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Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Islip, NY
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere there is dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Byron Lake | | Strengths: | Price, paint scheme, Disk ready hubs, | | Weaknesses: | Seat broke on first hard ride. The lower water bottle screw "spun" and I cannot get it off or tighten it fully. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant, specialized other bikes in the price range I will pay | | Bike Setup: | Added WTB Rocket V, Avid BB5, Carbon fiber Bar Ends...along with some goodies. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for less then half price. I wanted something to ride for exercise and found this bike wants to rock. I have plans to further upgrade some things like seat posts and maybe | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl Vella
a Cross Country Rider
from Mississauga, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath | | Strengths: | Durable (not one major repair in 7yrs, light (only 26.5 lbs, tossible, great shifting, decent braking. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals like most bikes in this price range. | | Bike Setup: | TruVativ pedals, Panaracer rear tire | | Bottom Line: | Purchased this bike in 2001 and its been 7 years and the only thing I've had to repair is the chain. This bike is extremely durable, very light (26.5 lbs)which makes it great for climbing. The frame quality is very high, welds are clean and strong, one of the few frames Made in USA. I'd definetly have no regrets and I am happy with my purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
evosteve
a Weekend Warrior
from OP, KS USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike America Olathe KS | | Strengths: | Good price, strong and light. Can handle about anything I dish out. Very cool orange/black paint job for 2006. | | Weaknesses: | Seat. If you get this bike, change out the seat right away | | Similar Products Used: | KHS, Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Good all around bike. I'm a recreational weekend rider but put this bike through a lot. I have yet to break any of the stock components on it. For the money paid, I couldn't ask for anything more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$435.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay (used) | | Strengths: | Frame build quality and rigidity, good component package for the price, great paint job. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Bontrager seat is brutal. Bottom bracket didn't last long. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 930, Cannondale M600 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except pedals and seat. | | Bottom Line: | Good value for the price, especially the rock solid frame. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Pignatelli
a Downhiller
from Stateline, NV USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | toader | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | used from a Sun Valley, ID rental shop | | Strengths: | Great front suspension bike. Tough as nails. Will take you anywhere if you're up to the challenge.
Bontrager design. | | Weaknesses: | a hardtail | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a XC bike that can do anything, this is it. This bike took me from a beginer at Arcata's Community Forest to a downhiller on all of South Tahoe's offerings.
Never had a problem with the frame, even with the wicked abuse I offered.
The bike is great for a lightweight cross-country, and offered me one last summer on hardcore downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Smallz
a
from Westford MA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelworks Belmont MA | | Strengths: | It kicks ass up hill it is a very tough bike good its also it very responsive. The Bontrager tires grip good Its very fast. It was partucaly runover by a S10 pickup ended up bending the rim. But i got a new rim and the buke was good as new. The bike blowes through mud its hard to get it stuck. Its got excelent disc Hayes brakes they stop on a dime I put 911 Miles on it i after owning it for 8 months now im rebuild in it after wareing out the parts on it. | | Weaknesses: | The tires hold up terrible one of the has a small slice on the side wall. The tread wares down quickly on them.
The paint holds up horabaly (scratches easily). The Shimono IG chain is crapy it snapped 3 times. I recomend you switch the chain when its new to a sram-p68 chain or do what i did and ware out the componets on it and in the winter rebuild it. | | Bike Setup: | Removeable dropout, Hayes disc brakes, Thumb shifters, good cranks,stem,bars. | | Bottom Line: | This is a sturdy good bike can handle almost anything that comes its way its good for medium level mountain bikers.
Its a good bike for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Madsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | NorthStar MTB | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | FleaMarket (Most likely stolen) | | Strengths: | Great, strong bike that can handle alot of crap from any rider. | | Weaknesses: | Needs "Stomp" Pedals and a new fork for a better ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Swhinn Moab 2 | | Bike Setup: | XC, Drops, Race | | Bottom Line: | ITs a hardcore bike that will handle things from drops, to rock climbing, to racing full on out down a hill. I suggest this bike to someone who is just starting out or is a amature. It can take falling or even if you get a flat you can keep riding on it for a mile or so and it wont even be hurt. You should totally get this if you want a great HardTail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmie Wood
a Weekend Warrior
from Fayetteville NC 28303
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Uharrie | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Great Bike, love the weight, and price point. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is horrible. Please go buy a new Seat@!!!! its an A$$$ killer. The front shock needs to be replaced if your over 200lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | first bike | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, im going to invest in some upgrades in a few months, new pedels, shocks, etc.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sjor Van Laar
a Weekend Warrior
from Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Spaarnwoude enzo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Some guy in New Jersey | | Strengths: | Good geometry, light frame, nice paintjob. | | Weaknesses: | Trek sponsors that guy George W. B. (But then again, also Lance.) | | Similar Products Used: | ´1999 Specialized Hardrock A1, Cannondale F400, 1996 Gary Fischer Paragon. | | Bike Setup: | I bought the frame from some trial riding guy in NJ, and added parts to it that i already had. Fork is a 2002 Sid race titanium. Drivetrain and brakes are a mix between Sram 9.0 and Deore LX. Wheels are Mavic 221´s with XT hubs. Tires are Hurchinson mosquito gold´s. | | Bottom Line: | This trek 6500 SLR frame is good value. It´s light, looks good and is affordable. After a few upgrades you can really have a pro bike with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Hunt
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kohitere Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | southend cycles | | Strengths: | Lightness, Frame Strength, derailleurs | | Weaknesses: | cranks, shocks(too hard i have the 04 version of the 6500 and that comes with pilot c's) rims are weak | | Similar Products Used: | fuji(piece of s**t) | | Bike Setup: | the same shorter stem and new crank | | Bottom Line: | Great bike just watch out for the cranks mine mangled themselves but trek replace them. am getting better xc forks and hydraulic discs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol, UK.
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cwmcarn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | A Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Nice Colour. Fantastic Light Frame. Good value for Money when purchased. | | Weaknesses: | Seat took a bit of getting used to. Brakes seem to be getting worse with time. Front shifter dosen't like being crashed. | | Similar Products Used: | My last mountain bike, can't remeber name. | | Bike Setup: | Standard except for shimano clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic, fun bike. Loves to be ridden off road. After getting some real comfy shorts I can now sit on the seat without worrying if i'll ever have kids. Brakes are a little weak, and look crap. Will replace soon, but will stick with V's, probably LX. Front shifter also seems a bit tempremental after a crash or two. Suppose the most obvious fix for that would be not to crash.....
End of day, love the bike because it loves to be ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Council Bluffs, IA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lewis and Clark | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Pretty light bike. It sure does take a beating but then again I weigh only 140. It was a great value bike for when I bought it. | | Weaknesses: | Other than crappy brakes it hasn't really been in the shop. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 4 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Shimano Deore brakes and levers. Shimano 515 clipless. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for less serious trails. I found myself needing and wanting a better one as my skills and riding frequncy improved. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitewater, Wi USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | From some that works at Trek | | Strengths: | Love the Frame, and the handle bars, tires aren't bad. And super Light. Also is great looking, I also don't mind the seat that much. | | Weaknesses: | My derailer needs to be adjusted alot, from what I see the front shocks are a little soft but for my weight of 130, they work really good. | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | all stock but i took off anything that i didn't need like the seat, right now i'm using it for some in town Trails stuff, and it holds up good | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the price, bontrager stuff is all good, I bend the wheel about once every two weeks, but ehh, looks and rides good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jr
a Cross Country Rider
from Hillsdale N.C. USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Beech Springs N.C. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Right Gear Concord N.C. | | Strengths: | Great Frame that is light,strong,rigid and A1 paint. | | Weaknesses: | Hard Seat,Manitou Fork to soft,(I Weigh 225),Brakes sorta cheap looking but work fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Replaced seat 1st with more comfortable Trek seat,Installed Rock Shox Duke XC Fork,Rock Shox susp. seatpost,Shorter handlebar stem,XT rear Der.,Presently looking for new brakelevers,Everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first true Mt Bike,my 13 yr old son has a 4300,as I upgrade my 6500 I am installing the old parts onto his bike,I would recommend the 6500 to anyone looking for a good intermediate hardtail mtb,has a great frame worthy of upgrades,you will need to replace the seat it is like a rock. If you weigh over 170 install a heavier fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Southwest Bikes | | Strengths: | SLR Alloy frame, components package, affordability. | | Weaknesses: | LX Drivetrain couldn't handle my punishment, bottom-of-the-barrel v-brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Bomber Atom Race Z2, Panaracer Trailblaster 2.1's, Shimano 515's, XT F/R Derailleurs, Avid Single Digit Ti v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This is just an update from my last review (scroll down). This bike is still great! I've given it quite a pounding, only changed out a few parts for the sake of upgrades, and only broken a derailleur. I love this bike. You can't find a better hardtail value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Polar Bear
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Race Pace | | Strengths: | Fluid frame geometry, and good suspension performance once I upgraded the coil spring. Offered the cooler looking/less flashy blue color scheme. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager AC Tires. Front Derailleur. Shifters (Deore parts in general) | | Similar Products Used: | Low end Trek MTB's | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for: Conti's escape/explorer pro Tires, Time ATAC Carbon pedals. LX Brake Levers. 170+ pounds coil spring. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been great to start getting more serious about trail riding. I do not understand why Bike companies put a lower end Derailluer on the front and the next level up on the rear. I will be ditching the Deore components as soon as I can afford to. For the money this is a great frame/suspension set up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
2ndsight pullins
a Weekend Warrior
from san angelo
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | SASP"Da Playground" | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Concho Bike shop... | | Strengths: | Light and Strong Frame,Appropriate components,excellent upgradeable package. | | Weaknesses: | GoD..What was Trek thinkin' in the regaurds to the Manitou Six Forks????????GEEEZZ Soo Mushy...Cotton balls are STIFF...compared. Also rear Derailer(LX) is a constant TWeeK Mongroul..Seek the XT or Sram..Changed seat(personal pref)as well. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500,aggrss 1.0,Jamis Eureka. | | Bike Setup: | 6500,17.5,D2 smoothies(pedal),Specialized split tail saddle,Xt Derail,40'StemK,Wanna Duke Or Sid front. | | Bottom Line: | Come to San Angelo,Texas..Trek 6500 A great Bike for This Level and Creativity towards higher end..Just this side of Advanced/ handles excellent with mix Terrain,(SASP-San Angelo State Park) Worth the Trip**** | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly Brock
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | SLR frame!!! Amazing! Excellent geometry for climbing. Same frame as past 8000. Great overall package for the $$$. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is hard and would be nice to see clipless at this level. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Stock frame with Xt brakes, shifters, Bonti racelite tubless wheels, Bonti splined cranks, Bonti seat, clipless, all trickled down from my Fuel 100. | | Bottom Line: | The frame is amazing and is worthy up upgrades. I bought mine mainly for the frame as I had all the hand me downs from my upgraded Fuel and wanted to use the parts up. All that is left is a Sid fork to replace the Super Six. I use this bike mainly for comuting as well as a decent spare offroad bike. Even stock this is a great bike as you can upgrade the heavier, cheaper compoments as they fail. This would be an amazing upgrade for anyone wanting to upgrade to a great frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA.
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mustard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Rock n Road Cyclery | | Strengths: | Phat bike for the price. Very light. Very durable. Decent component mix. Climbs like a beast! Frame is extremely solid! Best lookin' hardtail around! | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailleur needs frequent tunes otherwise it tends to skip at the worst times...like big climbs. Once it's dialed in though...look out. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with exception of Ritchey pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Whole lotta bike for the money! So far this bad dog is indestructable! At some point I'll upgrade the rear derailleur. I'd recommend this steed to anyone wanting a hardtail with attitude. This is a great bike for the weekend warrior! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Weekend Warrior
from springfield,MA usa
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | manchester cycle | | Strengths: | cheap price | | Weaknesses: | bontrager tires suck, frame is weak for true mountain bike riding. Frame holds up well sitting in your basement, bent rear rim.Seat sucks. Front fork comes loose all the time. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | upgraded spring, new rear rim, new seat, rock guard | | Bottom Line: | Not for true hard core mountain biking. Ok for wimps. Great bike for grandpa. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Songster
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Commisioner's trail (Coudersport PA) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | North West Trek | | Strengths: | Very light for the $$$. Climbs like an Afganistan goat herder. Pretty colors. | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailer has a cuel mind of its own. Seat is like a rock-if your a wuss. Crap-ola brake-ola | | Similar Products Used: | GT Altera
Harro Vector | | Bike Setup: | Shimano pedals m-545 | | Bottom Line: | Great value, you can always upgrade the breaks, fork, and seat. Much lighter then most bikes in it's price range. Afganistan goat herders get all the chicks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Maxwell
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville Al.
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Liberty Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Ect. | | Strengths: | Great frame, good drivetrain
| | Weaknesses: | Squishy fork | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock, I think
| | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great deal. I ride a lot and don't do enough maintenance on it but it still rides great. Other than the fork I have had no problems with it. Great bike for begginers and intermediate riders. I give it four Flamin' Chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Ericson
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch - Santa Cruz, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Summit Cycles - LG, CA | | Strengths: | Followup on my previous post: Fairly light, handles well. Been pretty durable. | | Weaknesses: | Shifters suck, fork a bit squishy still | | Bike Setup: | Still mostly stock, clipless pedals now, rear LX may be going soon (not real pleased with it). | | Bottom Line: | Still an awesome buy. The front shock needs time to break in, and I've been having issues with the rear derailur(sp), but I'd definitely recommend it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Friess
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Poor Farm Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Agee's | | Strengths: | Lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Fork broke in the first 6 months of riding. Suspension is really soft. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the price, though a firmer fork is recommended. Seat also kills your a$# so replacing that would be vital. I ride 5 - 7 days a week on intermediate trails and it handles really well keeping the soft fork in mind. Fast downhills get kinda iffy with it and a firmer fork is definately recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Thomas
a Downhiller
from Orem, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | cache creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Al's | | Strengths: | This bike is a lot of fun. I love the fork. The frame is nice and light. | | Weaknesses: | This Manitou Super Six might be too squishy if I ever grow bigger than 150 lbs., but for now it's ok. The seat kicks a$$, I mean, It kicks YOUR a$$ - big difference. Shifters are a little disappointing. And the seat needs TO GO! | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Trek 6000 | | Bike Setup: | LX shifters, Hayes hyd. disc brake up front | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the money. Just upgrade the seat before you buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hedge
a Downhiller
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Hill, Sydney | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Clarence Street Cycles, AU | | Strengths: | Shimano LX kit, unbreakable frame, light weight | | Weaknesses: | - Weak chain. (Bent it)
- Soft shocks. (Broke em, oil leak)
- V/Hard seat | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded fork springs in shocks to handle 190lb & re-packed. Upgraded shifters to LX. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is not strong enough for real mountain bike'n. Had to replaced chain when it bent (street use only), sheered cassette and replaced beacuse of the chain. Now I use it as purely local street riding. I bought Giant AC1 for the bush!
* * * 1st & last Trek - Buy anything else but! * * * | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Door County WI USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | light frame, (3.4 Pounds),LX components, manitou six super fork, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | The fork is a little squishy in the start, but the forks owner's manual says it needs 20 hours of riding for it to break in. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche 2.0, G.T. Agressor 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the price, preforms very well. I don't have a really srong oppion of it yet, since I've had it for such small amount of time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Ericson
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Overgrown- Santa Cruz, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: | |
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