Trek 3900 vs 4300 vs Police for a back to basics rider?
10-14-10, 04:01 PM
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Trek 3900 vs 4300 vs Police for a back to basics rider?
Looking to get a new bike. Last one I had was a Trek mountain bike back in college (300 I think). Had to toss it a couple of years after college because I wasn't riding anymore and it had rusted to hell (thanks UCF for not giving us bike covers or allowing bikes in the dorms!). Friend got a Trek hardtail 3700 two weeks ago and now I'm looking for one. Since I'm in Orlando, FL (and haven't been on a bike in ages), I'm not looking to do a century run or Mt. Rainer or anything just yet. Just initially some local paved / dirt paths and whatever fun stuff I can find. Maybe one day I'll do a century run that I've been reading about, maybe not 
After reading this sticky it looks like I'm on the right track for a "recreational" mountain bike. Currently looking at Trek hardtails (closest bike store only has Trek and the guys are very knowledgeable):
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...300disc,police (Note: site was down as of this posting, but I'm assuming it'll be back up later).
Yes, I know the police model is probably overkill, but it's on the list because I'd rather overspend a bit and get something that would last longer (in terms of functionality). Will I get it? Doubtful, but what the hey, throw it on the list and see what people say Either way I'm leaning towards getting the Trek 3900.
So the main question I have is concerning the 3900 vs. 4300, as well as disc vs non-disc. Please keep in mind I know nothing about the quality of the various components. Yes, I'm aware that testing the bikes is the only true way to pick a bike, but at the same time if they feel the same to me when I go over to test them in a couple of days, then I'm back to looking at the quality / bang for the buck.
1. If I'm reading that FAQ correctly as well as info on the net, it seems like the component differences in the two models are pretty close to each other, and that since it's been a while, I probably wouldn't notice the difference. Having said that, can you think of a reason that I should get the 4300 over the 3900?
2. Also read the bit about disc brakes on a bike at this low pricepoint. Since I have no idea if those 2 models suck when compared to higher models, would the disc brake versions of the 3900 and 4300 even be worth it, or as the FAQ said, ~"they'd do no good when the rest of your bike sucks"?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can throw my way!
After reading this sticky it looks like I'm on the right track for a "recreational" mountain bike. Currently looking at Trek hardtails (closest bike store only has Trek and the guys are very knowledgeable):
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...300disc,police (Note: site was down as of this posting, but I'm assuming it'll be back up later).
Yes, I know the police model is probably overkill, but it's on the list because I'd rather overspend a bit and get something that would last longer (in terms of functionality). Will I get it? Doubtful, but what the hey, throw it on the list and see what people say
Either way I'm leaning towards getting the Trek 3900.So the main question I have is concerning the 3900 vs. 4300, as well as disc vs non-disc. Please keep in mind I know nothing about the quality of the various components. Yes, I'm aware that testing the bikes is the only true way to pick a bike, but at the same time if they feel the same to me when I go over to test them in a couple of days, then I'm back to looking at the quality / bang for the buck.
1. If I'm reading that FAQ correctly as well as info on the net, it seems like the component differences in the two models are pretty close to each other, and that since it's been a while, I probably wouldn't notice the difference. Having said that, can you think of a reason that I should get the 4300 over the 3900?
2. Also read the bit about disc brakes on a bike at this low pricepoint. Since I have no idea if those 2 models suck when compared to higher models, would the disc brake versions of the 3900 and 4300 even be worth it, or as the FAQ said, ~"they'd do no good when the rest of your bike sucks"?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can throw my way!
10-14-10, 05:31 PM
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Pokemon Master
4300 non-disk. get better pads for the front v-brake if you have problems when the rim gets muddy/ wet.
cheaper mechanical disk brakes can be a pain in the keister. "bad" v-brakes are a lot better with better pads. "bad" disk brakes aren't really worth spending the money for upgraded pads.
my $.02
cheaper mechanical disk brakes can be a pain in the keister. "bad" v-brakes are a lot better with better pads. "bad" disk brakes aren't really worth spending the money for upgraded pads.
my $.02
10-14-10, 06:49 PM
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Police bike has a Recon. 
(Weirdly enough, it has a Tora in the picture though)
But why the popo bike? If you're going to spend that much, why not get a nicer mountain bike? Say a 6000 model, which comes with a Tora and Juicy 3's? It's cheaper than the police bike too. And unlike the police bike, it comes with knobbies.
(Weirdly enough, it has a Tora in the picture though)But why the popo bike? If you're going to spend that much, why not get a nicer mountain bike? Say a 6000 model, which comes with a Tora and Juicy 3's? It's cheaper than the police bike too. And unlike the police bike, it comes with knobbies.
10-14-10, 08:03 PM
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Darth_Firebolt: So the disc brakes aren't worth it on a 4300, gotcha.
Zephyr11: Mainly looked at the Police bike because it was right above the 3900 in the store and I like the look of it
Juicy brakes, LMFFAO! Nice model name.
Just as an FYI the Police bike was ~$900 in the store whereas on Trek's site the MSRP is $1200, and the 600's showing $989 MSRP. OTOH, the pricing on Trek's site for the 3700/3900 matches the store's website (haven't yet checked to see if links to stores are allowed, so I'll refrain for now) and they match what I saw in the store, so maybe it was just a sale / old model.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...disc,4300,6000
Yeah, I'm a bike noob
Zephyr11: Mainly looked at the Police bike because it was right above the 3900 in the store and I like the look of it
Juicy brakes, LMFFAO! Nice model name.
Just as an FYI the Police bike was ~$900 in the store whereas on Trek's site the MSRP is $1200, and the 600's showing $989 MSRP. OTOH, the pricing on Trek's site for the 3700/3900 matches the store's website (haven't yet checked to see if links to stores are allowed, so I'll refrain for now) and they match what I saw in the store, so maybe it was just a sale / old model.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...disc,4300,6000
Yeah, I'm a bike noob
Last edited by WiredWired; 10-15-10 at 12:31 PM.
10-15-10, 12:31 PM
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Went to the store @ lunch, went back and forth between the 4300 and 6000. Then they mentioned the 4500. SOLD! Picking it up after work
10-15-10, 01:01 PM
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If you have the money for the 6000, I'd really consider going with the better bike. The fork on the 6000 is a huge step up from the fork on the 4500. Couple other changes here and there, but that's the biggie.
