First Impressions: Trek 720 Disc light adventure touring
Originally posted on March 10, 2015 at 14:08 pm
For decades Trek has offered its model 520 steel touring model, specced with bar-end shifters, a rear rack, braze-ons for fenders and low-rider front rack, and clearance for chubby tires to tackle any terrain. For 2015, two new models are joining it in Trek stores: the rugged 920 adventure bike and the lightweight 720, both made with aluminum frames and decidedly different than each other and their grandpappy, the 520.
The 720 Disc is indeed aimed at more of the mixed-use crowd—riders who spend most of their time behind bars on asphalt—but who enjoy a taste of speed with the ability to tackle a little gravel. The handlebar height is similar to my daily rider, which I use on fast lunch rides in the hills for fitness, and the frame’s geometry is more on the aggressive side, which suits me fine.
The Gear
Trek, along with its house brand Bontrager, developed a plastic snap-in front lowrider dry-bag system for the carbon touring fork to carry some necessities. This frees up the rider’s back for a hydration pack for longer, hotter rides, or allows a pack-rat to carry as much stuff as they need. The rear triangle can also fit a standard rack, and Bontrager has several to choose from.
The 11-32-tooth, 11-speed cassette offers low enough gearing to handle long, steep climbs, and the 50/34 front chainrings allow a nice cadence on the flats, which I enjoy because I’m partial to doubles. I also like Shimano’s reliable 105 group, and the 720 includes shift/brake levers, derailleurs, cassette and chain, plus the RS500 crankset. Shifting has been crisp and reliable, and I need to tighten up the stretched cables a little to make things perfect after several rides.
The Ride
The 700x28c Bontrager AW1 Hard-Case Lite tires roll smoothly with 100 psi, and as of this post I’ve not suffered any flats. I’ve ridden several hundred miles on Bontrager tires the past few years, and have grown to appreciate the connection I feel to the road, which gives me a bit more confidence when cornering.
I’ve also grown accustomed to looking down and seeing disc brakes on my drop-bar bikes, and the TRP HY/RD cable-actuated, hydraulic hybrid disc brakes have become my favorite since testing the Pivot Vault in 2014: squeeze the brake lever and speed is scrubbed with little effort.
Like the Ibis Hakkalügi Disc I repurposed last fall, the Bontrager wheels are wide, round and true, even after several rides, providing a nice no-hassle ride. Unlike the ‘Lugi, the 720 Disc has fitting for fenders.
At 21 pounds without pedals and dry bags mounted on my 58 cm test sample, the 720 Disc won’t win any weight weenie contests, but that’s not the point. This is a bike designed to be loaded down, and smart bikes like this only feel better with extra stuff bolted or strapped on. Trek knows this from its tenure with the popular 520.
Thoughts
The 720 Disc can handle fast rides with the Lycra crowd, or become a mule on longer overnight excursions. The graphite finish with lime and green highlights provide enough of a neutral palette, and with a few simple modifications (like Cher’s costume changes between songs), you’ll have a diva of your own to go wherever you like.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth review of the 720 after we’ve had a chance to spend more time riding it.
Vital Stats
- Price: $1,979
- Weight: 21.1 pounds w/o pedals
- Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58 (tested), 61 cm