Submitted by
MikeMac
a Weekend Warrior
from BocaRaton,Florida,USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2010
Strengths: Frame Frame Frame! Shimano STX Components are outdated but okay for the type of riding I do. Bought mine (a 1997 model) in 2010 and it still had original tires, which i rode for a few months. Mine is inkwell blue, bonded Easton tubes. The 18" frame weighs about 25-26 pounds. I'm 6'0" and 210 and this frame is strong and rigid. It fits me perfectly.
Weaknesses: None that I can complain about. Again, not the best components but plenty adequate for commuting, pleasure cruising and light XC / trail / hard pack riding.
Bottom Line:
As for who should buy this bike I think anyone who wants the best of both worlds-road commuter and XC / Trail-should give this bike a serious look.
I'm 59 and I've been riding road bikes for decades. Last year (2008) I bought a Smith & Wesson "Tactical" MTB to see what the whole MTB thing was about. Hated the shock/fork. Sold it and went looking for a rigid frame MTB.
Saw this TREK (rigid fork) and bought it as a commuter/light trail rider. I love this bike. It is nearly as quick as my Reynolds / Columbus steel framed road bikes and it's definitely a better climber. As an ex road bike snob and a newbie to these frames, all I can say is "better late than never!"
This is the future of bike geometries, for me. I love that it handles the road well and can move off-road too. So many really cool places to ride to are off limits to road bikes. I'm all for MTB from now on.
The TREK ZX 7000 (1997) is a fine example of a bicycle that is capable of multiple roles with few-if any-downside characteristics. I love this bike...hope to have it forever.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher, Giant, Cannondale
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Brighton England
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2009
Strengths: Great bike the only theings i have changed in 12 years was the headset just to raise the bars a little the tryes to town and country the origanl lasted 11 years!! and i had to change the front gear selector not bad on a bike of this age!!
Weaknesses: none i have found yet i now use it for work and have changed the tryes to town and country with these it flys along avarrage speed 25mph!!
Bottom Line:
great bike real allrounder total confidence at throwing it down a hill at high speed have thought of getting a new bike but hey this one has been so good to me over the last 12 it would be like parting with an old friend....
Similar Products Used: none its the one and only bike ive ever needed!
Bike Setup: almost origanl!!
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Submitted by
FrenchFit
a Cross Country Rider
from The Left Coast
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2009
Strengths: Light, bullet proof, great platform. I have two of these, No. 2 is parked as frame, wheels back-up now. No. 1 is dressed out as an AT tourer, panniers all around, SID fork, carbon cranks, lots of mods - it will go anywhere and get back. Not the fastest at anything, but strong and a sweet ride.
Weaknesses: Geometry is limiting, stock component are marginal, never seemed like a fast bike to me - even stipped down. The stock RC-RTX/STX, whatever, components are nothing special.
Bottom Line:
Great platform to fix up and makes you happy to ride all day.
Submitted by
Char
a Weekend Warrior
from Ruther Glen, Va, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007
Strengths: Light, Strong, Fairly nimble, Climbs like a mountain goat...Great bike for 1995 technology...
Weaknesses: None really...Has been a great bike for 12 years of use... Components are not as nice as todays equipment, but it was hot lick stuff for the day...
Bottom Line:
This bike has never let me down...The stock Tioga's are bullet proof, never a single flat, and I do a lot of gravel riding... For a mtn bike, it is about as fast as they get, on road, or off road, I do a lot of street riding also, and it is a competent and predictable ride with the stock tires, if you put road tires on it, I would think that this bike would probably fly... If I were younger, I would buy this bike again...I am currently in the market for a new bike, so I am looking at Hybrids, something with a more up right position, more suspension, more technology, more asphalt oriented...
Similar Products Used: Trek 830 antelope...Trek 930 singletrack
Bike Setup: Stock all the way...radar computer...
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Submitted by
Bill Foster
a Cross Country Rider
from Clinton, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2007
Strengths: STX-RC drivetrain. Lightweight, high quality frame consruction. Good components and gearing for the model year (1999 or so). Durable and agile.
Weaknesses: Indy Rockshox is just marginally effective. High top tube without much angle inhibits standover. No replaceable deraileur hanger. No gear indicator on STX shifters.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great for anyone wanting a light, competent CROSS COUNTRY mountain bike. Definitely not made for dirt jumping or downhill racing. That is not what this bike was designed for. Why do people abuse a bike and then give a bad review if a frame or fork breaks? The worst original component of this bike is the Indy shock. Any 80mm shock upgrade will make it a super machine. This bike was originally not spec'd out for racing, but with a few upgrades I've lightened it and raced cross country a couple times- very happy with this bike. Climbs like a goat. Solid, Predictable handling. Nice paint. Great little hardtail! For a weekend adventurist it would probably last a lifetime.
Purchased At: Upper class guy gave me a great deal on his son's old bike
Similar Products Used: Fisher Hoo-Koo-E-Koo. Older Mongoose Alta with Indy shock. Rockhopper.
Bike Setup: Rockshox Pilot-Air fork. Bontrager Race Modified wheelset with Hutchinson Python-light tires and Bont.XXXlite tubes. Easton Carbon monkeylite riser bar & EA50 100mm stem. Body Geometry Rival seat. Shimano 505? clipless.
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Submitted by
Justin Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverthorne, CO USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006
Strengths: Built to last a long long time, light
Weaknesses: No rear shock, crossbar very high and close to nads.
Bottom Line:
I hope someday someone will read this, even though it is 2006. I rode this bike when I was 17 and 18 years old. I used to race it. Now I am 28 and I still have it. How it lasted this long I don't know. When I moved to the mountains 2 years ago I started riding it again. This thing has been to hell a few times. I am talking about four hours of slow grueling climbing over rocks. Then turning around to race down the mountain at 30mph for an hour of straight downhill. Although I have a very expensive full suspension, this bike will always have a special place in my heart. I have to think I probably have crashed this bike about 400 times. The orighinal sprocket is still on it, although really the big ring is just a bash-ring now. I have been riding mountain bikes for a long time and have rode 20 different bikes but I think I might just keep this one forever!
Submitted by
Aaron Griffith
a Weekend Warrior
from Bozeman MT
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001
Strengths: Great super light aluminum. Solid components at a great price. Bombproof Matrix Voo-Doo rims.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of! except its time to upgrade (got it a year before V brakes hit big)
Bottom Line:
Great bike if your looking for a serious entry level racer or for getting into some serious backcountry XC. Never let me down and I've been on it for Five, YES FIVE years already! And who says aluminum isn't that durable after long wear???? Five flamers for Trek Aluminum!
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Joseph, MO
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Strengths: nicest bike I've owned. Lightweight
Weaknesses: Can't think of anything I don't like about it.
Bottom Line:
many people who what to get in shape will buy a cheap bike. what I have found is that the nicer the bike is, the more my enjoyment, which in turn means I ride more. If you want to use cycling to help you maintain/get back into shape, then you should at least get a bike that will enhance the riding experience, as opposed to a bike that fights you every step of the way.
