[nsboxerguy]

Looking to buy my first full-suspension bike. I do a lot of single track and want a good all-around bike as I am pretty new. I currently ride a Trek Marlin 7 and love it but find it is limited. I really Marlin but I don't have enough experience to really be an authority on that other than it's been a good solid bike. I have been looking around and have pretty much come down to 2022 Rocky Mountain Element 50 or a 2022 Trek Fuel EX 7/8. I am looking for people's thoughts it's a significant amount of money and I want to make sure I will like what I get. Thoughts?

 

[eb1888]

The Marlin 7 has a poor performing fork. RS Judy coil. This really limits its capabilities.
Hardtails with a Marzocchi Z2 are a completely different riding experiences.
Here's one for comparison.

In other words there's a lot of good hardtails out there. You haven't been riding them. So you don't need fs to get good performance.
The EX7 has a similarly crapping fork. Motion Control damper with no upgrade possible. The EX8 has a decent fork. I'd pick it over the Element 50.

 

[Battery]

Test ride them and see what feels right. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to a bike upgrade. Seeing you bought a Trek, I recommend starting with that brand and check out any Fuels that are available in shop. Trek shops are a touch easier to find than dealers who sell Rocky Mountain. Unless you are lucky to have both nearby!

 

[Champion_Monster]

My issue with the Fuel EX7- and why I chose the 21 EX8 over it- is that it significantly trails the EX8 in the following components: Fork, Drivetrain (weight, gearing and quality), brakes, overall weight. Even the shock lacks Trek's Reaktiv damper which is a nice upgrade to an otherwise similar unit. You're only saving 570 dollars for all these differences I would consider it a mandatory upgrade. If you can afford the EX7 you can't afford not to upgrade to the EX8.

Can't speak to the Rocky Mountain offering but the Fuel EX8 is robust, quick, responsive, high quality and easy to live with so far.