Trek Question

Chris said:

Greetings group,

I was looking at getting a either a Trek 4100, 4300, or 4500 for
mainly road riding and a little off-road/light trail action and I
would like your input. As fate would have it, I have not messed
around with bikes since 1991, and I was wondering what, if any, advice
you could give on the bikes I mentioned, or any recommendations you
could give in the $300 to $500 range that would give good road
performance with the option to take on some gentle off road bike
paths.

I was considering a road bike, but, the roads in my neighborhood are
pretty crappy in quality (patches, potholes, etc.) and I figure a
mountain bike would be my best bet for durability and wouldn't limit
my options to explore the trails behind the subdivision where I live.

I would appreciate any input as well as any alternative suggestions to
the Trek series.

Thanks a bunch,
Chris

Please do a google group search on Trek in this newsgroup. I think all
of your questions will be answered that way. Trek causes posts to the
NG to be very numerous and brings out the worst in all of us.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Chris said:

Greetings group,

I was looking at getting a either a Trek 4100, 4300, or 4500 for
mainly road riding and a little off-road/light trail action and I
would like your input. As fate would have it, I have not messed
around with bikes since 1991, and I was wondering what, if any, advice
you could give on the bikes I mentioned, or any recommendations you
could give in the $300 to $500 range that would give good road
performance with the option to take on some gentle off road bike
paths.

I was considering a road bike, but, the roads in my neighborhood are
pretty crappy in quality (patches, potholes, etc.) and I figure a
mountain bike would be my best bet for durability and wouldn't limit
my options to explore the trails behind the subdivision where I live.

I would appreciate any input as well as any alternative suggestions to
the Trek series.

Although I've never ridden one, your intended use sounds perfect for a
cyclocross bike. (Picture a road bike with beefier tires and parts.) A
mountain bike with fairly smooth tires also a decent choice.

Bill "visit an LBS and ride a few" S.

Ride-A-Lot said:

Please do a google group search on Trek in this newsgroup. I think all
of your questions will be answered that way. Trek causes posts to the
NG to be very numerous and brings out the worst in all of us.

Ouch, you are correct, loads of Trek topics, and they get very high in
responses very fast. Pardon my newbness.

I tend to remember Trek bikes being great, back in say 1992 or so, but
their prices seem to be lower now than they were back when I was in
college ('92 - '96), therefore I didn't know if they were still good
bikes or not.

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for and hopefully my wife
won't divorce me when she sees the price.

Chris says:

Quoted message said:

Pardon my newbness.

Consider it done ;-)

Quoted message said:

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for

Google Cannondale, too ;-)))

On 26 Sep 2004 22:30:51 GMT, [email hidden] (Stephen Baker)

Quoted message said:

Chris says:

Quoted message said:

Pardon my newbness.

Consider it done ;-)

Quoted message said:

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for

Google Cannondale, too ;-)))

Argh, what used to be "good" tends to not be good anymore. I do like
the name of Crapandfail though (lol).

Fark, guess I have some test riding to do in the up and coming weeks
if I am going to get serious about bike riding again. Now I am
starting to think "custom build" and I haven't done that since I was a
teenager and into the BMX scene (and that was 15 years ago.... damn I
am getting old).

If there is one thing I have learned today, that would be "Google is
your friend".

Thanks a bunch,

Chris

Chris said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

Please do a google group search on Trek in this newsgroup. I think all
of your questions will be answered that way. Trek causes posts to the
NG to be very numerous and brings out the worst in all of us.

Ouch, you are correct, loads of Trek topics, and they get very high in
responses very fast. Pardon my newbness.

I tend to remember Trek bikes being great, back in say 1992 or so, but
their prices seem to be lower now than they were back when I was in
college ('92 - '96), therefore I didn't know if they were still good
bikes or not.

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for and hopefully my wife
won't divorce me when she sees the price.

Not a problem, just trying to stop a fire before it starts.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Chris says:

Quoted message said:

Argh, what used to be "good" tends to not be good anymore.

Well, there are those who have been riding them for years and love them, so
take your googled threads as a "topic to tread warily around" rather than a
damning piece of evidence. Flame-proof undies wouldn't hurt, either ;-)

Quoted message said:

since I was a
teenager and into the BMX scene (and that was 15 years ago.

Kid! 15 years ago I was..... Well, I already had 4 kids, let's leave it at
that, shall we?

Quoted message said:

. damn I
am getting old).

See above ;-P

Steve

On 26 Sep 2004 23:31:21 GMT, [email hidden] (Stephen Baker)

Quoted message said:

Well, there are those who have been riding them for years and love them, so
take your googled threads as a "topic to tread warily around" rather than a
damning piece of evidence. Flame-proof undies wouldn't hurt, either ;-)

Quoted message said:

Steve

Asbestos undies it is.

Actually, I plan to visit a couple of reputable shops in my area, and
ride a bunch of bikes, trying to find a nice fit within my price
range. The shop I went to earlier today has a parking lot similar to
the streets near my house, so that may be a way to tell how it will
perform in my neighborhood.

Thanks for all your advice Steve.

Chris "who learned that Google is his friend" B.

Chris said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for

Google Cannondale, too ;-)))

Argh, what used to be "good" tends to not be good anymore. I do like
the name of Crapandfail though (lol).

Fark, guess I have some test riding to do in the up and coming weeks
if I am going to get serious about bike riding again. Now I am
starting to think "custom build" and I haven't done that since I was a
teenager and into the BMX scene (and that was 15 years ago.... damn I
am getting old).

I don't know how good the current Cannondales are, but I've been riding
them since 1991. My current one is still going strong, bought in 1995. I
have to admit the previous frame bought in 1991 did break, though
Cannondale replaced it free of charge. I'd given it a fair bit of abuse
over 2 or 3 years, and the chainstay tube snapped. I lived on the coast,
and the frame oxidised pretty badly over time too, bubbling up the paint
(the sea air no doubt). Current frame only has a tiny amount of this,
mainly round the welds.

The hardtails aren't for heavy stuff like jumping, maybe their
suspension models are ok for this. When I got my first Cannondale, it
was a choice between that, a couple Specialized models and Klein (at
least where I lived). Much more choice these days. Good to hear you were
a BMX'er, that's what got me into MTBing.

Bill Sornson said:

Bill "visit an LBS and ride a few" S.

agreed...the choices sound pretty good for your level of riding and
intent so far, but I'd go down to the local Trek dealer (preferably a
couple), and try that out plus a few other rides. you might be
surprised to find 2 or 3 other makes/models you like just as well or
better -- or you can at the very least confirm your findings about the
bikes you were leaning toward.

plus you can find the best deal that way and ask all the questions your
heart desires.

good luck!
bri

"Stephen Baker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Chris says:

Quoted message said:

Pardon my newbness.

Consider it done ;-)

Quoted message said:

Guess I will see what I can get a Cannondale for

Google Cannondale, too ;-)))

lol

Can O' Ale said:

I don't know how good the current Cannondales are, but I've been riding
them since 1991. My current one is still going strong, bought in 1995.

I've been riding a Trek since 1996 as well, and its doing just fine. I
wore out & replaced many of the components, but none of those were
actually made by Trek (mostly Shimano).

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

BB <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Can O' Ale said:

I don't know how good the current Cannondales are, but I've been riding
them since 1991. My current one is still going strong, bought in 1995.

I've been riding a Trek since 1996 as well, and its doing just fine. I
wore out & replaced many of the components, but none of those were
actually made by Trek (mostly Shimano).

Go by a trek dealer and take a close look at the low-end garbage they
peddle (sic) nowdays. There are much better low to mid-end bikes out
there.

JD

(JD) said:

Go by a trek dealer and take a close look at the low-end garbage they
peddle (sic) nowdays. There are much better low to mid-end bikes out
there.

JD

I did take a look at the Trek low-end bikes. I swear I remembered
them being much better built when I was in college. I think I even
saw some cheap plastic pieces on the 4100, 4300, and 4500 series that
I looked at. They ride okay, but I am worried that my 6' 220 pound
lard [censored] may be too much for these bikes to handle over time. Also,
why in the heck are all these "former premium" bikes made in freaking
China or Taiwan (besides paying slave wages and charging a hefty
premium)?

I have already visited two bike shops in my area and I hate to say it
but neither impressed me with what they had in stock to offer. I have
one more shop to visit, then I will probably give up. Thus far, the
two dealers I visited seem to be pushing the Trek and Gary Fisher
models very hard.

I hate to say it, but I am already thinking about custom building my
bike.

Chris "the mountain bike choices in my area suck" B.

"Chris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I hate to say it, but I am already thinking about custom
building my
bike.

Chris "the mountain bike choices in my area suck" B.

I weight about what you do, with a similar budget to yours. This
summer I bought myself a Raleigh M80.
Of course, since I have a gut, I had to have the LBS swap the low
stem riser for a much taller one. Then, because I have a gut, I
had to spend $45 to upgrade the rear rotor because the cheapo
factory one would warp and chatter when asked to bring my mass to
a stop.
Now I have a decent beginner bike, but I look forward to spending
$1500 or so for a lighter bike next season, employment gods
willing.

But the Raleigh is a fair value for the price asked.

Mike G

Settle for the Trek 4500 and shut up and ride.

I MTB 2004

Chris said...

Quoted message said:

Argh, what used to be "good" tends to not be good anymore. I do like
the name of Crapandfail though (lol).

Fark, guess I have some test riding to do in the up and coming weeks
if I am going to get serious about bike riding again. Now I am
starting to think "custom build" and I haven't done that since I was a
teenager and into the BMX scene (and that was 15 years ago.... damn I
am getting old).

If there is one thing I have learned today, that would be "Google is
your friend".

Thanks a bunch,

Chris

Please don't base all of your purchases based on the opinions of this
group. Most people here eventually buy $3000+ bikes from boutique
makers. Some of these riders are also very big, and ride a LOT in
challenging terrain, and really test the limits of equipment. They would
tear that Trek to shreds in a few days, but for you it will likely give
years of trouble free service. OTOH, if you have the money for a custom
build, it is a very cool way to go. I also like the recommendation for a
cyclo-cross bike. These have many of the best attributes of mountain and
road bikes. For the love of God, don't get anything marketed as a
hybrid. These are designed for people who don't ride bikes much. They
are sometimes called ergonomic or ergo bikes, but, ironically, the
ergonomics are the worst available for any ride longer than a few
minutes.

SuperSlinky said:

Most people here eventually buy $3000+ bikes from boutique makers.

"Most"? I'd bet that the number of people here with $3000+ bikes is fewer
than you can count on your fingers, and that "most" are in the $700-$1500
range.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

Chris <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I was looking at getting a either a Trek 4100, 4300, or 4500 for
mainly road riding and a little off-road/light trail action and I
would like your input.

My first mountain bike was a Trek 4100; I still own it and ride it when
my other is in the shop. I've ridden it >700 miles, all off-road, and I
weigh 160lbs.

I have broken:
All reflectors (I didn't care)
The chain guard three times (I didn't care - but the bike shop kept
fixing it)
Cheap plastic peddles 1.5 times (meaning I should replace the
current ones but that's six bucks)
One cable (Five bucks)
Bent the front high gear. (Under warranty.)
Wore out the stock tires. (But that's to be expected.)
Ripped up the plastic things on the handles (Don't care.)

The bike has taken some dramatic impacts and the frame and shock have
never shown any particular damage. One of my heavier friends rides a
4100 on road and it is still fine. So I think this bike would survive
the usage you describe.

If you do get one I'd advise you to replace the stock tires before you
leave the store. They are far too heavy. You should also be aware that
the - erm little rod, spring, & cable thingie - can get out of position
during normal riding causing the break to rub. Fixing it is just a
matter of poking the parts back into their ordinary alignment but have
alignment.

--
- Joel C.

Does Alanis Morissette stress you out? Her sweater is on backwards and
inside out, and you say, "Hey, your tag is showing."