29ers are versatile enough to serve XC and trail riders, and their unbeatable efficiency and momentum make them the ultimate singlespeed weapon. Upgrades from Marlin:
I just bought this bike about a month ago. I'm making the switch from road triathlons to off road tris/straight up mountain biking. As a grad student so I needed a solid bike for a reasonable price. After shopping around this bike rose to the top. When I was looking, the components on this bike are the same you'd see on other brands from $300-500 more so this bike is a great value. So that's why it gets 5 chilis.
As for the ride itself, it's amazing. It's a bit heavy to get it started but I assume this is a common problem for most 29ers. Once you do get rolling though, it is amazing. Solid power transfer and handles great. I've taken it out on some rough rutty technical trails and this bike held up great. (The place I ride is called Fort Rock so you can imagine it's not an easy ride). I would have liked an air fork instead of a spring but I can always replace it later when I save up again.
The pedals are going to be replaced soon but other than that I have no complaints about the bike (and honestly pedals are a minor complaint). I'm sure if I had spent a little more the overall value would be 5 chilis due to lighter better components. But this bike is a great value for a entry level race bike/high level rec bike so it gets 4.
Strengths: fork, frame, geometry, value, overall feel and comfort level
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
Keir Weimer believes this to be a solid bike, and the best choice he could find for under $1,000 on the market for a good hardtail mountain bike worthy of some serious riding. He just bought this bike a week ago, and already loves it! The frame is solid, and a great value for the price point. The front suspension fork is as well, as it is a Rock Shox fork, where most others in this price point range are Suntours.
Keir Weimer likes the componentry, and thinks that for the money, it is a good setup that will last and wear fine for the average to serious trail rider just starting out. The 29 inch wheels are impressive, and make for a marked increase in riding comfort, momentum, shock and obstacle absorption and overall experience on the trails.
Keir Weimer would recommend this bike to anyone who wants to get into mountain biking with a serious 1st bike purchase, if they have an upper-end budget of $1,000. Great bike!
Strengths: This bike is good but not great. I really like the frame, although I'm on a 29er with a 21" frame I feel I still have reasonable maneuverability on tight downhill technical trails. This is my first 29er and I'm noticeably faster than all my buddies I ride with uphill and on xc trails. Those big wheels, once they get going, have incredible momentum.
Weaknesses: The parts on this bike are cheap. I have the 2011 model, perhaps the 2012 model is better. The crank makes clicking sounds and the shop finally rebuilt it the third time I brought it in. The tires were terrible, immediately got rid of them - I must say the maxxis ignitor rear and panaracer rampage front combo rocks! Seat made me go numb, that was next to go. The WTB Rocket V was well worth the cash, don't even notice its there! The sram x4 shifters have too long of a throw and combined with the sram x5 rear derailleur it does an ok job. Unfortunately one must fiddle with it constantly as the chain starts to rub and/or gear jumping occurs. Looking forward to wearing this drivetrain out and replacing with sram x7 or 2x10 sram x9. Avid BB5 brakes do an ok job, start to fade a bit after long periods of downhill. I will say the pads seem to last forever, they looked good when I did a spring service over the weekend and they have 1000+ miles on them.
Bottom Line:
If I had more money I would have bought a higher model with better parts. A year later I'm looking at the $500 to upgrade, although I might cheap out and throw on sram x7 shifters and derailleur. pricepoint has a deal for that combo right now - $85! I probably need a chain anyway, as its nearly stretched to "replacement", so dropping some cash on a new cog and letting them seat together might be the way to go. All in all I'd say buy it if you don't have the cash for a higher model, but realize you're going to be upgrading the following season. 3 Flaming Chilis.
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Submitted by
juanfran777
a Cross Country Rider
from Quito, Ecuador
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2012
Strengths: Good frame, hydraulic brakes
Weaknesses: Weight, cheap components, tires, seat
Bottom Line:
The frame is the best part of the bike. Good geometry, very conformtable. Breaks are ok. Tires are terrible, need to upgrade them. Crank, derailleurs and chain are very cheap, I broke the front derailleur and chain in less than a month, store wouldn´t replace them (they said warranty is only for the frame, be carefull with this). Seat is unconfortable, need to change that if you do long rides. The bike is heavy, around 34 pounds, but for the price it is a reasonable weight.
Bottom line: good frame, decent suspension (a little heavy), and decent breakes, everything else is cheap and not right for serious riding (trail or xc), if you plan on buying a 29er and do serious riding, it might be cheaper to look for a bike that has good components instead of having to upgrade, derailleurs, crank, seat, handle bars, chain and tires ($500 +)
I would recomend to buy a entry level 29er (I know that specialized has one that sells for $650 or giant for a similar price) and use the extra cash to upgrade certain parts.
Similar Products Used: Trek 4300 (never had a problem with this bike, awesome ride)
Bike Setup: Trek GF Mamba,
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Submitted by
LARS2007
a Weekend Warrior
from tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2012
Strengths: I am overall happy with the bike, components and the ride, when it is working properly. I researched for around a year to find a bike thats comfortable and fits me well. I ended up with the Trek Mamba, which I was extremely happy with. I purchased in late November 2011 and in less than 2 weeks, the rear wheel hub spun and broke, while I was riding. It was only my 3rd time to ride it. I took it to the Trek store and they replaced it immediately. At the end of February, I noticed the wheel was making noise and once again the rear hub broke. This time, the store had to get one shipped in and it took approx. 2 weeks. I am on my 3rd rear wheel in 3 months and although I am happy with the bike overall, I am quite disappointed with in how cheap the rear wheels are made! The Trek store gave me an option to upgrade the rear wheel for a couple of hundred dollars, but the way I see it " I just spent a grand on a supposedly good bike, I bought it to ride it not carry it out of the hills, every time it breaks and why should I have to pay to make my bike reliable, when it's barely 3 months old! "
Weaknesses: REAR WHEEL INTERNAL GUTS ARE PURE JUNK! VERY DISAPPOINTING IN RELIABILITY
Bottom Line:
The bike overall is great, but I am very frustrated with the unrelaibility of the rear wheel! I do not recommend this bike!
Submitted by
karisfa
a Weekend Warrior
from Sandwich, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2012
Strengths: Frame, Tora Fork, 29" wheels, light for the money, price, and of course, style.
Weaknesses: Seat.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike! I did almost 6 months of research before I bought this bike and this one was the best for the money. I was actually looking for a setup with a 100mm travel fork AND mechanical disk breaks. I know hydraulic is supposed to be the best, but hey, cables don't bleed and this put me at a great price point for the 2011-2012 29er market. I will post an update as the season progresses, but as of now, I'd recommend this bike to anyone.
Bike Setup: stock (gonna replace the seat tonight)
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Submitted by
Ryan Funk
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Mary, Fl. United States
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2012
Strengths: From the adjustable lockout forks to the double walled rims strength is what the Trek mamba stands for. This stylish 29er is perfect for the technical trails of flat land to the speedy downhills in the mountains with its strong G2 geometry frame, Rockshox XC32 with G2 offset and Bontrager and Shimano parts. This Gary Fisher Signature bike is great for all size people and it has a very versatile frame size option that makes it comfortable for all ages.
Weaknesses: Weakness is only measured by strength, If I had to pick a weakness for this bike it would have to be the fact that it is strapped with line brakes instead of hydraulic Disc brakes. I have to say though I rode this bike through water, sand, mud, and rain and these brakes have performed fantastic through out all terrain.
Bottom Line:
When you need to truly trust the safety and durability of a machine through all terrain whether it be woods, swamps, mountains or streets The Trek Mamba 29er is a very safe bet. This bike is easy to ride, very comfortable and can take a nasty free ride hit from all sides. I am very impressed with this bike and I would recommend it to anyone that is in the market for a life changing activity.
Bike Setup: 2011' Gary Fisher signature Trek Mamba 29er
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Submitted by
djc1465
a Weekend Warrior
from West Point, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2012
Strengths: Great frame, fork, wheels,
Weaknesses: handle bars
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. I've been riding it A LOT, and I have had no problems with it. It is very strong, and versatile, and the big wheels roll over anything. It's my first 29" and I cannot be happier.
To whoever gave it a bad review, just a heads ups, if you take care of your bike and its accessories and equipment you will be suprised at how not"cheap" the parts are. I prep it before every ride, and clean and inspect it after. Great bike, great company, great purchase!
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from Eagle bridge, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2012
Strengths: I I'm very happy with this bike I bought a 2011 it has avid bb5 brakes. I ride lots of single track and I am amazed every time I ride at the obstacles that this big wheeled big rolls over the ride is smooth it shifts great no issues
Weaknesses: The stock tires I changed mine after the first ride
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this to anyone it is a tough bike and looks great just di yourself a favor and change the tires
Submitted by
Gstar384
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney au
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2011
Strengths: The frame is good
Weaknesses: saddle is uncomfortable, cheap and nasty shimano mechanicals, poor value for money.
Bottom Line:
I wouldnt reccomend this bike after riding it for a couple of months. It's basically a decent frame with decent rock shox and everything else is cheap and nasty. Also worth noting the stock tyres are terrible. I'm quite disappointed with this bike so far as I've had a fair few issues. To sum up this is a kmart bike with trek stickers. I would reccomend this bike for a twelve year old kid - definitely not a reliable off roader.
