[idontplaynice]

2001 Trek 8000 vs 2009 Trek 4500 - which do you think is the better bike overall today? Which would you pick to ride?

 

[DiRt DeViL]

Tough choice, I would take the older one because it has a better fork.

The other components are about the same even thou the older are better models but remember that yesterday XTR is today XT and so on.

 

[tnor]

It's kinda hard to tell what components the 8000 has but from just looking at the pictures I would tend to lean towards the 8000. The 8000, although older will have a nicer component package on there, especially when it comes to the front fork. It looks like the 4500 is running a Rock Shox Dart 3 fork, while the 8000 is running an older air fork. I tend to lean towards the older air fork because at least with that you should be able to dial it into your body weight which will give you a nicer ride.

Give us some more details on the components and that'll make it easier though...

 

[idontplaynice]

Trek 8000 specs:

Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material: Alpha SLR aluminum
Fork Brand & Model: Rock Shox Judy SL, 3.15" travel
Fork Material: Aluminum/magnesium, triple-clamp crown

Brakeset: Avid Single Digit 3 brakes, Shimano Deore LX
RapidFire SL levers
Shift Levers: Shimano Deore LX RapidFire SL
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT SGS
Crankset: Bontrager Comp, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals: Shimano PD-M515 SPD
Rear Cogs: 9-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Chain: 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost: Bontrager Sport
Saddle: Bontrager FS 2000
Handlebar: Bontrager Race Modified
Handlebar Stem: Bontrager Comp
Headset: 1 1/8" threadless Dia-Compe SAS

Wheels
Hubs: Rolf Satellite
Rims: Rolf Satellite
Tires: Bontrager Jones AC
Spoke Brand: DT stainless steel, double-butted

 

[idontplaynice]

Trek 4500 specs:

Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material: Alpha Black Aluminum
Fork Brand & Model: RockShox Dart 3 w/lockout, 100mm travel
Fork Material: Single crown
Rear Shock: Not applicable

Component Group: Shimano mix
Brakeset: Avid SD-3 brakes, Avid levers
Shift Levers: Shimano Alivio
Front Derailleur: Shimano Acera
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Crankset: Shimano M341, 22/32/42 teeth
Pedals: Alloy Platform
Bottom Bracket: Unspecified
BB Shell Width: Unspecified
Rear Cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth

Seatpost: Bontrager SSR
Saddle: Bontrager Select Basic
Handlebar: Bontrager SSR
Handlebar Extensions: Not included
Handlebar Stem: Bontrager SSR
Headset: 1 1/8" threadless VP A76C-TK

Wheels
Hubs Front: Alloy, Rear: Shimano RM30
Rims Bontrager Camino, 32-hole
Tires 26 x 2.10" Bontrager Jones ACX
Spoke Brand Unspecified
Spoke Nipples Unspecified

 

[Leppah]

If it were me, i'd be looking at the newer one because it probably has some type of warranty. If the angles are all the same, it's hard to decide. I think i'd still go with the newer one. Hard to tell how abusive the miles were on the older bike. That fork might be better on the older one, but it could be on it's last leg. That's a pretty old bike.

 

[fatnslow]

I wasn't able to dig up the geometry numbers on the 8500, but I'd bet the newer bike has better geometry - I think geometry is more important than suspension quality any day.

 

[Leppah]

True. You can always replace suspension.