Submitted by
y75stingray
a Weekend Warrior
from northville michigan
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2010
Strengths: Built to last, appealing to the eye, inexpensive compared to other rear shock bikes
Weaknesses: Heavy
Bottom Line:
I love this bike I have owned it for eight years and put thousands of miles on it. Yeah it is heavy but I really don't mind. Since buying it in the summer of 2002 I have only spent about fifty dollars maintaining it. I abuse this bike it spent two michigan winters outside buried in snow and eight summers with a two hundred and twenty pound man on it's back every weekend. After enduring all of that hardship it still looks and rides great. I feel this is a fantastic bike for the money.
Submitted by
Paul Fransella
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollywood, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2010
Strengths: Workhorse - this bike is strong and works well. I beat the crap out of it on lots of trails and used it to commute to work. Decent shifting and brakes. It rides quite well.
Weaknesses: Heavy as Hell. The crank also wears out under heavy use. Need to change the tubes right away if you are trail riding or even hopping curbs.
Bottom Line:
This is not a bad bike for the money if you want a full suspension for the price of an entry level hardtail. It is probably the cheapest real full suspension you can get with name brand components. Will stand up to some trail abuse but be prepared for the excessive weight.
Similar Products Used: Raleighs, GTs, Mongooses, Santa Cruz Bullit, Santa Cruz Super Light, Cannondale F3, Scott Aspect
Bike Setup: Stock except I changed the tubes to heavy duty
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
MTN BIKER
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynchburg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2009
Strengths: Tough, Smooth Ride, Handles Well, Nice Bike
Weaknesses: The Front Fork froze up after a few years, and it never was a nice fork. The grip on the handle bars wears off rather fast
Bottom Line:
Over all This bike surved its purpose well. I loved it, adn have recently given it to my little bro, to use casualy(i also outgrew it). Ive taken it on some pretty rough trails and its stood up well. It may have been a bit overpriced for a y frame, but it is a trek so for the value Im giving it a 3 out of five (just average) and my rating a 4, beacuse the front fork froze and rusted inside
Similar Products Used: Trek 4500, Gary Fisher Marlin, Trek Fuel
Bike Setup: Factory Grade
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Submitted by
Kaira Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Blackduck,MN
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Strengths: Been relable. Stable in handling.
Weaknesses: It a heavy beast. I do agree a few part need be upgraded. Parts freeze if left outside in winter. Need be kick if they stick to either. Wouldn't beat the hell out of not expect to pay a price for it or least have do more Maintenance then normal.
Bottom Line:
Not a bad overall bike. It relable bike if you in for bike rides and some offroad trails. I would say not good for really hilly areas do the weight of the bike, The handling as been solid. It has been a good bike for all the lack repairs I have done to it. 4 year all 4 season bike riding. All weathers sub-zero freezing, Winter snow storms, Rain, once in a hail storm. It sat out that when I wasn't riding. It been good to me all these years.
Submitted by
Sam Barrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008
Strengths: Frame strength, Looks, Flexibility
Weaknesses: Weight, Drive System
Bottom Line:
Rock solid frame and very good off-road ridability, but it's fairly hefty weight makes it a bit of a chore on-road. The frame, bars, suspension, and brakes have all lasted exceptionally well, but I'm on my ninth rear cassette, and my eleventh rear derailer. Also, the rear ball bearings took a hike a while ago, which garaged it most of last summer, too tired of putting money into it to repair. I'm a heavier guy, so I do put more stress than usual on the drive system, but I would have liked to see more life than this. Overall, I'd definitely buy it again, but opt for the extended warranty. Experienced riders and pros should probably pony up the cash for something better, but for the beginner and weekend warrior with a thin wallet, this is a good buy.
Weaknesses: bad forks, terrible derailurs, weak rear shock, HEAVY, and sloppy cranks.
Bottom Line:
For the $200.00 I spent on this bike brand new in the box unassembled its fine. I would compare this bike to a mongoose from walmart. I do believe this bike can be upgraded to a descent bike. But also I have owned upper end bikes so these issues I have with this bike aren't bad considering the cost.
Similar Products Used: N/A my last bike was a specialized epic that a thief seemed to like better than me
Bike Setup: complete stock but soon to be upgraded
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Submitted by
David Sanders
a Weekend Warrior
from Wichita, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007
Strengths: Shifts well
Weaknesses: The bike is heavy. The front shock is a piece.
Bottom Line:
I will never buy another Trek product, after two oxidizing issues on the frame and the last one not repaired by Trek. The bike was used for commuting and is too heavy for this purpose. It certainly is not the best bike for the trail. Not just disappointed but disgusted with Trek.
Submitted by
Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Northwest Florida
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003
Strengths: Follow up Review. After over year the bike is holding up well. I ride the trails twice a week. The components have held up well... to my surprise. I didn't think the crankset would last, but it's still going! Brakes, shifters and derailleurs are all holding up well.
Weaknesses: It's a heavy bike. Cheapo suspension. I've replaced the rear shock and the fork. The bike rides well now, but it's still a tank. I also had to replace the BB.
Bottom Line:
If I had to do over, I would have paid more and gotten a lighter, higher quality bike. But if you happen to get one of these on sale or as a gift, the single best component replacement would be the rear shock. I bounced like crazy going uphill with the original rear shock. I found a Fox Air Vanilla-R for $60 on Ebay. I also upgraded the front fork with an Ebay deal. Bottom line... the bike now rides like a Cadillac and weighs nearly as much. But hey, I get good exercise!
Similar Products Used: Only road bikes. No other mountain bikes.
Bike Setup: Fox Air Vanilla-R rear shock and Rock Shock Duke fork. Upgraded to clipless pedals. Added nice sealed BB.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Erwing Parra
a Downhiller
from Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003
Strengths: It´s cheap. With this few money you can´t buy another full suspension bike.
Weaknesses: Heavy, yes it´s heavy. The pivot-bolt always looses and the bike starts loosing control. The rear derailleur it´s crap, it only works well with 6 gears. The bottom bracket always looses too.
Bottom Line:
You can´t get a good downhill in a XC full suspension bike. Don´t be silly, this bike isn´t for downhill.
Strengths: Shifters (shift nicely), brakes, frame strength, and look/style.
Weaknesses: Weight (a bit heavy)
Bottom Line:
I dont beat the hell out of this bike, I just ride it around as recreation. It isnt meant to be put through a lot of crap I dont believe... Its a great beginners or recreational bike and that is about it. If you want performance I would suggest a Fuel 90 or something which I was going to get but that would have been money wasted if I got something that was way more better than I would ever need.
This bike absorbed a lot of the bumps well and I love it. I upgraded the fork not because something was wrong with it, but I had come across a discontinued one at work.
This bike is a bit heavy and makes going uphill a bit of a struggle.
I feel it is a strong, solid bike and great value for the money even if you have to pay retail value its still a good price, and you get the Trek name.
Similar Products Used: Had a crappy Murray bike for about 7 years... it sucked.
Bike Setup: Carbon fiber bar ends (ebay), Manitou Magnum R Fork (from work) and a gel seat cover. Going to get a new rear shock maybe, new saddle and maybe upgrade some components. Who knows...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gram Huether
a Downhiller
from Kirkland, Washington, US
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Strengths: It does the job, it can get you down the trail in one piece.
Weaknesses: A terrible fork. I had to buy a new derailer one week after I bought the bike. Many other better $400 bikes,and the chain evan snapped on me a couple times.
Submitted by
Teater
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA!
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002
Strengths: Price, Trek name, Frame strength.
Weaknesses: Hmm, where to start. This review is a follow up. I still love to ride, but I have paid the purchase price again in replacement parts due to wear out or breakage since I bought it in March. Replaced Forks, handlebar, brakes, cables and housing, chain, rear cassete, pedals, tires and grips. Still need to replace the seat and am hoping the wheels hang in there.
Bottom Line:
Strictly Recreational level bike, not really meant to be put through much hardcore riding at all. It's finally riding again, but every week it's more dough out of my pocket to keep it that way. Oh, well. My first bike, and I know I need a bomber of some kind next with much better components. When it's running, I have a lot of fun. Still can't get the back brakes to work worth a sh*t, which makes endos a constant threat.
Follow-up review. Within 3 months of buying my Y26 I had beaten the living crap out of it. The rear derailleur could only range through six of the cassette gears, and the crankset was incredibly out of alignment. I grew tired of the incessant creaking and the crappy forks and ended up trading what was left of the bike towards a Specialized Stumpjumper. A much better bike, but at $1100 vs the $350 I paid for the Y it should be. I don't regret starting out on the Y, but keep in mind that you do get what you pay for. These are base components on the Y, so if you plan on doing anything more than low-level XC, go ahead and start out with a better bike.
Submitted by
Teater
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002
Strengths: Good beginner full suspension with Trek toughness, at least as far as the frame goes. Beefy at 36.5 pounds, downhill is where this bike fairs best. In my first race, I left more experienced riders behind on the downhills and technical, rolling straights. The weight gives momentum if maintained through technical climbs as well, but slow down or loose grip and thats it. The rear coil spring is adjustable to accomodate either climbing or downhill. When I speak of how it takes bumps, remember the front fork has been replaced with a RockShox Judy TT fork. Nice fork.
Weaknesses: The components. I boutht this bike two months ago. Good bye RST Capa front fork. It was okay, but strictly for tamer riding. I busted the head tube and top of the fork on my third serious outing (mostly rider stupidity), but it did tend to bottom out and is no comparison to the Judy TT which is on there now. I also bent the stock handle bar, and replaced with a lighter Specialized alloy handle bar. Also replaced the worn out rear brake pads with new shoes and pads. Front brake housing has also been replaced due to tree music. Wheels made true several times. Bobbing and inefficiency can be corrected to a point with the rear coil. Also, as stated before, this bike was stock at 36.5 pounds. Brutal on the uphill climbs, especially for beginners. But once you start to get in shape, alot of the inefficiencies will be compensated for by the rider. Look at it as a beginners full suspension bike, and use the weight as workout resistance.
Bottom Line:
"It is what it is". Good beginner full suspension at the price. Weight makes it hard on long and gradual or long and steep ascents. Downhill is a blast! It steers and handles well. Watch those components, though. They will not hold up forever under extreme use. For the price, it is a good, tough ride for the beginner. The fun provided has been more than worth the stock price and price of replacement parts. For hard off trail use, though, if you have the funds, buy an Enduro or something else. But I must say, I ride the hell out my Y26, and over all I love the bike. The Judy TT was key in making it perform at it's current level. I will probably wear this ride out, and then move on.
Similar Products Used: 4300, 4900, Specialized Expedition
Bike Setup: Seems like a wierd angle for ascents. Downhill, I hang off the back and let it pop. Will endo you nicely if you mess up.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Allen
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft Walton Bch, FL USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Strengths: Fair product for the money. Reasonable brakes, shifters, wheels, frame, suspension. Saddle seems fine to me. Reliable so far.
Weaknesses: Steel handlebars, cheapo crankset (riveted together). Would have like to seen slightly better derailleurs, crankset, and alloy handlebars for the money.
Bottom Line:
I've not had the derailleur problems listed by the others. In fact, I'm pleased with the bike's shifting and braking. Perhaps their bike shops did not set the bikes up correctly, who knows. I'm generally happy with the bike, although I was shocked (after the fact) to find that the crankset's chainrings are riveted on! They have fake hex bolt-looking heads on them. When the rivets loosen, it will be time to buy a new crankset. The bike is a little heavy (says 30.8 lbs in specs) but I think mine is heavier.
My main thing in getting the bike was to get to riding on the trails without spending a lot of money and see how I liked it. I've done a great deal of road riding and was ready for a change. So far I'm having lots of fun, and that's what counts!
