Submitted by
Dusterdan
a Cross Country Rider
from Riverside, CA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2010
Strengths: Holy crud is this bike versatile. With off road tires it went up a trail so steep had the front tire coming off the ground with all my weight forward. With slicks pumped up this thing competes with moderate touring bikes. 41 mph so far; could use a taller high gear though. Incredibly durable, feels solid & very smooth, shifts well, brakes stop hard enough to pop my eyes out of their sockets; oh, that's a rush. Easy to work on but rarely needs it.
Weaknesses: Needs a taller high gear & I Can't peddle backward while shifting, lol. But seriously folks, this thing has little to no weaknesses. My frame is gusseted at every joint, so I don't have to look at those nasty welds many are so ofended by.
Bottom Line:
Nicest bike I ever owned. And free is a good deal. Someone heard I restore bikes & give them away & gave me this cycle to ride or donate. Since I didn't have a road or mountain bike for myself at the time, I decided to keep it. Never regreted it for a moment. Best bike I ever owned.
Submitted by
bruder
a Cross Country Rider
from Haiku HI
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2010
Strengths: Durability -- this bike has been ridden for 15+ years and is still going strong.
Bottom Line:
great bike for cross country. Just replaced the front grip shift today, and changed it to rapid fire (converted the rear shifter 10 years ago). Also replaced the brake pads and grips. It's ready for a few more years of riding.
Bike Setup: Upgrades: Rock Shox Judy XC Shimano xt V-brakes.
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Submitted by
coachmassage
a Weekend Warrior
from silver city nm
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2010
Strengths: Steel frame
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I call it a commuter F1 Put some Tom slicks with a 52 -11 gear ratio and let it rip. I love this bike. no other bike I have ever heard of couldn't have taken half the beating. the thing i love most is that it was made in the USA!
Similar Products Used: nothing like it on the road
Bike Setup: I have put many mods on this bike, I put a 52 tooth touring triple crank on the front and upgraded wheels and rear hub with a 11 32. This thing can fly. I have hit 52 mph and it was rock solid!! I have cracked the frame at the bottom chain stay and still was able to ride it home. I brought it to a welder an he put a nice nuckle of a weld on it and has held perfectly! Ugly but strong I love steal!!!
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Submitted by
Lest
a Weekend Warrior
from London uk
Weaknesses: paint, had to spray over it a few times, can't use disc brakes on rear(well it was way before disc were invented for mountian bikes. x ray shifters, LX 8 speed set up, rock shock 21r 75mm folks
Bottom Line:
Brought this bike (trek 970shx) in august 1996 for £900 ($1000) & bike is still going strong apart from some rust under the tube from front mud guards, in 1997 I had a motor engine on it, that only lasted a yeaar as the motor was low down & did'nt like speed bumps. Used to use it every day but now only use it once a month due to using my Vespa in the week for work & electic mountin bike (Alien)& my other mountin bike (carrera valcon) at weekends. Spent quiet a bit on up grades- parts are worth much more than the frame!!
Bike Setup: M960 XTR hollowtech crank, Rock shox tora 318, kmc x9 sl gold chain, xtr hubs, xtr rear derailer,XTR front derailer , xtr 9 speed sprockets, chris king head set, xt shifters, mavic cermanic rims, pink halo tyres.
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Submitted by
connor mcbryde
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2009
Strengths: Still trucking after 13 years of daily use. Oil up moving parts, rebuild Zoke with new oil and seals annually and ride on.
Weaknesses: None, really; ?heavy, but then again True Temper OX-III Comp steel. Welds are still ugly but tough.
Bottom Line:
What a great bike! Thought I'd throw a few props to my old workhorse after 12+ years and 10,800 miles of riding.
Still my daily commuter rain shine or snow for work, summer roadie use with Michelin Grand Prix 26 x 1.00 slicks on my road rims, and occasional off-road use nowadays when I'm not on the Burner.
I hope to always own a steel hardtail and a Zoke coil fork...
Similar Products Used: None. 2004 Turner Burner and a steel Santana Tandem round out my stable.
Bike Setup: 1996 970/2000 Z2 Atom 80, mostly original components save for new stem, pedals, Selle Italia Flite saddle. Only OEM part which have worn out was the LX front derailleur pivots and the SRAM X-ray shifters. Multiple wheelsets...
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Submitted by
Steven Mancuso
a Weekend Warrior
from Haskell, New Jersey, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006
Strengths: I cannot believe I am writing a review on this bike of mine. Well,, right now,, after almost 13 years of beating on it,, ( purchased my 970 in 1992 ) the frame cracked in half. Lifetime warranty, Trek gave me money toward a new bike from them so I am on a Remedy now. This 970 was by far the best bike I have or will ever own. It is hung up in my garage now,, frame is taped together where the crack is and it is a show piece now. I have taken that bike all over the United States. Has major memories. Frame,XT brakes,XT shifters including , and I am serious, there cables, all all original and still work now perfect. I must have went through a couple dozen sets of Panaracer smoke/dart combo's on this bike. I have beaten on the bike for years but I do take care of it,, lubriction and cleaning it. Always washed and lubed,, garage kept. All I can say is I hope my new Trek mountain bike can follow in its fathers steps...
Weaknesses: none at all,, best mounatin bike ever made
Similar Products Used: Any older high end hard tail I guess.
Bike Setup: By the time the frame broke,, Rock Shox Judy XC shock, THOMSEN stem and lay back post, SELLE seat,520 clipless,Suntour XC cranks,Shimano XT brakes and 7 spd shifts,xt cassette, PARAMOUNT wheels,Panaracer tires,Titec Hellbent bars,Lizard skin grips.
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Submitted by
Kevin O'Donnell
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004
Strengths: Considering this bike was produced in 1996 and is racking up the miles in all sorts of weather ... I've been extremely happy with my find. Durable OX III frame, predictable handling, quality and durability of LX/XT drivetrain.
Weaknesses: Agree with everyone else about the welds ... but, they all have held despite their less than stellar cosmetic appearance. Stock tires wallow due to their really flat tread profile ... I'll switch to IRC Mythos this summer.
Bottom Line:
I'm quite confident that I'll happily keep plodding along with this bike for many years to come. Daily commuting, weekend trail rides ... it's been a really faithful partner.
If the frame ever needs replacing (which will be more to fuel my ego than a real need) ... it will be with a Gunnar Rockhound ... same tubing set and also made in Wisconsin. But, much nicer welds.
Bike Setup: Just switched the stock LX cantis out with Deore V-Brakes, and replaced the original chain with a new Shimano IG model. Anticipated changes include a switch out extremely tired 8-year-old Rox Quadra 21 with a new Manitou Skareb, as well as switch to IRC Mythos skins. Would also like to upgrade to King. Still running the stock LX / XT drivetrain (bulletproof and still shifting well after about a guh-zillion miles in all sorts of conditions, including numerous commutes in Wisconsin winters). I care for my bikes, but, not excessively.
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Submitted by
John Pafford
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder Colorado USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003
Strengths: Nothing, other than an overpriced product that gets out the door, which is only a strength for the seller.
Weaknesses: Amateurish welding throughout. As stated below, looks like something out of a high scool shop class (by a first year student). When the rear rack lugs were braized on, the right-hand seat stay tube was overheated and eventually cracked at the edge of the braizing bead and had to be repaired ($100.00, plus repaint of affected area and teardown-rebuild time). And Trek is balking at paying the $100.00 in spite of their "lifetime warranty" even in view of the fact that they can't replace the frame. That's pretty poor performance in my book.
All of the mediocre componentry that came on the bike, mostly LX, has since been replaced due to failure or just to prevent future failure. The handlebar and seat post are original, nothing else. And remember, this bike is used on paved roads ONLY. It has NEVER seen any form of rough service or abuse.
Bottom Line:
For $100.00 Trek has lost a previously loyal customer for life. As a company, Trek Inc. and its products, supplied componentry and warranty coverages leave a LOT to be desired.
Bike-N-Hike, on the other hand, is the greatest and the owner, Dave Swenson, is doing everything possible to make this right. Best shop by far that I've ever had dealings with.
Similar Products Used: 1984 Trek 720 road touring frameset. Retired at about 35,000-40,000 miles in CHERRY condition. Best bike I'll probably ever own, certainly the best to date!!
This is the ONLY reason that I bought another Trek - NEVER AGAIN!!
Bike Setup: All 8 speed XT except for Avid Ultimate V brakes. Sunn Rhino Lite XL rims, Wheelsmith/Chris King. Brooks Pro saddle. Jandd touring packs and racks. Rigid special order Trek front fork with low rider lugs (took 3 months and 3 trys for them to get even close. Lugs are at different heights and required mods on the racks to work. Welding is terrible looking too).
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Submitted by
Jose
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, California
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002
Strengths: Good steel construction: True Temper OX III comp frame that gives a good steel ride out on the trails. Standard hard tail geometry makes for a stable and agile ride.
Great price and decent components (LX/XT) when I bought it. As originally purchased, components were reliable, functional and relatively light weight enough for me to enjoy the ride and not have to worry about things breaking down.
Weaknesses: Rock Shox Q21R spec'd on this bike was too flexy. LX cantilver brakes were lacking for power. Original Matrix rims didn't last long.
Ugly weld job makes it seem like the frame was assembled as part of High School shop welding project.
Bottom Line:
Six years, thousands of miles and the bike is still a great ride. The frame's been worthy of all its upgrades.
Bike Setup: Selle Italia saddle, Shimano pedals. All else is factory.
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Submitted by
Bob Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001
Strengths: Frame rules. Bontrager stuff. No skimp drivetrain.
Weaknesses: Paint and somewhat cobby welding. Original Indy SL was light but had low quality travel, no damping, and alot of fore/aft movement.
Bottom Line:
Stuff keeps wearing out, but the frame goes on. It's not super-light. Stripped down completely it is 2212 grams (4.8lbs), but it more than compensates for this with handling and ride characteristics that are beautiful. Four years of solid abuse have convinced me that steel is real. I will ride this bike until I die.
Bike Setup: Right now it is the middle of winter. Bike is set up as a bare frame hanging on my Graber. I have most of the original LX/XT stuff. I've ridden it a half a year with Z4 Flightligh Air. Also upgraded the seat to a sella san marco bontrager. On the way from pricepoint I've got '01 LX hollowtech cramks and a pair of Sram Attack shifters. Should rise to a level of unprecedented glory within days. Albert Einstien smoking a cigar sticker on the stem. Faded and peeling Nader/LaDuke sticker on the top-tube
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Submitted by
Connor
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000
Strengths: Handling Strength Made of steel
Weaknesses: Welds are less than artistic
Bottom Line:
Great bike. I use the bike for daily commuting and CO mountain trails, and it has been extremely reliable, strong, excellent handling despite 3000+ miles of use. Ride is very forgiving due to steel frame, and no need to upgrade to seatpost shock like an aluminum hardtail might need. I plan on keeping it for some time, as I am not convinced that a titanium hardtail would be worth the upgrade.
Bike Setup: '96 with Judy XC/Judd springs, Tektro Quartz V's, XT cassette/Mavic
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Submitted by
Ian Staford
a Cross Country Rider
from Ithaca NY 14850
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000
Strengths: Affordable great bike.
Weaknesses: Indy SL is flexy. Low quality travel.
Bottom Line:
I bought my 1997 970 shx in the middle of the summer of 97. It has stood up to thousands of sound thrashings. The steering is a little quick, but that has saved me a million times. For the price, I couldn't find anything else that I wanted or would not have to change parts on. The Bontrager bar and stem rule as well as the seat. Everything on this bike is really good for the price range. The Indy SL is light and laterally ridid but has alot of foer/aft movement. I have been meaning to get rid of it forever, but there have always been cases of beer and bags of.. well... I love my bike and will ride it until it is even MORE out of style.
Similar Products Used: Shwinn s96.1, Gt Zaskar, Karakoram, Backwoods
Bike Setup: stock except the seat. I got a deal on a san marco race day bontrager that is shaped like the one that was on my bike but has kevlar stuff for my butt and bouncy for my sack.
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Submitted by
McCracken
a Cross-Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1999
Strengths: Fairly light Component group Excellent climber
Weaknesses: Quad 21 Shock System 3 Front Hub
Bottom Line:
The 1996 Trek 970 came equipped with an XT/LX drivetrain, RS Quad 21 shock, X-Ray grip shifters, and System 3 front hub, seat post, bar, etc. After a few rides on the Q21, I swapped it out with a Mag21. I liked the grip shifter for the front derail due to the incremental shifting, but did not like the rear shifting. I put an XTR rear shifter on it and that did the trick. It looks a little goofy, but it works for me. The frame is a little flexy, but it makes for a very comfortable ride and does not affect the handling very much. It is an excellent climber and tight in the corners. If it would have come with a better shock, I would give it 5 flaming carcasses, but it gets 4 for the fork.
I have had 2 steel, 1 aluminum, and 1 carbon fiber bike and I still believe steel is the best of these 3 materials. My '96 970 frame (same as '97 except color) rides the way a good hardtail should. Stiff on the climbs and forgiving on descents. It's a real shame Trek quit making nice steel hardtails, they were good at it.
