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Help choosing between Trek Fuel EX 5 and Fezzari Abajo Peak

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Nikhil42

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking for a bike in the $2500 range, and have whittled my options down to the Trek Fuel EX 5 and the Fezzari Abajo Peak w/ dropper. I'm an extremely novice rider (haven't mountain biked in 10 years). I'll mostly be riding trails in the Boise foothills that are climbs then back down for the descent, but will want to take my bike to lift access trails from time to time. I don't plan on doing any jumps.
  • From what I can tell, the biggest difference seems to be that the Trek has a more advanced frame (ABP and flip chip), but significantly worse suspension than the Fezzari (RockShox Recon Silver vs X-Fusion McQueen RCP).
  • Drivetrain seems more or less equivalent (Deore vs NX Eagle), as do brakes.
  • The Fezzari has a threaded bottom bracket, while the Trek is press-fit.
I'm leaning towards the Fezzari at this point because of the better suspension, but curious if it makes more sense to prioritize the Trek's frame instead and upgrade suspension later as my skill progress. I'm not concerned about D2C (have a LBS that will work on anything, and Fezzari is a US-based company with great customer support).

I'd be open to other suggestions in this price range as well. As a note, I had initially considered the Polygon Siskiu T8 as well, but ruled it out because I saw a number of poor warranty and customer support experiences reported with Polygon/Bikes Online. Not to say that I'd have the same experience, but just decided I didn't want to take that risk on.
 
#3 ·
Trek's ABP is half linkage actuated single pivot, half a way of getting around the Horst link patents. Looks like Fezzari are using an actual Horst link so I think that's a point for the Abajo Peak.


Brakes on both are probably not good enough unless you're small and/or slow.

I'd rather ride Deore than NX but I'd MUCH rather ride a McQueen than a Recon.
 
#4 ·
I have an Abajo and love it. When I bought mine, I was able to upgrade to Guide 4 pots. I would ask Fezzari if that is still an option considering the bike market. I also thought that I would be upgrading the suspension on my bike later on. The X Fusion doesn’t need to be replaced.
 
#5 ·
The specs are better on the Abajo. The biggest downside is the DTC model. I think that part of the equation has been covered in 1000 threads throughout the internet. The other drawback is resale. Trek will likely have better resale value 3 years from now. Although I have no idea what that will look like post Covid.

Assuming no issues with initial set up on either bike, you'll likely be happy with either. Unless you've been riding a bunch, I think you'll likely be happy with the Recon fork. I had one for 5 years on my entry level Specialized Camber, it was fine. Besides the Recon fork, I'd likely rather have the Trek for the drivetrain. I'm unfamiliar with the brakes on either. The problem in my mind with Trek's lineup is that the EX7 isn't THAT much better, the real step up is the EX8 at 3800.... which is a lot of a bump in price.

To me, i'd rather have a LBS who was willing to sort out my issues. but in Covid times it is hard to get the bike you want at the shop you want it at too. I ended up buying my last bike from a shop I didn't want to because my shop couldn't get me something that I wanted for a year due to supply issues.
 
#6 ·
?? Go with the Polygon! Any company can give you trash support. You can get full Fox suspension on the Polygon or the bottom of the barrel suspension from RS/X-Fusion.. Plus that Polygon purple frame looks dope and rides well. Remember these manufacturers only make the frame, everything else is produced by a different company and bolted on. I also think the Sikui was about even in climbing with the short travel Ripley on PinkBikes bro-science timed climbing laps...and it was about the best on the DH's too if I recall.
 
#7 ·
Probably if choice is based solely on bang for your buck right off the bat right now Fezzari an option. If worried about maintenance costs or potential warranty work Trek might be a better buy. If you are type of person whop like to upgrade than again I would go Trek. Even with a Tubeless Upgrade on the Trek would be money well spent right off the bat and something the local shop probably would work with you on. For the Fezzari with modern geo bike you really want a dropper with the steeper seat tube angles so might end spending money there. Dont under estiamte labor costs if not real skilled working on own bike if have to take something to the LBS on the Fezzari, Trek takes real good care of it's customers.

Recent Story Traded for Fuel EX 7 threw some dollars into it and honestly wasn't sure how I would like, its a great bike performs way better than many of its reviews, something I cna see keeping for long period of period of time.

Looking at the model above on each Honestly I would choose the Trek EX 5 but be going to tubeless right away, than maybe save for longer dropper and eventually better fork, brakes will be decent but could eventually keep levers get new calipers or even just a 4 piston on front be really nice.

On the Fezarri Abajo I wouldn't buy it if did I'd want dropper and new brakes right away, than NX would have to go at somepoint and be looking for GX including new freehub...could get costly compared to just going cascade right off bat. IMO eliminate this option.
On Fezzari the Cascade very well specd build right off the bat if can get to this price point.

So bottom line stay away from the Abajo, if Price Point is very firm Fuel EX 5 plus tire upgrade to tubeless. If some flexibility than consider then Cascade but save some budget if need LBS help.
 
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#8 ·
svinyard said:
?? Go with the Polygon! Any company can give you trash support. You can get full Fox suspension on the Polygon or the bottom of the barrel suspension from RS/X-Fusion.. Plus that Polygon purple frame looks dope and rides well. Remember these manufacturers only make the frame, everything else is produced by a different company and bolted on. I also think the Sikui was about even in climbing with the short travel Ripley on PinkBikes bro-science timed climbing laps...and it was about the best on the DH's too if I recall.
Click to expand...
Yes any company can give you trash support, which is why some of us don't do business with companies like that. Fezzari's customer support is top notch. Being able to call a US based company and get replacement parts within a few days is amazing.

On the X-Fusion suspension, I'm a clyde and that suspension isn't holding me back. I jump, do drops, and ride rocky trails here in AZ. For the OP's stated needs, he'll be fine. But if having brand name X over brand name Y means more to you, then don't let me stop you.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I don't own either of these frames (tho a buddy has the Polygon) so I've no emotional attachment to them but I do have a lot of these components in house (family of riders). Here's the key, no amount of customer support can make a RS Rekon Silver (maybe the mcQueen is nice?) be a good fork or an NX drivetrain be anything like a freaking SLX. I've got NX, GX, XT 11&12sp, X01 eagle, Recon Silver, Manitou Mezzer/Machete, Tektro, Hayes, Fox in the garage (or recently). NX and those Recon forks suck. Any bike is better than no bike of course, but if you are paying out cash, you might as well get the best bang for your buck and that Polygon is categorically that. Plus its geometry is more forgiving/modern depending on fitment. Also remember, which component customer/maintenance service is better as a full suspension needs some work every offseason. Is the forks support better than Fox's? I can ping Ed at Fox any time I want or get whatever maintenance seals kit and maintenance manual I need. Having done that with other brands...has been difficult, aside from Manitou and nicer RS stuff. Its not always about the frame support, that's the least of my worries with all of our bikes aside from when I need to replace some pivot bearings. Just my opinion as a dude on the internet, but that Polygon is an incredible bike for the money, albeit not perfect. Often you have to spend 3000-3500$ to get a similar spec'd bike with nice geo etc. even with Fezzari. think of it this way, do you want the Abajo or the Cascade? The Sikui T8 is the equivalent (better in some ways, worse in some ways) of the Cascade, not the Abajo (which is a fine bike). So why not buy the better spec'd bike?


NorCal_In_AZ said:
Yes any company can give you trash support, which is why some of us don't do business with companies like that. Fezzari's customer support is top notch. Being able to call a US based company and get replacement parts within a few days is amazing.

On the X-Fusion suspension, I'm a clyde and that suspension isn't holding me back. I jump, do drops, and ride rocky trails here in AZ. For the OP's stated needs, he'll be fine. But if having brand name X over brand name Y means more to you, then don't let me stop you.
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thanks for all the feedback everyone, I ultimately decided to go with the Fezzari Abajo Peak. Seems like it's better specced than the Trek, and the frame differences like ABP aren't that relevant given the Fezzari's suspension design.

Appreciate the votes for the Polygon and Ripley, but the Ripley was too far out of budget, and, for me personally, the Fezzari customer support outweighed the Polygon's better specs (plus it's not in stock right now anyway).

Hopefully should have the bike by next weekend!
 
#14 ·
Hey guys that are making recommendations
im kind of offended

whats wrong with Horst link style frame with revelation
full deore
dtswiss wheels
maxxis tires
dropper post

this is what I believe should be included in a $2500 FS bike
With a frame by one of the top is not THE top AL frame makers


 
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