As a flatlander not far from Trek's HQ in Wisconsin, I'm smitten with how my new 9.7 Top Fuel handled the Pisgah National Forest in South Carolina. It was my first time in that region and the Top Fuel climbed as good as any XC bike i've ridden and that slack front end just chewed up all the tech I could throw at it. Coming from the midwest I can't justify a huge burly bike and this rig really has the capability I need for both riding local and also adventuring around the USA. Great review guys, helped me with my decision.
OK, second installment and it's definite, Henry is a masterful addition to the PB roster, such a practical and logical thinker who believes electronics don't belong on a bike, except for maybe a basic computer or GPS. 100% agree with Levy and Henry on the Knock Block, needs disappearing.
HAVE YOU BLOODY TRIED AXS???? I have both dropper and derailleur, it is GOD DAMN AMAZING. Seriously people, technology is evolving, the world around us is evolving, try to keep up with the times.
Yes, know several people who have it, don't want it anywhere near my bike. Cables break, easy to replace, light and cheap enough to have a good amount of spares, not so for that electronic BS, leave MTBing natural. Guessing you also probably have one of those e-motor-bikes, people tell you are just the same as regular bikes and require the same work :-\ Have a bike sitting here over a month for a client, if it was just good old fashioned SS cable, I'd have had him back up and on the bike in minutes :-\
I have the previous top fuel with the even more restrictive knock block, and honestly, I’ve grown to like it. The thing it lets you do is trim the cables nice and tight so the clutter in front of the bar is reduced.
@@lynxg4641 You sound like one of those "threaded headset til I die" junkies that discounted John Rader's incredible contribution to the cycling world haha! In all seriousness, both camps have a credible claim to "the best groupset tech", XTR vs AXS specifically! Mech "just works" and is easy to fix, but electronic certainly has a foothold on simplicity, smoothness, and precision in this day and age.
I've got the last model and I'm going to upgrade for sure. Where I live the trails are good but it's not Whistler. The Top Fuel really enables me to get the most fun out of the available topo and trail types.
one of the smartest thing pink bike ever does in year 2020 or 2019 is they took henry into the team.... just by hearing how henry words and phrases and sounds... it takes the whole review into a different level
Awesome! I should have mine in less than a week. So excited to try it out. I will be doing XC marathon styles races on it as well. A negative degree stem with lighter wheels and tires, and I am sure it will do great.
I bought the Trek 9.8 axs with fox factory because of this video. I was expecting having alot of control with counter steering and such around techy trails. Well because the minolink, the shock was set up high from factory. Which numbed steering significantly, slamming the stem made a small difference in steering agility. I was about to hang my hat that this bike was not what I had dreamed of. But upon watching more reviews, I move the shock lower on the minolink, like you guys have in the video. And wow it was exactly what was missing, bike feels more direct under during counter steering, with no negative change in high speed decent stability. Very very pleased with this bike. And yes that small minolink adjustment make a drastic change in the bike's handling ability.
I'm surprised by the weight comments. This is a light bike, especially considering how capable it is. Pivot Trail 429 in Pro XT build is 29 lbs (and also a 120/130 bike)... and awesome, so a bit surprised about the weight comments.
I love mine. I have the ‘21 model at the 9.7 spec level and it rips up and down. Definitely a trail bike though. Not even close to an XC bike anymore it looks like.
This new Fuel is nice, but not for 7K! I ended up building a new carbon Fuel EX frame (2017 model) last year with a Fox 140 factory fork, DSP2 rear shock (136mm) and LinePro 30 carbon wheels. Also a Bike Yolk set at 150mm, 12 speed XT and Magura MT7 brakes. I built the bike myself for around $3500 - all new parts! Very similar geo as this new Fuel but 1/2 the price!
It was hard not no improve from the rock bottom he was. But there is still a long way for him to go to make his point audible and somewhat comprehensible by the public
Looks like the Fuel EX next year is getting upped to 140 mm travel with a 150 mm Lyrik or 36 at this rate! This top fuel is very similar to the Fuel EX of a few years ago now. Seems like the Remedy is going to get the mullet treatment next year too seeing how much brands are switching their 27.5 bikes to mullet.
Maybe this is worst nightmare of many people, but I need to say this 150 mm bike is something I miss in Treks Lineup, and also a mullet Remedy would be awesome
I hope I'm wrong, but I think Trek is going to can the Remedy. They already bumped up the Fuel EX to 140mm and the Slash comes in at 160mm, so is a 150mm "tweener" bike really needed? I'm a proud owner of the 2017 Remedy 8 and a new Fuel EX 9.7 and the lines are getting pretty blurry between the models. The new Fuel EX climbs better than the Remedy and descends almost as well.
Fuel EX went to 130/140 this year, same travel is the regular Stumpy. Trek really could use an all mountain bike and I agree that a mullet Remedy might be the ticket there.
About to throw the rear shock from a 2022 Trek Top Fuel 5 on my 2014 Trek Fuel EX8 to replace the DRCV rear shock currently on it. The Fox Float with DRCV is great at keeping the rear end planted, but it also bobs like crazy and is the antithesis of “poppy”. They both are 185x50 trunnion rear shocks, so hoping this will breath new life into the nearly decade old Fuel EX8.
Did you try yet? It doesn't fit. I have the same bikes and tried this two weeks ago. The trunnion is too wide to fit in the old bikes linkage. To bring new life to the DRCV, cleaned the inside, new seals, new pillow pack oil. Feels great!
I took a Top Fuel out on a Trek demo day back in 2010 and it was mind blowing! Climbed like a stabbed rat and was great on groomed trail center jumps. I was extremely impressed. I managed to wreck a wheel, but it was a 9.9 and that was the early days of 29er a where the wheels were generally flimsy junk. Would love to try a modern Top Fuel
Great content. The only gripe I have with trek are the prices. Just can't get myself to spend 7 grand for the cheapest sid comp. Got my fingers crossed the lux trail will get good words from you guys as I've pretty much got an order and just want your blessing.
I’m betting that Lux Trail will be a quick bike for XC without being a race bike, but give up some on the downs. Great value. Me, I’m curious on that Rocky Mountain Element.
Top Fuel is an amazing bike, I ride it on really rough trails chasing down right behind enduro and DH racers, the XR tyres have good grip, the bike is stable and sturdy so you can throw it around without fear of breaking it (I buckled the wheels a little but it's barely anything and who doesn't?) feels good riding and yeah, amazing bike imo.
@@Blake953 Carbon, if you're planning to get the aluminum version then you may as well go with an enduro bike because the aluminum Top Fuel weighs 14.8 kg, which is almost as heavy as the Slash 8
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*
There were no Top Fuels available so I got myself a 2022 Santa Cruz TR and would love to ride these back to back to see how they compared. I watched their comparison video but nothing like trying it for yourself.
I think it's dumb that Trek abandoned the lockout on this model. Maybe they could offer a more XC oriented version with 120mm fork & dual lockout lever. I can dream, can't I?
I had the 20 year model top fuel and got the 22 frameset. I am having the fork transferred from my old top fuel and with it the remote lock out. It can't have the rear shock with remote lock out but it seems like that won't be needed often at all.
Damn, I tested both Top Fuel and Fuel Ex earlier this year and while I was impressed by Top Fuel climbing ability, I decided to go for Fuel Ex. I co not think I would be able to buy 2022 Top Fuel model as it was released later than Fuel Ex so it does not matter much but this review saw a tiny bit of doubt to my choice. Anyway, Im a happy rider of 2022 Fuel Ex 9.8 GX with nearly 500km on it while I got it at the end of September.
I got this bike last year, got the base model. I immediately swapped out the wheels to get something a lil smaller and have been working to remove all of the downhill parts of the bike since i just ride xc mostly. Wish the mono link could change the geo a bit more but other than that its pretty good. A lil slack for sure but if eats up everything even with how i have it setup. Can currently get the same shocks as this test bike on sale for like 800 total too
Really leaning towards ordering one of these, throwing on a 130 fork and putting it in high setting. With the 130 and in high setting the geo is the same as 120 in low setting but you get more travel and higher bottom bracket. Then throw it in low for rowdier descents.
Dare not say anything about hacksawing the bars.. Trek might take offense and cut your access to test bikes hehe. Levy you looked mortified when he said that.
I feel like you guys keep skimming geo a little too briefly. This Trek and the RM in particular seem to have made the biggest leap away from XC/DC towards Trail. Does that slack HTA make it a pig etc?
@@Salvotation I get that, but I am more specifically thinking of the tight stuff. It looked pretty precise and supportive in the fast stuff as you'd expect with the trail bike geo.
As always, it depends on where you ride and what that terrain is like. If you frequently smash through rock gardens or need a bike capable of the odd bike park run, then Fuel EX all the way. For long miles of cross country track with a limited amount of rocky features and want to do an XC race or three, then go Top Fuel. The Top Fuel really still is a purpose-built race bike, just now with better descending capabilities.
@@wvjeepguy8178 That’s a good deal you got on that bike. I bought all 2021 parts for my Trek Liquid frame that I never built up. The state of the world forced my hand if I wanted a new bike without spending $5000. I must have spent close to $1000 on the parts. I couldn’t bring myself to trash it even though some people are of the opinion that a frame from 2005 is only suited for the land fill. Now tapered head tubes and frames that accept 27.5” wheels and tapered forks are part of my dreams at night.
in my scott spark 2022 there was "bushing play" from new. I returned it for warranty and to this day have not received it back they told me to wait 3 months in aspire. I had to buy a new one because I participate in marathons, and can't imagine life without a bike. BUT I noticed that there is also a slight play in the new rock shox sid ultimate, it is only noticeable when the bike is standing still but it is there
@@Alex-sh7qw doesn't matter what category its in, people race with down country bikes & ride trails with them, either way its a great feature with absolutely no downside, so why get rid of it?
Unfortunately many models with different materials, specs and whatnot are sold under same name, so these reviews only apply, if you happen to consider the one specific model of all the models sold under same name.
It would end up making it 0.5 degrees steeper, stack slightly higher, and reach a little bit shorter. Would say if you want a little more travel then go with the Fuel ex but it def would handle a 130mm fork.
@@bencourter5333 Well the only reason I was asking about the 130 front fork been seeing a lot of other manufacturers going with a 130/120 combination the Rocky Mountain Element and the Giant Trance. I’ve been suffering with a Specialized Epic and definitely don’t want to go through that again.
I have the same exact bike as you, my buddy bought the 2022 version and it does seem to be different, it’s beefier and heavier and doesn’t have the duel lock out feature he wishes that he could have bought the 2021 version that we have, I absolutely love mine as it’s an awesome bike