Submitted by
mandr007
a Weekend Warrior
from Chardon, OH
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2009
Strengths: Upgradable, great quality for the price
Weaknesses: cheap brakes, a little heavy
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the price. Although it is now 8 years old, my 4300 is still in great condition, albeit with a few upgrades (Shimano cassette, new chain, new rims, new Avid SD7 brakes). I have taken it out to Moab and it handled superbly for the casual biking I was doing. I highly recommend buying this bike, assuming newer 4300 versions have the same quality. While the 2009 4300 is $440, this is still a good value.
Submitted by
Ade Pinto
a Weekend Warrior
from Hingham, Massachussetts, USA
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002
Strengths: Fairly light, good frame, the random little pieces that make it all happen, shifts cleanly.
Weaknesses: my front and back derailers have both broken in the last six months, and the chain screws itself up more than i would like. THe fork is okay, but not great. I got a new one.
Bottom Line:
the bike is an AWSOME value compared with others in its class. It looks nice, its durable except for the derailers, and its an overall smooth ride. It controls well in the sketchy stuff, despite its light weight.
Similar Products Used: a superheavy Schwinn that was a lot like it.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Frozen Flare
a
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002
Strengths: The frame. It's the only thing that hasn't broken, plus it's got a lifetime garanty if it does.
Weaknesses: Well i've broken: - the bar (dirt jump 3rd week) - the cranks and bb ( 5 months) - derailer ( smashed repetivly, but shifted well at first) - pedals (first week) - rims (they dont break, just bend) - rear hub (while doning pedal kicks the free-hub broke) - Fork (didn't break it... just couldn't stand it)
Bottom Line:
It really comes down to what you want to do with this bike. If you plan on doing urban, like me, this bike won't last a month before repair is needed. But if you really plan on doing cross contry, like I thought I would, and you can't spend anymore money
Bike Setup: Well... Club roost bar, Marazzochi Z-5 bombers (fork), Race Face Prodigy DH (isis cranks and bb), Togia DH (front tire), Deore disk (rear hub), Rhyno lite (back rim), and will be buying a deore rear derailer soon.
Strengths: Durability, looks cool, strength of the frame, for the price is very light (4.0 lbs.) Its a great bike for the price.
Weaknesses: 7 Speed Brakes, although they have worked for me Pedals Fork...it was a crap!!!! Change it before going out of the store
Bottom Line:
This bike is great!!! Dollar to Dollar is the best bike in the market right now. Also it has the advantage that it is upgradable. The frame with good care can last you a long time. You can easily upgrade it and still get a great bike for the money. To start is a great bike. I dont have any regrets, (Gracias Carlos D)
Bike Setup: Bontrager Crowbar, Bontrager Race AHS Stem, LX shifters/levers, pro max v-brakes, Manitou Magnum fork, LX Crankset, LX front Derraullier, XT Rear Derraullier, Bontrager Super Stock, Saddle Bontrager FS 2000 Gel with Chromoly Rails, Time Atac Alium Pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Zenman
a
from Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001
Strengths: The 2001 Trek 4300 has an Alpha-Aluminum frame. It is not a heavy mountain bike clunker. It is light enough to control on some pretty rough terrain, yet strong enough to take the beating. The handlebars/grips/brake-levers are placed comfortably. The brakes have never failed me on any surface. The InSync 266 front suspension fork works well. The Connection tires are good enough to bite into any trail a beginner wants to try and the Shimano TY40 crank set never skips due to an uneven array of shark-teeth that catch like a bite on every peddle thrust. The welding on this bike is not sloppy and the paint job (mine is black/yellow) gets second looks and sharp compliments where ever we go...
Weaknesses: Yes, it has a few... the seat can be a little more comfortable when you're on it and the pedals and derailleurs can use an upgrade (most can on stock bikes !)
Bottom Line:
First of all, find a bike shop that wants you to be a customer and wants you to enjoy yourself. Explain your plans on riding... I have bikes shops near me, yet I travel to the next county because of their rider-friendly service and free valuable advice. The Trek 4300 is an awesome entry level mountain bike. You can't go wrong with a bike that can grow and advance with you. The Alpha aluminum frame is a great foundation to upgrade on and although it's made in China, it IS made to Trek's American Specs. It is nicely finished and has proven itself dependable. Many years ago I did long distance bike marathons (centuries) on a french bike and i know good quality when i see it and use it. You will not be disappointed with the Trek 4300, it is an entry level bike that will satisty even more experienced riders on a budget...
Nice bike for the price. Sure, it's not the lightest bike out there but what do you expect for the price? This bike will take a great deal of abuse without any problem at all. The Al frame rides sweetly.
The components are not the best either, with the Acera rear derailleur being the crowning ultimate component on this bike. Actually, all these components work just fine, they are just on the heavy side, and long term reliability is questionable. However, this can be a big positive for folks who want to do their own upgrading slowly. For myself, I am slowly replacing the components as I can afford them. So far I've switched the rear derailleur to an XT (a little better on shifting), new wheels/tires to Shimano M535's (lighter than the Matrix 550s, but not by too much), suspension seatpost (stock one weighs 320g; suspension post is just a little more), IG cassette (still 7 speed), and a Terry Comfort Liberator Ti seat (this was actually the first upgrade -- stock seat blows!). Additionally, I added a cateye cycloputer. Next on my list is to change the front nsync fork which must weigh about 5lbs or so (it feels very heavy).
The Promax brakes are OK but not real great. They stop just fine for anyone doing light speeds, but try going downhill in these things and you'll feel the need for better brakes. I'm going to switch to Avid SD7's as soon as I can afford the upgrade.
I found this bike to be a wonderful learning tool for me. I came from having zero biking knowledge, to learning the various aspects of repair and riding. I can honestly say I'm having a lot more fun learning the various parts of a bike even though I've clearly spent twice as much on the original price for new upgrade parts, it's money well spent in my eyes. I'm having a kick out of the whole thing and it'll continue!
Bike Setup: Trek 4300: XT rear derailleur, Terry Liberator Ti, Post Moderne Bracer post, Shimano M535 wheelset, Performance Fast City 1.25" tires, Bontrager Skewers, IG cassette, Cateye Puter.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ankur Vakil
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001
Strengths: very strong frame, and the bike looks really expensive because of the awesome paintjob, and the girly feather like seat
Weaknesses: very heavy, wholly masturbating chimpanzee, probably 30 plus pounds, and the wheels belong on a crusiser. upgrading to mavic 521 w/ chris king hubs.
Bottom Line:
I feel like i should have bought a schwinn mesa because of the better components and its much lighter, but this frame is awesome, so would descent upgrades it will keep with the best huffys. just kidding, but weight reduction stage 3 would help. Carbon fiber is not in sight at all, almost bad as nascar.
Strengths: Very good for the price. I could have spent more, but really didn't need to as the bike suited me for everything I wanted it to do. Light, stiff frame for power transfer, decent tires, adjustable shock, nice seat, looks great, rear gear set shifts very quickly and precisely.
Weaknesses: I have already bent the main drive gear on a fairly easy ride. The front derailleur doesn't alwasy shift quickly and cleanly.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It is very tough. I have biked on extreme downhill trails with boulders the size of the bike, and have jumped off small boulders, crashed numerous times, hit a tree, fell off the bike rack on my car, and has survived with only a slightly bent main drive gear, and still looks brand new. It was the cheapest real mountain bike at the shop, and is better than the more expensive alternatives I tried. The upgrade (Trek 4500) may have better components, but it probably isn't worth the price. I use it to train for Triathlons quite often instead of my roadbike (Softride Rocketwing), and it has proved to be a blast, and now my main mode of human powered transportation. I recommend this bike for anyone, from beginner to an amatuer on a budget.
Weaknesses: Heavy fork, overly soft seat, crap front derailleur
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the price. All of the components are upgradeable. Im gonna upgrade the fork to a judy C soon as well as getting disc brakes. This bike has potential to be a decent competition bike with the right upgrades.(This review was for the 4300 "2002") Overall - buy it cheap and upgrade to the 6000 level
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa Ca USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001
Strengths: Very Light, Tough Frame. I am currently in the process of beating the crap out of this bike and it is holding up! I do not like the position of the front derailer and hve knocked it out of alignment on several occasions.
Weaknesses: Rims Are not true and have a "Factory" Flat spot on them. I would prefer a 24 Speed now. Seat was immediately replaced, not comfortable. Installed a Lizard skin for banging chain. You get what you pay for on this bike - Entry level.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is an excellent bike for the money. It is light, comfortable with minor adjustments, and tough.
Strengths: I am actually reviewing the 2002 model. It's great because not a lot of people have it, yet. The colors are nice. It's an 8-speed instead of 7-speed. Very much an up grade from the 2001 model.
Weaknesses: Rims (Matrix 550) are heavy and not enough travel in the fork (RST, better than the insync), but what do you expect in this price range. It's very heavy going up hill and the seat is a pain in the butt after riding a while(5 mins).
Bottom Line:
I just started getting into mountain biking this summer. Therefore, this is a great bike for a beginner. With this bike one can actually learn how to ride on the second days. It's very sporty looking for a chick rider. I very much recommend this bike for first time biker. The bike dealer was very nice, helpfull, and informative.
Submitted by
Jeff D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Newington, Ct
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001
Strengths: For the price of this bike there are a few different strengths. One of these would be the bars, for stock bars they are a good length an not too heavy. Another peice that is a plus is the fork, even though it is no sid or bomber, for the price of the bike, the fork is decent. You are able to adjust the stiffness unlike other forks whihc I have seen on bikes in the same catagory.
Weaknesses: All though I truely don't have any true problems with the bike, I did have a little concern with the seat. I found it to be too soft and granny like for a beginner mountain bike. The other thing that I don't care for is the shifters/brakelevers. I don't like the way that they are integrated into one. This troubles me, because even though I don't ride so hard that I will break them , the thought hides in my head. If you were to break one of the shifters or brake levers, then you would have to replace both the shifter and lever on that side.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that I work at a bike shop an throung being able to ride different bikes of the same quality I was sure that the trek was the best for the price. On the trails in handles well, and even with the stock fork on it, the ride is fairly smooth, well as smooth as it can be with a hardtail. This bike is perfect for a beginner or someone who wishes to buy a simple bike an little by little improve upon it as I am.
Favorite Trail: been to it only once, but case mt.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$247.00
Purchased At: Newington Bike
Similar Products Used: A bike close to this which I have seen would probably be the hardrock comp. But honestly I would much rather have to trek.
Bike Setup: manitou sx, lx rear derailer, michelin tires, crowbars (cut 21"), rockwerks clipless, ati jackson grips, specialized seat, deore brake arms
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Bilsland
a Cross Country Rider
from Taunton, England
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001
Strengths: Looks expensive Good quality throughout Not heavy or tacky like many other 'cheap' bikes
Weaknesses: Not much really for the price
Bottom Line:
I have 2 bikes. My full suss GT XCR 3000 i-drive that should cost £1500 (but I payed much less) and my Trek 4300. One is for riding to college on, the other is for XC riding. The trek is a wonderfull bike to ride. The geometry is great - racy but not too racey. As a hardtail it really does tempt me into buying a more expensive one, but why bother when it does it's job so well? This bike is so good that I ran the damn ting into the ground before realising it need a service. I've taken it offroad and its good. The only problem is, for constant offroad use I really do believe that Deore or above is the only groupset you should seriously have. Also, the fork is huge and heavy and although it looks trick it is named after a boyband (inSync) and the elsatomers dont work so well in the English winter. For 300 quid you arnt going to get a bvike with components that last forever. But I can honestly say that this bike is great for commuting on and if you upgrade brakes, tires and pedals its a different bike. Wheels are a little heavy, but what do you expect? And I think the saddle is very, very comfortable. As winter approaches in just 3/4 months, I am seriously considering overhaulaing the drivechain, replacing all the cables and getting it ready for a winter of fun in the mud so my poor little i-drive doesnt have to suffer the mud destroying it's numerous pivot points/bushings. I often wonder if the Judys on my GT would transform the front end/weight of my Trek if I was to ever actually get around to buying those Psylos...
Strengths: Wicked Cool. Good value. Even affordable by me. Acceptable Components. Great paint and color. It's a Trek.
Weaknesses: Well, you aren't going to win any XC races on this thing. The fork, pedals, grips, and overly upright stem are about to go on my rig. My Oasis saddle broke after one botched wheelie.
Bottom Line:
The best I've ever owned. I started serious biking on this thing, and I bet I can do much more without upgrading.
