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Submitted by
Douglas Holzman
a Racer
from Milwaukee,Wi USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Nine mile forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Privat owner | | Strengths: | Good for taking big hits | | Weaknesses: | To much bob, too heavy, feels too ineffiecient. Good beginner bike. | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Sugar Team issue | | Bike Setup: | Avid mechanical disc, over than that everything was stock | | Bottom Line: | Sugar is a superior bike, its a shame its gone and the fuel is still around. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weekendrider
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Individual | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Marin RiftZone | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Hayes hydraulic disk. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicholas Maravell
a Cross Country Rider
from O.O.B.
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado trail, Durango | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cape Able Kennebunkport, Me | | Strengths: | light, stiff, responsive | | Weaknesses: | fulfills it's intended use well, no complaints | | 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 | | Bottom 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Da trails
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | 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 either | | Similar Products Used: | sugar | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock, 'cept pedals and seat | | Bottom 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. . | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Brooks
a Cross Country Rider
from okc
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | none yet | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Al's Bicycles in Norman Ok | | 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 seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | tried sugar 3, had a cheapo FERRY-RAT (mongoose), first decent bike | | Bike Setup: | stock until I can afford upgrades | | Bottom 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lukas Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Coolbreezecyclery, NC | | Strengths: | Price, Fork, Frame | | Weaknesses: | Brakes and Tires (and for me also the paintshop)!!! | | 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! | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Erlend
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | 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. | | 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 | | 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.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Brook | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | S & W Sports | | Strengths: | Balanced, amazing handling in technical sections. Climbs well. | | Weaknesses: | Tires. I changed to bontrager super x. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Dues stem, Thompson Elite seatpost, Titec bar ends, Bontgrager super x tires | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Junkee
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pine forest XC slalom | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | JAX | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | '92 Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Otto
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco, Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | '02 Trek fuel 90 with a few tweaks | | 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!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | New Light in Raleigh, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycling Spoken Here | | Strengths: | Fast, fast, fast! Smooth riding. Climbs well for FS. | | Weaknesses: | Bad chainline causing chainsuck; short seatpost. Slippery stock tires (no grip!). | | 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 | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lars Nordberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Lansing Mi USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatami in Pinkney | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1199.00 | | Purchased At: | Velocipede Peddler East Lansing | | Strengths: | Weight and rear shock | | Weaknesses: | Horrible brakes poor tires chain suck especially in wet conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Giant Idrive Cannondale jekyl | | Bike Setup: | Easton riser Thomsom seat post xtr front and rear and xtr brakes | | Bottom 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcelo Marcos
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterrey, NL, Mexico
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Deslavada, Parque Nacional Cumbres | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Sport Bikes | | 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. | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1285.00 | | Purchased At: | wayfarer bike shop | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher suger,Gaint | | Bike Setup: | All XTR Now, Alloy pulleys, fire XC pro tires
Nickel plated chain | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Dillsburg, PA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Trek frame is really nice. Rocker link suspension is AWESOME! This bike accelerates SUPER fast! | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Black! It's just simply to plush for this bike. It feels imbalanced. The rear is stiff and the fork is really plush. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Carve. The Carve is WAY better than this Fuel. | | Bottom Line: | Don't get this bike. Even though it has some very desireable characteristics, like efficiency and decent component spec, the imbalanced suspension is a pretty big issue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Flythe Cyclery (VERY GOOD FOLKS) | | Strengths: | Great tracking, protects my tender, beer filled rear, well designed susp system that allayed my fears of energy loss while climbing. The Black rocks. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy Bonty cranks, weak brakes, chain suck appeared and shifts disappeared AS SOON as I got into the muddy ruts. Had to use the rest of my water to wash the chain down. | | Similar Products Used: | First full susp, upgrading from Mongoose IBOC hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock until I can spend time in the garage. | | Bottom Line: | Went in for a F80 but it was the 03 that didn't have the Black fork and had pretty lo spec components (in keeping with Trek's philosophy of downgrading each year). The F90 was listed as 1400 coco's but as it was an 02 the dealer cut it to 1200, same as F80 with even sorrier dangly bits. The frame is fantastic- haven't heard any creaking yet but have read how to fix it. The Bontys have got to go- I have read of them breaking and I'm a fatass so I'm going to upgrade ***PLEASE SEND ME YOUR PICKS ON CRANKS- I'VE READ BAD REVIEWS ABOUT EVEN THE XT'S***. The brakes are being swapped for my linearpull XT's. I've ordered the xtra firm spring for the Blacks- it wasn't squirrely but the chain suk did prevent me from doing much technical stuff. The bike has performed flawlessly from the getgo, the only problem occurred on my third ride where I actually got into the goop. Great product- the tracking is great and I fly down hills that needed braking with my IBOC. Best news is that is so plush that I will be riding more. Don't know yet if the Bonty seat is sad or not- I may change to my Selle with ti rails, it's been good to me so far. Somebody like me who wants a lot of bike without the initial bloodletting will love this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chiva Falss | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle | | Strengths: | Manitou Black! Frame geometry! Nice ride! TREK has been making bikes for a long time / that has to say something! | | Weaknesses: | Lower line Avid brakes had to be replaced.
Chainsuck.
Random noises. | | Similar Products Used: | none... this is my first Full Suspension | | Bike Setup: | XTR RearD / XT FrontD - Avid Arch Rivals - SNAFU Platforms -XTR Chain - otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | I love the way this bike rides...
I am a big cat (6'4" - 245lbs) and I am starting to get some rather annoying noises coming from the headset & seatpost... I upgraded the drivetrain with XTR/XT before I took the bike out of the shop (it was cheaper than replacing later) & I just upgraded to Avid Arch Rivals... if you buy this bike and you are a big guy... plan on replacing the brakes... they just couldn't handle my weight...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Marino
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Open Air Cycles | | Strengths: | Rides like a dream, tough enough for some real trail riding yet takes to the street and goes like a race bike. Great front and rear suspension set-up. Super light, agile, quick, tough | | Weaknesses: | Unlike some other reviews I will be bold enough to say not a lot is wrong here. Sure everyone is going to have certain preferences and want to upgrade some parts but that is half the fun of owning a nice bike. I think many weaknesses described by other owners are exaggerated. Shifting up front is not always as smooth and sure feeling as I wish but it still works well. And to you people that say all the Bontrager parts are junk, think again. These parts may not personally be your first choice but they are certainly not junk. Many are excellent designs that are durable. This Bontrager bashing reminds me of all the Microsoft haters in the world. It is a bit harsh. Oh yeah, I hate all the stickers and the GIANT Trek writing on the side. I removed all of this stuff and the bike looks much nicer.
| | Similar Products Used: | Marlin Wolf Ridge, Specialized, Giant | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock except for Redline Proline pedals, serfa? grips, Specialized seat | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is an awesome bike that is designed and built well. I will someday look into ways of increasing the performance of the shifting (new crank? chain?) but the bike rides beautiful on and off road. I drive a Subaru WRX with 18" wheels and I can race a Porsche 4 911 turbo on a twisty mountain road and still pack my car up with gear and go camping in the back country through river crossings, dirt and gravel roads etc. That is what the Trek Fuel 90 reminds me of. It is like a duel personality. If you want a great bike for trail use but one that is tame enough to ride on the road you can't go wrong with this bike. I would buy it again. If you want an all out trail bike that you can beat the hell out of I would look around a little more. As far as reports of the frame cracking, I never saw this and with Treks lifetime frame warranty you are not at risk, after all any manufacturers frame can crack. I am taking off a chili because I do feel that the shifting could be a little better designed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian (it's easier on a Ducati)
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | not found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$899.00 | | Purchased At: | price is in UK pounds | | Strengths: | Looks good, good specification for the money (paid reduced sell off price RRP is £1300). | | Weaknesses: | For the money I paid I can see no weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | not been riding off road for 7 years but have owned, Fat Chance Yo Eddy, Specialized, - S-Works steel and M2's, Kliens, a rigid Cannondale, - I did work in the trade. | | Bike Setup: | Standard 9vee brake not disk) except for Ritchey clipless, - prefer the feeling of having my foot closer to the axle than on the Shimano pedals, - oh and Crud Catchers front and rear, - it is muddy here right now.
Medium, 17.5" I am about 5'!0". | | Bottom Line: | As I said above, - for the money I paid I think this bike is great, today was my first ride out on the bike so thought I would report my thoughts. Before I bought the bike I did use this message board so hope my comments are as helpful as those who have posted before me, - thanks all of you.
Today was really muddy, - been raining here for ages (like it never does in the UK??), the tyres were having trouble in the sticky clay mud but I think anything would have done. When we got a bit higher onto sandy stuff I found the tyres to be quite acceptable. The front wheel does flex side to side on climbs, but I am quite heavy right now, - after a few months of riding every week perhaps it won't be such a problem!? The brakes are not so good, think it is the Avid end rather than the LX levers, - so will replace them with some XT vee's. The saddle does feel a bit narrow so perhaps that will be changed for my old Specialized one. I ran the fork and 80mm and had about 160psi and medium rebound in the shock, - got about 2" of travel I think.
The ride; The bike is a lot shorter to what I have been used to, - much higher front and wider bars, - but hey I am moving with the times, so adjusted pretty quick. She handles well, very responsive steering, - and to my surprise climbs very well, - downhill’s I have to be braver with as this bike could have gone faster if I would have been willing, - give me time.
I guess from now on this bike will be sold at good sell out prices so my advice is go for it, if the price is right. The better spec over the Fuel 80 imo is worth going for, forks and shock really - and the price difference between this and a 2003 makes this bike a bargain, even with the new lighter frame.
Perhaps this bike is not for the young rider wanting to be trendy (Trek just don't have that image here), but for me a 38 year old trying to get fit after a 7 year absence I am impressed. It is just a great all round off road bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sully
a Racer
from Blaine, MN. GREAT USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ride them all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ramsey Cycle | | Strengths: | Trek products are built in the Great USA, Quality product and takes a beating!!!! Need I say more. | | Weaknesses: | The crank, had alot of chainsuck, we also had a ton of rainy and wet whether to race in this past summer. I changed to a Shimano xt crank seatpost slipped, (minor) I changed the grips to the Yeti hardcore. the Bontrager tires are alright for dry conditions, but they suck in wet, they clog up. Changed to Michelin wildgripper hot's. The bike is in the shop right now. I blew seals in the Fox race shok. Repair for free, I hope. Love the Manitou black, but the cool stickers fell of too damn easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Suger 2, Giant XC | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, changed tires, grips, Lizard skins chain stay head and ball frog protectors. changed brakes to Avid arch rivals. Over winter to change to Easton monkey lite handle bars. Change the stem to Easton and seatpost also. Hoping to get some new Xt or Xtr hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for racing and riding hard on. I like Trek products and have more Trek bikes in the household. My first full- suspension rig and pleased with it. For what I paid and the abuse it took the first 6 months i've had it, I like this bike alot. Ride on | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from New Boston, Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Brighton State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | American Cycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | Decent Ride. Takes bumps well. | | Weaknesses: | Creaky, saddle is lousy, lx front derailer. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC, | | Bike Setup: | Stock.
| | Bottom Line: | Overall decent bike. Takes alot of the hits out of the trail. So far it has held up like a charm for me. Usually I'm the one going head first over my handlebars and believe me this bike has seen it's share of crashes but gets up and rides away from each one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Valencia California USA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Towsley, San Fernando | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Fits my 6'4 body size well, nice and light, climbs extremely well, fun bike for the price | | Weaknesses: | Stock cranks flex allot, stock tires are scary, stock breaks are weak | | Similar Products Used: | This my first real mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | Xt cranks&BB, XTR brakes, Velociraptors | | Bottom Line: | After reading numerous reviews on this site about this bike I have pretty much have been expecting it to break. Last weekend sure enough I noticed a small crack on the weld where the rocker link connects to the seat tube. I do not thrash on, or beat my bike by any means, but do like to haul ass when necessary. This bike is not made for heavy riders!! Hopefully Trek will back there warranty and give me a new frame. If they do, I'll most likely sell it and get something a little beefier and a little more travel. I'll give this bike 2 chilis because it is fun to ride and fits very well and would be a good bike for a lighter rider, but it is really lame that this thing broke in less than a year of riding. I oh yeah BTW I'm 230 lbs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy romero
a Cross Country Rider
from santa rosa,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | hole in the ground, Lake Tahoe, Annadel State PArk | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Peddler, Santa Rosa | | Strengths: | Great bike for uphill. Doesn't bob during the climb | | Weaknesses: | Seat would slip from clamp. Creak from below that was annoying. Finnaly was able to find out what it was from the local bike shop. By pouring White Lighting down the seat tube. Stock tires would wash out. Stock saddle sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Kona, | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer XC tires , Salsa Shaft seat Post, Titec riser bar, Salsa grips, WTB laser saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a whole lotta fun to ride. Once I replaced the above mentioned items the bike has been outstanding. It sucks up the hits and climbs like a mountain goat. I've riden a bunch of trails, Flume, Donner, etc, in Tahoe including Northstar and the bike has taken them on with no problems. I'm 5'9 175 and ride the medium size frame.Had some small problems with the rear shifting which was fixed by the bike store. Also the rear hub had to be replaced under warranty. By the way, looking for a bike in the Santa Rosa area make sure you visit The Bike Peddler or Dave's Bike Shop. Overall, I'm happy with the Trek and would suggest anyone looking for a solid XC bike to purchase a Fuel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jakob Buch
a Cross Country Rider
from Grenaa, Denmark, Europe
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South of my city | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Jorgen Schmidt Cykler, Randers, DK | | Strengths: | The rear Shock | | Weaknesses: | The Bontrager crankset | | Similar Products Used: | Univega, GT, Cube, Ruckus, Trek (other models) | | Bike Setup: | Original setup. But I have changed the crankset to Shimano XT. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is so supercool. I have enjoyed from the first day. It is a really XC-bike. Some times i drive Downhill, freeride, dirt jump, etc. But other bikes would fit better to these styles.
Unfortunately I have had the same cranktroubles as many others. Chainsuck was possible at a normal cityroad with 5 miles pr/hour. My bikeshop changed the crankset to Shimano XT. That's why I only give 4 flames for the overall rating. Since the crankchange I've had no troubles. Only FUN, FUN and FUN.
Trek fuel 90 with this setup is the bike of my best dreams (OK, XTR would be better). Thank you TREK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, South Africa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great ride, light, smooth, balanced and responsive, I don't miss my hardtail. Rear susp makes the most difference on rocky climbs - much more traction and control (than my hardtail). | | Weaknesses: | |
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