I really like your vids and was laughing when you said how controlled then you are immediately yelling from almost crashing. Then you said how great the tires are but feel like you might puncture at any moment. Later you said why would you need any more travel right before going off a drop and the fork is screeching for mercy!! Too funny like it was planned.
Great review and spot on about sizing. I'm also 5'10", smack in the middle of the height curve, you'd think that manufacturers would wanna cater to us, but no! At least Trek has seen the light with the ML sizing.
I just got a 2022 Top Fuel 9.7 the other day. Still getting my legs back under me after about 10 years out of the saddle. Loving it so far. Those trails you are riding look awesome. You handled them like a champ.
I'm glad to see all my trek influencing is paying off... JC come to the dark side! Mwa hahaha! Seriously though so good right? I ordered a frame right away after demoing. I think the 130mm grip 2 fox 34 will be the perfect match for that bike as well. I bottomed the sid out quite easily as well. Great review!
would it though? 130mm would change geo ever so slightly ...too close to fuel ex and too far from intended purpose of that bike. If only we could mount 130mm without changing seat tube angle
@@Drogos79 Yep absolutely. In fact the 9.9 XTR is spec'd with a 130mm fox 34. In low that would give a 65.5 HA and a 75.5 seat angle and in high would be 65.9 HA and 75.9 SA. So, just about perfect for an all around trail ripper, this is no longer an XC bike trust me, I had the opportunity to demo myself and did a review on it as well. The one thing holding the bike back was the fork I felt...
I just picked up this exact build top fuel in part due to your video, and this thing absolutely rips up NE trails! It's basically the perfect bike for out here.
@@jctrails One thing I just noticed is that you have the SID Select fork but my bike, as well as everywhere else I see online, has just the "SID". The difference being that the Select uses the Charger damper, and the base SID uses the Rush damper. How did you end up with the SID Select?
At 5'-10, 175lbs...I have only been riding Trek M/L frames for years. Perfect frame size for us dudes in between sizes! Glad you mentioned that....Top Fuel looks like a great bike! Probably my next bike....it will be interesting see where these Aggressive Cross Country bike go in the next few years.
Great review, thanks JC. Have been thinking about replacing my MY20 Top Fuel with something a little more trail focused instead of XC. Watching you hit those rocks & features just proves to me this is the bike I want.
Hey JC. I ride a ‘21 Stumpjumper expert and am looking to trade into a carbon Top Fuel 9.8. I know you’ve ridden both. Basically I ride trails like you. Nothing to gnar. Insight appreciated
Got a 2022 Top Fuel 7 yesterday. 5'10" as well, your video confirmed I made the right choice with a M/L! Sales guy recommended a large, but I got a M/L. I was having second thoughts if I made a mistake on sizing but now I know I'm all good!
Another great ride review. 👌 I would love it if they decided to offer those tan sidewall XR4 tires for retail sales. The XR4S seem like awesome tires in general. The bike seems nice too...😁
Hey JC, follower from Brasil here. Between this bike, Orbea OIZ M30 2023, Scott Spark RC comp 2023, which one would you go for? I tested this Trek yesterday and the feeling was amazing, i was kind of disregarding due to its weight, but it did not felt heavy and the feeling riding it was greeat. Anyway, i'm stuck beteeen these options.
Stumbled across this video due to me looking at purchasing a top fuel, I've watched a few other videos since but I have to wonder....you a pilot or mechanic for JetBlue? You mentioned anti-skid, and obviously wore the sweatshirt. FedEx Aircraft Mechanic here. You do a great job on your videos/reviews!
The XR4s held up surprising well here in Phoenix, AZ riding. Although my rear tire needed 2 Stans Darts to make it through it's life....it still made it. I have since replaced them with the sturdier SE4....no issues at all since! Great tires!
Good Morning. I live in Brazil, and here you can't find any review about the TOP FUEL 5. The frame is aluminum and the bike weighs 15kg. Is it worth buying a bike like this considering it's a heavy bike? If you can answer me, I would appreciate it.
Finally a review from someone who I know likes the same kind of bikes I do! I was pretty much sold on the Ibis Ripley AF but now considering this bike. Any thoughts on comparing those two bikes?
Love the Down Country setup on the new Top Fuel 8 but it's heavier than the Fuel EX 8 with more travel. Not sure it's place in their lineup. I currently have a 22 Fuel EX 9.7, I agree the wheel set is the weak point, not sure the Bontragers carbon are the answer either with the 9.8. Great Review!
Funny, even with the M/L, I'm right in between that and the M at 5'8.5 so I overlap both of those sizes according to the charts. I can't win! lol. At 5'8" and some change, think I should go with a medium?
That M/L size is a gem. I'm in the same boat you are size wise, I'd bought a 2022 FEX8 in a L last year because it's all that was available (came from a 2007 C'Dale Rush), and while I really like the EX it has always been just a little big for me. LBS had a Top Fuel 7 on sale a couple weeks ago in the M/L and I grabbed it. The bike is heavy, but hides it's weight pretty well considering. Really enjoying a bike that fits properly, not sure i'll keep the FEX now. So which wheels did you go with? I looked at Trek's carbon set and they only save like 200 grams.
Trek makes a great bike, I have a Fuel EX 7 and Stache 7. the only issue with TREK is their bikes have an issue with corrosion and they will not stand behind it even when the bike is only 9 months old. I have chosen to leave TREK for that reason.
@@usamade5943 there is corrosion on the area by the bottom bracket and also on the edges of each hole on the swing arm. Trek said they would give me a 20% break on the part (swing arm) so it would only cost $80 plus labor...great warranty. If I can find the pictures my local Trek dealer sent to them I'll post.
I was trying to say that the geo of the bike allows me to be centered in it . This gives me the confidence in turns and hitting other features (allows me to weight both wheels easily) I guess I could of said that. The actual weight of the bike is rear bias, which is further exaggerated by the super light SID fork.
@@jctrails I had the feeling that’s what you were saying but I wasn’t sure. Geometry I understand. Balanced gets confusing to me. Balanced means proper weight distribution. Geometry means you’re in the right position. To me anyway. Wtf do I know though. I’m just some old school trail builder with no hair and too many pets
@@jctrails XL, I'm 6'2" tall with a 35.5" inseam, finding bikes is hard... I have a bike, my comment was more that although manufacturers are promoting new models they are still had to come by.
