Submitted by
cgrubbs
a Cross Country Rider
from charlotte nc Date Reviewed: August 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
dupont
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Ultimate Bicycle
Strengths:
no need to pick a line this will roll over anything
Weaknesses:
it is a hard tail
Similar Products Used:
i have like six bikes and have ridden a lot more
Bike Setup:
mostly stock i switched out the hand grips for some deity and of course cant ride without a wtb under my butt
Bottom Line:
this bike hauls a** it will fly downhill. I am going to kill myself, I am over confident and still i push it faster! it is a little slugish in the technicals but i am learning to shove it around more obsticals. it is a great bike but its taking me some practice being a 69er.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ikeman
a Weekend Warrior
from Easley, SC, USA Date Reviewed: May 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Clemson
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1979.00
Purchased At:
Great Escape, Greenv
Strengths:
29" wheel rolls over stuff easily while the 26" rear wheel drives and accelerates well. Handles very well.
Weaknesses:
Handlebars uncomfortable and wish it had sram shifting gear.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000
Bike Setup:
Specialized Avitar seat prefered for epic riding.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike, it makes me faster which is important since I bought it to race endurance XC on. It was a great choice. It is fast, predictable, quick, and confidence inspiring. I recommend it for anyone. Great Escape of Greenville SC set it up perfectly, great people and service.
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Submitted by
S2k Dude
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgia Date Reviewed: December 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Great bike! Just the right size for me (I'm 5'-11", bike is Large-19"). Bike does everything well, climbs, accelerates, bombs downhill all with great stability. I was looking for a 2nd bike that was substantially different than my Specialize Epic and when I rode it on a demo day I was hooked. The bike is solid, well built. After owning it for 3 months I'm completely satisfied with my purchase and the bike continues to exceed my expectations. Rolls over bumps with much less effort and is decently lightweight.
Weaknesses:
Being a hard tail this bike rides stiff on the bumpy stuff compared to my full suspension Epic but that's not really a weakness. I'd bet the full suspension version of the Trek 69er would be nice to have as well. A little less nimble on the tight stuff but that's also to be expected.
Similar Products Used:
Test rode several other Trek and Gary Fisher bikes 26" & 29", this one out-shined them all, even carbon bikes that cost $5,000!
Bike Setup:
Changed out the front derailleur to a (1x9) setup. Carbon bars, and carbon seat post came with the bike.
Bottom Line:
After riding my 69er, when I go back to my 26" Epic it feels like a kids bike. The hardtail 69er is a great XC bike, I can't say enough about it.
If I could have only one bike, I might trade my Specialized Epic and 69er hardtail for the Trek Fuel 69er, then I'd have the best of both worlds in one bike. In the meantime I plan on riding the 69er on longer less technical rides and ride the Specialized Epic on the really knarley trails that has lots of drops, jumps, and steep climbs.
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Submitted by
moonraker
a Cross Country Rider
from PA, USA Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
#15 at Gov.Dick
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Shirks
Strengths:
Weight, Component Spec, geometry, fit, Fox forx, trek warranty
Weaknesses:
Long cage XT's low ground clearance, bontrager seatpost and seat.
Similar Products Used:
Haro 29er, Santa Cruz Chameleon, many full sus. bikes
Bike Setup:
stock except for raceface seatpost and wtb seat. shimano 646 pedals. Ergon grips. Saint bashgaurd.
Bottom Line:
very fast and light, it has the snap of a bmx bike. It's different and it takes a bit of adjustment, but it is big time fun! It likes the faster, smoother, swoopy terrain. Rides the rocky stuff good, but your reminded it's still and aluminum hardtail. On the smoother stuff it's a little rocket ship. I feel good too knowing that Trek backs it up with a lifetime warranty.
With the frame being made overseas, I feel the component spec could be a little better for the price. But compared to other brands, there's nothing else out there like it. Way more agile than a full on 29er, and rolls over stuff much better than a 26er.
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