Light enough, responsive, long top tube, simple suspension, just enough travel for cross country riding. I have the STP300 "nude" 3D red carbon finish-It's wicked, and rare. I ride road and CX most the time, and I want an MTB that feels like those other bikes, not a monster truck. I have a long torso, so the long TT is a plus for me, but should be good for others too because you can run a shorter stem-which will increase steering accuracy/stiffness/response. The soft-tail is a frame concept that gets you seat post suspension comfort, without a varying seat height.

Horrible bottom bracket/chain line design. This is really Shimano's/Bontrager's fault. The 73mm shell and E-Type FD require a too wide BB axle, resulting in poor chain line-so, you end up with increased chain suck and chain drops.

Do one of two things: ditch the E-type BB for a clamp-on FD, and use a narrower spindle regular BB, or-go nuts like I did and remove material from the drive side of the BB shell, slap on the E-Type FD, and use a regular narrow spindle BB. I used a Dremel tool and a BB facing tool to accomplish this. The E-Type FD is a bit stiffer, and its mounting plate provides some frame protection against chain drop/suck. Now I have the ultimate: a narrow spindle, better chainline AND the E-type FD. If Shimano only produced a narrow spindle 73mm shell E-Type BB, I wouldn't have had to makee custom mods. Is this poor frame design, or poor component design? You pick. If you don't mind only being able to use 5 or 6 rear cogs with each front chainwheel, then ignore everything I suggest re chainline. If you want to maximize gear range use, make the modifications.

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None really.

Very light and comfy, now converted to a Single Speed, 17 lbs of Joy

Head Tube/Forks squeak, can't figure out why

One of the most light and comfortable cross country, now old school bikes ever built. What happened Trek?

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My other ride is a YBB Moots

One of the lighest softrides on the market. Mine come in at 22 lbs. A GREAT climber.

Not made to be a hardcore downhill machine.

It took me a little while to dial it in, but once I did it fits like a glove. In one month I went to being one of the slowest in our club, to one of the fastest. It has helped my back 10-fold and I can ride harder, longer. You can't get a softride lighter. I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!

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A lot of hardtails.

Light but offers some rear wheel travel to keep you stuck to the trail. Carbon feels great, the bike rides like it's alive! Feels as crisp as a hard tail, but with better rear end control.

Very few. Hard to find an STP. Sometimes scuffs on the carbon can look bad, but won't hurt the frame as long as you put chain protector on when you notice it starting to scuff.

It's a badass bike, if you build it right it can be as light as 24-25 lbs. Mine is 28 right now, but I'm pretty sure most of the weight is in the heavy fork and wheel/tire setup. Nevertheless, it rides fantastic and feels even lighter than it is b/c it's so nimble. If you find one of these bikes go for it since there's not much being made that's comparable. Maybe the cannondale scalple or a moots yb.

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No bike this good, but have ridden a 1997 Spec. hard rock and had a 2005 trek 4300 that got stolen a month after I got it, so I built this badass bike.

Very Light, Fast, And Responsive. Rear Shock Helps Set Bike In The Corners, And Keep Rear Wheel Planted On Rough trail.

None

If You Want A Fast XC Racer Then The STP 400 IS The Bike You Need.(Steve The Reason I Don't Know What Your Bike Set Up is That I Am Too Far In Front Of You To See You. It Also Might Help If You Rode Your Bike)

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2002 FUEL 100, Trek 8500, Trek VRX 400

REALLY FAST. REALLY LIGHT. When I jumped on, it was so light it was really strange- the bike kinda floats over the ground. It will win if you can win.

Well, don't do anything stupid on it- it's made to win, not to take any major hits.

A really great bike, if you can afford it. When I make my million, this'll come before the Porshe.

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My Trek, lots of other bikes

Light, nimble, pivotless suss. The small amount of rear travel takes the edge off without adding much weight.

None as of yet, other than the Volkswagon decals.

If you have the $$ but don't want the full suss of the Trek Fuel 100, then this is the bike for you.

This bike is more suited for the racer types rather than the weekend warrior.

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First Carbon bike. Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 1.

Fast, Light

Not Made any more

WOW. I have beaten on this bike for 5 years now and it keeps coming back. I am on my second drivetrain, fork, well everything but the frame. It is a fast-light XC racer. The 1.25" of rear wheel travel isn't alot but it is enough for racing. It gives you that extra little bit of control that you need to really rail. The only thing that I have ridden that is close to it is the C'Dale scalpel. If anything ever happens to it I will be on a C'Dale. If you can still find one and are looking for a fast XC racer pick it up.

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Trek Fuel, SBC FSR, Trek 9.8, C'Dale Scalpel, C'Dale hardtail

Every little thing it does is magic, every little thing just turns me on (Sting wrote a song for this F.R.O. XC-R)!
Not enough hours in my life to list them all-

What a silly little question for a Ride like THIS-

I really can't put into words what this STP 400 is capable of ... it is simply too Talented to do so.
These bikes are true F.R.O. XC-Rs that are so capable that only the rider's skill is the limiting factor.
Thay out perform every XC-R configuration on the planet and weigh in at an UltraLite advantage.
The only bike that has both active and passive suspension values going for it, while transfering 100% of crank energy directly to the ground.
I can ride ANY terrain on one and bomb DH stuff as it it were pavement frequencies ... these bikes are FREAKY BAD.
I have been on them since 1999 and refuse to give them up for anything that has yet to come down the road; although I have owned many a "wannabes" since I got started with these STPs and all were an UTTER Failure in comparison ... Totally.
That is with the exception of the Nicholas Vouilloz designed LaPierre, which is UTTERLY Amazing as a 3.5" FS XC-R to light FR rig which acts like what a 3.5" travel STP would (most likely) be like in performance overall.
I have saved my (special) 2002 Chris King/RaceLite STP 400 for sentimental values because it is the only STP ever to come this way and that is, in itself, quite extraordinary; beyond the intrinsically extraordinary performance values of this bike and STPs in general.
There simply isn't a finer developed -F.R.O.- XC-R made.
The LaPierre is the only FS XC-R that even comes remotely close to these bikes and if the course conditions are not too extreme in frequencies, the STP is the "secret weapon" I unleash with Hell's FURY and not a "worry" in sight for anything else out there ... except for other STPs; doh!
If you can get one that hasn't been improperly cared for, one properly appreciated, GET IT and you will always have it there after.
Fast as lightening, agile as thought, and lazer sharp in responsiveness and "way too sexy for it's clothes".
THESE XC-Rs ARE ALL BUSINESS ... Bottom Line.
(Did I mention how SEXY they are ... hee-hee!)
LIFE Is GOOD ... on a mountain bike!!!
PS: I run down Roadies on my STPs; suckem' right up and just play with them and they just want to go home and beat themselves afterwards ... doh!
(I would have paid TWICE what these rigs go for; they are so WORTH it!!!)
Get One if you can ... you will see the REAL Magic then-

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Way too many to list ... but recently the 2002 Fuel 100 with a 2003 SID UltraLite(RC), 2003 SID TEAM and Easton Carbon goodies and XTR M-960 group (which was an utter disappoinment / total waste of money and time; a "rubber" bike it flexed SO BAD)and now the 2004 LaPierre TEAM Issued X-Control which is UNBELIEVABLE as it rides and handles like the STP with 3.5" of rear suspension (no joke!!!)

Bulletproof frame. I'm a 230 lb. Sport Clydesdale and I beat the hell out of this bike. I've been racing and hammering on it for two years--the frame is unbelievable. I used to DH race, faster than most fat-ass DHers. Fast, responsive yet flexible, long stem for downhill stability. Carves through switchbacks without effort. Glides over the bumps, rear shock is just enough to keep tire on the ground at high speeds (30+), takes edge off the back.

Lousy components. Way too expensive! Needs more permanent frame protection around chain-suck area--chain oil corrodes the carbon. Trek currently just ties on a small metal plate, this is not sufficient. However, I'm addicted, hope it never goes out of style.

The perfect racing machine for any racing style or racer. If you can't afford it, save up, just a few bucks a day, you'll get it.

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Fuel, Sugar.