars: Bontrager Crivitz
• Brakes: Hydraulic Disc
• Shifters: Shimano SLX M7000
• Crank: Race Face Aeffect, 30T Direct Mount Narrow Ride
• Size: Small to Extra-Large

Things to Consider Before Buying a Touring Bike

The most important thing for you to consider when shopping for a touring bike is what terrains you plan on taking on. The Trek 1120 doubles as an off-trail and on-trail bike, but its features are most optimized for taking on the roughest of terrains. It is high-performance when it comes to rocky and rough terrains, but if you plan on sticking to trails, then there are better options. For adventurous individuals who need an awesome mountain bike made for off-road adventures, this bike is a great choice.

Bike Frame Materials: When shopping for a touring bike to take on bike tours, the bike frame materials are very important because this is where most of the weight of the bike comes from. The Trek 1120 is made out of a carbon or aluminum frame, which is very lightweight yet durable.

Gears: The bike gears are what allow for the bike to reach certain speeds and determine how it handles going up/downhills. For speed and for climbing slopes there are different gears. Different types of bikes require different gearing settings. The Trek 1120 has gears that are great for trails, but it could use more gears for making climbing steep hills better.

Seat and Handlebars: The seating and positioning of the handlebars determine what riding position you will be in. The Trek 1120 has an aggressive riding position which is best for off-roading tours. It has a dropper seat post which makes it easy to get on and off the bike.

Brakes: The braking system on the bike is essential to consider for safety. The faster you plan on going, the better braking system you will need.

Features & Benefits

The features and benefits of the Trek 1120 are geared towards performance on extreme terrains. It can double as an on-trail bike as well. Here is a detailed overview of the features and their benefits.

The frame of the Trek 1120 is made with durable aluminum and carbon. It is made out of Alpha Platinum Aluminum which is exclusive to the Trek brand of bikes. The rear rack system adds some additional weight, but does not slow the bike down. You can remove the storage or rear rack for greater speed as a mountain bike. The frame of the bike is designed based on Trek’s innovative Stache platform. It has many similarities to the Stache model, but with a few changes that make it more suited for off-trail performance.

The frame of the 1120 is extremely rugged as it is made to take on any sort of terrain. Because of how rugged the frame is, it does weigh a little more than some of the similar mountain bikes by Trek. Compared with a steel frame, carbon and aluminum are more lightweight. The downside to aluminum is that it is noisier than steel, but keeping it well greased will eliminate any creaking noises.

Another thing to consider about the frame is geometry. This is important to consider when choosing which size of the bike is best for you because height is not the only factor. Arm and leg length can vary for different heights, and so both the individual dimensions and the geometry of the frame contribute to the overall comfort and performance.

Frame Sizes:

• 15.5 in/Small – Rider height 5’ – 5’5
• 17.5 in/Medium – Rider height 5’3 – 5’8
• 19.5 in/Large – Rider height 5’8 – 6’2
• 21.5 in/Extra-Large – 6’1 – 6’5

Specifications:

• Alpha Platinum Aluminum
• Tapered head tube
• Internal derailleur & drop post routing
• Proprietary rack mounts
• Horizontal sliding dropouts
• 12MM thru-axle

More: Raleigh Alysa 2 Review: Your Only Needed Guide to Alysa 2 Bike

Suspension System

The suspension system is what insulates the rider from the roughness of the terrain. For adventure bikes, the suspension system is one of the most important things to consider because it will determine how smooth of a ride you can get on rough trails.

The Trek 1120 is outfitted with a Carbon Adventure Fork. The carbon fork suspension on the Trek 1120 is so good that many people wonder if it will be sold as a separate part for use with other bikes. Right now, the carbon fork is only available in pre-assembled bikes by Trek.

This suspension system is highly effective for insulating the rider for bikepacking trips which is the main function of the Trek 1120. The bike can easily glide over bumps like rocks and sticks without causing sudden jolts to the rider.

One of the standout features of the Trek 1120 is the large 29+ wheels. These wheels roll fast and offer great traction. For bumpy terrains, the large wheels help to absorb much of the impact from below. The wheels are 3+ inches wide which creates strong traction with the ground to keep the bike stable in all circumstances. With the rims on these wheels you can go tubeless. Tubeless rims allow you to reduce the tire pressure to prevent flats.

The materials used to manufacture the wheels are very strong. You can use this bike for tours with total confidence that the large, steady wheels will be highly resistant to wear and tear from the terrain. The most important benefit of the wheels of the Trek 1120 is that they are stable, strong, and create strong traction. The wheels are 28-spokes and are fairly solid, but when the bike becomes airborne, there is a small chance of the spokes becoming damaged, so keep this in mind.

• Back and front hub & skewer by Bontrager
• SUNringle Duroc 50 SL rims with tubeless tape included
• 28-spokes made out of stainless steel
• Bontrager tubeless-ready wheels with inner strength sidewalls

More: Find the Best Cyclocross Bike Under $1000 On the Market

The Trek 1120 has all of the gears that you should need for long rides over difficult terrains. The only downside to the gearing system that we could find is that some people have reported that they wish the bike had gears to make climbs easier.

The wide range of 1x drivetrain is simple and effective. The 1x drivetrain is one of the features which makes the bike ready for mountain bikes. The gearing works great for gravel roads and for mountain trails. This mountain bike has a wide range of capabilities from flat terrain to extreme off-road touring.

More: Trek X Caliber 8 Review: Worth Buying Or Not?

The Trek 1120 has a range of 11-gears. The gearing system is top-quality and makes this bike versatile for both off-trail and on-trail tours. Most touring bikes manufactured this year have a 1 x 11 gear set, including the 1120.

All of the drivetrain gear components and shifters are made by Shimano. Shifting gears with this system is easy and it stays in the gear that you want without accidentally shifting out. You can use the gears to go over different terrains without damaging the chain. 

• Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed shifter
• 30T alloy ring crank with 52MM chainline

The Trek 1120 uses a hydraulic brake system. Hydraulic disc brakes are highly effective for making quick stops even in wet conditions. The brake system is made by Shimano. It has a 6-bolt Shimano RT56 brake rotor. Hydraulic braking systems offer the most powerful stopping power. You can trust this bike to come to a clean stop even in water or mud .

Compared to mechanical brakes, hydraulic brakes are high-performance in all weather conditions. Mechanical brakes use a cables system, while hydraulic brakes use pressure to force the hydraulic fluid to activate the brake pads.

• Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes
• MT4100 lever
• MT420 caliper

More: The Best hybrid bikes under $300 [Complete Review and Buying Guide

What Makes the Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 a Good Bike for Touring?

The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 bike is highly regarded among touring enthusiasts. Its durable construction, responsive handling, and versatile capabilities make it an excellent choice for long-distance adventures. With its lightweight yet sturdy frame, the Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 allows riders to easily navigate challenging terrains. Its reliable braking system and comfortable geometry ensure a smooth and enjoyable touring experience. In a trek checkpoint alr 5 bike review , users praise its ample storage options and reliable performance, making it a top choice for bike touring.

Why Should You Trust the Trek 1120?

The Trek 1120 has been featured as one of the most top-rated mountain bikes of this year by many reputable mountain bike enthusiast websites and magazines, including a feature in Time magazine. The manufacturer Trek has their own brand of components called Bontrager. This means they can create high-quality components that are streamlined for their bikes’ performance, and most of their mountain bikes come pre-assembled with options for modifications. Trek has partnered with professional mountain bikers to promote their products and even has a scholarship program to promote diversity in cycling.

More: Best Cyclocross Bike Under $1500 [Review and Buying Guide]

Alternatives

Trek has a comprehensive line of mountain bikes. Here is a summary of how the Trek 1120 compares with the Stache and the Trek 920 models.

Trek 1120 vs Stache

The Trek 1120 is very similar to the Stache. They look very similar and the Trek 1120 borrows many of the same stylistic components as the Stache, but they vary somewhat in performance. One of the features that is different on the Trek 1120 is that it has a longer chainstay.

This, along with the shorter tube and steeper head angle, all work together to make the Trek 1120 better for rough, off-trail terrains than the Stache. The Trek 1120 is optimized for lower speeds and rougher terrain than the Stache,

Trek 1120 vs Trek 920

The Trek 1120 is a bikepacking bike whereas the Trek 920 is a conventional touring bike. The 920 has 12-speeds compared to the 1120, which has 11. There is a lot more room for storage on the Trek 1120 than the 920.

They are similar in that they both have an aluminum frame and hydraulic brake system. Trek 1120 has a more aggressive riding position which is better for rougher terrains, and the Trek 920 is more comfortable for riding on long rides with lots of road and flat trails.

More: Why the Trek Verve+ 2 Should Be Your Next Hybrid E-Bike

The Trek 1120 is a powerful, durable touring bike that is best used when you need a bike that can handle all kinds of terrains. For road use, the riding position of the bike is a little too aggressive to be comfortable for long periods. It shines the most when used for touring that requires lower speeds and over off-road terrains. It has a great rear rack system for storing your gear on your tour. It is a top-rated mountain bike for adventurous cyclists.

About The Author

Daniel Shakibaie

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