Built the carbon frame top fuel up earlier this year. Xtr drivetrain Xt brakes 130 pike ultimate and 120 cane creek coil in back. The suspension change makes this a whole new bike. Drops and jumps are smooth and climbs are like cheating. Definitely recommend. Great video
I wish the next refresh of this frame can fit a 38t chainring. It fits almost all of the things I'm looking for in a fullsus frame except the weight of the aluminium variant and the fact that it can only fit a 36t chainring max
@@GuyKesTV no way 😅👍had to look twice myself at my own bike because at any other Trek fs the mino link is exactly at where you were indicating. And again, also enjoying your reviews.
@@GuyKesTV 😂 I am relatively new to mtb … I am no youngster but really got into the hobby/sport about three years ago. I am lucky to also be able to ride a Slash. Only just last week I found out that my bike has got the minolink “high-low” indication misprinted on the frame … so I have been doing some bikeparks in the high setting while being convinced I had the bike in the low setting 😆 it made me double check it on my top fuel
Great review and content on the bike! Do you think the weight is justified when comparing the ride/capability to that of the Scott Spark RC? Cant seem to decide which one to get and can’t imagen a better person to ask.
Just went through a set of maxxis rekons front and back. Replaced them with the XR4s. The XR4 is lighter and more supple and better traction then the rekons. Roll arguably the same quick speed. I loved the XR4 so much I put them on my bigger bike also.
Trek is not even trying to keep weight down anymore. My Stumpjumper with more travel and XT group is significantly lighter? I run the same tires as well. You’d think the SID suspension and short travel frame would help? 😮 I think all this bike really needs is a 1650 gram wheelset.
Thanks for the great review. I have this bike and I like it, but the wheelset is much too heavy. What would you recommend for a lighter wheel set available here in the United States?
Sorry Rob, only just seen this. I'd look at the Roval Control wheels from Specialized (don't worry it doesn't say Specialized on them so it won't look weird on your Trek) or the Reserve XC28 from Santa Cruz. Both are light but tough and with a great warranty. Trek do their own Bontrager brand but the rims aren't as strong as those two.
Do you think remote lockout (cabled) is a waste on XC or Downcountry (to also race with) bike? Perhaps also adds weight? Im debating on some bikes i love but dont offer it or would require suspension swap outs just to allow lockout cabeling.
Hey Ryan, I think it’s entirely a personal thing. In reality most short suspension bikes pedal well enough not to need lockout off road. If you ride road a lot or just like the feel of rigid suspension when you’re racing then it’s worth the extra weight and complexity. Get a bike fitted with it to start though as retrofitting is nearly always a fight
Great review, and enjoyed the ride along too. I have this exact bike (for a bit over a year), having had enduro bikes for a long time, I'm amazed at how fun and capable it is. I like the SID but feel like it's a little undergunned compared to the rest of the bike, seriously considering a 2023 Pike at 130mm. I know when you reviewed the Pike you weren't all that impressed, claiming the SID feels better, have you had some more time on the Pike, do you still feel the same? Otherwise, wheels would be the most obvious upgrade, but the current ones are solid and the quick engagement is fantastic so I've held off that upgrade so far.
I've ridden a couple more Pikes since that review and they've all had the same spiking issue to a lesser or greater extent so I'd currently recommend the previous generation Pike. Fantastic forks and they're going really cheap now too.
@@GuyKesTV The spiking feeling may be due to the new-school over-engineered air spring… ;) Is there a difference in sensitivity/harshness between SIDs with charger 2.0 and charger race day? Could it be worth to update the select+ SID?
@@cyklomaniak there’s no massive difference in feel or control between the Charger 2 and Race Day. Race Day is just lighter. With new Pike I think it’s more a combination of new bushings and new compression
@@GuyKesTV THXS for your answer! trek's web site says that im in M as per 176cm but in ml as per legs lenght , so this is why doubt. i will have a bit of pacience then ;)
Blast from the past - the single pivot rear suspension, the huge cable loop sticking from the derailleur, the high seat tube. I hope the brakes don't rattle and don't change the bite point randomly
Here's where I think the Top Fuel missed the mark. -Needs frame clearance for 2.6 tires. -Should come with a 140mm fork like the Fox 34. -Geo should be 76* STA and 65* HTA with that 140mm fork. -Overall, the bike should be lighter. -Needs faster-rolling Downcountry tires.
That would be a sick bike for sure and you’re totally right about the tyres and wheels. I’m a big SID fan tho so that fork and current geom work for me.
Built the carbon frame top fuel up earlier this year. Xtr drivetrain Xt brakes 130 pike ultimate and 120 cane creek coil in back. The suspension change makes this a whole new bike. Drops and jumps are smooth and climbs are like cheating. Definitely recommend. Great video
That sounds so sick! I was going to throw a Fox coil into this one but they needed it back in a hurry
@@GuyKesTV the dps shock that came with the frame just held this bike back so much. I’d love to compare my bike to the SB120 or T. Spur
dps shock? Their website shows Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate.
Surprised me too
I picked one of these up a few weeks ago from Trek. It was spec’d with the scram eagle for $3499 USD new! What a deal!!
@@mdoneg that is a Top Fuel top deal for sure!
knock block is great because you can trim the cables/hoses to a minimum
That’s a really good point I hadn’t thought of before
The geometry is very similar to the 20-22 Gen 5 Fuel Ex.
Fantastic bike
I wish the next refresh of this frame can fit a 38t chainring. It fits almost all of the things I'm looking for in a fullsus frame except the weight of the aluminium variant and the fact that it can only fit a 36t chainring max
Great review and walk through 👍 did you test the high setting and how did it feel compared to the low setting?
Great review. And really nice bike. Been riding the 9.8 XT for about a year now. Mino link is on the bottom of the shock by the way.
Well that makes me look stupid doesn't it 🤣Yep, you're dead right, they have switched it down there now. Stoked you're enjoying your bike anyway
@@GuyKesTV no way 😅👍had to look twice myself at my own bike because at any other Trek fs the mino link is exactly at where you were indicating. And again, also enjoying your reviews.
@@mseekles1972 Im kind of laughing because I've obviously just got so used to it being there since like 2000 or something 🤣
@@GuyKesTV 😂 I am relatively new to mtb … I am no youngster but really got into the hobby/sport about three years ago. I am lucky to also be able to ride a Slash. Only just last week I found out that my bike has got the minolink “high-low” indication misprinted on the frame … so I have been doing some bikeparks in the high setting while being convinced I had the bike in the low setting 😆 it made me double check it on my top fuel
Great review and content on the bike! Do you think the weight is justified when comparing the ride/capability to that of the Scott Spark RC? Cant seem to decide which one to get and can’t imagen a better person to ask.
So sorry mate, only just seen this. Still want an answer?
@@GuyKesTV No worries, still curious about your thoughts 👍🏻
@@cobusGerber have you already got a bike?
Guy, how did you like the XR4’s? One of my favorite tires overall when considering weight, rolling resistance and traction.
I’m a big fan of the XR4, a really good all rounder for a lot of conditions.
Just went through a set of maxxis rekons front and back. Replaced them with the XR4s. The XR4 is lighter and more supple and better traction then the rekons. Roll arguably the same quick speed. I loved the XR4 so much I put them on my bigger bike also.
@@skinny8019 if you find you need more sidewall on your bigger bike the SE4 is the same tread just a heavier casing
@@tinshield thx bro!
Trek is not even trying to keep weight down anymore. My Stumpjumper with more travel and XT group is significantly lighter? I run the same tires as well. You’d think the SID suspension and short travel frame would help? 😮
I think all this bike really needs is a 1650 gram wheelset.
I put the HUNT Proven XC wheels in with Maxxis Severe and Rekon Race in for a few rides and it flew
@@GuyKesTV bet it made a huge difference 👍
Thanks for the great review. I have this bike and I like it, but the wheelset is much too heavy. What would you recommend for a lighter wheel set available here in the United States?
Sorry Rob, only just seen this. I'd look at the Roval Control wheels from Specialized (don't worry it doesn't say Specialized on them so it won't look weird on your Trek) or the Reserve XC28 from Santa Cruz. Both are light but tough and with a great warranty. Trek do their own Bontrager brand but the rims aren't as strong as those two.
Does the composite scare anyone? I want a Top Fuel but afraid of the composite version. Are they strong?
Do you think remote lockout (cabled) is a waste on XC or Downcountry (to also race with) bike? Perhaps also adds weight? Im debating on some bikes i love but dont offer it or would require suspension swap outs just to allow lockout cabeling.
Hey Ryan, I think it’s entirely a personal thing. In reality most short suspension bikes pedal well enough not to need lockout off road. If you ride road a lot or just like the feel of rigid suspension when you’re racing then it’s worth the extra weight and complexity. Get a bike fitted with it to start though as retrofitting is nearly always a fight
Great review, and enjoyed the ride along too. I have this exact bike (for a bit over a year), having had enduro bikes for a long time, I'm amazed at how fun and capable it is. I like the SID but feel like it's a little undergunned compared to the rest of the bike, seriously considering a 2023 Pike at 130mm. I know when you reviewed the Pike you weren't all that impressed, claiming the SID feels better, have you had some more time on the Pike, do you still feel the same? Otherwise, wheels would be the most obvious upgrade, but the current ones are solid and the quick engagement is fantastic so I've held off that upgrade so far.
I've ridden a couple more Pikes since that review and they've all had the same spiking issue to a lesser or greater extent so I'd currently recommend the previous generation Pike. Fantastic forks and they're going really cheap now too.
@@GuyKesTV The spiking feeling may be due to the new-school over-engineered air spring… ;) Is there a difference in sensitivity/harshness between SIDs with charger 2.0 and charger race day? Could it be worth to update the select+ SID?
@@cyklomaniak there’s no massive difference in feel or control between the Charger 2 and Race Day. Race Day is just lighter. With new Pike I think it’s more a combination of new bushings and new compression
How does this compare to something like blur TR
What about sizing? I' 176 cm tall and doubt about size m or m/l. Thxs!
I'm 180cm and M/L fits me really well. If you're not getting a good deal on a current bike I'd wait a week though 🤫
@@GuyKesTV THXS for your answer! trek's web site says that im in M as per 176cm but in ml as per legs lenght , so this is why doubt. i will have a bit of pacience then ;)
The fuel is so legendary. Travis Brown calls it the "every mans bike". The fuel was born under him
And Travis is definitely a legend
How would you rate the alloy model? I don’t like carbon :)
It’s a chunk heavier but rides great. I did a review on the TF8 on the channel about a year ago so look for that
I wonder if there are any alloy worth bikes to replace my Banshee Phantom V3. This is good options any others?
Blast from the past - the single pivot rear suspension, the huge cable loop sticking from the derailleur, the high seat tube. I hope the brakes don't rattle and don't change the bite point randomly
No the XT brakes actually behaved really well this time! And there is a rear pivot but it’s in the same place as the rear axle
Here's where I think the Top Fuel missed the mark.
-Needs frame clearance for 2.6 tires.
-Should come with a 140mm fork like the Fox 34.
-Geo should be 76* STA and 65* HTA with that 140mm fork.
-Overall, the bike should be lighter.
-Needs faster-rolling Downcountry tires.
That would be a sick bike for sure and you’re totally right about the tyres and wheels. I’m a big SID fan tho so that fork and current geom work for me.