Submitted by
FrenchFit
a Weekend Warrior
from West Coast
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2011
Strengths: Light, Fit Geometry, Easy Upgrade, Quality
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I've bought a few Trek MTB frames, SL & ZX. This is a white 8000 SL with black and red decals, yr. 2000 my guess. I used the LX shifters and brakes, everything else is upgraded or old skool components I just prefer. I buy my Trek MTB frame a size smaller, then tweak to fit with a long Thudbuster seatpost and riser bar. The bikes are lighter and more comfortable this way. I am not a racer, but I might spend an entire day exploring ridge lines. These frames are great, light, stiff and take upgrades well. Long top tube, but if you jump down a size they tend to fit up perfectly, for me anyway. They need a 172.5 or longer crank arm, shorter and they feel underpowered to me. Super all around frame that looks great a decade later.
this bike was light & lovely, it ate corners climbedlike a beast and descended very quickly, responsive ride and in conjunction w the tires used to carve corners like butter. i wouldve like to have tried a more plush fork like a marz. but it was stolen a few yrs ago..
Bike Setup: rock shox sid 98, race face crankset, lx brakes w/ xt pads, levers and shifters, mavic wheels xtr hubs, azonic riser bar, icon stem+seatpost, LX deraileurs f/r, xt bb, xt rear cassette, michellin wildgripper sprint s tires f/r.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Kevin Henderson
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000
Strengths: The frame rocks.... period. All around great performer with little initial $$ outlay. Sprints up hills like it never knew who Newton was. I love this bike
Weaknesses: Creaky frame noise after many, many miles... but that's it.
Bottom Line:
The resume of this bike? Over 5000 miles now. Riding conditions have been in mud and muck on the North shore of Oahu in Hawaii, Fire roads in California, Japanese Urban Assault Mountain biking in Japan, a century ride combining cross country and streets through the jungles of Borneo, Blazing, salty, sun drenched mountain rides on the coral rocks of saipan, Okinawa, Guam, Tinian. This bike has taken me to and from work every day for the past three years. I can take it offroad and beat it all day and it will still deliver me safely the next day to work. All I do is my own tuneups and some TLC. A truly faithful steed indeed.
Bike Setup: Still running stock setup with the exception of Gore Ride on Cables (wore the others out) change of tires to semi-slicks for street riding... (YUK)
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Submitted by
Lloyd
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000
Strengths: Good value for the money when new.
Weaknesses: Annoying original pedals. So-so original shock. Frame, while light, was not very durable. Manufacturer seems more interested in volume rather than quality.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line? I will NEVER purchase another Trek bike (or, for that matter, a Fischer, Klien, or Bontrager bike) again. This bike was no trouble for about 6 months, but ever since then has been nothing but trouble. I ride my bike pretty hard, but then again, what serious rider doesn't? The most annoying problem is the constant BB creak, that no one (even Trek dealers) seems to know how to fix. Further, my original frame cracked at the weld where the drive-side chainstay meets the bottom bracket, but the local Trek dealer did not inspect that area when my original frame began creaking pretty bad last summer. I found out later from the Trek rep himself that Trek has known about this problem since 1998. My new warranty frame has been no better, as I still have the constant BB creak. I am sick of this bike. I would not recommend this bike to anyone who is even moderately serious about biking.
Similar Products Used: Research Dynamics Coyote, Fischer Paragon and Specialized M2 StumpJumper.
Bike Setup: 1998 SID, Time ATAC pedals, Mavic 517 rear rim, Specialized body geometry comp seat, 12x32 XTR rear cassette. Otherwise stock (LX/XT grupo, icon post and handlebar, Bontrager front rim, LX hubs, LX cranks and BB, Avid 1.9/LX V brakes).
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Submitted by
Dwight Hatcher
a Weekend Warrior
from Cornwall, CT USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000
Strengths: Very responsive -- truly, what goes in is what comes out. Any mistakes are MINE and not the bike's. Climbs very well and descends even better. Comfortable ride with the power going right to the wheel.
Weaknesses: None that I can see (cranks and rings are the cheesiest components but will be looking to go Raceface someday. Also, LX/XT mix is OK but clearly the XTR upgrade is down the line -- good news is that between the frame quality and the Trek warranty, upgrades are worth it)
Bottom Line:
My first MTB and after lots of test rides, I made the right decision. Every time I ride, I enjoy the time on the bike and can't wait to get back out. And as a first bike, it's nearly perfect since it "teaches" good bike skills -- i.e. as above, what goes in is what comes out. Light weight and responsiveness mean that my abilities are the only limits. I have never felt as if the bike were holding me back or causing problems. Great frame and the Trek warranty mean that I can upgrade and keep on riding. Paid about $1000 (including upgrades listed). Not sure what other forks are on bikes reviewed but the Manitou SX suits me fine. Can't say id it's right for everyone -- test rides really convinced me and I was lucky that Dave at Tenafly Bike Works (NJ) gave me a good sample of comparables to ride. First time MTBers should enjoy this bike. As I said above, it teaches good bike handling skills and does not punish you.
Similar Products Used: LBS (Tenafly Bike Works -- awesome shop -- Dave is a great guy) had me test ride a Kona, a Gary Fisher, and had already ridden Marin and C-dale. Price and performance sold me on the Trek.
Bike Setup: Stock -- Bontrager Asyms, Avid 2.0, LX?XT, Icon cranks. Upgrades: Flite Ti seat, Thomson seatpost, Syncros riser bar.
Strengths: wicked light,strong, turns ona dime, GREAT bike for any kind of riding, i raced this baby on dual slalom with different components a few times and it was sweet, i picked it up for 600 it was a demo and it was upgraded alot, its worth the 1200 even thoough i didnt pay it!!
Weaknesses: comes witha crappy fork but if you didnt spend 1200 on it u can buy a new one i just put a judy race on it.. i used to change forks and parts when i would downhill with this frame but now i just change the wheels cranks brakes and pedals the judy race is awesome u should get that too
Bottom Line:
this bike is just plane great i recomend it to anyone this bike is so light and handles great even on the trickiest downhill ill give it 5 chilis cause i got if for 600
Strengths: Great Frame and component mix. Accelerates and climbs great. Turns on a dime (but feels kinda twitchy sometimes)
Weaknesses: Front shock (Judy t2) and grips (I switched to Serfas). Tires aren't so hot in mud.
Bottom Line:
My feelings after 1.5 years on this bike-- it still rocks like a mother.
I've put some serious miles on it and have had almost no problems. The front shock needs to be replaced soon, and I smashed the rear shifter. I've had no problems with the frame, other than that damn creaking sound.
I love this bike and don't regret for moment buying it. I don't know what the new 8000's are like, but if they're anything like the '98s do your self a favor and buy one.
Similar Products Used: Trek 930 (my previous bike), many Cannondale and Gary Fisher hardtails (friends bikes and rentals)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jos
a Weekend Warrior
from Tilburg, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999
Strengths: bar ends.
Weaknesses: Crankshaft makes noises when peddling hard
Bottom Line:
It's a perfect bike is very light weight and has perfect handling. For a price of F 2400 ,- (1200 USD) it's the best bike you can get in the Netherlands. I had to get used to the color layout ( A little bit to agressive) but I start to like it now. The Bike is perfect for climbing en has perfect control in a steep descent. The front suspension is a bit stiff but works well when riding over big bumbs. The crankshaft makes creking noises but this doesn't effect the performance until now. I would recomment this bike to any body especially large people like my (1.90m). So I give this bike 5 stars
Favorite Trail: 6 km near Dorst and 43 km near Brussum
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Bike Setup: Default
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from Orlando, FL
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1999
Strengths: frame, value, components
Weaknesses: hard to find one, but rims can untrue quickly
Bottom Line:
What a great bike. I love it plus I didn't break my budget for it ($700 new). It handles great, climbs well and just rocks. I had a bit of creaking after a couple of weeks, but it went away. I would definitely buy this bike again.
Submitted by
mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from palatine,IL
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999
Strengths: Lightweight, value, trek cust. service
Weaknesses: Frame failed
Bottom Line:
I logged about 2500 great miles on the bike when i discovered a crack on the chainstay just behind the bb. I returned the bike to my LBS. Two weeks later I received a 2000 8500 replacement frame. I had to pay for labor to put my old components on. The new frame has a gusset where the old frame failed. I am very impressed with Treks quick warranty service. I read some others didn't have the response I did. I delt with Trek through my LBS. Kudos to Trek and my LBS(Buffalo Grove Cycle/fitness).
This bike is unbelievable! I love the dark blue color! The pedals are great too! I love the componentry and all! I've had so many comments on my bike since I've got it, and I've only owned it for one day!
Very good climber with a stiff frame and a strong suspension (Manitou SX). Close your eyes and if you don’t crash will fell like riding a CrMo. Pedals are clean and firm. LX shifters do a good job. Avid brakes are stiff and precise. Avid break levers are great and very easy to modulate. Drive train works smoothly. Positive Net Present Value!
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lake Placid
Date Reviewed: April 11, 1999
Bottom Line:
Used to ride a Marin (I liked it a lot but sold it before I moved East) and it's been a while since I've been on a bike. THIS BIKE IS AWESOME!!!! Lot's of fun, makes you happy.
Submitted by
Chris Kuhl
a Weekend Warrior
from Mechanicsburg, PA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
Strengths: It has the strongest frame I have ever used. The bike is indestructible. Plus it is the best handling bike I have ever used also. The parts package for this ride is terrific for the money.
Weaknesses: The Mavic Rims become untrue to quickly. The LX Crankset is a piece of JUNK.
Bottom Line:
I would buy this bike again, It is just a great ride for the buck. It's also indistructable.
