Is this a good deal?

[DirtDiva]

Well, I'd ride that bike, and I'm the same height with a similar inseam measurement. Of course, what I like might not be what you like. That bike is definitely a good place to start and the price is definitely good for that spec. It looks good too.

WRT the Rockshox/Fox thing: it's more that Rockshox provide a range of forks to suit a range of budgets, where as Fox pretty much just makes the top of the line ones to suit larger budgets. The REBA on that bike is the second to top of the range of about 5 that could have been specced on a hardtail like that one, and you'd not be likely to find a SID (the top of the range XC race fork) on anything other than a dedicated race bike costing megabucks.

[MRS HORSEPOWER]

Thanks Dirt Diva, I like how explained you the forks.

[emily_in_nc]

Do you have any idea of the virtual top tube length? I ride a Unisex Titus Racer X in size XS, which I believe is a 15" so probably not much smaller than the Trek you're considering. I am about 5'1-1/2" with a 28.5" inseam, and the bike fits me great. I have always ridden WSD road bikes as mens bikes have too long a top tube for me. The Titus has a short top tube so is WSDish in geometry, despite being "unisex"; I didn't even have to change out the 10 cm stem!j

That Trek is a beautiful bike! If it fits you, I'd say go for it!

[Running Mommy]

again, just my .02, but I think you could do better. My husband and housemate both avid mtn bikers and think it's not worth it- at all. As my hubby said "there is prolly a good reason it's still there.."

I do think the bike is beautiful, but I just hate to see you spend so much money when there are so many other bikes out there.
OTH- it's your cash, so spend as you please. I just warn because I've gotten caught in the bike lust trap before- and had my judgement clouded.

As for the rockshox warranty thing... It was the Tora that we had a lot of trouble with, not the Reba, so should be good there.

[Biciclista]

again, just my .02, but I think you could do better. My husband and housemate both avid mtn bikers and think it's not worth it- at all. As my hubby said "there is prolly a good reason it's still there.."

I do think the bike is beautiful, but I just hate to see you spend so much money when there are so many other bikes out there.
OTH- it's your cash, so spend as you please. I just warn because I've gotten caught in the bike lust trap before- and had my judgement clouded.

As for the rockshox warranty thing... It was the Tora that we had a lot of trouble with, not the Reba, so should be good there.

I am a little confused, others have said it's a good price, and you're saying it's not worth it at all. Would you mind explaining why? I know that you probably know a lot more about this stuff than most of us do and it would be very educational for the rest of us to understand. Thanks so much.

[Cataboo]

again, just my .02, but I think you could do better. My husband and housemate both avid mtn bikers and think it's not worth it- at all. As my hubby said "there is prolly a good reason it's still there.."

I do think the bike is beautiful, but I just hate to see you spend so much money when there are so many other bikes out there.
OTH- it's your cash, so spend as you please. I just warn because I've gotten caught in the bike lust trap before- and had my judgement clouded.

As for the rockshox warranty thing... It was the Tora that we had a lot of trouble with, not the Reba, so should be good there.

What alternate bike at what price point would you recommend?

[fidlfreek]

I know nothing about MTB, just road, but I know for SURE that weird sizes are often leftover.

Imagine, they're looking to sell a $1800 bike to a man thats 5'1-5'4? Really? So, a kid basically. How many kids have rents that drop that much on a hardtail? Maybe it was a special order that went bad or something.

So that explains it. Well, except when you look at the Titus XS that was offered in the For Sale section of TE a while back. That was a spendy bike for a kid as explained and examined at length by our awesome community.

[Irulan]

It's not unusual at all for women to purchase small men's mountain bikes. I myself own three men's small mountain bikes. I routinely see small and XL frames at the end of the season. It's just like buying shoes - the mid sizes go first and then the 5's and 11's are the ones that are left over.

[DirtDiva]

Do you have any idea of the virtual top tube length?

According to Trek's website, it has an effective TT length of 55.5cm/21.9inches.

The spec of this bike is the same as the 2009 bike. The only components that have undergone significant development in the interim are the shifters and front mech; Shimano replaced the LX groupset with the SLX groupset in the mtb world (I believe LX has been redeveloped for touring bikes). If I were tossing up between the '08 bike and the '09 bike I would certainly go for the '08 and save some $$.

Are there any other bikes you are considering? Try and ride a few, for real on dirt if possible.

[Irulan]

It's not uncommon for the less common sizes, (mens small and xtra large) to be leftover. Frankly, 40 % off is a heck of a deal, and if the bike fits I honestly don't know how someone could do better on a new bike?