Fantastic comprehensive honest review brotha! The hub upgrade was awesome, it's so cool that you can do this stuff on your own, impressive. I am looking to upgrade to 150 on my front as well. Smart move with the Velcro on the dropper lever.
Practical advice. I share the same likes and concerns with my very capable EX8. My BB creaked from day one. Head tube started creaking after 1 year. I broke 2 spokes in the first year. Need volume spacers for big g-outs. The bike climbs awesome and is stable downhill.
I have the same bike as you and I completely agree with everything! I also have the bb and headset creaks and I fix it the same way as you do. So this review is great for anyone who’s running into the same problems.
Yes. I rode today and noticed the BB creaking again. Its actually been a few weeks since I last did. I always enjoy working on my bike, so kind of looking forward to it…lol. Thanks for watching! I appreciate the positive feedback!
Can you make a video of the next time you service your bottom bracket? I have the exact same bike in an XL and have done all of your recommendations i.e. hub, tires, greasing pivots etc. And like you I only want to hear the tires and the hub!
Excellent review!! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and above all the honesty with which you do it. wish you all the best!! Thank you very much from Chile, South America.
I have a 9.8 and so far so good... only replacement was the derailleur hanger which I bent slightly due to a lil crash into a tree!! I am thinking about changing up to a 150mm fork, just for the little bit more travel...the 9.8 has a performance fork which is actually pretty good!! Great video 👍
Thats a nice bike! Thats awesome! That comes with a 36? Yeah always good to have a spare hanger. That way you are not waiting for a new one to arrive or being out of stock. Thanks for the comment!
@@ZRMTB Yeah it has a 36 on it!! The extra 2mm doesn't sound like much and I didn't think I would notice any difference in my old bike, which had a 32, but it's definitely making a difference!!
great vid! had the same issues with creaking. the biggest offender was my headset. not 100% sure it was the knock block spacers but i added a lockring spacer so i can put on a shorter RF stem and the bike's been quiet ever since.
This was really great and informative! We have an EX 5 that my boys use but so far ,haven't run into any issues but will certainly come back to this when we do! Just out of curiosity, what grease are you using on the bottom bracket and pivots? Thanks again!!!
Thank you! The EX5 is awesome! My wife has the 2021. She’s had it for a year as well. That thing still works like new, zero complaints from her. She doesn’t ride as much as I do but the bike has been great. Here is the link for the grease. Also I added most of rebuild kits and component links in the video description. Park Tool PPL-1 PolyLube 1000... www.amazon.com/dp/B000NORVHI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Great vid. Second vid I’ve watched from you of your Fuel EX, (I have a 9.8), and they help me feel the money I spent is justified 😂🙄 Tip I’ve found useful for rear axle removal: I lightly grease the entire axle body. This helps removal as well as protects it from moisture and erosion. Some sites even recommend slight grease on the thread, though I don’t go that far, as I’m scared vibrations from aggressive riding could shake it loose
I appreciate it Reyne. Yes thanks for the tip. I had also applied grease to the axle but it still seized up. It appears to have seized at the threads. So I apply grease to the axle shaft and a bit of anti seize to the threads. As long as it is properly torqued and regularly checked for tightness it should not loosen up. Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
Thats awesome! I really do love this bike! It has been great! Great components and pretty easy to maintain and look after. Enjoy that new bike! Thanks for watching and hope to make some new updated videos pretty soon.
Cool vid bro. I have the exact same bike and color in xl. When I first got my bike, it was creaking like crazy but was fine after a tune up. I really like the Fuel but now I'm thinking of upgrading to a Slash 9.8.
Thats awesome bro! Yeah the Slash looks nice. The Fuel is perfect for my local trails. I would love to buy an enduro bike for some more gnarly trails but keep this one for my everyday ride. Thanks for the comment!
Yes definitely consider this bike. I no longer have this but I loved it while I did have it. Super easy maintenance and reliable. I kept the multitool and still use. 👌🏽
Great review. Recently bought the same bike on a huge discount and so far I like it a lot. But can I ask if you change the spacer in the shock only for the bottoming out? I'm asking because mine feels kinda harsch when I ride trails that have lots of small bumps in quick succession. Feels great on the bigger hits but no matter what I try with rebound and compression, I can't seem to find that sweetspot on this shock. I'm thinking to get those spacers and try to ride with the biggest and lower the pressure.
Thats awesome! This bike is amazing. Did you set your sag correctly? For me I found that having less sag in both shock and fork made the bike feel better. So about 15 % sag. I actually removed all spacers from fork and went with smaller spacer in shock.
Guys, if you got a new bike like that, you need to remove all bolts from the bike, grease the parts that needs to be greased and put glue again on the screws. Solves all creaking and clicking, 100%. Did that bike, and now bike is running perfectly!!!!
Hi there ! Definitely a very good video. Thanks for the details . I ordered a ‘22 ex8 . Can’t wait to ride it. My question is with the new rhythm 34 ‘22 I would like to check an 150 mm air spring to tune up the fork while servicing . Any advice to find the right Information about the new designed fork ? Or any other advice to get the head tube angle slacker by 0.5 or 1 degree ?
If you take the serial numbers written on the fork underneath the head set. You should be able to take them to your LBS and they can help you find what you need. They make a special headset that uses a spacer between the fork and head tube to slacken out the head angle. You should be able to just google it.
Hi, I have the exact same bike, so I enjoyed seeing all the improvements and maintenance recommendations that you have made! I’m going to try a few, but have a question for you. I’ve been riding rocky trails and doing drops/jumps with the fuel ex, so dented the back rim. I will replace it eventually and put on some new maxxis tires with cushcore too. What rims would you recommend? I could get the same bontrager rim. I’ve also seen recommendations for Dt Swiss. The bike shop guys keep talking up i9, but those are expensive and have to be custom ordered (long fulfillment dates I think). They would be awesome but unnecessary with the hub upgrade you mentioned and I would probably destroy them on the terrain that I ride. What would you get/recommend?
Hey Roger. Thats awesome! So I actually broke another spoke on the same wheel (rear) shortly after making this video. Two broking spokes in about a month. I replaced it and trued the wheel at home. It has been holding up great since. That is really the only issue I’ved had with these wheels. They have been great otherwise. I would recommend the Bontrager or DT Swiss. Both are really nice and at a decent price compared to the I9. The I9 is crazy expensive and I have heard some bad stuff about their new Hydra hub. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching.
Your rubber chainstay protector, I’m sure it came with the bike? But do you know how it’s attached? Is it glued on or does it wrap all the way around the chainstay? Asking because I’m wondering if I could buy it and just slice off the top to put on my own bike, but that would require it to be held on by sticky glue instead of being a tight fit wrapping all the way around the chainstay
It comes with the bike. It does not wrap all the way around. It is glued on top and bottom of chain stay. Here is a link for a chain stay wrap you could try. www.ridewrap.ca/products/chainstay-armor/
Thanks for the comment! Here is the link. Sorry I forgot to mention them in the video. I also have the links in the description. RaceFace Crank Boot for Alloy... www.amazon.com/dp/B00JNAK4OU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Thanks for watching. Links are listed below. www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-hubs-hub-parts/bontrager-rapid-drive-108-freehub-pawl-springs/p/21958/ www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-hubs-hub-parts/bontrager-rapid-drive-108-freehub-pawls/p/21957/
@@ZRMTB thanks appreciate the response My friend has me convinced that full suspension is TERRIBLE on the road but he's never tried this specific bike lol
@@getstrongby4038 It is not ideal for road but you can get by pretty good if you lock out the suspension and maybe set the mino link to high setting. Thanks for watching!
Que onda primo. No I have not tried the Top Fuel. I think it would be faster on climbing and flatter trails. Going down and chunkier trails the Fuel EX I believe would perform a bit better. All depends on the rider but that is just my opinion.
@@ZRMTB no todo calmado👍🏽 Yeah I can see that because of the travel difference in the suspensions. I purchased the top fuel but im worried it won’t stand up to downhill/trails. The day I tested them the fuel ex8 felt like it sagged too much but im not sure if the bike shop had enough air in the suspension for my weight.
@@csalinas-sf6jg Orale yeah probably not set up right for your weight. For me I rather have more comfortable feeling going down. I like riding techy down hills with drops. Going up for me is what ever. I rather have more fun going down. I have a hardtail that I sometimes use for more XC trails.
Nice review the trail monster..greeting cyclist from Malaysia..come for support and feel the vibe...keep safe and healthy...get in my footage too..some cycling route in Johor Malaysia have been recorded..for entertainment and share the same awesome hobby with friend....get in....hope enjoy it and keep success
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