Strengths: Durability - Trek Quality control, solid construction, farily decent componentry for the price.
Weaknesses: For a true XC racer, some components are both too heavy and too non-efficient. However, this bike isn't meant to be thrown on the XC circuit.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. Trek lives up to it's standard of excellence in quality control. I work at a shop, and so I've seen the bikes progress through the years since I got this hardtail - If not staying as good as they were, they only get better. As you can see, I've swapped out a bunch of componentry. However, the stock Deore derailleur has surprisingly given me excelent performance. Props to Shimano for my lucky break! Overall, excellent bike, good price, and a fun bike to ride.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z.5, Avid SD Ti brakes and levers, Raceface Deus stem, WTB Speed saddle, Rhyno Lite Wheelset, Panaracer XC pro tires, Shimano clipless pedals.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2004
Strengths: Frame Build Quality
Weaknesses: Aweful Stock Parts
Bottom Line:
Dear Reader
This is a long-term report. My 4900 has now over 3,000 miles, and is still going strong. The stock 4900 has an excellent rigid frame, but parts quality is just plain aweful. Listed below are the progressive changes:
Shimano XT FD/RD are quite good, as is the the Shimano Deore Hollowtech crank. Bontrager Race stem, bar, and post improve rigidity, while providing a quality feel. This is the same level of parts offered on the new Trek 8000.
Don't get caught-up in SL vs. SLR thing. A good hardtail 21" frame will come in at 4 pounds. Start with a solid platform and upgrade the componenets to fit your riding style. Bottom line, the Trek 4900 is not made for racing, but it can be made into a very respecable trail bike with the proper upgrades.
Similar Products Used: Trek 4900 (2004), Trek 4500 (2003), and Trek 4300 (2002)
Bike Setup: Bar: Bontrager Race Stem: Bontrager Race Post: Bontrager Sport Seat: Bontrager FS 2000 FD: XT RD: XT Crank: Deore (2003) Pedals: M858 Cassette: SRAM 850 Grips: Crank Brothers Tires: Revolt SS
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Wells, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2004
Strengths: The crowbar is amazing also the rims have lasted me a while. I have nerver had a bent rim with all the ridng ive done on singletrack. I think that if you are going to ride on dirt roads, trhe fork is perfect but any other riding, i would upgrade.
Weaknesses: Ive had some trouble with the fork and spacers. My bottom bracket is wearing fast to. I also bent the pedals out of shape.The front derrailur is shizz.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. If you want a good bike for xc racing or starting out into xc rcaing, it would be beneficial to buy this bike. It is a great find for its price.
Similar Products Used: First high quality mountain bike i have owned, have tried simialr treks and gary fishers but couldnt afford them, I owned many department store bikes before this and i have had to repair them constantly.
Bike Setup: Cinelli Grips, wierwolf tires, xt front deraillur, the rest is stock.
Similar Products Used: '03 trek 4900, bianchis, raleighs, giants, specializeds, fishers, litespeeds, all sorts of bikes
Bike Setup: everything stock except the tires (michelins), grips (Odi lock on), seatpost (no-name thing, last one broke), pedals (eggbeaters(get these, AMAZING)), threw on some cane creak bar ends, Shimano XT frt brake, SRAM chain, XT 9 spd Deraileur, cassette, and shifters.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Cross Country Rider
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Strengths: Build Quality
Weaknesses: Lower-Line OEM Products
Bottom Line:
Dear Reader
I have put 1,200 miles on this product in less than one year without any problems. It is heavy (30 pounds), and well built. However, the stock drive-train is pure junk, so I changed the FD to Shimano LX and the RD to Shimano XT. In addition, RE-1's have replaced the stock OEM pedals. The aforementioned setup has worked very well, and the component change was well worth it.
The Trek 4900 is a good value, and is holding-up very well. If you want a solid product for between $500-$600, then the Trek 4900 is a tough act to beat.
Thank You Russ
PS: The 2004 4900 will a use Alpha SL frame, which makes the 4900 an even better value at this price range.
Bike Setup: FR: Shimano LX RD: Shimano XT Pedals: RE-1
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
T C
a Weekend Warrior
from poughkeepsie,NY
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003
Strengths: All the Bontrager components work great light wieght and strong frame
Weaknesses: front shifter, and the seat is terrible
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. It can take more than most bikes that cost twice as much. Very reliable and manuverable around the tight singletrack of the east coast. The frame is super light and hasnt broke yet despite some harsh rides. TREK RULES.
Strengths: this is a great bike overall. Ive had few big problems with it. a few tunes, which is expected, and alot of popped tires. teh bike can take its abuse. It takes its falls without showing the agony of the drop.
Weaknesses: as i said way back on 8\5\01 this saddle sucks. i broke the one i bought and im back to this old piece.
Bottom Line:
i love this bike. as i said back in 2001, i still want some new brakes and shock on this thing, but ive recently realized i am way to cheap to do that. ive done alot of riding with this bike and had few problems. my most recent was the chain breaking, but that was yesterday, so the thing jsut took too much and died. i would suggest this bike to anyone. it can take whatever you give it.
Weaknesses: Tires! Supposedly they're decent, but I thought that they were horrible. Also the seat is very, very, very uncomfortable. Grips slide off.
Bottom Line:
Well here it is: This is the first "bike" that I've ever owned (aside from the usual huffy). I did a little racing for my university on it. But mostly I just take it once a week out to the local mtn bike trails. Although I keep seeing others with nicer bikes, I remind myself that it is not all necessary. I believe that the rider makes the ride, not the bike. So overall I think that this bike is good enough for most riders. No problems with it at all. The best bicycle quote ever, "for all those weight freaks, that need to spend all the extra cash on the lightest parts....just lose a couple pounds"
Strengths: -Frame -Wide bars -The stickers on the frame
Weaknesses: -Fork -Drivetrain (derailleurs, cranks, chainrings etc.) -grips - i didn't like 'em
Bottom Line:
i love the frame, it is super strong and pretty light. the fork blows...im into trials and the darn promax brakes went to be replaced by the avid discs...new truvativ cranks for the bashguard and strength...overall a good bike to begin with, though i would expect better fork and maybe better derailleurs.
Bike Setup: all xtr components, wheels are xt's, saddle is a Performance contour, topo petals with toe clips and straps. handle bar is 1 1/2 rise and titec 120 stem. tires are a medium tread continental
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Submitted by
Mike Hauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002
Strengths: Nice Frame, no complaints. Has held up through some wicked crashes.
Weaknesses: Weak components: Need to upgrade a lot of them. The frame alone makes it worth the investment.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money.
With all the stores online, it is easy to find great deals on components to upgrade to mid-high range quality.
Similar Products Used: Previous bike: 1999 Gary Fisher Marlin (rigid fork)
Bike Setup: upgrades: LX cranks and new BB, Easton EA50 Stem and flat bar, teflon coated cables, LX front derailler. Soon to upgrade: XT rear derailler, LX shifter/brake lever combo, 9 speed cassette, Duke fork
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Submitted by
Forrest Pengra
a Racer
from East Lansing, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002
Strengths: Climbs well... I really like the wheels that came on it (Bontrager Corvair). Corners and Jumps EXCELLENT!
Weaknesses: Derailers suck. I had problems with my front and rear for quite a while. I finally have the front adjusted nicely. One day my rear came apart and I lost a pully... so that was a great excuse to put on an XTR rear derailer. Havn't had any probs. yet. The RockShox Judy TT on the other hand will be replaced this week. I weigh 140lbs and I EASILY bottom this thing out. Probably from over use though (needs a new spring).
Bottom Line:
GREAT BIKE FOR THE PRICE!!! My only complaint is probably the derailers. The fork was fine in the beginning but like I said earlier.... I wore it out.
All in all.... Great value for the weekend warrior and beginning competitor.
Bike Setup: Trek 4900 only upgrade thus far is the XTR rear. However, am ordering the Rockshox Duke Race to replace Judy TT.
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Submitted by
pat
a Downhiller
from new westminster, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002
Strengths: shocks, frame = Light&Strong, rear shifters, tires grip well, Brakes Stop on a dime when going down hill on or off road. and very esthetically pleasing
Weaknesses: I bent the front rim the 2nd day i had the bike, the seat is painfull, my feet slip off the peddles (which is why my rim bent), and the disc brakes don't grip enough for my liking (I'm starting to do Trials riding though)
Bottom Line:
I love the bike to death. the suspention works great, the bike turns with on a dime, the only time i notice any problums with the front shifter is when i dont shift it all the way (I'm used to Quick Shift and this bike has Rapid Fire shifting). If my foot didn't slip off the pedal than my foot woulden't have got cought in the spokes of my front tire and i wouldent have bent my rim, however , it was fixed for free.:-) The disc brakes are ultra smooth, however, because im learning to do trials riding i wish the brakes would lock the tires up with less effort. I guess the'll just have to do for now; I'm pretty sure getting them tuned up again will help lots (or maybe im expecting too much from 6" cable disc's). unless you buy the bike from Toys-R-Us than you will have an awsome experience with this bike. I recomend it to all. the brakes squeel with light braking but thats to be expected of all brakes let alone discs. Just as a general warning , if your planing on rideing this bike on road in the rain, you should know that these tires pump massive amounts of water into your face. I've never experienced that with knobbies before to such an extent. the Judy TT shocks will fit at least a 2.6" tire and you should have no problum with a 2.4 or a 2.5 in the back. the bike fits me well. I'm a 6'1" 140lbs on a 16.5" frame and its worked awsome (i need such a small frame size because of the north shore riding). This is a great bike for a beginner and a moderatly advanced riding, however, iwould upgrade the front deraler, chain ring, seat, rims, and peddles before doing anything absolutely hard core. as for the frame, it has a life time warranty so go out , ride hard, and have fun!
Because of the uncomfortable seat, the peddles and my dissapointment with the brakes I rate the bike 4/5
WARNING: Make sure you tighten the screws down tight on the front and back discs before you ride. when i got my bike the screws that held the disc to the hub were not even finger tight!
opinions on a 2001 Trek 4900 Disc for a first bike and the asking price is $350??
[url]http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/2348681934.html[/url] Read More »
