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Submitted by
jotto
a Cross Country Rider
from grand rapids MI
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | the road | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | was given to me | | Strengths: | indestructible
elegant: this thing is so simple. I actually like the cantilever brakes because of their simplicity. The lack of shocks is also fine with me. The less crap the better in my book.
The Antelope takes me everywhere. I may be slow, but I never break down. | | Weaknesses: | The bearings suck | | Similar Products Used: | My only serious bike. All others are vintage. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for semi-slick, fat tires for the MI winters, lizard skin locking grips, rear fender, and a rear rack.
| | Bottom Line: | I beat the living hell out of this thing. The paint job and forks date it, so I don't think it will ever be stolen. It's a sleeper! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smitty_in_vancouver
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Ape Canyon, Mt. St. Helens | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Vancouver Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great geometry for my 6.2" build
Makes an excellent commuter bike
Decent component | | Weaknesses: | Was great for the past 16 years commuting until my rear triangle frame on the cassette side weld came apart. | | Similar Products Used: | Comparable to Gary Fisher and Giant bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with rear rack for trunk bag. | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great bike, but not something I'd take down rough single track regularly, though I have a few times. It's been an outstanding commuter bike and I have over 6000 miles on it. It's fine for jumping off and on curbs and small single track side routes. I'm actually surprised the fame came apart this weekend when I was simply riding it on a flat and passing a road racer. I thought it was indestructible, but I guess no bike really is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a Cross Country Rider
from Inverness Florida U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Nederland Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | High Wheeler Boulder | | Strengths: | Absolutely indestructable. Bought it new in 1982 or 83 and have ridden it weekly ever since. I currently ride about fifteen miles a day for fitness. Everybody should have one of these. | | Weaknesses: | I'm keeping my eye out for some. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Why bother? This thing is all I know. | | Bike Setup: | Completely original except for seat, tires and grips. | | Bottom Line: | I've gotten 26 years of pleasure from this great bike. It had been all Schwinns up til then but if I ever buy another bike it will have to be a Trek. I figure it's cost me around $27.00 a year to ride this bike and you probably can't get much better value than that. I use it for trail riding, fitness, bombing around the farm and town. It really has been reliable. Now that I think of it I do seem to remember a repair of some sort about ten years ago but whatever it was there wasn't much to it. Truly amazing when you think about it. I love my bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RedBeard4x4
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockville, MD USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Seneca Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Chicago Illinois | | Bike Setup: | I up'd brakes, front fork/shocks, hubs, seat and added many extras over the last 13 years. This bike ROCKS! | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! It does everything I need it to and more. It took care of me when I was just beginning to ride and hasn't failed me since.
The frame is still strong after thousands of miles on trail and pavement. I've gone thru too many tires to count, hehe.
If this bike ever does fail I'll go for another Trek in a heartbeat...! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
piterpat
a Racer
from Silver Spring, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Poplar Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Great frame. Very dependible bike. Added a bunch of mods. Pretty much just upgraded. But over all great. | | Weaknesses: | added shocks to the front | | Bottom Line: | this bike is perfect for racing and rock hopping. I highly suggest this bike to anybody in the market for a good bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kabowabo
a Weekend Warrior
from Triad, NC USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Virginia Creeper | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Solid, dependable old school Alivio/STX drive train. Strong light weight US made steel frame. | | Weaknesses: | Cantilever brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, Gary Fisher Tassajara, GT All Terra... | | Bike Setup: | Alivio/STX Drivetrain, Rapidfire shifters Rock Shox Indy fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a 1997 model that I purchased for my wife. I cleaned it up, replaced the seat and stem everything else is bone stock. Overall great bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rotch
a Weekend Warrior
from Menlo Park CA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Windy hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Indestructible frame | | Weaknesses: | Without front shox it feels like riding a road bike down a 5 mile long staircase. crappy tires, crappier brakes | | Bike Setup: | all stock, except kool stop brakes | | Bottom Line: | Great for those who dont need any cartilage in their wrists | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amy
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumberland, ME
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The beach! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Side of the road private sale | | Strengths: | I saw this bike for sale on the side of the road when I was out running and got it for $30.00. It was all beat to heck and looked like the previous owner had a great time with it. But I've always wanted a Trek bike, so I was happy. The bike, despite looking incredibly banged up, is in great condition. All the components work great and it's super reliable. I'm not savvy enough to know if everything is original or not, but doesn't matter much to me as long as it works. It is super light (by my standards)and takes anything I can throw at it (I think this bike is enjoying a relatively quiet retirement in my hands). I use it mainly for a workout since my knees don't like running anymore. I've taken to riding on the beach on packed sand. We've become great buddies. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can see... | | Similar Products Used: | run of the mill bikes | | Bike Setup: | Everything works! | | Bottom Line: | I think I'll have this bike for a long time. I actually like the bit of drag from the knobby tires...makes me work harder on the roads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abel
a Weekend Warrior
from Spring Tx
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | spring creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | legends Run community Garage sale | | Strengths: | frame is Very sturdy
I bought this bike and i could tell it was old but it had a long way to go.
| | Weaknesses: | I dont know but the gears really suck or the guy installed them wrong, the original tires suck as well. the tires are not built for bogging, sand trails , or anything except road. | | Similar Products Used: | Haro del sol crusier, crappy walmart bikes | | Bike Setup: | all original except front rim and rear tire. im thinking about getting continental tires, new rims , and new gearing system. also i want to make the whole thing A whole lot lighter. | | Bottom Line: | Me and my buddies decide to build dirt ramps so we do. they decided ,without my consent to dig a hole right in front of the ramp and long story short i go for the ramp and fall in the hole. this made me angry and at the same time left me in pain. I thought my bike was ruined ,but thankfully it was fine .oh I ended up fliping over the bike and hitting my shin on the bars as i was flying though the air , my foot got jammed in the brake line(which is alright).this whole bike is tough as myself which is pretty tough. now i just hope it does not get stolen like its predescessor's . i will love it forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | This is an incredible bicylce-best I've ever ridden. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't have a front shock...my fault, could have bought it with a shock for $100 more. Also, this bike is apparently not suitable for an aftermarket shock upgrade for various reasons. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Everything's factory and original except for the seat. The original components are the smoothest and most reliable I've ever experienced. | | Bottom Line: | INDESTRUCTIBLE. Once, it fell out of the back of a moving pickup truck at 30 mph. Another time, my wife accidentally ran over it with her Toyota Tercel. Didn't hurt it a bit. This is in addition to all the spills, etc I've taken on it over the years. A great all around bike for city dwellers and commuters. It's old school, yeah, but is still at home on a trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ally Shewan
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine Bikes | | Bottom Line: | About 12 years ago I hit a steel rope about 30 mph coming out of a trail and broke my thigh bone.
I had the bike checked out once I was able to and it was completely undamaged. I still use it.
I've thought about changing it a few times but I can't bring myself to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erick Fdz
a Weekend Warrior
from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Chihuahua's highland | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Strong frame, will last forever. Nice pitch for uphill. I use it for city ride and ocassional weekend ride. | | Weaknesses: | Original components (Shimano Altus). Got them all remove and upgrade to new Alivio on 1997. Very few mantainance since then (dust removed and oil applied once in a while).
Heavy frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Full alivio 1997. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is a beauty for lazzy riders like me. Once components were changed, its requires very few mantainance. I got this beauty stolen and back again, so we belong together. We have ride some beautifull uphills here in Mexico and have no complains on the matter. Perhaps is a little unstable on dirt curves and a suspension is missed after 20 minutes of downhill. Even thou is my favorite compannion on long rides. See this beautty in action.
Come and ride Chihuahua!!!
Happy trails to all.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erickfdz | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Suzanna
a Cross Country Rider
from Venice, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Lulea, Sweden | | Strengths: | It lasts forever. I've had the bike for 15-17 years... bought it in Sweden, and brought it with me to US 11 years ago. I am riding it every day, as a local transportation to the tennis courts or the gym. I still have the original components on it. | | Weaknesses: | I don't really know of any. | | Similar Products Used: | I just bought Trek 7000 WSD, very cute, because my 850 got stolen. | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike. I've used it for about 17 years. For the last 11 years, it's parked outside in my yard in the humid ocean air, and it's not even rusty. Last week, somebody stole it from my yard. Very sad. I've been so attached to this lovely bike. But I guess it's time to move on, so I bought another Trek, 7000 WSD, hybrid. It's cute and I really like it. I've only had it for a week, and this morning, I see a dude on the street, walking with my stolen bike!!! I got my 850 Trek back. I guess we are really meant to be together! LOL | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geo
a
from Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop in CT | | Strengths: | Indestructable frame. Stiff ride. Good downhill technical. | | Weaknesses: | OG bearings not sealed - wear out promptly. OG components cheap, but not bad. | | Bike Setup: | Heavily modified. Replaced crank bearing with sealed unit within 1 year. Upgraded OG Suntour derailer to more solid and reliable Shimano. Chopped handlebars for narrow trails. OG seat post "rusted" into frame - replaced with aluminum post & Avocet seat. OG pedals fell apart - replaced with more solid ones (forget what they are) | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Antelope 850 back in 1990, and used it all through wilderness trails in rural CT for about a year, before taking it down to the Caribbean. There, it was my sole source of both transportation, and recreation. I abused the hell out of this bike, taking it through all imaginable conditions, trails, drop-offs, jumps, single-tracks, and way steep hills (not to mention fine powder beaches, salt water, and hot, humid Caribbean conditions. Many of the OG components failed and I upgraded when they did. The main thing, though, is that the frame has remained completely solid and reliable 15 years down the line.
Drawbacks are that it's a chro-molly frame, so it's heavy, and my particular model was built before front suspension forks really hit the market, so it's a solid fork. That's cool - it's what I grew up with anyway, so I have no problems with it, but by today's standards, it's archaic.
This is a great knock-around frame/bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Maryland Woods | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Princeton NJ shop | | Strengths: | Indestructible, competent | | Weaknesses: | Unsealed bearings | | Similar Products Used: | GT Backwoods, Trek 7000 | | Bike Setup: | Off road tires , platform pedals, seat | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike very hard for 5 years and the only thing that ever gave me problems were the headset and bottom bracket. The bearings weren't sealed and were prone to moisture and grit damage. The bottom bracket especially, it seemed there was always grit in there and required frequent maintenance. I got more air on this thing than I probably should have and the chromemolly frame never failed - it was tough as nails. I wish I never sold it as it would look good as a piece of mt. biking history mounted on my living room wall! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | memorial park trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | built to last | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this antelope 850 new in 1992, one of the first antelope series with front suspension. I've been using it for many purposes in the past 12 years including city riding, trials style riding and some pretty technical trails. The only things I have replaced on it are the brakes, pedals, tires and rims. Everything else is stock and working in perfect condition despite all the abuse I've put this bike through. Many of my friends have newer and supposedly nicer bikes, yet I have seen quite a few of them simply fall apart while my old trek will handle anything I can throw at it. I like the old school grey, purple and neon orange paint job it has too =) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Brower
a Weekend Warrior
from alamo
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | missing link, berkeley | | Strengths: | paint quality, basic frame strength. | | Weaknesses: | front fork, pedals, heavy | | Bike Setup: | stock, suntour XC friction components. | | Bottom Line: | New vintage '86, before shimano steamroller, when people were learning what worked. Did a lot of single track on this before that first round of paranoid closures. Geared low enough to get up Mt. Tam railroad grade without drama. The
threaded front fork got destroyed when someone borrowed it, just replaced for $20. It's not worth the expense of a full upgrade cycle. Too good to toss, so its now left by the door to ride down the long driveway to get the paper. Would be good with slicks for errands. High value rating because it's only cost, um, $20/yr to own, and if you can find one, it'll be cheap.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chad
a Cross Country Rider
from yosemite, ca usa
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere i can ride | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | yardsale | | Strengths: | its a great bike for all purposes. i bought it as a commuter in portland, then moved back to yosemite and rode every trail in the area and it is great for both. | | Weaknesses: | i dont know what year mine is, reletively new, but the frame is really high. maybe a good 4-6 inches above most other mountain bikes so its kind of scary riding on rocky trails with more than an 8 inch drop off. but adrenaline is a good thing, as long as you dont lose all you teeth in a faceplant. | | Similar Products Used: | none so far, but i would like to find a newer trek, maybe an 8500 to get more serious. | | Bike Setup: | i havent changed a thing on it since i bought it. the cables are a bit stretched out and i need some real tires, but other than that everything is still great. | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for people who are getting into mountain biking and dont want to spend a lot of money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Silver Comet | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Goodwill | | Strengths: | Durable, Fun to ride, Easy to modify | | Similar Products Used: | Schwin Mesa | | Bike Setup: | 100% stock except for new saddle and fenders. | | Bottom Line: | After reading some of the commments I truly got a steal.
This bike was nearly new when I found it at Goodwill.
I didn't know much about the 850 but since it was a Trek
I figured it had to be good. After I looked up the real
price for this bike I can only smile each time I ride it.
This is the single best bike I have ever owned. I ride
it almost everyday and it has never let me down. I got rid
of the tires when I first got it because I never take the
bike off road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, Texas
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | MacAlister Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Study frame and components. tough as nails paint job, and very dependable. | | Weaknesses: | Change out the tires and you will have a top notch trail bike or bike for the street. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded the tires to Continental traction pros and added a rise handle bar and suspension seat post. | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike since buying it new in 1997 and changed out the poor tires with the traction pro's. Recently added the suspension seat post. This bike has several thousand miles of trail and road miles on it and have only had to replace the chain that I broke on some pretty rough trails. It's a great bike for someone who will do an occassional off road ride or just for everyday use its just one great bike and very dependable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Guerzon
a
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Peak, Stevens Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | used-- | | Strengths: | Sturdy frame. Doesn't break. | | Weaknesses: | Components kinda suck when taken off road. Needs to be adjusted a lot when ridden in the dirt. Cantilever brakes are outdated-do not use off road on steep trails because you won't have the stopping power of V's or Disc. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new Shimano clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first "Mountain Bike" I have over 2000 miles on this baby and all components are still stock--even the chain. This thing will last forever. Definitely not a racer or a bike for technical trails. (Although I have used it on very technical trails) It's also pretty heavy. I now put slicks on it and use it for road/commuting. The slicks make the thing ride super fast and smooth. I would like to upgrade the fork because it's a little long in the tooth. Also the headset and handlebars. Any recommendations?- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamden, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Very strong frame. Reliable. | | Weaknesses: | It's just getting a little old (almost 7 years) | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to list | | Bike Setup: | Just added an older Rock Shox Quadra 21R fork. Everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Probably going to keep it until the wheels fall off. It's been a great do-all bike for me as far as commuting and weekend single-track trips. You really can't beat the reliablility and versatility of the 850. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheboygan, WI
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Go Pal, Charlottesville, VA | | Strengths: | Smooth ride, comfortable dimensions | | Weaknesses: | none, given the expectations of the standard equipment | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | I built up this frame for my wife with parts taken off my Trek 6500, including a Manitou4 fork, System 2(Trek) stem, Scott handlebars, Gripshift 21 speed shifters with STX front and rear deraileurs, Shimano something or another brake levers and Alivio brakes, hubs, crank. Matrix (Trek) wheels with Panaracer Dart/Smoke tires, gel seat, incredibell. | | Bottom Line: | Very comfortable ride, maybe a little too twitchy and slow for street riding, a little too heavy for climbing, but just perfect for cross country. The Chromoly frame has definitely a different ride from my aluminum frame bike. It is more smooth in the bumps making it easier to modulate through turns without a lot of dramatics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a
from columbus, ohio
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Basic reliability. Frame. | | Weaknesses: | Original Rapidfire shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Get this bike. Tear off the Rapidfires and put on a Gripshift. Put some Fat Boy tires on it. Inflate them to 80 or so: not enough to bottom out on curbs, but not enough to jar you through the rigid frame. Put a comfortable seat on it. A rack.
Then ride it over curbs, through rain, and beside city buses for thousands of miles and almost a decade. A great commuter bike that requires almost zero maintenance, aside from a cable here and there.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Dawg
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any single track in Santa Monica Mtns | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | full cycle, tucson az | | Strengths: | Strong steel frame. Reliable. The bike now nicknamed the "purple dragon" by my ex has been going hard over curbs and trails for six years with the stock components. | | Weaknesses: | a bit on the heavy side...front fork needs to be replaced with something a little more modern. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock comp, gt i drive (does not really compare), specialized rock hopper. | | Bike Setup: | stock with the exception of the tires (velociraptors) | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike to have. It is like the energizer bunny, it keeps going and going and going... The stiff frame is great, but a little on the heavy side. If you don't want to race and you want to ride your bike around town or just about anywhere off road and don't want to pay big bucks this is a quality bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshi
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver Spring, MD
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Rock Creek, Sligo Creek, Seneca Creek, Wheaton Reagonal, etc. in other words, everything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | bike swap behind the Bicycle Place on Grubb Road | | Strengths: | It is a very good value. The old-school Cro-Moly steel frame takes any abuse I can dish out. Some guy with a Kona said that my Trek was pretty cool. Good components and seat. | | Weaknesses: | The tires it came with were almost worn bald (easily remedied). Hmmm... there's not much else. | | Similar Products Used: | I test rode a C-dale Jekyll w/ Lefty Headshok. | | Bike Setup: | Indy C suspension fork, full Shimano component group, cateye computer, Zefal rear fender. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great second hand bike for a great price. It is my first true mountain bike, and I love it. I ride it on horsetrails and rough singletrack, and it works great!
I'm saving up for a Cannondale Jekyll, but I think the 850 is a great bike for the wait.
Also, I'm fifteen, and there aren't many kids my age on the trails, if any kids who live near me read this, e-mail me so we can go riding together.
Happy Trails!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Stebbins
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Clear Lake Trail, Lane County | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Friend in Isla Vista, CA | | Strengths: | Super-tough and super-reliable. Also very solid, I've only had to get it tuned once since I've had it. It also just feels good to ride it. | | Weaknesses: | Brake-system, but I assume that's just old. | | Bike Setup: | All mountain-green steel frame and forks. Shimano brake system. | | Bottom Line: | I've been using it mainly for getting around downtown Santa Barbara, CA for two years now. Now I'm using it for getting all around Eugene, OR. I also just took on the Clear Lake Trail west of Eugene, and it handled superbly considering it's age. I didn't even have shocks in front--stock forks.
Since this bike is so tough, it's perfect for someone who can't afford two bikes, and wants to use it regularly for road commuting and curb-hopping, then occasionally for serious trails.
In my case, I will always have this bike, even when I get a more 'serious' mountain bike. This 850 will simply be my all-around, everyday bike, and it'll probably last me forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Atlanta
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Start to Finish | | Strengths: | Frame strength
Durability
| | Weaknesses: | Chain
Gear Shifters | | Bike Setup: | Flipper Bike Seat
Cross Country Tires
Upright handlebars
Bell | | Bottom Line: | This is my homage to a lost friend.
On Saturday my bicycle was stolen from my residence. I had it for 7 years. I brought it with me to 5 different addresses, including one in Washington State. I started off riding it across the Golden Gate Bridge 3 to 4 days a week. I finished it by riding around San Francisco with my toddler on back. It was a great bike. It served me well. I am very sorry it got stolen. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Monteiro
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Pernambuco, Brasil
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Circuito de XC Markcenter | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Biketech Jardins - São Paulo | | Strengths: | Quadro muito forte e de geometria ideal para XC com bons componentes. | | Weaknesses: | Suspensão de pouca qualidade. | | Similar Products Used: | M-bike Monark 18 Speed 1993. | | Bike Setup: | Grupo Shimano Alivio 1994, pneus Trek, selim Trek, Suspensão Duo-track(mola), aros Araya, jogo de direção Oversize head-set. | | Bottom Line: | Essa foi a primeira bike de nível para o MTB que começei a usar. Foi muito boa proporcionando para mim várias vitórias nas competições de circuito fechado devido à sua ótima geometria. É uma bike para muitos anos bastando fazer Up-grades do grupo e componentes diversos. "Tive muitas alegrias com esta bike!" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duane Braswell
a Weekend Warrior
from El Mirage, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | White tanks (outside Phoenix) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | bike swap | | Strengths: | tuff frame, good components, great paint! | | Weaknesses: | tires! | | Similar Products Used: | not worth mentioning | | Bike Setup: | standard, but has indy rock shoct, finally added pedal clips to keep it from slippong and scoring my calves. | | Bottom Line: | I brought this when we hit the desert. At the price of one of these older Treks I found myself with as good as a ride as the guys who have spent 300 to 500 for their bikes. Yes mine is heavier, but not enough to keep me behind them. This bike used is worth 2x and then some its price. You will need to spend 3x the price to get one that would make a significant difference and if you are willing to do that I reccomend you still get the trek! It is just down out fun! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a
from Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Stong Frame, suspension ok, not a bad beginners bike, unless you want to do some hard riding. | | Weaknesses: | Gears aren't all that good sometimes slow to change and broke one derailer | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Scrambler | | Bike Setup: | Stock as I bought it with a new derailer | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for a beginner not into all that harder riding, not as good as I would have liked. OK on downhill tracks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafael Lopez-Uricoechea
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethesda,Maryland,USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Capital Crescent Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$285.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Place | | Strengths: | I'm 10 years old. The maximum I've done was 37 miles. The Trek 850 could handle it like a boeing 747. The tires it comes with are very VERY good!! They are impossible to flatten. The only time they did flatten was when my brother got angry with me and flattened them with a nail after 10 minutes of trying!!!
| | Weaknesses: | The major weakness on this bike are the derailleurs: when I'm going on steep hills I change the gears, it takes time to respond then the chain gets jammed(this doesn't always happen) It's very annoying, the other problems are the brakes: this is the first bike that I had to keep cleaning the brakes and putting oil on them 3 times a week; because if I don't, when I press the breaks it sqeaks. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, Shwinn Mesa, | | Bike Setup: | Trek 850 as it came | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike it's perfect for begining mountain bikers, it's not as good off trails as it is on trais but still wherever you go it's a comfortable bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Start to Finish | | Strengths: | Durable, while not the best, very good components, stiff frame for the money, good buy | | Weaknesses: | A little bit on the heavy side, tires are crap | | Similar Products Used: | Motiv Ground Pounder, Specialized A-1, Motiv CS-120, Trek 830, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A very good starter bike for those who aren't into hardcore racing; be wary that the tires suck so any stunting will wear them down; | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Del Castillo
a Weekend Warrior
from Aiea, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | aiea loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | San Diego,Ca | | Strengths: | Its built by a rock. Nothing has broken on it since Ive had it. | | Weaknesses: | Like someone said, those damn cheap tires,I must have had 200 flats and sliped on the street and dirt roads another 100 time. No grip at all. | | Similar Products Used: | None, I like it the first time I saw it. | | Bike Setup: | Same things it had when I bought it, oh new handgrips, headlight and rear flasher. | | Bottom Line: | It was my first bike "real mountain bike" to me. Ive had it Hawaii for 8 years; so it built a little rust in some spots from riding in the rain, Had to get to work. I wouldnt trade it for the world, if you own one, keep it and pass it on to your kids. its built like a rock. truth me. mine still work great after all my falls.Im thinking in upgrading it. maybe put Rock shox on it or just get another bike, maybe trek 6700? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | got it from my buddy free | | Strengths: | frame!!! steel kicks a$$
alivio components are pretty solid performers
NOT A GODDAMNED 9 SPEED! | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy
no cable stop for rear brakes (but cantilevers aren't that bad) | | Similar Products Used: | gf xcaliber | | Bike Setup: | quadra 5, mostly alivio | | Bottom Line: | nice beater bike. got it free (because of a damaged rear wheel) from my friend who didn't know a thing about bike. slapped on another wheel and this bike really kicks. sure, it's heavy and doesn't have the flashy xt and xtr and sid, but it's sturdy and takes a whole lot of beating. also the steel frame is really comfortable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Downtube - Albany | | Strengths: | This a sturdy bike! My first bike so far, 18" is a great size. Bought it new, and treated it like hell for 6 years! | | Weaknesses: | The tires are softer than butter, I bought this for road/xc/playing around. | | Similar Products Used: | ridden plenty of friend's rockhoppers, stumpjumpers, and GTs | | Bike Setup: | stock (though i am considering replacing the old stx & alivio with Lx) | | Bottom Line: | I beat my 850 into the ground, threw it around (literally) submerged it (absolutely!), and dragged it (can you say pavement!). Only now have i managed to bend the rear derailleur.. so i am gonna slap a new one on and use it for another 6 years! Great starter, aweosome frame! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh,PA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | city trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | TRM | | Strengths: | Durability. Most parts are still original. I put slicks on it, and turned it into a city touring bike. Curbs, cobblestone streets, potholes were handled great. | | Weaknesses: | This is a clydesdale, not a throroughbred. No speed records will be set on it. | | Bike Setup: | Put on slick tires for city travel. Loaded it up with a back rack and paniers. The basic bike is stock. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first real bike. I've used it as a city "urban assault vehicle". I have no idea how it handles mountain trails. I probably should have considered a hybrid, but didn't know any better at the time. Definitely not designed for road speed, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry Whitfield
a Cross Country Rider
from Gatesville, NC
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mombasa to Nirobi via the Equator | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Sonorra, Ca. | | Strengths: | Bullet proof and dependable - gets me home safe and sound | | Weaknesses: | Front Fork. Tossed it for a bottom line Rox Shok Indy | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, KHS, Performance M605 | | Bike Setup: | Gel Saddle, rack for the panniers and a GPS unit. On asphalt I'll swap to slicks, but back to knobbies on hardpan | | Bottom Line: | Can't say enough about this beast. Kinda sad that Trek decided to quit making a winner like this machine. Overall, if you're getting tired of skinny tyre touring, find, beg, borrow or steal an 850 and hybirdize it with a few goodies to make life comfortable out there. With nearly 15,000 miles on this 98 the only things that are wearing out to date are tyres and brake pads...great bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodstock, GA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek, Chikopee, Bull Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | A co-worker's house | | Strengths: | I love this bike. It has taken a year of everything I could throw at it, and friends on serious XC racing sleds can't believe how quick this '95 gets around the loop. It's a climbing machine. Granted, the FSXC gang will leave you behind on the descents, but that's the drawback of a rigid fork -- any hardtail for that matter. The Deore and Alivio components, cranks, chainrings, cassette, hubs and bottom bracket are rock solid. I'm going to make this into a studly single speed racer for Adrenalin '01. It'll always be part of the family. | | Weaknesses: | Geometry won't allow for a suspension fork. 1996 was when the manufacturers started making bike geometry "suspension fork ready." The threaded headset also makes it more expensive to lighten and upgrade. Heavy at 27.5 lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | A 1987 no-name hybrid and a 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | 1987 No-name hybrid is taking a dirt nap.
1995 Trek 850 is stock except for bar ends and new tires.
2000 Sugar 3 has XTR/XT upgrades + other lighter upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | If you're thinking about getting into trail riding, hunt for this bike -- it'll show you whether or not you like the sport and save you a bunch of $$$. This bike will do anything a $3,000 XC racer will, albeit a little slower. If you love it like I did, you'll upgrade fast. If you don't, you'll have an inexpensive $100 dust collector in your garage. I have lots of friends who have similar experience with the 900 series Treks from 1996 and 1997. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Moulton
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern California
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all over nor-cal | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | It is the perfect first bike! I have taken it to europe with me and all over the country and the thing will flat out take a beating!! | | Weaknesses: | I agree with everyone that the tires that came on it were crap! | | Similar Products Used: | test rode a GT and a specialized something or other, but then I rode my TREK and that was it! | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock except for a cheap jett front shock, a new headset, and brakes | | Bottom Line: | If you can find one used buy it and beat the heck out of it you'll have a blast! I had to buy mine new and in the bay area which was a bad combination! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snook
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington, NC
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Sanford | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durability, Dependability, Comfort, Handling, Finish (paint) | | Weaknesses: | Cameron Diaz did not deliver this bike to my house. I had asked specifically for Cameron Diaz. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode several too long ago to remember. | | Bike Setup: | XT/LX drive train, RhynoLites, Panaracer Smore/Hardore Dart, XT hubs, Manitou fork | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding this frame since 1995 when they were made in US (are they still?) I have drooled over many of the new frames on the block, but then I go ride my old 850 and ask myself "why?" I am still looking for another 95-96 850 in 16". This frame has seen me through many solo, remote rides without complaint. Weight? The stock 96 was advertised as 28 lbs; my 18" weighed 26. With the changes I've made I have actually added enough weight to where its around 27. But face it folks, it ain't just the weight its the ride. Many new bikes weigh this much, especially when you add the weight of the truth to the marketing. Who should buy this frame? Anyone who isn't overly concerned with weight should give it a test ride. You will want to upgrade parts over the years so ask yourself how good of a mechanic you are, or how reasonable is your local mechanic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from LA
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
big bear | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
industructable
cool looking | | Weaknesses: |
heavy (who cares!) | | Similar Products Used: |
???????? | | Bike Setup: |
stock | | Bottom Line: | awsume bike with great componentry | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rusty Gass
a Cross-Country Rider
from Troy, OH
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hueston Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Solid Frame, Good Feel | | Weaknesses: |
Well, it is kinda heavy and the components aren't great considering I'm getting into racing but for a first bike it's great | | Bike Setup: |
Changed to Manitou Pro C fork, LX Brakes, LX R Derailer, XT Ritchey Wheels, Ritchey Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike of my buddy about 6 months ago for $350, the best $350 I've ever spent. Next year I am off to buy a Giant SE1 carbon bike. Oh and for the guy who said he changed the shimano grip shifters, shimano never made grip shifters, grip shift is it's own company, now they are ESP a branch of SRAM. Oh and while you are enjoying the trail with your rigid bike, I will be passing your ass with my sweet Manitou! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport News VA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Harwood Mills Resevoir | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Solid in almost every department. Looks good, rides great, maint. free. Quality all-around. | | Weaknesses: |
I still have the stock (crappy) tires on in. Don't ask me why. Mine's a '93 so I still have a threaded headset and some other things limit upgradeability. | | Similar Products Used: |
Bought a Specialized Hardrock and returned for an exchange the next day. Glad I did. | | Bike Setup: |
Nearly stock. Some minor upgrades: seat, Bar-ends, Pedals, etc. Waited too long to put on susp. fork. Now I can't find any for a threaded headset. I still need new tires bad but prob going to get a whole new ride now anyway. Looking at Cannondale w/RS Judy 100. | | Bottom Line: | I couldn't have asked for more for what I paid. Was great while I was in college and still can handle what I dish out on the trails. Getting tired of not having a susp. fork though. Seems like there is more small stuff on trails these days. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light double butted frame, great parts. Great Buy | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
I added a Judy XC on the front and clipless pedals. My dad runs his stock. | | Bottom Line: | This Bike is amazingly light for the money. 28 lbs. with Judy, 26 with rigid. My friends envy my frame. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh North Carolina
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Skyline Drive Waterfall in VA mountains | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It's a very responsive bike. Very solid, yet extremely light for its rigidity. | | Weaknesses: |
The only weakness i found with the bike was the tires it came with, and they appeared to be wal-mart or some crap... i put a set of my 'Specialized' Ground Control's on it:) | | Similar Products Used: |
I normally use my old '96 Rockhopper, but i found this for only $100 used and almost new... $100 is a STEAL for this bike! | | Bike Setup: |
I do not believe in shocks.. they take the fun and the sport out of biking.. oh yeah, and when i got the bike.. i took off the shimano gripshifts, and installed some NICE Suntour ProExpress, ripid-fire style shifters. (the front and rear derailer had to be changed also.) | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is; this is a great hardtail bike... one of the best i've ever seen, and if you can get it for $100-$350, in the condition i bought it, its gonna be well worth it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl Anderson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tolland ,CT
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
A great bike for the money. I have had the bike a long time now and i have had no problems yet. | | Weaknesses: |
The tires stink. i switched them off for Michellin Wildgripppers wich handle much better. | | Similar Products Used: |
I am now purchusing a K2 5500C. | | Bike Setup: |
I just changed the tires and upgraded to an XT rear derailer because i broke the other one. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was a great first bike forme. I have had no real problems with it yet. I love how it handles and the feel of the bike. i would advise this to anyone who was looking for their first desent mountain bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tanfield Railway Downhill | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Good bike for the price, not too heavey. The frame is bombproof. | | Weaknesses: |
It's hard to get the front mech adjusted so that all the gears work well. | | Bike Setup: |
Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good bike for the money, it also takes a lot of abuse and doesn't get that much in the way of attention. The gears tend to anoy me, but other than that I like it. | | Overall Rating: |
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