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Is there a big difference between the TREK 3700 and GIANT Rincon in terms of quality?

5211 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  beenee98, 
K
Hi,

I'm planning on buying one of these bikes. I am going to be using it on road and mostly smooth bike trails. I would like a bike that is of good quality for a beginners and that will last long. Is there a big jump in terms of quality by going for the Rincon or should I just go with the Trek? What do you guys think?

Trek - http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/3_series/3700/

Frameset
Sizes 13, 16, 18, 19.5, 21, 22.5"
Frame Alpha White Aluminum w/externally relieved head tube, bi-axial down tube, disc compatible dropouts
Front Suspension SR Suntour XCT V2 w/preload, 80mm
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front hub, Shimano M475 rear hub; Matrix 550 rims w/brushed sidewalls
Tires Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"; 27 tpi
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF50, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C050
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Crank SR Suntour XCC-T102 42/34/24
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon platform
Components
Saddle Bontrager Approved
Seat Post Bontrager SSR, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager Approved, 30mm rise
Stem Bontrager Approved, 25 degree
Headset VP-A76C-TK, 1 1/8" semi-cartridge, sealed
Brakeset Promax, mechanical disc w/Shimano EF50 levers

Giant - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-CA/bikes/mountain/2581/32801/

SIZES XS,S,M,L,XL
COLORS White
FRAME ALUXX-Grade Butted Aluminum
FORK SR Suntour XCM V2, 100mm travel
SHOCK N/A

HANDLEBAR 6061 Al high rise, 31.8mm
STEM Alloy, 31.8mm, 10 deg
SEATPOST Alloy, 350x30.9mm
SADDLE Giant Unity Speed Groove MTB
PEDALS Alloy platform

SHIFTERS Shimano EF-50, 8SPD
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio, 34.9mm, top swing
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio, long cage
BRAKES Hayes MX4 mechanical disc, 160F / 160R
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano EF-50

CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 11-30T, 8SPD
CHAIN KMC Z7
CRANKSET Truvativ ISOflow 3.0, 22/32/42T
BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge

RIMS Alex CR18, double wall, 36H
HUBS Formula alloy, 6-bolt disc
SPOKES 14G stainless steel
TIRES Kenda Blue Groove / Nevegal 26X2.1
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anavrinIV
the rincon is a little better equipped than the 3700, but is also a bit pricier. with the rincon you get an 8 speed drivetrain over a 7 speed, better crankset, better forks, double wall rims, and better derailleurs and shifters. is this really a big jump in terms of quality? no. but it is an improvement. if you're mostly going to be on the street though you may not want that extra suspension travel, and those disc brakes on the rincon are going to be a little heavier and not stop you any better in dry conditions, which it seems like you will be riding in more often. if you can find both of them and try them out that would be the best way to find which bike is for you if they are both solid options. if you could go either way on it pick the one that fits best, and if you like the fit of both of them then buy the cheaper one.
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Qatarbhoy
My first mtb was a Trek 3900. Even if you're watching the $$$ and not prepared to go for a 4 series Trek, it is definitely worth getting the 3900 rather than the 3700. On the Trek site the 3700 is listed as having a 7-speed cassette and a 63mm travel fork. The 3900 has an 8-speed cassette and more travel (70mm IIRC). Still pretty basic stuff but a step up and a solid bike. I rode mine for 3-4 years and sold it a few months ago for a good price! it was in great condition even after 1000s of kms.

I wouldn't bother with disk brakes at this point.
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Qatarbhoy said:
My first mtb was a Trek 3900. Even if you're watching the $$$ and not prepared to go for a 4 series Trek, it is definitely worth getting the 3900 rather than the 3700. On the Trek site the 3700 is listed as having a 7-speed cassette and a 63mm travel fork. The 3900 has an 8-speed cassette and more travel (70mm IIRC). Still pretty basic stuff but a step up and a solid bike. I rode mine for 3-4 years and sold it a few months ago for a good price! it was in great condition even after 1000s of kms.

I wouldn't bother with disk brakes at this point.
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Unfortunately the bike shop near my home only has the 3900 DISC. They have the 820, 3700, 3900 DISC and then it goes to the 4300 DISC. For Giant they have Boulder, Boulder SE, Rincon DISC and then Yukon. No Rincon V-brakes.
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anavrinIV
if they're a trek and giant dealer then they can order any bike by either company for you. if you fit on the 3900 and like it then the non-disc version will fit the same and they can order it for you if you would like to go that route.
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anavrinIV said:
if they're a trek and giant dealer then they can order any bike by either company for you. if you fit on the 3900 and like it then the non-disc version will fit the same and they can order it for you if you would like to go that route.
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They want to charge me 80 for shipping bikes they don't normally carry. Keep in mind, I live in Canada, and I guess shipping is really high for bikes.
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K
The prices are as followed (CAN funds, TAX included) :

TREK 3700 - $519
GIANT Rincon - $722

another alternative to the TREK 3700 would be the GIANT Boulder SE for $537.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/bikes/mountain/2582/35019/

SIZES XXS,XS,S,M,L,XL
COLORS Black/ Blue
FRAME ALUXX-Grade Butted Aluminum
FORK SR XCT V2, 80mm travel
SHOCK N/A

HANDLEBAR Steel, low rise, 25.4mm
STEM Alloy, 31.8mm, 10 deg
SEATPOST Alloy, 350x30.9mm
SADDLE Giant Unity Speed Groove MTB/ Giant DJ
PEDALS Resin platform

SHIFTERS Shimano EF-50, 7SPD
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano C102, 34.9mm
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera
BRAKES Tektro alloy, V-Brake
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano EF-50

CASSETTE SRAM PG-730, 12-32T, 7SPD
CHAIN KMC Z51
CRANKSET Shimano M191, 22/32/42T
BOTTOM BRACKET Cartridge

RIMS Alloy, double wall, 36H
HUBS Formula alloy
SPOKES 14G stainless steel
TIRES MTB Knobby w/ Center Ridge 26x2.1" or K-Rads
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I
Hey Kaos what city are you from? I was in the same situation as you, and i ended up getting the Rincon with no disc a week ago.. Had to get it special ordered in though
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intensity112 said:
Hey Kaos what city are you from? I was in the same situation as you, and i ended up getting the Rincon with no disc a week ago.. Had to get it special ordered in though
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...
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I
Ah alright, I'm in Edmonton AB. The LBS that i got to order my Rincon with no disc in did not charge me to bring it in. I paid $500 Canadian after negotiations (it was $529 to begin with). If the Rincon Disc is less then $100 more, I'd just go with it if the Vbrake version is not available or they can't order it in. Also maybe try to haggle on the price a bit ;)
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intensity112 said:
Ah alright, I'm in Edmonton AB. The LBS that i got to order my Rincon with no disc in did not charge me to bring it in. I paid $500 Canadian after negotiations (it was $529 to begin with). If the Rincon Disc is less then $100 more, I'd just go with it if the Vbrake version is not available or they can't order it in. Also maybe try to haggle on the price a bit ;)
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The disc version is 639+tax
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I
The LBS that i ordered my Rincon from said the Disc version they were charging $599 for.. So $639 sounds a bit expensive, and im betting you can talk them down for at least a 10% discount on the bike.
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intensity112 said:
The LBS that i ordered my Rincon from said the Disc version they were charging $599 for.. So $639 sounds a bit expensive, and im betting you can talk them down for at least a 10% discount on the bike.
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Cool, I didn't know you could deal with bikes.
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T
yup i didnt get a big deal on my bike but i did get the tax knocked off of it, and this was a small LBS so i figured i wouldnt really haggle them to much because i would like for them to actually like me when i come back lol. so i got my Gary Fisher Mako for $359 out the door which figures about 30-35 dollars off with tax so i was happy. but ask if they can do any better and i bet they will take some off at least if not then i would try and find a new LBS someone that doesn't want to work with you and take a cut in price doesn't seem like they want to make you happy later on either AKA bad customer service...
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Qatarbhoy
KaosKameleon said:
They want to charge me 80 for shipping bikes they don't normally carry. Keep in mind, I live in Canada, and I guess shipping is really high for bikes.
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In Qatar I pay US$160 to get the bikes I want ordered in. :mad:

On the plus side it encourages me to order better quality stuff, just to make it worthwhile!
(My new bike should be here next week...) :thumbsup:
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A
My fiance has a the Giant rock SE. Rode it many times, and I can honestly say its a great bike for the price. The frame is solid and the components have held up too.

If you decide you could always upgrade some of the components later. I'd go for the Giant
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beenee98
I've got an 08 Rincon and my wife has an 07 3700WSD (both Australian spec). As far as i can tell, frame wise, they are as solid as eachother and perhaps the trek is a bit heavier. In terms of riding, i take the Rincon onto a variety of rocky singletrack and it holds up well. We haven't used the Trek on anything too tough but it goes along fine on some firetrack we regularly ride. The componentry on both bikes has held up perfectly.

If it is just pavement/bike tracks or fireroad, the 3700 would be fine. If you want to tackle some harder terrain, then i'd go the rincon.
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