The trek 830 mountain bike is a classic model that started in 1998, it is discontinued on trek’s official site, the only ways to get one is from a second hand like ebay and other platforms.

but it is a popular bike that needs more scrutiny, many people still have a lot of interest in it. from today’s view that the trek 830 is old and doesn’t cost much, but if we examine the bike a little deeper with the different parts like the gears and derailleur, we can find it uses a lot of big brands that still work well today.

Living in an age full of electronics that evolves every two or three years, we almost forget that the mechanical world still sits in the ground with little advancement. There are only a few minor differences between a bike produced today and its predecessor ten or twenty years ago.

If there are any, we can say that the carbon fiber is popular and in mass production today which makes the frame of the bike much lighter, and the costs are hugely reduced compared to twenty years ago. But for the derailleur, the most important parts of a mountain bike that people are concerned about, we don’t see any leap forward.

This means that the old trek 830 mountain track is still worth a lot, not only for collectors.

Let’s take a detailed look at the different parts of the bike.

Features and details

Frame

The frame is made of steel, this means it is much heavier compared to the carbon ones, but it also makes the bike durable, since this is an old bike, you can buy a used one that has been for years,the shape still looks well, which means it endures the examination of time and still keeps a good performance.

Shifter

This is the most important part of a mountain bike, the trek 830 uses a Shimano AceraX 21 speed derailleur. As we all know Shinano is the top brand of derailleurs and the AceraX is their middle class products that are still leading the market today.

Suspension

We should point out this is an issue you should care about, because the trek 830 doesn’t have a front suspension, which is common on the mountain bike nowadays.

It doesn’t perform well on bumpy roads, and you should keep this in mind.

Weight

Although the frames are made of steel, the total weight of the trek 830 is only 32lbs(14.5KG), this is because the lack of suspensions reduced the total complexity.

It is competitive even for a modern entry level mountain bike with aluminum frames.

Brakes and Tire

It has Shimano linear pull brakes, this is common for entry level mountain bikes, the disc brakes are often found on bicycles with a much higher tag. For a beginner the pull brakes are quick and responsive, you can change to a disc one when you have much experience that can feel the difference.

The wheel size is 26 inch(66cm). The original tire brand is Trek Big Kahuna. But for a second hand bike, you should note that the tire should always be replaced since it is consumable.

Who is it for & is it worth to buy?

Although the trek 830 is an old bike, it still worths a lot, you can get one for less than $100, with many great features, solid and durable.

The only disadvantage we think is the lack of suspensions, this affects the experience of riding on bumpy terrains. But if you just want a commuter, and the road conditions are good, just pick it.

If you are a beginner and want an entry level mountain bike with more budget, we recommend the trek Marlin 4, you can read our review here.

Pros & cons

Pros

• Budget friendly
• Durable
• Light weight
• 21 speed shimano derailleur

Cons

• Lack of front suspension
• Only second hand available

Final thoughts

The trek 830 mountain bike is a classic model that endures the time. We recommend it if you have a tight budget and want to dip into the world of mountain bikes. It is a great choice for beginners.

However, if you have more budget and want a bike for bumpy terrains, we recommend a new entry level mountain bike like the Trek Marlin 4.