Submitted by
poy
a Cross Country Rider
from Fullerton Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Santiago Oaks. Orange CA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$999.00
Strengths:
Good climber if tuned right, price, drive train
Weaknesses:
Gets a lot of bob when not tuned right. sqeeky sound on rear shock when gate is open. Stock is a little heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6 Series, GT cross country bikes, Trek Fuel ex 8, Felt. Cannondale prophet set at xc mode.
Bike Setup:
Carbon handle bars, Thompson stem, Chris king head set. Avid Juicy 3 brakes, Crank Brothers Mallet pedals, Trek incite 6 computer. Rock Shocks Reba Fork
Bottom Line:
The rear shock has to be tuned almost as stiff as possible to get the most efficient climb. It took me a while to get the gate dialed that compliments the amount psi pumped in. The stock rock shox tora is... errr... ok... the reba is just lighter and more reactive. If you have more money you'd be able to set this bike with a better fork. BOTTOM LINE is invest time to tune this bike and when you get it you'll feel the 5 chillis on how effective this bike is.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Albans WV Date Reviewed: June 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Wildcat Ridge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1480.00
Purchased At:
John's Cyclery
Strengths:
Good componentry
Weaknesses:
Weighs 32.4Lbs, not a fan of the Sram X7 shifters
Bike Setup:
Swapped seats for a Specialized, put on Oury MC grips
Bottom Line:
Solid, reliable bike with good components, and for the price you won't find a better entry level fullsuspension
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$999.00
Purchased At:
rock n road cyclery
Strengths:
Solid frame, durable components, overall balance.
Weaknesses:
Color, seat, tires.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Stock except for tires and seat.
Bottom Line:
I'm not a serious mtb'r. I take it out on weekends to some fairly novice trails and try to enjoy the view. Overall, the bike has been great for doing just that. The suspension handles well, the balance feels great.
Definitely have to upgrade the seat as soon as possible. The stock seat is just too uncomfortable compared to just about any aftermarket seat at the LBS.
Also I upgraded the tires to WTB Velociraptors and noticed a huge, huge difference in traction and handling. It's almost a completely different bike. In comparison, the stock Bontrager Jones ACX are almost dangerous.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jaceman
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland,TN,USA Date Reviewed: January 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
benton falls...ocoee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Scott's Bike's
Strengths:
Beautiful bike!!! handles all I throw at it. brakes are strong, nice adj on susp, not too heavy, great for tearing up trails or hauling my 4yr old in her trailer on bike path
Weaknesses:
seat sucks, rear shock makes some minor noise, shifters take some getting used to (but they sure beat grip shift dont they?)
Similar Products Used:
trek y-1
Bike Setup:
changed seat, added computer and other basic "necessaries"
Bottom Line:
The folks at Scott's Bikes are the best!! I got this bike as a closeout, and for someone like me who loves to ride but has to justify spending a grand on a 1-2 times a month toy versus all the family needs (wife and two kids) this is just the trick! Not an el cheapo wal-mart bike, but not the top of the line either. Great all around bike with components that I will probably never find the limits of, at a price that will not break me. Sure there are some better, and maybe some cheaper, but all told this is a great mix of components geared to the weekend wannabes like me who may be too old,fat, or poor to justify a carbon fiber bike worth more than my car!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bill miller
a Cross Country Rider
from loveland , colorado , usa Date Reviewed: January 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
bobcat ridge
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
leescyclery
Strengths:
2006-2007 model year , good components , price msrp $1600 got it for $999 .
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
specialized stumpjumper , allez elite tri .
Bike Setup:
easton bar ( 2" wider than stock ), easton 110 mm stem , specilized BG seat , specialized revolution tire 2.3 ,
Bottom Line:
good smooth , hard pack trail bike . not so good with big rocks , drops and jumps . okay going uphill , not so good coming down ( brake jack ). take some getting use to . overall this bike is a bargain at $999 for an old h/t rider on a budget like me ( I like this bike's geometry ), if you are a new rider try other bike .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ride it Hard
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Cruces, N.M. Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Rim trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1299.00
Purchased At:
Outdoor Adventure
Strengths:
I had never used Sram before and I like it alot!! I have riden in thick mud and the shifters to it like a champ, pretty much never skips grears. The bike is good for a cheaper full suspension. The Tora is great!
Weaknesses:
The rear shock is sometimes hard to adjust to fit the terrian. I just changed the seat and wished I had done that sooner. The shifters hurt my thumb after a long(5hrs) HARD ride, but shorter rides it's fine.
Similar Products Used:
I also have a 2001 6700 WDS.
Bike Setup:
I put Mavic SL UST with a specialized 2.2 in the front and WBT 2.1 in the rear. WBT stealth seat w/ carbon, sram 990 cassette, Bontrager carbon handle bar.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line it's great for someone that wants full suspension and doesn't want to spend to much. If you just ride xc trails for fun this bike is for you, but if you plan to race you should look for a lighter bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BILL
a Downhiller
from folsom california united states Date Reviewed: November 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
backyard
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
it is nice
Weaknesses:
THE GOD DANG BIKE SUCKS BALLZ!!!
Bottom Line:
ITS NOT GOOD DONT GET IT
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Laura
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: November 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any trail in the woods!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Strengths:
Brakes, Rockshox Tora 318 suspension fork (with lock-out), good rear suspension (can adjust it to make it climb like a hard tail!), good components, great frame.
Weaknesses:
Stock pedals are a bit frustrating.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6000
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is an all around good solid full suspension bike. My previous mountain bike was a 1998 Trek 6000 and I had nothing but good experiences with it. It appears that the case will be the same with the Fuel EX 6. I would recommend it to any recreational cross country mt. biker who is looking for a reliable full suspension bike to smooth out the trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gerry
a Weekend Warrior
from montreal Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mosquito
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Very well balanced.Handles very well. The Rockshox Tora feels a lot better than it looks. Lots of adjustments on RS MC 3.1 rear shock.
Weaknesses:
Worst paintjob i've seen on a bike. Bottom of the frame has paint missing!! Rear shock makes squealing noise. Brake not as powerfull as I wished.
Similar Products Used:
Rockhopper pro, Devinci Guzzler.
Bike Setup:
Stock, changed pedals.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike because I saw it for sale (second hand but new) really cheap thinking I would give it to my girlfriend or sell it to a friend... But now that I've tested it I thing I might keep it and sell my heavier Devinci guzzler. The bike feels surprisingly good in tight technical trails. The only upgrade I might make is the brakes. I wasnt sure about the quality of Bontrager components... but nothing to complain about so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel Devich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington, DE Date Reviewed: September 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Something with a nice view
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Bikeline
Strengths:
Components are nice. Great gripping tires. Nice rockshox tora forks.
Weaknesses:
Red color (not a big fan of the red). Rear shock is noisy.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Mantra comp (my old bike), Gary fisher hifi (demo).
Bike Setup:
Stock 2007
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike. This was my choice after riding a Klein for 10 years. Im not a big fan of the red color, but who cares about that anyway. The bike is a great fit for me im 6'1" and 200 lbs, so the air shocks are nice. Im going to change the front shock from 100 mm to 130mm setting. Also im going to change the rear shock to the Fox RP23, i want the adjustability of the fox. I ride hard and the bike takes it with no problem, but keep in mind this is a TRAIL bike not a freeride or downhill. This bike is a good all around trail bike it climbs, corners, and descends well. If you are looking for a nice trail bike that you can have a great time on and still have some cash left in your pocket the fuel ex6 might be for you, and with the 2008's out now you could get one for a closeout price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Strengths:
Umm... Just about everything... I love the sram shifters, they shift with such power. I had shimano on my last bike, and they dont even compare. Both the front and rear Rock Shox work extremly well, the motion control works just as well as a lockout. The crank is light, along with jsut about all the other components.
Weaknesses:
Pedals and saddle, but who doesnt customize them anyway
Similar Products Used:
just about anything... you name it, I rode it
Bike Setup:
didnt really need anything
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. It has handled anything and everyhitng i threw at it. It looks good. Light. Durable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bruce
a
from hometown Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
french creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
pedal power
Strengths:
bike is rather light for a full suspension (bc it is a XC). the brakes have not given me to many problems, except once or twice in heavy rain. i like the works of the sram. i was a shimano boy, but not anymore. crank, shocks, and frame are all solid.
Weaknesses:
i have had problems with nothing so far, although i put egg beaters and a new seat on it right away
Bike Setup:
egg beaters, new saddle (a must), and new tires
Bottom Line:
this bike is just a solid all around bike. no components are top of the line, but far from bottom of the line. people complain about accidental shifts... just adjust the shifters then. i would rate this bike a step or two above an entry level FS. i ride very hard, harder than anyone i have ever riden with(right up there with waber)and this bike has taken anyhitng i have ever thrown at it! *** if you are looking into buying this bike shop around. Trek ran out of the EX5, so they are selling the 6 at the price of the 5. MSRP of the 5- $1050, MSRP of the 6- 1540... you do the math
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Dorset Date Reviewed: August 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Strengths:
good lightweight frame for the price and easy use lockout front forks. The brakes work well in all conditions too.
Weaknesses:
The stock pedals were irritating with on side designed to attach to clip-on shoes and the rear shock wasn't amazing. The saddle was also very uncomfortable.
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
standard 2007 setup
Bottom Line:
The performance of the bike is good where it counts and just a few minor adjustments can make all the difference. this bike would be suited to the casual rider who puts alot of miles on the trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
guy
a Weekend Warrior
from fm, tx, us Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Johnson Branch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Richardson Bike Mart
Strengths:
Plush Ride, great cost for entry level full suspension and disc brakes, SRAM shifters (after you get used to them - won't go back to Shimano)
Weaknesses:
Heavy (but I'm riding to get the exercise anyway), seat needed replacement immediately
Similar Products Used:
stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
Best buy in many a year - loving the trails again Great bike for the weekend warrier - skip it if you have to have the lightest, best climbing bike around
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Mankato, MN, USA Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Scheels
Strengths:
Great stiff suspension, great for racing, strong frame, great brakes
Weaknesses:
HEAVY! Shifters are too far outside, I accidentally shift when I go off jumps.
Similar Products Used:
G.F. HIFI
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great Bike for the price! Fast, sturdy, strong! Shifts nicely, and brakes great, just HEAVY and shifters are in the way! OVERALL...if you race or want a fast ride...jump on board!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phoenixg
a Cross Country Rider
from Europe Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007
This is a great bike for the price, definite room for upgrades. can easily take off 5-8 lbs. good fs setup for anyone just getting into biking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dick Kasnick
a Cross Country Rider
from Winter Haven, Fl Date Reviewed: March 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Long Hunter, Nashville TN
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Jolly Cycle, Nashville TN
Strengths:
Strong, good feel in technical trails
Weaknesses:
hate the SRAM shifters. They either are hard to get to or if adjusted inward, the thumb causes upshifts when you dont want it, such as going up a hill! Would never buy another bike with SRAM shifters. Ever...
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6000
Bike Setup:
Standard 2007 Model
Bottom Line:
Would not buy it again just because of the shifters. Do not recommend this bike with SRAM shifters. TREK is basically a frame builder, so they should actually ride their bikes before they put them on the market. They have all of these models with different options just so they can have step ups in the price line, but sometimes less is more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Roembach
a Cross Country Rider
from Fargo ND Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
fairly light, good components, solid bike, sram x7 rocks
Weaknesses:
wheels and tires add weight, stock pedals suck, tora 318 is kinda heavy
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher hard-tails
Bike Setup:
stock with toe clips
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike for the price, definite room for upgrades. can easily take off 5-8 lbs. good fs setup for anyone just getting into biking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from North Texas Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1499.00
Purchased At:
Bicycles Plus
Strengths:
Frame is awesome. Design. Rear shock was better then I expected. SRAM shifters, crankset, Avid brake levers, goes and rolls fast. Lockout on the fork is great. Brakes.
Weaknesses:
Saddle is hard, but not too hard. Bontrager tires. Sometimes there is a creaking noise possible by stanchions.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
All stock, except tires are replaced with Maxxis CrossMarks Xception series.
Bottom Line:
This is a great all around bike. Its very fast on paved trails and sturdy,responsive,swift off road. I've put 75 miles in 4 days and it still feels brand new. Also there is no pedal-bob, which is nice. I find that the rear brake works better then the front for some reason, but they have great stopping power nonetheless. Good bike for the money, 5 chilis:D
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate Polzien
a Cross Country Rider
from Duluth, Minnesota Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Spitit Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Cross Country Sports - Calumet, Michigan
Strengths:
solid overall feel, good components for an entry level full suspension, compression dampening on front and rear shock: RockShox Tora 318 front and MC3.1 Rear
Weaknesses:
very heavy, SRAM triggers take a while to get used to, Hayes MXZ-1 mech. disc brakes are difficult to adjust, did I mention it's heavy
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8500 hardtail
Bike Setup:
stock except for saddle and grips
Bottom Line:
Overall it's a good full suspension bike for under $1500. Good components, solid feel, plenty of travel for most XC trails and even some technical downhill. You will notice the weight in the climbs though and the stock brakes aren't that great (adjustment dial is on the inside of caliper....very hard to adjust without taking wheels off) Good bike if you're just getting into mtb and want full suspension but is heavy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pong
a Weekend Warrior
from Chattanooga, TN Date Reviewed: June 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
broker T. Washington, TN
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Scott's Bike, Cleveland, TN
Strengths:
Noise at front Disc when you use it, hope noise will be gone after more ride or break-in period. Either Mechnical or Hydrolic Disc for the higher model both have the same stop power.
Weaknesses:
Heavy wt. at 32 lbs, Hard for me to get use to Sram Gear, need thumb in 2 locations. Rear Shock is kind of stiff for me. Seat is hard, may need gel kind for softer ride.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Attitude V but no rear shock, same light wt. Zr 9000 Frame
Bike Setup:
OEM
Bottom Line:
Good quality made. Good buy for the money.Good for person starting Mtn. riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew C
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX USA Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn
Strengths:
Great frame, Reliability, decent components for the price.
Weaknesses:
Wheels are kind of heavy. Stock Pedals are crap.
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh, K2
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Koobi PRS saddle, Titec XC Pro Seatpost, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires (Red Sidewall matches the red frame, Wellgo WAM 717 Pedals, All controls on the right side.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great bang for the buck. At $1400 you get the exact same frame as all of the fuel ex's. There is room left to upgrade and I plan on it. I would recommend this bike to someone who is passionate about riding but ready or willing to spend $2500 just yet. If you want a squishy full suspension feel, then this bike isnt for you. If you want a firm race like feel then hop on.
$ 1540.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
