I picked up a Top Fuel 9.8 GX last summer, it's a great all around bike! Excellent build quality, light, very capable. It's an excellent climber and descends fast as well. It is not as capble as my StumpJumper on the chunky descents, but it's the fastest all around bike in my fleet. Only thing I did not care for was the SID fork, it just really is not in line with the quality of the rest of the bike. Replaced the fork with a Fox 34 Grip 2 130mm travel, and it really makes the Top Fuel shine.
I picked up this bike after 20yrs away from MTB, and about to turn 40. Really glad to hear your insights on this bike, especially because in the winter of Canada I haven't had a chance to experience those grips. Will be looking into a set before hit the trails in Spring! Thanks for the explanation!
thanks a lot for you amazing review. I was about to buy the specialized epic evo, and check this coincidence: this mornig i went to Trek shop to buy some other stuff and I saw this bike, I just falled in loved with the design and color, and then I saw the specs. I do preffer shimano brakes and shifters (specialized is coming with Sram). On top of that, I felt we are in the same life stage! I m exactky in the same situation you perfectly described (i just want the bike to enjoy the nature, not comepittion at all). Your video now looks to me like universe signal! thanks for sharin (i have a lot to talk to my pillow tonigh hahaha)
If you look at how far forward of the BB the main chainstay pivot is located, you can intuitively grasp how much extra rear wheel leverage is required to put the suspension into its stroke when the chain is tensioned -- I think this is playing a really big role in the excellent pedalling behavior you're describing (maybe with a bit of top-end heavy compression tuning on shock itself, perhaps?). I know I've never seen a main pivot placed that far forward of the BB before -- it's pretty radical compared to the Gen 5 Fuel EX, which otherwise has nearly the same geometry (albeit with more travel).
Thanks for the great review. I am in the same/similar situation as you. Looking at the Trek Top Fuel 8. I will have to deal with the slight extra weight with the Alumininum frame.
The great thing about the 8 is that you won’t ever need to upgrade anything. You will get top notch components. I was going to get the 7 but I felt lifting onto the rack would get to be too much on my back after a while. The 8 is about a pound or so lighter but I just figured $500 was too close to not get the carbon. I can always upgrade the components later if I need to. The two big things I am told that the 8 has over the 9.7 is the suspension. However, the Fox is so good I can’t imagine the RS being much better for what I do but I will notice the lifting weight every ride. If I didn’t have a history of tweaking my back I might have even gotten a 5 and just upgraded over time. The bottom line is that the top fuel is a home run for guys like us whichever one you pick! Let me know how it all shakes out for you.
I have got top fuel 9.8 Sl My only problem with this bike it’s the fork only 100mm I bought the bike second hand good condition Bike are very fast and climbing I thought maybe upgrade fork for 130-140mm and sort stem like 35mm instead 60 as stock Also replace the tires from xr2 to something more grip mostly in corners Looking for advice ! 😊Ty
Nice review. I’m in a similar situation except upgrading from a 26er hard tail. I have to ask. Why not a EX Gen 5 with close geometry? Less Bob with top fuel but more plush with EX. Your right on the grips. They are thin. Oh what size did you get? Glad you brought up carrying over obstacles. Pushing me to carbon.
If memory serves the ex is heavier and a longer wheelbase. I am finding out that right now I prefer the shorter one. The front wheel seems so far in front of the bike and it is taking some getting used to. I don’t think I need the extra plushness especially since I need the pedaling efficiency more. The top fuel has more than enough plushness for me. The Appalachian mountains have a lot of quick up and downs. The trails I ride don’t have any long downhills. If they did I probably would have gone with the ex. One last thing, if I do realize I need more travel, the top fuel is designed to allow for a 130 fork. Just in case I change my mind later.
