The best part of this bike is the price it is hard to find a sram drivetrain and shimano brakes
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Submitted by
Ape Doctor
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2011
Strengths: Great value, very solid. Bought late 2005 (when the 2006 version first came out), and its survived everything. It's fairly light weight, and a similar spec bike now costs nearly double!
Weaknesses: Tyres, utter rubbish. Very little grip, clogged up far too easily. Front mech could be better. The Manitou forks are pretty bad. I rode them into the ground over the six years, and finally gave way earlier this year. Replaced with some OnOne carbon's, and it feels smoother, more comfortable and a lot faster.
Bottom Line:
Very solid bike. The frame is decent, and plenty of chance to upgrade. I've upgraded tyres (a must!) cranks and front mech. The rest is holding solid. The fork isn't the best, but is survivable!
Similar Products Used: Various similar and better bikes
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Submitted by
dramsay1996
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2011
Strengths: Awesome Geometry, Tough, Down Tube Blocks Mud, Handles Very Well
Weaknesses: Heavy, White Set Gets dirty
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome bike, bought a 2009 for 699 and got everything I was looking for. Durable bike with a great fork and hydraulic brakes. Very good price for something with hydraulic brake. The G2 geometry is great for high-speed handling. It has a big cockpit and a short rear triangle which gives you better handling downhill while keeping the wheelbase fairly short. Also it is tough bike. Its taken quite a beating since I bought it about a month ago and everything works fine. The hydro formed down tube is extra wide, and blocks mud coming off the front wheel (not sure if trek intended this or not, but works!) The one downside is that the bike is quite heavy. I'm 15 years old and I can do a substantial bunny hop on it, but nothing huge. I'd rather have a heavy, durable bike than a light, delicate bike, so it works for me. I'd recommend this bike to anyone looking for a durable mountain bike at a good value.
AWSOME bike.I know more experienced riders could probably pick my bike apart with things they don't like but,this is my first mountain bike from a bike shop.When you go from a "retail giant's" bike to a quality bike from a bike shop the difference is amazing.I agree the pedals are not great but,that is the only complaint I have at this time.Lightweight,smooth,and a front fork that actually works !
I know the components aren't the best out there but ,if it ain't broke then why change it ?
Submitted by
gregarfish
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2010
Strengths: Good durable components, good geometry
Weaknesses: Tires are junk and the saddle hurts the more your break it in. Brakes might need some fiddling to get working properly.
Bottom Line:
I'm reviewing the 2008 model. Stock, this is a great lower end bike for the most part. The components are solid and reliable. My only complaints are the tires, saddle and brakes. The stock Jones XR tires are heavy, don't grip, and pinch flat like crazy if you run them below 35 PSI. The saddle is plain uncomfortable, and seems to get worse the more you ride it. The brakes work well, but might squeak and sometimes don't work that great. I don't know the specifics, but they're finicky. Overall though, this bike is a great bike, and I highly recommend picking one up.
Similar Products Used: Older cannondales, fishers, wal-mart bikes
Bike Setup: Kenda Excavators 2.1, Eggbeaters, WTB Rocket V saddle, FSA bash guard, ODI Lock ons, X9 rd
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Submitted by
patrick2cents
a Cross Country Rider
from new bern, nc
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2010
Strengths: great components for the price! geometry is awesome and overall it is a very solid bike.
Weaknesses: a personal preference, but I wasn't a fan of the saddle. Everyone is going to change pedals for clipless so i can't fault them for cheap flats....
Bottom Line:
awesome bike for the price! it will take about anything in the xc realm and a few drops/jumps to boot! I've loved it. I'm not quite sure why everyone hates the Jones XR tires; if you run more than 30-35 psi you have it pumped up WAY too much. I don't get pinch flats and I run it hard. Just my luck I guess!
Bike Setup: Egg Beater pedals and a new saddle is the only swap so far!
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Submitted by
jaredr68
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Pleasant MI
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2010
Strengths: Pretty much everything besides the tires and pedals, although I definitely wouldn't mind upgrading the rear derailleur in the next couple months from the sram x5 to the x9 but not in a rush to do that
Weaknesses: The bontrager tires blow, I read all the reviews about how people were getting flats the first day on very basic riding and thought that wouldn't happen to me but sure enough the day I get the bike my rear tire goes flat while doing some regular riding on a very plan trail. The pedals kind of sucked too, only one side actually had grip on it so if your pedals ever slipped off you have to make sure that they are set up the right way.
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I love this bike, it was a huge step up from my GT Avalanche, I am no longer nervous hitting really technical trails or worried about my bike not being able to break or take a couple foot drop. I love how this bike feels and looks, the G2 geometry is pretty nice it puts you a little more forward which is nice for me because I ride a crotch rocket during the summer too so I'm already used to being in that position. This bike is a great buy for the money I would highly recommend it
Similar Products Used: Not really in the same category at all but a GT avalanche
Bike Setup: All stock besides Mosh Half Step pedals (have so much better grip) and WTB Velociraptor front and rear tires
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Submitted by
SadikOne1
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, Ga
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2010
Strengths: G2 Geo, Stability, cornering, handling, sturdy, very nice intermediate components, fast despite weight, mineral oil disc brakes!
Weaknesses: tires suck, fork squeaks like a bat-outta-hell, stock pedals are garbage
Bottom Line:
what a bike. no seriously, this was my first TRUE mountain bike and I gotta say, I am truly impressed. From the cornering capabilities to the ride quality, this is a great bike for an even better price! despite the fact that I've owned this bike for 3 months, I've put a decent 100 miles on it for sure and it has not let me down!
however, the tires suck. there's no getting around that but that an easy fix. I could be a lot faster if I trusted my tired but I really don't so I'm more cautious when going fast which is something I'd like to change. But nothing annoys me more on this bike than the Fork. DAMN this thing squeaks!!!! I need to change it ASAP and I'm looking to go FOX for sure.
The rest of the bike however, component-wise, is pretty legit. Don't let the intermediate category of the X-5 setup hold you back because these are pretty legit shifters! I need to adjust mine but that is because I ride this bike like hell and in the 100 miles I've put on it, I haven't had them adjusted once. Now that's a sign you got a great bike here. Seat is also pretty nice! but needs to be broken in and that happens at around mile 50.
over all, this bike is AMAZING for a hardtail but it definitely needs to be broken in. Also, make sure that you get the right frame size because that can make a world of difference! with the right frame you will be IN the bike, not ON the bike ;]
Similar Products Used: specialized fsr, cannondale f8, univega 550 alpina
Bike Setup: stock except for Wellgo clipless pedals
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Submitted by
Odin Bane
a Cross Country Rider
from Brainerd, Minnesota USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2010
Strengths: G2 Geometry, frame in general. Its very strong. Spectacular components for what your paying, hydraulic disc brakes.
Weaknesses: Tires are kind of sketchy sometimes and wear out odd. Pedals are rubbish, but thats just how bikes usually are so no biggy. I personally don't care for the grips, so i just wear gloves. That's being super picky though.
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for the price, good low intermediate bike. It's a really good starter bike because it comes out of the box good, and you can upgrade as you get more into it and finding what your demands are. It is a good XC bike, that can take some abuse. Very good especially if you like tighter twistier trails and if yoy like boming down a fast trail too because the G2 gemoetry actually lives up to what they say it does.
Bike Setup: Stock, just Time Atac clipless pedals.
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Submitted by
zigs16
a Weekend Warrior
from Wexford, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2010
Strengths: No major problems at all. Great cross country bike. Climbs well and is very responsive, but I don't recommend bringing it to a freeride park. It got pretty shooken up and everything need to be readjusted.
Weaknesses: Shimano disc brakes tend to squeak on steep declines, stock pedals aren't very good.
Bottom Line:
If you're into a lot of xc, this is your bike. Unless you know what you're doing, I do not recommend this for any drops or big jumps.
Bike Setup: Wellgo B-103 pedals, stock everything else
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Submitted by
Red_Bellied
a Weekend Warrior
from CLT
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2010
Strengths: frame, brakes, ultra responsive, great components package for price
Weaknesses: TIRES SUCK
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Just feels great! So responsive -G2 is the real thing! I felt instantly confident on it, I chose it over a '10 Cannondale F5. I've beat it up pretty good on it's first two outings. Fork feels good setup loose w/ quick rebound. Front brake makes an awful sound wet, but works just as great. As far as first impressions go, this thing's awesome!
BUT, tires are horrible! They roll fast on concrete and hard packed ground, but loose dirt and clay/mud are it's kryptonite. Bontrager Jones XR came w/ bike. Trade them at point of purchase! I'm going back to Trek this wkend to ask for a trade -Kenda Nevegals work.
Strengths: Frame construction, while probably not the lightest, seems to be bulletproof. X5 SRAM components and Shimano disc brakes were relatively flawless for one season of racing. I like the SRAM components after riding years (road) with Shimano.
Weaknesses: Stock shock gave me fits - horrible squeak. Rock Shox, through the bike shop, upgraded the shock to a Recon. Shock was great upgrade, other than the spring was not correct for my weight. Bent the stock seatpost - surprising for how heavy and thick the post was. Stock tires are prone to flats.
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Great starter bike for me to get into XC racing. Won CAT3 state and Iceman Age Division on this bike during my first year racing. Upgrading to a 29er - GF Paragon come spring.
Submitted by
Orcus332
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2009
Strengths: My first true mountain bike, so I don't have much to compare to.
Great stopping power, haven't had to adjust the brakes at all, root beer color is unique, SRAM shifters.
Weaknesses: Tires don't have very good traction in mud, not bad for pavement, hardpack though.
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like a goat! If you're budget is under 1000 and you don't plan on doing crazy jumps this is a great bike. My first true mountain bike and I love it so far. I plan on going to clipless in a year or so. The seat doesn't bother me too much (150lbs). The grips could be easier on the hands, but i probably just need gloves. I get lots of compliments on the looks of the bike.
