New Trek Allant 8S Stagger Owner

[Nomadmax]

I finally took the plunge. My local bike shop has Trek Allant+ 8s (and Stagger) for 2500 bucks. I've been eyeing them for a while to use as a small town commuter and for my GF ride while I train on my road bike. Given that, I went for the Stagger version because the lower stand over height will suit her.

I've only had a chance to ride it a little because of the cold, but man, this thing is some kinda cool I downloaded the Garmin Varia app so I can use it with my phone (the Varia is from one of my road bikes). I've read enough here that I'm using a handlebar mount/quadlock instead of the spring loaded holder above the built in display.

First order of business is to get it ready for utility riding to the store, bank etc. For that, I want panniers so they don't block my radar unit on the seatpost (as opposed to a rack top bag). I'm looking at these:

BACK-ROLLER - Ortlieb USA

Durable polyester fabric make this pannier a long lasting touring companion. The waterproof roll closure ensures safe and waterproof storage of food and equipment. With its QL2.1 fixing it is quickly mounted and taken off the bike rack. A shoulder strap provides carrying comfort when taken off...

ortliebusa.com

Does anyone know if these are direct fit to the stock rack on my bike or do they need something else to make them work?

I'd also like the abilty to turn the lights off while riding to save battery but maybe they draw so little that it isn't worth it?

I have no idea how the range thing will work, some of my training rides my GF will accompany me on will be 100 miles (or just over) and some of those will have 10k feet of climbing. That brings me to the spare battery question, would it get me there and will if fit on the Stagger frame version?

I'm digging around in here looking for other stuff as well, including COBI, what it is and what it does. In the little that I've ridden it so far, I can already tell it will be perfect for what I want it for. And the price was very nice, 2609.00 out the door. I'm almost tempted to buy another one.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Good bike, I have put 15k on mine in two years. the bags are fine, strock tires suck they relaly bog the bike down. You may want to invest in a nyon the stock phone mount sucks and often fails. yes, the spare battery works.
fine range isn't bad. it depends on so much bosch has a calculator. getting rid of the stock tires will help so much. That gave me an extra 8 miles range on my commute. I tend to go 20+ mph, so that eats into the battery faster.

 

[Nomadmax]

Thanks for the response I see you're using yours to good effect. Seeing a pic of your bike has given me some ideas. A mirror for sure and I think you have a Garmin Varia as well. I'm going to contact the dealer re the extra battery set up as well as looking to source a one wheel cargo trailer that will work with the rear QR. I need to figure out what the axle is exactly, ie TA or QR.

This bike is going to be a handy commuter/mule for sure.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Thanks for the response I see you're using yours to good effect. Seeing a pic of your bike has given me some ideas. A mirror for sure and I think you have a Garmin Varia as well. I'm going to contact the dealer re the extra battery set up as well as looking to source a one wheel cargo trailer that will work with the rear QR. I need to figure out what the axle is exactly, ie TA or QR.

This bike is going to be a handy commuter/mule for sure.

I changed over to the Trek radar after my Garmin bit the dust. I ride the bike a lot, but not a lot of variety anymore. The rack works but only for bags, you can't strap anything on top.

 

[Nomadmax]

I changed over to the Trek radar after my Garmin bit the dust. I ride the bike a lot, but not a lot of variety anymore. The rack works but only for bags, you can't strap anything on top.

I've done some internet research and can't find the answer to this. What to the sideways arrow buttons do on the mode control do? Also, is there just one screen on the bike display (not using a phone) no miles traveled or ODO?

Thanks

 

[fooferdoggie]

I've done some internet research and can't find the answer to this. What to the sideways arrow buttons do on the mode control do? Also, is there just one screen on the bike display (not using a phone) no miles traveled or ODO?

Thanks

there is a manual on using it. I got rid of it before the bike was out of the shop. people have posted here on how to navigate.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'd also like the abilty to turn the lights off while riding to save battery but maybe they draw so little that it isn't worth it?

Strongly recommend against riding without lights — even during the day, and especially when commuting. Firmly believe that being seen from a distance is the best defense against getting hit, and few things do more for that than good front and rear lights.

If you're really that desperate to preserve bike battery, replace the wired lights with battery-powered lights. Many great options out there, including lights much brighter than the ones you have.

 

[Nomadmax]

Strongly recommend against riding without lights — even during the day, and especially when commuting. Firmly believe that being seen from a distance is the best defense against getting hit, and few things do more for that than good front and rear lights.

If you're really that desperate to preserve bike battery, replace the wired lights with battery-powered lights. Many great options out there, including lights much brighter than the ones you have.

My intention is to NOT ride without lights, I just want to know if they can be turned off. I use my headlight/flasher for my regular drop bar road bikes as well as a Garmin Varia taillight/radar, both are moved to the Allant when riding it. As far as riding without lights, I can't count the hours I've ridden in stealth mode without lights as a bike cop (in drug sales areas).

 

[Nomadmax]

I went to the Trek site and downloaded the pdf for the display I have. It looks like the only display screen is the one that comes up. Not mentioned, but I'm guessing the left/right & select buttons are only active if you have a phone/app connected. I use the bike for transportation so hooking all that up just to have to remove it when I park/lock the bike makes it not worth it to me. I will say this, every time I ride that bike I feel like I'm getting away with something

 

[fooferdoggie]

My intention is to NOT ride without lights, I just want to know if they can be turned off. I use my headlight/flasher for my regular drop bar road bikes as well as a Garmin Varia taillight/radar, both are moved to the Allant when riding it. As far as riding without lights, I can't count the hours I've ridden in stealth mode without lights as a bike cop (in drug sales areas).

the shop can change it. but I have them always on so I don't accidentally turn them off.
this is so far about the best overall tire I have found for this bike as long as you're on the road. they are fast and smooth and soft so they smooth out the road really well. though I dont use them in winter in gold wet condidions their traction is not as good and they get too many punctures. they save about 8 miles range on my commute and give me about 3mph more speed with the same output.

Rampart Tire

From minimum maintenance to decaying pavement, rolling hills to near vertical climbs, Rampart was made for riders who want the freedom to pick their own path no matter what the road looks like. These tires were designed and inspired by our experiences riding and racing courses with varying...

www.teravail.com

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I can't count the hours I've ridden in stealth mode without lights as a bike cop (in drug sales areas).

Fascinated by bike policing but know nothing about it. You must have learned some pretty interesting riding techniques and maneuvers. Any of them particularly useful in civilian life?

If you were willing to share some of your experiences — say, in a thread in the off-topic forum — I'm sure you'd get lots of interest.

 

[BlackHand]

iIRC, holding the + button turns the lights on and off.

BUT, as Foofer mentioned it ships from Trek as always on, so a dealer would have to change that option before you can turn the lights on/off

 

[Nomadmax]

Fascinated by bike policing but know nothing about it. You must have learned some pretty interesting riding techniques and maneuvers. Any of them particularly useful in civilian life?

If you were willing to share some of your experiences — say, in a thread in the off-topic forum — I'm sure you'd get lots of interest.

My career was at the Dayton, Ohio Police Department and I was fortunate enough to be one of the founders of this organization: https://ipmba.org/

Yes, there are many skills used in police cycling that make transportation/recreational cycling a lot easier. If you go into the "history" (I think) tab on the site you should see some training photos. I'll give some thought to making a thread on it if folks here think it's of interest.

 

[87112]

Good bike, I have put 15k on mine in two years. the bags are fine, strock tires suck they relaly bog the bike down. You may want to invest in a nyon the stock phone mount sucks and often fails. yes, the spare battery works.
fine range isn't bad. it depends on so much bosch has a calculator. getting rid of the stock tires will help so much. That gave me an extra 8 miles range on my commute. I tend to go 20+ mph, so that eats into the battery faster.

View attachment 190132

Hi, I am thinking of getting that Selle Royal Seat. Is that the moderate or comfort size?

 

[fooferdoggie]

moderate.

 

[87112]

Thanks, I ended up buying this one from REI since the seller at ebay with the lookin saddle did not offer returns.
I got this Selle Royal.

Explora Moderate

Bicycle saddle for short or long leisure rides over mixed terrain.

www.selleroyal.com

It is a 10/10 for me upon 1st ride, it just cradles you and for the 1st time ever I have got a saddle with zero comfort complaints along with performance.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My career was at the Dayton, Ohio Police Department and I was fortunate enough to be one of the founders of this organization: https://ipmba.org/

Yes, there are many skills used in police cycling that make transportation/recreational cycling a lot easier. If you go into the "history" (I think) tab on the site you should see some training photos. I'll give some thought to making a thread on it if folks here think it's of interest.

I'm interested! Some police bike training exercises from Boone, NC:

 

[Nomadmax]

I'm interested! Some police bike training exercises from Boone, NC:

I'm one of the orginal authors of that training program, I first taught it in Dayton, Ohio. That's a good video, the training lasts 4 days, our school is 5 days. I still attend/teach at our school even though I'm retired. Truth be told, I stand around a lot.

As to the TV show Pacific Blue, I was friends with the technical director and was able to be at some of the filming. The cast were better riders than the video let on and Hans did do stunt work, he's a great guy. One of the other stunt riders was David Brinton, a former racer. Out of everyone on set, Rick Rossovich was the absolute nicest guy (but they all were) and was truly interested in how things would be done in real life. He was also the best rider.