Entry Level Mountain Bike: Trek 820

By Jonathan Berohn

I’ve had a bike for years. And living near Boulder Colorado where mountain biking is just short of religious status I’ve been meaning to hit the trails for years.

But being a busy father I’ve been putting off riding my bike for years. Now that both of my kids are old enough to bike outside of the confines of our neighborhood cul-de-sac, though, it was time to get my bike back in business. Naturally it didn’t work, and having it fixed would have cost more than it was worth. Yep—you guessed it—time to buy a new bike.

The Requirements

Like I said, the trails around here are, in a word, incredible, so I wanted something that could handle itself off paved roads. I also didn’t want to drop the $1,500 you can easily spend on an advanced bike. And really, I fool myself about a lot of things. Bike riding isn’t one of them. Look at it this way: you’re not going to see me on the X-Games anytime soon. I wanted a bike that would hold up to moderate trail use but be reasonably priced for the causal parent-kid rides that it would see most of the time.

The Trek 820

The Trek 820 fit all of my criteria perfectly. It has a steel frame so it’s durable without breaking the bank. It comes equipped with decent gears and components so you won’t have to be rushing off to the repair shop on a regular basis. And it comes with a front shock so it can handle the kind of trails I’ll be riding. Just as importantly it comes with the Trek name and reputation for quality and durability. Simply put, Trek makes good bikes. The way I look at it, if it’s good enough for Lance Armstrong that’s a pretty good endorsement. On a more personal note, a few of my friends who are serious riders like the performance they get from their Treks.

From my perspective, it delivers everything I need. The ride is smooth, the shifting is smooth, and the suspension helps smooth out any bumps. In relation to my last bike, my wife calls it a Cadillac, and I can’t argue with her.

Extras

You should seriously think about springing for two extras with your new bike. First, buy a water bottle holder or two. I know it feels like getting nickel and dimed, but you’ll want these with you on your rides. Second get your tires “slimed.” Slime is a goop that goes into your tires to essentially make them self-sealing. This comes in quite handy on the trail when it’s a long walk back to the car.