trek EX8 any body who has one. whats it like?

After finding out that oranges are just to long for my comically short arms i have just about settled on a 08/09 trek 8. does any one on here have one who could give me the lowdown?

cheers

Seems to suit my short armed buddy well. Squeaks a bit though, well actually, a lot.

Treks are VERY long in the top tube, sure they’ll be ok for your short arms?

Have a look at the Giant Trance X, that’s got a short top tube.

i have a ex9 and its very long.

ive had mine for 3 months, and it seems to go through fits and starts. Most of the time i absolutely love it, nice and fast. but other times it can be a bit squeaky like daveh said. Altho with a bit of fettling im sure i can sort that out. i have had it back to the shop a few times tho for a number of things:

1. slow return on rear brake ( shop bled the brake i put new pads in and it seemed to solve that)
2. Buckled front wheel ( my fault)
3. Front wheel bearing collapsed ( replaced on warranty)
4. And now the wether is getting cold i seem to be getting a frozen rear hub a lot, Im still hovering on wether to pop it back to the shop for this just in case its not the cold weather causing it.

Overall its a good bike seems to cope with everything i throw at it well but doesnt really do anything amazingly,” Jack of all trades really”

Altho i dont regret buying the bike i wish i had test rode a lot more bike before i purchased, oh well live and learn.

I think Scott’s have a pretty short top tube. I had a ride on a Carbon Genius last night, which if anything was a little too short despite being a medium (and me only being 5’7″ or so)

I’ve had one for nearly a year now and I love mine! Not sure I’d agree with it having long top tube, although I’m not stubby in the arms department – I’m 5’8 and have a 17.5″ frame and it’s fine for me.

I’m always impressed at how well it climbs – on rocky technical stuff it always grips really well and even stamping down hard on road tarmac climbs, there almost no suspension bob at all. Downhill it’s just as good, I’d even go so far as to say it feels nearly as good as my old Kona Coiler did – very confidence inspiring!

Downsides – hardly any, however I’ve been a bit dissapointed with the longevity of the Bontrager hubs. They were ‘smooth as’ all summer but then did a (very) wet Peaks ride and the front seized up completely (although I know Peak mud is notorious for trashing components!). Replaced the front bearings and then one mildly wet weeekend in Betws Y Coed and a wet ride at Cannock and they were on their way out again 🙁 Am thinking I might replace the front hub at some point with a Hope Pro 2 when I can afford it.

Don’t let that put you off though, it really is a great bike and you definately wouldn’t regret getting one 😀

They are very good , get a test ride you wont be disapointed

you might have to change your name though .

cheers guys for all your words of wisdom especially gripper!

Got an 08 and i think its a great bike. Suspension is soooo smooth and it rides very well. I got the green and white one and the paint is a bit suspect in places, dont know if the root beer one could be the same?

Had the same problem as orena45 with the front hub, bearings just siezed. Only a couple of quid from bearing shop and they are easy to put in so not too bothered. Still, was a bit pi**ed as it was only about 3 months old.

As for being on the long side, i wouldnt say it was too long. Got the 19.5 (really 18.5) and i’m approx 6’2". Was going to fit a shorter stem than the one fitted but its very comfy as it is. There’s also more frame sizes to pick from so you should find one to fit.

All in, its a great bike. Try one before parting with your cash first if you can

I’ve been riding a hard tail TREK 8900 since 1999 – and finally made the jump to this in August last year.
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex8e/

I had test rode other TREKS in the range and the Marin Mount Vision – but I was gobsmacked at how well the EX-8 climbed, despite the 4lb weight penalty over my 24lb hardtail.

Love it – it’s improved my all round abilities, given me confidence on the descents and climbs like a goat up all but the very steepest stuff in places like Woburn.

If you have th emoney get the EX-9 as you get the Talas forks that you can dial down from 130 to 80? – Which surley would help on brutal steep climbs.

Overall build is ‘quality’ on the frame.

SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED:

Crank Bros pedals – having heard they fall to bits – I insisted my shop replaced them with XT’s at their cost – or no deal.

Bontrager wheels– the quality isn’t great on them – with a steel rear axle (no thanks) so I’ve sold them and replaced with Hope Pro 2 / Mavic 717. (Orena 45 – Hope PRO 2 tabs on the rear hub are too long for the EX-8 drop out – the tab gets stopped short by the ABP) and therefore doesn’t clamp properly. I had to file 1.5mm off each hub tab to get the wheel to grip the dropouts. I’ve just emailed HOPE – they now know)

Saddle – the white graphics were wearing so I replaced with the excellent Charge Spoon (Brown)

Cassette – the cassette that came was shite – th elowest and heaviest of the SRAM range – binned that and replaced with SRAM 990.

Chain – Hate shimano chains – replaced with SRAM 991.

Tyres – Conti SpeedKings/Verticals – pending on conditions…

Rear mech cable – improved shifting with some fancy cable my friend put on.

Hindsight – th emoney I’ve spent I probably should have bought the EX-9… but then I would have been changing stuff on that, such is my way.

Love the bike – the 28lb weight (that ‘m not used to) hasn’t slowed me down on my long XC rides – and its a joy in places like Cutgate, Woburn, Chicky, Coed Y Brenin, Afan….

6FT1 – 19.5"

S

Totally agree – I wouldn’t say they’re short by any streach (get it – streach) of the imagination. I’ve got an 08 ex8 in September and so far have changed the brakes to Hayes Stroker Trails from the Avid Juicy 5’s and the tyres which were truelly appaling. It could do with fully sealed cable outers and the bars feel a little narrow (depends what you’re used to) but I think it’s a great bike. You don’t need the talas fork as it will trundle up hill on full travel without any problem and unless you’re a big lad (like me) without much bob. You’ll need to go and try a Trek Remedy or Specialised Pitch before you buy just to make sure you don’t spend your time living with bike envy.
My first Full Suss but loving it so far.

Stretch, dumb-ass…..

trek ex8 here, big smiles

Also try a Giant Reign or Trance X. To me they are a bit to sit upright, but if you are looking for something short in the top tube you might like it. I am 5′ 8"

Got an 09 EX9 coming tomorrow, cannot wait to get my mits on it, great spec, great price and great bike to ride. I fell in love with the EX’s after test riding one and I usually find it hard to get on with full suss bikes.

Steve P – thanks for the heads up regarding the rear Pro 2 hub! Don’t suppose you could let me know what Hope say if they respond could ya? Cheers

There reply:

Hello steve,thanks for pointing that out and we will have a look into it.These sort things tend to happen when new ideas come out and it is hard to make one thing fit everything as i’m sure you can understand but the main thing is that you are up and running and thank you again for making us aware of it.