Cane Creek Thudbuster Elastomers

Advantages: Good Price, Quality Groupset, Reliable
Disadvantages: Poor Fork

...I bought myself a brand spanking new Trek 4500 2004 edition as a foot into the door of mountain biking. Since purchasing the bike I been out on regular offroad expeditions (some of which have punished the bike quite hard, in the lakes & peaks) and my 4500 has stood up very nicely. The groupset is all good quality stuff, deore rear mech & shifters, Alivio front mech - all Mega 9 drivetrain (i.e. 27 gears). The brakes are competent, ok promax affairs however the real problem is the fork. The supplied ROCKSHOX Judy TT is a spring/elastomer fork and whilst its fine for tow path riding and light mountain-biking it really does lack on technical downhill sections. The pre-load adjuster does next to nothing and travel is sticky and unpredictable. However it is better than no fork at all and you can always upgrade! Pretty much all bikes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quality frame and finishing kit
Disadvantages: BB and crankset could be better

...Ok, if like me you are new to MTB and want your first bike, chances are you read the mags and believe that an every day, usable bike will cost £500 plus. Not So. I have just purchased a Brand new model trek 4300 for £299. It has the ASL frame from higher up the range, Bontrager finishing Kit, Cane Creek head set and Alivio Mechs. New style Bontrager Connection Tyres and good sturdy Matrix 750 rims and Grind 323 forks (same internal make up as judy tt and lighter into the bargain). Only downside is square taper BB and suntour cranks, but hey, what do you expect for 300 quid? I use this bike everyday, and as i weigh in at just under 16 stone, i put some weight on the cranks and they are still standing. This bike puts up with a lot from me as i ride some very rocky trails and it is still all in order ( 200 miles and 10 days) not long I... Read review

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Advantages: Good value for money
Disadvantages: soft rims

...The 99 Giant ATX 840 is a pretty good bike for the money. It comes with a Alivio/ STX-RC component mix, and a Rockshox Jett T2 elastomer fork, which I have upgraded to Marzocchi Bomber Z5 fork, which performs well, despite the slow rebound. I have noticed no problems except for the rear rim I bent hitting a curb at high speed. This bike has a stiff, light, 6061-T6 alloy frame. I have found that upgrading to a riser bar makes riding this bike noticibly more comfortable. Overall, this is a good bike for someone who is entering the world of mountain biking.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful