Final bike choice - Trek

an upgrade to alloy platform is only 15 bux... it depends on how much you weigh.. if youre heavier
set then it would be advisable to get the bike with stronger rims

"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

I'm a heavier, 50ish male, getting back to biking on the MUTs.

The 4100 has the SL Aluminum frame, SS spokes but nylon 'platform'. Should I consider the 4300 to
get better hubs, rims, and alloy pedals? Or is that not a significant upgrade.

The 4500 has better fork and suspension, Shifters and Derails, but are they that much better than
the 4300 for a rec rider like myself?

I've basically elimm'ed the 3700 since the diff between that and the 4100 is only 40-50 bucks
(US). ;-)

Thoughts appreciated, pointers to FAQs welcome, etc.

Best,

-B
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(Badger South) said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

I'm a heavier, 50ish male, getting back to biking on the MUTs.

The 4100 has the SL Aluminum frame, SS spokes but nylon 'platform'. Should I consider the 4300 to
get better hubs, rims, and alloy pedals? Or is that not a significant upgrade.

The 4500 has better fork and suspension, Shifters and Derails, but are they that much better than
the 4300 for a rec rider like myself?

I've basically elimm'ed the 3700 since the diff between that and the 4100 is only 40-50 bucks
(US). ;-)

Thoughts appreciated, pointers to FAQs welcome, etc.

Best,

FWIW, I bought a 3700 this summer and love it. It has held up very well thru nearly daily use and
even some mishaps. I would have gone for the 4100 instead (and *may* do a trade in this spring),
except a) the 3700 was on sale that day, b) it was in stock and c) I liked the blue-black much
better that the silverish grey of the 4100.

While the 4500 might be more bike overall, it seemed more bike than I needed for basic trail and rec
riding (YMMV).

HTH

In article said:

an upgrade to alloy platform is only 15 bux... it depends on how much you weigh.. if youre heavier
set then it would be advisable to get the bike with stronger rims

"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

I'm a heavier, 50ish male, getting back to biking on the MUTs.

The 4100 has the SL Aluminum frame, SS spokes but nylon 'platform'. Should I consider the 4300 to
get better hubs, rims, and alloy pedals? Or is that not a significant upgrade.

The 4500 has better fork and suspension, Shifters and Derails, but are they that much better than
the 4300 for a rec rider like myself?

I've basically elimm'ed the 3700 since the diff between that and the 4100 is only 40-50 bucks
(US). ;-)

Thoughts appreciated, pointers to FAQs welcome, etc.

Best,

-B
--
Email Replies to johnson<nospm>01j <att> ntelos <dott> net

Thanks. I'll ask about that. Looks like it's gonna be the 4300.

-B

--
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In article said:

(Badger South) said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

I'm a heavier, 50ish male, getting back to biking on the MUTs.

The 4100 has the SL Aluminum frame, SS spokes but nylon 'platform'. Should I consider the 4300 to
get better hubs, rims, and alloy pedals? Or is that not a significant upgrade.

The 4500 has better fork and suspension, Shifters and Derails, but are they that much better than
the 4300 for a rec rider like myself?

I've basically elimm'ed the 3700 since the diff between that and the 4100 is only 40-50 bucks
(US). ;-)

Thoughts appreciated, pointers to FAQs welcome, etc.

Best,

FWIW, I bought a 3700 this summer and love it. It has held up very well thru nearly daily use and
even some mishaps. I would have gone for the 4100 instead (and *may* do a trade in this spring),
except a) the 3700 was on sale that day, b) it was in stock and c) I liked the blue-black much
better that the silverish grey of the 4100.

While the 4500 might be more bike overall, it seemed more bike than I needed for basic trail and
rec riding (YMMV).

HTH

Sounds good. How do you do a 'trade in'? Does the bike shop allow this?

Since I have a Wally-world bike now that's 'good enough' for a few more weeks, I'm happy to wait
while they restock. I'm hoping to get an end-of-the-year sale deal, maybe.

Thanks for the input. Very helpful. Think I'm gonna go for the 4300, since it has stronger rims, I
think. I'm about 230lbs, 5'9", bodybuilder type physique.

-B

--
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"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Sounds good. How do you do a 'trade in'? Does the bike shop allow this?

When I got my current MTB, the shop I was "just browsing" in offered to take my old dept store level
bike in trade, sight unseen. IIRC, they gave me $70 off the cost of the bike I was looking at.

Sold.

Pete

In article said:

"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Sounds good. How do you do a 'trade in'? Does the bike shop allow this?

When I got my current MTB, the shop I was "just browsing" in offered to take my old dept store
level bike in trade, sight unseen. IIRC, they gave me $70 off the cost of the bike I was
looking at.

Sold.

Pete

Wow, I'll have to try that(*). I have a whole porch full of rusty Dept Store bikes.

Wonder what they do with them? Can't resell 'em that easy, no parts worth salvaging. Probably still
within their markup, eh? ;->

*(Nah, LBS owners have to make a living, too!) <g>

-B
--
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"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

<snip>

For what it's worth-- have you been able to actually test ride any of the above?

2 months ago, when I decided I was going to get a Real Bike for the first time in 11 years, I went
online for research before heading to the local bike shops.

One LBS seemed rather reluctant to let me give the bikes a shot...

Went to the other LBS, described what I wanted to do (get back into biking, drop some weight, maybe
get a road bike in a year.)--- the guy pulled a bike off the rack, adjusted the seat to fit, held
the door open and told me to come back in 20 minutes and tell him what I thought.

I got back, and he had two other bikes in my size, parked by the door, ready for me to try...

Needless to say, I went with what I was able to ride: a Giant Cypress ST.

In article said:

"Badger South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

<snip>

For what it's worth-- have you been able to actually test ride any of the above?

2 months ago, when I decided I was going to get a Real Bike for the first time in 11 years, I went
online for research before heading to the local bike shops.

One LBS seemed rather reluctant to let me give the bikes a shot...

Went to the other LBS, described what I wanted to do (get back into biking, drop some weight, maybe
get a road bike in a year.)--- the guy pulled a bike off the rack, adjusted the seat to fit, held
the door open and told me to come back in 20 minutes and tell him what I thought.

I got back, and he had two other bikes in my size, parked by the door, ready for me to try...

Needless to say, I went with what I was able to ride: a Giant Cypress ST.

Super, super advice, William. I'll do just that. The guy at the LBS that sells Treks is really nice,
friendly and helpful. I'm sure he'd let me ride a couple. I'm mostly trying not to walk in there
clueless and pick a bike, heh, based on the color, or something; or make an impulse buy.

'preciate your comments. I'm in about the same boat as you were.

How's the training and weight loss going. I know my tank top is looser, since Aug. ;-)

-B

--
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(Badger South) said:

Super, super advice, William. I'll do just that. The guy at the LBS that sells Treks is really
nice, friendly and helpful. I'm sure he'd let me ride a couple.

If he won't, leave.

Any _GOOD_ LBS will let you ride and decide. If you're unsure about fit, you should even ride
different sizes of the same bike, just so you can feel the difference. Go to the shop in comfortable
clothing, riding gear if you have it.

FWIW, it shouldn't matter if you're buying a Trek 3700, 5900, or Fuel 100, you should be able to
test ride it to your satisfaction.

Barry

In article <[email hidden]>, B a r r y B u r k e J r .

Quoted message said:

(Badger South) said:

Super, super advice, William. I'll do just that. The guy at the LBS that sells Treks is really
nice, friendly and helpful. I'm sure he'd let me ride a couple.

If he won't, leave.

Any _GOOD_ LBS will let you ride and decide. If you're unsure about fit, you should even ride
different sizes of the same bike, just so you can feel the difference. Go to the shop in
comfortable clothing, riding gear if you have it.

FWIW, it shouldn't matter if you're buying a Trek 3700, 5900, or Fuel 100, you should be able to
test ride it to your satisfaction.

Barry

That's cool, there are three shops in town, at least.

I remember the first bike I bought(*), back in 1968, and since there were no bike shops anywhere
around, it had to come from Sears&Roebuck. ;-) Crappy side pull brakes, shifters on the column, but
I rode it everywhere. Sold it to some co-ed and she forgot to lock it up - got stolen, Mwahaha!
(eventually married the co-ed, though).

(*)Not to mention the single speed clunker with streamers I got for christmas back in 1958,
eventually stripped down, painted flat black, and fitted with huge basket and panniers for my paper
route. Damn thing broke in the middle where the top tube met the handlebar tube, fortunately at a
relatively low speed!

-B
--
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In article said:

Quoted message said:

Wow, I'll have to try that(*). I have a whole porch full of rusty Dept Store bikes.

Wonder what they do with them? Can't resell 'em that easy, no parts worth salvaging. Probably
still within their markup, eh? ;->

*(Nah, LBS owners have to make a living, too!) <g>

-B

Probably give them to Bikes for Tykes or Spokes for Folks. These volunteers rehab the bikes and
give them away to needy people. Look around--there may be some people doing this sort of thing in
your town, too.

Pat in TX

Ah, ok. We had a 'bikes for everyone' program in our town, with single speed used bikes, refurbbed,
and painted bright yellow. I think the program tanked, though, b/c the bikes still got stolen and
placement locations were pretty scarce to begin with.

-B
--
Email Replies to johnson<nospm>01j <att> ntelos <dott> net

Quoted message said:

Wow, I'll have to try that(*). I have a whole porch full of rusty Dept Store bikes.

Wonder what they do with them? Can't resell 'em that easy, no parts worth salvaging. Probably
still within their markup, eh? ;->

*(Nah, LBS owners have to make a living, too!) <g>

-B

Probably give them to Bikes for Tykes or Spokes for Folks. These volunteers rehab the bikes and give
them away to needy people. Look around--there may be some people doing this sort of thing in your
town, too.

Pat in TX

(Badger South) said:

In article said:

(Badger South) said:

OK, I'm making my final choice, narrowed down to the Trek 3700, 4100, 4300, 4500.

I'm a heavier, 50ish male, getting back to biking on the MUTs.

The 4100 has the SL Aluminum frame, SS spokes but nylon 'platform'. Should I consider the 4300 to
get better hubs, rims, and alloy pedals? Or is that not a significant upgrade.

The 4500 has better fork and suspension, Shifters and Derails, but are they that much better than
the 4300 for a rec rider like myself?

I've basically elimm'ed the 3700 since the diff between that and the 4100 is only 40-50 bucks
(US). ;-)

Thoughts appreciated, pointers to FAQs welcome, etc.

Best,

FWIW, I bought a 3700 this summer and love it. It has held up very well thru nearly daily use and
even some mishaps. I would have gone for the 4100 instead (and *may* do a trade in this spring),
except a) the 3700 was on sale that day, b) it was in stock and c) I liked the blue-black much
better that the silverish grey of the 4100.

While the 4500 might be more bike overall, it seemed more bike than I needed for basic trail and
rec riding (YMMV).

HTH

Sounds good. How do you do a 'trade in'? Does the bike shop allow this?

Since I have a Wally-world bike now that's 'good enough' for a few more weeks, I'm happy to wait
while they restock. I'm hoping to get an end-of-the-year sale deal, maybe.

Thanks for the input. Very helpful. Think I'm gonna go for the 4300, since it has stronger rims, I
think. I'm about 230lbs, 5'9", bodybuilder type physique.

Some shops like the one I bought from will do trade ins. The used bikes are chained up outside, the
new ones are inside. I dont think they do many straight out buys, but will do trade-ins. Not (m)any
Wal-Mart type bikes there last time I looked, so they are somewhat selective.

Not long after I got my 3700, I hit a drainage ditch I didnt see at the bottom of a slope (I was
taking a "short cut" to a path). It was just shy of wide enough to 'catch' the front wheel and flip
me over, but it was a hell of an impact. I weigh about the same as you and the only damage was to my
wrists and handlebars; the fork took most of the shock - the frame and rim came out fine. OTOH,
potholes throw the Wal-Bike on the porch out of whack.

The actual need for stronger frame and/or rims probably depends on usage, but if it gives you peace
of mind, and the price doesnt bother you, go for it.

In article said:

[email hidden] (Badger South) wrote: <snippage>

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the input. Very helpful. Think I'm gonna go for the 4300, since it has stronger rims, I
think. I'm about 230lbs, 5'9", bodybuilder type physique.

Some shops like the one I bought from will do trade ins. The used bikes are chained up outside, the
new ones are inside. I dont think they do many straight out buys, but will do trade-ins. Not (m)any
Wal-Mart type bikes there last time I looked, so they are somewhat selective.

Not long after I got my 3700, I hit a drainage ditch I didnt see at the bottom of a slope (I was
taking a "short cut" to a path). It was just shy of wide enough to 'catch' the front wheel and flip
me over, but it was a hell of an impact. I weigh about the same as you and the only damage was to
my wrists and handlebars; the fork took most of the shock - the frame and rim came out fine. OTOH,
potholes throw the Wal-Bike on the porch out of whack.

The actual need for stronger frame and/or rims probably depends on usage, but if it gives you peace
of mind, and the price doesnt bother you, go for it.

Cool. OK, well just talked to the guy at the shop and he has a new '04 Trek 4300 for $319, which is
cheaper than other places I've seen by about $40 bucks. (the 4100 was $299).

So I'm going out there on Thursday and he'll let me ride around the parking lot (which is quite
large). He does life-time adjustments, and a break on repairs and parts.

I'm already feeling a bit cheap to go for the low-end, b/c I've got the money...I just really hate
to spend it on myself.

But I now realize that it will seriously improve my riding, peace of mind and - and safety. Had I
known I'd have gone straight there and saved the $150 I paid on the bike at Wally World. (thought it
was higher, but I had bought some gear and just found the receipt, $143 plus tax). At least my wife,
who only rides occasionally can get some use outta the XR-100.

Thanks a bunch for the info.

Uh what happened to the handlebars? Hope your wrists are OK, now. ;-)

-B

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