Trek Bruiser 1 - Your Thoughts?

[chanka3]

i just got back from my lbs, and they had a trek bruiser 1 in stock for $369 (msrp $409.99). What is your opinion of this bike? Is it worth it? (Im a beginner doing trails, jumping, and some freeriding). the guy said it was good for that type of riding because it is a tough bike. Please HelP!!! Thanks.


Complete Specifications
Frameset
SIZES 14.5", 16.5"
FRAME Alpha Aluminum
"FRONT SUSPENSION" InSync Edge, 120mm

Wheels
WHEELS Alloy disc hubs; WTB Dual Duty rims
TIRES Bontrager Earl

Drivetrain
SHIFTERS Shimano EF29
FRONT DERAILLEUR Suntour XR-17
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera
CRANKSET SR 42/34/24
CASSETTE SRAM 830 11-32, 8 speed
PEDALS Alloy platform

Components
SADDLE Bontrager Earl
SEATPOST Bontrager Sport
HANDLEBARS Bontrager Select OS, 30mm rise
STEM Bontrager Earl, 31.8
HEADSET Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET Alloy linear pull with alloy levers

[Jisch]

I haven't seen one of those bikes in person or ridden one, so take this with several grains of salt.

The frame looks pretty beefy, which is good, but the component level on that bike is really low. What that means is that you will likely be replacing components like headset, cranks, brakes etc over time, that's not necessarily a bad thing as long as you understand that going in.

Probably the most important element for strength (outside of the frame itself) for dirt jumping is going to be the fork, I've never heard of an "InSync" fork, which would make me nervous. I have to imagine that's a low end fork, since your getting the whole bike for less than the cost of a good fork.

To me it looks like the kind of bike they build to look like the expensive dirt jumpers at a very low price point.

John