Here are the specs for the Trek:

SPECIFICATIONS
Subject to change without notice.
Spec Name Trek 4600
Frame Alpha SL aluminum
Fork RockShox Judy TT, 80mm travel
Headset Steel
Rims/Wheels Matrix 750
Hubs Aluminum
Spokes 14-gauge stainless-steel
Tires Bontrager ACX, 26 x 2.2
Crankset Shimano
Chainwheel 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket VP cartridge
Chain Shimano
Front Derailleur SR XCC-704
Rear Derailleur SRAM X.7
Rear Cogs SRAM, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters SRAM X.7 Triggers
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport
Stem Bontrager AHS
Brake Levers Promax aluminum
Brakes Aluminum linear-pull
Pedals Aluminum platform
Saddle Bontrager Sport
Seat Post Bontrager Sport

I just brought home a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo. I did some research online, and that is where all of the "find a bike for me" pages pointed me.

What are the opinions on this bike? I think it is pretty nice, and it fits well. I am going to have to practice with the clip in pedals a bit, and I had them set the springs a little on the soft side for the clips to begin with. I have ridden with the tow clips/straps before, but I think that there will still be a bit of a learning curve.

Let me know what you think... By the way, I realize that my bike is over the $500 range, but I saw nno reason to make a seperate post about it.

You've got a good bike there, definately outside of the topic range but good never the less. Personally I'd start out with a set of platform pedals until you have a feel for the bike especially considering the fact that you haven't ridden with clippless before. It's MUCH easier to ride with clippless on a bike that you are familiar with than starting out with no knowledge of how the bike reacts. When you do try clipless don't do it on the trail at first I'd recommend playing around in a open yard or a park so that you can see what you're going to land on and then graduate to riding with them on road. Once you've established some miles on road (hopping curbs etc) THEN take them out to the trails starting again with the easy ones and working up.

DO NOT use that platform adapter!!! That is what we in the industry call a "test ride" platform. It is not safe for continuous use. You can get a set of platforms fairly inexpensively to practice on and / or have as back ups. I can't stress this enough DON'T USE THE "TEST RIDE" PLATFORM!

If I get the entry level Rockhopper or the 4300, can I assume that they can both be upgraded later to disc brakes?

Second part: Is the RH worth $80 more than the 4300.

Sorry for the repeating some old questions, but I'm a roadie just trying to have some fun in the dirt.

Not without a new wheelset for either bike, unless you get the disc optioned 4300 which will cost you more for really crappy Alivio disc brakes.
In answer to your other question YES the Rockhopper is worth the extra $80. You get better drivetrain components a better fork and in my opinion a more upgradeable frame. Not to mention a LIFETIME warranty

Hello
I'm pretty new too biking, I've got a CCM Riptide right now that i've had for a few years cause I wasn't really into biking for the last few years, but for the last 3 monthes I've been riding the piss out of it
It's time for a new bike
The bikes I've been looking at are the(all 2004 models)

Trek 4500
Specialized Rockhopper
Kona Fire Mountain

All are within $50 of each other, so the price on them isnt really an issue. And having rode my CCM Riptide for the last 3 monthes through dirt, mud, snow, and pavement makes anything really ride like a dream. I havent test ridden any of them yet, but I will, but the store is 2 hours away(going to be moving to the city in fall, so warranty/lbs help isnt an issue) So I only have 1 crack to do this.

My question is, if they all ride very similiarly, and I can't really tell much of a different, which should I buy?
They're all great bikes, and would b e happy with any of them, from what I've learned from trolling around on this forum I'm thinking the rockhopper would probably be the best
Thanks for the help/suggestions If i get any

Oh yes, also, I'm 5'8" 180 right now, what size frame would you guys recommend?
I know the Kona and Trek go 16-18-20 and the Specialized go 15-17-19(plz correct me if im wrong)
I'm mostly going to be doing rough terrain trail riding with this, and commuting 8km round trips to school each day

Thanks

I just phoned the store too make sure they had all the bikes I was looking at in stock, but they only have the
Kona Fire Mountain
Trek 4500
and they dont have any rockhoppers in
But they have hardrock's in for about $150 cdn less than the other 2 bikes mentioned, he suggested I also try out a kona blast

Comparisons have been made in this thread involving the 4500 vs Rockhopper on the basis of spec in which the Rockhopper beat out the 4500 due to better components. In terms of the Fire Mountain vs. the Rockhopper: the Rockhopper eats the Kona's lunch at this price point hands down.

Edit Just noticed the Hardrock if you're talking about the Hardrock Comp model that's compareable to the other two bikes on your list if not then....
I'd hold out for the Rockhopper as it only takes a couple days to get bikes in.

I'm new to the sport and I just bought a 2004 Haro Escape 8.1 for $499. I must say that I am thoroughly pleased. In the end it came down to the new 2005 base Rockhopper, the Hardrock comp, a Giant Yukon and a Fuji thrill. For the price, and value I could not pass up the Haro. Any thoughts on my decision?

I'm just about in the market for a new bike, since my 4 year old pos walmart bike is on its last legs, and I don't really know how much I should spend.

If I get it with most of my next paycheck, I can spend about $300-350; if I wait until the next, maybe $400-450.

I like the specialized RockHopper, but would I really need that nice of a bike?
Most of my riding is done on fairly good surfaces, nothing you couldn't drive a truck on.

I'm almost 15 now, and 5'8 (weigh 130lb), and I'll probably grow a few inches, if I get a bike with room to grow, would it be bad for the time being?

On another note, how much would I be looking at for a chain/lock system to lock the bike to a bike rack (it wouldn't be in a 'bad' neighborhood, so it doesn't have to be impossible to steal, but I don't just want to leave a large investment out for the taking.

Other's will probably chime in on this, but I do not think a slightly oversized frame will be a problem for you. The sloping top tube frames are intended to fit a variety of sizes, and you could probably alter the bike by swapping out different sized stems to fit you properly (much cheaper than buying a new bike in a couple of years).

As far as what model to get, I say get what you like and can afford. I ride with people on rockhoppers, and they are great bikes. I also ride with someone on a hardrock, and it is a great bike too. You should ride them both if you can, and see which one you like best.

I just wanted to chime in on this, I recently bought a Trek 4600 and it is an incredibly good deal. Got mine for $450. It is a very tough bike, and a good spec for the money. The SRAM parts are awesome, the shifters are a fresh take on trigger shifting. The bike isn't on Treks website because it is a 2005 model. If this has already been explained, oh well.

Im planing on purchasing a bike but I haven't decided which one will be better for me, I was looking around the trek website and I found the 4500 WSD (Womens Specific Design) Im not really sure what the difference in the design is from the 4500 and I was wondering if anybody in here has one? I was also looking at the 7300 FX and the 3700, does anybody own any of those?

This should help explain W omen S pecific D esign https://www.teamestrogen.com/wsdBikes.asp

Hi. I'm also new to this sport, and glad I found this thread. Heres a little background.

I was in the market for a ~$300-350 entry level mountain bike. I rode a few around, and went to 6 different LBS. I am now stuck between the Hardrock Sport and the Trek 4300. I was getting ready to buy the Hardrock Sport, only thing stopping me was the ride position I was in. I felt a little too upright. My LBS told me that it can be fixed with another stem. So while that was going on. I went to another LBS and rode the new 2005 Trek 4300 but in a small 16" frame. I felt great on it. However, my test ride was on paved roads and hills. But now I am leaning towards that. I just wanted to throw that out in case someone should recommend otherwise.

Here is the '05 4300 that I want.

Go for the hardrock sport, the change in stem will make a huge difference.

Agreed

How about some more info on the 4600? Do you have any pics? How about specs?

Not too much info on it out there, but I'll go off of mine:

SRAM X.7 shifters and derailluer
SR-Suntour front derailluer
Bontrager Sport crankset, seatpost, saddle, Crowbar
Bontrager Jones tires
Matrix 750 wheels
Aheadset
Linear pull brakes(the pads suck ass)
SRAM 9 speed cassette/chain
RockShox Judy TT

And, Trek's Alpha Aluminum frame

I know I missed a few parts, but I couldn't be happier with mine.

Is there any reason why you would suggest the Specialized over the Trek?

I am not sure about the specs and components on the 05' Specialized, but the 05' 4300 seems to have better components than the Hardrock, other than the 20mm of extra shock travel that the it has.

Black = 05' 4300 (with disc brakes...but im getting the one without) Red = 04' Hardrock Sport


FRAME: Alpha SL Aluminum High-strength A1 Premium Aluminum frame featuring forged dropouts with eyelets, reinforced disc mount, forged alloy
FORK: RST Gila T5 w/preload adjust, 80mm RST Gilla T4, 100mm travel, preload adjust, Cr-Mo steerer, coil/MCU spring

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Shimano M495 disc hubs; WTB Speed Disc rims Joy-Tech, 32 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball w/ alloy QR; Alex double-wall rims with CNC braking surface

TIRES: Bontrager ACX, 26x2.2", 52/54 Specialized Enduro Sport 26"x2.0"

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF29 Shimano Altus
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano C050 Shimano Acera
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Alivio Shimano Acera
CRANKSET: SR 42/34/24 Truvativ ISO-Flow
CASSETTE: SRAM 850 11-32, 8 speed Shimano HG-50,
PEDALS: Alloy platform, clipless adaptable Dual sided, composite body, steel cage, toe clip compatible

Black = 05' 4300 (with disc brakes...but im getting the one without) Red = 04' Hardrock SportBlue My reply.


FRAME: Alpha SL Aluminum High-strength A1 Premium Aluminum frame featuring forged dropouts with eyelets, reinforced disc mount, forged alloyThat A1 Premium Aluminum frame with the forged dropouts with eyelets, reinforced disc mount, forged alloy is much stronger than that Alpha SL Aluminum. Trek doesn't forge dropouts which is why the majority of their bikes are v brake only. Forged is stronger than Non forged.
FORK: RST Gila T5 w/preload adjust, 80mm RST Gilla T4, 100mm travel, preload adjust, Cr-Mo steerer, coil/MCU springBoth forks aren't the greatest, but the t4 is higher up on the RST foodchain.

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Shimano M495 disc hubs; WTB Speed Disc rims Joy-Tech, 32 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball w/ alloy QR; Alex double-wall rims with CNC braking surfaceWTB may make good tires and Saddles, but their rims downright stink. There have been more positive reviews with the Alex double-wall rims.

TIRES: Bontrager ACX, 26x2.2", 52/54 Specialized Enduro Sport 26"x2.0"The Bontrager ACX's wear out very quickly. Specialized Enduro Sports do to but nowhere near the rate that the bontragers will.

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF29 Shimano AltusEF29 is basically depot store level. Altus isn't.
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano C050 Shimano AceraC050 Depot store level. Acera is right above Depot store level.
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Alivio Shimano AceraAlivio used to be had for a lbs level, but has sunk to Depot Store level. Acera can't be found in Depot Stores.
CRANKSET: SR 42/34/24 Truvativ ISO-Flow
CASSETTE: SRAM 850 11-32, 8 speed Shimano HG-50,Sram 850 is Depot store stuff again. HG50 is actually Acera level.
PEDALS: Alloy platform, clipless adaptable Dual sided, composite body, steel cage, toe clip compatibleThe only advantage the trek has but remember the pedals are usually the first thing to go so null point.

Also when comparing bikes like you were, compare 2004's with 2004's and compare 2005's with 2005's.

It's the 4500 with SRAM X.7 bits, basically introduced because Shimano hasn't caught up with '05 demands yet.

https://bikebarn.com/site/itemdetails...=39&sort=Price

Alivio is higher on the Shimano food chain than Acera but it was thrown on as a token gesture.

I'd go with the Hardrock Pro Disc. Spend the extra money its well worth it. I've tried both of these bikes and personally I like the Hardrock more.