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Submitted by
Brian Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from CO,
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Durability, Handling, Price | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper, GT I drive, Fuel 80, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossride Wheels. xt cranks. | | Bottom Line: | I am 6' 215lbs, and I have beat the crap out or this thing. It just keeps coming back for more. Hardly any bob and easy on the back. I take this bike on trails and jumps that it is really not meant for. Going to put a lighter fork on it and race it tis year. I recomend this bike or the Fuel 80 (we have a 2003 that has been sweet also)for anyone that does not want to pay big $$ for a boutique bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Portela
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph, On. Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Skiis and Bikes | | Strengths: | None, please read product weaknesses... | | Weaknesses: | Where to start... a few details on the reviewer, I'm 6'3" and have depending on the season, clock in at around 215 to 230 lbs. I ride my Trek Fuel 90 (X-large frame) on XC trails and maintain my equipment. A few observations and opinions on Trek. They do not care about repeat customers, if they did, they would not hand out replacement components with the same design flaws as the originals. My Trek Fuel 90 has gone through a full frame replacement and two rear triangles and now a pivot point, all in the span of four summers. My bike has spent most of it's time at bike shops, waiting for replacement components to arrive. Raplacement components sent by Trek with the full knowledge that these parts will likewise fail. The dealers (off the record) seem to be aware of the design flaws but refuse to address the problems. I've even asked for an upgrade with me paying the difference, but was declined. My past 4 summers, I've (on average) had a hand full of rides prior to the bike failing me, usually by mid summer the bike is off the trails and in the shop.
This year I will be puchasing a new bike and will never again give Trek a dime of my hard earned cash. Trek should also be aware that my difficulties with the bike have been very public within my local bike club. | | Bottom Line: | If you're over 190 lbs, stay away from Trek Fuel bikes. Trek and their affiliated bike shops have no issues about selling bikes to people over 200 lbs, but it's obvious, they don't design the bikes with this market share in mind. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
edward loucks
a Cross Country Rider
from fall river ma. u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | freetown trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | bike works of swansea ma. | | Strengths: | very aggressive suspension the large frame is just right for me the aluminum frame is just as good as the carbon fibre y22 i use to ride | | Weaknesses: | switching gears to quick tends to pop the chain off.but im getting better at switching gears | | Similar Products Used: | i also use to ride a cannondale full suspension,but it didn't really ride as well as trek cycles.i also had a trek 970 candy apple red with alot of chrome ,unfortunately it was stolen. | | Bike Setup: | it just stock right now,but i plan on giving it an overhaul real soon | | Bottom Line: | anyone looking for a good quality bicycle american made should definately see your local trek dealer and take a trek bike for a ride .i promise you,you will be satisfied | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maya Neal
a Weekend Warrior
from East Wenatchee
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | sage hills | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Second Wind bikes | | Strengths: | All around excellent bike | | Weaknesses: | Sram grip shift shifter handles split | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassalaharra most likely spelled wrong | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for speedplay clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Corners like it was on rails decends like a dune buggy great on the flats | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rupert Collins
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA. USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Cranberry Lake | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's Greenlake Cycles | | Strengths: | U.S. made, Maneuverability and Comfort. Call me old fashioned but the thought of twelve year-old standing in a pool of water for 14 hours while holding a tig-welder makes me sad. My Trek cost no more than the rival Specialized bike and it was made here in the U.S. As for the handling, my Fuel 90 descends like a bike with much more than three inches of travel, can handle the tighest technical section and climbs like a goat. What more could you ask for? As for the comfort, oh sweet, sweet full suspension I will never go back to a hardtail again. Energy loss my @#$! I can ride things now I could never make on my hardtail and ride for hours longer without any of the back pain of years past. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck, and the stock quick release seatpost clamp that died three months in. As for the chain suck problem, once I got rid of the Bontrager cranks, the problem all but vanished. Try any the Shimano cranks and you will forget the bike had the problem in the first place.
I also highly recommend going straight to disc brakes. I didn't have the cash at the time of purchase and used the stock Avid-3 v-brakes "happily" for two years. But now that I have upgraded, I don't know how I rode all those years without them. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded the cranks to Shimano XT octalink, upgraded the fork to a Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80 and when I went disc, switched the wheels to Mavic Cross Max XL and Avid Juicy 7 disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I know Trek is not known for their Mountain Bikes but do yourself a favor and try one. You will be pleasantly surprised. I bought my Fuel in '03 expecting to use it a season and try something new. It's just about Spring '07 and I still can't justify buying a new bike...damn it!
And best of all...look Mom, no slave labor! Buy North American!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Hathaway
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The Hogback in Golden | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Turin Bikes, Denver | | Strengths: | Strengths of this bike are its versatility. It climbs very well. Its not stupid heavy like a downhiller, yet descends at speed right along bikes with much more suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of adjustability on the front fork. Its a Manitou Black and I pretty much always run it in the 80mm mode, because in the 100mm mode its too soft at the top of the stroke and therefore either too much travel during flat fast sections when cranking, and bottoms out when descending slower technical sections. In the 80mm mode its just about right, but I feel Im gettn ripped off for not gettn to use that extra 20mm. The rear shock is fine, not sure what the complaints are about, dont put too much air in let it work. Many people crank the pressure, then complain that its too stiff. Try it with less air!
Stock brakes suck bad. I bought the one w/o disc and recently put disc on it. The caliper brakes squealed non stop, they ground up the rims and just worked horribly. I can ride a stoppie for 30ft on my commuter bike with great breakes, but this one needed discs to be able to perform like my other bikes. So first thing is dont get calipers, if you did, buy disc and dont go back. | | Similar Products Used: | I have been riding mt and road bikes since the late 80s. I ride almost daily, but do more road riding than mt anymore. | | Bike Setup: | Its pretty stock aside from the caliper brakes. I ride smaller tires at high pressures and eat up everyone I encounter. The bike does me proud. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this. You will get chain suck if you are dorky enough to late shift and then force it under torgue to switch gears. When you know what youre doing both mechanically and athletically, you wont have these problems. If you want more travel, get a hucker or a dowhiller. This is a bike for doing everything, climbing AND descending. I dont descend any hill I didnt climb. Leave the resort weenies in the dust and get some exercise! Trek makes a solid, great performing bike that can chew up bikes 3x more expensive when piloted by seasoned cyclists who know how to set up and control a bike. Dont blame the bike, its solid. Remember, back in the day we all rode with solid front forks, stiff rear ends, crappy brakes, cruddy shifters, and still had fun. You dont need a bike so plush you dont spill your latte. You need something that does it all. And the Fuel90 is that bike. Peas out! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralf Woodlund
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Sweden | | Strengths: | Great when riding steep declines downhill over roots and stones. comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Screws rust, must tighten rear frame section at regular intervalls,heavy, crap geometry sit far to upright even with lowwered stem and flat bars,headset feels loose, alot of vibration in stem section. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Crescent Ultima | | Bike Setup: | XT Front,XTR rear,XT disc brakes, Control Tech seatpost and stem Wheels hand built DT Swiss,racing Ralf Tires | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is I am really disapointed from having to tighten rusty screws every ride and the Ario rear suspension being so difficult to fit correct bounce.The vibrating headset section (which has been serviced twice)I went from HT to FS big regrets all my cycle races this year I came worse than the HT years,allthough I have trained a hell off alot more.To have the comfort of FS is not worth hauling a heavy lump on a 100KM track every steep hill was hell. Lastly the XT paddles or combined brakes and gears are rubbish, you more or less have to release the handlebar grip to push with your hands/palms=very unnatural hand movement. I have now sold this tractor and ordered a HT Scale 10 OK a huge price increase and you cannot compare but my recomendation is BUY HARDTAIL and wizz past the heavy tackle on the steep hills. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC
a Weekend Warrior
from Scarsdale
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$980.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Has been taking abuse from a 210 beginner rider for 2 years without major complaints. | | Weaknesses: | VBrakes, you can get disks for the same money nowdays.
Lots of chainsucks.
Bumpy rear suspension (tried various setups). | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension. Otherwise Diamondback Sorrento. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Rapid Rise and Maxxis Mobster tires.
Replaced big front ring with Race Face bashguard.
Replaced Shimano pedals with Crank Brothers Mallet C. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is giving me a good treat. As a somewhat heavy beginner racer I give this bike a hard time and nothing broke on me so far (besides a couple of drive trains).
In over 140 hours of riding, I had way more good times than bad. I am just wondering if the stock setup wont depreciate to fast because of the weak rim brakes and quite cheap rear shock. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from IL
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Zion Cyclery | | Strengths: | I haven't really done too much with the bike. But, I have noticed looking at other bikes the Fuel 90 gives you the most for the money. It has LX and XT parts which is not bad at all. The bike also has a nice smooth ride to it and and there is really no peddle bob if you ajust the air in the rear shock correctly. | | Weaknesses: | The rear shock(Fox Float R) started to squeack a little, but eventually stopped and the when going over rough terrain the bike is noisy because of the chain. I would really recommend the Lizard Skin which dampens the noise a little.(Chain could be a little tighter. | | Similar Products Used: | First Mountain Bike!!!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | Well.... lets see, A Trek Fuel 90 with all stock parts. | | Bottom Line: | The bike couldn't give more for the money especially when you get a good deal on it. It has nice parts and shocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Richardson
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Peak | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Strengths: | Good Value | | Weaknesses: | Broke the rear derailer (middle of a long ride) Went through two chains that the front derailer pushes over to far and drops chain between petals and frame. Just broke the Frame going uphill at a slow pace | | Similar Products Used: | First Mountain Bike | | Bike Setup: | Replaced Tires due to wear, repaced seat and seat post with something a bit better, replaced rear derailer | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't recommend Trek MTB. My buddy and I went and got a deal on two. Both of us have had lots of problems and are always having our bike down for one reason or another. The suspension and brakes seem good but too many problems. You should not have to worry if the manufacturer has a warrenty on the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | JAXS | | Strengths: | Great XC bike for the price. I'd been waiting a awhile for a FS XC bike to hit this price point. My older back appreciates it, and lets me ride the trails more often. | | Weaknesses: | "Chain Suck" . If you're pushing hard when changing the front derailur it's probably going to get jammed in the frame. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Fun XC Bike, probably can't be beat for the price.
Chain Suck is a problem. Back off when changing the front derailur and it'll work fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Pitcher
a Cross Country Rider
from Beverly, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sally Mulligan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great bike. Bought it off ebay...it had never been taken off road and had been garaged for the entire previous ownership, which had only been about 6 months. Stock components are very durable and reliable for the price. XT shifting is smooth as silk. The bike weighs lighter than I thought it would, so that makes things easier. It climbs like a beast, and the full suspension makes descending a breeze. Bobbing is minimal when coming out of the saddle. The sag can be adjusted with the fox float pump, so bobbing can be controlled. The rockshox duke fork is great as well. Some people have complained of the seals breaking on it, but I haven't had any problems with it. As long as you take care of it, all components on the bike should hold up with some heavy usage. | | Weaknesses: | Stock saddle is a little harsh on my behind, although over the past 6 months of riding, I've gotten a little more used to it. But longer rides can be painful sometimes. I might upgrade that later. The lighness of the Zirconium frame is great for the whole weight of the bike, but it can be brittle at times. I have a lot of paint chips out of the bottom half of the frame from pebbles being kicked up, but that's probably normal. It's not something I'm dissapointed about. After all, it's a mountain bike, and it's gonna get beat up over time. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | All stock - may upgrade saddle later | | Bottom Line: | Overall, this bike is amazing. It is my first full suspension bike, and after riding on full suspension, I'll probably never ride anything else. For the money, this is a very good buy for a rider that's looking for a durable XC bike, but doesn't want to spend 3 grand or more for something like a fuel 100. I'd reccomend this bike to anyone that's into riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
2WheelManiac
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Pikes Peak - 3 Little Pigs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | Great handling, comfortable geometry for longer rides, invincible - it held up to a broadside crash with a car. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires wore out quickly | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Klein, Trek Fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | Tossed Bontrager saddle for Koobi, replaced Bontrager seat post with Thompson, significantly reduced rotating weight by using Performance Ultralight inner tubes | | Bottom Line: | Good value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont, CO USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike and Hike | | Strengths: | Good Shocks | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 70 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've had my Fuel 90 2004 for a year now and have been pretty happy with it. This is my first mountain bike, and I think it is a good all around bike. The reason that I bought this bike is that I wanted to get a good first bike, but I also wanted to get into racing. So, the Fuel 90 was in the middle of the fuel line and is a good fit for what I want. The shocks have performed well, haven't lost any air yet. I only have a couple of minor complaints. I've had 2 instances of chainsuck, where the chain got stuck between the frame and small chainring. I guess that't not too bad for a year of riding. The head set also came loose while riding, but has been fine since tightening it up (8 months ago). The good part is that this bike has been very durable. I've gone down in rock garden's quite a few times, and have the bike has been fine afterward every time. More than I can say for me. I'm going to give 4 chilli's since things haven't been perfect, but If I had the purchase to make all over again, I would still buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Louisville
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | pretty much everything, got rid of it because it no longer fit my needs | | Weaknesses: | not a freeride bike, but thats about it | | Similar Products Used: | jeckyll 600 | | Bike Setup: | stock, with panaracers | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for xc. i started getting into freeriding and this thing held through 15 foot drops and 30 foot gaps which is amazing for a xc bike. its great on climbs and descends, if you want a race ready xc bike that you can still mess around on buy this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fanshawe Lake in London | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Reynold's Cycle | | Strengths: | Super light ZR9000 frame. XT rear works great. Good mix of solid components. Sweet colour. | | Weaknesses: | None that i can tell. | | Similar Products Used: | Oryx. Tested Specialized Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Will upgrade to disk brakes at some point. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike back in June and am loving it. My old bike was just a cheapy that got me into mountain biking and now I can't get enough. Look around at many different bikes, none came close to matching the Fuel 90 in terms of price and components. Fuel 90 works great in all conditions, tight, twisty singletrack, climbs like a goat, decends really well for an XC bike with smooth peddeling and shifting. If you're into steep drops then obviously this isn't your bike, but if you want a really light, really fast bike that can handle itself in the woods and up the mountains, don't hesitate, get the Fuel 90! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from madison, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | This product absorbs small bumps nicely. | | Weaknesses: | Poor Quality Bontrager parts. Poor suspension performance. Bushings intstead of bearings. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized epic, specialized Stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT Crank | | Bottom Line: | I have sold this bike after 3 months of riding. I feel the suspension performance of this bike is terrible. I have never been able to get the full travel out of this bike no matter how hard of a hit I take. This bike reminds me of a softtail with 1.5 inches of travel. It works good on real small bumps but when you go over a curb it feels just like going over a bump with a hardtail. If you want a more plush travel buy something else. The bike climbs ok. It still bobs like any other single pivot design when climbing out of the saddle. The bike's pivots are all bushings rather than bearings. Trek was just trying to save weight there. I will have to say I have had no drivetrain problems or flex with the bike. I feel this is not a bad bike I just did not like it. I feel other bike companies have much better suspension performance and are just as efficient or better than the Trek. Three inches of travel is just not enough. I have bought a Specialized Epic and I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | City Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Bills Cycle Shop | | Strengths: | Geometry and overall feel of this bike is exceptional. It's light weight (ZR 9000 frame), absorbs hits well with the 3" of travel. Component set up is mid line and performs well. | | Weaknesses: | Crane Creek Headset, Duke XC, Hard Saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 3, Epic, Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for FSA Orbit Extreme Headset, Bontrager Fs 2000 Saddle with gel insert, Durace Chain, and Panaracer Fire XC. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension bike and I love it. The rear shock performs when it should and I have not as of yet experienced any bob. I have had some problems with the Duke XC fork from the day I purchased the bike it has made a clicking noise. When I took it to my local dealer they found that the wavy washer within the fork had broke. It had caused some internal damage as well but nothing serious. Once repaired the fork has worked like a champ. They also found that the Crane Creek head set was defective and replaced it with an FSA sealed Headset. I would recomend this bike to anyone who enjoys comfort and great performance at a reasonable price.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ISK
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | $1500 | | Strengths: | Solid and efficient frame. Duke fork and Fox Float R is a good suspnesion combo. Nice mix of components and wheelset. Gotta love the royal blue paint scheme. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager components like the saddle, seatpost and stem could have been upgraded to the race, but I guess the Select keep the price of the bike down. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 95, Fisher Cake 3.0, Trek 7000 | | Bike Setup: | All stock until something breaks or I get a raise. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension bike. I went to the LBS thinking I was getting a hardtail, then took the Fuel 95 and Fisher Cake demo bikes out for a couple days to demo. Then I realised full suspension may cost a bit more and be a little heavier, but its so much easier on the body and you can descend like a bat outta hell (but you already know that).
So I get the Fuel 90 and I'm totally hooked on it like Whitney Houston to crack. I'm climbing everything in sight, bombing down fire roads, jamming through sketchy singletrack, splashing through streams. It's a beautiful thing. But I digress. This is a killer bike. Solid, well priced, good components, and fun to ride. The suspension is a good balance of efficiency when climbing and comfortable descending rough terrain (it doesn't feel like a monster truck but more like a rally car). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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