The Trek 3500 Mountain Bike is a good bike for entry-level bikers. It has a relatively small and lightweight frame but comes with high-quality performance and a sturdy build. This bike has top-of-the-line components like Hayes disc brakes, SRAM mix drivetrain, and excellent suspension, allowing bikers to enjoy a smooth ride experience.
Whether you take your Trek 3500 out on the grass, gravel, dirt, or sand, you can be sure to navigate your way through the terrain without any trouble safely. With clean shifting brakes, Bontrager tires, and a robust frame, this mountain bike is always ready to take you on an adventure.
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About Trek 3500 Mountain Bike
The Trek 3500 is a premium quality mountain bike with a lightweight yet strong aluminum frame, making it easy to handle. It also makes for easy climbing and effortless acceleration when going uphill.
This bike is excellent for new riders because of the nimble handling feature, all thanks to the full aluminum built and the 63mm-travel suspension fork. With this, there’s no need to stress about rough trails, rocks on the trail, or even bumpy roads.
The bike’s structure is built with industry-grade materials that make it super durable, even though it is lightweight. Apart from the build and frame, the Trek 3500 bike’s componentry is top-notch. It is constructed with a one-of-a-kind 21-speed Shimano drivetrain, which is great for quick shifting, allowing you to ride uphill easily.
Along the trail, if you’re in a situation where you have to pull on the brakes, don’t worry because the Tektro linear-pull disc brakes on this bike are spectacular. Coupled with the Bontrager wheels, there’s no room for stressing your safety because it works like magic! You can rely on these wheels to assure you of sure stopping in sunny and rainy weather.
The handlebar and riser stem add to this bike’s premium comfort, whether you are riding across town on roads and pavements or on unforgiving terrains on the mountains and hills.
Since the Trek 3500 comes with high gears, much of the weight is on the wheels, making the bike less lively when riding through the mountains and trails.
The Trek 3500 comes in many different sizes and colors, adding appeal to the bike. Before buying one, ensure that your weight and height correspond to the bike’s size to ensure safety and comfort when riding.
Trek 3500 Bikes Sizes
Look at the chart below to learn more about the Trek 3500 bikes and how they work with different body weights and heights.
Note that although these numbers are approximate values, it doesn’t mean that the sizing is proper for everyone. The only sure way to know whether the bike suits your needs is to take it for a test drive before you purchase it.
| Bike frame Size | Height of the Rider |
| XXL | 6 ft 4 inches – 6 ft 6 inches |
| XL | 6 ft 1 inches – 6 ft 4 inches |
| L | 5 ft 10 inches – 6 ft 1 inches |
| M | 5 ft 6 inches – 5 ft 10 inches |
| S | 5 ft 2 inches – 5 ft 6 inches |
| XS | 4 ft 10 inches – 5 ft 2 inches |
Trek 3500 Mountain Bike Specifications
| Product Name | Trek 3500 |
| Brand | Trek Bikes |
| Weight | 17.5″ = 13.68 kg (30.16 lbs) |
| Colors | Waterloo Blue, Volt Green, Firebrand, Fastback Orange, Black Titanite |
| Frame Material | Alpha Silver Aluminum for most of the built with Semi-integrated fender mounts, head tube, and rack. |
| Wheels | Bontrager AT 550 alloy rims and formula alloy hubs |
| Fork | SR Suntour M-3030 with 75mm travel, preload, and coil spring. |
| Pedals | Wellgo nylon platform |
| Grips/Tape | Bontrager Satellite Plus |
| Hubs | Aluminum FM21 alloy |
| Handlebar | 25.4mm Bontrager alloy, 30mm rise |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano Tourne |
| Brakes | Tektro V alloy linear-pull with Shimano levers |
| Headset Type | semi-integrated 1-1/8″ threadless, semi-cartridge bearings |
| Stem | 25.4mm Bontrager alloy, 25 degree |
| Seatpost | 31.6mm Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 12mm offset |
| Saddle | Bontrager Evoke 1 |
| Shifters | 7-speed, Shimano Altus EF51 |
| Tires | Bontrager LT3 (26×2.0) |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano TX35 Tourney |
| Cranks | Shimano M131, 42/34/24 |
| Cassette | 7 speed, Shimano TZ31 freewheel, 14-34 |
| Chain | KMC Z51 |
| Bottom bracket | Sealed Cartridge |
Trek 3500 Mountain Bike Features
Neutral And Agile Handling
The lightweight and top-notch componentry of the bike makes this an easy and smooth handling-inspired bike. As a rider, you will be confident in riding this bike wherever you want, especially as a newcomer to the game, the agility of the bike is an excellent addition to its geometry.
It comes with a shorter cockpit than most bikes in the same criteria, making it easy for beginners to get used to; however, if you are already used to mountain biking, the space can feel cramped.
Durable And Lightweight Frame
It comes in an aluminum frame which is perfect for new riders to control. The material is also such that it is entirely resistant to corrosion, even with prolonged use.
Without unnecessary constructional details, the Trek 3500 bike is built with every part serving a purpose in the overall frame. The Alpha Silver Alloy material construction makes this easy to handle on and off-road.
21-Speed Shimano Gear Range
The Shimano M131, 7-speed, and Shimano Altus EF51 make this an astounding 21 Speed Shimano gear system. This makes the Trek 3500 a progressive mountain bike with smooth gear-shifting ability even when you take it out on rough trails.
The construction is super neat, with skinny stanchions and a brace welded onto the structure. The internal part of the fork comprises simple elastomer parts, utilizing the construction of the bike to its full potential without any gimmicks.
It also comes with a Shimano Mega Range 13-34T freewheel and a 28/38/48T setup for the chain set. This construction style allows the bike to build all the gears up pretty high, which can seem uncomfortable for those who aren’t used to this kind of build.
Hence, taking the bike uphill on particularly rough terrain can be a bit challenging. However, the good part is that it becomes easier to navigate when you go downhill or ride on the road or the pavement.
Fork With Shock Front
Although the gear system is considered midrange, The Trek 3500 comes with an SR Suntour M-3030, 75mm fork unit made of durable steel, which is why it can be pretty heavy but still light enough to be bouncy when you need the suspension.
This is quite the upgrade from the former SunTour XCT coils. While the storm’s progression of the bike was shortened with this new improvement, it gives the same damping performance as the others.
Sure Stop Brakes
They used the Tektro V Alloy linear pull with Shimano levers for the brakes. These are ideal for mountain biking because you always need reliable brakes for sudden halts and sharp turns.
It is also ideal because of its flexibility, which helps get rid of muddy rims. You can rely on these brakes for terrains and weather conditions.
Bontrager LT3 tire
The Trek 3500 bikes use a lot of Bontrager for many of its componentry. So when you look at the Trek 3500, you’ll see that they use the Bontrager LT3 tires (26×2.0″), the same kind of tire that most mountain bikes use.
If you are planning on riding on muddy trials, change the tire to a 2.4″. However, the 2.0″ bikes are just as valuable for rough terrains and are more agile. It provides a good combination of stability and traction.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great for beginners in the mountain biking scene
- Suitable for light single tracks and trails.
- The 3 chainring combined with the 7-speed cassette makes it a fast bike which is great for those who want speed.
- The lightweight build of the bike makes it easy to handle and control even on rough terrains.
Cons
- Shredding downhill can be a problem
- The super high gears can be pretty troublesome for uphill riding.
Trek 3500 Vs. Other Mountain Bikes
Trek Marlin 5
Like the Trek 3500, the Marlin 5 is also an ideal mountain bike for casual or non-professional riders. Compared to the Trek 3500, this bike has a better shock fork in the form of the SR Suntour XCM 30.
The travel is 100mm, which is significantly larger than the 75mm travel of the Trek 3500. The increased tire width to 29×2.20″ makes it a much more comfortable ride for all off-road trails.
Pros:
- Shock fork with coil spring and preload
- Increase tire width for more comfort
- Better damping effect
Cons:
- S frame shock fork is only 80mm
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp
This bike comes with a 29-inch wheel and rear travel of 150mm. You can rely on this bike to take you through the most aggressive trails and keep you secure and safe.
The new Specialized Stumpjumper EVO comp is one of the best in the game regarding support and suspension. It is equipped with FSR suspension, letting you descend the steepest trails with total control and ease.
Also, the power on this bike is unbelievable, as you can ride it uphill with no problem. The adjustable geometry of this bike is what makes it user-friendly for all kinds of bikers.
You can adjust it any way you want to fit your riding style on and off-road. The one thing that stands out the most about this bike is the new and improved SWAT storage which comes with a tool sleeve and a 20oz water compartment.
If versatility and aggressive trail riding are on your books, this bike is a better option than the Trek 3500 solely for its construction and intention. It’s also a heavier bike, which makes it easy to control on rough roads.
Pros:
- Stable descending power
- Highly adaptable to all kinds of terrain
- Adjustable geometry
- Maximum Storage
Cons:
- Bike weight is average
Santa Cruz 5010 CC
The Santa Cruz 5010 is designed to be a high-performance bike while retaining the “fun-size” wheel trend. The wheel size is much less common than other mountain bikes at 27.5 inches with rear travel of 130mm, but it is not to say that the bike is any less powerful.
The Santa Cruz 5010 is a revamp from the older versions, where the uphill and downhill riding is much more controlled. The geometry of this bike has been adjusted to fit in well with the latest componentry.
It gives off a playful demeanor, making it an easy ride for anyone who wants to experience the thrill of riding through trials that are rough but not too gnarly.
Since it has smaller wheels, getting them off the ground is easy. This is again supposed by the VPP suspension that makes it easy to navigate all the bumps and rocks on the trail.
Although the rear travel is capped at 130 mm, the performance of the bike’s deep strokes is enough to make you feel like you’re going at your desired speed.
The seats are also designed to give you ultimate comfort when going uphill, with adjustable angles to make room for more effortless pedaling.
The one drawback of this bike is that while it is not the textbook aggressive intention bike out in the market, it still retails for a hefty price. So it might be a significant deal breaker for most professionals.
However, the performer of the bike, given its build and geometry, is outstanding. The Trek 3500 and the Santa Cruz 5010 are both set at the lower end of high-performer mountain bikes if you compare the aggressiveness of the bikes.
But they are versatile and have decent control for both up and downhill riding.
Pros:
- Very versatile on all kinds of terrain
- Sturdy and durable build
- Playful and easygoing construction
Cons:
- It might not be the easiest bike that lets you access the flip chip.
Conclusion
Blending in useability and stability in one, the Trek 3500 is nothing short of extraordinary as you take your first ride on different terrains. The bike adjusts to all trails and is often referred to as a trail tamer because of the different components, like the brakes and the tires, that make the Trek 3500 mountain bike a great option.
Available in many colors, the Trek 3500 is easy on the eyes and offers potential buyers the option of choosing their preferred color.
This is an ideal bike for all casual riders or beginners of mountain biking. You can slowly work your way up from this lightweight bike to more aggressive-built ones as you get more experienced.
