I’m looking for a new mountain bike and I’m tempted by the new Trek Top Fuel and Fuel EX but can’t decide between the two. Historically (been mountain biking for a long time) I’ve ridden Canyon, Specialised and Lapierre bikes. I’ve not ridden Trek in the past but their range looks good this year and I’ve a few mates who ride 2015 Remedy’s who love them.

My riding is a mix of trail centre red/black, roaming the wilds of Northumberland, short course XC, the occasional marathon entry (Selkirk, Keilder) and even trail Duathlons. I love going up as much as down, twisted I know!

Both 9.8 versions of the Top Fuel and Fuel EX are the same cost. Pros/Cons follow

Top Fuel:-
– Lighter
– Front/rear remote leaver suspension lockout but more maintenance (it’s hydraulic)
– Rockshox monarch and SID XX suspension (100 mm)
– 70 degree head angle
– 1×11 out of the box
– No dropper as standard (would need to acquire, can’t ride without dropper now, weight be dammed)

Fuel EX

– 120mm travel, with new RE:Ackiv damping (that everyone seems to love)
– No remote lockout
– Slacker head tube (68), better for descending
– Dropper as standard
– 2×11 XT (would need to convert to 1×11)
– Heavier wheels than Top Fuel, DT Swiss 1900 opposed to 1700 (0.4Ibs)
– Estimated 3-4Ibs heavier than Top Fuel (inc dropper post)

I have a Canyon CF SLX hardtail that I may or may not keep due to funding issues as I may have to sell to fund the Trek.

What do you think?

Cheers.

Test ride if at all possible, not ridden a top fuel as yet but they are very differant propositions. Top fuel, hopefully, will be a xc race bike that can be used a trail bike and the fuel ex is a trail bike that could be used as a xc race bike.
For me if your focus is fast xc then top fuel or if wanting a more all round bike then fuel ex, which sounds more like it if you want a dropper. I have a trek superfly FS that I have put a dropper on but don’t bother normally as it is my race bike, done plenty of trail centre black and reds on it but feel like I am battering it a bit…

Fuel EX. I already have a Remedy, but as you do….waiting for next years bikes, I`ve looked at the same as you,maybe I dont need 140mm of travel,and picked the EX…..

We did the Demo day at the Coed-Y-Brenin enduro last year, and it looks like there back agin this time weekend of the 3rd October.

http://www.dyfievents.com/events/coed-y-brenin-enduro/

As a bonus you can ride the Enduro on the Sunday as well 🙂

P.

Thanks for the feedback and the info about the demo day. I’ve also found out Trek will be at the Cycle Show in Birmingham the week before so might be tempted to pay that a visit.

I seem to be erring towards the Fuel EX which might be more fun on the trail and not much slower on a marathon course (eyeing up the Kielder 101 next year). I found some calculations that suggest each additional pound of weight would cost 18 seconds on a 1 hour hill climb. If the equation is correct then over a 6 hour event you might loose 3-4 minutes on the EX compared to the Top Fuel but I’d probably descend faster on the EX so there might not be a lot in it at the end of the day. All depends if I decide to get competitive again (won the Kielder 50 miler in my Masters class).

I’m also waiting for Canyon to finish announcing their 2016 bikes, a LUX or a Nerve might be a possibility.

Cheers.