Submitted by
Jayson21
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2012
Strengths: Overall Value, suspension, Braking
Weaknesses: Shifting, Crash resilience
Bottom Line:
Mine is a 2011 EX 5 that I got as a yr end close out. This is an awesome entry level full suspension bike. If this is at the top of your budget get it you will not be upset. It absorbs all the bumps very nice, it handles well, it has a solid amount of adjustments, it shifts ok and brakes great. If I was to do it again I would.
The only downside of this bike is the lack of air front fork (if that's a downside) and the shifters are not the best. If you have more money to spend I'd go up to the Remedy line or the Ex8 if you can afford them to get the air front fork even better brakes and DRCV shocks.
I hear people say the tires are not good, I have found that if you run low air pressure say 30psi and have proper position they are great. I think many are running to high of pressure and don't have good technique. The brakes don't squeal on mine as others mentioned, but keep in mind they need bedded in proper before riding that could be one reason people get the noise. Also keep in mind to fill up the rear shock to the proper air amount via trek's website for your size.
The only other downside I see is I have owned this bike for about 1 month and 2 weeks and I broke the brakes in crash. Not really the bikes fault but it wasn't that bad of a crash I think they should have survived. I killed the handle and that was the end of them. I now run the elxir 3's which I think what now comes on the 12's and think their great too.
Submitted by
fretfire
a Cross Country Rider
from Bangor, Wales
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2011
Strengths: The frame is superb, well balanced, planted and reliable. still on he same bearings after 3 years. Fox RP2. Good old reliable shimano drivetrain
Weaknesses: Theres only so much the Tora can take. But still a decent fork at this level. Stock brakes.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. thought about upgrading to something else but cannot part with it. Cant see the need to. Its been incredibly reliable up to now and still smooth and solid. would be a cracking 2nd hand buy!
Similar Products Used: GT Avalanche 2. Orange 5, Bionicon Supper shuttle, Scott Ransom, Scott Genius mc 20, Trek ex8.
Bike Setup: Shimano xt shaddow brakes and xt rear mech, and bontrager big earl wet 2.35 tyres are the only upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jacksinn
a Weekend Warrior
from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2010
Strengths: Fun Bike. Trek is awesome.
Weaknesses: Swing arm weld.. it broke.. wasn't ridding hard either. Manufacturer defect???
Bottom Line:
Trek has decided to replace my bike (the swing arm broke).. and they are upgrading me to the Fuel ex 8. That's a $1000.00 upgrade. I am pumped. the ex 5.5 was fun, can't wait to get the ex 8, THANKS TREK, FREEEBIIII.. Now I know why so many riders are fans of the company!
Submitted by
frogge
a Cross Country Rider
from Twin Falls Idaho
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2010
Strengths: Great Mix of components and set up right out of the box.
Weaknesses: Could be a bit lighter, but probably not for this price
Bottom Line:
I shopped for a dual suspension bike for years. Road several when on vacation(Moab etc.) I don't race and like to go on long rides and with some techical features. I bought this bike while working in Idaho where there are some great trails but my old Specialized Rock Hopper was beating me up. Bike does everything well out of the box. I've hammered it pretty hard and crashed a couple of times and haven't had to do anything but clean it. If you are looking to go dual suspension and not break the bank this is a great choice.
Favorite Trail: Rock Star South Hills Kimberly Idaho
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: Spoke and Wheel Twin
Similar Products Used: Various High end dual suspension on rental basis
Bike Setup: Stock 2010, avid juicy brakes, front fork and rear fork have lock out.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
onyx1122
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV. USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2009
Strengths: its frame
Weaknesses: its tires, brakes feels soft when coming down stair like trails
Bottom Line:
not a bad intro bike if your getting back to ride again...
i did some DH back in 2000 and XC too... but 8yrs later... this is not a bad bike to try to see if you hunger that still... its been almost a yr since i got this bike and its been taking everything i throw i it... did hope it was a bit lighter but, it is better then what you'd spend on the Wally World bikes...
Submitted by
DBLR1
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX US
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2009
Strengths: Strong frame, low price, looks great, nice feel, did I mention price? Perfect for a intro dual suspension.
Weaknesses: Crappy components but what do you expect for something this cheap?
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a intro level dual suspension with a good warranty, this is the way to go. I put in a little coin for some upgrades and it made a world of a difference. I'd recommend it for anyone doing beginner to intermediate trails. If you plan on going beyond that realm, step it up a few notches. It looks pretty sweet too.
Similar Products Used: Numerous hard tails: Kona Blast, Haro V3, GF, and a few others.
Bike Setup: Bontrager Rhythm Comp's, XXX light riser w/ X-lite stem, X9 Rear D and shifters, Avid Elixir brakes, Rock Shox Tora 318 fork, Bontrager Big Earl tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
nyjetsfanwex85
a Weekend Warrior
from PHX,AZ
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2009
Strengths: For what i do this is a solid bike. The frame is nice and strong. The bike has ben able to handle anything I throw at it.
Weaknesses: I think the front shocks could be upgraded but overall ok. I hate the Tektro brake levers, i think they feel a bit sloppy. Maybe its just me. Tires are a bit weak.
Bottom Line:
Overall a good bike. Was my first full suspension bike. Im debating on upgrading parts or getting a new bike. I would say this is a great bike. Dont expect to go out racing on it! Plus Trek makes great bikes and the lifetime warranty is fantastic.
Submitted by
_Lac_Man_
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2009
Strengths: Solid frame, decent components, overall a pretty nice bike.
Weaknesses: Because of it being a lower-high-end model, some of the components leave a little to be desired.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike because the local shop was having a sale, so I managed to pick it up the '08 model for a serious deal. So I figure what I paid for it, plus the money for a couple of upgrades, will make this a great bike for less than that of a Fuel EX 7.
Otherwise, this is a great beginner full-suspension. Good for someone who is started to get more into mtn. biking and wants somthing that can handle more intermediate trails. It has components that are good enough to ride a couple times a week, but if you are more avid, you will need to upgrade a couple of things, tires, of course, and forks were first on my list, brakes and drivetrain to follow.
If you can find it for a couple hundred under usual cost, I'd say snatch it up, otherwise, save your pennies and go for an EX 7+.
Submitted by
Blacknall
a Downhiller
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008
Strengths: This bike is a great intro level ride into the full suspension world of riding. I up-graded from a hardtail Trek to this bike and it progressed me as a rider. The bike has no real strengths excet for the fact that it has full suspension.
Weaknesses: This bike has several weaknesses and I point these out to inform, not to put down this bike. The saddle is pretty weak. The tires are nice but wear quickly. The BIGGEST weakness is the lack for Trek's new ABP technology. Not having the pivot in the hub like on the higher models greatly compromises the bike. Brake jack is a real issue with this bike. I have broken the frame at the rear disc side chain stay twice. Both times under braking conditions where the shock did not function because of brake jack.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line, this is a good bike for beginners. I have progressed greatly on this ride but would suggest that for someone who likes to ride more than just every other weekend invest in the Fuel ex7 and above. The ABP and full floater technologies are worth the money.
Submitted by
Xerodark
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Lewis, WA, US
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2008
Strengths: Rear shock
Weaknesses: Front forks and brakes
Bottom Line:
This is a great starter full suspension bike. The only complaints I have with this bike is the front forks. They are adjustable up to 140mm, however there is no lockout, and they are coil shocks. Air forks and a lockout would be great. The brakes are a little weak, but they work. I'm going to be upgrading the forks to Fox Float, the brakes to Avid Juicy hydraulic, and throw on some clipless pedals. Then the bike will be amazing. Other than that, the bike handles great and takes on anything I throw at it whether it be downhill or just riding to work. I would definatly recommend this bike to anyone I know.
Submitted by
b4 stealth
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
Strengths: Great Suspension feel, nice brakes, light. nice stock tires Good Geo. Nice Drivetrain
Weaknesses: umm...the rear Juicy 5 brake started to make a noise toward the end of the ride, the braking power was unaffected, just kind of annoying. Suspension sometimes caused the chain to drop to the granny gear, although it promptly shifted back so I don't know if that is a weakness, just nitpicking.
Bottom Line:
THIS IS FOR THE 2008 FUEL EX8. this is a great bike. The suspension really soaked up the bumps and gave me more control. I am coming from a hardtail SS, so this was like the cadillac to me. The suspension is rather aggressive, and is best used IMO if you stand up and ride the rough things. because the suspension on this bike is not meant to be super plush so that you can sit down and just plow through everything. It is fairly stiff, very racy feeling, just enough give to let you have all the traction and control you want, but it will still accelerate like a hardtail. Little pricy to be a good value, but just for the quality of the bike I give it a 5.
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008
Strengths: Great first full suspention, rails single track, get a lot for the money, proven geometry, lifetime frame warranty
Weaknesses: tora 289 fork is way to soft, bb5 brakes useless when wet, tires built more for pavement
Bottom Line:
I've been riding on and off for about 5 years but just decided to get rid of my hardtail and upgrade. I chose the 5.5 because of: a)price, b)lifetime frame warranty, c)even though it doesnt have the "EVO" link, the geometry is proven. Compaired to my old bike, this one is night and day. With just a couple hundred spent on upgrades, it can be built to handle anything that we see in Oklahoma. Overall it is an awsome bike for the money and I would reccomend it to any middle of the road rider who wants to keep some money in their pocket for gas to get to the trail. (Gave it 4 for value b/c the upgrades that need to be made).
Similar Products Used: hardrock comp hardtail xt/lx drivetrain
Bike Setup: avid juicy 3's, panaracer fire xc tires, Firm spring for tora fork (on the way), egg beater's, otherwise stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Conor
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Petersburg, Fl, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008
Strengths: Price to performance ratio is awesome. Making me a better rider one ride at a time.
Weaknesses: If your coming from a hardtail like me, then you'll think it climbs poorly.
Bottom Line:
I decided to finally get another full-suspension and I'm very happy with this bike. I'm new back to the sport and trying to get back to the level I once was. This bike I think will help me do that due to its fast neutral handling and good amount of suspension travel. It lets me hit more challenging trails.
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