Strengths: Good deal on an entry level full suspension bike. Can't go wrong with the proven Y frame. No rust with Aluminum. Great rear suspension.
Weaknesses: Trek could have put a better fork, Pedels, seat, and maybe some bar ends.
Bottom Line:
First real Mt. Bike I ever bought. I got a good deal and this bike has been great for me. I had to replace everything the chain touches, but that was my own falt. This bike is great for people who dont have alot of money and really want to get into Mt. Biking. Sadly, Trek stopped making the Y3.
Similar Products Used: Y5, Y11, something by specilized
Bike Setup: Shimano clip pedels, RockShox Psylo xc fork, A different seat.
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Submitted by
Ossi
a Weekend Warrior
from Espoo, Finland
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2001
Strengths: Really fast in the city. Jump up the curbs and cut the corners, you'll love it.
Weaknesses: This is my first full suspension. Maybe a little too soft going uphill Front break wear rapidly, much more maintenance than with my previous bike.
Bike Setup: I use lock pedals. I have shortened the handlebars for easy city surfing. I have studded tires for winter and iceriding. Great on icy and slippery surfaces because suspension keeps the touch to the surface all the time. Makes it possible to ride on mirrorflat lake ice where others skate or windboard. i'm planning to buy summerslicks because this buy will be real fast with thin slicks.
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Submitted by
Nick Highveld
a Cross Country Rider
from U.S.A
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2001
Strengths: Great Front Shox with an 80mm travel. Fox VAnilla X back shox great, can be stiffned or bouncy. THe Deore LX is the best one I've had, no problem. GREAT MADE IN USA
Weaknesses: Onlt that the brakes look a bit too Chineese.
Bottom Line:
A great bike, buy and it can go anywhere Downhill its suberb and cross-country very fast and durable.
Bike Setup: shamino xtr leavers xt brakes (had to get rid of the ones it came with) shamino front and rear derraliar
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Submitted by
Joe Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001
Strengths: Bang for buck, eventhough i dont know what that means. Cheap
Weaknesses: pedals, for the 1999 models no name parts,(i got myself and 1998 model and they are worth more for less if you can still find them!)
Bottom Line:
Good bike buy the 98 model if you can still find a new one, or just hassle the bike dealer to 700 dollars if possible. Tell them about how the parts got cheaper but the price did not. Anyway, buy this bike, it looks cool and is worth the price. Oh yeah what ever you do dont buy a bike from The Sports Authority , have you seen those things i mean what were they thinking, pay the extra 300 dollars and get a real bike. I give 5 flamin poos for value and 4 for overall.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn S 20 or something like that
Bike Setup: time clipless, xt ders, and better front brake(mine broke, i guess i use it to much.)
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Submitted by
Y G
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel Aviv ISRAEL
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001
Strengths: Great looks, good geometry and manuverability, great value for money...
Weaknesses: not so great components, needs a lot of up-grading.
Bottom Line:
I fully recomend this bike as an entry + level to full suspension. They look and feel like a million dollar bike, they are easy to manuver and handle on different terrain. Shame though they used No-name brakes and shifters, and a horrible front derail. but then again, some of the fun in MTB riding is also the upgrading of the bike. I would say a big AYE to this bike... 5 roasted shrimps from this here rider for value, 4 for Rating...
Submitted by
Kevin Leach
a Cross Country Rider
from Peterborough, Ont., Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Strengths: For a two hundred pound guy, the bike can't be beat with a stick. I've done just about everything with this bike except drop it off the back of the truck. A great bike!!
Weaknesses: The rear shock calfed in the first two weeks,and was replaced under warranty. The front forks (Indy C long travel 76mm)need to be up-graded, they are rather mushy, but overall it's easy to live with.
Bottom Line:
Like I said earlier, this bike can't be beat with a stick. For the price, you'll be hard pressed to find another dual suspension that will do everything like this one will. Sure, some of the bikes I looked at are a lot lighter,but really, whats a few pounds anyway. I dropped those pounds riding my bike, so I don't think it's that much of a big deal. Maybe next year, if my financial situation improves, I can afford one of those lighter bikes, but for now I'll ride this bike till the wheels fall off.
Bike Setup: clipless pedals, tenko brakes, rock shocks judy SC
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Submitted by
Alex Sainato
a Downhiller
from Brooklyn NY
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000
Strengths: very light, strong, durable and its as nice to look at as it is to ride.
Weaknesses: should come with pedal clips and the positioning of the water bottle needs to be changed cause dirts goes directly onto your bottle
Bottom Line:
ok the bottom line is ........the bike is great and it handles very very good. and like someone else said 5ft drops no problem even for some one my size 200 lbs . its a beauty to look at and to ride. I originally bought the bike cause I wanted something to full suspention and that looked good........well what i got was a exactly what i wanted and some . I go to cheese quake state park in jersey and even thought the name sounds bad i assure u that i trials are fast and techical at the same time and the bike tackles the bumps and the logs and the dips and the 5 ft drops like the the bast of them. i compared it to my friends y5 and to a specialized and even though they paid more the bike is just better, in everything ,,,, handleing weight and durablilty. i would defenitly recomed this bike if u like to ride alot and are going to put this bike to the test,,,,,,,trust me u wont regret it.
Favorite Trail: cheese quake state park (New Jersey)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: trek y5 and specialized full suspention
Bike Setup: ergonomic seat ( to protect ur privates)..... pedal clips
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Submitted by
Brian K
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburg, TX
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2000
Strengths: It's a strong bike, good starting package. Lots of fun to ride, is real smooth. Makes me look good.
Weaknesses: The front shock is crap. I've been blowing out tires weekly since I got it (I ride hard though).
Bottom Line:
It's a good bike, but I'm afraid I paid too much for it ($800) I wish it had better components (like the Shimano XTR 9spd and a Judy XC front fork). For the price I kinda feel like they should have been there.
