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 reviewed by eastwood  on October 27, 2009
| Pros | Light, strong frame. Good handling, takes on anything, great stopping with the disc brakes. | | Cons | Stock tubes are paper thin. Compenents are entry level - but to be expected. | | Verdict | Coming to the end of my first season on it, and love it! Taken on everything I can throw at it with very little fuss. Great entry level bike for those that want to get into the sport. The 4300 will have you up and burning up the trails in no time. |
| Pros | Very light, strong frame. The brakes work well despite being V-brakes. (I've managed to lock them both when I was getting a bit eager). The crank is durable and shifts consistently. | | Cons | The rear derailleur is crap, but it isn't much of an issue during off-road riding. The standard tubes need replacing immediately, they're far too thin. | | Verdict | The stock tires are useless for on-road or hard surfaces, if you're using this for day to day riding like I am, consider getting another set of tires. Other than that it's a comfortable, easy riding bike. |
reviewed by Judman13  on October 14, 2009
| Pros | Absolutely stout aluminum frame. Had held up extremely well even despite a few wrecks. Light enough for me to load in out out of my hatchback every single day. | | Cons | Mid grade components used so things tend to be temperamental at times. | | Verdict | Great bike for the beginner and mid level mountain biker. If you want a light, fast bike that can handle pretty much anything this is for you. |
reviewed by m0nk on October 9, 2009
| Pros | 2010 is lighter than my old 2006 model, plus it's got better handling, more comfort, and is definitely durable. | | Cons | Tires, blew a tire on my first real hardcore ride with it. Upgraded to Mountain Kings... | | Verdict | Great, solid bike for the price. Does well for me! |
| Pros | Light bike off the floor, I like the ratio's in the drive system, stops on a dime, very responsive, good value with the components. | | Cons | you might upgrade the pedals to clip/pedal, and front brake to a disc. | | Verdict | For the money, you cannot ask for a better bike off the shop floor. | | Recommended for: Value seekers |
reviewed by Zero260 on September 11, 2009
| Pros | Rock solid frame,very durable, good handling, smooth shifting | | Cons | Depending on how you use it, you may want to upgrade the front shocks and tires. | | Verdict | If you want to get into real mountain biking. This is your ticket. It is an great value for the price. If you do any serious trail riding you may want to consider replacing the RST shocks and getting some new tires. With a few other key upgrades the 4300 can hold its own. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | Sturdy frame, good handling, takes anything you throw at it, price | | Cons | Stock shocks and tires | | Verdict | Awesome bike, I got this a couple of years ago and started taking it out for some serious rides on the singletrack last year. Aside from some minor issues with the drivetrain recently, this bike has handled rides all across Florida as well a mashup with the roof of a car garage with no signs of stopping. Put a nice set of tires on and it rides brilliant. Not the fanciest of rides at the trailhead, but the trail gods don't seem to award any style points. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | good price, disc brakes stop on a dime, good shifting, can take a fall | | Cons | non eso far | | Verdict | would recommend to anyone who is starting out. not a huge investment and can upgrade later on with better components | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by nickrm  on May 30, 2009
| Pros | Handling, smooth shifting, light weight, very durable | | Cons | none so far | | Verdict | Bought this bike to get back into riding and love it. It has taken a beating and has no problems to show for it. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | What a relief getting this after riding wallyworld bike for so long! I love the solid crankset,shifting, and the 100 MM forks (the newer ones have | | Cons | The tires are paper thin! I got a flat rear tire first time out. | | Verdict | The bike is fast, I seem to fit it perfectly. Other riders have been trying to tell me to get better bikes, I finally did, and they were right! This bike ROCKS | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | Price. Warranty. | | Cons | Components. Durability. Frame had no rear brake boss to upgrade to discs. | | Verdict | Bought for my girl friend as a starter bike. Not a bad "starter" bike considering the price. Disappointed to find out that a 2 year old frame didn't have rear brake bosses for discs. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
| Pros | Price, Weight, Durability | | Cons | nothing considering that it's the entry level model | | Verdict | Great bike to get you started. If you become addicted and invest in a better bike, this will make a great spare to drag your friends out. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
 reviewed by Romain on April 4, 2009
| Pros | Mine is 5 years old. It is still in good condition even without a great maintenance. Cleaning and WD40 where it is needed. That's it | | Cons | I change the original front suspension due to bad response on hard trail. | | Verdict | So far, the quality is over its cost. Nice bike for small budget and beginner. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by guest on March 28, 2009
| Pros | Owned since 2003 with very little mechanical trouble. Great greenway bike with some light singletrack thrown in early in it's life. After changing some of the lower end vendor components she's become a monster hardtail singletrack machine. | | Cons | Forks are junk for off roading. Rear derailer is crap no matter where you ride. | | Verdict | This was my very first mountain bike and has evolved with me over the years. After I purchased my Trek Fuel my 4300 was converted to a greenway/excersise bike used only after rainy days while I waited for the singletrack trails to dry. With the addition of a 100mm Marzocchi MZ 2 fork and a Deore rear derailler she was begging to get back to her roots. When the trail turns hilly and I fill the need for speed the Fuel stays at home. Hardtails rule. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by Devin_P  on March 13, 2009
| Pros | Quality. Reliable real (as opposed to Huffy or Roadmaster) bike that can go where the more expensive bikes can. | | Cons | Nothing when considering it is an Entry Level bike. | | Verdict | I bought the bike (the yellow one shown as a matter of fact)as a spare bike in order to get friends and family to ride with me. (What can I say I am generous guy). The bike has held up well for 4 years of NewB abuse. No one has complained of weight (especially if all they have ever ridden was a box store bike). I would recommend this bike for anyone that is new to MTB and is not wanting to commit to the bikes in the higher price range. After a season or two you will be ready to move up and you will still ahve a great bike as back-up or for friends... | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
| Pros | Bought my 4300 3 years ago as my first mountain bike. I absolutely loved it. very sturdy and a blast on the beginner trails in san antonio. I decided from that point i would never own anything other than a Trek. Recently bought a Trek 6500 SLR(super light racing) and now I'm positive i'll be a Trek rider for life. | | Cons | Stock Saddle was the first thing to go. | | Verdict | First timers and those who like basic recreational rides and some in town commuting. |
| Pros | Sturdy frame, without being too heavy, very durable. Shifters are almost instant very realiable and quiet. Brakes have alot of bite. Rims have taken a beaten without needing them trued. All around It's the best trail bike I have ever ridden for a great value. | | Cons | Stock tires and saddle are a lame for trail riding. | | Verdict | I love my Trek and wouldn't want anything other than Trek | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by TSD on September 1, 2008
| Pros | well built and realible, for rec. riders | | Cons | seat, grips | | Verdict | I bought a 07 4300 last year for my wife. It should last her a very long time. Rides and shifts well and quite. Thats the key for rec. riders. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
| Pros | Packs a big punch for little money
It's a very solidly built bike
Plenty of stopping power
Light, but not weak, frame | | Cons | Wheels and derailer are a little weak. I'm not afraid to get this bike dirty, and as a result of 4 rough trail rides, the front wheel had to be straightened, the rear replaced, and the rear derailer had to be straightened and adjusted. I know how to do it, so it costed me nothing except a new wheel, but still an inconvenience none-the-less. The damage done was probably my fault, for pushing the bike a little beyond it's limits. | | Verdict | If you're thinking about putting disk brakes on it, buy the model with them already installed. This will save you a lot of money (and a bunch of headaches).
Overall, I got more than my money's worth out of this machine. Thank you Trek!!! | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
reviewed by rich67 on July 27, 2008
| Pros | Solid feel, comfortable riding position, Bontrager equipment | | Cons | Deraileur, grips, and shocks | | Verdict | After riding Giant and some other bikes, I have to say I love my Trek. I changed out the grips with some OURY's, made a big difference. I love how the bike moves effortlessly, and quietly. Doesn't sound cheap or "clack" like other bikes did. The tires are better suited for road riding-need changes for trail riding. The shocks are bare minimum, but work OK. The Bontrager bars and stem rock. The brakes pull smooth and bite hard. Deraileur needs to be adjusted after each ride...kind of a pain. Bike looks great, and handles very well. Overall, an excellent novice or intermediate bike for those on a budget. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
| Pros | Wonderful framework, RST shocks are great | | Cons | Derailleur isn't the best. | | Verdict | Bike is a great for just cruising down a path, and on a road. the frame is light, but on the other hand is sturdy enough to withstand some abuse. your best bet would be to do something about the derailleur though. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
reviewed by talk2dt on April 16, 2008
| Pros | Great frame and the riding position is comfortable | | Cons | Rear derailleur and fork. Bottom bracket was a little clunky until my mechanic taped the threads. | | Verdict | Update the derailleur and fork and you get a great hard tail for little money. Wheelbase is a bit short for crazy down hilling. Not a great climbing bike because of its weight forward design. If you can have only one bike for everything this is a great one. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
reviewed by Xyrus on April 12, 2007
| Pros | Great frame, even after 6 years of everyday riding. Geometry is great, centre of gravity is Very low which makes no handed riding a breeze. I've tackled it all on this bike except big drops. | | Cons | Wheels arent the strongest, warp easily. The components, although great if taken care of, show their lack of quality over a period of time. | | Verdict | If you are a regular commuter and you plan to tackle the trails once in awhile, this bike will take alot of beating (not that I suggest it). I'm acually going to scrap most of the components on it, and start a new build with my current 4300. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | This bike has a sturdy frame and I like how the handle bar is shaped | | Cons | Bad components, bad shock, no disk brakes, a little heavy | | Verdict | This would be a great bike for people just getting in to the sport of mountain biking. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
reviewed by Fitch  on March 8, 2007
| Pros | Sturdy frame, excellent RST shocks, optional Shimano disc breaks which are awesome | | Cons | Derailleur started giving me a bit of trouble after 1.5 years of riding; I can't use my 8th gear setting on the subsets... probably my fault | | Verdict | I loved this bike when I first got it, and I still do. It's tough, which goes well for me, as I'm not a gentle rider. Coming from an 18-speed hybrid to this, it was a world of difference. The bike is light yet sturdy, and has put up with quite a few miles and lots of abuse with minimal maintenance. Perfect for those who consider themselves mountain bikers but don't ride three times a week. | | Recommended for: Value seekers |
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