Weekend warrior seeks multi-purpose machine for mountain and town. Needs a capable, confident machine for legitimate trails. Wants to cruise around town, too, but still maintain mountain biker identity.
Frame: Alpha Black Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack & fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger
Submitted by
INAPICTTAA
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2012
Strengths: Everything is bulletproof; nothing major has broken due to any fault other than mine.
Weaknesses: The components are all relatively bottom-of-the-line, but I knew this would be the case, and was looking for an entry-level bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike really is bulletproof. I've owned it for just over three years, and I've been all over the east coast with it. When I was 14, my dad gave it to me as a birthday present, and I thought it was the best thing in the world! My previous bike had one speed, no suspension, and brakes than functioned only when you pedaled backwards, so to me it was a huge upgrade. I spent the majority of my time riding it on the road, and kept it fairly well maintained throughout it's life. Now I am a lot more into XC biking, and still keep it well maintained. Everything that broke was because of me. I have never had to replace anything because it was defective. The brakes still work. The drivetrain still works. The gears still switch. All of it is running on original parts except for the rear wheel and tire... I'm about ready for an upgrade now, but this bike has shown me the ropes. I love it..........................
If you want to get someone in to mountain biking (or really, any kind of biking) before they know all about what expensive luxuries that they're missing out on, this is the way to go.
Submitted by
niehausiiw
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, Florida, U.S.
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2011
Strengths: Good beginner bike
Weaknesses: Components
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for 9 months and have put over 1000 miles on it. The components leave a lot to be desired. after 5 months I had to replace the derailleur cables and housings do to corrosion. the bike wouldn't shift properly anymore. I do take care of the bike. I lube all of my cables once a week, keep my drive train clean and lubed, clean off the bike every time I hit the trail-head after a ride, but 5 months to me seems like a really short time for cables to last. The brake cables and housings should have been changed but that hasn't become a critical issue yet. I had to replace the cassette and chain at 800 miles, this is due to normal wear and tear, (the local trails I ride are mostly packed sand). At 1000 miles is where I started to get irritated. The freehub on my rear wheel is starting to go bad and is causing miss shifts. Also the Bottom bracket is going bad.
THOSE ARE 2 MAJOR COMPONENTS ON MY DRIVE TRAIN WHICH ARE FAILING IN 9 MONTHS OF USE.
I realize that I didn't purchase a top of the line bike, I was looking for something to start me out in MTB riding.
I purchased a Trek for the perceived quality and that has not been the case with the 4300 non disc I have
Other then the above mentioned components I do not have any complaints about the rest of the bike build. I have the 21" frame, which has handled all the abuse I could throw at it. The bike shifts nicely, (when the cable were new and after I replaced them) the brakes cause me to stop.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this bike to someone just getting into the sport of MTBing, but if you do find you love it as much as I have I would get rid of the 4300 and upgrade to a bike with much nicer components.
Bike Setup: Shimano pd-m520 pedals, 130 mm stem, Bontrager lock on grips, xr3 team issue front tire, xr2 expert rear tire, Selle Italia xo flow seat
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Submitted by
pokerphrog
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2011
Strengths: Solid frame
Weaknesses: Every component
Bottom Line:
It's a good beginner bike. I was riding it on the pavement to and from work (about 5 mi each way). But being in Germany I decided to start taking it off road, after all it is a mountain bike.
The Promax hydraulic brakes were the first to sh** the bed. I had to bleed them down after every ride. They are horrible. The fork was the next. The suspension just stopped working and became a solid fork when the travel adjustment broke after the first ride.
I have replaced about half the components and will replace the other half over time. Solid frame, thus the 3 chillis. Great entry level.
Bike Setup: Trek 4300, avid BB7 brakes, rock shox recon fork, shimano spd pedals
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Submitted by
Mike Soprano
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2011
Strengths: Good entry level "off-road" bike. Very confortable and forgiving frame. Good for riding off the pavement.
Weaknesses: Weak components. Wheels are not for any significant trail riding. Not made for technical trails.
Bottom Line:
This is a good entry level bike if you want to give Mountain Biking a shot without a serious investment. If you decide Mtn biking is for you, and start to frequent intermediate and expert trails, you will soon be looking for an upgrade.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale F8, Specialized Hardrock
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Submitted by
bakly
a Weekend Warrior
from Marion, OH USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2011
Strengths: Seems pretty tough after a few trees, one endo with the bike falling off the side of a low drop off. I've ridden urban and trail almost every day for a few months. Has me hooked on the sport.
Weaknesses: Have had it adjusted twice due to chain slipping and shifting problems. Saddle hurts - replaced when I bent it.
Bottom Line:
This has been a great bike this summer and has been a great entry into the sport - I imagine it will last a long time. I was looking for something to do to stay in shape/stay outside until snowboarding is an option again; and this is sweet! I plan on upgrading the tires, brake (new pads), and possibly some of the drive train before I save up for a FS bike.
Similar Products Used: Giant 29er test ride (awesome), a friends trek fuel and 6000.
Bike Setup: Tall rider 6'5" on a 22.5 inch frame. Fits good but I lower the seat for my local rooty trails.
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Submitted by
trekowner89
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2011
Strengths: Good entry level bike from a noobies stand point this seems like a very good entry bike to get me on my way to becoming a mountain bike enthusiast.
Weaknesses: The only thing I have seen so far is the seat is super uncomfortable but has started to finally break in and the rims so to be out of alignment after a couple of good 3ft jumps which I did expect since it is an entry level bike.
Bottom Line:
This is a good beginners bike and would recommend it to anyone, I just wished I got the disc brake version but that one was close to $600 and I just wanted something that was cheap to see if I even like the sport and well I do so I plan to get a new wheelset and some Avid BB7 discs. Other than that this is a great bike and I enjoy riding it 20+ miles a week in canyons. I do see myself trading up to a better hardtail or maybe even a full suspension bike in the future.
I give this bike a 5/5 for those looking into getting into mountain biking.
Similar Products Used: None I just go into the sport
Bike Setup: Trek 4300 stock
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Submitted by
LF-X
a Cross Country Rider
from Bergheim
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2011
Strengths: Cheap entry level MTB. Good for Beginners. Nothing really weak on the bike. Brakes are ok. Wheels feel good. Tires are some kind of allround tires.
Weaknesses: The RST Gila Fork. Needs good care to work well and is not adjustable much enough to be usabe for lighter Riders.
this Bike belogs to my Girlfriend and is 16" tall. Fork might be usable by people 200lbs+. But for avarage people buying 16" frame, this is a totally wrong configured fork.
Might have been equipped with 9-times derailleur to be able to upgrade once in a while without having to change too much
(shifters and cassette too).
Bottom Line:
Good starter bike. RST Fork only for heavier people usable. Would have loved to see 9-speed gearing. Other than that. Frame looks ok. Components are ok. Fair deal from my point of view. Nothing broken in the last two years.
Bike Setup: Basically Stock. Replaced fork with older Suntour Axon and used a shorter stem.
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Submitted by
Kopkins
a Cross Country Rider
from Exton, PA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2011
Strengths: Nice frame, some good components stock.
Weaknesses: Stock tires (connection trail), cranks (CREAKY, within first few months cranks started to creak, eventually left crankarm needed replacement, still creaky), fork (during the winter when it is cold the fork hardly works at all for whatever reason).
Bottom Line:
Great bike for starting out. Give you some decent trail performance at a reasonable cost of entry. I would recommend going with something nicer like the 6000 or 6500, you won't regret spending the extra cash.
Bike Setup: Replaced almost everything so far. STX derailleurs, alivio shfiters, shimano v brakes, mavic wheels, wtb trail grips, continental race king tires.
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Submitted by
Datsrboi
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Worth Texas
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2011
Strengths: Beautiful Bike. Love the 100mm travel with Lockout. Comfortable bike for what it is suppose to do and the gearing is perfect for almost any trails.
Weaknesses: I feel like the newer model bikes are too luxury over the older model bike. The bike rode great but it does not feel solid like my older 08 3700. I cant seem "feel" the trail as much and the stock Spinner fork feels cheap. It doesn't feel mid quality at all. I wish the bike was lighter.
Bottom Line:
Awesome redesigned frame. Almost too pretty to want to take on trails. Gearing is nice bike the Spinner Fork could be better. It feels very cheap. I got the bike practically brand new and after my first ride I was disappointed. Do not get me wrong, its a nice bike but for how much they go for new I would of expected a little more. I can not seem to feel the bike either. It feels heavy to where yes it absorbs the trail but so much that you can not seem to feel when the bike is about to slip or not. I ended up putting wider tires on and it make it a little better only to add more weight to the bike. I hate the bike. Great for riding super light trails or on school campuses but after only 4 rides I sold the bike. Saving up for a Trek Fuel.
Similar Products Used: Trek 3700
Trek Fuel
Many more
Bike Setup: All stock except WTB Prowler tires.
BIKE WEIGHT- 2010 4300 TREK = 29.5 LBS 18 inch frame (Might have been a 18.5 frame. Cant remember since bike has since been sold.)
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Submitted by
Gul
a Weekend Warrior
from lincoln ri
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2011
Strengths: Strong frame.Great Shimano components
Weaknesses: Front suspension rust,poor performance stock kenda tires
Bottom Line:
Great bike the shimano parts which consists of brakes gearing, are durable and reliable. ive had this bike about seven years and many miles all components are still original.The brakes feel and work great especially with upgraded pads. My older model does not have the fork lockout i just adjust it to firm for road cruising. I also found it a perfect i believe size for my 5.8" stature. My stock Kenda tires are long gone but i would recommend replacing them with a good quality tire. The frame has taken many years of abuse and no cracks yet. Ive seen others comment on heavy weight maybe Trek has changed aluminium content but mine is fairly light wieght. Geat bike
Bike Setup: Trip computer,suspension seat post, kevlar tires,upgraded brake pads,bell grips
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Submitted by
Austin H
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2011
Strengths: Extremely durable, well built. Not too heavy.
Weaknesses: Saddle takes some time to get used to, it's not very comfortable. Stock rims are not very good, I ended up folding my front rim, but I bent it back into shape and am still using it. Tires are decent. Gears and derailuers are rough when shifting.
Bottom Line:
A great bike for it's value and almost any skill level. Excellent trail capabilities. The aluminum frame is durable and is quite forgiving. One time I pretty much flew my bike into a tree, and the only thing that I damaged was my side. Doesn't need upgrades unless you're a more serious rider. Definitely would recommend this bike to anyone.
Bike Setup: All stock components. Added pedal clips and a Serfas frame-mounted air pump.
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Submitted by
kchan021
a Cross Country Rider
from metro Atlanta
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2011
Strengths: Sturdy frame
Sturdy everything - had to replace tires and pads due to wear and tear
Weaknesses: Seat sucks!
Bottom Line:
Bought this in 2008 as a beginner bike. I tag about 80 miles a week, and I bike hard (as much as I can!), averaging about 13 mph 7 days a week on random paved and minor dirt trails. Fell hard once and my bike ended up falling off the rack and onto the highway at 70mph. Guess what? Bike still works! Love it, but upgrading to a Gary Fisher Marlin 29er this year and retiring this bad boy.. In 3 years, I think i put about a minimum of 1000 miles on it.. Handles well for a BEGINNER bike.. if you want the nice stuff on a sub $400 bike, forget it! Beginner: Yes, i'd definitely recommend this..
Bike Setup: Shimano M520 clipless pedals.. Maxxis Crossmark tires.. Fizik saddle
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Submitted by
jtaylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Hampton, VA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2011
Strengths: Strong frame, rims, lightweight but not the lightest, comfortable ride.
Weaknesses: the stock tires are weak for trail riding, upgrade the tires
Bottom Line:
Great buy for the price, if you are just someone who goes trail riding a couple times a month this bike will last as long as needed, so long as taken care of.
Similar Products Used: Trek 3700, Cannondale M300/M500
Bike Setup: the only thing i changed was the tires, i got candy SL crank brothers peddals (i use the iq pearl izumi shoes), and bike computer.
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Submitted by
loma
a Cross Country Rider
from Okpo, Geoje, South Korea
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2010
Strengths: This is a great bike for any cross country beginner.
Strong.
Easy ride whatever the field.
Weaknesses: For this price, I would say none. This is not a race bike; that's for sure. The fork is for soft use only.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for any cross country beginner. I bought it 6 year ago and you know what: It won't sale it! When I have a friend coming home, this bike is always ready whatever the level of the rider.
Strong and efficient
Strengths: the frame is sturdy and low and is what this bike is about.
light frame brakes are ok for beginers. desent head set and handlebars. the only original thing on mine is the frame and handlebars.
Weaknesses: all the stock parts are rubbish and cant keep up with heavy riders. the forks are the worst you could get.
Bottom Line:
its a decent bike for beginers who ain't riding tuff but if you like the frame then you need to upgrade everything starting with the forks
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