TREK CROCKETT 7
£2500 › Premium aluminium frame is a real rival to carbon counterparts
Trek’s two-tiered cyclo-cross lineup consists of the carbon Boone and aluminium Crockett. The slimmed-down range consists of two bikes of each model.
Lustrous grey paintwork and fairly smooth welds give the Crockett 7’s main tubes a hint of carbon fibre construction, but this frame is all cleverly manipulated metal. Only the seat-tube and seatstays have round tubes, the stays are kinked outwards to maximise tyre clearance. Hydroforming is responsible for the extensive shaping of the others, the top-tube is subtly curved and flattened precisely where your shoulder will support it.
The chainstays are intricately formed, slimming by differing amounts immediately behind their bottom bracket attachment to ensure huge tyre clearance. The driveside stay has the forged dropout spliced to it. The other side’s forging includes the extended dropout and adjustable flat-mount disc calliper mount. The 12mm thru-axle dropouts are Trek’s Stranglehold design, a recessed slot with adjustable axle guide, which allows adjustment of the wheelbase.
Up front, you get an IsoSpeed carbon fork, a well-proven design with curved blades and axle position that’s behind the fork’s sweep, increasing its flex and stability.
SRAM’s Force 1 drivetrain dominates cyclo-cross, but here it’s diluted with a Praxis Alba crank and 40-tooth Wave Technology direct-mount chainring, and Trek adds its 3S chain keeper. Whether starting at a trot or a sprint, the Crockett has superb directness, from the stiff Bontrager alloy cockpit to the rear wheel’s response to every crank input. This is a race bike, but its ’cross geometry of 72-degree head and 73.6-degree seat angles make it a fairly placid go-anywhere bike too.
The chainstays are intricately formed, slimming by differing amounts
The alloy Paradigm wheelset impresses with its willing, accelerative nature, thanks to its 23mm height and 26mm external width lowering mass and raising performance. Bontrager’s CX3 tyres are 32mm wide, which the rims increase to 33mm. The key to their performance is the relationship between the two, the wider rim almost aligning with the tyre side wall for support. This equates to fantastic feel and reactions, perfect for technical riding.
The IsoSpeed fork allows the Crockett to ride the rough stuff with composure, helped by the IsoZone bar’s additional cushioning. With its 27.2mm alloy seatpost, rear end comfort doesn’t match the front, despite the best efforts of the Montrose saddle. An easy carbon seatpost upgrade would help.
The drivetrain shifted faultlessly, and the chain remained firmly in place, with good cyclo-cross ratios that bottom out with a 40x32. Traction is excellent in all but deep mud from the CX3 tyres, and they’re not too draggy on tarmac. Heaving out of a tight corner up a short, steep climb then back down again, the Crockett has climbing performance to spare, and descends with total confidence, lap after lap.
Its weight of 8.6kg is impressive, considering the only carbon parts are the fork and levers. On paper it’s not the best value when carbon bikes can be found for less, but this is a highly tuned, durable aluminium bike with great wheels and drivetrain.