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Submitted by
David Hewes
a Racer
from Baltimore, Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4899.00 | | Strengths: | Rides like a hard tail. Light. Super climber. Stiff but still compliant where needed. | | Weaknesses: | OEM SID rear shock-not tuneable enough. Harsh rebound action. | | Similar Products Used: | I own a Trek 9800, Dirt research HT, Y-33, Trek Liquid, Redline Monocog. I have ridden Specialized Stumpjumpers, Blur's and many others | | Bike Setup: | XTR drivetrain. SID WC fork. Ario rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden Specialized Stumpjumpers, Blur's and many others and don't let the biased magazines fool you. This is the ultimate XC bike. No rear lateral flex. No bob. Most that complain dont have shock set up correctly. Some people rely on shock and forget that you have to "know" how to pedal as well. True, the Blur and stumpy will be more plush (at first). Working as a mechanic quickly exposes their faults-pivot placement results in early bearing wear. Mis-shifts due to chain stay flex. They do have some pedal induced bob as well. Bottom line, the fuel does everything a high end XC bike is designed to do. If you can get one-don't hesitate. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis,TN
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | stanky creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Fast, light, strong, great components | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale hard tale (doesn't really compare, two completely different bikes, not to bash the c-dale) | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax xl, full xtr | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, a little pricy. Made in the USA. I just had to submit a review to let the public know that this is an unbelievable bike. It has been too amazing, I just felt obligated to tell whoever is thinking about buying one. Bike is for a pretty serious rider. I wouldn't recommend eating up xtr components if you aren't really into it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Reilly
a Racer
from Redondo Beach, California
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Del Cerro | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | (for the frame) from Helen's in Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Superb handling traits, climbing perfection, light weight, carbon-fiber compliance | | Weaknesses: | As far as the frame and my set-up goes, none. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur, Intense Uzzi XC, Trek OCLV hardtail, GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | Fox F100X Terra Logic fork, XT shift/brake levers, XTR mix drivetrain, Avid SD-Ti V-brakes, Easton carbon seat post, Rock Shox SID Dual Air rear shock (OEM with frame), XTR/Mavic wheels, SPD M540 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Based on the set-up described above, this is the best XC riding/racing bicycle I have ever owned. I built it from the frame up (hence, no Bontarger parts) with lightweight and efficient parts that were on my XC hardtail; and added a few nice new (or via Ebay) parts (XTR derailluers, carbon seat post, Fox forks). I was switching between a Blur and an older Trek OCLV hardtail frame for trail riding and racing, but I wanted to have one bike I could be satisfied with for both uses. And the Fuel has surpassed my expectations.
Though not as plush as the Blur (sold it!), the Fuel handles fantastically and climbs like nothing else I've ever ridden -- both in and out of the saddle. And although the Trek hardtail was super light (my Fuel is just under 25 lbs. with rim brakes, "useful" tires and the Fox fork), the hardtail's pedalling efficiency on bumpy fire roads and singletrack was poor; not to mention the beating it would give me on rough downhills.
Not so with the Fuel! It is an all around winner. If you have the power, this bike will deliver it to the trail. I have no complaints about the stock Rock Shox SID Dual Air rear (except that you may have to play with it a bit to get it set up right for your tastes). And the addition of the FOX TerraLogic fork (go with the 100mm travel version) take this bike to the next level (if there even is one!). Since the fork only compresses with input from the ground (not pedal input), it causes the rear to follow suit and kind of stiffen up -- that is until you hit a bump. Then the shocks get moving, absorbing the rough and maintaining your forward momemtum. It's amazing, really, how well this set-up works. The Fox fork is almost a pound heavier than a top-of-the-line Rock Shox SID fork, but they are way too flexy (and don't have the TerraLogic); it's a pound well spent.
I also won't use super skinny XC tires to save weight -- at least not on the loose and rocky SoCal trails. Though Stan's "No-tubes" might be a ood way to go. And I'll convert to disc brakes sometime in the future -- probably Magura Martas with coated aluminum rotors (from Stan's).
So there you have it. I'm ready to test this baby at this season's XC races and the Xterra Tri. And if you shop carefully for parts (and are good with Ebay), you can set up a second-to-none rig as I have for less than $2500. (You can also find these frames on Ebay; but since I bought the frame new from "Jim" at Helen's in Santa Monica, I do get the lifetime warranty from Trek; and that was important to me.)
Five chilis all around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jed
a Racer
from Takoma Park, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | College Park Bicycles | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, efficient suspension, great handling, carbon | | Weaknesses: | Suspension is not plush enough for the roughest courses; small-bump performance is weak. Shock does not have adjustable rebound damping, and feels over-damped in the rough stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | "Custom" build, solid but not the lightest: Marzocchi X-Fly 100 fork, Hayes hydros, Bontrager Race Lite Disc Tubeless wheels, XT/XTR drivetrain, Easton EC70 bar, Thomson post, WTB Rocket V Team saddle | | Bottom Line: | A great race bike. Mine is built with practical, solid parts and still comes in at 25 lbs. Handling is spot-on, very precise. The frame appears to be at least as stiff laterally as my steel hardtail. This makes the Fuel a sharp handler as well as improving power transmission from your legs to the ground. It would be nice to have a more adjustable rear shock to get better small-bump compliance on rocky courses; the rear end soaks up the big hits pretty well. Even so, if you ride or race XC and like to go fast, this is the bike for you. Hardtail efficiency with a smoother ride is how I would characterize it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Defurnaux régis
a Cross Country Rider
from Jambes
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | GR-55 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | carbon frame, bike geometry: efficiency in climbing and reduction of vibrations | | Weaknesses: | rear shock, original tires | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Scalpel, Trek 8500 disc, Klein Mantra Pro | | Bike Setup: | New setup : stock except Pro carbon handelbars, Pro carbon bar ends, Pro carbon direction, Pro carbon seatpost, Pro carbon Venom seat, Hutchinson Spider Airligth tires, XTR V-brakes, Pro-campagnolo cables | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from a past review. I recently decided to change all my components to carbon. It's incredible how carbon frame and components change the way you can handle the bike. The geometry is definitely amazingly efficient. Still believe this bike climbs like a mountain goat. It is really reacting like you want : I more and more have the impression that this bikes becomes a part of me and so is dissapearing - leaving-me enjoy the ride.
This bike is expensive but don't regrett a single €. About the rear shock, just try to find your own pressure according to your style of riding.
Go for it, this bike makes you feel like a mountain goat !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | Great climber, front fork lockout is very cool, fast and light! | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck; pedals should be top-of-the-line to match the other components; seat is light and good for racing, but too hard for regular riding | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlite | | Bike Setup: | Stock but with Shimano 959 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I took this bike for a test ride in the bike shop parking lot, and then kept going for ten miles on the road. It was so light, nimble and responsive that I had to turn onto a fire road and go another 15 miles and 3000 feet in the dirt. When I returned to the shop the bike was no longer in showroom condition, but the owner’s dismay turned to relief when I told him I would buy it.
I raced this bike 3 days after purchase, and was delayed 5 times in the race by 2 chain sucks and 3 wipe outs. All of the chain sucks occurred while shifting from the middle to the small chain ring (and a variety of cogs on the rear) under pressure. If you look at the 2002 reviews for this bike, you will see that chain suck was a big problem (5 of the reviewers mentioned it), but there was only one other chain suck complaint for the 2003, which has an all-XTR drive train.
My local shop (Sharp’s in Lafayette, CA) worked closely with Trek to deal with the chain suck problem, did some fine tuning (such as adding a small spacer to the cog set), and Trek bought me a new chain. The problem was largely solved (moral: buy bikes from reputable shops and manufacturers that will support their products), but I still get the chain suck under torque every so often if the chain is anywhere near the middle to small end of the cog set while shifting from the middle to small chainring.
The wipeouts were partly a result of the pumped up (in my case to 45 psi front and back) Bontrager Revolt racing tires that come stock: they are very fast, but do not stick very well in the dust and gravel, and I was sliding all over the course. WTB Velociraptors which I am more used to would have stuck, so I am back to those on the Fuel 100 (which compromises the bike’s raison d’être, speed and weight, but saves on the cost of bandaids and neosporin).
The front fork lockout is very useful and handy, and I use it on just about every long, steep ascent. It is important though to remember (but easy to forget) to click it off going down the other side.
I also appreciate the V-brakes instead of disc brakes which, despite the hype, do not appear to be the Great Leap Forward especially at the cost of an additional pound or so.
This may be the fastest production X-country racer out there, light, efficient, and ready to go from showroom to race course. To enjoy every-day riding though I felt compelled to change the pedals ($100 upgrade), seat ($100), and tires ($80), which stung a little after spending the $4K. Still, the ultra-light stock seat and tires go back on for the next race.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob umbel
a Cross Country Rider
from melbourne bch, fla
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light, cool looking caron cloth frame with no paint | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | klien adapt pro | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Trek Fuel 100 full carbon cloth frame with Fox float RL rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | I had to send my 2002 Klien adapt pro back under warrenty. Trek offered to upgrade to a 2004 fuel 100 large frame I went with it. I have only ridden the fuel off road 2 times. It rides great, climbs very balanced, tracks well in single track and handles switch backs the same. I really like the bike but circumstances have come up causing me to unload bike at a great price! Drop me an e-mail for more info? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Guthries | | Strengths: | Carbon Fiber, Made in the USA, Read all the review before mine and you will see. If I cannot sell it I will post at a later time after I have riden the bike a while | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.8, 8500 | | Bike Setup: | 04 Fuel w/Rock Shox SID XC 19.5 | | Bottom Line: | I ordered this to replace my 9.8 frame that broke. I have not rode it yet or even put any parts on it yet. I have read a lot of reviews on this frame as well as on the Liquid. I am thinking that I should have gone with the Liquid 55 instead. I am thinking about selling it if anyone is interested please email me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Defurnaux Régis
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgique
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | GR-58/ GR-5/ .... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | SAITTA CYCLES | | Strengths: | Carbon frame, XTR, Avid Ultimates, Suspension design | | Weaknesses: | Rear suspension, seat post | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra Pro, Trek 8500 disc, Cannondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except Skinny Jimmy tires -but will probably change to: XTR disc brake (for winter riding), Mavic 717 disc, Fox Talas RL, Easton carbon seat post, Carbon Handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | I am a XC rider, I ride some trails in the Alps as much as I can and my local mud and forest twice a week. Biking is not my priority, it's more like a training routine for alpinism and climbing, but since I am riding this Fuel, it's changing! This bike is SOOO efficient, climbs like a mountain goat, quite stable descending and cornering well. I just regret my disc brakes for the power and my winter use, will probably go back to disc again. The rear shock works well so far, but I have to agree that it's not a real rear suspension like the Fox Talas. It 's absorbing some bumps. The tires are not for winter use at all, I had to change them for Jimmy. The seat was quite -and is still- a problem for my "rear", I agree this seat goes well with the bike, but I guess I have to adapt my butt to it...
Considering the sizing, I would go for the smallest size possible, mine is a 17,5 and I am 1, 82 m. Doing this, I feel you will get all the benefits of the agressive and responsive bike geometry.
The bottom line is: efficient, ligth, climbs like a dream, carbon frame is night and day comparing to my 8500 disc. Being a country rider, but not a racer, I recommend this bike to serious rider who wants a bike that's reacting like a part of your body. Enjoy your riding and come to the french Alps! -Régis
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Jenks
a Racer
from Gurnee, IL., USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine South | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | Some bike shop | | Strengths: | Light, fully loaded, and seriously comfortable | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Only aluminum hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Factory setup, except that I swapped out the Cane Creek S6 headset for Chris King, and put on my trusty Time ATAC Carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Transition from the hardtail to the full suspension was a problem in the cornering at first. This 04 Fuel apparently was a few steps ahead of me in the turns. I was overcontrolling the front end and loosing traction on the front wheel. Once I sat back and let the bike work on it's own a bit, I got around much smoother. Biggest thing is that this bike is comfortable and will add years to my riding. After 8 years of Aluminum hardtails, this is night and day. Get airborne on this bike, and when you land it feels like you landed on your bed. This bike is ideal for a serious racer. It's light, it's fast, it climbs, and it's smooth. Don't buy one, I don't want anyone else to own this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sal
a Cross Country Rider
from San Fran
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in Marin or Tam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is the ultimate race bike. The frame is very light and very stiff. It descends great and climbs even better. | | Weaknesses: | I have had problems with the rockshox rear shock. It feels very sticky and didnt get full travel. Also the pivot bolts came loose twice and easily taken care of with loctite. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing like it! | | Bike Setup: | XL 2003 Project 1 custom with full xtr discs and xtr 965 disc wheels with notubes. SID Blackbox carbon, titec foam grips, king headset,Ritchey WCS stem , thomson seatpost and SLR saddle, easton 99 bar. Bike weights just under 24#. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best xc/race bike around. Its not real trailbike of huck bike. Also if you get it tricked out like mine it can put a really big whole in the wallet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben B
a Racer
from Wildomar California
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all singletrack rocks!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | back alley bikes | | Strengths: | Carbon Frame, World Cup fork, XTR Drivetrain, bob free suspension,Sick handling, light weight, Trek name, Warranty | | Weaknesses: | Paint, but hey that's what you get with a carbon frame. | | Similar Products Used: | 9.8 carbon hardtail, Ellsworth truth, turner o2, | | Bike Setup: | 2003 trek fuel 100 frame, sram rocket shifters, paul love levers, kenda klimax lites, sid 2003 world cup with remote lockout, sid rear shock w/ lockout, hugi 240 hubs laced w/ mavic 517's, ritchey wcs stem and seatpost, cane creek c-6 headset, race lite bontrager handlebars, avid ultimate v brakes, eggbeater S pedals, dura ace chain, salsa skewers, titec pork rind grips, selle italia slr. . . .did i write enough? | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike from a sponsership deal at $2100 which is a smokin dea.l Coming from a hardtail I didn't think a full suspension rig could hang on the climbs. Boy was I wrong. You see a hardtail might be just a little more efficient than my fuel 100 but the fact of the matter is a hartail doesn't hook up as well as a fs bike. When the climb gets gnarly this bike is going to compensate where a hadtail won't. And don't even get me started on the downhill. This bike kicks some major ass. It might give up a couple inches to a bike like the elsworth truth(a sick bike in it's own right) but not enough to make it even close overall. However, you have to keep in mind this bike ain't built to cruise around the block, and if you thrash bikes carbon ain't for you. Buy this bike if you want the lightest, coolest, most efficient xc race bike on the planet Take it from me a hardtail junkie, this bike takes the cake. Buy it, Race it, Love it. This bike is awesome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CRAIG RIDER
a Cross Country Rider
from GRAND RAPIDSMI. USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hermosa Creek, Durango | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Purchased At: | Kokopelli Bike And Board 970-565-4408 | | Strengths: | Weight, wheels, carbon fiber frame, fork, crank, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Tires, handlebar, XTR big derailer shifter, seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur, Giant NRS Air | | Bike Setup: | Stock with following exceptions. Carbon Fiber riser bar, Maxxis lightweight 330 rear tire, Kenda Karma Dual Tread Compound in front with Stans No Tubes with no rim strips. Easton Carbon Fiber seat post. 22 pounds 13 ounces. | | Bottom Line: | I am probably not the normal rider for this bike. I ride about 50 miles a week and am not a racer so this might be a different perspective than the normal review. I have waited until I put 300 miles on the bike before writng this review. Overall the bike is awesome. The bike is full suspension but it is stiff compared to most other full suspension bikes like the Santa Cruz Blur. If comfort is high on your list and bike weight is not as important the Santa Cruz may be the way to go. However, the carbon fiber frame dampings some of the vibrations and the geometry makes the bike a real climber. This bike has helped my riding skills it is very responsive and easier to manevure through tight singletrack. If you crank on it it responds right away. I noticed very little pedal bob climbing the hills. If you lock the front fork out, which is easy to do, pedal bob is non existant. The front fork is the SID World Cup with lockout. This fork perfoms great. The only thing I would change is how far you have to turn the adjuster to lock it out. You currently have to turn it about 120 degrees to lock it out. They need to change this to 90 degrees. Other than that the fork is great. Some people complain about the Sid's but as long as you adjust them each time they are fine. The rims on this bike are awesome very light and so far durable. The tires leave something to be desired. I think they are about 650 grams each which is a lot of weight for a light weight bike. I put the Maxxis lightweight 330 on the trear and the Kenda Dual Tread Compund on the front. This setup also includes Stans no tubes sealant without the rim strips. This is a great product. What a way to take some weight off the bike. The seatpost is a Thomson Elite which is ok but if you have a carbon fiber frame might as well put a carbon fiber seat post. I have the Easton EC70 which I recommend. The handlebars need to go also. Again if you are going to have a carbon fiber frame might as well put a carbon fiber bar which I highly recommend especially if you have problmes with your hands or wrists getting sore. The seat is great. The XTR cranks are awesome. Very smooth and so far durable. The XTR shifters are great. They only take about 4 hours to get used to and then you will love one of them. The rear dearailer and brake como is great. They shift smooth up and down. This is a good way to go. The front shifter is good but I think a Scram grip shifter is the way to go. The XTR shifts slow on the upspeed and not precise all the time. I realize that you will have one XTR and one grip shifter but this is just my opinion. The avid black op brakes work great. Very responsive and light. Overall my bike weighs 22 pounds 13 ounces. I am very happy with my choice and if I had to pick another bike it would be the Santa Cruz Blur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from FIB
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Park&WORS courses | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Carbon frame. XTR cranks | | Weaknesses: | New XTR shifters. Probably just have to get used to them. | | Similar Products Used: | S Works Epic | | Bike Setup: | Was set up for a Clyde ~ 90 lbs more tham me, otherwisw stock. | | Bottom Line: | Rode a lap at Sheboygan for a third lap on a course preride.
2nd carbon frame I've tried in 2 weeks. Carbon has something going for itself. Because rear shock was adjusted to a rider much heavier than me, I did not really get the benefit of it during the ride, altough some of the hits were dampened. Going through "Roots of Evil" was a real snap, like they were not even there. Like the Trek 9.8, it just carved through the single track. I could really lean the bike into turns, so-much-so that I clunked my melon on a tree. Perhaps it would take time, but the new XTR shifters seemed slow when I had to shift on hills. I like the old XTR and would even consider Sram XO's over these.
I like this bike, and I like the 9.8. I question Trek's price increase for both these rigs for 2004, when Specialized drops weight and price on the S-Works. Needless to say I'll go with the bike that feels best. No question it is a good ride!
Happy Trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Schuck
a Weekend Warrior
from Ellisville, MO, United States
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Castlewood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Home built 1 piece at a time | | Strengths: | Ride, handling | | Weaknesses: | Rear tire clearance in mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Jeckyl | | Bike Setup: | Fox TALAS, 2003 XTR with discs, Mavic 3.1 UST with Hugi 240 hubs, Thompson stem and post, Easton EC70 flat bar, | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great!! It handles like a dream; goes where you point it, weighs in at 25 lbs for a full suspension race bike with disc brakes and tubeless wheels. I have mine set up with both fast trail riding and cross country racing in mind utlizing the XTR disc brakes and the Fox TALAS fork. This fork gives you the ability to race at 80 mm travel, trail ride at 100 mm, and blast a downhill at 125 mm of travel.
For racing, my lap times have improved and I am riding much more technically challenging uphills and downhills without bailing. The 03 XTR shift awesome once you get it dialed in. I find myself shifting more often now to utilize the gears since I know I will always make my shifts. The reverse action of the rear derailer really works great downshifting on climbs.
Remember this is primarily a race bike. It does not have 6" of rear end travel and 6' drops are not recommended. What it does do is go very fast on trails and during cross country races. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cole
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Indian Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 2940 | | Strengths: | Everything! Whatever is thrown at this race machine, for the serious cross country rider, it will handle! | | Weaknesses: | I've had some chain suck issues but if you don't like this bike you probably bought the wrong product for your style of riding you take part in. Keep in mind that the Fuel 100 IS a race bike and won't have the travel a "weekend worrior" may be looking for. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein's, Specialized Epics, Cannondale's, Rocky Mountain Element and many others. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Bontrager, Thomson | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a rocket waiting for its launch time! It climbs like an animal and desends just as well! My ride times have dropped allowing me to see more country in less time and it is MUCH more efficient than my Cannondale hardtail will ever be (and at the same fighting weight). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Walsh
a Racer
from Mpls, MN
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Elk River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Maple Grove Schwinn | | Strengths: | Fast, stiff, light, smooth, did I say fast... | | Weaknesses: | price - not for the weak of pocketbook | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsxc for past three seasons | | Bike Setup: | Stock - various tire set ups | | Bottom Line: | The bike is exceptional. It's fast, stiff torsionally yet smooth,in a way unique to a full carbon, full suspension frame. The XTR works great after you get use to the "avid avoidance" shifting/brake lever system. The Rock Shox took the typical 100 miles to loosen up but delivers wonderful performance after broken in. It is designed as a xc racer with no compromises, but is surprisingly comfortable on my typical 20-25 mile wanderings. This bike was my gift from myself to celebrate 20 years of riding and racing mountain bikes. I tried a number of different high end bike that all had capabilities well beyond my talents. I was surprised this bike was such a clear winner amoung all those great bikes tested. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Racer
from Charlotte ,NC
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali and Catawba | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Matthew an ex Fuel owner see post a few back | | Strengths: | Lite,Fast,03 XTR,Tubeless, Carbon- Trek - Sweet! | | Weaknesses: | Still nada - Well maybe me | | Similar Products Used: | 01 Trek fuel 100 and a couple of others | | Bike Setup: | All stock except EC90 bars, MAG60 stem Yeti Grips and grip locks and Speedplay frogs | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my last post. If you read my last post you will see that I was looking to buy the complete 03 bike since I just had the 03 frame with my 01 Fuel 100 components. Well if you noticed Matthew's post a few posts back we are from the same town and actually know each other so I helped him with his 03 fuel 100 problem and bought it from him! It did have a blown out Sid world cup on the front so my shop sent it back to Rock Shox and they sent me a new one all free of charge. The new fork has about 15 rides and 6 races on it and it performs great (The lockout on the front is awesome). Now for the follow up, this bike rocks! This thing is so smooooth and comfortable you can actually ride all day and not get sore other than normal muscle fatigue. The 03 XTR shifting is so sweet! I lead my division in the points here in our local series and I give this bike a lot of the credit along with Ultimate bike shop(Ultimate is the best bike shop around Charlotte). I know this bike is not cheap but if you want the best full suspension bike ever made and have the dough this is the bike to buy period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Deerfield, FL
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | BicycleGeneration.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, Active, Light. Great when you hammer on the climbs and really is plush on decents. 25lbs even for Discs, Tubeless, and full suspension (not even superlight components, check out bike setup below). | | Weaknesses: | Seems to have alot of pedal input. | | Similar Products Used: | EPIC, Giant, LenzSport, Etc. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Trek/VW PRO Setup with Bontrager Race Lite Discs, 03 XTR M965, Sid World Cup, Bontrager Race Lite bars, stem, seatpost, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was custom made to replicate the Trek/VW Pro team bikes. The ride of this bike is very smooth. It really doesn't have any weaknesses another than a not so "true" lockout rear shock.
On the climbs, the rear locked out seems to work great. The half-ass lockout has enough give to cushion on small roots and rocks. The angles seem to prove flawless and really seem to go any where you point it.
The technicals prove flawless. The bike has alot of plush travel for its 3'. It travels through-out stroke smoothly despite the lack of rebound adjustment. The carbon is really good at taking out vibration and is great for impact-resistance (my frame already battle a 4ft boulder)!!!
On the downhills the bike seems to be really smooth. I think the best characteristic is that it is predictable. It does feel like it's missing some rear travel when your full-board at race speed on a good chute.
On flats the bike seems at home. It feels great and doesn't flex at all. Superlight handling give it an overall good ride. Despite some excess pedal input, you don't notice it and get a great angle riding rig.
I gave it full rating because I do respect that you get what you pay for and this is one of the best riding full suspension bikes ever made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mueller Park Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | B & L Bicycles in Pullman Washington | | Strengths: | Climbs and descends very well, very light, low level of inertia (accelerates and decelerates very fast). Great components. All together she is a fast bike. | | Weaknesses: | It comes with midrange pedals. Everything else is high end though. If you get the bike sell the pedals on ebay and get some lighter and better ones to match the sweetness of the masterpiece. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Palomino, Giant NRS Air | | Bike Setup: | A mixture of XTR and Bontrager X Lite components. Sid World Cup, Avid Ultimates. The stock bike on the Trek Homepage | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very fast and comes with world class components. The frame is sweet. If you have the money get it. Hell, even if you don't have the money get it. It is a work of art. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Lobsitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Nevada City,CA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Round Mtn, so Yuba | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | factory pro deal | | Strengths: | The OCLV and thought put into the suspension | | Weaknesses: | nada | | Similar Products Used: | OCLV hardtails | | Bike Setup: | WTB,raceface, moots and Fox RLC80 | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my previous post. After many great rides on the new Fuel, I can't say enough about the way it climbs and decends. What more can be said. The bike is a blast to grind uphill, be it loose and twisty or smooth and roady the suspension when set up correctly locks out any bob and the bike moves like my old hardtail. Yes the SID's claim of a lockout is bogus, but get over it! It's acually a compression dampner(that's what they now call it) that you won't even need. I have sprinted this bike on the pavement for miles and it screams. On the trails, lower the air a tad and it's a whole new ball game, controlled predictable pedalling. Hammer the bike throught the rough stuff and grin city! It's not gonna ride like a Truth, but the Truth is a Truth won't climb like a Fuel. If you are a racer the race is won on the climb. If you just like to cruise the trails, the fact of a 24 lb bike to throw around all day is hard to beat.
The previous post was correct, the Fox front fork is way superior to any SID. As for the rear, you don't need a lock out...the suspension does it for you. Go ride!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew
a Racer
from Charlotte,NC-USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pishag, Dupount , and the secret Goat Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Cool Breeze Cyclery...Best Shop Around | | Strengths: | Weight, XTR, OCLV frame, Wheels (Bontrager Race Lite) | | Weaknesses: | Handling, Rock Shox fork and rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Klein Adept Pro, 2001 Klein Adept Pro, 2000 Klein Mantra Pro, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Hutchinson Pythons tubeless and Time ATAC Composite Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I'm sorry I read the all the previous reviews and would have to disagree. I not sure if it is the geometry of the bike or the Rock Shox, but I would definitely trade it for my last year race bike: Klein Adept Pro. Chuck the fork and shock and put a Fox on it and it may cure the problem. The weight of Approximately 23lbs is a plus. But I don't care if it got a trick out fork on it if it don't work great. The Fox fork are leaps and bounds better performer, maintence and durability than a SID. It is definitely slower in the singletrack and not as responsive as my previous bikes. New XTR is so sweet. Could notice immediately the stiffness of the cranks over last year model. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bigfoot
a Racer
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, responsive, quality, fast, smooth riding. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock does not lock out as marketed. Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Trek Fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except traded XTR shifters and rear derailer for Sram XO. Avid Ultimate levers | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike. I had the 2001 Trek Fuel 100 and loved that bike as well. The 2003 feels like a true upgrade though. You can notice the differance with the carbon frame. Made for racing, but good for epic rides as well. Quality parts. Frame is a work of art.
No problems except rear shock doesn't lock out as marketed. I'm not happy about that at all. I might trade out for a Fox rear shock. Other than that, I wouldn't trade it for any other bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Amherst
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | |
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$ 4399.99
