Submitted by
vr6pilot
a Cross Country Rider
from Keyton, AL USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2010
Strengths: Strong frame
Light frame
Great looks
Weaknesses: Some of the components are lame.
front fork geometry
Bottom Line:
I've been on this bike for 12 years and gone thru three sets of tires and even on the STX-RC components that everyone has been bashing, this bike has been just fantastic! I moved the barends to the inside of the grips and have been able to use it as a road bike by just quickly swapping in my "other" wheelset with road tyres so this bike has been my 'everything' bike pulling duty on and off the beaten path. Best points on this bike are that it's light and fast which makes it easy to ride well. While I'm sure it is far from the lightest MTB frameset out there, TREK has done a great job of balancing weight and strength. 12 years of riding proves it...not one hairline fracture anywhere. The only components to go poop on me are the shifters (worn springs) which I'll be removing and repairing tomorrow. Now, only because I know it can be better...I've ordered an XT crankset, front derailleur, and bottom bracket that should bring the bike up to snuff as a whole. Above all, TREK adorned this bike with the metallized yellow paint that just rocks! So not only is the frame good enough to keep and upgrade, it looks so awesome that you WANT to keep it! Sure to be a classic and certain to be under my tush after another 12 years, I give it 4 chilies overall because I know its not the best bike in the world but its darn good and clearly lasts!
Similar Products Used: 89 Trek 970, 92 Trek 8000 (bonded)
Bike Setup: My bike is almost entirely stock right now aside from a different (more comfy) saddle and stem (more upright).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Murphy
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2005
Strengths: Great entry level XC ride (at the time it was made).
Weaknesses: Front forks (Judy) were a poor choice.
Bottom Line:
Fast aluminum hardtail, fairly light; has served me well for eight years. The ride is a bit jarring compared to the plush rides available in 2005. With an upgraded fork, this is a good value. MM
Submitted by
Johnny
a Racer
from Hicksville, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001
Strengths: Pink and purple streamers flap in the wind
Weaknesses: i dont know what it is. People look at me as if i'm a damn fool, whats the problem?
Bottom Line:
GUH HUCK! This bike is a swamp master. The only problem is the sunglasses make me constantly run into trees. This almost caused a problem the other day when a gator almost got my left arm... anyway, go out and buy one these limited edition swamp rovers! But make sure not to forget the pink and purple streamers (they are essential to the bikes geometry)
Disclaimer: This review was written solely to amuse fellow mountain bikers everywhere. In no way did we mean to offend, and/or discriminate against certain groups of people and/or individuals. PS: Mountain biking kicks ass!!!
Similar Products Used: unicycle, 9 person tandem (fits the whole family), ride on mower, ford model T, canoe w/ alloy wheels and monster truck tires, various roller skates, scooters, big wheels battery powered trucks, tonka sand scooper, and i ride donkeys
Bike Setup: huffy python cast iron frame, trek 7000 tube caps, rockmachine fork, superwolf and rocky fighter tires, top tube pads ,couch cushion seat, no handlebars (joystick), 19 reflectors, honky horn, ringy bell, purple & pink streamers, orange flag, chain guard, 18" subwoofer on back, gatorade water cooler, disco ball, mast and sail, Pikachu hood ornament, 99 red balloons, kite
Free sunglasses from the optomotrist, bell bottoms, cant fit my afro under a helmet, but i wear a large sombraro, headgear, ear muffs, diaper, shin guards, muzzle, elbow pads, knee pads, latex gloves, roller skates, cant afford socks, hand knit grandmother made loin cloth, cup and jock strap complete with red suspenders,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Hartman
a Weekend Warrior
from Portage, MI
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2001
Strengths: Very nice frame...stiff and pretty responsive. Rear derailure is awesome..its so smooth i cant tell if it actually shifted sometimes. I like the Black/Red/Silver combination. Clipless pedals are great (once you learn to use them)! Good price! I think I paid about $700 and my bike shop had put on a few upgrades with the bar/stem area to cut down weight.
Weaknesses: The fork is kind of disappointing. It compresses a little too easily and likes to endo. The rear gearset jams in extremely muddy conditions (but I suppose they all would). Front derailure likes to lock up the chain and has a hard time getting into the large gear sometimes. Bar ends are too short and seem to make riding harder. Ive also noticed that no matter how much I tune the front brake, it rubs the rim when going around turns. Its not enough to slow you down much, but it is pretty noticible. The stock back tire has little to no traction in muddy/loose dirt conditions. The other thing I have noticed (due to a dislocated shoulder) is that the bike flys bad in the air. It is very sensitive to any movement that you make while in the air and likes to turn sideways no matter what. Maybe its a balance issue but if you know of a way to stop this, let me know before my arms fall off from being ripped out of their sockets from landing sideways.
Bottom Line:
This is a good bike. The frame is awesome! with a few upgrades to the front fork/brakes/front derailure...you'd have the perfect bike for thousands less than what you would expect to pay. I highly reccomend it to all skill levels! Beginners get a good set up..and racers get to have the most fun of biking...the upgrading!!! I give it 4 Salsa emblems!!
Similar Products Used: Klein Pulse Comp, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Specialized Rockhopper/Stumpjumper.
Bike Setup: Most components are stock. Lighter stem and handle bars. Pyramid Front Fender (works great but mounting bracket takes some major modification to get it to fit on the fork without rubbing wheel and shock arc). Specialized wireless computer (highly reccomended). Rear rack that mounts to seatpost with quick release (works great as rear fender/mud guard). Also lights to replace reflectors.
Strengths: This mother is the fastest thing your going to get your hands on for 3000 dollars plus. Stx rxc front derrailer shifts well with upgrades. Whole bike is ripping fast.
Weaknesses: The only weekness is the shifter pods, spend 160, get xtr.
Bottom Line:
I race almost every single week, and really beat the hell out ofd this bike. But then again, it is quite impossible to beat the hell out of this xc dream machine. Superman is faster then a speeding bullit, but not this thing. It climbs like it has a motor, and decends like the elavators on the Empire state building. The parts sure helped, but I am a serious xc racer. Even with the crapiest parts, this bike will still rock. The white bros S sc72ul fork is better then the sid race lights, and more expensive two (730 dollars). That is the biggest upgrade you can make on this bike. A new shock. Get a sid xc for 300, or a superfly. Something light. I have the bike weighted in at 22.1 lbs. It is so fast I can barely hold on to the handle bars when out of the saddle. On desends it also seems to absorb more then usual because of the frame geometry. I have a moxey suspention seatpost, so it really feels comfortable. I think thats the best thing you can do for racing. For xc you want a hardtail right? But you hate the bumps. Get a suspention seatpost! Its like a full suspention bike, that actually climbs. I race this thing in expert class, and I have 14 wins under my belt. Except for two times, I've always made the podium. With a big smile on my face. So, next time your out with your buddies, or strangers. Pull up to them, pop a wheelie, and let them kiss your ass the next mile and a half. THIS BIKE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'd give this thing five chillis for every time i've ridden it. So it adds up to about 9500 chillis. RIDE HARD- RIDE ON
Similar Products Used: Trek 6500 Gary Fisher Marlin Gary Fisher Mt.Tam Trek vrx 300 Cannondale caad 3
Bike Setup: I am a cross country racer, sponsored by the trek devo team. I have the bike with xtr front and rear derrailers, xtr crank, bb, shifters, and levers. Xt brakes, hubs, casset, and chain. Ibis stem, monkey lite riser bar. Rolf pro competition rims, on panacer pro xc tires. Time atac carbon pedals, and Icon bar ends. White bros S sc72ul fork. Over 2650 dollars invested. This bike is worth it. Also moxey suspention seatpost.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Miffitt
a Cross-Country Rider
from athens, ga
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999
Strengths: Value, Climbing, Weight, Tires
Weaknesses: My frame just cracked. The Indy isn't too good either, but at least it's not broken.
Bottom Line:
I've reviewed this bike before, and I love it, but the frame just cracked. I hope Trek doesn't screw around with this. I hear horror stories about people not getting their frame back for months. On a positive not, the bike shop, Dixon's has been great about it. They gave me a loaner for my upcoming race. That's class. www.gobike1.com
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999
Strengths: Stiff Alpha alum. frame, handling, REALLY fast! The way it looks. RDR rear wheel, tires.
Weaknesses: Front derailer, Front v-brake broke
Bottom Line:
This is the BEST bike ever made for the price!! At $800 it is a great deal, but I got mine for $750. I have no regret at all for buying my 7000, it should last me (as long as it doesn't get stolen--everybody wants it!). Trek made this bike gorgeous-I love the way the orange paint looks with the black, red and silver components. Had the bike at Lake Michigan at sunset and it glowed-the frame looked like glowing coals. Riding in the ghetto once, I stopped at a light--A girl looked out her window and told me she loved my bike. I have to pry the neighbor kids fingers off it everytime I want to ride. Even my 80 yr old Grandpa complemented it! Thank God this bike has the ballz to back up it's looks. No matter how hard I pedal, the bike shoots straight ahead, no wasted energy in flex. The Indy XC isn't bad for me (140 lbs.) Also love the strong v-brakes and light wheels. This bike just hauls. The adjuster screw on the left front Avid brake stripped out, and it lost tension on that side so the brake wouldn't center and dragged. Put a bigger thread screw in, works like new. Also, the front STX derailer sucks buttcheeks! Who came up with this thing? I'm going to throw it away. Nothing else broke. Overall I love my 7000 and after one year, haven't gown tired of it yet. The '00's are almost out now, but I'll stick to my '98 Trek 7000 thank you very much!! She's been too good to me. Get one if you can
Submitted by
paasche
a Cross-Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Strengths: Paint Gear Set Frame Feel (everything)
Weaknesses: Indy fork Cranks
Bottom Line:
I have replaced the shifters with plasma and upgraded the fork guts and a few other upgrades. This bike is great . 5 flaming fresh doo doo's on a stick.
Bike Setup: All stock components, but will upgrade fork
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek Jensen
a Racer
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999
Strengths: I won't have an excuse to buy another bike for years because this frame is so dang light and durable (so far). Great value, much more comfy ride than my friend's Rockhopper (hope he doesn't read this), and nice steering and brakes. Clipless pedals are a huge help!
Weaknesses: Shocks are a little soft, even for my 135-lb. frame. Although this is probably true for all new XC bikes, the big chainring is too small - I can barely hit 30mph.
Bottom Line:
A great value for the money with a frame good enough to upgrade around for years. 'Nuff said
Similar Products Used: Owned 830SHX for two years, ridden '98 Rockhopper A1 Comp FS.
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Mcmonigle
a Weekend Warrior
from Linwood, PA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 1999
Strengths: Light, great handling, plenty of bike for the money.
Weaknesses: Judy XC tough in winter
Bottom Line:
Haven't beat the crap out of it yet. But I keep trying. Added new brake pads and seat in the year I've had it. Covered some scratches with free stickers and its been a great performer. Trek has impressed me. I'd buy another.
The 7000 has survived all the punishment I have dished out. The bike has put on over 1500 miles commuting and off-raod riding. Oregon winters are hard on bikes, but this one has survived, requiring only 1 rear hub overhaul. The bike has been covered in mud, seawater, submerjed while riding, and pounded under my 250-lb. weight. It's not the smoothest or most responsive, but it's more than enough to ride hard on. I amd going to be riding my inaugural racing season on this baby, and it's reliablity is reassuring in the heat of battle. I give it a 5.
