I totally just randomly bought this bike today. I went to the store to try a Roscoe and actually hated it (been riding for a season in a Marlin and wanted to upgrade to a better hardtail). The guy had me try this out and fell in love so the rest is history
Hey James! I gotta say I love your videos , my 2019 trek ex 8 had small crack in frame took it to local shop they are giving me 2022 model frame for warranty very impressed with trek warranty can't wait to ride it !! 😀
I built one of these tonight at work. Nice package and it comes stock now with the 108pt rear hub so no upgrade needed. From what I've seen building 2022 models it looks like the 54pt hub may be a thing of the past.
Absolutely gorgeous 😍 Now I'm kinda wishing I wouldn't have canceled my order just to order a Rail 5. Maybe I'll have to put in a fresh order and get both🤙
Wow, what a lovely bike the fuel EX is! Great factual review too James. I think I'm very interested in one of these, although I'll probably go with a carbon fibre version a couple of steps up! Thanks for the review! 😎
Great information and overview - love your channel. Just scored one at my local shop when someone cancelled their order. Your overview convinced me to snap it up.
You mentioned you live in New England my terrain. Gen 5 Ex 8 vs Gen 6 Ex8 for all around trail riding. Nice new features on the Gen6 but a good bit of extra weight like 4 pounds more and dare I say more downhill oriented. Never thought I’d say that about a Fuel EX LOL. Thoughts on the Gen6 for New England riding. This would be a bike for my son who’s getting back into mountain biking (hopefully) after 10+ years off and out of shape. Me (dad) I ride a 2016 Remedy 29er the bike Trek should never have discontinued IMHO.
Great video James! I've done some research and I've narrowed my search down to the Trek Fuel EX 8 and the Propain Hugene. The areas you've pointed out will help in my decision. Thank you!
Nice bike, Lighter then a Top Fuel 8 2022 and this one has heavier tires and a 140mm Fork. Same headtube angle. Now I would choose this bike any day over a Top Fuel while im more an xc rider.
Mine will be in next month. I am not sure that I need this much bike, but it was all that I could get, as the delivery date for the Fuel EX 7, which I had ordered months ago and was supposed to arrive next month, has been pushed back to December of 2022.
I have the 23 Gen 6 version. Mine came with SLX brakes even though it was supposed to come with Deore brakes. My brake rotors are the same as this bike and I just ordered 2 203 size XTR rotors to replace them. Don't see replacing SLX brakes to anything higher because what I hear it doesn't make much more difference. Tires are next but I want to wear down the XR5 Tires mine came with.
James what would you recommend a Specialized Stump Jumper Comp Alloy or a Trek Fuel EX 8? I can get my hands on either but not sure which one. Thanks Jack 🇦🇺
Depends on what you ride, but the Fuel EX is a do-it-all versatile bike. You can change components to match whatever terrain you're riding without negatively affecting the geometry. Whether you ride xc or enduro the Fuel ex is ready to shred on a competitive level any day, anywhere. Although Stumpy is a great overall bike, is mainly geared towards the enduro trails. In the end, the looks may be what persuades you between one or the other...
@@Ceperoduarte7654 Thanks Mate I Love the Look of the Stump Jumper both are great options hopefully sometime this week I’ll have my mind made up before the weekend. ✌🏽
Hi James. Question for you since I saw your wheels manufacturing bottom bracket. Would you happen to know which bottom bracket press fit/threaded from “wheels manufacturing” would work for the 22 fuel ex 8? Can you provide me the exact link? Thinking about ordering one but don’t want to order the wrong one.
James, which do you prefer, the XT version or the GX version. I live in Trinidad and Tobago and paid in full my local trek store since January 2021 and they are now telling me that I will get the GX version which I wanted until June 2023. It very unfortunate that I will be getting a 2021 model in 2023.
Is the compression adjustment on the Rhythm 34 progressive? In other words, if the dial is in the middle, does it feel like a mix between firm and open? Or is it only firm and open and nothing in between?
@@Jamesthebikeguy thanks james. Was just curious because the more expensive version has a 3 position switch. Seems to me the infinite adjustment is more customizable.
I prefer the Bontrager tires over the Minion DHRII by a significant margin. I tried to like the Minion on front and on back, but I ended up replacing it with a new Bontrager. The Maxxis still has lots of good rubber, so I keep it under my workbench as an emergency spare. BTW, I prefer the Bontrager SE tires over the XR. XRs are lighter, but SEs have stronger sidewalls. Therefore, I can run lower pressure, which increase trail compliance, and that means less chatter (local terrain is rocky/rooty) and more traction.
Just got mine in ML on 10/9/22. Shocked that I got it in only 1.5months. Same color as video. Love it. Had the trek store put in the 108hub right away. Should come from factory that way. So I don’t even know what the 54hub feels like. Love this bike but only rode it once on the trail so far. It’s too much bike for me. But better to be over then under 😃
Check that the olives are properly torqued, and give it a bleed and they should be reliable as heck. Get the bleed right so you're always chasing something
PF BB, no internal frame storage. I suspect that alloy Top Fuel frame adds a significant amount of weight with those two. Also this bike is only slightly lighter than the XXL GX version I weighed for 2021. This I'm quite confident on the weights.
Nice. But I can get a equivalent-spec'd rig for a much lower price from Europe. And why FS-rigs with trail suspension, cost more than those enduro rigs, is very vexing. I got rid of my Trek rigs in 2012, when Trek Corp., decided to screw Lance Armstrong. No loyalty to it's employees.
Been looking at this bike and watching plenty of reviews to make a decision. Your review was by far, the best. Thanks.
I totally just randomly bought this bike today. I went to the store to try a Roscoe and actually hated it (been riding for a season in a Marlin and wanted to upgrade to a better hardtail). The guy had me try this out and fell in love so the rest is history
Hey James! I gotta say I love your videos , my 2019 trek ex 8 had small crack in frame took it to local shop they are giving me 2022 model frame for warranty very impressed with trek warranty can't wait to ride it !! 😀
I built one of these tonight at work. Nice package and it comes stock now with the 108pt rear hub so no upgrade needed. From what I've seen building 2022 models it looks like the 54pt hub may be a thing of the past.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept the ex5 and ex7 as 54pt hubs. Everything else would already come with 108pt hubs. That’s my two cents
You should compare this to the 2022 top fuel 8
Nice. Like the paint. Thanks for sharing this with us
Thank you! Cheers!
Absolutely gorgeous 😍 Now I'm kinda wishing I wouldn't have canceled my order just to order a Rail 5. Maybe I'll have to put in a fresh order and get both🤙
Get em both, and enjoy that RAIL!
Just got one, I am a frequent customer at my local Trek and the store manager gave me a $500 discount which is nice!
Nice
I just picked this bike up a few days ago. Love it so far
Wow, what a lovely bike the fuel EX is! Great factual review too James. I think I'm very interested in one of these, although I'll probably go with a carbon fibre version a couple of steps up! Thanks for the review! 😎
Great information and overview - love your channel. Just scored one at my local shop when someone cancelled their order. Your overview convinced me to snap it up.
Thanks for the kind words and congratulations on your snag
This is the best bike money can buy
Tnx! I’m buying this bike on the next two weeks 🎉
You mentioned you live in New England my terrain. Gen 5 Ex 8 vs Gen 6 Ex8 for all around trail riding. Nice new features on the Gen6 but a good bit of extra weight like 4 pounds more and dare I say more downhill oriented. Never thought I’d say that about a Fuel EX LOL. Thoughts on the Gen6 for New England riding.
This would be a bike for my son who’s getting back into mountain biking (hopefully) after 10+ years off and out of shape. Me (dad) I ride a 2016 Remedy 29er the bike Trek should never have discontinued IMHO.
Great video James! I've done some research and I've narrowed my search down to the Trek Fuel EX 8 and the Propain Hugene. The areas you've pointed out will help in my decision. Thank you!
Glad I could help out. Have fun riding!
Nice bike, Lighter then a Top Fuel 8 2022 and this one has heavier tires and a 140mm Fork. Same headtube angle. Now I would choose this bike any day over a Top Fuel while im more an xc rider.
Great video!
Great review James 👍
Thank you very kind
Thanks for the video bro, does it climb pretty well or is it too heavy ?
Mine will be in next month. I am not sure that I need this much bike, but it was all that I could get, as the delivery date for the Fuel EX 7, which I had ordered months ago and was supposed to arrive next month, has been pushed back to December of 2022.
Sick, you will love it.
I have a 2018 EX7 and I'm contemplating upgrading to that
That would be a quite nice upgrade.
I have the 23 Gen 6 version. Mine came with SLX brakes even though it was supposed to come with Deore brakes. My brake rotors are the same as this bike and I just ordered 2 203 size XTR rotors to replace them. Don't see replacing SLX brakes to anything higher because what I hear it doesn't make much more difference. Tires are next but I want to wear down the XR5 Tires mine came with.
James what would you recommend a Specialized Stump Jumper Comp Alloy or a Trek Fuel EX 8? I can get my hands on either but not sure which one.
Thanks Jack 🇦🇺
Depends on what you ride, but the Fuel EX is a do-it-all versatile bike. You can change components to match whatever terrain you're riding without negatively affecting the geometry. Whether you ride xc or enduro the Fuel ex is ready to shred on a competitive level any day, anywhere.
Although Stumpy is a great overall bike, is mainly geared towards the enduro trails. In the end, the looks may be what persuades you between one or the other...
@@Ceperoduarte7654 Thanks Mate I Love the Look of the Stump Jumper both are great options hopefully sometime this week I’ll have my mind made up before the weekend. ✌🏽
Lovely!!!!
Agreed.
That's a respectable weight for an aluminum framed AM trail bike.
Indeed
Guys, please note it's without pedals, so add at least 0.35 kg and it's over 14kg
Love the blue one.....is it possible to install bontrage drop locker to block suspensions from remote
Not sure
Some of these appear to have a 108poe hub as standard.
Hi James. Question for you since I saw your wheels manufacturing bottom bracket. Would you happen to know which bottom bracket press fit/threaded from “wheels manufacturing” would work for the 22 fuel ex 8? Can you provide me the exact link? Thinking about ordering one but don’t want to order the wrong one.
James, which do you prefer, the XT version or the GX version. I live in Trinidad and Tobago and paid in full my local trek store since January 2021 and they are now telling me that I will get the GX version which I wanted until June 2023. It very unfortunate that I will be getting a 2021 model in 2023.
I was told the GX version is not an option for 2022
I just bought mine today and it has 108 POE stock.
Why different as the bike in this video?
@@deutsch323 probably started using the 108 later in the year.🤷♂️
Ok tks
You're welcome!
Brakes?
Can you do a comparison between the 9.7 and the 8 since they weigh the same?
Good idea for a future video, thanks!
Is the compression adjustment on the Rhythm 34 progressive? In other words, if the dial is in the middle, does it feel like a mix between firm and open? Or is it only firm and open and nothing in between?
Yes it is
@@Jamesthebikeguy thanks james. Was just curious because the more expensive version has a 3 position switch. Seems to me the infinite adjustment is more customizable.
Any idea how much a small frame with 29ers would weight?
A little bit less than this bike did. Bike frame size does not make that significant a difference in weight
Those tires look very similar to maxxis minion
Similar function sure.
I prefer the Bontrager tires over the Minion DHRII by a significant margin. I tried to like the Minion on front and on back, but I ended up replacing it with a new Bontrager. The Maxxis still has lots of good rubber, so I keep it under my workbench as an emergency spare. BTW, I prefer the Bontrager SE tires over the XR. XRs are lighter, but SEs have stronger sidewalls. Therefore, I can run lower pressure, which increase trail compliance, and that means less chatter (local terrain is rocky/rooty) and more traction.
Just got mine in ML on 10/9/22. Shocked that I got it in only 1.5months. Same color as video. Love it. Had the trek store put in the 108hub right away. Should come from factory that way. So I don’t even know what the 54hub feels like. Love this bike but only rode it once on the trail so far. It’s too much bike for me. But better to be over then under 😃
Hey, can you please provide to bike shop details where you got yours like an email address, tele contact or website please?? Thank you kindly?
I've got the GX version of this bike, does anyone else struggle getting the G2 R brakes dialed in? Or are they just rubbish and need to be replaced..?
Check that the olives are properly torqued, and give it a bleed and they should be reliable as heck. Get the bleed right so you're always chasing something
Don’t understand how it can be lighter than the top fuel you looked at recently
PF BB, no internal frame storage. I suspect that alloy Top Fuel frame adds a significant amount of weight with those two. Also this bike is only slightly lighter than the XXL GX version I weighed for 2021. This I'm quite confident on the weights.
did anything change other than the tires? lol
Drivetrain options, or lack there is.
👍👌
Well, that's a few pounds lighter than I thought.
😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bought this bike, it weighs 15kg, trek lies about specs, have that in mind...
Nice. But I can get a equivalent-spec'd rig for a much lower price from Europe. And why FS-rigs with trail suspension, cost more than those enduro rigs, is very vexing. I got rid of my Trek rigs in 2012, when Trek Corp., decided to screw Lance Armstrong. No loyalty to it's employees.