Trek 800 Bike Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

Trek 800 is a popular mountain bike and has been around for more than three decades now. It was first launched in 1980s and since then has been popular among bike enthusiasts. Even now people are still interested in buying the Trek 800. So the questions is: why is the Trek 800 so popular and is the hype behind it real? Let’s find out in this comprehensive review of the Trek 800 bike.

Trek 800 Bike Specifications

Let’s have a look at the Trek 800 bike specs.

NameTrek 800
BrandTrek
TypeMountain Bike
Frame MaterialSteel
Tires26 x 1.95 inch all terrain
Crankset22/32/42 teeth Shimano Acera
BrakesetAluminum linear-pull brakes
Handlebar30mm Rise High Tensile Steel
DerailleursShimano C051 and Shimano C050
ShiftersShimano EF29
Shift leversSRAM 5.0
Rims36-hole alloy
PedalsPVC Platform
HubsAlloy
Cassette7-speed, 11-30 teeth

Salient Features of Trek 800 Bike

Now that you have seen the specifications of the bike, let us look at the standout features of Trek 800 which makes the bike popular.

Durability

The main thing which stands out in the Trek 800 is the durability of it. The mountain bike is made of steel, which is very durable. This means that you can take the bike to rough trails and be confident while driving. Rough trails require a good solid bike which can tackle the bumpiness. Trek 800 can handle that very well because of the steel body. Steel adds weight to the bike and adds sturdiness to the overall body. This is felt when riding the Trek 800.

Versatile Wheels

Trek 800 comes with 26 inch wheels. From our experience, 26 inch wheels are versatile. People of all ages, including grown up kids, can easily ride the 26 inch wheel sized bikes. The Trek 800 has 26 inch wheels. Most mountain bikes in the market do come with this size and for good reason. However, if you want more speed or are on the taller side, you may opt for the bigger 29 inch wheels as well. For most people, however, the 26 inch wheels on the Trek 800 mountain bike will be a good fit. You can read more about the 26 inch wheels here.

Lots of Gears

The Trek 800 comes with 21 gears. As a mountain bike needs to be able to climb steep hills with ease, the 21 gears on the Trek 800 will come in handy. The low gears allow you to ascend and descend and provides a lot more control compared to bikes with lesser gears. The SRAM levers are top notch and provide smooth shifting. This makes the Trek 800 comfortable to drive.

Space for Cargo

The Trek 800 has a steel body and ample space for cargo. The steel body is sturdy and helps the rider carry extra luggage with ease. This is quite useful on longer routes as you can carry your luggage with you on the bike.

Things We Didn’t Like About the Trek 800 Bike

In our testing of the bike, we enjoyed the durability of the bike and how it could handle pretty much everything on the trail. However, there were a few things which we didn’t like about the bike.

The Weight

It won’t be wrong to say that the Trek 800 is quite heavy. This weight does affect the overall biking experience. Speed is compromised and the extra weight does make it a little harder to control the bike. The steel body does provide durability and is quite sturdy. However, it comes at the cost of added weight which some of you may not like.

Lack of Suspension

Another thing we noticed was the lack of suspension in the Trek 800 bike. On the paved roads, this is no problem. However, when you hit the trails, especially the rougher ones, you can feel the lack of suspension. The lack of suspension makes the bike ride quite bumpy on the rougher patches. The body of the bike is made of steel, so it is quite strong and sturdy. However, on the rougher patches, the lack of suspension affects the overall comfort.

Pedals are not made of steel

Another thing which we noticed was that the pedals, unlike the body of Trek 800, are not made of steel. Instead, they are made of PVC plastic. They are of good quality. This is just one thing we noticed and thought to share in this review of Trek 800. While the bike may last for a long time, you might have to keep an eye out for the state of the pedals.

Maintenance a bit high

The Trek 800 is a great bike in the sense that it is made of steel. However, the fact is that steel rusts. You have to take care of the bike and avoid water and moisture as much as possible. Water will rust steel. Other than this fact, the bike is made of sturdy and reliable materials. The Trek 800 should last you a good time.

Slightly Narrow Tires

We noticed that the Trek 800 had narrow tires compared to the rest of the bikes in the market. This may not be a big deal for most people. Most people riding on flat paved roads won’t be troubled by the narrow tires on the Trek 800. In fact they will appreciate it as the narrower tires will provide more speed. However, if you are planning to go on rougher trails, you may find the narrow tires problematic. On rougher trails, you want something which has a good grip and doesn’t slip. This is the reason why most modern mountain bikes come with fat tires. This is something you should consider if you are venturing into rougher trails.

Trek 800 Verdict by TheBikeGuider

After having tested the Trek 800 for a couple of weeks, we have to say that the Trek 800 provides very good value for money. It is durable and will last you a long time. There were a few issues with the suspension but for most bikers, especially newbies, the Trek 800 is a great choice. So we believe that yes, Trek 800 is definitely worth the hype and is a very good mountain bike for what it offers.

However, as this is an old bike, you may have trouble finding it online. You might have some luck on Ebay and get one in good condition. For those of you who are looking to buy this bike, we can recommend a few alternatives. These alternatives will be similar to the Trek 800 in performance and price. The Schwinn Bonafide Men’s Mountain Bike is one of our favorites. Similarly, the Gravity FSX 1.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bike is another good one. If you want a Trek bike, then you can’t go wrong with Trek Marlin 4 mountain bike or the Trek 820 mountain bike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Trek 800 a good mountain bike?

Yes. We found that the Trek 800 was able to perform very well on simple tracks and is a good bike for most people.

What is the weight of the Trek 800 mountain bike?

The weight of Trek 800 bike is 29 pounds. This is quite heavy compared to modern mountain bikes. This is one of the things we didn’t like about Trek 800.

What is the size of Trek 800 bike?

26 inch. This size is very versatile and will fit most adults.

Can a 300lb person ride the Trek 800?

Yes. Trek 800 is made of steel and is very sturdy. A 300lb individual can ride the Trek 800 mountain bike. You can read more about the bike options for 300lb cyclists here.

Why You Should Trust Us?

Our team has decades of experience in cycling. Our author, Zain, loves trying new and old bike models. He is a bike enthusiast and loves everything bike related. He tested the Trek 800 after borrowing it from a friend. He rode Trek 800 for a couple of weeks and took it to different trails to truly test the capabilities of this mountain bike. Rest assured, he is sharing with you what he experienced and this will help you in making a great bike purchase experience.