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2023 Trek Top Fuel 9.9 XTR Vs Pivot Trail 429 Team XTR

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mo6500

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hi all!
I hope I can demo both bikes on Friday in a big demo event that many bike dealers will take part in.
I don't have enough $$$ to afford any of these bikes, but I'm very curious about which would you choose.

Both bikes have very similar specs: 120 mm of rear travel, Fox Factory DPS shock, 130 mm Fox 34 Factory GRIP 2 fork, Shimano XTR drivetrain & brakes, carbon frame, carbon wheels, and bar.

One spec difference is the T429 DW-Link and another is a 4-piston brake on the T429 Vs a 2-piston on the TF. The TF is very light at only 24.7 lbs on Trek's website.

As for the geo, both T429 size M and TF size ML have the same reach (460 mm) and STA (75.5°), but different STA (66.5° T429/65.5 TF) and 1 mm BB height difference.

Both got excellent reviews and were crowned winners in their category/bike of the year (the Trak was tested as a 2022 model with a 120 mm fork travel, while the 2023 model has grown to 130 mm).

So which bike would you choose? I know that the 2023 Trek is very new, but did anyone manage to ride both?
Thanks, Mo.
 
#2 ·
At $9500 list for the TF, I'd negotiate for a 20% discount for cash with 60% down at the time of order. Only a manager could do that. I'd only talk money with him.
Realistically, I'd buy the Costco Intense 951 XC for $3000 on sale and upgrade the wheels and drivetrain for a lot less. That sale is over. 3500 normally.

I'd absolutely go to the demo.
 
#3 ·
I haven't ridden the T429, but own the new Top Fuel, and can say it might be my favorite mtb ever, with a great mix of plushness and pedaling snappiness.

I'd never own the T429 with its superboost rear wheel spacing. I own several mtbs with regular old boost, and it's nice to have a spare wheel available if needed. Otherwise, it appears to be a stellar bike.
 
#4 ·
kosmo said:
I haven't ridden the T429, but own the new Top Fuel, and can say it might be my favorite mtb ever, with a great mix of plushness and pedaling snappiness.

I'd never own the T429 with its superboost rear wheel spacing. I own several mtbs with regular old boost, and it's nice to have a spare wheel available if needed. Otherwise, it appears to be a stellar bike.
Click to expand...
Kosmo, did you own the 2020/21 Top Fuel too?
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
kosmo said:
I haven't ridden the T429, but own the new Top Fuel, and can say it might be my favorite mtb ever, with a great mix of plushness and pedaling snappiness.

I'd never own the T429 with its superboost rear wheel spacing. I own several mtbs with regular old boost, and it's nice to have a spare wheel available if needed. Otherwise, it appears to be a stellar bike.
Click to expand...
Hi - Do you own the updated TF with a 130 mm fork up front?
 
#6 ·
jochribs said:
Kosmo, did you own the 2020/21 Top Fuel too?
Click to expand...
Yes. Liked it, but never loved it. A bit flexy, but worth noting is that I line up to race at 192 pounds, and otherwise carry a few more pounds. 🙃

mo6500 said:
Hi - Do you own the updated TF with a 130 mm fork up front?
Click to expand...
Exactly. Fox 34 at 130 mm with a standard Grip damper. My favorite Fox damper.
 
#7 ·
I've ridden the trail 429 quite a bit (have about 300-400 miles on one...I also own a switchblade) and have just done some parking lot tests of the top fuel. The biggest difference that I was able to feel was the lower stack coupled with the 820 mm bars of the top fuel made me feel a little more hunched over. I felt a bit more centered in the bike on the trail 429. The t429 is a really fun poppy bike that corners and carries speed very well. I love the rear end on that thing. I really want to get the TF out for a proper demo as I liked the general feel and wanted to see what the lower stack would do on our trails.

As far as weight is concerned, myself and the guys at the trek store think the 24.7 lbs is a type-o as last years TF 9.9 xtr is the exact same build as this years but some how, magically, the bike lost 1.2 lbs compared to last years (last years was 25.9). The only difference that we could see was colors on the frame (if there was a difference in the frame weight, then all the models would have a similar weight drop but none of the other models did they actually gained a few grams with going to the 130 on the front). Both frame + shock weights are roughly the same comparing the TF vs T429 so with similar builds, they'll be similar. I would love to hear what your thoughts are after the demo since I've been eyeing the TF for a while.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Hi!
Every October a mega demo day is taking place with lots of bike brands offering their demo bikes, bike gear, cold beer, etc. Unfortunately, unlike previous years, this year Trek did not participate which was disappointing because I wanted to demo the TF 9.9 XTR. So I'm sorry but no TF thought to share... 😕

I demoed the 429 size L ride GX build (I'm M but L was the only size they had) and it handled great uphill but less on the DH sections and some rock gardens. It was better on the DH than the Ibis Ripley, noticeably more stable than the Ripley but almost heavy as my Fuel EX (140/130 mm F/R + Fox 36 up front).

Mo

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#10 ·
mo6500 said:
I demoed the 429 size L ride GX build (I'm M but L was the only size they had) and it handled great uphill but less on the DH sections and some rock gardens. It was better on the DH than the Ibis Ripley, noticeably more stable than the Ripley but almost heavy as my Fuel EX (140/130 mm F/R + Fox 36 up front).
Click to expand...
I love new bikes, and am fortunate enough to be able to own a couple, but if I had to choose just one mtb, it would be the Gen5 Fuel EX. So good at so much.

Bummer the demo day didn't offer an opportunity to ride a new Top Fuel. Owning both, I can say that it pedals with a notably crisper, snappier feel than the Fuel EX, and is almost as plush (with a 130 fork, anyway).

Almost. 🙃
 
#11 ·
I’m ready to sell my 2020 TF 9.9 & pull the trigger on a new one, but not sure if I should get the available 2022 (comes with Sid 120mm) or wait for the 23 that comes with the new 130mm pike With the charger 3. I could always swap forks, but Not sure I really need a 130mm fork anyway. Somehow I feel like I need to keep it with what the current spec is..
 
#13 ·
I rode both the bikes you mentioned along with several others at a demo event and went with the pivot, tad cheaper and I thought it was built better and it just felt better on the trail to me, totally subjective I know but these top end bikes are all so darn good nowadays it’s hard to pick with riding them, honestly you can’t go wrong with either but the pivot edged out the trek for me.
 
#14 ·
Mcdbones said:
I’m ready to sell my 2020 TF 9.9 & pull the trigger on a new one, but not sure if I should get the available 2022 (comes with Sid 120mm) or wait for the 23 that comes with the new 130mm pike With the charger 3. I could always swap forks, but Not sure I really need a 130mm fork anyway. Somehow I feel like I need to keep it with what the current spec is..
Click to expand...
STOKED on my 22 with a 130 Fox fork (though I never rode it with a 120). Previously owned a 20 TF that I "liked a lot". No comparison for me. Stiffer, pedals better, no weird twist-loc remote. don't give a darn about a half pound of frame weight. It's probably a plus for a 195 pound guy like me.

Not a fan of the SID. Too many friends with bushing woes. Pike at least should be great, though there are maybe a few mixed messages about the plushness of the new damper?

Gun to the head, Pike over SID every time on this bike.
 
#15 ·
[QUOTE="Mcdbones, post: 15800476, member: 755487"I’m ready to sell my 2020 TF 9.9 & pull the trigger on a new one, but not sure if I should get the available 2022 (comes with Sid 120mm) or wait for the 23 that comes with the new 130mm pike with the charger 3. I could always swap forks, but Not sure I really need a 130mm fork anyway. Somehow I feel like I need to keep it with what the current spec is..[/QUOTE]

The Charger 3 damper may not be an improvement.
"Charger 2.1 is better than Charger 3."
(100) 2023 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate feeling harsh... | Page 10 | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum (mtbr.com) Post 197.
 
Discussion starter · #16 · (Edited)
Mcdbones said:
I’m ready to sell my 2020 TF 9.9 & pull the trigger on a new one, but not sure if I should get the available 2022 (comes with Sid 120mm) or wait for the 23 that comes with the new 130mm pike With the charger 3. I could always swap forks, but Not sure I really need a 130mm fork anyway. Somehow I feel like I need to keep it with what the current spec is..
Click to expand...
The 2023 TF 9.9 XTR comes with Fox Factory 34, GRIP2 130mm which is also nice and is good as the Pike.
At 24.7 lbs the TF 9.9 XTR is super light. in fact, it is the lightest of all 2023 TF models.
Definitely, a bike that is worth considering.
Mo.
 
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