Trek Dual Sport 3 – Gen 5 – Hex Blue

The Dual Sport is a versatile and fun bike to take you from city streets to cycleways and forest tracks. The Gen 5 sees some significant changes from the previous iteration. The most significant change is the switch from a suspension fork to a rigid fork. This sharpens up the steering, reduces weight and increases tyre clearance for fitting wider rubber. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the Dual Sport is designed for riding light offroad, not shredding singletrack. The bumps and surface variations encountered on this terrain are relatively small but numerous, so wider tyres with higher volume are actually more effective at eating up this chatter than a suspension fork. 

There are mount points all over the frame for any accessories you might want to fit. Spec some mudguards and a pannier rack for clean commuting functionality or Bontrager frame and toptube bag for a lighter-weight luggage setup. There are of course bottle cage mounts and a dedicated kickstand mount, so you don’t have to mar up the paint with a clunky clamp. Neutral frame geometry keeps you in a comfortable riding position that relieves back strain. Pair this with ergonomic grips and a slim but comfortable saddle and you’re guaranteed to arrive at your destination feeling fresh. 

The Dual Sport 3 is the top-of-the-range option that’s all about lightweight convenience. The whole bike is lighter due to the components used and the fork being made from carbon rather than aluminium. Speaking of lightweight, the 1×10 Shimano drivetrain has a wide gear range and is super easy to use because there is only one gear shifter. Shimano also provide the hydraulic disc brakes. These are reliable in all conditions and incredibly easy to service. The 2″ wide tyres are mounted on 27.5″ wheels and have a slick centre tread for fast rolling on tarmac but a more aggressive side tread for grip when cornering on rougher surfaces. 

If you want a lightweight and versatile hybrid for leisure rides or commute duty then the Dual Sport 3 could be the bike for you.