Newbie, probably made a mistake but... Trek Y26
 

So I wanted a bike for my birthday. I know nothing about bikes so i go to my local K-mart, Wal-mart. I see bikes from 80 bucks to an outstanding 287 bucks. I say to myself as i look at the 287 dollar bike " I wonder how much money quality bikes cost".

So i go to my local shop in Puerto Rico. I ask him that i want an aluminum frame with dual suspension. He than asked me how much money im willing to spend? I say i dont know 300. He than jokingly tells me to might as well go home. I was kind of amazed that bikes can cost more than 1,000 dollars.

Well anyways i bought a Y26 Trek, I have read all the reviews and totally understand why everybody hates it but! I am a total beginner. This is my first bike(first bike not from walmart). Can it really be that bad for me? Im not gonna go on long grueling trails, i just want this bike to go around the neighborhood, have an occasional ride just for some exercise. And all you guys are comparing the bike to 1,000 dollar machines that frankly i cant afford. I have a motorcycle for that. So really... Am i gonna enjoy this bike? I have not touched another dual suspension or even a hardtail for that matter. Im going from wal-mart bike to Y26. I dont think anyone has looked at it from this perspective. I am actually waiting for the bike to come in. It gets to the shop in 2 weeks. They had one there but it was to big 19inch. I want to get the 17.5. But from what i saw and felt i though it felt nice.

Also if i want to upgrade is it possible? Can i get the rear and font suspension? I dont want to do that yet but Id like to know that i can. What do i have to look for?

Let me know what you guys think... Be Honest, I can take it.

adel

FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha aluminum
FORK: InSync 320
REAR SHOCK: Mozo USA RS-200 coilover

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Alloy F, Shimano RM40 R hub; Matrix 750 rims
TIRES: Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF29
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano C050
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Acera
CRANKSET: SR XCC150 42/34/24
CASSETTE: Shimano HG50 11-34, 7 speed
PEDALS: Alloy platform, clipless adaptable

COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager Sport
SEATPOST: Bontrager
HANDLEBARS: 30mm rise
STEM: Bontrager, 25 degree
HEADSET: Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Alloy linear pull w/alloy levers

Bontranger is a good parts supplier.
7-speed cassette??? What?...why?

At this level of cost, really all the packages are entry level bikes.
Don't pound on it.
It's a comfort bike, probably well suited to your needs.
It will work considerably better than a $200 Walmart generic FS.

A quality suspension fork would be above $200.

A quality HT frame with a better front suspension fork would suit an entry level rider more.

See if the sport grabs you, no need spending lots unless you have the need.
As your skills\ interest in cycling grows -look into more performance level bicycles.

I may be wrong in this, as I have never been into Full suspension, but When the Trek "Y" bikes came out, they were not bad. I know Technology has changed a lot in the last 6 months, let alone the last 5 years, but for your first proper Mountain bike, I do not think you are going to be too disapointed. OK, it will not take the downhills that quality bike can take, and if you get a bit too confident, you might be eating a lot more mud than you would like, but compared to a"Wallmart" type bike, you are streets ahead.
As many of us have found out, it is not the bike you ride, but how you ride it and how you enjoy it.

I'll add a postscript here. In my group I have a rider and he is probably the fittest in our group. His current bike is a 22lb lightweight XC machine that I initially loaned him as he does not have much money, and he wrecked his old bike. His old bike? The cheapest, crappiest Bike I have ever seen, and that was a Full suspension Raleigh that was made for the Leisure Market. Point is he learnt a lot on this bike, and although he has superb fitness, his riding skills are not bad either.

Hey guys thanks for the replies. Im glad you guys understand my situation, and you are right im just beginning. I think just writing here and buying the bike thats not from walmart is a big step. In my opinion anyways.

So if i did want to make the bike more high performance than it is, is it possible?

What do i need to look at? Can i change the front fork? How about the rear suspension? I figure i bought the bike how would i hook it up? I always change parts on any machine that i get.

Thanks let me know.

adel

My first full suspension bike was a Gary Fisher Z1. Yep, nearly identical to the Y26 you bought.

In terms of current technology, it's outdated. In terms of your first full suspension bike. It's a good bike.

Sure, had you come here asking about it, we would've steered you in a different direction. Probably more towards sticking with a Hardtail. However, the shortfalls that bike has will go mostly unnoticed by you.

It's a good bike, ride it, enjoy it and get hooked on the sport.

Replace things as they crap out, you probably won't exceed the bikes abilities for a while.
Keep it in good condition and sell later when you have a good idea of your cycling abilities and needs.

When you get serious about bikes, it becomes a frame issue. It's all about the frame.
A good mtb frame (only) starts above 300-800$.

But @ that point, you'll probably know what you like to ride, and what is bunk design.

You COULD upgrade the bike but it seems to me, not usefull.

Some stuff that can change the feel besides suspension - Tires (on the road mostly?) get small slicks, nice cushy well designed grips or some fat padded gloves.
Good pedals that revolve well and grip to your shoes.

Don't forget to buy a helmet -and wear it.

Things nice to have...a pump. A set of tools\ hex keys. A patch kit. Some light tint sunglasses that will fit when wearing a helmet. Water bottle. Hmmm :rolleyes: All purpose lube.

You COULD get a new front shock...but you want to up^grade, $$$, maybe 200-400 for a 'decent' fork.

Now if you upgrade the fork...think about putting it on a different bike, 'cause a 400$ fork would deserve a better frame.

Look into hardtail mtb's, less crap to go wrong, a bit cheaper -(spend the savings on a fork) and easier to maintain.

If you are heavy person, perhaps a mechanical front disc brake.
Also, I swap the front brake pads on stock V-s and run softer (colored, less carbon) rubber pads front to get a better grip on the rim. Really helps in the wet, or with dirty rims.
Your stopping power is in the front, use the back brake for slowing.

Currently I use Jagwire, salmon Koolstops are great too.

Hope you have a great time with your new bike!
Just to make you feel good..my favorite mtb is 14 years old and has had a total of $700 tossed into it, before front suspension. :eek:

(it's very custom and nice tho-.)
Really good bikes are expensive, make sure you know what you 'need' when bike shopping.
Your bikes fine, in a year, you may feel a need for speed.... :p

Probably right...so if you foolishly upgrade the fork, get one with disc tabs so you can sink more cash in with the disc brakes. ;)

Do they make a bolt on disc tab?? Yes....I could do my own research... :rolleyes:

From the specs, it sounds like an ok bike. But most important take it out and start riding it, the more you ride it, the more you know what's your next bike going to be.

It's all about riding, when I am out there, it's about cresting that mountain top, picking the lines, the rush, the beauty of the nature..., I just don't think much about the bike...yeah, until an old friend showed up for the ride with a shinny Santa Cruz Blur decked out with XTR, disk brakes, of course I kicked his ass on my hardtail so get out and ride!!!

/td

well cycling is an investement, you have to (at least i do) give up the trip to blockbuster very day and stuff like that. BUt ride this thing a bit, and see if you are more interested. It will do fine for what you want, if you find yourself getting more involved take a look at some hard tails, pawn shops have good deals.

sounds fine for your uses.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Well i see how much of an inferior bike this is. I just loved the fact of full suspension. Maybe it will take a little more effort on some spots but i guess i need it. I thought about the hardtail 4300, to be honest i loved the color and style of the y26. I figured id be alright with Trek brand. We shall see how much fun it is to ride around. Here in Puerto Rico there are really nice trails along the beach. It should be fun. I really hope that i enjoy riding i need to lose the weight.

BTW how old is this y-stlyle frame? What was the point of the frame if it is so inferior?

They were still being sold about 5 years ago and was one of the first "Mass produced" suspension bikes made. There were others but with Treks marketing they sold pretty well. Problem with it is, it is an early suspension bike when all it had to have was a spring at each end. In comparison to modern bikes, the suspension was terrible. In its day though, it was OK.
It is a bike to learn on, not one to upgrade unless you are going to use the upgrades to build your next bike. As parts wear out, then get them replaced, probably with better parts, but this bike will suit you for a couple of years.

If you can get us to admit, most of us on this forum started with crappier bikes than you have, and it is always that early bike that taught the skills that we still use on our latest Whyte 46 or Yeti. (I can dream can't I )

Some of you seem not to be putting this bike into context for what he's using it for. For his uses, e.g. riding around a neighbourhood it should be perfect for it.

Of course, if you can return it I would recommend you go after the 4300 that you tried.

Good luck with either though and enjoy riding. :)

Heck, my first real MTB was a purple Univega of some sort with no suspension that cost me like $325. I rode the heck out of that thing until it got stolen. :p I don't even remember exactly what it was as it was about 7 years ago of so.

Dude, just ride it like you want to. If then you feel you need more, then you will know that it is time for a better bike. If you don't have the $$ to commit to the sport, then just stick to the y-26 and ride it like it cost four times as much. Enjoy riding rather than fixing up your ride.

I also got the Y26. The bike sucks arse. Its horrible. The rear shock barely even moves. It's a horrible riding bike, I hate it. Tires are small, bad suspension, HEAVY frame, Crap components, and bad handling. Seriously, take it back and get a hardtail. All new MTBers want a full suspension bike because they look so great. I already took mine back and plan to get the Bruiser 2.

Wow way to rain on a parade...

You can get a much Nicer Hardtail instead.

I think that hardtails are it no matter what. They make freeride 'tails already., and I know that XC is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better on a hardtail.

Take it out, have a good time. Crash a bit, replace things when they break, and don't worry about other's opinions. You'll know very quickly if the bike suits your needs. Check ebay for cheap parts if you want to upgrade, but get on good terms with a decent bike shop near you.

Tech tip of the day: Talc your tubes! I use Torelli's which come pre-talced, but last time I changed my tires, I coated the whole inside with a fine layer of J&J's finest baby powder. No more tube/tire friction. I can get them to speed faster, stop better, and they handle better too. Cheapest upgrade I know.

2.0" tires for XC are small? I thought most XC bikes came with tires about that size. :p Besides, there's nothing wrong with XC tires that are a bit narrow. I can ride 2.0's just fine.

We've got 2.0's on the tandem right now. Plenty of rubber.

Is that some new technology I don't know about? I suppose next you'll tell me they even make tires that don't require tubes.

actually, they are small. I think they're 1.95' and the tread is really crappy. Bontrager connection trail. I don't like those tires.