Great starter bike. As long as you're not the type to blame everything on your equipment you will be satisfied. I've broken the brake levers, rear derailleur, chain, but only after the bike has gone through a few years of hard riding, falling into streams, tumbling down cliffs, falling off of skinnies, etc. The only time I couldn't ride it back in was when the chain exploded due to me crashing down into a stream bed after falling several feet. Replaced the tires right away with more aggressive 2.4 Bontragers, on my second rear cassette and chain after 5 years and 100 hard miles, upgrading the rear derailleur after that broke cleaned up the shifting nicely. The only thing that ever bothers me is the clunky front fork and occasionally the wheels flexing, brakes squealing despite proper adjustments. For the price this things has survived way more than should ever be expected. I keep pace and follow hardcore bikers all the time and there's never an issue with me keeping up that is the bike's fault.
Pros Durable frame, great value as a starter bike, easily upgraded along the way, comfortable and capable geometry.
Cons Fork is the biggest issue, then the heavy wheels.
None of the components on this bike are suitable for mountain biking. With that said you have two options. You can replace or upgrade nearly every part on the bike or you can get a better bike from the start. Either way you'll likely end up spending the same amount of money in the long run. I realize this is not a high end bike. I didn't expect to have to overall the entire bike only months after owning it. Bottom line is: go with something else. After you add up the initial cost of the bike plus all the upgrades/repairs, you'll have spent more than what you could have spent on a better bike at the beginning, and saved a lot of headache and aggravation.
Pros Decent Geometry
Capable Lightweight Frame
Brakes are Okay
Cons Fork, wheels, tires, shifting components(especially in the rear), cranks
Decent way to get into SS'ing, and the bike is fully upgradeable. Nothing immediately needs changed out, although I kept catching the seat clamp on my shorts and changed it quickly to a non-quick-release version. The fork is definitely a bummer, but I rode it about 350 miles before I just couldn't take it any more. Rumor has it this is the same frame as the Rig. Plan to get stronger and become a better rider, because the bike is a bit hefty at 28.5 lbs even with a nice steel rigid fork replacing the original boat anchor. This bike made me fall in love with single speeding - it is a blast to ride, and the bike is ALWAYS ready to ride because there are no finicky components that need lubricated and adjusted. I can hear this bike calling my name from the garage all the way from my office. Could increase the number of 'sick days' you take from work...
Pros Price was right
Fully upgradeable
Can be converted to geared with purchase of different sliding dropout.
Pretty stout - nothing has broken, rarely needs adjusted, and it's always ready to ride.
Color scheme is cool in gold/white/graphite matte, and paint has held up well.
Stiff frame.
Cons Awful boat anchor stock Suntour suspension fork. Grrr.
Relatively heavy wheelset.
Was unable to make wheelset tubeless with ghetto system.
Stock Tektro brakes stink - replaced them with BB7's and saw major improvement.
Stock Bontrager tires were not at all suited to real trail conditions where I live, so those tires made me a weeny scared rider until I could afford some meatier rubber that actually had traction in the loose conditions I ride in Colo Spgs.
Slow handler with stock 100mm travel fork. Replaced with shorter RIGID fork and absolutely love the setup. Quicker handling and dropped 3 lbs off the front end.
I didn't love the Big Sweep bars because they shorten the cockpit too much.
Stiff frame.
Because it is an entry level bike it is expected that some components aren't the greatest. This is especially evident on the fork and brakes. Once those two things are upgraded I am sure it will be a great inexpensive bike. Everything else seems to be quality and performs well. Also the stock tires are not meant for wet/muddy/loose conditions.
Pros Inexpensive
Good Frame
Shifts Smooth
Maneuverable
Cons Fork (SR Suntour XCM)
-Heavy
-Rebound is very aggressive
-Not enough adjustability in the preload
Brakes (Tektro Novela)
-Loud when wet
-Not enough modulation
-Weak
Tires
-Not good in wet/muddy conditions, otherwise they perform fine.
If the bike wasn't so much fun to ride, I would have given it an even lower score due to the dropouts issues I experienced. I'm a bigger guy and I think it had a lot to do with the problem, but I was CONSTANTLY stopping to adjust the rear hub in the dropout because the hardware would not hold it in place. No bueno.
Pros -Cheap
-Light frame
-Handles great
-Really fast bike
Cons -The SS rear dropout setup sucks. Constantly came loose and had to readjust chain tension.
-Stock fork is really heavy
Trek could have given hydraulic brakes.. But overall a good bike for beginners.
Pros
Awesome bike, fits the budget for beginners. Good handle bar grips. Good tyres
Cons
| ThankOnly 75mm suspension, 14-28 cassette, riveted front chain rings
| ThankGreat starter bike. As long as you're not the type to blame everything on your equipment you will be satisfied. I've broken the brake levers, rear derailleur, chain, but only after the bike has gone through a few years of hard riding, falling into streams, tumbling down cliffs, falling off of skinnies, etc. The only time I couldn't ride it back in was when the chain exploded due to me crashing down into a stream bed after falling several feet. Replaced the tires right away with more aggressive 2.4 Bontragers, on my second rear cassette and chain after 5 years and 100 hard miles, upgrading the rear derailleur after that broke cleaned up the shifting nicely. The only thing that ever bothers me is the clunky front fork and occasionally the wheels flexing, brakes squealing despite proper adjustments. For the price this things has survived way more than should ever be expected. I keep pace and follow hardcore bikers all the time and there's never an issue with me keeping up that is the bike's fault.
Pros
Durable frame, great value as a starter bike, easily upgraded along the way, comfortable and capable geometry.
Cons
| ThankFork is the biggest issue, then the heavy wheels.
None of the components on this bike are suitable for mountain biking. With that said you have two options. You can replace or upgrade nearly every part on the bike or you can get a better bike from the start. Either way you'll likely end up spending the same amount of money in the long run. I realize this is not a high end bike. I didn't expect to have to overall the entire bike only months after owning it. Bottom line is: go with something else. After you add up the initial cost of the bike plus all the upgrades/repairs, you'll have spent more than what you could have spent on a better bike at the beginning, and saved a lot of headache and aggravation.
Pros
Decent Geometry
Capable Lightweight Frame
Brakes are Okay
Cons
| ThankFork, wheels, tires, shifting components(especially in the rear), cranks
Beginner riders who want to cover various terrains.
Pros
Great Handling
Great Price
Cons
| ThankHeavy
Cheap Grips
Good bike for beginners
Pros
Nice beginner bike tough and can handle hard stuff
Cons
| ThankHeavy and gears aren't the best
upgrade to hydraulic brakes, new fork and tires. $500 and this is a very capable cross country bike
Pros
Great starter bike, good frame and wheels, decent components
Cons
| Thankbrakes, sun tour fork, tires
Decent way to get into SS'ing, and the bike is fully upgradeable. Nothing immediately needs changed out, although I kept catching the seat clamp on my shorts and changed it quickly to a non-quick-release version. The fork is definitely a bummer, but I rode it about 350 miles before I just couldn't take it any more. Rumor has it this is the same frame as the Rig. Plan to get stronger and become a better rider, because the bike is a bit hefty at 28.5 lbs even with a nice steel rigid fork replacing the original boat anchor. This bike made me fall in love with single speeding - it is a blast to ride, and the bike is ALWAYS ready to ride because there are no finicky components that need lubricated and adjusted. I can hear this bike calling my name from the garage all the way from my office. Could increase the number of 'sick days' you take from work...
Pros
Price was right
Fully upgradeable
Can be converted to geared with purchase of different sliding dropout.
Pretty stout - nothing has broken, rarely needs adjusted, and it's always ready to ride.
Color scheme is cool in gold/white/graphite matte, and paint has held up well.
Stiff frame.
Cons
| ThankAwful boat anchor stock Suntour suspension fork. Grrr.
Relatively heavy wheelset.
Was unable to make wheelset tubeless with ghetto system.
Stock Tektro brakes stink - replaced them with BB7's and saw major improvement.
Stock Bontrager tires were not at all suited to real trail conditions where I live, so those tires made me a weeny scared rider until I could afford some meatier rubber that actually had traction in the loose conditions I ride in Colo Spgs.
Slow handler with stock 100mm travel fork. Replaced with shorter RIGID fork and absolutely love the setup. Quicker handling and dropped 3 lbs off the front end.
I didn't love the Big Sweep bars because they shorten the cockpit too much.
Stiff frame.
Because it is an entry level bike it is expected that some components aren't the greatest. This is especially evident on the fork and brakes. Once those two things are upgraded I am sure it will be a great inexpensive bike. Everything else seems to be quality and performs well. Also the stock tires are not meant for wet/muddy/loose conditions.
Pros
Inexpensive
Good Frame
Shifts Smooth
Maneuverable
Cons
Fork (SR Suntour XCM)
-Heavy
-Rebound is very aggressive
-Not enough adjustability in the preload
Brakes (Tektro Novela)
-Loud when wet
-Not enough modulation
-Weak
Tires
| Thank-Not good in wet/muddy conditions, otherwise they perform fine.
Get one if you need a hard tail
Pros
Great tough bike. Great drive train
Cons
| ThankCheap fork and brakes
Upgraded brakes and fork, live this monster now!
Pros
Great shifters strong wheels and frame.
Cons
| ThankBad brakes and bad shock
I love the bike, but gonna upgrade the brakes and tires ASAP.
Pros
Stiff
Great components
Cons
| ThankHeavy fork
Needs better brakes
If you want to shred on the trails this is great bike for the price.
Pros
Smooth gear shifting, rugged bite in the tires for uphill climbs, lockout or adjustable shocks.
Cons
| ThankOther than getting used to the wider handle bars than my old Trek, none to speak of.
If the bike wasn't so much fun to ride, I would have given it an even lower score due to the dropouts issues I experienced. I'm a bigger guy and I think it had a lot to do with the problem, but I was CONSTANTLY stopping to adjust the rear hub in the dropout because the hardware would not hold it in place. No bueno.
Pros
-Cheap
-Light frame
-Handles great
-Really fast bike
Cons
| Thank-The SS rear dropout setup sucks. Constantly came loose and had to readjust chain tension.
-Stock fork is really heavy
Pros
29er momentum
price
good entry level bike
Cons
| Thankseems to be difficult to maneuver on sharp turns
brakes