Submitted by
Titus Schroder
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Tiger Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Strengths:
The Bike is a climbing machine, it just pops right over rocks and roots with no problem. I was also surprised that you could stand and climb without the back tire spinning out. The bike performed great when the hills pointed down. I'm going over wet roots, rocks and and logs like there not even there. If I was on my old hardtail it would feel like I was going at warped speed and fearing for my life but the Trek Fuel 9.5 is a blast. At first the Fox Float was pretty mushy but I pumped it up to 150 lbs which is a little stiff but coming from a hard tail this feels good and works really good on the climbs. I wish there was 3 different setting on the Fox Float rear shock instead of just 2. My old bike had XTR V Brakes so the new disc brakes are like going from a Model T to a Hummer.
Weaknesses:
I'm getting a bunch of squeaking in the rear suspension I put a few drops of tri flow on all the linkages but still get the squeaks. I think I have narrowed it down to the Carbon Fiber seat post. It's hard to not get chips and scratches on the carbon frame. Have had a few issues getting the front deraileuer dialed in.
Similar Products Used:
First full suspension bike I have owned. My old bike was a Merlin Titanium with full XTR, Chris King Headset & Hubs, V Brakes top of the line 10 years ago but now it's a relic.
The Trek Fuel 9.5EX is a great bike and a lot of fun to ride. You can really push your skills to the limit and still feel like your in control. I need to get rid of that squeaking sound.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jetdog
a Weekend Warrior
from Boyne City,MI Date Reviewed: December 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
North Country Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4400.00
Purchased At:
NCCS
Strengths:
Components; light overall; can tune the suspension for custom ride; climbs well
Weaknesses:
Creaky Frame/pivot points -need constant attention. Grips are light but very uncomfortable. Tread is not aggressive enough. Swapped out stock seat
Once you get the suspension tuned this bike is a great ride. The stock tires were converted to tubeless but the tread is not good unless riding hardpack. The suspension pivot points started "creaking" after a short time of use and it was difficult to find the problem. NCCS shop took care of the problem. Components are the best I've used -SRAM shift is fast & reliable. Overall bike is good/best for long rides in varying terrain. I was primarily riding my road bike but now its a 50/50 split because of this bike I'm enjoying the trails again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jughead
a Weekend Warrior
from COLORADO Date Reviewed: November 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
APEX, FRONT RANGE
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At:
Lee's Cyclery Fort C
Strengths:
Weight, ride, components, wheel set
Weaknesses:
Grips, Tires
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale (owned), Rocky Mountain Element (owned) Giant (Ridden)
Bike Setup:
18.5", XTR/X-O Drive, Bontrager Carbon all over (Stock from Dealer)
Bottom Line:
This is a very light cross country ride with pretty good manners on the downhill and a great ride uphill. I have a standard 5 mile loop I do, and with this new bike, the time on the loop is down about 25%, due to quicker climbs. The Talas shock and the RP23 on the rear combine to make it feel like a hard tail, and with the carbon frame, the weight is very light. The down hill is nice as well, especially the 130 mm travel on the front. After several rides, however, I will be keeping the downhill rig. It is not a big hit bike, but it is not sold as one either. The frame is very rigid, with minimal flex, and the pedal bob is minimal with the propedal off and zero with it on.
The Sram shifters take a little getting used to (I have been riding Shimano for about 20 years, yes I am that friggin' old) , but are infinitely adjustable, and after a few rides I got the hang of it. The components are close to top of the line, and after a few rides and a couple of falls, I have confidence that I will get good service from them. All the other parts look good (if you like the carbon look), but a little fancy if you are looking for a basic ride. A few guys have made fun of it at the trail head, the highest form of flattery in my mind.
Two things bug me about the bike. The grip feel like styrofoam and will be replaced VERY soon, and the tires are too narrow and without much in the way of tread. They will also be going on the scrap heap. These are small points , but for a top line bike I would have expected better.
I bought this bike as a replacement for a Rocky Mountain element, and I was in the unique position of not having to worry too much about price. Combine that with a great deal at the end of the year, and I am riding more bike than I need, but one of the nicest bikes I have ever even seen.
If you can afford one, go for it. I don't regret the outlay one bit. Shop around as Trek has changed the '09 a bit and there are deals to be had on the '08. As the ad says, ".... you're worth it." At full retail, I would give it four chilis for value but at the price I paid, definitely top value.
Hope this is useful, keep on ridin'.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lcirino
a Cross Country Rider
from Belo Horizonte MG Brasil Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Mingu
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
Pedal Verde
Strengths:
Components, carbon frame, ABP
Weaknesses:
Some brake issues in the first month
Similar Products Used:
Epic 2006
Bike Setup:
WTB Rocket V seat and tubeless.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, as fast as the Epic but much more confortable. The Talas is amazing. Took me some time to get the front brake working fine (rubbing was constant) but now it's really nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
moshe
a Weekend Warrior
from Israel Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Latroon Bikes
Strengths:
the most comfortable! lightest! and fastest! bike i ever had
Weaknesses:
maybe the fact that the name is still related to older models
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Rush 3000
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel EX 9.0 full carbon and full XT Tubeless
Bottom Line:
Best Bikes for 2008
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from California Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
It's light and looks good.
Weaknesses:
Flexy rear end Weak paintjob. Picks up scratches so easily Frame cracked from one foot drop.
Similar Products Used:
Titus, Giant XTC
Bike Setup:
Mainly XTR, DT Swiss, Sram
Bottom Line:
This bike is only for smooth terrain. Don't buy if you intend to do anything other than light cross country. I cracked the frame at the usual spot on the seat tube. I've heard of this numerous times with these frames.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Pedro
a Racer
from Crested Butte, CO Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lots of climbing, fast downhill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Employee Purchase
Strengths:
Weight, Looks, performance
It's a trek. They have been doing carbon for a long time and have it figured out.
Weaknesses:
?????
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Moots.
Bike Setup:
XTR everything.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. It climbs every bit as good as my other bike and has 2X the travel. Sure it bobs a bit, but every suspension bike does. If you want less bob you can choose what ever level of pro pedal you want. I use 2 on smoother road climbs. Everywhere else I use full plush.
I can climb EVERY LUNG BUSTING GRANNY GRANNY CLIMB that I could EVER climb on a hard tail with this bike, and I have NO arm fatigue at the bottom of big downhills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JD Baldwin
a Cross Country Rider
from Kalamazoo, MI, USA Date Reviewed: August 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Potowatomi, Pinckney, MI
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At:
Breakaway Bicycles, Kalamazoo
Strengths:
Almost unbelievably light, yet rugged as anything out there. The shifting is the smoothest I've ever seen on ANY bike, ever. Some harder-core guys will tease you over the suspension lockout lever, but I have found it very useful for technical climbing and the flats. The suspension, even when not locked out, is pretty stable and I haven't yet detected "pedal bob" to any significant degree.
Weaknesses:
I would probably like to have another inch or so of travel on the rear. I disagree with those who have written that they'd like more up front, but then I like it bumpy. I'm a 240-lb. rider and I keep my suspension fairly stiff.
Similar Products Used:
Had a Trek Y-11 until last year.
Bike Setup:
Stock, have added only a Polar 720i cyclocomputer
Bottom Line:
Great bike for a big guy who doesn't mind a little bumpiness in the ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Hall
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, TN Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tansi
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Scott's Bike Shope
Strengths:
Carbon
Weaknesses:
Weak rear end design, I am VERY disappointed! Terrible design, with my weight at 270lbs this rear looses climbing ability due to sideways movement.
Similar Products Used:
Did not try others, bad mistake... Took the word that it was a good FS bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Big disapointment! Try others before you buy. I have ridden Trek for years 9800, 9900 hardtails. I am going back to a hardtail from Specialized (Marathon Carbon). My next full suspension will be a specialized with the brain and not such of a gap in the suspension arm. This is the problem! Look at the 2007 arm take the back tire of a used 2007 Trek and look at the play in the rear wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mason smith
a Cross Country Rider
from medford, or Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Santa Barbara back country
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
a great friend...
Strengths:
Sram shifting, very responsive stearing on the decents, and due to the longer top tube easier to keep front end on the ground with steep ascents. Very nice to be able to lock out suspension at the handle bar while on the fly. The bike feels comfortable with speed and makes you a more confident rider. Awesome braking power and they don't squeek like shimano products when heated up.
Weaknesses:
Looks,...I would recommend a 2.3-2.4 on the front to help roll over the larger obsticles and smooth out the ride. I came from a 5 inch travel bike to this four inch travel and a 2.4 front tire would make this ride just as smooth. A little heavy for that much carbon and that much money...
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Blur-XTR, Specialized Stumpjumper 120 Pro-XTR
Bike Setup:
All cool stuff, Avid Jucy 7 carbon, Bontrager everything (carbon), SRAM front X.9, rear X.0, Bontrager race lite X wheelset and stock otherwise.
Bottom Line:
First, coming from Shimano all my mountain bike riding life (25 years plus) it is refreshing to use the SRAM. Very clean shifting and you KNOW when you have shifted, and they look cool. Still waiting for a front deraileur X.0...Second, perhaps the best climbing bike I have ever ridden especially with the lock out, and aggresive geometery. Third, I would recommend a 2.4 or greater front tire for a smoother ride. Once the bike is set up correctly for you, a minimum of seven rides, you will totally love this bike and with TREK you know you're buying quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christopher Harris
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA Date Reviewed: January 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tanasi Trail System
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
Atlanta Cycling
Strengths:
Weight, Fox Talas, new XTR setup, extraordinary suspension efficiency, comfort from carbon frame.
Weaknesses:
None at all.
Similar Products Used:
Fuel EX9, Titus Racer-x, Intense Spider, Cannondale Scalpel
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Fox Talas and RP23, and Bontrager Race X-lite
Bottom Line:
This is the most amazing bike I've ever set my rear upon. It climbs like a mountain goat, and descends like a speed demon. I have a friend who rides a Titus Racer-x I was once jealous of, but not any longer!!!!!! The new XTR brakes make my old Hayes HFX-9's seem outdated. All the new XTR stuff kills the competition-look out SRAM, I've turned to the dark side.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOHN SHIELDS
a Racer
from JACKSONVILLE, FL, USA Date Reviewed: December 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
reddick, fl
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
FAST, LIGHT, FULLY ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION
Weaknesses:
PRICE, CARBON FRAME APPEARANCE
Similar Products Used:
giant vt1, trance, GF Cake
Bike Setup:
XC
Bottom Line:
Rode several times at 2 different trails and cannot stop talking about how awesome this bike is. So light, VERY FAST, awesome suspension which leads to great cornering. I rode it plush and with Propedal and Lockout set. The blowoff works great, but the propedal is a little less accurate getting it to work when I wanted it to without sacrificing the rigidity over the flat sections. I am still playing with settings on the shock, so this may get better. Riding it plush is just to nice! I love this bike. It has single handedly re-energized my training routine.
I was winning races before, but now I am really going to fly - picked up 2 minutes on my training course over my old 30 pounder with tubes in the tires and heavy pedals! Can't wait to lighten it up even more. GREAT BIKE!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
don smith
a Cross Country Rider
from winston-salem, nc USA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
too many to choose
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
paceline bicycles
Strengths:
it is..... fast smooth quiet beautiful badass! i don't know that a better fs/xc bike exists.
Weaknesses:
haven't found any yet
Similar Products Used:
cannondale rush fisher cake
Bike Setup:
stock except.... changed stem and seatpost out for thomson, sawed 1cm off each end of bar and replaced front tire with a less aggresive tread
Bottom Line:
best bike i ever sat my --- on! all the components are perfectly matched to everything else on the bike. if you haven't figured it out yet,....i love it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
george Yung
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: February 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
hong kong
Strengths:
Very good looking bike. Very lite. Good finishing to the frame.
Weaknesses:
The standard carbon bar is a bit too sort. Bit pricey for a bike. Saddle do not fit the price bracket
Similar Products Used:
Specialised carbon Epic
Bike Setup:
small frame 15:5"
Bottom Line:
I have just taken delivery of this very good looking bike. I have made some slight changes to the standard items: wheels, X race dics to Mavic crossMax SL.Rear cassettes to XTR,standard sram chain to 991 chain,Crain to chris King head set and saddle to a Bel air. I will give an update once I have a good few miles under the tyres.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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