If you’re in the market for an affordable and durable mountain bike, Trek 3700 may be a good option for you. But since this bike has been discontinued, you’ll only find used ones.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features that make the Trek 3700 stand out from the competition.
The Trek 3700 mountain bike has a lightweight Alpha aluminum frame and hardtail design, which is great for beginners who want a reliable ride on the trails.
Keep reading to find out why the Trek 3700 is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality mountain bike without breaking the bank.
Trek 3700 Mountain Bike At A Glance
Trek 3700 is a hardtail mountain bike with a lightweight and sturdy Alpha aluminum frame, which makes it easy to handle. With an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain and powerful disc brakes, this bike offers great versatility on all types of terrain.
The front suspension provides excellent balance and stability on rougher roads or trails, ensuring smooth rides. Plus, the Bontrager LT3, 26×2.0″ tires are of excellent quality, making it a reliable choice. If you ever need to replace them, you can do so with ease.
3700 Trek is the perfect combination of affordability and quality, making it a great choice for beginner riders looking to hit the trails.
Pros
- Very versatile bike
- Lightweight and durable frame
- Easy to upgrade
- Quality components
Cons
- Seat is stiff and fork is rigid
- Not great for very rough trails
Unfortunately, this bike has been discontinued, but Trek has impressive newer models with better designs which are excellent alternatives to the 3700 Trek mountain bike.
We recommend Trek Marlin 5 and Trek Fuel EX 5 as great alternatives, you can scroll down to see our brief review of these bikes.
Trek 3700 Mountain Bike Review: Features and Specifications
Frame and fork
The frame and fork of the Trek 3700 Mountain Bike strike an excellent balance between durability, comfort, and versatility, making it a great choice for both beginner and intermediate riders who want an affordable and reliable mountain bike.
The Trek 3700 Mountain Bike is made of Alpha Silver Aluminum, which is known for its lightweight and durability. The semi-integrated head tube on the frame adds to its sleek design, while the rack and fender mounts make it a versatile option for both commuting and off-road adventures.
The bike’s rigid fork and geometry make it similar to today’s hybrid bikes, providing a comfortable and stable ride. As a hardtail mountain, Trek 31700 has only a front suspension. And the coil suspension front fork with 100mm travel does a good job of absorbing bumps and vibrations, which improves the bike’s comfort level.
While the front fork’s coil suspension design adds weight to the bike, it’s a small price to pay for a smoother ride. The inner layer of metal within the coil spring absorbs bumps and shocks, while the outer layer of rubber resists movement and compression, keeping you in control and enjoying a comfortable ride.
Gears and Brakes
The Trek 3700 Mountain Bike’s gears and brakes are built for quality and performance. With Shimano C051 shifters, Shimano Altus M310 8-speed front derailleur, and Shimano Altus M280 rear derailleur, you’ll have a reliable and smooth gear system to take on any terrain.
The 2015 Trek 3700 Disc comes with Tektro M290 hydraulic disc brakes, which provide incredible stopping power, giving you the confidence to take on steep hills and rough trails. With these brakes, you can stop quickly and precisely, even in wet or muddy conditions.
The Bontrager LT3 tires and Shimano 8-speed gearing provide excellent grip and versatility on flat terrain, allowing you to ride comfortably and efficiently. Most Trek 3700 models have a 21-gear, 3×7-speed drivetrain, depending on the model. Some had a 3×8 speed gearing, though.
The Trek 3700 Mountain Bike’s rim and disc brakes offer great stopping power, with the disc brakes being the more effective option in rougher conditions. They are lightweight, reliable, and powerful, providing maximum stopping power in all conditions and terrain.
This Trek bike also features a Shimano M131 chainguard to protect the chains, ensuring your safety when riding on trails and providing extra protection against debris and obstacles.
Trek 3700 Mountain Bike’s gears and brakes, paired with its high-quality components, make it an excellent choice for riders looking for a reliable and versatile mountain bike. Whether you’re hitting the trails or commuting to work, this bike is built to handle whatever you throw at it.
Wheels and Tires
The Trek 3700 Mountain Bike’s wheels and tires are designed to handle a variety of terrains, from paved roads to rough trails.
The 26-inch wheels are more agile and accelerate faster than larger wheels, making them great for riders who value speed and maneuverability. But not so great for rolling over bumps on rough trails.
The Bontrager LT3 tires are 26 x 2.00 inches in size and are designed for both path and trail use. They’re sturdy and puncture-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about puncture or damage to your tires when exploring new trails.
These tires provide excellent grip and stability on challenging terrain, giving you the confidence to tackle even the toughest trails. What’s more, these tires are easy-rolling on city streets and paved roads, so you can ride smoothly and efficiently.
The Trek 3700 Mountain Bike’s Bontrager LT3 tires give you the performance and reliability you need to ride with confidence whether you’re riding to work or hitting the trails.
Saddle and Handlebars
The Bontrager Approved stem is also an excellent addition to the Trek 3700. It’s made from lightweight and strong 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, making it both durable and long-lasting.
As you’d have guessed, the saddle is not very comfortable, it’s a bit too stiff, so you’d need an upgrade there. But the 31.6mm seatpost offers plenty of room to adjust the bike to your size and grow with it over time, which is great.
The handlebars are quite impressive, the bar’s robust design can withstand some abuse while being used on the trail. Its handlebar’s 25.4mm diameter and 30mm rise give it plenty of space for a comfortable grip when riding.
This stem has a 25.4mm clamp diameter and a 25-degree rise, providing a comfortable riding position while also keeping you in control of your bike. The stem’s four-bolt faceplate design also ensures a secure fit, so you can focus on the trail instead of worrying about your handlebars coming loose.
Actually, the combination of the Bontrager Riser handlebar and the Bontrager Approved stem on the Trek 3700 makes for a comfortable and stable ride, no matter where you choose to take it.
Size and weight
The Trek 3700 is a versatile bike that comes in multiple sizes to fit a variety of riders.
It comes in a wide range of frame sizes, so you can find a good fit for almost anyone, whether you’re a petite rider looking for a 13″ frame or a bigger cyclist with wider shoulders looking for a 22.5″ frame.
It’s also important to note that the weight of the bike is around 32lbs (14.5 kg), which is pretty high due to the suspended front fork adding weight.
So, this might not be the ideal choice for you if you’re looking for a lightweight bike. But the bike is sturdy enough to support riders that weigh up to 300 lbs, so you don’t have to worry about your weight breaking the bike.
Ride quality and performance
Trek 3700 is a mountain bike that’ll give you comfortable trail rides and excellent performance for an affordable price. It’s a great bike for those who want a smooth ride and good performance without breaking the bank.
The suspension system helps to absorb shock and provides tame rides on both smooth and rough terrain. The bike also has excellent handling and stability, making it easy to maneuver and control. It rides smoothly, and brakes efficiently.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate rider, the Trek 3700 is an excellent choice. It has a sturdy frame that can handle a lot of stress and weight, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it. Plus, it’s easy to ride and steer, so you can focus on enjoying the ride instead of struggling to stay upright.
The bike’s components are of high quality and durable, so you don’t have to worry about them wearing out quickly. The brakes are responsive, and the gears shift smoothly and easily. And while the bike may be a bit heavy, it doesn’t affect the ride quality or performance.
However, this is not the best bike for very technical trails, as you may need more range of gears for some climbs and descents. It’s best suited for testing your limits on beginner-friendly mountain trails, and fine-tuning your mountain biking skills.
Best 3700 Trek Mountain Bike Alternatives
Since Trek 3700 mountain bikes are off the shelf, you won’t find brand-new ones. But there are more advanced Trek trail bikes with even better build quality and performance.
Trek is a brand known for the quality bikes they put out, these bikes are often priced high though, not like the cheaper options from Schwinn and Mongoose, but you certainly get what you pay for.
We consider the Trek Marlin 5 and Trek fuel EX 5 to be excellent alternatives to the Trek 3700 mountain bike.
Trek Marlin 5
Trek Marlin 5 is a trail mountain bike that’s built to gracefully handle daily adventures on rough terrains. It has a lightweight aluminum frame with a 2×8 drivetrain for smooth riding and shifting and powerful hydraulic disc brakes which provide fast and precise stopping.
While the Marlin 5 is made for trail riding, it’s also versatile and can double as a commuter bike. This bike has a stunning frame with internal routing for the brake and shift cables, which can extend the lifespan of your wires by shielding them from the environment.
It’s the perfect bike for new trail riders and comes in seven frame sizes to fit riders of all heights. Marlin 5 is elegant and comfortable, with a ton of features that are typically reserved for more pricey bikes.
Trek Fuel EX 5
Fuel EX 5 is a very efficient full-suspension trail bike that’s ready to handle the most rugged mountain terrains. It’s built for speed, with a sturdy chassis and supportive front and rear suspension to give you loads of support on both climbs and descents.
The Trek Fuel EX 5 stands out as a high-value, high-performance mountain bike with remarkable adaptability. It’s fitted with a Shimano 1×12 drivetrain, a dropper post for getting low on descents, and hydraulic disc brakes.
As a heavy trail-rider, this bike most likely checks all the boxes on your wishlist for a new bike. It’s a sure-footed bike that delivers better stability and control. And more importantly, it’s a fun bike to ride.
Is 3700 Trek Mountain Bike a good buy?
Trek 3700 mountain bike is a good buy and offers great value for money. It’s a reliable and flexible option for both beginner and experienced riders.
It may not have all the aesthetic features of newer mountain bikes, but it still has many good features, meaning that it’s a wise investment for anyone looking for an affordable, durable, and high-quality mountain bike.
You likely won’t find a brand-new Trek 3700, but the alternative options we included above are great choices too.
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