2016 Trek Boone, Crockett cyclocross bikes get spec, color updates and more disc brakes

Written by Bikerumor Staff Jan 28, 2016 10:43 p.m. ET

2016-17 trek boone and crockett cyclocross bikes

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Now that the 2015/16 cyclocross season is a wrap, it’s time to start thinking about the upcoming cyclocross season. After all, that’s when most of us are actually pinning on a number, so it’s always in the backs of our minds. And, with the growing interest in alternative ways to ride a road bike, it’s on a lot of manufacturers’ minds, too.

While some other brands have made dramatic changes to their CX bikes recently, Trek’s carrying forward the frames unveiled for the 2015-16 season unchanged save for their dress and spec, but you’ll find much fewer cantilever rim brake options unless you’re at the top of the Boone line. Yes, the very tip top of the line is the Sven Nys Race Shop Limited model, which shaves grams by eschewing discs, which worked quite well for many of Sven’s World Cup wins over the years. Of course, even he’s upgraded.

The Crockett lineup goes to all disc brakes, all the time. Both models continue on with 15mm thru axle forks and standard QR rear dropouts. Hop on down for a quick overview of models and specs…

The Race Shop Limited is a nod to Sven’s recent race bikes and comes equipped with Shimano Ultegra 11-speed and CX70 canti brakes. Retail is $3,999.

Below it is the SRAM CX1 equipped Boone 7 for $3,999 with hydraulic disc brakes. Get it with cantis for $3,499. Drop down from there and it’s all disc, unless you go for the framesets.

The Boone is available as a frameset with, like the RSL and 7 bikes, a full carbon fork. Retail is $2,099 for either disc or canti versions. All Boone frames share the same 600-series OCLV construction with BB90 and IsoSpeed decoupled seatmast to absorb the bumps and bruises along the course.

The Boone 5 drops down to a carbon fork with alloy steerer tube and gets a Shimano 105 group with hydraulic disc brakes and FSA Energy cranks. Retail is $3,199.

The Crockett shares the same race-proven geometry as the carbon Boone, but has a 200-series Alpha Aluminum frame with BB86.5 bottom bracket shell. It starts off with the Crockett 7 and a full CX1 group for $2,599.

The Crockett 5 gets Shimano 105 with FSA Energy cranks and Hayes CX5 mechanical disc brakes.

If you want a rim brake Crockett, you’ll have to build it yourself from the available frameset (also available for disc brakes). Either one will set you back $879.

All of Trek’s 2016-17 cyclocross bikes come equipped with a chain catcher at the base of the seat tube. And all complete bikes are wrapped with 700×32 Bontrager folding 120tpi tubeless-ready tires, but there’s room for a fender in there (with hidden mounts on the frames) or a fatter 700×38 piece of rubber.

TrekBikes.com

Bikerumor Staff

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Perplexed

8 years ago

So ridiculous, just watching the CX disc market fly away from them. Correction that the frame is carried over from the 14-15 race season, the only thing that changed last year was the fork to thru-axle. No 142×12 rear end on this, but they’ll slap it on the Domane disc? Stupid. A clear effort to save some engineering $$$, and it’ll cost them sales this Fall.

Fartknocker

8 years ago

Would have bought if it had 142×12 rear. Now will not, and will not wait untill next year.

Bill

8 years ago

@Perplexed.. not everyone is so gung ho about thru axles. Especially with Big red S releasing another standard this year. Trek’s not usually one to just do what people are doing. Instead they usually come up with yet another standard that only they make 😛

boom

8 years ago

Reply to Bill

interesting. What wheel/axle standard does Trek make that is proprietary? (Hint: none)

Also, yes the frames haven’t changed. But has anyone actually ridden these bikes? My Boone is by far the best CX bike I’ve ever ridden. Just because something is ‘new’ doesn’t mean that it’s better. These bikes are still extremely relevant (and in my opinion still class leaders) so no, they don’t NEED to be updated.

8 years ago

Reply to boom

Trek was the driving force behind bringing Boost to market. Yes, boost is an open standard but so is Specialized’s SCS for CX and Road. I agree that Trek CX bikes ride great but pretending they don’t contribute to the overwhelming amount of “standards” is just naive.

Joseph Clemenzi

8 years ago

Reply to boom

no need to be harsh there guy. he did not say “Trek”, “wheel/axle standard” or “proprietary” in the same sentence. you did! HA! you sound like a new england’er.

trek comes up with their fair share of proprietary …stuff. like a lot of companies.

i do have a boone disc from this year. and yes. it is amazing.

but would i say the bike is perfect? ohhhh no. i would hope there is endless progression to be had. because if it ceased to exist, then what is the point of living for tomorrow?

postophetero

8 years ago

@Bill–I was under the impression that TAs are by far the superior option when it comes to disc brakes (alignment-wise).

John

8 years ago

Reply to postophetero

@postopheterom: You are correct, disc alignment issues with QRs are a PITA when changing a flat.

Andrew

8 years ago

I also don’t understand the obsession with rear thru axles on ‘cross bikes.

I have the Thru-axle front and QR-rear setup on my Giant TCX and its the bees knees. The fork is where you see the real benefits of thru axles on these bikes IMHO. The rear I could take or leave, and at least with a QR its easy to throw on a trainer.

wall

8 years ago

No 142 x 12 …. FAIL.

BDK

8 years ago

QR on the rear of the Boone is fine, easy to swap wheels and mount onto a trainer. Chances are you aren’t hucking your commuter trails/weekend races. That said, a rear TA cross bike is significantly stiffer on the internet, I can vouch for that! Also, the geometry of the Boone is great for me despite having long legs, a weak core and no hip flexibility and I can’t encourage enough spending money on a professional fit. Most comfortable and versatile bike frame out there, no need to change anything but it’s clothes (paint job).

Benji

8 years ago

Disappointing that the most modern CX bike ever is falling behind with no rear thru axle. This bike should have originally shipped with full carbon thru-axle fork. Version 2.0 (this time last year) should have come with thru axle. … And still hanging onto Canti’s?? The only people who should even consider buying a new bike (and they’re not paying for them) with canti’s in 2016 the Belgians at the top of the sport where every gram does actually matter and who have mechanics perfectly dialing in their antiquated rubber stoppers and handing them clean bikes every lap. A consumer level rider who’s buying a canti bike in 2016 is only doing themselves a disservice to be a traditionalist.

-1

Andrew

8 years ago

142×12 thru axle=stiffer rear end. Stiffer rear end=less traction. In CX traction is key.

Chader09

8 years ago

Reply to Andrew

That is an oversimplification. Stiffening unwanted, untuneable flex in the axle area can benefit because you can design seat and chain stays to flex in more desirable ways. Vertical flex for bumps is good while lateral flex or torsion are bad.

In this case, the seat stays combined with the ISO Speed do a damn fine job of improving bump absorption and traction as a direct benefit from that. That traction is notable in any review I have seen and in my experience with my own Boone.

Andrew

8 years ago

Reply to Chader09

Read my comment again. I am arguing in favor of the Boone. I am stating one possible reason for Trek not adopting a rear thru axle yet.

BDK

8 years ago

Here’s another observation: No one yet is complaining about the price of these state of the art frames and for good reason!

badbikemechanic

8 years ago

I raced the boone 7 with cantis last season. I had all the stopping power I needed and my bike weighed in at 14 lbs! I really don’t understand the obsession disc brakes. The top European dudes are still racing on cantis

Seraph

8 years ago

Reply to badbikemechanic

Better modulation and more stopping power with less effort and strain on your fingers, with minimal weight increase. Sounds good to me.

David

8 years ago

I would still expect to see new Boone models with the Boone 9 Disc and Boone 5 disc showing up sometime this year.

John

8 years ago

Reply to David

@David: I wouldn’t expect updates any time soon. This is the third year in a row the Boone has gone with the QR rear axle.

I don’t see why Trek can’t go TA on the disc Boones but QR on the canti Boones…

Tommy Barse

8 years ago

@Benji – Perhaps not everybody wants disc brakes. I see their merit but I also see the disadvantage of having to trust a mechanic to properly bleed them (except for mechanic disc). In some communities it’s hard to find a good mechanic with a reasonable turnaround. Of course it can be learned to do at home but that’s a hassle where a lot of recreational/amateur racers don’t want to be involved.

I’d love a mechanical disc bike for whatevering and switching from 650×42 to 700×28 but it’s not in my budget!

Dinger

8 years ago

Blown away at how hung up people are getting on so insignificant a detail as thru-axle vs. QR.

Ride one and think about how large a contribution to the experience the rear axle is it isn’t making. When pondering the rear end’s stiffness, remind yourself that these are ridden across grass and dirt on half-flat tires.

Bill

8 years ago

+1 on the trainer compatibility

turtlehead

8 years ago

I have the pepto pink crockett. It’s the best riding aluminum frame I’ve ever ridden. Right now the favorite bike in the stable. Stiff, nearly as light as carbon, pretty comfy, fits big tires, and the geometry is perfect. You can also fit just about any mountain 29 wheelset or hub into it from the last 6 years, which adds some flexibility.

I’ve had mountain bikes with rear through axles. I don’t see the benefit for hardtails. Ride shimano skewers, or something else that clamps properly, and you won’t have alignment issues. My only nitpick with the bike is I want a better through axle for the fork.

John

8 years ago

I can’t help but wonder why Trek refuses to listen to what their customers obviously want in a bike.

Seraph

8 years ago

Reply to John

You basically described exactly what is wrong with Trek’s business model. They have always taken way too long to respond to customer concerns and desires. It took them years before they finally released the Ticket S to the consumer market, despite demand soaring through the roof every time a C3 rider won a competition atop one.

Anon

8 years ago

Reply to Seraph

I am sure that Ticket S business was HUGE too.

jessejarjour

8 years ago

Reply to John

@john, I’m pretty sure they listened to everybody asking for an iso-speed cross bike by releasing the Boone. I’ve had two Boone’s and a Crocket and see no need for a rear TA. I really couldn’t see anything that would make this bike better.