Is this a good deal?

[MRS HORSEPOWER]

OK, So I have been thinking about cutting back on BMX racing due to a back Injury (I go in to my Back doc tomorrow for possable epidural steriod shot in my back ) And Was thinking about trying to Race Mountain bikes, I was looking to purchase one that I wouldn't need to worry about upgrading stuff in the future and our Local Bike store Has a 2008 Trek 8000 "Mens" In my size that they would sell for $1,100 as its a small and last years model (Retailed $1,800) they said they are having a hard time selling it.
I also sat on a WSD trek and I really liked the fit they said they would change the stem and whatnot to get it to fit more WSD.
Is this bike any good? any downfalls of it? Is this a good price?


Thanks for any input, Tina

[Running Mommy]

what are the specs on this bike? 1800.00 last year for a hard tail is a lot of clams. The fork looks to be marzocchi or rock shox no?? I would want fox, esp. on a bike that spendy. Sure it's only 1100.00 now, but it was 1800, so I'm curious. I'm not a fan of rock shox. We have had more than a few warrantys with them.
Trek makes a solid bike. I don't like some of the proprietory things they do- like require their own valve stem when you want to go tubeless. But they are good bikes.
I'm assuming this is an xt bike?

[kermit]

You have a back injury now. Have you considered full-suspension? Speaking from experience (back injuries that is), there is a HUGE difference in ride between the two. I started with a trek 4300, hardtail. Great starter bike, rode mostly rocky roads. Took it to the trail and it beat me up. My husband was mountain biking and after one ride on his full-suspension, that was it. You attack rocks and roots instead of get beat up. Thats alot for a hardtail, XT are great components but...I'd keep looking.

[Irulan]

That is an awesome price BUT I would be careful about the whole, "we'll tweak it to make it fit you" thing. It is true, that sometimes a minor switch out is all ya need, but some shops will do anything to shoe horn some gals into bike they shouldn't be on.

How does the bike currently feel? I'm not familiar with how the Treks vary in their WSD to unisex comparison. Usually, WSD has a shorter top tube but not always. Stem changes can sometimes affect how your steering feels.

All that, and that is a freaking awesome deal. (40% off) If it feels good, I'd snatch it up in a heart beat.

[MRS HORSEPOWER]

WOW, Thanks for all the input!!! Irulan, Thanks for postng up the specs!
So Rock shox are no good? good to know.
Not opposed to a full suspension bike, I'm taking whatever advice I can get. I race BMX now and thats ZERO suspension so My body will be in shock with just a front suspension...lol!!!And my back does find just riding anything it was the falling hard to the ground after crashing that beat me up: heres a video of said crash that did me in I'm in the lead in the blue and white: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0S_53AuGTw

The guys at the bike shop are really good I have known the one that was going over everything with me for awhile and there was no pressure to buy..He said That this Bike had really good "parts" on it meaning Shimano over SRAM I think thats what he said???... When I hopped on the Trek WSD bike It felt like the top tube was shorter and he said that the tweaks they could make to this bike would be to put a shorter stem on it and less wider bars to bring it to a more womens specific feel.

Keep the info coming ...Thanks again!!

[Irulan]

Rx Shx aren't necessarily "no good"; They are "ok".

Shimamo over SRAM is totally a personal preference thing - they both make good stuff and people tend to get all worked up about their favorite.

As for the whole WSD thing...(I don't want to sound condescending here) do you know what it is, isn't? Primarily it is a geometry things, for "typical" female proportions that would be long legs with short torso. Many women ride men's bikes just fine ( I have three mens, one wsd mountain bike) Overall fit is most important - stem should be tweaked for best fit, not just to make it wsd. Unless of course shorted top tube feels better. I just freak out about this stuff, I know too many people on the wrong frames that some well meaning shop has tried to make fit with a stem change, when really the bike is overall the wrong size.

The thinking on handlebars is changing too - wider can be more stable.

Sounds like you have a good shop you are working with.

[Irulan]

what are the specs on this bike? 1800.00 last year for a hard tail is a lot of clams. The fork looks to be marzocchi or rock shox no?? I would want fox, esp. on a bike that spendy. Sure it's only 1100.00 now, but it was 1800, so I'm curious. I'm not a fan of rock shox. We have had more than a few warrantys with them.
Trek makes a solid bike. I don't like some of the proprietory things they do- like require their own valve stem when you want to go tubeless. But they are good bikes.
I'm assuming this is an xt bike?

bikipedia:

2008 Trek 8000
Bicycle Type Mountain bike, front suspension
Sugg Retail $1,759.99
Weight Unspecified
Sizes 15.5", 17.5", 19.5", 21.5"
Colors Satin Silver/ Satin Blue

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Alpha Red Aluminum
Fork Brand & Model RockShox Reba SL, 100mm travel
Fork Material Aluminum/magnesium, single crown
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group Mountain Mix
Brakeset Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic w/185mm Rotor front/Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic w/160mm Rotor rear brakes, Avid Juicy 5 levers
Shift Levers Shimano LX Rapid Fire
Front Derailleur Shimano LX
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Crankset Shimano Deore XT, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals Not applicable
Bottom Bracket Unspecified
BB Shell Width Unspecified
Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Chain Unspecified
Seatpost Bontrager Race Lite
Saddle Bontrager Race
Handlebar Bontrager Race
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Bontrager Race
Headset Aheadset Slimstak

Wheels
Hubs Bontrager Race
Rims Bontrager Race
Tires Front: 26 x 2.20" Bontrager Jones XR, Rear: 26 x 2.25" Bontrager Jones XR
Spoke Brand Unspecified
Spoke Nipples Unspecified