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Submitted by
dalehorvath
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont, ColoradoDate Reviewed: August 18, 2009
Strengths: Excellent climbing bike. Fast as heck on the down hills. Light, nimble, predictable.Weaknesses: I too had chainsuck. I replaced the cranks with Shimano hollow tech xt and much better. I also did not appreciate the tires so I changed them.Bottom Line: I love this bike. I have owned it for about 7 years now and ride it as much as possible. I have done some work to it just to upgrade but it is worth it. It has a solid foundation of Trek technology. I have not had any problems with the frame at all. It climbs as well as it descends. Even with all the upgrades, at heart it is still a Trek. I am extremely happy with this bike and don't plan on buying another bike for as long as this one will last. It has already been 7 years. Says a lot doesn't it!!
Favorite Trail: Hall Ranch (so far)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: Church Bikes, San Di
Similar Products Used: Norco Sasquatch hard tail.
Bike Setup: Shimano XT hollow tech crankset, Shimano XT WH-M775 Tubeless Wheelse, Shimano XTR M952 3X9 Brake/Shifter set, Shimano DURA-ACE/XTR 9-Speed Chain (CN-7701), Shimano PD-M540 Pedals, Shimano XT cassette, Panaracer fire XC Pro UST tires, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Rock Shock Reba Race front suspension.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Douglas Holzman
a Racer
from Milwaukee,Wi USADate Reviewed: April 28, 2006
Strengths: Good for taking big hitsWeaknesses: To much bob, too heavy, feels too ineffiecient. Good beginner bike.Bottom Line: Sugar is a superior bike, its a shame its gone and the fuel is still around.
Favorite Trail: Nine mile forest
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Privat owner
Similar Products Used: 2003 Sugar Team issue
Bike Setup: Avid mechanical disc, over than that everything was stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
weekendrider
a Weekend Warrior
from CaliforniaDate Reviewed: March 26, 2005
Strengths: Good climber.Weaknesses: As with other reviews ghost shifting and chainsuck . Junk the Bontrager crankset and get a Shimano or Truvativ. Bontrager saddle too hard for me.Bottom Line: Bought this bike used from a guy who use it 6 times. Didn't like mountain bike, he likes dirt bike with motor. Am very satisfied with its drive train. Like it is fluid or smooth. Great on uphill. Have to replaced the Bontrager crankset with Truvativ FireX and its good to go. No worry about chainsuck. Original crankset ghostshift and chain got stuck between granny gear and bottom bracket shell. Not a good sight. Also replaced the Bontrager saddle with an older Trek saddle. Original saddle feels like it is made of wood.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Individual
Similar Products Used: 99 Marin RiftZone
Bike Setup: Stock with Hayes hydraulic disk.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nicholas Maravell
a Cross Country Rider
from O.O.B.Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005
Strengths: light, stiff, responsiveWeaknesses: fulfills it's intended use well, no complaintsBottom Line: This bike is so unbelievably fast it blows me away. Maintenance is a non issue. Climbs like a goat, descends better now that I use stem with positive rise. Capeable in Kennebunkport sold me it used w/no wheels + continues to service + maintain the bike as if it were their own. It's the best cross country race bike I have ever thrown a leg over.
Favorite Trail: Colorado trail, Durango
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: Cape Able Kennebunkport, Me
Similar Products Used: Spec FSR
Bike Setup: Hugi-517s, thompson, xt v-brakes, ritchey cranks w/custom bash guard,RF ti bb, easton carbon bar-24lbs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Billy Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Da trailsDate Reviewed: December 2, 2004
Strengths: Solid first FS if been riding HT all along.Weaknesses: No surprise. Like most other reviews drive train and brakes sux. Tires roll slow and seat and not great eitherBottom Line: Forget trying to adjust/dial-in. You will never get there. Simply not worth the pain/effort. Swap out crap Bontrager cranks with LX or better. Even if on your own dime. .
Favorite Trail: any
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: sugar
Bike Setup: mostly stock, 'cept pedals and seat
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Brooks
a Cross Country Rider
from okcDate Reviewed: March 15, 2004
Strengths: awsome climber handles techni extremly well(my opinion)Weaknesses: s!@#y tires pick up weight in wet terrain quicker than you will at thanksgiving,horrible traction. Bonty cranks crapy, autoshift on ascents will nearly break chain in two. Brakes aren't worth their weight in crack; very weak won't stay adjusted. noisy seatpostBottom Line: great bike except driveline. Got a shorter stem so I can maintain control on descents w/o lifting rear wheel, change tire and brakes. Only four chilli's because of crapy components. Besides NECESSARY component changes the bike is capable of way more than one would expect from an xcr awsome bike.
Favorite Trail: none yet
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: Al's Bicycles in Norman Ok
Similar Products Used: tried sugar 3, had a cheapo FERRY-RAT (mongoose), first decent bike
Bike Setup: stock until I can afford upgrades
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lukas Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from GermanyDate Reviewed: February 20, 2004
Strengths: Price, Fork, FrameWeaknesses: Brakes and Tires (and for me also the paintshop)!!!Bottom Line: I'm really impressed by this bike. I test-rode quite a few
fullys, but this one was just the best. And I didn't like Trek at all (and I still don't really like the paint job) thought they were kind of lame, but I know better now. After half a year on this bike and some nice crashes I can say that it is worth the money. Just one advice: Change the tires and first of all the brakes! The tires have no grip and the brakes just suck (and I'm fairly lightweigt), even my old Cannondale has better brakes. Also, I'm still searching for the perfect setup for the shox, but I guess that's because I never had a bike with any suspension whatsoever.
In short: If you're no hardcore downhiller I can only say go for it!
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: Coolbreezecyclery, NC
Similar Products Used: Switched from a Cannondale M900 hardtail
Bike Setup: All stock, except the brakes. Changed them for Sram 9.0, what a difference!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jan Erlend
a Cross Country Rider
from NorwayDate Reviewed: December 1, 2003
Strengths: Good equipped, graet fork, great looks, good rear shock. Thumbs up for flexibilty, adjustment of rear shock and fork travel/sag can quickly turn this bike from a firm climbing xc-goat to a joyful downhill bouncer..Weaknesses: Problems with chainstay.. Chain lept off even after several adjustments. Poor stock tires for xc biking.Bottom Line: Great allround bike for the money. Weight, geometry and equipment is ok for competitive xc racing. Needs lots of air in rear shock to avoid excessive sag and lack of power transfer in clambing. On the other hand, little air and 4inch travel in the fork gives sweet downhill light / freeriding in bumpy terrain..
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, I-drive 6.0 and 1.0, Gt avalanche 1.0, giant xtc nrs, a
Bike Setup: stock except michelin comp s lite /bar ends
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from ConcordDate Reviewed: August 4, 2003
Strengths: Balanced, amazing handling in technical sections. Climbs well.Weaknesses: Tires. I changed to bontrager super x.Bottom Line: I'm a entry level racer and this is a great entry level bike. I'm riding the rooty, rocky new england area, so the full suspension is great for the terrain. I haven't had any problems with the drivetrain or suspension. I'm a light rider (150 lbs), the bike climbs like a goat. I would recommend this bike to anyone who's looking for a nimble FS bike.
Favorite Trail: Bear Brook
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: S & W Sports
Similar Products Used: Specialized
Bike Setup: Race Face Dues stem, Thompson Elite seatpost, Titec bar ends, Bontgrager super x tires
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Junkee
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA USADate Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Strengths: Great FS bike and components for the price.Weaknesses: Front derailur will drop the chain completely if you shift down too quickly. If you don't stop pedaling and fix it, the chain can get significatntly jammed in the chain stays. Shifting up the front chain rings doesn't always happen on the first push of the shifters either.Bottom Line: Probably the best deal out there for a $1K FS Mountain Bike. Being a beaten up X - Biathlete, Triathelete, Marathoner, ... it's sweet to be able to finish a 2-3 hour XC ride, and not be beat up. Riding multiple days in a row is now possible.
Favorite Trail: Pine forest XC slalom
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: JAX
Similar Products Used: '92 Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Otto
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco, ColoradoDate Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Strengths: No bob, suspension system works great, lightweight to a degree. Works good for everything. It likes to climb!Weaknesses: chain suck gets to me on some rides and the tires are really bad, I got new ones. The manitou fork wears out after a little bit.Bottom Line: A great bike for your money, the fork wears out after a while, take the bike to your lbs to get the chain suck dealt with and get some tires (Panarace Fires!)
Favorite Trail: Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Trek 4500
Bike Setup: '02 Trek fuel 90 with a few tweaks
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Zilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, NCDate Reviewed: May 6, 2003
Strengths: Fast, fast, fast! Smooth riding. Climbs well for FS.Weaknesses: Bad chainline causing chainsuck; short seatpost. Slippery stock tires (no grip!).Bottom Line: I bought this bike because it simply fit me the best, of all the FS bikes I tried (Specialized, Giant, Dianmonback, Gary Fisher) in this price range. I opted for the F90 vs. F80 for the upgraded components (same frame). I do mostly XC riding on hard pack single tracks and fire trails, no heavy DH or jumps. It does well on moderate climbs and rooty trails. With the rear shock pumped correctly, pogo-ing is minimized. I'd recommend this bike for a beginner (like me) but not for a hard core racer/DH'er. I just recently changed the bushings and the suspension is now smooth!
Favorite Trail: New Light in Raleigh, NC
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: Cycling Spoken Here
Similar Products Used: First "real" mtb. Had a Mongoose cheapo...
Bike Setup: Stock except for Thompson seatpost, Kalloy riser bar, Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am seat, Race Face grips, and IRC Mythos tires
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lars Nordberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Lansing Mi USADate Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Strengths: Weight and rear shockWeaknesses: Horrible brakes poor tires chain suck especially in wet conditionsBottom Line: Very, very disappointed with this ride. It was between the Trek and the Specialized and I actually liked the FSR better but had always been on a Trek so I decided on the Fuel due to prior experience with the product and the price was about $200 bucks less than the comparable Specialized. Live and learn. I will be selling this bike and buying the Specialized this year.
Favorite Trail: Potowatami in Pinkney
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1199.00
Purchased At: Velocipede Peddler East Lansing
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR Giant Idrive Cannondale jekyl
Bike Setup: Easton riser Thomsom seat post xtr front and rear and xtr brakes
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Marcelo Marcos
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterrey, NL, MexicoDate Reviewed: April 24, 2003
Strengths: This bike looks cool. The fox float is great, does not make you loose strenght while climbing. Fast. Nice handling. Good frame. Great manitou black in front.Weaknesses: Chain system sucks. Clearly an imbalanced ride. Bit heavy for effieciency freaks on XC. Cheap brakes. Bad grip on stock tires in humid muddy weather.Bottom Line: Great bike for a beginner. I started out with my dad's FSR Specialized full suspension. Great bike for freeride. I started competing in Cross Country races. My first bike is this Trek Fuel 90. It is great for beginers. If you want a bike that works great in races, but does not wimp out on big drops nor, downhill attempts, this is your bike. It is a good bike. Not the best, but except for a few minor details, it works just fine. I went to the store with the Gary Fisher Sugar 3+, AND I AM GLAD I WENT FOR THE FUEL. The best bike for overall cross country in its proce range. Only problem is here in mexico all bikes are so darned expensive!
Favorite Trail: Deslavada, Parque Nacional Cumbres
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: Action Sport Bikes
Similar Products Used: Old cromolium GT hardtail with Rock Shox front fork.
1997 Specialized FSR Sport full suspension, with manitou fork.
Bike Setup: I still have it stock, except for the chain. Everything has worked well.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from CTDate Reviewed: April 24, 2003
Strengths: The frames is wicked strong it's taken some serious drops
I've had no serious problems YET.Weaknesses: Chain Suck, this has to the worst chain set up. And the brakes just plain ol sh*ty.Bottom Line: I'd buy another.
Favorite Trail: Any single track
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1285.00
Purchased At: wayfarer bike shop
Similar Products Used: Gary fisher suger,Gaint
Bike Setup: All XTR Now, Alloy pulleys, fire XC pro tires
Nickel plated chain
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