Model/Year: 2010

Pros: Durable, Reliable, Good for Price, Great bike for exploring new trails.

Cons: Rear wheel brakes, Tires, and a Heavy Frame

Recommendation: Great bike for beginner mountain bikers. This is a great bike at low cost for use on any intermediate trail.

Model/Year: Trek 3500 / 2012

Pros: Great starter bike; this is my upgrade from a 19 year old Huffy Superia. Smooth gear shifts and light weight make it ideal for intermediate trails. Low price for a quality product.

Cons: I was getting pretty aggressive with my Huffy and although the 3500 is an extreme improvement, I could feel the limitations of the LT3 wheels and the limited travel of the front suspension.

Recommendation: Great bike for a newbie looking for value and quality. An excellent choice for those looking to upgrade to a real mountain bike and want to begin riding singletrack trails. If you already know you are going to get aggressive you should save for an upgraded model.

Model/Year: 2010

Pros: Great beginner bike. All components are strong and reliable.

Cons: Heavy frame.

Pros: It says Trek!

Cons: Components, rim brakes, weak stock tires

Recommendation: Buddy of mine tried to take this bike off-highway. Didn't work out to well for him. If you are looking for something a little more durable than a road bike to get around campus, or want something to cruise jogging paths for GILFs, then this is your ride. If you are looking for and entry level mountain bike, there are other better options out there.