|   Trek 8500 vs Trek 8000 | isukathis
Jan 10, 2002 8:04 AM | | My last post seems to have dissapeared? I'm wondering if I should save the money and get the Trek 8000 with the LX/XT components or slurge and get the Trek 8500 with the XT/XTR components? Is there a noticible difference in reliability? I'm 37 and dont really do the hard XC stuff any more.
Thanks for any feedback... |
| Are the frames the same? If yes..... | fred³
Jan 10, 2002 8:23 AM | | they you'll do fine with the lx/xt. Aren't there any other differences? Like the headset, pedals, saddle, seatpost, handlebar, cogset, rings, bb, etc.
fred3 |
| Are the frames the same? If yes..... | isukathis
Jan 10, 2002 10:49 AM | | Frames are identical except for colour, the blue (8500) kicks ass!!! Everything else is upgraded, derailers, shocks, crank etc... I'm just not sure if at my age, old timer (37) doing little XC if i'm going to see a $700 difference in quality/reliability etc etc..
Thanks fred... |
| $700 difference? | Hank
Jan 10, 2002 11:19 AM | | wow, I'd get the 8000 then. Looks like the 8500 has an XTR rear der, but otherwise has a bunch of XT wheras the 8000 has LX. Well, there is really very little difference between LX and XT other than finish. The differences between the two Duke shocks seem pretty minimal, but I haven't stayed very up to date with this stuff. Basically, performance and durability will be about the same, but I'd guess the 8500 would be a pound lighter or so. I'd consider getting the 8000 but trying to get them to swap out the Bontrager cranks/bb for a LX or XT setup (my guess is that it will be lighter and shift better). Save the rest of your money for a nice vacation. That's my $.02. |
| $700 difference? | isukathis
Jan 10, 2002 11:40 AM | | Thanks Hank... |
| couple more generalities | Hank
Jan 10, 2002 11:58 AM | | first, if you try to make them swap stuff out, don't let them charge you an arm and leg for it. You shouldn't have to pay more than $50 for the crank/bb upgrade--you can get a LX cranks and bb for about $100 new. Second, I am a devout Shimano chain hater--you might also consider having them swap to a SRAM chain and ugrade the cassette to LX/XT quality also--again, don't pay more than about $30 for this priveledge, and you may decide this is silly anyway (you can always upgrade when your first chain/cassette wear out). Finally, I'm going to assume you want the Shimano pedals (good pedals) but if you know right awat that the seat isn't going to work, I'd swap that out, too (though if you're not sure, try it out for a while--typically, a shop will give you about $5 credit on a seat). Finally, check around and find out what tires the locals are riding--see what's best for your conditions. Those Bontragers could be great, but they could be inappropriate, too. And of course, I've neglected to mention the whole fit issue, but if it's a good shop, they should be pretty helpful in this regard. Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck! |
| Don't know why you... | fred³
Jan 11, 2002 6:23 AM | | dislike the shimano chain. I've had great service from mine and it works the best with the shimano components. The power link is a non-issue as it's incredibly easy to install a new pin on a shimano chain.
fred3 |
| Don't know why you... | Hank
Jan 11, 2002 11:27 AM | | I've just always used Sedisport/Sachs/SRAM chains. The few brief times I ran Shimano chains they just didn't feel right. SRAM chains seem stiffer and seem to shift better and be more durable (this could all be in my head of course) and be priced better. Also, who wants to carry a spare pin when they're on the trail? I don't even use those power-links either--just throw them away. |
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