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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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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: | Chain Slap is a bit strange, hoping to find a solution soon | | Similar Products Used: | GT Hardtail, Giant Trance X series | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for the money, can't ask for anything more. I ride with iPod in at all times, so the chain slap doesn't really bother me too much,.. Can't beat it from a value/looks perspective. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
unit74
a Cross Country Rider
from Temecula
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Superstore, Vis | | Strengths: | UST wheels stock, nice shock, paint doesn't scratch easy. | | Weaknesses: | Grips suck, losts of cable stretch, brakes whine(Juicy 5's), even on pro peddle, way too much peddle bob | | Similar Products Used: | Ibex Atlas Expert. | | Bike Setup: | Sram Attack shifters, Odi Lock Ons, SDG I Beam carbon seat and post, Bontrager carbon 12` stem 100mm, Monkey lite XC's, Juicy 7's, Mutano Raptors | | Bottom Line: | OA really like this bike. For the money, I don't think you'll find a better equiped bike. Peddles good and handles mostly what I throw at it(XC and some small AM riding)
Frame is really solid and bike is super responsive. Can be a bit twitch at high speeds, but razor sharp hadling in the twisty stuff.
I don't think you could go wrong with this bike, especially at this price. I just upgraded to an 09 C-dale Rize 2, but this bike will still get ridden.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b177y
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Guthrie | | Strengths: | Smooth responsive ride. Excellent climbing. Amazing components for the money (Fox shock/fork, Juicy 5 disk brakes, LX/XT drivetrain). | | Weaknesses: | Should come set-up for running tubeless tires instead of tubes. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Palomino | | Bike Setup: | Stock: Fox RP2 rear/RL 130mm front, Juicy 5 disk brakes, LX crank, shifters, & front der, XT rear der. | | Bottom Line: | The best bang for the buck available. A great smooth ride with a relaxed geometry and it still climbs like a cross-country racing bike. Easily rolls over obstacles in the trail and doesn't beat me up. 1 pound heavier than the EX9, but $1000 less. The EX8 is by far the smoothest most fun bicycle I have ever owned. So far I have used it on smooth rolling singletrack trails and some technical rocky singletrack, all with steep climbing sections. The EX8 fits that sweet spot of what mountain biking was originally about - all around trail riding and having fun.
Buy it if you like putting in lots of time on singletrack with jaunts to the slickrock desert and you ride for the pure fun of it. Buy the EX9 if you like to tinker with your suspension and don't want to be seen on a bike with sub-XT components.
Avoid it if you are a racer and need to save weight and need a more aggressive geometry. Not made for taking off of sick jumps either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark S
a Weekend Warrior
from Detroit, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Potowatami | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Only a few rides so far, but it rides great. Tight, firm, responsive. The front and rear lockouts make it feel like a rigid bike, in case you forget how comfortable shocks are. The hydraulic brakes allow for precise, controlled stopping and adjusting before entering a corner. Juicy 5 are nice. It seems to be breaking in on the suspension and getting a little softer and more comfortable so it will be stiffer when you first ride it at the LBS than after a few rides. | | Weaknesses: | I don't think enough has been said about the chain slap issue. It seems slightly ridiculous to have to listen to it so often, even on light bumps. I'll have to see if some tweaks can be made to off set this issue- once I figure out what is going on. The brake pad seems to be crumbling a little, but I'm new to disc brakes so not sure if its a big deal. A one inch stick flew up and got stuck somewhere and now there's some noise and brake rotor wobble. Annoying. Not sure if this is Shimano design or just bad luck. At purchase day at the LBS it wouldn't shift right and it took the mechanic time to figure out that the cable housing was too short on the rear (how'd they get that wrong on the initial build??). A longer cable seems to have fixed it, but it reminds me how complex and touchy these things can be. The GT was fickle as hell, and I hope the Fuel is hassle free. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a GT iDrive for 6 years with a plush, heavy, inefficient suspension that I loved. I got a 2008 Fuel EX8 and miss the plush, but dont miss the weight or inefficiency. My main choices were Fuel EX or Gary Fisher Hi Fi. Giant had lower quality parts on a higher priced bike. I went with the Fuel since I figured the HiFi had the older non-float design and would switch in a year or two to catch up to Trek. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Besides the chain slap noise, there is nothing I don't like about this bike. And in fact I really like the bike. Time will tell if I *love* it. I may upgrade a few little things, but I plan on using stock stuff until it wears out. Messing with factory stuff seems to throw other things out of balance and then I spend more time fiddling with it than riding. I'd recommend this bike for the high quality parts at a reasonable price in a sharp design that performs very well. I ride Michigan trails with all kinds of conditions and terrain standard for the midwest. It seems like this bike is good for all around riding and I could take it anywhere in the country. I can't think of who should or should not buy it- if you ride moderate to light trails this should work fine. Any big drops or fast down hills probably deserve more suspension. I did a fair amount of research and test rides and this was the logical choice.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Price/Performance ratio is great. Stock parts (minus tires) have been excellent. Good all around performance. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires. Easy to wheely going up steep hills. The rear rebound knob sometimes turns with the 3-way selector messing with your setup on the fly. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great improvement over my previous Trek HT. It definitely makes comprimises but my feeling is that they have been mostly positive. The bike isn't quite as light as a racer. The pro-pedal setting is a little too plush when climbing loose technical hills. The riding position is pretty far back, which gives great rear wheel control and traction, but it seems to pull the front wheel up when torqueing hard on steep climbs. I thought the stock tires were crap, especially the front. I've had no problems with the stock components (minus the tires). The suspension is a good comprimise between downhill and XC.
You could pay more and get more. You could go plushier and heavier. You could go stiffer and lighter. To each his own. Decide what your priorities are and choose the bike that meets them. Mine were (in order of importance) price/performace, climbing, downhill.
If you want a racer, you may find this is too much of a comprimise towards the middle. Also, if you want a downhill machine you may, again, find this is too much of a comprimise.
If you want a good all around bike, that is capable of climbing, decending, and not breaking your budget, you should consider this bike.
The only thing I would change is the pro-pedal setting; make it a little stiffer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Dunn
a Racer
from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike America | | Strengths: | Comfortable bike to ride. Easily set up to race. | | Weaknesses: | BONTRAGER! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS Air. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic SLR rims, XTR drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | Everything on this bike that says Bontager has failed and I just blew out the Rock Shox MC3.3 rear shock and replaced it with a Fox float RP23 (wich is nice). Bontrager rims are weak, cranks fell right off once, just broke the seat post and saddle yesterday. I wouldn't even sell the Bontrager items on E-bay fearing negative feedbacks. The frame is great and you can't go wrong with Hayes disc brakes but I've had to replace everything that says Bontrager. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Fast, fast, fast! This is my first new bike, upgrading from a 2002 Jamis Dakar XCR Expert which I really enjoyed for the last 8 months. Oh what a difference! The new ABP geometry provides outstanding stability braking at high speeds. The Fox float rear shock is terrific in the locked out Pro Pedal position, makes climbing so much easier. This bike is light, nimble, and as I said first, fast! On big downhills I was amazed at how the bike seemed to want to go so much faster than I was used to with excellent traction and stability. Much more confident on this bike than I was on the older Jamis. Ergonomic grips were nice addition. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've discovered yet | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar XCR Expert | | Bike Setup: | New XT shifters; upgraded rear cassette to Shimano M 770; Avid Juicy 5 hydr brakes; LX front der., XT Shadow rear; LX crankset; Fox 130 RL front susp, Fox Float Pro Pedal 2 rear susp.; Bontrager rims and tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is so much lighter and more stable than my previous bike, just a total joy to ride. Super fast, fun ride, can take whatever technical pounding you throw at it with flying colors. It is still new so I am only giving it 4 chilis but I am loving this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
serg martine
a Downhiller
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chapparral | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle City | | Strengths: | Definitely it is a light bike, the components are good and the service at the shop is great. I like the hard-tail feel, which allows one to charge up hill. | | Weaknesses: | The wide rear may be too wide, when I arrived to pick up the bike and could not be properly fitted because the wide rear did not fit in the bike mount. Then after my second ride my rear quick release broke. I then have had issues with the rear deraillur to the point that the arm extended and was caught in my spokes causing the hanger to literally snap in two. Althought this would be covered by Trek it seems I have returned to the shop more than I have time to ride the bike! Not sure if this bike is capable of handling the trials I ride, may need to slow down?
The Bontrager tires are okay-they do not grip all that well, may upgrade sooner than later. | | Bike Setup: | all original | | Bottom Line: | Jury is still out. Will check back after I hit up Northstar at Tahoe and give you the verdict. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Store | | Strengths: | Good components, GEOMETRY, light | | Weaknesses: | Tires kind of suck | | Similar Products Used: | tested Giant trance,specialized stumpjumper, gary fisher hifi/cake | | Bike Setup: | stock except pedals/bashguard/tires | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike a lot. It is my first real bike after an 820, but I tested a bunch of different ones and got this one. The geometry is great, not too far forward and not too cramped. The geometry is one of the best things about this bike. This is very light bike and has good components. Juicy 5's stop on a dime and the shifting is great. The Active Brake Pivot is phenomenal. I have been over some pretty technical stuff and the rear wheel feels like butter, even when braking hard. The ABP was definitely the selling point for me. A huge noticeable difference in it than any other bike I demo'd. It climbs great like an XC bike, but the downhills are even better. I could not be happier with my decision. The only downsides are the tires. I have only ridden in snow and mud so far, but the tires are horrible in them, however tires are not a big deal. I switched those out very quickly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Porter
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tom Snow - Kananakis | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Pure Cycle, Calgary AB | | Strengths: | light weight, great suspension and ability to adjust it. | | Weaknesses: | Well 3rd ride out and I snapped my rear derailer off in heavy mud! Was riding with 2 others and they all made it through fine, I was switching down to a lower gear at the time but still!!...anyway it's in the shop getting fixed, will have to take it out in the mud again and see what happens.
Stock tire are brutal for mud, unless you're riding in the desert, if you ride in any kind of mud get your dealer to change them out or it'll be like driving on ice in your grandpa's ol 4 door LTD!
The saddle is a little stiff so change that out if that bothers you, the grips are very sticky but I like that. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco screamer | | Bike Setup: | just had my dealer set the suspension for my weight, seems to be good, haven't had to mess with it at all | | Bottom Line: | Too soon to tell, the derailer incident has me freaked out, good thing I was just doing an inner city trail, if I was in the mountains I would have been royally choked!...not to mention hoofing it big time! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch Lyons
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Fox Float Fork, the bike was so light | | Weaknesses: | bent the rim going off a small jump | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I demoed this bike for a day and it was hands down the best bike I have ever ridden. The bike soaked up everything that I went over, the store pumped up the suspension for me and I would have liked it to be a little bit stiffer because the bike bottomed out too easily. The only down side of the bike was that I ended up bending the rim. It was the end of the day and I was making one final run down a series of jumps, and I lost my balence in mid air and landed wrong. The bike slid out from under me, and I don't know how it happened but the rim ended up bending, the Fork must have compressed and maybe forced the bike to come out from under me, but I really know how it happened. When I took it back to the shop I had to end up paying $150 for the rim. To tell you the truth it shouldn't have happened the jump was small and I have fallen a lot harder on my chep-o bike than I had on the Trek. All in all it wouldn't matter if that happened to others because the first owner of the trek gets I think a 1-5 year warrenty on all bontager parts (the rim). I would still buy this bike it was a great ride, and it was as lighter as my Novra Hybrid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny Andersen
a Weekend Warrior
from Hudson Oaks, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ben Sheman forrest, Israel | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ft. Worth Cycle | | Strengths: | well built, decent set of components. Trek R and D. Good fit and finish. Redesigned rear suspension delivers everything that was promised. | | Weaknesses: | nothing big stands out, though I busted a chain like the 3rd time out. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stump jumper (2004), older Schwinn hard-tail | | Bike Setup: | standard out-of-the-box | | Bottom Line: | This is a 2008 model and the active rear suspension is nailed to the ground on the descents with heavy braking and the Jones XR's grip like the devil (I've actually had guys have their bikes slide out from under them in front of me and I still came to a virtual halt to get around them -- the descents here in Korea, where I'm living temporarily, are steep!). The only problem climbing is the extra 20 Lbs I'm packing and the 50 years I've been on the planet and of course the bad knees, but I regress.
Buy if you can't afford an exotic and or you value the money you earned -- you'd have to spend around $2800-3000 to get anything much better (and then you could look at the 9 or something). For the money this one is going to be tough to beat.
Don't buy if you got to go old-school rear swing-arm (I considered a Heckler, but talked to several guys who are going away from the old suspensions because the new one are just so much better). My first road bike was a Trek and I had it for 7 years and it worked fine when I got rid of it. This bike looks to be built along the same quality lines. I rode a 2007 Specialized and this whacks it hands down. The older Treks got panned because of the suspension, but Trek has finally done their homework and delivered the goods. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wallie
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Patapsco, Loch Raven | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Acceleration, climbing, decending | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock with stan tubeless tiress and Shimano PD-M970 | | Bottom Line: | Wow...this bike is so efficient that it out-accelerates and out-climbs my hardtail (Trek 6500). I can easily climb every hill that I used to get stuck on before. I can't really explain it but the bike just blows me away every time I ride it. I crashed a while ago and hurt my tail bone but the suspension feels so good that I don’t have to stand up when going downhill and I don’t feel any pain. I also don’t engage the propedal when going uphill as it doesn’t seem there’s a need to. The bike just goes where you point it even at very low speed and climbs everything in sight. “Rocky Mountain Goat” will be the best way to describe this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Oceanside, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble Canyon SD, Navajo Lake, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | classified ads | | Strengths: | Smooth riding, terrific handling, good shifting, XL frame size fits me wonderful. | | Weaknesses: | Cant shake the brake squeels. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush, Cannondale Jeckyl, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded the shifters and rear derailer to SRAM XO, Monkey light bars, WTB saddle. Else all stock from shop. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike from a dude who had owned it for about a month. He upgraded the above listed components, rode it for less than 200 miles, biffed hard and broke his shoulder, and his wife made him sell it. It was in like new condition except for a pedal scrath from his crash. We had a small smoking ceremony to cleanse the bike of its bad juju, and I have since been enjoying the finest MT Bike Ive ever owned. This bike fits me so well. It is an XL frame size, Im 6' 2' and about 215 lbs. The propedal is great, however I feel the standard suspension setup is all thats required for most of the cross country rides that I partake in. The XO shifters and derailer setup are so smooth and positive. My one complaint is the sqeeling avid juicy 7 disc brakes. Ive taken it to the shop for adjustment, cleaned the pads on my own, but still have to listen to the squeel, especcially after a long sustained steep downhill with lots of heavy breaking. Any suggesions anyone? Aside from the brake squeeling, I love the bike and look forward to many years ( I tend to hold onto the same bike for at least 5 years, just upgrade and fix as needed)of great riding and adventures. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
V P
a Cross Country Rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Agressive XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3310.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Everything except tires.
| | Weaknesses: | Tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Merida TFS 300 DISC 2007 | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, I did install a flat bar tho'. | | Bottom Line: | This is the 2008 version. Absolutely awesome bike. Comming from a hardtail, I didn't expect to go faster on a fully, but thats exactly what happened! This bike eats anything on the track, the ABP, the fullfloater, all works fantastic. It has that bottomless feeling, and I just love riding this bike. It climbs good, descends even better, and has surprisingly good acceleration. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtbikerguy34
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Masters | | Strengths: | This bike came with an excellent grouppo for the price! | | Weaknesses: | Tires, they don't seem to have too much traction except on hard packed trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Demo 8 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, running the rims tubeless with the new rim strips. | | Bottom Line: | Great ride for the money. The ride is plush when it needs to be. However the floating brake system is still out and I'm waiting to make a final decision on that. It does make a bit of difference, not like my Demo 8. But those are two completely diff bikes. The front FOX fork is exceptional!!! I can't wait to take this bike to MOAB in March!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abdullah
a Cross Country Rider
from mississauga, ontario. canada
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | credit valley trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | skiisandbiikes | | Strengths: | strong frame, solid suspension system, very plush ride, very fast acceleration, superb climbing efficiency | | Weaknesses: | stock tires are no good | | Similar Products Used: | gt 2.0 2006 with full deore xt drivetrain. | | Bike Setup: | stock 2008 fuel ex 8 | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike. my bike store was able to get me one very quickly. the bike is built solidly and is everything i wanted in a bike. easily out performs the specialized epic comp and stumpjumper. i have ridden them before, and this bike really outperforms them handsdown. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a
from Medina, Oh USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Medina Bicycle | | Strengths: | Lightweight, new rear suspension, very good components, climbs and descends well, handles tight stuff well, tubeless-ready tires and wheels. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Giant, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for grips and pedals. I also got the rim bands and valves to go tubeless. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first fs bike. I'm amazed at how well the rear suspension works. It stays well planted under hard braking, over rough ground. The front end doesn't want to come up too badly while climbing. Shifting is very good. The XT Shadow derailleur has been flawless. The fork soaks up the hits on the trails I ride with no problems. I switched the pedals to Shimano XC30 platforms, and the grips to Richeys. Overall, this has been a fantastic upgrade for me. I don't feel beat up, at all, after riding. This bike seems well suited to trail riders of all abilities, riding most any terrain. I'd highly recommend the EX8 to anyone looking at new fs bikes. I give the value rating a 5 given the components and frame design, when compared to comparably priced bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Ajax Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Buckwallow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Northern Cycle | | Strengths: | New suspension really works!! Great fit now that Trek added an 18.5 to the lineup. Unbelievable spec for the price. No noticeable frame flex. | | Weaknesses: | Didn't like the grips or saddle, easy swap. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Cannondale Jecyll(hadn't planned to upgrade) | | Bike Setup: | Swapped saddle (Fizik) and grips (Oury lock ons) from my Cannondale. As well I swapped the shifter and brakes for the new XTR that I had on my Cannondale. Otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I had gone into by LBS to get new brake pads when the guys told me about this new Trek they had just got in. I told them I wasn't planning an upgrade but they insisted that I take the demo out for a QUICK ride. I came back three hours latter totally sold on the bike and desperately trying to figure out how to convince my wife I needed a new bike. Two weeks later I managed the impossible. This is truely a GREAT bike. From the quality of the build to the revolutionary suspension design this bike just works great. I have been out every day I haven't been working and I just can't get over how well this bike works. Kudos to Trek for redesigning a bike twice in two years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HUTTER
a Cross Country Rider
from powder springs
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2199.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flight- Marrietta | | Strengths: | This is my second review. Only because I am so stoked by this bike. I have been riding since i was a kid bmx then mtb. The '08 ex8 is the best dually I h |
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$ 2310.00
