I am in the market for a new bike. Still researching and have narrowed it down to the Trek Fuel EX8 or EX9 and the Cannondale Habit 3 or 4. I was curious if anyone has an opinion on which would be the best all around trail bike for the money? I am mostly curious about the geometry differences and rde feel as I've not ridden either and wonder if anybody has?
Trek fuel ex or cannondale habit ?
abrown
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I am in the market for a new bike. Still researching and have narrowed it down to the Trek Fuel EX8 or EX9 and the Cannondale Habit 3 or 4. I was curious if anyone has an opinion on which would be the best all around trail bike for the money? I am mostly curious about the geometry differences and rde feel as I've not ridden either and wonder if anybody has?
Fuel EX hands down. Proven platform and rear suspension make this an easy decision for me. The habit is new and I guess offers some appeal in that regard but the Fuel EX9 is tough to beat at under $4000 in 27.5 or 29er.
I havent had a chance to ride the Habit so I hate to poopoo all over it but my LBS carries Santa Cruz, Cannondale & Giant and everyone there says for trail use... pass on the Habit. BTW, no I don't ride a Fuel EX
I havent had a chance to ride the Habit so I hate to poopoo all over it but my LBS carries Santa Cruz, Cannondale & Giant and everyone there says for trail use... pass on the Habit. BTW, no I don't ride a Fuel EX
Okay thanks for the input. I do prefer working with something that has been out for a while and updated, improved rather than a brand new model. I wonder with similar travel how the rear suspension performs between the two, one being a vertical positioned shock, the other horizontal. It almost seems maybe the Fuel EX is more comparable to the Trigger from Cannondale maybe?Fuel EX hands down. Proven platform and rear suspension make this an easy decision for me. The habit is new and I guess offers some appeal in that regard but the Fuel EX9 is tough to be at under $4000 in 27.5 or 29er.
I havent had a chance to ride the Habit so I hate to poopoo all over it but my LBS carries Santa Cruz, Cannondale & Giant and everyone there says for trail use... pass on the Habit. BTW, no I don't ride a Fuel EX
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I have a 2015 Fuel EX8 and I really love it. And, the EX8 was upgraded for 2016 to have the ReAktiv shock and dropper post, plus other things, I believe, AND they lowered the price. You can get A LOT of bike with the 2016 EX8 for $2599.
I got a 45min demo on the Habit Team 2 weeks ago and loved it. No high speeds, but I did push cog #8 (sram 1x11) on the straights. Mostly tight twisty with sm drops and rock/log overs. Bike was fast fun it jumped off anything and turns very quick. The carbon wheels probably helped
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What type of trails do you ride. I like 29ers. I have 2, a Niner MCR and a Gary Fisher Rig SS 29er. They are great bikes. My local trails are really tight. Because of this I went with the 27.5 EX9. It handles the tight twisty trails with ease. Could I be happy with the 29er? Sure. A friend has a 14 EX9. It is a great riding bike. He rides in really open trails.
I currently have Cannondale F29 Caffeine from 2008. It feels sluggish in turns and not sure I want to continue with 29er wheelsize. So guess all I can do is ride a 27.5 for a while and see if that sorts things out. I was tempted to get a Cannondale Scalpel which is a lighter 29er bike. Its hard to determine if its the heavy wheelset or the size that makes it feel slow. Either way I want something lighter and easier to turn.
abrown I have 2 cents more to add. the same day I rode the Habit I took a Scalpel out, and brought it back in 10 minutes. A very fast bike but compared to the Habit and Trigger it was no fun. I enjoy a lively ride and the Habit delivered that where the Scalpel wanted to stick on the ground and roll (quickly) forward.
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I own a Habit 1 Carbon and I've spent quite a bit of time on a Fuel EX 29 too, I'd definitely go with the Habit, the Fuel was an excellent bike but the Habit is some NLS in my book.
I was surprised when I swung my leg over the bike and realised that all the press hype about it being close to 29er levels of climbing proficiency were totally just, coupled with it's ability to carve turns and make switch backs feel like they're nothing mean I'd definitely recommend the bike to anybody.
I was surprised when I swung my leg over the bike and realised that all the press hype about it being close to 29er levels of climbing proficiency were totally just, coupled with it's ability to carve turns and make switch backs feel like they're nothing mean I'd definitely recommend the bike to anybody.
Okay so I tried a Habit. It was one of the cheap ones (like a 5 or something) and it I didn't really like it. interesting on the scalpel experience I've only rode it on pavement and really liked it. Not a good representative considering I will only be riding singletrack with it. I rode a 27.5 Fuel EX and preferred that over the habit (just want to try the EX9 29 still as bike mag gave that rave reviews with the shortened stays, 130m fork, boost, etc). Anybody have any thoughts on the EX9 29 2016?
You might be onto something with the smaller wheel size. I ride both very tight and also wider open stuff. So it's all over the map. What to pick when you do both? I still think 29er living in WI... Darn you bike industry with five wheel sizes to choose from! ha ha.
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What was it you didn't care for on the Habit? I'm really stuck on the same two bikes at the moment. Only been able to demo a Habit 4, seemed really alive and playful. Haven't been able to hop on a 27.5 or 29 EX yet.
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Here lately I have been on my 27.5. Last month I carried my Niner to Atlanta to ride, trails there are wide open and not tight. Guess what, I was wishing I had my 27.5.
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You can pretty much ride any trail, even DH at a recreational speed, with the new Fuel EX. It's really the best all-around bike available. 27.5 all the way.
Okay so I'm sold on the Fuel EX9. Just need help understanding the choice between 27.5 vs 29. I know it is more than just a wheel size change because the 29 has the mino link for adjusting the geometry, it also has boost, 130mm fork instead of 120, and same chainstay length as 27.5 now. I want 27.5 because I want a more easily maneuverable front end. But the kink in my research is that Trek did a bunch of stuff to the 29 but not the 27.5 as mentioned above. So looking for input on your ride and how it handles? I wonder if they put the boost and mino link features in the 29 to make it feel more maneuverable and solid because its a 29er? Just out of curiosity what type of trails do you ride? I'm coming from a 27lb Cannondale F29 and it just feels like a tank.
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Really Tight Trails!
I biked with MapMyRide! Distance: 8.95mi, time: 01:15:04, pace: 8:23min/mi, speed: 7.15mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1398432715
I biked with MapMyRide! Distance: 8.95mi, time: 01:15:04, pace: 8:23min/mi, speed: 7.15mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1398432715
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