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Submitted by
Desert Storm
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuwait
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Marina Beach Drive | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Extreme Sports | | Strengths: | Light frame but built like a tank, very sturdy. Good brakes, decent gears. Rides smooth on flat surfaces (Kuwait is very flat) and doesn't require much maintenance even in a country with a lot of sand and dust. Overall, doesn't cause fuss. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is very uncomfortable. Doesn't come with a bottle holder (seriously...) and the biggest disappointment of all... THE TIRES. The tires feel like condoms that tear away and burst the tube on the slightest impact with a little prick. I had these changed almost right away. I loaded them with some sturdy Raleigh Travellers. Also, the pedals are plastic which shred like blobs of cheese on the slightest impact with road or any rough surface. Doesn't come with any bells of whistles for a gadget enthusiast. But nothing serious enough to not love the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that if you are not too fussy about little specifications then this bike is for you. Keep in mind that this bicycle is far and beyond above average than your ordinary bike and it will stay loyal and sturdy till as long as you treat it right and don't try to match this with your 3000 dollar bike. Also, I wouldn't recommend it if you are going to ride this up a mountain (even if it is a mountain bike). It's more for flat lands and similar terrains. If you were to use a bike for beat up use, don't use this. If you were to use this for extreme biking, don't use this. But if you're a casual rider who wants a professional bike for daily use, I highly recommend this. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BillyBob1
a Downhiller
from Carlisle, Cumbria, England
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Altura Trail, Keswick | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Scotby Cycles | | Strengths: | Strong Bomb Proof Frame, Colour Scheme, Upgradeability | | Weaknesses: | entry level componentry is not designed for serious downhill runs. Forks gave up after 6 months, Front wheel taco'd after 6 double berms and a left hand switchback. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots and lots of other mtbs | | Bike Setup: | Roxshox recon 351 forks, Time Z Pedals, Mavic XM319 with Shimano XC Hubs, Shimano XC front mech, FSA seatpost, Raceface evolve riser bar, Panaracer fire XC tires, Kore skewers. | | Bottom Line: | Wanted to make a further addition to my original entry, warning people to beware the entry level componentry on this steed. The bottom line is that it isn't designed for aggressive downhill riding. Cross country, the bike eats miles, and the frame is awesome. Fact is that TREK have saved in the componentry, and it tells on vigorous runs. If you check the setup section of this review, you will note some of my upgrades, and with the money spent, the bike handles like a dream, and is bomb proof. Have pulled off all sorts of stuff with no probs. BEWARE the original rims, and splash on some MAVIC XM 319's and some decent forks, and Bob is your mother's brother!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hazza6542
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$481.00 | | Purchased At: | Velo Nova | | Strengths: | Light and durable. Easy to chuck around and very good for beginners. The seat, the best quality seat i have ever ridden. | | Weaknesses: | Suspension wasn't the best quality, but for the money it was alright. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Most was stock, new cassette, brakes, front rim, rear tire (Continental Vertical), BBB handle, grips, computer. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for beginner riders. Easy to use, though don't try jumps too big. Worth buying, a great introduction to mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trailjohn
a Cross Country Rider
from houston, Tx - USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Acme bikes (Bike Bar | | Strengths: | Light (20 - 22 lbs), Ford color (black), ok parts. | | Weaknesses: | ok parts - derailler got out of tune quite fast. | | Similar Products Used: | wal mart bike - schwinn full suspension crap | | Bike Setup: | Sette handlebar, SPD clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I had this bike for over 3 years, pounded it at least 2 times/ week during my college years on memorial park and terry hesrhey trails. Wheels held up ok, deraillers held up just fine. I only need to take it to the bike shop once every 2 months for the first 6 months (lifetime adjustments) to get the bike to settle. Eats up anything you can throw on it. I have jumped about 2-2.5 ft regularly and the frame held up great except truing the wheels every now and then. Again, sub par components is the reason i have to take it back for adjustments but other than that it is a joy to ride this bike. Components tend to settle after that and don't need a lot of adjustments. It's 10 lbs lighter than my wal mart bike which felt like a tank compared to this. My cousin got a Raleigh bike for 100 bux more equipped with a disc brake but this thing felt much better than that. Seat is crap but my butt got used to it.
For a cheap, sturdy hardtail for entry to mid level trails, you can't go wrong with this. THere are other bikes out there that i'd love to try but cost a lot more than this and presumably better but for the price and enjoyment i got out of this, it's well worth the money.
PS: except the pedal and the grip, i haven't changed anything out of this bike yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pr0wlunwoof
a Weekend Warrior
from Cochran, ga, USA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop Warner | | Strengths: | Good intro-intermediate | | Weaknesses: | Shifters must be adjusted periodically, but I believe no more than any other mountain bike. Tires could be better, but I plan on wearing them out before I upgrade. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for a seat bag and a pump. | | Bottom Line: | I bought a 3900 WSD for my fiance and she tried to kill it and herself and all it did was twist the handlebars and nock the front wheel out of alignment. With a little adjustment my friend took it for a 15 mile ride. So its pretty durable. The fork is good it could be better but I have yet to bottom out on it or be in a situation where more clearance would make a difference. This is my first bike since I was like 12 and I love it. I would make the purchase again. I bought it because the frame is great and the difference between this one and the 4100 was just accesories. If your getting into MTB this is a great choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Statesboro, GA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any good one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop, Statesboro GA | | Strengths: | Very smooth ride. Decent weight. Nice fork straight from the factory. | | Weaknesses: | The gears don't shift very smoothly sometimes. Not very good components(deraillers). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: | Factory for now... I'm looking at a better crankset and deraillers. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for beginners and intermediates looking for a solid bike to customize and upgrade. Great on trails and on the roads. I ride to class during the week and often hit the trails on the weekends. So far so good... It treats you as good as you treat it... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Dudermackeral
a Weekend Warrior
from P. Harbor, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Big ol Creek, Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Cheap, good for anyone getting in the sport. Probably the most affordable non-walmart bike out there. | | Weaknesses: | I was able to warp the rear wheel pretty stankin bad just from use over time. I only have gone on small jumps at most and some trail riding. Still, pretty solid and wickedly tubular bike for 300 buckaroonies. | | Similar Products Used: | All kinds of the wal-mart origin | | Bike Setup: | New rear wheel, new crank set, new pads up front (they look like carbon fiber, but they ain't), and new rubber for rollin on. | | Bottom Line: | _____ <-- That is the bottom line. Oh yeah, and it's a good beginner bike. 4 Flamin' Chilis all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lord Paolo
a Cross Country Rider
from Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | A&R | | Strengths: | Priced for beginners-refreshers, lightweight, responsive, looks.
Sitting and gaining almost 22 kilograms at work made me rethink my physical conditioning. In between determining the right exercise with time considerations, I saw the 14+ kilometers to and fro from work. Alas, after almost 12 years of last riding a bicycle, I went to a local shop and immediately laid my eyes on a price-tagged Trek 3900 (Disc Version). I also tried GT Chuckers 2.0 and 3.0 but subsequently bought the 3900. Before I even rode it far, I noticed how light it was when pulled down from its display rack. The bike is pure business, no frills, no cute packaging, everything you need to get you from point A to B. Test rode it only a few meters and just like that, bought it. Loading and unloading it from my car impressed me with its lightness. I know there are other lighter bikes than it but I thought this would carry a 109-kilogram man. I'd go first with tough but light, upgrade later on. Soon enough, I was riding it to work after purchase of riding gears (helmet, arm sock, etc.) and it didn't made me evaluate my skills at riding. The shifters would go smoothly, though this one I bought had to have its front derailluer slightly adjusted. The SR Suntour suspension fork suffices my riding style though I never considered riding really off-road to test it. Brakes initially would hesitate to panic-stop but after a few weeks made me respect their power. Manueverability was excellent maybe because of its lightweight frame. When you've ridden Manila rush-hour traffic then you'd appreciate a responsive ride. It delivers what its intended to do and nothing on the extreme side. A month, almost 700 kilometers, and losing 11 kilograms later, I can say this bicycle is worth my hard-earned money.
Eventually I would want to upgrade but still I'd think twice of administering >1-footer jumps with it. The 3900 is simply not designed for that. | | Weaknesses: | Steering components (case-to-case), Tires and arrgh! Saddle.
I really don't have the need for knobby tires, it vibrates, but the Bontrager Connection Trail would still go fast. The Bontrager saddle would hurt after riding a while. This would sound weird but the stock handlebar-stem combination just doesn't ergonomically suit me. I tried different adjustments but still the bottom of my palm would hurt in a long run. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Chucker 2.0 and 3.0 (Different applications but approximately the same price) | | Bike Setup: | Assembly stock except for a 50millimeter-cut Truvativ Hussefelt handlebar (which I believe is downhill-specific) and an FSA OS-140 stem. | | Bottom Line: | Getting back in the cycling game just got a tad easier. It will get you where you want; safely on the streets that is. However, this bike also proves that people are different anatomically. A few after-market parts and maybe a bit of tweaking and tuning, then maybe your purchase of a Trek 3900 is invariably on its way. No regrets here. Yet... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere in China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Valencia Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame is very solid and components are good enough for a beginner. This was my first bike in a long while and I shifted usually at the wrong times and heard some crazy sounds from the rear derailer but it never failed me. The front derailer always had an issue. It wasnt a big deal, you basically had to make sure you push the selector all the way up and hold it for a sec to engage from 1 to 2.
I am 5"8, about 170lbs and the fork sufficed for most xcountry riding. Climbing steeps was a little annoying since I would experience excessive shock bobbing. You won't notice until you get more experienced.
The brakes are very responsive.
| | Weaknesses: | The tires. If you are in slick situations, the tires will not provide much grip.
Fork, but only after a few hundred miles or gain more experience mtb.
Honestly, there are no real weaknesses at this price point. I really don't understand why people would try anything more than a one foot drop with a $300 dollar entry level mtb. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock
Raleigh M20 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you are beginner.
If you plan to dirt jump or extreme downhill, save up your money for at least 5inches of travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Kuhl
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't picked one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | TREK | | Strengths: | Very inexpensive beginner's MTB. Relatively light and strong frame. "Safe" geometry. | | Weaknesses: | "Safe" geometry. Tendency to wander without total attention. Crap stock suspension. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK 6000, TREK 8500 | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XT shifters/derailleurs/crankset/chain, Avid Juicy7 brakes, Cane Creek headset, Eggbeater Candy pedals, Marzocchi Bomber 100mm fork, Bontrager wheelset, Kenda Nevegal tires | | Bottom Line: | This was my first MTB, so it became my first build and I got used to it, but I wouln't recommend anybody wastes their time building one of these. Great learner bike, though. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Satchel
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch crest trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | $450 | | Strengths: | This bike is an all around great beginner bike. It is cheap, it has perfectly decent shocks that will bash you to bits on a downhill trail but for standard stuff it's great. Also, it is fairly light. | | Weaknesses: | Shocks will not hold up ti intense jumps, nor will the brakes. Shifter will not doo well under pressure. Also in gear 1-8 it rattles like a snake. DO not get if you will do much downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock xc sport, Specialized FSR XC expert | | Bike Setup: | W/ shimano clipless pedals, bar ends, nicer shifters etc. | | Bottom Line: | this thing is good for the commute but for any real hard biking get somthing better WITH DISC BRAKES!! for your own saftey!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Satchel
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch crest trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | $450 | | Strengths: | This bike is an all around great beginner bike. It is cheap, it has perfectly decent shocks that will bash you to bits on a downhill trail but for standard stuff it's great. Also, it is fairly light. | | Weaknesses: | Shocks will not hold up ti intense jumps, nor will the brakes. Shifter will not doo well under pressure. Also in gear 1-8 it rattles like a snake. DO not get if you will do much downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock xc sport, Specialized FSR XC expert | | Bike Setup: | W/ shimano clipless pedals, bar ends, nicer shifters etc. | | Bottom Line: | this thing is good for the commute but for any real hard biking get somthing better WITH DISC BRAKES!! for your own saftey!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sammy laforge
a
from campbell River
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pump house trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes | | Strengths: | Comforatable upright ride for distances and takes down hill real well. Very drurable. Disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Pedels are kinda slippery and they are polymer not metal. | | Bike Setup: | 24 spd, spiner shocks. | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the money. Ive been beating this bike down for six months and its still giving me a great ride. IF your not wanting to spend over a thousand dollars to get a good xc bike then this one will hold up just fine till you can afford it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, GA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicopee | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Town USA | | Strengths: | Nice frame, very light and strong. Gears shift smooth. Good stopping ability. Great design all around. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is a little hard. Front shocks not the best, but still decent. | | Similar Products Used: | Older model Treks. (A good 5 years back) | | Bike Setup: | Great fit. | | Bottom Line: | I hit up a few intermediate trails so far. Does really good downhill. It held up better than me going uphill... The tires didn't do too well going through the creeks. Got some good lift over jumps and landed smooth. Very easy to throw around on the trails. I am very happy all around. Definately a good bike for someone starting out or getting back into the sport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor
a Racer
from Denver,CO
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle village | | Strengths: | Its a solid entry level mountain bike | | Weaknesses: | I bent the rims riding around my street and had to replace them, The fork gave out on me, rear deraillur broke unexpectedly after little use. | | Similar Products Used: | my first bike when I started racing have upgraded to higher end full suspension since | | Bike Setup: | upgraded to some XT components, WTB raptor tires, everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | This was my first mountain bike after I quit BMX racing, as soon as I started training for mountain bike races I ran into problems with this bike. It failed me several times leaving me stranded in the middle of trails. It seems like almost everything failed on me after I actually started riding trails with this bike. So when I began racing XC the bike only made it two races into the season before becoming unridable. I had to make the desicion to upgrade to something better because I couldn't keep putting money into this bike if it wasnt going to perform. Now I use this bike to just get around my neighborhood, not for racing, and I guess its ok at that. If you're not going to do anything besides ride on road or maybe a few begginer trails then this bike would be great for you, but if you're planning on getting into racing like I did or if you want to become a hardcore mountain biker i'd buy something a little better as an entry level bike. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Howarth
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Winlatter | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Scotby Cycles | | Strengths: | Excellent specs for an entry level MTB. Very robust yet light design,with the potential to ride comfortably both on and off trail. Easily upgradable if required. | | Weaknesses: | None that i can think of. | | Similar Products Used: | Various, too various to mention | | Bike Setup: | As per original spec apart from Time Z pedals | | Bottom Line: | Pound for pound, one of the best, if not the best entry level MTB i've ever ridden. Value for money, durability, and a great ride, that leaves you with a smile on your face. Without doubt the setup is very sophisticated for entry level. I noticed a great amount of feel for the road, through the bike, although still maintaining a comfortable ride. Anyways i've gone on too long. TREK...thanks a million!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterfront Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Northern Cycle | | Strengths: | The aluminum frame is sturdy and light, which really helps if you're lifting the bike. I personally like the grips and handlebars, as they seem to fit my hands well. I also haven't had any problems with the shifters, and after a quick tune-up, they're always working just fine. The brakes are also pretty good for V-brakes, and they're much better than those on the Giant Boulder. Finally, the whole package is priced well and has stood up to about 70 miles of riding so far. | | Weaknesses: | The seat starts to hurt after a while, and the pedals are prone to slipping off your shoes. Also, the front fork isn't the best at absorbing the rumble when riding over gravel. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder (Demo'd) | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock; only added fenders, bottle + cage, pump, Trek Incite cycle computer, and kickstand. | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for beginners like myself! It's relatively cheap, has good Shimano shifters and Tektro brakes, and the 2006 edition has a really sweet colour scheme (matte black on matte lava black). Recommended to anyone who's just starting mountain biking and wants a reliable and affordable ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Kirby
a Downhiller
from Southport CT USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | downtown | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenwich Bikes | | Strengths: | It has a real light frame good shimano shifters | | Weaknesses: | The front forks are terrible. When ever i go off a jump the compress and nail the from end. and the seat is real uncomfortable. also the rims i have bent them many of times. | | Similar Products Used: | Specilized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | same as the factory | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line this bike is only good for begginer mtb. it can not take any drops it cant jump. DONT BUY IT. trek is a good company but not this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Kitzler
a Weekend Warrior
from Azusa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper San Gabriel River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery in Pasadena, California USA | | Strengths: | Excellent frame very sturdy and solid. Kudos to Trek Corp. for the Alpha Aluminium series. Great bike for paved as well as dirt. Tekro brakes are good too. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are not all that grippy in some spots. Shimano Acera derailer goes off track in higher gears. Plastic pedals. Seat hurts. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3700 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Serfas gel saddle, Cat Eye odometer, Goodyear puncture proof inner tubes, Bontrager bottle cage and a Wrench Force mini air pump. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent price for the value. Great bike for beginners. Pro's should go for something a bit higher-end. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael McCord
a Cross Country Rider
from LA, CA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | fire break SM mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Frame Frame Frame..... | | Weaknesses: | posibly fork but not yet, pedals, tires, wheels, | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, 3700, Gary Fisher Tarpoon (crap) | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock - answer taperlite bars | | Bottom Line: | After being off a bike for more than a decade (last mtb bought in 1991) I must say I love the 3900. The frame is where its at with this bike. Handlebars are steel so I replaced them with older Taperlites. Bought it in Pasadena CA and rode it home to Hollywood over 20 miles and the ride was great. I weigh 220 and stand 6'2" so I went with the 21" frame. The fit is perfect for me. I maxed out the fork preload at the shop and probably wont ever move it because it performed so well. I hope it wont give out on me - I am rough on bikes! Pedals must go as they are plastic. Shimano shifters are good and I was able to shift up and down out of the saddle with not skips going uphill with some finesse. Seat is ok if a little firm. Brakes are good with plenty of power to endo yourself. Chainstays are short and make wheelies a challenge. The stock tires are pretty bad. I got up over 30mph and they are not sure on pavement. The tires also hate water. I am planning on purchasing a new wheelset with tires. All in all I would buy another if stolen. I am one happy Trek rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Saratoga, New York
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Battlefield | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$290.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Sky Bike shop | | Strengths: | Quick and firm on and off road.
I bought 2 of these babies on Friday. The very next day my girl and I were off on a 36 mile excursion. 31 miles of roadway and a good 5 miles of beginner/intermediate biking trails toting some nice downhills and a myriad of roots, twigs, and even a few mud holes. All I can say is both bikes are awesome. They fly on the road and glide through trails without a whimper.
I'm new to mountain biking, but come from an extensive BMX background. I understand that jumps and boulder laden trails may be too much for the bike, but so far I roughed it up pretty good and there's zero problems. Though I haven't crashed yet. | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | If you are a beginner like my girl and I, and looking to do a mix of road and beginner/intermediate trail riding, this bike is excellent. We love our bikes.
Compared to the Giant Boulder SE I rented a year ago, it's lighter, faster, and the gears are more fluid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Schwarck
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | The build of the frame is nice, and very similar to my higher-end trek. So far I have abused the bike and it is holding up well. Sifters, works fine. | | Weaknesses: | The components on the stock bike are mostly low-end, and you will be upgrading them soon after a couple of rides. Replace the rims if you are going to do half-serious mountain bike trails etc. Single-walled rims will simply bend way too easy. Chainring – riveted so you can’t replace the sprockets / cogs! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Trek 6700, Gary Fisher fuel. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced stock handle bar (grips too), seat, and rims. | | Bottom Line: | This is a decent bike for the $100 I paid for it. Right after I got it, I threw another $150 into repairs and parts, which made it useable. I’ve been abusing it and the frame is holding up great. I would suggest this over a Schwinn – but don’t get the idea that you will just upgrade parts to make it a better bike – that will cost you way more $ than just buying a higher model with better components! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Johnson Creek, WI
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Carlin (Kettle Moraine) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Chicago Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame geometry is good for a lower end bike, brakes worke very well even in wet/muddy conditions. Great pavement bike | | Weaknesses: | Fork was a piece of junk. Seals broke on first ride. Left crank arm wollowed out after 20 or so miles. Does not track well in the air if you like to hit ramps not the bike for the job. Handlebars bent after first year, not ment to take my abuse. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | Stock, FSA Riser Handlebars | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike if you are not planning to do any hard riding. Suited for pavement or gravle paths. Good bike for a probee, but not good for someone that love to bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere off pavement | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Walt's Cycle & Fitness | | Strengths: | I'm not too new, or very experienced w/ mountain bikes, just so you know.
Light if you compare this to an all steel bike. Very satisfying. For the price you pay for this, it's well worth it.
Great tires, the Bontrager Connection Trail tires are satifying on and off the pavement. The tread pattern is curved for great pavement cornering, and a stright center of rubber for strightline stability. Plus, the tires are puncture resistant. For off-road use, it's enough for most average surfaces, but loose surfaces are hard to navigate at low speeds. Mud performance is good enough for me. The brakes (TEKTRO's) are the strongest I've ever tested.
The shifters make me feel like a race car driver w/ paddle shifters(w/o a clutch), even though they aren't paddles. It corners well, compered to my previous crappy Wal-Mart bikes. The 8-speed rear gears(sprockets?) are well-suited for fast acceleration on pavement, and close geared for off-road use. THe problem is, if you're a newcomer to biking, learn how to maintain a bike ASAP, or you'll destroy the rear deraileur in the mud like I did. Since these aren't grip shifts, they're relitively easy to operate. Downshifting from "4" to "1" can be done easily. Shimano shifters haven't disappointed me yet. (Note that this bike has a mostly Shimano drivetrain) The stock Shimano Acera's were very responsive. But, after doing NO MAINTAINENCE and riding in deep mud for 3 consecutive days, the rear deraileur had it. Since the rear deraileur was on gear 1 for mud use, it got stuck on one of the spokes and just bent. So, after getting a new rear deraileur, a Shimano Atlus, it felt just as good as new. The Atlus feels very similar to the Acera, I feel no performance difference, although it should be a bit worse than the Acera (according to the Shimano website)
If you like the Bontrager (Sport) brand, you'll be happy w/ the abundant (or infinite) badges it provides. I see them all the time, and it makes me feel like I'm on a race bike when I'm really not. It also somehow made me a Bontrager fanboy. |
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$ 340.00
