The bike shop is letting me ride one of their demo bikes while I wait for the new Bronson to come in. Big thanks to Gila Hike & Bike: www.gilahikeand...
I have the 23” frame of this bike and its big... like really big. Hardly fit on my roof rack. I am 6.6 tall. Only have ridden twice on it during an injury, but man this bike is a beast. Because of this big bike i have a more active sit on it than my previous bike and its way more grippy now. I dont have alot of issues when climbing only when my enduro is way too less. Love the eagle set. Hope to enjoy it a long time
Rafał Kozłowski yep. I like it that the bike somewhat forces me into a sporty position. If you want a more comfortable fit perhaps 21.5 would be better. My old cube bike was also 23” but it was a too comfortable fit which i didnt like with. Climbing and taking corners. If you doubt i would try to fit 21 or 23 and see from there 😇
I'm also 6'6" and just picked up the 23" Fuel EX 7, 29er - I absolutely love it, it is probably one of the only bikes I've had since I started MTBing in 1992 at 16 years old that feels like it's the perfect fit. Most of the bikes I've had have been 20" or 21" with the seatpost extended about a mile, and with 26er wheels often looked like I was riding a roller skate, but on this it actually looks in proportion haha.
Everyday Biking, Probably but this is what the shop had on offer and I wasn't going to turn down a free ride while waiting on my new bike to arrive. I did go with an XL frame on my new Bronson and my old Kona is also an XL, so I tend to go a bit bigger. It's also possible that the size accounted for a bit of my reservation when riding this bike.
Hey bro, great review... Just to confirm your suspicion re the sizing - I'm a 19.5 according to trek at just over 6'1 however, the 21.5 is an infinitely better fit for me. It pedals better and climbs better (I mashed my knee a few times on technical climbs on the 19.5), descends better, is still agile and overall works better for me on the 21.5. Get the sizing right and dialled in and this bike is hands down the best trail/xc bike you can buy for the money - even against bikes that cost considerably more money I think it holds its own. I also find tyre pressures matter more on this bike than many others I've ridden, even with the same tyres (I run 20/22psi) and the shock performance sweet spot for me is slightly under the Trek recommended pressures for my system weight. I rarely ride anything else now (pivot mach 6 and giant anthem advanced 0 also in the stable) and I fall more in love with it every time I ride it. Setup right it's a dream, and the mino link is something you should probably have looked into experimenting with as well... Adjustable geometry to slacken the head tube / raise the BB changes the personality of the bike to favour different terrains and takes literally 1 minute to do.
i think i know what you mean. i had to move my seat forward. and i was thinking about getting a longer stem for my handlebars. i am still new to MTB so i many no be diagnosing my troubles correctly. but on my old Diamondback i can climb better. My gearing was 32 front 46 rear. i recently changed to 28 front 46 rear. i have to try it out and see if if helps with my endurance. but i cant seem to keep the front down and stable under heaving climbing scenarios. it may just be my inexperience as well and conditioning. but i still love this bike.
Having problems with the reach? Are you running in the high or low setting? If running high that might explain why you are feeling a little cramped on the bike...
mr manny I prefer the geometry of the 111. I just wish Kona would do a 111 with boost spacing but it looks like they focused their effort into the 153 platform this year unfortunately.
I am not sure. The seat tube angle on my current bike is a bit over 76 degrees, so it is pretty steep by modern standards and I love the way it feels. This is paired with a slack 64 degree headtube angle and a 43 mm fork offset, so without those two components in play to counteract such a steep head tube angle, my experience may be very different.
@@theminddivided4501 I was looking at probably buying this bike.(I ride the same size 19.5.) But seeing the geometry I'm worried about ending up with the same issue you were having (feeling cramped). I'm assuming they would probably have you go 1 size larger (21.5) for the increased reach/top tube length. But then you end up with an even bigger bike!
Great review. I'm thinking of taking the plunge on this bike so found this video really helpful. Cheers from the UK!
I have the 23” frame of this bike and its big... like really big. Hardly fit on my roof rack. I am 6.6 tall. Only have ridden twice on it during an injury, but man this bike is a beast. Because of this big bike i have a more active sit on it than my previous bike and its way more grippy now. I dont have alot of issues when climbing only when my enduro is way too less. Love the eagle set. Hope to enjoy it a long time
Would you still take 23" being 6'5" tall?
Rafał Kozłowski yep. I like it that the bike somewhat forces me into a sporty position. If you want a more comfortable fit perhaps 21.5 would be better. My old cube bike was also 23” but it was a too comfortable fit which i didnt like with. Climbing and taking corners. If you doubt i would try to fit 21 or 23 and see from there 😇
I'm also 6'6" and just picked up the 23" Fuel EX 7, 29er - I absolutely love it, it is probably one of the only bikes I've had since I started MTBing in 1992 at 16 years old that feels like it's the perfect fit. Most of the bikes I've had have been 20" or 21" with the seatpost extended about a mile, and with 26er wheels often looked like I was riding a roller skate, but on this it actually looks in proportion haha.
I felt cramped too! I have an EX 7. I switched out the short stem for a longer one, problem solved. No more cramped feeling :)
If youre 6 foot 1, you fit right inbetween the 21.5inch frame, and the 19.5inch frame, you probably would have been better off with the 21.5 frame
Everyday Biking, Probably but this is what the shop had on offer and I wasn't going to turn down a free ride while waiting on my new bike to arrive. I did go with an XL frame on my new Bronson and my old Kona is also an XL, so I tend to go a bit bigger. It's also possible that the size accounted for a bit of my reservation when riding this bike.
Hey bro, great review...
Just to confirm your suspicion re the sizing - I'm a 19.5 according to trek at just over 6'1 however, the 21.5 is an infinitely better fit for me. It pedals better and climbs better (I mashed my knee a few times on technical climbs on the 19.5), descends better, is still agile and overall works better for me on the 21.5. Get the sizing right and dialled in and this bike is hands down the best trail/xc bike you can buy for the money - even against bikes that cost considerably more money I think it holds its own.
I also find tyre pressures matter more on this bike than many others I've ridden, even with the same tyres (I run 20/22psi) and the shock performance sweet spot for me is slightly under the Trek recommended pressures for my system weight.
I rarely ride anything else now (pivot mach 6 and giant anthem advanced 0 also in the stable) and I fall more in love with it every time I ride it.
Setup right it's a dream, and the mino link is something you should probably have looked into experimenting with as well... Adjustable geometry to slacken the head tube / raise the BB changes the personality of the bike to favour different terrains and takes literally 1 minute to do.
i think i know what you mean. i had to move my seat forward. and i was thinking about getting a longer stem for my handlebars. i am still new to MTB so i many no be diagnosing my troubles correctly. but on my old Diamondback i can climb better. My gearing was 32 front 46 rear. i recently changed to 28 front 46 rear. i have to try it out and see if if helps with my endurance. but i cant seem to keep the front down and stable under heaving climbing scenarios. it may just be my inexperience as well and conditioning. but i still love this bike.
Any updates on how you feel about the bike? I am between this and a YT Jeffsy
Rode today, this bike climbs like an absolute beast. Probably sizing issue for you
Megaknaak do you think it can fit a 36t front chain ring in fuel ex 8 29er eagle?
I’m 6’ and ride the XL 21.5. I think like others here, that the bike was too small for you which explains the cramped cockpit.
Absolutely you need a 21.5 inch frame.
canadianroot Agree. I am 5’10” on a 19.5. He needs a 21.5.
Having problems with the reach? Are you running in the high or low setting? If running high that might explain why you are feeling a little cramped on the bike...
Great consideration.
That Mino Link is def in high position. that combined with 19.5" made it feel off.
How did the ex8 compare to your Kona 111?
Looking for a short travel 29er, and the 111 is on the list.
Happy New Year :)
mr manny I prefer the geometry of the 111. I just wish Kona would do a 111 with boost spacing but it looks like they focused their effort into the 153 platform this year unfortunately.
I own this bike 1week an i love it
Max Mustermann
What do you think the possible front chain ring will take?
I felt the same with my 2016 Trek Fuel EX8. Just wasn’t fun to ride due to the odd geometry. Size 18.5 and I’m 5’10”.
Any one knows if this model will fit the 36t or 34t front chain ring? Pls answer
What your feeling is maybe the seat tube angle being super steep. This is holding me back from buying any modern bike.
I am not sure. The seat tube angle on my current bike is a bit over 76 degrees, so it is pretty steep by modern standards and I love the way it feels. This is paired with a slack 64 degree headtube angle and a 43 mm fork offset, so without those two components in play to counteract such a steep head tube angle, my experience may be very different.
@@theminddivided4501 I was looking at probably buying this bike.(I ride the same size 19.5.) But seeing the geometry I'm worried about ending up with the same issue you were having (feeling cramped). I'm assuming they would probably have you go 1 size larger (21.5) for the increased reach/top tube length. But then you end up with an even bigger bike!