$2000 UPGRADES for my Fuel EX… Was it worth it?

[@175thStreet]

Awesome video! Stoked to see people making videos about bikes in this "mid range" price point like I'd imagine a lot of us ride.

[@JaredHoff]

For sure! Thank you tons. I’m stoked on this bike and can’t wait to make more vids about it

[@trailpimp6369]

I am addicted to shopping so yes on upgrades

[@JaredHoff]

Same here 👍🏻 loving the upgrades on this bike

[@ulrikadrevniok]

Great Video! Thinking of giving uprades to my bike and this video definitly helped! Thanks for aanother great video Jared, keep it up!

[@JaredHoff]

Thank you so much for leaving that comment. It’s always good to know a video actually helped. That’s what it’s all about!

[@BJensen-vr8ri]

Good video with excellent common sense recommendations. I picked up a 2024 9.8 XT on Black Friday for $4k and I have already upgraded the pedals and grips. The saddle is next and I will be following your advice on the tires before replacing them. This thing is wicked fun at the ride park!

[@JaredHoff]

@@BJensen-vr8ri heck yeah! Stoked for you! I still miss my Fuel EX. The 9.8 XT was always a dream bike for me. You got a great deal 👍

[@josellacza72]

Excellent upgrade , I’m thinking to upgrade my fuel ex too thank you for the information 😀

[@JaredHoff]

So glad to have helped. That’s what it’s all about

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Nice video Jared, bike looks awesome now

[@JaredHoff]

Thank you 👍 much appreciated

[@jerryspeedbumps512]

I have the ex 7 coming myself. I got a takeoff rhythm to up the fork a little from the get go, but I intend to rock the new transmission, grab a One Up bar, a better dropper( my HT will use the take off). Also looking at a 150-160 style fork. Not sure where to aim there. Oh. And a 1400g Berd spoke wheelset. Cant wait! The stock wheelset apparently has a LOT of wngagement as hubs go so im curious. Ive got dt350's on the HT and theyre great.

[@JaredHoff]

Sounds like you’ll have an amazing ride! Stoked for you. Stock hubs have 108 points of engagement, which I think is plenty enough.

[@jmerodgers]

DT350 is a solid hub, dependable. But not as high engagement as stock. Stock are 3 degrees, the DT's are like 10-12 degrees if i recall.

[@Bike4adventure]

great video! I did bars and wheels as upgrades so far..next year for more upgrades

[@JaredHoff]

Wheels are an expensive one that I want to do, but I really needed the suspension more. I’m hoping to get a set of carbon wheels eventually

[@Bike4adventure]

@@JaredHoff I got lucky with the ones i got..Used from my LBS from the owner.

[@petererbse6253]

I totally agree with the contact points. They're very important, as well as tires. I spent double the money on grips and saddle because I wanted oilslick grip collars and saddle rails. So it looks cool and feels good now😂. I think a big upgrade would also be a high engagement hub. That's what I am saving up to rn. Looking at some onyx silent hubs but they're so expensive 😅. For all beginners I would recommend booking a technique course to learn how to manouver the bike by a pro.

[@JaredHoff]

I love adding oil slick touches 👍🏻 high hub engagement is another worthy upgrade. Luckily for me this bike came with 108 points of engagement which is plenty enough for me.

[@petererbse6253]

@@JaredHoff that's great. My oem speced hub came with 18🤣. But Im waiting for the bearings to show some signs of going bad before I will swap them or even the wheelset

[@jmerodgers]

Peter, the stock hubs have 108 points of engagement, so they are already a high engagement hub. I have some Bontrager Line Carbon rims on another bike and they have exactly the same hub. I'd say a carbon wheelset would be a big improvement because of weight and durability, but the stock hubs themselves are really good.

[@audiophizile13]

Thankfully a lot of bikes are coming with 4 piston 180-200mm brakes nowadays. If you're riding steep terrain or steep features brakes are CRUCIAL.

[@JaredHoff]

Definitely 👍 I do my best to make these videos with no script, and I forgot to mention that I upgraded the rear rotor to a 200mm. The bike already came with 200 front, 4-Pistons and metal pads.

[@45H4W]

3 Times over the years I've taken bikes I kind of thought had reached the end of the road and spent money on them and have no regrets for doing so. Ultimately though after getting extra enjoyment and time with the bikes, I would sell up and buy the newest shiny bling bike. Current bike, I will upgrade as and when the parts either wear out, or I can sneak parts in without being caught by my partner 🤣

[@JaredHoff]

I totally agree with you. I plan on keeping by this bike forever and would have done slow upgrades over time if I hadn’t been doing for the channel. Thanks for the awesome comment 👍🏻

[@Boots2Bike]

I have the same bike with fox36 160mm front forks. Looking to put a DH x2 coil in the rear .. love this bike though I also went to a wider higher rise handlebars, new grips also, but I've still got the stock stem. I wonder how that short stem will feel

[@JaredHoff]

The shorter stem feels way better on jumps, drops and technical downhill trails

[@andrewpm2]

It's probably well under $1500 after you include the resale vale of the components you replaced. Definitely worth it.

[@JaredHoff]

That’s good way to look at it! I haven’t sold anything I took off yet.

[@ianmangham4570]

Aint nothing better than spending money on ya bike 🙏💯🤠

[@JaredHoff]

Word 👍

[@machine7767]

Did you ever try adding tokens or spacers to the front fork to stop blowing through the travel?

[@JaredHoff]

I’ve tried adding spacers, but then I’ve gotten back-and-forth and realized that I really like to run it with less volume spacers so now I have my fork with only one volume spacer in it and I kinda like that set up although I had to get rid of this dream bike to be able to afford to get my son his dream bike so I’m riding a different bike now

[@ericnocek]

Great video. Thanks!

[@JaredHoff]

@@ericnocek thank you 🙏🏻

[@andysecorod9952]

I am shopping for a full sus, my back can’t keep up with my riding style as it progresses

[@JaredHoff]

Full suspension is definitely the way to go!

[@Lee-ic2yn]

Those valve stems look cool!

[@JaredHoff]

They have them in almost every color too. Trail One components. I have an affiliate link in the video description if you want to get a set and a 35% discount, but I’d probably use the discount on something more expensive

[@Lee-ic2yn]

@@JaredHoff thanks man appreciate that

[@herse83]

hey just wondered what brand of pants your riding with in the thumbnail, i know that may sound odd but i am looking for another pair. thnaks

[@JaredHoff]

My favorite brand KETL. Check the video description for a link. I think I put one in there 🤔

[@jerryspeedbumps512]

What size do you ride? Curious what the weights like on that with the upgrades?

[@JaredHoff]

Size XL, which claims a 515 reach but it doesn’t feel that long. Fits me perfect at 6’2”. I’ll make a KZbin short this evening showing the weight of the bike and reply to this with a link.

[@jerryspeedbumps512]

@@JaredHoff sweet. We're about the same height then!

[@JaredHoff]

Here’s the weight KZbin short. Sorry it took so long. kzbin.infoiolvy0Wg8vo?feature=share

[@ianmangham4570]

Best front suspension on this rock 🌎 🤠🙏💯 KASHIMA 4 LIFE 🤟

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks man! I think the orange fork would look weird with black stanchions. I’ve rode Performance Elite and Factory forks in the past and I honestly can’t tell the difference. But it sure does look good 👍

[@jmerodgers]

Hey.. We have the same bike (again). What travel did you go with on the Fox 36? I am taking the Zeb off of the Slash 9.8 and putting a 150mm air spring in it and installing it on the fuel. Like you im above 200lbs and i like the 38mm stanchions. (besides i get to put a Zeb Ultimate back on the Slash). I think next year i'll be running this Fuel (Gen 6, EX-7) as a mullet with 160mm front travel! I definitely agree with you on the dropper lever (the stock one was garbagio), but i stuck with the 31.8 stem and put on PNW Range Gen 3 bars. I'll let you know if it feels overforked...

[@JaredHoff]

I want to do a mullet setup on this as well but only have 150mm fork. I have a 160mm 38 on my e-bike though 🤔

[@Channel-io1di]

My roscoe has the same rock shox 35 gold fork. Well 140mm but same thing. Been thinking of putting that same 36 factory on it. It was just on sale for $740. Do you really think it makes a huge difference? I have been riding at northstar no problem on my hardtail. I feel like I'm lusting after that fork just to spend money. I wish I could rent one lol.

[@JaredHoff]

I think a Fox 36 will make a huge difference, but you could go for the performance elite and save a little more. Although, I totally get wanting that factory 36.

[@lizardears4861]

Just get a giant trance x that comes with a fox 36 performance and has awesome maestro suspension system. Less expensive than this trek model. Carbon is not always best as it can be very stiff and jarring in rough trails. It depends on the quality of the carbon.

[@JaredHoff]

Nice 👍

[@Zeek316]

I saw you came from a slash? I'm currently on the slash 9.8 and looking at the fuel 9.8. can you do a video comparison on the two. On the spec sheet their geometry looks pretty similar. did the fuel climb MUCH better ( I think the slash climbs great). does it feel more nimble? what are some pros and cons of each bike. Do these bike overlaps too much or is it worth having both in the quiver. Thanks

[@JaredHoff]

I look to make that video 👍 I have a couple other in the que right now, but will put that one on the list.

[@jmerodgers]

I have both bikes. Slash 9.8 GX and the Fuel Gen 6 EX-7. The slash is a more capable enduro and feels longer and more stable. I bought the Fuel for my son to use, and for when i want to ride more all-mountain and less gravity/tech. I have yet to try the Fuel in the mullet configuration, but i think with the 160mm travel and the shorter rear chainstay it might be a total hoot! Is it worth having both? I'm not sure. I do like the fact that one is alloy. i feel less worried about banging it around than the Carbon bike.. It is considerably heavier than the Slash..

[@alexBoblee]

Why don't you use the wtb rocket anymore?

[@JaredHoff]

Embarrassing, but I chose the saddle on this bike to match the orange parts 🤦🏼‍♂️ WTB still makes the best saddle in my humble opinion

[@GLCEndeavors]

What was the process of becoming a brand ambassador?

[@JaredHoff]

After making my first 100 videos or so, companies just started to reach out to me. First it was knockoff Chinese brands, which can still give you some great products to review. Then recently, I’ve had bigger companies reach out to me.

[@jasonlindquistmedia]

talk to me bout how to get that fork for cheaper whats the site?

[@JaredHoff]

You go to WC site and sign up for their email list for that discount. www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/fox-36-factory-suspension-fork-29-160-mm-15-x-110-mm-44-mm-offset-shiny-orange-grip2-kabolt-x?aff=578

[@99cobra2881]

Ive done the upgrade game and cant say I am a fan Decided to get nicer bikes for riding Switchgrass at Wilson Lake in Kansas. Bought a pair 2022 Marlin 6s in factory orange. Theyre a nice entry bike this should be fine. Wrong Fast forward to 2023 and we have just added Bontrager line comp 30 wheels with the 108 pts of engagement hub. Thats after the bikes got PNW bars, grips, (cant ride normal grips the XL grips are the shiznit) loam droppers (yup drilled the frames) loam dropper levers. Rockshox Judy Gold RL forks, maxxis rekon TR 3C tires blah blah lol Base model bikes suuuuuuck!!!

[@JaredHoff]

I hear ya on the Marlin. Sounds like you did everything you can to make it better. But what model would you choose in the Fuel EX line up? I think the best model is the 9.8 XT (beyond that your paying too much for fancy parts). But I’m actually happy I got the EX 7. Stoked on the way it’s turned out.

[@99cobra2881]

@@JaredHoff We are looking at Roscoe 9s next, Ive heard them referred to as a hardtail Fuel EX. Needing to do something as Im already on my second marlin 6 frame. For the Fuel EX the hex blue makes the bike. Its the best color offered. I just wish the Fuel EX 7 gen6 had the fox rhythm fork from the factory. I really like your build and would copy it to the letter if a full squish was the next bike on the want list. The worst and the best thing is having to buy two of everything since this is a hobby for both the wife and I. 🚵🏼‍♀️🚵🏻

[@robertjremlingerbscdvm6264]

Bash guard!

[@JaredHoff]

@@robertjremlingerbscdvm6264 I usually only put those on my enduro bikes

[@ianmangham4570]

Looks like rattle snake 🐍 country 😮

[@JaredHoff]

Luckily we don’t have rattlesnakes where I live due to the high elevation above 4,000 feet. Or at least I think that’s why we don’t have ‘em 🤔

[@ianmangham4570]

@@JaredHoff They can live well over that ,upto 11k feet in cali ,10k feet colorado 😳, just had a butcher's on Google 🤠🙏🤟

[@MayankSharma-kx1rb]

On top of that….

[@JaredHoff]

👍