Trek 4300 Hardtail Mountain Bike
For a number of years I have been interested in getting a mountain bike, I had some road bikes that I road alone back in the 1990's, actually one that was really good and really fast. I sold those aforementioned road bikes because they were strictly for the road and I did not like riding with cars so much. I also wanted the option of using the bike comfortably as a commuter bike if I chose, riding with the kids and I wanted to be able to at least try some light trail riding if I chose. Overall the mountain bike format just fits my wants better than a road bike ever did. After looking at prices I was amazed at how much you could get for your money now, these bikes were a lot more expensive 15 years ago. I am not sure when the prices fell, but it suffices to say that the price is much more reasonable now. The quality of the bikes just feels much better also, the bikes seem to me to be higher quality with a reduced price tag.
Reading reviews and looking at price factors I had decided that I was likely going to get a Trek 3900 Hardtail Mountain Bike, that is until I went to the actual bike shop and found that the prices were far lower than those listed on the Internet. It turned out that I could not find a Trek 3900 in the local bike shops, but after checking the prices on the very cool looking Trek 4300 I found that it was well within my price range and below what I had set aside to spend on the Trek 3900. In Gear Cycling & Fitness in Hummelstown, PA were friendly, helpful and threw in discounts on accessories including dropping an additional $30 off the price that was listed on the bicycle. I tested the bike out, made a beginners mistake in shifting gears and they, including a helpful customer, showed me what I did wrong and why the chain popped from the gears. The Shimano shifters are far different than what I had on my street bikes and very functional and comfortable to use.
Other than the ride outside the shop I have only taken it for a short spin around the culdesac after putting the front tire back on following transporting the bike home. This evening I will take it for a longer ride and maybe before the week is out I can see if my father-in-law wants to take me to some of his Rails to Trails hangouts. I am also looking forward to taking the bike with us to Kitty Hawk, NC and doing a lot more riding this year. Last year we rented bicycles and loved it, but those were beach cruisers and with only one gear we were limited on our riding.
