Submitted by
kotasa
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2011
Strengths: Great on climbs, descents, technical spots
Weaknesses: It's kind of heavy, can't hike a bike with it, needs better wheels
Bottom Line:
I am not a bike expert. I have owned five mountain bikes since I started riding in 1991. I would never have bought this bike except the salesman talked me into testing it out in the parking lot. My original intention was to get something light and cheaper like a Specialized Stumpjumper or Rockhopper. But now, seven years later, I think I like the Liquid overall for its good climbing, excellent suspension setup (replaced blown out Psylo with new Fox). I still miss not being able to hike a bike it. Oh, well, can't have everything.
Submitted by
Dave Chapman
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Wa, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Strengths: Great beginner all mountain bike. Got me going for what I could pay at the time.
Weaknesses: Snapped the frame (SWING ARM)....BUT Trek replaced Swinarm with Trek Remedy SA and it kicked ass. The Psylo Is not great at all, but I rode almost everything with it with no problem. DON'T BLAME THE BIKE, BLAME THE RIDER!!!! although I have since upgraded big time
Bottom Line:
Look, this bike may have been bottom of the line, but I loved it. Then it got stolen and I was forced to get a new bike (remedy 66) which I love, but the liquid had the exact same soul. I've ridden Everything...but I LOve the TREK all mountain Feel. Get em and up grade em if you need, but the feel is like no other.
Submitted by
B Xott
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006
Strengths: Still going strong, have taken on some hard-core downhill trails, though it isnt the best bike for that. Next bike will be more suited for bigger hits, travel etc.
Bottom Line:
Very happy with the weight and performance for the money I spent. I came from being a die-hard GT owner, (wasnt happy with the I-Drive from the year before). Makes me nervous seeing all the posts here about broken/cracked frames.. hope mine holds together...should. I dont do any huge hits/drops or gaps, so Im not too worried, but my riding is evolving, so probably will sell this bike in another year or so for more travel & strength in a bike. Overrall - money well spent, and (still) happy with this bike!
Bike Setup: Stock. except for seat & tires. Whoever sticks with the ass paddles that come with bikes are nuts.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006
Strengths: Good basic bike for the money.
Weaknesses: Very soft front fork for any kind of serious downhill. Weighs more than the average bike.
Bottom Line:
I have no regrets having bought this bike (although my SantaCruz riding partners sometimes tease me).
The bike has (had) a strong frame. A week ago the frame snapped completely through while I was on a downhill run. (It snapped at a weld right below where the front derailor clamps to the frame.) The bike held together and I was able to stop without a scratch. Trek will replace the frame (no cost) with a Remedy frame, but I'll be bikeless for 4-6 weeks! Come-on Trek, you can do better than that!
Bike Setup: Added better tires and a Talus RLC front fork, and it vastly improved the downhill handling.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Michael Langdon
a Cross Country Rider
from Orfordville, WI
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2006
Strengths: Well built.
Weaknesses: Stock Components
Bottom Line:
About a week ago I took the bike in to have the headset changed and they discovered a crack in the frame. They had a new frame and everything switched over in a week.
This is why Trek rocks the biking world. Michael's Cycles did a fantastic job.
Bike Setup: Manitou Black Super Air 120mm, SRAM 7, Sram 3 shifters, Hayes disc brakes, Bontrager Race Crank, S-3 Cane Creek Headset.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Fa8tal
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Knox, KY
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006
Strengths: I picked this up on Ebay, since I only wanted the frame, so the price was great, I sold most of the parts (on Ebay) and made about $500 back. Frame is strong in all the key areas, the pivits are smooth and don't make noise. The TALAS rear shock is only missing SPV, but if you run the air a little high it will remove most bobbing going up a hill.
Weaknesses: The frame weight is high for a medium all-mountain-bike. At the same weight you can find frames that can take drops better with more travel, but the price will also go up.
Bottom Line:
Great bike if it will match your style of riding. I like the tuff path with obsticles, and hills. I don't hit big drops, but like some air time, but I have the weight at a good balance for my riding. (About 29-30 lbs) I tried to race this set up (sport class 23 miles) in place of my fuel, and was suprized, my time was slower, but recovery time was short. The two best parts where the fork and wheelset, I have the infinate trvel fork, this keeps the fron tire on the ground for big/steep hills, and the wheelset (1.8k) can take a little beating but still hold up well. If you ride like myself and don't mind to up-grade some parts, you will have a great bike, or you can buy a liquid higher grade (same frame) with the parts on it. If you are mostly XC, Keep looking and spend more, this isn't for you. If your hard core free ride, your going to break this bike, so keep looking. My rating is for the All-mountain type of bike, for other riding, I can't give a fair rating. 4 peppers for value, low number (10) but same frame as (55). 4 peppers for overall, My parts cost a bit, but I picked up the frame cheap and used. But new, your cost would be high to pay sticker and then replace with better parts.
Similar Products Used: specialized enduro m4 ,cannondale jekyl
Bike Setup: Psylo sl /lo ,complete xt group ,schwalbe racingralph, mavic/xt wheels ,
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Submitted by
dunc coulby
a Cross Country Rider
from oshawa canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005
Strengths: good on downhill good jumper -have ridden this almost 2 years now and overall have been pleased but recent broken frame has soured rating
Weaknesses: alot of bob on uphill bit heavy slow on uphills just broke frame at weld above bottom bracket and I'm only 160 lbs and only a semi aggressive rider
Bottom Line:
for the price paid -$1450 canadian was good value and big upgrade from previous bike -overall was pleased -bought it for tougher going and heavier frame so breaking frame was bit of surprise
Bike Setup: stock but xt rear derailer wtb rocket 5 seat after stock one broke
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Submitted by
garrett burnham
a Cross Country Rider
from mission viejo/california
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2004
Strengths: comfort smoothness when riding and holds up great. you can do anaything with this bike downhill, jump, freeride, cross country even road rides great.
Weaknesses: bottom bracket makes a creaking noise when you peadal
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Erie, Colorado USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2004
Strengths: This bike is awesome in so many ways ! If you are going up hill with a bit of tech. or going down fast rolling over the water bars, it keeps up and gives the biker all that he or she needs and wants ! This bike keeps on going!
Weaknesses: I would keep in mind the xt vs the lx de-railer... I have the lx... already ordered the xt for the rear ! A must have for this bike !
Bottom Line:
As I found out about this bike, looking for an all around ride that can take the dirt trail, the mud, the rock, and the road at times, this bike can handle it all ! The rear shock offers the flex. of different terrain and the front is well suited for a good tough trail all day long. Overall, this bike is Great !
Weaknesses: The Psylo C fork (no adjustable rebound, changed to firmer springs twice; still too plushy). weight. Hayes Hydraulic brakes (swicthed to Avid CPS), stem and handlebar.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! the suspension on this bike is really awesome, I love the way it handles the terrain. It kills me a little on the climbs, but ity doesn't take awayfrom it's overall performance. I planning to upgrade the fork to a Manitou Minute 2 w/ 130mm of travel and save a little weight in the front. What else can I say? On the the technicals and downhills is where this bike really shines! If you're a weight-conscious xc rider, this ain't the bike for you. If you're a pure trail rider who needs a bike that can mix it up in various terrain, this is the bike for you!
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 4+, Jamis Dakar Pro, Gt i-Drive...
Bike Setup: I swicthed the saddle, seatpost (Thomson), handlebar (easton 2"), stem (bontrager 4" 10 deg), occasionally switch the rear tire to a panaracer 2.1 (helps me on the climbs!) Eliminated the 44 tooth chainring w/ a bashguard. And replaced the clip pedals w/ Azonic platforms.
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Submitted by
nick
a Cross Country Rider
from birmingham, alabama, usa
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Strengths: Well the price for one, but also i think that the adjustable travel on the talas is huge, i couldnt tell you about the drive train b/c i switched to xtr...THE DISCS ROCK!!! they have awesome stopping power
Weaknesses: Front Fork....i am a clyde and this thing sucks, i even have the extra firm kit in there and it bottoms out jumping off of picnic tables for god sake
Bottom Line:
This is not quite a Downhill Bike but not quite a xc bike....it has some of the best of both worlds, and i like that because i will hit up the trail just as often as i will do urban freerides...this thing climbs like a cat when properly set, and decends like butter....if you can find a deal on one i think you should buy one even if you are a clyde, because with the money i saved i can get a new for and xtr ........overall 4 chilis for the front fork
