Trek Valencia Experience : Ride #10 (of 10)
Ride Type: Moderate commute
Distance: 8.6 miles
This will be my last, formal, “ride experience” review of the Trek Valencia. That said, if you’re in the market for this bicycle have no fear as I’ll continue to include insight on the bike on a regular basis.
Last Monday, I awoke to wet streets and some light drizzle but decided on a “GO” for the commute with the commitment to take my time, ride with caution and keep speeds way down. That worked very well until I was cruising down a hill, doing about 18mph, and made the mistake of moving over to the right in my lane to be give some cars behind me “a little more room”. A raised section of uneven pavement knocked the wheels from under me and sent me and the Valencia flying through the air before crashing into the pavement.
Flying through the air?
Yep.
The bike has absolutely no scratches on the right side that made contact with the ground. It did not scrape along the pavement – it was airborne – and landed on the right pedal (which was broken).
But enough about the crash…let’s look at some final insights on the Valencia:
- Pedals: The Valencia’s “weakest link”. It’s described as an “alloy pedal” but the center of the pedal is made of plastic while the ends (where the reflectors are attached) are aluminum. The folks at Bike World replaced the pedals with a set of all aluminum pedals that may be slightly heavier but have already noticeably improved my ride – my feet are staying put and I feel like I’m getting more power with each stroke.
- Ride Position: Love it! Nimble enough for fast downhills and flat cruising but upright enough to let you look straight down the road without torquing your upper back or neck.
- Brakes & Wheels: Wet weather handling is quite good between the disc brakes and the wider, 700×32 tires. I’ve been caught on smooth pavement at the beginning of a light rain before on my road bike with 700×23 tires where my every move felt like I was sliding. The choice of the beefier x32 width improves the Valencia’s ability to handle inclement weather.
In conclusion, it’s my opinion that the Valencia delivers a lot of commuter-friendly features at a competitive price point. If you’re in the market for a bike to commute to work, run errands and even go on a cycling tour, I’d give the Valencia a hard look.
Be sure to review my previous entries on the Valencia for more information.
Thank you so much for the review. I have been dying for a in depth of the bike! I also am a native San Antonion and love bikes as well, I’m 18 so still young by your standards most likely. Well I was wondering where you ordered the bike since I do plan on buying it for certain now thanks to you my good sir haha. Oh and what’s your opinion on bike shops near you? I mean there’s only one here on the south side and it is a bit on the low end sadly. I will be moving to the north side in August so any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated and I look forward to becoming a regular on your blog. Again thank you.
– Matt
Matt,
Welcome to the blog! I purchased my Valencia from the BikeWorld off Loop 1604 between Blanco & Stone Oak Parkway. They ordered the bike from Trek, assembled it and have been great at doing routine maintenance.
I think you'll enjoy the Valencia – it's a great bike!
Justin
Hello Justin,
I’m new to this bike thing… I was looking to buy the Valecia to begin commuting and after reading your blog, I am more confidence.
Thanks for your ten thorough pieces about your experiences with your Trek Valencia. I have been trying to figure what kind of commuter bicycle to buy, and I think I’ll look at a Valencia tomorrow.
Thanks for your great 10 reports and experiences about the Valencia. When I first saw this bike on the Trek web site I fell in love with it. After reading your blog I know this is the bike for me. You had me laughing out loud a few times while reading, not easy to do. The video was a great addition. I am going to order a Valencia tomorrow. Thanks for posting all this info, it has been enjoyable to read. Can`t wait for my own!!
Defintiely wanting to chime in here as well about your experiences. I’ve been on and off in terms of keeping tabs with your writings, but really like this and have it bookmarked and blogged as a reference.
The Valencia is on my short list (of one) bikes to get this year. Your posts have been very helpful in keeping there.
Thanks.
Thanks for your insights. They came a little late for me, but confirmed my decision this weekend to get a Valencia. Mine should arrive in about a week and I can’t wait.
I’ve been commuting pretty much year round in Michigan and Iowa for the last three years on my 20-year-old bought used Trek 800. I’m looking forward to a committed commuter bike now!
Hi There!
I’ve followed your posts regarding the Trek Valencia. I’m currently trying to decide between the Valencia and a 7.5 FX. I plan on using it primarily for commuting to work (I live in the NYC area) 2-3 times a week as well as fitness. In addition, some of my colleagues at work are training for a charity ride in a few months and I wouldn’t mind joining them, so I’m looking for something versatile.
My question to you is whether any of the models in Trek’s FX line was an option for you and if so why you decided to go for the Valencia.
Thanks for the reviews!
Hi Justin
Thanks for your invaluable comments about the Garmin 705. I’m definitely not a computer / techno geek so find it exceptionally difficult to find the wood from the trees when deciding what to buy! I’m thinking of geting the 705 primarily for the GPS capability and finding new routes. I’d also like to be able to use it for running on trails and wondered what the capability is for using it to run / route find on trails.
there seem to be so many options on maps you can get, and GPX, TCX mean nothing to me so its hard to decide what to buy on line. You seem to be a guru on this so any help would be much appreciated!! I live in the UK but would like maps for Europe and the USA too.
Many thanks
Lucy
Tadeusz,
I'd go with the Trek 7.5 FX. I just read the specs on that bike and I suspect that it will be lighter and a bit more nimble than the Valencia.
I'd recommend it over the Valencia since you said you'd also like to consider doing a charity ride with friends that are likely rolling with road bikes.
The Valencia is VERY good at what it was designed for -> commuting. As a result, it is well equipped for that job with disc brakes, a heavy duty steel fork and stable handling.
It's nimble, but I would not call it fast. I would be hard pressed to keep up with a rider on a lightweight road bike, for example.
Lucy,
You may wish to consider one of Garmin’s Forerunner models since you want to use the GPS for both cycling AND running.
Garmin just released their Forerunner 310XT which might fit your requirements nicely with one BIG exception.
None of the Forerunners have detailed street maps and auto routing capability.
So…if the navigation capability is your PRIMARY requirement, the Edge may be something to consider – it’s just not well suited for being “off” the bike (e.g. doesn’t have a strap, etc.)
Regarding the pedals – they were probably a few rides away from failure anyhow.
The same pedals shipped with my Soho S, and I sheared one in half on a fairly mild climb. Granted, it can't help that the Soho S is single speed so I stand and mash from time to time, but those pedals will eventually need to replaced on any bike with any rider.
Hi Justin Great Blog I live in Wales ,Great Britain.I have owned a Valencia for about 4 months ,done over a 1000 miles and love it. Bought it initially to commute to work but have also done lots of leisure rides up to 60 miles and fitted rack and panniers for shopping.
The gear changes are very crisp and precise if you keep all the drive train reasonably clean.The Racelight tyres are fast and inspire a lot of confidence. The Seat I initially wanted to change but now I have got used to it,did 60 miles in 5 hrs yesterday without any rear end complaints
I have heard a few people criticize the pedals,Im still on the originals but keep a close eye on them for cracks etc.Probably the only weak bit on the bike.
All in all I am one happy owner.The bike is reliable nimble and most of all fun to ride.
Good Luck and Happy cycling
Cheers Graham
hey! I've been reading up on the Valencia since its going to be my very first bike. One thing I was confused is in ride 8 you stated that it was a 24 speed, but I can only find info on the trek site that says its an 8 speed?
Thanks for the reviews!