2018 Trek Crockett 5

I'm new to the forum but I am considering the above bike based on a lot of reading I've done and talking to a couple of buddies who ride gravel. I've ridden my Hardtail MTB on gravel and it rides great especially on steep descents but it lacks on flats or when I have to go on pavement. Wanted something between my MTB and road bike. \n \nhttp://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/new-trek-crockett-cyclocross-bike-unveiled \n \nI was not originally considering a Trek for a GG as the specs on the Crockett did not have enough tire clearance or thru axles on the rear. The owner of the LBS, I frequent, got an email from Trek a day or two after I had been in there and told me the changes for the 2018 model were just released to the dealers and thought they might match my specs. Sure enough wider tire clearance (up to 40c) and thru axles on the rear have been added (among other neat features). He actually ordered a new Crockett 7 for himself and let me test ride it...I must say for an aluminum frame it rode really nicely...he had 25c tires on it for road riding. Imagine what 40c tires will feel like! \n \nI'll probably order a Crockett 5 as it's more in my price point. It has mechanical discs, alloy seat post, less desirable wheels and Rival 1X vs Force 1X...but I can live with that for now and upgrade later. \n \nAnybody riding an older Crockett? Thoughts? I had considered the Salsa Warbird but this bike is $400 cheaper with similar specs/build. The geometry on the Crockett is similar to the Warbird but obviously leans toward a racier design since it's a CX bike.

I love the fact that the new Crockett has sliders. For that alone I'd strongly consider it. Or at least a frame set. If I still had my Trek University pricing I'd probably get one. But I'm 110% happy with my Kona Private Jake so I won't get grabbing a Crockett at retail price. I don't think it offers anything my Kona doesn't have.

Thanks Nubster. Looked at the Kona and it's pretty close to the new Crockett...and a sharp looking bike. No Kona dealer near me and I'd rather support the LBS when I can so I'll probably just go with the Crockett.

I don't have a dealer either. Ordered the frame set and built my bike. Certainly nothing wrong with supporting the LBS though. I've purchased a few bikes from mine too...but sometimes there's things they just don't offer so I have to stray a little  If the 2016 Crockett had the slider...that's what I'd probably be on now.

That's a nice looking design, and Trek really knows how to build aluminum frames.  My 29" Trek hardtail makes me smile.  Not harsh, just responsive and well behaved.  

Finally got the new Crockett 5 in and took the maiden voyage today and I'm really please so far. Only had time to do 30 miles mainly pavement. Ran a 40c Kenda Flintridge on the front (tubeless) and the stock Bontrager CX3 32c tire (with tube) on the back (only because the other Flintridge did not come in yet). Size wise I'm between a 56 & 58 according to my LBS. He said if I were racing CX he'd recommend sticking with a 56 but since my main intended use is for gravel the 58 has a taller head tube and he could do more fit adjustments. He was right, I had test ridden a 56 and thought it fit but the 58 fit just as well and gives me a little more stack. \n \nIf you think you are interested in one, read the following... \n \nSome neat features about this bike - 2018 Trek Crockett 5: \n \n1X Sram 40t chainring, 11-32 cassette (I may need to go to 11-36 for some of the steeper longer stuff) \n \nSRAM 1X comes with a clutch mechanism on the rear derailleur to lessen the effect of chainslap \n \nChainguide up front to keep from losing the chain on the ring. \n \nInternal cable routing for the most part...they call it "Control Freak"...supposed to be easier to install cables and keep them from flopping around. \n \nRear Slider axle "Stranglehold" that allows for conversion to single speed or allows you to adjust the wheelbase depending on your riding style. Pretty cool. \n \nTRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes (I test rode the Crockett 7 that has SRAM Force hydraulic and my MTB has Shimano Hydraulic) and so far I can't tell much difference and that's one item I was kind of worried about. These brakes have a strong feel (better than rim brakes for sure), modulate well...long term or on really long descents are still to be determined. Rotors are Centerlock...not sure if it makes any difference compared to 6 bolt style (which is what is on my MTB). \n \nThe stock Bontrager TLR wheels are nothing special and will be one of the first things I'll replace, once I recover from this purchase. They have 17mm internal width which seems narrow by today's standards but the 40c Kenda went on tubeless very easy. (I used Gorilla Tape, Stan's valves, and Stan's sealant). They seem heavy too but I did not weigh them. \n \nGoing to a 58 frame means the bike has 175mm cranks and I run 172.5 on my road bike. I can tell a little difference but it doesn't seem better or worse. \n \nThis bike has an aluminum frame with a carbon fork...coming off a carbon road bike I really expected this bike to ride a little rougher but it rides very smooth. When I test rode the Crockett 7 it had 25c tires on at road pressures and it was still smooth with that tire combo. However, running the 40c Kenda up front and the 32c Bontrager on back the bike was even smoother. \n \nTrek designed the geometry on this bike for CX racing but the North American style geometry it uses is a little slacker than the european geometry and has a bigger BB drop than european style CX bikes. This keeps it pretty close to the geometry of Gravel Specific bikes. The geometry makes the bike handle a little more stable than a road bike with not quite as quick steering. It's not a bad thing, but there is a slight learning curve. I took a fast downhill turn and understeered it which kind of spooked me...you learn real quick to make that slight adjustment! Going with the 58 frame allows me to ride "in the bike" as opposed to "on the bike" like a true CX bike...we are "splitting hairs" of course but you do notice a slight difference. I'm hoping that slight difference will add up on long gravel rides. \n \nTrek upgraded the aluminum from 200 series to 300 series for the 2018 models which was said to drop the weight by about a pound. \n \nTrek added a rear Thru-axle this year and designed in more tire clearance. The 40c up front has plenty of clearance...I think I could go wider if necessary. In back the 40c (I tried the one I have with a tube to see how it was going to fit) fits nicely but I don't think I could go beyond 40c. Oddly enough, there is more clearance on the left chainstay than on the right. Wondering if an asymmetric wheel would center the tire up more and allow for a wider tire or at least more even clearance? The Crockett 7 comes with a better set of wheels that are asymmetric so I'm going to see if the owner of the LBS who has the Crockett 7 will throw on some 40c and let me see the effect. \n \nI did a lot of reading and looked at many bikes and there are a lot I would love to have (Salsa Warbird, Jamis Renegade, Fuji Jari, Giant TCX Advance SL, etc.) but no one around here stocks any of those bikes to try. And at the price point I think the 2018 Trek Crockett 5 is a good buy....especially with the upgrades they made from 2017.