Trek 8000

Advantages: Top Quality, first class frame
Disadvantages: a few cheap components

...years ago I bought a Trek 8000 mountain bike. I bought this in a sale for £1100 pounds. I did my home work and came up with the 8000 as a good all round cross country bike that would give me all I needed for a lot less than I used to pay. FRAME. My bike has to be big as I am 6'3". So I opted for the largest I could get. They come in various sizes in inches which your local supplier can advise you on, which roughly equate to Small, Medium Large ...
...of ZR9000 aluminium. Well the trek 8000 is made of the same stuff, making the frame super light yet very strong. As it is aluminium you get far more stiffness in the frameset over the standard flexible steel. The 8000 dimensions are pretty good for a bike to use either as a normal about town machine or for serious off road havoc. There is a little extra length in the frames top tube to allow you that extra distance from the bars on a downhill section. ... Read review

Advantages: Lightweight, good spec, nice touches
Disadvantages: Tyres, chain wear.

Got a one year old model and i'm glad i spent that bit extra on it. The 8000, is aimed at your cross country racer. Whilst is decends pretty good (tracks well, forks work right up to their limits) it aint no downhiller heavy weight thing. This will climb back up to the top with less effort than a 2 man chair lift. The traction is there right where you need it, under your back side. The tyres they come with however, are designed for the moab desert, ...
...27 speed XT/LX kit is good, if not a little temperamental. The narrow chain does not like to go out of shape or you'll end up spontaneously changing gear. Likewise, the narrow chain puts more pressure on your rings causing them to wear quicker. Make sure you change your chain at least every 6 months to reduce the amount of kit you'll get though (chainrings, cassette). A good sedis is quite adequate. The contact points are well catered for (grips, ... Read review