Im picking up my Fuel next week. First thing Im gonna do is swap tires. On my hardtail I run a Rekon 2.4 out back and a Dissector 2.4 in the front. Probably the absolute best handling tire combo I've found for my local rooty conditions. Most of the time lately the roots have been wet and this combo has performed really well for me. Once in a while I might spin the rear tire climbing on a slippery root, but that's the worst I can say. This definitely isn't a slow combo but I'm looking for something just a smidge faster without giving up way too much grip up front. I'm thinking of Going Rekon/Rekon on the Fuel. What are your impressions of the Rekon up front? The Dissector is so damn confidence inspiring I've been really hesitant to switch from it but I think the Rekon might have enough grip that the lower rolling resistance might make the bike a little faster and better on the flats.
2021 Fuel EX5 and 1000 mile update and whats next to change
Whats next changes.
here is where I am now
Had my bike for about 880 miles now, the Fuel EX 5 really is an amazing ride,
Changes made to date
Before we get too far into this,, My wife and I both have Fuel EX so, some of the spare parts are just logical to own.
Day one
SPD XT pedals and tires changed on both bikes before they ever left the show room.
The 30 TPI tires were replaced before, ever touching dirt. I went to Maxxis Rekon front and Rear, 29 x 2.60 3C EXO Max Terra WT, TR, they are amazing on this bike. The only downside is a little weak on breaking but, climbing, corners, xc, and some lighter DH they rock. This bike makes me look forward to tech climbs, one of my favorite things to do on the bike.
2 months in
Changed the Bars,, I did not like the rise on factory bars,, I changed them to Spank 820 Spank Spike 35 Vibrocore Bar, a great change, really makes the bike feel lively and just more fun. Shockingly the front did not get too light in climbs.
Grips should have been changed really early, i finally got them done
I would love your insight, please next changes???
Token in fork ?
Chain ??
I am considering replacing my chain, It will be nice to have a spare in the toolbox, and its a fairly cheap "Upgrade? Will the XTR or XT chain work will on the Delore set, and or worth the few buck upgrade.
Near Future hopefully Feb or March
A new Saddle,,
the factory saddle is fair at best and that is very generous. I am not sure which new saddle I want::: most likely brooks(not sure of model), ergon, possible wtb. not sure which INPUT is more than welcome
Rear shock ??
I honestly thought I would scrap the Fusion Pro 2, close to day one,
but Honestly, it rides really well, the bike is amazing on tech climbs, rock gardens, and such. But I still wonder, how much better it could be, with a Fox/RockShox , The Fusion feels really good. Just not sure!!!!!! Any Insite from riders in the 200 lbs or 90 kilo range?
what changes have yall made to your Fuel EX aluminum especially Fuel ex5?
Well, the big three are getting addressed now, the 3 points of contact, hands , feet , ad tires!!
here is where I am now
Had my bike for about 880 miles now, the Fuel EX 5 really is an amazing ride,
Changes made to date
Before we get too far into this,, My wife and I both have Fuel EX so, some of the spare parts are just logical to own.
Day one
SPD XT pedals and tires changed on both bikes before they ever left the show room.
The 30 TPI tires were replaced before, ever touching dirt. I went to Maxxis Rekon front and Rear, 29 x 2.60 3C EXO Max Terra WT, TR, they are amazing on this bike. The only downside is a little weak on breaking but, climbing, corners, xc, and some lighter DH they rock. This bike makes me look forward to tech climbs, one of my favorite things to do on the bike.
2 months in
Changed the Bars,, I did not like the rise on factory bars,, I changed them to Spank 820 Spank Spike 35 Vibrocore Bar, a great change, really makes the bike feel lively and just more fun. Shockingly the front did not get too light in climbs.
Grips should have been changed really early, i finally got them done
I would love your insight, please next changes???
Token in fork ?
Chain ??
I am considering replacing my chain, It will be nice to have a spare in the toolbox, and its a fairly cheap "Upgrade? Will the XTR or XT chain work will on the Delore set, and or worth the few buck upgrade.
Near Future hopefully Feb or March
A new Saddle,,
the factory saddle is fair at best and that is very generous. I am not sure which new saddle I want::: most likely brooks(not sure of model), ergon, possible wtb. not sure which INPUT is more than welcome
Rear shock ??
I honestly thought I would scrap the Fusion Pro 2, close to day one,
but Honestly, it rides really well, the bike is amazing on tech climbs, rock gardens, and such. But I still wonder, how much better it could be, with a Fox/RockShox , The Fusion feels really good. Just not sure!!!!!! Any Insite from riders in the 200 lbs or 90 kilo range?
what changes have yall made to your Fuel EX aluminum especially Fuel ex5?
Well, the big three are getting addressed now, the 3 points of contact, hands , feet , ad tires!!
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Hi guys I have a fuel ex 7 2018 model so a little older but made plenty of upgrades and here is what I think made the biggest difference personally, upgraded brakes to guide re, huge difference in control and actually made me faster on my local times runs ..? The next big change was to a 2021 pike ultimate , larger 35 mm stanchions made for a much better ride as I can now just point the bike where I want it without being deflected off course through rocks and roots I have the carbon bars but not sure on the difference tbh, as well gx axs drivetrain but again think the other 2 upgrades made bigger impact
![]()
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I love the rekon 2.60 up front, My favorite part is , you will feel some drift before it breaks loose, for me and the dirt i ride it is very confidence-inspiring, but most of my dirt is clay with loose on top. I also love the rekon on rock-gardens but i have also heard good things about your build, Im 100% in for rekon/rekonIm picking up my Fuel next week. First thing Im gonna do is swap tires. On my hardtail I run a Rekon 2.4 out back and a Dissector 2.4 in the front. Probably the absolute best handling tire combo I've found for my local rooty conditions. Most of the time lately the roots have been wet and this combo has performed really well for me. Once in a while I might spin the rear tire climbing on a slippery root, but that's the worst I can say. This definitely isn't a slow combo but I'm looking for something just a smidge faster without giving up way too much grip up front. I'm thinking of Going Rekon/Rekon on the Fuel. What are your impressions of the Rekon up front? The Dissector is so damn confidence inspiring I've been really hesitant to switch from it but I think the Rekon might have enough grip that the lower rolling resistance might make the bike a little faster and better on the flats.
The rekon really is great tire. On the rear paired with the dissector that drift made it fun. Super predictable and it handled well. I ended up going in a different direction though. I bought a set of vittoria syerra's. It's basically gonna be an experiment for me. I'm trying to find a tire that really rolls well on my local trails and is fast. These will definitely fit that bill. The experiment is basically to see if they actually hook up on the roots, and still allow me to feel confident on the downhill sections. If these work, awesome. If not, I'm gonna try the next step up in vittorias line for a front tire.I love the rekon 2.60 up front, My favorite part is , you will feel some drift before it breaks loose, for me and the dirt i ride it is very confidence-inspiring, but most of my dirt is clay with loose on top. I also love the rekon on rock-gardens but i have also heard good things about your build, Im 100% in for rekon/rekon
I do have kind of a dumb 2nd reason, not posted so far, My wife and I ride, both ride Rekon 2.60 max terra 3c 120tpi wt tr front and rear, so we can carry one tire with us on a trip and we have the "spare" for ether bikes. With that said, i do not feel that the tires are a compromise in any way, especially on our local dirtThe rekon really is great tire. On the rear paired with the dissector that drift made it fun. Super predictable and it handled well. I ended up going in a different direction though. I bought a set of vittoria syerra's. It's basically gonna be an experiment for me. I'm trying to find a tire that really rolls well on my local trails and is fast. These will definitely fit that bill. The experiment is basically to see if they actually hook up on the roots, and still allow me to feel confident on the downhill sections. If these work, awesome. If not, I'm gonna try the next step up in vittorias line for a front tire.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ilmfat
831 Replies
DIRTJUNKIE
473 Replies
Sparticus
399 Replies
Recommended Communities
