Mountain Biking - Trek MB Recommendations

Hello, I'm a novice looking to get a bike in the next few weeks. Could I get some feedback regarding the mid-range Trek Mountain bikes? I'm looking at models 4300 ($459), 4500 ($619), and 6000 ($769) (retail pricing, just to get an idea). I'm not going to be hop rocking, rock hopping, thrashing, be featured on the cover of mountainbike or be seen on espn extreme sports with the bike, just weekend riding over entry level to moderate terrain for now, with the potential of moving up to intermdiate status.

(The sticky on this subject is EXCELLENT by the way. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=67259)

To help a novice classify the brand of bicycles, are these bikes the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda or BMW of bicycles?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the models listed?

What kind of reputation do the bicycles have on the light/moderate/ trail paths?

How does this price range bicycle fair compared to others in this price range?

Would you consider/recommend a diffent brand or model? (I chose Trek because they have a good, reputable store close to home/work.)

What features would you splurge for?

Other comments or anything else??

Thanks, and I apologize in advance for the freshman level questions.

Those listed seem like they will serve you well for your riding description but I always get into something more than expected and therefore regret not buying a model or two higher in hind sight. I made my decided on Trek because the best LBS around here sells them and I have heard they have one of the best warranties in the buisness. Find the best dealer and ask their opinion based on your riding and best of luck.

I got my Trek 4300 for $350. Are you looking at the disc version? And I would say those bikes are the Chevy of bikes. American, but not actually made in american, and not by any means luxury (they're not that expensive). But mine is pretty reliable, so I would only assume that the others would be as well. The 4300 and 4500 frames are the same, the difference is colors and components, if you wanted to go up to the 6000 series, the frame is the same for all of those, so you could always upgrade parts if you chose, bring your bike up to the level of upper 6000 series bikes.

I haven't ridden a Trek 4300 but I purchased an '07 Trek 4500 for $500 and it's great. It shifts smoothly and the wheels and tires are nice. Make sure to get the correct frame size for you.

To help a novice classify the brand of bicycles, are these bikes the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Honda or BMW of bicycles?

I would classify Trek as the Chevrolet of bikes. They arent the bikes on the market, but they are a pretty good bike for the price.
One thing that I would splurge on are rapid-fire shifters. IMO, they are a big step up over gripshift.

I have a Trek 3900 and ended up upgrading almost everything and right now it is spec'd better than the 6000, so I would say get the better one because mtb'n can be addicting and I am pretty sure you will do more than you are expecting to.

BTW, try to avoid the 4300 - the fork and the front derailleur on it are not good. The fork won't last long and the FD cannot work right no matter how many adjustments are made.

I haven't had any problems with my Fork on my 4300, it's worked fine for me. But yes, the front derailleur does suck, every time I shift into 3rd it just grinds away.....even though it's been fixed before.

Trek 9 pointer.

I haven't had any problems with my Fork on my 4300, it's worked fine for me. But yes, the front derailleur does suck, every time I shift into 3rd it just grinds away.....even though it's been fixed before.
My Trek 1000 roadbike did the same thing.

If you buy the 6000 you are getting into there slr frameset with a better fork...A better starting point if you intend to ride more serious trails later. The stuff you would want to replace on it is the same stuff you would be replacing over time on the other bikes anyway. why not have a better frame and fork to start with?
good luck nomatter what your choice.

I have a Trek 3900 and ended up upgrading almost everything and right now it is spec'd better than the 6000, so I would say get the better one because mtb'n can be addicting and I am pretty sure you will do more than you are expecting to.

BTW, try to avoid the 4300 - the fork and the front derailleur on it are not good. The fork won't last long and the FD cannot work right no matter how many adjustments are made.

:roflmao:

I have two Trek 4300's. One has 10,000 miles and the other has almost that many. The front derailleurs are stock and perform flawlessly, to this day. No derailleur works well if you don't know how to adjust them. :rolleyes:

here is a link (http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-TREK-6500-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-17-5-inch-SHIMANO-DEORE-XT_W0QQitemZ250116104789QQihZ015QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) to the same bike I have but stock thats on ebay right now. :D