Submitted by
fudder mucker
a Cross Country Rider
from Montana USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2011
Strengths: I love the 4500 i was injure ad this is the only type of excersize that i can do that doesnt make me hurt. My neighbors son owned the bike and it had been stored for 4 years or so............ So when they asked me if i could use it i jumped on the price!!! It has been the BESST 50.00 i have EVER spent... IF you have a back injury that limits anything you can do i highly reccomend the 4500.... it rides very smooth i havent had a single issue...
Weaknesses: i am the weak link.................. Because i can not ride daily... I feel like im neglecting it !
Bottom Line:
This bike has enabled me to get out of the house and being able to get some form of exercize has been wonderful... Overall the bikes weight and the smoothness of the ride it is well worth the investment~FUDDER MUCKER
Similar Products Used: I had a trek that was from the begining of time litterally and i liked the way it rode .......... the 4500 is the best bike ive had
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Submitted by
nfraser
a Cross Country Rider
from linlithgow scotland
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2011
Strengths: this bike is built like a tank
Weaknesses: it is not that relible
Bottom Line:
This is a great handling bike, well built and a great up hill bike. when i first tried it it was perfect, comfy and its brakes are great but after one month the chain connector came off. After fixing it every thing was going well untill the Front Derailleur came off, getting it fixed every thing was getting better untill the chain snapped and for someone who's friends have all just got new bikes it is a huge imbarissment as there bikes cost less and are better spect up. Over all this bike is great but is overpriced and i have had lots of problems with reliability.
Submitted by
xc/mxracer
a Racer
from ringwood,nj usa
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2011
Strengths: durable comfortable handles amazing
tracks good brakes are amazing
it has a really low gear so the heaviness doesn't affect riding it
Weaknesses: heaviest bike ive ever had
Bottom Line:
get it
use it for a couple years but when im done with it im going for a fuel ex. so far this is the best bike ive ever had besides the weight and it looks really cool.
Bike Setup: 2010 4500 disc
shimano spd pedals
lake mx 85 shoes sr suntour xcw 2 front shock
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Submitted by
Paragon1,555
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2010
Strengths: Tough, reliable, wheelies.
Weaknesses: 38Lbs. Outside of that, none at all.
Bottom Line:
This bike has held up to every thing. Insane trails, 40.4MPH, 1/10 mile long wheelies, bunny hops, and jumps. This is a bike that can do anything, anywhere, anytime. I would recommend it to any one looking for a tough entry level bike. The only thing I can complain about is that the 2004 model weighs 38Lbs. I have truly enjoyed riding this bike and have put approximately 4,552 miles on it in the last 4 and years.
Bike Setup: mainly stuff from my old giant bike. it is setup as a 7 speed, with a single chainring. shimano V thumshifter. and v brakes, after some faffing for a full day@@
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Submitted by
helen
a Weekend Warrior
from Villa Park, IL USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2010
Strengths: Quiet, sturdy, FUN FUN FUN
Weaknesses: Top bar is higher than they make them now. I bought mine 9 years ago. The high top bar gives me problems on steep uphills if I bog down.
Bottom Line:
Still quiet. One day I sneaked up on a deer and could have reached out and tweeked his nose as I rode by. I can't believe how much abuse this bike can take and it still rides like new. I find no problem with the tires. They are in great condition even after 9 years. But I store my bikes in the kitchen and I believe that makes a big difference. No temperature extremes for my bikes unless I'm riding them. I'm not an aggressive rider but getting better. It handled the tight singletrack in Ohio very well.
Similar Products Used: none, Its my first mountain bike
Bike Setup: Standard for that time. No disk brakes. I replaced the front chainrings this year because they were bent from crashes. It runs like new now. I also replaced the seat. But I replace the seat on all my bikes - usually I go through several seats.
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Submitted by
mechanicodell
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2010
Strengths: This thing is light, handles curbs, potholes, even without the old RockShock forks.
Weaknesses: Got it with a bent rear derailer, one offset bontrager crank arm, ripped seat and no wheels or tires. I fixed it up and loved the bike. Got better at riding and wanted speed. Didn't want to get rid of the bike, so changed it to a Road bike.
Bottom Line:
I liked it so much as a mountain bike, I wanted to keep it and make the bike mine. So, it is now a Road bike. It is MY BIKE> you know what I am saying.??? Buy the bike. I scrap a lot of bikes. This one won't be scrapped.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose, Forgot the name, back in the late 70s early 80 a heavy (shocks everywhere).
Bike Setup: Chromemoly front fork, Alexrims DC19 700c, Infinity 700X38c.
Bontrager 52t,42t,30t road crank. Alivio Shimano rear and front derailers, graphite series neck (I think that is 125mm center to center, Suntour handlebar end shifters. Dia-Compe brake levers
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Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshkosh, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2010
Strengths: Solid frame, reliable components (even stock), excellent trail and street manners.
Weaknesses: Seat post
Bottom Line:
Excellent all around bike. I even use mine in triathlons and it hasn't failed me yet. This bike has been ridden for 10 years and in all 4 seasons (I only store it when it's icy or windy enough to blow me over). The best all around bike I've ever gotten.
Similar Products Used: Too many mountain bikes to even think of...
Bike Setup: I alternate sets of tires/rims for on road and off road otherwise stock.
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Submitted by
semperfidelis
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2010
Strengths: Frame is tough as nails and upgradeable. Bike has great balance and feel and is REALLY fun to ride! Great price!
Weaknesses: seat and tires are the worst. front derailer is cheap. rear is ok, but upgradeable. front crank set is solid, but will get beat up. Haven't had any problems with the rear cassette yet, but will upgrade to the Shimano XT.
Bottom Line:
Take my advice, change seat and tires before you leave the store. I didn't and was back within the week.
I went from the beginner to intermediate to advanced trails within the first two weeks on this thing. Bike seems to be able to handle more than I can throw at it. After going over the bars half a dozen times(on trails I had no right to be on) I smartened up and bought nice elbow/forearm and knee/shin guards! Saved me so many times already! If I'm going to eat it, I bail and save myself. The bike takes the beating, but that's how I know the frame is tough. It took a full-on into the rocks, and I rode it away. Rim was bent, but...better than my arm or leg.
I'm going to upgrade the front shock eventually...also Shimano XT front and rear derailers. The wish list includes a Shimano XT front crank set, XT rear cassette and XT shifter set eventually. I know my components will cost more than the bike, but I'll have a sweet hardtail to beat on.
It's easier for me to pay as you go, and upgrade as I break stuff, than just forking all the cash out immediately.
Love this bike, highly recommend. If you're an expert, you're probably not looking at this bike anyway!
Losing a chili on overall value, cause of the need of upgrades to beat on it.
Similar Products Used: TREK 4300, BMX stuff back in the days
Bike Setup: I'm 6 foot 215. Bike 2009 TREK 4500, 18" frame, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 front, 2.2 rear tire, Rock Shox Dart 3, Deore rear derailer
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Submitted by
Slowrider5
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2009
Strengths: Solid frame, good shifting components.
Weaknesses: Tires
Bottom Line:
Used this bike for 2 years before it was stolen. Overall, I was pretty happy with it upgrading from a 10 yr old Haro Vector MTB. Only complaint was with the tires and rims. I used this bike only slightly harder than my Haro and the rear rim was already slightly bent after < 2 years. I also had 2 flats in that time frame, which is 2 more than I had in 10 years of riding my Haro. I think the stock tires are just too thin. I used this bike successfully on easy to moderate trails in the forests of Indiana and the foothills of Colorado.
Submitted by
vanbo
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, WI
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2009
Strengths: Great geometry, shorter wheelbase than rockhopper, meaning you sit a little more upright--which fits me great. Shifting is smooth as silk and quick, and bike feels very light and responsive. Dart 3 has been fine for me thus far.
Weaknesses: stock seat is not great.
Bottom Line:
Awesome 'beginner' MTB bike, have been riding about 50/50 trails and road, and the bike is very comfortable, responsive, and solid.
Bike Setup: 19.5" frame, all stock except Specialized BG2 saddle
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Submitted by
w1004239
a Weekend Warrior
from River Falls, WI
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2009
Strengths: For being 6'6" the 24" frame is great. I tried many bikes including Specialized 29ers. I rode the Rockhopper expert 29er with a 23" frame right before I bought the 4500. The 4500 was more comfortable and a lot quicker off the start. Typical of 26er vs. 29er. The frame is very light. Not a huge fan of Dart 3, and it would be nice to have disc brakes for show purposes, but v brakes perform just as well unless your rims get mud on them. Also looked at the Motobecanes from Bikesdirect.com. I was close to pulling the trigger on the Fantom 29pro for the sweet specs, but the price and geometry of the trek was too hard to pass up. This bike dominates.
Weaknesses: Could use some higher quality components, but can't complain too much for the price since the frame is the lightest aluminum frame I saw.
Bottom Line:
love it so far, this bike dominates my 2002 Specialized hardrock.
Bike Setup: standard with upgraded seat to gel seat for comfort.
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Submitted by
MichaelJK
a Cross Country Rider
from Brantford, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2009
Strengths: Very light frame, the Deore shifters are very quick and do not skip. The lockout on the Dart 3 is very convenient and I've had no problems with the bike for the duration I've used it.
Weaknesses: If you put too much preassure on the front Cassette, it can skip every once in a while, but that's only if you're on highest gear and trying to start peddling once stoppped.
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for XC riders and for Weekend Warriors, the frame is a very big change from my other frame, it's very light and takes any thing you throw at it.
Bike Setup: Stock except for rims, changed to Alienation Regulars.
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Submitted by
Yeti2424
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2009
Strengths: Inexpensive
Well Made
Good Frame
Good base to upgrade over time.
Weaknesses: Saddle
Tires
Bottom Line:
Been cruising 50/50 dirt/pavement since I got it. I originally was looking at a 4300 but was unable to get a 24in frame in that model and was forced to upgrade to the 4500. Except for the color I am glad that I did. All parts are well made, it's handled a couple of spills without any issues, and it's supporting my 6ft6in 225# body just fine. By the other reviews I was worried about the Dart3 suspension but have not had any problems with that at all. The lockout makes tranitioning from street to trail that much easier. If you are getting into the cycling, want something that is well made, and do not want to spend $1000 on a bicycle then this is your ticket.
Bike Setup: As of now everything is stock but the saddle
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Submitted by
larryj
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2009
Strengths: Very Strong bike. Handles the rough stuff and small jumps well, even at speed. The Judy shocks work well.
Weaknesses: None - Seems strong everywhere.
Bottom Line:
Great bike - very solid feel, and great shifter, even under power. Probably will compete with this bike. The disc brakes are a must, if you're serious, but they do take time learn the feel.
I'm looking at a 2nd hand deal. Need advice on whether it worth buying. Thanks!
2006 Trek 4500, used for less than a 100 miles. In mint condition. Asking for $300,
Bicycle T Read More »
I have a 2006 Trek 4500 disc that I have ridden since I purchased it in 2006. Everything is stock and it's time for mainteance. It came with a Rockshox Judy which has been good f Read More »
Hi,
I have attached SKS P-65 chromoplastic fenders on my Trek 4500 D hardtail with help from my LBS and would appreciate your feedback on the setup. I am attaching images.
Tha Read More »
I am new to bikes and this forum. I did have a mid 90's Trek 830 in college but it was just to use for class.
I still have it but it needs too many repairs from sitting for so Read More »
