Submitted by Diesel Daddy - 11/10/2007 12:02:17 PM
Pros:
Price, the frame is totally money, the overall value
Cons:
the fork may as well not exist i am 230 pounds and i have a hard time getting use of the small amount of travel it provides, i will be upgrading in the spring and i have only had the bike for about 6 months
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
This was a great purchase the bike shifts smoothly especially on the trail climbs well and handles great very responsive i would complain about the tires but stockers are never what you really want them to be i just let them wear out then buy what i want, like i said the fork has got to go and the saddle is pretty lame. Overall i will be riding this bike for a long time i live in indiana and i love the flat single track herei also love cutting my own trails along rivers or stream beds and this bike seems to be bulletproof
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Aj Ft Lauderdale - 10/19/2007 8:10:04 PM
Pros:
Good frame, derailers, shifters and brake handles, good brakes
Cons:
front suspension cheap, brakes a little noisy when wet
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I had this bike for 6 six months if what you looking for is something to ride urban, to the beach and trails, this is the perfect bike, good product for the price, good bike to get started in MTB
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by jake - 8/22/2007 6:37:54 AM
Pros:
its got a great derailing system. and the tires are great for riding canfield mt
Cons:
the shocks sux the are very stiff
and the stock seat sux
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
i love the bike but it not better than a fuel x
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by NAthan - 7/15/2007 4:52:05 PM
Pros:
Great bike for the price. I bought mine in 2003 for about $330.
Cons:
Front fork is cheap, seat is terrible.
Time Used:
More than 2 years
Comments:
I have used this bike for almost 5 years now. It has held up great. I LOVE the frame. I bought the bike primarily for the frame. I didn't have the cash for anything better at the time, so I figured I'd upgrade components as they went out. I've replaced a crank set so far. The rear derailleur is starting to go now. I'll swap that out for a Deore XT soon. I've also bent some rims. The ones that came with the bike were a bit weak. A new fork is in the near future too. The RST it came with works, but isn't what it should be. Overall, I would certainly recommend this bike to anyone who wanted a solid entry level mountain bike with an awesome frame. Were I to buy another one today, I would definately go with a Trek 4500 or better (due to the better components). But you can't beat the 4300 for the price.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Macky - 6/4/2007 1:09:58 PM
Pros:
Decent front fork, nice handle bars, the front and rear derailleur shift smoothly and quietly (no chain problems yet). Frame is light, yet durable.
Cons:
The seat isn't that great, you may want to get a new seat, unless you ride standing up all the time.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
I am loving this bike, if you're in the market for an affordable mountain bike, this is a bike for you. However, it is not a good option if you do hard-core dirt trails, and ride over tree stumps in muddy weather ;).
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Cam the Man (I know it doesn't Rhyme) - 5/15/2007 11:03:27 AM
Pros:
I love the frame, it feels very strong, the alivio components are awesome for what I do (XC, AM,) the stock pedals are very nice, I love them, i ended up taking them off to get some clipless pedals. the bike shop put the crank together wrong, but they replaced it with a very nice new one that works awesome.The wheels it comes with are very nice, they have done everything I threw at them from 4 ft. drops to 30 mph rocky single track.
Cons:
The stock fork is not the best, in warm weather it is fine, but when the weather gets below about 60 they freeze up and don't absorb shock as well. The stock tire where very nice tires, they did everything from good road efficiency to fast cornering on dirt, but eventually I wanted to have more traction on dirt/mud and I upgraded. it is also kind of heavy (19.5 is 33 lb.) but hey, it is a good workout
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
over all I would say that, as long at you are not currently racing or have the money to upgrade and make it a better bike this is for you. this is a great bike for beginners, you can upgrade everything so easily, it is really a good platform to build off of. the only thing i would change is the fork, a manitou axel or something would make this bike perfect.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by roberto - 4/18/2007 7:39:45 AM
Pros:
i have this bike for a little over a year now and have yet to have a major problem with it. the frame is very light and strong. handles well on the road as well as on the trails. shifts very smoothly and has a decent fork.
Cons:
the only thing i dislike are the brakes. the get chewed up pretty easily. upgrade to disc brakes and you are set.
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
i would recomment this bike to anyone that is just strating to ride. the bike is very versatile and is definetly a great bike for the little money you have to spend on it.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Tre - 2/13/2007 11:56:07 AM
Pros:
Light frame,Great shifting, ride is nice and handling
Cons:
Seat is hard, forks stiff, manual sucks, tires dont grip to well when wet.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
I just bought this bike here Mobile,Al for work. So far no probs, handles streets well, sand, mud, tree roots. Trailing is great, can push it with out any trouble. Uphill is great, downhill is quick too. Should have got the disk brakes, sand here eats brakes, but maybe later i'll upgrade. keep it clean.
Great newb bike or for the price.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by davethepizzaman - 1/6/2007 12:28:11 PM
Pros:
great frame. awesome price, this bike has done everything from fifty milers to all day uphill riding and I have have had almist no shifting problems.
Cons:
stiff front fork, you have to buy new wheels AND disc brakes to upgrade as the wheels have no mount on them for a rotor. the cassete has gotten a few chips in it.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
good begginer bike, nice for just about everything.
wish I had spent a few more hundred and gotten the 4500 since it as disc brakes and rock shox. over all nice for the price.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by mike2swift - 11/27/2006 7:38:58 PM
Pros:
Relatively light frame for the price, very inexpensive, smooth shifting, great entry level
Cons:
stiff/uncomfortable saddle
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Just purchased this one over the Specialized Hardrock. Great, reliable entry-level mountain bike
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Mike - 10/2/2006 11:04:13 AM
Pros:
Lightweight, easy shifting, stylish. Though the seat is a little hard you can position yourself on it as needed.
Cons:
The seat does get hard to sit on after a while. But, this bike was not designed for the long trips I have taken.
Time Used:
More than 2 years
Comments:
Have used this bike on trips from 5 to 60 miles in duration. Shifting has been nearly flawless. Components seem to hold up well. I didn't want to spend a real lot of money for my first "real" bike so I think this was a good choice.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by David Sternberg - 3/14/2006 1:04:28 PM
Pros:
Great intro mtn. bike. Lot for a relativly cheap price.
Cons:
Bad seat; O.K. front fork
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
I have done a lot of riding in Valley Forge National Park, so there are lots of great mild trails that the bike takes in stride.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Ian - 4/19/2005 6:10:18 PM
Pros:
Great bike for the price, components are great for entry level rider.
Cons:
Seat is week.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
This is my first "real" mountian bike, I just upgraded from a very cheap and inexpensive discount store bike. Very happy with the purchance. In a week I put about 15 off-road miles, and 30-50 road miles (still saving up for a road bike) on it, and the only thing I've done is need a new seat.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by mk - 10/10/2004 4:51:41 PM
Pros:
Light frame, a lot for the money, great handling, perfect riding position.
Cons:
The stock crank needs to be upgraded. The axle-thing it rides on is soft and my pedal worked loose. Upgrade to shimano parts. You might want a new fork, but besides those two things, you're good to go.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I love this bike! I like it better than my friend's 4500. I use it mostly for urban assault-type riding, but, living in Idaho, I have tons of trails to choose from and they are a blast. The bike is extremely stable in gravelly stuff. I got hit by a truck recently (needed new crank, derailleur, handlebar) and took a 35-foot jump (ate it hard, need new seat) but the frame is rock solid. I don't like to abuse it but it'll take it!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Fred - 8/5/2003 8:16:35 AM
Pros:
bang for the buck: aluminum frame, double-wall rims, somewhat-decent Shimano components...
Cons:
I'm not in love w/ the seat, and the chain jumps off chainring in front.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
As a new rider, I was looking for something decent that wouldn't cost a fortune, either. I also considered Giant's Yukon, but went with the Trek because of price. It's not perfect, but it can't be for $300. I have problems with the chain slipping off the front chainring, but so does my friend's GT with upgraded components. I've added Cane Creek's Thudbuster, which my butt appreciates. I've also flipped the stem for a more aggressive riding position. Everything considered, I think I made a pretty good choice. Now if I could only find the time to ride...!!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Fred - 8/5/2003 8:14:13 AM
Pros:
bang for the buck: aluminum frame, double-wall rims, somewhat-decent Shimano components...
Cons:
I'm not in love w/ the seat, and the chain jumps off chainring in front.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
As a new rider, I was looking for something decent that wouldn't cost a fortune, either. I also considered Giant's Yukon, but went with the Trek because of price. It's not perfect, but it can't be for $300. I have problems with the chain slipping off the front chainring, but so does my friend's GT with upgraded components. I've added Cane Creek's Thudbuster, which my butt appreciates. I've also flipped the stem for a more aggressive riding position. Everything considered, I think I made a pretty good choice. Now if I could only find the time to ride...!!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Mtnbikepimp - 7/5/2003 8:55:35 PM
Pros:
Great lite frame. Good brakes and tires grip well. Great bike for your money
Cons:
gears get a little outa wack. shocks make weird noises
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
Great bike for evn an intermidiet to advanced rider with a small budget
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Absolutobsession - 5/23/2003 8:28:13 AM
Pros:
Inexpensive. Great way to go if your a newbie. Parts are somewhat decent. Upgrades not a problem. Don't have to spend alot to get alot. Alpha frame light
Cons:
Entry level. Made in china
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
Purchased two at one time. One for myself the other for my girlfriend Amanda. Great Entry level bike. Just purchased Avid Mech brakes...install after summer. Advise: Purchase first...thrash...upgrade..recover...SAVE
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Eric Christiansen - 5/15/2003 4:44:14 PM
Pros:
price/value.
Cons:
made in china
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
the bike was purchased for 305.00. it has been worth every penny.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Jace Leno - 8/17/2002 2:41:51 PM
Pros:
It is great if you are just starting. The Alpha Aluminum is nice. Price.
Cons:
I haven't found anything I don't like but I haven't had a better bike to compare to. Only 24 speed.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Great for people who want a moderately cheap bike to start mountain biking.
