![]() The 8.6 DS is essentially a 700c suburban hybrid with 30 gears, a fairly basic SR Suntour 63mm travel suspension fork, 20mm of almost invisible elastomer damped suspension out back and hydraulic disc brakes. Fisher spends much of his time these days promoting the bicycle as a simply logical means of transport, but he was also very influential in the popularity of 700c wheels on MTBs. A 'Gary Fisher Collection' logo on the seat tube is a reminder that this one of the small collection of Trek bikes that owe influence to one of the founding fathers of mountain biking. Other models in the range, climbing in price by around £100 at a time, are equipped with suspension forks, rising all the way up to our test bike, which comes with a small amount of rear suspension built subtly into the seat stays. Trek DS (Dual Sport) bikes are described as 'the ultimate hybrid: part refined city bike, part adventurous trail ride.' The £400 8.1 entry model of six bikes in the range has a rigid frame and fork, which in most respects is what we'd see as a plain and practical hybrid. Surprisingly fast on both blacktop and trail, it's difficult to find fault with if you're looking for a comfortably casual all-rounder. You can read both positives and negatives into that. In a sometimes confusingly categorised bike market where the hybrid tag can encompass all manner of on and off road sub groupings, this jack of all trades comes close to being the master of compromise. ![]() ![]() The Trek 8.6 DS ia an interesting blend of ideals both on the road and off - It's competent and comfortable in most scenarios but with some compromises.
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