Strengths: Good frame worthy of upgrades. The stock components were not terrible for XC either. I just killed the original deraileur in a race with several hard rock strikes. Honestly, I bent it back with pliers and it still worked pretty good! But it wasn't perfect and gave me an excuse to replace it with XT. The original wheels never gave me a problem, but I didn't do big drops either.
Weaknesses: Most components. The original pedals were garbage. The stem and handlebars were practically wrought iron. The front fork bounced like a pogo stick up every climb.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to my review from years ago.
Over the 5 years that I have had this bike I upgraded when I found the right parts on sale, and now I have a machine that I am very happy with. The only original components that I need to replace are the cranks and front deraileur, which still work like new. When they die, I will replace with lighter stuff and have a super light, super durable machine, that cost very little. And if I decide to go FS, I'll just swap my parts to the new frame, and I'm good! Thanks Trek for making a durable, affordable bike.
Bike Setup: stock: frame, nsync shox, bontrager connection trail tires, shimmano 7 speed combined break shifters, mega range 14-34t granny, acer rear shifter, sis front shifter.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Downhiller
from Santa barbara, California, USA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006
Strengths: Frame takes a good beating, nice welds, strong, and pretty durable. I like the amount of travel it has, back then the bikes had hardley any trave and it boosted up the frame for me.
Weaknesses: Well when I said durable its durable if your body keeps up, doesnt compair to full suspension, but is good if you dont want to kill your funds. I dont really know if it is worth the price, I mean it is pretty cheap and probably beats some of the cheaper full suspension bikes. The shocks are a little soft to my liking because whenever I go on a trail they are bottomed out the whole way down. The deraler is a POS and ive replaced it MANY times.
Bottom Line:
This bike was good at the time but now would be outdated to buy. Trek is somewhat of a rip off because they will do a lot just to save a couple of bucks bikes wise. I would say average.
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from San José, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004
Strengths: Good manufacturer back up. Good geometry, great warranty. Alum frame similar to more expensive bikes. Good quality components.
Weaknesses: Original plastic pedals suck. They broke in less than a month. Replaced at no charge by LBS for similar alloy pedals.
Bottom Line:
Great beginners bike that can handle some serious off roading. After a couple of adjustments when new, no other adjustments have been needed (except for a wheel true and round adjustment at 1500 kms. which was expected). Have not feeled the need for upgrading anything yet, not even original bontragger connection tires that seem to do fine on regular paved roads.
Strengths: Good brand. Good alloy frame – geometry same as at exclusive, expensive bikes. Lifetime warranty. I liked Conection tires for stable feeling and small circulation resistance. Unfortunately those burst after year riding. Trek seat is comfortable
Weaknesses: Freewheel not durable. Chain extend during few months. Handlebar is made from steel. Actually 21 speed shifting is slow.
Bottom Line:
After buying this 2001 year model, I have become keen with occasional fast cross country ride and amateur MTB competitions. I realize that original bike setup is improper for this. Because I upgrade bike so many how much budget allow. Buy it , if you do slow wandering in park, do small trips or ride together with girlfriend. Don’t buy it, if you want sometimes ride fast cross country or take part in any competition
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Camp Hill, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003
Strengths: Great price, good quality, warranty, great colors.
Weaknesses: As many have said, the pedals do suck. Mine got extremely slippery just riding through some dewy grass. Will eventually need to upgrade forks, handlebars, etc. With the great price, you can upgrade when/if you feel the need.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. It is mostly reat as-is(except the PEDALS). Many don't like the shocks, but as I had only ridden rigid forks previously, the stock shocks seem fine for now. Down the road, I will likely change out some parts to save some weight. Nice bike!
Similar Products Used: Old P.O.S. Sears-type mountain bike. Pretty nice Panasonic road bike.
Bike Setup: Time ATAC Alum pedals, Performance Viewpoint Pro lights (for night riding). All the rest is stock until it breaks!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Heidi Legacy
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredericton, NB Canada
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003
Strengths: good geometry ,lightweight stiff frame.
Weaknesses: crappy pedals and front shocks
Bottom Line:
This is my first bike, it's a great beginner bike. Although the shocks lacked any adjustment and the pedals kinda suck, replace those two components and you have got yourself a great bike for a good price. Without the appropriate upgrades it's not really an adequate dirt jumper. Overall it's an excellent bike, sturdy frame and shimano components. I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!
Strengths: Light frame, Suspension fork is decent, tires are very good as well, Comfortable seat, Quality Shimano components
Weaknesses: Cheap pedals, rims not disc compatible, fork needs a lot of lubrication
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a great bike to start out on, this is it. All you need is a better suspension fork and disc brakes and your good. I plan to do more upgrades and i know this will be one excellent bike.
Similar Products Used: only far more expensive OR cheap garbage
Bike Setup: Cateye, Zefal cage, Shimano m535 pedals, lizard skin
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brent Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003
Strengths: It might be a cheapo bike, but this thing is bombproof, it can climb adequately, and frame workmanship is good (my frame is a 2001 and compared to the later models, the frame welds are so much finer).
Weaknesses: Heavy, when I bought it, they ripped me off.
Bottom Line:
Buy it when you start off, but you can always soup it up and turn it into a killer rig.
I bought a Trek 4100 when I was in school, rode to campus during the week and rode trails on the weekends. Figured if I took up trail riding I'd just buy a new bike or parts or wh Read More »
but for the rest of you.
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Oh and btw, any of us could build something similar... its just a 100W-12V car Read More »
I am going to look at a used Trek 4100 and the attached is the spec that they gave me on the bike. I do not know a lot about mountain bikes and will be using this for paved paths a Read More »
hi yall, new to mtn biking and LOVING it!
i bought a used '04 trek 4100... very entry level and after searching here, i see that it isnt really worth upgrading.
but i wanted yo Read More »
So i have a used Trek 4100 sitting around that i am having a hard time selling. i have a geared bike already so i figured, why not make the trek into a ss and try out the ss thin Read More »
