2009 Trek 8500

Roadi

Thinking of putting the road bike away for the winter and having an attempt at mountain biking.

I like the idea of trying some XC races next year and want a suitable bike for under £1500, at present the 2009 Trek 8500 appears to have a great spec for my budget.

Can anyone recommend it or something simular?

streako

The Trek hardtails are supposed to be very good, but I wasnt over impressed with the Bontrager finishing kit on my Fuel EX and ended up replacing most of it. Also look at Stumpjumpers, Kona Kulas, Scott Scales, etc.

Perhaps best value for money are the Merlin bikes. Rock Lobsters and Malt frames again are supposed to be good, and you can pick and choose your finishing kit.

Also try and get test rides if possible, as you may prefer more of a relaxed "Trail" geometry as opposed to twitchy xc racer.

Surf-Matt

Rides are essential - our Rockhopper Disk and Stumpy Comp look very similar next to each other. But they ride completely differently.

That budget will get you a lot of hardtail bike - try the Stumpjumper and the Scott Scale 30 - my two favourite "proper" hardtail XC machines.

Roadi

Thanks for the advice. The guy at Allterrain bikes talked me into the 2009 Trek 8005, comes fitted with Fox F100 RL forks and full XT group set. Changed the saddle to a Specilized Toupe from my road bike, looks good at present, just hope the Bontrager stuff holds up.

Roadi

Meant 2009 Trek 8500

Surf-Matt

Nice bike -now you just post at least one pic!

goldblendslurper

Question for Roadi:


On the 8500, the areas of the frame that are "Polished Pewter" are they glossy or just bare aluminium?? Very hard to tell from the pic of the bike. If it is just plain Aluminium, is there a 'join' to the painted part?

Appologies for the strange question but I'm interested. How does it ride?

SPROCKET30

Hi sorry for the late reply on this post. I have a 2007 8500 and it was my first hardtail I had ridden I had owned 2 marin full sussers before and to be honest I wish I had bought one earlier its a great bike.

It rides really well I swapped out the saddle for a Gobi but the origional was not bad and the tires for something more durable and predictable but otherwise I have touched nothing. The only bike I'll trade this in for is a newer version. As for the colour it looks white to me .

MarvintheAndroid

I love my 8000 to bits (2006 model). I have had sporadic problems with wheel bearings, but they have improved them since then. In general the Bontrager kit has been fine, and where I have changed items (shorter stem for example) I have replaced with the same brand.

My next bike will be a Trek.

Marv

Roadi

Trek kept messing me around with a delivery date so got a Giant XTC Alliance 0 last minute.