Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2006
Strengths: The stock parts lasted the duration of my ownership, easy shifting, nice knowing I had so many gears that I would never use.
Weaknesses: Chain came off if I pedeled backwards for more than a few seconds, so darn purty that someone dispossesed me off the bike.
Bottom Line:
I never actually took it offroad, and the bike became my car. Despite countless miles of road travel, never got bent out of shape over the handlebar setup and was easy to ride while still leaving me in total control.
Bike Setup: 21.5" frame, 26" wheels, original parts.
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Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Tallahassee, Fl. USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2004
Strengths: Wonderful for the price. Solid frame, no flex and I weigh in at 220 lbs!
Weaknesses: stock components, must upgrade, the frame is worth the upgrades. Sorry fork, Judy TT. Get a Marzocchi fork.
Bottom Line:
Solid frame, did my upgrades and the bike is spot on for the cost. Very impressed with Trek's frame. I ride hard and it hasn't let me down yet, puts up with what I dish out and at 220 lbs, it doesn't take much too abuse a frame of that cost. Love the Matrix rims, can't get much lighter without bending.
Bike Setup: Upgraded to XTR rear derailleur and Raceface prodigy XC cranks and bottom bracket. XTR shifter pods.
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Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002
Strengths: For what you pay, stock components on this bike are pretty fair. With the exception of the front fork and saddle, the bike is pretty much trail ready. Trek uses the same frame all the way up to the 8000 serries hard tails i think, so basically its a sound frame. Just needs a tweak here and there.
Weaknesses: Like i said, for the money, it's great. Front fork, eh... saddle, i havent found one on a stock bike that wasnt bad, so thats no biggie either. its 8 spd, but 2 or 300 bones can throw a race worthy drive train on this bike.
Bottom Line:
basically, i saw this bike on e-bay and picked it up cheap for a mess-around bike, something i could do really sloppy landings on and pretty much treat like dirt. all the components listed under setup are just from other bikes i've had and decided to put on. but for a little while i was taking it out with all the stock things on it, i took me off guard how well the bike did, i rode it hard and i couldnt have been happier. if i wasnt already a Specialized kinda guy i might go for the fuel 100 for my next race bike. at any rate, if you want a good starting hardtail, and something to build from, but this bike.
Bike Setup: Bontrager fs2000 gel saddle, Race face XY alloy seat post, race face prodigy stem (8 degree, 110), Race face prodigy isis xc 9spd, shimano lx/xt derailleurs and cassetts(9spd), avid single digit Ti brakes + speed dial Ti levers. shimano xt pods(9spd). wtb velociraptor tires. shimano m-545 pedal, marzocchi mxr front squish.
Strengths: Excellent frame and stock components, for the money, you cant really complain about them.
Weaknesses: Seat, could be better, but my two major problems with it are the stock front fork, and crank. The fork bottoms out left and right on any type of terrain and the crank may seriously be something off a huffy.
Bottom Line:
In most cases i think trek gives you the most bang for you buck in a stock bike, and stock the bike is still very good for most single strack. With a few bucks spent here and there, this can become and amzaing bike.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi z-3, race face isis prodigy xc, shimano xt rear derrailleurs, bontranger fs2000 gel sattle. stock everything else.
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Submitted by
Doug Ramirez
a Downhiller
from Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Strengths: the frame is kick ass considering the i have dropped it from five feet and nothing happend to the frame. It looks pretty cool also.
Weaknesses: The Fork sucks!!!! the Crank arm bends and falls off!!!! Lets just say that it took 1 and 1/2 weeks to for the trek company to ship to peice to me and i bent it wihin 3 days after i got it. WITHOUT doing any drops.
Bottom Line:
Only get this bike if u are a trial ridder. I bought the wronge bike!!!! Dont Freeride with this bike IT WILL BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!! save up ur money and buy something better
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002
Strengths: The frame seems to be pretty strong considering the abuse I have been putting it through. The tire are great in dry conditions.
Weaknesses: This is my first Mountain Bike and did not know what I was looking for. After riding it for 1 month, I knew that this bike was not it. The frame is OK, but all the components are just a slight upgrade from a WAL-MART bike. I have upgraded everything on the bike. The frame and the tires are the only part of the bike left. The fork bottomed out and made me eat dirt more than once. The crank sounded if it was about to snap in half. If I had it to do all over again, I would have asked for better advice and gone with a more appropriate bike. Don't get me wrong this is a great bike for light riding but not for the type of riding that I have gotten into.
Bottom Line:
If I had it to do all over again I would have probably built my own bike. But If you don't plan on riding hard and just want a bike to do some light trail riding, this is a good bike for the price.
Bike Setup: Rolf Propel Wheel Set, Thomson stem and seatpost, Chris King Headset, LP Carbon composite Handle bars, ALL XT Drivetrain and brakes, TIME ALUM pedals, Bontrager FS2000 saddle.
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Submitted by
Evan Fast
a Cross Country Rider
from Goessel, KS, US
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Strengths: Frame has very good geometry, tires for where i ride (lots of hardpacked sand) for a cheap bike its fairly light, very good handeling
Weaknesses: The jett fork, i jump the bike a lot and whenever i land it bottoms out (I even tuned the preload as stiff as possible)
Bottom Line:
This bike packs the best bang for the buck of all the bikes i tested. It handeles very good, but if you buy the 2001 model be ready to upgrade the suspension fork if u ride the bike very hard. Otherwise you should be fine to stay with the stock components.
Similar Products Used: Trek 4300, Specialized hardrock
Bike Setup: Jett, deore, alvio, shimano, with mainly bontrager components, prob. gonna upgrade to a Judy SL air fork
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002
Strengths: Strong, sturdy frame. Great price value. Stands up to extreme trails, won't breakdown.(if u take care of it) I think the seat is awesome! Don't know what every other reviewer is thinkin'? Even my friends and neighbors envy the seat. (The seat was not upgraded)Comfortable, soft, and I wish all seats were like it. I like the tires.
Weaknesses: Tire can pinch easily. I've had to replace one. Not a real problem. Still have front original tire, which I really like for it's good tread and agressivness.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike to get for the reasonable price buyers. Made well and good quality. I say only upgrade if you are crazy about getting the best stuff. A bike that will last in good condition without upgrades. This bike is a good mix between an easy riding bike that can master the trails and not sacrificing the best control capabilities that you can lose when you get huge forks! For amateur and intermediate riders. I haven't had any problems with it besides a tire pinch. I know someone who has had more problems with his Hoo Koo e Koo than my 4500. We both do same riding, cleaning, and taking care of the bikes. A good buy. Great value, great performance, great endurance!
Submitted by
Brett Wu
a Weekend Warrior
from Hastings-on-Hudson
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002
Strengths: -very solid, I've ridden everything from dirt trails to mountain races, and the bike stands up to it all -slow speed control, I've found that maneuvering this model at low speeds is far easier than comparitive Specialized Hardrocks and Giant Rainiers -crisp shifting, even if the altus and alivio units are not the greatest of components, they shift reliably almost very time if properly tuned; I have drenched them in mud, water and sand, and they still work
Weaknesses: -the jett fork, I'm not a very heavy guy, but the jett is noticeably insufficient on fast tracks, especially on downhill. I've tuned it to the highest rigidity, and it still bottoms out -the Altus crankset, had a few problems with the cogs; they had worn very easily in the first few months, and despite the reliability of the derailluer, the chain invariably misses it's shift, especially from 3 down to 2 -the pedals, these are platform units that were designed for BMX use, so needless to say, they are almost useless in tough terrain. I also picked up on some really irritating clicking noises resonating from them... -the seat, while comfortable, it is not a racing seat
Bottom Line:
A very good buy for the money. While not the best bike out there, it is definitely one of the best for it's price. It is a durable, tough vehicle which I have abused the hell out of, and it always comes back for more. Its frame is very upgradable, and is definitely a consideration for any beginner/intermediate biker.
Similar Products Used: I've ridden the Specialized Hardrock A1 FS Comp 2000 and 2001, as well as the Giant Rainier 2001 - as far as I can determine, I found both were considerably harder to handle on offroad use
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002
Strengths: Light frame, solid Trek construction, good components for the money.
Weaknesses: Seat is horrible (replaced in about a week), Tires pinch flat easily (3 since new 1 year ago).
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike for the weekend warrior on a budget. Ball-burnished frame looks great and stands up to abuse better than paint. All around good bike. Replace the tires and seat and your're ready to go!
Strengths: The bontrager crowbar, sterdy fram, decent gears for what its made for.
Weaknesses: I would defently replace the seat, and the shocks
Bottom Line:
This is a very good begginer to intermediate bike for what I paid for it at the time it was a great deal. Know for the components if your thinking about doing a total upgrade on this bike forget it, I would just upgrade to a specialized rockhopper. As for the tires on the bike I have had the bike for 5 months and have had no flats, as long as you keep the properly inflated and slime them you wont have a problem with them. This is a great bike very upgradable great for begginers and intermediate.
Submitted by
Donald Lightfoot
a Weekend Warrior
from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002
Strengths: The frame, wheels, components (in general), seat and crank.
Weaknesses: The shocks, tires, brakes, front DR and grip.
Bottom Line:
Its a great bike for a beginner, however i am purchasing a 6700 disc, this bike was freakin fantastic and i enjoyed it all of the way! The Flimsy Shox Dont help becuz i wore them out in two weeks.the tires are complete garbage on the road and definitly crappy on the wet pavement! but they are super fantastic in the mud.the front derailler is great but it rubbs the chain a lot, good thing I used to work in a bike shop and know it all (almost all of it!) the grip tends to slide of and i had to replace and re-glue it several times. The bike is great for the value, but 4 flamin chili's becaause of the shox and derailler. If you are beginner, it is a good buy! but if you are a week-end warrior like myself, get a better model, like the 6700 disc.
Strengths: Light strong frame, good bike in general for the money. Great for a beginner.
Weaknesses: As you get better, you'll then know there's a lot to upgrade, but you can still keep the frame (if you're not going to have rear disc breaks).
Bottom Line:
Basically this is a great bike. Highly recommend it. It's for beginners though.
Bike Setup: Currently: XT front and rear derailer, XT front and rear V-breaks, Psylo XC, Avid Speed Dial 7, LX cranks (good for the price, shifts well), Wellgo Magnesium padels, STX RC shifters (don't get them, very heavy to shift), SRAM PC58 chain.
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Submitted by
Kevin T.
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002
Strengths: Solid frame, decent components great bike for the money! Ball burnished frame looks much better than the painted version.
Weaknesses: Fork, shifters, seat and pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. The seat isn't very nice to the soft tissue and will probably go soon. The Jett fork seized up on me while riding, resulting in my flying over the handlebars when I hit a good hole. To add insult to injury, my thumb got caught under the shifter and is now broken (thumb..not the shifter).
Bottom Line: If you don't have alot of money to spend on a bike..this is a great choice. It's 2002 and the 2001s are really cheap now. You don't get the Judy or Bontrager cranks like the new ones, but you can't get ball burnished on a 2002!!
Submitted by
Jean-Francois Guay
a Cross Country Rider
from St-Redempteur,Quebec,Canada
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002
Strengths: frame,handlebar,all the wheel kit
Weaknesses: -alivio rear derailleur(need readjustement every week) -altus front derailleur(twisted after 3 month) -altus crank -break pad(to the metal after only 2 months) -pedals
Bottom Line:
good bike for the price,but some components really need to be change to it works well.you must save your money to buy the Trek 4900,better suited and better quality.
hi
Hi folks I have never posted here and I am actually a flatlander now that grew up in steamboat and the west slope in the 70,s 80,s .
I have a new Trek 4500 alum frame ,m Read More »
:)
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hi
Hi folks I have never posted here and I am actually a flatlander now that grew up in Read More »
Hi, there is a used trek 7000 at my LBS with xt/lx components and manitou 100mm shocks for $350. There is a 4500 with dart threes deore components at $580. I want to know which is Read More »
