I appreciate the thoroughness of this video. I'd been looking at the EX * for a while, but it feels so heavy. The Top Fuel seems like it'll give me just enough travel for fun play, but is still a good climber, and maybe a bit less porky.
I have this bike. No complaints. I did put on more aggressive tires after losing traction in loose stuff, but that’s personal preference. Otherwise pretty perfect bike.
I have about six rides logged on mine. I like the bike but did have a problem. The suspension pivot bolt blew apart. It's in getting fixed right now, we'll see how it holds up. I'm also getting use to the weight, coming from a hardtail.
Downcountry just means light-weight short-travel 29er. The term Downcountry comes from combining DOWN hill with cross COUNTRY to get Downcountry. Essentially an XC bike that descend well. I always find it odd that people get weird when that word, Downcountry, is brought up. What's up with that?
But what is a Trail bike then? Trail bikes in 2022 are what All-Mountain bikes were in 2018. So why do we now have 2 categories for essentially the same bike and some how call 150mm travel bikes "trail"?
@@Jamesthebikeguy I see mountain bikes categories on a spectrum---XC, Downcountry, Trail, All-Mountain, Enduro, Downhill. As you work your way across the spectrum (left to right) the travel gets longer, the geo gets slacker, and the weight gets heavier. Or, we could categorize them by fork travel---100-120mm XC, 120-130 Downcountry, 130-150 Trail, 150-160 All-Mountain, 160-200 Enduro, 200+ Downhill. Personally, I find all of these categories to describe mountain bikes useful. If I was going to eliminate one of these categories it would be "Trail". I don't think riders should buy Trail bikes as I've defined the category. Either get the light-weight fast-rolling (100-120 rear/120 front travel) Downcountry bike or go for the burly capable fast-descending (140-150 rear/160 front travel) All-Mountain bike. To me, the Trail bike is the worst of all worlds. Now that they have the Top Fuel, Trek will likely update the current obsolete (130 rear/140 front travel) Fuel EX to a (140 rear/160 front travel) All-Mountain bike. My spidey sense says that it's coming soon.
@@marksandoval5361 trail bike is the most versatile MTB there is. but of course is the less suitable for any kind of racing. trail bike is for those who enjoy going up as going down. no racing Just Fun!
Seriously looking into buying the Top Fuel 8, for only 420$ CAD more than the 7. Unless on very tight budget, it's plenty worth it for SID fork, deluxe ultimate shock and 4 piston Shimano brakes. Just to correct something, the 7 is not the entry level build, there is a top fuel 5, lower specs and price.
I just bought the 2023 top fuel 7 and i love the bike just wanna ask if make any difference or make the bike more versatile if i go for 130mm in the front?
I don't think so. The stance is a stripped budget aluminum mtb frame with old tech to help keep cost low. The Top Fuel is most aligned with the Trance from Giant where they are sharing similar frame features & quality. Stance is just a totally different bike, even in Giant's line up.
Not at all! This has a real pivot at the axle, not a flex stay like the Stance, a threaded BB, high engagement rear hub, XT rear derailleur…overall sold spec and much better frame. Only downside is the fork is not upgradable but this is way better than the Stance in almost every way.
What size bike did you weigh / review? I'm about to pull the trigger in one myself but as usual I fall square between the M/L and the L.... No idea which to pick and they aren't in stock anywhere to try out
Sizing is spot on. 465 reach on a m/l is pretty long for a downcountry. Because of the steeper seat angle, it might feel a little cramped seated. But that’s all modern bikes really
Looking for my first full suspesion, I have a giant fathom that weighs just over 28 and going to over 32 seems like a lot since this bike is over twice as expensive. Maybe an Oiz or a lux instead. Heck I liked the ex7 I tried and with the extra suspension it isn't much heavier.
@@Jamesthebikeguy i ride my ex 8 like a cross country bike have done 80 miles of local single track lots of big days and have thought maybe i need the top fuel instead ? Thanks for great reviews again
