Submitted by
rick fabbrini
a Cross Country Rider
from ashland oregon usa Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any new trail is a favorite
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
summit bicycles
Strengths:
superb ride quality, low wieght, stiffness of frame.
Weaknesses:
chainline is inaccurate, the SID SL cartridge failed to adjust rebound damping from day one, inadequate chainstay protection as delivered.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F 2000
Bike Setup:
.25 mm chainring spacers installed on the big ring of the stock ICON crankset fixed missed shifting perfectly. I removed one of the 5 mm spacers from the headset stack to improve the steering. Chainstay wrapped with a recycled tube to deaden the slap. XT cassette.Speedmax rear tire. Otherwise bone stock.
Bottom Line:
I won the first race I ever did on this bike or any other one for that matter. I feel bad for anyone riding hard on aluminum crap with a stubby top tube. I tried every hardtail I could afford which is any of them and this one is the best of the best. I only wiegh 135 so maybe I wont beat the Lightwieght SID fork to death as I pass you on the way up any hill. The ICON crankset has never missed a shift and since I am light there isn't any noticeable flexing. I'm willing to bet there wont be any creaking or stripped splinage to complain about either with this crank. This bike will easily move too fast until I get better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug Graver
a Racer
from Monroe, Wa Date Reviewed: May 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Victor falls
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle center... Everett, Wa.
Strengths:
Awesome. Very fast and light. Climbs like a goat and descends like it's on rails.
Weaknesses:
Stock parts are weak ( except for the wheels). I think they do this to keep the price point down. It's acceptable since I really like customizing my bike. The flaw: The bike comes with this cheesy glue on carbon plate to protect the frame. This is located right where the small ring is closest to the frame. What a joke! It fell off the first time I washed the bike. This part should have been attached permanently at the factory. As a result.... scratching and chipping of the paint where the chain slaps it.
Similar Products Used:
I rode a carbon fiber bike seven years ago.... The OCLV is light years ahead and a serious improvement.
Bike Setup:
XTR cranks, rings, and bottom bracket. ESP 9.0SL shifters. AVID Arch rival brakes with machined levers. Easton monkey lite carbon riser bar. Time pedals. Tires.. depending on conditions. Weight: just under 23 lbs.
Bottom Line:
This bike can handle anything I throw at it. Unlike other rides out there my ability is never limited by the bike I ride. A very sweet racing machine. My friends call it the rocket ship! Easily an A+!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Oliver Tan
a Cross Country Rider
from Anaheim Hills, Ca Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chutes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1130.00
Purchased At:
Jax
Strengths:
*ahem* FAST! and one word, sweet
Weaknesses:
what is up with this LX and Icon junk...oh well
Similar Products Used:
an ultra cushy hospital bed w/ tv OR nothing else like it
Some times I even forget I'm going uphill, sometimes I feel like I'm on rails, and still, sometimes I feel like I'm riding on a groomed bike path. I love this bike...the fusion of dreams and reality. This bike flies on the uphills. I don't know how many times I can say that. The acceleration is incredible, the first time I got on I thought I was in a low gear.This is a BIKE. GO RIDE IT~!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
mtbr
Strengths:
The lightweight and increadible carbon feel. It's greatest streangth is climbing. since I switched from a FSR I now pass people on the climbs instead of being passed. I have an XTR and XT set up so my bike is lighter than stock, glad that no LX parts are on.
Weaknesses:
The SID SL has been less than impresive. The XXX seals have let in plenty of dirt and water consequently I am in the process of having to replace the dampening shock within the fork. I have had several instances where the fork freezes up when the weather goes sour. The carbon fiber although light is easily scratched. The front der. frame protector came and is a cheezy add on .
Bike Setup:
XT, XTR, SID, ATAC pedals, Bontroger Pro Seat.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, but needs a little more attention to detail. A Very good light race bike but has a little trouble on the decents for me. (Probably just me personally)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from WV Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The great carbon feel. Do it all bike. Avid brakes last a long time. Fast feeling.
Weaknesses:
LX parts? Some heavy Icon parts. SID SL fork is weak. My rear freehub split. Pedals are kinda cheap.
XT bottom brackett, and cassette. USE XCR seat post. SID XC fork. Everything else is stock.
Bottom Line:
This bike has a great feel to it. I had a lot of duribility problems with the SL fork. After two-four rides it would break. So I had RockShok give me a Sid XC instead, and it has worked great. On the pedals, the bolts holding the plate to the pedal striped out while I was riding.
What is with all the low end parts? A frame of this level should have at least XT.
My biggest complant is the SID SL, and the low end parts. But don't let that hold you back from getting one of the best riding bikes around. Everything else is great, and I would recomend it to everyone, racers and mountain bike weekenders alike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Jacobs
a Cross Country Rider
from Conifer, CO Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Wheatridge Cyclery
Strengths:
Carbon Fiber Ride - forgiving on the descents, climbs like a rocket. Light frame.
Why anyone would buy an aluminum hardtail when carbon fiber exists is beyond me. This bike is amazing!
I've been on this bike almost every day for the past 6 months and it continues to impress me. The frame is the "softest" hardtail I've ever felt when speeding over rocks and bumps, but it's very stiff laterally for great climbing power.
I got the bike as a scratch and dent special (a few superficial scratches on the downtube and handlebars) for $1700. For some reason, the shop switched the Rolfe wheels for the cheapest Bontriger rims they could find. The Bontrigers have been dissapointing since one fell apart after one week, and the free replacement makes strange noises and will not stay true. I assume the Rolfe wheels are better?
If this bike is really worth the $2500+ MSRP, then some of the components are just crap. I pulled out the BB to find a UN52, which I think isn't even LX quality and weighs about 10 lbs. The cassette is an HG70 which also feels like it's made out of lead. The stock brakes were weak and I can't imagine that the Icon stuff is very good (can't find any specs. on Icon stuff.)
As far as durability -- I've had no problems. I occasionally hear rocks kick up and hit the frame, but have not seen signs of anything breaking. There are some scratches on the BB, but nothing threatening the integrity of the frame. After reading a previous review, I'll keep my eye on the BB and, if ever needed, will have it repaired during the off season without re-painting. I wouldn't be surprised to see Trek add a protective piece of aluminum or plastic to the bottom of the BB in future models. I've ridden the bike hard, and no signs of duribility problems.
All in all, an incredible ride. Just be careful with it since carbon fiber doesn't smash against rocks as well as metal, and be sure to switch out some of the weak componets at the time of purchase since you will at least get some credit for the ones you don't like.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Racer
from Qc,Canada Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
great ride
Weaknesses:
not strong enough
Bottom Line:
I said I would follow up on my other post. Well finally, Trek found a way to not pay for the damage. It seems my seatstay was cracked also (that came from an 8km/h fall in a tecnical section about a month before the hole in the BB I was talking about). To me, It looked like a deep scratch but the rep told me my frame was finished and I needed to buy another one on their crash replacement policy....but that would have cost 1100$ cdn. So I had it rebuild on an aluminium frame for 400$(the 8500 SLR) and I lost alot of money if you add up how much I paid in total.
So it seems carbon is not tough enough for mountain biking. If you don't want to lose your money....cause by the way, the lifetime waranty on the frame, you must not have fallen to be covered and everybody knows that you never ever fall in mountain biking (sarcasm mode turned off), you better by something else than a carbon frame.
All in all, this as been a real bad experience and you can count on me to never in my life buy another Trek product. If they'd cared about their client, they would have maybe tried to come to a deal with me. I also emailed them, I got a first response wich says "we are sorry this happened, and we are forwarding your email to someone wo could better explain things to you" and I never heard from them again...
bad product + bad service = don't buy from them
Joel
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from ND Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Badlands
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Frame, stiff compliant,
Weaknesses:
ICon Crank
Similar Products Used:
Homegrown, Yeti, Supercaliber
Bike Setup:
Everything stock except set of Dave's wheeels, xtr cassette, xtr crank
Bottom Line:
I said I would write a follow up review, half the seasons over, I had trouble shifting the Icon crank nothing seemed that smooth put on Xtr on front what a diffence, shifts nice, seems likes there is more power to the pedal. I still like this bike it's great in the trees, it is compliant in the rough and it accelerates like a cheeta. I haven't had the frame break like other people but I'm keeping my eye out. Performance rating is a 5, value a 3
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Racer
from Qc, Canada Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Incredible ride. It rides so smooth, it gives you confidence. It climbs so well.
Weaknesses:
Well, its to fragile...
Similar Products Used:
Many
Bike Setup:
Stock, time pedals, bonty jones tire
Bottom Line:
Well, I reviewed this bike earlier and found it to be an incredible ride. But what is more important in a mountain bike, a great ride or durability....I would go for durability first.
3 weeks ago, I was riding on a trail with lots of rocks. My front tire kicked up a rock right on the BB. The rock pierced the carbon fiber. Thats right, there is now a hole of about 2 centimeters long and half a centimeter wide on my bottom bracket (well at the end of the downtube where it meets the BB portion of the frame). So I tought that because the bike was used in normal conditions, this would be under waranty..well, it seems that this is not covered and that Trek, after seing the bike, want to repair it, and paint the bike, but this will cost me 725$ cnd. Come on, if I had ran in a tree, well it would be my fault, but this was completly out of my control, the rock was thrown by my front tire. This happens all the time, my 8 years old Kona has paint chipped away on its BB because of this, but never ever was damaged by a rock hiting the BB. Now after I told my lbs that I won't pay for this, the guy at Trek said that there may be the possibility that could just repair the hole and not paint the bike, this would save me 650$...ok fine (well in all fairness, I reallu did not want to have to pay a cent, cause this is not normal that the frame would brake like this...I' really pissed), but now I'm waiting for confirmation that when repaired, my waranty will not be affected, cause if the repaired portion gets starts cracking, I want Trek to take responsability for that. I'll keep you posted on the developpement
Now, the problem is that when I get my bike back (that's another problem, all in all, I'll have lost my mountain bike for about a month and a half...so now I'm training on my road bike....I miss MB), I will always be scared to break it again....even tough I train on this in a normal way, no 4 foot jumps, no trial, just plain hard training going up mountains and down (but not at downhill speeds, always in control...).
As I said before, the ride quality is sooooo good, but I can't overlook the fact that the bike is so fragile, and that Trek will not take full responsability for this. I'm really disapointed.
If you are interested in having more info before you buy, feel free to send me an email. joels@globetrotter.net
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Breckenridge Date Reviewed: June 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Lightness, OCLV
Weaknesses:
The Rigid and stiff ride can beat you up.
Similar Products Used:
1994 OCLV Trek 9800
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z2 bommer, XT & XTR, attack shifters, Thudbuster post, Continental Survivor pro and explorer pro tires
Bottom Line:
I crashed my Trek 94 OCLV 9800 frame and had to repalce it with the 9.8. At first I thought the frame was too stiff. I was getting beat up. The HC-OCLV, the new aluminum stays and BB sleve made for a very different ride than the 9800. I was having trouble adjusting. I missed my 9800 and its cushy ride. Since then I have put a Thudbuster (see the reviews under suspension posts) and my worries are over. This bike climbs and accelerates beyond my expections. I am getting over trees, through rock gardens, and up powdery steeps with less stress and effort. If you want a softer more forgiving ride I would suggest Trek's full suspension STP 300. Its frame is the same as the 9800. It does not have the HC nor the aluminum. I assume, although I did not ride one that it would be closer to the 9800 OCLV. I almost went there but the cost factor and my love of hardtails kept me with the 9.8. After reading other reviews and with my expereince I suggest that you buy the frame and put on componets to meet your needs. By all means put on a Thudbuster seatpost and a Ti bar so you won't get beat up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
be_biker
a Racer
from Belgium Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
SwissBikeMasters and the Belgian Ardennes
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
light light light. Climbs like a goat.
Weaknesses:
LX derailler, LX bracket, original brakes, ICON materials, steer way too high, SID SL has no XXX-seals ...
Due to the construction of the bike, the chainline can NOT be made perfect. Also, it seems unpossible to place the LX derailler so that it does not touch the frame, and you still can shift from middle to small chainring. Original setup comes with the steer so high that the bike is uncontrollable. Fell all the time until I lowered 5cm the steer. I also broke my LX BB (yes I used it to bike,it thus broke...). The "cable" to the rear derailler is somehow "eating" the frame away.
Once problems are solved, bike is f a n t a s t i c. Climbs like a goat, steers perfectly...
But why dares TREK to sell a bike with such a components ? If only XTR works fine on it, why not only sell it like that?????????? The original bike is only good for showing it to other people,not for riding on it. Sorry about this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jared W
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
-Anything-
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Carbom Fiber frame weighing in at 3.0 lbs Light, Light bike consider'n LX, XT components Honestly in my opinion great setup for the bike
Weaknesses:
Nothing so far....knock on wood!
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000, Cannondale Raven, Cannondale F800
Bike Setup:
I replace my pedals with my old ones, Shimano 747 (switching soon though with TIME), and changed handlebars bars for Easton CTS Monkey Bars
Bottom Line:
WOW! I just got the bike on special order and didn't even bother pre-riding it, because all the other reviews on this bike we simply great. But no complaints, I love this bike. Its so stiff, yet with the fram it soaks up a lot of the bumps in the rear, while the Rock Shock SID's do the rest. One thing I dont really like, but I am just being picky is that there is a lot of travel on the shocks, that I dont really need for racing, but - just shut up and I hu?!? But my bike setup weighs in at 22.5 lbs right now, and I can't tell you how happy I am with this bike. I just hope it doesn't break on me! One last thing that I would agree with the other reviews in that after spending $3000.00 on this bike I would hope the drive train components could be a BIT better, in the the front shift could have been a XT, instead of a LX, but I am just talking CRAP again. GET THIS BIKE! - 5 flames for value only in that I would buy the frame for that much! The craftsmanship on it is amazing - 5 falmes for sure regarding overall rating...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Racer
from Qc, Canada Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
sweet, sweet ride
Weaknesses:
a bit heavy (because of the LX stuff mostly)
Similar Products Used:
Spec Rockhopper, GT Avalanche, Kona Hot
Bike Setup:
stock except for bonty Jones, Time pedals and XT shifters
Bottom Line:
This bike is great, the ride is unbeleivable. Disapointed at the LX and Icon stuff though.
Go see my complete review that I posted at the wrong place in the 1999 Elite 9.8 model.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Slaydon
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredericksburg, Va, usa Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
lodi farm
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The OCLV carbon frame is sweet. It is stiff, but provides a plush ride in the saddle. also it climbs like a mountian goat
Weaknesses:
cheesy bottom bracket, bike could use more xt, xtr stuff and some better cranks seatpost and stem, the icon stuff is decent but could be better
Similar Products Used:
my last bike was a stumpjumper from 93, so this bike kicks its ass
Bike Setup:
syncros stem, body geometry pro ti saddle and micheln wildgrippers in the mud other than that still stock
Bottom Line:
bike kicks ass, it steers a little slow but other than that i love it i cant complain to much about its specs look at what you get for the price so get off your but and get one go olde towne bikes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC USA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame is unbelievable - light, fast, supple. Especially nice on singletrack and up those hills.
Weaknesses:
Seems that I got a different set-up than everyone else. Mine came with a crappy Icon crankset which I upgraded (yes upgraded) to LX. Also, I've had a ton of trouble with the SID SLs. As soon as I have the time, will put on my Marzoochi and send the SL in for fixin'.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 7000, Haro Team Extreme.
Bike Setup:
LX cranks/front der., XT rear. Swithched out the Bontrager pedals for Frogs. Everything else stock.
Bottom Line:
The frame is so sweet that it makes the bike worth the buy. I'm very dissappointed with the SL, but hope that RockShok will fix whatever is wrong (my LBS has no idea). Also, I'm not big on any of the Icon stuff on the bike - especially the seatpost and the crappy cranks. Even with the disappointing shock and Icon crap, I still love this bike. It is just so light and fast, sometimes too much so... It would definitely get 5 chilis but for the headaches.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Sieben
a Racer
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Ewok Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Super lightweight. Good call on the Sid SL, rides beautifully.
Weaknesses:
Componentry. The LX doesnt fit in with the rest of the bike, it could have used some XTR or at least XT.
Bike Setup:
Perfect.
Bottom Line:
The bike is sooooooooo nice. It is by far the nicest riding bike i have ever rode, and the wheelset is fast but still provides sufficient traction. Lovin' it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John G
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light weight, kick butt material, tons quicker than my old bike.
Weaknesses:
LX crap. Why put LX on a bike over $1500.00?
Similar Products Used:
Old bike: '91 Specialized M2 no upgrades on it....ever. 12 y/o now has it.
Bike Setup:
Added: Thudbuster Quadrapivot seatpost, Cat Eye Mity3 cyclometer, Icon super short barends. Next on the list is a Rollamajig, XTR front derailleur, and 2 brake boosters.
Bottom Line:
Sweet bike. Glad I had the chance to get one. If ya have the cash (or credit) I highly recommend this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin Parker
a Cross Country Rider
from mission viejo ca. Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
socal local mountains
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
fast, great frame to start with. no problems w/ fork sid sl great tires, fast semi slicks and light.
Weaknesses:
lx,xt, avid brakes. seat post, stem and bars
Similar Products Used:
y-50, trek 8500
Bike Setup:
full xtr, wtb seat. will be changing out weaknesses
Bottom Line:
bottom line is this bike is fast and plush. box stock is 24lbs on a digital scale. all xtr takes the bike to 23.2. only way to get this in 22 range is to change out the wheels. stem, seat post and bars may get it to 22.9. start slow and replace as needed. no reason to go 9.9 unless you like the paint job...this is the next step, once you change out the cost saving parts you'll have the last step.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Seik
a Racer
from NH Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any trail with mud, single track, jumps, and some technical sections
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame and fork are awsome. The carbon fiber frame is light, stiff, and about 3 times as strong as allunium. The sweet sid sl is so plush and has the perfect amount of travel at 80mm.
Weaknesses:
The LX shifter and brake pods could be upgraded to XT but they work well. The LX cassette is hevey. The tires also stink.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Homegrown Factory.
Bike Setup:
I have swaped the brakes to XTR and the rear derailer to XTR just to get better performance and less wear. I also swiched to the Michilen Hot S tire for the spring riding season. I like the USE XCR suspenshion seatpost which I also used.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike with several upgrades. It would be hard to bring the weight down below 21 pounds without spending over 500 dallars more. The Schwinn Homegrown is lighter and comes with nicer components. When I went to order the Homegrown they where all out. I had to settle with the 9.8 which is better than I expected. This bike stock I would rate it at 4 flamen chilis but with several upgrades it earns a 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Stephanick
a Cross Country Rider
from Brick, NJ USA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Weight. This bike is so light I can ride all day, and usually do on the weekends. Mine was 23 lbs. stock. The whole geometry of the bike is perfect for me. Handles great. It's fast. Best bike I ever owned. The SID SL is so plush.
Weaknesses:
The only thing, and I'm being picky here, is the tires. The Bontrager cross country tires it comes with are really chessey. They offer little in the way of traction and are good if your riding really hardpack trails or on the street. Upgrade the tires to Panaracer XC Fire Pro's.
Similar Products Used:
Unlike anything I ever ridden before. The carbon fiber is stiff but yet forgiving and tough as nails.
Bike Setup:
Stock. Except I switch pedals to Speedplay Frogs. And I traded in the tiny Bontrager race saddle for Specialized Body Geometry Comfort saddle. I love these saddles. I got 'em on all my bikes.
Bottom Line:
XT setup was plenty for me. The only difference between this and the 9.9 is XT vs. XTR and lighter rims. Not worth an additional 2 grand. I was fearful about buying a carbon bike, especially since I'm not want you'd consider a "little" guy. But it is great !!! My Gary Fisher was my favorite but nomore. I feel like the Energizer Bunny on this thing, I just keep going and going and going....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from ND Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Badlands
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Acceleration is good, Ride seems to be forgiving, and handling the tight slow stuff is also good.
Weaknesses:
Weight 24lbs on the bike scale! I was little dissapointed last year they had an xtr rear derailure this year this year xt. The brakes could of been better spec for the money
Similar Products Used:
Yeti, Homegrown limited, supercaliber
Bike Setup:
Box stock
Bottom Line:
So far I Like the bike the power to the pedals is very efficent, I will race this bike all summer and then submit another report. drop 2lbs of this bike and were in the game. you could go buy the 9.9 for those 2lbs but that will cost $1500.00 more. I haven't notice the weight climbing maybe because the bottom bracket is stiff. Overall ride is great!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from San Diego CA Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cactus Cup (Mcdowell Mtns)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
I've been using a Trek 8500 and I didn't think I would like a Carbon hardtail, but this thing is unreal, a total gem. It is so fast! I thought it would be flexy, (not even). It is very rigid when hammering out of the saddle. The bike just shoots! The bike handles like a dream, I ride way faster on it than anything I've ever been on. The bike looks gorgeous. I've never liked Rock shox but I really like the SID SL. The Rolf wheels are killer. This bike would be a bargain even if it cost a grand more.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Caad 3, Caad 4, Trek 8500.
Bike Setup:
SRAM Plasma 8 speed, XTR rapidrise, SRAM 9.0 brake levers, Easton EA70 bar ODI lockons(ruffian grip), ST2 front tire. TIME ATAC pedals, sachs pc91 chain
Bottom Line:
I'm a hardtail freak and I have liked all of my hardtails, but this thing is in a class of it's own.(superlight & tough as nails)
If you can find one grab it, blow a credit card or somethin. 5+ Chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Gregory
a Racer
from Manasquan, NJ Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
any time I'm riding in the woods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very light, real, real fast!! It feels like a road bike for the dirt. Climbs great! Can't wait to race it..........seems like you ride a gear higher everywhere.
Weaknesses:
Nit picking, but it is almost too light in the front end, you just have to adjust your style a tad when climbing and jumping obstacles
Similar Products Used:
I've been riding a caad 3 Cannondale Mountain bike, great bike but still no comparison to the 9.8
Bike Setup:
Plasma grip shift instead of rapid fire, also sram 9.0 brake levers, a flat stem instead of stock riser (seemed to put me in a more race position yet still comfortable)
Bottom Line:
Carbon is for real!! Don't hesitate to buy one, seems like everyone thinks Trek is too big and un-cool, but just ride this bike and you'll like it alot, it is also a good looking bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pierrick Plamondon
a Racer
from Quebec Quebec Date Reviewed: October 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Raid Pierre Harvey
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
It is the best bike in the world
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
It is impossible to ride a bike that compare to that
Bike Setup:
OCLV HC carbon Honeycomb SID sl
Bottom Line:
It is so light, mine weight 22 pounds. If I compare it to my other bike ( Kona cindercone) it climb so fast. In places when I was going 12 km/h with my Kona, I go 16 km/h whit my Trek. It is true. When I boubht it, I did not thought that a bike could make that a difference. It is the most beautiful bike that I ever saw in my entire life too. I dont regret my purchase at all, it whorth the price.
Overall Rating:
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