Submitted by
apd
a Weekend Warrior
from Elizabethtown, PA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2012
Strengths: Frame strength, durability
Weaknesses: heavy, quality of wheels
Bottom Line:
This bike is at least fifteen years old. It suffered a lot of neglect but is still rideable. It makes for a great rebuild, especially into single speed with semi-horizontal drop outs. The back wheel can no longer effectively be trued, but with proper maintenance this bike might have still had another 20+ years of life left in it.
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Birdsboro, Pa.,United States
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2011
Strengths: This 1998 Trek 800 is a strong, easily modified cho-moly frame. When purchase used, and in original condition they'll be without suspension, and usually very inexpensively. This fact is a treasure by itself because of it's potentual in the relm of rebuild.
Weaknesses: Weight, a Trek 800 is cho-moly after all. but it's still a light-weighter compared to department store bikes.
Bottom Line:
I've riden Trek 800's in their original condition they are great bikes. and of course I love building as well as riding, so the 1998 Trek 800 is the best of both worlds. It's ablities as it was built and it's posiblities for low buck modifications, and upgrades, make the 1998 Trek 800 a great bike for just about every kind of rider at evry kind of budget, The 800 that I just descibed was complete for about $500 bucks, remember though I did all the labor myself
Bike Setup: When I purchased this Trek 800 it had no setup, I bought it in 2002 from a farmer who was using the frame as a stepping stone in a mud field, it took three months to drain the mud out and unbend the frame, I then added a Trek System One handle bar an Avenir theadless headset, A Rock Shox Dart 3 suspension fork, an Altus front & Alivio rear Derails by Shumano and the shifters are both Shumano Acera I converted the Trek 800 from it's original 21 speed to 24. the rear Shumano 8 speed cassette is coupled to a Shumano Parrelex Hub & built onto Mavic X101 Aluminum Wheels with a B-1 hub in front, Finally , Bontrager XR4 tire up front and a LT3 tire on the back, Bontragger Brama Bars, and Avenir Gel Saddle
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Submitted by
jonathan
a Cross Country Rider
from iowa city, iowa, usa
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2009
Strengths: its a fast sturdy bike perfect for a guy with a heavy 230 frame like myself.
Weaknesses: nothing lasts forever as this one, the gears will probably go first and as always rims will bend if you dont keep watching over the spokes at all times (tru the spokes thoroughly every so often)
Bottom Line:
I was walking along in iowa city today after having a free meal at the salvation army, on the way to that meal I found a $20 bill!, afterwards like I said, I was walking along and in the back of Geoff's cyclery were these bikes just sitting out, so I inquired about them and they said as far as we know they are just up for grabs!?!?, this bike is as new, absolutely new!, everything is brand new condition and it will give me years of transportation as the case is that I never have a car! Thank You Lord!, I really mean that, always give thanks to the Lord, he was thinking of me as I was thinking of him.
Similar Products Used: I just bought a trek bike less than two years ago and took it down to florida and did that tour, wound up pawning that for 25 bucks when it was 250 brand new, it was a good road bike with those larger wheels, I mean they were thin road bike tires but larger all together than normal wheels by a slight margin.
Bike Setup: its got standard shimano brakes and a shimano altus derailer, which is good enough.
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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Thomasville Ga USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007
Strengths: Tough as freaking nails , Fairly light for a 1996 model metal frame. Can get some pretty impressive speed on road. Low gear low enough to crawl through a shallow creek in 3 feet deep water.
Weaknesses: somewhat outdated by todays standards. Rough ride due to being a hard tail
Bottom Line:
Had many great memories with this bike. Great commuter bike thats tough enough to go Off-Road. Used to play around a local creek with this bike. Had it completely submerged and still was having no trouble crawling through the creek. nice gear ratio range, low enough for crazy stuff like i described, Yet high enough to really haul on the pavement. Great bike for those who are tired of Huffy and Murray bikes either being heavy( Stalker, Sledgehammer) or unreliable( MT. Storm, MT. Climber, White Heat). For racing, get a full suspension bike instead.
Similar Products Used: Giant Iguana , My Heavily Modified Autobike
Bike Setup: Added spring seat, upgraded Derailer from a junked 950, fatter tires, Heavier duty brake shoes.
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Submitted by
J B
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2007
Strengths: This thing has heald up to some abuse
Weaknesses: Gear shifting problems and some parts issues but after 10+ years its still rideable. Always was a little heavy - but then again so am I.
Bottom Line:
10 years ago I bought this bike to get me back and forth to classes at college. We did some serious urban riding and lots of tough trails on the weekends. It heald up fine even after having to leave it locked up outside for an entire winter. I wish I would have taken better care of it because now the wear and tear is evident but it still does the trick. Considering buying a new bike but just might try to refurbish this one before giving up. Ill keep ya posted
Similar Products Used: schwinn - other treks - cannondale - mongoose
Bike Setup: np
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Submitted by
1337
a Cross Country Rider
from illinois
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007
Strengths: Indestructible! I picked up this '89 800 and I love it. This thing has no shocks and takes a jarring over a lot of broken pavement and concrete, and the frame is completely solid. I really like the riding position--it's hunched over and aerodynamic like a road bike
Weaknesses: Front derailer; it doesn't have a big enough range to go among all three front gears, so it rubs against the chain in the lowest and highest front gears. It is also incredibly jarring over bumps, but I spend about half my time standing up, so it doesn't bother me much. The tires are also knobby and handle terribly on gravel and pavement. I'm going to upgrade them
Bottom Line:
The frame is great (if heavy), and I bet it'll last 20 years. It is a bit heavy, however. I always ride in top gear (48/14), and I'm always drenched in sweat. The extra few pounds just make it a bit more challenging. I've gotten loads of compliments on it, as it's quite handsome, and I'd definitely recommend one.
Similar Products Used: I also have an '05 Trek 7200, and I prefer the 800. The main reason is that I do a lot of standing up pedaling, during which the 7200's suspension bounces like a pogo stick.
Bike Setup: 22" frame, BIOPACE front gears. The biopace gears came with it, and I've decided I don't particularly like them. Since the front derailer is awful, I am going to make it into a single-speed.
Strengths: Can carry a ton and still handles great.
Weaknesses: Needs more color
Bottom Line:
This bike has been my car since I bought her in '98. She stands up to any weather and has survived several minor crashes with barely a scratch. A great bike for anyone. The only work she needs now is a new BB and a paint job, which will be done next month. I wish they still made these, I would love to get another.
Weaknesses: Its a slow heavy bike that cant even handel a trail let alone a moutain. I have recently purchesed a Haro F3 for $300 and i think this BMX is a lot better.
Submitted by
Devin Anders
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston TX
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Strengths: The body and tires.
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket
Bottom Line:
I ride all the time and do work on bikes. I allso ride pedi-cabs, this bike lasted 3 years and the only thing that broke after all that time was the bottom bracket. I'd say this is the best bike I have ever seen. I have even wrecked it ( several times) and it was not dameged even if I was.
Submitted by
james alvarez
a Cross Country Rider
from spain
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2005
Strengths: WITH A 40 QUID TOOL SET HAD THIS BIKE STRIPED TO THE FRAME IN NO TIME. Another 60 quid for a travel bag if need to take it anywhere with you.
Weaknesses: NONE SO FAR, HAVE RIDDEN ONLY ON ROADS INCLUDING HEAVY RAIN AND HAD NO PROBLEMS.
Bottom Line:
IF YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BIKES THIS IS A NICE AND RELIABLE.
Bike Setup: UPGRADE THE V-BRAKE PADS WITH HOLDER SINCE THERE MORE POWERFULL AND IM 100 KILOS.
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Submitted by
John Truitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2005
Strengths: PRICE. VALUE. THE TREK QUALITY. THE ONLY THING BETWEEN YOU AND THE BIKE IS HOW HARD YOU PUSH IT!
Weaknesses: STOCK SEAT SUCKS....STOCK TIRES NEED TO MACH BIKES PERFORMANCE, JUST UPGRADE SEAT AND TIRES AND YOU HAVE GREAT BIKE!
Bottom Line:
GREAT BIKE. I WAS LOOKING FOR AN UPRIGHT SEATED POSITION BUT WANTED TO HAVE THE FLEX. TO GO OFF ROAD. A HYBRID BIKE HAS ALL YOUR WEIGHT ON YOUR BUTT, THIS BIKE EVENS OUT THE LOAD AND ALLOWS FOR BETTER CONTROL. REMEMBER SEAT OR FORK SPRINGS IN MOST BIKES ARE MINIMAL AT THIS PRICE. GET A GOOD SEAT WITH PLENTY OF SPRINGS AND YOU ARE AT THE SAME PLACE! ADD ON SOME "COMFORT" TIRES AND YOU HAVE A BIKE AS COMFORTABLE AS A HYBRID WITH OUT THE HIGH PRICE TAG...A VERSITLE BIKE WITH RO0M TO GO FROM BIKE PATH TO OFF ROAD! I DARE YOU TO FIND A BETTER VALUE!
Bike Setup: bIKE SHOP TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING...i GOT A SPRING SEAT AND "COMFORT" TIRES...ALL IS WELL
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Submitted by
Fritz Chaleff
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC, USA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2004
Strengths: The Trek 800 has stood up to a lot of abuse over the past two years. After sitting in my dad's garage for two years, he sent the bike to me. I use it daily as a commuter bike through the bombed out streets of Washington, DC and on the weekends doing long trails. I used it on my first century ride last week.
Weaknesses: This is a trade off: with all the security of this bike comes weight. It's a heavy one, but to me that's just more of the challenge :)
Bottom Line:
This bike is great for giving anyone the freedom they want from biking. It's stood up to a lot of abuse and is still going great. Overall, afer hearing nightmare stories of other bikes, I'm really impressed with the Trek 800.
Bike Setup: To stock I've added about 5 rear lights, two headlights, a rear rack and Continental Top Touring 2004 tires.
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Submitted by
George Lansford
a Weekend Warrior
from Jacksonville, FL
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2004
Strengths: Solid bike. Handles abuse well.
Weaknesses: Grip shifters and lack of suspension.
Bottom Line:
Good bike to start with until you are sure you want to continue and move up. However, expect a beating on rough trails, especailly roots. I've been riding only 2 months regularly and fairly hard and I'm ready to upgrade. The grip shifters can be tricky also, especially on a jump. It's not unusual to play musical chairs with gears. Despite these drawbacks, it has served me well and has handled all the abuse I've given it without flinching.
Bike Setup: After market seat and clip in pedals, rest stock.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from california
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Strengths: Solid frame, reliable, upgradeable, value
Weaknesses: big grip shifters, a bit heavy.
Bottom Line:
I ride about three times a week, 12 miles a pop. I would describe my riding stile as semi-agressive (a few small jumps but nothing big). My biggest (and only) problem was the front derailleur. It was reluctant to shift, but playing with a few screws fixed it up and there have been no problems since. This thing is close to bombproof, but it only gets four flaming poos because of them gripshifts...a hard landing may result in unplanned shifting. Otherwise its a solid bike...great price...sounds like a winner.
Bike Setup: clipless pedals, new saddle, otherwise everything is stock
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Submitted by
trey
a Weekend Warrior
from houston/tx/usa
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Strengths: sturdy frame, wide pedels, wide tires, full quick release, good brakes, comfortable seat, and rizer bar.
Weaknesses: very heavy, low grade derailers, oversized grip shifters, and high maintanence.
Bottom Line:
if your looking for a entry level bike this is the one for you. but if your looking for more of an offroad or dirt trail bike that will hold up better that has shocks and better componets go for the 'trek 4100' for around $270.00
