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Submitted by
clinton
a Cross Country Rider
from la habra,ca usa
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | the bikery | | Strengths: | Frame, wheels | | Weaknesses: | headset, derailers | | Bike Setup: | shimano delore crank, cassette, tora 302 fork | | Bottom Line: | The bike has lasted me for 9 years now and still going strong. It still has the original bontrager wheels and hubs( soon to change). For the time I have used it I have rode it hard from trails to downhill it has held up great! Nothing really bad to say about it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Swenson
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lebanon Hills XC Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Penn Cycle | | Strengths: | VERY Stiff. Bonded Easton AL frame (no welds). Super Long Life. Super High Durability. | | Weaknesses: | VERY Stiff. non-replaceable derailleur hanger, no disc tabs. Largest possible rear tire is 2.125 | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Super Caliber, Fisher Marlin, Trek 6000, Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Been rebuilt MANY times. Current Rendition: '07 Mavic Crossland Wheelset, '07 Rockshox Revelation w/ CC S-3 headset, Avid bb7 front disc @ rear XT linear brakes, Avid SD 2.0 levers, '06 LX shifters, Deore Octalink crankset, XT derailleurs, Ritchy 4x stem and Bontrager select bars (31.8) | | Bottom Line: | Stock, this bike was mediocre by modern standards, but I've rebuilt it about 7-8 different times, each time making it a little better than the last. Ive used 4 different forks on it and 4 different wheelsets, The only thing left on it thats stock is the paint. Ive thoroughly thrashed and crashed this bike on numerous occasions and it soaks it up ever time. Takes a lickin' keeps on tickin' Hands down, this is the most longlived / worthwhile atb frame ive owned or worked on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rt
a Cross Country Rider
from glenmoore, pa
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Strengths: | frame,agility | | Weaknesses: | shifters, pedals, rock shox indy c (they are horrible) | | Similar Products Used: | gt | | Bike Setup: | azonic love seat
rock shox suspension seatpost
egg beater pedals
| | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great buy for the money. The frame is as good as a bike two times the amount. Light and agile! Also, the frameis tough and can take can take a beating. No need to buy a new frame till this one dies. The components are weak but they can be upgraded easily. The rock shox indy c is too forgiving and will be relaced very soon. This is a great buy! I would recommend this to anyone from beginner to advanced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iain Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Redcar
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dunno | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Second hand | | Strengths: | Frame is very light and stiff, and is generally well made. The frame is good so makes a good platform to upgrade from. I'm also pleased i can fit a Tioga 2.1 DH in the frame as well because my skinny little 1.95s made it ride badly. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy factory components fitted. Paint is a bit easy to scratch... thats about it so far. I don't know how strong the frame is because it was 5 years old when i bought it and i've only had it 6 months. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Hawk Hill, Schwinn Mesa GSX, Specialized A1 comp + FSR Elite | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z4s on front, Shimano STX RCs(soon to be replaced because they are flexy and are getting old), Mavic 519s on LX hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Overall this bike is really good for cross country and all round riding, its strong enough for anything except jumping and drops etc obviously. This frame can take a fair bit of abuse considering that it is really light. It is comfortable to ride and looks good. For the money you won't be disappointed... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Wasko
a Cross Country Rider
from Hartford, CT, US
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | MIddlesex, CT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Wayfarer Bike | | Strengths: | Strong frame - makes a good base to work with. The frame is excellent and great componenets can be added to get a top-notch bike. | | Weaknesses: | Came with cheesy components, but still worked out good because I didn't have a whole lot of capitol when I purchased and wasn't sure if I would *really* like mountain biking. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | I replaced everything excepet for the frame. XT v brakes; Manitou FS Front shock; Mavic 517 rims; XT 4 arm cranks; XT hubs; XT rear cassette; XT bottom bracket; Syncros seat tube; and I can't remember all the other stuff off hand. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awsome starter bike. I bought mine in 1995 and the frame finally broke on the chain stay tube 4 weeks ago. I put the bike through 7 years of serious abuse; riding an average of 1.5 times a week, year round. I live in New England so the weather is never really pretty or condusive to clean, dry rides.
It comes with good enough components to get you through your first year - if you ride hard. If you don't ride hard, the components will likely last forever. I wasn't sure how much I was going to like biking when I bought it, but I quickly fell in love with the bike and sport.
A year after I purchsed the bike a replaced the drive train (except the front STX derailer). Three years after owning the bike I replaced everything except for the seat post, seat, front derailer, and bottom braket. I did all the work myself and it was like driving an entirely new bike! I'm not sure how much weight I shaved off, as I purchsed all XT parts - but the bike was significantly lighter and performed excellent. Then, last year, which was 6 years after buying the bike; I replaced the drive train again and did the rest of the parts, i.e. bottom bracket, seat, seat post, and front derailer. Then, four weeks ago, I cracked my frame and blew out my free hub.
I sent the frame back to Trek and am awaiting an answer as to its replacement. If they do repalce it, i'm probably just going to try to get things back together over the next few months and try to sell the 'whole' bike - as I have found a new bike... the Trek Fuel 90 Disc. I'm going to see if I and wheel-and-deal with Trek to get a discount on the Fuel, but either way... I'm gonna buy the sucker.
So, to sum it up: if you are looking for an awsome frame to get many years of hard riding out of but are not sure about the sport and are short on cash, the Trek 6500 is the way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jojo747
a
from sf, ca
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | strong, quick frame. great bike to build on. | | Weaknesses: | mediocre components | | Bike Setup: | z3 bam, avid sd 7's, xt. | | Bottom Line: | Great frame for the money. Super fast & agile. Components are what you get for 600 bucks... but fun to build up on. Don't see the need to change a frame till I wreck this one or win the lotto. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatomi | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Washtenaw Cycle | | Strengths: | Handles great, no twist shifters, frame is solid | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket is worthless, stock seat is unbearable | | Similar Products Used: | I'd be embarassed to say | | Bike Setup: | Specialized saddle, Michelin Wildgripper Jet S | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike for almost four years now. The bottom bracket has made noises almost from day one. THe bike shop would tighten it up, only to have it act up again. However, it's never failed on me. The only things that have failed on me are the rear derailluer (recently) and the plastic end for the cable housing at the rear derailluer. Otherwise, this bike has taken a lot of abuse and keeps on delivering great rides. Minor tuning has always made this bike shift and brake very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ME
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Frame, Fork, Wheels, Rear Der., Tires | | Weaknesses: |
Seatpost (clamp), Crank, Cassette, chain, pedals FRONT DER | | Bike Setup: |
The bike now has all Syncros, XT/XTR and a Z3 light on the front | | Bottom Line: | New to the sport in '98 when i bought this bike. Great ride. People might complain about the fork, but I have ridden everwhere and everything with it and put it through any known condition to man. The frame is great, And VERY stout. At 180 pounds, I am not really heavy, but not all that light either, and the frame had put up with my unexperienced bulls**t without a moan. After upgrading extensively, the bike is now Dial and is SWEET. I have had the opprontunity to upgrade to a Schwinn Homegrown and the new, Giant Team Carbon, but have elected to stay with this frame.The seatpost started creaking soon after I got it, but a little WD-40 (yikes, huh?) took care of that (no, grease didn't work). As well, the front derailleur was improperly placed from the factory, and is also easy to fix with a skilled machanics hand. Other than that, the crank is very low cost, and the rings wear quickly, as does the suntour cassette. Other than that, All it needs is some C-less pedalsGreat lost cost bike. If I didn't have such a lust for high end, I wouldn't have change very muchFive for the frame, performance and value, Four for the bike over all | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Weinhardt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Binbrook Ontairo
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
everywhere | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
frame weight, stiffness
good fork (judy C)
great hub and wheel set | | Weaknesses: |
crank set and front
deraleur | | Similar Products Used: |
giant atx 890 780 | | Bottom Line: | For the money this bike kicks butt. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barrie
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Good, light solid US built frame for the money. Rear der. and shifters. Bonty saddle. Good overall weight. | | Weaknesses: |
Parts which I destroyed within a year: chain; rear cassette, front der, crankset. Those pedals with the straps. | | Similar Products Used: |
First real mountain bike | | Bike Setup: |
Now has: 99 SID XC long travel; Mavic crosslinks, USE SX post, Race Face Cranks and rings, XTR brakes, Chris King headset, XTR front der, xt cassette, shimano clipless pedals and continetal Dual fighter tyres. XT bottom bracket. | | Bottom Line: | When I bought this bike I was new to mountain biking and I considered £550 to be a lot to pay for a mountain bike. However I was seduced by the nice colours, paired with the nice saddle and fork, into parting with my money. Like many a newbie I was also attracted by the fact that it had a Deore LX rear der. On the test run I was impressed by the light and responsive feel of the bike, which compared favourably with my old steel lump of a bike which I had owned for 5 years. My initial euphoria at owing my Trek began to wane after a few week of use as I found the pedals with the straps difficult to use and I quickly ditched them for a clipless pair. After six months use I had worn out both the crappy stock chain (replaced with a Sachs powerlink PC-91)and the rear cassette. The brakes flexed far too much and the pads dissolved in the rain within a couple of months, to be replaced with a set of koolstops. Within 9 months I had managed to bend the big ring of the crankset and because it was a solid block I had to replace the entire thing (Race Face crank and rings), I also bent my front der. which was replaced with an XTR. However the biggest improvement with the bike came when I replaced the wheels and the tyres(Conti Ave. Semi Slicks in summer and Dual fighters the rest of the year). I found that the frame can give a harsh ride which I have softened with a sus. seatpost. Overall this was a reasonable bike for the money, however as i began to spend more and more time cycling I soon became unsatisfied with some of the parts which I have now upgraded. I have also spend a considerable amount on upgrades (fork, headset,brakes) after these parts were stolen. Thank God for Insurance. If you have a limited budget this is a good place to start, however with more and more money to spend I bought better parts. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Y.B.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hull, Qc
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Frame
Rear derailleur
Shifters
Fork | | Weaknesses: |
Crankset
Front derailleur
Seatpost | | Similar Products Used: |
'99 Kona Nunu | | Bike Setup: |
Pedals: Ritchey Pro
Seatpost: Titec
Stem: Titec
Handlebar: Aluminum DH
Front derailleur: STX RC | | Bottom Line: | This is a pretty good bike for cross-country. But like you've seen below, there are some weaknesses in this bike, that's why I've changed things on it to make it better. Bike like any mountain biker, it's time for me to change this bike because I'm doing competition. If you're interested in this bike, you can see the full details of it here: http://www.mtbr.com/market/messages/16530.html
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontaio NY
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
lost ponds | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
comfort | | Weaknesses: |
sharp corners | | Similar Products Used: |
GT | | Bottom Line: | it's a good bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hull, Quebec
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Parc de la Gatineau | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
price
frame
weight | | Weaknesses: |
front derallieur
fork | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant ATX 870 | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 6500 with a manitou sx | | Bottom Line: | if you change the fork (indy C: too soft) this is a great xc bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
guizmo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hull, Qc
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Trails in the Parc de Mont-Tremblant and the Parc de la Gatineau | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Excellent frame for the price (light, fast), Indy C is a good deal | | Weaknesses: |
Front derailleur, pedals | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Rockhopper, Kona Nunu | | Bike Setup: |
1998 Trek 6500zx, Ritchey's Pro Competition pedals | | Bottom Line: | It's an excellent bike for someone beginning in cross-country competition except for the front derailleur (has many problems even if fixed). For that, I will probably change it with a better one and I decided to change to clips for the pedals because I prefer that. I think that the Indy C is good deal, I never had problems with it. Buy this bike!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from UK, Kent
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The City | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Great fram
Lovely colour (Dragonfly Orange)
Good componentry
Light | | Weaknesses: |
None SO FAR | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 6000
Kona Cinder Cone | | Bike Setup: |
Standard '99 Trek 6500 with Azonic riser bars and platform pedals | | Bottom Line: | A very very good bike for the money, I have just got into mountain biking and it is ideal for first time users. I love it and the whole package is just what I wanted. The only things I changed were the pedals and bars.
5 Flamin' Chillies! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Kinder
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Road riding | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Frame(had a problem with noise inside seat tube after a month, though) | | Weaknesses: |
Componentry (especially the front derailleur and hubset) | | Similar Products Used: |
N/A | | Bike Setup: |
LX and XT upgrades across the board... | | Bottom Line: | This machine is my Re-Entry back to the cycling world. I am 45 years old and just quit smoking 3 months ago. I was amazed at the fact that machines today do not include a full component group on them. It appears the dollar has taken hold! I love this bike! With all the upgrades I have done it is all I expect and more! I'm up to 50 miles a week (all road) and moving forward to more. This bike gives me the riding position I hoped it would and the load carrying I desire for the future (KY to MI in 2002). The frame noise was quite annoying. It developed about a month after I got it. This is a known issue according to Trek Tech Support. My dealer contacted them about this and recommended using Loctite in the tube, then invert the frame so it could run between the tubes. This worked! No more noise and the frame still carries its Lifetime Warranty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt J
a Cross-Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: July 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Palmer Park | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Frame, handling | | Weaknesses: |
Front derailler, Front fork | | Similar Products Used: |
Schwinn Moab 1, Cannondale Killer V 700 | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 6500 ZX, XT Drivetrain, Marzocchi A-Bomb | | Bottom Line: | Follow up to my previous review. This frame kicks @$$ for the money. Have taken the time to upgrade it and can honestly say that this bike just gets better. I ride a lot of rocky, technical trails and can say that this bike climes like a goat and handles the rough stuff great. The front derailler sucked, but with the addition of an XT front the bike shifts smoothly. I got a great deal on an A-bomb at Colorado Cyclist so I also upgraded the so-so Indy C and now this bike just rips. Anyone who is thinking about getting a new model I would definetly say go for it since it has the new Judy C with the hydracoil system. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew
a Cross-Country Rider
from sterling, alaska
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
devils pass | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
strong ass frame, light, quick, basic proven design | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
voodoo
gt
schwinn
specialized | | Bike Setup: |
indy c | | Bottom Line: | great bike, got me more interested in the sport,
i weigh 210, so i put some mountain springs in the indys, and put on v brakes, the bike performed very well for almost any accasion.
she deserves 5 peppers | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M. Gates
a Cross-Country Rider
from Powell, TN
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Virginia Creeper | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Frame is virtually indestructable, cushy smooth ride, nice gearing, luv the rapidfires | | Weaknesses: |
Components, especially wheels, tires and fork, don't seem like they belong with this bike | | Similar Products Used: |
several crappier low-quality bikes | | Bike Setup: |
'97 Trek 6500 (duh!) Rock Shox Indy C | | Bottom Line: | This is my first real deal mountain bike, and I got a hell of a good deal on it (it was last year's model, got about $200 off, some guy was gonna buy it and added bar ends and stuff to it, but never came and got it) This bike has really made me get into mountain biking more than I had before. After about 600 miles I had to replace the tioga tires; they wore a little too quickly, I now have a pair of Ritchey Speedmaxes on there, they suit the bike much better, and are quieter on pavement. The matrix wheels kept getting out of true for a few months, but it seems to have stopped now. If I had the dough, i'd stick a nice fat Judy fork to replace the Indy. Nothing wrong with the indy, I'd just like a bit more travel when the going gets really rough. Besides, the aluminum frame on this bike deserves better. It seems like nothing could make this frame even think about breaking or bending. This is a truly wonderful hardtail and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, yet indestructable, cross country ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Valley Forge, PA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Frame, Fit | | Weaknesses: |
Sugino Crank, Indy C Fork | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant Butte | | Bike Setup: |
Icon Crankshaft cranks, Rock Shox Suspension Post | | Bottom Line: | Update to review posted on 6/12/98: many additional miles, and this bike still rocks! I bent the hell out of the original crank and upgraded to an Icon Crankshaft (brand new $100 from a friend) and a new LX front derailleur. What a difference! Also put on a RS suspension seatpost, which helps quite a bit. This is a great bike to upgrade. The original components will stay as long as they work, but I am looking to replace the shock. For me, the purpose of this bike was to get me out on the trails ASAP on a decent and affordable bike. The 6500 delivered. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from East Stroudsburg,PA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
cliff trial | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
The whole setup. | | Weaknesses: |
The straight handlebars. | | Similar Products Used: |
TREK 7000 may i add the 6500 is much better and rides much nicer. | | Bike Setup: |
Deore LX rear derrailieur, Indy C fork. | | Bottom Line: | The 6500 is a very kickass hardtail for the money it is the best bike that i have ever riden. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charlie dalziel
a Weekend Warrior
from newcastle upon tyne england
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
a hell of a nice bike its strong and looks good pity about the componants though | | Weaknesses: |
bad shockers and compants need upgrading to Z1 bam and get some xt | | Similar Products Used: |
trek 7000 trek6000 | | Bottom Line: | this is a nice bike light weight strong pity about the componants though | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charlie d.l
a Cross-Country Rider
from england
Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
none | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
bomb proof frame nice seat and sexy tires | | Weaknesses: |
front shockers are cr@p | | Similar Products Used: |
gt backwoods | | Bike Setup: |
rock shock indy c | | Bottom Line: | an awsome bike although the shockers are heavy and need upgrading to some z1 bomers or mozo pro 4.5s f-ing nice bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
garth
a Cross-Country Rider
from Johannesburg,South Africa
Date Reviewed: March 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
STRONG FRAME, OK COMPONENTS | | Weaknesses: |
BIKE WEIGHT AND POOR FRONT SHOCKS | | Similar Products Used: |
TREK 800, TREK 820, GT TEQUESTA AND GT BACKWOODS | | Bike Setup: |
I REPLACED THE SHOCKS WITH rst MOZO PRO 3.5, UPGRADED THE COMPONENTS TO XT AND XTR | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike!! I do suggest upgrading the shocks - it makes for a better ride and significantly improves the already good handling. The previous bike I owned was a TREK 820 hard nose and the 6500 was a good upgrade. This bike is a good mid range performer - get it! I give it 4 chillies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NAD
a weekend warrior
from Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I Bought My 6500 new in 95. Two days of riding and I snaped the grip shifter! Thanks to Trek for quick warr. service. Wow! great bike for the money. The blue/silver paint looks good. Really nice bond seams(no welds) but cheaply spec'd. I upgraded to Lx/Stx, Ricthey pedals, Manitou pro-c fork (Great for the money! Thanx Deep Cove!) Tecktro quartx v-type brakes. The bike is pretty light, I'm 5'11 172 lbs. My first bike was an 820 Trek. I wanted something stronger and tried every other bike in this price range. The 6500 was the best. It doesn't matter what kind of bike you have as long as you ride. Now get of the net and go RIDE YOUR BIKE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mudbug
a cross-country rider
from Alvin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike really ROCKS! It may not have all the bells and whistles that Zap would like you to buy; but so what? Its my 2nd ride and one hell of a damn good upgrade. I used to ride a Raleigh M-30 bomber. The components are OK and hold up to my abuse. I added a Thudbuster seatpost and it now rivals my bro's Y-bike. The rich kids out there may not like it but to hell with them anyway! My 65 is a '97 model(?) copper/rusty colored with a R/S Indy-C. No V-brakes? So? I like the Psycho K tires and have no real problems with chain-suck except in the worst of Texas mud, GUMBO. The cables could be re-routed from on top of the top post but that flame isn't that important since its an aluminum frame. I origially wasn't looking at this bike but a '97 closeout 6000. Lucky for me the bike shop sold my layaway bike. Pretty cool huh? Total price out the door before my upgrades was only $465; NO SHIT! For the price I 'll give my bike a flamin' hot 5 habaneros. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jono Davis
a cross-country rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my '95 since '96, I love it, it's a good solid ride, get's me into the deepest of woods, and has held up pretty well to the beating I've given it. However, I have to agree with people when they say the components are a little slack, but sure enough, i had destroyed all of that and upgrades within two seasons. The only other problem I have with it, is no fault of anyone's but my own, I'm a little on the tall side, and thus, I ride a 21 inch frame, I recently broke into the trials community, and I'm finding that standing on a picnic table with that bohemeth under me is a little awkward.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Marr
a racer
from Athens, GA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Trek 6500 for about 3 years and I am convinced that the frame is bomb proof. The original componentry was slack though. I've upgraded to XTR with Cross Max wheels, and I've been very happy with the bike. With all the light components the bike still weighs 25 pounds. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkeyboy
a cross-country rider
from Redfield, SD
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike rawks! I had it for half a season, before winter came, and it kicked but. And I am running a really stiff shock too. A manitou fs buldge. I only weigh 165 so its just a little stiff for me. I give it 5 flaming bananas. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tripp
a weekend warrior
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: November 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just recently purchased my 6500 and it is a HUGE step up from my old cromoly 800. I have ridden it on trails twice now and will have to agree with a lot of the other reviews and say that the front derailluer could definitely use and upgrading. Other than that i think this is a great bike and the price i paid for it (about 600$) says a whole lot more about it. I plan to go clipless pretty soon and upgrade the front der. and maybe even putting on some disc brakes. I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a great bike at a great price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pooh
a cross-country rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bike's has decent components for the price, I'd go with a Marzocchi fork though...tires, Bontrager...they're okay. For the same price a better bike would be a '99 Backwoods or Specialized Rockhopper A1FS. The 6500 just seems to heavy compared to the others. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
squash6500
a weekend warrior
from The Great White North
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Right on Chris!!!, no the components are not the best, but you're right, they work. My 6500 is a 97. I have upgraded the derailures, fork, and crank, but only because I wore these parts out. The bike holds up incredibly well. I have had no problems that were not RIDER related. I think the cry babies need to learn to, 1. Maintain the bike, 2. Adjust things properly. Most of the problems that I have read about here could be cured with 1 and 2 above. There is one problem that I am aware of that is not rider related, that's the sugino crank they put on the 98 bike. My son had the same crank on his 97 6000, it was junked out in a month. Pretty weak, but it worked until we replaced it. Just remember, you get what you pay for, a $650.00 bike will not perform like a $1200.00 bike. And for those that think you need a bike out of the box that you are perfectly satisfied with, get real, it don't exsist. Besides, half the fun is in the upgrades as you get better you can make the bike better. This is a great bike to begin on, and is easily upgraded as you see fit. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a weekend warrior
from Moorhead MN
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My Trek 6500ZX is a couple of years old, a 96' I'm guessing, it is blue and grey with the old grey Rock Shox and Stx componentry. For those of you who are wondering how your bike will hold up in a couple of years, I have on word...wonderfuly. I ride hard and enjoy a lot of air. My trek has held up to all the abuse. For those of you that complain about the componentry I have had zero problems with mine. Yes, my brakes are not V and Stx is far from top of the line, yet amazingley :) they all work beautifly. I broke a couple of teeth in the front sprocket which seems to have no effect. I am sick of hearing about how the components suck on this bike with my experience even though they are not top of the line they work. And besides its not what your riding it is how you ride it and this one will stay in great shape for years to come with out any upgrades. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart F
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Follow up: I have ridden approx. 1000 trail miles since I purchased
the 6500 in April and have found that this is a good ride for the
money. The front derailer is garbage as well as the factory grips. The
bike is light and fast. The durability of the bike is questionable since
I just broke the rail running from the rear wheel to the main post. Until
I broke the bike it was taking a beaten and holding up real well. I would
recommend this bike for the rider who likes cross-country or to a rider
who doesnt hammer to hard but in my opinion if you are going to do some
kamakazing this bike probably wont hold up. So for the cruisers I give it
4 chilis and the bombers 3 chilis
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Jenereaux
a weekend warrior
from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | |
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