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Submitted by
diggerdan
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Melrose | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Express | | Strengths: | Nice geometry and handling, quality standard components, amazing performance in rough conditions for so little travel, ABP gives best rear brake grip of any bike anywhere. Sexy looks. | | Weaknesses: | Frame and rim stiffness is a bit limited, I can get front and rear tryes to rub on the frame when cornering hard. Juicy 3s are not special. Chain refused to stay on over bumps until I got a chain guide. Rear brake mount was not machined properly from factory causing all sorts of problems, bike shop didn't want to know about it. | | Bike Setup: | Ergon grips, 50mm easton stem, stans kit, minnion front, ignitor rear tyres, MRP guide 34t single ring and 11-34 cassette | | Bottom Line: | The ex7 is a really good allround trail bike. I punished mine everywhere from xc single track, downhill, dirt jumps and skate parks and have loved every bit of it. Despite the very average juicy 3s, this bike will out brake any other bike thanks to the active braking pivot rear end. Not the most pedal efficient suspension going but a long way from the worst too. I highly recomend ditching the front mech for a chain guide and fittin a shorter and much lower stem. I am very happy with this bike, it got me back into the sport. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crabro
a Cross Country Rider
from Paris, France
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Vallée de Chevreuse (Paris), Cassis-Lacadière (Mediterranean), Les Orres (Southern Alps). | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Jacky Villebon | | Strengths: | Model 2008. Absolutely confortable and easily adjustable rear suspension in this range (120mm). Over all fair suspension. Shockproof basic wheels. Highly agreable bike on xc tracks, handles kind down hill stretches well (very well for 120mm travel). XT rear derailer keeps working OK. | | Weaknesses: | I disliked very much the original Bontrager tires; tested in mud an in stones and gravel. Avid Juicy 3 brakes fair but not wonderfull. I hate to admit: my weakness is that I'm not very powerfull, and on some slopes my hardtail climbs quicker - except on chaotic ones, where I benefit from the adherence offered by the suspension. | | Similar Products Used: | As extensively: only hardtail bikes | | Bike Setup: | Replaced tires quickly by Toro XC Marathon, and happy with it. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a bike for a quite flexible use, typically 4H week end rides and I love this bike on single tracks and on stony paths, and pushed it into some moderate downhill tracks, I've ridden in snow (-14°C) and in the heat (+30°C). One can argue it is not the best bike ever (or even of all basic suspension bikes when I bought it end 2007), but I use it all round, and it is really up to my expectations. It gives me good fun.
For the $ amount: conversion from € at $1.5 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kenguru
a Cross Country Rider
from Hungary
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Overall build quality, the ABP system and geometry | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat | | Similar Products Used: | hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock, the fork is Rock Shox revelation u turn | | Bottom Line: | The bike is excellent, real joy to ride. No surprises, it's just go anywhere. The seat is not so comfy, but that's individual preference, climbing is not as easy as with a hardtail, regardless of the fox can setup. The front is a little high, which also makes steep climbing difficult, but if I would lower it, the comfort would be compromised. So for me the U turn fork - non-stock - is absolutely useful.
The rest is excellent, a real go anywhere machine.
But I will switch to Top Fuel likely, as that is better for my riding style | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
harverto
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham (UK)
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere on Exmoor | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans (yes i'm a sel | | Strengths: | (2009 my)Great bike for the money it was between this and a SPECIALIZED fsr xc comp and the TREK look's so sexy in white | | Weaknesses: | The Avid 3's are a bit poor and i've bust 2 nipples on the front rim in 4 (easy) weeks of use! | | Similar Products Used: | GT timberline (2000ish my)
Kona cindercone | | Bike Setup: | Crank bro's egg beaters | | Bottom Line: | As I haven't riden since 2002 bike's have come a long way, and i was hoping for great things from my new toy.
Well to say I'm as happy as a homo in a handbag shop is a understatement this is a great bike for the price.
So far it's done all i could throw at it and it keeps going (apart from the broken nipples but thats no big problem) get some new pad's for the brakes (not organic) and it should stop aswell as it go's .
Not sure what all the fuss is, about the tyers. I think there fine but you decide for your self.
If you want a great bike go get a fuel EX7 you'll love it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtbcolorado427
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Collins, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bicycles, | | Strengths: | Drivetrain, Frame, Shocks | | Weaknesses: | Tires, Brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized XC Pro, Specialized Stumpy | | Bike Setup: | Stock, crank bro egg beater pedals, specialized "The Captain" tires | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Not thrilled with the juicy 3's or the tires. Looking to upgrade the brakes soon. Overall, rides great. Downhills are a blast. Shock setup is great, no pogo effect. Great deal for the price! If you're lookin to switch from ht to fully, this is a great bike. You won't regret! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dlc
a Weekend Warrior
from Blue Ridge GA USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Brush Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS Free Flight | | Strengths: | Great all around bike. No single part is great but the sum of all its parts make up a great bike. Light for the size. | | Weaknesses: | Tires Suck!!
The rear swingarm is a little tight. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. WTB tires. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike. I am a big guy (6'6" 250#) and the bike fits pretty well. This is my first bike in about 8 year, just getting back into riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PaxtonBond
a Cross Country Rider
from Matthews, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Colonel Beatty | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ultimate Bicycle Mat | | Strengths: | (2008 Model)Great suspension, strong frame, incredible brakes. Very light. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle, hand grips, pedals. The saddle might as well be a 2x4. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Apex (steel frame, no suspension, 1988), Cheapy Ironhorse Warrior. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals and handgrips. | | Bottom Line: | After a lot of research and shopping, I found this bike to be the best bang for the buck. I have only been riding it for three months and only recently got back into mountain biking. When I rode in college, supension and disk brakes were not around. I cannot say enough great things about this bike. I am 6'2" and weigh 230 pounds and love to jump, this thing takes everything I can throw at it. I replaced the stock handgrips with ODI Ruffians and put Sun Ringles platform pedals on, next a new saddle. The stock Bontrager saddle is quite hard. I can't see a need for anything more than this bike has. Great cross country, decent climbing (with the supension locked out), very fast downhill. GO BUY ONE!!! (most bike shops will credit you the cost of the stock saddle and pedals towards new ones) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
leeroyjenkins
a Cross Country Rider
from Kenmore, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Weaknesses: | Seat post too tall and unforgiving saddle | | Bike Setup: | Chopped the seat post down, stock | | Bottom Line: | My first real mountain bike. my dad wanted to take me on some long rides and this bike worked amazing. the downhills i was flying and the up hills werent to much trouble either. i have also hit some pretty big jumps without any problems ( about 6 feet to downhill/flatish is the biggest) this is a great bike for anyone looking to get into the crosscountry or just biking in general | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hockeyfreak
a Weekend Warrior
from parker, colorado, united states
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | apex | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle village | | Strengths: | Light, efficient, plush, bombs downhill, does ok uphill, STRONG, etc. etc. etc. | | Weaknesses: | Starts with terrible tires. not as efficient as some others I've rode but its not a fair comparison. (maverick, yeti, klein) | | Similar Products Used: | maverick durance (dads) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for rear tire is now a specialized pro and I've broken the chain twice | | Bottom Line: | I highly recommend this bike. I have abused the crap out of my bike, drops of over 5 feet, dirt jumps, downhilling, etc. I ride it every day doing things that would break most other bikes and the only thing that i have had to change was the chain. My dad's bike has 6.5 in of travel in front and 5.5 in back and i am still ahead of him by at least 5 minutes on the downhill. He beats me uphill because I'm not in great shape but I've seen many other people fly uphill on this bike. If you are considering this bike, i say buy it, it is by far the greatest compromise for price that I've seen on the market. If you are looking for a great all mountain bike, buy it. if you are looking for a great XC bike that will still bomb downhill, buy it. If your looking for a great super D bike, buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zachgator8937
a Weekend Warrior
from
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | Atlanta Cycling | | Strengths: | real good spec for the money, very active suspension design, great handling, only 28 lbs. with new tires and saddle | | Weaknesses: | lots of pedal bob on out of the saddle attacks w/o propedal on, stock tires have no traction, stock seat is like sitting on plywood | | Similar Products Used: | giant trance x1 | | Bike Setup: | stock except- wtb silverado pro saddle, schwalbe racing ralph 2.25 tires, race face lock-on grips, easton ea50 stem | | Bottom Line: | great bike for ripping singletrack, and a surprisingly good climber too. just make sure you swap out some of the stock bontrager components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pwork
a Cross Country Rider
from Carbondale
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kinkaid | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | lots of plush travel for the weight (m 28 lbs stock), climbs surprisingly well with or without the propedal. | | Weaknesses: | stock tires and grips are worthless, juicy 3's are OK, but take a long time to fully bed in. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Avalanch, Agressor, C'dale Jeckle | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Panaracer Fire Pros 2.1's | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the 08 model. Wife and I share this bike (virtually the same height). When together one of us rides the Zaskar. Combined we have about 40-50 trail miles so far on the bike. Just rode an 11 mile loop on a rooty trail then switched and rode another 4 or 5. My back thanked me when I got on the EX. Great Bike. I've noticed that I need to develop new skills for the payoff as this bike lets me go faster, which also gets me in trouble quicker!
Travel is plush once A) The rear susp breaks in B) you find the proper tuning. Jumping back in forth between a hardtail and the EX you'll notice some decreased efficiency climbing smooth trails which is to be expected, but climbs with slick rocks/roots are much easier with the EX. Haven't noticed a big difference with propedal on or off. Also do not notice the rear end getting stiff in breaking turns so the ABP must work. Recon is a good fork. Demo'd a EX 8 with the fox and to me the fox wasn't worth the extra $ over the RS (which also resides on my GT) Wife like the GT's geometry better because of the quicker steering but I don't notice it being 'slow'. Tires are OK for dry smooth hardpack, but are worthless for anything else. Juicy 3's are ok powerwise (I weigh ~150 w/ gear) but if I was doing long DH's or anything steeper I'd upgrade. Haven't had any issues with noise yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
parkercolorado
a Weekend Warrior
from parker,colorado
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Village Aurora | | Strengths: | Solid, pretty quiet and very responsive. Great up and down. | | Weaknesses: | Occasional clank from unknown source. Comes and goes. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I used it on trails from Crested Butte, CO to all along the front range around Denver and I really like the bike. Even did the Winter park downhill all day and the bike was under me all day with no problems. Great breaks. I got it on massive sale at Bike Village so I'm happy about that. No major complaints except I did trash the stock tires for better quality and that made all the difference in the world for up and down hills. I never really knew tires could TOTALLY change the bike setup and performance. One of my more experienced friends turned me on to the tire thing or I would probably still be suffering. Oh and I added new pedals. Great bike. Light and fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hockeyfreak
a Weekend Warrior
from Parker CO
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | keystone | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle Village | | Strengths: | (not always a downhiller just prefer it)
very plush brakes work great pretty light for a bike with that much travel | | Weaknesses: | my chainstay broke when i was just riding around in the street, i guess that it was just a factory problem but i got it fixed almost immediately by bicycle village. also the brakes took a long time to break in, had 2 get them fixed at the shop. it doesn't climb that great but all i have it to compare to really is a maverick so its not a good comparosin | | Similar Products Used: | kona dawg (downhilling), maverick durance, wall-mart schwinn alumi-comp hard-tail | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | its a great great bike especially for the price, it is definately an all around bike, i havn't had it that long but i have abused it plenty at keystone, gotten it up to about 25 and taken 3 to 4 foot straight drops with flat landings and it has held up great, doesn't climb the best but descends like a dream. overall i really couldn't be happier with anything under $3000. this bike is great for anyone looking to go uphill but still be able to fly down the hills that doesn't want to buy an ibis or a maverick etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juhoman
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike Planet | | Strengths: | Feels so good to drive, brakes are awesome, suspension components are nicely adjustble and very good. | | Weaknesses: | Weak frame(snapped it twice near the rear brake), crappy pedals on stock. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Trek fuel ex7 2007 is just awesome, but after two broken frames, I think there is something wrong. 2008 frame must be better. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mordy
a Cross Country Rider
from So-Cal
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Valley Bicycle | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2008 model. The older models should be reviewed separately as they are very different! This bike is great. It is well balanced for both climbing and descending. You only have to lower the seat for really steep downhill sections. The suspension is plush and with a switch of the pro-pedal lever on the shock, it goes from a strong platform for climbing, to a cushy downhiller that is quite capable of soaking up some rough stuff. I am a very heavy rider, and the frame so far has been very strong. Even the basic wheelset it comes with has held up very well, and thats saying a lot for my bulk pounding on it. The XT shadow rear deraileur is awesome and the other Deore components are functioning as well as can be desired. The Juicy 3 so far have been very satisfactory and with both at 185mm rotors on my XL they provide plenty of stopping with only some rubbing. The Recon fork has loosened up after a few months of riding, and while still not as plush as the Fox Float on the EX8, it is a stiff and capable fork that I have found nothing to complain about. I might upgrade to a Revelation dual air for tunability but thats about it. The crankset, while basic, has an outboard bearing BB which makes it quite the performer and i haven't noticed any flex. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires are only good for dry hardpack. Stock grips and saddle are uncomfortable, as usual for Treks as they always get replaced anyways. | | Similar Products Used: | 2007 EX8, Trance X1, Fisher Hifi Deluxe, hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer rampages for traction, Oury lock-ons for grips, WTB Pure V race saddle, Crank Bro's Mallets, rest stock. | | Bottom Line: | Very balanced and capable trail bike that won't break the bank or leave you feeling under-equipped for all but the hairiest downhill sections. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Weilerbach, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Phaltzer Wald | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop (Ogden Ut.) | | Strengths: | Strong, durable, easy to ride. This 07 Fuel EX 7 has an awesome and plush suspension! | | Weaknesses: | The sadle is crap and tires are just ok. I think Bontrager parts could be better. Rear shock leaking oil. I need to replace the seal. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now but will upgrade sadle, tires, brakes and handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | I have had this bike for 6 months and love it. I do like the new 08 frame over my 07 but the geometry is set up very nice for my body and riding style. I am 170 lbs and it seems to like that weight. Plus the ease to dial in the fork/rear shock seems to be easy but nessasary. Fantastic allaround XC!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lowell
a Cross Country Rider
from La Honda, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro deal through a shop I worked at | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2007 ex7. it's a very solid all-around bike. Rear suspension is very smooth and reasonably efficient. The BB7 mechanical discs work great even with the stock 6" rotors and the recon fork is nice and plush. | | Weaknesses: | Already had to replace seals on the fox RPL shock. The front fork ramps up at the end of its travel a bit much. Makes it hard to use all 5" without too much squat under braking. The propedal on the fox works great though. Tires were terrible, replaced with tubeless specialized exkar front and captain rear. | | Similar Products Used: | Older Jamis dakar sport full suspension, Trek liquid, Yeti ASX (much lighter, but about 3X the price) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 2007 XT wheelset with tubless tires 2.3 Specialized Eskar front, 2.1 specialized the captain rear. | | Bottom Line: | A good solid bike, but I probably would have bought something with a more advanced suspension or a bit lighter if I hadn't had the pro deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ignacio Paz
a Cross Country Rider
from East Lansing, MI
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Velocipede Peddler | | Strengths: | This bike has great geometry very nimble at high speed. The brakes are good for mechanical (Soon to upgrade to hydro). The best feature is the adjustibility of the front and rear shocks!! | | Weaknesses: | The seat is stiff and too small, the tires are crap(first thing changed) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | all stock soon to add hydro brakes juicy 5 | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great to use up and downhill great pedal feel with little bounce. With the high adjustiblity of the shocks you can fine tune the bike to any terrain or condition, wet, dry, snow, mud, road this bike is the most versitle bike I have owned yet. I am very pleased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jacob staten
a Weekend Warrior
from kentucky
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | sal hallow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$670.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | The fork is great and for my entry level bike I love it. | | Weaknesses: | none that i have found yet | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Tis is a great bike I relly love it it is the best bike i have invested my money on. I love that it has rell good disc brakes on it it will hop over any thing that I want it to it is the kind of bike that any one could use from the hardcore to the newb it is great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaime
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | The Hub | | Strengths: | Bomber.. Can throw this thing off anything. This was my entry bike into full suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Rims are a little weak, bike is heavy but again, is bomber. Can be a little back heavy too. | | Bike Setup: | XC | | Bottom Line: | Great bike to get into trail riding with. I would like a little more suspension but I'm going towards freeriding now. Four inches is great but my but likes six much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duane
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Very good handling. Solid frame. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes disc brakes. These have required a ton of adjusting and they still have a tendency to rub. Talked to a Hayes rep who said to make sure the skewers were tightened really well. So far I haven't had too many issues with them since. I find this bike to be really heavy for a cross country FS bike - about 30 lbs. Most seems to be in the rear triangle as well. Looks like some upgrades are needed. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Xcaliber - much lighter and steel even. | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus Monkey Lite carbon fiber XC riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike but for the brake issues. It has handled more trail than I have. I chose this bike for the Limited Lifetime frame warranty. Other bikes that cost more only had 2 or 5 years (Santa Cruz and Rocky Mountain). I still feel that for 1800.00 the bike should have been a bit lighter though. It served me well in the 24 Hours in the old pueblo recently so I guess I can't complain too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Colburn
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole in the Ground | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bike Works | | Strengths: | Rides smooth, pretty responsive, Durable frame and rear shock setup. I hear complaints about the disk brakes. But I have had zero problems in last 2 years. | | Weaknesses: | Very heavy for price. Bottom Bracket-I seam to go through 1 every 4-6 months. My old Fisher only went through 3 in 10 yrs and weighed about the same. Shifter setup jams thumbs after longer rides. | | Similar Products Used: | Had Fisher Joshua and finally cracked frame after almost 10 yrs (I think the downhill at Northstar finally did it in). Test road trek and Fisher since Trek gave me a $300 frame credit toward either. The Fisher I road had chain suck on the test ride so I bought the Trek. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Good all around bike. Considering its weight it eats up miles of single track like a lighter bike. A little overpriced for level of components and heavy WEIGHT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lowell
a Cross Country Rider
from La Honda, CA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Summit Cycles Pro Deal | | Strengths: | Very solid frame, great rear suspension. Avid BB7 brakes are very solid and feel like hydraulics. Nice wheels and a nice balanced geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Fork is good, but doesn't quite keep up with the great feel of the rear suspension. Tires are very slow and don't grip well enough for their slow rolling-ness. | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock. Recon 351 fork, float RPL shock, avid BB7 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Very solid suspension feel and a good mix of components for the price. Great brakes. The bb7 mechanicals feel at least as good as hydraulics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lucas LeMaire
a Racer
from Thornton, CO
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hogback/Dakota Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | The suspension is so good. It handles great on downhill. Cant believe traction. Very nice. Front fork is excellent! | | Weaknesses: | In my opinion, stock stem is too long, stock tires no good. | | Similar Products Used: | none. First F/S bike | | Bike Setup: | WTB Velociraptor tires F/R, Syncros DH stem, Lizard Skins moab grips, CrankBros Mallet C pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is wicked. First time on it, could not believe traction going downhill. The tires just stay on the ground. I think just need to change stem, tires, pedals really. It is superlite, and it is just an awesome bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, California
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Lite weight, ABP (Active Braking Pivot), forks, shocks, Hyrdaulic Disc Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Tires | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this bike to get back into Mountain biking after a good hiatus. I really love the ABP and the control that it enables you to have while braking on a downhill. The 2008 Trek Fuel EX 7 is not the same bike as the previous years, so do yourself a favor and check it out! ABP rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere there's more down than up | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Plush, strong, and agile. Bontrager wheels are bomb-proof. Climbing traction is endless. A great entry-level bike to full-sus XC. | | Weaknesses: | Never-happy Hayes Nine brakes, Deore shifters, not the lightest rig, multi-piece suspension linkage. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush 6, Gary Fisher Cake, | | Bike Setup: | Other than stock: Avid Juicy 7 brakes, Kenda Nevengal 2.4" Front, Deore LX crankset, Race Face Team chainrings, SRAM PT-970 cassette. | | Bottom Line: | As my first XC full suspension bike, I loved how this thing rides. It's agile, predictable, and plenty plush. I have the suspension aired up enough so that I've never even bottomed out on full drops, yet, I find that balance smooth enough and responsive. I virtually never use Pro-Pedal, as the bike climbs extremely well even when the tail is soft. With it on, it bounces excessively. It rides big (the frame is admittedly a bit too small for me: 19.5", I'm 6'4"), and has served me well to launch into racing.
Component set leaves some to be desired on the EX7 - the Deore shifters are vague. The Hayes Nine hydraulics that come with it absolutely suck (have to realign EVERY time I remove the front wheel) - I replaced them with Avid Juicy 7s, but the large reservoirs don't fit well with the Shimano Shifters, and they get noisy when humid. The suspension linkage is needlessly heavy and complex, with bolts that can come loose and creak (Trek has fixed this for '08 with a 1-piece welded link). The Bontrager Select rims ain't light, but they take a ton of abuse - can't figure out why they spec'd machined rim faces on a disc-brake model. The BB and crank have been problem-free, but the new Race Face rings have had some chain suck problems.
A good value on a pretty solid bike overall, but I'm outgrowing it quickly (both physically and talent-wise). I'm VERY excited to try the new '08 Fuel EX's, as they've addressed many of the common gripes of past EX's with some slick new design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line Wilmington | | Strengths: | Good warrenty, I felt a decent climber, decends quickly and efficiently, like the suspenders Recon fork is ealily tuned, strong finish on the frame, avid mechanical work nicely | | Weaknesses: | Some parts on the spec list are suspect- ie shifters, head set (may have just been mine) | | Bottom Line: | After searching out a decent dual suspension at my price point I feel as though I have made a great decision for the type of trails I regularly ride. Coming from hardtails I was a bit hesitatant about going over to duals but the decision was a good one.
I ride my fuel 3-4 times a weak and with my regular maintenace schedule the bike has yet to let me down. The head set has come loose a few times which is no big deal just a pain to continually have to tighten. The wheel set is decent although their weight is a bit much, reduce your unsprung weight for greater speed and control. Shifters were traded out for clearance lx dual control units- although XC focused I have enjoyed their performace and worked acceptibly well with the Avid Mechanicals that have new organic pads installed.
Overall a good dual suspension bike with some issues as to the break chatter and dialing in the suspension helps but it seems as though you can never get it perfect but for all intensive purposes it gets pretty darn close. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Once you have ridden this bike for a while it is very predictable. I have been real happy with the suspension and think from an overall mountain bike perspective it is a very nice bike. This is my first hydraulic brake bike and I like it A LOT! | | Weaknesses: | Pedal clearance is not great, rear disc gave out on first ride (but was replaced for free and no issues since), and has a habit of fishtailing when really moving down hill | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice bike for the price and if you keep up on maintenance it will serve you well. I have upgraded a few pieces parts, but in general have been happy with the stock components | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob carter
a Cross Country Rider
from mount ephraim, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | peddler shop | | Strengths: | great components for a great price. | | Weaknesses: | stock shifters were a little cheap. takes a while to dial in the rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | jamis dakar, specialized stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | stock w/XTR shifters | | Bottom Line: | a great bike for the price. This is my fourth trek and have never had a problem with their frames. after riding for a few days at mount snow, i can say that the bike is a solid all mountain/back woods bike that is real comfortable for those epic rides. Probably a little heavy for a cross-country race bike, but i like a beefy bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Newcastle
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/xc_full_suspension/product_124740.shtml
See the above link for the real reviews of this bike - For some reason they have reviews of this same bike on another page. And belive me its an awesome bike | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | get the 06 version for great spec and good price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Jenson
a Cross Country Rider
from Hyde Park, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mudd Flatts | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Logan | | Strengths: | Components are solid, Front shock (Reba is Awesome). Rear shock is Good plenty of adjustment! Will handle wicked high speed on steep trails! Climbs good. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes 09 disk brakes! Had them worked on at least three times this year. They are pure Sheyat, Rims are weak! The weld blew on my front and sent me flying into the bushes. | | Similar Products Used: | 06 Stump Jumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Solid bike. Will hold up on hard fast downhills. I Hit 65mph coming down a bumpy ski slope last summer. You need to take the time to learn to adjust the dual air chambers in the front. Loves to carve in tight corners. Not as heavy as other people have claimed (28 pds). Comparing components, nothing else comes close for the price. Breaks are good, when they work. Awsome paint job, until you scratch it then it is a mess. Feels somewhat slower than my specialized, but my specialized feels like it is going to rattle apart at high speed. Great Frame!! Wish it had 5". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fuel53
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Nobel Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Store | | Strengths: | Solid suspension, great fork, good climbing ability, good handles at speed | | Weaknesses: | Crap hubs- have gone through three rear bontrager select hubs now, trek has replaced for free each time.
Crap tires- you are going to hurt yourself on these
slightly heavy- this isnt a racer, but I climb hills for the workout anyway, whatever. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper fsr
trek top fuel 98 | | Bike Setup: | WTB tires, specialized seat, all stock. | | Bottom Line: | I have have been beating on this bike hard for two years now. I often look enviously at the newer 5" trail bikes but I really dont need them. I removed the spacer in the reba fork to get 115mm (4.5") travel out of the fork and it descends much better now, I can feel the front wheel pop up a little on the climbs though, I was suprised what a difference 1/2 inch made. I plan on upgrading to a travel adjust fork. This bike continues to suprise me and is a pleasure to ride hard. Some of the lower cost parts on it are heavy and can and do break under my 220 lbs. Trek takes care of their customers and has hooked me up a few times. This bike can bomb down hills and take a 3 foot drop with the best of them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kebasha
a Weekend Warrior
from Badalona, Spain
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comfortable, plush, nice RS Reba fork and rear shock. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy. Not the stiffer rear outside. Poor paint job and poor warranty service too(see Bottom Line) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush (my next bike I hope) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Hope XC hubs on Mavic XM819 tubeless rims (very happy...) | | Bottom Line: | Six months after purchasing the paint started leaving the frame. Trek Spain told me to change the frame in warranty.
ONE YEAR LATER (yes, you've readed well, 1 year=365 days) I'm still wating for my new frame after too many phone calls.
Three frames with same paint problem on the same LBS (2 Fuex EX and a carbon HT), so it's not a rare thing I think.
Without thinking in the Warranty Service I would give four 4 chilis for the bike, but I can't.
Sorry but no more TREK's for me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Arcata, CA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Downyville Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | EP through Trek | | Strengths: | Very solid bike. Brakes work great. Very springy. | | Weaknesses: | The bike does have a few extra pounds and the disc rotors need tightening regularly. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock plus big WTB front tire | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. It's my first full suspension and I love it. I'll never talk trash about full suspension bikes ever again. There're better bikes out there but they're not mine! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Manhattan Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Monicas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Nice components for the price. Bontrager Jones tires grip well. Highly adjustable (if that's your thing). | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT! Thick, knobby tires make for some slow uphills. Too many things to adjust (not my thing). | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Anthem 3. Cannondale hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Bone-stock. | | Bottom Line: | I made the mistake of buying this bike based on the components and the Fuel name. On paper, this bike seems great, but I hated it from the first ride.
First of all, this thing is damn heavy -- 31 lbs. for a size small frame and the weight is very unevenly distributed towards the rear. Coming off a hardtail, riding this bike felt like riding a log. It seemed very slow and sluggish going up the hills. Going downhill and through tight corners, it wasn't much better. Plus, between the front fork and rear shock there's like 7 or 8 different adjustments -- too many knobs for my taste. This bike made me feel like a slower rider.
I wasn't sure if this was a hardtail vs. full-suspension thing until I tried a Giant Anthem 3. The Anthem is much lighter and has that responsive feel like a hardtail. I felt like I was flying up those hills. Plus, there's much less to adjust.
I guess I'm not sure where the Trek Fuel EX7 fits in. You get the weight of an all-mountain bike, but you only get 4" of travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a Weekend Warrior
from mt. lion country, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle tech | | Strengths: | i'm a clyde, so having a bike that doesn't fold under weight is a big issue. after two years of beating this bike, the frame is still solid. | | Weaknesses: | rims and seat. both were taco'd and replaced | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock drive train, mavic rims, diabolus freeride handlebars, fizik seat | | Bottom Line: | bottom line, the frame is great. i'm not, and wasn't, overly concerned about weight since i should be shaving POUNDS, not grams. the suspension is great, both shocks have been bulletproof even with me being a clyde and jumping off of four to five foot drops. all in all, couldn't be happier and would recco this bike to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Packham
a Cross Country Rider
from Hemet, CA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Supercenter | | Strengths: | Love the REBA fork. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are Horrible. Bike is a little heavy, and the drive train is so so. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000 | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer Fire XCpro | | Bottom Line: | Coming off a hard tail, this bike was difficult to get used to. After 20-30 miles, I'm really getting the hang of a full suspension and love it. Handles really well on the downhill, and climbs as good as any hardtail. Change the tires first!!! The stock tires are big for the bike and don't grip well. The brakes can get a little noisy after a long dusty trail, but in a wetter environment, they work great. My only complaint is that when I remove the back tire, the rear derailer can very easily get messed up, and need a readjustment. Other than that, I love this bike. It works great for me. I typically ride 20-40 miles a week and have had no major problems. If you're looking to race seriously, you might want to upgrade. If you're just starting out, or intermediate, this bike works great! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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