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I'm looking for a new bike and am a bit undecided between a 2011 Stumpjumper FSR Comp or a 2011 Trek Top Fuel 8.
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek_top_fuel_8.html
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/stumpjumper-fsr-comp-2011-mountain-bike-ec024989
Any pointers for which one to go for? I've tried the Spesh and it felt pretty much spot on to me but I'm yet to get a go on the Trek.
Component wise, SRAM or Shimano isn't a big concern for me and I'll be fitting the Hope Hoops off my current bike to whichever one I end up getting.
Is the Stumpy worth the extra £150 or not?
Completely different bikes? Ones a xc whippet, the other an AM/trail bike
Depends what you ride...
Where do you ride?
Comparing a 140mm travel trail bike with a 100mm travel XC race bike is not comparing like for like. There is a happy medium ground from both makes in the 120mm travel Fuel EX and the Camber. Maybe one of these might be a better all round solution if you can't make up your mind?
Bloody good deal the Top Fuel though if that's what you're after, that's a whole chunk of money discount!
Definately agree with this. You could really do with workin' out what you want the bike for, otherwise you could end up with a right costly mistake.Completely different bikes? Ones a xc whippet, the other an AM/trail bike
Depends what you ride...
I had a quick demo of a Top Fuel and Giant Anthem X a couple of years ago, and bought an Anthem X - I was after a fast full-sus XCer, but the Top Fuel was too similar to a previous XC full sus bike I'd owned -excellent for a skilled rider and XC racing, but very little margin for error - loose concentration for a nano-second, and you're on your off!
I also currently have a Stumpy FSR Carbon Comp - it's a totally different beast to the Top Fuel. Quite a forgiving bike that has the potential to appeal to a broad range of skill levels (er..again only IMO!). Being the type of Trail/AM-ish bike it is, the Spesh is softer and 'ploddier' uphill than the Trek, but on descents, rough, and fun stuff, it'll leave the Trek for dust. In stock set-up, the Spesh has quite a beginner friendly tall front end - TBH, it's not too bad for general trail riding, but if you want to get some more bite from the front end and a feel for what the bike is really capable of, put a shorter low rise stem, wider bars and a sticky compound front tyre....and unleash the insanity 😀 the bike really comes alive and has a playful feel about it, without getting twitchy (it's dead easy to pop manuals and hop off and over things).
Only thing I've found [i]really[/i] annoying on the Spesh is that the rebound knob on the shock can move by itself every time the Propedal lever is switched on & off; so, if you're not aware, it can end up at almost full fast rebound towards the end of a ride - I've stopped using Propedal now, and unless it's a real long tarmac ascent, I don't really miss it!
HTH
If you do ride more XC, I'd spend a bit more and go with the 9:
[url= http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek_top_fuel_9.html ]http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek_top_fuel_9.html[/url]
Currently most of my riding is trail centres but starting to head out more to things like Surrey Hills and planning on getting out on some weekend blasts to Wales and the likes.
I'm looking for the best of both worlds really but obviously there's no perfect do it all bike. I'd say I'm looking for more of a trail bike than an XC bike but something that can do both pretty well.
I've had a test ride on a Tope Fuel EX 5 but really wasn't impressed with it compared to the Stumpy. I'm not sure why, it just didn't feel right.
What about something with 120mm travel then, like the Cannondale RZ120, Ghost AMR wotsit or Specialized Camber. Sounds like a short travel trail bike would suit you to a tee. I tried the Cannondale a while back and was very impressed.
Edit: having said that, nowt wrong with the Stumpy, so if you liked it.....