Mountain Biking - Opinions on Trek 4000 series frame

Hello all. I have a Trek 4300 that I have had for the last couple of years. 2006 model I think. Now that I had to replace the rear wheel I am getting the upgrade bug (I have the same problem with cars).

I was curious if the 4000 series frame was a nice enough starting point. I was looking at some Shimano XT-ish stuff, but I don't want to slap a bunch of parts on if this frame won't hold up.

I ride mostly back and forth to work, but I do take occasional forays onto trails. I am a newbie, but I would like to start doing more off-road riding.

I searched, but didn't come up with anything.

I ride mostly back and forth to work, but I do take occasional forays onto trails. I am a newbie, but I would like to start doing more off-road riding.


In these conditions the frame will hold up. At the same time, under these conditions, major upgrades would be mostly pointless...

I am aware of this. I have a sickness about this sort of thing. I can't own a car without swapping the engine, upgrading turbos, etc. I am aware of the fact that they are unnecessary. I also know that I will still buy things regardless of that fact.

Under what conditions would you say the frame would not hold up? What is your definition of "not hold up?" Do you mean break, or merely not be appropriate for the application?

Hello all. I have a Trek 4300 that I have had for the last couple of years. 2006 model I think. Now that I had to replace the rear wheel I am getting the upgrade bug (I have the same problem with cars).

I was curious if the 4000 series frame was a nice enough starting point. I was looking at some Shimano XT-ish stuff, but I don't want to slap a bunch of parts on if this frame won't hold up.

I ride mostly back and forth to work, but I do take occasional forays onto trails. I am a newbie, but I would like to start doing more off-road riding.

I searched, but didn't come up with anything.

The frame will hold up but do you really want to put lipstick on a pig...not that the bike is a pig per say;)

Do a little comparison shopping before you get started. Go on-line (I'll assume you are doing your own work) and price all of the components you want to replace. You might want to include a fork since your current one is pretty low level and not particularly beefy. Add it all up an see how much it will cost you- don't forget the shipping (about 10% more). Then look at the price of a bike that is the next level up. You'll probably find that the cost of the parts is going to be a significant percentage of that new bike...especially if you replace the fork. If you don't do the work yourself, expect to spend about 20% more for labor

Better to keep the old bike, replace the fork with a rigid one and use it as a commuter and buy something new. Don't even consider selling the old one because, quite frankly, a used 4300 is hardly worth more in cash than what you could sell the equivalent weight of beer cans for;)

Set a level for a new bike that you are willing to spend and then spend just a tad more. You'll get more bike that you won't outgrow as fast and have more fun on it to boot.