Submitted by
Lemmies Mole
a Weekend Warrior
from Heidelberg Germany/Hudson NY Date Reviewed: January 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Solid. Takes a beating. Cr-Mo fork. Great rig to upgrade or singlespeed
Weaknesses:
Considering the bikes intended user, no real weaknesses. Wheels are kinda soft.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rock Hopper rigid, Assorted Cannondale rigids, etc. Mongoose 24" Cruiser.
Bike Setup:
Pretty stock. Beefy conti tires. XTR and Kool Stop brake pads. 18"
Bottom Line:
Good bike. Got it for free from a customer of the shop I was wrenching at. I was happy cuz my pimped-out slalom bike just got ripped off (my only MTB at the time). Responds well to upgrades. Cheap components, but besides the rims, the bike takes a beating with no complaints. I think it was only like $300 brand new. 5 chillis. Get a bike and ride it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wichita KS Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
12 Miles of Hell
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiff Light Durable
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
GT, Specialized, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup:
99 Judy XC RS seat post
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame for beginner riders to upgrade. Mine is highly modified, and can do what ever the more expensive rigs do. It is extremely stiff and light. Climbs great too. Very durable. This is my first aluminum frame, and I have been amazed at its strength.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Da Terra
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge, Ont Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Shade's Mills Conservation Area
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Aluminum framing. Good base bike for upgrading. Price
Weaknesses:
SRAM Grip Shifts
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Mesa GSX Giant ATX 830
Bike Setup:
RST 821 Front Suspensions Shimano Rapid Fire
Bottom Line:
Was actually going for the 830, but the shop that I bought the bike from didn't have my size. The 820 was $100 bucks less and the RST was only $80 I figure I got a great deal. Compared to my first bike this one is a dream. Now my only problem is finding more time to go out and hit the trails
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross-Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN Date Reviewed: July 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Lebanon Hills
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good value. An aluminum framed bike for $300 that is worthy of upgrading. Aheadset instead of threaded. 8 speed.
Weaknesses:
for the price - none
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Mesa LE Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
changed to a lower rise stem for a more stretched out riding position
Bottom Line:
Great second bike for $300. I bought it for towing the kiddy trailer, family rides and some mild off road riding. I'm sure it will be able to handle the occasional thrashing, too.The frame is worthy of upgrading over the years, too. This frame is used on the Trek 4000 and 6000 per the '99 Trek catalog (19.5 inch frame size, maybe others too, compare the specs). Mine came with an Aheadset and was told by the LBS that this was a mid year change. The 820 Al bike shown in the catalog uses a threaded headset.So if you find yourself going offroad more and more with this bike buy a front shock and enjoy, it should hold up for many years.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lauderdale, FL Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Any paved road with no cars.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light Aluminum frame for such a low price. Comfortable upright ride.
Weaknesses:
Entry level shifters, derailler etc. But they're fine for what I ride it for.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hard Rock: It rode nice too, but only one bike shop carried it in my area and they only had one and it was not my size.GT Outpost: Was very good quality, but did not have as upright a ride as I wanted.
Bike Setup:
19.5 inches
Bottom Line:
For the type of riding I do(fitness and recreational on road) it is fine and very comfortable upright fit. Very light. Good bang for the buck, I paid $306.00 at Bikes USA. Other dealers had it for $330.00 to $350.00.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Javelina
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert AZ Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Arizona Canal Network
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light Weight. Price point was ideal for an intro bike. (It also helped that Trek was having an incentive sale for this model as well).
Weaknesses:
I fully understand that you get what you pay for. A $300.00 bike is no trail blazer. It's great for from pavement to improved trails. I love this bike, so I'm not going to say there are any eaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Raleigh.
Bottom Line:
Great Beginners bike. Wonderful for cruising up and down the irrigation canals here in AZ. My requirements were for a durable bike, but yet not that expensive. This one fit the bill. I'm really enjoying riding now and I'll probably purchase another bike before the year's out. (a suspension model of some sort to try out on trails).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anth
a Cross-Country Rider
from ashburn, va Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very light
Weaknesses:
none that i can find yet
Bottom Line:
light weight, climbs well, upgrading seams easy, comes in black :)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a cross-country rider
from Ann Arbor Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
This bike is alright, I test rode it against Specialized and Schwinn when I was shopping for a new ride. In the scheme of things, this bike came in a close second, but it just didn't feel as together as the Specialized did. Definitely a good starter bike for new riders though.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a weekend warrior
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
For a throw a round bike, this ne really holds up. Lost the rigid fork and slapped on a 98 Manitou SX, new mudders, Headset & Barends. No problem keeping up with those higher priced rigs. Either the bikes a good climber, or I'm just a good rider. Good starter bike or around town curb hopper. Dont go offroad, unless you add suspension. Frame is really stiff.Give the bike 4 Chilipepper for price and a worthy TREK frame, 5 after the upgrades are added. See ya Out There.....Horse Trails!!!!!!!!
Overall Rating:
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