Frame, Chain, Handle bars, Wheels, Gearing, Quick release hubs and seat post.

Foot Straps, Shifters, Goose neck, Sharp corners, Rear brakes, Fork.

I bought my 1995 6500zx brand new. I previously owned a 15 speed Giant that I bought new in 1985. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BIKE!!! I replaced the front suspension with the stock stiff fork, ( I didn't want to lose any energy), the rotating shifters were replaced with Rapid fire shifters, changed the seat to a Serfas Gel saddle, and installed an adjustable goose neck that brouught the handle bars up closer to me...all from the get go. I bought that bike when I was 25. am now 43 and that bike is still riding strong. Except for the initial changes I made when I first bought it, (for about $600.00), around $150.00 worth, the only other things I have changed were adding a headlight and tail light, Thats it! For the last 18 years I have ridden thousands of miles on it, with almost all of the original parts. I have ridden it in California, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. I am currently planning a 2100 mile trip from NYS to Colorado...all with my 1995 Trek 6500 zx. I am however dumping about $1500.00 into the bike for a complete overhaul and upgrades for the trip. I biked all four seasons with it and the bike has been solid from day one. I am a big guy, 6' 4 " and over 300 pounds, I can exert a massive amount of force on the frame, especially when sprinting up hills. Although 90% of my riding is on pavement, I have flexed that frame time and time again and it remains, at least in my mind my most favorite bike to date!

Frame

Older shock and original mid -low range components

I had a number of mtn bikes over the years. I started with steel Norcos, Diamondbacks and other makes.

This Trek has looged thousands of miles, I've owned it since new. There are so many new parts it's hard to recall what it looked like new.

Having just bought a newer commuter style bike I'm putting the knobbies back on this and getting it out on the trails a lot more.

The original fork was weak and is pretty much cooked now. Will replace it and continue to ride this thing for ever!

Great frame, good geometry, easy to work on, still competes with newer bikes for weight.

Similar Products Used:

Lots of mtn bikes

Light weight, beautiful and seamless joints, still riding

not the stiffest frame... also not suited for forks over 80mm

I bought this thing new when I was 15 with my own $. I am now 30 and have ridden this trek for hundreds and hundreds of trips up and down the trails here in WA. The only original part is the seatpost. When I lived in Bellingham, my buddy and I would take these funky frankinstein hardtails up to some gnarly drops and and like at Gailbraith Mountain, drop the seats down and have at it. This thing in it's current iteration is one part climber, one part mud bogger, and one part downhill. I still put on 20-40 miles a week on it. I've been thinking about getting a bigger bike but I will NEVER buy a $6000 DH piece of crap! Made in the USA when this country still made good stuff to buy!

Similar Products Used:

lots of mountain and road bikes

VERY Stiff. Bonded Easton AL frame (no welds). Super Long Life. Super High Durability.

VERY Stiff. non-replaceable derailleur hanger, no disc tabs. Largest possible rear tire is 2.125

Stock, this bike was mediocre by modern standards, but I've rebuilt it about 7-8 different times, each time making it a little better than the last. Ive used 4 different forks on it and 4 different wheelsets, The only thing left on it thats stock is the paint. Ive thoroughly thrashed and crashed this bike on numerous occasions and it soaks it up ever time. Takes a lickin' keeps on tickin' Hands down, this is the most longlived / worthwhile atb frame ive owned or worked on.

Similar Products Used:

Fisher Super Caliber, Fisher Marlin, Trek 6000, Trek 8000

strong, quick frame. great bike to build on.

mediocre components

Great frame for the money. Super fast & agile. Components are what you get for 600 bucks... but fun to build up on. Don't see the need to change a frame till I wreck this one or win the lotto.

Handles great, no twist shifters, frame is solid

bottom bracket is worthless, stock seat is unbearable

I've had this bike for almost four years now. The bottom bracket has made noises almost from day one. THe bike shop would tighten it up, only to have it act up again. However, it's never failed on me. The only things that have failed on me are the rear derailluer (recently) and the plastic end for the cable housing at the rear derailluer. Otherwise, this bike has taken a lot of abuse and keeps on delivering great rides. Minor tuning has always made this bike shift and brake very well.

Similar Products Used:

I'd be embarassed to say

My Trek 6500ZX is a couple of years old, a 96' I'm guessing, it is blue and grey with the old grey Rock Shox and Stx componentry. For those of you who are wondering how your bike will hold up in a couple of years, I have on word...wonderfuly. I ride hard and enjoy a lot of air. My trek has held up to all the abuse. For those of you that complain about the componentry I have had zero problems with mine. Yes, my brakes are not V and Stx is far from top of the line, yet amazingley :) they all work beautifly. I broke a couple of teeth in the front sprocket which seems to have no effect. I am sick of hearing about how the components suck on this bike with my experience even though they are not top of the line they work. And besides its not what your riding it is how you ride it and this one will stay in great shape for years to come with out any upgrades.

Frame, Fork, Wheels, Rear Der., Tires

Seatpost (clamp), Crank, Cassette, chain, pedals FRONT DER

New to the sport in '98 when i bought this bike. Great ride. People might complain about the fork, but I have ridden everwhere and everything with it and put it through any known condition to man. The frame is great, And VERY stout. At 180 pounds, I am not really heavy, but not all that light either, and the frame had put up with my unexperienced bulls**t without a moan. After upgrading extensively, the bike is now Dial and is SWEET. I have had the opprontunity to upgrade to a Schwinn Homegrown and the new, Giant Team Carbon, but have elected to stay with this frame.The seatpost started creaking soon after I got it, but a little WD-40 (yikes, huh?) took care of that (no, grease didn't work). As well, the front derailleur was improperly placed from the factory, and is also easy to fix with a skilled machanics hand. Other than that, the crank is very low cost, and the rings wear quickly, as does the suntour cassette. Other than that, All it needs is some C-less pedalsGreat lost cost bike. If I didn't have such a lust for high end, I wouldn't have change very muchFive for the frame, performance and value, Four for the bike over all

Excellent frame for the price (light, fast), Indy C is a good deal

Front derailleur, pedals

It's an excellent bike for someone beginning in cross-country competition except for the front derailleur (has many problems even if fixed). For that, I will probably change it with a better one and I decided to change to clips for the pedals because I prefer that. I think that the Indy C is good deal, I never had problems with it. Buy this bike!!!

Similar Products Used:

Specialized Rockhopper, Kona Nunu

I purchased this bike because Trek is a solid platform to build from. There are only two problems I've encountered with this bike, the front and rear derailers. Soon these will be upgraded to Deore XT components, my brother has these components on his bike and they work great. I've already upgraded the pedals to clipless types, their just absolutely great. Other than the derailers, this bike is the BOMB.