Strengths: easy to adjust to personal needs..
all parts(besides the tank-frame) are grinded after constant use for 2½ years, after that you can customize the bike as you want and still keep the respect for the brainacs at trek.(wich is where i am with the bike right now)
Weaknesses: the aliviogear is a bit hard to sprayclean compared to the scram gear´s...
the fork is a big dull compared to the bike but its great in a skatepark(where i ride mostly)
last but NOT LEAST!!!
THIS IS A WARNING!!! YOU BRAKE YOUR BODY ON THIS BIKE!!!! YOUR GETTING DESTROYED!!
when i ride it i know that this bike can deal with anything logic on a trail.. but the human body cant, i have a list of damages for further readin..
Bottom Line:
used this bike ALOT!!
my thumb cant bend, my right knee hurts when its cold, my elbows have eyes but, my shoulder is getting better, it dosent click anymore! :)
there is a reason for why this bike is called bruiser, no safety atall, compared to what the bike can handle..
if you ever get a frame to this bike, BUY IT!!
the alivio gears from shimano could be better but its cheap to repair or even upgrade..
rest of the bike is awesome!!
Bike Setup: hayes v8 rotors with mx2 calipers wellgo pedals bar ends and screww grips
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Jordon
a Downhiller
from centennial, CO,USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
Strengths: the frame is so strong, imean i hit a moving car at 15 mph and my bike dident have a scratch on it. It is a very lite frame and pedals good and great for a skatepark.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
this is a great dirt jump bike for the price and is awsome for the skatepark, needs little maitmence, and runs like a dream
Weaknesses: rear cassette,gear leavers(snapped after a week)
Bottom Line:
its a brilliant bike if your prepared to spend money on it all the time. your stuffed if you want to respray the bike in original colours due to scratches because they dont make matte navy blue anymore you have to mix it your self.
Strengths: very strong frame it bomproof nice and basic so nothing can go wrong
Weaknesses: if u buy it new u get awful stock parts
Bottom Line:
this bike is amazing but if u are very good customise it like i did. i would reccomend this bike to you if had the cash to customise it into your style
Bike Setup: e.thirteen supercharger,dmr v8 pedals,holy roller rubber, axiom bars,hot pink oury grips,kona dj seat, dj 3, soon to be single speed, upgraded 8 inch discs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ferg
a Downhiller
from weverham chesire england
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2006
Strengths: its AMAZIMG FOR DIRT I MADE MINE INTO A DIRT JUMPER and a very good aluminum frame
Submitted by
Geoff Jensen
a Weekend Warrior
from Pullman, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2006
Strengths: Inexpensive! Lightweight, long travel (close to 5"), excellent brakes (8"front disc 6" rear), solid frame, very quick bike, some very good componentry, good maneuverability.
Weaknesses: A bit noisy, very low top speed (but it gets up to the top speed very quickly), almost a bit too squirrely at top speed.
Bottom Line:
Wow, this bike is a STEAL at this price. The specs say it has 125mm travel, to be realistic I would say it has at MOST 120mm (which is still a lot).
I would reccomend this bike to ANYone looking to get into trials, jumping, or freeride/downhill. The brakes are EXCELLENT, they work as well as my old Hayes Nine hydros.
After a few weeks of riding the cranks began creaking something awful. Took it back in and had them tightened up, haven't had a problem since.
The front brake is giving me grief, it won't stay centered and rubs quite often. We had to hone in the screw holes o nthe front fork to get it to sit right, and it still isn't quite right.
Derailers are cheap, and I don't like the feel of the shifters. Plus, the shifters can only shift up 3 gears at a time, versus my XTR's which can shift up 4 at a time. But all in all, performs better than expected at this price range.
I personally don't like the feel of this bike. It is just a wee bit too squirrely at top speed. However, this is not the fault of Trek or the bike's geometry, it is my personal taste. My first two bikes were Gary Fisher Genesis Geometry, which I learned all of my balance points and riding techniques on. Thus, this bike has more standard geometry and I am not used to it. I have gone back to the Fisher Geometry and am selling this bike, only due to personal taste. If I wasn't spoiled rotten by Genesis, I would be riding this bike every day.
Highly reccomended buy, especially if you're just getting into the more extreme riding styles.
Weaknesses: Derailers are weak. Tires wear down fast. Front crank bent but was cheap to replace.
Bottom Line:
Awsome bike. I've beat the s#!t out of it both jumping and riding DH. Stood up to it all with only the crank being damaged and the derailer comming out of whack. Both fixed easily. Great Bike for the buy.
