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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Swain, NY, US
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything unpaved | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great components, fast comfortable ride | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp | | Similar Products Used: | GT hartail | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Bike is a great value. Love the XT brake/shifters. Bike is built for pedaling efficiency and does that well. Use for road, singletrack and cross country riding. I don't recommend for steep downhill or jumping. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Torrance
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax | | Strengths: | Good stiff ride for XC type racing. Rocker arm really rounds out the bumps on the climb without bobbing. | | Weaknesses: | Seat clamp, seat tube weld (thick tube to thinner tube). | | Similar Products Used: | No other FS XC bikes | | Bike Setup: | Custome built with Marathon SL, SRAM X.0 and X.9, WTB wheels, Avid V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike however definitly slower climb than old hard tail. Just broke my second seat tube in half in one year. Trek has great warranty but that wierd weld in the seat tube seems to be a bad thing for Clydesdales. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Rexburg, ID USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Sticks & Stones, Rexburg ID | | Strengths: | effecient, fast, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | seat post binder, fork | | Similar Products Used: | 1st full-suspension MTB | | Bike Setup: | stock Fuel 95, Speedplay Frog pedals | | Bottom Line: | Although I have ridden and occassionally raced mountain bikes for 10 years, most of my riding time is spent on a road bike. My review is very similar to other posted reviews. The Fuel 95 is fast, effecient, and comfortable. The XT disc brakes are outstanding. I prefer riding the Fuel to the hardtails which I have owned previously under most conditions. Only two complaints: 1. slipping seat post binder (which I fixed by adding a washer which allowed the binder bolt to clamp tighter) 2. the fork (seals blew out at approx 75 miles total use) Manitou factory service repaired and returned the fork in a very timely manner and it is working fine now. I feel like it is important to document these fork failures which have occured in the absence of misuse or neglect. Hopefully this infomation will be useful to other Fuel buyers who find themselves in a similar situation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
"T-Meister"
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dupont State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | OutSpokin', Columbia | | Strengths: | Great components (XT,rims,rear shock) for price.
My first "boingy, boingy" bike. I'm in love with the way it handles the bumps and bangs on cross country single-track with no bob it is an excellent climber. I'm over 200 lbs. and have had no problem with shocks and I have beaten it hard on some nasty trails. | | Weaknesses: | Would like to have a Fox auto lock-out front fork at this price. Seat clamp is junk. Wish the rear brake caliper bolted straight to the frame like the Epic. There is this stange harmonic vibration during medium braking in the rear that makes my skin crawl as a result of the adapter(s). email me if you've got the fix - my bike shop swammie is "working on it". | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic Comp Disk | | Bike Setup: | Stock - except for seat clamp. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike no matter your weight as far as I'm concerned and you can't beat the componentry at this price. Honestly, at this point in the year, I'd wait to see if Trek has been reading these reviews and made a few improvements for '05. BUT If your local bike shop has one and is willing to deal, buy it. It does what Trek says it will and more. You won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alan jordan jr
a Cross Country Rider
from hot springs arkansas
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | littleblakely | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | parkside cycle | | Strengths: | great handeling on downhills and a good climbing bike | | Weaknesses: | piviot points seem to wear rather quickly | | Bike Setup: | xt shifters.derailers,rockshox sid sl front shock rockshock sid rear shock, raceface cranks , front sprockets salsa xt rear sprocket.xtr brakes,xtr hubs | | Bottom Line: | i am a 200lb plus rider that rides at least 1 time a week haven't had much trouble out of this bike like the last one ' cracked frame'and the one before carbon fiber y bike cracked frame was replaced with no hassel. thumbs up to trek. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincolnshire, IL
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardsbicycles.com | | Strengths: | Great suspension (front and back), componets, disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | seat post, seat clamp, tires, chain | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700, Gary Fisher Tass, Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Fuel 95 with Thompson Elite Seat Post, Gary Fisher Seat Clamp, Selle Italia Flite Titanium, Platform pedals, SRAM PC99 Hollow Pin, SRAM PC970 Power Glide II Casset, | | Bottom Line: | This bike's suspension and style is for light riders under 200, not to say that people over 200 can;t ride, it;s just that suspension is light, the rest of the components are fine for heavy riders, the disc brakes are the new XT so they need to make some improvements when it comes to all weather conditions, the tires have terible corning but good acceleration, the main problem i had with this bike was the seat post and collar, fixed that with a thompson seat post and a random gary fisher clamp i found on my tass. The seat is good but i like my selle better, the XT chain and cassett that come with my bike were kinda messed up so i decided to try SRAMs componets and they are holding up so well and i like how you can disemble the chain in second and the hollow pins, one thing i jsut love of this bike is Lockout on all suspension and this sweet new XT crank set that has a hollow center that looks kick ass. I'm think of swaping my frame with a fuel 100 to make it lighter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from burbank, ca
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | santa ana river trail and mr toads | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2050.00 | | Purchased At: | glendale cyclery | | Strengths: | The rocker link. this is where it all happens. the rear suspension is solid and right on the money. | | Weaknesses: | 2 things. seat post collar and the fork. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr pro, giant nrs | | Bike Setup: | i swapped out the xt shifters and rear derailleur for grip shift xo and changed the shimano pedals to the new time attack xs carbon | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. the rear suspension and handling is right on. the bike is great on climbs and handles awsome on fire road and technical single track. however, 2 things trek needs to improve for 2005.
1. the fork - i blew the seals twice. the second time around manitou agreed to throw in a firm ride kit. the fork works much better now and so far it is holding up well and getting the job done. (fingers crossed)
2. seat post collar - the bike is spec'd with a poor quailty collar thus causing the seat post slip. an upgrade is a must for serious /aggressive riders. I give this bike a 4.8 out of 5. If this bike was spec'd with a fox 80mm fork i would give it a 5. trek should seriously consider running a fox fork in 05. even if it kicks up the retail some people will pay the differance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zhi Hao Poon
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore / Exeter, NH
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Rock, Exeter, NH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3259.00 | | Purchased At: | Treknology Bikes 3 | | Strengths: | Flies downhill and soaks up all the obstacles on the way down. Climbs well, hardly ever need to use the shock lockout. Nice paintjob. Fairly lightweight for full suspension. | | Weaknesses: | The Skareb Comp is way too undersprung for me. Blew the seals after only 1 RIDE!!! Trek really needs to look into a much better fork to match what an otherwise great ride it is. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90, Trek Fuel 100, Klein Attitude V, Klein Attitude XV, GF Cake 2 DLX, Trek Liquid 30, Specialized Hardrock Pro(own), Specialized Rockhopper FS(own), Klein Pulse Comp(own). | | Bike Setup: | Full 2004 XT Gruppo, 2004 Rock Shox Duke Race, Chris King NoThreadSet, Selle Italia Flite Gel Titanium, Thomson Elite Seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | This is one hell of a bike. It really feels plusher than other 3" bikes and climbs like a mountain goat. Took it on my first ride, and all went amazingly, until the fork seals blew. Then I headed to the bike shop. Mechanic who specialized in forks was out of town, so I had to wait an entire weekend. BUT, when he came back, and saw that the seals blew, Haresh (The Shop owner) came out and offered me two solutions. He told me that he wanted to get the bike up and running asap, but the parts had to be ordered and shipped from the states. So he said he could put on a used fork and let me use it for the time being while the parts got shipped, or he could swap my blown fork for a brand new 2004 Duke Race. A no-brainer, so I took it. Only had to spend another 40 bucks on a fork pump as the duke didn't come with one. I really recommend Treknology Bikes 3. They are an awesome and friendly shop with the most inventory in South East Asia. They have everything, and if they dont, they can get their hands on it. 5 chillies for service, 5 chillies for value and SIX chillies for overall rating! Great Bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zhi Hao Poon
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore/Exeter, NH
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft. Rock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2749.00 | | Purchased At: | Treknology Bikes 3 | | Strengths: | Frame seems solid and durable, Propedal, Fork/Shock Lockouts, Flawless Shifting, Awesome braking power, Quick acceleration, very stable at high speeds. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 100, Fuel 90, Attitude XV, Attitude V, Cake 2 DLX | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus Thomson Elite Seatpost and Selle Italia Flite Gel Titanium Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | With the legendary Fuel frame, full 2004 XT gruppo, disc-specific tubeless rims and the Float RL Propedal, how could you go wrong? It definitely feels like it has more than just 3" of travel front and back. I just got the bike yesterday and rode it back home, so it has yet to see the trails, but I will post an update of the bike after its maiden voyage. The XT discs really do stop and being the first hydraulics I have ever used, I really like the feel. The shifters do a wonderful job and after just test riding a few bikes with them, I got the hang of them, and I feel more comfortable shifting with them than with rapidfire or gripshift.
Moving up from a $600 Hardrock Pro Disc, this is incredible. But I guess I'll have to wait till it hits the dirt. Happy trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a
from Brigham City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bonneville Shoreline | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shoppe | | Strengths: | Fuel 95 is durable and lighweight for components. XT shifters do a really nice job. Bontrager tubeless tires are very nice to have. I have enjoyed them thoroughly. Hydraulic breaks work in any kind of weather. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post gradually moves down w/ quick release. Suggest getting a Salsa clamp. Bontrager saddle is a little uncomfortable. Trek definetely overlooked the fork, should have been better. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper and Sugar 3+ | | Bike Setup: | Stock....for now. Plan on changine the fork. | | Bottom Line: | This is probably the best bike on the market for the price. I would recommend to anyone who was looking for a new Mtb. Bike. Buddy took mine for a ride and immediately went to the shop and ordered one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denis
a
from Roxbury, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | West Hartofrd Res. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Class Cycles, Southbury CT. | | Strengths: | New 2004 XT group is great. OS stem and bar combo is very stiff. Climbs almost as well as a hard tail. Proven suspension design with a lifetime frame warranty form Trek when many companies are now limiting the time frame of their warranty. Reasonably light for a XC bike with Hydraulic disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | If there is one thing that needs to be upgraded it would definitely be the fork with out doubt. In stock trim the fork was under sprung for me (190lbs) I guess if you are a 150lb racer it would be ok. On the stiffest compression setting (one click past lock out) the fork still bottoms out on big hits and is not all that plush on the small stuff. The tires are another area for improvement. They were not horrible but I have ridden much better. Plus the seat is just silly get rid of that boat anchor ASAP. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Supelight, Specialized Enduro Pro (Hardtail) Jamis Dakar expert. | | Bike Setup: | Changed a few things: Upgraded to a FOX 100X fork (awesome),Treck OLCV carbon rocker link, EC70 seat post, WTB Rocket V Saddle, Ritchey WSCS OS/Carbon bars, Hutchinson scorpion UST tubeless tires and Odi lock on grips. | | Bottom Line: | Overall this bike is a great buy. If I were on a limited budget the only thing I would have upgraded would have been the fork. All the other stuff is fine. I only upgraded the other stuff because I like to tinker with my bikes. The frame is stiff and the oversized stem and bar combo is rock solid. It goes where you point it with no flex. I put the Fox 100X fork on and will admit it did climb a bit better with a 80mm fork. It’s only a slight difference but on the really steep climbs the front end gets a bit to light for my liking. However, it’s a small price to pay for how exceptional the fork is in all other situations. The bike rides like it has more travel than only 3” in the rear. Swallows up big hits with out a problem. Definitely not a freeride rig but 1’ to 3’ on trail drops are no problem at all. Jus soaks them up. If you are looking for a great XC bike that can take a beating look no further. Worlds better than my Santa Cruz Superlight (sorry all you SC fans), and just about as stiff as my hardtail. Trek has hit on a great suspension design. That combined with the fox float RL with pro pedal make this bike an absolute joy to ride. Visit Roy at Class Cycles in Southbury CT and buy yourself one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wannabe Racer
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern New Jersey
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All of 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I love my Trek Fuel 95! This bike rocks - for the money, you can't beat it. Climbs like a hardtail, light, nimble and comfortable . . . Without a doubt, it has made me a faster, more efficient rider!
The XT Package shifts smooth every time, the XT Hydraulic discs stop even when they are covered with mud and the Fox Pro Pedal rear shock has ZERO bob on climbs! Overall package cannot be beat! | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Skareb Comp fork - the only area that you can tell Trek skimped on. Mine had both seals go (at the same time) within two months of owning it). My LBS was able to assist me in swapping on the warranty to an upgraded fork (Fox Float 80RL - I had to pay a cash difference. For the other specs on this bike, Trek should have put a little more thought into the front fork, at the very least equipping it with a Manitou Black instead of the Skareb Comp. The stock tires work well - I raced on them, but they are a little thin and puncture easily with thorns. i have switched to tubeless and love 'em | | Similar Products Used: | I test rode all the comparable bikes by Cannondale, Trek, Specialized and Klein - for the money, Trek had the most to offer, and fit me the best, which is most important. I liked the Fuel 98 but couldn't justify spending the extra cash on the Carbon frame. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a Fox Float 80RL front fork and tubeless Panaracer Trailblasters | | Bottom Line: | If I lost my Fuel '95 tomorrow, I would buy another one! The only weakness tha I have found so far has been the fork, and I knew that was lower end going in
Great Bike for the Buck! 5 Flamin' Chilis from me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
flying dog
a Cross Country Rider
from waterloo ontario canada
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | ziggys cycle and sport | | Strengths: | nex XT component group
fox rl propedal shock
lightweight for a bike with dual suspension and disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | seatpost slips, I will replace with a new clamp | | Similar Products Used: | rocky mountain edge and rocky mountain element | | Bike Setup: | stock except for mavic crossmax sl wheelset
easton monkey lite xc handle bar
| | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. lightweight for a dual suspension bike and disc brakes. Xt brakes are strong and easy to use,
Propedal rear suspension make you climb as on a hardtail
reasonable priced, Sweet looking black anodized frame.This bike will make you faster on the downs and ups. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a
from Tidewater VA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | All About Bikes | | Strengths: | 04 XT, Fox rear shock, excellent geometery/design. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy for XC, Stock seat, Stock tires, Wheels | | Similar Products Used: | C'dale Scalpel, Giant NRS, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now | | Bottom Line: | Love the 04 XT, works well as a package. Overall fit/finish of the bike was top notch. I am having a problem with a pop during heavy pedaling... I'm guessing seat post vs frame. LBS has promised to address (great bunch of guys! I recommend this dealer without reservation).
Suspension is plenty active suffering minimal bob with the pro pedal. The Skareb "comp" is taking its time breaking in (how much more would it have cost them to put one of the hollow crown commercial versions on?), still some initial stiction but otherwise well damped and reasonably stiff although not on the level as the C'dale lefty.
I'm not sure who the B'trager Jones tires are for. The wheels are heavy and flexy compared to the Mavics I'm used to. I suspect the bike would feel more nimble with lighter tires and wheels. The seat is a cheapy but that's fine as most everyone tosses stock seats to put their favorite on.
Bike wieghs nearly 28lbs. It could go on a serious diet in the seatpost, wheels, tires dept and probably lose a pound or so of weight.
Overall I'm pleased. I was looking for a comfortable high end single track, go anywhere mount-I've got it. The carbon fiber version would have been nice but I can't justify the added expense. Comparing it to the others I test rode the Trek was the best compromise of ride, price, componentry... Its geometery fit me the best.
At this level it's really a tossup, none of the bikes "stink", none are head and shoulders above another despite what you may read in other reviews. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Rizzo
a Cross Country Rider
from Sin City NV
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cottonwood Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop Henderson NV | | Strengths: | This bike can climb! Stout enough for a 250# rider. Predictable handling. ZR9000 tubing is very nice. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Skareb fork. This thing sucks. Bad stiction, flexy "reverse arch". I will be upgrading to a Fox soon. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid 30, Kona Kikapu (pile), Redline Monocog | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Tomson seat post and Conti Survival Pros 2.1 rear 2.3 front with Stan's No Tubes solution | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! It takes a lot and keeps on trucking. The whole package is really nice. I had the Liquid 30 prior and really like Trek's quality. I think they make a really great bike for Clyde riders.
The reason I got rid of my liquid was because I was not doing as much freeride as I thought. I really enjoy the climbing abilty of this bike.
The Fox Pro Pedal design rocks and you never have to lock it out. I do miss my Fox Vanillas I had on the front of my Liquid. These Skareb forks suck really bad. They stick and have an initial studder that is enough to drive you nuts on any minor bumps. For bigger riders, the pressure you need to maintain the right sag, will cause your front tire to touch the arch under load so keep an eye on it. I don't think these forks are for us non-dainty riders. This is normal riding and no drops more than 1 foot.
The anodized finish is really sweet. No more rocks making your paint dissapear. The wheel set is really nice as well. They have these rim strips that make seating tubeless tires a cinch.
If you are a clyde rider I would recommend this very highly. The stock seatpost kind of flexes and creaks (so would I if I had to support my a**) so I got a Thomson and have not had a problem ever.
Another thing: If you are a rider that rides with your fingers on the brakes all the time, you will break chains. The new XT all in one pods take some getting used to. I have never broken a chain, but the first few times riding I broke 4 of them. When I laid off the handles and used them only when necessary I have had better luck (none yet). Just a heads up for those type of riders.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgewater NJ USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Newmans Lane Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2299.00 | | Purchased At: | High Gear Cyclery | | Strengths: | -Light; even with the ZR9000
-Parts; The '04 XT is a wonder
-Color; even though it's black, the black does have a nice touch to it
-Cornering; it's really fast out of turns
-Braking; the XT disc's work well rain or shine
-Shirting; once again, the XT dual-control works gerat | | Weaknesses: | Ummm... there is this one little thing. There is this Hum between the hubs and the XT dics brake roaters. Shimano has known about the problem with their disc brakes. It's not that hard to zone it out. I mean, when your riding, you don't even know it's there!
| | Similar Products Used: | Oh god. I looked at every kind of XC bike out there. I was going to get the epic, but I think that bike should be banded from XC races. It's too good of a bike. I picked the fuel because I want to burn some Epic's in a race. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I ride my mountain bike everyday. I have trails behind my house that I use. I last bike, Trek VRX 200, held up very nicey consitering I rode the $1000 bike everyday since I was 7! I figured I needed to upgrade to a better bike.
So i picked the Fuel 95. Since the first day i got it, Decmember 25, i rode it hard. I even rode it in the snow!
Now that the snow has melted away, i can now really ride. I bike takes 3 foot logs with no problem. When the bike come to a rocky section, jsut let it go. Trust the shocks, they work very well! I have aimed at rock that are lose and i can't make the bike lose control. When you come to a climb, don't worry. Just climb. The bike knows what to do. The stocks know what to do. When you come to a downhill section, open all the stocks and go. The bike give you the feeling of "Hey, i'm going prety slow, I need to go faster". So just do it, even though your already going prety darn fast. Then there is jumping. Jumping is no problem with the Fuel. Yeah, i know it only has 3" of travel. But just do it anyway. IT's fun and you can't lose.
So in the end, just buy the bike. It's the buy deal for the money. And don't get the Specialized Epic. The bike is unfar to other races. The Epic shows that you are a rider that can't ride that well but yet you have this bike that can make you SEEM good. With the Fuel, that is a bike that IS good and people know that you are good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonesy
a Cross Country Rider
from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ancaster Cycle | | Strengths: | -FS at the weight of a hardtail
-excellent handling, climbing, and braking on single track
-fast
-comfort
-high quality frame and components at a great price
| | Weaknesses: | -nil | | Similar Products Used: | -Litespeed Obed with Raceface/XT components | | Bike Setup: | -Stock | | Bottom Line: | You get the best of both worlds with the Fuel 95. All of the handling and comfort benefits of an FS bike at the weight of most hardtails. This bike is super fast and it handles like a dream on the singletrack. Shifting and braking is crisp with the new XT components and it climbs better than my titanium hardtail with the Fox pro predal rear shock. It is so comfortable I want to ride all day. No more stiff back and neck after a long ride.
I haven't had the bike long enough to comment on durability. So far so good and with the Trek warranty and customer service record it isn't a concern.
5 out 5 flamin' chilis for value !! You get a high quality FS frame and full XT with discs at a clearance price. The fork could be better but you can't have everything at this price point and the Manitou Comp gets the job done. You get a high cool factor with this bike as well. The black anodized frame and XT components mesh well to create a sweet looking ride.
In the final analysis, the Fuel 95 is a great choice for the serious XC rider looking for high end quality and performance at a good price. Best to go with the Fuel 100 if you are only concerned about shaving a few more seconds off your lap time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Andersons Fire Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Fast, light, excellent components | | Weaknesses: | Front forks | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for front forks - added Fox Vanilla plus flat bars instead of crow bars | | Bottom Line: | This bike is superb. I have ridden it almost non-stop since purchasing. I have had Trek hardtails and a Fisher sugar 3+ - the fuel is the best of all worlds.
I changed the forks to fox vanilla as they should have been on a bike this good. I also changed to flat bars as they make the bike more responsive, just a bit harder to ride on technical downhills, but you adapt. Everything else on this bike is excellent - the complete XT package is worth the money, the XT disks have amazing stopping power with little fade. The new Shimano gear levers are great too.
If you are after a fast bike that eats cross counrty trails as well as handles technical single track with ease, this is the bike. The fox float rear shock is excellent, you are not really aware it is working until you realise you are travelling much faster through corners than you normally would.
This is by far the best bike I have ever had, hands down. If you are a x- country rider, this bike will put a smile on your face. Buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon, Gambrills - it's all good | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Superb spec package - all the latest XT top to bottom mounted on an excellent suspension frame - read on! | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Ye old Klein Mantra Comp w/ Marzzochi Atom 80 | | Bike Setup: | All stock: XT/very little Bontrager/Fox Float RL/Manitou Skareb Comp w/lo | | Bottom Line: | It's difficult to find where to begin. I was eager to get my new ride - I know plenty of guys who ride Fuels and I've relied on the ol' reviews from this site, but I had never trail tested one myself. Given an unexpected opportunity to buy a new bike, I jumped at the chance to own a Fuel 95. It reminded me of the original Fuel 90, but with many sweet upgrades. Things like the latest XT group w/STI shifting, the hollow core bottom bracket, the new 31.8mm handlebar/stem and Fox's pro-pedal RL shock. Little did I know how sweet this ride would be.
I've read numerous reviews about bikes - road or mountain -that seem to help the rider "go faster". I can honestly say that in this case, it's no BS. This bike seems to fly. When I moved from my first steel hardtail to my Klein Mantra, I was so pleased at the tremendous change. While not as nimble as the HT, the Mantra added a level of comfort and control that I enjoyed - but had to become acustomed to. The move from Mantra to Fuel 95 is 10 times that.
This bike rides intuitively - it goes right where I aim it and soaks up what I throw at it. I had been concerned that the shorter travel rear suspension would be a factor -NOT. Add that to the Skareb Comp - which is my first air sprung fork - and this baby floats. It's amazing. Add to this the Fox Float RL with the new pro-pedal technology and the speed comes on quick. Combine this bob-free fork with a near bob-free suspension design and you get a bike that stays firm when you need it and softens the rough stuff when it's called on. I'm sure the 2.2" Bontrager ACX K tires help soak up some of the ride too. This is my first experience with these tires and they have done remarkably well in the frozen hardpack of a Maryland winter. I'm riding with tubes right now, but will switch to the UST option when the weather warms a bit - I just don't feel like swaping out right now!
It's not my intention to ramble or review each and every component. Just know that this bike delivers on the promise of all-day comfort and superb handling and speed. While Trek makes the higher end versions of the Fuel with carbon frames, know that the all aluminum set-up of the 95 is no hinderence at all. It climbs like you would hope - very well. The aforementioned pro-pedal Fox helps out a lot, plus you could lock out both front and rear shocks if you ever felt the need. Sounds silly, but someone may feel the need...
To me, this is as good as it gets - the best bike I've ever ridden and recommend it highly. I didn't mention the joy of riding disc brakes - especially in the winter. All I can say is that the reviews are dead on. Go disc and you'll never go back! Buy this bike, ride all day, piss off your wife, girlfriend or boss. It will be more than worth it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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