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Submitted by
chunjin
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Nobel Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek San Diego | | Strengths: | This is my first full suspension and it rides like I always dreamed a full suspension would! It does take a little getting used to when climbing because I am used to my hardtail and you need to put your weight in a different place. The bike corners great and climbs great also. | | Weaknesses: | Hate the stock tires and seat and grips. | | Bike Setup: | stock except Sevette carbon bar ends, Yeti grips and Panaracer XC fire Pro tires.... need a new seat. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike! I went into the bike shop to buy a rode bike and fell in love with this one. I got a smoking deal compared to others that have written a review. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mikes4bikes
a Cross Country Rider
from Orfordville WI
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | kettle morain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Michael's Cycle | | Strengths: | It rides like butter. Very nimble. Its a Trek. | | Weaknesses: | Takes a little getting use to. | | Similar Products Used: | Liquid 10 | | Bike Setup: | Black Air, Ti Cassette, XT Wheels, WTB Weirwolf tires, SRAM triggers, Hayes brakes | | Bottom Line: | I didn't pay anything for this bike because it was what Trek gave me in place of my Liquid 10 which cracked at the top tube near the seat tube (That was my second Liquid 10). From the time I saw the crack and the bike was ready to go it was about one week. AMAZING!!! In a time when too many companies don't care about customer service it is wonderful to see Trek and Michael's Cycles making right with the customer.
This bike is lighter than my liquid, the front end is a breeze to lift and very nimble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dibles
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Ops Tounbridge | | Strengths: | Inspiring, excellent xt components(07), Talas forks, | | Weaknesses: | headset lasted 6 months | | Bike Setup: | standard but tuned suspension rider specific | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bit of kit 2 years of excellent rides covered some serious miles, replaced headset with a King headset which finished it off along with some decent maxxis/continental tyres, now after 2 years riding could do with replacing saddle, not bad considering! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dlosole
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Flatrock Ranch, Comfort TX | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Trek design,loaded with great components. Handles great when climbing. Solid pedaling on the flats. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager jones xc tires. Tublesss wheelset that did not come with rimstrips? | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Sonix vl20, Specialized Stumpjumper, Pivot Mach5 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this. The Trek Fuel ex9 is awesome. I went away from Trek for a while only to return to ride a great full suspension bike. I am a big guy 5'6 217. This bike pedals like a hard tail with all the benefits of a full suspension bike. The mix of components work well on the bike. I am a little cautious about sram components but we will see. I have not put much time on the bike but plan to ride it quite abit in the next few months. I will write more later. For now I love the bike and couldnt be happier | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bkTrek
a Weekend Warrior
from OC, California
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Holy Jim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax- Irvine, CA | | Strengths: | Comfortable bike, responsive and easy to ride | | Weaknesses: | 1) Brakes sing at certain speeds; can't adjust it out. Noticed similar comment on another review.
2) Since day 1, had a strange clink sound with sudden rear braking. LBS couldn't determine cause until last week: seat stay snapped just above disc brake bracket. Broke under aggressive but not insane riding conditions; no big hits or impacts, never been crashed. I'm 5'11", 200 lbs, so a big rider, but not big enough to snap a seat stay unless it was weakened to begin with. Otherwise, the seat stay might just be too thin based on the new design with pivot behind the disc brake. All the pressure of braking flexes the seat stay right where it broke- in front of the support bracket. Hoping it's not a design flaw. So far LBS has been great- ordered new frame under warranty, but we'll see.
| | Similar Products Used: | SJ FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new tires and saddle | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike, but don't want to have to hold back. Hoping a new frame will prove the design can deliver on the promises!
Giving 4 chilis to reflect my optimistic nature
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SusXT
a Cross Country Rider
from Dilsen-Belgium
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | De Maasvallei | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | 5 april 2008 | | Strengths: | +Rearsuspsion! ABPsystem really works downhill. It brakes sensitively better.
+RP23 does what he has to do.
+Fox RL Talas also gives great confidence, but I almost never use the Talas.
+it's easy to make some speed and you always ride comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | -Avid Juicy breakes : the diskes tingles at a certain speed. LBS provided new brakes : XT's 2008
-X9 triggers : you have to push much harder than XTshifters.
-Sag : 12mm is a lot of sag.(25% of total)
- Bontrager JonesXR Tires : Dry = Ok, muddy = slipping away. | | Similar Products Used: | Canyon Nerve XC5 2006 | | Bike Setup: | Standard, except XT diskbrakes. X0 and X9shifters will be replaced by XT in the future. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, climbs good, descents very comfortable. Juicy's are powerfull brakes but the tingling made me crazy. I would buy it again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn Carruthers
a Cross Country Rider
from Duntroon, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | 3 stage | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Kamikaze, Collingwood | | Strengths: | Fork, Rear shock & components.
Climbs well, decends great, smooths out rock gardens. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested FSR Stumpy, Giant Trance & Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except XT shifters, XTR rear, & Kenda tubless tires. Cut the handle bar down 3/4" each side and lowered stem by about an inch so the handle bars are at the same height as the saddle. Set shocks to 15% sag | | Bottom Line: | Take this review with a grain of salt, since this is my 1st full suspension bike after racing S-Works hardtails for 10 years, and GT before that. I haven't had this much fun on a bike for years. I was really reluctant to get a 5" trail bike for my 1st full suspension rig, but I haven't been disappointed.
Climbing: This bike tends to climb better in the saddle, but still climbs well, out of the saddle in the middle ring on short climbs. I am still getting used to the the geometry yet, but each time the climbs get better. When seated you really need to get to the front of the saddle to prevent the front wheel from lifting. I have found setting the Talas to the shortest stroke when climbing real steeps beneficial.
Singletrack: The steering is very quick in the tight singletrack, although I had to cut down the handlebars to prevent catching the trees on some of our tightest trails. The rear suspension sucks up the rock gardens like a cadillac compared to my hardtail.
Bottom Line: I'm glad I went with the 5" trail bike versus a shorter 3.5" bike. I would even race this bike over my hardtail. I would highly recommend this bike, and can hardly wait to take it to Moab this year to really take advantage of the Porcupine Rim (almost lost my fillings last year on the hardtail). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Weekend Warrior
from seattle
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | galbraith | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | trek demo and or gregg's | | Strengths: | ALL...This bike does exactly waht trek claims, and it is lighter than many 5" bikes at about 28 lbs. I am very hard on my bikes...just figured i'd start by saying that...all day rides, 12+ miles, dh, freeride...a little of everything. a little while ago, back at the first indie series race here in seattle, trek was doing a dirt demo at the south sea tac trails. I had the chance to test out the fuel ex9 and the fuel ex 9.5 around the course...now, sea tac is a course i am very familiar with, riding it probably twice a week for the last several months. I know every bump, every corner and almost every line there...in the singletrack, this bike flew across the terrain...felt like a freakin jet pack attached to the bike...I was flying on the flats, thanks to the fox Rp23 rear shock with the propedal, despite it being set 20 lbs under my weight. I was surprised at how well the Abp worked under pressure...at race speeds, i was railing wet, muddy corners that my xc bike (a specialized stumpy) could never have tracked around w/o losing some control...the bike goes exactly where you point it on the trails and when it comes time to climb, you feel the x.0 instantly going to work...on my test ride, i never even messed w/ the talas adjustment on the fork, because i really didn't have the need to. it was light, stiff and incredibly rigid under tight turning into uphill climbs...the bike also stuck to the ground...the rear wheel sticks to the ground like glue...the one weakness i can say about the bike is the bontrager tires...i would probably change for a set of maxxis ignitors if i buy the bike...other than that, it felt bottomless in the travel, the pedal feedback was incredibly smooth, and the bike tracked like a dream...if I had 3 grand to spend on the 'one' bike...this would probably be it.
I also demo'ed the bike at gregg's greenlake in the 18.5", which was a little large for me...i think the 16.5 would be better...but for demo purposes, the 18.5 was fine... | | Weaknesses: | the only thing i can say...if you don't torque the seat down, it can slip a little bit...bontrager's stock seat wasn't the most comfortable...i'll stick to my WTB rocket v. oh, and the tire thing i mentioned, that's just my personal preference because the ignitors grip well, but also offer a lower rolling resistance. | | Similar Products Used: | spec stumpjumper comp, elite and the all new enduro sl. | | Bike Setup: | 05 spec stumpie, stock, except for a thomson post, wtb seat and upgraded brakes. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is an awesome ride...it flies through the singletrack, eats up the descents and begs for more...if i had the cash, i'd replace my stumpy for the nine in a heartbeat. check out the mountain bike action article on the bike. you won't be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maciek
a Downhiller
from Warsaw, Poland
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | fast forest tracks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | evans cycles | | Strengths: | Frame
Fork
Derailleurs
Wheels
EVERYTHING! | | Weaknesses: | nothing found yet | | Similar Products Used: | Epic expert | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Everything in this bike is just outstanding. Fork, derailleurs, bontrager wheels and components. But that is not what makes a bike a bike. I mean the frame. That thing is amazing. After first ride i thought that this bike was made especially for me. It feels like my legs turned into 200HP engine. Handles like an angel. I read before that seat may be a little bit uncomfortable. But after first long (105 kilometer) ride I felt better than ok so I guess that it depends on your a&% ;). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bert
a Weekend Warrior
from La Habra, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Turnbull Canyon, Marshall Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Whittier Cyclery | | Strengths: | Balance and Components | | Weaknesses: | Stock Saddle | | Similar Products Used: | 2005 Giant Trance | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Saddle and Tubeless Tires | | Bottom Line: | After reading a lot of reviews on this bike I expected this bike to climb well, what surprised me the most is how well the bike descends. I think that what makes this bike confidence inspiring is how well balanced it is; climbing through switchbacks is effortless on the EX-9 and the bike stays planted on the trail and goes exactly where you point it even on the rockiest descents. The stock tires and rims are tubeless compatible and it is definitely worth it to convert, the rear tire doesn't come close to slipping on loose rocky climbs, I am running 30 psi in the tires and haven't had any problems yet. I love the SRAM x-0 derailleur and the Fox suspension is outstanding. I believe that the Fuel EX-9 is the perfect bike for anyone looking for a bike that does everything well at a great price for the level of components that come stock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Horsetooth Mountain Park, CO
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | The One I'm On | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Lee's | | Strengths: | Lightweight, nice looking, good blend of in-house and OEM parts spec for the price, tubeless ready wheels | | Weaknesses: | Didn't much like the saddle, a little too XC for me | | Similar Products Used: | All of 'em - seriously... | | Bike Setup: | Stock 08 White EX 9 | | Bottom Line: | I noticed that a lot of the negative reviews for this ride are actually for the unanimously panned older version of this bike, i.e., 2006. Trek may have done itself a disservice by not selecting a new name for the new Fuel lineup. The 2008 version is a complete update on the frame, suspension, geometry, etc., It's a completely different bike.
Bottom Line: I'm 6'1, 210 and demo'ed a size 19.5 EX 7 today. I was impressed. I currently have a Nomad and a Blur LT - I considered the Fuel to be every bit as good as either of my Santa Cruz's. As is usually the case, if I had week or two to dial in this bike with my settings, my parts pick, I would have no problem riding the 2008 Trek Fuel EX for a couple of seasons.
Nice bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJ C
a Racer
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | SlickRock Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikers Choice | | Strengths: | Fast, corners like an Indy car, and climbs like a wild cat. | | Weaknesses: | Can't take it to North Shore and drop in 20ft, but I would never want to. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized Enduro SL | | Bike Setup: | Stock except upgraded to Easton Monkey Lite Carbon Bars, XO trigger shifers, and Specialized Enduro SL saddle. | | Bottom Line: | My experience actually mirrors the review by RideDude. I too am 6'5 and 240. I've been on an XL Blur for about 3 years. I bought this bike because I wanted a slacker head angle and a longer top tube. Both my old bike and this bike are almost identical component wise except for the 100mm fork on the Blur and a different set of tires.
All I can say is that this bike is like cheating. I've never ridden a bike that corners like this bike. I've held off writing this review because my local, very technical trail, has been too wet to ride until today. All I can say is that the rear end didn't come unplanted one time and there isn’t a nastier trail I’ve ever ridden. There is one corner in particular that any bike I've ever ridden has slid out on because it is a bunch of loose rock. This bike railed it to my complete amazement. This is the only bike I’ve ridden that you truly wonder what the limit is down hilling. Like I said it didn’t slide out once no matter how hard I pushed it and braking hard on purpose to see if the rear end would slide. It is the Holy Grail of cornering bikes.
How about climbing? On my old bike my chest had to be on the bars for this one climb to keep the front wheel down. Not on the Fuel EX. It climbed it like it wasn't even step. I also paused at the steepest section and got back in the gas. No wheel spin and absolutely no sensation of lifting the front week. The same held true if the front wheel came to an abrupt stop. This was evident when I came to a rock on a new section of trail and caught the front wheel on a rock. On my Blur my head would have been piled driven into the ground as I would have gone over the bars. On the Fuel EX my rear wheel lifted slightly and planting itself back on the ground. This was reassuring as the last time I rode my Blur it cost me two months off the bike because of a bad knee injury that resulted from going over the bars at a much slower speed than today. One last thing is a 3 foot drop feels just like going off a curb as the suspension feels endless.
Honestly, if you are looking for your last bike you'll ever need to buy I can't think of anything else that could improve on this bike. My only concern is that I love very fast descents and the speed at which I think would I think would overcome the traction would possibly kill me. Oh well, I’ll have FUN trying!
Believe the hype and know that MB Action really under plays how good a bike this is. I also emailed the guys at bikerader.com prior to purchasing it and they told me that it was the best bike they've ever ridden. That is saying a lot.
I could have bought any Ellsworth, Intense, etc. and I bought this because it felt so right and today reaffirmed this is the new bike to beat.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deuce 918
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro NC
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Rear sus is awesome, suspension adjustability, comfort, ground clearance | | Weaknesses: | Tires, grips | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Caad 4, Raven , Rush 3000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Holey smokes n gee wizz this bike is awesome rode 11.5 miles today and boy I'm I impressed the adjustability of this bike is sweet set the front fork 90mm and it feels like a race bike set it to 130mm and bomb down hill, nice ground clearance to flow over logs. I found my self feeling very confident on the EX. Climbing was effortless just sit and spin the tires are not to good in mud.The rear suspension is so smooth did not notice any bobbing. The floating rear was very noticeable and felt strange at 1st but kept the rear end planted I dont recall ever feeling this in control of a my bike. Im thinking of selling my other bike 06 Rush. The 18.5 size suits me more so than the Cannondalewhich is a large. The Rush is still a good bike but Im more stretched out it and I might play around with my riding postion if I ever ride it again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Dude
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham Alabama
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Seven Bridges Oak Mtn Alabama | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Cahaba Cycles Pelham Alabama | | Strengths: | Handling componets feel suspension climbs like a dream Fox shocks breaking is top notch.. I can ride for hours without fatigue. | | Weaknesses: | stock Bontrager seat is terrible.. replaced with a WTB Lazer V | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur (tested Gary Fisher HiFi Delux) | | Bike Setup: | Stock without the addition of WTB Lazer V saddle | | Bottom Line: | I sold my 2005 Santa Cruz Blur to get this bike.. reason was no parts or active dealer in the Birmigham area.. The Trek EX9 is the best Mtn bike I have ridden.. I am 65yrs. old 6'4" 240lbs and the bike lives up to all the hype that the magazines wrote about..The handling is great.. I ride a 21.5" frame and it weights 28lbs.with peddles. I have ridden the Trek EX9 on mud soaked trails. Other bikers on different Mtn bikes were slipping off the turns and muddy parts of the trail.. I never slid during my rides while breaking ..The new suspension works like a dream.. The bike climbs well..It feels lighter than it is..It has improved my trail rides.Cahaba Cycles Pelham Alabama is a great bike dealer to buy from..do yourself a favor and get the new 2008 Trek EX9... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | NJ Single Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Price to Spec ratio very good. Light for a 5" travel bike 26.6 lbs stock w/eggbeater pedals. SRAM/Juicy/Race Lite Wheels/Fox suspension/ABP/Full Floater suspension | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd a 2008 Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden full suspension bikes for about 5 years now. I race a Top Fuel but wanted something to have a little more fun with duing training rides. This bike climbs very good descends exceptionally well and just flies on the flats and through any rock garden. I have the new 18.5 frame which fills the gap for trek on size. I was looking at other models such as the Yeti 575, Titus Moto-Lite and Stumpjumper but I stayed loyal to my local shop and also love Trek's lifetime warranty. Not sure why people bash the Bontrager parts as these parts have served me well on my race bike also. The Bontrager Tires that come stock also seem to work well. I did the tubeless using the bontrager stuff and they work great. Riding in the wet conditions and some snow too they seemed to hookup well. I ran them at around 30psi. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Kaminski
a Cross Country Rider
from Linn Creek, Mo, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Syllamo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ozark Outdoors & Cyclery | | Strengths: | This bike loves to accelerate, climb and descend. The rear suspension feels endless and tracks like it is on rails. | | Weaknesses: | After one month of use in the Ozarks I found no weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Cake 3 Deluxe, Gary Fisher HiFi, Gary Fisher Fat Possum XO. | | Bike Setup: | Added caron fiber RaceFace hanlde bars and seatpost. Went with Sram 34 tooth rear cassette for easier climbing. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden the 2008 Trek Fuel EX9 for almost a month. The bike has been nothing, but great. While riding at the Syllamo(IMBA Epic) trail system in Arkansas rode the Fuel EX9 back to back with my Fat Possum XO and felt the Fuel took the hits just as well. The difference being when it was time to go uphill the 2008 EX9 almost feels like cheating. With the active pivot breaking point you always felt in control even on nasty donwnhill switchbacks. I know our trails in the Midwest are not on the level of trails out west, but this bike takes everything our trails can dish out and begs for more.
Have ridden Fisher HiFi and currently own a Cake 3 Deluxe and Fat possum XO. I found the EX9 to be much more confidence inspiring than the HiFi. The more neutral ride position of the Trek allows downhills to be more easily attacked.
This is a great bike and you will not go wrong if you buy it. I was told I would not get my hands on the bike until January due to demand. Turns out it showed up in late September with time to spare in the ride season. Thanks Trek. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny
a Weekend Warrior
from Fullerton, California, US
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso Woods/5 Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax Bicycle Center Irvine | | Strengths: | Great looks, new technoligy, stiff as heck, great parts, great price | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Remedy 6, Giant VT1, Gary Fisher HIFI | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2008 model.I can't help but notice that there a lot of reviewers that could possibly be knuckleheads, and are giving Trek a bad name due to their lack of knowledge regarding bicycle maitanence, or they just ride like donkey's. If you have never given Trek a minute of your time, and you want to own just one bike, and do it all,please check ou the 2008 Fuel Ex line-up. Trek is pretty darn serious about being back on top, that they have proven that with this new bike. They have new technioligies like ABP, and their full floater rear end that will make you a better rider. I can't get enough of this bike, and have logged 31 miles in the period of a few days so far. That may not seem like a lot, but it is for me. Check the reviews for yourself, and please take the reviews on here with a grain of salt, as some of these folks just do not know what they are talking about. Please check this bike out, you will be amazed! Thanks for your time! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | components | | Weaknesses: | rear traingle, suspension set-up | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this bike shortly after I got it. I have ridden, raced the bike extensively since then. Overall, I am very unhappy with the bike. The rear bearings had to be reset because the loctite cracked. The rear shock makes tons of noise...The tires the bike came with bontrager ac jones suck. I replaced it with a 2007 Giant anthem 1 2 weeks ago. This bike is lighter, faster, with none of the suspension issues... and it cost me $500 less brand new. Stay away from the trek and the headaches | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Gonzalez
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | various trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Habitat | | Strengths: | Bike handles well. Although it is a trail bike, it has a heavily influenced "race pedigree and geometry" to it. This is a XC bike that can be raced easily. Climbs well and descends well. Can be twitchy at times and will throw you if you get sloppy with her. Think of this bike as a "beefy" racer that can be slimmed down. | | Weaknesses: | This bike a has a steep head angle of 71 degrees. It is not an issue for me, but some riders may find this too steep for a trail bike. You definitely need to get back behind the saddle on steep descents or she will throw you. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much still stock to date. Removed the tubes and used Stan's sealant which improved the handling of the Jones ACX tires. Switched the grips to Ergon grips with magnesium bar ends and I added a Garmin 305 computer. Otherwise, is still as the day it was bought. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2006 Trek Fuel EX 9. I have had this bike for 14 months now. I absolutely love this bike because it is what I was looking for in a XC trail bike. It has a racing geometry to it and handles like a race bike. It is well balanced with 4" of suspension front and back. The components are solid overall, but not the lightest. You can easily bring this bike under 25 pounds if you are looking to get serious about racing it. But for everyday use as a responsive trail bike, it is great. It seems that the newer bikes have moved on to 5+ inches of suspension. For me, that's overkill. 4 inches is fine and with the carbon rear triangle, any rough stuff is easily smoothed out. I love the Rockshox suspension and the ability to lockout from my handlebar with the dual poploc is great. Both hands on the handlebars with no reaching down to lock or unlock and the rider controls it, not the shock. Once you dial in the suspension, you are good to go on a great bike that begs to go fast either up or down the mountain. This bike is geared to two wheels on the trail at all times. If you are looking to catch air or go off big drops, this is not your bike!!! Buy a Remedy which will better meet your needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tugg Hutchins
a Weekend Warrior
from Parker, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great Frame Strength
Durable at Crashing :)
Climbs great - Never lifts the front end | | Weaknesses: | Rear Triangle Play
Unreliable Shifting
Not quite a singletrack frame | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel Ex 6
Specialized Rockhopper (DEMO)
Kona dawg (DEMO) | | Bike Setup: | Stock (Made in 2005)
Frequent Tuning | | Bottom Line: | This is an updated Review after having it for about A year and 1/2.This is a look at how the bike has lasted and worn.
The Rockshox Suspension is great, fork and rear. I have taken it on local trails and drop offs and it doesn't skip a beat. Not very smooth near the end of it's Travel though. When tuned right, it reacts well to very small Bumps.
Frame is strong and well designed for the rider part, the carbon fiber rear triangle is stiff, but the rear triangle has side to side play even when tightened that is only slightly noticable. The Carbon fiber paint chips easily, but the main frame is very strong paint and has taken wear pretty well. Pedal bob it very minimal, if nonexistant. It Climbs like a champ, desends decently for a XC frame, but i find cornering not the bike's forte.
The drivetrain is the weak link. It has Shimano XT drivetrain in all, but lacks reliability. The cable routing has made shifting very sensitive and even when tuned right, i experienced small amounts of dirt will cause the derailur to "fall" in and out of alignment. The bottom bracket has had problems with noise and wear having due to plastic parts inside. The cranks are very stiff and is a plus to the drivetrain. Much Chainslap when decending.
In all, this bike reminds me much of a race bike, sort of what it is designed for. It Is a cross country bike with it's good weight and fork/component setup. It lacks in durability of Everyday wear and frequent use and has driven me away from Trek Full suspensions. In my case of riding, the bottom line is that this is not a "Get on and ride" bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Füller
a Racer
from Mainz
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hohe Wurzel,Taunus; Gardasee | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Radhhaus Mainz | | Strengths: | Light, high quality frame. Solid set up. Perfect all-round bike for trails, Tour, climbing and fast xc. | | Weaknesses: | Set up in Germany came witch XT stead of scram and Jucy 7. Saddle and Gripps... no Comment. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Specializes Stumjumper, Merida AM, Canyon XC, Scott Genius MC, Gohst AMR | | Bike Setup: | Saddle: Selle Italia SLR, Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic, Odi Lock On Gripps. | | Bottom Line: | Trek has done just a great job with this bike. Regarding the frame, it seams to be good workmanship, the welding looks great, the bearings are solide industrial standart. I am riding on the local forrest trails in germanys midrange mountains (Taunus, Binger Wald) and once a while Alp Trails (Largo di Garda, Italy) during vaccation. My EX Climbs like a goat like non of the produkts I have tried so far. It flies down the trails that I cannot get rid of the smile in my face. I have changed the Jones tyres which were fast rolling on less demanding forrst roads and on pavements to the Schwalbe Nobby Nic (two thumbs up!!). The Jones do not have enough side grip on trails and gravel roads. My first dissapointmant not beeing as fast as on my Zaskar on straight forrest roads changed into amazement about the ability to ride up-hill and down again. There is almost no bob, I have not used the lock-out so far, just the pedal platform once a while. The suspension is smooth working. After lowering the Fox there hasn't been any ramp I could't climb. 20% ramps are no match for the EX. Releasing all suspension, I just love to hit the trails. My reason to buy this bike was the great over all performance and frame quality. Compared to the other bikes I have tried, the position on the bike is more XC/Race oriented which is great for a good acceleration and climbing. The EX seams faster than other 120mm + travel fullies. By moving the saddle as far foreward as possible, the position on the bike is more relaxing for daylong tours. It is good for fast XC, for relaxing weekend tours as well as all mountain in the alps. I would recomend this bike to anyone who is looking for a decent allround bike. There are better bikes if you look for a fast and light race bike or if you are just looking for trails but if you are looking for an over all great performance in XC and All-Mountain, I would definately recomend the EX 9, therefore, 5 Chilis!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Clemson, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin, TX | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Escape, Greeenville, SC | | Strengths: | The whole package is very, very solid. The frame is solid and well designed with very little flex where there shouldn't be. I have the 2007 model with the Fox Talas on the front, and the Fox rear with 5" and Propedal. Also SRAM XO rear derail, Avid Juicy Seven hydraulic disc brakes. All top-notch parts. It was fairly pricey but I don't think you can get this much bike for the money anywhere else. | | Weaknesses: | The only things that I don't like are the grips (already replaced) and the Bontrager Jones front tire. And really, nothing inherently wrong with the tire, it's just that it's not good for the type of terrain I'm riding most of the time.
The only other problem I've had is that the seatpost creeps down into the frame over the course of a ride. It probably drops by about 1 or 2 cm per hour. | | Similar Products Used: | My first full suspension, but I've ridden Specialized S-works hardtail and Giant XTC 1 hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Like I said, this is the version with the Fox Talas on the front, and the Fox RPL on the rear. I replaced the grips with Ergo grips (highly recommended as well) but otherwise, stock all around. Very little that needs changing. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a little pricey but I don't think you're going to find a better speced out XC/trail bike for the money. It's light, it has excellent suspension, the Propedal on the rear reduces pedal bob to virtually nothing and when the front and rear are locked out, this thing feels like a no-suspension bike.
As far as performance, I've mostly ridden with it on hardpack and tight single track with very little technical or downhill type stuff. But I'm a very aggressive rider and like to hit intermediate-size drops and jumps, so I've put the thing through it's paces. With the exception of the minor annoyance of the seatpost sinking, it has performed remarkably well. I just switched over from hardtail and haven't noticed a depreciable decline in my ability to climb, and it has definitely improved my performance on faster sections. I still haven't had it in anything technical though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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Submitted by
jeff
a Cross Country Rider
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$ 3190.00
