Trek 3900

"NO, mountain bikes are not "all the same". Compared to giant, jamis, K2, Kona...Trek is superior.

The best way I can put it is, this bike handles and feels like it's 10lbs lighter than it really is, no joke. The geometry and components (drivetrain) all work together to make it feel light, quick and tough all at the same time."

"I'm not too new, or very experienced w/ mountain bikes, just so you know.Light if you compare this to an all steel bike. Very satisfying. For the price you pay for this, it's well worth it. Great tires, the Bontrager Connection Trail tires are satifying on and off the pavement. The tread pattern is curved for great pavement cornering, and a stright center of rubber for strightline stability. Plus, the tires are puncture resistant. For off-road use, it's enough for most average surfaces, but loose surfaces are hard to navigate at low speeds. Tires do OK in short patches of mud.The trigger shifters make me feel like a race car driver w/ paddle shifters(w/o a clutch), even though they aren't paddles. It corners well, compered to my previous not-so-capable [...]bikes. The 8-speed rear gears(sprockets?) are well-suited for fast acceleration on pavement, and close geared for off-road use.(duh) THe problem is, if you're a newcomer to biking, learn how to maintain a bike ASAP, or you'll destroy the rear deraileur in the mud like I did. Since these aren't grip shifts, they're relitively easy to operate. Downshifting from "4" to "1" can be done easily. Shimano shifters haven't disappointed me yet. (Note that this bike has a mostly Shimano drivetrain) The stock Shimano Acera's were very responsive. But, after doing NO MAINTAINENCE and riding in deep mud for 3 consecutive days, the rear deraileur had it. Since the rear deraileur was on gear 1 (largest gear) for mud use, it got stuck on one of the spokes and just bent. So, after getting a new rear deraileur, a Shimano Atlus, it felt just as good as new. The Atlus feels very similar to the Acera, I feel no performance difference, although it should be a bit worse than the Acera (according to the Shimano website). Later on, the ALTUS failed on me and got stuck in the spokes one day. So, I replaced it with a more heavy-duty Shimano Deore, hasn't disappointed me in the mud yet. Unusually, the Deore is more responsive off-road than it is on pavement.If you like the Bontrager brand, you'll be happy w/ the abundant (or infinite) badges it provides. I see them all the time, and it makes me feel like I'm on a race bike when I'm really not. It also somehow made me a Bontrager fanboy.The suspension is best for high-speed use, due to it's stiffness.It's my first quick-release axle bike, so those are very convenient, and haven't failed me yet.If you get one in black, it looks menacing in my opinion.The tires wear away rather quickly, especially if you like "drifting". Downshifting by 1 or 2 gears requires a delicate thumb.The yellow-green -ish color I was forced to get is annoyingly "girly" in a way.It's a hardtail(no rear suspension!), so if your "tail" isn't hard, then expect some [*]pain. The seat isn't soft.The suspension is annoying in many ways. Quite stiff, so it's not so great if you're going slow. (only the ride height is adjustable, supposively) I also get annoyed by trying to get the suspension to absorb small bumps by leaning on it. Even if I'm not leaning on it, it just goes over small bumps as if there was no suspension. Maintaining the suspension is a PITA.Don't expect the wheels to stay true, it's best to buy aftermarket wheels. I bent my rear wheel while "drifting"(it's a bad habbit), so if you like to get the tail loose, get new wheels.Just remember, beginning MTB'ers, MAINTAINENCE is the key to a properly working bike. Make sure what/where you're riding on doesn't exceed the components' capabilities.It's a great all-purpose bike, whether it be on or off the pavement. Just don't get too extreme with it...QUICK TIP: if you have a lock, lock it on your seatpost, not on the frame where the cables are routed."

"This is a great entry level bike. I bought the 18" model in Khaki. I'm only 5'8" 165lbs and this fit me very well. Looks better in person then in the picture, has a cool matte finish to it. Rides smooth and handles exceptionally well. I like my fork to be a little stiffer then avg. so this felt a little soft for me even when adjusted to max stiffness, not a big deal for a bike that is mid-grade. If your looking for a racer then plan on spending about $1K. I just needed something to pull the kids around in the Burley and this does it well.



Over-all I am very pleased with this bike. Terry O'Donnell at PC in Bloomington did a great job helping my wife and I. We originally went there to buy a bike for my wife and ended up buying 2!! I'll be back in the future to buy again for sure!!!"

"I love this bike.... I have had it for almost 4 years now and the most damage I have done to it is bent the handle bars about an inch down on left side and I bent up my 3rd sprocket on the front.... But..... I treat this bike like its a fully steal frame... I have jumped this thing and wrecked and i have done drops up to 5'. I use this thing for trials so i am always on the 3rd sprocket cause i use it as a bash plate. Its super light mine weighs in at only 33 lbs. The rims are super strong. and it has sexy tyres that are fatt. My shocks havnt bottemed out yet and i way about 180 lbs. Its just a super nice bike i recomend it to anyone for anything trials, mountain bikeing, urban.... i can ride about 5 miles in about 15 mins. this thing is nice. only problem i have is that the seat gets uncounfortable after a while it will flatten out... but still great bike for a awesome price. Unbeatable."

"Alot of people I see complaining about cheap components on this bike, and about it being heavy, and a few other things. Here's the opinion of someone who doesn't know all the lingo. This is a great bike for the price. It's made well, works well, and if you take care of it, will last you a long time. I mostly use mine for getting around the city on roads that are less than smooth and it works better (more comfortable too) than my FX 7.2. For bike paths and smooth pavement, it can feel a bit "clunky" compared to road bikes and all, but it's a mountain bike. It wasn't made for speed on flat surfaces. I'm going to be upgrading the tires soon to something with a less aggressive tread, and not quite as wide. For as bad as the streets are here in Philly, they don't need offroad tires. So in conclusion, if you're looking for a good, solid, inexpensive, all around bike that will last a long time, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this bike!"

"This is a great entry level bike. I just started getting into mountain biking and this bike has made it very fun. I mainly do single track trails and paved riding and it has never let me down. I live in Florida with nothing mountainous to climb, so I cannot contest to it's climbing abilities. This bike has made the sport of mountain biking so much more appealing to me. I would highly recommend this bike to someone wanting to get into the sport."

"It is a great bike and has a affordable price if you are on a budget, Handles great when climbing hills or decending and it is also great in technical terain like rocky hills or mud or rutted out trails, Perfect all around bike."

"Having initial doubts considering price, turned out better than expected. Combines an attractive metallic blue looks with good stock components, sturdy reliable front preload spring shocks with an enjoyable easy ride sensation. Good choice."

"I ride this bike to class during the week and often try to hit the trails on the weekends. For the money, I don't think you could get a better bike. This bike is perfect for beginners or intermediate riders looking for a bike to upgrade and customize. Overall, this bike is great!"

"I bought this bike, my first Trek, about 4 years ago. I've used it on beginner and intermediate trails, dirt roads, and some single track. It handles great, is light weight, and other then a few minor repairs has held up. I did replace the tires with something better for the dirt/rock around the Front Range of Colorado and put clipless pedals on recently as well as a new seat. A very fun bike to ride off and on road. I plan on riding it for a very long time."