My new Trek 4500

[Pax]

Trek 4500

I bought this bike a couple of weeks ago and am just NOT digging it. The place I bought it has a 30 day exchange policy so I thought I'd hit up the collective wisdom before I head to Chicago.

I have the Trek 1500WSD for my more serious rides, what I want is something fun to tootle around the neighborhood on. Something comfortable! The shop carries Klien/Specialized and Trek, I'm thinking about a Navigator 300.

Any thoughts/cautions/enthusiasms??

[mary9761]

Trek 4500

I bought this bike a couple of weeks ago and am just NOT digging it. The place I bought it has a 30 day exchange policy so I thought I'd hit up the collective wisdom before I head to Chicago.

I have the Trek 1500WSD for my more serious rides, what I want is something fun to tootle around the neighborhood on. Something comfortable! The shop carries Klien/Specialized and Trek, I'm thinking about a Navigator 300.

Any thoughts/cautions/enthusiasms??

I don't know anything about the other bikes since I'm so new to cycling, but I LOVE my Navigator 50. If I can ride it for 69 miles at a time, you should be able to do even better. The only problem I still have is my hands and I'm still adjusting the bike to see if I can allleviate some more of that.

[Pax]

I don't know anything about the other bikes since I'm so new to cycling, but I LOVE my Navigator 50. If I can ride it for 69 miles at a time, you should be able to do even better. The only problem I still have is my hands and I'm still adjusting the bike to see if I can allleviate some more of that.

Awesome mary!! I can't even do 69 miles on my 1500 yet!

I keep running into problems with my right knee getting too "bent", even with short cranks. It doesn't bother me at all on the RB but on the MTB it hurts (I have a 38% loss-of-use in the right leg). The pics of the Navigator on Treks website look like the geometry may work, so I may give it a try.

[mary9761]

I started out earlier this summer with a Roadmaster MTB from Walmart that was my son's but it was ill fitted AND it beat my hands up terribly. I have carpal tunnel and it made it nearly impossible to ride ANY distance.
I got my new Trek Navigator 50 July 27 and I have over 700 miles on it already.
I'd go to your LBS and test ride the Navigators. Jimmy at Bike Line in Carmel showed me the Navigator and I couldn't believe how comfortable it was.
Good Luck!

[Nanci]

It sounds like you could really benefit from a professional bike fitting (couldn't we all...) where they do all the measurements and put you on the fitting bike after the computer tells them the geometry. They then recommend bikes with geometry similar to what the fitting software tells them you need, and you can try out what those bikes feel like on the fitting bike. Then when you _get_ your new bike, they already have the measurements to fit it perfectly.

Nanci

[bikerchick68]

I bought my Mom the Navigator as well... it is VERY upright and considered a comfort bike... heck the name is perfect cause it IS comfie! My Mom has no interest in doing the types of rides that I do, she just wants it to ride to the coffee shop and for when she visits the grandkids, to ride with them... she'll be doing 5-10 miles tops... that being said, I think it's a perfect "tool around town" bike!

[CorsairMac]

QueenB: my "getbackintobiking" bike that I bought a year ago was the Trek Navigator 200. She is a sweet bike - kinda like a Holstein cow! Sweet tempered, heavy as can be and can go Anywhere without issues. I did switch out the seat for something a little less cushy, tightened the seatpost suspension all the way down, switched out the handlebars for straight bars, went to rapid-fire shifters and put on clipless but other than that, she's my tank! I'm seriously thinking about getting her back out and tuned up for my winter commutes......it's just hard after riding the road bikes all summer coz she is a tank!! I just can't see myself ever getting rid of her - she was my first bike in a long time...and my first Trek. I also put over 1000 miles on her before I got my first vintage road bike!


Mary: I don't know what you have on the 50 but I had to switch my handlebars out. The 200 came with a swoop style handlebar and it was causing all kinds of agony in my elbow. We switched it out for a straight bar (a la MTB style) and I haven't had any problems since.

[Pax]

I get the feeling that I may end up with a Navigator, it'll feel funny though to walk out to the garage and pass by the 1500 and roll out a tank. I like the idea of a comfy bike for puttin' around.

[mary9761]

Mary: I don't know what you have on the 50 but I had to switch my handlebars out. The 200 came with a swoop style handlebar and it was causing all kinds of agony in my elbow. We switched it out for a straight bar (a la MTB style) and I haven't had any problems since.

I had to look up the specific specs, but the handle bars are similar to the MTB that I had previously except they have a 50mm rise to them. I may need to see about raising the handlebars, I'm not sure. I recently raised the seat and that helps with some situations, but I think it's making me go forward too far. http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/City...r_50/index.php
I've got a benefit ride Sunday so I'm not going to fiddle with anything until after that at least. Might as well ride what I know right now and not try to get used to a new set up on an organized ride.
I get to show off my brand newly made jersey that matches my shorts Sunday as well.

[Wendy]

I keep running into problems with my right knee getting too "bent", even with short cranks. It doesn't bother me at all on the RB but on the MTB it hurts (I have a 38% loss-of-use in the right leg). The pics of the Navigator on Treks website look like the geometry may work, so I may give it a try.

I have a question: How do you tell how long your cranks are? I'm having knee trouble, and seat height is not the problem.

[Pax]

I have a question: How do you tell how long your cranks are? I'm having knee trouble, and seat height is not the problem.

Look at the inside of the crank by the pedal, it'll say 175 or 170 or 165 (I think those are the possibles). My new MTB has 175's and it just bending the heck outta my bum knee.

[Technotart]

We are buying my parents a couple of Navs for christmas. They want something with a more upright posture and to use for puttering around, not going fast. They tried the navs out and really like them, my mom especially likes the womens model that she doesnt have to swing up and over to get on.

[Pax]

Just got home from Chicago and my new puttin' around town bike is all tucked away safe in the garage.

I tried the navigator 200 and the Specialized expedition side by side in trainers at the bike store. The specialized fit me like a glove and was quite comfy so that's the one that followed me home...I'm glad it was the better fit, it was on sale for $247 WOO HOO!!.

[doorah]

A new bike AND a great price! What could be better???

Let us know how he/she rides & what you name him/her kay?

[Pax]

A new bike AND a great price! What could be better???

Let us know how he/she rides & what you name him/her kay?

Will do! After 6 hours in the truck yesterday I still HAD to take her for a spin before I tucked her away. I think she'll like it here.