Bike advice - Trek 8500?
04-30-18, 12:34 PM
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Bike advice - Trek 8500?
Hi. I'm looking to buy a bike for my 12 year old son. We were looking at the LBS at the Trek Marlin 4 as well as the 820 but given that he is growing, I'm hesitant to invest a lot of money. However, he does frequently go on bike rides with boy scouts so he needs a good bike. Size was a 17.5".
I am willing to get either but then came across on craigslist a Trek 8500 for $275. Recently tuned up by a bike shop and found in good working order. Based on research, was this model discontinued? Owner (not original) says frame is 16.5" and that it's good for 5'3" to 5'8" which to me seems it would be the 17.5" frame. Is this referring to actual vs virtual frame size? I'm not an expert on bikes but the price seems reasonable. Only disadvantage vs Trek Marlin 4 is it has caliper brakes (which I'm sure will work just fine for him). However, much cheaper. I'd have to drive an hour to look at this bike so any thing to look for? Is there another inexpensive bike (under $400) that you would recommend for a growing boy?
Thanks!
I am willing to get either but then came across on craigslist a Trek 8500 for $275. Recently tuned up by a bike shop and found in good working order. Based on research, was this model discontinued? Owner (not original) says frame is 16.5" and that it's good for 5'3" to 5'8" which to me seems it would be the 17.5" frame. Is this referring to actual vs virtual frame size? I'm not an expert on bikes but the price seems reasonable. Only disadvantage vs Trek Marlin 4 is it has caliper brakes (which I'm sure will work just fine for him). However, much cheaper. I'd have to drive an hour to look at this bike so any thing to look for? Is there another inexpensive bike (under $400) that you would recommend for a growing boy?
Thanks!
05-10-18, 04:26 AM
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The TRek 8500 was a decent bike no issues at all good ride but just old school stuff all worked well in the day. If it fits and it is a price you can afford truly no downsize.
I ride a bike from same era and it is fine I do have disc brakes but great overall bike
I ride a bike from same era and it is fine I do have disc brakes but great overall bike
05-10-18, 05:05 AM
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For 'actual vs virtual' you're probably referring to the measurement of the top tube, there's a 'top tube measurement' and a 'effective top tube measurement'.
Do a google image search for bike geometry diagram.
Last edited by cobba; 05-11-18 at 10:24 PM.
05-10-18, 10:20 AM
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Just bought a Marlin. I’m 5’6”. It’s a15.5”. Gotta say I wouldn’t want to ride any bike much bigger. The front ends cause the higher effective height.
05-11-18, 09:40 AM
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05-15-18, 07:04 PM
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My son is 5' 3.5" so tall for his age. Bike shop said he could go with 16.5" or 17.5" frame. Given he's growing I think the bigger one.
I wound up going in a different direction and found a used Marlin 4 for him. It doesn't have the disk brakes as it's used and they just upgraded that this year but was significantly cheaper and in great shape. Thanks for the help!
I wound up going in a different direction and found a used Marlin 4 for him. It doesn't have the disk brakes as it's used and they just upgraded that this year but was significantly cheaper and in great shape. Thanks for the help!
