Strengths: Light weight,strong frame, quick geometry, life time warranty, Made in the USA
Weaknesses: Fork
Bottom Line:
Beginner Bike---was a good bike to get me into racing and riding. I needed a better racing bike, so I converted it to a single-speed. And now I ride it more then all my bikes.
Similar Products Used: Gunnar Rockhound, Gary Fisher Paragon 29er, Specialized StumpJumper, Seven Verve
Bike Setup: Single Speed, Surly 1x1 fork, Avid mechanicals, Mavic 223 rims with Shimano XT hubs, Soulcraft singlator, Hutchinson Scorpions 2.3, 32 by 16 gear ratio, WTB Speed V seat, Ruffian Lock on grips.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JR
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma CIty, OK, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Strengths: Good Solid frame to build upon. Great for racing...
Weaknesses: I didnt notice before but after getting my new brakes there is a tremendous difference in handling and braking.
Bottom Line:
I purchased the bike after getting a wally world Mongoose and am glad I did. Great for racing on the TDD circuit in Oklahoma. Had all stock parts when I bought it and I have upgraded alot of things and have a few more to go. I have ridden a dual suspension bike and for racing at least here in OK I like the 6500 better. I am looking to get a Joker 1.5 for freestyle/DH some time this year.
Bike Setup: Avid Single Digit 5 V brakes, Shimano XT Dual Control shifter/lever, XT Front Derailer, XTR Rear Derailer, Crank Brothers C Mallet, Sram quick link Chain, Soon to have a Manitou Black Elite fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Megan
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004
Strengths: Price, look, component package
Weaknesses: Shocks, saddle, tires, Thought the bar was too long and had to have it sawed of about two inches. No quick release for the seat tube, which is a pain.
Bottom Line:
I traded in an older bike for this, and learned to "really" ride with it. Kind of stiff shifting uphill sometimes, but maybe it's due to the chain (now that I'm reading other reviews). Overall, this has been super reliable and easy to handle. Fast and light and easy to upgrade.
Bike Setup: manitou magnum shocks, Deore and LX components, Vbrakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chrispy G
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Strengths: Frame, without a doubt
Weaknesses: brakes; chain; cranks; seat; tires;
Bottom Line:
I know this bike: this is my third season on it so I have the right to say that. It's seen mud and gunk in Ontario and Michigan, the Black Hills of the Dakotas; Montana, Whistler, North Shore (I walked most of it!), Alberta Rockies and heaps of roads of all sorts. Since it is no longer made no worries because I would nevr have bought this bike if I knew what I know know about biking. The frame is great--truly a rocket but most of the components need replacing sooner rather than later. For another 500-600 bucks one could buy a much better bike overall. In three years I've bought this bike over several times with breakdowns and upgrades. Mind you, I love this baby and will always--it is my warp speeder. If I came about some serious money though, she'd be my road rider. So, here it is: Chain broke on me all the time when I first got it. The gearing sucked in mud as did the squealing brakes. I suffered from so many flats!!! The puppy climbs like yer mother twenty years ago on crack but the front is quite light! One might as well chomp down on the handle bars to climb steep sections. I replaced the chain and cranks and rear cog and derailleur soon after buying it and I wasn't beating it! It got muddy quite a bit but it didn't take any really rough trails. After those upgrades she ran much much better and took some heavy beatins out west. I finally just spent some cashola on new tires, brakes and sus seatpost: I have to say, the Trek is now bionic, a phoenix arising from the ashes, re-born to conquer as theframe was designed to do! Too bad I can't afford another fork but I did have the old magnum relubed and tuned up--much better now. Now I love my bike as a new one but it has cost me dearly. I wish I could go back and buy again but then again, I've learned so much from this Trek. I imagine that one I spend the money on a right good full sus I will be a finesse rider from all these years on the hardtail trek riding epic rocky mountain terrain.
Submitted by
Dino Aseoche
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago,Illinois
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2003
Strengths: Frame stiffness,24" top tube,Replacable hanger,Disc compatible,Cables placed strategically,Frames Geometry and it's BRIGHT YELLOW oh yeah!
Weaknesses: Brakes,Stem,Pedals and Front Hubs,For some people the Manitou Magnum R suspension came as stock (not bad)
Bottom Line:
Rode the stock for a season 6days in a week (2,280 Mi)no problem and that's a combination of city streets,Singletracks,and fire road,Wheels still true,good accelaration,no frame cracks,handles well,but as you can see this Bike is very upgradeable just take a couple of spacers and your ready for racing.If you are novice (like myself)XC,occational hops,drops and like to upgrade based on your prefferances this could be just the bike for you.FOR THE PRICE AND COMPONENTS IT'S UNBEATABLE.
Similar Products Used: an old upgraded chromoly TREK 820
Bike Setup: Bontrager Race-Stem,M515 Pedals,Avid Discs,LX Levers.LX/XTR Manitou Skareb Comp Suspension,Topo Terra Wheel set
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto ON Canada
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2002
Strengths: Weight, derailers, rims, brakes, color scheme and made in US.
Weaknesses: Front suspension travel, weak chain.
Bottom Line:
Amazingly light and fast. High quality frame made in US and cool paint scheme. Fast shifters and strong rear rim. I wish front suspension had more travel and the chain is weak.
I am surprised that so many people broke their chaine. I used the wax (not oil) and have no problem. I love my bike. I can follow the other guy of the club (who have more expensive bike).
Submitted by
Vernon
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002
Strengths: Light frame, Groupset is fair but could be better, wheels
Weaknesses: Chain, Promax brakes, front derailleur and front sprockets Shock leaks oil
Bottom Line:
The first time I took this bike out, it chainsucked. The Manitou shock leaked oil from the first ride. The brakes have no modulation (you can see where Trek saved money) and the brake pads wear out very fast. In wet conditions the brakes squeek and braking power is weak. It is very hard to adjust the shock. The seat sucks. I am happy with the frame and the wheels did not go out of true yet. I had to put in some slime for all the punctures. Overall the bike can take what you throw at it and you can buy it if you have beginner or intermediate MTBing skills. I agree with other reviews on this site and that you will can upgrade as your skill grows. I will try to post another review after I have the bike for 6 months.
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002
Strengths: light, solid frame, easy ride - but iam a newbie rider
Weaknesses: the front deraulier (sp?) needs constant adjusting and the front wheel seems to come out of true at the drop of a hat. tires suck.
Bottom Line:
maybe a good platform for advancement, don't have much to say right now b/c i am so heated about the damn front derauler! Evry time hop, hit a curb or a bump a little hard it starts rubbing!
Ok here we go! I bought this bike strictly for the price and the component group it was in. I had little money to spend and I wanted something that was durable and light. I new after my first few rides that the shock had to go! Ride the hell out of the bike and when the shock goes, buy a new one. I knew this was going to happen, but again i had little money to upgrade to a better bike set-up. Next, the headset totally failed me at the end of last year. I just recently put on a new chris king. Great headset!! The front chain rings are very week and when i get some dough I will buy better ones. I've been knocking this bike pretty bad so far, but I knew that this would happen, so I made sure the bike I got needed to be able to upgrade. With these two upgrades so far, this bike is great! The frame is tough and light and it handles very well. If you want a great bike for the buck then this is it, but keep in mind that you will have to replace a few things like all bikes over time.
Bike Setup: 6500 w/chris king headset, psylo fork, spd's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
scott Penman
a Weekend Warrior
from calgary alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002
Strengths: Great Frame and other stuff (wheels,rear derailer,rims)Havn't bent the rims yet
Weaknesses: Shocks they always bottom out and it is impossible to adjust them the front derailer always need to be repaird and the chain snaps in half after some hard rides
Bottom Line:
Good bike frame (light and tough) not very good shocks but that can always change. If you are looking for a sweet looking ride wit great handling and for a good price then this is dee one for you !
Similar Products Used: Rocky mountain Eleveation or sommin like it Trek Bruiser 1, Brodie Evolution.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Psylo sl wit a 21mm axle and a sun rim rhino light and a race face bash ring
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002
Strengths: Love the yellow frame! Good weight, not a bad component package. Highly upgradable!
Weaknesses: Chain =(, The tires, and mabye the shock (depending on what kind of riding you do)
Bottom Line:
I got a good deal on the bike. For the price, the components were the best in that range. My chain broke 3 times, before I replaced it. I had to get new tires after about 500 kiloneters(1/2 a summer). But Other than that, I love the bike, The frame is really stiff. I ride it hard, and it just asks for more. I just ordered a Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80, now all I need is disk brakes(Which the bike is compatable!)!!!! this was the best Student loan money I ever spent!!!
Weaknesses: my front fork is kinda sticky and the chain broke multiple times and the tires kinda suck
Bottom Line:
this thing was a great deal for the money, i figure its a 8 hundred dollar bike for 700. the chain broke and the tires arent perfect but they get replaced after a while so i had no real complaints.
Submitted by
bobdole
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001
Strengths: great frame, good parts for the money
Weaknesses: first chain broke 2X. second time the links cracked in 13 places, no one told me not to use simple green on it. seat post can't take much of an impact. bike shop replaced that. brakes suck hardcore
Bottom Line:
very happy with my toy. been out a couple time a week since may. will be ugrading things as i go, for fun more than wear.
Bike Setup: stock, icon clipless(free), avid sd7 levers, sram 9.0 brakes, what a difference( prob just the pads would due).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
HardmaN
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001
Strengths: Solid frame, decent components
Weaknesses: Cheap pedals, cheap shifters
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. After having a horrific wreck on my old Raleigh M50 because the fork just didn't absorb a hard hit, I got up, brushed myself off, and decided it was time for a new ride. In comes the the 6500. The Bontrager components are great, but the Corvair rims just had to go. The fork started leaking oil after about 2 weeks of riding, but I fixed that by upgrading to a Bomber about a month ago. One of the pedals also started to knock, but the wrench at the LBS fixed that for free (I've since upgraded to clipless, which I highly recommend). The rear derailleur continues to perform great, but the front derailleur has some trouble getting into the big chain ring; I suspect a bad shifter... guess I'll have to upgrade again soon. Overall, this is a great entry level bike as is, and is perfectly suited for an upgrade junky like myself.
