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Submitted by
I Am Canadian Eh!
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | - Excellent value for the money I paid.
- Much better than cheaper department store bikes.
- Easily able to upgrade to better components. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager Sport Crank - Can't find any info about this crank anywhere. OEM model perhaps? | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Currently - Stock
Upgrades to be added in two weeks. | | Bottom Line: | I am adding the following upgrades to this bike:
- New Shimano XT 8 speed shifters - don't want 9 speed yet.
- Deore brake levers with Avid SD7 V-brakes both front and
rear.
- Shimano XT rear derailleur and LX front derailleur.
Upgrades planned for 2008 include - Deore, LX, or XT crankset. Might do it this summer if I have the extra cash.
Bottom Line - I bought this bike because I couldn't afford the Trek 4900 or better models at the time. I do not regret it one bit. Now that I have a bit of extra cash, I am starting to replace components for better ones. I think the bike is great. Highly recommend to anyone!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgetown Ky, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Capital View | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Strengths: | Held up to 4 years of riding pretty well, nothing has broken. 15.5" frame fits me perfect (5'7") | | Weaknesses: | May be a little heavy. Judy II fork seems a little stiff, but I did buy this bike in '03. | | Similar Products Used: | Just rode friend's bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Still stock except the tires and crank bushing. I damaged the bushing a few years back after a big drop, no fault of the bike. | | Bottom Line: | This has been an excelent first bike. It's time for me to upgrade and since I can't really afford a full supsension, I may just upgrade all of the parts on this bike....I'm that content with it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfredo Cheesiwinks
a Racer
from asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bent Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Liberty Bikes | | Strengths: | Quite strong. I've put this bike through everything and its kept going. I've done 6' drops with this and it was fine. A great duel slolom/xc bike. Pedals well. Its light enough to get you up hills no problem and strong enough to get you back down, jumps included. | | Weaknesses: | The rims it comes with aren't the best and the stem is a piece of crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Stuff I used before this bike isn't even worth talking about. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano altus derailers. wtb duel duty rims. ritchey stem. shimano v-brakes. chili pepper grips. truvativ crank. | | Bottom Line: | I've pretty much killed this bike but its still running strong. only brought it to the shop twice in four yrs. Strong, low maintenence, and cool colours make it a pretty sweet xc ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Racer
from Evans, GA U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Augusta Canal | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | The Frame! That's the real good thing! You can't find a better deal for that frame. Especialy if you go used like I did. Hey and the only good componet on the bike the handle bars, and the rims are actually ok for me. | | Weaknesses: | What can I say! Every componet on the bike is crapey. Just to name a few the shocks, the gears (all of them), the seat post, the brakes, and etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt 2.0
Haro
scott | | Bike Setup: | cat eye comp., new seat, dual headlights, irc tires, Hayes disc brakes, and decore gears | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike for the money, just re-do the gears and all. The frame is what you are paying for. Go used you can't go wrong! Get better tires than ircs get some michaleans if you can spring for it. RIDE ON! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cory
a Cross Country Rider
from maine
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | river trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Solid bike for geting into freeride/all moutian comes with good seat, good deal | | Weaknesses: | comes with ok stuff | | Similar Products Used: | gaint stp1 | | Bike Setup: | lx rear surfas burner tires, 17 inch frame, every thing stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this big i can do 5 foot drops and fell like the bike will role with me. Good for learning on but needs mods to take you to the next level. good for technical sigle track. ok on the north shore because it is easy to find the balence point. wake up and ride dont need to spent much time working on it. because i have the smalled frame it is a little easer to do the 180s and stuff but hard or epic rides. ok in urbin, and in dirt jumps it could use a little help and takes geting the fell of the bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakewood, WA USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | ft steilacoom park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$406.00 | | Purchased At: | raineer cyclery | | Strengths: | fairly light, good quality, good components used, great waranty and coverage, great brakes | | Weaknesses: | i cant see anything yet except for my hadlebar grips are getting allitle worn and they havent been used roughly or that much | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | standard factory with many accesories | | Bottom Line: | this has been a great bike. i loved my specialized but i out grew it and liekd that the trek came in the 22.5" frame. the tread is wearing down because the brakes are so good i can help but skid sometimes. you will not be dissapointed if you buy this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mountain Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The bumpy, dirt roads | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | Moto Pazos(trek dealer) | | Strengths: | Light frame, sturdy parts. The handlebar grips and tires are good. Sweet first gear! | | Weaknesses: | i had problems with the suspension, and it is not very adjustable. Could use toeclips. The seat is relatively hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y24 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Normally this bike costs less. Because i bought it in Costa Rica it was more expensive. For the price it is a great bike. It can handle all kinds of terrain, though to me it seemed a bit sluggish on pavement. However, the 27 gears are a little excesive, although the first gear is really good. If you want a sturdy, simple mountain bike, then this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from W. Rutland, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ride Killington, Rocky Pond | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | First Stop Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light Frame, very rigid, stands up to the 4-5ft drops I've put it through. | | Weaknesses: | Needs a longer travel fork, derailleurs could be smoother shifting, need to upgrade those. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F400, Cannondale F800, Trek 4900, Trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike, one of the best Hardtails I've ridden for the money. Trek did a good job with this one, even though it cpould use some upgrades for it to be truly awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bobby
a Cross Country Rider
from england
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | ???? present | | Strengths: | this bike is fantastic strong frame great on trails and a fantastic ride on roads it has gr8 gearing i dont know why every1 says their rubbish. | | Weaknesses: | tyres wear down a bit fast only problem ive found | | Bike Setup: | i have kept the same setup as it came from the shop | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike looks beautiful great gearing and long lasting. It is good value for money and will suit all riders from beginers to pros | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Merkley
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello,Idaho
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | west fork | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | Barrie's Ski & Sport | | Strengths: | This is an excellent bike. The frame is basically what you pay for on this bike. It is a sweet ride for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Componentry! The Deore rear derailleur is fine, but you will want to upgrade the front derailleur, the shifters, the wheels, Definitely the fork. The fork seems nice at first, but you will quickly learn that it has virtually no rebound. Upgrade what you need to. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F600, Trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | 04 Trek 4500 frame. Deore RD, LX FrontD, Kenda Kinetics, Manitou Black Platinum, Mavic 223, E-Mail for more info
mikey42186@yahoo.com | | Bottom Line: | A very solid bike from Trek. I haveupgraded alot of the componentry and consistently win races in the expert category. This bike weighs about 27 pounds stock, but that is reduced after you upgrade. For example, My Black Platinum is lighter than the Judy TT. my bike weighs like 20 pounds now, and I surprise people at the local bike trails. They see me pull up with my bike and immediately the snickering and jokes start. I get my laughs out of the fact that none of them are able to stay with me once we get going. So, if your like me, and building bike is a passion of yours, then this is a good way to go. I have spent over $1000 on my bike, and I love more each time I ride it. If you have questions, Email at mikey42186@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from ya. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anand
a Weekend Warrior
from Peoria, IL
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Farmdale, East Peoria | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Pretty rigid frame, low price, front shocks | | Weaknesses: | Crankset, front/rear derailleurs, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for beginners. I haven't had any serious problems yet, but the components are pretty average - you get what you pay for the money. I will have to replace the derailleurs and crankset after this season, if not sooner. I have had seroius shifting problems, as other reviewers have experienced. However, spending another ~ $300 on upgrading the pedals, crankset and derailleurs (get Shimano Deore components)is well worth it - for ~ $600, you will have a pretty decent mountain bike that ought to last you 5-6 seasons. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dido dido
a Cross Country Rider
from phoneix
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | millif | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bike barn | | Strengths: | speed and weight and bLance blance | | Weaknesses: | none not to be expected maybe the chain derailleur
likes to jump gears sometimes but not a not hard
to correct . | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for the type that likes urban riding
and is pulled onto trails were this bike will pull no puches if forced onto the single track.I give it a top rating because it is so strongly mixed.and I like the cross country stuff more like cross urban
5 flamin chils good stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marty g
a Weekend Warrior
from rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | used off ebay, but local | | Strengths: | this bike has a great frame, frame doesnt twist, i love the style of shifters it has, and even thoim only 15 this bike is great!! the stock tires are very good, strong rubber, and i still have them. rockshox judy TT are very nice, and they treat me well. | | Weaknesses: | has sh*** parts!!!! i regularly do 6"-24" drops, and the frame can handle it, but the rear wheel cant. i snaped 7 spokes, and bent 3, not a pretty sight. i replaced both tubes, the seat was too skinny(im not a small guy) so i replaced it, i had the bottom bracket, whole crank assembely, and pedals replaced. the front and rear durraillers are failing, and the new chain i had put on is crap, but enough said, the components on this bike suck! | | Bike Setup: | stock frame, new but factory same crank and bottom bracket | | Bottom Line: | this bike is an excelent bike for the price, but if your serious about biking, u might want to upgrade the components, but the frame can handle just about anything u throw at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse
a Weekend Warrior
from Burltington,VT
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Battenkill Bikes | | Strengths: | looks nice | | Weaknesses: | This bike is a piece of junk. It's given me nothing but trouble since the first day I bought it. The entire shifting system from the chainwheels to the shifting levers constantly needs adjustment and seldom works. The crankset is weak and bent without me even jumping anything. I definately got ripped off. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Mountain Trak | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy this. It's a waste of money. I don't even use it that hard and it fell apart/needed adjustment EVERY DAY.
This bike is a piece of junk. It's given me nothing but trouble since the first day I bought it. The entire shifting system from the chainwheels to the shifting levers constantly needs adjustment and seldom works. The crankset is weak and bent without me even jumping anything. I definately got ripped off. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aussie joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$690.00 | | Purchased At: | Renegade Cycles | | Strengths: | Reliable! | | Weaknesses: | Firstly, obviouse I paid too much :(
2nd, it's a bit over weighted | | Bike Setup: | Standard plus F&R SR-Suntour DB-XCR-HD hydraic disk brake. | | Bottom Line: | All moving parts are very reliable even after eight months it felt into the river after I atempted to ride across it :P
(I just re-wax the chain)
Now done 1200+km with all the gears shifts accurately. (Ofcourse nomal adjustments are needed but seem Alivo has not worn a bit.)
The weight of it may seems heavy compare to other bikes, but it definately ride smoother/easier than other cheaper, lighter bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from millersville,MD,USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | this one on landing road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | bike doctor | | Strengths: | good weight and the best damn brakes ever (but it is the 1st real bike i have ever got all the others have been from TOYS "R" US) and the the best shfter to | | Weaknesses: | the wheel can tend to get pushed out of true a bit and the tires have good traction but they do tend to wear a little bit so i rotate them every 200 miles the seat can be a little hard at times but i just stop and take a 5-10 min rest and walk around then get back on and go | | Similar Products Used: | none other like it | | Bike Setup: | what it says on the www.trek.com in 2002 | | Bottom Line: | The Bottom Line is that it is a good bike for road trails (the b&a trail and the BWI tril mostly)and i have not really been on alot of mountain trails i did take it once and it did fine the bike lover the hills the traction was awsome and it loves the water my grandparents street got flooded durning isable and i took it threw like 2 to 3 feet of water is was awsome in that to it and i loved it and also it is good for long huals and just and everyday rideing that does not stay on the road all the time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erin Reed
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | JAX Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | Very light, stable, good tire grip, can take a beating, better than other hardtails the same price | | Weaknesses: | Cant take a huge beating, after a while it starts to creak, weak rims | | Similar Products Used: | 01 Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with shimano deore kranks and gears | | Bottom Line: | It's an excellent trail bike but you'll wreck it if u try drops with it. I bent my kranks and the frame jumping stairs.Its a good bike for begginers but if ure starting to daring and abusive, spend money on another bike before it's too late. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris M
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathedrial pines | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Carl Hart | | Strengths: | Solid bike, attractive look, can take a beating, somwhat good components, responsive. | | Weaknesses: | needs 24/7keep up, if you do not tighten a scew it will break, this bike loves the shop, seat could be better | | Similar Products Used: | -------- | | Bike Setup: | basic stock, upgraded breaks to hayes disk front and rear. | | Bottom Line: | this is a great long distance bike, it's nice to sleek look, it is solid and i would reccomend it to anyone looking for a bike that you want to last everyday riding and regular abuse it wasent that badley priced but make sure you have a shop nearby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Phelps
a Cross Country Rider
from Lodi, CA, United States
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bikes | | Strengths: | Great bike, the frame is great quality, strong and rigid, components work well, fork does its job, says "Trek" on it, lifetime warranty. Made in the USA. | | Weaknesses: | 25 degree stem with sticker "This stem is not mean't for downhill, freeriding, or any other agressive offroad riding." (Easy and cheap fix) Seat could be more comfortable but is still good. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing came close | | Bike Setup: | New stem, new seat stock except for that. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, no problems with it, great value for the price, I looked at specialized hardrock comp and this was a better bike for me. I am glad I made this descision. This bike is made in the USA which is a big plus for me. Everything works GREAT. The frame is stiff and strong, and transfers all your power to the road. GET THIS BIKE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter None
a Weekend Warrior
from N.Y.
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all that include a generous amount of mud | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Metro bicycles on 96&Broadway | | Strengths: | pretty cheap.good Bontrager tires,Juddy TT fork is good for both beginer and intermediate riders.frame is ok.Handlebar is really good,shifters are too.has pretty good grip in overall.strong wheels. | | Weaknesses: | where should i begin?aaaah,yes!The cranks and chainrings are CRAP.soft materials,hard maintenence,unable to find replacement parts.no good at all.had problems with loosening left crank arm from the beggining/including creaking noise from the BB,but some teflon plummer's tape took care of that damn noise/,chain falls out of the outer ring often,making it unsafe to ride with higher speeds.the bike is a bit on the heavy side,due AGAIN to crapy crankset.Front hub is absolutelly fake,the rubber sealings on the side don't do jack!Frame is king of soft on the rear side,making the rear brake less functional,but a brake booster takes care of that.i'm having little doughts about the cassette quality,but i'm waiting a little more to make my conculsion.pretty much that's it... | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000,Scott Octane and Scott xc/european versions/ | | Bike Setup: | factory,exept front brake/avid ball bearing db-185mm/,front hub-Shim.XT m756,spokes-wheelsmith,black.i kept the old Matrix 750 rim.By the way,who the hell manufactures these goddamn rims?can't find specs nowhere. | | Bottom Line: | with a some upgrades/as with most middlepriced bikes/you can make a very good xc-trail bike.i suggest you start with the feaggin' crankset.then hubs/wheels.everything eles you can ride until it wears out.even though i said alot in the "weakness" section,i'm very satisfied with this bike,and i think it was a good purchase.so if you have the chance or if you are thinking of getting one,do so,but be prapared to pich in some additional expences.i would not recomend the bike for the very serious rider/so called pro's/. that's all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kalon Lasater
a
from Winona,MN,USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Livi's Mound(Wisconsin) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycle & Ski | | Strengths: | Very solid all around bike. Rear derailer is very durable. Great tires and tubes, only one flat ever! | | Weaknesses: | Crank chainrings bend out of true when going race-pace. Weight-32lbs, slows you down on the climbs. After a season and a half the frame now creaks when climbing, sprinting, and decending bumpy trails.
Also once I landed very hard off a jump on my front tire and lube spayed from the rebound ajustment on the fork. | | Bottom Line: | Great begginer bike! I put on Time Carbon peddals and used it for racing with good success. It's kinda funny when I kill people on 21 pound, $2,000 bikes. The bike doesn't make the rider. I finished 1rst in a sport race (Afton Avalanche) with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robbie
a Cross Country Rider
from Youngstown, OH
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Vulture's Knob, Wooster OH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddy's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Frame is good quality, I like the pedals yet many people greatly dislike them, Fork works out great, It's all good for the price baby | | Weaknesses: | Little disappointed with the shift system, but yet again, good for the price | | Similar Products Used: | First sport comp bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock except fot shimano 536's | | Bottom Line: | This bike has really helped get me goin in the MTB world. It will open doors for you and enable you to experience the thrill that can be obtained on the open trail. I recommend it greatly for anyone who is sckeptical about gettin into mountain riding because of the cost. Buy this bike, it will change your mind, and your way of life.
Just for kicks, I test rode the GF 29's, and It will be my next purchase, no doubt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | R&D | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's Cycle | | Strengths: | Frame | | Weaknesses: | Cheap Shimano Components | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Tek 4900, and Trek STP 200 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
I own the following Trek products:
STP 200
4900
4500
4300
Both of my son's love to ride, so Trek was my choice. The 4500 offers a great value for the money, but you should replace the following components when purchasing the 4500:
RD: From Alivio to LX
RD: From Alivio to XT
This is a big change from the stock set-up. LX and XT are found on the current Trek 8000, and make a world of difference. We have gone to the LX/XT combination on both the 4300 and 4900. As a result, riding is much more enjoyable, and these components require less long-term adjustments. In a nutshell, the Trek 4500 is a winner on all accounts, but it does need an upgrade "out of the box" to reach its true potential.
Sincerely
Russ
PS: The seatpost and seat are also of poor quality and should be changed to a Bontrager Select and FS 2000 combination as the next step. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Mercado
a Weekend Warrior
from Niceville, Florida
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't been on but one yet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's Cycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | Well, much better than the Huffy I beat to death! (that poor bike) It goes where I want it to. Nice and light, shifters work well after I got used to them. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet but then again i haven't run it through the paces hard enough yet | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy something | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike for the money although, when I was shopping around the Jamis Durango or Durango sport (can't remember which) was a better deal for about $40 less. I stayed with the Trek since I already own a 720 for touring and the bike shop is managed by good people with a history of excellent customer service for me. I would recommend this bike to anyone, especially entry level riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Armando
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta River | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | I beat it up and it still runs well. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing that I have found, sofar. | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy that I purchased this bike. For a person that is beginning, on a budget, and lives in Florida, you do not need much more. Trek bikes are well made and this bike is no exception. It was a great buy at $450 with a couple of upgrades. I will keep upgrading the components as I improve my riding and ride more often than just in the weekends, but like I stated before, for a first trail bike, you can't ask for more than what you get in the Trek 4500 Alpha. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Putnam Blake
a Downhiller
from Marblehead mass usa
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | sports outlet | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | the frame is kind of weak. when i upgraded to xtr v-brake it became apparent that i needed a booster since i could pull the lever all the way to the bars | | Similar Products Used: | none, although i have ridden my friends norco fluid and i've got a norco a-line on order | | Bike Setup: | 2002 psylo xc, thompson elite stem 110x5, bontraiger crowbar comp 2" rise. hayes 8" hydraulic disc on the front xtr v-brake |
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