Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Used Rental Bike
Strengths:
Frame is strong, light, and durable. Its a worthy XC frame at about 4 lbs, but strong enough to DJ or make an AM HT, if you want. This 200lb rider put alot of hard miles and falls learning to ride on this bike and it has lasted throng it all. Seems like it would fit up to a 2.5" tire on the rear. Basic components like the stem, handlbars, shifters, and brakes have worked well for me and lasted. The bike climbs so well that I was able to get away with using 90-130mm adjustable fork, and this let the bike descend lot better too.
Weaknesses:
The stock crank and wheelset are junk. Broke both within 6 months. Stock saddle is so horrible that you will want to sit on the bare post. I didn't like the fork either, its a pig at 5+ lbs for only 80mm travel. Which brings up the main problem with this bike as stock. The frame is pretty light, but almost all the components are super heavy and not too strong either.
Bike Setup:
Currently setup as an urban - commuter w/ trail capabilities 1X8 Fully rigid w/ zion ridid fork, truvativ crank and BB, thompson post, shimano clipless, K-RAD tires, and XT/Rhynolight wheelset. Rest is stock. 27lbs
Bottom Line:
Basically a Good frame with some basic components that might be worth keeping. The rest is suspect. Worth upgrading as you go and you can keep the frame long term. I have a 5" FS trail bike and I am keeping this for commuting, urban riding, and riding buff single track after work. Can be built up as a 23lb XC bike, a 21lb SS, a solid 30lb AM hardtail, or DJ bike.
The frame gets a 5 for value and a 5 overall. The Rest of the bike more like 3 for value and 3 overall. So I am making it 4 and 4.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
WarDevil Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from downeyfied, Cali baby Date Reviewed: January 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the warriors trail in OC
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
Smith Cycles in LOMITA
Strengths:
the frame. including the rockshox fork. these are/were solid. I have put this frame thru abuse, including dropping it from my bike carrier ON THE FREEWAY! it held up.
Weaknesses:
the components all of them- specially the wank.. i mean crank. this thing bent so quickly after a few descents.. i mean it took a pounding but doesn't hold up. the brakes - what a joke. CHANGE them! they don't work! I moved onto Shimano Deores (not so expensive and good fit) first which were great. and then onto cane creek curves - solid v-brake! The bars and stem and headset were weak. they didnt' go bad or bend, they just vibrated way too much on the trail. Moved onto carbon and magnesium Easton parts. much better damping on these. What else: rims - not so nice but sturdy. they hold on big hits, but have to be trued after every ride. figure that. I changed them too.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
now: the bike has evolved and is a better machine. it sits on Mavic XC717 rims with DT DH spokes and Shimano XTR hubs. Panaracer Fire 26s tires. Shimano XTR shifters using Cane Creek curve 3 v-brakes and Aztec/Delta cables. The crank is a high end Truvativ Stylo HNC (carbon) with a GXP bb (bottom bracket). Sram XO Front derailleur & X9 RD, and Sram PG ocho speed casssette - keepin it OG. Easton has provided monkey riser bars carbon, mag ec70 stem, and seatpost. the headset was upgraded to a Crane Creek version. And now to my favourite part of the bike, the fork. The stock Rock Shox worked well. I just switched it for a larger 100mm FOX F100X terralogic. This has made a hug difference on the trail. Now put a fork in it and call it done..
Bottom Line:
a Very strong hardtail bike for a beginner in the MTB arena. I recommend it as a starter HT. as you progress, move onto high end bikes, it will save you the hassle of changing compnonents - and as you progress in trail MTB riding, you WILL change components on this bike. However, if you want to keep a solid hardtail bike with the better components on it, this is ur bike. I have another AM Fisher and am saving for my DH Maverick. But i'm definitely keeping this one for fast trail shredding. And yes, it is still an 8speed. What?! your lucky I didn't make a single speed! (but I dont' live in Northern cali now do i?) Its a fun bike and you'll be suprised (as others will be) when you can keep up on a trail with this low-end starter bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham, WA USA Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Galbraith Mountain
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
This bike is amazing as both a tough trail bike and a commuter bike riding to classes and around town. Great Shimano components, I LOVE the shifters. Solid Deore derailleur in the rear, decent stock Bontrager tires, great brakes, and a frame with very simple and lightweight construction make an ideal bike for many uses.
Weaknesses:
I have never felt any significant difference using the "adjustable" suspension on the fork. The cranks snap crackle and pop more than a box of Rice Crispies. Get rid of the stock pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Durango, GF Mullet.
Bike Setup:
Stock, with lights for riding around at night.
Bottom Line:
After riding this bike for several years I know that it can take all sorts of abuse from very technical downhill rides. Even so, that's not what it's meant for. This Trek really shines as a great XC bike. It climbs GREAT and can still take a beating from very fast descents. After years of use, it just takes simple routine maintenance to keep this bike in good shape-- new chain every now and then, new brakes when necessary, and a chain lube twice a month. This bike is perfect for a college student like me who loves to get out in the mountains but doesn't have the money to buy a downhill bike for the weekends. 5 Flamin' Chilis for value!!! Trek, you NAILED this one!!
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Submitted by
Zachary
a Weekend Warrior
from Indio, California USA Date Reviewed: April 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hurkey Creek, Idyllwild
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Great looks, strong, light frame, Shimano Deore rear derailleur, disk brakes, Bontrager wheels
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy at 28lbs(OK, for full suspension), pedals
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F600, Gary Fisher Zebrano, Specialized Rock Hopper FS
Bike Setup:
Stock, with Shimano SPD clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
Great all-around XC bike, for weekend warrior. Fast on the straights, with excellent climbing geometry. Upgrade to clipless pedals, for best results. Stock shock is NOT designed for anything more than 1ft drops. Keep the bike well-oiled, clean, and the drivetrain tuned-up, and this bike will not dissappoint. A real mountain bike at a real price!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from La Crosse, WI USA Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Human Powered Trails
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Smith's
Strengths:
Durable as hell. I've beat the sh*t out of this bike many time, neglected some maintenance, and ridden hard for years. A good component/drivetrain cleaning and it's good as new. You get a lot for what you pay for.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. It's like a pig compared to even mid-level bikes. The stock components (brakes, rear deraileur, etc) require constant adjustments and they kinda suck.
With a few small upgrades of the brakes and rear deraileur (possibly front as well), it becomes a competent XC bike for novices, and it even works decent for intermediate riders (with upgraded components). I know Trek doesn't make this bike anymore, so a comparable version would be the 6000 I believe.
My favorite feature is that I constantly ride hard and beat the hell out of this bike and it keeps coming back for more!
To start off it has a great looking frame, Good rear derailleur (if you use it properly), Disk Brakes!, has a nice feel to it when you ride, durable.
Weaknesses:
Seat is kinda stiff but you start to like it after a while (if not its not that much to replace), The fork isn't the best around but it hasn't broken on me or anything so it does its job
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6500
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great brike for the price. If your a weekend warrior who goes riding about 2days a week then this is a good bike for you. Its very durable, ive crashed it tons of times, landed on rock roots you name it and nothing has broken (except the reflectors, lol). I would recomend putting in clipless pedals if you wanna improve your riding efficiency and power. Sometimes the brakes get loose but they are really easy to re tighten, much easier than v-brakes. This bike i must confess is acutally not mine, my school rents them out for free, but i usually ride it about 3-4 days a week for the past 6 months. And when I'm not riding it other people are so you can imagine it gets allot of use and abuse, and with all that everything still functions fine. The rear derailleur ghost shifts sometimes and has problems shifting once in a while but that is because people who don't know how to shift have messed it up. Its an all around good bike and i highly recommend it unless you plan on doing some more serious or long term riding. But if mountain biking is something you just do for fun and aren't crazy about high performance you'll be very pleased with this bike. Although it doesn't ride like a $900 - $1100 bike, its not far behind (especially if you add clipless pedals).
Note: If your reading this you might know that they don't make it for 2007 anymore, but they have basically uprgaded it to the 6000 level which has much improvements over the 4900 and is still in the same price range, mabye 30 bucks more, i recommend going for that one if you can't find a 4900 still around for sale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Humberto Freire
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Erath
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Action bikes
Strengths:
good solid ride reliable componentry, Deore and bontranger. Sturdy, directgood bike. not for the spoilt bratts that have daddy and mommy to pay for their first bikes .
Weaknesses:
The saddle realy doesn't do this bike any favours coem on trek get your act together.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale
Bike Setup:
I added Manitou Balcks on the front. I changed the Casset to XTR titanium casset bult my back wheelho amgura hydrolic disck brakes and well its a pretty alround xc bike now!
Bottom Line:
The bike has alot to offer for the price, trek is a reptuable bike Company and has the clout to add a little more for their customers.my rating is relative for this bike and its price.ofcourse it is not a world class product and you wouldnt win the worlds on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
timmy wackums
a Downhiller
from ghettoville Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
my backyard
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$653.00
Purchased At:
bert's bikes
Strengths:
not really much, whoever fdasfasd is, hes a retard, this bike honestly sucks
Weaknesses:
everything, i broke it on a crub, the fork bottomed out and im only 76 pounds
Similar Products Used:
session 10, 6500, kona stab supreme, schwinn rocket (sucks ass big time), fisher bitter, trek 8000, and cannondale judge rep.
Bike Setup:
well it was so bad i sold it
Bottom Line:
dont buy this bike, whoever says its good isnt too smart or they just arent riding it right... i hate this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gfsdaf afa
a Cross Country Rider
from new york Date Reviewed: August 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
;
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Berts Bikes
Strengths:
Everything so far. strong frame very light brakes are good for mechanical.
Weaknesses:
It could use a better fork lockout perhaps
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4500, 3900
Bike Setup:
alivo front, LX rear
Bottom Line:
It's worth every penny
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Downhiller
from Abbotsford B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: July 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lost oakleys
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
????
Strengths:
Light Frame Strong Takes Hits Well And Doesnt Brake
Weaknesses:
havent found one yet
Similar Products Used:
???
Bike Setup:
04 Trek 4900 used for DH/DJing Hayes 8" cable disc in front Avid v-Brake in Back Dj 3 forks
Bottom Line:
It is a very good beginner bike, Light but strong frame makes it a good Dj bike not recomended for people who are gunna do the hughe Dropes and un-humanly Gaps
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
christastrophe
a Cross Country Rider
from marietta, GA, USA Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
stanley gap
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$575.00
Purchased At:
free flite bicycles
Strengths:
durable, i have had this bike for 5 years. judy fork needed no maintenance. great bike for uphill. wheels (bontrager) are tough and dont need to be trued often
Weaknesses:
cant keep up with full suspension on downhill singletrack, original crank (bontrager)folded just from shifting, turns out it was recalled and they replaced it for free. alivio front derailur never shifted well so replaced that as well
Similar Products Used:
marin, fuel 70
Bike Setup:
deore lx front derailur, deore crankset
Bottom Line:
bike lasted through a lot of rough miles. great for uphill. bontrager parts were very durable, besides original crankset. a low maintenance bike and good choice for hardtail
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: April 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Chimney Rock
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
High Gear
Strengths:
Not to exspensive Fairly light Disc Brakes
Similar Products Used:
trek 240 (lol yea)
Bike Setup:
All i added on to the factory model was shimano clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for somone who enjoys mtn biking but dosent want to spend extream amounts of money on a new bike. This bike is a great package for the price especialy the disc brakes. If you are a hardcore mtn bike racer then this is probably not the bike for you. But if you are somone who mtn bikes for fun on the weekends this bike is of realy good value.
$ 620.00
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