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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sovereign Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | used on Mtbr.com | | Strengths: | Fast, quick handling, bomb proof frame and pivots. Rides like a hard tail. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck, Rides like a hard tail. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Raven, Rocky Mountain Element TO, Turner Sultan 69er, Intense Spyder 69er | | Bike Setup: | Fox FLR80, xt/xtr shift/der, Raceface cranks, DT Swiss Onyx hubs with XR 4.1 rims, Avid BB7 brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is a great tight single track bike with race quick steering. I have used and abused this bike for over 6 years and I can't kill it. The pivot has never been serviced and only requires a little minor tightening about once a year. The only thing that this bike doesn't do well, for what I'm looking for in a bike, is handle rough trails like Porcupine Rim or other trails better suited to a long travel bike. It'll do them, but you'll come home wishing for more suspension travel. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Strengths: | light, fast, nice disign and very good materials( titianum, zr 9000 alu enz,) | | Weaknesses: | i once broken my rear link, because lock up forgotten. Head-set | | Bike Setup: | xtr 2007, hydrolic brakes, everything; exept xt crank+Q-rings. Bontrager xXx stem flat handelbar stuf, twister head sett. Fox 80 fork | | Bottom Line: | This bike is so good and i had a lott fun rinding whit it.
A lot off maintence it's normal i think my next bike is gonna be a turner nitroux it's the fuel 100 big brother. I still used it for competitions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas Neeser
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello, Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Katsilometes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Used (mtbReview) | | Strengths: | Fast | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck, chain gets caught in chainstay | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It is a good bike to buy if you want fast rather than plush. I have a lot of miles on my bike but it is still going strong and although it is old it is not obsolete. The rear triangle recently cracked and Trek, through my LBS, replaced it no questions asked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonas Neeser
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello, Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Katsilometes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Used (mtbReview) | | Strengths: | light and fast | | Weaknesses: | chain suck | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I have put a lot of miles on it and it is still in good shape and still fast. My LBS noticed the frame was cracked in an aluminum section of the carbon rear triangle. Trek replaced the carbon rear triangle free, no questions asked, no hassles. It is a race bike, not a trail bike. It is made for speed more than comfort. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Racer
from wellington FL
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | nothing their no good | | Weaknesses: | cheap design | | Similar Products Used: | would never use a trek only fisher | | Bike Setup: | cake marlin soon fat possum and king fisher | | Bottom Line: | i work at a shop in my town in florida for 2 years.in my time a the shop i have seen 3 fuel break 2 in front of me in the trail. we now a a small colection of about 6-7 frames all broken. even thought the bike is carbon fiber the truth of it is that they ARE NOT LIGHT BIKES. i don't care who u r weigh ur frame its fat if u want a light race bike buy a hard tail or a salsa the treks design is horriable BUSHINGS should never have been put it the bikes they r used just to keep the weight down and make the bike cheaper to build on the top fuels u need to cheak ur carbon rocker arms because the will ovalize in time they do not have metal incerts in those rocker arms ur accually ridding on the carbon so stupid.also the swing arms seem to have a bad habbit of shifting over on the bikes causing the rocker arms to rub the frame so take a close look at ur bike befor u ride it next time. it will also throw ur chain alignment way off trek even tryed to "fix" this problem by yes belive this or not sending us diffrent bushing sizes that u would use to SHIM it back into place.once agin so stupid. and i don't know how many of u have ever completly taken the bike apart but when u tighen the rear swing arm to the torque setting suggested by trek u can't hardly move the damn rear end so don't. then they say not to use grease to make them work better?!the only good thing about them is they always warrenty the bikes prob. because they know they suck. bottom line they are to heavy yes i said it and too cheaply design to make up for being that heavy.salsa's full supension frame have all sealed bearings and scandium frames and they r way lighter.know this carbon fiber in my opinion is just bling bling right now u can get alloy bike stiffer lighter and cheaper and that dosn't just go for frames i am talking about everything cranks handle bars ect so befor u buy ur next up grade no matter what it is do ur homework on it and be open minded to other options. p.s. Gary Fisher bike rule the world GO Fisher!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr. Dan Batchelor
a Racer
from Roswell, Georgia, USA, Earth
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Blankets Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Lightweight, direct power transfer with very little loss of energy, carbon absorbs lots of shock, climbs likes its on steroids, front lockout is dreamy. Its a babe magnet. | | Weaknesses: | no ash tray or radio | | Similar Products Used: | Everything with 2 wheels | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Maxxis Larsen UST tires | | Bottom Line: | Doctors orders- Buy one today!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Conolly
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Clarence St. Cyclery | | Strengths: | Weight, balance, acceleration | | Weaknesses: | irritating creak from the BB, both with old and new crankset
| | Similar Products Used: | STP 200, ProFlex 555 | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded via weight shaving (example: Wipperman chain) by previous owner, a sponsored racer. I upgraded the drive train to full '04 XTR (v-brakes) 4 mos. ago. | | Bottom Line: | A sponsored racer upgraded to a later model and his '02 Fuel 100 was sold as a ex-demo for 1/2 price. Wooo Hooooo! My first Full Sus after 3 years on a soft tail. What a difference! This bike is very nimble and responsive and rides best when riden fast. After the upgrade to '04 XTR the bike weighs in around 23 1/2 pounds.
You can be more aggressive with this bike because it's very nimble and responsive. You can make a last minute change and still nail a tough section of the trail. Good climber and no issues descending. Obviously it's not for hucking or freeriding but the average rider on the average trail should have no dramas.
I've done all day epic rides with no soreness afterwards. (Middle aged riders take note.) I like the extended top tubes of the Trek bikes. I'm 6'0" and weigh around 185 pounds. My arms are long for my body size.
The bike seems to be quicker than my friend's '03 Epic.
This is the last year of the aluminum front triangle for the Fuel 100. If you can live without a carbon fibre front and find one of these used get it. You'll get most of the benefit of the Fuel without the steep price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Strengths: | Light, strong, comfortable in all-around riding, climbs great, rolls over obstacles real nice - good balance and torque to push during low momentum.
Can handle heavy/big riders.
Trek's name, reputation, and guarantee. | | Weaknesses: | A note about Fuel 100 chainsuck: Chain suck is one common problem I've noticed experienced by many 100 owners...as per so many comments below. I can also confirm this is mostly due to the frame design. Usually happened to me when climbing and the shock is compressing...best way to bypass this is to NOT shift during a climb - which is a no-no anyway, right?!? So, be sure to shift down in preparation for your climb when the rear shock is under little to no compression force. This will keep the chain stay from bobbing and catching the chain to suck it up between the frame and front rings behind the bottom bracket.
If you do experience chain suck, lay your chest(weight) over your saddle facing down toward the front cranks. Place thumb on top of the chain by the chain suck and push down with thumb as you compress the shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek ST120
I've forgotten all the rest since getting my Fuel 100!! | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Next
Chris King hubs and headset
XTR D's, shifters/brakes
Mavic Ceramic Rims
Easton Carbon bars and seatpost
RockShox Sid w/blackbox carbon crown
Bonty Saddle
Thomson stem
Tires:
Front Panaracer Fire XC 2.10
Rear Panaracer Trailblazer 2.10 | | Bottom Line: | The combination of my Fuel 100 and NC trails are just about more than I can stand!! I've tripled my mileage since moving to NC....The Fuel 100 is a big part of that!
I have learned even more about the bike and the way it rides - put the Panaracers on and WOOHOO! hang on!! Those bad-boys love the terrain up here. The combination tells me that this bike is getting dialed in just right!
This bike is truly worth the money and I wouldn't change it for the world - it feels more like an extension of myself now! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jap perez
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami Beach, Fl. USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta River | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Coral Way Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very light and nimble, quick and responsive. Great looking bike. Good components options (bontrager) | | Weaknesses: | Feels too light sometimes when ridden hard, breaking is also weak mostly on downhills. | | Similar Products Used: | giant | | Bike Setup: | shimano XTR, Bontrager, hutchinson mosquito, easton carbon, avid v-brakes, sella italia SLR. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike, I also use it for training on road.
Tends to get loose, especially on tight trails due to the lightness of the bike, takes getting used to. Great upgrade for someone looking to get serious about the sport, not for recreational use once or twice a week use, bike is made to be ridden.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario Muredda
a Cross Country Rider
from Kingston, Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Private | | Strengths: | Racy geometry, light, quick in the turns, light, beautiful suspension, light | | Weaknesses: | Crappy bonty seatpost, flexy wheels/crank | | Bike Setup: | Stock, soon to add Thomson seatpost, '03 XTR crankset, and remote lockouts | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!! Light, fast, responsive. The Avid Ti brakes are phenomenal...who needs discs when these are coupled to ceramic coated rims? Very racy geometry is great in singletrack...watch out for technical descents though--the short cockpit makes these tricky. Put some Wildgripper comps on this bike and it's a rocket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Stovall
a Racer
from Marietta, GA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Free-Flite Bycycles | | Strengths: | Strong light-weight frame with a geometry that can out-perform just about anything. The suspension, when properly dialed in is also awsome. The Bonty stuff is pretty high end as well. Does this thing LOOK super fast or what? Many riders get out of my way just because it looks like a race bike. | | Weaknesses: | The chain suck and chain drop problems on the bike is ridiculous. It happens when changing from the middle chain ring to the little one. The problem is that you have to do this type of shifting quite often when you are about to hit an unexpected steep climb. I have not seen one of these bikes that hasn't had its paint scraped off by the chain in the chain stay area. Not to be a winer(sp), but this problem has made me lose a little confidence when I'm about to dash up a climb. Front and Rear Derailer need constant adjustment. I have broken spokes in the rear Bonty twice in 30 days. | | Similar Products Used: | GF Sugar 1- Thanks to King JP,
Mongoose- Everyone has to start somewhere,
GT Avalance- Thanks to King T,
GT i Drive 2.0- May it rest in peace,
Titus Switchblade- Thanks to the other Bill | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I have swapped out the Botrager Cranks in favor of Shimano XT. | | Bottom Line: | This Bike Rocks. After upgrading from a pretty decent mongoose('98) and an excellent GT I-drive (2001 2.0), I am convinced that this bike definately race inspired. It can and will outperform just about anything out there. If you get this bike and don't win a race, it aint the bikes fault-believe me I know.
SUSPENSION
I should start out by saying that I am nearly 230 lbs during the off-season and 215 lbs during the race season(and not fat). So this was a real concern for me. I think the suspension on this bike is outstanding if properly dialed in. It is stiff enough to support my weight and I don't notice any bobbing when I am seated. If I need to eliminate any bobbing when I am out of the saddle(such as the Oak Mountain and Ducktown fireroad climbs) I can simply lock out both front and back. By the way, who needs remote lock out anyway. That's like a remote control for your car stereo. If you are that lazy, you need't be riding. On balance, however, the bike takes corners, technical sections and down hills like a dream. Minimal bouncing, good tractions and abailty to negoitiate obstacles are all characteristic of this baby! It predictabilty also helps you do one heck of a wheelie!
COMPONENTS
Mostly Bonty Race Lite stuff. I beleive that it is all pretty high end and would not replace it unless you have a hole burning in your pocket. It's strong, light weight and goes with the color scheme. You also have some of the best that money can buy in the Avid Ti brakes, Crane Creek(Dia Compe) headset, and Time Carbon pedals.
DRIVE TRAIN
This is good stuff for most riders. After all of the reviews slammed the Bonty Crankset for chain suck and then experiencing it myself the first time riding this Bike, I swapped in my fairly new Shimano XT's. Unfortunately this has not helped the chain suck problem, so maybe its not the cranks or shifters, as much as frame design. When dialed in the system does work great. You can't beat XTR rear derailers. Maybe I need to consider upgrading to XTR all around.
WHEELSET
I am told that this wheelset is on of the best that money can buy for most riders. The sealed bearings hubs are great. The ceramic coat finish (which is no longer available on Bontragers) works excellent with the Avid Ti brakes. This thing will throw you over the bars if you are not careful-no need for discs here. They are also some of strongest and lightest wheels out there. I have however, broken spokes on two recent occasions in the rear-I believe to be because of my weight because I was not riding hard at all. Even then, after repalcing the spokes
the wheels remained completely true. I do have a 3 strikes rule so these may be up on ebay.
Bottom line, I stongly recommend this bike if you are an intermediate to expert cross country racer who can afford it. I would not recommed this bike for casual trail cruisng. The bike is just not that comfortableIt would be like your grandmother bying a fully stout Muscle car for Sunday morning grocery shopping- it just wouldn't be right.
Big B
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve schriver
a Cross Country Rider
from panorama city, ca. usa
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Brand Motorway | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal cycle | | Strengths: | light,fast,durable,and efficient | | Weaknesses: | tubeless system stinks | | Similar Products Used: | everything | | Bike Setup: | stock with the exception of tires, anything but stock. I've also changed out the seat. The crank will get changed as soon as the Bonty dies. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 5'10" and weigh almost 200 lb's (not fat). The bike has been pretty near bulletproof. I have had occasional chain suck, but, back pedalling has always solved the problem quickly. This is a great bike to climb on. I never lock out the rear shock on the trails as it is rock solid. The Sid on front works well though it does bob a little on steep, rocky climbs. If you want a good challenge, take it up Brand in Glendale and down the La Tuna singletrack. If there are any weeknesses in the bike, you'll find them. I still havn't! AMF. Stevo | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Light and responsive. I weigh 200+ and this bike is pretty strong for its weight(24.75lbs!!!). Great transitional ride - handles everything very well and evenly: comfortable on cross country terrain, screams on the declines, stable when pushing the envelope, decent long climber up to about 40-45 degree inclines(partly depending on terrain and the rider technique). Short climbs of 60+ degrees attained - the full suspension conforms to the transition well. The full lockouts are easy to adjust and gets you as rigid as you want at almost hard tail weight! Best of both worlds. | | Weaknesses: | Frame easily takes on water from the seat tube and its a pain to dry out. LBS hooked me up with a tire tube "home remedy" to cover the seat clamp - it's a shame to see that on something as sweet as the Fuel 100...but Function before Flash is the final word when you get down to it.
Two times had issues with chain suck - ate up the paint job(@ size of a quarter) on the stay. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek ST120
Fuel 90(demo'd)
Kona(demo'd)
Sugar(demo'd) | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Carbon Cranks / RF Rings /"Signature" FR B.B.
XTR Front/Rear D, 9 sp. Cassette, and Brakes
King Hubs and headset
Easton Carbon Bars(Monkey Risers) and seat post
Rock Shox Sid Carbon Front Shock
Factory Fox Rear Shock
Time Carbon Titan Clipless Pedals
Mavic 517 Ceramics
WTB Raptor Tires (Where weight can be shaved, weenie!) | | Bottom Line: | While the new 2003 Fuel 100's have replaced the front triangle of the frame from the 9000 alloy to TREK Carbon (I think it's the OCLV?), the 2002 is definitely recommended.
It just looks fast - makes you want to ride whether around the block or any trail that you can handle.
This is equipment that is up for any challange that I have thrown at it.
If you get the rocks off riding in driving rain and mud(I'm not crazy about that), this may not be for you. But everything else, I have been impressed with the nimble performance of my Trek Fuel on just about any terrain! I have a shot at a move to NC, which will increase this Fuel 100's mileage tenfold!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cross Country Rider
a Racer
from California
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | All of them | | Bike Setup: | Stock with a few tweaks | | Bottom Line: | There is no match. Period. Try to catch me. You'll see. They try every weekend. Going up. Going down. They always look at the bike when I pass. They're usually on Santa Cruz's. LOL. This is the fastest ride out there. It is at least in the top two or three at every category. It dominates. It will convert any die hard hardtailer. You will never return. Or, buy something else and pedal harder. LOL. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl Ritchey
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilsonville, OR USA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Gallery | | Strengths: | Strong riding bike, great suspension, very forgiving when it needs to be. Climbs like a mountain lion. Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck issues. Some braking issues but I am 220+lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager ceramic wheels, cranks, and post. XTR rear derailure. XT front derailure and shifters. Avid Ti brakes. Tires vary by ride. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks butt!!! Soon to be XTR disc brake and wheel set equipped. Can't see buying a new bike when I am already riding one of the best. Just needs a few component upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Schut
a Cross Country Rider
from Marshall, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer, High Country Pathway, North Country Trail, Vasa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Private sale | | Strengths: | -Quality craftmanship, USA made, Lightweight frame.
-Out of all the bikes I tested (Blur, Sugar, Palamino)the Fuel 100 was the best perfomer for epic rides and races.
-Nice touch was the addition of titanium hardware with the carbon rocker link.
-Geometry is very close to my Trek 9.8.
-The Fuel is the perfect bike for epic rides with its 3inches of rear travel and lightweight frame.
-Another nice touch was the additon of a third place for a water bottle cage.
-The Fox Float RL is the best shock. The rebound adjustment of 36 clicks is almost too much, but I welcome the adjustment.
-Replaceable rear dropout.
| | Weaknesses: | -73mm wide bottom bracket shell. I do not understand why Trek does this?
-Bushings in the pivot areas of the rear linkage. There are pros and cons with bushings and bearings. I will see how the bushing hold up for 2003. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur and Superlight, GF Sugar 1, and Klein Palamino. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Manitou Mars Elite, Sram 9.0sl shifters, brake levers, and derailluers. Thomson post, Sram pc-99 chain, XTR wheelset with IRC Serac tires, Bontrager Race Lite cranks, bottom bracket and handlebars, Time Atac Carbon pedals, Control Tech stem, Sram 9.0 cassette, Cane Creek headset, and Flite saddle. | | Bottom Line: | -This is the best bike for the 24 hour racer and epic rider. It is not bad either in circuit races, too.
-Trek did it a great job on the construction and engineer of this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MB
a Cross Country Rider
from SB, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesesita | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Super stiff carbon/aluminum frame. Great geometry for XC riding. Feels stable at speeds, climbs great, takes up the harshness of the trail w/o loosing any power | | Weaknesses: | Only thing I have noticed is a chain suck when I drop from the middle chainring to the granny. Sometimes the chain gets caught after the swingarm is extended, traping the chain when it rebounds. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Mavic crossmax ust, SID sl, Thompson, WCS bar, stem | | Bottom Line: | My friend, that happens to manage a local bike shop here in Santa Barbara, let me ride his Fuel for a week. Neverless, I rode it every day - even did two trails sometimes. I later begged him to sell it to me so he could buy the 2003 model. It was so fun to ride that I forgot I was actually putting out efforts to climb 3000 foot ascents! I have ridden hardtails ever since I was 5 - riding bmx -and never thought I would need a dual suspension- but it makes such a difference! I could climb anything, I could stay in the saddle over harsh sections, it responds just like a hardtail, it corners like a dream, it hooks up on anything when climbing, and it allows you to pick more creative lines when descending.
All this adds up to conserved energy which equals more fun!
If you are thinking about buying one, think no more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Riverdale, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Town Cycle - Westmilford, NJ | | Strengths: | Light, fast and fun! | | Weaknesses: | Try changing the tubless tires before you ride. It is difficult on trail. I had a sidewall tear and could not change the tire. I actually broke two tire levers. 3 different groups stopped to help and still had no success. On the plus side the tire never even leaked over the coarse of three months prior to that. Though brands other than the Bontrager Revolt Super X have since. | | Similar Products Used: | NRS Air, Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock accept Shimano SPD959 pedals and Cane Creek bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Sick ride. Never had so much fun riding. Light, fast, true in turns - no bob is great. Liked the lock out at first but now only use it on uphill paved roads. Other than that it is not necassary but still a plus.
I have had the bike 9 months and logged over 180 miles. I love to ski but the snow is beggining to agrivate me. I want to ride! I have fallen in love with the sport again.
I have seen complaints about durability but all have been from riders over 220lbs. Remember this is a light weight race bike.
I am 6'3" 175 never had a problem. By a Fuel you will not regret it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mickey
a Cross Country Rider
from Montréal
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | La Porte à Bicyclette | | Strengths: | fantastic climber; no-bob suspension; very responsive handling; hard tail-like acceleration, with the benefits of full suspension on descents; stiff, light frame. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | SC superlight, various hardtails | | Bike Setup: | fuel 100 frameset, underworld gen.5 headset, raceface turbine cranks, xtr dérailleurs, xt shifters, fox forx float rl 80-100, hayes hydros, thompson seatpost, titec bar and stem, sram pc-99, michelin wildgripper hot`s` on mavic 317`s. | | Bottom Line: | If you`re looking for a real good XC bike, take a fuel 100 out for a test ride. It`s geometry, rigidity and relative light weight, make this mountain bike feel just right. Thanks to Yvan and Antoine at La Porte, for their advice, and a great build. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sneakyracer
a Weekend Warrior
from SJ, PR
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Awesome Frame, light (for a dual susp.), stiff, climbs extremely well, plush. | | Weaknesses: | none yet mecanically/design? Could do without stickers. | | Similar Products Used: | 1st full susp. rig | | Bike Setup: | Psylo SL, full XT, velocity aeroheat rims. | | Bottom Line: | I got the frame used for $600 (had scratches but its in good shape). I built with mostly new parts i selected (was on a budget). The bike ended up weightin a hair over 25 lb even w/ a psylo sl fork, Xt hubs and velocity aeroheat rims. Coming from a hardtail i expected a lot of susp. bob, well it wasnt there. Its incredible how smooth the bike rides. I noticed the difference from my hardtail even in pavement. The bike is STILL very quick under power and just feels smoother overall and with a LOT more traction than my hardtail on climbs. Its unreal, I dont wanna ride a hardtail again (maybe for fun at times but not for trails). I could do without the team colors (attracts attention) but besides that the bike looks good and works even better. It might not have an exotic name like Elsworth or Titus but the Fuel 100 frame is up there with the best. IMHO underrated at time sjust because of the mainstream Trek name. (add an Anodized finish and some beadblasted parts and u have a clasic like the Truth.)
My total cost for the used frame and the build (mostly new parts like wheelset, fork/headset, cranks/bb/chain/cass.) was about $1250 , for me at least it was a bargain. Its best to get a frame and spec as u wish (and budget allows) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Chumash, Johnsons mtrwy | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | All Pro | | Strengths: | Weight,durability,performance | | Weaknesses: | chain suck problems when dropping from mid to little chain ring. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Built bike up from frame set, Manitu Mars Super, XTR shifting,bb,cranks,levers,&hubs w/mavic rims, Panaracer Fire x/c, CK head set, Paul's brakes, Thompson seat post&stem, Titec bars, Time ti pedals, Night Rider HID. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 49, 5'11", 190lbs. This is my dream bike I use for adventure racing. It is the first bike I've had built to my specs and Dave at All Pro did a super job putting it togeather. I typically have the pleasure of riding it 15 to 20 hours per week. The bike is light, agile, and very predictable. I would strongly recommend this bike to anyone who is willing spend in the $3,000 range. The chain suck problem was frustraiting, but I have bolted on a homemade guide which helped. Would have considered Sugar 1, but wasn't avail as a frame set at the time. I love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt degeer
a Racer
from ontario
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | haliburton | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | dukes | | Strengths: | it is an extremly fast bike. there is no bob what so ever climbing hills but still sucks the bumps up for going down. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | this bike is an awsome bike for someone who is an avid racer and gives it their all. It is worth every penny and it comes with amazing conponents and can take a beatting from a rough race. This bike is an awsome deal for what you get. I would ride it any day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Harvard, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Landrys | | Strengths: | Wheels, frame, tires, Sid Race, looks | | Weaknesses: | Time ATAC pedal | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Michelin Comp S tubeless tires. Kore pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. I got a great deal on it ($2100 including tubeless tires). I have been riding a hardtail ever since I've been mountain biking. I can ride faster uphill, downhill and on everything in between with this bike. It looks badass as well. The tubeless tires help the bike hook-up on everything. I got 2nd in my last race; would have been first with this bike. I waited around to test out the Specialized Epic. It is a nice bike but it is very $$$ with a garbage spec. Just compare the 2003 Epic Comp with the 2003 FSRxc Comp. You pay about $900 extra for the Epic technology. My only concern with going to a dualie was bobbing. I don't even notice any and I can lock it out anyway. The tob tube is a little short. The all carbon 2003 Fuels are so expensive and very similar to the 2002's. I would recommend to anyone that you find a 2002 before they're all gone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenji
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Michuax, PA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | ZR9000 Custom Alloy - carbon fiber stays - bought used of net from Mike at www.momentumcycles.com (thanks Mike). He set this bike up to be race ready and super light. If you live in the St Louis area, you should give them your business! Period. | | Weaknesses: | nope | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche 1.0, Schwinn Homegrown XT | | Bike Setup: | Again, thanks Mike. Chris King hubs and head set, XTR drives, avid stops, SID sl, ti-everyother thing. | | Bottom Line: | Doesn't matter, without all the goodies that Mike at Momentum Cycles (near St Louis?) put on this bike, it rules. Period. I was riding a 2001 GT avalanche 1.0, a boat anchor but sweet none-the-less, the Fuel handles like a dream, soaks up the bumps, lands soft off the jumps, and looks real cool too (all that carbon stuff). I've ridden this bike approximately 5 times, beat the crap out of it, and it still the envy of all other riders when I get back to my truck. Get a Trek Fuel, you won't regret it, and I'm sure Trek will be in business for years should you have a mishap with the the frame. 5 flaming turds across the board!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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