DESCRIPTION 29ers are versatile enough to serve XC and trail riders, and their unbeatable efficiency and momentum make them the ultimate singlespeed weapon. The trail I ride 2-3 times a week is littered with roots, a few decent drops and a few jumps and the bike has been great. The main items I didn't like were the rear derailleur not being a clutch type and after a few years the front fork failed on a very rocky rough trail which wasn't surprising. I upgraded to a Fox air shock and eventually also upgraded to a 1x setup with a clutch type derailleur and have fallen in love with the bike all over again. This is a perfect beginner bike that can easily be upgraded as things wear and your skill level increases. I think I'm the only person on here that likes the brakes not being so touchy... I've had a 2013 Trek Mamba for 4 years now and put countless trail miles on the bike. The trail I ride 2-3 times a week is littered with roots, a few decent drops and a few jumps and the bike has been great. The main items I didn't like were the rear derailleur not being a clutch type and after a few years the front fork failed on a very rocky rough trail which wasn't surprising. I upgraded to a Fox air shock and eventually also upgraded to a 1x setup with a clutch type derailleur and have fallen in love with the bike all over again. This is a perfect beginner bike that can easily be upgraded as things wear and your skill level increases. I think I'm the only person on here that likes the brakes not being so touchy... I have just bought a like new 2013 , it was never on a trail and only ridden a hand full of times. I ride Reddish Know,massanutten resort and find this cheap bike to out handle many high dollar bikes i have owned and still own,more fun than the saclpel 4 i currently own. I'm 240 and over 6' ,sturdy bike. I have just bought a like new 2013 , it was never on a trail and only ridden a hand full of times. I ride Reddish Know,massanutten resort and find this cheap bike to out handle many high dollar bikes i have owned and still own,more fun than the saclpel 4 i currently own. I'm 240 and over 6' ,sturdy bike. Weakness: Weight could be a weakness, but then again, it's entry level so why does weight matter and if that bothers you, it can be easily remedied. If you're an advanced rider then sure... It will do what you want it to do and more than likely a bit more. With the OE I put this bike through a very decent amount of abuse and it stood tall. So after a year of becoming obsessed with MTB'ing, I've upgraded everything sans headset and fork those will be next maybe.. Now my skills are advancing to another level and I'm loving my Mamba even more. I waited and got a deal on this bike. I was diligent and patient in choosing the upgrades and got deals on all of them..... It now weighs around 26. I'm not necessarily a weight weenie per say.... I just went down the upgrade path which honestly... It gets a ton of compliments though and I loved this bike from the beginning even before the upgrades so it's a fantastic bike. Weakness: Weight could be a weakness, but then again, it's entry level so why does weight matter and if that bothers you, it can be easily remedied. If you're an advanced rider then sure... It will do what you want it to do and more than likely a bit more. With the OE I put this bike through a very decent amount of abuse and it stood tall. So after a year of becoming obsessed with MTB'ing, I've upgraded everything sans headset and fork those will be next maybe.. Now my skills are advancing to another level and I'm loving my Mamba even more. I waited and got a deal on this bike. I was diligent and patient in choosing the upgrades and got deals on all of them..... It now weighs around 26. I'm not necessarily a weight weenie per say.... I just went down the upgrade path which honestly... It gets a ton of compliments though and I loved this bike from the beginning even before the upgrades so it's a fantastic bike. Strength: this is a great bike I have owned this bike for 1 yeah now and I haven't had to put any money into it and it rides like a dream! I have ridden this bike hard and holds up to my standards, yes I would not use this bike for downhill biking but this bike wasn't made for that it was made for a cross country feel and I have other bikes that do this for me! I have ridden this bike hard and holds up to my standards, yes I would not use this bike for downhill biking but this bike wasn't made for that it was made for a cross country feel and I have other bikes that do this for me! Strength: this is a great bike I have owned this bike for 1 yeah now and I haven't had to put any money into it and it rides like a dream! I have ridden this bike hard and holds up to my standards, yes I would not use this bike for downhill biking but this bike wasn't made for that it was made for a cross country feel and I have other bikes that do this for me! I have ridden this bike hard and holds up to my standards, yes I would not use this bike for downhill biking but this bike wasn't made for that it was made for a cross country feel and I have other bikes that do this for me! Swapped the pedals for eggbeaters during the first week. Will be getting new tires for it once it crests the year mark due to them being the only real downside on my adventure thus far as noted in the weaknesses. The Hayes breaks are amazing for control though certainly leave you wanting more stopping power, though it may just be the large amount of lever movement required. It feels like they need the air bled out of them. I had done an awfully large amount of research regarding 26ers and components and was looking at a specialized crosstrail when the dude at my LBS showed me the mamba. Rode it around the parking lot, slept on it and bought it the next day with very little research into 29ers. I would certainly do it again. Swapped the pedals for eggbeaters during the first week. Will be getting new tires for it once it crests the year mark due to them being the only real downside on my adventure thus far as noted in the weaknesses. The Hayes breaks are amazing for control though certainly leave you wanting more stopping power, though it may just be the large amount of lever movement required. It feels like they need the air bled out of them. I had done an awfully large amount of research regarding 26ers and components and was looking at a specialized crosstrail when the dude at my LBS showed me the mamba. Rode it around the parking lot, slept on it and bought it the next day with very little research into 29ers. I would certainly do it again. Great bang for the buck. But this season I've been putting the Mamba through the wringer. It's holding up pretty well. It's fast, climbs well and is beefy enough to take a beating. Yeah some of the components are a little cheesy but so far so good. If I continue to ride it regularly I'll probably at least change to a fatter tire and when components start wearing out, upgrade them. All in all it's a pretty fun ride. Great bang for the buck. But this season I've been putting the Mamba through the wringer. It's holding up pretty well. It's fast, climbs well and is beefy enough to take a beating. Yeah some of the components are a little cheesy but so far so good. If I continue to ride it regularly I'll probably at least change to a fatter tire and when components start wearing out, upgrade them. All in all it's a pretty fun ride. Bike handles great and you can really throw anything to it and in will take it. I am an aggressive rider and I have not have any issue with the frame or rims. On the other hand, I blew-out the shock after 300 miles on it it was fixable , the threads in one of the cylinders stripped away. I changed the tires for better traction original tires do not work well with Florida's sandy trails. And finally, the crank starts making a rubbing noise when you apply heavy torque while pedaling, and it will not go away until next time you ride - very weird. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and I will recommend this bike for an intermediate rider, it will fall short for anyone beyond a weekend warrior. Bike handles great and you can really throw anything to it and in will take it. I am an aggressive rider and I have not have any issue with the frame or rims. On the other hand, I blew-out the shock after 300 miles on it it was fixable , the threads in one of the cylinders stripped away. I changed the tires for better traction original tires do not work well with Florida's sandy trails. And finally, the crank starts making a rubbing noise when you apply heavy torque while pedaling, and it will not go away until next time you ride - very weird. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and I will recommend this bike for an intermediate rider, it will fall short for anyone beyond a weekend warrior.
