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Submitted by
SidRacer73
a Cross Country Rider
from canada
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Edmonton River Valley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Olympia Cycles Winni | | Strengths: | I've had this bike since 1996, it was the sweetest spec'd bike I had seen at the time, and I even liked the color. It handled as well as a '96 Rocky Mountain Blizzard, but it felt less 'twangy' (probably from Rocky's use of Tange Steel at the time) but since the bike was on clear out from Trek due to delays that year of the Manitou Mach 5 SX, which was experiencing initial teething problems with the bonded arch/lowers. For a $700 (CDN funds) I couldn't say no. I've had my 990 ever since. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't come across any yet (knock on wood) I've had it for 13 years and counting! if I were to nit pick, I'd say the Dia Compe PC 7 Levers at the time were 'meh', and I swapped out the SRAM X ray shifters pretty quick too. Plus the front hub on the front wheel was a glossed up Joy Tech hub... that went to crap in 6 months. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing like it! | | Bike Setup: | It's been transformed over the years, I installed SRAM 9.0 V brakes with Avid 2.0 levers in 2000, as well as a 2000 SiD SL fork, last year I finally retired the XT cranks with the new 2007 XT Cranks (wow, stiff!) and swapped out my trusty old SWAMI wheels in 2000 with Mavic 517/XT wheels, and just recently with a Mavic Crossland UST wheelset. Stem, Seat post are Thomson, and my seat is a WTB Ti rail from 2000. She's still XT 8 Speed, and I aim to keep her that way.
Later this year I'm getting the frame stripped, cleaned, and clear powder coated.... now where do I find old Trek Decals? | | Bottom Line: | I've had it since 1996. I love this bike, I have had quite a few bikes in my stable over the years, and I sold off almost all of them. It climbs nice, dampens rough trails, and handles really well in the technical and the fast stuff.
This bike has been all across canada, and when I stop by bike shops of years past, they can't believe I still have it. They called it 'old school' last year in Edmonton. I agree, it is old school and it stays true to the motto 'they don't build 'em like they used to!'
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguello
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas, Harris
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Work commute | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trade for Benotto ro | | Strengths: | Great looking bike. Lugged True Temper, DX with XT shifters, stiff, light, and responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Original rims are weak, or seems that way since the back rim on mine has a bad hop. Still riadble though. Other than that, NONE. Thinking of a Rhyno Lite swap. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn High Sierra, Cannondale. Both late 80's though. | | Bike Setup: | Original except for tires, grips and stem. Possibly a Gary Bar soon. | | Bottom Line: | LOVE this bike, and I have not even been offroad with it. Best looking MTB I have ever seen, bar none!! Most of the newer stuff looks ugly to me, to the point of repulsive, lol! Fire engine red lugged frame with black and white graphics. The original suspension fork is almost dead, but still works fine for street use. This bike is the lightest steel MTB I've owned too. I have vintage road bikes that weigh more! It also moves like no other, even on pavement with WTB knobbies! You keep the cadence up, and it scoots! If you can find one of these gems in good shape, snag it. Mine was a lucky find, it only looks a year or two old at 14-15. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex t
a Racer
from ca
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | currently santa monicas | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | light, strong--ox comp iii triple butted, best paint job possibly ever on bike | | Weaknesses: | don't make it anymore | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | this is a follow up...have switched to chris king wheels on mavic 517's and got an atomlab 35mm stem...went from all rigid back to suspension with manitou skareb platinum, which is 80 mm of superlight travel (made of plastic, zinc, and aluminum)...dont know if there could be anything to upgrade now...all xtr, race face forged, king all around... | | Bottom Line: | still going, and this thing gets more complements than my 4000 mountain bike. I have been reviewing and trying products for years, and i would still protect this thing with my life (now another 1500 invested). As for the guy below me, learn to spell. There are no fantasies here buddy, no reason to lie, this is the bike that does it all for me, cyclo race, xc race, commute, passing by chumps that make fun of other bikers...see you on the street...ill be riding the trek thats grey...if you ever see one of these buy immediately | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Grahams in the toon | | Strengths: | Good quality frame, good steel and good paintwork | | Weaknesses: | Asides from the retro geometry nothing much. To be honest a lot of the OE spec has been upgraded or changed. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Pine mountain , Orange P7, Saracen Kili | | Bike Setup: | Mostly XT, 80mm Pace XC fork | | Bottom Line: | The reviewer below got a bit carried away (probably fantasises about being a Kung Fu expert or Special Forces).
Anyway, Its a decent bike and still worthy of use today. I still use it to commute and do the odd bit of singletrack work. Overall a good bike that I wouldn`t get rid off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Cross Country Rider
from santa monica, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | cherokee national forrest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | put a bought/changed mind for 1200on layaway for 900 that was 11 yrs ago? | | Strengths: | Weight. Comfort. Control. Strength. Balance. I swear mine even has rhythm. (it talks too) | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it, I've thrashed it. Aluminum treks (6000, y's), gt's, cro-moly treks (930, 850, 800) ti merlin, ti litespeed (dude let me race his once--ouch--stiffer please), singlespeeds, cyclocrossers, old school tri's and roadies in a couple triathlons, haro and a mongoose (back when they were still cool) | | Bike Setup: | Original XT! Still perfect (back brake bent up in MTB crash--still fine though, silver one (favorite paintjob still to this day), with the same OLD JUDY! (I love judy--no air in her, never even buttered) all black--answer pro taper, answer rocker seatpost--amazing tilt--always on some sort of black or black/ red italia s.(had flite, now prob switch off yutaak and gel flow slr), spd 747's and still holding strong (thinking of crank bros 4ti candy egg beaters in red--loses 200+ more grams, same landing zone ((if not bigger)) and holds tighter), rims?? been through only two sets...handbuilt xt's on 217's (still riding the front...ten yrs?? come on) and rear was rebuilt (thanks brett) on a 222 in racing blue, oury red or black or clear, and of course thompson (stem--black) and chris king (threadless, black)...any questions? | | Bottom Line: | The best bike that the world has seen. American made, American bad ass. I have lost girlfriends because of this, been through hell and robbed and even had a gun pulled on me, and refused to give this up in Wilmington, NC (later identified the criminals--in the Star), and have chained it to my body when on the street on more than one occasion...basically, I will go to jail before you will get this from me, and I will get it back...have already once. And because of it I am faster than any ferrari anywhere on the west side any time there's any traffic...yes i will dent your car if you pull out in front of me (only one mirror so far has been sacrificed), only been hit three times (and crashed in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, and California), still going...and going...and passing more people. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Puente
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Park, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Gift from a good friend | | Strengths: | It is lite for a chromo set-up. The Troy Lee Design graphics make this bike one of a kind. I know I will never run imto some riding this same bike. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | K-2 Zed X and a Specialized Stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | Original XT equipment and a RockShox Magnesium 21. | | Bottom Line: | I am priveledge to ride this bike for free. The stance is much more aggressive than most standard MTB. At $1200+ in the early 90s, this would be one expensive bike today. One great ride for anything. This bike should have been made from gold but that may have been to heavy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Horndasch
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Night rides on Mt.Tam! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | From a friend | | Strengths: | Bought this frame back in 1998. It has been with me, in various incarnations, until 2005, when I gave it to my girlfirend. It has been a stout performer. Stable, ballanced, snappy, but never twitchy, and just a joy to ride.
| | Weaknesses: | I had one of the riv-nuts pull out of the seat tube bottle mount, but other than that I've never had any problems. Biggest weakness? Trek no longer makes a high end steel frame hardtail any more. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 970 | | Bike Setup: | '98 SID SL 80mm, Mavic CrossMax wheelset, Full XTR drivetrain & V-brakes, Avid Speed dial levers, XT shifters, Synchros seatpost, Titec HellBent bar, Bontrager CroMo stem 110mm, Titec Beserker Ti & Kevlar saddle. Now belongs to the girlfriend. | | Bottom Line: | "Date Reviewed: 2/17/1998
Bottom Line: I have only logged 18 miles on my 990, although I have had good saddle-time on my friend's spare 970. This bike is a definite wolf in sheep's clothing. All of my past bikes have been aluminum, and I had pretty much sworn off steel (Its' sooo heavy.)to this point. 990 heavy? No way! This thing's a blast.
The frame is Tig welded OX III Triple butted Cro-Mo, so compared to same size aluminum frames it is heavier. Not by more than a 8th of a pound though. What this frame's got is ballance. Very stable, easy to control, almost predictable in its character. An absolute dream to ride. This frame's got a good racing history behind it too. I bought it off a good friend, who's wife had raced it acouple of seasons. It's as stout and clean as the day it was made.
I am looking forward to racing it this season, and many more. I've been racing xc for almost 6 years, expert the last 2, and I've ridden and broken just about every kind of frame out there. I feel very confident that this one won't die an untimely death.Oh yeah, the specs... It' an 18 with xt ders, raceface cranks, syncros cro-mo b/b, judy sl w/ speed springs, mavic 217cd's-white ind. hubs-dt 15/16/15 spokes, syncros hardcore seatpost, titec beserker ti k saddle, xt rapidfire, avid 1.9L levers and xtr v brakes, and avid flak jacket cables. No silly ti bolt kits, or other little trinkets that snap an the worst possible times. Weight: 24.3lbs.
I highly recommend this bike/frame, if you can get your hands on one. They're grrreat!!!"
As you can see, this bike's been with me for a little while. It's been raced, out on epics, commuted and done courier work with it, and just all around loved. I hung up the bikes for a few years...burned out... then moved to San Francisco with a new job. Some of my coworkers were recreational riders, and got me to knock the dust off the 'ol steeds. And I rediscovered mountain biking all over again! The 990's since done hundreds of Trips For Kids rides, a hard couple of days in Downiville (keeping pace with long travel dualies I might add), zipped all trhough the urban terrain, night rides on Mt. Tam, and then came with me when I moved to Portland. And, yes, it's just as stellar in the soggy Pacific NW as it was in down in Austin, TX!! I rebuilt it with some old race parts, got it a new set of wheels, and gave it to my girlfirend for her birthday. She loves it. It's mainly commited to bike paths and around town, but it's still riding strong!!
All in all, it was probably one of the greatest bikes I've ever owned. The last of a dying breed... a steel frame, from a big company, that was as nice as any custom I've ever ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad
a Cross Country Rider
from iowa city
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | sugar bottom | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | laguna cyclery | | Strengths: | Super smooth, fast and bomb-proof frame with a full xt package. Have ridden this bike for almost a decade--replacing/upgrading as things got spent--and have loved every minute of it. Even worked for a tour bike for a 4,000 mile--4 month trek! | | Weaknesses: | Mach 5 fork SUCKED!!! (super-old technology). XT middle ring replaced more than once. Matrix rim blew a spoke (although it was on a loaded tour). | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Hoo-koo-e-koo; Gt Zazkar; Specialized Stump Jumper | | Bike Setup: | Full XT; Avid 7 brakes; Grip shift; manitou (something or other) fork; shimano 525 spds; bontrager saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden this thing for MILES!!! and it still is going strong. Fairly light (around 25lbs) and will seriously handle anything. It's served as a tour bike, a bomber xc'er on some gnarly terrain (Sierra Nevadas and So-cal mountains before Iowa), a commuter. And it just feels so smooth...Steel is real. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skegg's | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Start to Finish | | Strengths: | Strong, great single track bike. I locked it up outside for three months it went through the rain, and I thought I would need to buy a new bike. But I put a new chain on, lubed her up, and she rides as fast as ever. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalache, Trek Y (crap), Litespeed (I didn't like it as much even though it was lighter) | | Bike Setup: | Stock XT, with upgrades to rapid fire, XTR V-breaks, Judy SL the yellow one, with White Bros. Springs. New WTB Ti saddle. Small bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great I'm faster than all my friends with XC dual suspension bikes, down hill, and on single track. I have the gun smoke grey, I love the way it looks very subtle. This bike flies. I really want to buy a new bike bc I'm looking to get my girlfriend one, but then I always remember that I don't want a new bike, this bike is giving enough not to beat you up, but rigid enough to put all your power down to the dirt. I've thought about getting a full suspension bike but don't like how soft the ride is, I feel like I driving a '80's Cadilliac way to plush. This bike feels like a Porshe. Great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, MD
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Most Any Dirt | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Authority | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff, comfortable, resilient. Great steel ride quality. Handles exceedingly well. Awesome workmanship and paint for the money. When built up with the right parts can be very light. The best USA made steel frame produced by Trek. | | Weaknesses: | The root beer paint really does get on my nerves. | | Similar Products Used: | Newer ti and carbon frames. Softails or hardtails. No dual suspension. | | Bike Setup: | SRAM rockets, XT ders.,XT cranks, Avid SD ultimate levers with Avid Tri Align IIs (yes, I still prefer cantis), Mavic 517s with Mavic MX601 hubs, Race Face stem, bars. Syncros post, Psycho K tires, serfas saddle, Time ATAC carbon. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the complete bike new with a rigid fork in 1996. Rode for years with Manitou Mach 5 SX until just recently when I put the rigid fork back on since I have other bikes now with suspension. The bike is really sweet with the rigid fork. Fast, light, tracks accurately and NEVER beats me up. For something really rocky I would still prefer front suspension, but it is refreshing to ride the rigid fork on trails where you don't really need a shock. The paint is still in spectacular shape and all the original parts have since worn and been replaced with newer more modern stuff. It is one of the few things in life that I was happy with and well worth dressing up with nice parts. I still use the cantis because the frame is designed for them. If you can get one, buy it! It is every bit as good as some of the more expensive steel frames out there. But geometry is made for 63mm travel fork so it would not be wise to use it with the more modern ones that do 80mm or more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross Country Rider
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Excellent performance & durability for a 10-year-old hardtail!!! (also still looks appealing in fire-engine red) | | Weaknesses: | Trek fork did not last. | | Bike Setup: | All stock (clipless pedals retro'd) | | Bottom Line: | This is a good (steel-frame) bike for beginners or anyone on a budget. A great all-around climber/DH'er, the 990 still keeps up with the new bikes, after ten years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Lipka
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Moro Canyon, CA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only from friend | | Strengths: | Strong, resilient, light (for steel) | | Weaknesses: | only that the frame isn't availible anymore | | Bike Setup: | Judy XC fork, XTR V-brakes (w/cable hanger mod.), Avid levers, Gripshift 9.0 Betsy R.Derail. & Shifters, White Bros crank, XT B.Bracket, Blackspire Chainrings (only running 2: 34, 42), Syncros/Weinmann rims, XT hubs, radial laced DT dblbtd spokes, Scott Black Magic handlebar, Control Tech post, Oddesey Blk Widow pedals, XT F.derail. ... guess that's about it | | Bottom Line: | For what I paid for the frame, I have absolutely no complaints, especially since I've had some pretty serious dingers and it's still holding its own. If you can still find one floating around, grab it (or let me know about it), even if the components are trashed, the frame is well-worth it. Ibis makes a comparable frame that goes for about $800 if that tells you anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jelle Tienstra
a Cross Country Rider
from Amersfoort, Holland
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Stiff, lively, sweet ride, strong frame | | Weaknesses: | None for me | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Singlespeed, xtr '95 cranks w/ onza steel ring, syncros post, control tech stem, Specialized riser bar, XTR '98 hubs | | Bottom Line: | Took it all over the world, did a lot of rough stuff on it, and the frame is still going strong. Would buy it again if it was still available (Once the old one should die.. but it won't!!) Now it got retired it serves me as a great SS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randell
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | San Fran | | Strengths: | Stiff & Tough
Well Built
Like the geometry | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy, but a great ride.
Not really nimble/agressive on the really technical stuff (damn, maybe that's me...). | | Bike Setup: | stock XT | | Bottom Line: | sweet. Great x-country ride. At the time, this was the best all around hard-tail, especially for the money. It still holds its own after years of abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Wahington, DC
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
sturdy, relliable | | Weaknesses: |
got bike used and have had trouble with rear derailer | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 800, 820, 830 | | Bike Setup: |
stock XT setup, upgraded to V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | Got the bike used and am incredibly pleased. Wanted to give 4.5 hot smackers but I'll be generous. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RJM
a Racer
from NC
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
resilent
predictable
stiff
sweet affordable steel | | Weaknesses: |
heavier than alum,ti,and carbon | | Similar Products Used: |
GT,Litespeed,Fisher,Mongoose,etc... | | Bike Setup: |
Judy Sl.cook broscranks
XTR brakes,levers,der.
she rocks | | Bottom Line: | Smooth as silk rider once you get acquainted. Durable and stiff. Try one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Chaprnka
a Cross-Country Rider
from East Lansing
Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
yankey springs | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
absorbs bumbs well | | Weaknesses: |
not extremely light | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
i still have stock XT upgraded to v-brake. Put palmer FS-Ti fork on it. | | Bottom Line: | So far, i have been nothing but pleased with this super slick bike. I use for everything including city riding, XC riding, and jumping. The thing aint preaty with a root beer brown frame and a bright green fork but it's one durable SOB. If you can pick one of these up, give it a try. | | Overall Rating: |
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