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Submitted by
Bert Coorevits
a Weekend Warrior
from Moen , Belgium
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bouillon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Ultrastiff frame .
I still ride the 2001 trek 8000 17,5" ; and haven't regretted it for a moment. Its a real racer .
| | Weaknesses: | none (never rode it with original setup ; maybe there can be some remarks...) | | Similar Products Used: | scott tacana solution | | Bike Setup: | crossmax xl ; rockshox SID blackbox ; magura hs 33 ; XTrear derrie , front derrie , casette , hollowt.cranx , rapidfire shifters ; s-works low riser | | Bottom Line: | ultrastiff racer ; very , very fun bike !! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Queens, New York City
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Global | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Seo Cycle at LalaPort, Tokyo Bay, Minami-Funabashi, Japan | | Strengths: | ZR9000 frame. Quality job on the paint, great customer service by TREK in the long run (they stand behind their product) | | Weaknesses: | Any Bontrager part that is mechanical--everything else is great. | | Similar Products Used: | Tricycle that I beat to death until I got my Schwinn two wheeler from my uncle when I was seven, whatever I could get my hands on after that, a Peugot US Express I bought used when I went to college, then a 1995 Trek cro-moly rigid which came with a car (I still have this one and it's doing great), and finally my first all new bike purchase, my preeeeacousss Trek 8000. | | Bike Setup: | I'll never buy a stock bike again (but I'm not knocking this excellent setup by TREK): Shimano 959 pedals, Shimano XT bottom bracket and 172.5mm cranks, Bontrager Race Lite saddle with titanium rails, Shimano XTR cables and housings (best thing I ever bought), SIDI Eagle 4 cycling shoes (Not available in the US I think, definitely should be considered a component); Lizard Skins on the chainstay, headtube, and fork; Thompson Elite seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I shopped for a bike purchase for a year and a half or so before deciding on the TREK 8000 and don't regret it one bit. Mine is actually a 2002 model, but I don't think the setup has changed much.
Problems I had within the first few months that TREK more than made up for in the long run:
A) My spindle was too short on the BB so I could only use the big chainring. I got a call from the Chairman of TREK-Japan after having a lot of trouble getting anyone in Wyoming to read or answer my e-mails regarding multiple warranty issues. The Chairman even gave me a free jersey as an apology--Apology most heartily accepted in the form of the USPS yellow jersey (truth is, I was expecting a water bottle or a hat).
Trek replaced the BB with a splined XT bottom bracket without realizing the original was a tapered mount, but I sprang for the XT cranks and was very happy I did. I put the Bontrager cranks on the 1995 Trek, which wasn't seeing any trail by that point, and one of the pedals ripped out of the crankarm--Bontrager must have made it out of cheese. TREK wouldn't replace this, saying I must have been jumping the bike (I don't jump), but they had done so much for me as a customer and I had already bought the XT cranks, so I didn't mind.
B) A rip developed in the tail of the saddle without any help from a crash or anything. TREK said they couldn't supply the same as a replacement even though it was on their 2003 bikes, but they said I could get any saddle in the same price range. In ended up making a deal with my LBS where the price of the stock saddle was put towards my eventual choice--a Bontrager Race Lite with titanium rails (Oooh! Aaaaah!)
C) Shimano 959 pedals--they're lighter, better, all around great. I'd ridden 515s for 2 or 3 years by that point and simply wanted to upgrade--which was a good call.
I made more changes, really custom fitted my ride, and it is absolute perfection now--mostly due to the great frame made by TREK and the non-mechanical parts such as the handlebar by Bontrager (Bontrager hubs aren't as bad as people say actually).
Bottom Line is this: It would be hard to impossible to make a better stock bike purchase. The effect on my riding and enjoyment from day one--even with the problems I had--was a giant leap forward. Personally, I wouldn't make another stock bike purchase.
Next one will be a frame set, but that's because of me, not the bike setup by the manufacturer. And I now consider the choice of manufacturer (TREK in this case) to be just as important a consideration in purchase as anything else.
Even though I had some problems communicating with TREK in the beginning--and realize I was living in Japan at the time--they came through, five stars, in the end.
It would be unreasonable to expect any better than the quality of bike and manufacturer (standing behind their product for this single rider beyond all call of duty) than what I got.
I bought a great bike, and I got considerate and considerable service besides.
Can't go wrong with a TREK 8000. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham A
a Cross Country Rider
from Glos, England
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cwm Carn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles UK | | Strengths: | Light Frame, Handling, Decent level of kit. | | Weaknesses: | Crank, Setup | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000, Marin Mt Vision | | Bike Setup: | Now with A WTB Rocket Titanium saddle and Avid Ti brakes. Also ditched tyres and switch between Specialized Crossroads and IRC Notos. Time Atac pedals. Also reversed stem to get the lower feel that I'm used to. | | Bottom Line: | Yes I know it's well into 2004 but this was a much reduced bike in the Sale. I like this bike a lot. It feels so light even with my heavy frame on it and the handling seems responsive as well. Swapped out brakes (which are OK but not great) and saddle (which I actually quite like) onto my old 7000 when I bought it.
The crank squeaked a lot when purchased - though not so much now - and as most people say it sucks chain when in the wet stuff. Rest of the Bontrager stuff seems great though - and the wheels seem to be put together well.
Also when first bought the rear derailleur cabling kept sticking - tried lubing, but had to replace it and now it shifts as it should.
Definitely one for cross-country riders and trailquesters. Will be using it on long-distance off-road camping touring as well later this year - should be up to that as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Racer
from DC
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | stiff on climbs, decent components | | Weaknesses: | no upgrade to rear disc brake possible
almost too stiff (= painful) on long rides, relays
not wild about the fork
cranks/rings viable to chainsuck
| | Similar Products Used: | '89 C'dale F1000 | | Bike Setup: | stock, mod w/ Avid front cable disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | A great buy for the price. I see that a lot of folks mention the uncomfortable seat as a negative. I think the seat is actually very good - it's the frame. This occured to me during last weekend's 12-hour extravaganza during which I got to spend 7 hours on this bike on a pretty rutty trail. It hurt, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the saddle. This frame absorbs nothing. I'm predominantly a roadie, and my technique isn't all that great, and partner that with this super-stiff frame, and you may be in for some pain. Technically advanced riders may have no problem here. On the upside, this thing rockets uphill like no bike I've had before despite it being not superlight. One more thing about the stiffness: If anything isn't tied down on, it'll rattle loose. Check up on your headset, spokes, cranks, fillings, earrings, etc., more often than you normally would. And get some loctite.
If I could change one thing, it'd be the cranks - I get really bad chainsuck in muddy conditions, even if rings and chain have been cleaned before. Haven't had that this badly before.
The fork is adequate for the price of the bike, but of course there are much better ones out there. Same goes for weight - it's by no means a clunker, but it does have some parts on there that are heavier than the gearhead would like. I don't think I lose much time b/c of the fork or the weight. Value-wise, the other components are appropriate imho.
For the L frame that I ride, the handlebars were too wide - I cut off about an inch on either side, and it's much better now (I have the cane creek mini barends).
The tires were better than expected from reading the reviews. A bit heavy as well, but they did fine for me. I never felt unsafe, and they perform well in mud. I rode them out and got some IRC Mythos and light tubes instead.
The Avid disc brake is a great upgrade depending on the conditions you ride in. It's simply silly that there is no disc adapter for the rear, and the 'explanation' they give for it (just get the 8500). In the end, it works out ok b/c the front disc slows you down enough to let the rear V brake do the rest. Makes you faster downhill I guess...
Overall, a good deal for a great bike despite some minor misgivings. Despite listing the negs only, I really like this bike, especially for the price. I highly recommend it, but you may want to invest in a disc brake/wheel, and a susp seatpost. 4 flaming ones each. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Irwin
a Racer
from FL
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Gator Cycle in Gainesville | | Strengths: | Good frame and air fork. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks junk and seatpost snaped about it. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 (destroyed to peices) | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace Cranks, Thomson stem and seat post, cross roc rims and avid 7 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money first of all. Middle of the line race bike. Light frame a plus with a duke air fork.
Selling the 8000 frame want a Fuel frame the frame is going for $300 or best offer e-mail me. In great shape allways cleaned after a ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price. The components are strong and reliable. The light weight makes it a dream on climbs, and the light rims make it roll fast on hardpack. The fork is good and stiff, and can soak up decent size hits. | | Weaknesses: | The tires suck. I used them for one ride and got barely andy traction up hill. I swaped them out for a couple of panaracers that work great though. A little harsh on rocky downhills. | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Alite, Shcwinn Moab, Trek STP 300 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new pedals and tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the money. I was going to get a full sus. bike but decided to go for this cus it had better compenents. The only thing to change if you buy it is the tires. They roll slow and get no traction. If you want to get into racing or just want a good bike for all around use go for this. If you don't mind feeling some bumps on the way down the mountain, this bike can get you to the top. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Nagoya, Japan
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, strong, good mix of components | | Weaknesses: | Bent the back rim (Bontrager Select)by simply launching off a curb riding with Specialised Fatboys | | Similar Products Used: | - | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Milan saddle, Spec. Fatboys, rest stock. | | Bottom Line: | Rode about 1,000 km on this with no problems except for the rear rim. Bikes light weight makes climbing less of a chore - especially with cleats. Swapped the stock Bont AC Jones tyres for Spec. Fatboys due to prolonged road use. Really improved the dynamics of the bike - but now have a harder ride. Recommended buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carcassone
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hard to choose | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicylce Village | | Strengths: | Weight, solid components, great fork, race ready. | | Weaknesses: | Tires, tires, tires. Many bonty ACX tires horrible. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6700; Specialezed rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for tire change | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this: for 1k I have a great ride. The bike handles well and the lack of weight makes climbing a dream. My only complaint is that the ACX bonty rear tires (OEM) on are used, clearly a tactic to advertise a lower weither bike since the tires are a mere 500g each. After 2 tire induced crashes (one of which cracked my helmet) I took a friends advice and put on a conti ProTection tire. It's changed the bikes handles beyond what i imagined, now i just need to change out the rear ACX.
All in all I have no complaints with the bike. the climbs are true and the downhills can be bumpy but hey it's a hardtail. If you buy this bike you won't be disappointed, just do yourself a favor and replace the tires first, once that's done you're in for a treat.
Ride well and take the drops with some speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad nicholson
a Racer
from fayetteville, nc
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | forester trail, colorado | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Terry's Bikes, Lawton OK | | Strengths: | Lighter is better! Having ridden this bike all over creation, in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and North Carolina and soon to be riding it in Germany I have few bad things to say. Stiff on the climbs and suple on speedy descents. Have seen some reviewers comment on the saddle, i have no issues with the saddle; much improved over my road saddle which sees as many cheek days a year as my mtn bike. the components are good but again the pedals could be upgraded as could the front derailleur. Fork is soft but stiff enough for most xc riding. | | Weaknesses: | Two obvious changes i made:
Tire suck. The Bonty stock tires are too rounded in my opinion and the rear has problems with positive traction on steep wet climbs. I changed to Panaracers and it was much m uch better and actually could feel a big difference on the climbs both seated and standing. Also went with a narrower tire on the rear.
I have had some issues with the dropout derailleur hanger in the reat. I have bent two of them in minor crashes. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, GT, Klein Mtn Bikes | | Bike Setup: | stock except for panaracer tires | | Bottom Line: | great light racer for the cash. also works well towing my son's trek trailer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI , USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | camrock-3 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Strengths: | This thing is light as hell. The frame rocks and it is possible to upgrade the drivetrain. I was planning on using this as my primary bike (for racing and all around use) until I found an old OCLV Carbon bike. No complaints about this one. Fast on climbs, handles extremely well. A lot more fun to put the bike to its limits and putting me to mine as well. Oh, and the paint job is cool looking. Have seen other bikers checking out mine while it was on top of my car. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe XT drivetrain throughout would be nice instead of having to upgrade. I'd rather pay the extra dough up front and not have to add on later. But, the stock set up was light years ahead of my 4300 (although my frame of reference may be skewed obviously). | | Similar Products Used: | Old Gary Fisher Zebrano, Trek 4300 (old bike-sold to friend after buying this one) | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the following upgrades: easton carbon riser bar, time Atac pedals, added an XT front deraileur, and WTB dual compound grips | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. I wanted something to be able to use regularly and race as well. Couldn't beat this. Would've met my needs and more until I saw a sweet deal on an OCLV carbon Trek that I bought and will upgrade. Hard to believe that I am going to have a second bike that cost me over a grand. That is the way cycling goes, I guess. This bike is definitely worth the investment. You won't be disappointed until you see how awesome this bike handles and then begin to get a little curious whether the OCLV is as great as you've heard. Then, you will have to find out how to afford that as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Ament
a Racer
from Greendale , WI USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Crystal Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Emerys Cycle and Super Fitness | | Strengths: | ZR 9000 frame is exceptionally light for a $1000 bike. Quality Shimano components.Crisp handling and due to race geometry. The price. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano 515 clipless pedals are found on the Trek 6700 also. The 8000 is a higher end bike compared to the 6700, so the pedals should be upgraded too. Rear wheel had a slight wobble after a few rides. LBS mech. tightend up the bearings. Bontrager Saddle is a brick. Hopefully will soften up as it breaks in. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. I will probably upgrade the front derailleur to XT. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for the money. For a grand you will have a bike that is race ready. I had the mechanic weigh my bike and it came in at 23.5lbs. It climbs like a jet fighter, and corners like it's on rails. The only real drwa back that I have found so far is the Saddle, I am used to a touring saddle so it will probably take a little getting used to. If you are a beginning to intermediate racer looking for a great bike at a very reasonable price. This is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Dealer Shop | | Strengths: | Light weight, good color | | Weaknesses: | decals of the bike easy to loose!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F600 | | Bike Setup: | Complete, only change to Mavic 317 with Avid Disc brake | | Bottom Line: | My last bike was GT LTS1000, it's too heavy. Now i change to Trek 8000, i could more fast and she is wonderful, sometimes uphill i was not enough power but she still want to work. She force me to upgrade my riding time and don't giveup while tired to ride. In the before, everytime riding with my friends, normally I would be the last one to target location. After I ride the 8000, she bring me have improve in speed. But the trek's decals are very easy to loose, I don't know why? May be my unlucky. I hope the manufacturer can improve to fix it and if the component can be change to XT, it will be perfect and more match the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricardo
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Upper Bidwell Canyon--especially at sunset | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesport in Chico, CA | | Strengths: | This bike has made my life so much better. As soon as I got it I became a much better rider. I've purposedly waited to write a review in here: I can't comprehend why people write them after only owning a bike for as little as a week. Stuff works great on the bike, but, I especially like the 'race crank'; it is stiff and super springy; it catapults the rider with each stroke of the pedal. The bike is very light. Great blue color. | | Weaknesses: | I traded off the tires before I took the bike home from my LBS. | | Similar Products Used: | G. Fisher Big Sur, Giant Rainer, Specialized Stumpjumper... | | Bike Setup: | All stock, except for WTB Velociraptor tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is a serious bike at a good price. I've read a lot of reviews in here about Bontrager components, where most reviewers seem to moan and whine. Trek uses Bonty alot, and this has suited me just fine, so far. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manuel
a Racer
from Sutton, Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | Not expensive, good climber and good descender, solid like a rock | | Weaknesses: | heavy for racing, lot of chain suck because of the Bontrager crank | | Similar Products Used: | Devinci | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Mavic Crossroc | | Bottom Line: | It's a good bike for people who wants to start racing. If you really getting into racing do, you're probably going to have to change for a 8500 or 9.8 like me. But all around, its a good bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Ithaca, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 6 Mile Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1049.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Light, good fork, good components | | Weaknesses: | Not inexpensive | | Similar Products Used: | First mountain bike, coming from Trek 1986 road bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | After much research, this is the best bike for $1000 or a little more. The Specialized Stumpjumper has the unfortunate Manitou fork, and the Jamis Dakota is similarly cursed. The Gary Fisher Big Sur has weaker stock components. Anything cheaper, and the frame will be heavier. Here, you get the good frame at a reasonable price. I actually distilled the choice down to the Gary Fisher Tassajara (lots cheaper, not as good) and the Trek 8000. If you can't afford $1000+, get the Tass. If you have a grand to spend, I think this is the one. If you can find a Specialized Stumpjumper with the Rock Shox, I think that would be equal to this bike.
Riding the 8000, it shifts crisply under load, brakes fine, and feels agile and alive. It reminds me of my then state of the art 1986 Trek road bike when it was new. With the good frame, I can break stuff and replace it, and keep this bike for years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christos
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX and Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | something with dirt, turns, and jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Calumet City, IL talk to jim | | Strengths: | Frame, weight, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Groupo, i would have liked XTR, but I can live without it. pedals M545 | | Similar Products Used: | Raliegh M-60(lol) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, going to change out tires and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | You'll Like it/love it. Feels great, handles great, rides great, it is great. I started racing last year and this bike is what i plan to start with this season. Get this bike if you are looking for an excellent hardtail set up fo XC racing. The bike is light and easy to grab and run for those impossable spots and will be there with you for those nearly impossable ones. I'm not to happy with the pedals yet, getting the adjustment correct was a pain in the A$$. Have fun! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan wyble
a Racer
from park city ut
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | thieves forest, fireswamp | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | jans | | Strengths: | sturdy, works well | | Weaknesses: | not the best setup | | Bike Setup: | 2002 standard | | Bottom Line: | a good sturdy bike for a new xc racer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jow gilinski
a Cross Country Rider
from meitar israel
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Carmel | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | jow bike | | Strengths: | sweet riding Great climber quality frame top of the line shimano components | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | giant xtc trek 8000 old model | | Bike Setup: | xtr: crank 'rear derailleur' hub. xt: shifters 'brakes' front derailleur' cassette. duke xc fork. thud buster suspension seat post | | Bottom Line: | the frame is on of the Great platform for the cross country competitor i build the bike to win competition
the thud buster make the ride even more sweet than it was before. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Lansdale, PA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Wisahickon, French Creek, Jim Thorpe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line, King of Prussia | | Strengths: | Fast, responsive, great climber | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Rocky Mountain Hammer | | Bike Setup: | Straight out of box! | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet ass bike, i can't beleave how fast it was all over the trail, uphill, downhill it didn't matter this thing movies. This is my first time riding Aluminum and i love it, it has a snap that you just can't get from steel. I'm a tall rider, about 6'4" and have always ridden a frame that was too small, but i got this one to fit so that means a big 21.5" frame. When i picked it up it looked large and i thought it would be bulky and not very agile, man was i wrong, that thing kicked the ass of my old bike, which i thought was really great. Bottom line if your looking for a kickass fast hardtail, go with the Trek 8000, you wont be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George W
a Weekend Warrior
from Lufkin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park, C&D Loops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop; Nacogdoches, TX | | Strengths: | Strong & light frame. Plush but stable ride. Great cornering in tight singletrack. Rock Shox Duke front fork is very sweet, and the adjustability is most excellent. Great rims - strong & light + good looking. Brakes are good, even in the slop - I've never felt like I couldn't stop. I get comments all the time on the beautiful blue & silver pain job - kudos to the graphic design guys @ Trek! Overall, it's a DAMN good value right out of the box, though it needs some tweaks to be a full fledges thoroughbred. | | Weaknesses: | The first ride (5 hours) I experienced some serious chain drop @ the front chainring after about 3 hours or so. I attributed this to new cables & chain and so forth that needed some tweaking after the settling in period. My mechanic did his thing and I haven't had a problem since. The real weak spot is that Trek consistently seems to undershoot a bit on the component package on all their bikes. Specifically, the 8000 is a race-caliber ride. Accordingly it should be fitted out with a full XTR component group. Sure, the stock XT components are acceptable for hard XC riding and even racing. But for a MSRP of $1,200, new XTR should be the standard component group on this ride. The Bontrager Jones tires are weak and flimsy on anything technical, and the nobs are not very grippy. Swap out the crappy Bonty's for some better tires like Velociraptors or Panaracers with kevlar bead, and whatever tread design you need. Also, the stock seat is crappy. My 1st ride was for about 5 hours and after the first hour, it felt like a brick was being shoved up my ass. Good thing I don't sit down much! | | Similar Products Used: | Other Trek bikes (still have my 4900 with tons of tweaks which I'll keep as a spare). Also compared against F/S bikes - Giant NRS2, Klein Palomino, and Trek Fuel. | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock but I've swapped out the tires. Next swap out will be the saddle so I don't feel like I'm taking a block of aluminum as an enema every time I ride. Maybe a Cane Creek seat post to bust some of the thuds would be a nice touch, but I'm not sure about the added weight. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike a month ago, for $1,000 and the dealer threw in a set of Time ATAC clipless pedals (MSRP = $149) plus a half-dozen spare tubes. I think this was a great buy. I have ridden the bike on 4 hard workouts (5 to 8 hours each, about 50% of that has been at night) on mostly technical terrain (advanced intermediate to expert) plus some easy-going jeep roads & steep hills. No complaints except for the chain drop I described earlier. Did a 12-hour race in Warda, TX on 5/31 - 6/1. I petered out after 9 hours, but this bike still wanted more - she runs like a champ! This is the best $1,000 you can spend on a hard tail XC bike, and it's raceable right out of the box. She climbs like a goat and descends downhills like a freakin meteor. Corners like she's on rails. The 9-speed rear cassette is a definite competitive edge. My race partners who ride GT's and lower-end Treks are younger and stronger than me, but this bike has improved my performance to the point where I can easily keep up with them now and I am even passing them up pretty often. The frame geomoetry fits me perfectly so I am much more proficient in highly technical stuff - I almost never have to get off and push anymore. This is a great ride and I'd make the same decision again if I had to do it all over.
Notes on my rating - Value is 4 steamin' chilis because the stock saddle sucks, and the components should be XTR for hard core racing I believe. Still those are things that are easily fixable. Overall rating is also 4 because I believe the 5 chili rating is for the "perfect ride," which the 8000 comes close to but it's not quite there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve szurovecz
a Weekend Warrior
from port orange , fl usa
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | none yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | bobs bike shop | | Strengths: | light weight, strong, responsive, balanced, great all-around bike | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | 10 year old meile mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | new trek saddle, new pedals, contenental tires. | | Bottom Line: | i only have about 100 miles on it so far. awesome all terrain, light,reponsive,great excelleration. my old bike was not upgradable and the 8000 is. only 20 miles trail riding so far. i will enjoy this bike for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, light hardtail: great control for XC and climbing. Duke fork is super. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes - IMO, Shimano "parallel push" brakes w/ Koolstop pads can't be beat - the Avids that came stock are wimpy in comparison. | | Similar Products Used: | '92 Cannondale M800. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except: Flite saddle, Deore LX V Brakes w/ Koolstop Pads, Time ATAC pedals, Smoke/Dart tires, Specialized Body Geometry Comfort Grips. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike if you're looking for a cross country ride. The cross country and climbing handling is amazing - the bike is so responsive! When I upgraded from my 10-year-old Cannondale I didn't expect to notice that much of a difference (actually, I expected that I'd need some time to get used to it) but man, what a difference! Yeah with a hardtail you have to pay more attention on the downhills, but for all around XC riding and/or climbing I still think a light hardtail can't be beat. (Yeah, okay, I admit it - I'm somewhat of a weight weenie...) I was also amazed at how "well balanced" the bike was - didn't seem like either the front or rear end were heavier than the other. The frame is excellent quality and should last a long time - it does have a limited lifetime warranty. (Which I've always thought is funny for a mountain bike as the warranties usually exclude crashes and "abuse" which pretty much go hand-in-hand with the sport of mountain biking!)
Overall, the 8000 has a great mix of components for a bike in this price range. With the 8000 you get an awesome platform to build upon and you can easily replace components as they wear out/break (my bet on the first thing to go will be the wimpy cane creek headset...) Anyway, here are some comments:
* Duke XC Fork: Wow! This is light years ahead of my 5 year old Rock Shox fork on my old bike! This thing is light, stiff and responsive. You've gotta watch the air pressure though, I've noticed (as well as others) that it tends to leak over time. Rebound adjust is cool. Also cool how it "talks" to you on the decompressions (i.e. the air going back in) - you know it's working! What's with the wimpy cane creek headset though? Not sure how long that thing's going to hold up!
* Drivetrain: XT rear der./LX front w/ LX shifters. A good solid combo - should be more than adequate for all but the most serious riders/racers. (I've had the same LX front/rear der. for > 10 years on my old bike.) I don't know about the Bonty crankset, though - looks good and seems to work fine - we'll see how it holds up.
* My only real beef was the brakes - in comparison to the Shimanos (w/ "parallel push") they just felt wimpy to me. But a lot of people really like the Avids so who knows - I've just never been able to get them dialed in to my satisfaction.
* Shimano pedals? No way! The Time ATACs are so much better overall and especially in muddy conditions. I thought about going with the EggBeaters but since I already have Times on my other bike I didn't want to have to get two sets of pedals or another pair of shoes.
* The Bontrager Jones AC tires that came stock are good "all around tires" which means they do okay in most situations. I had some problems with slippage on steep, loose climbs and in wet conditions - the Smoke/Dart fixed that. When it dries out around here, though, I might put the Jones back on - they *are* fast.
* Only did one ride on the Bonty saddle and it wasn't bad, but I've been a Flite rider for years and wouldn't think of riding another!
Bottom Line: Great XC Hardtail. I love it!
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Submitted by
Allen
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$940.00 | | Strengths: | Nice and light w/ a strong frame. Great ride on both trails and road. Great for jumps and exceptionally great for picking up speed. | | Weaknesses: | Tires and wheelsets are alright. After I wear them out, they're the first to get replaced. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Cannondale F600 and Klein Attitude | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is one of my greatest investments. Its a great bike to ride anywhere if its around the neighborhood or on the trails. My only recommendation is changing the tires, I blew out my tubes the first time I road the trails. Plus the tires wear out real quick. Besides that, its a great bike to hit the trails and its so quick to pick up speed. | |
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$ 1149.99
