Mountain Biking - Trek 4600 (should I get one?)

I went to the LBS wanting a Trek 4500 or Rockhopper. They didn't have a 21" of either, but had an '04 4600 for $479. I am tempted to give it a shot. I didn't test ride it yet. The SRAM intrigues me. The shifter felt kind of weird because the trigger is different then Shimano.

Should I wait and shop around some? I could possibly save upto $100 by going to a different shop 100 miles away (planning to go there anyway 12-10). I want a new mountain bike!

(I did a search for 4600 and didn't find much.)

Get one and report back. LOL

The 4600 is a bike that is worth about 70-100 bucks more than you pay for. The first thing that I did when i got mine was swap out the stem, but that is personal preference. I would strongly recommend it, as I feel that it is the best value in this price range. There is very little about it to find out there, but I give it my full recommendation. I tested the Rockhopper, but the SRAM was a HUGE improvement over the Deore on the Rockhopper. This thing is crazy tough, perfect for aggressive XC, bouncing through tech rock sections, stunts and all that good stuff. You will not be disappointed.

Never had the chance to try SRAM, but as someone who has given a Trek 4500 some hard riding, I can definitely recommend it the Trek.

The 4600 is a bike that is worth about 70-100 bucks more than you pay for. The first thing that I did when i got mine was swap out the stem, but that is personal preference. I would strongly recommend it, as I feel that it is the best value in this price range. There is very little about it to find out there, but I give it my full recommendation. I tested the Rockhopper, but the SRAM was a HUGE improvement over the Deore on the Rockhopper. This thing is crazy tough, perfect for aggressive XC, bouncing through tech rock sections, stunts and all that good stuff. You will not be disappointed.

Thanks very much for the reply. It is very helpful. Now to decide if the 21" was the right size. I am 6'2" and have a 10 year old 19" MTB and I felt it was always small. I'm going to go ride tomorrow.

I am 6'2" and ride the 19 inch, but itsa a personal thing

6'2 is typically a 21"

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=56148

I ride a 21 inch XL cannondale and I am 6'6" and it is too small (oh well, largest they make), you should have no problem with the bike at 6'2".

Trek makes good lower end bikes. You will not be disapointed... at least for now until you relize that you really want a 1000+ bike...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=56148

Would you beleive that none of the 11 pages of the $500 MTB thread mentions a 4600 at all. I know, I read every bit of it as well as did a search on this forum and on the Interweb. Anyway, thanks for the link.
:p

As for sizing. I am 6'5 and ride a 19", 16" and 19" bike (depending on discipline. Find a size that is comfortable and ride :)

Would you beleive that none of the 11 pages of the $500 MTB thread mentions a 4600 at all. I know, I read every bit of it as well as did a search on this forum and on the Interweb. Anyway, thanks for the link.
:p

Except for Page #4, where I give a discription of my own Trek 4600... :eek:

That thread actually isn't very good for noobs. For starters, it's way too damn long and it could be replaced by 1 post that lists 15 different bikes with a link to mtbreviews and a manufacturer's link.

And secondly, (I have no secondly)

I paid $469 for my 4600 and I LOVE the SRAM components. My wife rides a 4300 that was the same price. Granted I have not had a problem with either bike, but Deore stuff feels cheap to me and does not shift as smooth. The only complaint I have about the 4600 is the fork, it is a little rough on washboard type terrain. That is not to say I am very happy with what I got for my money. I don’t think TREK did a 4600 this year. I think there where only a limited number of these produced. Am I right? Give it a ride, if you like, then get it. Don't let the SRAM stuff worry you. The shifters are great once you get used to them!

That thread actually isn't very good for noobs. For starters, it's way too damn long and it could be replaced by 1 post that lists 15 different bikes with a link to mtbreviews and a manufacturer's link.

And secondly, (I have no secondly)

It's there because people are too lazy to use the search feature and to take the damn time and look through the entire thread. So far you're the only one complaining about it. Get it through your thick skull, we don't run this site through your ideals. I'm tired of your complaining and whining. Get over it and take the time to go through the thread.

It's there because people are too lazy to use the search feature and to take the damn time and look through the entire thread. So far you're the only one complaining about it. Get it through your thick skull, we don't run this site through your ideals. I'm tired of your complaining and whining. Get over it and take the time to go through the thread.

If you are one of the people "running" this site, I will not be paying to upgrade my membership.

If you are one of the people "running" this site, I will not be paying to upgrade my membership.

Upgrading is not mandatory, also today is just a bad day for me as well, I'm usually really laid back, but I can't stand whining at all. Sorry if I offended you, Relayer I just don't have patience for whiners right now.

Upgrading is not mandatory, also today is just a bad day for me as well, I'm usually really laid back, but I can't stand whining at all. Sorry if I offended you, Relayer I just don't have patience for whiners right now.
Ok :)