Trek Precaliber 24 8-speed Suspension Nautical Navy 24" Wheel

We bought this bike on a drive home from a camping trip for our son. I own the Trek Marlin 6 so we knew we wanted to keep in the trek family. Our son rode a cheap walmart style bike to get used to the mountain bike style before progressing into this. He likes it a lot and also it encourages him to ride more often. We like the color and the height of the seat. Even though he is 9 he is not a tall 9. It would have been a complete waste to buy a size 20 and upgrade in a year. The seating allows him to sit low enough and still feel incontrol with his feet when stopping. The two things we did want were disc brakes and hand shifting. But we still do enjoy this bike.

We purchased this bike for my son and he was elated to have something awesome and red (his words) to ride. We've had the bike for 3 weeks and in one specific gear, it clunks the entire time my son pedals. We took it back to the store to have one person tell us the back wheel needed adjusting, but it did not fix the problem as it still clunked up and down the sidewalk out front of the store. Another person said it looked like the chain was rubbing against the gear set up and that he'd take it back in and have it adjusted right away. He returned some 10 minutes later to say there was nothing they could do and that it was the way the bike was built. We were told that this was not a safety issue and that it would also not wear out the chain or the gears which I believe ... MoreWe purchased this bike for my son and he was elated to have something awesome and red (his words) to ride. We've had the bike for 3 weeks and in one specific gear, it clunks the entire time my son pedals. We took it back to the store to have one person tell us the back wheel needed adjusting, but it did not fix the problem as it still clunked up and down the sidewalk out front of the store. Another person said it looked like the chain was rubbing against the gear set up and that he'd take it back in and have it adjusted right away. He returned some 10 minutes later to say there was nothing they could do and that it was the way the bike was built. We were told that this was not a safety issue and that it would also not wear out the chain or the gears which I believe neither. Not happy.

Had it not been for the selection of an 8 speed freewheel this bike would have got 5 stars. 8 speed freewheels are known to have issues. Our bike was no exception. It was making popping and creaking noises within the first day of owning it. Our LBS switched out the freewheel for us, but to no avail. It was creaking and popping again as soon as my son started riding it. I was ready to return the bike and get a different brand, one without an 8 speed freewheel. Thankfully our LBS was great about it and discussed various options. We ultimately decided to switch out the 8 speed drive train for a 7 speed drive train with a Shimano freewheel. They made the swap that same day and didn't charge us anything.Thanks to a great LBS we're very happy with the bike now. Just ... MoreHad it not been for the selection of an 8 speed freewheel this bike would have got 5 stars. 8 speed freewheels are known to have issues. Our bike was no exception. It was making popping and creaking noises within the first day of owning it. Our LBS switched out the freewheel for us, but to no avail. It was creaking and popping again as soon as my son started riding it. I was ready to return the bike and get a different brand, one without an 8 speed freewheel. Thankfully our LBS was great about it and discussed various options. We ultimately decided to switch out the 8 speed drive train for a 7 speed drive train with a Shimano freewheel. They made the swap that same day and didn't charge us anything.Thanks to a great LBS we're very happy with the bike now. Just beware of the stock drive train on this bike.