Talk to me about Trek Fuel Ex and Top Fuel bikes

Following on from mine/multiple what ‘down country’ bike on a budget threads, I was thinking that I was set on waiting until the Specialized Chisel Comps come available. Bit over budget really, but doable.

Anyway, Paul’s Cycles have some very good deals on Trek Fuel’s both Ex and Top Fuels. I’ve never ridden a Trek before, so don’t really know much about them. I want something that is a skills compensator downhill because I’m shit, but also something that pedals well as I actually enjoy the pedalling aspect of bike riding (niche I know!)

In particular I’ve seen the one linked below, any thoughts on it? I know little on what is good/bad/indifferent in the bike world these days.

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/trek-top-fuel-8-xt-full-suspension-mountain-bike-mulsanne-blue__12903

Bump. Anyone? Must be some owners here?

Owned a couple of Fuel Ex’s, they’re not really a skills compensator sorry, they’re a fairly steep head angle compared to the slacker bikes. they are though a brilliant trail bike, so i guess it depends on what level of skills compensator you’re thinking.

I rode mine at BPW and Dyfi for example and it was fine… but my Status 160 is better there than the Fuel.

The Fuel though crosses ground and trails like say the easier trails at FoD absolutely superbly, it’s a direct sort of power delivery.

Being a Trek they’re really well thought out and well put together.

Top Fuel is a short travel trail bike, should pedal fairly well and handle nicely. That one is a great price, may be slightly heavy… but hey.

The 50% off deals they have on the Fuel EX are the previous gen frame FYI.

There may be a new Top Fuel as well, but not such a big change on that.

Of the two, I’d go Fuel EX from what you describe.

It’s no trail monster, but the Fuel EX is solid and capable. Pedals well too.

The Top Fuel is (very) racy in comparison.

PS ridden both

I have a Top Fuel Ex (carbon frame) that I bought earlier this year. It’s a short travel bike (120mm front) but with slightly slacker geometry. It rides really well, it’s very quick, but it isn’t a skill compensator, the Ex would be more along those lines. Although my “skills compensator” is a 150mm travel Stumpjumper.

weeksy
Owned a couple of Fuel Ex’s, they’re not really a skills compensator sorry, they’re a fairly steep head angle compared to the slacker bikes. they are though a brilliant trail bike, so i guess it depends on what level of skills compensator you’re thinking.

Weren’t the more recent Fuel EXs renowned for having head angles way slacker than on paper?

Dunno, mine was about 66deg as it was a 2022/23 model. I think the Gen6 they’ve slacked it off to about 64.5 so it depends which it is..

I really enjoyed the Fuel and would have kept it but felt the slacker bike would help.

To clarify my skills compensator comment….I’m not going to be doing anything too mad! Peak is my local riding these days, so days there and trail centres really. Like I say, I enjoy pedalling, so something that pedals well is a must. Downhill, I’ll be largely keep my wheels on the ground, but something that doesn’t feel like it’s chucking me over the bars is a needed. For reference I’m coming from a 2013 Trance x29er.

I have an aluminium Top Fuel which sits nicely between my hardtail and my Rallon. Swapped the 120mm SID for a 130mm Pike Ultimate and put light carbon rims on it. I believe the later ones are 130mm out of the box.

It’s not an xc race bike but feels pretty close and would be brilliant for long rides or marathon type events.  There’s not a lot you can’t do on it but I wouldn’t say it’s a skills compensator.

From what you say, the Top Fuel would probably suit most of your riding most of the time OP.

Good looking bike too.

The Trek ABP rear end is superb- my Slash pedals sooo well despite being a 18kg coil sprung monster bike. Certainly doesn’t hold me back on the climbs massively- although after a long day on the bikes I do feel it a bit.

All the reviews consistently say that the rear end works superbly without the need for a lockout when climbing- for all models who run a similar style rear end in the Trek lineup- to me thats a big bonus and means its been well engineered for its purpose.

Top Fuel is a good fast allrounder at the xc end of trail I’d say. Fuel Ex (older one) is a bit more capable due to more travel / slightly slacker angles.

Short travel bikes that are more confidence inspiring but still pedal well are the Santa Cruz Tallboy and Transition Spur but both quite spendy sadly (even on sale).

I think the Fuel Ex sounds like a good option for you but that Top Fuel for £1600 is quite cheap.

Interesting comments guys, much appreciated.

So they’ve got both a Top Fuel 8 and EX 8 at £1600

I’m a bit torn now! I’ll not be racing, but that was my background (over a decade ago now mind) so still in that kind of camp. I’ve got a gravel bike though, so maybe I do want something which is a bit more capable on the downs.

Argh, decisions!

I’d take that Fuel Ex personally – in the blue.

The SID on the Fuel Ex has the cheapest rush damper on it va the Fox 34 Rhythm with the grip damper.

The Fuel Ex will probably be a bit heavier but it has sensible enough trail geometry and the abp suspension is meant to work well. The Fuel is a decent allrounder and will still pedal ok.

Thats not to say the Top Fuel can’t descend – a mate has one (carbon with a sid ultimate) and it’s amazing how it’s survived the abuse he’s put it through – descending steep offpiste tech etc on it.

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/trek-fuel-ex-8-xt-full-suspension-mountain-bike-alpine-bluedark-blue__12904

That’s the same as mine, I’ve upgraded a lot of it though. Good looking bike regardless.

For owners of the new Top Fuel, what sort of sizing works for someone ~6ft?

Trek calculator says M/L or L would work.

Basically a ~470mm or ~480mm reach

At 6ft I definitely wanted the large.

I have a carbon top fuel and have used it for multi day bikepacking, xc racing to lift assisted bike park days. It’s my favorite bike and if I could only have 1 it would be it!

My question was going to be what are you coming from and where are you going to be riding it. The top fuel, whilst capable, isn’t a skills compensator for bike parks. But the other side of that is the geometry is slacker than my 2014 trek remedy (enduro bike).

I think you’ll love either bike

I had a Trek Fuel EX8 Gen 5 up until earlier this year. Excellent bike…but I bought it in 2020 when I didn’t know much about MTBs and sizing so it felt a bit small for me which impacted it’s comfort.

I am 5’9 and went for a medium…I would have been better on an M/L size but it wasn’t miles off.

Regardless though it was a good climber and could get pretty gnarly if I wanted it to. Well thought out. Only complaint was the brakes supplied were MT400 levers, I think, which were terrible and swiftly upgraded to the XT to match the rest of the bike.

I’m riding a Large at 6′. Fits well.

Just replaced my EX … with another EX. Great all rounder and they keep adding more bounce, 150mm up front now and 140mm out back, you can get different cups now if you want it slacker and the mono-link means you can go lower.

I mainly use mine for trail/XC riding and it’s in it’s element, but is also perfectly capable when you want things a little more DH/Enduro. I kept the 4-pot XT brakes from my old bike but the SRAM’s have been ok so far.