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Submitted by
slntwlf
a Cross Country Rider
from timferrell@hotmail.com
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tinton Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Rushmore Mountain Sp | | Strengths: | The whole bike except for the tires and the grips.
| | Weaknesses: | Tires and grips. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full suspension bike. Rode an Orbea Lanza w/ full XT setup and Manitou super six 100mm fork before. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 stock setup except for Oury lock on grips and Time Atac Alium pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! With Time Atac Alium pedals my bike weighs in at 28.5 lbs (18.5 virtual height frame 17.5 actual). Great components and suspension. Super smooth and very plush. Climbs better than my hardtail. The only complaints I have for the stock bike are the grips and the tires. The original grips were small and hard as a rock and the tires aren't aggressive enough for some of the trails I ride. Both are just personal preference and easily remedied. Put on around 500 miles, most 25 to 50 mile rides, with no problems. Great buy!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cjaycat521
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | North Bank | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Agee's Bicycles | | Strengths: | 2009 Model: The Suspension works really well together. Pro Pedal makes climbs very easy and lockout on the rear does not seem like it is necessary. The bike is very agile and the Juicy 5's stop very well. | | Weaknesses: | I wish the tires came stock as tubeless. The drivetrain is very smooth but takes a lot of adjustment to keep it shifting through all of the gears. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike for the money. It is very durable and the suspension is will take whatever you throw at it. I would suggest it for anyone that wants to get into the full suspension range. It is at the point where you will have a bike that will last with out spending 4 grand. The bottom line put tubeless on it an possibly switch up the tires if you are not riding on bone dry trails. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gmstrek8
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Ganaraska | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Northern Cycle | | Strengths: | The bike is light,handles well | | Weaknesses: | I haven't noticed any. I have done 3 races and the bike handled very well in all of them. Just wish they came in a size between the 15.5 and the 17.5 | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy with my Trek. But I also have nothing to compare it to as this was my first year riding. The more I ride the more comfortable I feel on the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tomcat
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Strengths: | Suspension good choice of fork and rear shock. I had a concern that the bike has an RP2 rear shock as a stock component. I thought I may need the RP23 so I could lock it out on climbs. With the pedal-pro setting pedal-bob is a non issue. I like the frame it continues to work well even when braking. I've not had any chain slap. | | Weaknesses: | The stock tires sold on the bike "Bontrager Jones XR" do not have enough tread. When climbing steep loose trails I felt like the bike and myself had more in our engines but the tire tread gives out. The shifters "Shimano Deore LX, 9 speed" crowd my hands. I adjusted the shifters and brake levers about an inch in from the grips. This remount of the shifters enables me to fully grip the bars with out my thumbs rubbing against the shift levers. I'm an average sized man and have average size hands. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Specialized FSR Comp | | Bike Setup: | My bike looks and is setup exactly like the bike in the following link.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/archive/fuelex8 | | Bottom Line: | The Trek EX 8 is a great ride. It has performed well when climbing and descending. I like buying a bike from Trek and a local dealer because I know I'm getting a quality bike that the vendor and dealer will stand behind. When looking at other bikes I compared it to lesser known brands. I found that Trek and other large bike companies can give more bike for the money and the manufacturing is second to none. The Trek engineers really know what they were doing when they designed the EX 8. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FuelRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Clear Creek, Oxford MS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Store Columbus | | Strengths: | Handling, climbing, braking, descending, Fox fork, Fox shock. Good component set for the money. | | Weaknesses: | aka Personal preferences:
Tires: replaced with Kenda Nevegals
Saddle: replaced with WTB saddle
Grips: replaced with Ergon grips
Headset, some low level Cane Creek version, it will get replaced. | | Bike Setup: | Immediately replaced the tires, saddle, and grips, just a personal preference. Plan to press in a Chris King headset as soon as the entry level Cane Creek headset shows any sign of wear. | | Bottom Line: | I have put 400 miles on this bike in 3 months, so far no problems. This is a great bike, making me appear to be a much better rider than I am. The Fuel Ex8 simply makes everything easier. Uphill, downhill, technical sections, stunts, this bike just eats up the trails. I am riding sections of trails and stunts that I would never have attempted on my old hardtail. For some reason I am also able to ride twice the distance. The only regret I have is that I didn't buy this bike sooner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Omicron
a Cross Country Rider
from Stevens Point, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Nine Mile | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Store of Wausau | | Strengths: | The lime green frame is gorgeous! The full floater rear suspension really makes the bike feel like it has more travel than it does - the suspension really soaks up the bumps. Braking is strong, shifting is smooth and very solid. Seat is suprisingly comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Not much on this bike to be honest. Not sure if I'm a fan of the grips but that is just nitpicky. | | Similar Products Used: | 2005 Trek Fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I had been riding a Fuel 80 and broke the frame for the second time. Trek gave me credit on the bike which is how I got the price I did.
The bike is a piece of artwork - it is beautiful. It is unbelievably solid. The way it shifts is so satisfyingly solid. Once you get the shocks set to your weight and preferences the bike just rides like a Cadillac over rocks roots and bumps.
I'm not a discerning enough rider to upgrade the heck out of it. I ride about 600 miles a year and this bike is honestly probably more than I deserve but it is just a simple joy to ride. My only complaint is that I picked up the bike so late in the season - only a few more weeks of riding left before I have to hang it up for the winter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Cairns
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Cross Country | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Fox suspension. Pro-pedal works great, only get a tiny bit of bob. Light weight bike for what it has on it. Good bike for climbing and decending. Avid brakes are good so far, no major noise from them yet. | | Weaknesses: | Tyres. Standard grips. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of Crank Brothers Acid's and Ergon grips. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, good value for money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Brazil
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Nobel Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2199.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Super. Store | | Strengths: | The Bike is grate. The Fox shocks are exceptional and when the pro-pedal is on looks like I’m using a hard tail. And the shock is grate under small and big bumps. The ABP system is grate under strong baking. The geometric of the frame is gate. And it is a light bike for the price. The bike is Tubeless ready. The Avid Juicy is OK not date grate. | | Weaknesses: | The tires are terrible there very light but not doesn’t stick’s to any terrain. Change it to the Kenda Nevegal you will fill the difference on technical uphill’s and downhill’s. The grips are hard like rock change it. The saddle is hard too but you get use to it. The chain hits the back triangle under big bumps. The Avid Juicy works well but makes a lot of noise. | | Bike Setup: | The bike is motley stock the only change was the Kenda Nevegal. | | Bottom Line: | The Bike is grate. The Fox shocks are exceptional. The Avid Juicy is OK It make some noise once in a while. You will need to change the tires suggest Kenda Nevegal. Change the grips and saddle. If you change the items listed you will have a grate Bike. I love my Fuel EX 8. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward
a Weekend Warrior
from Paramaribo, Suriname
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Berg en Dal | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycleworld miami | | Strengths: | Beautiful color, rootbeer for 2009. magnesium evo-link, ABP really works. fox shocks truly perform as should | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | very nice bike for the price. little improvements for 2009, how else can you improve on a bike that is near perfect. magnesium link uses to be for the higher end models only. white paint scratches easily though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jinbalham
a Cross Country Rider
from aseret Israel
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any xc, some singles | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | tenafly nj | | Strengths: | great bike. it's the 2009 model. runs well on any terrain.
suspension works very good. | | Weaknesses: | bontrager tires, bontrager seat. | | Similar Products Used: | my last bike was KHS604. this one is much much better. | | Bike Setup: | setup plus ergon grips and the bontrager tires converted
to tubeless. | | Bottom Line: | the 2009 design is very good looking. any one sets eyes on it. once trimed - the gear works just fine. suspension is good, though bob is still on. avid five works ok though there is the squiking noise [not all the time].seat and tires should be considered for replacement | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cjxing
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Ozark, Missouri
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Four Winns | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Oz Cycles | | Strengths: | Super smooth rear suspension, almost fluid. Great design. Fast. Light frame design. This is the best Full suspension frame I've ridden. Super sexy frame design. Near perfect Geometry. Less brake skid due to ABP pivot. No flex. | | Weaknesses: | pedal bob when propedal turned off. No pedal bob when propedal on, so I leave it that way. Suspension is still super plush with propedal on. Previous Fuel EX's had no pedal bob without propedal. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive. Giant NRS. Fisher HI FI. | | Bike Setup: | Custom build. I only kept the frame, headset, and xt shadow rear der. FUll XT drivetrain and shifters except xtr front der(the best shifting). Took off new Fox fork and put on Rock Shox Revalation with poplock. Ritchey WCS stem, Easton carbon flatbar. Yeti grips. Hayes NINE hydro disk brakes. Eggbeater SS pedals. Bontrager Race light seatpost with Selle Italia Flite Gel FLow Saddle. Handbuilt WHeels Mavic, DT, XT. IRC Mythos Tires | | Bottom Line: | I am a profession bike mechanic and have ridden tons of bikes. I mean it when I say that this is the BEST Full Suspsension bike I have ridden!!!!! Super PLUSH and fast. Climbs great. Must use propedal to eliminate pedal bob. Not a huge deal, suspension super plush still with it on. I think the custom tuning of the fox rear shock really helped this frame out. I custom built this bike because I work on and ride alot of stuff and have settled on the best. XT Shadow rear der is best I've used. Setup is finiky however, but once dialed shifts fast and butter smooth, much better than Srams. XTR front Der is best shifting out there. Hayes 9 hydro disk brakes arent the lightest but have mad stopping power and are easy to maintenence. I switched forks to Rock Shox Revelation because I had a Rocks Shox Reba on my last 4" travel bike and loved it to death. Good move, the Revelation is bad to the bone too! Lots of settings(+ and - air, rebound, motion control) make setup complecated but once dialed this fork is a dream and highly customable. Better than Fox forks hands down. Less pedal bob. Fox however wins the rear shox award. Yeti Grips are my fav and have used them for 10 years. IRC Mythos are also my fav and have used them for 10 years also. XTR cable housing and cables are the best and last up to 2 years or more!!! I'm coming off of 4" travel, and have ridden bikes with 6. I must say 5 is the best. Still raceable with poplock and propedal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ursuthebestdriver
a Cross Country Rider
from constanta, romania
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | swansea, invermore, canada | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1890.00 | | Purchased At: | St kits on whells | | Strengths: | very good bike | | Weaknesses: | steam to long, tires missing lateral grips, paint not so good | | Bike Setup: | factory default, 2008 model | | Bottom Line: | It is the best full suspension bike that i have ever used. I did all kind of trails, never let me down.
If you buy one change tires, steam, and depends on the kind of riding (downhill without big jumps) maybe change wheels. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Whason
a Cross Country Rider
from Milpitas, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Calmar Cycles | | Strengths: | Really solid bike with ability to tackle most trails, excellent climbing and very good value. | | Weaknesses: | Didn't like stock tires, got a chunder pro for the front which I like better. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 hardtail was my last bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | A good bargain price for a bike that pretty much can do everything that most of us riders do. This is my first full suspension bike, and I am loving it. There is no comparing this bike to my old hardtail, its just techonologically so much more advanced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IAMchRispArtiDa
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Turnbull Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax Bicycles HB | | Strengths: | Light product (as opposed to what others are saying), it climbs very well. The FOX travel all around (Fox Float 130 RL & Fox Float RP2) is very responsive once dialed in. The components aren't the best (and definitely not the worst), they haven't given me any problems whatsoever. The ABP (Active Braking Pivot) really makes a difference in braking when flying down a hill, really great technology I've seen imitated in the Specialized Enduro SL. I love the color (Satin Khaki Green/White ), it's a very unique bike and people love it. The wheelset that came with it (Bontrager Race) is decent, I will use them until they fall off. If they do, the warranties all around are amazing. | | Weaknesses: | Stock pedals, stock grips (worthless with a sweaty palm) and tires (Bontrager Jones XR; not enough sidewall grip). I haven't had any complaints so far on the components, no squeaking other than the stock pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | 2008 TREK Remedy 8, 2008 Specialized Enduro SL Expert, 2007 TREK Fuel EX 8, 2007 Specialized FSR XC. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with WELLGO downhill pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, especially for the price (I paid less because of a family discount to a very talented Service Manager), but even the prices I'm seeing other people pay would be worth it. I almost bought a GIANT Trance X2 (for over $100 more), but my little brother swayed me away from that. If you are just getting into mountain biking, and don't want to buy a bottom of the line bike, this is the one to get. The frame is very upgradeable, but the components it comes with will make you happy as long as you take care of them.
This bike is very easily controlled, and feels good underneath you on even some of the most daunting trails. I feel like it's saved my life at least 3 times so far.
I'd recommend this bike to anyone that wants a good solid start into mountain biking. If money isn't so much of an option, check out the TREK Remedy.
*note* I just checked TREK's website, and they've got all the 2009 models up now, can't wait to test some of them out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jazid
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent, UK
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Will handle most terain - the handling is very very good. Avid fives are great stoppers. Downhill, it is a solid flier and will net out the negatives of the uphill.
Will make you push yourself going quicker into different types of terrain. Will reinvigourate your riding. | | Weaknesses: | Weight - at stock its about 28.5lb It is heavier than I expected and therefore slower uphill.
Still some pedal bob, but then I'm still exploring the fork/rear sus tuning.
The stock tyres Joneses XR are lethal. Change them ASAP.
Avid Fives are a pain to setup if your new to discs. I'm currently too inexperienced to reduce all disc rub (but hands on time should improve this)
The over confidence this bike inspires might just kill you if you over egg it.
Long cables - both brakes and gear cables rub on the frame and forks to leave deep marks - this could be avoided by buying a small clear protective patch to put over the frame at these contact points.
Components are average, but are not bad enough to make an upgrade noticeable.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6700. Commencal 4.1 | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Trek Fuel EX 8 (ex demo) 18.5. Stock apart from Conti Edge tyres. | | Bottom Line: | An amazing ride that will take you in new directions(excuse the pun). I am a intermediate hardtail XC rider and am loving this bike for what it can do.
It might not suit everyone, but I recommend you give it a test ride and put it in the running. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
petro
a Cross Country Rider
from Foothill Ranch CA.
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tijeras Creek Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1980.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheels One Plane | | Strengths: | The new Evo Link Suspension Frame with the Fox shocks and their 5 inches of clearance are great and give me lots of confidence in all riding conditions. The ease with which the bike moves makes me feel like I can ride for a much longer period of time. I also Love the 2 way Shimano shifters and the lockout option. | | Weaknesses: | Handles are to hard, tires and seat are both average at best and the Juicy 5's are a bit squeaky. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Giant Trance X1. I was a long time Specialized man and took a long look at these two quality bikes before making my decision. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for changing out the handles, seat and tires. Also upgraded to Shimano XT front shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a Bike that would make make my mountain biking experience more enjoyable (and safer) and can say without question that that I have found it with this bike. The ride is as plush or as hard as you want to make it and I feel absolutely no pedal bob. I can honestly say that this bike has taken my interest in Mountain Biking to a whole new level. As a side note one of my friends developed an interest in the sport and asked my opinion on which bike to get, I told him that he should ride as many demos as possible and to do his own due diligence and then choose which bike feels the best to him. After about a month of test rides and research on quite a wide variety of bikes he too choose the Fuel ex8.
The bottom line in my opinion is that if you are looking for an all around all purpose mountain bike at this price range you can probably find one that feels equally satisfying but you would be hard pressed to find one better! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jazn
a Weekend Warrior
from Fulton, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great suspension, handles great, climbs well | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires, Juicy 5's are a little noisey | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 1, Gary Fisher Sugar Race, Haro XCS, Tomac 98 Special | | Bike Setup: | Replaced stem and seatpost with Thomson, flat Bontrager bars, Kenda Nevegal tires, WTB Speed V seat, Time ATAC pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best all around trail bike I have ridden. Plenty of suspension for the ruff stuff, handles like a dream and launches over obstacles. The only complaint I have is the brakes are noisey and a little tempermental. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Human Powered Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Not-so-LBS | | Strengths: | Plush, stable, good climber, all around great bike. Good component mix, very easy bike to ride hard. Satin Khahki Green looks sweet. | | Weaknesses: | As others have noted, Propedal has a lot of pedal bob. I wish there was more of a distinct difference between the Propedal being on and off. I usually just leave it off since climbing with it on feels no different. Stock grips are hard as rock. Not totally sure about tires yet, but they do spin very easily over roots and wet rocks. Time will tell. Bars are a touch wide for tight singletrack. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp (HT), Trek 4900 (HT) | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, may switch tires. | | Bottom Line: | It's a fantastic bike! Relatively light, fast, strong, stable, Fox front and rear...
The only complaints are little ones really, and they are things that can be changed easily (tires, grips, seat). I definitely recommend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
crash master of nc
a Weekend Warrior
from Apex, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any with climbs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycling Spoken Here | | Strengths: | Suspension function weight | | Weaknesses: | Occasional ghost shift should be able to adjust out | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stock except saddle
Stock accept saddle
| | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike to get back into mountain biking after getting hit by car riding on the road. It's been a couple of years sense I serious trail riding, stopped because the Enduro just wasn't doing it with my back. First ride out on the trails that I rode all the time this bike did everything like a dream the climbs the down hills and the turns. The real nice thing about it with the butter smooth of the suspension on this thing no back pains. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nozer69
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverthorne, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Peaks Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Sports Outl | | Strengths: | Nice "freeride" bike that can be used on XC trails. Very plush suspension. Relatively light. Disc brakes take some getting used to (had only V-brakes prior to this bike)...very strong. ABP nice. | | Weaknesses: | Stock grips are cheap...replaced w/ Yeti grips. Tires are poor....replaced front w/ Maxxis "High Rollers" 26x2.35; will keep the back for now. Right brake & shifter cables do rub frame. Chain slap!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Specialized Epic Comp | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock 16.5" frame (17.5" virtual) w/ Fox 32RL and RP2. Avid Juicy 5's, LX/XT shadow F/R derauillers, SH-520 pedals, LX cranks, and Bontrager everywhere else (wheels, hubs, stem, bars, seatpost, and seat). Did drop stem to only have one spacer between headset & stem.....initial set up felt too high. Yeti grips. Maxxis "High Roller" front tire...kept back tire for now. | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike for the money....not perfect but overall very satisfied with it. Can be used as XC, Freeride, and easy DH runs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddiex619
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA.
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | South Town | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2199.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek EastLake | | Strengths: | Plush,very responsive good all around ride and feel. | | Weaknesses: | Chain Slap | | Similar Products Used: | Giant | | Bike Setup: | LX-XT Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, long time cross-country rider. Absolutely loving this product so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
terkonekto
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Bear - Bear Brook SP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Nault's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good component mix (LX and XT), Fox fork and shock, solid frame. | | Weaknesses: | LX cranks and headset (first things I changed) | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain ETSX and Element | | Bike Setup: | All Stock(2008 version)except Chris King headset, Race Face Evolve XC cranks, Easton Monkeylite carbon bars, and WTB saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. Feels very solid coming down and bombing over roots and rocks. Decent climber and weight of bike is pretty much a non issue. Did not think I would like stock tires but I am very happy with the way they grip the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jparman
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshkosh
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | just happy to ride | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Oshkosh Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good suspension, braking. Weight is well within reason. I don't think you could ask for more at this price point. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes required a nearly immediate bleed, however have been consistent since.
Not so much a weakness as a request - I would have liked to have a Pro-pedal off, Pro-pedal on, and full lock out on the rear suspension. Although for the travel and size - the bike climbs well, I would love for it to be a little more responsive while climbing out of the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS1 which this bike replaced
Homegrown hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock - except for xt cranks and tubeless conversion. | | Bottom Line: | Frame, Fork & Suspension...
...handle well. I have not ridden the RP3 however having tuned the RP2 to my riding style/area per the instructions found on treks website, I cannot see needing any more. Rear suspension feels buttery smooth over small bumps and big - bottomless feel. I live/ride in Wisconsin and have ridden in the foothills outside of Denver and in/around Fruita and in both area's I found little need to disengage the pro-pedal.
The Float 32 is unbelievable. Though I've had remote lockout and rarely used it - and in this case the lock-out was readily accessible on the fork - it did not see much use. I consulted the Fox website on tuning the front suspension and once the pressure and rebound damping were set - I did not feel any need to mess with them further.
Cockpit and controls...
Saddle is comfortable, and the seatpost is that of my favorite type of adjustment style (two bolt) - I am not particularly fond of the side bolts often seen on the higher end bikes.
The 4 bolt face plate stem and handlebars seams reasonable for the price point. For my 15.5 inch frame the bars did require a 3/8 inch trim on each side.
The shifters are quick and precise. I really like the two way offering that shimano has. Having adjusted the reach on the brakes all the way out and moving the shifters approx. 1/2 inch away from the grips - I have an unobstructed grip on the bars with the shifting controls easily within reach and the ability to brake on high speed descents with 1 finger.
I really like the functionality of the avid juicy 5's and found that they were easy to adjust to within my comfort range. The braking performance for me, 5'6" and 155 pounds is reasonable, however it is noteworthy that the brakes did require a bleed shortly after purchase. Which required $30 and an hour of my time.
The wheels roll well and have stayed true out of the box, and the tires, which were immediately changed to tubeless using trek's kit and bontrager super juice have not required a fill over the last two months, they roll fast over hardpack and corner well in the local terrain. I had no traction problems while out in Colorado, even on some of the higher speed descents - corners, etc. I've read that some do not like the tires and have immediately swapped them for new rubber - I highly recommend trying the tubeless conversion kit which is likely far cheaper. I did not ride them with tubes - but have had 0 issues with them as they are now.
I have to give trek kudos on the suspension set up tips online - I always felt that my NRS1, while a great bike (and fast), was a challenge to set up.
All in all - solid bike. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brodiegrrl
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical XC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Full Review here:
http://www.muddbunnies.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88:sharon-bader-review-the-new-trek-fuel-ex8&catid=40:product-reviews&Itemid=64
This is the first year with their new design and while you never want to BUY new technology in the first year it is always nice to test it out. This bike is solid. With Trek's great warranty and customer service if they have issues in the first year, they will figure it out in subsequent designs so it should not affect your decision if you are looking for a new cross country bike this year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DPTrek
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks,CA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Extremely light, shifts like a champion, handling | | Weaknesses: | Cha |
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$ 2310.00
