Strengths: Stable platform. Weight. Beautiful carbon finish. Very responsive in fast corners.
Weaknesses: Have to keep linkage clean, otherwise it'll start squeaking when dirty. Decals quality deserve to match all-around bike quality. Trek didn't offer ample variety of frame sizes, be very careful when choosing the right frame size.
Bottom Line:
The bike is awesome, even though I purchased it in 2006, the frame and riding qualities are outstandingly superb.
Similar Products Used: GT Timberland FS, GT RTS-1, GT LTS-Team, GT STS-1, GT Zaskar LE, GT Xizang LE, Trek Elite 9.8, Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL
Bike Setup: Sram XO, FSA Cranks, Crossmax SL, Magura Marta SL, Egg Beater 3ti
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Submitted by
Rene Hoepelman
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2005
Strengths: Perfect Geometry. Light Weight.
Weaknesses: Treks theory of "One color fits all"
Bottom Line:
I bought this used off ebay. I had to swap out parts to lower weight and fit my riding style. At just under 25lbs, the bike is very agile. Only thing slowing me down now, are my own Demons.
Submitted by
Noel Murphy
a Weekend Warrior
from Mill Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2005
Strengths: Light (The price was right...)
Weaknesses: Non-functioning front fork and rear suspension
Bottom Line:
I got this bike at cost but would feel like a complete idiot if I paid retail ($4000+) for it. It was spec'd very poorly with suspension from Rockshox that basically doesnt work to a standard expected from its price. I dont understand why Trek would do this on what should be their best XC bike? The front fork is superlight with its carbon fork crown. But if you take some fast descents, you'll notice quickly that a suspension fork crown is a bad use for carbon - it flexes laterally and side to side. Basically it works as well going down as a ten year old Manitou that you might buy for $50 on Ebay.
I am writing this two years later since I just dropped a thousand bucks to swap out the front and rear suspension with a Fox RLT front and RB3 rear. The difference is NIGHT AND DAY. Within minutes of riding the bike, I was saying to myself "Wow - Is that what full suspension is supposed to feel like???" This bike should have been spec'd with parts that work to begin with and until now, the Trek Fuel 100 has been my least favorite bike ever. Its a wonder I didnt kill myself on the thing.
Strengths: This is my one year follow-up. The Fuel 100 has treated me great over the last year. I swapped out the rear SID (worst piece of gear I have ever used) for a FOX Float, and now have a FOX 100mmRLC fork on the front. With the new suspension, this bike is better than ever! I managed to work out the chain suck problem I was having at first and now the whole rig rides like a dream.
Weaknesses: I cannot say enough bad things about the SID shock that came with the bike. It went to warranty twice, and when I was about to send it in for a third time, I gave up and asked Rock Shox for some kind of refund (recieved no reply to two requests). The shock never worked very well even when it wasn't broken.
But the real weakness of this bike is value. Despite being one of the best XC bikes on the market, the advantage conferred by carbon is not worth the price. Add another $200-300 for the shock that you will inevitably replace and I have a hard time seeing the value over my old aluminum Sugar
Bottom Line:
If you can spare the extra $1000 or so over the price of the next best bike, then do it. But if you have any hesitation about it, you'll probably be just as happy on one of the other great light-weight FS-XC bikes that are out.
You should also factor the replacment cost of the Rock Shox components into the price of this bike.
Strengths: light, climbs like a goat, and is the perfect race bike.
Weaknesses: 3" of travel and SID world cup flexs in every turn. Rear SID is no bueno.
Bottom Line:
If you are going to race this is the ultimite combination of frame weight and travel, 3 " is just the right amount to help you float a little faster down hill but any burms or drops you will bottom out this bike. But when your flying down single track in a race that is not on you mind to much. The fuel is design so you can put a 100mm fork on the front without changing the geo to much. and that will help to sofen the ride. Carbon frame and pretty much everthing else on the bike will make you turn faster but takes a few weeks to get used to flex from SID fork. If you going to race, this is your bike, if your going to ride with your friends on the weekends in the mountains, the 05 liquid would be a better choice, if you want to freeride a bit go for the session 77.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic Disc = very choice! cannonsnail = don't even get me started!
Bike Setup: Put the SID on the hardtail and put a fox 100 on the fuel! Tossed the SID rear and got a fox float.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2005
Strengths: the most beautiful bike, superlight for a full suspension, top notch components
Weaknesses: no disk brakes
Bottom Line:
I got a great deal on ebay and bought this almost-new bike for $2000. Would I have paid $4000+ for a new one? Probably not. But for $2000 which would have gotten me a new, half-decent XT hardtail, hands down for the used fuel 100. I only rode this bike a few times. It reminds me of the light hardtail I used to have. This bike accelerates fast, handles sharp corners with ease, and climbs like a world class racer. But 3-inches of rear travel is too little. To be honest, I don't quite feel the suspension working under me when I ride. People would argue that this is a good thing. My bike is around 24 lbs. With these top notch components, it could have been a sub 21 lbs hardtail (which this bike rides like). So the question is, is it worth it to carry the extra 3 lbs? Well, I will answer this question later in the summer, after I hit the trail a few more times.
Similar Products Used: Klein Attitude Race, Specialized S-Works HT
Bike Setup: stock: full XTR, SID World cup, Bontrager Race X Lite, Selle italia flight
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Mississauga, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005
Strengths: Wow, where do I start? Handles fantastic, corners like its on rails. I'm coming off a very light hardtail and this thing is night and day in the corners. Its great having a bit of suspension going downhill. Very predictable...something I can't say for my hardtail. Carbon looks fantastic. XTR works great. I was worried about the short travel in the fork but now that I have been out on the trails it works fantastic.
Weaknesses: Its a bit high maintanance...but isn't every light race bike? Can take a bit to dial in.
Bottom Line:
It was a toss up between a Scalpel Team and this bike. The disk brakes were the thing holding me back from buying a Fuel and then I found this one with disks for dirt cheap. Its a great ride and has already, after only a few rides, made me a faster overall rider. If you can get a good price, buy one. You won't be disappointed.
Bike Setup: Full XTR including disk brakes. Mavic wheels, Panaracer Trailblaster tires.
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Submitted by
Douger
a Racer
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005
Strengths: weight, ride and look
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
There is no mistake this is a world cup race bike. You will notice soon as you ride it. This is the only full suspension bike I have been on that rides like a hard tail but handles life a full suspension. The componet mix is perfect except disck brakes would make this great bike that much better. This bike will make you faster beleive it or not it will make a good rider great and a great rider amazing. Not to mention the nude carbon finish on the frame gives this bike a look that is awsome as the ride it gives. Some people may think it is a little expensive but after riding it you will beleve that you get what you paid for. The only way you will truley experince this bike is to visit your local trek dealer.
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS, Klein Palimino, Marin Mountvision
Bike Setup: stock, double ti crank bros egg beaters
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Just A. Yoshik
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2005
Strengths: 2004 model: Light and strong, no flex, none. Great geometry, superb ride--like a razor in the turns and almost no bob climbing (you can't eliminate bob altogether...the basis of a suspension system is as a pogo stick...Specialized needs to give it up).
Weaknesses: I don't ride this baby enough. After about 1 year and maybe 300 miles, I only have to say a frame like this needs a tougher coat.
Bottom Line:
It's the best bike I have ridden. I am not going to lay a claim that it's the best fs xc racer out there, but many people have. Certianly I'd swear by it BUT...it is overpriced. Having regained my sanity now, the $1800 price tag would keep me from repurchasing this frame. If this is a drop in the bucket for you, get it, you won't regreat it (only that you could have adopted 300 children in southeat Asia for the price difference)...but most of us would opt for a Burner nicely sale priced around $600 at the end of the year.
Similar Products Used: This is my frist 4-bar, otherwise, lessee here...Bianchi Tycoon, Parkpre Scepter Comp, Gunnar Ruffian, Ellsworth Isis, Caloi Expert, Specialized Rockhopper.
Bike Setup: Sid Race, all 2002 XTR, Ritchey WCS stem, Thompson post, WTB saddle, Valiant hoops converted to tubeless via Stan's, Tiogas, and a wide old Titec Tracker flat bar.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JD Donovan
a Cross Country Rider
from Montville, NJ USA
Stock, this bike is a TRUE XC racer. Very fast & very light. The factory component set up was awesome if I only rode smooth to moderately rocky single-track, but things are very rocky and rooty here in Northern NJ, so I changed many of the components to give this bike a more "all-mountain" feel. I'm very happy with the changes I made & wouldn't go back to the factory set-up, so, if buying this bike again, I would buy the frame only. That's mostly because the stock Rolf (Bontrager) wheels, although super-light, were not disc compatible and I will NEVER go back to rim brakes. This "was" the 1st generation 100, bought back in '01. It had an aluminum front tri with a composite aluminum/carbon rear tri. After 2 1/2" years of riding this bike pretty damn hard (I weigh 165lbs), a weld finally gave way where the top-tube meets the seat tube (This may have happend as a result of the Fox Shock self locking out and my prefernce to stay in the saddle even on rough terrain. (the Float RC lock-out toggle can be "switched" by hard impacts. After the '01 model year, I've seen these shocks installed upside-down - which would prevent this) . Trek gave me the option of either getting a new aluminum front tri or upgrading to the OCLV for $260.00, which I did. I have 2 good rides in on the new frame, including one race and the bike feels even better than the 1st. There is a definite difference with the Carbon, but I wouldn't call it "night & day". The carbon is slightly "softer" and more compliant, but in the right areas. I'm more confident that the carbon fiber will hold up to the stresses of agressive riding better than the aluminim frame - but I'm definitely much more concerned about direct frame hits on fallen trees, rocks, etc. Where the aluminum would just give and leave a dent with no structural implications, the carbon fiber may crack or crush then delaminate and progressively weaken making the bike un-ridable. Will this be covered under warranty ? I doubt it. Something to consider before buying. I've decided to get another bike with much more travel. Something like the Intense 5.5 or the Cannondale Prophet which both have over 2 inches additional travel front and rear. BUT, I will NOT get rid of the Fuel. The bigger travel bike will be my everyday trail bike / training bike and the Fuel will be promoted to my Race-only bike. With the trails around here getting rockier & rockier and my bones getting older and older, I need some more cushion for the pushin'.
Who should buy it: You want a fast, super-lite XC race bike. Taking "Big-Hits" is NOT your intention, but you do want to take the harshness out of the ride. You also like the finer things in life and don't mind spending the money because you know this will be something you'll put to good use.
Who should not buy it: Your intention is to do drop-offs and you prefer to take a lift to the top of the hill.
Happy trails !
Note for my "Overall Rating" below: If I rode true cross-country trails - smooth and fast, there would absolutely be 5 chilis. But those trails are almost non-existent around here.
Bike Setup: Spinergy Cylones; Next LP crank; Avid Mechs; MonkeyLite Riser; Cane Creek HS; Bontrager-Race Lite stem & SP; XTR shifters and DRs
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JC Intheplacetobe
a Cross Country Rider
from Mid-Michigan
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2004
Strengths: This bike takes me up the hills before I have a chance to worry about it! I am not the best rider when it comes to preparing for climbs but this bike is VERY forgiving. It almost feels as if the XTR cranks and geometry increase the torque of your pedal stroke 2 or 3 fold. Feather light and looks make this bike (if you have the $$$) a automatic must have. I was looking at bikes and frames for over a year and never considered a full sus. until I went to a local shop and felt the weight of the 100. Cruising down fast sections like a Ferrari even standing with little noticable bobbing. The riser bars are a lot easier on your back but you can still "tuck" on fast sections. The brakes and shifter combo on the new XTR is trick and a half. Disc brakes are the way to go especially in wet cond. Riding on a World cup is like a dream. The irc tires don't like wet sand at all but do well in hard pack.
Weaknesses: A LOT of grinding if the cogs get saturated with dirt and water. Not a good sound to hear when i just spent a G on them! No confidence in the wet turns with the Irc mythos xc.
Bottom Line:
Spend the $$$ if you want to start racing and have paid your dues with lower end stuff. Only then will you appreciate the difference.
Favorite Trail: Island Lake for speed or Fort Custer rec. for all around technical fun
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$4250.00
Purchased At: Online & Mail Order
Similar Products Used: Gt Zaskar for 6 years with Judy xc front, full XT. Before that a Scott frame and fork combo with full LX.
Bike Setup: Full XTR including wheelset, Monkeylite SL, EA70 XC stem, World Cup fork, Thomson Elite post, Italia SLR XP saddle, IRC MythosXC tubeless
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Monty
a Cross Country Rider
from Frederick,MD
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2004
Strengths: Full suspension and lightweight! Lockouts rock, XTR group is pretty sweet, beautiful bike!
Weaknesses: Race X Lite Tubeless wheels come with tube tires, you can't fully experience everything this bike has to offer until you go tubeless.
Bottom Line:
I grinned like an idiot when I saw my 100 for the 1st time. These things are beautiful, if you like carbon fiber everywhere.
Having "mastered" my Manitou air pressure settings I had to start all over with the Rock Shox system. I tried 20lbs less than my 170lb bodyweight in the rear shock for + & - air spring. After my ride I will try dropping 10lbs of psi as I didn't use the full travel and the ride was harsh for the conditions (lots of rocks, some logs) The front called for 140lbs psi+ and 120lbs psi- which I also found too harsh for the conditions. I'll use the above mentioned settings in less severe conditions and races.
I took time to put MX fender/decal protector on various tubes I wanted to protect from debris, cable rub etc., before my inaugural ride. Once that was done I headed for the mountains.
The loop started with a road climb of about 20 minutes and I played with the front and rear lockouts. They are just too damn cool and they work! My trusty Alpinestar with the newest Manitou SPV stuff is really plush but squishy when you stand up and hit the gas, not the Fuel 100. When it's locked it goes! On the rocks, roots and logs here in Frederick the Fuel was fast but a bit harsh, probably due to the air pressures being too high. My A-star with the Manitou suspension is more plush but on the Fuel 100 I was averaging almost 1.5mph more than I usually carry. That's a good thing because I bought this to race with. If you are looking for a trail bike you may want something with a bit more travel but if you want fast, the Fuel 100 is fast.
I'm getting used the the XTR integrated brake/shift system and think it will be pretty sweet once I get the hang of it.
Overall I'm very pleased with the bike, the components, the weight and the ride. I have to fine tune the set up but that's to be expected.
I'm also extremely pleased with how meticulous the guys a Wheelbase are in their bike prep and setup. Definitely the place to go.
I'll post more after a few more rides and after I get the suspension dialed.
I didn't pay full retail for the 100 so I'm even happier with my purchase. Most people could get a bike that's 90% as good and save some coin but this was on of my "exotics" that I never really thought I'd be able to own but the moon and stars aligned just right and now I've got one.
It's a pretty cool feeling having a bike that you can't upgrade any further.
Strengths: Very light and very stiff. Looks damn good on me. Carbon is very "nervous" in it's responsiveness and feedback.
Weaknesses: Stickers peeling from rack use, sure is expensive.
Bottom Line:
I cracked the rear stays on the Fuel 90 and got lucky- the bike shop replaced it with the carbon stays. So I jokingly said I'd have to break the front half as I left. Two weeks later I did- a buddy recommended asking for an upgrade price- the shop manager calls me to say that I can have this frame for $219.00. So a no-brainer. It looks great and rides even better. First couple of rides were hindered by an obnoxious creaking that the shop fixed by torquing the suspension bushings. I had worn the paint off of my old frame because the Yakima rack bushings strap the bare cables against the bike- I got some black canvas tape to cover these areas. I miss the loved and abused patina of the old bike but this one does look very nice. It handles much more readily than my aluminum frame- seems more efficient and for a 235 lb guy like me it has almost no perceptible flex. I'm buying a torque wrench because you apparently need to be careful when wrenching on a carbon frame. The value rating is up to you- it's a great bike for what I paid for it. Good luck and go ride.
Similar Products Used: '02 Fuel 90 destroyed- upgraded to this.
Bike Setup: Two wheels and a seat.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
aaron weiss
a Racer
from kamloops, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Bottom Line:
This is just an update. I spoke to rock shox and the lockout that I noted as a weakness is actually not a full lockout, therefore it is not a weakness. It was different than I expected and now that I know how the shock works (or is supposed to) it is fine and I would rate it as a strength. The lockout is actually a 90% lockout, so it won't have a fully locked out feel.
Submitted by
aaron weiss
a Racer
from kamloops, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Strengths: XTR, SID world cup fork, wheels, remote lockout, seatpost, handlebar, shifters, the carbon frame (HELLO), the finish on the carbon frame (OH MY)
Weaknesses: if I was picky, I'd say tires, but that's only because I've been on a liquid for the last 2 1/2 months and it has meatier tires. The slim racing tires are awkward, but I know that they are racing tires and will be slimmer/faster/less tread etc etc....the lockout on the rockshox sid rear shock doesn't seem to want to work???
Bottom Line:
It's expensive, but try to say that it is not worth it after turning the cranks once. It climbs very well, perhaps better than anything I've ridden. The XTR cranks are so stiff and the shifting works great. After 1 ride on this bike I will never buy another aluminum frame, the carbon does more than manufacturers claim. It feels fast and stiff and perfect. I can't wait to ride it again. 5 chilis for Value as it feels like it is worth the price. 5 for overall because it is about as good as a bike can come right out of the box. I will post again in a month or three after I've raced it a bit and give more feedback, these are my very first impressions and might change, but I bought the bike having ridden the same frame (2002 model), so most likely my next round of feedback will be an update on how great the bike is.
buy if: you can afford it, you're looking at other bikes, you want the best don't buy if: you are a freerider, you don't shave your legs, you don't want people to drool on you, you don't want to be the envy of other racers
