Mountain Bikes
On the budget end of their product line, the Trek 3900 earns high marks from reviewers for its durability and smooth gear shifting. It is a hardtrail bike (fixed rear suspension) with a solid, lightweight aluminum frame. The version of the 3900 with disc brakes is an excellent upgrade that comes relatively cheap, adding only $70 to the price tag (2009 prices). At the other end of the spectrum is the Trek Fuel EX 8, which was the 2009 Bicycling Editor's Choice winner for trail bikes. The bike has full suspension and comes equipped with Bontrager hubs and rims, and is described as a good all-around bike for climbing and descending.
Road Bikes
Good road bikes are automatically more expensive than good mountain bikes, even at the budget range. Even with disc brakes, a Trek 3900 should not retail for more than $530, but even a minimal beginner's road bike will start at $500. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Trek's best "budget" road bike, the Trek 1.2, comes in at $880 (2009 prices). This 9-speed, aluminum frame bike was rated by Bicycling magazine as the best road bike for the novice or casual cyclist that came in at under $1,000, due largely to its stable, comfortable performance. At the other end of the spectrum is the Trek Madone 5.2, a bike that met with rave reviews and won the 2008 Gear of the Year award from Outside magazine. It is a fast, nimble bike with a carbon frame that comes in different styles. The Pro style is for aggressive racing, while the Performance style is more comfortable and meant for someone who wants a fast, cross-country road bike. The main drawback is the price tag, which approaches $4,000.
Choosing a Trek Bike
For a serious cyclist, what kind of Trek bike to buy should be an easy choice: a competitive road cyclist has little use for a Fuel EX 8, for example. The rider who wants one bike to do a little bit of everything has a harder time, however. When comparing Trek's road and mountain bikes for general purpose use, the 3900 is the best model. Hardtrail bikes like the 3900 are comfortable and stable enough for use on the road, so they make for good bikes on city streets and for eating up long-distance hauls on country roads. While it is not ideal for rugged trails, the 3900 is ideal for dirt and gravel roads, and can eat up plenty of punishment from bumpy downhills. For the casual outdoor rider who wants a good all-around bike, the Trek 3900 is an excellent choice.
