rom race day to all day, you need a trail bike that's light and agile, yet commanding and capable. The Fuel EX is the do-it-all trail machine you can count on time and again.
Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum w/ABP, Full Floater, magnesium EVO Link, replaceable derailleur hanger, 120mm travel
Strengths: Stout bike, barrels downhill like it has nothing to fear. Built for abuse.
Weaknesses: Stout bike = HEAVY my 21.5 frame weighs in at 32lbs. Not sure if this is common but my hayes brakes have had issues since day one.
Bottom Line:
If it wasn't for the brake issue I would have been able to add another chili pepper. It has been a good bike for me to learn on, has taken some pretty hard hits and just keeps on rolling. I wish I knew better when I bought it (and also had the funds) and I would have got a higher level of this bike for the better componets.
Strengths: This was my first F/S bike, and it was a very very good investment. 12 months on $300 Hard tail as a beginner made me appreciate what this TREK 5 could do for me. I ride XC/ALL Mountain and this bike performs great.
Weaknesses: Its heavy, Juicy 5 Brakes are amazing at first but have to be adjusted and aligned constantly. Grips were crap. It also feels like either the bike, or the crank chanber sit a little too low to the ground. I realized this as I would scrape and bottom out places my buddiers with inferior bike did. Tires are also pretty cheap for the bile.
Bottom Line:
Great entry level All Mountain'bike
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Submitted by
gomcdonald
a Cross Country Rider
from Grass Valley CA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2011
Strengths: Good rear suspension great frame fair brakes.
Great overall bike.
Weaknesses: The brakes and tires and its heavy. I got a lot of flats and then I changed them and did not have as much trouble. The brakes needed constant realignment. The bike weighs 32 pounds!
Bottom Line:
Great overall bike. I have ridden Northstar and Downieville and done some dirt jumping and I have not had any trouble. I replaced the fork about a month ago with a 2012 Fox Float and it rides a lot better now.
Submitted by
The Boz
a Cross Country Rider
from Provo, UT
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2011
Strengths: Affordable all-suspension. All-around mountain bike handles multiple types of terrain well.
Weaknesses: Grips are cheap and slip off, tires are cheap and wear out quick.
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic entry-level all around suspension bike. It was my first full suspension bike and it was a blast descending with it, it soaks up the trail well. Of course, when you buy a bike at this price point, you can't expect the best components or to be very light. The thing is I had so much fun on this bike that now I'm really into mountain biking, and I want to upgrade to a 29er with better components. If you are really into climbing, this bike isn't the best choice. I'm 6'3" 180 lbs, and if I stand up on this bike the rear tire slips out on steep climbs, and seated I often lift the front tire off the ground on steep climbs. For someone like me that is bigger and does a lot of climbing and XC riding, I should have bought more of a cross-country singletrack bike, and I'm now looking at 29ers. I didn't realize that "all mountain" mountain bikes were meant for a fair amount of downhill, which I don't really do. In addition if you plan on riding a lot, you might want to go for a better component set. In sum its a great entry level full-suspension bike. For taller riders that do a lot of climbing, you might consider a 29er. And if you are really going to put a lot of weekly miles on your bike, go for a higher end component set.
Bike Setup: Upgraded to Bontrager lock-on grips and Schwalbe Fat Albert rear tire.
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Submitted by
Timmycheese
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2011
Strengths: Great Suspension, Fairly lightweight, Powerful brakes
Weaknesses: Brakes tend to squeal, rear derailleur makes lots of noise when going over heavy bumps (such as stairs), Tires are useless
Bottom Line:
I should first mention this: I am coming from a target bike that was overweight, weak, and had a useless suspension, so anything I mention here may be slightly exaggerated.
Overall, the bike has been great to me. A shifter trigger broke a little while ago (covered by SRAM's warranty) , but I'm sure that's very uncommon. The suspension is very balanced, with plenty of adjustability. If it says anything, the fork has saved me from wrecking while going uncontrollably fast toward, then hitting a curb. I love the "Matte Blue", which is unfortunately gone now, because I have a 2010 model (which is sold out in all stores by now). The thing handles jumps like a champ, and seems strong enough to do so. My biggest complaint, though, is that it didn't come with usable tires. The tread just doesn't grip when you try to do anything that would need it.. gotta ride slowly because of it. (It loses one flamin' chili because of this, and the ludicrously loud front brake)
Bike Setup: Standard Fuel EX 5 (with a speedometer)
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Submitted by
tunnelz
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2011
Strengths: Awesome frame, color matter blue, hydraulic brakes, front/rear suspension, geometry, power train
Weaknesses: The SRAM shifters took a little getting use to with dual thumb action. Tires needs to be upgraded.
Bottom Line:
Love the 2010 Fuel EX5! My type of bike. I wanted a good entry-level full suspension bike with a good frame that I can upgrade components at a later date (if needed). The only upgrade I am considering is tubeless tires but I can wait a few hundred miles. The stock tires doesn't expel mud that well.
Submitted by
shiftless89
a Cross Country Rider
from Bangkok, Thailand
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2010
Strengths: Frame is fantastic lateraly stiff, very plush, shared with higher end models. Color is great I get a lot of comments on it. Fork performs exceptionaly well (Coil/Oil)
Weaknesses: tires, weight, Mid line componenents, stock grips
Bottom Line:
I decided to get back into MTB's after 5 years off (used to manage bikes shops / race) I became appalled at the going prices for high end equipment, really who "needs" a 10k+ bike. Is your name Lance? (My budget allows for any level of bike, still I like the best fun for my money) I tried several and decided on the 2011 Fuel EX5. Bang for the buck this bike is a dream. I'm 6'2" @ 215lbs. This bike handles everything I throw at it. I don't do big air, but I am fast and keep my wheels down in places most won't. This thing climbs better than my old Merlin and descends with best of them. I was very surprised by the great performance of the Recon silver fork, matched by the Fox rear RP2; smooth 120mm travel and the lockout works. Wheels/hubs are ok, tires are lacking corner grip, but excel at loose rocky climbs and descents. They also seem to resist thorns fairly well. Components are "ok", they do what they are supposed to do (all X5 SRAM, will upgrade only when it breaks). The Juicy 3's stop very well (my size bike has 185mm rotors front and rear) and don't seem to fade (down hills here are not that big). I did not care for the grips, I like them a little thicker and locked on. It’s a little hefty, so am I. It does seem very durable. This is an ideal bike for anyone wanting a well designed comfortable great performing bike with a REALISTIC price tag. Weight weenie racer boys need not apply (I will be scraping them off my phat tires)
Similar Products Used: Merlin, Klein, Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Surly, Kona, Fisher, Serrota (30+ bikes over 25 years)
Bike Setup: 2011 19.5" EX5 Stock with exception of SDG Bel-air saddle, lock on grips (will be converting to tubeless)
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Submitted by
egjaylink
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2010
Strengths: I decided to make the plunge and get a full suspension, hydrolic disk brake bike that could handle the rigors of the trails in Brown County Indiana. After almost 100 miles this bike has performed flawless for me. The 2010 model had a host of upgrades from the 2009 that makes this in my research the top entry level full suspension bike on the market.
Weaknesses: I am still looking for one.
Bottom Line:
I did several months of research before buying the 2010 Trek Fuel EX 5. I have absolutely no regrets at all. For an entry level bike, this is one sweet piece of equipment!
Strengths: love the frame the active braking pivot works well and it corners like a house fly but not with the bontrager tyres on they are pants
Weaknesses: the tyres even though they were rubbish i still used them and the only thing they were good for was throwing for my dog to fetch and the stem was just too long so change it for a race face evolve am and it made all the difference but i suppose thats down to personal preference
Bottom Line:
this bike is excellent entry level bike some very simple operation and you got a bike that can hold its own against the best of them ive give this one hell of a thrashing and apart from snapping a few spokes in the back wheel it been great. top bike for the money
Bike Setup: i just change the stem and bars droped the stem to a 80mm race face and i changed the bars to a set of spank b stick 700mm wide and put new tyres on
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Submitted by
st739
a Weekend Warrior
from caernarfon north wales
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2010
Strengths: everything cant fault it
Weaknesses: nothing yet
Bottom Line:
I started on the kona and loved that bike then decided to go for the fuel ex5.Its my first full suss bike and what a diffrence it is.The front forks soak every thing up i throw at it the the fox full floater at the back the same.The avid juicy3 are amazing if your reading this and not sure what to do just do it
Submitted by
merlinm
a Weekend Warrior
from Stuart, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: *) Great value
*) Lifetime warranty on frame
*) Decent weight (32.5 lbs on the scale as ridden)
*) Beautiful
Weaknesses: *) Would be nice if they gave you option of swapping front spring out from the factory
*) Brakes are a bit touchy
Bottom Line:
My weight: 230lbs w/gear
Age:34
Skill level: beginner but getting better fast
Previous bike: XR 250 Mongoose (cheap but functional DS bike)
My story:
The mongoose was actually an ok bike for 200$ but was hell to keep everything tightened, was very heavy and the suspension both front and rear was basically worthless. I started riding with a local club many of whom race and it became obvious that even at my skill level the bike was holding me back. The main problem I was facing was the weight and poor suspension was wearing me out over the technical trails I ride and that I was always fixing it (after 4 months of heavy riding, it was starting to feel unsafe).
I think the trek ex 5 offers tremendous value for the money. Everything on the bike from brakes to shifting is absolutely flawless. The main difference between the ex 5 and the 8 is a couple of pounds of weight and a better front shock (fox air vs RS tora SL spring). I have no issues with the front shock...after adjusting the preload it feels just as good as some of the air shocks I demo'd on the higher models. Maybe I just lucked out with my weight but the suspension is perfectly balanced to my riding position.
Even at my weight the lighter bike and better suspension made an immediate impact on my riding. On the first ride my lap time on the local trail dropped from 55 minutes to 45 despite muddier conditions and flipping the bike twice because the brakes are so good :-). I'm going to ride the bike a few more months then look at going clipless...
Similar Products Used: Coming off a mongoose xr 250 (DS bike)
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Chainpooly
a Cross Country Rider
from Hartlepool
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2009
Strengths: Very light and strong enry level full susser I have used and worn out most of the standard components on the bike. Frame fork bar and seat remain original.
Weaknesses: Main Pivot Destroyed in the first six months apart from that only fair wear and tear as this bike has been rode very hard XC.
Bottom Line:
My trek Fuel has rode from Dusty desert from the Coast to Coast in Cyprus and the troodos mountains. To Most of the main wet and dirty trail Centres in GB. Hamsterly, North Yorkshire, dalby, North and South Wales Marin affan trails. I am Still Happy with This Bike It has never failed me out on the trail it has required regular TLC but this is to be expected considering how much this bike has been hammered. I went for a smaller framed medium settup As I am 6 foot this enables me to when needed throw this bike where Needed Buy if you wnat a very tunable bike that will last yes Trek have improved the frame now with ABP but the feel of this bike is outstanding as it is.
Similar Products Used: Hard Tail mountain Bikes from Scott Dawes GT and Carera and On-one full inbred full Rigid.
Bike Setup: LX Levers XT Rear Mech SLX Cassette and chain. XT Chainset and upgrade to LX hubs on WTB Speeddisc rims DT Spokes Upgrade to XTR sintered pads 3rd Set of Tyres and 30 plus inner tubes yes tried Slime too heavy and pricey. Pedals X3 sets originals worn out binned and Worn out Crank Bros 50x50's settled with XT SPD very good and Light No issues apart from that yes the bike is original well apart from race face Grips again worn out the originals
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Submitted by
Fly Boy Rich
a Downhiller
from san jose, ca.
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2009
Strengths: So far i find it to be very light for me! I Weigh about 145lbs. i dont really know much about bicycles yet but i was told trek was one of the top ten. suspension works really well for me, pretty smooth downhill.
Weaknesses: When i go downhill i feel that the back tires pivot when im going down hill, ackward? idk if its suppose to do that, so far so good, i probably ride it twice a week hardcore.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is my first bike, and im going to learn as i go, i know theres better setups than this, but ill get the hang of it, and ill eventually upgrade. I heard theres bikes that range from 7 to 12 thousands, WOW thats a lot of dough!!!
Bike Setup: completly stock, thinking of getting bmx aluminum pedals,
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Submitted by
utty
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2009
Strengths: PRICE! Was going to sell frame and replace with a Yeti ASR until I stripped it and weighed the frame, 2.7kg (5.94lb) for a large. WOW! Very surprising for a entry level bike. Could lose more weight with a fox or DT Swiss shock but the RockShox MC3.3 is quite a good little performer.
Weaknesses: Main Pivot bracket. Easy fix. Sent for repair at 1300km.
RS Tora fork had to be sent back for a fix at 800km. Upgraded to a R7
Bottom Line:
This bike is obviously not standard. Only the frame and rear shock are original, but you certainly can build one of these up into a speed machine. 10.8kg (23.8lb) without pedals. Frame is strong in my opinion, at 86kg and not the smoothest rider out there it has withstood everything I've thrown at it (apart from the main Pivot) . I have resigned this bike to my training bike as I purchased a Yeti ASR. But to be honest to myself the EX is almost as good, if not more comfortable for longer rides.
