Mountain Bike Trek 4100

Pros
Light, aluminum frame. Easy to use, reliable, brake and gear components.

Cons
Front Wheel lock hindered by standard front suspension on the Trek 4100. No kickstand.

The Bottom Line
Buy this bike if you're looking for versatility, high performance, great looks, w/o spending too much. Save money for the accessories (helmet, water bottle, mini-pump, etc.) Enjoy the ride on the Trek 4100

Component Package: Shimano V-Brakes and Gears, InSync front suspension, etc.

Since this is my first foray into biking since my young adolescence, I shopped around quite a bit before settling on my 2003 Trek 4100 (Mountain Bike). I live in the city of Chicago, one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the U.S. according to Bicycling Magazine (ranked 2nd, 1990). I haven't owned a mountain bike since I was a kid but I wanted to take advantage of all the designated bike routes in Chicago, especially the 8.1 miles of beautiful lakefront from Buckingham Fountain to Sheridan Drive along Lake Michigan.

I somehow made up my mind that since it was my first mountain bike in adulthood, I didn't want to spend too much. I set a limit of $350 US and discovered a very nice match in the Trek 4100. The Trek 4100 was on sale for $269.99. It had everything I wanted: front suspension (InSync shocks), upgraded brake and gear components (Shimano), and a light, aluminum frame. I'm not an avid mountain biker but I wanted a few bells & whistles to navigate city traffic.

The Trek 4100 is a great bike if you're not willing to spend over $300 to get around town. Plus, it has enough muscle to get you through the trails if you feel the need to go off-roading which I have yet to do on the Trek 4100. I did get up and down a few hills in Lincoln Park with relative ease though. If you are relatively new to the sport of mountain cycling, I would highly recommend the Trek 4100 bike. My friends that have owned bikes longer than I have are all envious. They like the sleek design and the features of the Trek 4100 bike. They can't believe I spent so little for it.

Performance wise, the Trek 4100 is capable of handling the roads and the dirt. Shifting on the fly is very easy because the gears are set in such a way that you upshift and downshift with both your thumb and index finger. The brakes are conveniently located just under the handle grips so every function you need is within grasp and easy to reach & use. I love this concept. There is no slip when shifting at higher speeds. The gears are very responsive to the mechanisms on the grips. The Trek 4100 accelerates well for a mountain bike yet like most bikes with front suspension some of the initial downstroke on the pedals are absorbed in the shocks. Braking is essential to overall safety and the Shimano V-Brakes (front and rear) are capable of stopping abruptly when necessary. This mountain bike features front and rear wheel locks so that you can disassemble either one wheel or both to to prevent theft when stowing the Trek 4100.

The upsides of the Trek 4100 are that it is lightweight, inexpensive, easy to shift while riding. The gears are conveniently located for comfort and quick use. It is an upgraded bike with many features at a reasonable price. Plus, it is great looking the performance to match.

Th downsides were that like all Trek bikes there is no kickstand, and the front wheel locks are difficult to use in conjunction with the standard front suspension (InSync shocks). It's a simple flaw w/ the InSync shocks, the way they're designed. If you buy the Rock Shox, the problem is eliminated on this mountain bike.

Recommended:
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 269.99

Recommended Use: Weekly Rides