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Submitted by
Gee MacB
a Downhiller
from Glasgow
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The World | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | I usually ride downhill, however i bought the Trek 4500 frame to build up to a trail/cross country MTB. i paid 100 GBP for the frame however have spend a further £500 building it and it is the best hardtail i have ever riden. the frame is super light and with a good set of forks it rides really smooth. | | Weaknesses: | there are few weaknesse, however i found it hard to find a seatpost to fit the frame it has a very wide diameter however www.chainreactioncycles.com sell a wide range of seatposts which fit. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock, rockhopper, trek 3500 | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox recon forms 100ml, hope mini disc brakes, azonic stem, body comfort saddle, allex rims, shimano shifters, michelan xc dry tyres, shimano XT hubs, Club Roost sport seatpost, Race Fack xc Bars, Club Roost bar ends... | | Bottom Line: | The trek 4500 frame is a perfect bike for intermediate to experienced riders as it is super light 2kg and is strong and robust. although i have only owned the bike for three months i will not be upgrading anytime soon and would recommend the frame to anyone who is interested in beggining MTB or is already an experienced rider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, Ky, USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt road and trails behind my house | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | Nat's Outdoor Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Looks great! Shifts well. Strong Frame. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is hard as a rock, forks are a little soft but not too bad. | | Similar Products Used: | None really. Only WalMart bikes before this one. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For a beginner like myself this bike is better than I could have imagined. Rides great and looks great. Everyone who has seen it was impressed by the looks, even my friends who aren't riders. I weigh 205 at 5'6" and this bike holds up well. The forks are just a bit soft like other people have stated but not bad enough for me to bottom them out, and I have tried.
The seat is really the only bad thing I can say about this bike. It feels soft when you push on it with your fingers but it feels like riding on a piece rock when you are riding. This can be simply remedied though with a slip on gel cover or just replacing the seat.
For beginners like me this is a great bike and is worth the money. Professionals will need to go to a higher level bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miles
a Weekend Warrior
from Camino, CA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Placerville Bike Ship | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price. As most have said, this is an entry-level mountain bike with lower-end Shimano drivetrain components. Beautiful paint (silver with Trek red). | | Weaknesses: | This model did not come with disk brakes this year ('02) and retrofitting is a very costly alternative -- $300+ for new wheels plus disc brakes/levers/cables. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to see if I would like mountain bike riding. It has been an ideal bike for the type of riding I do off road. Solid frame and components a level above big box stores. Recommend it highly -- good value for the the cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brock
a Weekend Warrior
from Nowhere, VT
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Fairly light, bars, and stem | | Weaknesses: | Terrible cranks, fork, seat, and the grips are uncomfortably thick. Leads to discomfort after a long day at the local dirt course. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | pretty much stock accept for seat and cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Good beginner bike for the price. Don't plan on riding in under 40 degree weather or you'll be riding with a rigid fork. All around good bike. All i can say is change the seat, fork, grips, and cranks if you jump at all. For those who ride the easier trails this is the bike for you. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nobody Isperfect
a
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | downtown rush hour | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | La cordée | | Strengths: | Cheap... | | Weaknesses: | Still looking... maybe the handlebar is OK... | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized rockhopper, Giant Yukon | | Bike Setup: | My review is about the original setup | | Bottom Line: | I'm writing this review since I just bought a new frame an no parts are left at ALL from the original setup exept for the handlebar and rear derailleur. So I paid 400$ for a derailleur and handlebar. Not my greatest deal...
The frame is a crap (what kind of aluminum do they use to make a frame rigid where it's painfull and flexible everywhere it would be usefull ?) The fork is ... well its a cheap entry level suspension fork ... and that's the worst thing a susp fork can be. I had both wheels changed because the rims where defective but it took almost a year of discussioon with Trek and the retail store. In the meantime I had to buy another set... what else... OK to conclude if you want a bike... get a bike. But don't buy this 4500 thing since... it's not a bike... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso Summit | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Oakville | | Strengths: | Good starter bike to get into serious mtb riding with. Beats any department store bike hands down. Far more reliable. Disk brakes are nice in wet or mud and modulate better than v-brakes. | | Weaknesses: | The stem is too high which results in climbing wheelies, Go clipless and chuck the flat pedals. The saddle is hideous and should be sold as a birth control device, get a Selle Italia. Brakes are nice, but I want more power. The whole bike is a bit heavy and the fork seems to blow more than usual when it's cold out. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Pro, Gary Fisher Marlin, Trek 4300. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, Panaracer Fire 2.1's, Selle Italia saddel, Ritchy 100mm 6 deg stem, Replacement front wave rotor after scoring the stock one. Norco pads, Deore crankset, Crankbrothers Candy C pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The last year has been fun, I have abused the bike with several cross-country enduro races, and even used it for a cyclo-cross race! (yes, it is really heavy to carry when hopping over steeplechases!). The point being, that it can do most things and you'll still have a grin on your face. I agree that the fork blows, but again, it gives you an excuse to upgrade, which is half the fun. I'll likely upgrade the fork and maybe the derailleurs over the next year, then get something like a Giant Anthem to get really serious about the racing thing.
I think the 4500 is a great place to start, and it certainly has helped me get totally hooked on riding. I would recommend it as being tough and fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | tiger mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | pawn shop | | Strengths: | well first of i think the bike has great breaks for the price, the frame is nice and light and is easy to upgrade the parts. The bike is great for the money even though i did by it at a pawn shop for $150 i would have got it at a bike shop. | | Weaknesses: | first of all the seat sucks!. Also the derailuer is always messing up on me and i always have to adujust it. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock | | Bike Setup: | stock except the rims which i have no clue what kind they are since the stickers fell off. | | Bottom Line: | Great starter bike for crosscountry or mountain biking. I love it! just need to get a new seat and derailluers | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik A
a Weekend Warrior
from Great Mills, MD
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Mary's County parks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Champion Cycle, Jax Beach FL | | Strengths: | I love the bike. I do not think it's heavy. I do not have 5 g's to buy super light. | | Weaknesses: | I am not a hardcore bike guy, but I do not like the forks. Judy TT. The grips will not stay on either. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Cannondale etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is perfect for me. Mostly weekend rides and short rides during the week. I do have to work. IF you live in Jacksonville, BUY YOUR NEXT BIKE AT CHAMPION CYCLE IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Island, NY
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Bert's Bike Shop in Buffalo, NY | | Strengths: | The frame and components are very durable for an entry level like and have withstood 12,000 miles of mostly road riding and some trails with only three new tires and two new gear shifters. Handling on road is stable at speed and instills a good level of confidence around corners. The ride on smoother roads is relatively comfortable but ruts and off road riding can hurt a little. The gears are very well suited to the bike, are very closely spaced and are suitable for pedalling in any situation. The extra low gears are sensational for off road hills and make short work of any light to medium duty trail. | | Weaknesses: | The frame is still very heavy, making it hard to get much in the way of speed on the road. I average about 16 mph on the road, but because of the weight and the rolling resistence on the tires, it is very hard to achieve that number. The brakes have loosened over time and do not stop very well anymore. The handlebar grips do not stay on at all and every time I put them back on, they slip off within the day. The gear sprokets have worn down to the point where first gear is unusable. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a Schwinn Mesa, Raleigh M60 and Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock | | Bottom Line: | A good entry level mountain bike for those who are interested in riding on light and mediun trails as well as riding on the road provided you don't have to go particularly fast. It is not a good choice for someone who doesn't want to spend a lot for a like to ride on the road (Like I did). For riding on the road, save another $150 and get an entry-level Schwinn Fastback for about $550. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duncan
a Weekend Warrior
from Morden
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | norquay | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | solid frame, wheels can take a beating, bars and deraillers and tires. it climbs well and the handling is decent enough for single track. | | Weaknesses: | the fork is garbage, when the weather gets cold you might as well be riding a rigid. the BB also has a tendency to loosen. the grips are huge and uncomfortable as well. | | Similar Products Used: | giant iguana, rocky mountain trailhead, rm fusion. | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for new pedals | | Bottom Line: | i have abused this bike beyond what it is built to take and it is still solid. It's stood up to 5-6 foot drops to flats, plus over 2000km of trail riding. the fork is a major downside though, it's not good for anything, 70mm of sketchy, unpredictable travel that freezes solid if the temp gets close to zero, which happens 80% of the year in canada. overall a solid bike that will take a beating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Olson
a Weekend Warrior
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bayside Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Decent mountain bike with a 24 in frame. Trek seems to be the only manufacturer that builds a 24 inch mountain bike. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy bike... though I have a rack on the rear. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek MultiTrack hybrid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock components | | Bottom Line: | I am 6-6 and find it hard to get a large frame mountain bike. This bike fits me fine with the 24 inch frame. Use it primarily for city communting and light trails. Not good on technical trails. Overall a great bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from W. Rutland, VT USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | First Stop Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Good Strong frame, I rode it 4-5 days a week last summer at Killington down the gnarliest singletrack and it hasn't failed. I replaced the derrailleurs though, upgraded to Deore. | | Weaknesses: | The derrailleurs and cranks definately need an upgrade if you're going to be riding a lot. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT | | Bike Setup: | Stock outside of new derraileurs and cranks. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome, it's held up ten times better than I thought it would when I first bought it. Compared to some of the higher end bikes I've tried, this one keeps up with all of them, I reccomend this to anyone who rides a lot of aggressive singletrack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
christian alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from tampa FL
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | dud thames bike shop | | Strengths: | the bike is a great all around bike that is very fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | no weaknesses i can see and i have rode over 2000 miles around tampa on it and the only things i have had to change are the brakes and the tires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | no products have even came close. | | Bike Setup: | disk brakes and shimano gears | | Bottom Line: | Its a great all around bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Marin Headlands | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 449 | | Strengths: | Fit, componants for the money, comparison with similarly priced bikes not fair comparison | | Weaknesses: | I'd like a tad more grip from the tires. I have a sore butt, but really, that may be because I haven't been in the saddle in quite a while | | Similar Products Used: | Hard Rock Comp - 1989 | | Bike Setup: | Acero/Deore | | Bottom Line: | I used to ride a Specialized Hardrock in the late 80's. I haven't ridden a mountain bike in over 10 years. I hurt my knee several months ago and haven't been able to run since then. My doc said a bike would work as a replacement. About 6 hours ago, I bought a 4500. I imediately drove over the Golden Gate bridge and up a short stretch of highway 1 to the Marin Headlands parking lot. I hopped on the bike for the first time and was surprised at how comfortable it was, save the seat. I rode out on the paved trail to the dirt trail to the beach. Got going way too fast on a descent because I'm that way and worked the breaks hard and nothing locked up and I bounced over a big rut and my front wheel caught in another rut and I let the breaks off and hoped momentum would carry the day and it did.. The bike sure is better than my old Hard Rock. This bike is tight and seems quite tough, which it will have to be with me because I am hard on things and being six five, weigh 220. I am very, very pleased with the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan v
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | durham forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$489.00 | | Purchased At: | bycicles plus | | Strengths: | this bike to me was a all around great preformer, the frame never bent the rims never failed and i treated this bike like crap and the only thing that broke was my preload adj. this is the only bike i havent broke. long live trek. | | Weaknesses: | those darn grips.... and that anoying seat. the rockshock judy doesnt do to well with smaller bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | giant igauna, and some cndtire bike | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | if you want to get into mtb but dont have loads of cash buy this you can do alot worse. this bike shouldnt fail you. this is a perfect begginer bike go hit the trails. ps:change the seat | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Morraine, WI (first I hit) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Village Cycle Center, Chicago IL | | Strengths: | All around great bike for the price, relatively forgiving purchase for those entering not knowing much about bikes as the mechanicals are all relatively decent provided the thing isn't taken on excessive beatings. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy as hell. Heavy fork, heavy frame, on uphills or in the wind the sucker feels like a lead weight. Never had any problems with the stock components, though the stock seatpost never appeared quite trustworthy and none of the components are (obvously) meant for serious bumpy rides. | | Bike Setup: | Somewhat modified: XT drivetrain, Mavic Crossmax wheelsets, ritchie pedals, thomson post, profile design barends. Stock fork soon to be replaced--the new wheels took a lot of weight off the back, the thing is suddenly frontheavy because of the Judy TT fork. | | Bottom Line: | I bought it in Chicago, took it out on the streets 25 miles a day and to trails on the weekends and it held up quite well with its stock features. It's a good bike and was my entry into the mountain biking scene and is still my trusted set of cross country wheels. Will be taking it on to real mountains (in LA) in its modified form. It's just damn heavy though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Racer
from richtown, cali, us of a
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Strengths: | i got to give it up to this bike. I have riden in hard for two years and some. Taken it off road 3 days a week, races and all, and did great at the races. No up grades exception to stem, brake pads and rear tire after worn to a hole. | | Weaknesses: | I hate this bike when i think about it, because it is not meant to race, or be taken off road. It breaks and bends all the time, but i have the greatest mechanic that does all his work for free for me, so it works. I am now moving onto bigger and better things, a Cannondale 2000, its awesome. But im keepin onto the 4500, but not gona ride it, its like a first car. | | Similar Products Used: | none, its the best for the price | | Bike Setup: | stock mostly | | Bottom Line: | Sweet sweet bike for the price, but dont get if you are going to race, cause it just wont hold up, but you really can ride this thing hard for ages and it fail, exception to every once in a while. And if you take this baby racing, get a good cheap mechanic, or learn how yourself. RIP trek 4500 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Osler
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem, PA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike King - Clinton, NJ | | Strengths: | Great Value! Solid frame, decent components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Uncomfortable seat, needs better front derailleur and better grips | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Love Seat upgrade | | Bottom Line: | This was my first mt bike purchase in many years. Great value for an entry level bike. Trek puts out a good product for the price. I haven't put it through any tough rides or drops, but it wasn't intended for that. Delivers as promised. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clarke
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb/Castlewood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | A-1 Bikes | | Strengths: | Looks great in blue, I haven't maintained it much and it still works after nearly 700 miles. Treks are the best; they just work properly. The pedals seem particularly nice. | | Weaknesses: | Bent the seatpost rails real fast. But that was because of washout mogul thingees along the river...Fork preload stopped working in about a minute and a half. Fork gets very still during cold weather. Drops chain more than I'd like. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | Stock mechanicals. | | Bottom Line: | In spite of its basic componetry, it lasts a long time and is a heck of a lot of fun for 400 bucks. Personally, treks seem the coolest bikes, and I am trying to decide between a fuel 90 and a liquid 10 as my next bike (in 5 years.) For 90% of riders, the 4500 is plenty of a bike. It is pretty heavy, though. Ya gotta love the 'made in the usa' sticker along the chainstay on the right side. unless you're a dang frog. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stevo
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Insurance replacement! | | Strengths: | Burly frame, comfortable geometry, good spec for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Fork, not a big fan of the brakes either. | | Bike Setup: | Unrecognisable: Hayes HFX-9s, XT/Mavic F219 wheels, LX/XT drivetrain, Psylo XC fork, WTB Laser V saddle, Race Face stem, X-lite bar-ends, Continental Vertical Pro tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Great starter bike. Got mine on insurance as a very pleasant replacement for a 10 year old Dawes. The bike has inspired me to get into mountain biking seriously. I didn't think the Promax brakes were up to much, despite some of the other reviews, but I'm pretty big, so maybe I take more stopping. The fork is reasonable for the money, but very poor compared to forks even a small step up the ladder (swap it for a Marzocchi MX Comp or Rockshox Psylo XC and enter a whole new world). Most of the other components have been great, especially the stock Bontrager stuff.
The geometry is quite upright, which is initially very comfortable and nice and stable for downhills, but isn't the most efficient for when you're working hard. A longer, flatter stem makes a big difference.
Great value, and worth a few upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterey, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Ord...make a turn and its a different kind of trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Corpus Christi Cycles | | Strengths: | Good value. Mine is actually a 2001 but its not that much different. When I got it, there wasn't anything out there that had as good a balance of parts for the money. The frame is light and if you upgrade it to replace whatever bugs you, you can't go wrong. | | Weaknesses: | Derailers: I have to adjust them often, probably a little every 50 miles or so. The front one in particular has to be messed with occasionally to keep it shifting up as well as down, and likes to toss the chain off from time to time. The Shimano instructions on how to adjust it suck, but once you get the trick to it its not that bad. The rear is easier to adjust, but when its out, its out.
Judy TT shock: Well, let's face it, it sucks. Its just a spring. But the forks being offered on the competition aren't much different...RST's, Suntours, whatever. I'm looking at upgrading it with the Total Air gadgets...I considered engineering my own dampening system but that looks a little easier. Till then, I just keep all the preload I can get dialed in to minimize the pogo and bobbing effects.
Hubs: Cheap. I've bent the rear axle on mine, and I don't ride hard at all. I started to true the rear wheel the other day on the bike when I noticed that the whole hub kind of spins out of whack. I just broke down and overhauled the thing, so I know the bearings are in perfect condition and it won't get any better. Get what you pay for I guess. But, it doesn't gyrate too badly and I don't really notice it on pavement.
Tires: They're not great but they roll fast on pavement. They're so-so on grip...even without clipless pedals I've spun the rear tire going uphill on anything other than pavement. | | Similar Products Used: | None - my road bike is completely different! :) | | Bike Setup: | Stock (Alivio), SRAM chain with clip style master link, Ritchey clipless pedals, Trek cargo rack | | Bottom Line: | I listed a lot of weaknesses, but those are the things people notice. I love my 4500, its a great bike for what I paid. If I was a millionaire I'd have a Blur, but I'm not so this will do. I'm tall enough that its not as upright for me as it is for other people, and other riders forget that you can just swap your stem over if you need to get lower. Its a great climber...not too heavy (other manufacturer's bikes in this range are the same or heavier), hardtail efficient, but kind of sucks coming down fast if its bumpy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Fallbrook, CA,USA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Margarita River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycopath | | Strengths: | Great starter bike. Exceptional value. A lot of bike for the money. V- Brakes are about as good as it gets without being disc. Mavic wheelset has held up to a lot of abuse. Shimano group is sturdy and has worked well for me( Shimano Alivio). The "crowbar' handlebars are very comfortable. Overall comfortable bike. | | Weaknesses: | Cassette is kind of cheap, bent teeth on a couple of gears with normal riding. Bontrager tires are crap--no traction except on the easy stuff-forget about any serious climbing. Rockshox Judy TT isn't the best, but I guess you can't complain too much for $420. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock, some Mongoose piece of junk. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except I switched the tires to the Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1's--very nice for $22 each. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this as my first bike, to see how if I liked the sport. I couldn't have made a better choice. TREK offers a great bike for the money here. This is the ideal beginners bike. I now love mountain biking and will be switching to full suspension soon, and this bike deserves a lot of credit for my love of riding. I have spent many fun-filled hours in the saddle. It is very user-friendly and is very forgiving for the beginner/novice. The best bike in it's price range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Shepard
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Stevens, WA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dahlbero Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle centers Everett | | Strengths: | Strong and rleatively light frame. Great components for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Seat and post need upgrading. 8 speed needs upgrade but it is still a great bike to upgrade as you can afford. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hard rock comp. | | Bike Setup: | LX rear der. LX shifters and brakes. Selle Italia pro link saddle. LX crank. XT front der. Marzooki bomber fork. | | Bottom Line: | Great first bike.Better bikes can be bought for considerably more money but in this price range it is hard to beat the value offered as this bike only needs a few upgrades to make it a really great ride. I plan on riding all summer on this bike before replacing with a more expensive model? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio TX
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | MacAllister park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World blanco | | Strengths: | Durable frame, good Jones AC tires, solid derailer pack, brakes can take it, and the headset lasted a whole lot longer then it should have. | | Weaknesses: | chain rings are easily bent, rims wont last a season, neither will the clear coat, dude feels like I'm riding an 18 wheeler in a land of miatas | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Komodo | | Bike Setup: | LX cranks, LX/XT derailers, LX shifters, XT/ mavic 3.1 wheelset, selle italia prolink saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The 45 is a good place to start, but dont stay too long, you'll get pampered by the highrise stem and beaten by the cheap fork and wont be able to adjust well to a better ride. I replace what I break, so the setup should tell you something. For the price you get more then you pay for. Ride it like the marketers want you too and it will last forever, ride it like a race bike and its price will soon be evident | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Guildford, England
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Walton Cycles | | Strengths: | Good value, nice hardtail frame (well, for the money...), grippy tyres, Deore rear mech, ProMax V brakes (better than you might imagine). | | Weaknesses: | Despite having a nice light SL frame Trek have loaded it up with heavy parts, most obviously the Rock Shox Judy TT forks, and to some extent the Bontrager wheels/tyres. I can forgive the wheels because they are pretty tough for the money, but the Judy TT isn't really a very good fork.
Other concerns: Uncomfortable Bontrager saddle (though this is a personal preference...), grips twist around on the end of the riser bar (easily fixed so not too serious)
I find the Bontrager saddle very uncomfortable, but thats a personal choice. The grips don't stay in place (obviously this is easily fixed so not a serious concern). The Rock Shox Judy TT is heavy and doesn't have much travel. The paintwork seems a bit fragile. | |
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$ 439.99
