trek factory tours

Factory Tour: Trek Bicycle Company’s Waterloo Headquarters, Part 1

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Our visit to FrostBike this year meant braving the Northern snow covered roads from here to Minneapolis, but it also meant that we had time for brief pit stop in Waterloo to check out what was going on at Trek’s headquarters. It dawned on us that we have never done a true “factory visit” with Trek and it just so happened that the timing worked out perfectly, and we were treated to one of the most comprehensive tours I’ve ever been a part of. As the central nervous system of Trek’s operations, the Waterloo, WI HQ was bustling with activity throughout.

Take a walk through Trek’s halls with us after the break.

Trek’s current campus (first image) resides just on the outskirts of Waterloo, across the street from Briess’ Waterloo Malthouse (if you’re a homebrewer, or really into beer, the delicious malt smells will drive you crazy). However, Trek’s roots spread out from the original red barn shown above where Dick Burke and Bevil Hogg first started making steel touring frames in 1976. In 1980, when Burke recognized the need for expansion to increase their manufacturing capacity, Trek broke ground on their new facility where it currently resides. The original barn is still used by Trek, and an additional building was built adjacent to it to house machines, and other secret stuff that we couldn’t see.

Waterloo is also home to the Farm which houses the Trek owned and maintained Jim’s Trails – which have become Trek’s in house testing grounds so to speak. If you’ve attended Trek World, then you know how good some of the trails are, and they are constantly being improved. We were told they just recently added a new pump track jump line, unfortunately the snow kept us from experiencing it first hand.

As you walk into Trek’s HQ, their mantra is pretty clear, “We believe in Bikes.”

On the other side of the atrium there is a beautiful tribute to Trek’s co-founder and chairman, Dick Burke who sadly passed away in 2008. Dick’s story is told through his son and current head of Trek, John Burke in the moving book, One Last Great Thing.

Representative samples of various eras and styles of Trek’s bicycles greet you as you enter with some of Trek’s earliest steel touring bikes on display. It should probably go without saying, but Trek’s headquarters have had a Lance scrubbing, removing any reference to the Texan. Instead, the new design focuses on bikes in general and the amazing places they can take you, rather than one specific athlete.

Throughout Trek’s offices, group layout is used so that employees are stationed together to perform similar tasks. When you walk into Trek, the marketing/communications side is on the right,  and the business/finance department is on the left, though they are reversed in the photo above. There were some clear differences in the layout and office furniture of the two groups  – perhaps working with the whole left brain/right brain thing?

Even though the business/finance department has to deal with a sea of cubes, at least they had this sweet keggerator on their side. Sadly, it was empty save for a lone Modello tall boy.

Not too far away from the business group are the offices for Ascend – Trek’s Point of Sale system that many Trek retailers use to run their shops. Sure, it’s not the most glamorous part of Trek’s offices, but having the offices on site allows for easy collaboration between Trek’s other offices and Ascend, which in turn means better support for the dealers – like when your database computer catches on fire, and the Ascend team has to rebuild it from scratch (true story).

Believe it or not, Trek has not always had their own photography and video studio. Bringing everything on site made the logistics of developing creative for various uses quite a bit easier as you can imagine. Plus, there are oil paintings of Gary Fisher, which is always cool. Examples of past work lined the walls next to mannequins in storage.

Trek’s design studio certainly doesn’t look like the typical office setting as you enter. The idea was to create a welcoming space that projected the design aspects to be conveyed in the future bicycles.

Various artwork of Trek’s graphic designers graced the walls as you entered.

Paint, anyone? In an immense display of color, nearly every current shade of paint that Trek has at its disposal was displayed on actual bicycle tubes to help designers choose colors. Just to the right of the photo is the color viewing station that replicates most common spectrums of light so you can see exactly how the paint will look in daylight, fluorescent light, etc. The frames on the wall are various sizes so designers can figure out graphic placement and size on future bikes.

Much of the design room was off limits not only for us to show, but for us to even see. However, this beautiful bicycle design exercise wasn’t off limits. Labeled the 2013 MTB form concept, the design is supposed to be agile, tense, technical, and integrated. Clearly, this was never intended to be a rideable bike, but the striking design may signal future MTB design cues.

One thing you’ll notice if you visit Trek at any point, is that they seem to always be rearranging. Things change, and in order to improve efficiency or create new procedures, the building is reorganized. This part used to be the model bike shop that Trek used to educate retailers, but due to the new store in Madison taking its place, the space is being repurposed.

Like any great bike company, Trek’s cafe is not your typical cafeteria. Bright and airy with vintage Trek bikes and cycling jerseys adorning the walls, employees are treated to an awesome spread for lunch on a daily basis. Want to know what part of Wisconsin your burger came from today? Check the board. Utilizing as much local produce, meats, and cheese as possible, the food is first class – fresh made gourmet sushi, anyone? Interestingly, Trek uses a sort of “junk food tax” placed on the unhealthier options to help subsidize healthier choices like the colossal salad bar spread and keep costs down to eat healthy. Even so, nothing was expensive making it easy for employees to eat well on a daily basis. The cafe also has a library of various books available to any employee on a regular basis.

In order to keep employees healthy and happy, especially in the dead of winter, Trek has a full wellness center on site with a complete gym, aerobics studio, and nearly ever exercise contraption you could imagine. It’s no surprise that next to the stationary bikes in the gym were a set of rollers. Employees can sign up for fitness classes or take part in weight loss challenges that include nutritional coaching on how and what to eat to stay healthy.

 In addition to looking out for their own employees, Trek also looks out for others with advocacy projects like the latest Project One Team MTN-Qhubeka project. MTN-Qhubeka is Africa’s first Pro Continental team that is part racing, part philanthropy thanks to their ties to Qhubeka, a South African based program that provides buffalo bikes to children in rural areas in exchange for community service – picking up trash, and the like. The children are able to get their own bikes in addition to bikes for their families  with Qhubeka having already distributed over 40,000 bikes with a goal of 200,000 by 2020. In addition to being the bike sponsor for the team, Trek is now donating 200 dollars from every Madone, Domane, or Speed Concept purchased with the MTN-Qhubeka team Project One paint scheme. The money is more than enough for a Buffalo bike meaning those buying a MTN-Qhubeka team Project One bike will actually be buying two bikes, one for themselves and one for a child in Africa.

 In addition to bikes and bikes everywhere, the hallways at Trek are no stranger to a little workplace humor.

Expecting more of the above? This is a sneak peek at what is in store for parts 2 and 3. As you may be able to tell, a visit to Trek is very difficult to portray in just one post. Make sure to check back as we get into what you really want to see – a first hand look at Trek’s in-house OCLV carbon manufacturing and race bike and prototype development!

Make sure to check out parts 2 and 3!

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor . He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Were are the photos of Lance?

factory?? you say factory?? where are the machines??

@sr.lobo – please read the last paragraph and tune in for the next segments

Who? No one by that name lives… or lived here.

What, no Lance jerseys or bikes?

Too bad this company was once affiliated and sponsored a doper. They really should change their name to Bontrager and shake off those dark days.

Been there. Total lobby reno post-Lance.

Here’s the million dollar question – how many giant photos of Lance used to be hanging up at Trek?

I smiled when I saw the poster with Jesse Lalonde’s name on it. I still have the Bianchi BUSS he sold me many moons ago and it’s still a great bike.

Eyal – I would hate to have to learn the new names of every major bike company on the planet.

Every bike maker who sponsored or sponsors a pro team also sponsors dopers. Shut the hell up about Trek already.

Think it can use one more… . 🙂 Where are those Lance posters? it’ll be collector items some day. Trek milked the Lance cow more than any dopers in the peleton, in the expenses of others…. So, it deserves some ridicule.

So sick of hearing about doping. I never liked Lance Robot, but seriously who cares unless you are a pro trying to compete with it.

ok. forget Lance… how about they install have a live-action display showing them brutally beating Greg LeMond with a lead pipe.

I started a shop with a friend in ’79 and we sold Motobecanes (when they were french) and Treks. the roots of this company are very cool. Easy to lose sight of that now that they are so big, and their sponsorship of Lance. Now when I think of them I think of how they forced their dealers to drop competing brands, or lose Trek. My favorite LBS lost Fisher and Lemond because they wouldn’t stock Trek. too bad..

Brings back memories of my visit to the two Trek factories in Wi. Never got up into the cafeteria but did see some cool wheel building setups and carbon work. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3.

Trek new about Lance’s doping. Trek new about all of Lance’s team mates systematically doping. It did not matter at the time, because it was financially advantages for Trek. Trek knowingly supported a doper for its own benefit. I am not saying to buy a Trek or not, nor to support them or not. But we should all know the facts before making any decisions.

its crazy how much has change since lance-gate. the lobby used to be a shrine of shorts.. it is a pretty neat building though.

Where is the giant sign in the lobby apologizing to Greg?

Check all the doors. I bet one room leads to the “room of shame” where they’ve chucked all the Lance trinkets. Here Australia Trek have not supported any of the smaller shops that carried their product (many with 20+ yrs of support). Then as a customer one looks at the spec of a Trek and one has to say low spec hi price I’ll by brand X instead. About the only thing that sits okay in my mind about Trek is their support of the Pro team Marco Polo Cycling. Trek are certainly not a bike I would consider buying any more.

“One thing you’ll notice if you visit Trek at any point, is that they seem to always be rearranging. Things change…”

Yeah, Lance is a liability hide all his paraphernalia.

(deleted), they sponsored a man who was the best and who was the best under same circumstances as the other riders… year he was doped, but he is still the biggest star in cycling ever, and why do people forget about what he have done for cycling sport in especially the US… and what about Livestrong should we forget that 2?…. (deleted) 🙂

More of a showroom rather than a factory, wrong title for the article, factory in China sweet heart.

lets get real, mass produced junk with lots of dosh behind it. simply soul-less

haters gonna hate…and then keep on riding their other-brand sh!t bikes

silly sheep

@ Michael – Livestrong? Are you serious? That is a TOTAL scam and a front for Lance to take cancer peoples money. Shame on you!

Haters gonna hate…let em hate and have their choices in bikes dictated by their pointless irrational hate that originates from something that probably has zero impact on their personal cycling experiences…I’ll let the quality of bikes do the talking. Trek makes great bikes….just like Specialized, Santa Cruz, Pivot, Niner, Giant, Banshee, Kona, Yeti, Pinarello etc…

Good luck to anyone that ever tries to get Trek to stand behind their frame warranty, even for a obvious manufacturing flaw. From what I have experienced Trek has lost sight of what made them great. I sold all my Treks 3 years ago and @ taylor I am loving my other sh!t brand bikes 😉

Had zero problems getting Trek to warranty frames that have come into our shop.

Call them up, take pictures, send them in, and frame on the way.

Maybe your local shop wasn’t following through on their end?

I hope they’re reading these comments and know that people like me who have purchased many Trek bicycles never will again until they make a formal apology to Greg LeMond for how they treated him during the Lance Armstrong years

They sponsored a dude who was popular and helped sell their brand which made them money. Its a business, and that is what they do. As soon as they saw him hurting their business, they pulled out. There isn’t much more to it than that. Everything people complain about after the fact has no basis as its always easy to look back and criticize. A business can only prosper based on a currant situation regardless if it turns out to be a mistake later. Sure, they are pushy with their dealers, but that again is a choice that they made to maximize profits. I hate it as much as the next person, but how else should a business operate?

Five fat blokes in the healthgy options cafeteria and an empty wellness centre…..just sayin’

I have it on good authority that dealers were complaining they couldn’t sell anything with GL’s name on it. I get why he was upset, but a little tact would have gone a long way.

Where do they keep the lawyers?

Trek = Full of sht company if thee ever was one..

@Trey R – “…but how else should a business operate?” Ethically, perhaps…like many other successful companies have chosen to do.

No matter how you feel about Lance or Trek, you’ve all reduced this really interesting article to a stupid pissing match. Congratulations.

All of the top-end 6/7 series road bikes and 9 series/Apollo mountain bikes are built in Wisconsin. Sure, that’s a small fraction of their product line but it’s more than any other big company can claim. If nothing else, let’s be happy that the sport we all love is big enough to support major companies like Trek and its competitors. Although it would be great if we were all riding really neat, hand-built frames from a small builder or boutique brand, not everyone can or will do that. Love it or hate it, big companies like Trek bring more people into cycling than any group of small companies ever will and companies like Trek play a huge part in moving our sport forward.

And since we’re bemoaning the same scandal that every other comment thread invariably digresses to, I’ll point out that every manufacturer in the pro tour the past twenty years has sponsored dopers. It’s a terrible and ugly stain on our sport but it happened. We can’t change it. It’s done. Relentlessly dwelling on who-talked-to-who or speculating about who-knew-what doesn’t accomplish anything except getting everyone more fed up.

I worry about the ever-growing scandal hurting cycling not because of its direct impact and implications, but because of the way cyclists are handling it. If we let this bring us down it’s our own fault.

As others have said, Trek knew about Lance and supported him anyway right up to the last possible second. They also treated LeMond like garbage. Lance may have done a lot for cycling but he did it for himself and now he has done great damage to cycling. Sponsors are dropping like flies as they don’t want to be associated with a doper sport. I’ve seen Trek bikes since the early 80’s at least and always found them boring. Most of their bikes are made by Giant anyway so you are better off just buying a Giant with better components for the same or usually a lesser price than buying a Trek. Also their CEO is a big Bushsupporter and tea party weenie and for me at least that doesn’t help.

I love how all the most irrational, factless, comments are made by people who also cannot spell or grasp basic grammer…just saying.

Most of the comments on this forum are so off point, I just needed to comment.

First-off, yes, Lance is an embarassment. Not just to Trek, but American Cycling and International Cycling as a whole. But he was just one of many. People continue to vilinize him becasue he was the most visible offender, but really, all of cycling was on the take and profited from doping. Rather than continue to place all of the blame on Lance, why dont you take some responsibility for your role in the issue? Do you think all of this could have happened, if everyone in cycling didn’t have their head burried in the sand?

Second, Trek is an extremely philanthropic company. To question their ethics, is to not know any of the facts. They, and their owners, have donated tens of millions to chairities, local and international. Trek treats it’s employees far better than most companies of the same size (which was evidence in the article). They have also done amazing things for bicycle advocacy at the local levels thorughout the country. In fact, Madison WI, very near to Trek, is one of the top bicycling cities in the country, due in no small part, to advocacy on Trek’s side. Finally, their whole facility in Waterloo runs on wind energy, which is further than 95% of manufacturing in this country has ever gone for sustainble operations.

Finally, like it or not, Trek still makes a solid/great product. I have taken a tour at their facility also, and I have seen their test lab, and the extensive testing they do to all their product. They take product well beyond the normal conditions that it would see, to make sure it will stand-up. They still build bikes in both Waterloo, WI and Whitewater, WI (granted they are the highend bikes). I understand supporting smaller craft bike builders, but I think it is rediculous to sign-off on one of the few larger companies that is doing it right, at their size.

It’s a tough balance, but no big bike company has a clean record. Lance was a golden goose, it would not have made business sense to cut him loose at his peak.

Lance is gone even from their youtube videos…

@ Joshua Trek does not make any MTB in the US any more. And to top it off, the Trek rep encourages the dealers in the territory I used to work in to pull the made in China/Taiwan stickers off the bikes and blatantly lie to customers.

They can go F–k themselves! and yes I do have a problem with them.

@Trek B….. You are completely wrong about that. Trek at least makes the carbon Session in the US still. You will see for yourself in part 3.

How could someone who has pushed as hard for national government funding of bicycle infrastructure as John Burke has, be a “tea party weenie” ?

@ J-ride: it’s spelled ‘grammar’, not ‘grammer’. Just saying….

My god, the comments are terrible. 10-15 years ago, I hated Trek for what I knew about Lance and Cancer research. The machine back then was at its worst. Oddly, I am pretty certain half of the haters here were fanboys back then. Now, I just bought a project one Madone 7, something I swear I would not do. I tried it, it rode great, I bought it. This report confirms to me that Trek is a strong firm business.

Now I actually think Trek is a great company and now fanboys are unleashing the same venom I had 10 years ago. I hate to say it, but you’re a bunch of freds… Big fat mamil freds.

@ Andy, “Grammer” was purposeful. It is called irony, but if you looked closer you would have seen that I did forget to spell check, and there are a number of other spelling/typing errors.

Less type, more ride. Put your keyboards and KY down and go ride.

Do you people howling about Lance, and Trek’s support of him, realize that every bike manufacturer that sponsor’s racing in some form or another have done so with a doper amongst their ranks? When doping permeates 90% of the professional ranks for the last 20 years, it’s inevitable that bike makers are going to have juiced up athlete’s powering their machines. Please tell me where to turn for a top flight bike with a proven pedigree that has never had a doper ride it? Answer? They don’t exist. Trek makes great bikes, period. If you don’t want one, fine, go buy something else, just be aware whatever your choice is, I can point to a doper who had some success with it. Trek has been awesome for the industry overall and Trek has forced other companies to up their game, so even if you don’t buy one you are still getting the benefit or what Trek has done for the industry, and that’s not a good thing, it’s a great thing.

if its not Lance photo.shirts there , then I dont need Trek.. I dont need nothing from Trek.. I will throw away all my 4 Trek bicycles….. Lance are the best ever

If you don’t purchase something from a company for the people they paid to represent their brand that is just fine. I just hope you do it across the board. Don’t drink another Michelob, eat another Honey Stinger or FRS product, wear another Nike or Oakley product, never use another Motorola item or a Bissell vacuum and stop using the US Postal Service. And remember that he used to ride Merckx bikes and wear Specialized helmets and shoes. And he rode Litespeed bikes disguised as other brands. What else is out there? Subaru, Discovery Channel, Radio Shack, Nissan, Bell Sports, I don’t think Pacific ever supported him so that is a safe choice. Good luck on your persecution!

Lance and all the others all were doping & the dope only does so much. He & the rest are still amazing athletes. That being said Trek is and always has been a great bike . I don’t know about the politics of the owners but we all can’t be democrats. I have a project 1 Madrone & a top of the line carbon Lemond. I saw Greg win in France in 1990 & am proud to own a Lemond. I have also sold many Treks to friends sending them to East Coasters in Blacksburg,Va. Other than my handmade Ritchey bike all mine are Treks. I hope they continue to make U.S.A. bikes right where they are forever….

thee best bikes on earth!! http://youtu.be/RNGOFsn4FIs

Follow Us On

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

• Subscribers
• EDITORS PICK // TOP TWO CYCLING LIGHTS FOR 2023
• TOP TWO CYCLING LIGHTS FOR 2023
• TECH TUESDAY: DEALINGS WITH SHIMANO DI2
• ALL ABOUT WIND TRAINERS AND INDOOR CYCLING
• WHAT YOUR PRESTA VALVE CAPS ARE ACTUALLY FOR
• BIKE TEST: ALLIED ECHO
• ALL ABOUT AIR & HOW-TO FIGHT FLAT TIRES
• PINARELLO F SERIES – WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALL-NEW RACE BIKES
• CANNONDALE UNVEILS SLEEK 2023 ROAD LINE-UP
• THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2015: ALEX DOWSETT BREAKS THE HOUR RECORD

Inside Trek World, Part Three: A Walking Tour Of The Factory

Michael White

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

Tour De France Champ Moves To Spanish Team

Tour of Utah Rolls On

THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2018: FROM THE PRO PELOTON TO SHIMANO TEST RIDER

THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2014: ROCKIN’ THE ROCK COBBLER GRAVEL RACE

THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2008: BOB ROLL’S 8 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT ITALY

THROWBACK THURSDAY, 2008: MEMORIES OF TEAM LANCE – BEFORE THE FALL

Comments are closed.

Privacy Overview

Trek Bicycle Factory Tour

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Trek Bicycle Factory Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Spring Classics

Trek Factory Tour – From Rolls Of Carbon Fiber To Complete Bikes In Waterloo, Wisconsin

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

We tour Trek's home facility in Waterloo, WI, where carbon frames are made in the USA, painted and assembled into bikes.

LIKE and SHARE this video!

Subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN Get exclusive GCN gear in the GCN store! http://gcn.eu/BuyGCNKit_ Sign up to the GCN newsletter: http://gcn.eu/gcnnewsletter

We take a look behind the scenes at Trek's USA factory. As one of the only major brands still making carbon fiber frames in the USA, this was an incredible opportunity to find out just how carbon fiber is transformed from big rolls of fiber into finished bikes like the Madone.

Also, the factory is home to Trek's paintshop, where many all of their Project One bikes are painted up.

More on Trek: http://gcn.eu/TrekBikesGCN More on Project One: http://gcn.eu/_Project_One

More factory tours on GCN ▶︎ http://gcn.eu/GCNFactoryTours Aluminium vs Carbon Fiber bikes – what's the difference? ▶︎ http://gcn.eu/2aS0NMU

Buy NEW GCN cycling kit, casual wear and accessories in the GCN Shop: http://gcn.eu/TheGCNShop

Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Thanks to our sponsors:

Santini cycling kit: http://gcn.eu/1SFf8PV KASK helmets: http://gcn.eu/1FrbcHK fi’zi:k shoes and saddles: http://gcn.eu/1tsXI7S and http://gcn.eu/1KxBGd5 Topeak tools: http://gcn.eu/1Lc4HAj Canyon bikes: http://gcn.eu/1Oge4gz Muc-Off: http://gcn.eu/1XlT5Og Science in Sport: http://gcn.eu/1GrXo6n Ass Savers: http://gcn.eu/1XlTmkm Orbea bikes: http://gcn.eu/1oks6GH Trek Bicycles: http://gcn.eu/1RUwyGf Vision wheels: http://gcn.eu/1qHTlMu Zipp wheels: http://gcn.eu/1OcMUv5 Powertap: http://gcn.eu/1XlfT2p power2max: http://gcn.eu/1sdoPva Rotor: http://gcn.eu/1q3vtCo Reynolds: http://gcn.eu/1JjCDVL

YouTube Channel - http://gcn.eu/gcnYT Facebook - http://gcn.eu/gcnFb Google+ - http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus Twitter - http://gcn.eu/gcnTW GCN newsletter - http://gcn.eu/gcnnewsletter

Leave us a comment below!

Latest Videos

1 I Love This Bike But It Has To Go!

2 I Tried To Finish The Tour Of Flanders With Just 8 Weeks Of Training

3 Can We Hold A Pro's Wheel On The Toughest Cobbles?

4 Roubaix's Biggest Tech Fails

5 Paris-Roubaix: Should Pros Use Suspension?

More GCN videos

I Tried To Finish The Tour Of Flanders With Just 8 Weeks Of Training

I Tried To Finish The Tour Of Flanders With Just 8 Weeks Of Training After 8 challenging weeks of training aided by Wahoo SYSTM, Cillian is gearing up to take on the Tour of Flanders, known as one of the most challenging sportives in the world. Is he prepared for its cobbled paths, daunting climbs, and the 160 kilometres of road that lie ahead at the Ronde van Vlaanderen? Will he manage to make it across the finish line?

Can We Hold A Pro's Wheel On The Toughest Cobbles?

What does it take to keep up with a pro on the toughest cobbled sections of the famous Paris-Roubaix course? We sent Conor and Hank to find out! And we didn't just find any pro, they're taking on Belgian Lawrence Naesen - who has been a World Tour pro for over 6 years with the likes of AG2R and the now named Lotto DSTNY, and practically grew up on the cobbles...

Paris-Roubaix: Should Pros Use Suspension?

Paris-Roubaix is host to some of the toughest cycling conditions imaginable. One way to make them easier is to use suspension, softening out those blows. The tech has improved, so should the pros think more about their setups? Let's take a look! Want to know more about the first time suspension was used at Paris-Roubaix? Click here 👉https://gcn.eu/aCj

Up Close With The Roubaix Cobbles

Up Close With The Roubaix Cobbles In this video we ride and review the toughest sections of the 2024 Paris-Roubaix race route to find out exactly how brutal its legendary cobbles really are. We explore Roubaix's iconic pavé up close, discovering how bone shaking, teeth-chattering, and bike-breaking this surface really is!

Subscribe to the GCN Newsletter

Get the latest, most entertaining and best informed news, reviews, challenges, insights, analysis, competitions and offers - straight to your inbox

Factory Tours

Celebrating american imagination and industry.

• Pinkbike.com
• Register New User
• First Looks
• Friday Fails
• Community Blogs
• Fantasy League DH
• Places Directory

Doing it Our Way: Trek Factory Visit

Cool Features

Tailwind on every ride? – See e-bike trips

Book your fall training now – see Ride Camps

European Classic booking fast – see the trips

• Request a Catalog
• 866-464-8735

Select Date Range

Modal title, popular searches.

California Wine Country Bike Tour

Croatia and The Dalmatian Coast Bike Tour

Mallorca 7-Day Ride Camp Bike Tour

Tuscany Bike Tour

Bikes & Gear

We know that the bike you ride plays an important role in making your vacation truly memorable. That’s why, we go the extra mile to ensure you have the best cycling experience possible, offering world-class Trek bikes and top-of-the-line equipment at no extra charge. Whether you’re excited about the all-new, Trek Domane SL 7 with electronic shifting, or prefer the boost of our electric-assist bikes, we’ve got the perfect option waiting for you. And that’s not all! Every Trek Travel trip comes with a special discount on your next Trek bike purchase.

So what are you waiting for? Step up, clip in, shift down, and get ready to ride the best bikes in the business on a cycling vacation of a lifetime.

Our Trek Bikes

A bike is more than a tool. It’s a ticket to your next adventure. And a good ride on a great bike can make memories of a lifetime. That’s why we don’t offer anything less than the top-of-the-line Trek Bikes on every trip.

Trek Domane SL 7

Experiencing your cycling vacation of a lifetime is not complete without a world-class bike and the Trek Domane is the King of the road ride. It raises the bar to deliver incredible endurance road bike comfort without sacrificing performance and features highly responsive disc brakes and electronic shifting. This new bike is lighter than ever before, and carbon wheels come standard on every bike.

Included in trip price. Not offered on select destinations. See trip pages for details.

Trek Verve+ Electric Hybrid

With its low-step frame design, front suspension, and the barely-there Bosch electric motor, the Verve+ has one goal: pure enjoyment. Get a boost up the hills when you need it, and never feel a pedal stroke behind.

  Not offered on Level-4 trips and select destinations. Contact us to learn more.

Specialty & Upgrade Bikes

Whether you’re seeking an elegant road ride that includes a boost for challenging climbs or aiming to dominate unpaved adventures with the best gravel bikes in the industry, our specialty and upgrade bikes are guaranteed to offer the comfort you need on and the performance you expect.

Trek Domane+ SLR 7

The upgrade you need for any grade you’ll ride up. Experience all of the pleasure, and none of the guilt with the ultra-lightweight design and high-speed assist of the Domane+ SLR 7. This performance e-road bike will help you fly up mountains, hang with fast group, and take every curve with confidence. So go ahead – take the long way.

Available on  select trips .  including  gravel bike tours  where they are specially outfitted with 40cm Bontrager GR1 tires

Upgrade to the Domane+ SLR7 for only $399 (3-6 Day Trips) or $599 (7+ Day Trips)

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7

Sometimes the road ahead isn’t a road at all. With a high-performance frame designed to be nimble yet stable, and the smoothing effect of rear IsoSpeed technology, the Checkpoint SLR 7 chews up any surface like it was made of butter. And the GRX groupset with integrated clutch in the rear derailleur is made for the bumps to hit every shift, every time. Disc brakes give you maximum stopping power, and 45mm tubeless tires will leave you confidence on every corner.

Trek Domane SL 5 Disc

The Trek Domane SL 5 Disc is the perfect bike for your North America self-guided trip. Trek’s latest innovation has led to the best bike on the road—a light weight, stable and technologically advanced machine to make even the hardest roads seem smooth and easy. Ride confidently, comfortably and longer in the most beautiful destinations around the world We think you’ll like this bike so much, you’ll want to get one of your own!

Trek Domane AL 5 Disc

Sometimes, carbon can be overkill. That’s why Trek delivers the best aluminum bike on the road—a lightweight, stable, and technologically advanced machine to make every road seem smooth and easy while the disc brakes make stopping safe and secure. It’s every bit a race machine, only made for the rest of us.

Additional Gear for Your Ride

Great rides are safe rides, and Trek Travel provides the best gear when it comes to keeping you safe and seen on the road. From the most advanced helmet tech, disc brakes, and powerful Flare R lights, to certified mechanics on every trip—you can enjoy the scenery without the worry. It’s safe to say, no other tour operator goes the extra mile like we do.

Bontrager Wavecel Helmet

WaveCel is revolutionary helmet safety tech that’s available exclusively in Trek and Bontrager bike helmets. It’s designed to be more effective than traditional foam helmets by better managing the rotational forces that can occur in certain cycling accidents. You only get one brain, it’s worth protecting.

Available sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large

Garmin Edge 1030

The Garmin Edge 1030 comes equipped with a 3.5″ high-resolution display for maximum visibility, comprehensive navigation and everything you need to track your ride. This GPS computer offers advanced performance monitoring, turn-by-turn navigation, and the Garmin Cycle Map, which notifies you of upcoming turns, elevation data, points of interest and new route generation to explore a destination on your terms. Simple to use, turn by turn instructions at the tip of your finger with the day’s ride pre-loaded for you, plus all the standard information you need.

*North American Self-Guided trips are equipped with the Garmin 830

Ride with GPS

Now you can store your itinerary, guide and hotel contacts all within the Ride With GPS app on your phone or tablet. It’s a modern-day replacement to your standard vacation folder. You can also see each day’s route options and navigate with turn-by-turn directions right from your phone. And the best part? You don’t have to be connected to WiFi or data to use it.

Learn more about what the Ride with GPS Experience can do for you  right here»

Flare R Lights

We make every ride safer with the first taillight designed for daylight visibility. Flare R’s balanced optics set off with a powerful CREE LED can be seen from over 2km day or night. 65 Lumens and 270 degrees of visibility help make you the biggest distraction on the road.

Shimano R540 Road Pedals

This pedal works with any road Shimano SPD-SL cleat to offer a wide platform for efficient transfer of power. If you prefer flat pedals or pedals with cages, we also have those available on every trip. This pedal is compatible with SPD-SL cleats.

We can also provide flat or caged pedals on all of our bikes.

Shimano M520 Mountain Bike Pedals

This pedal works with any touring or mountain Shimano SPD cleat and can be adjusted to fit your desired tension. If you prefer flat pedals or pedals with cages, we also have those available on every trip. This pedal is compatible with  SPD cleats .

Hiking + Walking Gear

Join our Hiking + Walking Tours and leave the planning to us. With tools like GPS navigation, hiking poles, and backpacks provided, you’re set for a comfortable and safe exploration. The path to adventure is clear—all you need to do is walk it.

Inclusions:

• Hiking Poles*
• Technical T-Shirt
• Insulated Water Bottle 
• Ride with GPS navigation experience

*Available for use during the trip. For your comfort, we highly recommend packing your own.

The Apparel

On every Signature, Reserve, Cross Country, and Pro Race Trek Travel trip, you will receive a complimentary Trek Travel cycling jersey. We are proud to partner with Santini, the official clothing sponsor of the Trek Factory Racing Teams to provide a jersey that delivers podium worthy performance and vacation ready style. And when you return home, sport your Trek Travel jersey for instant travel nostalgia. We’ll be sure to give you a high five if we spot you on the road. 

Please note, we do not send out guest jerseys for our Discover, Ride Camp, or Self-Guided trips

Classic Cycling Jersey

On every Signature, Reserve, and Pro Race Trek Travel trip, you will receive a complimentary Trek Travel cycling jersey. We are proud to partner with Santini, the official clothing sponsor of the Trek Factory Racing Teams to provide a jersey that delivers podium worthy performance and vacation ready style. And when you return home, sport your Trek Travel jersey for instant travel nostalgia. We’ll be sure to give you a high five if we spot you on the road. 

Jersey Sizing | Exchange Form

Cross-Country USA
Cycling Jersey

On our Cross-Country USA trip, you’ll receive a custom kit to commemorate the remarkable achievements of your 47-day, 3,786-mile journey across 15 states, taking you from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine.

Trek Domane SL 7 Components:

• Aeolus Pro 37 Carbon wheelset
• Shimano R8170 12-speed Di2 components
• Shimano Ultegra Disc Brakeset
• 11-34T cassette
• Rear IsoSpeed Decoupler
• Bontrager Verse Comp saddle
• Optional : Women’s Specific Bontrager Yatra Elite saddle
• Garmin GPS Computer

Trek Domane SL 7 Availability:

Available in sizes (cm):  44, 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62

Not available for select destinations. See trip pages for details or contact your Trip Consultant for trip-specific availability.

Trek Verve+ Electric Hybrid Components:

• Shimano 9-Speed Drivetrain
• Bosch Active Line Plus drive unit
• Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• Bontrager Boulevard saddle
• Bosch 500WH Removable Integrated Battery
• Max Assistance Speed: 20 MPH (32 km/h) in U.S. / 15 MPH (24 km/h) in Europe

Trek Verve+ Electric Hybrid Availability:

Available sizes: Small, Medium, Large (frame sizes are first come, first served)

Subject to availability. Not offered on Avid / Level-4 trips and on select destinations.

Some of our trips offer the Trek Verve+ 2 or the Trek Verve+ 3. See trip pages for details.

Trek Domane+ SLR 7 Electric Road Bike Components:

• Shimano R8150 Di2 Series components
• Bontrager Verse Elite saddle
• Aeolus Pro 37 OCLV Carbon wheels
• TQ 250 watt motor
• TQ 360Wh battery
• Max Assistance Speed: 28 MPH (45 km/h) in U.S. / 15 MPH (24 km/h) in Europe

Trek Domane+ SLR 7 Electric Road Bike Availability:

Available sizes (cm): 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 (frame sizes are first come, first served)

Available on SELECT TRIPS. Please talk to your Trip Consultant to learn more.

Available on select GRAVEL BIKE TOURS, the Trek Electric-Assist Domane+ SLR 7 will be specially outfitted with 40cm Bontrager GR1 tires.

Upgrade to the Domane+ SLR7 for only $399 (3-6 Day Trips) or $599 (7+ Day Trips).

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7 Components:

• Aeolus Pro 37 Carbon wheelset with Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M Tubeless Tires
• Shimano GRX 2X 11-speed Di2 components
• Shimano GRX Disc Brakeset

Trek Checkpoint SLR 7 Availability:

Available in sizes (cm): 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

Available in 2023 on GRAVEL BIKE TOURS. Contact your Trip Consultant to learn more.

Trek Domane SL 5 Disc Components:

• Bontrager Paradigm SL Wheelset
• Shimano 105 R7100 12-speed components
• Shimano 105 Disc Brakeset
• Bontrager Verse Short Comp Saddle

Trek Domane SL 5 Disc Availability:

Available in sizes (cm): 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60

Available on all North American SELF-GUIDED trips.

Contact your Trip Consultant with any questions you may have.

Trek Domane AL 5 Disc Components:

• Lightweight Aluminum Frame
• IsoZone Handlebar with Carbon Fork
• Shimano R7000 105 Series components
• Bontrager P3 Verse Saddle

Trek Domane AL 5 Disc Availability:

Available in sizes (cm): 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61

Available on all 2023 SCOTLAND , ENGLAND , and IRELAND trips.

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate luxury:.

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - reserve:.

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Trek Project One bikes are handmade with unparalleled care in the world’s foremost bicycle research and development facility. Your custom Trek is one of a kind, and your experience of seeing it for the first time should be just as extraordinary. That’s why we’re opening our doors to you for the ultimate custom bike experience.

Choose your experience

Option 1 – Trek Factory Collection

After you’ve ordered your dream bike from your local Trek Retailer, come out to our Waterloo, Wisconsin headquarters to meet your bike and the people who brought it to life. This experience includes an exclusive VIP tour of Trek’s headquarters, a peek inside the design and manufacturing centre and the chance to ride your new bike on the famous Trek lunch ride. You’ll enjoy: - A VIP welcome with your own private concierge - A special unveiling of your Project One bike - A behind-the-scenes Trek factory tour - Meet-and-greet with the Trek development team - Lunch in the Trek café - A group lunch ride with Trek employees - Expert insight from the Trek Race Shop - Professional packing of your bike in your complimentary Scicon travel bag

Option 2 – Trek Factory Order

Visit Trek headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin, to discuss the plans for your new customised Project One bike and order it on-site. This experience includes a personal consultation with a designer and product experts. Once you place your order, we’ll bring your bike to life and send it to your preferred Trek retailer for assembly. You’ll enjoy: - A VIP welcome with your own private concierge - A behind-the-scenes Trek factory tour - A personal design and spec consultation - Meet-and-greet with the Trek development team · Lunch in the Trek café - A group lunch ride with Trek employees - One-to-one Project One ordering support - Expert insight from the Trek Race Shop

The Black Keys are launching their 2024 autumn tour in Oklahoma: What you need to know

The Black Keys are going to launch their newly announced 2024 North American headline tour in Oklahoma.

The six-time Grammy winners will kick off their fall "International Players Tour" Sept. 17 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Produced by Live Nation, the coast-to-coast tour will go on to New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with two dates in the band’s home state of Ohio.

The Head and The Heart will join the tour as direct support for select shows, including the Tulsa kick-off concert.

Fall tour to support The Black Keys' new album 'Ohio Players'

The Black Keys ' 31-city autumn tour will support their 12th studio album, "Ohio Players," due out Friday, April 5 via Nonesuch Records.

The follow-up to The Black Keys' 2022 album "Dropout Boogie," "Ohio Players" features collaborations with several of the rockers' friends and colleagues, including Beck, Noel Gallagher, Dan the Automator, Greg Kurstin, Juicy J and Lil Noid.

The album's lead single “Beautiful People (Stay High)" recently reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and AAA Airplay charts. Additional singles from the new album include “This Is Nowhere” and “I Forgot to Be Your Lover.”

The tour announcement follows two celebrated performances by The Black Keys at South by Southwest earlier this month in Austin, Texas, where they also debuted their new documentary, "This is a Film About The Black Keys," to rave reviews.

Formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001, The Black Keys are singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. After starting out playing small clubs, the band has gone on to sell out arena tours and has released 11 previous studio albums: their debut "The Big Come Up" (2002), followed by "Thickfreakness" (2003) and "Rubber Factory" (2004), along with their Nonesuch Records releases "Magic Potion" (2006), "Attack & Release" (2008), "Brothers" (2010), "El Camino" (2011), "Turn Blue" (2014), “Let’s Rock” (2019), "Delta Kream" (2021) and "Dropout Boogie" (2022).

When are tickets to The Black Keys' Oklahoma arena show going on sale?

Ahead of the North American leg of the tour, The Black Keys will trek to Europe to debut their new live show. Tickets for the UK and Europe shows are on-sale now.

Tickets to the band's North American tour kick-off show in Tulsa go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 5 and will be available online at www.bokcenter.com .

American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2 through 10 p.m. Thursday, April 4.

Tulsa ticket prices range from $59.75 to $199.75.

Trek Bicycle Factory Tour

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Trek Bicycle Factory Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Spoon Announces North American Tour in 2024

I ndie rock band Spoon is kicking off a decent run of tour dates throughout the United States and Canada this year, and they’re not going alone. The tour will feature a few fantastic supporting and to-support acts, including St. Vincent, A Giant Dog, The Revivalists, and Phantogram for select dates. The August-September trek will take the band (and friends) across both coasts and a couple of dates in Ontario. 

The first stop on the Spoon 2024 Tour will be on August 8 in Bend, Oregon at Hayden Homes with St. Vincent. The final date of the tour will be September 18 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Roxian Theatre with support from A Giant Dog.

Tickets to this tour are available through Spoon’s website . There are also a few tour dates on Ticketmaster where fans can access the artist presale event. General on-sale will begin on April 12 at 10:00 am local. If tickets sell out on the band’s site and Ticketmaster, give Stubhub a try. You might just find tickets to sold-out concert dates, and potentially at a lower price than face value. What do you have to lose?

Tickets are selling out fast, so reserve your spot to see Spoon live before it’s too late!

Spoon 2024 Tour Dates

August 8 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes (with St. Vincent)

August 9 – Carnation, WA – THING Festival

August 10 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory (with A Giant Dog)

August 11 – Park City, UT – Canyons Village (with A Giant Dog)

August 14 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks (with The Revivalists)

August 15 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks (with The Revivalists)

August 16 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up Aspen (with A Giant Dog)

September 6 – Fargo, ND – Outdoors at Fargo Brewing (with Phantogram)

September 10 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall (with A Giant Dog)

September 11 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre (with A Giant Dog)

September 13 – Fredericton, NB – Harvest Festival

September 14 – Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre (with A Giant Dog)

September 15 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground (with A Giant Dog)

September 17 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City (with A Giant Dog)

September 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre (with A Giant Dog)

Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The post Spoon Announces North American Tour in 2024 appeared first on American Songwriter .

Follow us on MSN: Click here