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Submitted by
Logan Stahl
a Weekend Warrior
from Marietta GA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | superman421952@yahoo.com | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$345.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flite | | Strengths: | It has a strong and light frame, shifts well, and handles well on almost all terain. | | Weaknesses: | If you ride it hard stuff will brake. Some weak parts from my experience are the crank, pedals, and cassette. The fork is almost alright, and the tires suck. The seat is a little stiff but it never really bothered me. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | Well it's good for your first Mtn. bike as everyone else has said. It's a good all around bike. It definatly has it's limmits. It's tough i mean it lasted me four years.As for the tires i put a set of Bontrager Jones AC's on it they kick ass in the mud they lasted me about 2 years.I put a Shimano deore crank set on it.I also put a Sram cassette on it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc-André
a Weekend Warrior
from Boisbriand, Qc, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | too much trails... hard to choose | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$345.00 | | Purchased At: | La Cordee | | Strengths: | Nive frame.. light, easy to control, nice brake too.. Shock very smooth.. | | Weaknesses: | pedal... I had to change them... | | Similar Products Used: | A bike from Jamis... dont remember the name... dont care.. I prefer my trek 4300 :p | | Bottom Line: | I just bought the bike.. and I fall in love with him... hum.. anyway.. every weekend I wanna ride because I think I have found a very good bike for my level... the only problem was the pedal.. too big.. not a good grip.. I had to change them.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Howell NJ USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | still looking | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | Beacon | | Strengths: | Value. For the price, this is a solid bike. It handles well, shifts great, and stops quickly. I am a rookie (for now), and this meets my needs. | | Weaknesses: | I find the seat uncomfortable after a while. The pedals could use a better grip. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M50 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | For a beginner who wants a good bike without taking out a second mortgage, this is a great product to look at. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shang tsuei
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester,ny
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | great brakes, great shifting, good ass frame, at the best price. | | Bottom Line: | I work at a bike shop building bikes and when ever i build a 4300 I enjoy it. The bike builds so easily because of the components used. The bike shifts beautifuly and the brakes are the best availible in this price range. Bottom line this it the best bike for the money. Our shop sells for 340. Can't be beat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Newington, CT
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Newington Bicycle | | Strengths: | The frame itself is fairly nice for a begining level mountain bike. The bars are a second feature that I also found nice. | | Weaknesses: | The combonation of shifter and brake lever in one seems to be a problem for me. I think that it would be better to have them seperate. The shock also is a great down fall to the bike. I ride pretty hard and for someone who is not afraid to take a few good drops the shock is too weak. It bottoms out easily and the rebound is way too fast. | | Similar Products Used: | A close bike setup wise is the specialized hardrock. Both bikes, while having nice frames and other parts which catch peoples eyes, they both lack the quality of a good fork. | | Bike Setup: | Right now I'm riding with the advent downhill bars(cut). I also have switch the fork out for last years manitou sx. In the near future I am going to switch over to clipless with the rockwerks pedels and specialized shoes. I also switch the front brake arms over to the shimonos and I plan on switching the back brakes very soon. I also plan on changing the crank arms over to the bontragers. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line... for a beginer to the mountain bike scene it is a good bike. For someone who is going to ride it a little harder the bike is a good point to start and then add onto to make nicer. With some changes to the parts this bike could really rock. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, Ca, usa
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | bolinas ridge, marin county | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclepath-hayward | | Strengths: | Light weight, strong frame, decent shifters, responsive, wheel-set (tires/rims) | | Weaknesses: | lousy seat (for fat people), huffy pedals, noisy chain-deraleur set, weak shox (in-sync...shoot the person who came up with that brand name) | | Bike Setup: | I'm currently running full stock (ugh!) with near future investment plans for clipless pedals and rock shox as well as a new seat | | Bottom Line: | This bike has so much potential...buy it at it's price and spend some $$$ on modifying seat, pedals, shox and you'll have a bike that rides like a $1500+ bike. I ride fairly hard doing 2' drops and 'moguls'. When I use the front brakes, I can hear the 'click' of the looseness of the front shox. They have too much travel and bottoms out quick. I've raped this bike several times and it still keeps cuming for more. A perfect weekend warrior bike. I'm definately keeping it for a while after I modify it. Email me if u have questions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nodbek
a
from canton,mi
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | jacksbikes.com | | Strengths: | nice frame, nice sturdy ride, | | Weaknesses: | poor brake set, poor pedals | | Bike Setup: | avid 9.0 brake levers, sram brakes, shimano pedals | | Bottom Line: | this bike is so so, but the frame is awesome, you need to use the above upgrades to make it good. the ffront derailleur sucks big time. shifting sucks too. need new derailleurs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sammy Givenberg
a Weekend Warrior
from Wideoaks, Montana, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Hawk Spirit | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | Thig bike is super light. It handles like a dream. I do 2'-5' drops and it seems to glide through the air. The awsome paint sceme is incredable. I was also impressed with the brake components, they react like dick brakes. | | Weaknesses: | The gear components stink!! I've bent the front derailor at least three times now. The rear derailor spring is as tight as a banjo string and the gear shifter is like tightening a 2" ball. The pedals are really cheep. Who would put a reflector on the outer side of the pedal. | | Similar Products Used: | Motive: Rocky Ridge | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock, it keeps it lighter and faster. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for weekend wariors as well as the diehard. It is light and it handles well. For the price, it is a great bike, Just plan on getting some new pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Mateus
a Weekend Warrior
from Ludlow Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the Bungalow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Cycle Shop | | Strengths: | Great price, the frame is guaranteed for life, parts for a year, alot of quality components | | Weaknesses: | coudn't tell you yet, but I can see getting some better tires and upgrading the shocks after I wear these out | | Similar Products Used: | Pacific (dept. store), Next(dept. store), Diamondback Outlook | | Bike Setup: | Just a Mongoose pump, some tools and tire repair stuff in an under-seat pouch, bottle holder, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles awesome on and off road. It accelerates great, the wheel hubs feels smooth, the quick fire shifters work great, the brakes stop on a dime, the aluminum frame feels light and solid. You can tell this bike will stand up to alot of abuse. The 4300 is without a doubt the best bike out there for under 400 bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hmmm...too many to choose from | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Franklin Street Cyclery | | Strengths: | (This is for the 2001 Trek 4300, by the way)Great price, great weight, incredible brakes. Very upgradeable, especially at the price. Great gearing for x-country riding, and cruises well on pavement too. | | Weaknesses: | The front derailleur either scrapes or has problems shifting (and has even thrown my chain already), bike seems too short (length wise; it's a 16.5", and I'm 5'7") from the seat to the handlebars...my legs tend to cramp unless I'm sitting almost off the back of the seat. The grips are kinda "unsightly" and they're too small for me. I also am not a big fan of either the red (which I have) or the yellow paint scheme. | | Similar Products Used: | misc. older bikes | | Bike Setup: | All stock, except for a Trek "Contoured Relief Zone" seat upgrade and pedal clips. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for a great price! Just upgrade that front derailleur (which is listed on the Trek website as a Shimano, but there's only some other unknown name and some numbers on the back of mine). This is most likely the best bike I could have gotten for getting back into mountain biking on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, QC, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Home from work. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$429.00 | | Purchased At: | Martin Swiss | | Strengths: | Good component mix for the money. Threadless headset. It's shiny and new, like 80's madonna. | | Weaknesses: | It's too soon in our relationship for me to see her faults. Except for that one piece crank set. It's Altus, though. | | Similar Products Used: | Steel Raleigh, circa '92. She's a good old girl. It's okay, you can sleep now. Does anyone else remember Exage? | | Bike Setup: | Stock - alivio rear, altus front, altus crank, "Vbrake" ezfire shifters/brake levers. Toe clips, no-name direct pull brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I looked at a lot of bikes in this range, mostly from last year. I didn't want grip shifts, which are common at this price. I believe this has the same frame type as many of the mid-range treks. It's sorta light. You don't lose out on your drivetrain just to get a low-end suspension fork. I do most of my moving in the city, so I don't really need one right away anyhow. The frame should last, so it'll be upgradable. Treks come with a lifetime warranty on the frame. You get a lot, but you won't pay a lot. I paid $429 Canadian. That's what, 20, 30 bucks american? No really, 50 bucks? That's a good deal, hombre. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Issaquah, Washington
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Beaver Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$309.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2001 Trek 4300. The 2001 model comes with a Insync 266 front shock, a TY40 crank and a C050/Acera 21 speed shifting.
The 2001 4300 comes with a great frame, brakes, and a cool looking paint job. | | Weaknesses: | I have tried many times to adjust the the front derailleur but have had no luck in preventing the chain from hitting the outer edge of the derailleur on the middle chain ring (4-7). I have taken this to my LBS for adjstment and still the problem exist. I just shift around this.
This will be someting that I replace in the future. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | I added a SKS front and rear fendor (I live in a pretty wet area this helps keep the mud from getting in my eyes and the dirt off my back. Also, I added a Cat-eye halogen light and toe-clips. | | Bottom Line: | This is great bike for the price. I live in an area that is wet and muddy. This bike has come through for me and I really can't complain too much. I have logged in around 450 miles so far and everything seems to be holding up pretty well. I take this bike out every weekend to the single track near my house and abuse it. The mud can get up to 6 inches in some areas.
This is a great bike for the person who is just getting started in trail riding. I will be giving this bike to my daugter real soon as I have recently put on lay away a 2000 FSR Stumpjumper Comp. Thanks TREK for a great product ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vic
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$309.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight and very strong frame. Great price tag. The brakes!!..I'm 280+ pounds and can lockup the rear wheel..amazing!!! The black and yellow paint scheme is awsome. | | Weaknesses: | Front deraileurs. Shifting cab be a bit sketchy at times. | | Similar Products Used: | None. This is my first MTB | | Bike Setup: | Stock but, will replace the front deraileur, pedals and seat within the next week or two. | | Bottom Line: | I had a friend (who is an experienced MTB racer) help me pick this bike out. I really like it and plan to put it through the paces the next few months. I strongly recommend this bike for the first time MT biker on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good bike for cost. | | Weaknesses: | Some components lacking in quality | | Bike Setup: | Swapped knobby tires for Conti Golaiths | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for its cost. It is reliable and performs adequately. The no-name brakes and low grade shimano shifters are the first components that you will need to change. The shifters won't feel great after 1000 miles and the brakes tend to bind and are difficult to adjust. This is the highest quality hardtail with a rigid fork that Trek sells. However it is still an entry level bike with components common to the lowest end Trek models. I would have been more satisfied if they used Alivo components thoughout. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Joyce
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | umm, whats a trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeline | | Strengths: | Ok,
Well I suppose I am not your average rider. I sometimes spend hours doing endos and bunny hops in my kitchen. I like to jump off curbs and smash into things. I hadnt ridden a bike for a really long time but then moved to the city of Philadelphia. I sold my car and bought a bike. The TREK 4300 seemed great cause it was cheap, had cool components, and was rigid for city riding. I beat the hell out of this bike. I have had to true the wheels, tighten the headset, and adjust the derailers and brakes, but considering the sidewalk gaps I try to bunny hop on it, its reasonable. | | Weaknesses: | none for the price | | Similar Products Used: | lawnmower | | Bike Setup: | huh, I have Kenda semi-slick tires and Primo BMX pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Seems like a Good frame. I am ready to get serious, once my gosh darned new wheels come in the mail. This was a great starter bike cause it didnt cost me a fortune and is totally upgradable. If it wasnt for a good bike like this I wouldnt want to do bunny hops and endos.
P.S.
Trek's website sucks
They should give you stuff like BB dimensions | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Preston Crawford
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR. USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Meadow Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Looks great, handles well, great geometry with a long, flat stem. My biggest criteria as I'm a bigger individual looking to lose weight, is that the bike I bought had to be strong. This bike is. It's strong, it takes the daily pounding of commuting to work. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals are week. I replaced them in two months because they broke. Other than that I haven't found anything else so far. | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus accessories like a computer, cages, headlight, and a Jeff Spiccoli sticker. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is a great entry-level bike. I can't believe what a great bike you get for the price. For $360 you get a great frame, passable drivetrain, great breaks, tires, etc. I have had no problems with this bike in my use of it as a commuter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Todd
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasanton, CA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Los Mocos and Pleasanton Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike is as smooth as a samurai sword through warm butter! | | Weaknesses: | None found yet! | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Montana Comp | | Bike Setup: | Bone Stock | | Bottom Line: | I use this bike to commute to work and let loose. I'm no downhiller, but I'm not easy on it either. I ride the streets part of the way and then slip into a creek bed to finish the trip. The two things that stand out on this bike are the frame and the transmission. ROCK SOLID! My KHS served me well for 10 years, but when I got on the TREK for the first time I wondered why I hadn't shelled out for a new rig (like this) sooner. For the price, this is best thing out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ewens
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Leapham Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, strong, and looks rad!!! Inexpensive, easy to upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Shifting can be annoying. Seat needs works and wheels can't take to much, but are upgradable. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Koobi seat and Mavic/XT Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for a beginner and anyone venturing past weekend warrior. Its a blast to ride and wasn't a pain on my wallet. It leaves room for upgrading, but the basics are great. It is a strangely light bike for the price, and can take a beating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, durable, looks resonably good, good Alpha Aluminum frame that is strong, 24 speeds, good shifting and a good seet!!! | | Weaknesses: | none!! | | Similar Products Used: | nothing in the 600$ range compares! | | Bike Setup: | Sleek lookn' Stock bike. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I am only 10 years old and i just got this bike today and what i have to say is: Its awesome for the money and I recomend this bike to anyone who doesn't have giant wads of money hangin' around. Don't buy it if your used to 9000$ merlin titanium bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Value, weight, durability, shifters, brakes, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Ugly grips | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Cateye Enduro 2 & Bar ends | | Bottom Line: | A great all-around MTB! Well worth the cost, very light, great shifters/brakes, although I wish the 4300 had any of the Shimano shifters with the visual gear indicators. Also, the stock grips are pretty dang ugly (bright red ends). But other than those two gripes, this bike is a great find. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan Scheirer
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bird's Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Value, Weight, Drivetrain, Appearance, "Mystique"... especially to those of us new to the sport. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm... I'll get back to you on that. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Minelli Mondial | | Bike Setup: | Stock, 'cept for Serfas gel seat, Shimano clipless pedals and bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Know what? I love this bike more than I thought I would. I was looking for my first "real" bike. A bike worthy of riding and upgrading and I am not only not disappointed, I am pleasantly surprised at what I got for the money. It feels perfect, it feels light, shifts like a dream, looks great... If you want a great deal and don't have huge whacks of cash... don't hesitate... buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy Chan
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Don River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, pedals, excellent frame, good seat. | | Weaknesses: | front deraileurs | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Well, I purchased this bike today, but of course w/o an extensive test ride. I found it very good and comfortable. So far, the derailers are kind of awkward and has a "cheap" feel to it, but at this bargain price I can't complain, or otherwise I'm not really used to them. This was an upgrade from a very old and horrible CCM (Canadian Crap Machine :) bike so the improvements show. For a beginner or a biker that wants a cheap bike then upgrade the parts, they find this bike very very welcome. When I brake into this bike a little more, I'm going to upgrade the fork and get some Judy's. I can't much of it now, but in a bit, I'll post another review. So for now, I'll give it 5 sizzlin' hot and spicy chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Rassmussen
a
from San Angelo, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, easy to manuever, smooth shifting. Bike is strong and will hold up to most MTB trails. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Talera (7 yrs) | | Bike Setup: | Added Rock Shox Judy's, Double wall rims with IRC Kevlars.
19.5 in frame, rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding this bike for almost 3 months. The friends and I ride 3 times a week road and then ride the trails on the weekends. The 4300 is great for both. Strong frame but very light. True the wheels and you will roll forever. The bike is great for beginners as well as anyone who has been riding for a while. Bottom line is:
get this bike and hold on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Clifton, VA USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fairly light, great rapid fire system, solid feel, Trek's lifetime gaurantee. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found so far. | | Similar Products Used: | [] | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. I'm a newbie, so I didn't want to spend a lot, but for $360 this was the right bike for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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