Submitted by
Rob Cross
a Weekend Warrior
from Cairns
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2008
Strengths: short frame good response.
Weaknesses: keep killing front crank bearings
Bottom Line:
got the bike to get fit 4 yrs ago, last weekend went to check out a new trail, 3 hrs and 30 klm's later headed out due to lack of light. she did the job ( i got fit)and is a joy to ride. anyone thinking of a cheaper alternative, and dosnt need to have the bigest, badest, newest bling on the market will not be disapointed with the 810. the wife didnt want me to spend the money at the time. 4 yrs on and me being much fitter, theres no complaints ;)
Submitted by
Will Solo
a Weekend Warrior
from Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006
Strengths: Cost £250 uk money. Seriously light weight for such a cheap bike. Strong frame made from chromoly. the handle bars and stem are great positioning for xc use and road riding, good aggressive position with light weight bullbars. like said above, the components are a bit of a let down once you have ridden the bike for about a year, they wear out very quickly, but that is why the bike is so cheap, great frame cheap components.
the bike is really easy to upgrade, with quick release on everything to make wheel changing a rapid experience, easy v brake changing with an allen key and pliers.
21 gears set up for climbing and xc use make for a great off road trail bike, and its light weight frame gives you good speed. the hardtail is rock solid too, plenty acceleration, and i have never even buckled or snapped the frame anywhere, and i really hammer this bike.
i have owned it now since 1999 (i own 2000 model) and i am still running it, but with some new components i had to purchase in 2004. so 5 years of abuse before needing replacements is pretty fine for a bike of this price.
Weaknesses: components after heavy use. tyres are not good for off road. get some 26 x 2.3 as they are about the largest that will fit the frame, these will give better off road performance. the gears are very sticky at times, and you get loads of chain suck, and tooth skipping if you put too much pressure on it (only after about a year or two). the original saddle was a bit wide at the rear so i replaced it with a slim line end zone for £20, and i replaced the seatpost with a suspension seat post to save my pelvic region on trails with rocky sections.
the front forks: sync model type: whatever... these are good for the price but seriously if you want to make a real bike on the cheap, ditch these and get something like marzocchi all mountain 2006 with disc mounts. or rockshox, or fox.
also the headset is really slippery. feels to slick and its hard as hell to pull no handers when going even moderately fast. other bikes i have tried do not have this problem (and before you say it was my bad riding, i took this to a specialist who set it up so many different times trying slight changes and nothing worked. my advice, buy a cane creek aheadset (you may need a stem to fit some headsets).
Bottom Line:
seriously good value. excellent set up as trek have never let me down with good set up for better response and control in xc and climbing. nice and light weight even with the heavy suspension forks.
i would suggest a few upgrades here and there. use the bike to experiment, and see what you can come up with, then buy a serious bike and mod that up using the knowledge gained from your 810.
this thing is solid. the places i have been in the last 6 years with this you would not believe. i have road ridden this mostly in the last 4 years with light xc use, but for the first 2 years i rattled this bike down every hill in north west ayrshire, up and around every trail i could find, and it never let me down, except when i hit down hard on solid rock jutting up out of the trail and suffered a snake bite on the rear wheel (a common tendency of hardtail bikes). other than that this a fine bike and will be an incredible ride for a novice, and a potential killer ride hardtail for intermediate. if you are an advanced rider i would suggest something with more suspension and lighter weight components, higher spec etc. trek fluid, and fuel models are particularly sound this year (2006).
Favorite Trail: Kelburn, Moors, Arran, West Highland Way
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: Alpine Bikes in Glasgow
Similar Products Used: trek 820 sport hard tail 1996 model.
Bike Setup: Good geometry for xc, road riding and light freeride etc. the components arent bad, they just arent great. try replacing the gear set up and group set. keep the frame and stem and bars. to save money keep the wheels, but buy new hubs with disc ready 6 bolt fitting, have the hubs fitted into the wheels and dump the old hubs, now buy a rear dropout converter/ adaptor for rear disc mount for the rear calliper. swap the forks for something with more response and control and ones that have disc mounts. ditch the old v brakes and buy a mechanical disc brake set (to stick to a low budget). stem suspension, and seatpost suspension are a cool modification too but uneccessary.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Neko Tikva
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico D.F
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002
Strengths: The price, it has a cromolly frame, I´m not concerned about the weight because I know is a solid structure (the frame). I have to be honnest, the real rice in México is around $500 US, but I got a sale.
Weaknesses: The components, I am thinking on upgrade all of them, my basic idean when I bought it was save he frame and upgade the rest., In fact the fork (SYNC) is really heavy.
Bottom Line:
Trek is a solid brand, I used to prefer cromolly frame because the aluminium fatigue, thie bike is nice for a 10 novice and you can make a good bike if you upgrade it (the 810 and 820)
Weaknesses: Soft Rims, Soft Shocks(feels like a flat tyre), Un-tensioned brake cables
Bottom Line:
The Trek was a friends which I took for a ride, apart from the value, strength of the frame and the Altus Groupset the forks are hell soft. They bottom out when ever you apply the front brakes, also the fact that the cables arent pre-tensioned, I pulled on the fron brakes, Bottoming outh the forks and faceplanting it.
Apart from that the bike is great for value and components. if your are the first time rider or a recreational mountain biker it's the bike for you.
Strengths: Excellent front suspension, stiff but strong frame, very light responsive handling, strong rims
Weaknesses: The front derailleur and the springs in the brake break quickly
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the amount you pay. I've hit some big rocks and done wicked drop offs and I still haven't managed to stuff up the rims. I ride rough and it is still going strong and it has only been in for one service.Perfect for the beginner. Great bike, great value for money.
Submitted by
Tom Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Tipperary,Ireland
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000
Strengths: Quality Trek Cromoly frame takes a pounding,Excellent all rounder,Price
Weaknesses: Saddle, suspension can lose it at high temperatures after a tough ride.
Bottom Line:
You won't get a better frame and package for the price, weight isn't really a deciding factor for a bike in this range,Trail aspirations are well catered for as long as its nothing too serious !? If you can't go for the alu 4500 and this is your first full mtb then this isn't much of a compromise.I looked long and hard at other bikes in this range and nothing comes close !
Submitted by
Arby Perez
a Weekend Warrior
from Alice, TX USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000
Strengths: Solid Cromoly frame, nice paint, brakes, front suspension is good considering the low cost of the bike.
Weaknesses: Pedals, Tires, saddle
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for $299. I've used it in the city and on the trails. The tires were a little weak on the trail but I quickly replaced those with more suitable tires. The only problem that I've had with this bike is that my chain would fall off when climbing while in the low gears. I made some adjustments and so far have not had any more problems. The frame is a little on the heavy side compared to aluminum bikes but not enoegh to bother me. This is a great bike with a suspension fork for the money and I recommend it to any first time rider.
Bike Setup: Stock except profile barends and Maxis tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Gustavo
a Weekend Warrior
from Uruguay, South America
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000
Strengths: Good all around bike. Exellent paint and finish.
Weaknesses: Weight; fork for the compromise (SYNC Exed 288).
Bottom Line:
It's about $380, a great bike for the cost. Ask yourself if you need anything more sophisticated and expensive for trails and off road. I gave my old 810 to my wife and I got a new one. It's durable and good enough to have fun. Is this bike sold in the USA ?
Similar Products Used: raliegh m600, GT Timberline
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Immortal
a Weekend Warrior
from Croatia
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2000
Strengths: Low Price (350$), great brakes, front suspension,Trek designed Cromoly frame, great grips
Weaknesses: Front derailleur (Shimano SIS), Original pedals (PVC)
Bottom Line:
It costed me 350$, you can't get any better for this amount of money. If you are recreative rider, Trek 810 will serve you just fine even on some harder trails.
Submitted by
TM
a Cross-Country Rider
from The west coast
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1999
Strengths: Durable, low cost
Weaknesses: tires
Bottom Line:
Its a solid bike. For it's price range I was surprised it had shocks. It gives a very smooth ride, and is easy to steer, but has bad tires for a off road bike. If you buy this bike buy new tires. I gave it 4 out of 5 flaming horses, a good all around bike.
