New bike day. The hand me down. (MTB)

Today I took [smention u=84]crust[/smention] Trek Fuel ex8 for a local ride, him on the Rail and me on the Fuel

For various reasons I’ve been struggling lately with power and speed and in truth I was starting to worry I’d just completely turned to shit with no way back. Doing the Gorrick cold challenge the other week from the first mile I thought I would puke my insides up, give birth to a cow or unload in my undies. It’s been ongoing now for 2 years but I’m trying a new treatment which fingers crossed may just be onto something.

But I was always thinking the Status wasn’t the greatest local bike due to the geometry and how it pedalled. But maybe that was just in my head because of the other issues above.

So I jumped on the Fuel today and WHAM it was off like scalded cat. I’d set the suspension to roughly where it needed to be and it felt sweet on the Fox34s on the first single-track, sadly it was cut short by a runner so I couldn’t test fully. But the next 2 hours was filled with “wow, this is flying, the legs feel great the HR is good, power is there” and the Fuel was hitting all the lines and going sweetly.

I’m not at my best compared to say 2017 or 2020 but I’ll bet it wasn’t a million miles away.

I’d actually decided within the first few mins that I was buying it from him and the deal was done quickly. He tried to lower the price but was agreed on what was fair for both of us rather than just fair on me.

It’s now tucked up in the garage waiting a new star nut or maybe the Granite stash multi tool as I let him keep his one up multi tool. But I’m having a relax and a beer

It’s got Shimano m6100 (I think) which will come off for a set of Code RSC once I grab a set. They work lovely in truth but I prefer the Codes

Cool story bro ?

Strikes me as a better bike for a Gorrick challenge than the Status, shorter travel and significantly lighter I’d guess, so going to feel faster even if there is not much in it  once you look at the stopwatch.  I find it all too easy to go around in circles with bikes because light weight is nice but so is loads of suspension and grip and those traits usually pull in different directions.

So I say enjoy your Fuel X for as long as it takes for you to inevitably swap it for something else 🙂

Cool story bro

A tad harsh.

I’m pleased that weeks has found a bike more suited ( albeit temporarily 🙂 )to his needs and got out and enjoyed it. The stuff he is saying about fitness and mojo hugely resonates with me and I’m really pleased to hear anything he can do to get past it.

At least he’s not asking about what colourway to paint his valve cores, how to lineup logos or what colour to spray his real steel steed or countless other mindbendingly banal topics that litter STW.

His kids racing thread is frequently the only thread about actually riding bikes on the front-page, so I rate his contributions way higher than many other post.

I kept the Status a year (11.5m technically

The travel, grip etc is another thread for next weekend but let’s just say that’s well covered

You had a fuel ex before? Is this the same model of bike you sold to swap for the status?

Maybe harsh but true ?

The status a few weeks ago was the emperor’s new clothes too lol

He knows I’m taking the Mick

Distinctly similar yes. The Status was bought for a bit of everything from Dyfi to FoD, to local. In truth it did the Dgfi and Antur type stuff well but FoD wasn’t it’s strongest (unless uplifted) the local stuff massively let it down.

I had the option to buy my old one for £1550 but this was a lot less than that and helped a mate out too, so worked perfectly as a plan.

The Dyfi/Antur bike comes next weekend, this will do everything else.

The silly hilly days like Climachx etc will be either Fuel or the Rise.

Something I found with the Status was swapping between the Status/Rise made then feel alien, the 63 Deg head angle and mullet compared to 65.5 and full 29 I ended up jumping between both and it all feeling wrong, but the Fuel and the Rise are pretty generic in being just trail bikes that there’s no difference in how they ride in most ways, well, apart from the motor

The status a few weeks ago

I bought it in Dec last year. But no, I’m not offended in the slightest

I assume you will be watching your favorite film tonight

Bleurgh I bloody hate internal cable routing. Took 4X longer to remove the Shimano brakes and fit the Code RSC. No need for details, we’ve all done them and yeah it’s crap.

Then whipped off the Bontrager saddle, Bontrager grips.

Last job was cleaning the chain, cassette and mech/jockeys.
I don’t know what chain lube this was but it won’t be getting used again. Claggy black messy stuff it is. Yuk.
So chain cleaner, brushes, cloths and GT85 and it’s good again.

I just need to find some more Code RSC brakes to replace the race spares I’ve stolen.

These things should come with a government message “Beware, MTBs can seriously increase your happiness”

Out shopping on this today and it’s just FAB…. the brakes are ace and i honestly think the Fox34s suit the frame better than the 36s on the higher models. It still flies along !!!

Get a small pedal creak when under hard power so just cleaned all the pivots/contacts and checked everything, the bottom pivot is somewhat yukky but re-greased it and we’ll see, all other points have been checked, stripped, cleaned etc. I still think it’s potentially bottom bracket though, but we’ll see on the next ride. Sadly it’s the nightmare of PF30BB lol… joyous. So if that’s the case i’ll throw a Hope screw together PFBB on there i think.

Lovely ride though and really loving this thing.

These any good

https://www.merlincycles.com/sram-code-rsc-mtb-front-and-rear-disc-brake-set-326149.html?utm_source=PHG&source=PHG&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_campaign=genieshopping

These things should come with a government message “Beware, MTBs can seriously increase your happiness”

Next STW shop sticker IMO.

I was buying it from him and the deal was done quickly.

I take it you weren’t buying this from your son?

I take it you weren’t buying this from your son?

No, my riding mate.

What year is that Weeksy? I’ve taken to searching for a second hand ex 8 due to budget constraints. Ideally I want one 2022 onwards.

It’s a 2020 matey. So what’s called a Gen5. The Gen 5 uses knock block, internal routing but not a propriatary shock mount (although it is a Thru-shaft shock as stock, but mounts with standard mounts.

The geometry on the 2020 and all Gen5s is quite conservative, but the weight is better at 13.8kg on this model (so the blurb says). My previous was a Large which is a 475mm reach, this is an ML which is 460mm reach, i must say i prefer the ML over the L. I also wonder if i’d bought the Status in the S3 would I have preferred that instead as it’s closer in reach to these.

I know there’s Emporers new clothing, but honestly i love it and it’s re-ignited the spark to ride locally for me at the moment. I’ve taken the Status out locally but it’s not the best at doing that stuff where i am, whereas this just FLIES up…  I’ll be really curious to see how it does BPW on Sat. Even popping roots, kerbs, stuff on trails the bike feels more playful than the Status.

The geometry on the 2020 and all Gen5s is quite conservative, but the weight is better at 13.8kg on this model (so the blurb says).

I was looking at 2023 or 2024 models at the LBS recently – I was really disappointed in the weight of them.
Then again, the other LBS had a Merida 140 in and that was an absolute anchor at 16.5kgs+

I was looking at 2023 or 2024 models at the LBS recently – I was really disappointed in the weight of them.
Then again, the other LBS had a Merida 140 in and that was an absolute anchor at 16.5kgs+

Yeah with my initial thoughts on budget i was going to buy this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305826832081?_skw=fuel+ex9.8&itmmeta=01JCDYB15BMQQSWV2NZFXY45TT&hash=item4734b31ed1:g:82MAAOSwVC1nBQ~I&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmkO7vEj5ovEIXDjG9RxiO%2B24zLlKB1RhK3pGf0RQe%2BLHPPs1Hwa5OVqLv6nbujNgHYfXnaN9jwwl7d7jp4aI9dv%2B1%2FSSOGtIzEFBzrNVckt2IMJwPYoPjRx%2FS3aK9D3BF4u8TJ%2FgEQnto5VkpEB5dICyIGK0wueJ1Uil4kH0G4e74cKFcG5wOcO7zhjmIA4PKLFGf6%2Bo78Mf2b4VrxZzcQg7sATv1M3YjCZIpzncZ4GhdzedbRFtZYhIKoJaaS%2BaQ%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4CTrL7jZA

Then i thought i could get a 23/24 Gen6, but as you’ve seen they’re 15+kg  and the Fuel above is 13.1kg. Mine was only £1000 and has done 140 miles from new and comes in at 13.8kg… So for a lot lot less money, i’m only losing 600gr on the EX9.8 and i’m way under the 23/24 model. I’m not sure what they did to it in truth, but it’s a whale.

Genuinely, I’ll take it off you for what you paid when you sell it next month! Ha!

Cheers for the info, yeah the 2023 ones that I’ve seen on sale looked a bit heavy which kinda put me off….I’ll keep my eye out on eBay. I think that I’d be after the M/L

LOL i’ll keep you in mind buddy. 2 went on ebay of the same spec for the same price recently. (Although this is better condition), my mate only wanted to charge me £850 as we’re mates, but i wasn’t having that so we compromised on a grand. I’ve bought a new set of Codes for it and will sell the Shimano M6100 for a bit of change.

The ML fits me lovely at 6’0

Reach 460

Stack 609

TT 618

Genuinely surprised that fits you at 6″ as that’s pretty conservative size wise?

Genuinely surprised that fits you at 6″ as that’s pretty conservative size wise?

It looks too small on paper and in the pics. At 5’11” I’d struggle on that.

But if it suits weeksy that’s all that matters

My Slayer was less than that and the Large i owned at 475mm fitted fine too. I never got on with the Bird Aether in a Large as it was too long a reach and looking back now, i’d say that the Status was arguably too long for me at 492mm. I’ve never really got on with the LLS type thing going on and prefer a more ‘conventional’ shape.

When the boy owned his S3 Status i really liked that too and used it at BPW, FoD and other places due to other lads breaking their bikes and preferring my Fuel (Large), so i rode the S3.

For how i like bikes i’d be happy anywhere from 450-475mm and this sits right in the middle of that… I don’t feel cramped on it in the slightest, however i have no idea how it looks from the side. The Orbea rise is a bit longer than this so it’ll be interesting when i next get on that as to how it feels.

I’d happily ride the ML or the L in the Fuel.

Are you sure you are 6ft ? I thought I was 6ft2 but that 6ft1 according to a medical!!

Well i’m pretty sure i WAS.. lol. These days, maybe not so much.. but i’m deffo not 5’10 🙂

Lets call it ‘around 6’0’ then. but the actual numbers don’t matter, in the same way the reach/geo doesn’t matter, as TAFKASTR says, as long as i’m happy with the sizing, that’s all that’s important. I’ve done a fair few miles in the last couple of rides and apart from the bits i’ve now changed, i’m perfectly content 🙂

Hmmm I’m 5 10….which on paper is bang on the ML…maybe a medium would be right? I’m always between a medium and large in bikes normally.

If you’re based in the south Tom you’re more than welcome to have a few hours on it.

I thought I was 6ft2 but that 6ft1 according to a medical!!

We are getting old mate

I was always a gnats knacker under 6ft – 5’10.5″ now

Incredibly kind offer @Weeksy, I’m in Cheshire, so not particularly south. Given some of the above comments maybe I’ll ‘grow’ into a medium as I continue my charge to middle age!

I can bring up to Cannock/Stile Cop in about 4 weeks as the lad should be racing there, but other than that we don’t really get up north unless we’re at Dyfi and currently we don’t have a Dyfi date planned. We’re in Hopton in Shropshire on the 28th Dec if that’s any use. Not that ‘north’ though i’ll admit.

I have just had a fuel ex and probably looking to get another. Mine was the large 2021 bike and I am just over 5’11”. I thought it was perfect but could not have gone smaller. I have very long arms and legs though…

They are great bikes tbh. Really good all-round performance.

Trek seem to be able to pretty consistently put out bikes that just work. I have heard them be called the toyota of mountain bikes and I understand why.

I was looking at the Gen 6 fuel EX for a while. It seems like the perfect ‘one bike’ solution and everyone I have spoken with who has one says it rides really well.

But I’m a two bike guy so am going for something a bit burlier for the fun bike and eyeing up the last gen top fuel as the partner for local trail.

Ooh Cannock could work….my old stomping ground!! Hope that the lad is healing well ?

Yeah he’s only a week in, it’ll be on the Sat and Sun 7/8 Dec i think that is… We’ll go up for practice on the Sat, you’re probably better using it then, we’ll be there for 2-3 hours, just take it away for a few hours and see what you think. We’re techincally at Stile Cop car park rather than Cannock, but you can ride it wherever you like.

I’ll be busy with him and bike stuff anyhow.

Ah balls, I’m in a conference Saturday 7th.

Taken to PM so we don’t clutter up the thread of awesomeness 😀

Has anyone ridden the older gen Fuel Ex compared to the newer gen?  I have found an older gen 5 that is a decent price, but I have a mate with the newer version and he says it blows the older away?  Will I notice much difference?

Gen5 is 66.5 (or 66) deg head angle and the Gen6 is 64.5

Gen6 is a chunk heavier.

Gen5 in a ML is 460reach, Gen6 is 470 reach

Seat angle is 4.5deg different too.

I think in simple terms, Gen5 is a trail bike, Gen6 is an Enduro bike.

Thanks @weeksy.  I’ve also just checked the Trek website and there is actually a handy guide to them both.

Hope the boy heals fast!