Fully independent cross country suspension at a hardtail weight. Alpha SLR aluminum in a Pro Race geometry. Carbon fiber seat stays are a lightweight upgrade.
Rolf Dolomite Tubeless gives you strength and durability at a lower spoke count and lighter weight.
Rock Shox SID XC fork (80mm travel) and Fox Float R rear air shock (up to 3" of rear wheel travel) are dialed for XC racing.
Bontrager Race crank and Shimano XT/XTR 9-speed shifting.
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Date Reviewed: April 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
private sale
Strengths:
Fairly lightweight, the fox shock is easy to adjust, quality components, looks good
Weaknesses:
The rolf dolomite rims are very easy to bend out of shape and break. The Rockshox Judy makes a clicking sound when it compresses
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Hammer race, Trek 4500
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 98 frame, Trek Fuel 100 rear carbon triangle, XT Drive Train, swalbe Racing Ralph Tires, Spd Petals, Rolf Dolomite Front rim, Mavic Crossmax Rear rim (the dolomite broke), Rockshox Judy
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike that I have ever ridden, it climbs hills just as fast as any hardtail bike and, if adjusted properly, will shift instantly. My one disappointment with it was the flimsiness of the Rolf Dolomite rims, they broke after I landed sideways on a bunny hop (They might have been cracked for a while though). If you are looking to by a great bike for single track this is it, especailly if you can get it for as inexpensive As I did... Five Chillis for value because it only cost $800 and Four chilis because the rim broke.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from boise Date Reviewed: November 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
IMT
Strengths:
great traction
Weaknesses:
as original no stable platform
Similar Products Used:
many
Bike Setup:
marzocchi mx fork, really "SAFE" eggbeater clipless pedals, xt crank,avid single digit 7 rim brakes, mavic crossland wheelset with python UST tires.
Bottom Line:
changed out to tubeless UST as it is ignorant to not realize the vast improvement over tube crap.Recently unretired the frameset from my attic and am going to build it up for my stepson, really tempted to keep it for my self with some upgrades, alas I caanor afford to tkae care of 3 bikes.All bikes have differeent advantages this bike having semi active rear suspension has the effect of the rear wheel being pushed down to claw for traction on really steep technical climbs which even now few bikes are capable of. I am going to upgrade to avid BB7s.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ray stern
a Cross Country Rider
from tempe, az, usa Date Reviewed: December 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
pemberton
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Strengths:
Low weight, beautiful suspension.
Weaknesses:
She's a fickle shifter.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Got rid of stock seat and put something more comfy for my late 30s butt. Also got rid of tubeless tires and clipless pedals, which are dangerous.
Bottom Line:
This is the best cross country mountain bike money can buy. I give it a workout 2-3 times a week on tough, technical Phoenix-area trails and it performs flawlessly. Highly recommended. It's the most expensive bike I've ever bought by far, so basically it's my dream bike and I haven't been disappointed. It makes me want to ride it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Lincoln, NE, USA Date Reviewed: October 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Peaks Trail - Brekenridge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn, Houston TX
Strengths:
The frame on this bike is fantastic as is the suspension design
Weaknesses:
The stock seat is laughable for this caliber of bike. The tires could have a little more agressive pattern, but both are easily changed out.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumber FSR Comp Kona King Kikapu
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock except for the seat and post
Bottom Line:
I bought this used as a demo model from Bike Barn, but after riding it over a month now I'd wouldn't hesitate to pay full price. It's an incredible ride once everthing's dialed in. My first full suspension mtn bike and now I'm glad I didn't go with another hard tail. I could go on and on but you need to ride one to know what I (and everyone else) is talking about. It rocks! Kudos to Trek.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
XT/XTR, SID XC FRONT FORK, FOX REAR SHOCK, ROLF RIMS, QUALITY TREK BUILD,
Weaknesses:
NONE AT ALL
Similar Products Used:
2001 TREK STP 300
Bike Setup:
Easton Handlebars, and Bar Ends, Race Face stem, Thomson Seatpost, Panaracer Trailblaster Tires
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for racing. I've had no luck at all. If you want a quality bike get a TREK. If Lance Armstrong's Tour de France wins haven't sent out a message, hopefully this will. I recommend this bike only for experienced riders. If you still like to bike consider a TREK 8000. MSRP $1149.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from Memphis, TN Date Reviewed: February 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Herb Parsons
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Penn Cycle, Minnetonka MN
Strengths:
Smooooth ride,going from no suspension to full is a real treat. quick reponse, excellent stability on downhills. Good component mix.
Weaknesses:
Tires lousy in mud but excellent on hardpacked or rocky ground, Stock Seat is only fair. Bike set up was excellent with little or no adjustment needed after the first few rides. Hey its a Trek so they don't skimp on the price but buying it new after it sat at the dealer for 2 years gave me a great deal.
Similar Products Used:
Specilized Full suspension offerings, Cannondale etc. I shopped a lot for this bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock w/ Bar ends and Upgraded saddle.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent riding bike for someone who rides a lot of cross country. Transitioning from my old Bridgestone MB2 (circa 1989) this was a massive change. Down hills once a challange, are now welcomed and rough fast trails take a lot less concentration to pick the best line. Getting used to all the gadgetry took some time.
Uphills took the most getting used too. Hammering out of the saddle up a hill is almost out of the question. Learning how to stay in the saddle and let the bike work for you is a trick this old dog needs to continue learning. But don't get me wrong this bike will climb very well the person in the seat remembers how to ride it. Components work flawlessley.
A lot of reviews dis the wheels but I am almost 200 and they remain true as the day I bought them. I admit to avoiding big drops and jumps but this is a cross country bike not a downhill or trials. Abuse this beauty and it will not be happy with you.
Overall the bike is a whole lot better than this rider deserves but it sure is fun.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT. USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Great Western
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
MTBR Classified
Strengths:
Too many to list!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Owned a Klien Adept & Trek 6000
Bike Setup:
01 98 Fuel Factory Race specific; SID SL, CHRIS KING, MONKEY LITE XC, SRAM 9.0 DRIVETRAIN, FOX FLOAT RL, URRACO RIMS W/ HAYES DISC.
Bottom Line:
I don't know if I can add anything more to the previous reviews, but I wanted to give my two cents. I have ridden a few different bikes and the Fuel is, by far, my favorite suspension design. It is a single pivot design and has a very progressive suspension feel. It is not active feeling, like a Gary Fisher or Klein, it is more behind the scenes... you don't even notice it there, that is, until you launch off a 2' rock going 20 mph! and land on, what seems, to be a cloud of air! It is smooth and climbs like a hartail, in has a longer top tube and wheel base, which makes is very stable on fast decents! It really shines when it come to the fast stuff! It is light and the SLR aluminum is stiff. I like the look of the newer models with the full carbon frame, however, for the price and durability I had to go with the 01 model. In addition, the component spec's are great. I especially like the Rolf wheelset. I have used the stock Dolomite and loved them, but, my Urraco's are the best! I am about 200pds and like to ride fast and hard, the disc brakes are perfect for my wieght and riding style. I wasn't too interested in Disc brakes, but this bike came with them... and I wasn't going to take them off... after riding with them on a few rides, I can't go back to rim brakes. Not to mention the Urraco's are lighter than the Dolomites and they are disc??? Nice... If your thinking about a full suspension ride, you can't go wrong with a FUEL! Enough said!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico, CA USA Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bidwell Park High and Low
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1750.00
Purchased At:
Campus Bicycles
Strengths:
Lightweight, manueverable, no bob.
Weaknesses:
Shifting difficulty due to continued cable stretch and noisy Dolomite hubs.
Similar Products Used:
Fuel 90, Sugar 2, Specialized FSR.
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR, Rolf Dolomite, Bontrager spattering of components, SID front, FOX rear. Pretty much off the shelf.
Bottom Line:
Still assessing this ride, but thus far, a pretty good load for the buck.
I rode a Ritchey Ascent for 15 years, so this bike will have to prove itself over time. I agonized over the switch to full suspension for three years. Had to finally make a decision, before my wife kicked me out of the house. "If you don't pick one, I will" Because 3k - 4k was out of the realm of puchase power I elected to target the sub 2k market. Mind you my wife was willing to go down the Titus and Ellesworth roads, but my conscious couldn't do it. Maybe some day.
Weight. This bike is light and has changed my riding style. Light front end requires more agression to the trail. I ride more WITH this bike. My Ritchey is kind of fight, but I was very used to it. The Fuel will easily "step" over just about anything you can throw at it. I have the supsension set up on the stiff side. I don't feel like I have to muscle myself and the bike. I just worry about staying on and the bike takes care of itself. I am an aggressive rider more entertained by picking lines through extremely rocky territory. The suspension allows more mistakes but accelerates you up the trail when your having one of those well focused rides.
Suspension. Amazingly resilient and accommodating for downhilling the reverse trail. I keep about 75 psi in the front and 2/3 my body weight in the Fox (about 145 psi) I consistently pack around 2 bucks. The suspension did not really astound me, but it did take my aggression to a higher level. No doubt, FS will make you a perceivably better, more confident, less abused rider.
The wheels are strong period. I hit 'em hard, and the wheels stay true. I knew about the hub issues with the Rolfe's but I decided to trust the "system" The rear hub started grinding after only 5 or 6 rides. I'll burn these things up then consider a different wheelset after the bike get's more of a thrashin'. LBS just tightened 'em up. We'll see. I immediately got rid of the whimpy tires and broke a sweat installing my new meats. Fortunately for me, I have had only one flat tire on a ride, in 15 years. I credit that to lots of rubber between the ride and the trail. I will say that changing a tire is a chore. I spend a lot of time trying to get the bead to sit in the right place on those wheels.
I cut an inch off the bars. Way too wide. Cornering is much easier now. May need to switch out the bars for some downhillers. My lower back is stretching getting worked; just a bit too far. Shifting has been a frustration. LBS adjusts once a month, but cable stretch has got to stop.
The only two times I crashed were due to my lack of physical ability to deal with the clipless pedals. My neighbor says I'm a loser, but I put my cages on anyway, because I couldn't physically afford to go down again.
For the price, this bike delivers. I expect to break the components that won't last and enjoy the ones that do. I also supect that I will get another hardtail one of these days for variety and the unwillingness to let the old school go.
I'm just a dude who loves riding almost as much as my wife and kids and this bike takes me out to the wild and brings me home. That's all I can ask for.
For those who are weighing the investment versus return, this bike is a good investment. No buyer's remorse and it will continue to deliver through repeated beatings. I continue to put this bike to the test with full throttle hard riding and it delivers. This bike gets four flamin' chilis just because I think it needs more testing time. I'll be back on this site to rate the bike after a round of winter riding and another season of spring and summer riding, to provide a more longterm look.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego CA Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
hmmm....
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Bike USA San Diego
Strengths:
Handles very well even in loose eroded terrain. Predictable firm ride and very good climber. Very fun. Quiet drivetrain (I use white lightning) and I like the Bontrager Jones AC tires. Fast through turns and climbs
Weaknesses:
Threw chain alot when shifting to granny gear...pivoted front derailler very slightly in around seat tube to minimize. Had creaking noise fixed by massively lubing seat post. Rolf rims harder to true than normal. V brakes are a little weak on extended downhill. Stock fork does not really soak up Big Hits but should it?
I wiegh 155 and ride Fox Float @ 105-125lbs. Bike is stock.
Bottom Line:
Still very happy with bike. Mabey the best XC bike for the price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Barta
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Arkel Loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1875.00
Purchased At:
Ziggys
Strengths:
Good overall groupo for the cash. Wheels are resilient! Beat them senseless and they still run true (I'm 185lbs) Tight & light suspension (SID & Fox) including easy set up
Weaknesses:
Massive Bar (25"!) Tough to get regular tires to sit in the Bontranger rims. Trek, with their long top tube, need a Medium/Large frame, say 18.5". Paint is, besides ugly, soft. I can chip the paint with a well placed fart.
Similar Products Used:
Test rode Sugar, Specialized & Klein Old Bike: Rocky Mountain Vapor
Bike Setup:
Replaced Crank & Rings with RaceFace Turbine - which ironically sucks due to zero thread engagement of granny gear bolts to crank - come on RaceFace! Time Aluminum pedals - yea! 110mm stem (short) Panaracer tires
Bottom Line:
Overall, money well spent. I have still yet to corner as tight as on my old Rocky (hardtail). I believe this is caused by two factors. One, the long Trek top tube and the increased turning radius it imposes. And two, the 18 spoke front wheel (2001 model), combined with the SID air front fork, create a more flexible steering mechanism than I am used to. It doesn't break, just feels a little to soft. On long rides, however, I could care less about a 0.25second in corners. After a 2 or 4 day mountain biking vacation, I feel like kissing this bike. Full suspension is so nice. With respect to climing I can't tell the difference - remember your legs & heart are much more important than a 1/2" of bob. For me, this bike really balances the world of performance with a decent amount of give when required. Trek has done a good job.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Wall, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
MTBR Classified
Strengths:
very responsive climber, just enough to take the edge off the bumps
Similar Products Used:
Trek YSL200 (my old bike), Sugar1, Superlight
Bike Setup:
bike was purchased from MTBR, was Trek regional race team spec'd, Hayes Disc brakes, SRAM, Rolf Urraco wheels, Fox Vanilla RC, SID SL, Time ATACs, Panaracer XC
Bottom Line:
I had a YSL200, I am 220lbs, without locking out the suspension, climbing was lame. I got tired of my buddy blowing me away on climbs with his Sugar1. The handling is quick, well balanced, suspension is great, has lockouts, but really do not need them at all. My 2nd front SID, getting tired of trying to find the sweet spot, but overall very happy with performance. I see a tremendous difference in climbing, the single largest advantage over the old Y. I was really on the fence with the fuel or sugar, the fuel set up fit me a bit better. Overall, I am still amazed at the difference in performance every time I get on it. This is a great XC bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce
a Racer
from Felton, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
This bike is light and strong. The Dolomite wheels are strong and only needed one small tweak in 10 months and 1200 off-road miles.
Weaknesses:
None, really
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz SL, Rocky Mountain Carve
Bike Setup:
Stock except for rear swingarm (2002 carbon swingarm), tires (using Panaracer Fire XC), and pedals (Speedplay Frogs)
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. It's a wonderful climber and handles high-speed singletrack with ease. Every time I ride this bike, I'm glad I got it.
I've raced this bike and it's a fast, agile bike.....way faster than my abilities. It's also light enough for hike-a-bike parts of race courses.
If you're a XC racer or someone that likes climbing, the Fuel is the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Freddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Harbor City, CA, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Backbone/Sullivan Loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Helen's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Little, if any, bobbing while hammering in the dirt. Trek dialed in just the right amount of suspension for me: Enough to take the sting out of big hits but very quiet otherwise.
Weaknesses:
Creaky seat tube (see explanation and fix below), tab on the replaceable dropout that the "B" tension screw rests on is too short.
Similar Products Used:
None for full suspension. Other bike is a Specialized Stumpjumper Pro with Raceface and XT/XTR 8 speed stuff.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for switch to Hutchinson Python Airlights (incredible tires), correct size ultralight tubes (Trek specs the bike with 26x1.5 tubes, Bontrager Racelite flat bar (new style with 7 degree bend, 600mm length), WTB SST.98 saddle
Bottom Line:
Bought this bike since my l.b.s. (Helen's Cycles, Manhattan Beach) had a left over 2001 Fuel 98 at a dirt cheap price. I'm happy with my purchase now that I've worked out the kinks on the bike.
Problem #1 that I encountered is that the tab on the replaceable dropout is too short. So, if you try and screw in the "B" tension screw on the XTR rear derailleur so that the upper jockey pulley clears the biggest cog when you're in the granny chainring, biggest rear cog combination, it simply slips off the tab before you're able to screw it in far enough. Mountain Bike (March 2002) details the fix for this problem for this very bike and it took care of the problem for me. The fix basically involves getting a longer screw with a larger head from your local hardware store and installing it in backwards.
Problem #2 that I encountered was that my seat tube was creaking like mad after only about a month of riding. At first I thought is was the bottom bracket or the Bonty crank. That wasn't the case. Then I thought it was the pivots so I called the technical department at TREK. Kevin in technical informed me that it probably wasn't the pivots. He stated that since a Fuel frame does not have a seat tube that is a single diameter all the way down, a gap where the two tubes meet frequently causes creaking. He recommended using loctite 680 to solve the problem. If you are having the same creaking problem coming from your seat tube area, give Kevin a call and he'll guide you through the very simple process to eliminate the problem. He's very friendly and easy to talk to. It worked for me and now my bike is silent!
With the above problems eliminated, my bike is a joy to ride and I'm looking forward to racing it in XC events this summer. Because of the great deal I got, my value rating is top notch. However, the overall rating drops two chilis because although the aforementioned problems are fairly easy to remedy, they should not have been there in the first place.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne Foster
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Minising Algonquin Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
New World
Strengths:
Very fast XC racing bike. Plush ride because air suspension is fully adjustable. Hardly no bob.
Weaknesses:
Tough to get the front wheel up compared to my old Specialized Rockhopper. Dosen't climb quite as good as my Rockhopper. Front Rolf wheel started to squeal. Had to loosen off the lateral adjustment. Bent small Bonty chain ring ??? Sid is flexy but it dosen't seenm to matter on the trail
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
Monkey Lites handlebars
Bottom Line:
Fast! This bike comes into its own when the speed gets up. The faster you ride it the better it feels. Not the best in slower technical because the front wheel is tough to lift compared to other bikes. Not a bike for lazy Sunday rides. This bike has a long wheelbase for a 19.5 inch frame that probably makes it so stable at speed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Singletrack Mind
a Cross Country Rider
from NY, USA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Overall XC ride is excellent. Handling is quick, responsive, and predictable. Climbs better than my hardtail. Suspension is quiet.
Weaknesses:
Bontreger (enough said).
Similar Products Used:
Kona King
Bike Setup:
Dumped Bontreger parts, except the seat. All XTR, ChrisKing H/S, Thompson post & stem, Panaracer, R/S SID-SL, and Time.
Bottom Line:
I am now at about 800 (hard) miles on my 2001 Trek Fuel 98, and it is starting to show the ware of a season. I have not had any further problems my Fuel98 (other than the Hub problem), besides a couple teeth missing on the large chain ring, and other than the Rolf rear hub coming loose once again. The problem with the Rolf wheels is due to the hub design that Rolf uses, and the way the freehub mates with the hub. It is a simple fix, but you will need a huge allen key (along with a long box-end wrench for leverage) and the standard hub wrenches. You will need to tork the hell out of the freehub/allen assembly, and you should be good for a few hundred miles. If you still have any lateral movement, you need to tork it more!
I am amazed every time I spin the rear Rolf Domolite wheel, it is still straight (one tiny blip). I have never had a set of wheels last this long. I am now a true beliver of the paired spoke technology! According to my LBS, Trek is aware of the problem with the Domolite wheels, I guess that is why Trek has dropped Rolf for 2002. This could be a problem for all those who need service/parts for Rolf wheels in the US.
Bottom line, I would buy another Trek Fuel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander McNeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, Michigan Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Monarch Crest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Kinetic Systems
Strengths:
This bike has great lines. Climbs like a dream, remains stable on the downhills. Cornering is average, however I am a tall rider. Good travel and response with the SID XC and FOX Float R.
Weaknesses:
One word BONTRAGER! Crank creak, pedals? Replaced them immediately. As the handle bars and stem. Seat was great for the first 500 miles, however the gel started to sag off to the side. The Rolf Dolomite aren't bad, I have broken a few spokes, however that is the only problem that I have had. I has been a fairly dry summer, so the stock tires have been fine. I will need to change that as the conditions change. I would love some CrossMax's though!
Similar Products Used:
Titus Racer X, Specialized FSR M4
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR, Race Face Stem, Easton Carbon bars, King Headset, Thompson post, Selle Flite Ti Seat, Time ATAC Carbon Pedals. Going to replace bottom bracket and crank this winter!
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic bike... I love riding it... I do a ton of road riding, however I have been on the Trek a little more this summer. Much like everyone else, the Bontrager stock parts suck. I have only the crank to replace before I will be completely content. I would recommend buying the frameset and building it from there, but the reality is, that could get quite expensive. Of the entire fuel series, I think it is the best bike for the value. I would like to upgrade to the Mavic CrossMax wheelset, however don't need to drop $800 right now. The bike weight is around 23-24 lbs, it always seems heavier after I have riden the road bike for a while. For the money, you cannot go wrong!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a
from Auburn, CA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Sharp Bicycles, Rocklin CA
Strengths:
Smooth ride, responsive, light for the price. Strong components mix.
Weaknesses:
Tubless rims without tubless tires. They won't tell you. The Rolf freewheel came loose two times and then failed. Shops I spoke said they've replaced numerous Rolf rear hubs. The tires don't match the bike. Half tread for racing though it's not a racing bike. Make it lighter, but they lasted only a few rides in the Sierra terrain.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper Comp.
Bottom Line:
Trek (Sharp Bicycles) seems to be on top of the rear hub problem. They paid full value when I replaced it in Tahoe. The tires don't last on knarly rocky trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, NC, Porcupine Rim, Moab, Monarch Crest, CO
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
bike shop I work at
Strengths:
It sucks up the bumps well without pedaling like a wet noodle. Pretty light. Good geometry.
Weaknesses:
All stock parts SUCK. Chainlines are bad. Kinda flexy rear end for my 200lbs. Not the plushest bike I've ever ridden, but you can't have everything! Pivot bolts loosen up as the bushings start to wear. Some of them have been breaking at the seat tube/toptube junction. Say's "Trek" on it ;)
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR & Enduro, Intense Tracer & Uzzi, Moots YBB, ridden just about everything else
Wow, Trek has come from nowhere and made a competitve bike! The ride is a bit on the racy side. If you like to sweat and keep up with people, this is a fun bike. The geometry is good, esp. in the fast stuff. Not the best woods bike, but not the worst either. The seatpost angle is a little slack for me, but I have long legs. I've ridden this bike all over CO and UT this year, and it's one of the best jack of all trades bikes out there. It's light (mines 23.5lbs), it's got 3" of usable travel, dosn't bob (no need for lockout), and it looks normal. All the stock parts suck. Drivetrain gave me problems till I replaced everything fairly quickly, dropped some weight and gained some peace of mind. The SID is too flexy for me ( I normaly have a Z2 on my Kona hartail) but they addresesed that with the Duke on the 02' 98. Overall, a real nice bike that still needs some attention in the parts dept. Not that expensive off the floor, but you do end up spending lots to replace the stock parts down the road.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jvmoradi
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Conyers, GA ('96 Olympic Trail)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Atlanta Cycling
Strengths:
Ascends almost as well as a hardtail, flies down hill, soaks up rough terrain, corners well. Rolf wheels take a beating and stay true. Good component mix of XT/XTR. Ride longer, stay fresher. LOVE the stock seat.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket is very low and sometimes hits obstacles I used to clear w/ my last bike. Bontrager crank and pedals suck.
This is one INCREDIBLE bike. I was a hardtail devotee and thought there was no way I'd ever ride a softtail (unless I moved to Utah). I demo'ed a Sugar, and really disliked the geometry -- my weight was way too far back and the bike felt dramatically different than a hardtail. I'd already ordered a Stumpy from my LBS to replace my sweetheart bike, when I saw the Fuel sitting there. I couldn't resist and took it for a spin. WHAT A BIKE! Rides just like a Trek Hardtail, you don't use the rear travel unless you need it. The Fuel 100 was 600 bucks more, but the minor differences (SID SL, less crappy Bonty crank, FOX RC rear) isn't worth it unless you have cash to burn. The shock on the 98 doesn't lock out, but you always have the option of dialing it stiffer (once you try a Fuel, you'll never want to lock it out anyway). Bottom line, if you're an XC rider or racer who's very conscious of your times, this bike is gonna make you a hell of a lot faster. Mine is about 25 lbs, but I race faster than I do on a 22 lb. hardtail. It climbs nearly as well as a hardtail, but descends so much faster that you really pick up time. It also smooths out rough trail incredibly well. Hardtail devotees will have to learn to scope lines all over again, and you'll be so much faster once you do. Basically, the bike has allowed me to become a better rider. And it's so much fun that I can't wait to hop on it at the end of the day. To all you FS virgins, I say take the plunge -- it's more fun than everyone says it is.
This bike ain't for everyone. 3" rear travel isn't much (I only use about 1 1/2 - 2 max), it's only there to take the edge off rough trail and save your strength. The 98 isn't a freeride bike, the suspension isn't gonna allow you to drop off 6 foot drops. However, the 98 is a high performance XC bike that can take the place of your XC racing hardtail and make you a faster rider. ALso know that you can't put disc brakes on the 98 or 100 because of the carbon seat stays. If speed is your thing, this is the best FS XC bike on the market.
The crappy bonty parts (esp. pedals and crank) will be replaced as soon as I have the dough, but that's not enough to deny 5 chilis. What else can you ask for for this price? Way to go Trek, you really nailed it this time.
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Submitted by
Mudboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
MTBR classifieds
Strengths:
Sweetest ride for an FS bike -- great frameset, just the right travel for XC, good climber.
Weaknesses:
Sub par components; need to customize the set-up to get it right
Similar Products Used:
Sugar 1, Specialized Enduro -- all crap compared to this.
Bike Setup:
Mavic 517s-XTR hubs; King headset; XT hollowtech cranks; XT brakes; Time ATACs; better tires, grips....
Bottom Line:
Killer bike for serious XC riders. Great climber. No need to buy the Fuel 100 -- basically the same bike, except you get slightly better Bontrager parts, which suck anyway.
The parts spec puzzles me -- how can Trek create a killer frame but ruin every little parts company they buy? The biggest disappointment is Bontrager. I still have an old Trek 8000 with some excellent Bontrager parts -- three years later and the quality goes down the toilet. The Bontrager Race cranks on the Fuel immediately started throwing the chain on downhills, so I switched to XTs -- problem solved. The handlebars were way too wide -- cut an inch off each side. Pedals? The RE-1s blow. The only Bontrager part I haven't had trouble with (and like) is the seat.
The crap headset was grinding like sandpaper after ONE MODERATELY WET RIDE, so I swapped for the King.
The Rolf wheels were so pretty, I was psyched to ride them -- until several friends (and fellow MTBR reviewers) warned me of the hub problems and other design flaws. I sold 'em off the bike and bought 517s -- flawless performance.
If you can get a good deal on this bike, buy it -- otherwise, buy the frameset and build your dream bike -- you won't be disappointed.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Sarnia,Ontario Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
pontiac lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Climbing,Handling,cross-country riding at speed
Weaknesses:
Cranks(flexy)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale jekyll,Giant nrs1,fisher sugar 1
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike for intended purpose,rode the same loop as my cannondale hardtail and was faster and alot more fresh at the end.I took alot less abuse.Climbs great,decends great and covers rough and rocky trails quickly.Shifting was good.I set up the shock pressure @ my body weight and 75 psi in the front forks.I have owned the nrs 1(last years model) and the jekyll and I feel this bike is better than both.If I run into any problems I will post another review.But as of now a great xc bike.
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Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodland, Utah USA Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
What ever trail I'm on. Bench Creek is great.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Guthrie Bikes, SLC
Strengths:
Light for full suspension, stiff, and really smooth. I was on a Trek Y-33, and this feels more like a hardtail in terms of handling, but is even smoother on the rough stuff. It turns very quickly and is incredibly responsive. It's made me a better rider because the handling is so precise.
Weaknesses:
The stock tires are good on hard pack or slickrock, but pretty lame on loose or dusty trails. I replaced them with somthing with more tread. But that is really a factor of trail conditions. The Bontrager cranks creak under heavy load. I don't like the Bontrager pedals as much as my old Shimano 747's.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Y-22, Tested the Trek STP-400, and looked pretty seriously at a Moots and Seven with the tortion-bar chain stay suspension.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the tires. I'm thinking about changing pedals.
Bottom Line:
I've ridden this all over now, from slick rock in Moab and Gooseberry Mesa to dry dusty trails on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and some loose, dusty trails in the Park City area. This bike is good in all conditions. It turns extremely fast, very responsive. I'm cleaning trails I used to get off and walk. The wide handle bar had taken some getting used to--it's a little wider than some of the local aspen trees are spaced. But I like the control with it.
Best mountain bike I've ever owned. I didn't see anything about the Fuel 100 that justified the extra price.
Buy this bike if you're a serious rider and like fast, tight single tracks. I love to climb, and have never missed being able to lock the rear shock out (the lock out shock is the biggest difference between the 98 and the 100). There's no bobbing at all unless you're griding away on pavement. It's fast uphill, and really flies down hill, and is nimble enough to jump over the stuff in between.
$
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