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Trek 9900 Bike

MSRP $ 3000.00
# of Reviews 62
Average Rating 4.18/5
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Description: Trek 9900 SHX



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    Submitted by lawrence saiyo a Cross Country Rider from Grass Valley, CA, US
    Date Reviewed: March 25, 2008
    Favorite Trail:anything fast, sweet, smooth, tech, and tight.
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $32.00
    Purchased At:home
    Strengths:im not sure what its strengths are.
    its light though. rides rad for how old it is.
    Weaknesses:constant fear of it shattering
    Similar Products Used:none
    Bottom Line:well, how this bike became mine truly is strange. i usually ride my 2007 s-works stumpjumper until the brain fade crapped out. so it had to go to the shop for about 2 weeks or so. and i went home kinda sad cause i didnt have a bike to ride. until i was tooling around in the garage, and realized i had my dads old trek 9700. Hey! its carbon fiber! cool. my brother used it for about 2 years in UC irvine to get around with it. and my dad barley ever rode it. ever. so since it was purchsed in 1998, it had only been a commuter bike for about a year. and i wanted to ride it. not good for a kid that has a tendency to break things and is attached to full suspension bikes. so i stripped the bike down, and started putting this frankenstien monster together. i turned out to be a 2.125:1 ratio singlespeed (a b**ch to pedal around)and a 4in travel high standing manitou coil/oil fork. super slack head angle + short stem + 1.5 in rise handle bars and avid breaks...what more could ya ask for? i just know that it will climb most things vertical if you have thighs big enough and and suuuppperrrr sweet on the local rutted and rooted baby head 30mph+ descent. 5 outta 5 flamin chilis, cause i dont miss my s-works. (surprisingly)
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Keith a Cross Country Rider from Stafford, VA, USA
    Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
    Favorite Trail:DC Trail Sytem
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Purchased At:1200.00
    Strengths:Light, Fast, Good on Single Track, Climbs like a monkey.
    Weaknesses:Brakes are good, but need some attention, like most V-Brakes
    Similar Products Used:Trek 5200 road frame, Sully Softride MountianBike
    Bike Setup:Stock
    Bottom Line:This a great ride for the cross country rider. Extremely Light, Soft to ride and durable. Enjoy it the most of all my bikes.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Clay a Cross Country Rider from Corpus Christi, TX,
    Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $1200.00
    Purchased At:CC Riders
    Strengths:I bought a 9700 which, on the test ride (pre-riding at Rocky Hill Ranch), I dropped down a steep ravine and misjudged the landing badly enough that I broke the frame and bent the fork. Trek sent me two frames to choose from, and my choice I raced for 3 seasons and have just ridden it for the four years after, and I cannot compliment this frame enough but to say I bought the OCLV road bike. I still stop and check the back tire to see if it's flat, only to find 50psi and just a great feeling hardtail. I know they've 'improved' subsequent frames, but I wouldn't trade my warrior (or my six year old road frame) for any reason short of Trek telling me I had to.
    Weaknesses:None.
    Similar Products Used:None.
    Bike Setup:mostly old stuff that's light while still being well made.
    Bottom Line:Do not hesitate to buy one of these frames and ride and race it while smiling (if I were in the market, the STP 400 would be my top choice non-custom frame).
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Andreas Klauser a Cross Country Rider from Feldafing
    Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $1000.00
    Purchased At:Radsport Rabe Munich
    Strengths:Light, Frames dampening.
    Weaknesses:None at all
    Similar Products Used:Marin Indian Fire Trail 1996, DeKerf Generation 1996, Jot Chili Zymotic 98, Cycle Craft CPS03
    Bike Setup:Bought 9900 OCLV Pro Issue Frame, built it up Custom: Marzocchi Atom Race, XTR, Tune, Moots, Syntace, Ritchey parts
    Bottom Line:This Frame is best. It is forgiving and comfortable (if xc addict, you'll never care for a fully anymore), it damn fast, it endures. The one frame I'd buy time and again. Even the DeKerf Cromoly is definitely harsher. Buy one, you'll never touch anything else.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by scott clark a Cross Country Rider from tulsa, OK
    Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002
    Favorite Trail:long trail, winter park
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $1200.00
    Purchased At:used from LBS employee who didnt really ride...
    Strengths:light as can be, I have had no problems whatsoever. I love this bike.
    Weaknesses:mine is a 94-95 model(!!!) and it was originally made for a rigid fork. Since then I have put on a judy, then a sid and the handling is a little slow now.
    Similar Products Used:GT Psyclone(ruled-custom), raleigh, old inferior stuff.
    Bike Setup:Mostly XT with a SID up front and Rock Shox seatpost. Sun Rhyno Lite wheels
    Bottom Line:I am sure that everybody out there has something that is sorta old, kinda out of date that they are in love with. That is what this bike is to me. Mine is actually the 9800 and the only thing original thats left on it is the stem. I have the one that is old school natural carbon with the red trek decals and I have done some upgrades to it and it looks so cool. I swear, if I take it into a bike shop now, the guys that have been around awhile cant help but smile and just tell me how cool it is but I do get the warnings about frame breakage, which Ive had no problem. I am not some passive rider either. I might be out of shape(I am) but I can get after it and I've tested this bike every summer for the past few years in colorado. It gets so hot here we just go liftbiking and last year we were in Vail and it was just before the WC's and I was riding with a bunch of downhillers with $5,000 bikes and I'm on some old trek hardtail with V brakes. I was pretty much torturing my bike so I could look cool or fast or whatever and my bike took it, it ruled. Except I wanted more fork and disc brakes, but I dont love there so screw it. I ride pretty rocky stuff here in OK so I got a suspension seatpost which I like a lot. The frame has some inherent compliance but our trails have gotten terrible and there arent many places to ride so I just adapted. I love that bike and I am never going to get rid of it. The best review I can give is that the bike has now become more than just a bike and is part of who I am and I am proud of it, where I've been with it, and I am excited about the places that I'm gonna get to with it. It has given me adventure, given me pain(I was on it when I got all my teeth broken out...), and was even my main form of transportation in college. I've had this thing for nearly 8 years and I would love to have her for as long as she'll have me.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Michael a Racer from Cambridge MA
    Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:International
    Strengths:Very light ,no rust, stiff- and, in my case, excellent warranty service.
    Weaknesses:Very light, stiff, WILL shatter if hit right.
    Similar Products Used:Specialized M1, Fat Chance-steel, Rocky Mountian-easton aluminum, GT LTS
    Bike Setup:bought new bike waiting for warranty frame.
    Anyone want a brand new 9800? I'm selling it!
    michaelemberley@aol.com
    Bottom Line:This frame is great ,and terrible, at the same time. All the things written about it AND Trek are true. The dealer seems to make the differance when it breaks. And most serious owners break at least one. Why? Because it's made of different types of carbon in the tubes and joints. the lugs at the head tube etc. are almost too strong and they can overwhelm the nearby tube. Supposedly, Trek made the chain stay area lighter at one point because tons of frames were separating at the chain stay/ BB joint. the joint was strong but then you would shatter the chain stay itself.
    Trek should never call internet criticiscm b#@#it or whining. These bikes DID break. A LOT of them. Most bikes do not have this high rate of failure. Riding over rocks and such, I'm sorry, but that's "normal use" for a mountain bike, NOT "unusual abuse".
    But they keep selling them by replacing enough of them to keep people happy while they improve the design. WE pay for their R&D. And the frustrating and tempting thing is, that until they do break, they perform amazingly well!
    Another thing that's ironic is that most bike warranties, even those sold as "racing bikes", are not valid if the bike is used in competition!
    Bottom line- loved it until it broke.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Trey a Racer from Florida
    Date Reviewed: November 30, 2000
    Favorite Trail:anywhere not on pavement
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $1025.00
    Purchased At:used
    Strengths:Light
    Stiff
    Cool
    Absorbs bumps
    did I mention it was Light
    Weaknesses:Cost
    Its a Trek (see review)
    Similar Products Used:Litespeed Unicoi
    Raleigh M-200 highly modified
    Trek 8000
    Bridgstone MB-3
    Some old Giant
    Bike Setup:Pro Issue, Sid, full xtr, cane creek wheels
    Bottom Line:I love the bike. It is the best bike I've ever thrown a leg over. It is super fast, very responsive (almost too responsive sometimes), just an absolute joy to ride. Soaks up small bumps, climbs like a mule. Can't complain about one thing about the performance. In short, I love this bike and can't wait for the race season to start up.

    I bought this bike lightly used at a good price when compaired to close to $4K new from my LBS. The only thing was that the head tube had hit a rock (prev. owner) and they had been careless about hanging it on some type of rack and scrubbed some of the decals. Anyhow, I've read a lot of the reviews and seen everybody talk about the refurbishing program trek did on these bikes for @$300. I think that is a big chunk of money, but hey, it would really make my bike look trick and with the Spring racing season coming up, I might as well. So I trot down to my local Trek dealer (I have bought many things here, including a brand new trek 8000) and ask about the service. Sure they can do it, for $599 + tax. A new frame doesn't cost but $500 more. I can find clean used frames for $100 less. When I ask trek about this, they just give me the "local dealers discretion line." I guess it probably is the local dealer's fault in that they just don't want to deal with it. What I am curious about is what others have been told in regards to this. Please e-mail me and let me know. Thanks. Its just a shame when bike companies are good, they get big. When they get big, they can't handle problems themselves and have to delegate it to the local bike shops. The LBS either rock or suck depending on the individuals involved.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Mark a Cross Country Rider from San Francisco
    Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Strengths:outstanding handling and climbing ability, lightning quick in technical single track
    Weaknesses:occasionally purchased by moaners and whingers
    Bottom Line:This bike is for riding, not looking at so stop moaning about stone chips. If you want it to stay in pristine condition, stick it in a display cabinet!

    If you are so worried about stone chips, either stick some ski top tape on the underside of the downtube and stop your complaining, or ignore it and enjoy this bike for what it is designed for - travelling XC very rapidly and enjoyably.

    After four years of totally trouble-free and reasonably aggressive riding, I have nothing but great things to say about this bike, other than the vast majority of riders are not good enough to really test it to its limits.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Dan a Downhiller from Cambridge
    Date Reviewed: November 25, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Morzine World CUP DH (time:4mins)
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    Cheaper than my mates bike
    Easier to put on the chairlift.
    Weaknesses:
    Not enough rear suspension travel.
    Durability lacking.
    Flicky and unstable on trail.
    Landing from big air a major problem.
    Similar Products Used:
    Yeti Lawhill 6
    Marin team DH
    Santa cruz super 8
    Bike Setup:
    Stock + Marzocchi monster T's.
    Bottom Line:I realize now that i may have made an error when i purchased this machine. I bought it mail order and was led to believe that it was full suspension. After a couple of downhill runs i noticed that this was indeed not the case. Fitting monster T's (8inch)did help in this regard to a certain extent but resulted in handling problems due possibly to bad geometry- although the front end was super-smooth! I am considering contacting trek to see if i can modify the rear to accomodate a rear shock. Al in all it may be suitable for flat trail riding (non-technical) but foranything more advanced i suggest you look elsewhere.
    Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by rider a Weekend Warrior from Singapore
    Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Marina South
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    Light and stable geomatry
    Weaknesses:
    Paint chipping needs maintenance
    Similar Products Used:
    Marin team, trek 9500
    Bike Setup:
    Trek 9500, Rockshox Judy SL full XTR
    Bottom Line:I just install my trek 9800 with 99 rockshox XC,
    you won't believe how sweet is the combination.
    Climbs at your will, falling is soft and controllable. Great frame, great fork. In fact, after installing fork, the geometry improves...
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Stephen Brewer a Racer from Houston, Texas
    Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Memorial Park
    Duration Product Used:
    6 months
    Strengths:
    This bike is one sweet ride. Mad climbing speed, the OCLV frame lessens the little bumps, handles awesome, light and maneuverable.
    Weaknesses:
    The cable routing on the top tube is slightly inconvenient.
    Similar Products Used:
    Klein Attitude Pro (also a sweet ride).
    Bike Setup:
    It's set up with full XT with XTR rapid rise rear derailleur, Manitou SX-R, WTB grease guard headset, Titec seat post, 545's, and PowerBeam rims.
    Bottom Line:I would recommend this bike to anyone who doesn't want their rear end to get thrashed, but doesn't want a full suspension bike. My bike is approx. 22lbs. If you happened to overlook how well the bike handles, how well it absorbs the little bumps, or how light it is, then you would be left with one awesome looking bike, I think the way the top tube and head tube and all the other tubes connect just looks awesome. I am also selling the bike for reasons not related to how it performs, I just need the money. If you are interested in buying it, e-mail me.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Stephen Brewer a Racer from Houston, Texas
    Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Memorial Park
    Duration Product Used:
    6 months
    Strengths:
    This bike is one sweet ride. Mad climbing speed, the OCLV frame lessens the little bumps, handles awesome, light and maneuverable.
    Weaknesses:
    The cable routing on the top tube is slightly inconvenient.
    Similar Products Used:
    Klein Attitude Pro (also a sweet ride).
    Bike Setup:
    It's set up with full XT with XTR rapid rise rear derailleur, Manitou SX-R, WTB grease guard headset, Titec seat post, 545's, and PowerBeam rims.
    Bottom Line:I would recommend this bike to anyone who doesn't want their rear end to get thrashed, but doesn't want a full suspension bike. My bike is approx. 22lbs. If you happened to overlook how well the bike handles, how well it absorbs the little bumps, or how light it is, then you would be left with one awesome looking bike, I think the way the top tube and head tube and all the other tubes connect just looks awesome. I am also selling the bike for reasons not related to how it performs, I just need the money. If you are interested in buying it, e-mail me.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Stephen Brewer a Racer from Houston, Texas
    Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Memorial Park
    Duration Product Used:
    6 months
    Strengths:
    This bike is one sweet ride. Mad climbing speed, the OCLV frame lessens the little bumps, handles awesome, light and maneuverable.
    Weaknesses:
    The cable routing on the top tube is slightly inconvenient.
    Similar Products Used:
    Klein Attitude Pro (also a sweet ride).
    Bike Setup:
    It's set up with full XT with XTR rapid rise rear derailleur, Manitou SX-R, WTB grease guard headset, Titec seat post, 545's, and PowerBeam rims.
    Bottom Line:I would recommend this bike to anyone who doesn't want their rear end to get thrashed, but doesn't want a full suspension bike. My bike is approx. 22lbs. If you happened to overlook how well the bike handles, how well it absorbs the little bumps, or how light it is, then you would be left with one awesome looking bike, I think the way the top tube and head tube and all the other tubes connect just looks awesome. I am also selling the bike for reasons not related to how it performs, I just need the money. If you are interested in buying it, e-mail me.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by James a Cross-Country Rider from Columbus
    Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Scioto Trail S.F.
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    Light as sin and climbs like a mountain goat.
    Weaknesses:
    $$$ but what the heck...
    XT brake are falling apart
    Bike Setup:
    SID, SRAM 9.0, Titec Carbon seatpost
    Bottom Line:Best ride i've ever been on. Went from an M2 (which i loved and beat the hell out of) to the 9900 (which i love and beat the hell out of). I can't imagine a bike that climbs better or is more fun in the singletrack. No frame problems at all.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by daniele bruno a Racer from milano italy
    Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    langhe hills
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    the bike feels light and nimble.itflies on uphills and accelerates like a moto.on downhills is easy to keep true and on the right line.good in singletracks too.i want to tell yo something:once i was coming back home from a race and i was in a hurry and i was fling on my car the bike on top of the car and i was speedin 180 km hr. that is bout 110 mls and my bike literary flied off the car i mean at 110 mls per hr and crashed on earth continuing its run for maybe 200 meters.well i stopped and ran to the pieces which i figured the bike was out and surprisingly the bike was oerfect only a pair of scratches and a rim bent: that's oclv strenght
    Weaknesses:
    none
    Similar Products Used:
    noone
    Bike Setup:
    esp 9 sl xt vbrakes cogs and drivetrain sx ti fork
    Bottom Line:strong light and solid-feel
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matt Smith a racer from Utah
    Date Reviewed: March 12, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    I bought a 98 Trek OCLV pro issue yes the one that the team VW trek rides.
    It is definantly the coolest frame out there. They made this frame 45% stronger then the normal 9900 for the pros. This bike climbs like a rocket and goes down at mock 4 I put a sid and full XTR on my bike and it performs extremely well. I lay in bed at night and dream about my bike. Yes bikes truly are better than women. If you can get your hands on a pro issue do it in a heart beat because if you don't someone will.
    Later
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Scot Douglas a racer from Ann Arbor, MI
    Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    I bought my bike *used* from a friend. He originally bought a 96 and cracked the BB; He had it replaced with a 98 model. Essentially I have a 98 9900 with XT components and a mach 5 (love the mach five as long as I keep it clean inside). I agree with just about everybody on the list with regards to stellar climbing, acceleration and handling. Break the bike? Worry about the warranty? Whatever. I don't have the warranty; if I break the bike, I'll pay the $300 to have Trek fix the frame. It's totally worth it. Once I accepted the fact that lot's 'o OCLV owners break their frames, it made riding tons more fun. I had been riding a cro-mo schwinn for a couple of years and though it was sweet until I bought the Trek (kinda common sense, eh?). If you can afford one (and my wife sez I can't) buy one and thrash your buddies!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by david a cross-country rider from australia
    Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    oclv carbon fibre- What crap! fragile, overpriced, prone to failure, short lifespan. Maybe ok for road bikes, but not for mtb. Warranty hassles, poor paint, I could go on but what's the point? For sale!
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Crankasaurus a cross-country rider from the Lowlands
    Date Reviewed: November 1, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    Is it possible for a bike to have fun? I swear my 9900 is having fun when we are thrashing on mother earth. Performance? So good, I dream about it at night. Looks? Pure sex on two wheels. Even sexier with all the stickers off (nude frame). Five screaming heaters - possibly take one away due to the fact that I always have to worry about hurting the carbon frame in a crash.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Brendan McGrath a racer from Chicago IL.
    Date Reviewed: October 23, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    This is the best bike i have ever owned. The frame iss strong and the components are awsome. I had one brutal crash on this bike and nothing happened to the frame except for the rear deraillur breaking in two. I have gone through 2 Aluminum frames and one full suspension but this bike has held up through everything.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Nate a cross-country rider from Wisconsin
    Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I've had this bike since '96, and all I can say is this is probably the best bike I've ever owned. It climbs excellently, goes downhill just as fast, and people who complain about durability, what the hell are you doing to it? Mine has stress cracks all over the place, but it will not break there! A freind of mine had a hole in the chainstay and rode it for a year before replacing that piece of the frame. I don't stay on the ground much and have crashed into a lot of crap, but the frame is still great and I don't plan on replacing it anytime soon!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by charlie a cross-country rider from kinnelon, nj, usa
    Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    i have had my 9900 now for quite a while and i have to say, it is the best bike available. some people here have talked about thier frames breaking or fraying, well, i havent had that problem. oh, and it isnt meant to feel like an al or steel frame, it is carbon fibre. anyway, as for surviving crashes, my bike has been to the north shore(vancouver)and back and has fallen off of 20ft drops onto rocks, run into trees, and taken it all without problem. this bike is great, the only problem that i have had is that the cranks speced on mine were too long(175)so i kept hitting rocks and the like, but if you talk with your bike shop, they can fix that for you. otherwise, i have never been on a bike that works as hard as this does, yet puts you in the most comfortable position you would want to be in for hours on end.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Cartman a racer from Oklahoma
    Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    If you are a Clydesdale who still wants the responsiveness of a hardtail, this bike is for you. There is just enough suspension to keep you from beating yourself to death, yet it is a comfort that lurks just below the level of making the bike feel mushy. I weigh 220 lbs, and race 20 times a year, and this is the ONLY hardtail I would own at this point.
    Oh, and breakage? Yeah they break, they chip, they scratch. Of course they do. I bought a 9600 in 94 and broke it through my own stupidity almost immediately. Trek warrantied it with no complaints and upgraded me to the Nude Pro Issue. After 3 more years, and 50 more races the chainstay just disintegrated on the left side, while on the right the derailleur hanger was twisted up into the spokes. (It was a mud race, what can I say). The bike was hammered at this point, beat and chipped and mashed looking from 3 years of abuse, and I knew Trek would not warranty, so I paid the 300 bucks and said fix the chainstay and the dropout.
    When the bike came back, EVERYTHING had been fixed! Every ding had been bonded, and ENTIRE new rear triangle with replacable derailleur hanger had been installed, it had been polished to look like new, and new stickers which updated my Pro Issue to 9900 had been added. It was like getting a new OCLV for 300 bucks. Quit whining about Trek! IT is a brittle frame - it is also the best hardtail out there by far!
    This time, I resolved to protect my bike like I should have to begin with. After added a Carbon top tube sleeve, taped the chainstays, cut up an old tire to zip tie over my bottom bracket downtube area, I had added about one-third of a pound in weight and can expect to ride for another 5 years. Do the same to yours, and enjoy your ride on the best bike made.Keep Riding.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Brian a racer from Wyoming
    Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I just got my new 9900, and I haven't had any trouble during the 500 miles I've logged on it in the last month. Climbs great, and is just as good going down. Really likes to get off the ground. There has been a problem with the paint scratching, but I haven't put any pits or dents into the carbon fiber yet. I figure the scratches can be fixed with some touch-up paint, because I want to keep this sweet yellow/purple paint job looking good. Invest in a chainstay protector, and you'll be all set.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by brennan allen a cross-country rider from new zealand
    Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    Ok, now I've had this bike for six months of riding pleasure, it's time to tell all. One word - handles. Sorry, two words, handles fast. Oh no that should be three words, handles fast amazingly. I've owned high end steel bikes for 8 years now, and this one has an ethereal and almost telepathic quality the others ALL lacked. This bike climbs like a goat on pcp, accelerates like a methanol funny car (really, I have to consciously weight the front wheel to stop wheelies all the time), and handles like it's connected directly to my nervous system. Did I say it handles? I'm a little concerned about frame breakage, but I check constantly for stress risers (eg nicks & scratches). BTW I am 6'0, weigh 175, and have 19.5, 23.3 TT. And, to cap it off, purple/yellow split personality paintjob. Beautiful? No? 5 steamers for this steed of dreams.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Baard a cross-country rider from Norway
    Date Reviewed: May 27, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    This is a really good one, fast and no problem with the frame (so far) !
    My last bike was a GT RTS 2, and this one is much faster. I hope it will stay as good as it is just now for a long time.
    I use it for training both on and off-road.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matt a cross-country rider from North Carolina
    Date Reviewed: May 13, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I had posted 2 reviews on this product, but have been asked by MTBR to consolidate them. The original was on Oct. 8, 1996 and the other was on April 20, 1998.To date, my 9900 is still going strong, and I weigh 190 lbs. I have gone through two rear rims and replaced a bent seatpost in the last two years, but the frame is still solid. I originally got hold of a 9800 OCLV in the summer of 1994, and it cracked about 6 months later where the chainstays meet the bottom bracket. I was not happy. However, my local bike shop shipped the frame back to TREK, who in about two weeks shipped back a sweet new '95 9900 Pro Issue frame, nude carbon with the yellow decals. I would advise anyone who is considering this bike to get it from a good local bike shop. They will be able to talk directly to
    TREK should you have any problems. As a matter of fact, with any major bike purchase, you are much better off buying from your LBS because if it is a GOOD shop they should be able to deal with any warranty issues. Lucky for me, I have just such a shop here in Franklin Street Cycles.As far as performance, this bike is AWESOME. It handles singletrack with ease, climbs like a goat (even for my big fat lazy butt), and jumps almost by itself. The amazing thing is that the bike takes hits well, but is still stiff in the bottom bracket area. When you start peddling, it moves. Whoever says this bike is too flexy in the bottom bracket is dead wrong! The only complaint I have is that the seat stays flex a lot under hard braking. To alleviate this problem I added a brake booster. To anyone who has this frame, try one out. It makes a HUGE difference. TREK should sincerely consider this a standard feature.I will not give the 9900 five chilies because it broke on me once, and I would not go through that again. However, I will give it four because I love my bike, it handles great, and my latest frame has been trouble free.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Clive a cross-country rider from Camb's UK
    Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    This is a great bike for fast windy singletrack, it's handling inspires confidence. The light weight (and boy it's light!) ensures you go quickly up those hills (hey where is everybody.. hehe). Beautifly made, with sexy head turning lines, the bb area is just gorgeous. Not sure it's meant to last forever but a decent warranty helps.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Captain K a racer from Atlanta
    Date Reviewed: March 5, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    Just got my 1998 T-9900 and I am very impressed in the short time I have been on it. It is a single track machine! It snakes through the tight, technical single track better than my last bike, a Bontrager Ti-Lite. It is lighter and seems to climb better. Has a SID which I need to spend more time dialing in, and Cane Creek wheels. I can't believe how responsive it is and how well it accelerates and climbs. Hope the durability is there, I've seen the stories below and thats all that worries me.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by a cross-country rider a from St. Catharines Ontario
    Date Reviewed: March 1, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I purchased my TREK OCLV in the winter and not two weeks after riding it, I chipped the frame which later developed into fraying and peeling carbon fiber. I thought this composite material was supposed to be indestructable, aparently not. A lot of the reviews complained about their frames braking, I never believed it until it happened to me. Not covered under warranty by the way and cost me $295 +TAX to fix. I must say that when the bike was in one piece it was awsome, it climbed stupid fast and was very agile in the single track. I should be getting my bike back from TREK anytime soon. If you really want to try it for yourself e-mail me if your interested in buying. (billy__goat@hotmail.com)
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by jeff a cross-country rider from austin, TX
    Date Reviewed: January 6, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I've ridden OCLV framesets for 4 seasons and just switched to a new S-Works (my last bike was stolen). Didn't know what I was missing. The OCLV was a great frame, but I broke one frame in my first beginner's race, and had to b#tch like hell to get any kind of warranty deal. After replacement, the '95 frameset worked well, but I have the following observations:1. It has a just-can't-put-your-finger-on-it manner in which it climbs. Kind of light and floaty. This is good.2. Ungodly amounts of flex around the bottom bracket made front shifting suffer. CHAINSUCK galore until XTR was installed. Even then, anal maintenance was required.3. Most of the paint on downtube and chainstays was gone in one season due to rocks. Scratches easily too.4. While the bike provides effortless feeling acceleration, it doesn't compare to a good stiff bike like my new S-Works. 5. Descends well.I think much of the feel of the bike is due to the compliance of the frameset. You just dont't feel all the small bumps, as they are absorbed by the frame.Conclusion: like my Sworks better, but miss the floaty feeling of the OCLV sometimes. Be wary of frame breakage. Probably best suited for racers who are willing to put up with less than stellar durability.
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Dale Wissman a racer from Morgantown, WV
    Date Reviewed: December 30, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    This is without doubt the best bike I have ever owned! Couldn't ask for better performance! OCLV is by far the best frame material available today! TREK has in my oppionion the best waranties available and has been more than helpful with any questions I have about service or ANTYING. ANyway you stack it, any component fits perfectly! I ahve had no problems with my ESP deraliures on it or with my Spinergies. Wonderful damn bike! Will not own any frame other than an OCLV from now on!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jennifer a cross-country rider from
    Date Reviewed: December 23, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    This is without a doubt the WORST bike I have ever owned...I have ridden and competed on other manufacturers carbon bikes without incidence, in fact, I still have those other bikes after YEARS of riding and they are still in great shape. This TREK on the other hand I have owned for a little less than a year and 1. THE CLEARCOAT IS FLAKING OFF THE DOWNTUBE WHERE ROCKS HAVE HIT (My other bikes have clearcoat and it actually protects the bike!) 2 . I HAVE CRACKED TWO ESP 9.0 DERAILLIER'S IN HALF!!!!!!! I HAVE TO CALL SRAM EVERY OTHER DAY TO GET A NEW ONE. (POOR SPECS IF YOU ASK ME). THE ROCK SHOX JUDY XC WERE BUSTED AFTER THE FIRST WEEK OF RIDING BECAUSE OF CRAPPY SEALS....YET ANOTHER WEEK OF WAITING FOR PARTS TO FIX IT! Now I realized Trek cant be reponsible for all the parts they spec but this is not right! I called TREK and talked to a representative who said that I WAS PROBABLY ABUSING THE BIKE AND THAT IS WHY THE CLEAR IS COMING OFF.....HE ADDED TO BE CAREFUL AND WATCH FOR ROCKS AND PEBBLES!!!! OK? NOTE: WHEN I MENTIONED THAT OTHERS ON THE INTERNET HAD VOICED PROBLEMS SIMILIAR TO MINE HIS EXACT QUOTE WAS AS FOLLOWS, THE INTERNET DOESNT MEAN SHIT...........IT IS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR B#@TCHERS WHINERS AND COMPLAINERS WHO PROBABLY DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THEIR BIKE AND EXPECT IT TO LAST FOREVER. nuff said TREK stinks
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Ex-Trekie a cross-country rider from MA
    Date Reviewed: December 10, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    When this frame breaks (oh yes, it will. trust me) trek will
    come up with a great many and creative excuses as to why they will
    not honor the warranty. I bought one of these w/ a buddy and got a good
    deal from the shop because we bought 2. After 4 months, my down-tube cracked and failed on a rocky decent. I was going about 35 and I weigh 165.
    There was no jumping done on this frame, it simply failed.
    Trek said that it was broken due to my abuse during the ride.
    After 2 months of arguing, I was ignored and out of a frame.
    About 3 months later y friend had the same experience when his top tube cracked.
    We're are not extreme riders. I'd say we're simply average.
    Trek has designed a frame that won't last and that they won't warranty.
    no wonder they make so much money.
    Oh, I'm riding a high end steel frame and couldn't be happier.
    Trek is a shameful souless company.
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Nick a downhiller from NY, NY
    Date Reviewed: December 10, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    My friend Chris (XC racer from NY) ownes what I beleive to be a 94 or 95 nude OCLV 9900 built up with a Manitou X-vert, USE seatpost, Race Frace cranks and XTR components. After some limited but enlightening trail time I can honestly that this is the sweetest HT I've ridden. It is super fast in sprints, climbs like a goat and goes were you want it to on dh's. Even with the relatively heavy USE and Mantiou suspension system (a good mix by the way) the bike is still light and responsive. The only HT bike I've ridden that comes close is a Ti Bontrager, but with only XT and a Judy it is eclipsed by the Trek.
    I am a full suspension kind of guy but I love this bike. Highly recommended.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jason Ko a cross-country rider from Henderson, NC
    Date Reviewed: December 8, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    Great bike. Even better considering the price. There is no way you can get a sub 22-23 pound bike for the same amount of money. The best value on the market today, hands down.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Andrew Stulov (Andy) a racer from Moscow, Russia
    Date Reviewed: November 18, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    Mikha a racer from Zelenograd, Russia sez that TREK OCLV sucks, but his is not owner just TREKKING FOX's fan and so non-pedigree things. Especialy hates TREK . Here is the answer regarding his peppers.
    I rode 3 carbon bikes: Mongoose IBOC Comp SX (doubled down tubes), 9900 '94, 9900 Team Issue '97. First one had too long seat position and wheelbase so sprintints slow. And finaly cracked due car crash assident. Second been used under heavy Russian winter to prepare racing season, Amen. And last not least lasts still and feels great!!! Starts real fast, very stiff on climbing, it has quick reponse pedal to wheel, lightweight, very good behavior at high technical courses but requires very high skill from yourself. Ride it till you die.
    ...Sorry for my English.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jack Newby a racer from Jacksonville, FL
    Date Reviewed: November 12, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    I bought a 96 9900 Nude which had xt/lx components. I upgraded everything when the new XTR came out in 97. It has a 96 SL and added Englunds which also made a noticable improvement. Had Hugi's built on 217's etc.etc. everything is lightweight and the best I could afford. In my first couple of races with the bike I took a conservative start not being to aggressive and found myself in the top ten everytime going into the first turn and single track and then would pick others off at the first climb. After getting comfortable with the bike I decided it was time to hammer from the starts. I found myself leading into the first turn everytime I wanted to. One time I decided not go out so hard, but , get in the top five at the first turn. The horn blew for the start, I took off with about 45 other racers and couldn't find my pedal to engage the whole way until the first turn. I was looking down trying to get clipped in while peddaling finaling getting clipped, looked up just before the turn and found myself in 3rd and then proceeded to pick those guys off at the first climb. What I am saying is this bike is extremely light, very quick and responsive. I have started to look around a bit at race starts to see if other guys are just not hammering at the start or what. The racers I can see look as if their going as hard as they can 120% and I am just going out at about 75%. Definitely an advantage for me. The bad news; it broke at the AMBC Nationals in Ocala while I was poised to take over the lead for the win, that really hurt. The good news; TREK is sending me a brand new 98 9900 frameset, but I will miss the last two races of the year waiting for it. I have ridden and raced other bikes and so far I have not found one that performs as good in any hard-tail situation. I am however going to build up another one for training and just in case I need it to finish the season. P.S. the new TREK OCLV's for 98 are stronger and the lifetime warranty is back, so buy one today if you're serious about competing and winning.
    Overall Rating:5