Mountain Biking - Trek 8500 Component Question...

Hello all,

I am purchacing a 8500 trek hardtail bike for dual purpose sucurity patrol and recreational offroad use. I ride approximatly 25 - 35 miles on a normal shift, both on and off road and the occasional recriational 10 - 15 mile off road runs and occasionally some harder off road adventures. My question is in regards to the components that come on the bike. The main reason that I am choosing this model is because I want the Shimano XT components and the hydrolic disc brakes plus the bike has to be black. Here are the specs stock for the bike.

FULL SPECIFICATIONS

FRAMESET:
FRAME: ZR 9000
Frame available.
FORK: Fox Float RL

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Bontrager Race Disc, tubeless compatible
TIRES: Bontrager Super X folding, 26x2.1", 49/48

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore XT
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT
CRANKSET: Bontrager Race 44/32/22 w/ISISCASSETTE: Shimano Deore XT 11-34, 9 speed
PEDALS: Shimano 520, clipless

COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager FS 2000
SEATPOST: Bontrager RaceHANDLEBARS: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8
STEM: Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8, 7 degree
HEADSET: Alloy Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Shimano Deore XT Disc w/Deore XT levers

The italicized parts are the questionable ones and the bold parts are going to be replaced as soon as I get the bike.

First I am going with an extended seat post with suspension. I am 6 foot 6 and I am recieving the 21.5 inch model with unfortunitaly is still too small but is the biggest they make off the shelf. I am also going to handle bar risers and pedal extentions for my size.

The question is in the crankset. The new (2005) model comes with the shimano XT crankset which I want. The problem is it also comes with the tubeless tires which I do not want. Therefore I am getting the 2004 model which has the indicated crankset in the discription. How is that chainset compared to the XT or XTR versions (note xt and xtr are the forged one piece versions). Will I be able to survive a few months before going XT for this? Can anyone see anyother problems with the setup stock?

Just incase anyone asks the reason I am not useing clipless is I cannot get a shoe that will fit me (size 16) in clipless and I prefer the platform pedels for now.

Thank You all for your help...

Oh ya and read my intro in the welcome forums...

You could ALWAYS run a tube in those tubeless tires = it's common to do so when the tire has been punctured. Any particular reason you don't want tubeless?

Hey!

Cool, security guard. Sounds like you need some XC bike then. I don't know if the 8500 is up your end, but since it's the end of the season for some deals on bikes, try to "swap" the tubeless tires into the shop and get tubed tires for a good deal!! IF you're confused, let's say this.

Your tubless tires, may be worth 60 bucks.

You want a good set of tires and tubes that are 100 bucks.

They cut you a deal and basically give you 50 bucks for your tubelesses, and you get your set of good tires and tubes for 50 bucks! Hey, you may lose a bit of money but man, it's probably worth it. Don't forget to have some money for helmets, pumps, extra tubes and good locks. There's a brand called "Kryptonite". They're real nice.

The Bontrager cranks are pretty good cranks, if you insist on the XT's then I'm sure the shop can swap them out for you. Also, as mentioned, you can easily run tubes in your tubeless tires.

Are you going to be a Security Patrol or a Bike Cop? The difference being a full fledged Police Officer. The reason I ask is that a lot of companies, TREK included, makes "POLICE" bikes. They are heavier duty versions of their models and are either Black or White. I know Cannondale makes a Police version and Cannondale bikes are available in a "JUMBO" size which may fit you better. Raliegh also makes a Police bike. I'm sure there are others.

L8R

Hey!

Cool, security guard. Sounds like you need some XC bike then. I don't know if the 8500 is up your end, but since it's the end of the season for some deals on bikes, try to "swap" the tubeless tires into the shop and get tubed tires for a good deal!! IF you're confused, let's say this.

Your tubless tires, may be worth 60 bucks.

You want a good set of tires and tubes that are 100 bucks.

They cut you a deal and basically give you 50 bucks for your tubelesses, and you get your set of good tires and tubes for 50 bucks! Hey, you may lose a bit of money but man, it's probably worth it. Don't forget to have some money for helmets, pumps, extra tubes and good locks. There's a brand called "Kryptonite". They're real nice.
not to sound rude or condesending or anything, but i think this guy knows a bit about bikes... and i could be wrong, but i think generally, tubeless is a bit more expensive than non-tubeless. so if anything, i think buy swapping out the tubeless tires/wheels for regular ones would be downgrading, not upgrading. he'd probably save money on parts by doing so. if he'd have to pay for the swap, i'd think it'd be for cost of labour.

anyhow, about the guy's original question... trek's component division, bontrager, looks to be making some pretty good components as of late. i think those cranks would last you some time before having to upgrade to xt's. and then again, you could always do what a2 suggested and ask them to swap them when you first buy the bike.

with respect to what a2 mentioned about companies making police bikes, i can confirm that (not that he needs it). i know orxy makes one... the cops in one of the neighbouring cities to toronto use them. i remember mindbogger was considering bidding for one on ebay.

I am a security officer now (non sworn) and I am about 75 percent through the hiring process to be a peace officer. After I am hired (which I hope happens) and finish academy the department I am working for has interest in training me for their bike team after probabtion period.

Both Cannondale and trek yed do have police bike models. I fit to a cannondale and it was approximatly the same fit as the trek so that is not so much a concern. Since the bike is going to be dual purpose and eventually more for recreation than police work or about 50 50 I need a bike that has the higher end components than the normal "police" bike which was for only about 500 less did not have nearly the component quality as the 8500 trek model. My first choice has always been a Cannondale but to get it with disc breaks and the XT components would mean going to a Jackyl or simular model with is considerably out of my price range.

AS to the tubleless tire vs tubed, since I ride alot I want to be able to repair the tire out in the field with means that I need a tubed tire. Is it not true that if you get a nice sized hole in a tubeless tire in the field that you are in trouble?

Thanks All

You can always put a tube in a tubeless tire in the field and I have found that I flat MUCH less often with Tubeless. Tubeless and SRAM shifters are my 2 favorite feature on my bike these days.

I would run tubeless and carry a tube if I were you but you. Don't use UST tires with it as a Kevlar bead tire will be much easier to get off the rim in a quick repair situation. You can also run these non UST tires without a tube on your tubeless rims. Definitely suggest giving it a try.

Err, it's okay rasheed. Just trying as much as I can and filling in any holes(if there are any.).

No offense taken! :D

(edited for anti-bashing reasons).