Submitted by
AC8AY
a Weekend Warrior
from Gaylord, Mi 49735
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2011
Strengths: Price! I am 6'4" and 240lbs, and the bike has been ridden quite a bit. . It has been fast on the hard pack, and has a super low gear for the tough climbs. Taken the roots and bounced and rocked over them.
Weaknesses: I did replace the petal for some with clips and cage combo. I have slightly bent the 2nd gear crank gear shifting into the 1st while really cranking hard. Kind of expected I guess. I have had the chain come out of the rear derailuer. Not sure how but was able to fix it quickly with a multi tool
Bottom Line:
For the price, it can't be beat. And if you are interested and not wanting to make a large investment. You cannot go wrong.
Similar Products Used: I have ridden a "mart" bike and did not end well for the bike...
Bike Setup: Stock expect for the petals, and I have added a bike computer and an Etrex Legend GPS w/handlebar mount
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rag00doll
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2008
Strengths: Good Frame, Rear Derailleur
Weaknesses: Fork(doesn't work in cold...at all)
Bottom Line:
Good bike for it's price. I put this bike through way more than it was EVER intended to. I beat it up A lot. Just this weekend I took it to Hartwood acres and just today North Park. Has a few hundred miles on it definitely. Must be maintained when used a lot. I've replaced the front Chainring because of an accident on a log pile. Replaced a spoke on the front rim after a run in with a downed tree.(Over the handlebars anyone?) Then replaced the front rim during a rainy day on a rock. I've used a lot of tubes, but none in the past 3 months i'd say. Both front and rear have old patches on and holding strong. Derailleur has been adjust to shift correctly once, and i adjusted it myself. Today a rock got stuck in my rear brakes and i ignored it. Bad idea. Now theres a nice circular engraving on my rim. Overall Good bike and can take a lot.
Weaknesses: sorta heavy, umm just today i fipped and bent my rim soo that could be a little stronger, better pedals would be nice, a differnt fork because id personally rather use rock shox.
Bottom Line:
this bike is great for beginners but be careful beating it up although the frame is great. all you pretty much need is a new fork and youd be set.
Bike Setup: tri bars(for triatholon in the summer),cpu,and soo a new rim
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Submitted by
Ben Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Forks ND USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2007
Strengths: Price, durability, looks
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. I am a police officer on a bike patrol during the summer. This bike feels and rides very well. For work I ride much more expensive bikes, and this one has much the same feel as the upper models (when used appropriately). Highly recommended for beginners and intermediate riders. (might want to get an upgraded seat post and saddle eventually to avoid the baboon butt)
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from north attleboro ma
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike during the beggining of the summer. i could not ride it until the end of the summer though.(Earlier bike accident) After about 3 months the crank bent and eventually broke off. Overall i like this bike. It is a good value. I just think the good people @ trek should put better parts on this bike. This is a good bike for a begginer
Submitted by
Zack
a Weekend Warrior
from Elon University, NC
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004
Strengths: Trigger shifting kicks ass; its fast!, v-brakes are strong, tires are grippy on all surfaces. Heavy, but tough as nails. Aesthetically pleasing as well. (mines blue and black, exclusively)
Weaknesses: Seat post is made of soft aluminum, it slips and shows wear often. Pedals aren't great, seat hurts my grundle after a long day.
Bottom Line:
Awesome beginner bike. I can take on almost anything with it, and when I end up going over the bars the only thing damaged is my pride. I would recommend this to anyone on a budget.
Weaknesses: fork, rims, forks not too bad esp. when you start out
Bottom Line:
The bike is terrific the fork isn't too bad. Doing 2 foot drops on them handled well, though it was still bumpy on the trails. Now I have EXRS on the front and lemme tell you this. MAkes me look Leet:) And is well worth it. It's very durable not much problems yet, except for a bent back rim,and a shaking bottem bracket.(that i should get replaced) If you're starting out, buy this bike! And when you get better , get a new fork! Then mmm go big! finish it off with a 3k bike and you're set!
Submitted by
Alec Byrum
a Cross Country Rider
from Mentor, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Strengths: I love the light weight, the speed it is capable of, and how it is possible to select gears in a climb. It is the best bike i have ever owned.
Weaknesses: The seat tube is not exactly meant for a 250 pound rider, as it gets gouged after long rides.
Bottom Line:
Overall, this bike has turned my life around, from one of gluttony and overeating, to a new, fit, almost in perfect shape health nut. I truly owe my life to the Trek 820, and i strongly recommend it to anyone looking to change their life.
Its a great bike. Its light so you can do long wheelies. And you can get high going off jumps. I like the shifters the best becouse there easer to use compared to the grip shifters. Its a very good bike Get It.
Submitted by
Dan McFetridge
a Weekend Warrior
from Canton
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003
Strengths: strong, good beginner bike
Weaknesses: heavy, derailleur slips
Bottom Line:
Great beginner bike. Fork is not that great but it smooths the trail. Heavy, makes it hard for wheelies. Shimano Alivo is not that great, it skips after some wear and tear.stock tires are small. Bike has room for some needed upgrades. Recommended to incoming mountain bikers.
Submitted by
Tom Meagher
a Cross Country Rider
from Stoughton,MA,USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Strengths: Durability,and ability to upgrade
Weaknesses: Heavy
Bottom Line:
Great entry level bike that will handle any terrain a beginner or intermediate rider would ride. Vey durable except for the brakes which come loose when ring hard. The bike is not exspensive and has plenty of room for upgrades when you want better components. The bike is heavy bur i am up for the challenge.
Submitted by
Barney
a Weekend Warrior
from Peoria, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Strengths: I'm knew to mountain biking, but the price is the strength for me. Seems to be a great value for an entry level hardtail and decent Shimano components. I saw some lesser products in the price range I was targeting that had the grip twist shifters and I love the trigger shifters on the 820. Brakes seem very adequate thus far.
Weaknesses: The pedals seem to be a weakness as my foot slipped off a couple times. It may be worthwhile upgrading pedals or getting different shoes.
Bottom Line:
I'm a 40 year old father of two. I recently made an investment in the family and bought bikes for everyone. I have the 17.5" 820 and my wife the 15.5" 820. I have kept in good physical shape and wanted an outdoor activity for all of us. I recently moved back to Phoenix area and with the Arizona weather, it is a sin to spend the weekends indoors. I took my first off-road adventure at Thunderbird Park last week and really loved the bike. After a few years, I may look to upgrade, but I know I am not ready to tackle some of the technical rides. However, I am anxious to try some of the highly rated trails in AZ after I get a good command of my Trek 820. I would recommend this bike to anyone that is looking to get started in trail riding. The bike is comfortable on the pavement with the Bontrager Connection tires and the front suspension seems capable of handling some bumps. However, I am 5'10", 190 lbs and I sense that a heavier person may want a better front fork. One last thing, I really recommend buying from a bike store and not a "big box" so you can get the right frame, fit, etc. Looking forward to my first Singletrack adventure.
Similar Products Used: Some diamondbacks and fujis
Bike Setup: Every thing is awesome
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Submitted by
Mark
a Downhiller
from Andover, Mass, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002
Strengths: Good fame, a little heavy but doesnt slow me down. The bike is solid thanks to the steal frame. holds up under abuse. never ceriously danaged anything.
Weaknesses: the bars are to curved and up to high an angle. The 5th and 6th gear sporket skips. Rear tire replaced twice. The shocks are kind of cheap, ive never really liked RST. They could add like an eighth gear because you out pedal the 21 on downhils.The tires dont take much abuse but its a recreational mountian bike so it wasnt made for what i do.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, im only 13 but i beat the life out of my bike. i ride it every day and excpt for some minor gear problems the bike has been a good investmant. It is axcepting to any after market parts and is easy to asemble/disasemble. Im probably going to either sell the bike of put more into it because with my riding(downhill/serious trail) this bike will probably hit the dump stock. over all nice bike, TRICK IT OUT!!like i said, im 13 but im like 159 at 5'7", its only a 16.5" frame but it works for jumps etc.
Bike Setup: mosty stock, new tires and tudes, new pedals and looking into rock shox boxxer or another good downhill fork.
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Submitted by
Ronnie Batchelor
a Weekend Warrior
from Sioux City, IA USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Strengths: I've ridden this bike hard for 6 months and it's held up very, very well. Most of my riding is fairly tame, but I've taken on some more technical singletrack and its done great. For a low end, entry level bike, I couldn't be happier. The service @ Albrecht's has been fabulous as well.
Weaknesses: Maybe a little heavy, but for the kind of riding I do, that's not a real problem. The seatpost is 29.3 mm diameter and I've had trouble finding a light replacement.
Bottom Line:
I'm very pleased with this purchase. I'd recommend it for anyone, like myself, who wants to take up recreational cycling without a ton of expense. That's my $.02 worth.
