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First Look | Trek Lush Carbon 27.5 2016

29.07.2015
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Last weekend Trek World in Ulm, Germany staged the scene for the presentation of Trek’s 2016 bikes. Alongside a host of exciting fresh models stood the Lush Carbon, the female trail bike counterpart to the Fuel EX with its 120mm travel. But don’t be fooled, the designers at Trek have thought about much more than just adjusting the standover height!

With the Lush Carbon, Trek hope to have developed the ideal trail bike for women.
With the Lush Carbon, Trek hope to have developed the ideal trail bike for women.

The Lush is intended to score as high as possible when it comes to providing a fun and confidence-inspiring ride. Alongside the proven rear end concept that’s also employed on the male-orientated, 120mm-travel Trek Fuel EX, the designers at Trek have dug deep and thought hard about this design.
The significantly lower standover height is one of the first visible factors, created with a fluid dip in the top tube. A closer look reveals certain distinctive features, like the so-called Women’s Specific Design [WSD] suspension system. To guarantee control, performance and comfort, it’s essential to define the suspension to suit the rider’s weight and Trek have paid close attention to this.
Further back there’s more change afoot, as the DRCV damper, which was created exclusively for Trek by FOX, has been replaced by the new EVOL rear shock. With just one chamber, the new EVOL should match its predecessor’s performance but forsake the labors caused by the secondary air chamber.

Der Dämpfer des Lush wurde speziell auf das niedrigere Gewicht von Frauen abgestimmt.
The damper on the Lush has been specially tuned to suit the lower weight of female riders.
Unlike the overhaul of the suspension, the geometry of the Lush has remained the same.
Unlike the overhaul of the suspension, the geometry of the Lush has remained the same.

Unlike the rear shock’s replacement, the geometry of the Lush has remained the same and any other alternations when it comes to the spec have centred exclusively on the suspension. And after checking out the well-considered and consistent components, we wouldn’t consider it necessary.

Die SRAM X1-Gruppe kommt mit einem 32-Zähne-Kettenblatt. Hier werden sich einige Frauen leichtere Reservegänge wünschen. Abhilfe schafft ein kleineres Kettenblatt.
The SRAM X1 groupset comes with a 32-tooth cassette. A few women might be after some lower gearing – and the solution could be a smaller chainring.
ESI-Griffe sorgen für eine komfortable Verbindung zum Bontrager-Cockpit.
ESI grips give any hands a comfy home on the Bontrager cockpit.
Die Kind Shock LEV Integra-Sattelstütze sorgt durch ausreichend Verstellweg für die nötige Sicherheit auf dem Trail.
The Kind Shock LEV Integra dropper post boosts confidence and control on the trail with its decent amount of adjustment.
Die Bontrager Rhythm Comp-Laufräder sind tubeless-ready, der neue Boost-Standard kommt beim Lush noch nicht zum Einsatz.
The Bontrager Rhythm Comp wheels are tubeless-ready. The Lush hasn’t yet taken the new BOOST standard on board.

With its super cool dipped frame, brilliantly thought-out spec and clever features, the Lush is not a bike to hide away – and although this matt black version is nicely understated, it could be far brighter! And if that’s what you’re after then Trek’s Project One gives you the opportunity to combine pretty much any colour of your choosing. Below is an example of just one of the many colour schemes (example bike: Trek Top Fuel).

Mit dem Customize-Programm Project One ließe sich das Lush optisch um einiges aufwerten. (Beispielbike Trek Top Fuel)
With Trek’s Project One you can ramp up the Lush’s ability to get noticed.
(example: Trek Top Fuel)

Coming in four sizes, the Lush Carbon will retail at 5,499€. The more affordable aluminium models are already available, with prices from 3,199 € to 2,099 €. All of the Trek Lush models can be pre-ordered from your chosen dealer. We haven’t yet had chance to test the Lush out, but as soon as we get it rolling, you’ll be the first to hear about it on ENDURO.

More information will soon be available here: trekbikes.com/lush

Words: Daniel Schlicke Photos: Klaus Kneist

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