| |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Spring Lake Heights
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Allaire | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | New Haven Bike in 1995 (out of biz 2 months later) | | Strengths: | Bullet proof steel frame. After 13 years of some hard riding and some down time in the basement the bike is better than new with componet upgrades. | | Weaknesses: | Entry level componets, The Rockshox Quadra 5 was great in 1994, but not to good in 2007. The shock still works though. 27 lbs. is heavy for a hard tail. | | Similar Products Used: | Department store bikes | | Bike Setup: | Newer Spare Bike I picked up on Ebay for $250
Frame Size: Large 19.5"
Drivetrain: Full XT, with STX cranks, and grip shift 8 speed shifters.
Brakes: XT V-Brakes with matching levers
Wheelset: Mavic X22 laced with nice period LX hubs (gold lable)
Front Fork: Manitou FS Ti Bulge fork
Accessories: Kore Stem, . Veluta Saddle , IRC Mythos XC tires, and Wellgo pedals, Onza Bar ends, ThudBuster seatpost w/3" travel. Polar CS200 w/cad cycle computer.
| | Bottom Line: | The Thudbuster Seatpost turns this hardtail into a short rear travel full suspension bike with better traction than most rear suspention bikes. I'll be riding these bikes for another 13 years and then some. If you can find these bikes on Ebay cheap they are a great deal. Trek stopped making the 930 steel frame a few years ago. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tr0s
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, OH, United States
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any and every | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Quick Service Bike Shop | | Strengths: | quick, agile, excellent geometry, great for climbs, aggressive, very durable, and highly dependable. weight was never a big factor, so i took the hit on the weight and got the better ride since aluminum doesn't flex. | | Weaknesses: | for the price i can't really complain, i upgraded several of the stock components (indy c's suck.)but honestly the only problem i have is surface rust where the paint has been chipped. but trek warranties the frame for life so no biggie. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 830shx, hoo koo e koo, various cannondales, gt's, and gary fishers. | | Bike Setup: | 800 xray shifters, azonic bars and pedals, easton stem, LX rear der, palmer fs-ti fork, sun rims. | | Bottom Line: | i prefer an agile and quick bike so my frame is really small. even though it's a smaller size the geometry is awesome! i haven't had any major problems with it yet (don't forsee any either) and i'd take that thing anywhere. i LOVE my bike and i've had it for 8 years now, and even after this long i don't even want to consider buying a new frame. treks kick ass. 5 flaming turds all around. though i should dock points since trek doesn't make that many chro-mo bikes anymore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Robinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | South Carolina | | Strengths: | This has been a very durable bike from day one. The only type of maintenance I have had is a couple of flat tires. I regularly have it for tune ups to make sure. This bike handles all terrain easily, it did make my trip from SC to Chicago a bit longer and harder with the big tires but not having a flat tire or any other problems during that trip definitely paid off. | | Weaknesses: | The bike really doesn't have weaknesses for when I bought it, even with the steel frame it was still lighter than other bikes I browsed. | | Bike Setup: | I have paniers in the back and carry a sleeping bag/tent whenever I travel, the few extra pounds for a steel frame doesn't make a difference. | | Bottom Line: | I am preparing for a 2000 mile ride and will definitely be taking this bike (930 shx series)for the trip. Its too bad they no longer sell the model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Leonsteiner
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that is fun to ride | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek of Waterloo, Wisconsin | | Strengths: | This bike last very long so you can enjoy it for a long time. It is light weight and very strong. | | Weaknesses: | I have had this bike for six years now and have enjoyed every bit of it, no matter if the chain snapped or when the tail cracked it was all small things that could be fixed very easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M600 | | Bike Setup: | Custom | | Bottom Line: | This bike plays out very well no matter what the conditions are. It can take a pretty good beating, and all I really can say is that I plain love it. My Trek is not in the best shape that it first came in well of course not, but yet I continue and love to ride it yet. This bike truely lasts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry D
a Weekend Warrior
from Silverdale, Washington, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Green Mountain Beaver ponds | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Mountain Shoppe | | Strengths: | Incredibly strong frame, extreme weatherability, superior Paint. | | Weaknesses: | Chain rattle, high pressure rims/tubes leak more than normal, weight is now its downfall | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this bike since February of 1992. I have done everything with it in every type of weather. I am a heavy rider (230lbs) so the bike I use needs to be durable (I have broke many lesser bikes) and this one is awesome. I love the geometry of the 930 is handles well and takes what ever I dish out to it. I have jumped it over ravines, crashed it through rough log strewn trails and sloshed it through deep mud holes and it still performs as well as when I purchased it. It does not have any shock absorbtion though and is heavier than the new technology bikes out today by about 3lbs so I am considering a new first place bike and retiring my 930 to second place backup. I have never broke any piece on the bike except tires and I did mangle the deraileur alignment once but the shoppe fixed her right up. All I added to the bike is a quick detatch kickstand for easy riding trips and a gel seat cushion to the stock seat. Overall I figured this bike cost me about $80 per year for the purchase and maintenance over the 10 years I have owned it.
If you find one of these bikes grab it -- it can be upgraded with current technology brakes and front suspension and is an extreme value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Turner
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt lake City
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop in Los Gatos CA | | Strengths: | I've had my Trek 930 Singletrack now for 5 years and it has performed very well. I've loved the grip shifters, and the bar ends it came with. | | Weaknesses: | It is a bit heavy, and my cantelever brakes are now out of date. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper from Specialized | | Bottom Line: | My 930 has been a great bike that has served me perfectly well and has been tns of fun on the trails of California and now Utah. I've had to pay for lots of tune ups for chain skipping problems. I attribute this more to my lack of skill doing repairs than to a problem with the components. They are going now but they were good for many years.
I do agree with the criticism that this bike is heavy. It weighs more than all of my friends alluminum bikes. The weight has never stoped me from being the first up the hill, but it has limited my jumps, and bunny hops some.
Some people complain about the front fork being sub par, but to be honest mine has been perfect. I don't lead the pack downhill, but I always feel in control and pleased with the travel it provides. I've never really had to adjust it much either which is a plus for those of us mechanically challenged.
My 930 is on it's way to being the backup bike soon, and it should have many more adventures in that role (after another tune up). As much as I like it my 930 just isn't in the league that it deserves to be upgraded, but it certainly has paid for itself with all the fun I've had on the trails.
What to buy next? Now I've got some product reviews to read. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Schulwitz
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes & Wheels (Rochester, NY) | | Strengths: | 1996 model: Handling, fit, stability, much more comfortable than many aluminum hardtails I test rode. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap pedals. Rock Shox fork could be upgraded. | | Similar Products Used: | Similarly priced hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. New pedals when right stock pedal broke under very light riding conditions... Stiffer elastomers installed in Rock Shox. The elastomer retainer on the top of one side of the shocks shot out like a champaigne cork and nailed me in the chest when I jumped down from a curb. I had a nice welt and bruise... can't they make those things out of metal instead of the cheesy plastic? Just replaced the original seat last year to a nice... anatomically friendly saddle... aaaahhhh. Original hand grips are starting to tear... Need to replace them. | | Bottom Line: | I love my '96 TREK 930 SHX. It's a nice sturdy and most of all, comfortable bike and the metallic blue paint is beautiful. I look back and think that the $700 that I paid for it was a little steep, but bikes simply cost more back then. I will probably keep it unless I start riding a lot more this year. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Wheat Ridge CO USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | value, frame | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Bike Setup: | this bike is NOT stock...Manitou SX-r fork, Avid 1.9 brakes and levers, Icon pedals, post, and stem, Bonty Race bar and ends, rear rim, and anatomical saddle | | Bottom Line: | The remaining stock parts on my bike are: frame, drivetrain, and front wheel/hub. Anyhooo, this bike has been very, very good. The major shortcoming is weight, although I still seem to climb well. It does get a little straight going down at good speeds and could definitely be more responsive there. It can be a drag on epic 3-4 hour mountain rides where you're grannying up a hill and but feel like you're turning over your big ring, but I think that's a symptom of the ride, not necessarily the bike. My opinion of this bike stock is not favorable unless you are just a recreational rider mainly on paved and semi-paved park trails. However, it becomes highly serviceable if you make a few choice upgrades (brakes, shock, controls). I have abused this bike to great length and I have never done anything beyond throwing my rear wheel out of true. Which brings me to the front wheel/hub: awesome. This has never been trued or adjusted at all in 5 years.
I have taken this bike down gnarly stuff in Fruita, Telluride, Steamboat, Moab, the Colorado Trail, and all over the front range (Rockies) countless times. The only equipment failure I have encountered has been cleat problems - you know - where the bike takes you for a ride!
I am going to buy a Sugar 2 this season and am not sure if I will sell my bike. It has been a trusty steed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grego
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, NE
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Solid performer, Heavy duty frame, nice components | | Weaknesses: | the weight | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Timberline | | Bike Setup: | stock 1993 with solid fork, toeclips, bar ends, shimano 400LX components, shimano canti brakes, rapidfires | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great bike for the last 5 years. It was heavier than most at the time but was very solid. I've beat this bike on many types of trails and long distance road work and it always performed perfectly. I was disappointed to find they discontinued it this year when I went to upgrade. This is not a racing bike but is excellent for anyone who wants to do some technical work in a single track environment. Jumping is limited as well due to the weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris shlong Long
a Weekend Warrior
from Clovis, New Mexico
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Palo Duro Canyon GSL | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Lighter than some
Very, very, very durable
Purty colors (white on royal blue)
Dependable components
Awesome V-brakes | | Weaknesses: |
Slept many nights in the dog house because I played with it too much (the bike, you perverts!) | | Similar Products Used: |
None- not disappointed but reduced to having only a Trek dealer in town. | | Bike Setup: |
Shimano STX-RC components
Indy C
Cygolight
Scott twincam clipless | | Bottom Line: | In junior high school (1986) I bought a Nishiki Colorado and that was my life. I thought it was the greatest bike on the planet. I used my paper route bond money to buy it. It cost me $420 and over time I ended up dumping another $400 into it. I sold it to a neighbor 3 years later regretfully. I went without a real bike for another seven years. Then I purchased my Trek 930 for $625. I wasn't real thrilled and liked my Nishiki better, that is, until I put it to the test! At first I wasn't comfortable on it, but after many good wrecks and a year later, I couldn't stop talking about my new bike. I'm a jumper and I live for speed. The second year went even better. I recruited a bunch (up to 16 riders once) of bike buddies and we would all head out at least twice a month on big rides. Not to mention the commuting to and from work and the off and on workout rides with my nieghbor. The bike has never let me down. However, on many of our rides I saw other bikes let their respective rider down. The only thing I've had to change is the stem. Only because it was too long. I've wiped out real bad on this bike so many times I can't count and everythings held up. The frame is covered by a lifetime warranty anyway- how many bike manufacterers can say that? The bad ratings are probably from little rich kids who get everything from mommy and daddy and want the best, didn't get it so they slam the bike (can't ride worth a sh*t anyway) or people who don't know the first thing about tuning a bike. Now I have two bikes. My Trek 930 and my new 2000 Trek 9.9 XC Pro that I got on one helluva deal. Can you say $2080? I'm letting one go. The ad for my 930 is in the local paper and I have all the same feelings about getting this new bike as I did when I first received my 930. Hopefully in a year or so I'll be writing a good review on my 9.9. Five Flaming poops from the shlongster. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
soban
a Cross-Country Rider
from Yellowknife NWT Can.
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
dirt fling hill | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
bike is great all round,
has an amazing frame which is lighter than some aluminum frames (excluding CCM) | | Weaknesses: |
the components on the stock bikes could be better. the stx derailers suck! please don't mix grip shifts with this product again! It may give the company a bad name! | | Bike Setup: |
Rock shoks indi c | | Bottom Line: | This bike was great but I am willing to upgrade! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Urban
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
One that I don't have to drive to | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Strength, Geometry, Price | | Weaknesses: |
Weight | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Karakoram | | Bike Setup: |
Stock except for an Indy C and a longer Zoom stem | | Bottom Line: | I have been completely satisfied with my 1994 930. I never thought that any bike would replace my 91 Karakoram (that was stolen) in my heart. But Trek's 94 geometry suited me better than GT's and the two were otherwise comparable. The STX groupo has worked well and is still original - save tires, cables, brake pades etc.. A little maintenance goes a long way! I recently added a lightly used Indy C and I am underwhelmed. The bike has a solid neutral feel and is suitable for single track as well as urban assault. I have wrecked it several times - once so hard it rang like a tuning fork - and it is still straight and quiet-running. I will retire this bike soon to guest-bike status. I don't want to polish a turd by dumping a lot of money on high-end components. So a Trek 2000 7000-8000 is in my near future. A great bike for the money. A great bike for the enthusiast who isn't concerned about how the racers do it. But it doesn't get the fifth pepper 'cause it ain't that kinda bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross-Country Rider
from Worcester,MA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anything ridable | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
__TOUGH FRAME__
A-10 componentry
good braking | | Weaknesses: |
no shocks... | | Similar Products Used: |
GT timberline
Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: |
'93 model, onza bar ends, yeti grips, specialized more extreme/s tire ('94, rear, road toad head light, avocet 15 comp., advent mirror, twin bottle cages... | | Bottom Line: | a great bike, last year that I know of that trek did the extra-heavy duty joints on the frame (vertical tube and front tube have protrusions to allow more room for welds and spread out the stresses), I'd have prefered something with suspension, but that really wasn't option when I bought it, and ever since I've done alot without it... besides, sometimes no fork is better than a cheasy one... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Braiden
a Weekend Warrior
from Powys UK
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Still the Elan valley (see below) | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
A very good all round bike for cross country, up hills and down. The brakes are stunning and the frame is rigid. (You can feel the rigidity when you 'kick' the pedals.) | | Weaknesses: |
OK...... I got the chain fixed... (See review below) and I have convinced myself that it was a weak link and the strength of the frame (and my leg muscles?) that made it snap. I went back to the same uphill forest trail and the bike was great, in fact it got steeper! Going down the other side was 'interesting'in the rain, but the bike was great. | | Similar Products Used: |
Raleigh
Marin
GT | | Bike Setup: |
Standard Rock Shox Indy S | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is......... The Raleigh won't get too much use in the future, a broken chain is a broken chain... and I will re-rate the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Braiden
a Weekend Warrior
from Powys UK
Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Elan valley | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It accelerates!
Nice ride. | | Weaknesses: |
The chain snapped on the second clime of it's life!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Raleigh
Marin
GT | | Bike Setup: |
Standard. (Indy S) | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike......... BUT I got a big shock when the chain snapped this morning (8/15/99) on a forest uphill track. The bike was on it's second outing from new, (set it up yesterday) and the hill was not the steepest. (My Raleigh can cope on it). | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian B
a Downhiller
from Bainbridge Is, WA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Grand Forest | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
I love my Trek 930. It is very good for the type of rider I am. I haven't had to upgrade and don't plan on it. | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Mathers
a Cross-Country Rider
from Waterloo, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The Cut | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Reasonable Price, good frame, good components,overall quality bike | | Weaknesses: |
Lack of deraliuer hanger,came with clips | | Bike Setup: |
Department Store | | Bottom Line: | I have had this bike for two years down and it is still running well. I've switched to clipless pedals and that is about all I've changed. I'm thinking of changing from the Stx-Rc rear to an ESP to be more compatible with the gripshift shifters. In that year I did alot of research and it was one of the years best buys. I was kind of upset when next years model came with a rear deraliur hanger. It has been overall a good bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex van der Schalk
a Cross-Country Rider
from Den Haag, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Houffalize/Vielsalm Belgium | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding my 930 for nearly 4 years now and it's still a great ride ! Don't try this bike on steep downhills though cause at 30+ mph it just wants to go straight on and isn't very responsive anymore. I've replaced several components, Avocet saddle (comfy !), Mavic rims, Vredestein tires. Because of the condition of the tracks i ride in The Ardennes (mostly muddy trails and small singletracks) the brakes and rear drivetrain got stuck pretty quick so i replaced those with XT V-brakes and ESP 9.0 (killer brakes and a dead-accurate drivetrain under all circumstances). I'm thinking of replacing the shox as well cause the elastomeres got a bit stiff during the years. Overall, a great bike that has never let me down. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade L
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago,IL
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Good geometry, Good tires, good price | | Weaknesses: |
Crappy fork, lots of rear end flex from pulling brakes, grip shift, cage pedals, bad brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | Good starter bike, I had to upgrade a lot to get a good ride | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob Yarnell
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Great quality frame for the money, excellent feel/finesse, great shock, nice extra touches. | | Weaknesses: |
Came standard with Grip Shift and low-end v-brakes. Could always be lighter. | | Bike Setup: |
'97 model; came w/ STX-RC rear, STX front, low-end V-Brakes, GripShift, Indy C fork, Mavic Rims. Had Shop swapped GripShift for LX RapidFire, V-Brakes were not compatable, went with STX-RC cantilevers. | | Bottom Line: | Couldn't be happier with this bike. '97 model, still love it after two years. Was very, very pleased with addition of LX rapidfire shifters and STX-RC cantilever brakes...bike is smooth and fast. Indy C shock better than expected. Chose bike over others based on ride and frame...did not make a bad decision. Not sure of market now, but after much (I mean much!) research in '97, this was the best steel MB for the money. Period! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabi
a Weekend Warrior
from Loebl
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Nice bike for relatively low cost. The bike are not too haevy, good medium level components, and nice to ride. | | Bottom Line: | In this package Trek offered a good combination of frameand components at the time I bought them-Oct-96. It had the V-brakes, full 8SPD STX-RC drive train, Indy-C shox. and I paid $650 for It. I immidiatly felt the difference when switched from my old bikes.
I only upgraded them with clipless pedals shimano 747, and have riden about 1500KM with only minor problems, like wheel trim, and derailler trim. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Vitek
a Weekend Warrior
from Des Plains, IL
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Unknown River Haven | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Great bike for the money! I paid $500 for it and sweet-talked the shop for throwing in a few extras. So far, I have had no problems (knock on wood) with the Judy S shock (coming from a 6'+ 225lb man). It's great for the simple trail and not to bad on the mid sized ones. Planning on taking it to DC this summer for a nice East Cost tour. Best part about it, is the weight for the money ratio. It dosen't weigh but a fraction for what it costs. That helps controlling it cross trails, and on the roof rack. Great bike! | | Weaknesses: |
So far, nothing. | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 820. Other similiar fork suspension bikes. | | Bottom Line: | No complaints, very easy to upgrade, everyone knows Trek, and it didn't cost but a dime! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John D.
a Racer
from Columbia, Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I broke my 930 frame at the top tube/head tube junction. I brought it back to the LBS 7 weeks ago for warranty replacement. The Trek representative handling this case claimed that a new frame was shipped via UPS on Monday of last week and guaranteed that the frame would arrive by Friday of last week. His story this week is that it really was not shipped at all and that it will be another 2 weeks before I see a replacement. I have now been without a bike for 7 weeks with no signs of this nightmare ending. The bottom line is that Trek customer/warranty service is the worst I have ever dealt with from ANY company. I will never buy a Trek product again. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from Las Cruces
Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Tough little bike.
Climbs good,handles great. | | Weaknesses: |
A little heavy.
Mine came with gripshits instead of rapidfires.
Suspension fork sucks. | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Timberline FS
Giant 870 | | Bike Setup: |
stock except for
XT deraillers and rapidfire shiftersMavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | A great bike that don't cost too much that will last a long time | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AJ
a Cross-Country Rider
from Danville
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
a very good, fairly light bike with a great price | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
trek 820, trek 7000, specalized rockhopper, stumpjumper, gt zaskar, avalanche | | Bike Setup: |
manatou SXTI, clipless, new wheels, crank, so on | | Bottom Line: | a GREAT bike, ive ridden bikes from huffy to a gt zaskar le, and this is better than a GT zaskar. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chase
a cross-country rider
from Friday Harbor
Date Reviewed: March 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I like my 98' 930s its a good beginers bike but why do you people upgrade it so much? I bought mine for 500$ and have spent about 100$ on other stuff (tools, barends, 636 pedals and some new grips) anyone that has spent 1000 dollers to keep one of these bikes running is a jackass. I have spent about 25$ on maintnence over almost two years and i ride consently. The frame is nice but the bike is too heavy for a hard tail. I have had one problem with the bike though, right after I bought it I was adjusting the seatpost and the bolt striped I went back to the bike shop and requested a replacement seatpost and they tryed to get the bolt and coulden't so they offerd me a seatpost that weighed about 750 grams because it was the olny one in that size (25.4). it took them about two weeks after the seat post broke to get a new one in. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sniper
a downhiller
from Newcastle Australia
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my 97 Trek 930SHX in July 97 and have never had any problems. I changed the Psyco's to IRC missile on the front and Huchison on the rocks II on the back and a set of Answer Alumulite riser and it transformed into a Dual Slalom machine. I also race downhill on it and the geometry is perfect for my style of riding. My only grumble is the gripshift shifters. They shift suddenly with the slightest rontation of the hand and it can be annoying, so my next upgrade is a rapid fire shifter. The Indy C is amazing for an entry level XC fork. With a little preload they track beutifly though even the ruffest terrain. Overall this is a top bike for the entry level XC racer, Dual Slalom, or even Downhiller with just a few niggles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Sweeney
a weekend warrior
from Brampton, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I found my '97 930 under the 98 Christmas tree. I like the handling and the first thong I did was loose the grip shift and put on XT rapid fire shifters. (personal preference). I mainly ride off road and have logged about 1,800 km on this bike. I've tried several other bikes and also ride a Rocky Road Fusion, I like the 930 over everything that is in my price range. The frame is plenty stiff and the geometry makes the bike perfect for my style of riding. It has been crashed a few times and ha faired out well, usually better than me). Most of the original components have been upgraded and are now all XT and XTR components. I'll keep this bike for a long while! Forks are my next upgrade. If you are looking for a good steel bike that can take some abuse, this one is for you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich B
a cross-country rider
from Washington State
Date Reviewed: February 25, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding my 930SHX for the last 4 years and am very happy with it's performance. It has about 2500 x-ctry miles on it and is still going strong, although every component has been replaced except the RS Quadra-5 shock and the STX canti-brakes over the years. I usually ride tight and technical single-track with steep climbs and lots of juiciness (it rains constantly in the Northwest, fair weather bikers-stay in California please), this bike can take a hard beating and always comes back for more. I have, on numerous occasions, embarassed people with much more expensive rides such as Kliens, Yetis and Litespeeds on the technical stuff-I am either in great shape or this bike is really a performance enhancer like ginsing or something. It took some ride-and-tweak time, but when I got the bike set up correctly, it felt like an extension of my body and inspired great confidence.
The first thing I did was to upgrade the drivetrain to XT with a 32/11 cassette and 8-speed Grip-shifts, I also replaced the STX crank and BB to lighter and stronger components. Put a RollamaJig on, it works. The wheel sets had to go also and where replaced with Mavic/XT wheels. I instantly noticed a definate ease in climbing performance due to the lower range in gear ratios. Change the tires suited to your style or terrain, the Psycos suck. I have stuck with the Specialized Control series tires for some time and they perform well.
The next thing was the cheesy brake-levers had to go. I replaced those with Avid SD 2.0s and kept the cantis. I have no brake problems as fast descents and hard braking is not this bikes forte or purpose. With Eagle-Claw pads, the brakes are more than adequate for technical riding at slow and moderate speeds, especially with the extra power and adjustability gained from the Avid levers. The seat and post had to go also, replaced with WTB SST saddle and Control Tech post. The SST droop nose is a nice addition, especially when ramming the thing up your butt on technical climbs-seeing as how my butt is exit only, the uncomfortable level is much closer to tolerable with this saddle compared to others with pointy noses.
I bent the stock handlebar in a painful yet pleasurable crash (read no injuries) and had to replace it. I used a Bontrager Race Lite 5 deg. bar and like it, I also replaced the heavy Trek barends with lighter Bonti units.
Overall this bike is well suited to anyone who rides on any type terrain for fun and fitness, except fast technical downhill (read scary). You cannot get a better all around single-track bike for the money. With some smart upgrades and riding skill, it becomes a good sleeper to tear up the trail and others egos on group rides.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TonyR
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 1995 930 (no shock). It's a really great bike. I commute 20 miles a day with it and take it on hardpack and mud. It's tough yet agile. I upgraded the tires to Continentals(the original Psychos are very suseptable to punctures) and added a Roll-a-ma-jig to the rear derailer. HUGE, AWESOME difference. It makes the stock Grip shifters ROCK! 4 chilis, as the stock tires and brakes are leave a bit to be desired. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from Columbia, MO
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my Trek 920 in August 1998. As a beginning mountain biker I couldn't justify dropping alot of cash without some miles under my belt. It was really worth the $500 I paid.
Since my purchase I have dropped cash on a Rock Shox Judy XC, SPDs, a new more rigid crank, XT front and rear deraileurs, specialized male seat, and specialized kevlar tires. I am very happy with the frame and will purchase new wheels and hubs in the near future.At some point I will strip all of my upgrades off the Trek frame and look for something lighter for racing but for a beginner, I highly recommend Trek's entry level bikes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Porter
a weekend warrior
from Va Bch, Va
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought my 930 in February 95 with my tax return. I had an 820 that I beat the crap out of and wanted a trail worthy, bike. I have since made several upgrades, mainly replacing things as they break. Some of the upgrades include: Manitou SX (tpc), lx v-brakes, mavic rims, several sets of tires, post modern suspension seat post, 737 pedals, xt rear and front deraillers. I'm still cranking away on the stock rings and cranks, although they will need a changing soon. This bike has been all over the blue ridge mts, WV and St. Martin, no major problems! I intend on switching my fork and parts over to a aluminum frame sometime, but if it aint broke, why fix it. I highly recommend this bike to any beginner. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen Overturf
a racer
from Joplin, MO
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my 930 in 1994 before the shocks. I've ridden that thing across Missouri 3 years running and raced beginner in Missouri in 1998. If I didn't get Stupid Industrial Size frame (21), I couldn't have asked more from this bike. In retrospect, I would have gone for better components, as I have had to replace all of them at least once, but for a beginner not knowing where the sport will take you, it's a great bike. I'd recommend it for anyone! | | Overall Rating: |
|
$ 700.00
