Submitted by
Trek for Life
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2011
Strengths: Lightweight, Great Looks, Comfortable
Weaknesses: Stock suspention not so great, has too much rebound on rear shock, and the front washes out on corners.
Bottom Line:
BEST BIKE I HAVE EVER OWNED !!! I bought this bike new in 1997, and have gone through many other bikes since then, but I would never get rid of this bike till I snap the frame... then I will search for another frame. This is no pro-racer bike by any strech of the imagination, but for XC or bombing down some hairy hills it is perfect. I weigh 215lbs and have beat this bike to death and it almost looks as good as the day i bought it, and definately performs like it did day one (better with the new suspention). I still get people staring and commenting on this bike, it is much more unique than most other bikes you will see around.
Bike Setup: Cane Creek cloud nine rear shock, Enguland air cartridges to replace internals of front shocks, But basicly left bike stock other than suspention.
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Submitted by
elspazmo
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2009
Strengths: Lite, low maintenance, very good XC bike, surprisingly robust.
Weaknesses: None that I have found..... Well im happy with my one
Bottom Line:
I have owned my Y11 for about eleven years now. At my heavyset I have weighed in at 110 kg, at this weight I have taken my Y11 out and given it many a hard time.
I have owned it for so long now that I don’t even care if I break the frame, but no matter what I do on it, the bike still comes back for more.
I’m very happy with my Y11, if I wasn’t would have replaced it years ago!
There are better bikes out there for down hill and bombing. The Y11 is Probably best suited for racing these daysfor bush bashing XC riders but its Probably to out of date for racing these days.
Submitted by
flip
a Cross Country Rider
from Cadillac, Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Strengths: Durable stiff light frame. Most all of the other parts have been replaced after years of use.
Weaknesses: Rocshock upgraded to Fox, Front brake upgraded to Avid disc all the LX componets upgraded to XT, Tires upgraded to tubeless Hutchinson Python, Rims / hubs upgraded to Mavic.
Bottom Line:
Original owner of Trek Y11 since 1996. MTB over 2000 miles a year. Would not trade it for a brand new bike since I replaced every thing with exactly what I wanted. Tracks straight downhill on the most washbord downhill runs available at full speed. Still tight as the day I got it.
Bike Setup: Cross country rides through hard pack single tracks with piles of sand at bottoms of rolling hills. Same geometry was used to replace forks. Fox forks worth the price, Mavic more than double worth the price. Hutchinson Python tires are priceless.
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Submitted by
quickfreddie
a Weekend Warrior
from sjm, portugal
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008
Strengths: reliability, looks (even after 10 years)
Weaknesses: rear suspension performance when compared to newer designs
Bottom Line:
The truth is that during my last stage race (www.supertravessia.com) my 2007 TopFuel SL gave in to the hardships of the event. Have my friends and my Y11 to thank the 14place overall. Many of the other riders thought I was joking when I lined up with a 10 year old bike. Truth is that it completed half of the race with nothing but some extra air pumped into the shocks.
May well be an outdated design but still compares favourably in terms of weight to current bikes like Specialized Epic, Scott Spark and even some Trek TopFuel versions.
Bike Setup: XTR shifters derailleurs transmission and v-brakes. Titanium stems and sadle, carbon handlebar, mavic wheels. SID rear shock and fork. All top of the line 10 years ago.
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Submitted by
Matt Mundschau
a Cross Country Rider
from brookfield, wi, usa
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2007
Strengths: Light and comfortable. Doesn't crack like the other Trek carbon frames.
Weaknesses: Well...the pogo problem...but...the Rock Shox MC3.3 Motion Control took care of that.
Bottom Line:
Spend the 3 bills on a platform rear shock to curb pogo. Well worth the money. Spend the time and money to put on a trick paint job. You'll have a bike you'll want to screw.
Bike Setup: Sid World Cup. Spinergy Rev X wheels. Carbon everywhere possible. Custom chameleon paint that changes from green to purple around those so sexy curves.
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Submitted by
jughead
a Cross Country Rider
from az
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006
Strengths: frame,wheels,components
Weaknesses: front fork snaped off
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks...its lighter than any bike you can find today..ezpecially that its carbon fiber and all xtr part...i paid like 1500 for the bike 8 years ago..bought a carbon fiber frame for 1300 put new forks on it and all xtr part...i bought a rim that is not crossed at the bottom its laced straight down it rips...put over 3000 in buying it and in part and is was worth every penny
Similar Products Used: none..specialized stumpjumper
Bike Setup: all XTR components...carbon fiber frame..
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2006
Strengths: Light Weight, durable, ahead of its time, still a great bike
Weaknesses: Hard to find parts for, no disc brake mounts.
Bottom Line:
Great bike to start with and easy to upgrade, very light, even for todays standards, i have thought about getting a new bike, but can't find anything that isn't over 3 grand that is as light as my 9 year old bike. (does that make sense?) I used to race this bike in the 90's and it did amazingly well, i placed in multiple races, not sure how it would stand up to todays races, i have been out of the race scene for 6 years now, but am thinking about trying this year. I want to get a new fork for it but am afraid if i get a 100mm -120mm fork it will throw off the geometry, I also want a lock out rear shock. bottomline i am still in love with this bike as much as the day i bought it and i would never get rid of it even if i got a new bike.
Bike Setup: Manitou front fork, fox air rear shock, LX components, ritchey 2x9 shifters and a rock ring, atec time peddals
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Submitted by
Brian B
a Weekend Warrior
from Palatine, IL, US
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2005
Strengths: Badass overall...Kicks ass compared to others
Weaknesses: Stock configuration
Bottom Line:
This Bike kicks ass, all the time. I have not been down for failures and have taken some mean air. Can be a fun slow ride or a mean downhill machine. The looks and comments are also pretty impressive, considering all other bikes look the same now. purple finish without a blemish, just keep it waxed. I am 200# and have not had any problems with the frame, regular maintenance on the pivoting joints.
Bike Setup: Judy XL up front, Spinergy Carbon Rims, Dual click Pedals, Alum Bar Ends w/ brake extensions, Ritchey Speed Trak Tires w/ Run Flat tube protectors. XL Components, custom seat - and still with the fox Vanilla rear.Rock Ring, and Sans Chain...can't be beat
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Submitted by
JAMES JUNKER
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2004
Strengths: Plush ride, light, bomb-proof, rides like a Cadillac, long wheel base is very stable. Very adept at climbing and decending except in very extreme circumstances. 25 pounder!
Weaknesses: Stretched-out, low center of gravity causes wide turning radius on tight switchbacks.
Bottom Line:
Well traveled bike going on its eight year. Slick Rock, Flume Trail, Cottonwood Canyon, Black Canyon, El Prieto, Ken Burton. Going to drop a grand into rebuild rather than replacing. A classic!
Bike Setup: Stock '97 model. Components are finally worn out. Time to reload with new wheelset, XTR, new fork and shock.
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Submitted by
M. Morton
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2003
Strengths: This is a very light weight bike. It is also a very strong climbing bike. Washes out in the corners slightly. Amazing agility on the downhills. Bike can take a beating.
Weaknesses: The geometery leads to excessive adjustment of the derailleurs. Bottom bolt that holds frame and rear swing arm together can loosen leading to creaking and possible falling out of the frame. I learned to tighten it when noise occurs.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best I have ever had. The rear is soggy when not set up with a lock-out rear shock. It is fun and will definately teach you to ride fast (FUN DOWNHILL!) and on the edge.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stump Jumper and GT I-Drive.
Bike Setup: Converted from OEM set-up to: XTR cranks, rear XTR derailleurs, Avid V-Brakes, Rox Shox Psylo Front Shock, Fox Vanilla RC Lock-Out Rear Shock, I Drive Chain, XTR Rear Cassette, MAvic X517 Wheel Set with XTR Hubs by Wheelsmith, Riser Handle Bars, XT Hallow Tech Cranks.
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Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Johnstown, New York
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003
Strengths: Looks, easy to maintain, light as a feather, came stock with great components except forks, oclv carbon fiber
Weaknesses: Rock shox 21r are junk. no stock disc mounts
Bottom Line:
I'm the fourth owner of this bike, but I have to say that there's not a scratch on it. No one has riden this bike more than around the block. It sat for years in my friends living room. I bought it for 600 bucks and went to work on it. Needless to say it rocks. I love the sound resonating off the carbon frame. Frame is indestructable I'm 6'1 225 and I can ride like it's made of steel you just have to take care of it like any other bike. don't abuse it. limited parts though had to have a machine shop weld mount to the dropuot for discs not bad $90. I WILL DESTROY YOU ON THE TRAIL. REPLACE SHOX
Bike Setup: Bontrager XXX DH bars, Kore stem, Hayes hydraulic discs front and rear, custom mounts on rear dropout. 03' Rock Shox Boxxer Team fork(insane)Full XTR groupset, Fox float RC rear shock
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Submitted by
Mike Ewing
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, Arizona
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2002
Strengths: The best climbing full suspension I have ridden and I have ridden everything. It's very light and it has lasted forever with no problems at all except for the rear shock which won't hold preasure after 4 years of hard Arizona year-round riding. The stance on the bike is low to the ground so bucking is rare.
Weaknesses: BOB. I also own a Klein Mantra and after riding the Klein, the BOB is horrible--especially in bumps. It is really hard to keep your feet on the bike unless you are clipped in in rough terrain. I love everything about the bike except for the rear shock and the BOB. It's like a pogo stick. The Trek pretty much does everything better than my Klein Mantra except for the bouncing and the bouncing is so bad that the bike has started to collect dust. It's just unfortunate that the bike can do so many things completely right while doing one thing so bad that I bought a bike renouned for no bob and yet has a very plush ride. The only other problem is that the peddles are very low to the ground so the peddals seem to hit every rock on the trail.
Bottom Line:
The best FS bike I have ever ridden except for it's one horrible problem with BOB. I could buy a lockout or simply pump the air shock way up (which I do) but it still bucks like a bronc through the bumps and bobs when peddling. My other choice, the Klein Mantra does a much better job at killing the bob but it has a tendancy to buck on steep downhills and in braking because the bike is to short. With my upgraded cartridge set for a lower gear ratio, the bike climbs like there is no tomorrow and it does an excellent job going downhill. The frame is also noisy and the chain rattles real bad (as all Y bikes do) but removing a link helps. I now almost exclusively ride the Klein because of it's BOB. Too bad that it has such a horrible design flaw.
Strengths: Best looking MTB ever made Definitely worth the purchase price
Weaknesses: Out of production Expensive back in the day
Bottom Line:
Used to listen to the critics badmouth this bike - can't climb, it's noisy, bobs like a feeding duck, etc. Well, the bikes those critics were riding back then are scrap, while I ride on and on and on. This bike has seen some serious action over the years - Leadville 100, 24 Hours of Adrenalin solos - and never let me down. The bushings - both the main pivot and the Fox - needed replacement after three seasons when this bike was my main ride. Now that it shares with other bikes, maintenance frequency is even less.
The design never fails to attract attention. Non-bikers stop and comment how good it looks, and I catch people staring and pointing when it goes by on my roof rack. Not one of my other six bikes elicits this kind of response.
In '97, you got a lot less bike for your dollar than today. I hesitated to pop the cash on the Y, but in hindsight, it was a bargain. I'll be riding it indefinately, barring theft or crash damage. The bike outlasted the shop where it was purchased - they closed their doors last summer.
My one regret? Not buying a matching Y66 road bike, in the same color, when they were still available.
Strengths: Looks - it's a piece of art Weight - very light (weights a little more than my titanium hardtail)
Weaknesses: It feels higher off the ground and doesn't corner very well (compare to my Litespeed Obed). This might be due to my shocks though.
Bottom Line:
This bike looks really cool. It's pretty light for a FS bike and probably lighter than some non-FS bikes. With the shocks that I have, the ride is very plush. Nothing like flying downhill on a FS bike.
I haven't noticed any bobbing while pedalling or any lost of power when climbing. I think it might be due to my rear shock. The only thing that I noticed with the longer travel (sits higher) of the Psylo Race is that I have less control. Maybe it takes a wile to get used to.
I've ridden this bike for only a couple of times and so far, I'll give it a 2 thumbs up.
I think that this bike is good for 1) showing off how cool your bike looks, 2) having fun running over stuff, 3) having fun flying off stuff, 4) gaining more speed and control going down hill, 5) saves your butt a little (I mean a little cause my butt still hurts :S).
I'd still use my hardtail for racing though. I seem to have more control and speed on my Litespeed Obed.
I'm sure that there are better FS bikes out there but none looks as good as the Trek Y. It's too bad that Trek doesn't make them anymore. They only have those ugly ugly ugly ugly bikes now.
If you can find one and get it at a good deal, grab it.
Similar Products Used: My first full suspension. I've used a Litespeed Obed and Norco Nitro.
Bike Setup: Y-11, 2001 Psylo Race, Cane Creek AD-12, Spinergy Spox, Race Face LP Crank, Shimano 747 pedals, XTR's
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Submitted by
Matt Skelton
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002
Strengths: everything, this is the best bike ever! I have used it for 6 months now and it rips up everything. It is kinda old but so light and totally sick. superlight frame, good brakes, good shocks, good components=GREAT BIKE
Weaknesses: none, other than people wanting to stop me and talk about the bike.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike ever, but it if you can get a reasonable price. i dont like all this "noisy frame" talk it is a bunch of crap this bike sings with the trail.
Bike Setup: Judy XC long travel front, Fox air vanilla rear, all Icon bars and seat post, Shimano clipless, full XT setup brakes nd crank, supernice composite brake pads, Spynergy rims, Sella Italia seat w/ titanium rails. Panaracer tires, and superlight tires (all I could find w/ a long enough valve-stem)
MTBers.... mix it up with Cross! Join me and a few other mountain bikers and show the roadies how it's done!
When: 11 Nov, Sunday
Where: Veteran's Park, Sylmar, CA
Who: YOU
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I have the Trek Y11 and I need to replace the front shock (Rockshox Indy SL). I’m older and not into the rough riding I used to do. I was thinking of replacing it with m Read More »
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