Burly Hardtail Battle | Specialized Fuse vs Trek Roscoe 

Same, I bought a pair for my GF and me and we love them. Since we both needed one, it wasn’t terrible price-wise

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Thank you! But I have learned that you cannot draw any conclusions from images alone, they might not be accurate.

You're in for a treat! 👍

I think it is great with some competition from Trek. That will hopefully bring the prices of the Fuse to more realistic levels.

Yes, a great bike but still a trail bike and not as "enduro" as the Slash (which is a stunning bike BTW). You might want to have a look at the new Top Fuel too which has also gotten a lot more capable from 2022.

Thank you! I honestly think the bike was one size too small for me. Test for yourself, we all have different body shapes. Good luck!

@@MTBs how tall are you? You're on a large and don't look super tall or anything, so I'd imagine you're on the right size.

I'm 185 cm/6.1 feet. I think I might be in between sizes on the Roscoe. A large works, but maybe a XL would suit me better.

Yay! 🤟

I bought it, but I bought the wrong size and took some of the parts off, upgraded tons of other parts and then ended up actually getting the Roscoe frame! in the right size so definitely a little bit of a course there but I end up figuring it out. It was my introduction into the sport so it was a lot of fun building and learning about everything.

A great complement to your Z06! 💪

should have been here a few months earlier there are far many better options than these too better spec better geoometry for less money, i can show you

What is better geometry for you? Don't think there's a perfect geo that works everywhere. Just published a review of a Canyon Stoic if you're interested.

If you're happy with the bike it sounds like a great buy! Upgrading the bike to your liking is part of the joy, I too have a hartail which is beyond recognition by now! 😂

You can upgrade the rear hub with DT swiss 350 (148×12) plus conversion endcaps 142@135 QR HWGXXX0001528S

@@rogeliopitti7120 Thanks, that gives me another option besides Hope Pro 4 hubs. I will look into them

I am glad you are happy with your Norco, seems like a great bike (and brand)! There are a few options out there now: Nukeproof Scout, Merida Big Trail, Canyon Stoic and the new Rockrider AM 100 to name a few.

@@MTBs Thank you. I actually looked at many of those and simply could not get one in late 2020 unless I was prepared to wait almost 8 months. Crazy times.

Indeed an awesome deal!

How did you get it so cheap?

@@Jose-sy1je It's on sale on their website. New model probably coming soon.

Absolutely! At a price though.

I think there is a new Chisel out now, right? And I strongly suspect Specialized will launch a new Fuse shortly as well.

@@MTBs I've had a quick look around today and not noticed any new specialized models . I did go onto Trek website today and they have a new 2024 procaliber 8 aluminium with 120mm fork which looks very appealing for a multiday road trail bikepack bike , that looks very attempting , though sounds like i should wait a bit for next round of specialized to come out 🙂 thanks

The 2024 Chisel is now a lightweight FS bike. I haven't seen it in the flesh, but it's like a budget version of the Epic I recon. The upcoming Fuse will probably be very costly once it is launched, but there might be good deals on the current Fuse because of the new model.

@@MTBs ok thanks ,not though about a FS ,the new chisel frame looks good , will pop down bike shops next few weeks and try them out see which ones feel best 🙂

I doubt that I will be able to test those bikes, but I will put them on my bucket list!

Sorry mate, I haven't had the pleasure to ride that bike. But sure, there are many ni nice hardtails out there other than the Roscoe.

Annoying, I know!

I ordered one, it's coming in July of 2023 lol

i just ordered a 9 they said 2mo.

Basically because of the fork which is the most important thing on a bike imo. The Recon is only 32 mm which I think will be too flexy on a bike of this caliber. It's a XC fork. Depends on where you intend to ride of course. I also favor Deore over NX and half a kilo of lower weight on the 8.

That's one way to do it! 👍 Is that a 27.5 inch bike then?

@@MTBs Yup. That's I went with it. Everything is 29" nowadays.

Would love to, but it's so hard to find demo bikes.

That was kind of what the video was about! 😂 You need to find a deal on a Fuse to match a Roscoe.

Nja, en tumregel är ju att köpa rätt cykel från början eftersom det alltid/oftast blir dyrare att uppgradera i efterhand. Problemet är väl att du kanske inte från början vet om du skulle uppgraderat? Men om det är din första cykel så är det nog mer troligt att du byter till en FS snarare än att du lägger en förmögenhet på att uppgradera en HT.

@@MTBs Så är det såklart, onödigt att lägga pengar på För bra saker som man inte kan nyttja. Men om man vill ha något som man både kan köra xc, lite pump track, och inte för blodiga trails, så känns en HT rätt. En FS kanske rent av blir dålig om man ska ut och köra lite xc som fysträning? Sen är ju typ alla "guider" här på RU-vid antingen fr USA eller GB och de cyklarna finns ju ofta inte på svenska marknaden. Det vore nice med typ en lista med de bästa/vettigaste HT's för den svenska marknaden. Typ - hur mycket "bör" man lägga för att få en vettig HT? Hur mycket ska man inte lägga och hur lite ska man inte lägga, så man inte köper skit? Skulle du kunna tipsa om tre vettiga HT som man kan behålla flera år framöver, som varken behövs uppgraderas redan år 2 eller som inte är för mycket, för dyra etc..?

Hello igen. Har inte kört så många ht att jag känner att jag kan rekommendera de 3 bästa. Tror du får bättre svar på happyride.se. Många verkar gilla Orbea Laufey. Väljer du H10 så lär du inte behöva uppgradera ngt mer. Fokusera annars på bra gaffel. Bromsar o drivlina är egentligen skit samma till en gräns.

I don't think it is discontinued. You probably have to wait a few more weeks until they show up.

@@MTBs Thanks. Been looking for a new Hardtail and never seen the fuse in the last 2- 3 months. So the game of patience continues :) Take care and thanks for the content.

Thanks! There are other similar bikes than the Fuse if you can't find any. I think there has been quite a few alternatives mentioned here in this comment section.

@@MTBs Yeah for sure. But the alternatives have a pretty bad dealer network in my area. There are alot of great bikes Nukeproof Scout, Orbea Laufey, Canyon Stoic. The scott dealer is just 10km away which is a huge plus in my book

I am assuming you mean the Roscoe. I am 185 cm tall and the L didn't feel too big at all, almost the opposite when sitting down but I prefer larger bikes. It is always difficult to advice about size since we are all shaped differently and have different preferences, so you should really test for yourself. But I would go for L if I was going to say anything. Cheers!

Awesome, yes the roscoe thanks for the reply, I was thinking the same although the only one available to me right now is the M/L, the L is still on order and who knows how far out it is. Wondering if i should give up the extra reach and go for the slightly smaller one. The terrain i ride is 50/50 some fast straight sections but also a fair amount of technical sections and lots of XC style uphill tracks. Unfortunately the bike shops are far enough away that I am unable to test ride. Would you say the size difference between the two is significant enough to wait for the large? The M/L is only 150mm shorter reach.

Sorry only 15mm shorter reach**

@@bulkleyoutdoors Again, it is about personal preference I would say. It is not unridable and you can adjust saddle and get a longer stem too if needed. At the same time you are spot on a size L according to Trek and it would be a shame to buy a bike that's too short then and regret it later? Sorry, but I cannot advice you to go with the smaller size...

@@MTBs that works for me! I agree, it is a lot of money to spend on something if there is any chance I will regret it, I will take all the advice I can get. Thank you.

Jodå, lite mer rimligt tycker jag. Bra ram o hyggliga komponenter.

I might get a hold of a Stoic at some point at least.

You meant Scout and Stoic

Nice! And that's a really good price for the bike too. Congrats!

Over 3000€? Full susp every day! That would buy me a bike that would be fun in a bike park too.

@@MTBs yes, apart from very easy terrain with lot’s of climbing (where a gravel probably would do better) I’ve nerver seen the purpose of a HT in the woods (at least not now days). Sure, if you’r on a tight budget, but for the kind of money we are talking about here, FS feels like the obvious choice.

@@MYnextDIYbikePROJECT Well, the geometry is there and they can be pretty fun at the right places. But I am too comfortable to be bounced around if I take the wrong line or end up in terrain that is too rough. For me a FS is more versatile.

@@MYnextDIYbikePROJECT"I’ve nerver seen the purpose of a HT in the woods" .... this is a supid, comment!

@@kihealthandwellness I mean he explained his point far better than you so I'd say it's your comment that's far more stupid.

Supply and demand, probably. You are lucky that you bought your bike at the right time! 👍

Hi Marc! Yes I know that Merida owns Specialized, that's why you cannot find Merida in North America. Would love to test the Big Trail, but it is very difficult for me as a small RU-vidr to get a hold of bikes to test.

It's a perfectly normal post-covid symptom. I see it everywhere. 😉

Good call! 👌

Both brands have bikes on sale today, so I would check out the best deal first. Nice bikes both of them, I would go for the Fuse for more regular trail riding and the Roscoe for more chunk and occasional bike park visits.

@@MTBs any chance I give you a list of 5 I'm trying to choose from and you help me decide? it's my first bike and the stress and anxiety of choosing is overwhelming. I'm 6' 3" 240lbs. Mostly trail riding but will look for some small jumps, berms etc. I think I've narrowed down to 5 bikes in the $1500-2k range

Sure! I can give it a try at least.

@@MTBs so of the bigger names (due to shops in the area for service) would be between Specialize Fuse Comp 29 and Trek Roscoe 8. But I've also been looking at Rocky Mountain Growler, Canyon Stoic, Comenca Meta HT.. I just want a bike that I won't have to fix, repair or upgrade off the jump but room for upgrades later. Thru axle is a must!

@@MTBs at my size, and what I plan on using the bike for.. can I get away with a high end Marlin, or Polygon Xtrada 7, high end Rockhopper, and the rest of the $1k bikes?

Hi! Sorry, haven't ridden any Giant.

Agreed, it looks nice!

These bikes are sold in bike shops and should come fully assembled and adjusted. But if you should buy a bike online I made a video about assembly here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_za0EX2L8Xc.html Tools for assembly is usually only a set of allen keys and a couple of torx keys too which usually is found in basic allen key sets for bikes. Pretty easy t b h.

Point is, they are VERY similar bikes. I used to get hung up on head angles, but I don't anymore since it is the complete package that counts. It really comes down to what is available (and money after all). At the top end of the range the Roscoe wins because of spec, you will appreciate a Fox 36 over a 34. But if going mullet is important to you - the Fuse is your option. Cheers!

@@MTBs I"m curious why the fuse would be better for going mullet. I'm heavily considering the Roscoe 8 (and Fuse Comp) but I definitely want the option to put a 27.5 in the back because I'm pretty short

@@sadcat520 The higher tier Fuses have an adjustable chainstay, which means that they can be shortened when using a smaller rear wheel. The base Fuse has got a fixed chainstay though. (This was 2 years ago and things might have changed)

Hi there! No, I mean that the Roscoe 6 has the old frame carried over from the previous model of the Roscoe.

Have to agree, they are budget forks. Don't think they are too awful though, just budget.

LOL for 99 percent of people out there these forks are more than enough, I am sure you yourself would not even ride that fork to its full potential. Everyone these days wants the best without even understanding why they need this. Comments like yours make me think of you as a bad bad rider who simply sucks and complains every time he goes out on a trail. LMAO. You are probably one of those with a 5k double suspension bike I pass by on a 2k hardtail on a double black diamond with a $300 awful RockShox fork.

2 rather different bikes. Trail vs XC. Depends on where you intend to ride I guess.

Good looks is what matters on youtube. 😉

Love Specialized frames too, but I haven't really heard anything bad about Trek alloy frames. Certainly this bike seems to be well put together.

The 2nd hand market has also been crazy, but it seems as if the bike boom is over now and prices in general are coming down.

Correct, they are not CA-ARB-RON-UM bikes. 😆