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Submitted by
serg martine
a Downhiller
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chapparral | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle City | | Strengths: | Definitely it is a light bike, the components are good and the service at the shop is great. I like the hard-tail feel, which allows one to charge up hill. | | Weaknesses: | The wide rear may be too wide, when I arrived to pick up the bike and could not be properly fitted because the wide rear did not fit in the bike mount. Then after my second ride my rear quick release broke. I then have had issues with the rear deraillur to the point that the arm extended and was caught in my spokes causing the hanger to literally snap in two. Althought this would be covered by Trek it seems I have returned to the shop more than I have time to ride the bike! Not sure if this bike is capable of handling the trials I ride, may need to slow down?
The Bontrager tires are okay-they do not grip all that well, may upgrade sooner than later. | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | all original | | Bottom Line: | Jury is still out. Will check back after I hit up Northstar at Tahoe and give you the verdict. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Store | | Strengths: | Good components, GEOMETRY, light | | Weaknesses: | Tires kind of suck | | Similar Products Used: | tested Giant trance,specialized stumpjumper, gary fisher hifi/cake | | Bike Setup: | stock except pedals/bashguard/tires | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike a lot. It is my first real bike after an 820, but I tested a bunch of different ones and got this one. The geometry is great, not too far forward and not too cramped. The geometry is one of the best things about this bike. This is very light bike and has good components. Juicy 5's stop on a dime and the shifting is great. The Active Brake Pivot is phenomenal. I have been over some pretty technical stuff and the rear wheel feels like butter, even when braking hard. The ABP was definitely the selling point for me. A huge noticeable difference in it than any other bike I demo'd. It climbs great like an XC bike, but the downhills are even better. I could not be happier with my decision. The only downsides are the tires. I have only ridden in snow and mud so far, but the tires are horrible in them, however tires are not a big deal. I switched those out very quickly. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Porter
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tom Snow - Kananakis | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Pure Cycle, Calgary AB | | Strengths: | light weight, great suspension and ability to adjust it. | | Weaknesses: | Well 3rd ride out and I snapped my rear derailer off in heavy mud! Was riding with 2 others and they all made it through fine, I was switching down to a lower gear at the time but still!!...anyway it's in the shop getting fixed, will have to take it out in the mud again and see what happens.
Stock tire are brutal for mud, unless you're riding in the desert, if you ride in any kind of mud get your dealer to change them out or it'll be like driving on ice in your grandpa's ol 4 door LTD!
The saddle is a little stiff so change that out if that bothers you, the grips are very sticky but I like that. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco screamer | | Bike Setup: | just had my dealer set the suspension for my weight, seems to be good, haven't had to mess with it at all | | Bottom Line: | Too soon to tell, the derailer incident has me freaked out, good thing I was just doing an inner city trail, if I was in the mountains I would have been royally choked!...not to mention hoofing it big time! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch Lyons
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$ | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Fox Float Fork, the bike was so light | | Weaknesses: | bent the rim going off a small jump | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I demoed this bike for a day and it was hands down the best bike I have ever ridden. The bike soaked up everything that I went over, the store pumped up the suspension for me and I would have liked it to be a little bit stiffer because the bike bottomed out too easily. The only down side of the bike was that I ended up bending the rim. It was the end of the day and I was making one final run down a series of jumps, and I lost my balence in mid air and landed wrong. The bike slid out from under me, and I don't know how it happened but the rim ended up bending, the Fork must have compressed and maybe forced the bike to come out from under me, but I really know how it happened. When I took it back to the shop I had to end up paying $150 for the rim. To tell you the truth it shouldn't have happened the jump was small and I have fallen a lot harder on my chep-o bike than I had on the Trek. All in all it wouldn't matter if that happened to others because the first owner of the trek gets I think a 1-5 year warrenty on all bontager parts (the rim). I would still buy this bike it was a great ride, and it was as lighter as my Novra Hybrid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny Andersen
a Weekend Warrior
from Hudson Oaks, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ben Sheman forrest, Israel | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ft. Worth Cycle | | Strengths: | well built, decent set of components. Trek R and D. Good fit and finish. Redesigned rear suspension delivers everything that was promised. | | Weaknesses: | nothing big stands out, though I busted a chain like the 3rd time out. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stump jumper (2004), older Schwinn hard-tail | | Bike Setup: | standard out-of-the-box | | Bottom Line: | This is a 2008 model and the active rear suspension is nailed to the ground on the descents with heavy braking and the Jones XR's grip like the devil (I've actually had guys have their bikes slide out from under them in front of me and I still came to a virtual halt to get around them -- the descents here in Korea, where I'm living temporarily, are steep!). The only problem climbing is the extra 20 Lbs I'm packing and the 50 years I've been on the planet and of course the bad knees, but I regress.
Buy if you can't afford an exotic and or you value the money you earned -- you'd have to spend around $2800-3000 to get anything much better (and then you could look at the 9 or something). For the money this one is going to be tough to beat.
Don't buy if you got to go old-school rear swing-arm (I considered a Heckler, but talked to several guys who are going away from the old suspensions because the new one are just so much better). My first road bike was a Trek and I had it for 7 years and it worked fine when I got rid of it. This bike looks to be built along the same quality lines. I rode a 2007 Specialized and this whacks it hands down. The older Treks got panned because of the suspension, but Trek has finally done their homework and delivered the goods. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wallie
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Patapsco, Loch Raven | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Acceleration, climbing, decending | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock with stan tubeless tiress and Shimano PD-M970 | | Bottom Line: | Wow...this bike is so efficient that it out-accelerates and out-climbs my hardtail (Trek 6500). I can easily climb every hill that I used to get stuck on before. I can't really explain it but the bike just blows me away every time I ride it. I crashed a while ago and hurt my tail bone but the suspension feels so good that I don’t have to stand up when going downhill and I don’t feel any pain. I also don’t engage the propedal when going uphill as it doesn’t seem there’s a need to. The bike just goes where you point it even at very low speed and climbs everything in sight. “Rocky Mountain Goat” will be the best way to describe this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Oceanside, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Noble Canyon SD, Navajo Lake, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | classified ads | | Strengths: | Smooth riding, terrific handling, good shifting, XL frame size fits me wonderful. | | Weaknesses: | Cant shake the brake squeels. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush, Cannondale Jeckyl, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded the shifters and rear derailer to SRAM XO, Monkey light bars, WTB saddle. Else all stock from shop. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike from a dude who had owned it for about a month. He upgraded the above listed components, rode it for less than 200 miles, biffed hard and broke his shoulder, and his wife made him sell it. It was in like new condition except for a pedal scrath from his crash. We had a small smoking ceremony to cleanse the bike of its bad juju, and I have since been enjoying the finest MT Bike Ive ever owned. This bike fits me so well. It is an XL frame size, Im 6' 2' and about 215 lbs. The propedal is great, however I feel the standard suspension setup is all thats required for most of the cross country rides that I partake in. The XO shifters and derailer setup are so smooth and positive. My one complaint is the sqeeling avid juicy 7 disc brakes. Ive taken it to the shop for adjustment, cleaned the pads on my own, but still have to listen to the squeel, especcially after a long sustained steep downhill with lots of heavy breaking. Any suggesions anyone? Aside from the brake squeeling, I love the bike and look forward to many years ( I tend to hold onto the same bike for at least 5 years, just upgrade and fix as needed)of great riding and adventures. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
V P
a Cross Country Rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Agressive XC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3310.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Everything except tires.
| | Weaknesses: | Tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Merida TFS 300 DISC 2007 | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, I did install a flat bar tho'. | | Bottom Line: | This is the 2008 version. Absolutely awesome bike. Comming from a hardtail, I didn't expect to go faster on a fully, but thats exactly what happened! This bike eats anything on the track, the ABP, the fullfloater, all works fantastic. It has that bottomless feeling, and I just love riding this bike. It climbs good, descends even better, and has surprisingly good acceleration. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtbikerguy34
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Masters | | Strengths: | This bike came with an excellent grouppo for the price! | | Weaknesses: | Tires, they don't seem to have too much traction except on hard packed trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Demo 8 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, running the rims tubeless with the new rim strips. | | Bottom Line: | Great ride for the money. The ride is plush when it needs to be. However the floating brake system is still out and I'm waiting to make a final decision on that. It does make a bit of difference, not like my Demo 8. But those are two completely diff bikes. The front FOX fork is exceptional!!! I can't wait to take this bike to MOAB in March!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abdullah
a Cross Country Rider
from mississauga, ontario. canada
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | credit valley trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | skiisandbiikes | | Strengths: | strong frame, solid suspension system, very plush ride, very fast acceleration, superb climbing efficiency | | Weaknesses: | stock tires are no good | | Similar Products Used: | gt 2.0 2006 with full deore xt drivetrain. | | Bike Setup: | stock 2008 fuel ex 8 | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike. my bike store was able to get me one very quickly. the bike is built solidly and is everything i wanted in a bike. easily out performs the specialized epic comp and stumpjumper. i have ridden them before, and this bike really outperforms them handsdown. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a
from Medina, Oh USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Medina Bicycle | | Strengths: | Lightweight, new rear suspension, very good components, climbs and descends well, handles tight stuff well, tubeless-ready tires and wheels. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Giant, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for grips and pedals. I also got the rim bands and valves to go tubeless. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first fs bike. I'm amazed at how well the rear suspension works. It stays well planted under hard braking, over rough ground. The front end doesn't want to come up too badly while climbing. Shifting is very good. The XT Shadow derailleur has been flawless. The fork soaks up the hits on the trails I ride with no problems. I switched the pedals to Shimano XC30 platforms, and the grips to Richeys. Overall, this has been a fantastic upgrade for me. I don't feel beat up, at all, after riding. This bike seems well suited to trail riders of all abilities, riding most any terrain. I'd highly recommend the EX8 to anyone looking at new fs bikes. I give the value rating a 5 given the components and frame design, when compared to comparably priced bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Ajax Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Buckwallow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Northern Cycle | | Strengths: | New suspension really works!! Great fit now that Trek added an 18.5 to the lineup. Unbelievable spec for the price. No noticeable frame flex. | | Weaknesses: | Didn't like the grips or saddle, easy swap. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Cannondale Jecyll(hadn't planned to upgrade) | | Bike Setup: | Swapped saddle (Fizik) and grips (Oury lock ons) from my Cannondale. As well I swapped the shifter and brakes for the new XTR that I had on my Cannondale. Otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I had gone into by LBS to get new brake pads when the guys told me about this new Trek they had just got in. I told them I wasn't planning an upgrade but they insisted that I take the demo out for a QUICK ride. I came back three hours latter totally sold on the bike and desperately trying to figure out how to convince my wife I needed a new bike. Two weeks later I managed the impossible. This is truely a GREAT bike. From the quality of the build to the revolutionary suspension design this bike just works great. I have been out every day I haven't been working and I just can't get over how well this bike works. Kudos to Trek for redesigning a bike twice in two years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HUTTER
a Cross Country Rider
from powder springs
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2199.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flight- Marrietta | | Strengths: | This is my second review. Only because I am so stoked by this bike. I have been riding since i was a kid bmx then mtb. The '08 ex8 is the best dually I hve ridden in this price range. I have been riding almost everyday on some decent single track and have been up to the serious trails twice. The bike has been perfect so far. | | Weaknesses: | Just personal preference but the stock seat sucks (bonty race) I up graded to a WTB speed V race (nice) and some easton pin/platform pedals b/c I am an old dog who does'nt like to be locked in to his pedals (personal pref) | | Similar Products Used: | fisher hifi plus '07, trek 6500 '06, specialized rockhopper '05 etc. | | Bike Setup: | stock '08 ex8 plus wtb speed v race saddle, easton pin/platform pedals crank bros 50/50's on the way. avid juicy sevens on the way!! will prob. upgrade the stem and bars to easton soon!! though nothing wrong with bonty. so far!!! | | Bottom Line: | Trek has built one hell of a new suspension. It is super plush and super strong. I weigh 230+ and have had no problems as of yet. I have taken this bike off of some 3ft.+ drops so far, and all my rides have been 15 miles+ on some pretty good single track. it all depends on where you ride. I dare you to hurt the ex, without hurting yourself in the process!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Southampton, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Warminster Community Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Guy's Bicycles | | Strengths: | Quality components, plush feel, handling, braking, plus ... it looks really cool. | | Weaknesses: | This sucker is expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | Done by the shop | | Bottom Line: | I had been using a mid-range ($1,000 new) dual suspension mountain bike to ride 150 to 200 miles per week for the past few years. I always thought it was a good bike. That's until I treated myself to the Fuel EX 8. This bike is the best I have ever had the pleasure to ride. I can honestly think of no negatives other than the price. But, someone smart once said that "you get what you pay for." This bike is loaded with quality components and is simply a great ride. If you ride as much or more than I do, then treat yourself to this bike - you won't be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson AZ USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | AZ Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Fairwheel Bikes, Tucson | | Strengths: | 2008 design, Great spec off the shelf. Superb suspension design (possibly the best out there, including the boutique brands). Looks absolutely gorgeous in black! | | Weaknesses: | Tubless rim-tape not there (check carefully before installing Stans, LBS fixed that problem for me). Stock grips are very hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS, Motobecane Fly pro | | Bike Setup: | Stock, other than grips | | Bottom Line: | IMHO this is some great bike for your buck. Forget about how sexy it is, it rides even better.
Normally I'm not sold on having to have the 'latest & greatest' new design on anything, but after doing lots of research I became quite convinced that Trek is really on to something good here. Their new take on the four-bar is impressive on paper, and seems to work equally well out on the trail.
DISCLAIMER! I've only owned this thing a week, but was fortunate enough to spend that week in Santa Fe NM. The riding there is awesome!
My initial impressions are thus: 1) It climbs a LOT better than I thought any 5" trail bike ever could. Different, but equal to my hard-tail in most situations. does not feel heavy on the climbs, and the front end stays planted. 2) Descends with great confidence, very agile and plush at the same time. Superbly comfortable. 3)It only looks better with a bit O' mud on it!
Treks have never really done that much for me and I haven't owned one in over a deacade. But they'll done a lot of homework here (check out their site). I think we'll be seeing a lot of companies coming-up with their own take on this design in an effort to stay relevant. We'll see. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hutter
a Cross Country Rider
from Powder Springs
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | silver comet side trails/blankets creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Free Flite Bicycles- Marietta | | Strengths: | The new "evo"suspension for this '08 ex8 is awesome. The bike comes very well equipped stock. Fox 32RL 130mm fork, Fox rp2 rear. Cane creek head set. Avid Juicy 5's,Shimano Lx front and Xt rear,Lx shifters,Lx cranks. Bontrager race or race lite:rims,hubs,bar,stem,saddle,post | | Weaknesses: | The bontrager jones tires are grate for hard pack but they loose traction on muddy side hills. Nothing a set of fires can't fix. | | Similar Products Used: | stumpy hard tail, fisher dually | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now except a set of cycle bro's 50/50 platforms. The spd 520's that came with it are still in the box. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has done everything that I have asked of it with ease so far. I am a bigger dude at 6ft 230+lbs, this bike handles my weight with no complaints and it asks for more. It is a do anything go anywhere bike and is probably the last one I buy for a long time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whopper - Halifax | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Canary Cycles - St. John's NL | | Strengths: | This bike is well built and very light. Great components. The bike has held up to numerous free ride type excursions and never let me down. I fly past other riders on the hills (its so light). | | Weaknesses: | Since its very light, It's not meant for too much rough stuff. So far I haven't had any problems with the frame. I had to replace the headset after the better part of a year's worth of some 2ft-ish drops. | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | FSA Pig headset was the only change to date (replaced chain, cassette after a years worth of riding) | | Bottom Line: | Don't regret a thing on this bike. I have gotten nothing but compliments from other riders. And it still looks AWESOME. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | U-Bikes | | Strengths: | updated rear suspension, climbing, very light | | Weaknesses: | I'm not yet sold 100% on the Juicy 5s or the tubeless wheels | | Similar Products Used: | Spec Stumpjumper Elite, Spec Enduro Comp | | Bike Setup: | out of the box, no changes yet | | Bottom Line: | 2008 model. I demo'd this bike (took it up to Walker Ranch outside of Boulder and had no problems) and bought it after 1 day of demo'ing. Yesterday I took it on the Switzerland Trail from Sugarloaf to Sunset and back (4 mi down, 4 mi up) just to keep getting acquainted with it before I took it to Vail today. It went down and up the Switz trail great, and had no problems on the ski resort today. I took it down the black diamonds and had no problems with the suspension not being enough (didn't go over the bigger jumps though - more me than the bike there... chain did come loose twice due to jarring). I also was able to ride up the Grand Traverse easily. It climbs and descends well. 5 chilis in the first 2 wks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Ryce
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hartwood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Scholl's PGH, PA | | Strengths: | 2007 Model. This bike is extremely light and versatile. I had ridden "all Mountains" until this bike. I don't feel like I have been limited at all with this ride. Fox front and rear shocks are a bonus. Lighter than my wife's hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | The fork travel make this bike a little steep on the climb...easy to pull the front wheel off the ground. Bontrager saddle will make your prostate very unhappy. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3900, Ironhorse Warrior, Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for WTB Rocket V saddle, Bontrager race lite HB. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has surpassed my expectations. It has been able to take whatever I throw at it. The cost is well worth it. I am 6 foot with a 32 inch inseams and I went with the 17.5 size. It is a tad tight in the cockpit but it gives me tremendous control at high speed and steep drop offs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alain Laflamme
a Cross Country Rider
from Gatineau(Que)Canada
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gatineau Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Bertrant | | Strengths: | performence | | Weaknesses: | tires | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sammy c
a Racer
from Phoenix, Az
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Desert Classic/100 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Not a bad bike by any means. Strong component package for the price. | | Weaknesses: | I have had a big warranty problem with this frame. To my understanding it is not uncommon for the spacing between the rear triangle the bearings and the main frame to be off. This means the bike flexs and does not perform properly. Also, this bike is too heavy. My 06' version had 4 in. of travel and was 28 lbs. Not a good combo. | | Similar Products Used: | Top fuel 98, numerous hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Dont buy it unless you get a great deal, and dont plan on racing it. The 08's are supposed to be very different. If you do want to race go with a top fuel, not comparable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dean machine
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria,Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Vigin Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | A Gear Higher | | Strengths: | Price for components and performance is hard to beat.There are frames that cost this much.Fox shock and fork have been excellent.This bike weighed 28 lbs.out of the shop, stock except for the eggbeater pedals.It climbs fast with propedal shock.Most of the time I ride the shock in the open position it really smooths out the roots. | | Weaknesses: | It takes a little time to get the most performance from the shock.The recommended air settings were low.I kept increaseing the air 5 psi till I found the sweet spot.Take your pump with you.Paint scratches easy.The headset is junky.I put on a Cane Creek Solos headset. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 KHS FR1500,2005 SURLY KARATE MONKEY,2000 GIANT XTC,1997 GT LTS3. | | Bike Setup: | 17.5 frame.Crank Bro. pedals.90mm thompson stem.wtb rocket pro saddle.Cane Creek Solos headset. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first bike that I haven't built up myself in about 4 years and all the components are solid .I changed a few things after six months of riding the bike stock.I,m always messing with my rides to get them perfect.This bike has improved my riding .I've started doing longer rides,some 6+ hours and this is the bike is what Ive been wanting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclery.com.au | | Strengths: | great ride, amazing handling. Very solid ride through a wide variety of trail types. very light weight and rolls well. suspension set up is perfect. lock is a must on those road return trips back to the top. | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness was my wife seeing the bill, although i got it on sale at clarence street | | Similar Products Used: | tried a fair few other trek's and a couple of gary fischer bikes, but nothing came close. | | Bike Setup: | FRAME: ZR 9000 Alloy main frame and swing arm
FORK: Fox Float 120 RL with lockout, 120mm of travel
WHEELS: Bontrager Race Disc
BRAKES: Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc
REAR SUSPENSION: Fox Float RPL with Pro Pedal, 120mm
COMPONENTS: Shimano LX crankset with XTR rear derailleur, Deore shifters. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line... with a good price from the sales, this was the best decision i've made since i ditched the flower basket and kick stand from my old hard tail repco... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Great Spec | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, poor feel at speed | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-Drive, Specialized Stumpy FSR. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Fuel EX8, XTR rear mech. LX front mech, LX shifters, Hayes HFX9 brakes, RockShox Reba Race 100m Fork, RockShox MC3.3 rear shock, Bontrager Race Crankset, Bonty Race XLite carbon bars, Bonty Stem, seatpost, saddle, Race Disc wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Bought at a discount (saving $1,200!) because it was a previous years model. After a good couple hundred miles of riding, I can see why it was discounted.
For the price point, the bike is heavy. It labours on the uphills, and the pedal platform feature of the rear shock isn't the best leaving noticeable "bob". The fork lockout works well enough - I've got Rebas on my hardtail and think they're a great piece of kit.
The geometry feels fairly slack/relaxed which can inspire confidence, but the stock stem is way too long - switchbacks are almost impossible, the steering is that slow.
The frame doesn't show much flex under power but at speed over rough ground it starts to feel distinctly vague, the rear triangle not always feeling totally connected. The Rebas don't seem to stand up to well on this frameeither, they seem to flex a lot more than the Reba Teams on my hardtail.
The XTR mech shifts a treat, the front works well too. The crankset has been a different story - it eats drive-side BB cups at a rate of one every 50 (or so) miles. Whether this is because of a fault with the crank or poor design I'm not sure but it's immensely frustrating.
All things considered, I'll probably salvage what components I can and put them on a better frame. Be warned, if you see last years models at a super-cheap price, it's for a reason!. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Ab, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Powerface short / Sulphur Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | * Fox Float 130 RL front shock
* Fox Float RPL rear shock
* Tubeless ready rims/tires
You definitely get a lot of bike for the money compared to other bikes in the same class. | | Weaknesses: | Deore shifters. I think it cost me $15 to upgrade to the LX shifters, so that was an easy and cheap fix. | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | Stock with upgraded LX shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I looked at this bike vs. the 07 Santa Cruz Superlight and this bike has more front and rear travel, as well as a lockout front shock for climbing (the biggest difference between the two bikes is the front fork). It was also $100 cheaper, and even though I'd love to have the Santa Cruz name on my frame, I just couldn't afford to pony up the hundreds of dollars it would have cost to make the components of the Superlight comparable to what you get from the factory with the EX8.
After lowering the handlebars by moving all 3 spacers to the top of the stanchon (highly recommended if you're like me and like to do a lot of climbing), the height of the front end was not much higher than my old hard tail that had a 100mm fork.
With the Fox RPL rear shock and having the ability to lock out the front fork, I find that this thing climbs nearly as well as my old hard tail, but unlike my old hard tail (04 Kona Cinder Cone), this thing is so stable and just flies on the downhills.
I don't think that anyone who buys this bike will walk away disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy Nicholson
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | private individual | | Strengths: | Great solid dual suspension bike. Confidence inspiring, begs you to try more difficult obstacles. Lightweight, good components. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS1 | | Bike Setup: | XT front & rear derailuer, lx shifters / hydro brakes, Bontrager XXX bars, X lite seatpost, Race disc wheels, Panaracer XC fire pro tubeless tires, egg beater pedals, yeti lock on grips. Stock suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Great dual suspension for the money, begs you to ride harder and try new things. Nice components compared to other brands in same price range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig mckinnon
a Cross Country Rider
from kirkland, wa
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | dry ones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1799.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike gallery Portland,OR | | Strengths: | Same frame as the more expensive fuel ex's. Fox front and rear. Pro petel, Shimano quality, great parts | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | trek fuel 100 carbon, Gary Fisher hifi, santa cruz | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the king HS, replaced th |
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$ 2310.00
